My brother in law purchased an ex 8 from our local bike shop for 2350.00 and he loves it. People can debate how great this bike is over this bike until the cows come home. Being an older rider and mt biking since the 80s I dont really think there is a bad bike out there. As Nate Hills says its 90 percent rider, dont overthink it, just ride.
Freerider I think in short it has to do with the bling factor also. MTB has fast moved to a level that enables a rider to readily signal to everyone else just how expensive (in the order of thousands) the bike your riding is. Of course the thing that other more boutique brands may have over trek is the fact that their models may cost ‘no less’ or start at $6-7+ in which there will be individuals wanting to be able to be seen on these machines as a matter of prestige more than the capabilities it offers. BTW if I was shelling out that much coin I too would probably want it such that people were aware and that it is sufficiently differentiated from the cheaper models that look the same.
Is the rear shock any better out of the box? I have a 2017 9.9 and had to work with Fox to get the valving right for my size and weight. 5'10 / 190. Stock was too "bobby" the digressive compression would just blow through and there wasn't enough natural rebound. Increasing the settings just traded one problem for another. Other bikes like my bronson had enough adjustability on the shock to get it to blend well for me without a revalve
In Australia - Trek, Specialized and Giant have increased prices considerably over the past few years, a 4.5k bike, which was mid tier in 2016 / 2017 now costs in a comparable spec today 6.5k to 7.5k - crazy stuff. Slowly pushing consumers to online retailers, one price hike at a time!!!!
The Australian Dollar is killing us too. I was talking to a Kona Aus representative the other day, and he said that they had to increase the price of all of their 2020 models even if the design changes were negligible from 2019 because of the exchange rate. It shows in the Trek Fuel Ex. The 2019 Ex 8 was $4199 (luckily I got mine for $3599 on sale), and the 2020 Ex 8 model is $4499 with basically identical components.
@@basstrom88 I hear the reps and shops say the same every year - it's the $$, however components are drastically different now as well, once you got XT / X1 now you get Deore or NX, once you got Factory or Team fork now you get Rhytem or Reba It seems they want it both ways, when Giant is 1k more expensive than Canyon spec for spec the industry has serious challenges.
Martyn Gasson I understand that, the point I was making is the first three brands I mention are hiking prices to a point where they are making online brands even more attractive, and there are several - Canyon, YT industries, Commencal, Turner, wiggle one brand, Nukeproof et.....
Hi, thank you for your Video, great Info, I've a question about Frame Size which would be better, because I am exactly between ML and L and I don't know which one would fit better. Because I'm not experienced biker and 41 so my back prefers comfortable riding. I’m 84 Kg, 182cm tall and stride length is 83cm so I'm between ML and L Frame Size. Which one would you recommend with your expirience? Thank you
Agreed even the Reaktiv dps gets overwhelmed too quickly. Can't say for the thru shaft. Only had the Reaktiv one that doesn't have the shafts that pops out the bottom
I have a 2017 Trek Fuel Ex 9.8 27.5 plus that I didn’t like in the beginning due to so many pedal strikes, one is that I wasn’t use to the new geometry of the bikes coming from a 2011 Trek Fuel Ex 8. Which I has a taller bottom bracket and I was able to pedal in turns on the same trail. So I eventually upgraded the wheels to the 29 inch Bontrager Line rims and it totally changed the bike. Barely get any pedal strikes. And also the 27.5 version originally came with a 140 mm front fork and 130 rear shock. Which seems to be basically what you get now with the 2020. I also bought a brand new left over, that a dealer had not sold. I got in winter of 2018 and got a slamming deal. I love the bike now. Just my 2 cents
almost the same story here, went from an older fuel EX to a 2017 9.8 27.5 plus bike and had pedal strikes on EVERYTHING. put a set of Santa Cruz 29er carbon wheels and the Bontrager XR4 2.6x29 and love it now. Not all people ride nice smooth trails, some of us ride trails with a lot of rocks and those low bottom brackets just don't work.
Would the 2020\1 PIVOT SWITCHBLADE beat this bike in every aspect? Climbing, sprinting, descending, tight turns, NOT destroyer of pedals and cranks, flat surfaces, rocks,...
It's a bike for those who aren't looking to follow the trend of lower longer slacker to the extreme. For those who want a super conservative frame there is Rocky Mountain Bikes.
Coming from a 9.7 owner I'm pretty sure that's a 9.7 as well. Guessing trek didn't make the same color scheme in the 9.8. actually positive. Expected that this mistake wouldn't appear on a tech review of a bike. Smh
This color scheme was available for all 3 carbon models in 2020. 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9. The test bike is actually the 9.9, based on the drivetrain and suspension listed.
Yes! Experienced this on my 2016 ex8. Took me a while to figure it out. tried to adjust the shifting several times but it was just "clappeticlapp" from like the 4th gear and up to 10th. New bearings in the frame now and check them regularly. Good to know it is a known issue.
Honestly it just pisses me off how most bikes are priced . If I can put together a new nicely spec'd bike , and I mean ... XO carbon cranks and xt drivetrain and brakes on a 1 yr old NEW sworks Stumpjumper frame with flow rims for around 3k. What makes these crazy asses think I'll pay 7k?!? They're WAY OVERPRICED, and the funny part is some people with too much cash pay it!🤣🤣🤣
don't forget that $2100 is "something for everyone" - yeah... no... the people that can and would spend $2100 on a mountain bike most likely are at a skill level that far surpasses the abilities of the $2100 model. And Joe Everybody does not need a $2100 Mountain Bike to commute with so no... I think the $2100 model fits right in the spot where the people that would want it and would put it to proper use can't justify the cost of it.
The 8, 9.8, and 9.9 are all available with Shimano drivetrains. The 9.8, which has everything the 9.9 does except it runs XT instead of XTR and it has black coating instead of Kaskima costs $5500.
Bikes direct Hal Motobecanes make this category of trail bikes irrelevant and absurd for pricing. Its almost comical that anyone would pay more for less. Scott owned this category for years but Motobecane hal cfs are better than those.
@@jeffahonen8891 You either havent read the bikes direct ad correctly or never seen these bikes. Its pretty much superior in every way. We are talking downhill capable trail bikes here and Scott has owned this category for some time. Read carefully the spec sheet. Bikes direct Hal motobecane frames own this outright.
@@jeffahonen8891 Then your really not reading correctly. They have both sl and standard numbers. Its every bit as modern and with a T1000 carbon frame. The 9.9 isnt even a match for weight. I dont know why this love of anything overpriced exist in the bike world when the deals are out there. Get what you want but guaranteed you have never seen or ridden the cfs, otherwise you wouldnt be saying that.
Not really bro i been waiting for the fuel ex to drop it like they did with the remedy with the new shocks they dont need them they need stiffer rear ends
@@Montezuma0 a local dealer where I'm from is offering a PYGA supermax, carbon frame, carbon wheels 1x11 xt groupset, sdg dropper for 26 hundred dollars. That's what I call a good deal!
and.. you get a trek warranty.. that 18 months of riding when you break the frame doing the things they show in their ads ? they tell you to kick rocks hey well give you 25% off another overpriced bike with a worthless warranty
I agree. A buddy shattered his frame at the bb area … it certainly was his fault but a total freak low speed rock impact. They offered him a replacement frame for $1800. He passed and went alloy. 25-30% off doesn’t constitute a fair crash replacement program.
My brother in law purchased an ex 8 from our local bike shop for 2350.00 and he loves it. People can debate how great this bike is over this bike until the cows come home. Being an older rider and mt biking since the 80s I dont really think there is a bad bike out there. As Nate Hills says its 90 percent rider, dont overthink it, just ride.
Freerider I think in short it has to do with the bling factor also. MTB has fast moved to a level that enables a rider to readily signal to everyone else just how expensive (in the order of thousands) the bike your riding is. Of course the thing that other more boutique brands may have over trek is the fact that their models may cost ‘no less’ or start at $6-7+ in which there will be individuals wanting to be able to be seen on these machines as a matter of prestige more than the capabilities it offers. BTW if I was shelling out that much coin I too would probably want it such that people were aware and that it is sufficiently differentiated from the cheaper models that look the same.
The 2.6 xr4 or xr5 tires are the hidden gems.
Love the coffeshop Jazz background music
I want. I have the old EX 7 with 26" wheels. This would be a welcome change.
Is the rear shock any better out of the box? I have a 2017 9.9 and had to work with Fox to get the valving right for my size and weight. 5'10 / 190. Stock was too "bobby" the digressive compression would just blow through and there wasn't enough natural rebound. Increasing the settings just traded one problem for another. Other bikes like my bronson had enough adjustability on the shock to get it to blend well for me without a revalve
Sounds like every trek full floater ever built
@@DM-hw4cr lol, well said ! the more i learned about the trek design the more i truly get the humor in your statement
In Australia - Trek, Specialized and Giant have increased prices considerably over the past few years, a 4.5k bike, which was mid tier in 2016 / 2017 now costs in a comparable spec today 6.5k to 7.5k - crazy stuff.
Slowly pushing consumers to online retailers, one price hike at a time!!!!
The Australian Dollar is killing us too. I was talking to a Kona Aus representative the other day, and he said that they had to increase the price of all of their 2020 models even if the design changes were negligible from 2019 because of the exchange rate. It shows in the Trek Fuel Ex. The 2019 Ex 8 was $4199 (luckily I got mine for $3599 on sale), and the 2020 Ex 8 model is $4499 with basically identical components.
@@basstrom88 I hear the reps and shops say the same every year - it's the $$, however components are drastically different now as well, once you got XT / X1 now you get Deore or NX, once you got Factory or Team fork now you get Rhytem or Reba
It seems they want it both ways, when Giant is 1k more expensive than Canyon spec for spec the industry has serious challenges.
I say 🖕. They're not getting my $$$.
Shaun Trek, Specialized and Giant you have to pick up in store, unless you’re talking about Canyon, or the rather average Polygon.
Martyn Gasson I understand that, the point I was making is the first three brands I mention are hiking prices to a point where they are making online brands even more attractive, and there are several - Canyon, YT industries, Commencal, Turner, wiggle one brand, Nukeproof et.....
Hi, thank you for your Video, great Info, I've a question about Frame Size which would be better, because I am exactly between ML and L and I don't know which one would fit better. Because I'm not experienced biker and 41 so my back prefers comfortable riding. I’m 84 Kg, 182cm tall and stride length is 83cm so I'm between ML and L Frame Size. Which one would you recommend with your expirience? Thank you
Went with the 36 but left the DPS? Would be nice with a Dpx2
Agreed even the Reaktiv dps gets overwhelmed too quickly. Can't say for the thru shaft. Only had the Reaktiv one that doesn't have the shafts that pops out the bottom
I have a 2017 Trek Fuel Ex 9.8 27.5 plus that I didn’t like in the beginning due to so many pedal strikes, one is that I wasn’t use to the new geometry of the bikes coming from a 2011 Trek Fuel Ex 8. Which I has a taller bottom bracket and I was able to pedal in turns on the same trail. So I eventually upgraded the wheels to the 29 inch Bontrager Line rims and it totally changed the bike. Barely get any pedal strikes. And also the 27.5 version originally came with a 140 mm front fork and 130 rear shock. Which seems to be basically what you get now with the 2020. I also bought a brand new left over, that a dealer had not sold. I got in winter of 2018 and got a slamming deal. I love the bike now. Just my 2 cents
almost the same story here, went from an older fuel EX to a 2017 9.8 27.5 plus bike and had pedal strikes on EVERYTHING. put a set of Santa Cruz 29er carbon wheels and the Bontrager XR4 2.6x29 and love it now. Not all people ride nice smooth trails, some of us ride trails with a lot of rocks and those low bottom brackets just don't work.
Would the 2020\1 PIVOT SWITCHBLADE beat this bike in every aspect? Climbing, sprinting, descending, tight turns, NOT destroyer of pedals and cranks, flat surfaces, rocks,...
Buying the ex 5 soon. NICA discount is my savior
Do you like it better than the Trance ?
Can someone explain why the alloy frameset is the same price as the alloy complete bike? (or did I read that wrong somewhere)
Stuff
Hidden
Inside
Tube
S.H.I.T Box
Cant decide between fuel ex7 and norco sight a3; can I send sick jumps on this?
T.W.A.T. box?
Is it long low and slack? and that little reaktiv shock is not going to survive black trails
And slack seatpost, brutal
The reactiv and thrushaft is awful, doesn't last long I went through 3 shocks before just buying an x2.
That absolutely nailed it - it's a great frame, and quite literally any good shock would work extremely well on there. DPX2 would shred.
Congratulations Trek, you took the old Rememdy and painted fuel ex on it.
Isn't this the 9.9 and not the 9.8?
@wat box!!!!!!! hahahaahha!!! That's gold!!
Trek is offering 30 year loans for a limited time.
Chuck Taylor underrated comment right here
Wait, what A.P.R.?
@@cisko213 Its a variable rate that increases right at the end of the season so you are forced to buy the next new model.
Still press fit bb?
Lol...the most "cutting" edge thing on that bike is probably the frame storage...and they lifted that from Specialized.
It's a bike for those who aren't looking to follow the trend of lower longer slacker to the extreme. For those who want a super conservative frame there is Rocky Mountain Bikes.
The new announcement will be the most attention it'll get until they change one thing after another the years.
Coming from a 9.7 owner I'm pretty sure that's a 9.7 as well. Guessing trek didn't make the same color scheme in the 9.8. actually positive. Expected that this mistake wouldn't appear on a tech review of a bike. Smh
This color scheme was available for all 3 carbon models in 2020. 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9. The test bike is actually the 9.9, based on the drivetrain and suspension listed.
the twat box lmfao. The official unofficial name.
Good for enduro?
Trek would recomend the slash or remedy for enduro
So for your first ride video you read us the specs?
I'd buy this, if it wouldn't cost 7.500€.
Also, this is the Trek Fuel EX *9.9,* not the *9.8.*
Frame bearing come loose on the back axle on these bikes
My 2013 used to do that, thought that was just me
It's a trek thing that a lot of their pivot bolts come loose. Drives us nuts in the shop.
Totally different design on these new ones.
Yes! Experienced this on my 2016 ex8. Took me a while to figure it out. tried to adjust the shifting several times but it was just "clappeticlapp" from like the 4th gear and up to 10th. New bearings in the frame now and check them regularly. Good to know it is a known issue.
It is the 9.9 though
Stache Cache for the storage name
I was thinking bits box
I dont care for the big tires ... 2.3 rear and 2.4 front is good enough. Also 7k+ is not a good value! Like most OVERPRICED!
That’s including carbon wheels. It’s actually a very good price considering what you’re getting
not if you look at comparable spec'ed bikes. that doesnt mean bike aren't over priced.
Honestly it just pisses me off how most bikes are priced . If I can put together a new nicely spec'd bike , and I mean ... XO carbon cranks and xt drivetrain and brakes on a 1 yr old NEW sworks Stumpjumper frame with flow rims for around 3k. What makes these crazy asses think I'll pay 7k?!? They're WAY OVERPRICED, and the funny part is some people with too much cash pay it!🤣🤣🤣
look at the new fuel ex7 thats the new value leader under $3k with everything you need
2.6s rock socks!
did you actually just said, cutting edge..?
Great vidéo
Nice Bike
$7500... a value?... what?
Well, maybe after a year you can sell it, and get 1000 back, (if it has no cracks)
don't forget that $2100 is "something for everyone" - yeah... no... the people that can and would spend $2100 on a mountain bike most likely are at a skill level that far surpasses the abilities of the $2100 model. And Joe Everybody does not need a $2100 Mountain Bike to commute with so no... I think the $2100 model fits right in the spot where the people that would want it and would put it to proper use can't justify the cost of it.
Hmm... Trek Fuel EX 9.8 for $7,500 or Canyon CF 8.0 with arguably same if not better components for $3,999 on sale. Think I'll stick with the Canyon.
Disappointing, overpriced and no Shimano drivetrains on carbon fuel ex models? New Orbea Occam seems much more appealing to me.
So with u on that one! The new Occam looks like the real deal at 4k and u can
pick up a nice set of carbon wheels for about 1k now.
Vault-Boy Dan they still have the cheaper models though, I tried the new occam and it just doesn’t feel very fun to me.
@@henryhild7404 you tried new 2020 Fuel ex?
The 8, 9.8, and 9.9 are all available with Shimano drivetrains. The 9.8, which has everything the 9.9 does except it runs XT instead of XTR and it has black coating instead of Kaskima costs $5500.
Bikes direct Hal Motobecanes make this category of trail bikes irrelevant and absurd for pricing. Its almost comical that anyone would pay more for less. Scott owned this category for years but Motobecane hal cfs are better than those.
hal's geo is ancient. I'd take a lower spec, better geo Trek anyday over that thing.
@@jeffahonen8891 You either havent read the bikes direct ad correctly or never seen these bikes. Its pretty much superior in every way. We are talking downhill capable trail bikes here and Scott has owned this category for some time. Read carefully the spec sheet. Bikes direct Hal motobecane frames own this outright.
@@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921 i dont real marketing ads, i look at geo numbers :)
read*
@@jeffahonen8891 Then your really not reading correctly. They have both sl and standard numbers. Its every bit as modern and with a T1000 carbon frame. The 9.9 isnt even a match for weight. I dont know why this love of anything overpriced exist in the bike world when the deals are out there. Get what you want but guaranteed you have never seen or ridden the cfs, otherwise you wouldnt be saying that.
disappointing they got rid of the full floater
Not really bro i been waiting for the fuel ex to drop it like they did with the remedy with the new shocks they dont need them they need stiffer rear ends
It loses nothing
2:24 rip headphone users...
Did he say 7500 for bicycle is good value? Lol 😂
I know!
7400 is a good deal , wtf
They're doing us a favor! 😅Actually they're loosing money on this one.
Includes carbon wheels, show me another brand with the same price besides Giant, Specialized, and direct to consumer
Ameen Younis they feed you that Bontrager carbon is like enve carbon and charge you the same ?
@@Montezuma0 a local dealer where I'm from is offering a PYGA supermax, carbon frame, carbon wheels 1x11 xt groupset, sdg dropper for 26 hundred dollars. That's what I call a good deal!
Ha ha ‘Twat’ box
and.. you get a trek warranty.. that 18 months of riding when you break the frame doing the things they show in their ads ? they tell you to kick rocks hey well give you 25% off another overpriced bike with a worthless warranty
I agree. A buddy shattered his frame at the bb area … it certainly was his fault but a total freak low speed rock impact. They offered him a replacement frame for $1800. He passed and went alloy. 25-30% off doesn’t constitute a fair crash replacement program.
trek>specialized