Finally Building My 2020 Trek Fuel EX Project Bike. Reveal and initial assembly.

[@jasonhardy4207]

I don't follow many channels but really like your channel James. My interest in bikes is growing everyday. You put a bike together effortlessly. Keep up the good work.

[@grahams5146]

Love the content man! This is such an underrated channel. Keep it up.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@parsnips800]

Great looking bike.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I think so too!

[@JamyRyals]

That’s a great color, super sick man

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks!

[@mattcardarelli]

I wish Trek offered more 27.5 setups outside of the remedy and roscoe. 29 is overkill on most trails around me. As a Trek lover, your videos are great. Thanks from Indianapolis!!

[@allenjanes5976]

Oil slick components to match that frame was a good idea. Nice job

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks!

[@chozaman244]

James, is there any difference in the total length of the Fox fork you got with the original Rockshox 35? I mean, not the travel but the overall length from the bearing seat to the axle of the wheel?, do you have the reference number of the fork? did you buy it online?, I'm planning to get a Fox fork for my Fuel Ex and I've been struggling with the overall dimensions because I don't want to change the geometry of the bike and I'm not an expert to understand everything about the forks in the market. Thx

[@Gamebit450]

I prefer 31.8 less fatigue on my hands and arms. I did replace the one that came on my fuel with a 31.8 Renthal FatBar Light .

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Nice. I'm dreaming about the Dirty Copperhead stem and Skywire habdlebar

[@Marcopolomtb]

Nice Bike.... awesome color...👍 excited to see it out on the trails...

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You and me both!

[@dmytrowp]

Love the video and the attention to detail from start to finish. Have you noticed any issues with your factory chainstay staying on and not being loose?

[@daveeastcott9323]

That frame is BEAUTIFUL!!! I think it was a good choice to stick with the tires and brakes for now. I really like the grips. Supacaz grizips? They're great grips!!!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah Supacuz

[@PAPADPOV]

Great video James! Love the multiple video angles 😀

[@joellim0707]

Hey James 1 Question: I bought a xt M8120-1 boost (1×12)crankset comes with 2 plastic spacer. If i put spacer on both side the chainring is not centered on the cassette. Did you put spacer on drive side on yours? Have a 2020 Trek fuel .thank you

[@jasonkirksmith2963]

Hi Joel. Did you work this out as i’m trying to figure out the same thing as to whether there needs to be a spacer on the drive side between crank and bottom bracket.

[@viejondonchuy]

What kind grease are you using please?

[@scotthart2552]

Nice video..nice build.. i just ordered the fuel ex 5

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Good choice!

[@neows6]

Great video, thanks for the inspiration. Any chance you have a parts list somewhere.?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't maybe I'll put one at some point on my website (www.jamesthebikeguy.com)

[@lee.j7077]

Looks awesome!kashima front and back would look amazing but not worth the cost

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

If $$ was no object, it would have happened. But damn its a lot of extra money for the color.

[@Robert-gt8nm]

I have a question, I want to buy a trek but I have a problem with the size, as you think 181cm tall is L or LM

[@steveChef70]

Robert 1125 hi I am 178cm tall & have the same bike in but mine is SRAM equiped with more bontrager gear. Great bike, a lot of fun to ride

[@joellim0707]

James the bike guy Question: what size of crank did you use 7100 non boost or 7120 boost?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Boost cranks

[@joellim0707]

Thank you. Any video how to service bearing on bontrager hubs?

[@joellim0707]

What size are those tires? 29×2.40 or 29×2.60? Thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

29x2.6

[@italianrelic]

Nice I run a fex 9.8 2019 love it!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Sick, thats a sweet bike!

[@Deaano7]

Do you have a video for the micro spline upgrade?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Coming to a youtube channel in the coming weeks

[@TheMoundBoys]

I’m looking for a 400-550 beginner bike, any ideas? I’ve been looking at trek and specialized.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Rumor has it you should wait until next week for a release... I suspect you will like it!

[@mwinner101]

Great build. 👍

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks 👍

[@ZShaners]

nicely done. what did it weigh? bounced back and forth between Shimano and SRAM. I just prefer Shimano at this point. Some things SRAM, but overall Shimano. With that said, haven't tried their 12 speed config. yet. also, 35mm clamp is overrated. pnw had a nice review on the testing of 31.8 vs 35mm

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Stupidly I didn't weight it. Likely will be in a bike check video sometime soon

[@westoe]

Great bike build. What size is the frame?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

M/L

[@westoe]

Jamesthebikeguy I have the exact bike but yours is setup way better. I got a medium and got the fox transfer in 150mm but was wondering if it would fit me because I’m 5’7 and the stock dropper is 130mm and it’s a tad to short for me. Also does the transfer fit all the way down the seat post tube or stick out?

[@ericr7162]

Nice, I’m tryna get some experience from people building bikes to build my own mtb

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You can do it, just know when to stop and ask your bike shop for help.

[@tonyhruzek4250]

You need to break in the spoke in the to go box!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Ive had that atleast 3 years in different boxes and such. Never used probably wont, lol

[@iBoredization]

Curious, what would you do to customize or upgrade a trek fx3?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Hmm there are a few things. What would you do.

[@josephladines]

new subscriber here! i really love your videos. nice build, indeed!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Welcome aboard!

[@thomasli2261]

You built the bike really fast! Nice bike building skills. Btw I’m pretty sure most dh riders are running 31.8mm bars, for exemple Loïc Bruni (he even said that he preferred 31.8 over 35 due to compliance issues) so they’re really not a bad thing

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

interesting take on the 31.8mm

[@Fnatic2010]

Hi Jamesthebikeguy, I think you are the content creater to ask for this. Can you do a video on internal routing cables? Especially if you got Trek Fuel Ex 18 or similar frames? Trek has that zip tie port at the bottom that just makes it difficult to change cables.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

At some point maybe. That ziptie makes it sooo much easier than normal internal routing. Seriously a lifesaver and on the side of easy.

[@Fnatic2010]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I haven't changed my cables yet. But I figure If I am to change some components I would have to remove that ziptie to change the cables. My concern is that how would one know if that ziptie loop got every cable inside for fastening. Also the issue about how to have that ziptie enter and then exit on the other side having secured all the cables inside the loop. Seems that needs to be made kind of blindly or by feel.

[@angelo0492]

Why not the ex8 he got the fox 34 from factory?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thats a different fork, damper, chassis, ect. The Rhythm 34 is different than the Fox 34 Performance. Both are 34mm stanchions but the rest is different. The Rhythm is a OEM only fork that gets fox performance but cheap enough to be spec'd on mid level bikes. This Fox 34 Performance is a mid-high level fork and is $750. You have to step up to the EX 9.8 to get a Fox Performance fork. (Although the 9.8 has a 36 nor 34)

[@angelo0492]

Jamesthebikeguy thanks now i get it

[@MrNat916777]

108t of engagement? what hubs? thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Bontrager Rapid Drive. Stock hubs on alot of Trek bikes and aftermarket Bontrager wheels.

[@MrNat916777]

@@Jamesthebikeguy Wow, I must look into that...

[@charlesnichols7682]

What does that FOX 34 weigh?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Pretty reasonable. The fitgrip damper uses more oil than a full fit damper in say the Factory 34. Keep your eyes peeled as I'll have the video on it coming up here soon!

[@stephenbutler1816]

Nice 🔥

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks 🔥

[@stephenbutler1816]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I'm interested in the 2021 ex 5 so hopefully this year i will make it happen

[@tarikmoore849]

35mm is too stiff imo. 31.8. 👍. I run the renthal fat bars at 800mm on my fuel ex. I highly recommend them. 40mm FUNN stem. Get the knockblock adapter. Run any stem you want. $10 from trek

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Solid suggestion. I have 35mm on my Hightower for a couple of years and like it. But good thought on the Knock block adapter, I'll check it out.

[@ansonyau2003]

Is it much more expensive to build your own bike like this? Is it over $8k with everything you have on this bike?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

It is generally more expensive to build your own, but that's the cost of custom. I'll have a video up when I am done explaining the overall cost. But no where even near 8k, lol

[@mortadhaabdul565]

Super reviewer!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thank you kindly!

[@mortadhaabdul565]

@@Jamesthebikeguy You are welcome! It was relaxing to watch the build!

[@Ramzilla25]

I love the video but I just got blue balls! Build the whole bike bro 😭

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Watch the second one

[@rik112]

are you also a bike mechanic? you put that together way too smoothly!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I am not

[@rik112]

@@Jamesthebikeguy Where did you learn all your skills?

[@TheLAKERSareGodsTeam]

Hey Ginger, where's Mary Ann?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Lol

[@alvinzapanta4073]

Nice

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks

[@michaelmcclure3383]

Wow!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

👍

[@alvinzapanta4073]

Woah nice bike. can i have that bike.. that's may dream bike but can afford.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

All bikes are dream bikes. Enjoy the pedal and enjoy the ride!

[@quinn3722]

Wanna be friends

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Ride it out!

[@kenny_kaos]

Hot 🔥

[@kenny_kaos]

Those reflectors though 😜

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Safety First!