The alloy version a perfect efficient trail bike imo! I built a carbon one last fall with a 130 fox34, but I found it a little skiddish over rough descents until I put some tools (weight) in the downtube. If I could go back in time, I would save some money and get the alloy frame instead. Btw.. A 29x2.6 fits just fine on the rear!
Huh the 8 on their website has the SID which is only 120mm, it's the XT version of the 8 at $4K that gets the Pike. The 7 and 5 are running the 35 Gold and the Recon at 120mm. I'd go for one of them if they were running at least 130mm Reba.
Really nice build spec, with the lone nit pick exception being the 160mm rear rotor. Trek's website shows a Deore crankset which would be a bummer compared to the SLX, but as it sits in your video it's a damn nice bike... but your blue one looked way better.😉
Reminds me of a 2019/2020 fuel ex which was a great bike. Seems heavy though for a xc type built. I love the component build but not sure $4k is worth the weight.
Next year this top fuel could be a replacement of the 2021 Fuel ex series with 140 front and 13 of rear of travel. I do like the colour schemes Trek come up with. But one final thought, i agree with @kyleericson9777 I cant see most people noticing 0.4 of a degree change in suspension feel. Good review and keep them coming
I've been waiting three yrs for this bike to come out. They fixed the fork hitting the frame, I know they had the knock block but it was a deal killer for me. They got the head angle just right for XC racing for me but the 130 travel, which I guess would be OK but I put that in the trail category, but what has made up my mind to just build a light HT myself is that weight. I was betting all that time the next aluminum top fuel would weigh under 30. I could have gotten a 29pd bike down to 24. Bringing it down to 28 is costly and not worth the money to me. But if anyone is looking for a good trail bike I would definitely get this one, I've been researching this bike for years and I think it is the best top fuel so far.
I got this as a trail bike and love it for that, compared to most other trail bikes going even more slack, heavier and longer travel which blunts the enjoyment. I am running 140 front and 130 rear now, with bigger rotors, but it's still my preferred choice compared to say, a fuel ex.
I watched a review where they were thinking the same thing. Then they measured top fuel and fuel ex by themselves and top fuel were lighter. Despite that official trek website said the opposite
I've always thought of the current version of the Top Fuel as bit of a confusing mess. It's not really a good Downcountry bike like the Transition Spur or Rocky Mountain Element nor is it a good short-travel Trailbike like the Norco Fluid or Commencal Tempo. To be a better Downcountry bike, it needs a lighter frame and to come with XC-ish components. To be a better short-travel Trailbike it needs a 140mm travel fork and more progressive geo (65* HTA, 77* STA). Best to decide if you want a short-travel Trailbike or a Downcountry bike. Unfortunately, The Top Fuel is neither.
@marksandoval5361 I agree when it comes to weight. Trek bikes are always heavy. A alloy short travel trail bike should be around 30 pounds a downcountry in alloy max weight should be around 28 pounds. But what I don’t agree with you is the geometry. The bike fits perfectly in between a trail bike and XC bike. I don’t care what “PINK BIKE SAYS” A trail bike sits square between 64-65.5 and down country between 66-67.5 and XC 68-70 in HTA the STA isn’t that bad either and most people wouldn’t tell the difference of 1 degree. But Regarding the fork travel. In regards to being a trail bike, yeah 140 would be optimal for an aggressive rider, that’s what I did on my 2022 Giant trance I upgraded to a Fox 36. But that depends on how the bike is being used. Believe it or not bro, not everyone wants to “SEND IT” some people just ride trails for fitness and adventure. The only issue with the bike is the weight. Even in alloy configuration. My Giant trance in alloy (fully upgraded) weights 29 pounds. Trek bike’s definitely need to go on a diet.
^^This x100. Now Trek doesn't even list weight on their website for some of the TF's. I wonder why. They are HEAVY. My local shop had the alloy TF 8 in-stock and it was nearly as heavy as a FuelEX. Ridiculous. They make them heavy bikes by putting cheap parts on them.
They make em weigh a lot because they have really good warranty and their stuff is indestructible. If you look at the weight of the frame set alone it's actually less than 1lb more than the competition's frames. It's mainly the wheels and parts that add weight. The Pike is nice upgrade for robustness but it's heavier than a SID. Etc etc. My friend has a carbon 2022 top fuel that's coming in under 27lbs. And to the guy above... I can see all the weights on Trek's website for like all the bikes what are u talking about?
I like the term downcountry
what does 'gate' means on the rear shock?
The alloy version a perfect efficient trail bike imo! I built a carbon one last fall with a 130 fox34, but I found it a little skiddish over rough descents until I put some tools (weight) in the downtube. If I could go back in time, I would save some money and get the alloy frame instead. Btw.. A 29x2.6 fits just fine on the rear!
Huh the 8 on their website has the SID which is only 120mm, it's the XT version of the 8 at $4K that gets the Pike. The 7 and 5 are running the 35 Gold and the Recon at 120mm. I'd go for one of them if they were running at least 130mm Reba.
Hi James. Which one would you buy. Top Fuel 8 2022 or 2023 ? I got these two in the same price.
Really nice build spec, with the lone nit pick exception being the 160mm rear rotor. Trek's website shows a Deore crankset which would be a bummer compared to the SLX, but as it sits in your video it's a damn nice bike... but your blue one looked way better.😉
Hi James, does the Top Fuel fork have a lock-out? I think it is the Rock Shox Pike. Does it bob when you climb? Thanks!! (good video!)
Yes
Reminds me of a 2019/2020 fuel ex which was a great bike. Seems heavy though for a xc type built. I love the component build but not sure $4k is worth the weight.
Next year this top fuel could be a replacement of the 2021 Fuel ex series with 140 front and 13 of rear of travel. I do like the colour schemes Trek come up with. But one final thought, i agree with @kyleericson9777 I cant see most people noticing 0.4 of a degree change in suspension feel. Good review and keep them coming
I've been waiting three yrs for this bike to come out. They fixed the fork hitting the frame, I know they had the knock block but it was a deal killer for me. They got the head angle just right for XC racing for me but the 130 travel, which I guess would be OK but I put that in the trail category, but what has made up my mind to just build a light HT myself is that weight. I was betting all that time the next aluminum top fuel would weigh under 30. I could have gotten a 29pd bike down to 24. Bringing it down to 28 is costly and not worth the money to me. But if anyone is looking for a good trail bike I would definitely get this one, I've been researching this bike for years and I think it is the best top fuel so far.
Agreed. Personally this is among the best trail bikes available aside for being a little porky
I got this as a trail bike and love it for that, compared to most other trail bikes going even more slack, heavier and longer travel which blunts the enjoyment. I am running 140 front and 130 rear now, with bigger rotors, but it's still my preferred choice compared to say, a fuel ex.
I like this bike. But i think the Rockymoutain Transistion has this bike beat by a long shot. Especially for 4k.
So two more pounds to a Fuel EX. I would have lightened the top fuel too.
I watched a review where they were thinking the same thing. Then they measured top fuel and fuel ex by themselves and top fuel were lighter. Despite that official trek website said the opposite
Hi James, what do you think of the gen 4 Top Fuel 5? I'm coming from a Gen 6 Fuel EX 7 and am concerned about the 2 piston brakes.
Trek needs to keep the 120 if I wanted 130 or 140 would buy a Trek Fuel. The 120 version is perfect for so many applications.
Looks great. Out of my price range and more bike than i need. Do you still ride? How's your puppy doing?
Does he still ride??! That’s like asking if he still breathes air!🤣😂
Lol, of course I still ride. These days with a 1yr old I am riding with him, and that doesn't make for great content on a bike/mtb channel!
@@Jamesthebikeguyyou would be suprised, how many youtubers show their kids and the views skyrocket up
Do the shocks lock out?
Yes
@@dannyturner7967 u have this bike?
@@MP19861 I have the bike and the shocks do lock out.
split pivot?
No, its ABP. Similar but not the same
Good with a bike that can take more heavy rider.
So am I the only Neanderthal who can’t tell the difference in a half degree adjustment to a bike?🤔
It's totally unnecessary and ridiculous, I don't want a transformer
I think every user sets it up and forgets it😂
Just depends on the terrain and how you like your suspension to feel. But yeah it usually isn't a huge difference.
Basically you can go for a ride with your xc friends and you wont be left behind by your enduro friends too. I like that
Almost the old Fuel ex
yep
Too heavy for the price of $4k.
I've always thought of the current version of the Top Fuel as bit of a confusing mess. It's not really a good Downcountry bike like the Transition Spur or Rocky Mountain Element nor is it a good short-travel Trailbike like the Norco Fluid or Commencal Tempo. To be a better Downcountry bike, it needs a lighter frame and to come with XC-ish components. To be a better short-travel Trailbike it needs a 140mm travel fork and more progressive geo (65* HTA, 77* STA). Best to decide if you want a short-travel Trailbike or a Downcountry bike. Unfortunately, The Top Fuel is neither.
I liked the older 20ish top fuels better. This thing is goofy
What is goofy about this bike?
@marksandoval5361 I agree when it comes to weight. Trek bikes are always heavy. A alloy short travel trail bike should be around 30 pounds a downcountry in alloy max weight should be around 28 pounds. But what I don’t agree with you is the geometry. The bike fits perfectly in between a trail bike and XC bike. I don’t care what “PINK BIKE SAYS” A trail bike sits square between 64-65.5 and down country between 66-67.5 and XC 68-70 in HTA the STA isn’t that bad either and most people wouldn’t tell the difference of 1 degree. But Regarding the fork travel. In regards to being a trail bike, yeah 140 would be optimal for an aggressive rider, that’s what I did on my 2022 Giant trance I upgraded to a Fox 36. But that depends on how the bike is being used. Believe it or not bro, not everyone wants to “SEND IT” some people just ride trails for fitness and adventure. The only issue with the bike is the weight. Even in alloy configuration. My Giant trance in alloy (fully upgraded) weights 29 pounds. Trek bike’s definitely need to go on a diet.
^^This x100. Now Trek doesn't even list weight on their website for some of the TF's. I wonder why. They are HEAVY. My local shop had the alloy TF 8 in-stock and it was nearly as heavy as a FuelEX. Ridiculous. They make them heavy bikes by putting cheap parts on them.
They make em weigh a lot because they have really good warranty and their stuff is indestructible. If you look at the weight of the frame set alone it's actually less than 1lb more than the competition's frames.
It's mainly the wheels and parts that add weight. The Pike is nice upgrade for robustness but it's heavier than a SID. Etc etc. My friend has a carbon 2022 top fuel that's coming in under 27lbs.
And to the guy above... I can see all the weights on Trek's website for like all the bikes what are u talking about?
@@kylelongstaff Trek employee? Laid off yet?
@@kylelongstaff dude this alu frame is 6.6 lbs its ridiculous