Trek Top Fuel first ride review at Raging Ridge

[@jimmansi1187]

I ordered my Top Fuel 9.8 in January & got it in August & it was well worth the wait. At 59 & after 20 yrs on hard tails this bike is a gem, so comfortable & fast & is an awesome climber, I’m doing fast paced 20 miles rides & still feel fresh & not beat up afterwards. I love this bike, I wanted a trail bike, not a race or enduro bike & this is perfect for me & the trails I ride. Btw, nice riding!

[@TheMBunk]

I’m a similar age and could not say it better! I have the 2021 version

[@jimmansi1187]

@@TheMBunk I also have the 2021, I hope you are enjoying riding it as much as I do, stay safe!

[@Shogun1999]

I currently have a Roscoe 8 hardtail and thinking about upgrading to this.

[@MMTB2011]

58 this year , I've been riding a 9.8 SC , Just picked up the Fuel EX9.8 , Loving it

[@benjaG86]

I have 9.8 SL 2019 fun factor ❤

[@bitumen83]

Great looking bike! Trek really nailed with geo, specs and colors.

[@NICADV]

Agreed!

[@raechalallen6893]

Sick video! Thanks for in-depth review!!

[@markpotts4428]

How much difference would it make upgrading to a 130mm fork up front, a worthy upgrade or not worth it?

[@NICADV]

For the terrain I like to ride I think it would be a great upgrade.

[@inspktr51]

I just got the Top Fuel 9.8 XT, and I ride raging a lot, what tires would you recommend? and how would you rate the climbing capabilities of this bike

[@NICADV]

Especially this time of year, I would probably run the Maxxis Minion DHR II rear And DHF or Assegia front. EXO+ or maybe EXO to keep weight down. The Bontrager XR5 or SE5 back and XR5 or even SE6 front. As far as the climbing ability, I think this bike kills it. It definitely out does full XC bikes from just a few years ago. I prefer climbing with the lockout open for traction but if you prefer a stiffer backend the lockout platform is more than enough.

[@inspktr51]

@@NICADV Grrrreat!!! Thanks for your feedback m8.

[@superawesomefuntimego]

CCDH is so much fun. I sadly have only hit it once this year so far. I bet it is quite a handful on a short travel bike like that Top Fuel, especially the upper two sections. I know on my 2021 Stumpy, which is 130mm, I get beat up a bit more and more arm pump on rougher trails like CCDH/NOTG than on my longer travel bike.

[@NICADV]

For sure, it was quite a bit to handle compared to my Evil Wreckoning. It is a pretty big climb so it was nice to have a lighter bike. I’m planning on focusing my short travel reviews on this route since it’s pretty long but has a huge variety of terrain.

[@superawesomefuntimego]

@@NICADV My Wreckoning just arrived, I'm excited to see how it does.

[@josephbreen9955]

I think I'll cancel my top fuel order and go to EX8 thank you so much

[@NICADV]

👍

[@adamsanchez7845]

Did you have the mino link set in the high or low position and was your shock full open or in the middle?

[@NICADV]

The mino link was set low and tried it both middle and open. I rode mostly open as the middle setting is quite firm.

[@walterkasper467]

Looked like a bumpy ride. Thanks for the great video

[@NICADV]

Yeah the 120mm did not do much to smooth out the ride but the longer wheel base and slack head tube did a ton to keep things under control even while trying to keep up with Emmett on his enduro bike.

[@rlsedition]

The specs suggest the new Top Fuel is skewed much more toward a trail bike, and its heavy @ about 26lbs for the top model.

[@NICADV]

I would agree it is skewed more trail. That said, trail bikes keep getting heavier and more capable so 26lbs is still pretty light compared to other 120mm bikes.

[@rlsedition]

@@NICADV Maybe it's the AXS on the top model, but this Trek is about 2 lbs heavier than the competition, confusing an already murky category (Downcountry).

[@mgrant6607]

26 lbs for a full sus bike with 30mm rims, dropper, 4 piston calipers and durable/non-EC tires is quite good. My Yeti SB100 comes in at that weight (running same tires) and I think that's light for a capable bike.

[@rlsedition]

@@mgrant6607 Your SB100 appears to use the same strategy as this Trek - more "trail" than "racer" . That's fine, but it's not as weight competitive as the Santa Cruz Blur, Transition Spur or Specialized Epic Evo. Admittedly, much of that weight increase could be attributed to those 2.4 XR4 tires. There are many capable tires lighter than those.

[@mgrant6607]

@@rlsedition generally agree, and unless you're at the sharp end of pretty competitive XC'ing, the SB (and the TF) are plenty for most people's racing interests (for me, eg, Shenandoah 100k and some local charity races). Happy to give up a little weight for either capability or reliability (tires). Plus, us former football/lax players will never be competitive with real riders, who are carrying 15-20 less kgs. I do hope the SB will get me thru a leadville though ....

[@Drogos79]

On this trail, assuming you got used to the bike and suspension is tuned perfectly for u....how much more travel or progressivity in the geo you would need to ride the comfortably and maybe even attack your PRs?

[@NICADV]

For the bottom three sections I would say it was perfect. The bottom is a bit more hard packed and flowy. The top is super rooty, sloppy, and long so for the top 3 sections I feel more comfortable on 140 to 160mm of travel. That said I’ve ridden those sections on some older bikes with 65 degree headtubes and with 140-160 I felt really comfortable.

[@michaeldennis2630]

Light? I guess it's all perspective 32 pounds plus but as you said you are coming from bikes with 160 travel and I'm sure those bikes are heavier.

[@NICADV]

True, especially when we’re talking about the more basic 8 level, but if we’re talking 9.9 XTR then it’s over 5.5 lbs. 25.31 vs 30.98

[@tylertruksa1378]

The year is 2035. The Top Fuel has 170mm front and rear with 32inch tires. The Slash is literally a monster truck. The Fuel EX no longer exists because everyone figured out it’s better to just own two bikes than one all-rounder.

[@NICADV]

The Future

[@hippymtnbkr]

I just pulled the trigger on a entry level EX 5. There were a few things that I had to look at before pulling ththe trigger. It didn't have tubeless tires, had a short travel dropper. So now the entry level 2022 Top Fuel comes out with tubeless, A 170mm dropper, that hip frame storage. That just one year ago trek had told me they couldn't do on alloy. Because it would weaken the structure of ththe frame. And they offer all this with only $150 over the retail of the entry level EX. I wish someone would have let me know, before I spent my next couple of paychecks

[@NICADV]

I'm stoked you were able to get a bike with how thin inventory has been. The Fuel EX is super capable and will be fun.

[@hippymtnbkr]

@@NICADV I am having a blast on it. I was kind of miffed when a bike in this price range. didn't come with tubeless tires. It seems like the only bikes that don't have tubeless tires(besides my Fuel) are the Marlin line. How did you score the Top Fuel for the review?

[@NICADV]

@@hippymtnbkr That is true about the tires, but it is also true from a number of other manufacturers when it comes to bikes at the EX5 price range. Overall, I would put this bike up there with the Evil Following or Santa Cruz Tallboy. It is certainly one of the best executed 120mm bikes I have ridden. Non of these would be my go to bike for my area and preferred trails, but they are still a blast to ride

[@mseekles1972]

I am still a long way before I could ride trails the way you do but would you choose the new Top Fuel over the current Fuel EX?

[@NICADV]

It really depends on your local trails, but generally the Fuel EX will give you more room for error.

[@davidbialousow9479]

For trail top fuel, for all mountain trails fuel.

[@mseekles1972]

@@davidbialousow9479 been riding a Top Fuel 9.8XT for some time now, bike has been great!

[@jerryporter4898]

Would really like to see the 130 front fork version comparison.

[@NICADV]

I totally agree, I ordered one for myself but delivery is not until next summer, so I’ll have to wait.

[@jerryporter4898]

@@NICADV I’m looking at two other bikes with same 130 front 120 rear suspension. Probably be a matter of which one shows up first.

[@gazg00]

Awesome!!

[@ceceliamaurer742]

I have an older one, top fuel 9 barely ridden, it’s a dust collector. I only ride road now.

[@lukefarrell117]

U should give it to me

[@6president]

What size and what state?

[@ceceliamaurer742]

@@6president I’m not sure what size it is, but I’m 5’3 . I’m not home now, I’ll check the size when I get back. Texas.

[@ПавелЗайдов]

hm, i think it is oversized 480 reach not too big for you?

[@NICADV]

It's not my preferred length but it works well and if you set it in the low it's 475. I've ridden a few 485 reach bikes and that definitely felt big.

[@blambmtb6189]

Those shoes are fresh! Which new balance are they ? Lol

[@NICADV]

Jamie Foy 306

[@Outdawrzman]

I just bought a carbon frame to build up for the BC Bike Race !!!

[@NICADV]

Nice! That sounds like it will be a fun build. Good luck with the race!

[@nautiques1000]

Do any of the changes effect the frame sizing from last year?

[@NICADV]

It would depend a little on your inseam but with the longer dropper, generally no.

[@twosencefromcleveland6084]

Fun vide, but THAT is not the intent of that bike. You should include a disclaimer.

[@NICADV]

🤘

[@Jay-gg6nh]

I’m in a quandary… Trek Top Fuel or Pivot Trail 429.

[@carlosjaimez6782]

I am also between these two bikes

[@NICADV]

They are both good options. The head tube angle on the Top Fuel has me leaning that direction as does the internal frame storage. Honestly, I’d check with my local shop and see when either is available.

[@HeretiCflow]

For the love of god, clean your lens! 😄 Anyways, I really want that bike but damn. Why is it so heavy!? 15kg for an XC bike!? Jeez!

[@NICADV]

I think Trek’s big picture is that the Top Fuel is now a trail bike and depending on the build kit, it is significantly lighter than other 120mm travel bikes out there. That said with more XC tires you could drop the weight pretty easily.

[@fidellopez3703]

Solo la prueba bajando, cómo muchos videos que hay, para bajas cualquier biker y bici.

[@NICADV]

The downhill is the fun part!

[@appsmody]

Minha opinião melhores bike trek santa cruz

[@Drogos79]

"you never rode bike under 160mm travel" ...ok...slowly stepping away

[@NICADV]

Yeah, it’s definitely been awhile. The last two seasons have been on the Santa Cruz Megatower and Evil Wreckoning. The last long term review bike with 120mm was the 2020 Devinci Django in 2019.

[@realvaughnfelix]

Emmit, why you so slow boiiiii ha

[@NICADV]

😂

[@d200sax5]

そんなにスピード出して走ってちゃあ危ないんじゃないの？

[@NICADV]

Danger is my middle name😂!

[@d200sax5]

@@NICADV Cool ！

[@neilmacpherson260]

If you are looking for useful info on the bike, skip the video. if you want to watch a pov of someone riding with a few random thought comments thrown in, fill your boots. However: marathon use...HAHAHA err not this version.

[@troycarpenter3675]

Too heavy for sure. Better off jumping up to 130-150 at that weight

[@zed5129]

And yet, further up was a guy building one up for the BC bike race. HAHAHA.