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2010 Trek Fuel EX 8 review
Posted by Tony on September 08, 2009 under 'Reviews'.
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As a owner of a 2009 Trek Fuel EX 8 I was very interested to see the details of the new 2010 Fuel EX 8 and to see if there had been any great leaps in technology or if it was a case of gradual evolution over the 2009 model. Well checking out the 2010 model there have been some changes but not all for good for us mountain bikers.
Looking at the 2010 Fuel EX 8 the main changes for this year appear to be tweaks in the suspension technology. Trickle down of technology from higher up in last years Fuel range have brought the 1.125 to 1.5 tapered streerer to the EX 8 for the first time and the even larger air volume rear shock, seen mainly in the Fisher Roscoe range last year.
These changes should give a slightly stiffer front end and an even plusher rear (Roscoe's rear suspension got rave reviews last year), all good stuff, but it was surprising to see the front suspension drop from 130mm to 120mm. The new larger can rear ends would surely be better matched to a 130-140mm fork like with the Roscoes since it will be seriously plush. You have to go up to the EX 9 to get a 15mm bolt through fork, but with the tapered steerer and only 120mm the front shock should be plenty stiff enough.
Other parts of the 2010 bike are much the same as the 2009 bike. Same overall suspension, same gears, same geometry, same finishing kit. Last years SLX chainset has been upgraded to XT but wheels seem to have been downgraded from last year's Rhythm to this year's Dusters. This years colour of choice – all white—the choice of fast bikers!—is available but this years paint scheme is much toned down.
All good you might think, so where are the downsides. Well it's mainly price. The 2009 bike retailed at £1750 and the 2010 bike will retail at £2000. That's quite a price hike for the mimimal number of changes on this year's bike. Currently there are a number of 2009 bikes available on-line for around £1550-1600 which makes these seem like a bargain. Grab one while you can!
Given the price increase for the 2010 Fuel EX 8 it makes sense to also consider the EX 6. If you can live with the RockShox Recon rather Fox fork then at £1600 is seems to be possibly closer to the sweet spot of the range.
The 2009 Fuel EX 8 is quite an exceptional handler as I have found over the last 7 months. With the changes here the 2010 is just going to build on this performance!
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Hi Matt
Fair points. Maybe the 2009 was just a great deal.
I agree that there have been some very good upgrades for 2010, but it would be a killer deal if it was closer to 2009 prices. Maybe we have just be spoiled in previous years seeing better and better spec/performance on bikes with no price increases.
Just checked, the 2010 Ex8 is an 120mm Fox 32 F-series.
I wish you had commented on the difference between the old Fox shock and the new one on the 2010 models.
I find the review a bit lacking :-)
Hi Anders
OK here goes
Rear suspension is the same (geometry, pivots, size etc..) as 2009 with the addition of a Fox RP2 DRVC (dual rate control valve) compared to the large volume RP2 of last year. Essentially this aims to give the shock two actions in one. A supple pedalling smaller volume which then opens to a larger volume on big hits to give a more linear feel (like a coil fork) and less of the ramping up of shock rate sometimes seen with air shocks. These shocks were available on the Gary Fisher Roscoes last year and do provide excellent suspension performance. However the 2009 RP2 was no mean performer itself.
Up from the 130mm Fox Float RL is replaced with the Fox 32 F-series RL. Essentially much the same fork but with the new steerer and the lighter, more responsive bladder based FIT damping - lighter suspended mass better suspension response. Although 10mm less travel. The FIT damper does give more compression tuning senitivity. Overall all good!
These are excellent advances although incremental changes.
Good review. I have just taken delivery of an EX 6 2010 model - done 50 miles XC already on it this week, and now my legs hurt :) .
Like yourself I decided that the EX 6 hit the sweet spot; cost v spec. It is a shame that Trek have dropped the EX 7 in the UK but then that has just saved me some £££s ;) . I decided £2K was just too much for my needs and skill level.
fwiw; I am in my 50s and cycle mainly XC in the Chilterns twice a week, I just found my Trek hardtail a bit too scary down some of the trails and I am very pleased that I went FS. I am amazed at how much faster and controlled I am now going DH with rear suspension (it also does wonders for my back). I am really happy with the EX6 , though I am still bedding it in. Tip: put more air in the front fork than the manual says (that may be because of newness).
Steven
Hi, I am very interested in purchasing either the 2010 Trek Fuel EX 9 or the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert. Can you advise on what bike is best spec wise please as I am no expert ?
Thanks
Mark.
Hi Mark
Both have very similar specs. Fox now make the front and rear shocks on the Specialized so it shouldn't have any of the previous in-house shock reliability isssues. I guess the biggest differences are travel (120mm Trek and Specialized 140mm) and cost (Trek £2000 and Specialized £2500). The extra £500 doesn't seem worth the cost. You really need to ride them to see which one you feel most comfortable on.
The EX8 2010 is fantastic. Had mine for 2 months and ridden 160 miles in muddy Surrey Hills. Put the power down and it goes - just takes off. Climbs faster than all other bikes in our group. Front end really stable, rear shock is smooth and takes big hits like nothing happened. 2010 is a real upgrade and worth the extra - full XT, tapered stem, full DVRC, Elixir brakes
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Matt says:
Tony I agree with your thoughts, it's quite a lot of extra cash for not massive differences. But maybe last year's model was simply a bargain resulting from unusual exchange rates? Who knows. I'd rather have better wheels and forks than drivetrain components that wear out anyway.
In fairness, the 2010 model is a better bike with the 'future proof' tapered steerer which should make it noticeably stiffer up front. Plus that trick shock looks promising.
I think the 120mm travel is for the carbon bikes? 130 on ally versions I believe but I may be wrong.
Posted on September 8, 2009 01:48 PM (you can find out more about Matt at http://www.muddymoles.org.uk/).