Trek top Fuel or Fuel EX frame

Siggi
Siggi Posts: 8
edited September 2009 in MTB buying advice
I have a dilema. I've had a Trek Fuel EX 9.0 for a year and it has been the bike of my wet dreams. However, I just broke the carbon frame, the trek warranty is not claming it so my insurance is covering it. The dilema is that I have been offered to get the same frame or the new top fuel frame and despite an extensive search and a lot of hours on the internet I am having troubles desiding what to do. I don't do racing (at least not much). I do xc on singletrack and off road tracks here in Iceland where I live and a week or two in the alps every summer. I like the idea of how fast and light the top fuel is said to be but am afraid that it is to race orientaded, that the EX is more confortable and that I will not be able to drop the seat far enough down for fast technical downhill sections. Has anyone here tried both bikes and/or have an opinion on the matter???

Thanks in advance...
Cheers
Siggi, Iceland

Comments

  • paggnr
    paggnr Posts: 101
    Unusual for Trek not to warrenty it. How did you break it?
    Cheers
    Pagey
    "Don't buy upgrades; ride up grades." -Eddy Merckx
  • Siggi
    Siggi Posts: 8
    yep, I was surprised as well. There is a crack in the middle of the top tube and they say that it must have been broken on impact. I have crashed a few times (who hasn't) and probably they are right. However I am kind of disappointed especially since there are 7 trek bikes in my garage (mine, my wife's and my daughters) and I have been riding nothing but trek for fifteen years (I even have an old Y11). For that kind of devotion I expected better service but I guess every company has to hold on to their money nowadays.
  • Siggi
    Siggi Posts: 8
    I think I'll go for the Top Fuel frame. A review in Singletrack magazine states that it is more relaxed than most other racing bikes and that sounds about right.

    But still hoping someone with the experience of both bikes will wonder in here and have a comment...
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    Bear in mind that if you go for the Top Fuel you will also need a new fork..... the Top Fuel is a 100mm travel bike.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • Siggi
    Siggi Posts: 8
    Absolutely Guiliano. A good point. Thanks.
  • pjm-84
    pjm-84 Posts: 819
    I have a Top Fuel 9 - 2008. Fantastic bike. Show it something like the South Downs and it's a rocket ship. However start to push it hard down red / black technical descents and you will hit its limitations. (Limited suspension / rear end flex / insufficent braking / narrow bars and backside up in the air / head down riding position)

    I have just bought a Lapierre Spicy 316. I have not reached the limitations of the bike and at the moment it's far better then I am. :wink: I've had it a week and I'm doing "stuff" that I hadn't done on the Trek because it far more suited to technical riding.

    So if it's XC go for the Top Fuel :D:D:D
    If it's techincal then something with a bit more suspension!
    Paul
  • Siggi
    Siggi Posts: 8
    Thanks pjm-84. I'm really starting to lean towards sticking with the ex frame. I need all the suspension and why change something that is working for me. It turns out though that it looks like trek don't have an EX frame in stock and that's why they offered the top fuel. We'll se how this goes...

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