The Ultimate Do it All Mountain Bike? | Slacked Out Trek Top Fuel
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- In this video I take a look at how the changes I've made to my trek top fuel handle some laps at my local bike park Highland Mountain Bike Park. I go into the changes I made to the suspension and geometry to make this bike into a serious contender for your do everything trail bike. You may have seen my test ride and review video on the Trek Top Fuel 8, but in this video I took a Trek Top Fuel 9.7 and totally rebuilt it to be an absolute trailbike weapon. If you like this video and want to support the channel, hit the thanks button above for a one time donation to the channel, or consider joining on patreon. Thanks!
/ projectnortheast
I rode fast, light, quick steering, 80-100MM travel XC bikes for 20 years. I got a Trek Top Fuel 7 and IT IS AMAZING! It is faster in every way a bike can be faster, even though it weighs 9 pounds more than my old bike. The efficiency is incredible with climbing and of course much more stable in turns and downhill.
There's also the fun factor that makes you ride faster. When a bike feels fast and fun it makes you ride harder. I had an sb120 and the bike felt so dead that it didn't make me want to go faster....it just made me sell it 😂
I love like. I also put a 34 130 on front, and float dps factory in rear. Very fun bike
Did you keep the 120mm back or go to 130mm?
I'm thinking about opening my rear shock and removing the spacers (I would go from 120 to 132mm).
If 132mm is too much, I can use my lathe to make an intermediate spacer and leave the rear at 129mm.
I have that front shock....it’s definitely impressed the heck out of me!
I think the 23 fuel ex might be the best quiver killer of treks line up this year.
I'm riding one right now... working on a review video. Prolly the most fun bike I've ridden in a while...
@@Projectnortheast I got one a couple weeks ago, interesting bike it’s raked out like a slash, but you really can’t tell and it pedals great. Minus double black dh I don’t see the limit of it.
@billy carroll agreed! It's slack but like you said it pedals really good. I've sent it down a bunch of drops at highland and it handles everything great. A lighter build on a fuel ex will be a great all rounder! I'm loving it so far
I had a Top Fuel on order, but Trek pushed delivery back into January. Ended up seeing the Giant Trance Advanced Pro 0 (mouthful) and it came from Giant with a very similar build to what you did with your Trek. I have taken mine to Highland a number of times, and it's an absolute riot on the flow and milder tech stuff. I'm a lot heavier than you, so I'm considering going with a Pike or even a Lyrik set at 130 or 140. The 34 makes me really nervous with how all over the place it is if you happen to look down when you're giving it some sauce.
These bikes are so fast and confidence inspiring I ended up sending ODB/ODC which through no fault of the bike has led to a warranty claim 😅. Definitely an absolute riot of a trail bike, and I wish Trek wasn't so behind because I was really looking forward to the P1 build I cancelled when I saw the Giant was actually available and I'd be able to ride it this season.
My buddy has a trance and loves it... prolly better suits your riding honestly if your sending it down odb and odc lol
Hi, Have you still got the trance? I got dilemma between fuel ex gen 6 and trance x. Im afraid fuel ex will be too much heavy, long enduro bike for long, flat rides and climbing but pressfit scares me off a little bit. But it feels so comfy on this maestro frame. Most people says its do it all mountain like peddaling, climbing, jumping, long flat rides etc (ofc not great on heavy DH etc) Best regards
JC Trail's sighting! You bike looks like mine except I went with the 34 Step cast in orange lowers
Great video! Can't wait to see my new bike!
Hope you enjoy it my friend!
You're not the only one! I've been running my 9.8 with a 140 pike and a 185/52.5 stroke shock since almost new (I blew up the original shock first ride and it was all I could get, so I tested it) . Works really well with no frame clearance issues, my calculations give it 126mm travel on the rear. Just dropped a 130 airshaft into the fork this week, not tried it off road properly yet though, first impressions feel good, more stable steering feel. 👍 BTW, I'm not condoning over shocking your bike. It was more of a temporary experiment.
Probably one of the best bikes I've ridden, it loves to pop and climbs like crazy when you really push it.
Shot this months ago... but never claimed to be first anyway. Just fyi... 140 fork and 52.5 stroke shock voids your warranty and was kindof the point I was making in the video. I would like it honestly to have the same geo with a 140 fork instead of 130 but that's just me.
@@Projectnortheast comment edited....
@stevenmaidment Despite not condoning over-stroking the shock...I was looking to put in a DPX2 with 52.5 stroke...do you think the bike is better with it?
@@hobokenarts trek said specifically to not overstroke the shock more than 50mm due to frame contact... the float x definitely changes the character of the bike and matched with a 130mm fork it feels balanced. The stock dps feels very xc and skittish when things get rough
@@Projectnortheast thanks for your response! Will keep everything as is for now. Look forward to hearing a longtime review down the road.
Sick vid. I pulled your bike off the lift a few times if you remember. Cool to chat with you and see the results of the video you were talking about then.
Ya man for sure thanks for watching and I'm sure I'll see you up there again soon!
Great video! I am a year into my Ripmo, coming from a Reply and what I really was looking for was a burlier Ripley. Been feeling over biked for riding the Fells 100 days a year. Maybe I need to demo the Trek next.
I had a ripley before... I think it was version 1 and I slapped a 140mm fork and had a custom inline DB Air shock done for it and it rode pretty amazing and you could adjust the settings ok the inline shock to make it feel more trail vs enduro. The top fuel is good but I've heard if your gonna have a Long travel rig you prolly won't find a better pedaling rig than the ripmo. I would demo a top fuel and a fuel ex or even something like a evil following or the Canyon 125 or yeti 130
Nice bike Jon! Bring it over when you come out west, I have a few local trails to test is on ;)
Nice Bike, looks sick! Awesome detailed review on what you customized!
Very nice! I've been debating between a very similar build to yours or one of the new Rocky Mountain Elements.... as a former XC racer I need to go fast, so I'm glad that XC bikes are getting more trail capable!
element holds two large water bottles!
I love your rig!-I got the 22 TF as well and am blown away with its performance. I was thinking of replacing the rear shock with the Float X 52.5 and leaving it over-stroked. Can you share any insight to how that would impact the ride negatively? Thanks for the great content!
I would love one, but I love my enduro bike, fat bike, and e-bike. They’re all very different and have vastly different purposes.
I agree... I have 4 bikes currently but if you HAD to choose and only ride one bike on ALL terrain for the average mountain biker this bike would check alot of boxes and why I wanted to do a video on it.
That's so awesome🤘
cool bike park :)
Looks nice, are you going to run that as your one bike or are you still keeping the slash? I suspect you're keeping the enduro aswell.
I've had 150mm and now i'm on a 120MM following with a push coil which is pretty darn close to one bike but I still think 130-140 is the sweet spot if you truly have one bike and ride some occasional park. That sounds nitpicky but it's just something to ponder, we're living in amazing times for bike choices almost anything you ride at this point is a great bike. Cheers, love the channel.
No I'm definitely keeping the slash or similar travel bike. Racing enduro and riding in the mountains wouldn't be good on a short travel bike
That was JC trails!
maybe you explained this, but why did you choose to modify a Top Fuel versus a Fuel EX which supposedly is closer to the downhill performance you modified it for?
At the time the new Gen 6 fuel ex wasn't out. Also, the fuel ex Gen 6 that I did eventually build up weight in at 32lbs. While the top fuel was around 28. So if your trails were smooth and fast the top fuel slacked out might be a better option...
I recently build myself a Stumpjumper with 140mm/130mm and use ground control tires and fast trak.
Super happy with it and the internal storage is a gamechanger and i love it.
What are the classes you are wearing?
Cheers from Switzerland
Wearing oakley sutros with trail torch lens
Awesome video, and love that color way! I’ve got a 2017 fuel ex that I put a 140 Fox 34 factory and a MRP Hazzard coil on the back, and it’s like an Oldsmobile plowing through the woods. Would the Top Fuel more flickable and poppy? Looking to get another bike, and I’d like something to compliment the Fuel.
Depends on what your looking to ride... but I would say the new top fuel would be even more capable and faster than your fuel ex. That being said if you want a short travel bike that can get rowdy that new Canyon spectral 125 has my eye...
Would have been great if you had installed the 55mm stroke shock without air too see if the rear wheel / linkage collide….. this equates to 132mm rear suspension. 👌
It doesn't matter as it voids the warranty... I'm not going to post something that trek specifically says will void the warranty of their bike and that it was not designed to do and would cause frame damage on hard bottom out. That's what the mtb forums are for 😅
Sick bike!
Heh You had/have a Slash and got a TF... I got a TF 2022/23 9.9 and thinking about switching for a Slash. Sweet bike tho, mine is the raw carbon. The 34 FOX SC on mine gives up a bit on harsh trails... My plan was to get a new pike and a super deluxe on the rear ( running on factory FOX atm ). Maybe that could help a bit if it comes for suspension and the feel of the bike.
Are you running a fox step cast 120? Or a 130mm fox factory? I believe the 9.9 comes with a 130mm factory fork so it wouldn't be the SC. If you already have a 130mm fork the super Deluxe will level the suspension out and feel better in the rear but it sounds like your just wanting to charge harder and a slash is definitely light-years ahead on that. I have a slash as well and I don't think I could ever be a one bike guy...
@@Projectnortheast Sorry I had the " old " TF 9.9XTR and it has the fox factory 120mm sc. Than ( good for me :D ) I had a warranty frame replace for the new one for 2023. Maybe your right and i kinda ride it to hard. And yeah I think I'm that guy too :D
Looks great
Any comment on how the 130 fork impacted the feel of the bike? I just picked up a 7, and will definitely be upgrading the front fork. Just not sure if I want to go with a SID Ultimate 120/Fox SC 120, or add 10mm and get a fox factory. Pretty happy with how the bike feels now, cautious about how the slight geometry change might impact the handling.
Yes, haven’t heard anyone comment on a 130mm fork except for you. Sounds like the front end remains planted.
Did ya ever try it with 130!?
I didn't. I found a great deal on a sid 120 so that's what went on. Still happy with the bike overall.
Do the pink bike drop with this
I've seen people do pinkbike with cruiser bikes so... and I've done bonesaw with a hardtail fatbike. So could easily be done... I just like my neck and knees too much at my age! 😉
You come all the way down to the Barn ?
@@bexo34 ?
@@neaaat5545 meant that as a separate, direct question, not as s response
New fuel ex gen 6 wouldnt be that perfect bike? Or its too big and heavy? For climbing etc? Im a looking for this do it all bike (almost do i all ofc. im not going to do any hard DH, black diamonds, very big drops and jumps etc.) and so far I think it could be Trance X, just the pressfit scares me off. Best regards
@Robin887 if your not doing any jumps or drops or black diamonds this would probably be a great option honestly the top fuel is a really capable bike. Any bike it comes down to what you want to do with it. The Gen 6 fuel ex is a great bike as well but is also 32lbs atleast. I'm currently riding a deviate highlander 2 and it's even more versatile than the fuel ex. I have a review coming soon
@@Projectnortheast Unfortunately im including jumps and drops :D just not anything very high. Thanks a lot for the respond, you acknowledge me top fuel would not be perfect for that type of ride. I will stick in decision with Trance X or Fuel Ex. Fuel would be top of the top if he wasnt in the heavy weight. This deviate looks amazing. Looking forward for the review. Cheers
@@Robin887 hard to go wrong with any bike in that category... trance x, pivot switchblade, fuel ex, sb130, deviate... all just slightly different
@@Projectnortheast Thanks again for reply. Its very helpfull. Yes switchblade and sb130 amazaing bikes...need just like x5 bigger salary for them :D But Commencal Meta, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Nukeproof Reactor, Occam LT... imo best AM bikes for most of the regular riders with acceptable vaule. Thanks again for your opinion!
Can you see the carbon weave in the Blue Smoke portion of the frame?
Yes on the darker blue you can the lighter blue no...
I just picked up my Top Fuel 7 yesterday. I'm new to mountain biking, what does "quiver killer" mean?
I should have just looked it up, which I did. Apparently, it's a do-it-all bike. Which is why I purchased it.
Nice...!
I did almost the same thing with my trek fuel , added a factory fork and all xt groupo but I haven't found a shock I can agree on, so any help w all who may read this ,. What shock 185x52.5 should I get?
Super deluxe ultimate or float X can't go wrong with either one really...
Hi love the video. I have the same bike with a 130 pike in the front and was thinking of changing the rear shock since it feels kind of rough now that I have the charger 3 pike to compare it to. Just not sure what size rear shock to get. Is the 185x50 the correct fit or should I be getting something else? Thanks for the help man.
Yes you need a 185x50... trek said any other size could cause frame damage. So if you buy a 185x52.5 you have to have the stroke modified to 50mm
@@Projectnortheast Thanks man
@@antuanvazquez840 anytime!
What did you think about the XR4 tires this bike comes with compared to the Agarros?
Sorry to say the bontrager tires are just about hot garbage... if you ride smooth dirth trails they are OK. But anything technical especially when wet is down right sketchy
Maybe a Pivot Trail 429 Enduro build 🤌
Awesome bike. I have the 22 Top Fuel 8 XT and really enjoying it. I live and ride in Maine and see the benefits of the 130 fork so I may make that upgrade. I do wish I got the carbon frame but stock was so low they were nowhere to be found! Think it’s worth upgrading this one or maybe going up to a carbon frame? Thanks for the vids. Great channel!
can't see that it's worth it that much to go up to carbon. Does the alloy version have the in bike storage? I can't remember.
@@Projectnortheast yes, it does have the in-frame storage. Such a cool feature. I’ve upgraded to the line elite carbon wheelset, carbon bars and a few other little things. The TF8 comes with the base level SiD fork.
@@rovinator317 ya maybe upgrade the fork honestly I thought the biggest upgrade was the rear shock but I already had a 130mm fox 34 grip 2 fork. The bike felt way imbalanced with the dps rear. The float x changes the bike .
beautiful color😎🌈
Interesting rig! Did you say what you got the weight down to after all the mods?
I did not weigh it post mods... I'm guessing 27lb range maybe 28. Not as light as it could be as I'm running enduro rated wheels and 1000g tires
@@Projectnortheast nice!, that’s about where I’d expect it to be for something that capable
I’m trying to do this fox conversion the trek top fuel I got. Did you have to buy a bushing kit for your shock? I don’t seem to have the right size bushings.
I had a fox dealer limit the travel for me... green mtn protune
Looks great. Love highland, going back again next week. Do they not require a full face there? I always thought they did.
Pretty sure it's strongly recommended but not required. I think a lot of parks will allow people up with a half shell. Heck Highland unless they've changed their policy let me up with my rigid fat bike a couple years ago. Obviously I was just trying the flow trails...
@@mybadvideos I almost brought my rigid fat bike last year haha. We go up with our hard tails though. Mostly just hit all the greens just because it’s a blast. First visit was short but hoping to stay the whole day this go around, so will start checking out the blues. 😎 I just assumed you had to have a full have so I ended up buying one before we went. I figure I’m only one good wreck aware from wearing it full time on my local trails anyways haha
@@bennyp4112 now that I have a lighter weight full face helmet (Mainline) I think I won't be wearing the half shell in downhill parks much anymore...
Love the bike design czcams.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L and functionality. It is hard to align the front tired to center the disk brakes. The brake wheel touches the stationery side of the brake caliper and pad. I aired the tire up to 40 psi as the markings say 40-60psi. Left the house for a few hours and came back to an exploded innertube.All in all it seems to be a good bike. Have not ridden it yet though so that's the max of my knowledge. Update, put a new innertube made sure the tire was set properly and it did the same thing in under 20 minutes as second pic shows.
Trying to understand your question... the bike in the video is clearly blue. Are you talking about the one on the trek site?
Norco optic?
Yeah there are a few bikes I'd like to try... Norco optic, canyon spectral 125, marin rift zone, and a couple others that are on par... now if I could only get my hands on them! lol
I have 2019 TF9.8SL 100/100mm
Ride hard with them and I feel the front fork not enough for me (SID) stiff in rough roads .. maybe upgrade the fork for 130/140 can help ?
Gotta really check with trek and see what they allow for warranty ... I upsized the fork on both my previous top fuels but made sure I was within warranty with trek. But yes normally going up a little bit in the fork can help
@@Projectnortheast idk about warranty cus I bought it used
I replace the tires from xr2 stock to dissector 2.4 at front and rekon 2.25 at rear handling great more then that skinny xr2
Thanks for reply 😊
No issues with assembly for me czcams.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L but I could see where some might benefit from using an experienced bike assembler/mechanic. I'm an older rider starting back after a 10 year break. This bike exceeds my capabilities and has been easy to get comfortable riding. I'm mostly on easy trails with almost no street riding and have not been disappointed with the performance of the bike. My fitness level is far below what I previously rode with and because of that the mileage is going on the bike slowly. While I'm losing weight slowly, the bike seems to tolerate my 220 pounds just fine. The bike has been used by several family members ranging from 5'5" - 5'9".
Have to check the website for that one my friend
I like my status 160. A bit heavy (and super solid), but not bad climbing and hauls when you point it downwards
What fame size and what’s your height?
just shy of 5'10" riding a M/L frame
Mullet it!!
Lol no
What offset?
What offset of what? Fork?
@@Projectnortheast sorry yes what offset did you get on the fox fork?
@@THEHULK209 44mm
@@Projectnortheast thank you
I mean it's basically a Fuel EX
I mean kinda not really... you'd have to run a 150mm fork on a fuel ex and the seat angle would be slacker. So it would be 10mm more rear, 20mm more front and a slack seat angle. So not the same... I think you'll see an updated fuel ex soon
@@Projectnortheast Fuel is 140/130, 9.9 with X01 is 28.6 lbs. Idk, just don't see the point in frankenstein-ing a Top Fuel to get something that's 10mm of travel away from a Fuel EX. Especially with the float X. And the suggestion of a 36 on the Top Fuel is kinda nutty IMO. At that point definitely just get a Fuel EX.
@@ehvoslef it depends. Swap the shock back over and swap tires and you have an xc marathon racing rig if you want... which the fuel ex would never be that. The 36 suggestion would just be for someone that wanted a stout but super fast trail bike. My buddy rides a fuel ex and I can sprint up hills faster with the top fuel so for general trail riding it would be faster. As with any bike it all depends on what your looking to do with it and more often than not I find people have way more travel than they need...
Think for most people a Fuel Ex will get this experience. Had mine for 4 years. It does everything very well. Even on those Gronk like trials.
Pivot point is in a different place, so much better at acceleration and climbing than the ex.