Trek Top Fuel 9: Is this previous 'Bike of the year' even better than before?

[@GHinWI]

Knock Block is one of my favorite things about my ‘20 Top Fuel. It allows the hoses/cable to be trimmed to absolute minimum length.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@GHinWI I’d never thought about that as a win. Thanks for the insight

[@lordgibbness]

Interestingly, with the 130/140mm option on this bike it'll match the last generation fuel ex. I'm currently upgrading my 2022 top fuel 8 (alloy) with a 55mm rockshox super deluxe ultimate for 130mm travel, and a fox 36 factory grip x 140mm fork. Looking forward to that!

[@shaunlunney7551]

A great run to test it out! looking to replace my 2017 Fuel EX and this is definitely on the shortlist! Looking forward to the content on your carbon build!

[@SNS1212]

I'd be interested to see a super light weight build and how it performs once you get your carbon frame. I'm curious how close it can come to the more dedicated XC bikes like the Supercaliber and the Epic and maybe the Blur (if there isn't a new one out soon).

[@ProMachineRider]

I guess the chisel full suspension. Is less trail but anyway interested to hear you compare them .

[@ferencvarju651]

I aggree that people (and Trek themselves) should pretty much forget the term “downcountry” when it comes to the Top Fuel. I own a 2022 one with an alloy frame, and to me it’s simply a quality trail bike. At 120/130mm, it’s the longest travel bike I’ve evet had, so IDK if I’m missing out on anything because of the shorter travel…. But I feel like this bike is way more capable than me, and when it comes to technical climbing or steep downhill secrions, there is no comparison between this and the Scott Spark (which I also own and has the same travel). The TF in my experience is way more fun, stable and planted than the Spark on the techy stuff. Riding both of them regularly, I would never call the TF a downcountry bike. It’s just a trail bike and should not be compared to XC bikes. Hope that makes sense 😁

[@GuyKesTV]

@@ferencvarju651 that makes perfect sense to me and you’re totally right about how different it feels to a Spark despite the very similar travel and geo numbers

[@jamesward3567]

According to Treks website the new Top Fuel CAN take a coil shock, they even have a recommended mini-link position for it.

[@GuyKesTV]

That's not what they said when I was talking to the designers, but great news if they've given clearance (pun intended). Where are you seeing that?

[@CycleXplorer]

Looks nice. Trek just seems to come at a big premium. I have a Procaliber and was looking at a supercal but the cost was massive for the spec.

[@graemecrichton5858]

Nice to see testing of the bike that a lot of riders might buy instead of the £10K models that few will actually buy(presume few will buy🤨)

[@GuyKesTV]

I’ll have much more affordable bikes from Boardman, Voodoo and Calibre on the site soon too

[@RiccardoPersiani-e9o]

@GuyKestv hi Guy always super cool your reviews. This bike seems the best option to own one-bike-only, isn't it? In Italy we goy really every kind of trail, from gnarly enduro stuff to xc spots and l'm struggling to find that bike that can handle all of them without feeling lazy up hill. Hightower is an amazing bike but in my opinion it reminds me an enduro bike of 3-4 years ago, obviously updated, am l wrong? Did you plan a review with 130mm rear shock (would be interesting test a coil one) and 140mm fork?

[@GuyKesTV]

@@RiccardoPersiani-e9o thanks Riccardo glad you enjoy them. I’ve now got a carbon top fuel frame to try all the different options of fork and shock so there’s a series of videos on my channel if you scroll a bit. Longer travel version is coming soon and keen to try a coil shock too

[@MW-lv3bv]

Beautiful trails. Thank you for the vis. Did you ever ride the „old“ Trek Fuel Ex, the ones around 2018/19? Despite having a different pivot, I do get the impression todays TopFuel might be a similar bike.

[@Felix-mr1vs]

Cool bike and very good quick review! Unfortunately the alloy (prefer it) frame is quite heavy imo. 1200g heavier than the carbon one, according to the website. Any chance for a comparison with the Tallboy, SB120 and maybe Cotic FlareMax, when you do the writeup/in another video?

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Felix-mr1vs I’ve got the carbon frame to build up so I’ll do a comparison then for sure

[@Felix-mr1vs]

@@GuyKesTV Just saw that in your next video. Very nice, looking forward to your builds!

[@jl-xs6ud]

Shame these trails aren't open to the general public they look like a giggle 🤘🤘

[@michaeljohncox3898]

I just put a higher rise aluminum bar on my 2022 9.8 Top Fuel. I like it much better than the low carbon bar. I absolutely hated the Bontrager XR4 tires that came with it so I switched them out. Next upgrade would be a lighter set of wheels that the Bontrager Carbon Line elite. Any suggestions? I like my Top Fuel and finally feeling like I am getting better so I can use more of what it is capable of.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@michaeljohncox3898 are you wanting an XC wheel or a light trail wheel?

[@michaeljohncox3898]

@@GuyKesTV Hi Guy, I would like a light trail wheel. The trails in my area have some chunky decents like you had in this video.

[@timslings]

I know you mentioned it a few times in the actual video, but I would love to know how you find this compared to the epic evo for riding experience. Im someone that is an enduro rider downsizing and intends to do the occasional xc race, and both bikes sounds really appealing.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@timslings I’m just building up a carbon Top Fuel frame up and I still have the Evo so first thing I’ll do is get them head to head

[@timslings]

@@GuyKesTV brilliant mate, looking forward to it!

[@timslings]

@@GuyKesTV I just read your review on mbr, great review. I think I'm going to go with the axs gx build and get the rear shock moded like you mentioned and get the pike + extended out to 140 and start from there. Definitely still interested in hearing your thoughts on the differences between the specialized and the trek, and looking forward to see how your build goes!

[@GuyKesTV]

@@timslings ey up Tim, it’s an amazing bike with the shock opened up and it’s a genuinely easy home job. I say that as a hammer and pliers sort of mechanic not a torque wrench and surgical gloves sort too if you know what I mean. Here’s a link to the first part of the build which I’ve already put up on Patreon kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHOl3yGas-Gm9ksi=G5mqDX4oAigpvs_z

[@timslings]

@@GuyKesTV oh amazing thank you mate! very much appreciated. I'll look into your patreon to throw you some coin

[@marksandoval5361]

I find the Top Fuel confusing. It's really overbuilt for a Downcountry bike. To me, a Spur, Epic 8, Chisel FS, or Scalpel would be more fun.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@marksandoval5361 this is heading back in the lighter frame direction now which is good. But yes I’d categorise it as light trail not downcountry

[@bitumen83]

Dont be confused, Top Fuel is trail bike. Fuel EX become AM bike.