Mountain Biking - Trek Fuel EX 8

I am looking for a little reassurance. I was going to wait until the spring to purchase a new bike, but I came across a 2006 Trek Fuel EX 8 a the LBS.

One of the guys that has worked there for 11 years, had purchased it and rode it twice before messing his back up at work.

Obviously it is very gently used.

After trying it out, it seems to be perfectly fine, and looks brand new as well.

I purchased it for $1450.

I'm wondering if this price sounds right, or if I paid too much.

Also, it is a 17.5". I'm about 6'2", 205lbs. The guy that had it was pretty close to my size, and he said it should be fine for me. He said he likes to have it a little smaller because it gives him a little more control.

I'm still learning the ropes, so I'm just looking for some opinions. I know it comes down to personal preference. But I just want to make sure that based on my size, that a 17.5" is way to small or not.

Thanks for any thoughts.

too late now...

That would definitely be a nice deal. I got my bike for 1500, so you got a way better bargain. When it comes to size i'm not too sure on that. I am somewhere between 6'3 6'4 and ride a 19.5, and would not like it any shorter. Seems about right for you though. Maybe a 19.5 would have worked with a shorter stem, but that wouldnt be too good.

How leaned over do you feel?

EJ123, thank you for the comment. A little more, excuse me, a lot more helpful than mcoine.

Not too much. The bike I have been riding is a 20" which I have always felt is a little too big. When I put the bikes side by side, my new Trek's handlebars are about 2" higher.

I guess that's not bad. Maybe the 19.5 would have been to big. So you got a $2500 bike for $1450? Shesh that's pretty good when I think about it.

I'm 6'0 and felt cramped on a 17.5 and went with a 19.5. I'm also a trek owner and love it, your probably gonna bash the hell outa your knees but still good buy on the Fuel. Get a Thomson bent seat post and maybe a longer stem and your set.

I bought my EX8 last spring for $1580 and thought I got a great deal. Nice going. I'm 6'1" 160 pounds and got a 19.5. It feels right for me going from a no suspension 20" GT. If you can't get it to fit right tinkering with stems and such, you may want to sell it on ebay. You'd probably make out alright and then turn that money into a 19.5. I've never done the ebay thing but my friend just bought a bike that way.

If you keep the 17.5, I think you'll love the EX. Apart from my XTR shifting pretty harshly, I love mine.

I feel like I got a bad deal on my fuel. Oh well:D

I'm basically your size and I wouldn't get an XC oriented bike that small but then again I haven't ridden that bike. For me, small bikes feel too cramped in the cockpit for XC riding and I prefer a longer top tube with a shorter stem. When comparing to your other bike, handlebar height won't mean much...try measuring the distance from your saddle to your handlebar on both bikes and see what the difference is. You can always fine tune the fit with a longer stem or adjusting the saddle.

Thanks for your input. After sleeping on it, and giving the bike a try this morning, I decided to return the bike. Even though it was a good deal, I didn't feel comfortable with the size.

I ended up buying a new 19.5 EX 8 tonight. I'm out the extra money, but now I feel a lot more comfortable. There is a noticable difference between the two.

Also, I noticed after I got home that he had swapped out the carbon handlebars for non carbon. Who knows if he swapped out any other parts. That is probably why I was able to get a better deal.