ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2023
- Trek's latest Top Fuel mountain bike sends out some real mixed messages but is ultimately a brilliant lightweight trail allrounder. TBH I wasn't sure how to get that across in a video but then I accidentally rode flat out for 40 minutes around my favourite blue to black grade seriously tech test trails without dabbing or stopping talking about how good it is. This is the shorter 'Highlights' edit which has all the useful stuff in (plus some post ride/chat to the designers sneaky fact inserts) but if you want the full stream of consciousness, bloopers left in 'directors cut' there's a link at the start. Don't forget to watch the separate tech talk round video too.
Thanks to Trek UK for the long loan of the bike and supporting the video, Giro Cycling UK, Peaty’s Products, Enduro Bearings, Crud XL Fenders, Torq Nutrition and Hebtroco for supporting the channel, and to my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges.
If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.com/GuyKesTV?fan_...
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Cheers
Guy - กีฬา
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I built the 2023 carbon frame up with 130 Pike and 120 Cane creek IL coil. This is such a fantastic all around bike. Cannot get over how fast I am on this thing. It’s amazing. Yeti 120, Transition Spur, Ibis Ripley, yeah yeah… this thing is right up there if not better than those bikes
I had a Megatower and a 5010 and decided to sell the 5010 and replace it with this exact model/spec Top Fuel... I haven't ridden the Megatower since, the Trek is that much fun. It's also stunningly quick. I had never considered Trek before but I liked the package and the price and essentially bought it on spec alone. I'm simply blown away. It is by far my favourite mountain bike of all time.
That’s a great recommendation right there. So stoked you enjoy it.
Guy been watching your videos for years the best reviewer by far , just after some advice really best xc hard tail for £2000 in your humble opinion thanks pal keep the good work coming 🎉
Glad you’ve enjoyed them Carl. Are you after race XC or more trail XC and do you like your bikes stiff or smooth?
Race xc ,guy narrowed down to trek procalibur 9.6, trek xcalibur 9 giant xtc, or the chisel thanks pal
A couple of years ago my son took my Cube Stereo HPA120 from me and I needed something to replace it, I decided on the Trek Fuel EX so went off to Trek Stocksbridge to try one, I was steered towards a Top Fuel after they listened to what I liked and I ended up buying a 2021 Top Fuel 9.7, it was fantastic so much so that I let my brother try it and he then bought it from me & I bought a 2022 Top Fuel 8. They are fantastic bikes, I ride in the Peak District (as it is on my doorstep) and my brother rides Dalby/Sutton Bank/Winlatter etc and neither of us have found anything that they can't do
That story sums up the Top Fuel superbly. Easily enough for most trails but still fast enough for all day blasts.
Last year, everyone was saying the new Top Fuel was basically the same bike as the Gen 5 Fuel Ex (2020-2023). The geometry is very similar. Do they feel the same on the trail? I had test ridden both in 2022 and preferred the overall feel of the Gen 5 Fuel Ex over the new model Top Fuel because I felt too hunched over on the Top Fuel. Other than that they felt very similar, so I purchased the Fuel Ex and love it.
Hi Guy. Great review! Where are these trails? Looks fantastic!
Ey up Peter, glad you enjoyed it. It's shot at Stainburn forest up near Leeds in Yorkshire. It's a great place for testing as it's very trail dense with loads of different surfaces and janky as hell in places. There are three ride guides for the different trails if you search on my site.
Yeah it is
Do you find the bike looks small/large?
I am having trouble deciding between the Top Fuell and the Fuel EX. Usually ride to the top and then decend. Looking to be more confident on the decents. Watched both reviews and it seems like you liked both bikes a lot.
Hi Michael if you’re putting confident descending higher on the list than climbing speed than I’d say Fuel EX 👍🏻
I have a Fuel EX and it’s exactly what you need for the type of riding you described when ridden with the Mino Link in the low position. If you have an occasion where you need a more XC feel just flip the chip into the high position, it’s amazing how different the bike feels when flipping the Mino Link.
How is this bike with short very technical Rocky climbing. I live in New England in the United States in our trails are just littered with rocks with very technical, punchy, gnarly, uphill, climbs and I’m wondering if this bike would be suitable. I’m not so keen at 66 on the downhill side anymore, and I have a 2016 Trek Remedy 8 29’er for that. It’s a wonderful bike that sort of plows though things and climbs ok but I’m looking for something lighter, less travel and climbs chunky technical terrain better. I’d probably put a 130 fork on this, perhaps put the mino chip in high (rock clearance) or toy with shorter crank arms. Anyone’s pedals who’s a serious rider here in this terrain are really beat up. No way to avoid it.
This bike really appeals to me although maybe there are other options I should consider for these conditions I call home?
Thoughts and than you !!
The new top fuel is the best shoet teail bike out there
Nope… flareMAX 😍
That is somehow the similar bike to mine Cannondale SE 1, uphill - check, downhilll - check, long rides - check. I didn't know that SID is in 130mm version?
SID currently tops out at 120mm. The 130mm fork bike uses a Pike
Looks like Jolanda is using it this weekend for XCC/XCO racing in Lenzerheide......instead of the Supercaliber.
Yes I saw her Instagram. But I’ve also been tipped off that the Supercaliber she has is not the normal production bike 🕵️♂️
@@GuyKesTV isn't it Evie thats on the Top Fuel - thats what's the commentary said on Friday but I could tell from the coverage ?
@@harveyjones1 I didn’t check what Evie was riding in the XCC but Jolanda was showing a Top Fuel on Insta. And saying she had a new bike. That said she was also riding a fresh white Supercaliber so I’d be keen to get a close look at that 🤔
My ex could be Jolandas twin. I'm sure that's why I find her attractive. Very unique physique.
What better bike this or stumpjumper?
This is my current dilemma.
Ive got the 2017 Top Fuel 9.8 SL.. 100mm of travel. That version is much truer to XC. LOVE that bike. Kinda bums me out they're turning it into a full on trail bike it seems.
Yeah, the Top Fuel is great but it’s basically what the Fuel EX was before. Be good to rewind to a properly light and fast Top Fuel. ESP as from memory the Supercaliber is barely any lighter than your 9.8SL
Top fuel vs mach 429?
Pivot is lighter and the suspension is super plush but I found it really lacked support when you start pushing hard. Very bouncy when pedalling unless you run about 10% sag and then you lose the plush. Flexier frame too. Top fuel feels a lot tighter all round but you can charge super hard on it with no problem. Better pricing and internal storage too.
Size M… how tall are. I’m 5’10” on a L 23’ Fuel ex and feel I need a M/L or maybe even a M.
That makes sense. I’m 5’11 and I really like the M/L fit
I’m 5’9” with long arms and legs & my Top Fuel 9.8 & my Stache 9 are size M/L, on my Farley Trek didn’t offer the M/L so I went with the Large, that M/L size is really nice, it fits anyone who rides a medium or a large frame perfectly, I’m so glad that TREK offers this size