Trek Fuel EX 5 vs 7 vs 8!! What’s The Difference??

[@TalalipopMTB]

Update to video (5/26/21): The prices of all of these bikes have increased: Fuel EX 5: $2,400 Fuel EX 7: $3,200 Fuel EX 8 GX and XT: $3,800

[@richduperbash2966]

Guessing it's just supply vs demand. Covid created a crazy demand for bikes worldwide 👀

[@Dougie085]

That's a pretty significant difference. Would of put the EX 7 in my budget with the old pricing.

[@avagadroa4065]

It is a big difference. I’m guessing trek won’t bring the prices down after the pandemic ends🖕🏻

[@CAMaRa089]

Trek Fuel 5 now $2,570

[@mattdownernz]

In 2017 I was super lucky to buy my EX 5 from last-of stock at the shop for $2k NZD. Still going strong!!!

[@dillonpontes5904]

MTB n00bie here, I just went to Trek and made the commitment to the Fuel EX 7. It just seemed like the best bike to allow you to learn and grow with. The 5 is a great start but I feel like it will be easy to outgrow and the desire to upgrade will be real after the first year with the Fuel Ex 5. Can't go wrong with either bike and this video is spot on. Thanks and Cheers!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Awesome!! And thank you too :)

[@mickeyvueful]

Perfect timing. I just started looking at these bikes

[@TalalipopMTB]

:D

[@griffintaylor3861]

I got last year's Fuel Ex-8 and I am more than satisfied with it. I have yet to find anything to bitch about with it which is rare for me because I'm a nitpicking bugger. Very pleased.

[@afrodude555scharfe9]

Dude... respect. You deserve more subs

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!!

[@slingpeace]

I would say, get the 5 and start upgrading once parts kinda start wearing out or you can find upgrade components on sale in the future.

[@devinbyrnes8058]

You waste so much money that way. The cheapest time to buy parts is when they come with the bike. Just save up and buy what you want eight off the hop. A better fork is 1k just by itself.

[@mattdownernz]

Totally

[@dlerman66]

You made my life so much easier. Thank you!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you too!!

[@Galci.]

Now I’m gonna definitely buy this bike

[@TalalipopMTB]

Winners of the Vont bike light giveaway: Pyro: Nathan Ellsley Breeze: Marcial Acevedo Remember to email me at [e-mail]

[@nathanellsley535]

Thanks for the shoutout!

[@TalalipopMTB]

@@nathanellsley535 :D no problem!

[@chamberlex3606]

hey talalipop just saying: your content is amazing and really professional. All info is exact and you really explain well everything. Thanks for your hard work, we love it!

[@TalalipopMTB]

@@chamberlex3606 Thank you!!! That made my day :')

[@daveyboy7305]

Great breakdown , I have just bought my wife the gx ex 8 a d tbh , I didn't really know the difference. It was a good price so what the heck . Again thank you

[@TalalipopMTB]

You’re welcome!!

[@peterpage9017]

The price differences are more extreme here in NZ. Around $1000 between models. I bought the fuel ex 7. Works great for me, do quite a bit of downhill so I needed to upgrade the brakes to 4 piston and 203mm rotors because I'm a big guy. Works great 😃

[@TalalipopMTB]

Nice!!

[@ckokomo808]

Thank you for the video. My wife and I are looking at the Top Fuel and Fuel EX. We’re not sure where we’ll fall in the lineups- a lot will come down to price but depending on components, we might splurge a bit. This video was VERY helpful.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Glad the video helped!

[@danielhicks5031]

This guy cuts to the chase and really is detailed. Love it. If I really want the red in a 5 or the orange in a 6 is that possible?

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thanks!! And unfortunately that is not possible, unless you buy one of those bikes and swap out the components.

[@snemelc3752]

I have the fuel ex 5 2021 and I really like it. For the price, I was surprised at how good it feels and how fast I go up and down hills. The only thing I didn't like was the rear suspension (changed to Fox after 2 weeks) and the non-tubeless rims. but i think i will change it soon too. but anyway a very good bike for this price!

[@greasyrails2571]

the rims are tubeless compatible just not the x4r comp tires

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Very good analysis and breakdown of the Fuel EX line. I realize that many people talk about up grades but you do pay more for individual parts. I would say that the upgrades from the EX 5 to the EX 7 are a good value. Manufacturers buy in bulk so the original manufacturers equipment will cost less per item if you just pay the extra money upfront. Keep in mind the the supply chain has limited the availability and driven the cost of components up so upgrading could be more expensive if you can find the components.

[@kakahendar7724]

Well reviewed, really helpful for those who just going to pour their budget 👌🏼

[@TalalipopMTB]

Hahaha thank you :)

[@doubletrackdodger2512]

The frames look sick! Especially on the 8

[@nathansbikeapedia6204]

Huge fan! Thanks so much for all your videos!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Ayy! Thank you too :)

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

Excellent video - thank you for putting it together.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Of course!

[@ridingwithryan8335]

Thanks for making another comparison video

[@TalalipopMTB]

Ofcourse!

[@ridingwithryan8335]

@@TalalipopMTB what bike do you recommend under $1000

[@adrianomarcall4685]

Really good video. Here in Brazil these bikes are sooo expensive. Even the simplest is priced higher than a Procaliber 9.5. The big question is which one I will choose. But this video has helped a lot. Thanks.

[@Mastermind4life]

long story short i have these lights and they are surprisingly good. Surprising that they looks so aesthetic and work so well lol.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yeah! :D

[@downundermtb4744]

Love my ex 8

[@sean_321]

Awesome review, very well made!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@avinashrajkumar356]

Thank you. This is a useful video. I'm actually making this decision now.

[@juanhuttoe4517]

Great video as always.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@ZachFoxPhotography]

Excellent video. Super informative and packed dense with great information.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!!

[@brap242818]

Thanks for the video and break down. Thing of a 7 since pricing has gone up for 2022 and I can afford a little over the 5 model.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yeah prices are pretty high now unfortunately :(

[@gurgenmakaryan4428]

Excellent comparison review, thank you

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you too!

[@Blondie5791]

I've got an Ex7 it's brilliant 👍

[@TalalipopMTB]

Nice!

[@mtbdescender8912]

Excellent review!!! I have the fuel 7 !! Amazing bike !!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@mikeo5754]

Does the fuel ex 7 come set up tubeless or did you have to do it ?

[@TalalipopMTB]

@@mikeo5754 It comes set up tubeless!

[@mikeo5754]

@@TalalipopMTB thanks for the reply ! I have a fuel ex 7 coming next week, can’t wait !

[@79shehri]

Thanks, great video !

[@TalalipopMTB]

You’re welcome!

[@mattdownernz]

Love my Fuel EX 5. Don't look back!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Nice!

[@kalyan5337]

ABSOLUTELY GREAT VIDEO....

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thanks!!!

[@FixingAndFlipping]

Awesome video! Thanks for hard work!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!! :D

[@gottun]

Great video as always, but please include the scott scale/spark lines in the comparisons!

[@gregorj1979]

I'd pick the Fuel EX 8 XT but replace the MT420 breaks (which are currently on my bike) they are crap or at least replace the levers. But then again a bike for 3200 euros and I still have to replace something... I don't know about that. To me that is still a lot of money.

[@getstrongby4038]

Interesting, I didn't find the brakes to be bad

[@isaiacswek2363]

Can you do specialized Stumpjumper Alloy vs alloy comp????

[@xboxhtr2023]

What shock do u think is more efficient the Fox DPS, or FOX re:aktiv?

[@KanishkSharma-zw1tm]

first view, big fan 🔥🔥

[@TalalipopMTB]

:D

[@matthieu5696]

Excellent thank you very much.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Welcome!

[@Jake15151]

Love your vids man super helpful. Could you maybe compare the GT avalanche, trek marlin, and the giant talon to see which bike is best? Thank you!

[@danielhicks5031]

Trek marlin 6 is great entry level but if you go treks way then I do recommend stepping up to the 7 for the 1 by system if you r buying for trails mostly

[@Jake15151]

@@danielhicks5031 ok thank you!

[@s66rj10]

Hi my friend, I have a Trek Fuel 5, the size of the tire is 2.60. Can I lower it down to 2.40? Please reply quickly, thank you

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yes you can!

[@Mr.shawn918]

Can you do this same video with the 2022/2023 version

[@livinghell3]

Thanks for this. Really helpful to decide which one to buy but only problem is no trek bikes in stock 🥺.

[@andrewedwards2838]

Really the deciding factor is the paint job. Only the Fuel EX 5 is available in the Marigold color, which is, objectively, the superior color scheme.

[@elj7086]

Update to video (9/18/22) The price of the Trek Fuel EX5 has increased to $2,699

[@k04-p6u]

Great job 🔥👍🏼👍🏼

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thanks!!

[@ericmillar5238]

Very nice review, watching here from the Emerald Princess.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@E_Reich]

You should do a comparison between the Fuel Ex and TopFuel lineups

[@TalalipopMTB]

I’ll probably do that one eventually! Gonna try to compare all the full suspensions :)

[@guyver626]

I see the 2022 fuel ex8 xt up on the website now. Is it the exact same one as the 2021 model? Doesnt look like anything changed. Can you confirm?? Thanks.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yeah seems like that bike is the same for 2022, at least for now. I’ll definitely make a vid if anything changes though!

[@MichalKunst]

Do you know what is the difference between fuel ex aluminium and carbon frame? I checked and the weight of bikes is almost the same. As I have no experience with carbon frames, is there any advantage in case of fuel ex?

[@ScottZieglerSaskatoon]

Great video. 🙏

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@ancogbernard]

gx and xt is the best choice😁

[@LogainTheHumane]

Great video. Though sadly it seems that one bike is a good versatile machine, and the other 2 are the same but with a bunch of fluff that will rarely if ever matter. At least for a non pro rider

[@PulpFikshunn]

Is this flexible enough for me to get rid of my hybrid and have this as my all in one bike?

[@TalalipopMTB]

Depends on what you’d use it for. For commuting many miles the hybrid may be more necessary, but if you’re just going around town then it could totally work. These bikes are more expensive though so they’re more likely to get stolen if locked up outside or anything like that

[@rashman763]

ThAnk u

[@TalalipopMTB]

Of course!

[@dakshrokadia_MTB]

new fuel ex 5 or used slash??

[@boa6925]

Good video!

[@TalalipopMTB]

Thank you!

[@scr2392]

I have ex 7 stuff on my ex5 stock ???

[@MaverickMeho]

Tnx!

[@Moonman_05]

Can you do specialized fuse vs trek Roscoe

[@haha5809]

I have a question with fuel sx the yellow one, i saw in the forum that the dirailleur is bad, are they referring to mountain trails? What i bought this bike just for road and buying goods would that be just fine?

[@TalalipopMTB]

Mountain biking will likely put more stress on the derailleur so yes. The derailleur is just made from cheaper materials that break and bend more easily so if it ever takes a small hit it will likely come out of adjustment

[@haha5809]

@@TalalipopMTB what if il just use it in the normal road does it break easily as well? Just for commute no trailing.

[@TalalipopMTB]

@@haha5809 It should be totally fine on the road if it is setup properly the first time!

[@haha5809]

@@TalalipopMTB thanks

[@tdg215]

If I was to buy a Fuel EX 5 can I swap out parts for the parts on a Fuel EX 8 XT? I don't that much much but I can save up for each part one at a time. Treks are stupid expensive.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Totally! They use the same frame but it also depends on what you want to swap out sometimes. For those two bikes specifically it should be easier since they both use shimano drivetrains and components.

[@Bakedpotato1]

what size frame do i need when picking the Trek Fuel ex 7 i dont know for sure but i believe M i am 1.75 - 1.78 Meter.

[@mseekles1972]

I am 176, would go for a ML.

[@Bakedpotato1]

@@mseekles1972 I went for M, but thanks for the reply.

[@mseekles1972]

@@Bakedpotato1 Will probably suit you fine. I tried ML and L. L definitely felt a size to big.

[@MtbRN2MD]

Wait, it says on the specs for wheels in ex 5 its tubeless ready just not prepared. Now im confused. You said its not tubeless ready?

[@TalalipopMTB]

The rims are tubeless ready, but the tires are not tubeless ready. Both have to be tubeless ready to allow for a tubeless setup, so that is why the fuel ex 5 comes with inner tubes.

[@MaplePanda04]

@@TalalipopMTB The tires should be fine. I had no problem seating the cheap XR2 comps. Bikes usually ship with tubes because tubeless sealant degrades over time and not everyone wants to run it. It’s a lot easier to remove a tube than it is to clean out a bunch of old sealant residue.

[@stew8490]

Ex7 for me has only 300/400 more then base model with a lot of extras and I will used till things wear out and up grade to better components

[@reynaldovalerio2727]

sir you have authorize dealer in the philippines ?

[@anthonycastro8659]

Appreciate your content. What size would you recommend for someone who is 5’10”? I’ve ridden a M top fuel and it felt fine but it was mentioned to me that I should go with a M/L.

[@TalalipopMTB]

M/L is the recommended size for sure!

[@kbssbk6656]

Hey bro what’s the difference between fuel ex 7 and just fuel 7?

[@TalalipopMTB]

I haven’t heard of a fuel 7. There’s a top fuel 7 if that’s what you mean?

[@kbssbk6656]

@@TalalipopMTB yes that what I mean

[@TalalipopMTB]

There’s a lot of differences, I’ve made a video comparing all the full suspension trek bikes if you want more details but basically top fuel is for lighter cross country or down country riding while the fuel ex is for more trail and all mountain riding and is better as a single bike to do everything mountain related

[@kbssbk6656]

@@TalalipopMTB awesome bro thank you 🙏

[@davidanderson827]

Saving a few pennies for the 8GX..

[@andrewa.3304]

I just hot my 2022 ex5 trek site states bike should come with shimano brake lever, rotors and calipers. How ever my bike came with tektro.

[@oldkicker8958]

Got mine today 4/6/22 Tektro as well. How do you like yours?

[@andrewa.3304]

@@oldkicker8958 I love the bike but haven't had a chance to take it to trials been busy

[@theawesomekanidogman9803]

I bought a fuel ex 5 2021

[@TalalipopMTB]

Awesome!

[@chrispierdominici3891]

Stay away from the GX/NX models, neither are reliable and both high maintenance. I've had GX and NX drivetrains across three mountain bikes I've bought in the last couple of years and not one of them has lasted more than a year before at least the derailleur has failed. The GX one on my 2020 Remedy had the derailleur and shifter both fail in under four months of moderate use, after having to be overhauled twice to even function consistently. The cassettes also wear way quicker than anything I've ridden from Shimano in four decades of riding. The NX slightly less finicky than the GX, but still not very reliable or durable. Go XT if you're buying any of the Fuel EXs.

[@getstrongby4038]

Dammit, my local shop has a large XT and medium large GX, the medium large fits me better but I'd prefer the XT too It worth just going for the gx and replacing with xt when they wear out?

[@chamberlex3606]

getting my fuel ex 8 in march... the waiting is worth it but jeez it hurts mentally hahahahaha

[@TalalipopMTB]

Definitely feel that one hahaha

[@wesoshea9300]

Have all thease bikes have the same frame

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yes!

[@lancepillarda9944]

i love trek bikes bur cant afford one lol from the PHILIPPINES

[@imposter613]

Price of fuel ex5 is around $2900/ in India🇮🇳

[@damianpiotrowski7944]

Getting my 7 in April 🙄 at least it’s only a couple months

[@TalalipopMTB]

Yeah it could be worse ;(

[@bradmills4481]

Mine is coming in May, I feel your pain!

[@eggzackary1]

My 7 is due in April as well.

[@johanrr4]

Personally, I think that the 7 just doesn't make any sense. With the rear hub being the normal Shimano one and it being Sram NX (witch in my opinion is worse than Deore) it really isn't worth the price over the 5. Just get the 5 and buy an RS Revelation and a new pair of tires.

[@getstrongby4038]

Or go for the 8?

[@fernandocavazos2761]

Basically what ever your budget let you buy .

[@Eri94]

Dang the fuel ex 5 jumped up $300 since your video was posted; I wish I found your vid before now. Shoot.

[@TalalipopMTB]

Oh dang just noticed that as well

[@isaiahwoodland-mp4]

@@TalalipopMTB What about the specs? They look different even with the price increase

[@guyver626]

I hate you! You are seriously making me spend money I don’t have lol. I’ve had my marlin 7 for 1.5months now and am already seriously thinking of upgrading. But I have to justify to myself that I deserve the upgrade by getting better at biking. Must learn how to manual on the marlin 7 and do bunny hops.

[@TalalipopMTB]

HAHAHA

[@Ergo217]

I had the 2021 marlin 7 for about 1.5 months as well and it was a great bike, but I really wanted to get into a FS. I also wanted to get better on a hard tail first THEN move on up to a FS....but the more I looked into the fuel ex5 the more I wanted it and not even 4 days later after doing tons of research I bought the ex5 and sold the marlin 7 and I haven’t looked back!! It was well worth the upgrade.

[@guyver626]

@@Ergo217 great minds think alike!! If you don’t mind me asking. How much did you lose/gain on the sale of the marlin 7? I ask because if I do decide to sell my marlin 7 I want to know how much of a hit I’m taking. Thanks

[@Ergo217]

@@guyver626 I broke even. The used market for bikes is really good right now. I know I probably could’ve gottten a little more out of it but I wanted to get rid of it ASAP. Funny enough it sold in 2 hours of me posting it online!

[@robsnow2099]

@@guyver626 I did the same this summer...had the 2020 Marlin 7 for about 3 months. Sold it on Facebook marketplace for 50.00 more than I bought it. Got the EX 5, worth it.

[@Zeropadd]

😨