2020 Trek Top Fuel 9.9 Review

The new 2020 Trek Top Fuel is quite a bit different than it's predecessor. It's longer, lower, slacker and has more travel. Is this the perfect all-round trail bike?
Bike specs: XL 2020 Trek Top Fuel 9.9: tiny.cc/ewzo9y
Test bike provided by Trek Benelux.
Riding footage by: / jonathanokens
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[@richardsteele-gray7473]

very good review, I just bought the 9.8 and I agree with just about everything you said. I'm not a fan of the twist-loc though, it can sometimes twist on the handlebar which means it gets in the way of your left brake lever. It feels so uncomfortable when locked out as well and all the cables at the front are just too much for me. I just managed to get a nice clean cockpit on my last bike and now I'm back to chaos. I think 120mm rear suspension also would have been nice for small bumps. The bike is so fast up and down though and the black version of this bike looks incredible, kind of a raw carbon colour. Cheers (oh, and I agree on the dropper, mine is quite stiff from new, will hopefully find a way to make it easier to 'drop').

[@leonardoolivar]

I demo this bike the last weekend for about 30 miles and I was surprised. It's playful (i own a jeffsy) much better descending that what I though. Climbing is just okay, you really need to lock the suspension to make it feel stiff. I'm definitely saving money to get one. Nice review by the way!

[@googleuser9864]

What did you prefer? The jeffsy or the top fuel? Thinking about both

[@leonardoolivar]

@@googleuser9864 for long rides with some technical trails no too steep I would go with the top fuel. If you wanna do some steep stuff and having fun the jeffsy is much more capable.

[@beni767]

"...when you get into a downhill section or a Belgian bike lane you can just unlock the suspension and save your back" - (6:04)

[@floimschnee4275]

Speaking of seat tube angle, you should demo a light build of an Ibis Ripley. You'll love its steep STA. (I'm long-legged as well and demoed a Top Fuel 9.8, and ended up buying a Ripley then)

[@UnicornBikes]

I'd love to try that bike, but there isn't even an Ibis dealer in Belgium :(

[@75gfr]

@@UnicornBikes I had contact with Ibis and for Belgium we have to contact the French distributor. I also want to demo the Ripley ;-).

[@UnicornBikes]

Which bike do you want to see reviewed next? Let me know in the comments!

[@gervaismartial708]

"pivot mach 4 SL" would be nice to review , to compare with this new top fuel, but maybe it is not possible to get one in Belgium!

[@towerful1]

Ibis Ripley next.

[@leandrosalles3474]

Santa Cruz Blur TR

[@75gfr]

@@gervaismartial708 My opinion, the trail429 will be a better comparison.

[@75gfr]

Very good question ;-), I am looking for a new bike in this category. Not a pure XC bike, but a bike with a little more suspension and fun, but still capable to go fast on the flat in Flanders. For me, some other bikes in this category (more or less trail oriented): new SC tallboy, scott spark, orbea oiz TR, ibis ripley, Pivot trial429. Was the XL not too big for you? I have the same inseam for 1m81 and will never think to buy a XL.

[@JanBartos24]

Good review!

[@olivierhacking]

Great video! Where is this forest?

[@UnicornBikes]

Bois des reves in ottignies belgium

[@rumildaolik4905]

great review :-) do you happen to know the travel measure for the dropper for a M sized bike?

[@allenjanes5976]

Nice job. Thanks

[@lukasnovy2649]

Hello, thank you for a great review. Are you going to test a new Trek Supercaliber? I somehow can not decide if Supercaliber 9.8 or Topfuel 9.8. Thank you very much, Lukas from the Czech Republic. Have a nice day.

[@UnicornBikes]

I'm afraid not. I've been eating too much chocolate to show up on the internet wearing lycra 😅

[@lukasnovy2649]

Hmm, bad answer for me. 😄 The neverending comparison between these two bikes will continue.

[@bassonengelbrecht2259]

@@lukasnovy2649 Hi there, have you made your decision? I'm stuck with the same question now between Supercaliber & Top Fuel!

[@lukasnovy2649]

@@bassonengelbrecht2259 Hi Basson, yes I bought finally Top Fuel 9.8 XT, put there XT brakes and changed tyres from 2.4 to 2.2 Bontrager XR1 (I had them on previous Procaliber 9.7). The bike works great for me (marathon trips/ races, trails). Have a nice day!

[@davidwales9657]

The Top Fuel 9.7 is the best deal

[@mtbjer9825]

Originally what I thought but hard to ignore carbon hoops on the 9.8

[@davidwales9657]

@@mtbjer9825 that's true, I hadn't noticed that

[@jesseremax]

Hi, What is the Stem length on XL Frame you tested ?

[@petergijbels8755]

hallo, maybe of topic, however could you tell me where exactly in BE these trails are? Houffalize maybe? I would like to try these ones ;-) hopefully soon with my new Top Fuel....

[@UnicornBikes]

www.trailforks.com/region/bois-des-reves-14015/

[@jesseremax]

Do you like this bike better than the former Top Fuel 100 Mil travel bike from 2019?

[@UnicornBikes]

Never rode the old model, but for trail use, it sure is.

[@jesseremax]

@@UnicornBikes Thanks Great review ..I had the Top Fuel 2019 but it cracked and there providing warranty with the new 2020 so it will be a bit different now but Im sure it will be mostly positive changes .. A little less XC and more Trail (fun) Thanks

[@victorgeenen8550]

The 100mm was good only these 120mm is better . Uphill same feeling like the 100mm only down More Fun .

[@mariusboonzaier519]

Is there really such a big difference between the 9.8 and 9.9? Sure the components on the 9.9 is better but I don't think there is such a big difference, if any, in the riding pleasure 🤔. What are you thoughts?

[@gervaismartial708]

how does the bike climbs while not lockout ! lockout for me is really for fireroad or pavement. So how does the top fuel climb when suspension are open?

[@UnicornBikes]

Seated is ok, but when standing you really just push it through the suspension.

[@gervaismartial708]

@@UnicornBikes, can you compare the seated pedaling (climbing) with a "Fuel Ex" with shock in trail or open mode ? this of course in case you have tried the Trek Fuel Ex with the Reaktiv shock. thanks.

[@victorgeenen8550]

Right same feeling , the EX is a great allrounder for mi !

[@Anolkovlog]

Can this bike take 2.8 sized tyre front and 2.6 on the back?

[@andrewkoop161]

Are you kidding me, you could buy a 600 horsepower Kawasaki street bike for the price of the top fuel 9.9

[@Jeppelelle]

Yeah, and you can buy thousands of snickers for a Kawasaki street bike, whats your point?

[@tgoods5049]

Jesper Andersson but 600 horsepower...

[@lauchadc6417]

This or old model? Thxs

[@UnicornBikes]

Totally this one

[@lauchadc6417]

Unicorn Bikes thxs dude!

[@tonycaluda1868]

At 1.84 you should've asked for a size L.

[@maquero007]

I Prefer specialized enduro ...

[@austinwalker7943]

Completely different style of bike, this is really just a plushed out xc bike