2022 Trek Top Fuel Review | All-new frame & geometry, with a whole new attitude

The not-so-minor details, 2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt.

https://www.trekbikes.com/

- Brilliant trail-ripping geometry - Active and supportive suspension - Masses of cornering grip & stability - Refined and practical frame design - Downtube storage is a welcome addition

- Dropper post is sluggish - Wheels are solid but quite heavy - Carbon bars are harsh - Heavier than many of its competitors

Flow reviews the 2022 Trek Top Fuel

The Trek Top Fuel has long been known as the American brand’s flagship full suspension XC race bike, purpose-built to to compete at the very highest level of the sport. In more recent years however, the Top Fuel has steered in a different direction. With the short-travel Supercaliber taking over duties for World Cup XCO racing, Trek has softened the Top Fuel’s serious, race-focused persona, adding travel and bulking it up in the process.

For 2022, the Trek Top Fuel makes its biggest move away from its XC racing roots. Equipped with a brand new frame, an updated suspension design and some thoroughly modern geometry, the Top Fuel aims to retain the pert pedalling performance of its predecessor while significantly boosting its all-round capability. So, has Trek succeeded?

Watch our video review of the new Trek Top Fuel here:

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Along with the active ABP suspension design and chunky tyres, there’s an exceptional amount of grip and support on offer for a 120mm travel bike.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Trek Top Fuel overview

Despite being all-new, the Trek Top Fuel retains its position in between the Supercaliber (the 60mm travel XC race bike) and the Fuel EX (the 130mm travel trail bike).

It’s equipped with a 120mm travel fork just like its predecessor, but rear travel has actually lifted by 5mm up to 120mm. This increase has been achieved with a longer stroke shock (50mm vs 45mm), and Trek has also flipped the orientation of the trunnion-mount. The rocker link now drives the shock via two sealed cartridge bearings to improve sensitivity.

You’ll no longer find a dual remote lockout on the Top Fuel, which leads to a vastly cleaner bike with fewer cables occupying your view from the cockpit. Along with the bigger shock, slacker geometry and 2.4in wide tyres, it is without doubt the most trail-oriented Top Fuel we’ve seen yet.

To put it into context, that sees it move away from the likes of the Orbea Oiz TR and the Canyon Lux Trail , and more towards the direction of the Santa Cruz Tallboy and Pivot Trail 429 .

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

A new, burlier chassis

Though it looks pretty similar, the Trek Top Fuel frame is all-new for 2022. It’s not so much a radical overhaul, but rather a collection of many small refinements that add up to a more practical package.

The chassis is notably beefier than its predecessor, with the seat tube diameter swelling to the new-school 34.9mm size. As well as increasing frame stiffness, the fatter seat tube is also shorter, allowing it to swallow a modern long-stroke dropper post.

The downtube is also larger, and it now features the integrated storage design we’ve seen employed on the latest Fuel EX and Slash. A latch underneath the bottle cage removes the trap door, providing you access within. A neat tool roll is included with the bike so you can carry a spare tube, levers and CO2. You could also fit a lightweight jacket in there along with some snacks.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Trek has updated the Knock Block headset, increasing the available turning radius from 58° to 72°. This provides you with greater freedom of movement on the trail, but still prevents the handlebar controls from smashing into the top tube. If you’re not into it though, the Knock Block is removable.

Also nice to see is a threaded bottom bracket shell for ease of maintenance, and the rear ABP pivot can now be tightened with a cassette tool. Also new for the Top Fuel is guided internal cable routing – poke the cable in at one end, and it’ll pop out the other, no fishing required.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt rockshox sid select+

Trail-leaning geometry

The 2022 Trek Top Fuel has received a series of geometry updates over the outgoing model, bringing it up to speed with other boundary-pushers in this travel bracket. Here are the key numbers;

  • Head tube angle: 66°
  • Seat tube angle: 76°
  • Reach: 420mm (S), 450mm (M), 465mm (M/L), 480mm (L), 500mm (XL)
  • Rear centre length: 435mm
  • BB drop: 36mm

Compared to the old Top Fuel, the head angle has kicked back by 1.5-degrees and the reach measurements have gone up by 10mm. The seat tube angle has also steepened by 1-degree to improve the climbing position, while the chainstay length and BB drop remain the same.

The Top Fuel still features a Mino Link, but it’s now located at the lower shock eyelet. Bikes will come setup from the factory in the Low position. Flipping that into High will lift the BB height by 7mm and steepen the angles by 0.4°.

You can get even rowdier by fitting a 130mm travel fork, which will kick the head angle back to a very-slack 65.6° in the Low position. And for those wanting to push the needle further, there’s clearance to run 2.5in tyres.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Trek Top Fuel price & specs

We’ll see four Trek Top Fuel models coming into Australia this year – two with alloy frames and two with carbon. All Top Fuel models feature the same geometry, suspension design and travel. They’re all equipped with 29in wheels, and there are five frame sizes available from Small through to X-Large (the XS size with 27.5in wheels won’t be available in Australia).

Pricing kicks off at $3,499 AUD for the Top Fuel 5 and goes up to $8,299 AUD for the Top Fuel 9.8 XT that we have on test here. Additionally, Trek will offer a 9.9 spec via the Project One bike builder program.

You can check out the specs and prices for all those models down at the bottom of the page. Right now we’ll be diving straight into our experience of testing this bike here; the Top Fuel 9.8 XT.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

  • Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon Fibre, ABP Suspension Design, 120mm Travel
  • Fork | RockShox SID Select+, Charger 2 RL Damper, 44mm Offset, 120mm Travel
  • Shock | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT, 185x50mm
  • Wheels | Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Carbon Rims, 29mm Inner Width
  • Tyres | Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.4in Front & Rear
  • Drivetrain | Shimano XT 1×12 w/XT 30T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
  • Brakes | Shimano XT 4-Piston w/Ice Tech Rotors
  • Bar | Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, Width: 750mm (S), 780mm (M-XL)
  • Stem | Bontrager Line Pro, 45mm Length
  • Seatpost | Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M-M/L), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
  • Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, Austentite Rails
  • Confirmed Weight | 12.88kg (Large, Tubeless)
  • RRP | $8,299 AUD

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

This differs from some other brands that utilise a single frame, and simply up-fork and up-shock it to create a slightly longer travel bike (like the Specialized Epic EVO and Orbea Oiz TR). The Top Fuel is not one of those bikes.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt ben

Trek Top Fuel sizing & fit

We put the new Trek Top Fuel into the hands of our tester Ben, who owns the current Top Fuel and has also spent considerable time on the Fuel EX. At 181cm tall, Ben’s been riding a size Large across all three bikes.

The Top Fuel is well-proportioned out of the box. The 480mm reach is very long, but it’s balanced nicely with a 50mm stem and the 76° seat tube angle. The Bontrager saddle is totally inoffensive, and we haven’t needed to shunt it into an extreme position just to get it comfortable.

The 760mm wide riser bars are a great match for this bike, and while it may not be totally necessary for all riders, the 170mm stroke dropper post is fashionably long for such a short travel bike.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Suspension & tyre setup

With the anodised sag gradients on the fork and shock, suspension setup is made easy. Weighing 80kg loaded up, Ben’s been running 180psi in the rear shock (26% sag) 80psi in the fork (20% sag).

The factory rebound tune for both the RockShox SID fork and Deluxe shock is quite light, so each rebound dial was set a couple of clicks slower than halfway.

Tubeless rim strips and valves come pre-fitted to the Bontrager wheels, and Trek kindly includes two bottles of sealant with the bike, making tubeless setup the breeze it should be. Pressures were set at 20psi on the front and 22psi on the rear.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Trek Top Fuel weight

Given its swollen proportions, the new Trek Top Fuel has gotten heavier. With the tyres setup tubeless, our test bike came in at 12.88kg without pedals. To put that number into perspective, here’s how it compares to some similarly-priced XC and Trail bikes we’ve recently tested;

  • Canyon Lux Trail CF 9 – 11.22kg
  • Merida Ninety-Six 8000 – 11.63kg
  • Scott Spark 910 – 12.43kg
  • Specialized Stumpjumper Pro – 12.84kg
  • Trek Top Fuel 9.8 XT – 12.88kg
  • Giant Trance Advamced Pro 29 1 – 13.38kg

trek top fuel 2022 9.8 xt

Trek claims a carbon Top Fuel frame weighs 2.7kg including the rear shock, which puts it on the heavier side of things for a 120mm travel bike. The alloy frame is purportedly a whole kilo heavier again, with a claimed weight of 3.74kg.

The Top Fuel’s rolling stock is also a significant contributor to its overall mass. The Bontrager Line Elite wheels are heavy at 2,071g for the pair (with tubeless strips and valves). Incidentally, these are exactly the same wheels that came on the Slash 9.9 X01 , which is a full-bore enduro race bike.

Trek has also plumped up the rubber. The previous Top Fuel featured semi-slick XR3 tyres, but the new bike is now spec’d with 2.4in wide XR4 Team Issue tyres. They’re not overly heavy at around 800g each, though they do offer significantly better grip across a broader range of conditions.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

What does the Trek Top Fuel do well?

From the very first ride the new Trek Top Fuel proved to be easy to get used to, with no quirks to the fit, handling or suspension.

The proportions are significantly broader compared to the outgoing Top Fuel, with the front wheel sticking out much further ahead of the rider. Despite the long reach however, the effective top tube length is basically identical to its predecessor, so the overall cockpit length remains the same.

The steeper seat angle is noticeable though, providing an improved climbing position with your hips placed further over the bottom bracket. As a result, less bum-shuffling is required on stem-chewing ascents.

Pedalling performance is also superb. Despite its burlier exterior, Trek is still prioritising pedal efficiency with the Top Fuel, with the main pivot positioned high and quite far forward of the bottom bracket. Anti-squat is claimed to hover around the 100% mark, and indeed the rear suspension clenches tightly under chain torque, propelling the whole bike forward with minimal energy loss.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Active suspension performance

Despite the trunnion bearing mount and the longer shock stroke, the rear suspension doesn’t feel radically plusher than its predecessor, which already offered great performance. It is noticeably more supportive though, particularly when absorbing square-edge hits at speed, and when returning to earth after boosting off a lip on the trail.

It’s worth noting here that many bikes in the 100-130mm travel bracket make use of a carbon flex-stay design, including the Canyon Lux Trail, Merida Ninety-Six, and Specialized Stumpjumper. As well as being simpler, flex-stay designs are typically lighter too.

canyon lux trail cf 9

In comparison, the Top Fuel sticks with a genuine four-bar platform based around the ABP suspension design. Trek claims the ABP pivot helps to isolate braking forces from the suspension, and indeed it does result in less skipping and skidding when you’re on the brakes on loose, rocky descents.

With all the pivot points rolling on steel ball bearings, the suspension is more active and possesses a more consistent feel to both compression and rebound damping when compared to a flex-stay design. Yes it’s heavier, but the Top Fuel offers notably more active suspension performance, with excellent traction on loose climbs and better reactivity across chattery rock gardens. It’s very impressive for a 120mm travel bike.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Look out Fuel EX!

The geometry is also brilliant, and the handling really sets it apart from the outgoing Top Fuel.

Cornering performance has improved, with more grip courtesy of the longer front end and those XR4 tyres. These are great all-rounders, with a supple casing and surprisingly decent rolling speed given their size and tread pattern.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

The new Top Fuel is also much more composed on rough and fast descents. Thanks to the longer reach and slacker head angle, the overall wheelbase length has grown by almost 40mm. That’s huge, and it offers a vastly more planted feel at speed. Along with the big tyres and active suspension, this really is a solid little trail bike.

In fact, the geometry updates kind of make the Fuel EX look a little outdated. The two bikes now share the same head angle, and the Top Fuel has a 10mm longer reach and a steeper seat angle. The front end is quite a bit higher on the Fuel EX though, and that does inspire more confidence on really steep descents.

As mentioned earlier though, it’s possible to fit a 130mm fork to the Top Fuel, which would lift the front end and actually make it slacker than the Fuel EX. Indeed there’s now quite a bit of overlap between the two platforms, leaving us to ponder what could be in store for the next generation Fuel EX.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

What does it struggle with?

You’ve likely gathered that the new Trek Top Fuel is more of a muscly trail ripper than a spindly XC featherweight. While it may carry over the name, it’s evolved into quite a different bike compared to its racier ancestors.

The lack of a remote lockout results in a much cleaner cockpit, and we like how it signals the Top Fuel’s commitment to its trail riding intentions. However, it may disappoint those riders and racers who prefer having an instantaneous sprint button at their fingertips.

Indeed with all the updates, and the fact that the new Top Fuel has double the travel of the Supercaliber, there is now an even bigger gap between these two bikes. Riders who are still interested in some part-time XC racing, but aren’t sold on the Supercaliber’s sharp geometry and proprietary IsoStrut suspension design, may be turned off by the Top Fuel’s new attitude.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt bontrager line elite carbon wheel xr4 team issue tyre

Of course you could easily inject some speed with some lighter and faster-rolling tyres, like Bontrager’s XR2. There’s also around half a kilo to be saved in the wheelset, which would make a significant difference to the Top Fuel’s acceleration and climbing enthusiasm.

You could also flip the Mino Link into the High position to steepen the angles. In that guise, with lighter wheels and faster tyres, the Top Fuel would make for a comfortable and confidence-inspiring option for those wanting to sign up for the odd endurance race or multi-day event. If you’re serious about your XC racing though, this is not the bike for you – you’ll be wanting to look at the stupendously efficient Supercaliber for such endeavours.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Component highs & lows

The 2022 Trek Fuel 9.8 XT is a solid package out of the box, especially when you consider it comes in $1,600 cheaper than the 2021 model. And that’s with a pretty much identical build kit. How has a new bike gotten cheaper in the midst of a global pandemic and industry-wide component shortages? Heck knows!

There’s not a lot to be said about the Shimano XT groupset – it works, it’s solid, and it’s easy to tune. The I-Spec mounts offer plenty of adjustability for getting the brake and shift levers into the right spot, and the integrated dropper lever is a nice touch too.

The RockShox suspension isn’t quite as sensitive as the Fox equivalent, particularly the SID Select+ fork, which felt a little stickier than we expected. Otherwise the fork and shock perform well, and the ease of setup is great.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

The Bontrager dropper post works fine, but the action is sluggish compared to some of its competitors. And while the carbon handlebars offer a nice profile, having spent a lot of time on OneUp handlebars lately, the Bontrager Line Pro feels considerably harsher in comparison.

We’ve had excellent long-term experience with Bontrager’s latest Line Pro & Line Elite carbon wheels , which feature thick carbon beads that are designed to increase impact strength while also reducing the chance of pinch-flats. They’re totally solid and come with an excellent crash-replacement guarantee, while the buzzy 108pt engagement freehub delivers rapid pickup at the pedals. As mentioned earlier though, they are heavy, providing an opportunity to drop significant weight with a wheel upgrade.

Otherwise we’ve been impressed with the frame finish so far. The Mino Link is simple and effective, the Knock Block is totally unnoticeable on the trail, and we’re big fans of the built-in storage from the Burrito Box. Or is it the Kebab Cave? Maybe a Sausage Roll Hole? Sushi Shaft? Cannoli Cavity? Hot Dog Hollow? Spring Roll Room?

Alright, alright! We’ll show ourselves the door…the door that leads into the Spring Roll Room – ha!

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

Flow’s Verdict

Tying together a whole suite of updates to the frame and suspension design, there are no doubts that the new Trek Top Fuel is a more capable bike than its predecessor. It’s still very efficient, but having adopted a more progressive approach to its geometry, it delivers a significant improvement in stability. Along with the active ABP suspension design and chunky tyres, there’s an exceptional amount of grip and support on offer for a 120mm travel bike.

With all those changes, the Top Fuel moves even further away from the Supercaliber. And for some riders, that gap will be a little too wide.

Trek seems happy to have a clear delineation between the two platforms though. This differs from some other brands that utilise a single frame, and simply up-fork and up-shock it to create a slightly longer travel bike (like the Specialized Epic EVO and Orbea Oiz TR). The Top Fuel is not one of those bikes.

Instead of being a long-legged Supercaliber, it’s really a shrunken-down Fuel EX, albeit one with more contemporary geometry. And having ridden both bikes, unless you really need the extra travel of the Fuel EX, this is arguably the better option.

Sure it may have put off the weight-weenies and lockout-lovers, but there’s no denying that the Top Fuel has broadened its appeal to an even wider range of riders, and we reckon it’s more fun as a result.

2022 trek top fuel 9.8 xt

2022 Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XTR

  • Fork | Fox 34 Step-Cast, Factory Series, FIT4 Damper, 44mm Offset, 120mm Travel
  • Shock | Fox Float DPS, Factory Series, 185x50mm
  • Wheels | Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Carbon Rims, 29mm Inner Width
  • Drivetrain | Shimano XTR 1×12 w/e*thirteen TRS Race Carbon 30T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
  • Brakes | Shimano XTR Race 2-Piston w/Ice Tech Rotors
  • Bar | Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, 820mm Width
  • Stem | Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, Length: 35mm (S), 45mm (M-XL)
  • Saddle | Bontrager Arvada Pro, Carbon Rails
  • RRP | $14,199 AUD

2022 trek top fuel 9.7

2022 Trek Top Fuel 9.7

  • Fork | Fox Rhythm 34, GRIP Damper, 44mm Offset, 120mm Travel
  • Shock | Fox Float DPS, Performance Series, 185x50mm
  • Wheels | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Alloy Rims, 29mm Inner Width
  • Drivetrain | Shimano SLX/XT 1×12 w/Deore 30T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
  • Brakes | Shimano SLX 4-Piston
  • Bar | Bontrager Line, 27.5mm Rise, Width: 750mm (S), 780mm (M-XL)
  • Stem | Bontrager Elite, 45mm Length
  • Seatpost | TranzX Dropper, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M-M/L), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
  • Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, Steel Rails
  • RRP | $6,299 AUD

2022 trek top fuel 8

2022 Trek Top Fuel 8

  • Frame | Alpha Platinum Alloy, ABP Suspension Design, 120mm Travel
  • Fork | RockShox SID, Rush RL Damper, 44mm Offset, 120mm Travel
  • Brakes | Shimano Deore 4-Piston
  • RRP | $5,299 AUD

2022 trek top fuel 5

2022 Trek Top Fuel 5

  • Fork | RockShox 35 Silver RL, Motion Control Damper, 44mm Offset, 120mm Travel
  • Shock | X-Fusion Pro 2, 185x50mm
  • Wheels | Bontrager Alloy Hubs & Alex MD35 Rims
  • Drivetrain | Shimano Deore 1×12 w/Deore 30T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
  • Brakes | Shimano MT200 2-Piston
  • Bar | Bontrager Comp, 15mm Rise, 750mm Width
  • Stem | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 50mm Length
  • Seatpost | TranzX Dropper, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M-M/L), 170mm (L-XL)
  • RRP | $3,499 AUD
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New TREK TOP FUEL 2022, WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT IT?

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trek top fuel reddit

I think it looks like the old TopFuel...but FATTER. I also think they now need something between the Super Cal and the TF...before that was the TF...but now it seems like there are two Fuels and a Super Cal. I do like the new paint color though...so there's that.  

r-rocket

Maybe they will increase the SC to 80mm travel... 😺  

Some funky geo going on with the XL-XXL, and I love that from small to XXL the stack only increases 35mm. Hey Trek designers, get a few tall guys on your team. Not every can handle a 2-4" bar drop or wants to run 3" of spacers. Also the long wheelbase that comes with slack hta might be a bit of a handful on tight stuff.  

i offered. havent heard back from them yet. i cant buy a bike from them due to the low stack height.  

XL stack height seems OK to me given the target users of this bike, which presumably includes people racing chunky XC, XCM and are in the "one-bike-for-everything-crowd". A lot of those riders, me included, run significant bar drop. Trek could have bumped up stack by 10mm, but any more and some of those riders (again, me included) wouldn't be able to get their preferred position, especially if a 130mm fork is fitted. With stems so short these days, bar height can't be significantly lowered with a neg rise stem. Keeping frame stack low is more important than ever for providing fit options. Riders who prefer a higher bar can use a riser and/or spacers, as already noted above. Or buy a Yeti SB115 etc if spacers aren't your thing.  

Le Duke

TwoWheelMan said: XL stack height seems OK to me given the target users of this bike, which presumably includes people racing chunky XC, XCM and are in the "one-bike-for-everything-crowd". A lot of those riders, me included, run significant bar drop. Trek could have bumped up stack by 10mm, but any more and some of those riders (again, me included) wouldn't be able to get their preferred position, especially if a 130mm fork is fitted. With stems so short these days, bar height can't be significantly lowered with a neg rise stem. Keeping frame stack low is more important than ever for providing fit options. Riders who prefer a higher bar can use a riser and/or spacers, as already noted above. Or buy a Yeti SB115 etc if spacers aren't your thing. Click to expand...

Compare: 2021 Yeti Cycles SB115 Base MD vs 2020 Intense Cycles Sniper T 29 Expert Medium

bikeinsights.com

This IS the Trek Top Fuel 2022 thread right??  

MattMay said: This IS the Trek Fuel 2022 thread right?? Click to expand...

www.mtbr.com

2022 Top Fuel Official Post

www.mtbr.com

LOL. Compare geometry numbers. It's a Fuel EX with shorter travel. Downcountry!!!  

I'm pretty sure they put a bit more anti-squat into the rear suspension, so wouldn't be surprised if it out-pedals the outgoing model. And for me at least, I couldn't be happier with removal of the dual lockout system, though I might want it if I was still racing. Side note: Don't we already have a thread on this bike for complaining that it weighs too much? 🙃  

VFR800Essex

Anyone on here actually ridden the thing yet?  

Some really not intelligent arguments about stack height going on here. XXL frames should have stacks that are at least manageable. Stack height also plays a huge roll in out of the saddle climbing. Mine climbing comfort and ability to lift the front over roots and rocks significantly improved with a taller stack. I am at 663 stack, 50mm of spacers and a 1" riser bar. Now level with saddle. Just go look at the majority of bike builds posted, and note the bar saddle relationship. 2" is extreme, close to level is the norm for small/medium/Large frames.  

Level is comfy actually but not over very long distance for me. I used to keep them pretty level. Strangely enough, I now prefer about a 40mm drop with my saddle higher. I still sit quite upright. My test is- what feels comfortable over 4-5 hours and can I deal with extended climbs without constantly fighting the front. I still do use riser bars but my saddle height (6' longish legs and arms) is quite high. Most do what is comfortable. Racers also get professionally fitted to produce max power over whatever duration they race and the type of race. I have also noticed that for pictures, some drop their saddle to close to bar height if the saddle is way higher. I have never owned a Trek. That is mainly because like Specialized, their design does not have much anti-squat built in to it and relies on shock damping and climb switches to firm it up a bit. I remember how seat stay and chain stay pivot bikes (Single and Horst, I guess) squatted on climbs and I always hated that. Then the Ibis Mojo came along and the Turners went DW Link and changed my buying preferences at least till now. The new breed of Treks and even Specialized seem much more interesting to me, though I am more in the Trail category of buyers...avoiding XC and Enduro rigs though I'll lean more XC if I have to, as long as the head angle is under 67 degrees.  

I'm not sure how you can go too wrong. The new bikes were at an event my trail area just hosted and I've seen the prototypes performing well. Trek sells a lot of bikes all over and usually has top ranking post-sale support. I think most all popular bikes are good these days.  

mikesee

If it could fit 2.8" tires I'd be throwing my money at them.  

Looks like a nice fast bike. You could race on it and do endurance events on it. Well, COULD. Not suggesting you should.  

I think it overlap with Fuel EX a little bit, like a slightly less burly sibling. Not sure how much better new Top Fuel pedals compared to Fuel EX. I think, if you more into trail riding over all-day XC and looking for versatile all-arounder, Fuel EX is obvious choice. But if you're more XC-oriented, picking Top Fuel doesn't seem so obvious? Mulsanne Blue color on AL frame is gorgeous though. I wish my Fuel EX had this color.  

David R

not really... my pedal to seat distance is 40" (1015mm) minus the 175mm cranks thats 841mm. since the stack is 618 on the xxl, exactly how much riser bar should i run???? i only need 223mm to bring the bars up level with the seat!!!!  

My 2019 top fuel pedals pretty well. It was a hard choice between the fuel ex and top fuel. This seems like what most of the people want. I would assume a new fuel ex will be out soon with 140/150 travel. I took my front off lockout and still use the rear. I’m a mid pack cat 2 guy so it works fine for me. I’m more into the 5+ hour races which the old top fuel is great for. The new one maybe not so much. I would never ride the super cal. It’ll probably go away and they will have a 120/100. That seems to be what most xc bikes are going too.  

2022 top fuel is a shorter travel fuel ex. we ride bikes. so its how the miles start getting put on when we ride hard that matters. its not a competitor to the epic evo or cannondale scalpel se. the weight weenie crowd will overlook it  

Thoughts? I run my 2020 with no lockout and race it. It’s fast, and I am fast on it as in, it does not hold me back in any way. I don’t believe the 2022 frame is 1 pound heavier until I see it on a scale. The bike and all of its respective components may be, but that doesn’t matter for me since. All things considered, if you set up a bike with XC compoenentry, at the amateur level, it’s not really going to make a difference. 1 pound heavier bike is less important than what happens in the crucial moments of the race. You are probably carrying more than 1 lb in excess weight anyway if you took a look at the rest of your setup. In the end, it’s every bit what you are saying you need and will be extremely fast on the Xc course. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

FJSnoozer said: Thoughts? I run my 2020 with no lockout and race it. It’s fast, and I am fast on it as in, it does not hold me back in any way. I don’t believe the 2022 frame is 1 pound heavier until I see it on a scale. The bike and all of its respective components may be, but that doesn’t matter for me since. All things considered, if you set up a bike with XC compoenentry, at the amateur level, it’s not really going to make a difference. 1 pound heavier bike is less important than what happens in the crucial moments of the race. You are probably carrying more than 1 lb in excess weight anyway if you took a look at the rest of your setup. In the end, it’s every bit what you are saying you need and will be extremely fast on the Xc course. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Click to expand...

I get kinda jealous when I see so many medium and large frames with 1/2" or flat bars level with the saddle.  

I have 685 stack on my frame. I still have 38mm risers and 40mm spacers under my stem. I want an xxxl frame w 700 stack and 450-465mm cs. Reach will be less than you imagine as the high stack offsets it. So that means 500 reach and a 76 degree sta My wingspan matches my height. all this fuss over ebike rated components and im running 115lbs more than dukie. As i stated before the top fuel is now a short travel fuel ex. its not a race bike. It may be raced as it has short travel. Which is thought to be reaponsive to pedalling. But its frame storage and weight indicates an all day everyday fun bike for those who like a bit more of a responsive ride than a fuel ex trek if you take anything from this forum its that you would best make an adjustment to your idea of what a big bike is. Happy to help test.  

i love the 2019 top fuel but have wondered what the bike would be like with more supple rear suspension and maybe a few more mm. the 2022 however is not what id want. id rather just go full fuel ex and put some xr3s on it.  

Fuse6F said: here is a few more. kate courtney. she isnt that fast?!? View attachment 1953260 View attachment 1953263 "Even with an XL frame, Paul still needs a 410mm-long Thompson seatpost to achieve the 880mm saddle height that he requires (centre of BB to the saddle)." wonder if this last guy would ride a frame w more stack???? Click to expand...

isnt kate 5'4" 115 lbs? duke. can you do a compare between your sniper and this scott? maybe bars level isnt so bad after all. or even higher than the seat! https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-kate-courtneys-scott-scale-albstadt-xc-world-cup-2021.html  

same thing here with yolanda. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-jolanda-neffs-olympics-winning-trek-supercaliber.html olympic champ.  

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trek top fuel

Tested: Trek Top Fuel

Don't call it a race bike. Trek's new Top Fuel is for railing steep fast decents with no course tape in sight.

Takeaway: Trek’s latest edition of the Top Fuel moves from being a big cross country racer and becomes a short travel trail bike. With new longer and slacker geometry, plus 5mm of extra travel, it aims to give riders the efficiency they want for long days while still enabling them to ride more technical trails with confidence.

  • Fully guided internal routing in the front triangle plus a 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket simplifies maintenance for both professional and home mechanics.
  • The new Top Fuel has clearance for 2.5” tires; which makes perfect sense as even XC racers are now running 2.4” tires as standard.
  • The downtube storage compartment is now featured on all Top Fuel models, including the alloy versions. It’s a great feature that often gets nixed on lower priced frame models.

trek top fuel

Price: $11,500 Weight: 26.8lbs (size XL) Style: Full suspension 120mm trail bike Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, internal storage, tapered head tube, Knock Block 2.0, internal guided routing, downtube guard, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 120mm travel Wheel Size: 29” Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Charger Race Day damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 120mm travel Rear Shock: RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT, 185mm x 50mm Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle AXS, wireless, 12-speed Cranks: SRAM XX1 Eagle, DUB, 55mm chainline, 175mm length Chainring: 30 tooth Cassette: SRAM Eagle XG-1299, 10-52T, 12-speed Brakes: SRAM G2 Ultimate hydraulic disc, carbon levers Front Wheel: Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle Rear Wheel: Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, SRAM XD driver, Boost148, 12mm thru-axle Tires: Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120tpi, 29.x2.40'' Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS, 170mm travel, wireless, 34.9mm, 480mm length Handlebar / Stem: Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm handlebar rise, 820mm width, 0 degree stem rise, 45mm stem length

trek top fuel

While XC race bikes were becoming longer travel, yet another new category of mountain bikes started to gain traction with riders: down-country. This new breed of bikes combines elements of longer travel all-mountain and trail bikes (such as slack geometry, more powerful brakes, and heavier casing tires) with shorter travel and lighter-weight frames. Essentially, burly XC bikes that you can ride all day, are efficient climbers, and very capable at descending. This is the approach Trek took with the latest Top Fuel.

trek top fuel

The new Top Fuel strikes a similar silhouette to the older model, with a vertically mounted shock layout and Trek’s Active Braking Pivot suspension system; which now delivers an extra 5mm of travel in the rear to match the 120mm travel fork. The Top Fuel’s geometry is in line with other bikes in the emerging down-country category, with the headtube angle becoming 1.5 degrees slacker and reach increasing by 10mm as compared to the previous generation of the bike. The Top Fuel now also has clearance for 2.5 inch tires, for those who want to push traction to the limit.

trek top fuel

The new Top Fuel edges ever closer into the territory of its longer travel sibling, the Fuel EX. The updated geometry of the Top Fuel actually makes the Fuel EX look a bit dated in comparison. The two bikes have identical headtube angles, with the Top Fuel having a longer reach and a steeper seat angle as well. You can even fit a 130mm fork on the Top Fuel, which would make it slacker than the Fuel Ex. Basically, the Top Fuel is no longer a race oriented bike. It has now morphed into an efficient trail bike for riders that still want solid pedaling performance to get up the climbs, but who want additional speed, confidence, and control on the descents.

Builds & Pricing

There are a total of nine different Top Fuel builds offered by Trek, plus carbon and alloy framesets. The Top Fuel is also available through Trek’s Project One program, allowing riders to customize everything from components to paint.

We got to test the Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS build, which at $11,050 is (depending on your perspective) either a reasonable price for a modern high end bicycle or completely bonkers. With bikes such as Specialized S-Works Epic EVO coming in at a cool $13,000, and the Scott Spark 900 Ultimate EVO AXS at $14,000, the Top Fuel 9.9 almost seems price conscious.

The cheapest Top Fuel model, the alloy framed Top Fuel 5, features a RockShox Recon fork, X-Fusion X-Pro2 shock, and a Shimano Deore drivetrain at $2,630. The Top Fuel 7 has a Recon Gold fork with a mix of Shimano SLX and XT parts, plus Bontrager Line Comp wheels for $3,530. The Top Fuel 8 is the priciest alloy build at $3,830, with a RockShox SID fork and Deluxe Ultimate shock plus more powerful Shimano M6120 four-piston brakes.

The Top Fuel 9.7 is the most affordable of the carbon builds at $4,230. It uses Fox Rhythm 34 fork with a Float DPS shock and is finished with a mix of Shimano SLX and XT, plus Bontrager Line wheels. The Top Fuel 9.8 has three different versions based on your component preferences. You can go mechanical with SRAM GX or Shimano XT for $7,050 or upgrade to GX AXS for $7,550. All three use RockShox SID Select+ forks and Deluxe Ultimate RCT shocks, along with Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheels. Moving to the top of the price range, for $9,550Trek offers the Top Fuel 9.9 XTR build for Shimano and Fox lovers. It uses Fox Factory level suspension, a full mechanical XTR drivetrain, and Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheels. Riders preferring Rockshox Ultimate level suspension and electronic XX1 AXS shifting will need to spend $11,050 to get the most expensive Top Fuel model, the 9.9 XX1 AXS.

If you’d rather build your bike from the frame up, Trek offers alloy and carbon framesets. The Top Fuel AL frame sells for $2,320 with a Fox Float DPS shock. The carbon frame is priced at $3,720 and includes a Fox Factory Float DPS shock.

Geometry & Fit

The new Top Fuel has received the slacker and longer treatment, and as a result, the head tube angle is now a degree and a half slacker at 66º across the entire size range. Reach grows by 10mm while BB height and chainstay length remain the same from the previous generation.

Trek offers seven different sizes of the Top Fuel, including an M/L option for riders often caught between the medium and the large. With a stock stem length of 45mm on all sizes except an XS, our 6’3 tester felt cramped on the size XL and likely would have benefited from sizing up to an XXL. The issue was resolved with a longer stem, but the most expensive 9.9 builds of the Top Fuel Trek use its integrated Bontrager RSL handlebar and stem combo. It’s easy enough to swap out as it thankfully doesn’t run any lines internally, but it still means riders will need to supply both a bar and a stem to make fit adjustments. As always, it’s highly recommended that you get a test ride in at a shop before buying a new bike if possible.

trek top fuel

Ride Impressions

The new Top Fuel is very much a short travel trail bike meant for ripping down burly trails. Thanks to a 40mm increase in wheelbase, a slacker head tube angle, and other geometry changes over its previous version, it feels much more planted and composed on rough and fast descents. It’s a bike that wants to hold a line and stay planted on the ground. This worked well in certain situations, like scrubbing speed on a rough bit of trail heading into a turn. Other times it made me have to fight the bike a bit to make quick line adjustments.

trek top fuel

To highlight the new trail bike character of the Top Fuel, Trek has made some component choices to suit the bike's new intended purpose. Opting for four-piston SRAM G2 brakes, as well as grippier XR4 tires, for better control on steep descents. The frame is also beefed up with a larger downtube that now includes a storage compartment for snacks or, more likely, flat-fix tools. The seat tube also grows in diameter to increase stiffness and accommodate a larger diameter 34.9mm dropper post. The remote lockout is also gone from the handlebars – which, perhaps more than any other change, makes the Top Fuel's intent as a trail bike crystal clear.

trek top fuel

Trek’s ABP suspension design has had many years of refinement and is a genuine four-bar platform, unlike many 120mm bikes that use a flex pivot. In contrast, all the pivot points on the Top Fuel use sealed bearings, resulting in a suspension setup that feels much more active. The design does a good job of isolating braking from the suspension, resulting in less skipping and bouncing when you’re hard on the brakes in a rough section of trail.

trek top fuel

The downside of the Top Fuel’s trail bike transformation is that it’s now a bit heavy. Our premium 9.9 XX1 AXS XL sample came in at nearly 27 lbs. This isn’t wildly heavy for a trail bike, but typically you get a bit more suspension travel with that weight penalty. For reference, the Scott Spark I tested earlier this year has the same amount of suspension travel as the Top Fuel but is a full three pounds lighter. Trek does say that the Top Fuel is compatible with a 130mm fork, and I can’t help but think the new Top Fuel would have made a lot more sense with the increased travel straight from the factory.

trek top fuel

After having multiple testers on the Top Fuel over the last few weeks, our consensus has been that the Top Fuel would thrive in a place that has a lot of machine built or well maintained, and steep trails. Trails where you can get the Top Fuel moving fast allow the progressive all-mountain geometry to shine and make the bike feel much more capable than its 120mm of travel would suggest.

trek top fuel

The new Top Fuel is undoubtedly more capable than its previous version while maintaining much of its pedaling efficiency. Riders with more than a casual interest in racing should probably look at bikes such as the Scott Spark , Canyon Lux Trail , or Specialized Epic EVO . The Top Fuel is perhaps the ideal bike for riders who want a trail, or even all-mountain, bike geometry experience, but don't want the extra weight or need the extra bit of travel.

Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS

Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS

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Trek Top Fuel 8 review: a progressive rather than podiuming XC machine

Trek’s top fuel delivers superlative short-travel suspension performance but it’s definitely a trail bike not an xc bike.

Trek Top Fuel 8 review

BikePerfect Verdict

Awesome suspension, agile swagger, grippy kit and practical frame updates build a brilliant rally bike, but high weight buries any XC aspirations

Infectiously agile and playful vibe

Superlative suspension feel

Seriously tight tracking frame

Trail tough kit

Internal storage

Too heavy for XC racing

Simple fork damper

Tight internal storage access

Yawning gap between this and the Supercaliber

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Top Fuel used to be Trek’s out-and-out best full-suspension mountain bike for racing, but with the soft-tail Supercaliber under its sponsored riders now, the Top Fuel has developed a burly rather than race character. 

The latest frame, suspension and spec changes to the 8 make the most of its short-travel agility and gripped tenacity to create a proper rally racer. Excess weight shows on climbs and acceleration though.

Design and geometry

The alloy Top Fuel frame not only has the same geometry, shock and suspension layout as its carbon counterpart but Trek’s engineers have also worked super-hard to give it the same extensive, updated feature lineup. That includes the lever-locked trapdoor into the down tube for internal storage, threaded bottom bracket shell with chain guide tabs. The Knock Block 2.0 inset now allows 72-degrees of steering lock (not 58-degrees as before) or you can fit a blank insert for full rotation if the bars aren’t slammed. 

In fact, it’s one of those bikes where we continually found ourselves riding how we always want to ride, not how we actually ride. That inevitably builds into an addictive upward spiral of confidence and insolent speed that often ended with us snapping at the heels of more expensive longer travel bikes even on really rowdy trails. Picking a larger, longer frame will settle it even more at speed, but for flow trails, it was refreshing to really rip those big Bontrager side tire lugs round on a compact, close combat chassis. Just be careful you don’t get too carried away, as however good it feels, less travel inevitably means the tires are having to cope with more impact force and we soon put a couple of splits in the rear tire despite the ‘inner strength’ casing.

When that happens the narrow neck of the storage hatch can make getting your spare tube out awkward and the high cage position means you won’t get a large bottle in either. There’s space for a 2.5in tire in the rear swingarm which pivots co-axially around the rear axle according to Trek’s ‘Active Braking Pivot’ wisdom. While it limits choice, the switch to a 34.9mm seatpost size should mean stiffer, smoother dropper action, especially on larger frame sizes which get up to a 200mm shaft stock. The new trunnion style shock pivots more smoothly and is the right way up now compared to last year’s inverted shocks. That means the MinoLink geometry flip chip to change angles by 0.5-degrees is now at the base of the shock but it’s still easy to get too. Significantly all RockShox spec Trek bikes from the 8 upwards get the same ‘Ultimate RCT’ spec Deluxe rear shock.

The alloy frame is a kilo heavier (3.74kg vs 2.7kg) than the carbon option according to Trek’s weights. This saves you $1,400/£1,500 if you buy the frame separately, although it still retails for $2,319.99/£2,350. Those numbers prove it’s neither affordable or light for a bike that you’ll find listed in the XC section of Trek's website, not the trail pages. In fact, the 130mm Fuel EX Al frame is the same weight although that doesn't have internal storage.

A 66/66.4-degree head tube definitely suggests progressive riding rather than traditional podium hunting vibes too. The 465/469mm reach on our M/L size is more trad than rad though so riders after a stretch should make use of the short 450mm seat tube and opt for the L with a 480/484 reach. All bikes get the same 76/76.4-degree seat tube angle and 434/435mm chainstay length though so while having six (S-XXL) sizes is great, the balance is definitely centered around the M - M/L - L models.

Components and build 

The Top Fuel 8 is the most expensive alloy bike, above the 7 at $3,529.99/£3,200 and the 5 at $2,629.99/£2,700 (we don’t know what 6 did to offend them but its missing from the line-up), but below the carbon-framed 9.7 at $4,229.99/£4,700.

The highlights of the package are the lightweight SID fork (albeit with the simplest Rush Damper) and Shimano XT rear mech and shifters. The Bontrager XR4 tires are some of our favorite welterweight all-rounders too. The SLX crank is a great piece with a 30T ring for easy climbing, but muscle Mary’s will find a 36T fits the frame too. You get a 150mm Trans-X dropper with a Bontrager Arvada saddle on top and 35mm diameter Bontrager Elite 45mm stem and 780mm wide bar.

Deore four-pot brakes just about do the job adequately via 180/160mm rotors but together with the wide rim tubeless Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels they’re an obvious area where extra weight creeps in and adds up to nearly 14.5kg without pedals. 

Performance

Add that weight to chunky treaded, relatively grippy tires and however Trek categorizes the Top Fuel, the 8 clearly isn’t the best choice for charging climbs and ripping round simple XC laps. Now we’ve got rid of the people who’ll likely love the 12.2kg Trek Supercaliber for the same money, we can start talking about what the Top Fuel does do really well – and that’s riding properly rowdy.

While bikes like the Evil Following , Santa Cruz Tallboy , and Norco Optic have already established that short-travel bikes can feel awesome, the Top Fuel definitely goes into the small travel, BIG capability hall of fame. Like most of its peers, it doesn’t squander initial shock movement and can feel slightly sharp in the car park unless you drop tire pressures low. 

Once moving though it’s both amazingly fluid and connected over ruts and roots whether climbing janky tech or sucking onto stutter bump/root ripple turns or off-camber high lines. The wheel path and rear pivot position mean there’s minimal pull back through the pedals as it hoovers up chunder so you can stay on the gas without getting jacked or stalled out. While we’re always suspicious of acronyms and a 160mm rotor doesn’t generate much torque anyway, the braking performance of the ABP rear end is impressively grippy compared to the same hardware on other bikes. 

The RCT damper also has plus and minus low-speed compression settings to fine-tune support sensitivity depending on personal/terrain preferences. Even in the plus setting the mid-stroke mobility does mean you’ll want to flick into the much firmer ‘pedal’ mode if you’re stood up slow cadence churning on a climb or don’t want distracting bounce on long smooth climbs. The SID fork gets a similar firming option via the fork top lever though we rarely touched it unless we were really hanging on a road climb.

While the superlative suspension performance is definitely the heart of the Top Fuel’s ‘have a go hero’ character, the rest of the bike definitely exploits it rather than squandering it. The alloy frame might be heavy but it’s seriously stout when it comes to squaring up to the trail when things get punchy.

While the simpler Rush damper starts to get seasick and inconsistent well before the back end, the 35mm stanchions do a great job of staying on track. Shorter travel means less dive too and together with well-balanced cockpit dimensions and steering angle gives a really predictable and tenacious target lock.

Despite the hefty weight and relatively slow rear hub engagement the fact you can keep the power down or brake really late meant the Top Fuel always felt hyped to be hitting trails and tweaking lines as fast as possible. The shorter M/L size made it a proper joyride on tighter, twistier trails but you can still drive it really hard, heels down, feet level through turns and it loves to pump downslopes.

Trek’s Top Fuel 8 is a brilliant example of just how good short-travel suspension can feel, and less stroke always means a more responsive, visceral ride than a leggier bike. The geometry and proper trail tires really let you exploit the hooligan that’s hiding in the frame along with your pump, tool and spare tube too. 

As much as we’ve loved ripping around the trails on it, there’s no doubt it’s heavier and harder to accelerate/elevate than we’d like for its supposed XC/downcountry range placement though. If you’re about the overall vibe, not outright velocity, that doesn’t matter though.

Test conditions

  • Temperature: -2 to 8 degrees
  • Surface: Mixed blue-black trail center, moorland tracks, off-piste wooded tech and DH

Tech Specs: Trek Top Fuel 8

  • Price: $3,829.99 / £3,850
  • Model: Trek Top Fuel 8
  • Discipline: XC/downcountry/trail
  • Head angle:  66/66.4-degrees
  • Frame material: Alpha Platinum Aluminium
  • Weight: 14.46kg
  • Wheel size: 29 x 2.4in 
  • Suspension: RockShox SID 120mm travel, 44mm offset/RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT 120mm travel
  • Drivetrain:  Shimano XT M8100 mech and shifter. Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51 cassette, chain
  • Cranks:  Shimano XT 30T chainset
  • Brakes:  Shimano Deore M6000 brakes with 180/160mm rotors
  • Cockpit:  Bontrager Line 780mm bar and 45mm stem
  • Wheelset:  Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels
  • Tires:  Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 29 x 2.4in tires
  • Seatpost:  TranzX 150mm dropper post
  • Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, steel rail saddle

Guy Kesteven

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect 's since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

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Trek Top Fuel 8 review

Alan Muldoon

  • Alan Muldoon
  • July 27, 2023

Once a lean XC race-focused machine, now a bulked up down-country rig. We test Trek's latest take on its short travel full suspension design.

Trek Top Fuel 8

Trek Top Fuel 8 Credit: Roo Fowler

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek top fuel 8.

  • • Poppy, playful and efficient
  • • Available in six frame sizes
  • • Internal down tube storage
  • • Mino Link flip chip allows geometry tweaks
  • • Needs a 180mm rear rotor
  • • Accurate rear shock set up is crucial
  • • A solid build, so not the lightest in its class

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

Think Top Fuel, and the image of a XC race bike instantly springs to mind. But like a faded polaroid tucked into the corner for a dusty picture frame, it’s not an accurate representation of the current design. With the Fuel EX increasing in travel, the Top Fuel has been swept along in its backdraft and seen in high definition, it’s now a capable 29er trail bike with modern sizing and 120mm travel and one of the best down-country bikes on sale. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

A dropper post and sorted cockpit complement the Top Fuel’s playful and poppy nature

Trek offers the new Top Fuel in carbon and alloy options, where the Top Fuel 8 tested here is the high-end alloy build. Regardless of frame material all Top Fuels come with integrated downtube storage. And while the quick release hatch under the bottle cage isn’t big enough to cram a three course lunch into the frame, there’s enough space for a tube, multi-tool, a few snacks and a lightweight jacket. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

Down tube storage is handy for those riders who are travelling light

Trek always offers a comprehensive size range; and with frame options from S to XXL, with a tweener M/L option too, the Top Fuel 8 is no exception. It also has geometry adjustment, but rather than having Trek’s signature Mino Link on the seat stay pivot, the Top Fuel has a flip chip at the lower shock mount. In the low setting this gives a relatively tall 340mm BB height for a 120mm bike, which is probably the only carryover from its race-bike roots – designed to let you keep the cranks spinning, and the speed high at all times.

  • Best down-country mountain-bike: short travel full-suspension

The rest of the Top Fuel’s vital stats are on the money though, where a slack 65.6º head angle and steep 77.2º effective seat tube angle make it easy to hammer up the climbs and shred the descents. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

Flip chip in the lower shock mount offers 0.5deg head angle and 8mm BB height adjustment

It’s built solid too, the complete bike tipping the scales at 14.89kg. It also comes with a combined rider and bike weight limit of 136kg (300lb) so it’s clearly no wet noodle. Yes, it’s not the lightest for a 120mm bike, and not far off what you’d expect for a 150mm bike, but that’s the price you pay for integrated storage, as the alloy down tube needs reinforcing when you cut a hole in it.

Thankfully, the Top Fuel 8 rides light, as there’s less travel to pull through to get the bike off the ground, so it offers a different ride experience to modern long-travel trail bikes which tend to have one eye on enduro racing. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

The stock RockShox Pike Rush RC fork dishes out 130mm of travel

There are no sag gradients on the 130mm travel RockShox Pike fork, which we assume is down to cost saving, but set-up is still really straightforward with a tape measure to hand. And while the Pike has a reputation for having a sporty, firmer tune, the basic RC version on the Trek felt smooth and composed in all situations. Yes, the RC damper has a very wide range of rebound adjustment, but there’s only a small range that’s actually usable, but it is enough to get the rebound just so; and that’s all that really matters, right?

  • Best mountain bike suspension forks: XC, trail and enduro forks

You need to be equally attentive when setting up the rear suspension. Set to 30% sag, the top-end RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT shock bottoms relatively easily. So if you want to run the shock softer to achieve a lower dynamic BB height, you’re going to need to add volume spacers. As such, we increased the shock pressure and reduced the sag to 27.5%.

This small change alone was enough to prevent premature bottom out, but we could still use all of the available shock stroke when we really needed it. We also ran the low-speed compression setting in the minus position for maximum plushness. In the low geometry setting we measured rear wheel travel at 115mm, which is 5mm less than claimed. 

One of the biggest differences in terms of ride feel between the Lapierre and the Trek, other than sizing, are the wheels. The Bontrager Line 30 rims have a 30mm internal rim width, 5mm more than the Mavic rims on the Lapierre XRM 6.9 we tested the Trek against. This adds to the overall volume of the tyres and the stiffness of the bike. It is also why we dropped the tyre pressures slightly on the Trek, even though we were running the exact same tyres on both bikes. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

Bolted on chainstay protection is a neat and considered touch

With 108 points of engagement the freehub on the Bontrager rear wheel offers rapid, secure engagement, with less chain slack and chain slap as a result. The bike is not totally silent though as there is a little bit of cable rattle, but it will probably disappear when you stuff the BITS storage box to the gills.

The contact points on the Top Fuel 8 are all sorted and while there’s a stack of stem height adjustment, the three 20mm spacers don’t offer any fine tuning of the handlebar height. So swapping one of the 20mm spacers of a 10mm, a 5mm and two 2.5mm spacers, would be our first move before leaving the store.

  • How to: ultimate guide to handlebar cockpit set up

Nothing else needs changing though. The mix of Shimano XT and SLX for the 12-speed drivetrain worked flawlessly in the dry, dusty test conditions, where the smaller 30t chainring is a real saviour on long draggy climbs or on days when your legs feel like lead. 

Trek Top Fuel 8

ABP suspension design transforms the seat stay assembly into a floating brake mount

Performance

The steep seat tube angle on the Trek Top Fuel 8 really helps with the pedalling dynamics on steeper climbs and the cockpit is long enough that even with the shorter 45mm stem, you never feel cramped or uncomfortable when climbing. It’s not so steep though, that it feels like the pedals are behind you when sitting down spinning across flatter, rolling singletrack.

Stand up to sprint and the rear suspension on the Trek clearly gets animated, the rocker link flapping around like the tail on an overly excited puppy. So the best approach is to sit and spin up the climbs, as the shock remains remarkably still and lifeless until you encounter a bump. Also if you really want to go for it on smoother climbs, the rear shock has a firmer pedal threshold setting. In short then, gaining elevation on the Top Fuel 8 is relatively straightforward and painless.

Trek Top Fuel 8

Knock Block 2.0 steering lock with 72º steering angle, protects the frame without limiting steering

So, it’s somewhat surprising just how rapidly you can throw those gains away. This bike simply rips the descents. Given the limited travel it still seems to carry speed everywhere, and while bumps that would normally chip away at your momentum are still felt though the chassis, they do not perturb the Trek one bit. It rails corners too. Simply load up the suspension mid-turn, and the Top Fuel has just the right amount of support and extension to keep the front end loaded, before slingshotting you out of the turn faster than you entered it. Combine the raw speed with the balanced weight distribution, and the Top Fuel 8 is a really fun, exciting ride and blisteringly fast too.

Would the Trek Top Fuel 8 be even faster with a genuinely low geometry setting? You bet it would. But we’d settle for a bigger rotor on the SRAM DB8 rear brake, as this bike is so fast in fact, that the 160mm rotor feels wholly inadequate and it looked like it had been tempered after just a couple of rides. 

  • Best cross-country XC mountain bikes: hardtail and full suspension

Trek Top Fuel 8

The Top Fuel 8 is at home on fast sweeping singletrack

At 14.89kg (32.83lb), the Trek Top Fuel 8 isn’t that much lighter than a 150mm bike. So if you want one bike to conquer all trails, it wouldn’t be our first choice. It’s still a great 29er trail bike though, and if bike park laps and enduro racing don’t fall under your trail bike remit, the Trek Top Fuel 8 offers a fast, fun and engaging ride. Its poppy playful nature, combined with generous sizing means you never feel limited by the travel for regular trail riding. Yet, it still feels more energetic and efficient under pedalling than than most 150mm bikes. It’s a heady combination that manages to keep both the tempo and fun factor high, without any apparent lows.

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Field Test Review: 2022 Trek Top Fuel - Same Name, Different Bike

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Trek Top Fuel 8 review

Classic cross-country racer that could be livened up by better wheels

Mick Kirkman / Immediate Media

Guy Kesteven

Stiff frame with suspension tuned for efficient pedalling, reasonable kit for the cash

Conservative rather than combative handling character and overall feel, wheels and tyres undermine rough rolling speed and liveliness

trek top fuel reddit

Trek’s entry-level Top Fuel is efficiently stiff with a conventional ride character, but not as smooth or naturally fast as the competition.

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Trek Top Fuel 8 frame and kit

The all-aluminium Top Fuel is also available in full-carbon and carbon front/alloy rear form. At a claimed 2,725g (18.5in frame with shock), it’s a reasonable weight, and the short single-piece rocker and Boost-width back end keep it solidly stiff.

Trek’s Full Floater design sees the custom RE:aktiv shock squeezed between the linkage and extended chainstay tips, rather than attached to the mainframe, while the ABP rear pivot is concentric with the axle to reduce the effect of braking on the suspension action.

A Mino Link flip chip on the rocker lets you adjust the geometry by half a degree, and there’s semi-internal dropper post routing. The bottom bracket is a press-fit unit.

The Trek’s Shimano Deore brakes and SLX gears work fine, and some racers and marathon riders still prefer twin-chainring set-ups such as the Race Face double crankset found here.

The 32mm-legged Fox fork is smooth and light, and the in-house Bontrager kit is okay for holding onto and sitting on, though the wheel pack doesn’t do the bike’s ride any favours.

Trek Top Fuel 8 ride impressions

The Trek feels traditional in terms of ride character. With a 70-degree head angle, the underlying handling is twitchier and less stable. To offset this, Trek has fitted a long stem (90mm) and narrow bar (720mm) to bring the rider’s weight forward and make the steering less likely to wander offline.

This classic recipe for race-bike handling has endured for over a decade and a lot of riders will be comfy and reassured by it. It does mean the Top Fuel feels significantly less responsive and alert to sudden traction slips and grabs though. Each tweak of the bar takes more effort and it feels more heavy-handed and clumsy in tight or slippery situations.

The Bontrager wheels and tyres don’t do the natural velocity and vivacity of the Trek any favours either. Hefty overall weight (4.83kg) means acceleration is steady rather than snappy, even with the fast pick-up of the Rapid Drive rear hub.

The XR2 tyres are the top-grade Team Issue version, but the relatively old carcass lacks the supple compliance and eager roll/grip feel of other tyres. On the plus side, that means they’re likely to last longer in tough terrain than other race rubber.

However, I noticed a dramatic upgrade in smoothness, acceleration and easy speed sustain when I swapped the significantly lighter, Maxxis-shod wheels of the Giant Anthem onto the Top Fuel.

Supple flow isn’t a hallmark of the rear suspension either, but, like the steering, that’s a deliberate choice that more traditional racers may prefer. While the suspension architecture is the same as on most of Trek’s full-sussers, the Top Fuel gets a more stubborn cross-country tune of its proprietary RE:aktiv low-speed compression damping threshold valving.

This keeps the shock more stable under power, particularly at lower revs or when sprinting out of the saddle. Again, that’ll sound ideal to a lot of racers, but even with a bearing (rather than bushing) mount at the top of the shock, it's not that sensitive. That limits speed-breeding, ground-tracking traction and smooth rolling over stutter bumps, roots and rocks.

Trek Top Fuel 8 overall

The end result is a bike that’s basically fine in an old-school way but never felt as quick or alive as it could be. It even caused several damning ‘I thought the brakes were rubbing’ stop checks, which is the last thing you want from a speed machine.

However, a simple wheel swap proved it has the potential to be quicker and smoother.

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Trek Top Fuel 5

Trek Top Fuel 5

Based on 9 review s

The Looria Grade (A - F) accounts for multiple factors, including sentiment, helpfulness, and more. Learn about our sources and ranking.

  • Great for bike park trails
  • Good value for the money
  • Light and nimble
  • Suitable for XC racing or long days in the mountains
  • Easy to ride

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Bike Finest

Trek Fuel EX Vs Top Fuel Mountain Bike ?

Trek mountain bikes are built for the trails, and no bikes illustrate that better than the Trek Fuel EX and Trek Top Fuel. So, it’s understandable to pit Trek Fuel EX vs Top Fuel, which compels us to ask, what’s the difference?

Trek Fuel EX is a full suspension 29er trail bike with a 140mm front suspension and a 130mm rear suspension, while Trek Top Fuel is a 29er or 27.5-inch full-suspension cross-country bike with a 120mm front and rear suspension.

So, you can distinguish the trail bikes according to the type, suspension travel, and wheel size. Other differences are with respect to the geometry, suspension technology, project one customization, speed, weight, and even price.

what is the difference between trek top fuel and fuel ex

Below is a table breakdown of all the nine differences between Fuel EX and Top Fuel to be explored in detail later:

This article will not just discuss the differences between the two Trek MTBs but will also highlight their similarities. Without saying much, let’s begin with the bikes’ overview.

Trek Fuel EX Overview

Trek Fuel EX is a full suspension trail mountain bike by Trek designed to take on just about any trail all season long.

This mountain bike comes with a balanced trail geometry that brings out the perfect balance between speed and control. As a result, it’s easier to handle on tricky trails and promises a fast pace.   

Fuel EX is available in 29-inch (29er) and 27.5-inch wheel sizes to accommodate all heights. Women who naturally have a shorter stature can set for 27.5-inch options, while men who are inherently taller can go for 29ers.

Suspension-wise, Fuel EX features a 140mm front suspension and a 130mm rear suspension, which is enough to hit just about any trail and enjoy the same comfort and bump-cushioning.

In terms of suspension technologies, the manufacturer employs Mono Link to self-adjust the bike frame, Re: Aktiv to offer you more control, and Active Braking Pivot for more confident braking.   

The most notable miss is the Project One customization option. But we’ve several models to choose from, such as Fuel EX 5 Deore, Fuel EX 9.1XOR, Fuel EX7, Fuel EX 8, Fuel EX9.7, Fuel EX 9.8 GX/XT/GX AXS, Fuel EX9.9 XTR, and Fuel EX 9.9X01 AXS.

Overall, Trek Fuel EX is perfect for anyone who wants a versatile do-it-all mountain bike.

trek fuel ex or top fuel

Trek Top Fuel Overview

Trek Top Fuel is a short travel 29er cross country mountain bike designed for cross country racing and fun trail riding.

This bike is more forgiving and impulsive on aggressive descents than regular XC bikes but has a snappier feel than a traditional trail bike. So, it gives you the best sense of both worlds.

It has a 120mm front suspension and 120mm rear suspension to have a more comfortable and confident ride. And since it’s a 29er, obstacle rolling is much funnier. The full-suspension XC bike enjoys a progressive geometry, which is more relaxed and offers you more control.

Suspension-wise, this XC bike employs Mono Link Technology and ABP, just like Fuel EX to promise self-adjustment geometry and confident braking.

But unlike Fuel EX, Top Fuel lacks Re: Aktiv suspension technology. Instead, it employs Anti-Squad technology, a suspension resistance technology that offers you more acceleration with every pedaling. That’s practically why this bike is a better cross-country racing bike.

The best bit is that Top Fuel is customizable through Project One. But still, the bike family is split into several models – which include Top Fuel 5 Deore, Top Fuel 7 Deore/XT, Top Fuel 9.7 SLX/XT, Top Fuel 8, Top Fuel 9.8 GX/AX SXS/XT, and Top Fuel 9.9X01/XTR/XX1 AXS.

trek fuel vs top fuel

Trek Fuel EX Vs Top Fuel Side-By-Side Comparison!

Now, here is how Fuel EX and Top Fuel compare:

1. Bike Type

Fuel EX is generally a trail mountain bike that can take on just about any trail every day – from dirt trails to rough off-roads and forest trails.

On the other hand, Top Fuel is a cross-country mountain bike that you can use for any cross-country event. Whether you want to compete at a local event or race casually in the countryside, you cannot go wrong with Top Fuel.

2. Suspension Travel

Fuel EX is a do-it-all mountain bike mainly because of its long travel range. The bike features 140mmm of front suspension and 130mm of rear suspension, enough to take on all terrains.

The suspension allows you to ride downslope and go over rocks. That’s how powerful the MTB is. Top Fuel promises 120mm suspension travel on the front and rear side, shorter than what you get from Fuel EX but enough for cross-country biking.

You want your cross-country race bike to feel lightweight and offer you better control, and that’s what you get from the 120mm travel range.

3. Trek Fuel EX Vs Trek Top Fuel Wheel Size

Top Fuel is a 29-er (29-inch mountain bike), while Fuel EX offers 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheel options. The difference is that 29ers mostly favor taller guys while 27.5-inch accommodate both taller and shorter guys.

So, you are more likely to get a matching fit with Fuel EX than Top Fuel. However, the advantage of Top Fuel is that you can have a custom-made bike matching your body size.

4. Geometry

These two Trek mountain bike families differ in their geometry, which affects their overall feel.

Fuel EX, for example, has a balanced trail geometry, which bridges the gap between the fast-handling short-trail geometry and the slow-handling greater-trail geometry.

As a result, the bike is easier to handle at high-speed and, pretty stable, and offers you more control. You cannot ask for anything better than a balanced trail geometry.

On the other hand, Top Fuel has a progressive geometry characterized by a longer wheelbase, thus more relaxed and promising more control.

trek ex vs top fuel

5. Trek Top Fuel Vs Fuel EX Suspension Technology

Both Trek MTBs employ Active Braking Pivot (ABP) and Mono Link suspension technologies. ABP generally tunes the bike suspension to the braking and acceleration to enable you to brake more confidently and boss the trail.

Mono Link in opposite allows you to adjust the bike’s geometry quickly and on the go. The difference is that Fuel EX employs Re: Aktiv suspension technology while Top Fuel uses Anti-Squat suspension technology.

Re: Aktiv offers Fuel EX more grip, control, and a responsive feel, while Anti-Squat suspension allows you to go faster with every step. The more you pedal a Top Fuel, the faster it accelerates.

6. Trek Ex Vs Top Fuel Project One

Project One is Trek bike’s customization project. While Project One is available for top high-end Top Fuel models, it’s not available for Fuel EX. So, if you want a custom-made MTB for competition, Top Fuel is the way to go. 

That, however, doesn’t make Fuel EX an inferior family. No! There are so many high-end Fuel EX models to choose from, and they all come in all frame sizes, which means you can easily find your fit.

7. Bike Weight

There is at least a 2-4-pound difference between Fuel EX and Top Fuel of the same generation and size. For example, while Fuel EX 9.9 X01 AXS weighs 28.15 pounds, Top Fuel 9.9 XXL weighs 26.13 pounds.

That makes Top Fuel lighter than Fuel EX, and it’s understandable, given that Top Fuel is a cross-country racer while Fuel EX is a trail bike.

8. Top Speed

Being the lighter of the two and employing Anti-Squat technology makes Top Fuel faster than Fuel EX. That hugely explains why Top Fuel is a cross-country bike as it’s speedy, thus suitable got cross county.

Though you can race with a Fuel EX since it’s an all-terrain trail bike, you cannot go as fast as someone riding an XC bike, which is Top Fuel.

9. Bike Price

Trek Top Fuel costs more than Fuel EX because of the lower weight advantage, anti-squat technology, and Project One customization availability.

trek fuel or top fuel

Trek Fuel EX Vs Top Fuel Similarities

After looking at the things that set Fuel EX and Top Fuel apart, here are some things that the two Trek MTBs have in common.

Suspension Technologies – Both bikes employ Active Braking Pivot (ABP) and Mono Link suspension. ABP promotes confident braking while Mino Link encourages geometry adjustment on the go.

Frame – Both families employ alpha aluminum on their mid-range bikes and OCLV carbon on high-end options.

Sizes – Both bike families come in all frame sizes as follows:

  • Extra small (rider’s height: 137-155cm)
  • Small (rider’s height: 153-166.5cm)
  • Medium (rider’s height: 161-172cm)
  • Medium/Large (rider’s height – 165.5- 179cm)
  • Large (rider’s height: 177-188cm)
  • Extra Large (rider’s Height – 186-196cm

Weight Limit – These two bike families limit their load capacities to 300 pounds. So, they are equally strong and perfect for heavyweight guys.

People Also Ask

1. what is the difference between trek top fuel and fuel ex.

The difference between Trek Top Fuel and Fuel EX is that the latter is a 29-inch trail bike while the former is a 29/27.5-inch cross country bike.

2. Is The Trek Fuel EX A Trial Bike?

Yes, Trek Fuel EX is a trail bike. It is a full-suspension trail bike with 140mm front suspension and 130mm rear suspension.

3. How Much Travel Does the Trek Fuel EX Have?

Trek Fuel EX comes with a 140mm front suspension and 130mmm rear suspension. The suspension offers optimum bump absorption and stability to take on just about any trail.

Closing Thought on Trek Fuel EX Vs Top Fuel:

Generally, Trek Fuel EX is an all-terrain trail bike with a 140mm front suspension and 130mm rear suspension. On the other hand, Trek Top Fuel is a cross country racing 29er with a 120mm front and rear suspension.

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MBUK’s Trail Bike of the Year 2022

“It’s easy to look at the bike from afar and assume this is just another downcountry rig... It wasn’t until I’d fired it over some jumps, nosed it down the odd steep chute and slung it through my test loops’ berms that I realised the Top Fuel is, simply put, a bloody brilliant trail bike.”

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"Enduro’s Best Downcountry Bike of 2022"

"Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS earned top honors in Enduro’s round-up of best downcountry rippers, thanks to the bike’s clean look, practical details, and progressive suspension."

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"This is a really, really good bike"

"The Top Fuel is a very capable descender, but its well-proportioned geometry is just half the story. It manages to strike a great balance between grip, tracking, and precision. The whole bike seems to just will you on to hit things faster and with more precision."

No image available

"This thing rips"

"The new Top Fuel is also much more composed on rough and fast descents. Thanks to the longer reach and slacker head angle, the overall wheelbase length has grown by almost 40mm. That’s huge, and it offers a vastly more planted feel at speed. Along with the big tyres and active suspension, this really is a solid little trail bike."

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IMAGES

  1. TESTED: Trek Top Fuel 9.8 XT

    trek top fuel reddit

  2. Trek ups the octane for 2020 Top Fuel bikes

    trek top fuel reddit

  3. Trek Top Fuel 9.9 X01 (2021)

    trek top fuel reddit

  4. Test MTB: Trek Top Fuel 9.9 AXS

    trek top fuel reddit

  5. 2020 Trek Top Fuel 8

    trek top fuel reddit

  6. 2021 Trek Top Fuel 8 NX

    trek top fuel reddit

COMMENTS

  1. Trek Top Fuel vs. Fuel EX : r/MTB

    So my opinion is if you do 100% cross country trails and are going for time, get a top fuel. If you ride trails with more chunky downhill and want comfort more than time, go fuel ex. Also, Fuel ex can handle an occasional trip to the downhill park. Now if you are doing downhill park 75% of time and trails 25%, get an enduro.

  2. Top fuel 2022 vs fuel ex : r/TrekBikes

    Top Fuel is a XC bike with more bite and is 120/120. Fuel Ex is a trail bike with 140/130. If you wanta true do everything mtb you need a Slash 170/160 or Remedy 160 (can be run with 170)/150. Have a 2020 trek fuel EX8 since 2 weeks and it climbs just great.

  3. Help me decide, dilemma Trek Top Fuel 9.7 or Supercaliber 9.6?

    edit: Just looked at the specs of the bike, the Top Fuel 9.7 has a lot better parts on it. Still would pick the one that suits your style better but it's the difference between Deore and XT for the drivetrain and a Fox 34 Rhythm vs a Recon Gold RL. I could never justify the Supercaliber 9.6, the component's are just really cheap for a 4k carbon ...

  4. Trek Top fuel 5 vs Top Fuel 8 on sale, worth the extra $800 ...

    I'd say it depends on your riding skill and style. The XT drivetrain, 4 piston brakes, and better fork were worth it to me! (Recently bought a fuel ex 8-similar components) I am the type that is continually upgrading my ride as things wear out and have enjoyed the precision and longevity of the higher end components compared to lower end components.

  5. Experience with Trek Top Fuel : r/MTB

    Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Or check it out in the app stores ... I've had my 2020 Top Fuel (same geo as 2021) now for almost 2 years. ... (Trek Fuel Ex, Yeti SB115, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Transition Spur, etc.) Reply reply

  6. the new 2022 trek top fuel has enduro bike Geometry in a 120mm ...

    Which with a 130 fork the new top fuel is 65.5. The top XTR build even comes stock with a 130mm fork and 65.5 degree HA. The spur I'm sure will be a better descender but try getting one. The top fuel is probably more efficient as its probably the best climbing bike I've ridden in the 120mm range

  7. Trek Top Fuel 7 2022 vs Ibis Ripley AF

    Then longer rides over the South Downs. Smooth grassy stretches and big climbs. needs to be FS. Tried a and my knees are a bit battered. I'm 43. 15st (looking to lose at least 1.5 stone). Was looking at 2022 Fuel EX8 - seen one on large but think I might be on a M/L. ibis Ripley AL - over budget but occasionally seen on offer.

  8. Trek Top Fuel vs Fuel EX : r/mountainbiking

    Hey guys, so 2 weeks ago I purchased a 2022 Trek Top Fuel 9.7 and its amazing. first full suspension bike ive ever had, been riding hardtails for the past decade. however, after my first ride, I wondered if I want more suspension. ... Canyon Bikes is the unofficial Reddit page for all things related to the Canyon brand and the bikes they ...

  9. 2022 Trek Top Fuel Review

    Trek Top Fuel 9.8 XT - 12.88kg. Giant Trance Advamced Pro 29 1 - 13.38kg. Trek claims a carbon Top Fuel frame weighs 2.7kg including the rear shock, which puts it on the heavier side of things for a 120mm travel bike. The alloy frame is purportedly a whole kilo heavier again, with a claimed weight of 3.74kg.

  10. Fuel EX vs TopFuel : r/TrekBikes

    Weight difference is fairly negligible at the same spec point, except for the wheelset (Top Fuel less rugged). More travel on the Fuel Ex, with stronger (but heavier) wheels, therefore better for anything technical and bumpy. I went through the same decision process when I bought my Fuel Ex 7.

  11. 2021 Trek Top Fuel vs 2022 Trek Top Fuel

    2021 Trek Top Fuel was a very versatile bike, 110mm Rear travel x 120mm Front travel, Dual remote lock out and an Aggressive geometry. Several (Evie Richards) Trek Pro riders used a Top Fuel for difficult trails and a Supercaliber / Procaliber for faster trails. I tested the 2021 Top fuel for several weeks and It was very fast and very fun on ...

  12. New TREK TOP FUEL 2022, WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT IT?

    The remote lock out helped the old Top Fuel feel like an XC bike while climbing. Without it , I believe this is no Downcountry bike, this is a lightweight trail bike. BMC has the Fourstroke LT with 120MM front and rear and Lockout. Scott has the new Spark with 120mm front and rear and lockout. I still ordered the 2022 Top Fuel, The Fuel EX has ...

  13. Tested: Trek Top Fuel

    The Top Fuel is also available through Trek's Project One program, allowing riders to customize everything from components to paint. We got to test the Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS build, which at ...

  14. Trek Top Fuel : r/mountainbiking

    For artists, writers, gamemasters, musicians, programmers, philosophers and scientists alike! The creation of new worlds and new universes has long been a key element of speculative fiction, from the fantasy works of Tolkien and Le Guin, to the science-fiction universes of Delany and Asimov, to the tabletop realm of Gygax and Barker, and beyond.

  15. My new Trek fuel ex 5 2021 : r/mountainbiking

    Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Or check it out in the app stores     TOPICS ... My new Trek fuel ex 5 2021 Bike Picture/NBD Share Add a Comment. Be the first to comment ... Top 1% Rank by size . More posts you may like ...

  16. Trek Top Fuel 8 review: a progressive rather than podiuming XC machine

    The Top Fuel 8 is the most expensive alloy bike, above the 7 at $3,529.99/£3,200 and the 5 at $2,629.99/£2,700 (we don't know what 6 did to offend them but its missing from the line-up), but below the carbon-framed 9.7 at $4,229.99/£4,700. The highlights of the package are the lightweight SID fork (albeit with the simplest Rush Damper) and ...

  17. Trek Top Fuel 8 review

    Think Top Fuel, and the image of a XC race bike instantly springs to mind. But like a faded polaroid tucked into the corner for a dusty picture frame, it's not an accurate representation of the current design. With the Fuel EX increasing in travel, the Top Fuel has been swept along in its backdraft and seen in high definition, it's now a capable 29er trail bike with modern sizing and 120mm ...

  18. Field Test Review: 2022 Trek Top Fuel

    Not bad for a stock bike with 120mm front and rear. Trek saw people buying Top Fuels and bumping up the fork travel, putting bigger tires on, and slaying singletrack, so they changed the bike up a ...

  19. Trek Top Fuel 8 review

    Trek Top Fuel 8 review - BikeRadar

  20. Trek Top Fuel 8 review

    Classic cross-country racer that could be livened up by better wheels

  21. Trek Top Fuel 5 Reviews

    Read Trek Top Fuel 5 reviews from experts, Reddit, and consumers all in one place. Read Trek Top Fuel 5 reviews from experts, Reddit, and consumers all in one place. What is Looria? Sign up. Open menu. Mountain Bike. ... 2021 Trek Top Fuel 9.8. Light and nimble enough to race XC, but enough travel and right geometry to take on marathon races or ...

  22. Top Fuel

    Top Fuel. Top Fuel is a quick short-travel 29er trail bike that's perfect for riders who like to stay pinned both up and down the trail. It's lighter and snappier than a trail bike, but it's a lot more forgiving on rowdy descents than a true cross-country bike. It's the best of both worlds, and a hell of a lot of fun in the dirt.

  23. Trek Fuel EX Vs Top Fuel Mountain Bike

    Trek Fuel EX Vs Trek Top Fuel Wheel Size. Top Fuel is a 29-er (29-inch mountain bike), while Fuel EX offers 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheel options. The difference is that 29ers mostly favor taller guys while 27.5-inch accommodate both taller and shorter guys. So, you are more likely to get a matching fit with Fuel EX than Top Fuel.

  24. Top Fuel 5

    Top Fuel 5. 13 Reviews / Write a Review. $2,699.99. Model 5259752. Retailer prices may vary. Top Fuel 5 is a full suspension mountain bike that's equal parts efficient and capable. It soaks up rough, rugged descents but still flies like a rocket up hills and on flat stretches. The light and sturdy alloy frame is built with parts picked for ...