ViperZ

Good job Lowcell, it gets a bit old when so many threads turn into flame wars.


Trekroland, between those 2 bikes, the Fuel 7 holds a bit more appeal for me, mainly because I have never owned a Full Suspension bike. However I agree with the other posters that the hard tailed bike would be a great performer as well.

I myself am a bit Leary of a carbon frame MTB, only because MTB's generally lead a harder life... It may be baseless, however and if you like it, go with it, hard tails are a lot of fun too!

Curtis_Elwood

In the interest of providing good information to the OP, yes, you're mistaken.

ZeCanon

Haven't had a Trek in a while, but isn't essentially a 4-bar system?

I test rode a EX 9 (or 9.5.. or something?) a while ago at it was pretty efficient. Not xc race efficient, but definitely had a stable enough platform not to slow you down much.


Also, I wouldnt worry about a carbon MTB. Yeah, we've all heard horror stories, but if it didn't work they wouldn't make them. The rear triangle of my FS last year was carbon and was hit by it's fair share of big ol' rocks and is still strong as ever.

TrekRoland

To everyone - thank you so much for the continuing debate! This really just goes to show that there are some really passionate, knowledgable riders on this forum and that rocks, simply put. Regardless of which way posters feel, they are passionate one way or the other. I dig that.

OK, some more answers.

Back when I was in college (New Haven, CT) I was riding every weekend and most days in spring summer and fall. I would not have called myself an accomplished rider then. I had a hard tail that I used to really beat up (it was a Trek, can't remember the model and I also had a Cannondale. I never had a bike I had to take care of, let's put it that way.

I think you put it best when you said that I shouldn't get the bike because it's a better deal. Pretty silly reason to plop down $1,800 for a bike.

As for the advice about swapping out the sid, thank you. If it's bucking like a noodle for you at 140 lbs, I would hate to see what it did if I were on it. Now that you mention it - can anyone chime in on Trek's lifetime limited warranty on frames? Anyone ever have a problem with a frame and then further problems with Trek?

Here are the specs according to the Trek site. This is assuming that my LBS didn't swap out any parts and I've not looked closely at the bike yet. I will... I trust my guy, I've known him personally for years.

Trek Elite 9.8 (2006)

Complete Specifications
Frameset
Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5"
Frame OCLV 110 Carbon
Front Suspension Manitou R7 Platinum w/Snap Valve SPV, rebound, 80mm
Wheels
Wheels Bontrager Race Lite Disc
Tires Bontrager Super X, tubeless ready, 26x2.1"
Drivetrain
Shifters SRAM X-9
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-0
Crank Bontrager Race Lite 44/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG970 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals n/a
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race Lite Lux
Seat Post Bontrager Race X Lite ACC Carbon
Handlebars Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon, 40mm rise, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset Cane Creek S-3 w/cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Hayes HFX-9 Carbon, hydraulic disc, 6" rotors

Trek Fuel EX 7 (2007)

rameset
Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5"
Frame ZR 9000 Alloy main frame; ZR 9000 swingarm w/120mm travel
Front Suspension RockShox Recon 351 Air w/postive air pressure, Motion Control, rebound, compression, lockout, 130mm
Rear Shock Fox Float RPL w/air pressure, Pro Pedal, rebound, lockout
Wheels
Wheels Bontrager Select
Tires Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.2/2.25", 60 tpi, folding
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Deore, 9 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
Crank Shimano Deore 44/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals Shimano 505, clipless
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Select
Handlebars Bontrager Select, 25mm rise, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Select, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid BB-7, mechanical disc w/Avid FR-5 levers

ZeCanon

Holy crap man that 9.8 build is fantastic!

I stand by my original idea: buy both, sell 9.8 with ex parts
Between all the parts listed you could build the perfect bike! Let me elaborate:

Frame Trek EX 7
Fork: Sell Manitou w/ the 9.8, sell Recon as well, Buy Reba Race or Team (100mm)
Wheels
Wheels Bontrager Race Lite Disc <-take from 9.8
Tires Bontrager Super X, tubeless ready, 26x2.1" <-take from 9.8
Drivetrain
Shifters SRAM X-9 <-take from 9.8
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore XT <-take from 9.8
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-0 <-take from 9.8!!!!
Crank Bontrager Race Lite 44/32/22 <-take from 9.8
Cassette SRAM PG970 11-34, 9 speed <-take from 9.8
Pedals n/a
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race Lite Lux buy a fizik nisene because they are amazing
Seat Post Bontrager Race X Lite ACC Carbon <-take from 9.8
Handlebars Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon, 40mm rise, 31.8mm <-take from 9.8
Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm <-take from 9.8
Headset keep whatever comes with the EX
Brakeset Hayes HFX-9 Carbon, hydraulic disc, 6" rotors <-take from 9.8

Sick bike... just sick. I'd want one

so then you end up with a Trek 9.8 worth probably... $1300??? on ebay. I'd research that to make sure everything would be economically viable It would be kind of an odd bike so you might be better off selling the frame for $400 and the fork for $450 and then selling the parts individually. You'll have to do the math for that one too.

If that sounds like way too much work, I dont know what to tell you... that 9.8 build is really nice. Much nicer than the EX. But the EX frame would suit you so much better... so I think I'd go with the EX anyway.

ZeCanon

Scratch the fork changeover I proposed, EX's are 120mm rear not 100. Keep the recon w/130.

wheelhot

...your posts is kinda funny ZeCanon, but anyway good job in mixing the components. Keep the Recon fork or buy a Fox TALAS. Woo!!! and you get yourself a sweet trailbike

born2bahick

TrekRoland, Have you test ridden either bike yet? What about sizes? Is there only one of the 9.8's, or do they have different sizes at that price? I assume the EX-7 is a new model, and different sizes can be had?

LowCel 

I would still go for the 9.8. For the riding you described I think it will be perfect.

born2bahick

And I still agree! But Bruce we seem to be out numbered on this one, I'm gonna circle the wagons, in case this thing get's ugly!

TrekRoland

ZeCanon, thanks so much for your input. It does sound like a lot of work and I'd have to get my LBS to do the labor, so maybe in the end it doesn't work out so well. Still leaning towards the EX 7 anyway. I test rode an EX 8 and I took the elite 9.8 for a spin. I am going to be in Denver in early March, so I am going to check out a few shops there to see if there is an EX7 available for a test ride.

wheelhot

well EX 7 and 8 has the same geometry, so it would feel the same

ZeCanon

Not exactly, the forks are different so that will change the feel. Try to ride an EX7 if you can. If that's not possible, you will still be able to get a good idea of how the bike feels with an EX8 or 9.

Why have your LBS do the labor? Use this oppoutinity to learn how to build and fix your own bikes. They are pretty simply machines, really. Just get a maintenance book and go from there. Some things do require special tools, like bottom brackets, but besides that you can pretty much build an entire bike with a set of allen keys and a screwdriver. Even if you swap all the parts yourself and then have yoru LBS tune everything up it will be much cheaper than having them swap everything, and you'll learn a lot in the process. EVERYONE should know how to do maintenance on their own bikes.

TrekRoland

Actually, I am probably now leaning towards the EX 8. I am going to be able to get a pretty good deal on that bike. The fork: RockShox Recon 351 on the EX 7 vs. Fox Float 130 RL on the EX8.


I definitely want to learn how to do my own maintainance. "Handy" is never a word I've really used to describe myself, though I often surprise myself.

I am a publicist by trade, so if anyone ever wants postive media coverage, I can help there...

wheelhot

Just bring in the EX8 and tell us how it ridesss

ZeCanon

How about I build your bikes and you do some 'positive media coverage' for the CSU Rams Cycling team?

the fox is a really nice fork - I would definitely spend the extra cash and go with the ex8.

TrekRoland

Finally did it - and decided on the Trek Fuel EX8 - and I LOVE IT! Thanks for your advice, all.