Trek Fuel EX 6.5

llamafarmer

Evening all,

I've been looking into a new bike recently and having been pretty keen on a shiny new Rockhopper, I tried one out last weekend and decided it wasn't quite right for me. I'm now coming round to the idea of spending a bit (lot) more and going full sussed.

I've been scouring the web for options but nothing is really tempting me at a sensible price (about £1000 max), but I went into my lbs this evening needing some tools and ran into a sweet looking Trek Fuel EX 6.5 with 10% off in January (down to £1100). It struck me as a very well specced for the money, with no obvious weaklinks and - importantly for a shallow bloke like myself - looked gorgeous in matt black. Plus there's the confidence of buying from my lbs instead of some web-based seller.

I'm going to take it for a quick spin at the weekend, but it'd be useful to get any feedback from anyone who's got one. Also, I have this month's MBUK where they test the EX7 and suggest it's pretty heavy, but does anyone know how it compares weight-wise to similarly priced Specialized XC's and Giant Trances?

llamafarmer

Tried out the Fuel EX6.5 around Bath today and I think I may be in love!

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex65/

My lbs recommended a shorter stem, which they fitted for my trial ride and it made it loads more responsive. The back end felt really smooth (although the hardest I could push it was down a few small steps) and the pro pedal switch meant I could stand up and power up the steep stuff almost like a hardtail. Plus this one has black forks for some reason, which look much better than the silver on Trek's site.

My only reservation now is the standover clearance, which is pretty minimal and wouldn't really be helped by a smaller frame due to the long front travel. How critical is standover clearance? I don't think I'll know how comfortable I am with it without getting it out for a ride on the trail!

I've got a dilemna now - I started out looking for a £600-750 hardtail and now I'm very very seriously considering an £1100 full susser. Scared! :shock:

Stoo61

Tis a good looking steed alright.

llamafarmer

Stoo61 wrote:

Tis a good looking steed alright.

What nearly sealed it was walking it out of the shop and before I'd even climbed on, some guy said "nice bike mate!" I reckon he was a stooge!

dangardner

The 6.5 looks like the old (worse?) frame design without the Active Braking Pivot. I only noticed because I'm considering a Trek Fuel Ex myself.

Obviously the Ex7 and above are more expensive, but I think they are considered to be far better/lighter...

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... x/fuelex7/

llamafarmer

Yeah I noticed the same thing. This is the problem with only being able to run a bike round the street for a bit , I just have no idea what the lack of ABP will mean in practice

I wish the manufacturers would include their bikes' weights in spec sheets too!

Mr Jon

I think I have test ridden that very bike at J'sB's. I loved it although the test bike was slightly small for me.

I too started out looking for a hard tail, i have had my current FS for a number of years and wanted something I can ride hard and fast. After taking it around the streets for 10 minutes I was very pleased with the speed especially having the pro pedal option.

If you speak to them nicely they may let you borrow it to take out on the trails for an hour or so. I know they have done it in the past.

Im not an expert, but I say go for it, and enjoy.

llamafarmer

It was my favourite of the FS bikes I tested by a long way - also tried a Spesh FSR XC Expert and a Cube AMS Comp - but to be honest it didn't quite give me enough standover height to really inspire confidence (even though the rest of the geometry was spot on) and it was just too much outside my budget.

Saved myself over £300 quid and bought a Cube hardtail in the end as the trails I ride at present just don't demand 5 inches of rear travel. Knowing me though, I'll start hitting Wales regularly this year and wish I'd gone full sus!