Trek Fuel EX 9.7 LONG TERM Review | GEN 6 2023 Model | 100% BIKE OF THE YEAR

[@ilgour]

Riding the 9.8 gen 6. The bike is an absolute beast. Coming from the fuel gen 5, the gen 6 is really an all mountain with alot more gravity capacity.

[@goodluckchrisclark]

100% agreed

[@baryon9446]

Quick question, longer stem on M size frame or move up to M/L. I'm 5'7" inseam 30".??

[@ilgour]

@@baryon9446sound like M to me, im 5'11 and ride M/L

[@cgtlea9202]

Ah sweet. I’ll have to give that a try. I just picked up a 9.8 fuel EX and loving it so far. Thanks!

[@adamsanchez1410]

Great video! Super glad you rode it with the mino link in the high, I really think people overlook this feature.

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Makes a big ride difference

[@harrogateflyer]

Good Vid, very informative, considering buying a 9.7.

[@geraldsoto3480]

Very informative video!

[@TheFaz793]

I just bought the EX 7 last week, which was an upgrade to my 2023 roscoe 8. I do miss the roscoe to be honest, it's an awesome bike. The EX 7 gen 6 is a 'very efficient' climber and great on downhills too due to it's 64.5 degree head angle. I guess it's gonna take a while for me to get used to it since this is my first FS bike. Great review as always!

[@jondachs4064]

I’m thinking of getting the ex 8 to go along with my Roscoe - how do you like the aluminum? I kinda want that over the carbon myself, just wondering how noticeable the extra weight is over the Roscoe?

[@TheFaz793]

@jondachs4064 I didn't feel much of a weight difference while riding. Yeah, keep your roscoe too, it's a great bike!!

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Did you end up flipping the minolink to the high position?

[@TheFaz793]

@goodluckchrisclark I haven't made any changes yet. Just bought it last week and hit the trails once, since it's been raining here in Ontario, Canada. But I will definitely look into it once I get a better feel of the bike.

[@bubby372]

I have the gen 5 9.8 GX. Best climbing bike I've ever had.

[@Tithulta1]

Good video, with lots of info, and it was really helpful! Thank you!

[@grantchandler8294]

I own the aluminium model the ex8 gen 6 I absolutely love it but it's extremely heavy compared to some of my other bikes. It's actually 3kg heavier than my 2019 aluminium specialized enduro. I'm trying to think of some inexpensive ways to lighten it up a bit

[@MrHectorplopez]

Nice review I just bought that one and ride it the last two weeks coming from riding my other bike for two years Giant Trance Advance pro, so far the comparison appear to be the giant a bit more heavy but more confident in the descending but I am still making adjustments to shock and suspension as well as tires pressure the only add I did to the original setting is putting cushcore to the tires since where I ride is very rocky and I am heavy person

[@adamsanchez1410]

Thanks for the vid! So would you say the mino link in high works best for various terrain and everyday riding?

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Yes, low is really only for downhill parks lol

[@jean-marclandry7856]

Great review, I agree with you , I own the bike too

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Thanks! 👍 It's so much better than I expected

[@mikaelp9826]

85 to 87 percent less vibrations wow 6:39

[@goodluckchrisclark]

That's scientific testing

[@danielbohmer7917]

good job 👍

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Thanks 👍

[@wayne_kurr]

Hi Chris, I’m interested in comparing the new fuel ex 9.8 vs the 2023 Norco Optic C1. Both were bike of the year at some stage and both are on sale (the Trek is $1000AUD more). Can you share any thoughts on them both?

[@goodluckchrisclark]

I've actually rode the Optic C1 and its fantastic, its a must more responsive bike but doesn't feel as confident going downhill. It's not bad in any way but the Trek feels like a enduro bike downhill and is still great handling. climbs and flats optic all the way, down and wild fuel. Whichever you need the extra help with id pick that bike

[@wayne_kurr]

@@goodluckchrisclark I went with the Optic C2 Shimano build as I got it for an absolute steal - thanks for the feedback!

[@MrKCBRUCE]

Hi what trail are you riding in this video

[@goodluckchrisclark]

This is Gun Club Downhill in Brandon Hill Mb

[@ireddie]

Awesome

[@rdeschain]

How’s the matte paint holding up so far?

[@goodluckchrisclark]

Great, i havent had any parts starting to shine up yet

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Thoughts on the fox rhythm fork?

[@lukepattelli5265]

I personally love mine.

[@goodluckchrisclark]

I agree that performance is really great, never really lock it out it just works

[@orla222]

Bad....too soft on middle support, i am going to swap with new lirik

[@joshuaallswang8016]

It’s great, no issues at all. love my 36 rhythm. Mid stroke Support is superb💯🔥

[@orla222]

​@@joshuaallswang8016 Just take a lyrik charger 3, another planet

[@JDM_MSK]

excellent commentary . I am torn between this bike and the top fuel .

[@Christopherthomas123]

I have a Top Fuel 9.7 and love it. Climbs amazing, well rounded, does moderate downhill just fine. However, considering switching to a Fuel EX at some point for a little more downhill capability. I was initially nervous the Fuel EX wouldn’t climb, but the reviews seem to indicate it climbs just fine

[@JDM_MSK]

@@Christopherthomas123 yeah, the climbing performance and maneuverability of the bike was exactly what I was concerned about as well. Also, the current sale on specialized bikes makes it even tougher

[@Christopherthomas123]

@@JDM_MSK All good points, good luck in your search!

[@cgtlea9202]

How do you switch from low to high for the suspension. How long does it take to do this?

[@goodluckchrisclark]

like 5 mins, the nut and bolt near the mino link words get taken off and rotated, thats it

[@ashwinamanna2465]

For the mino link, to access both chips, you need to take the main shock bolt off first, then you can rotate the whole arm so the mino link chips are accessible through one of those little windows in the frame tubes. For the More/less chip that is more straightforward and easy to change

[@swimmer751]

Bought the 9.8, upgraded everything to 9.9XX1 spec (except for front shocks,) sold the extra parts, saved $1.1k Not sure why Trek would do that.

[@leolynch5320]

Promo sm 😬