Why fuel ex and not a new stumpy 2021? Could you please be so kind to explain this point a bit more? I’m choosing between stumpy and fuel ex 9.8 for a 50(trail)/50(bike parks, blue to red). I have no way to try them in my area =(
I just received my fuel ex 9.7 in factory orange/lithium grey after 7 month wait!! I think the bike is great. Iv changed to handle bars to oneup carbon bars and I will definitely change the nx 11-50 cassette to a 10-52 gx cassette but I will wait until I need to do so. Apart from that, I love the bike...it's a do it all bike!!
New bikes are the best ! It really is. I just got my 9.8 Xt after 6 months of waiting and did a custom build with a 150 lyrik and super deluxe ultimate I’m very impressed with how capable it is
Hi. I just ordered this bike and can’t wait! I’m not a techie so can you explain what the cassette does and why you are going to upgrade? Thanks kindly. Noted for future upgrades but would like to be in the know.
Happy to hear! I’ve ridden a trek fuel x 8 for about 10years and now seriously need an upgrade. My trek EX fuel 9.7 is ordered but no delivery until August 2022! 😫. Hey, when you say it has slack in the trail do you mean it feels loose and out of control? Sorry I’m no techie. And can you suggest the most important upgrades in layman’s terms for this bike. Thanks kindly!! Really appreciate the video!! Jess
If i was going to change anything it would be the tires and the brakes. Everything else is great. The tires are a personal preference and the brakes are just a lever shape thing for me. But honestly the bike is very well built and the carbon frame is super stiff and responsive
I work a part time gig at a Trek Dealer shop. I have a 9.8gx Fuel on back order that I ordered a week ago coming late February. I want the 9.8XT build, but for East Cost Shops the wait time for sizes small-large is vastly reduced with the GX build. If you want your bike quicker and don’t mind SRAM brakes w/ the 10-52 GX cassette, see if you could get a shorter wait time with the 9.8 GX build. Cheers
Thanks man. My Xt build should be may even though I ordered in October. I have a slash frame on order as well so I’m not overly concerned about it, although I appreciate the tip, my trails aren’t usually good to ride until the end of march-mid April at the absolute earliest anyways.
I picked up that bike at Goodales in Hookset at the end of September, totally love it. So far put around 230 miles on it. Upgraded the freehub to 108 and that makes it very nice for the punchy tech climbs. The tires are ok, I might want to change them to Minions.I feel like the travel is perfect for the trails in the area. Not sure how it will do at Highland but im sure it will be capable enough.
great review! Been using my aluminum fuel ex 7 probably 10 years now, it has 26 inch wheels but have ABP. Love this bike. I also looking at buying a fuel ex 9.8 now, better value than 9,7 I think
My fuel should be here next month I’m getting very excited. Maybe more excited than building my new slash. I think having a bike that isn’t a monster truck and pedals well will do me some good
I have old 27.5 ex9.8 and getting the frame replaced under warranty. Swapping most parts over but have some nice custom wheels with CK hubs and a Fox factory 34 fork sitting here patiently waiting for their frame that won’t be here til March. Old bike is still rideable, just noisy. Your review just made me more impatient.
Talk about impatient I’ve had a 9.8 on order since October and sold my stumpy evo so all I have it my Farley 9.6 right now and there’s not even any snow. And my slash won’t be here until February either. I’m so excited to have a shorter travel trail bike again. Ill be getting the 9.8 XT and swapping the damper to a fit4 and maxxis tires
Did you get it ? Long term review ? I’m between this and the Stumpy I’m a much heavier bigger rider than you . Which you think is better for a 6 “4” 230 lb rider ? Thx The Slash looks awesome btw
Yeah actually I’m in the process of making that video now. I’m happy I went with the fuel but it’s really depends on what you’re doing with the bike. Look out for the video in the next few weeks. Check out my bike check I did on it recently.
Two questions: 1) What do you think of the Trek Fuel EX 9.7 having aluminum wheels? 2) For $400 more, you can buy the Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 2, which does have carbon wheels. With that said, which bike would you prefer and why?
Trance x looks sweet. I mean I think its whichever one you can physically get your hands on. I dont think the alloy wheels are bad. But the frame you get is the exact same as the 9.9. Obviously the frame being the same oclv carbon is going to make the rest of the spec hit a certian price point. Ultimately its up to you based on your need and budget.
I guess I didn’t answer your question. I’d choose the fuel. I prefer the abp suspension to the maestro and the bontrager wheels have rapid drive 54t hubs that are upgradable to 108t and the frame has storage. So if I was going to pick I’d pick the fuel based on features. But if you want the most modern geometry (which I don’t think is as hig a deal in this travel range) then the giant
I’m 5’7’ I did the sizing thing at the trek dealer and it put me on a m/l but I went with a M 9.8 because I also got a slash so I got the smaller size for a trailer bike
I’m 5’7” so I’m like right at the edge of the 2 sizes. I could upsize if I want but I want a dedicated trail bike. And I will have a dedicated enduro bike so the fuel doesn’t have to try to be a bigger bike to do everything for me
@@livefreeandshred9818 do you feel like it could serve that purpose well for someone with only one bike, though? I’m looking at this to mostly ride on local trails, but then take occasionally up to the mountains to do a little bit of downhill type stuff (I’m still somewhat of a beginner so I would not be doing anything super aggressive with it). 95% of its use would be as a trail bike.
Sorry I’m just seeing this comment. And yes absolutely you can do everything on this bike. Even some light bike park stuff you’ll know when you push it too hard with 130 mm of travel but I’ll be it’s more capable than you think as well.
I’m a woman (does this make a difference? For frame size) and 5’6”and 1/2 and the bike expert at the shop where I’m purchasing my bike says I need a small frame. What do you think? Thanks for your help.
@@livefreeandshred9818 I’m from upstate New York and we don’t have any the new fuel ex’s around yet that’s odd. Any idea when you will get yours? The dealer told me 180 days from now production starts
Yeah same here. I got a tentative date of may. I also have a slash frame coming and that’s not until February. But I got the same answer 176 days is what they told me. Goodales in Nashua NH is a trek factory store. They might have some 9.7 instock.
love my old fuel ex 5... still kicking today!
I have a 2021 9.8 Xt on order. I’m super excited to get it
Why fuel ex and not a new stumpy 2021? Could you please be so kind to explain this point a bit more?
I’m choosing between stumpy and fuel ex 9.8 for a 50(trail)/50(bike parks, blue to red). I have no way to try them in my area =(
I just received my fuel ex 9.7 in factory orange/lithium grey after 7 month wait!! I think the bike is great. Iv changed to handle bars to oneup carbon bars and I will definitely change the nx 11-50 cassette to a 10-52 gx cassette but I will wait until I need to do so. Apart from that, I love the bike...it's a do it all bike!!
New bikes are the best ! It really is. I just got my 9.8 Xt after 6 months of waiting and did a custom build with a 150 lyrik and super deluxe ultimate I’m very impressed with how capable it is
Hi. I just ordered this bike and can’t wait! I’m not a techie so can you explain what the cassette does and why you are going to upgrade? Thanks kindly. Noted for future upgrades but would like to be in the know.
great review of your 2021 Trek Fuel EX 9.7 bro. nice ride & ride safe always
Thank you. This was actually a demo bike. But I have a fuel ex 9.8 in order for may
Happy to hear! I’ve ridden a trek fuel x 8 for about 10years and now seriously need an upgrade. My trek EX fuel 9.7 is ordered but no delivery until August 2022! 😫. Hey, when you say it has slack in the trail do you mean it feels loose and out of control? Sorry I’m no techie. And can you suggest the most important upgrades in layman’s terms for this bike. Thanks kindly!! Really appreciate the video!! Jess
If i was going to change anything it would be the tires and the brakes. Everything else is great. The tires are a personal preference and the brakes are just a lever shape thing for me. But honestly the bike is very well built and the carbon frame is super stiff and responsive
@@livefreeandshred9818 awesome! Can’t wait! A good investment in riding then.
I work a part time gig at a Trek Dealer shop. I have a 9.8gx Fuel on back order that I ordered a week ago coming late February. I want the 9.8XT build, but for East Cost Shops the wait time for sizes small-large is vastly reduced with the GX build. If you want your bike quicker and don’t mind SRAM brakes w/ the 10-52 GX cassette, see if you could get a shorter wait time with the 9.8 GX build. Cheers
Thanks man. My Xt build should be may even though I ordered in October. I have a slash frame on order as well so I’m not overly concerned about it, although I appreciate the tip, my trails aren’t usually good to ride until the end of march-mid April at the absolute earliest anyways.
I picked up that bike at Goodales in Hookset at the end of September, totally love it. So far put around 230 miles on it. Upgraded the freehub to 108 and that makes it very nice for the punchy tech climbs. The tires are ok, I might want to change them to Minions.I feel like the travel is perfect for the trails in the area. Not sure how it will do at Highland but im sure it will be capable enough.
That’s my plan. Ordered a fuel ex 9.8 and a slash al frame for racing and bike parks
great review! Been using my aluminum fuel ex 7 probably 10 years now, it has 26 inch wheels but have ABP. Love this bike. I also looking at buying a fuel ex 9.8 now, better value than 9,7 I think
My fuel should be here next month I’m getting very excited. Maybe more excited than building my new slash. I think having a bike that isn’t a monster truck and pedals well will do me some good
I have old 27.5 ex9.8 and getting the frame replaced under warranty. Swapping most parts over but have some nice custom wheels with CK hubs and a Fox factory 34 fork sitting here patiently waiting for their frame that won’t be here til March. Old bike is still rideable, just noisy. Your review just made me more impatient.
Talk about impatient I’ve had a 9.8 on order since October and sold my stumpy evo so all I have it my Farley 9.6 right now and there’s not even any snow. And my slash won’t be here until February either. I’m so excited to have a shorter travel trail bike again. Ill be getting the 9.8 XT and swapping the damper to a fit4 and maxxis tires
Did you get it ? Long term review ? I’m between this and the Stumpy I’m a much heavier bigger rider than you .
Which you think is better for a 6 “4” 230 lb rider ? Thx
The Slash looks awesome btw
Yeah actually I’m in the process of making that video now. I’m happy I went with the fuel but it’s really depends on what you’re doing with the bike. Look out for the video in the next few weeks. Check out my bike check I did on it recently.
Two questions: 1) What do you think of the Trek Fuel EX 9.7 having aluminum wheels? 2) For $400 more, you can buy the Giant Trance X Advanced Pro 2, which does have carbon wheels. With that said, which bike would you prefer and why?
Trance x looks sweet. I mean I think its whichever one you can physically get your hands on. I dont think the alloy wheels are bad. But the frame you get is the exact same as the 9.9. Obviously the frame being the same oclv carbon is going to make the rest of the spec hit a certian price point. Ultimately its up to you based on your need and budget.
I guess I didn’t answer your question. I’d choose the fuel. I prefer the abp suspension to the maestro and the bontrager wheels have rapid drive 54t hubs that are upgradable to 108t and the frame has storage. So if I was going to pick I’d pick the fuel based on features. But if you want the most modern geometry (which I don’t think is as hig a deal in this travel range) then the giant
Awesome vid, keep it up 😌
Thank you!
Nice review. How tall are you? You seem between a medium and medium/large. Same spot I am in.
I’m 5’7’ I did the sizing thing at the trek dealer and it put me on a m/l but I went with a M 9.8 because I also got a slash so I got the smaller size for a trailer bike
Great video, thanks.
What do you think about E-bike ? you would change a bike like that on an e-bike ?
Not sure what you’re asking
@@livefreeandshred9818 I was curious if you don't like an e-bike more and what do you think about e-bike?
I'm hesitating between the Fuel EX 9.7 22 vs Stumpjumper comp 22.
Don’t know much about the stumpy. I love my fuel ex more than any of my stumpjumpers in the past
Most people are riding way more suspension than they will need, it's just like trucks. Top Fuel is definitely better for that specific trail.
But if you buy a bike for one trail and not your own riding style then you pigeon hole yourself. Fuel ex is a more versatile bike than the top fuel
Are you sure this is the 2021 Trek Fuel EX 9.7? The colour is wrong for 2021.
Yes it was a 2021. 99spokes.com/bikes/trek/2021/fuel-ex-9.7
How tall are you? I see you preferred the medium over the Medium/large?
I’m 5’7” so I’m like right at the edge of the 2 sizes. I could upsize if I want but I want a dedicated trail bike. And I will have a dedicated enduro bike so the fuel doesn’t have to try to be a bigger bike to do everything for me
@@livefreeandshred9818 do you feel like it could serve that purpose well for someone with only one bike, though? I’m looking at this to mostly ride on local trails, but then take occasionally up to the mountains to do a little bit of downhill type stuff (I’m still somewhat of a beginner so I would not be doing anything super aggressive with it). 95% of its use would be as a trail bike.
Sorry I’m just seeing this comment. And yes absolutely you can do everything on this bike. Even some light bike park stuff you’ll know when you push it too hard with 130 mm of travel but I’ll be it’s more capable than you think as well.
I’m a woman (does this make a difference? For frame size) and 5’6”and 1/2 and the bike expert at the shop where I’m purchasing my bike says I need a small frame. What do you think? Thanks for your help.
Where are you from area wise? I’m trying to get a fuel ex 9.8
I’m from southern nh and ride a lot in northern nh and Vermont. I have a 9.8 Xt on order as well
@@livefreeandshred9818 I’m from upstate New York and we don’t have any the new fuel ex’s around yet that’s odd. Any idea when you will get yours? The dealer told me 180 days from now production starts
Yeah same here. I got a tentative date of may. I also have a slash frame coming and that’s not until February. But I got the same answer 176 days is what they told me. Goodales in Nashua NH is a trek factory store. They might have some 9.7 instock.
@@livefreeandshred9818 got it thanks! I really hope the bikes get pushed up and get them in spring and not like summer
This video is... 4:3?
Idk what you mean