Open to any advice on these two bikes! Probably going to buy one of them this weekend.
The Trek Fuel EX7 ($500) is the one I’m leaning towards, though it looks like it needs a bit more initial maintenance. I’m trying to identify its year as well—any ideas?
The Pivot MACH 429 ($650) is sweet, and I love the look and drivetrain upgrade, but it seems like it might be too big for me. I’m 5ft 8in and the seller said it is a med/large frame with 30in stand over height.
Any opinions welcome! Hopefully I can snag one of these!
by Whole_Highway4588
8 Comments
Dont get either. A used newer hardtail will outperform either of those. You also mention upgrades. Throwing upgrades at old mtbs like this is like polishing a turd. Unless you have some emotional attachment to older full suspension mtbs I would stay clear of them. A lot of parts are going to be incompatible with these as well due to new standards.
$500 for something like this, is it a joke? There are new modern good looking hardtails from the top brands for $700-800.
terrible choices. agreed on newer hardtail.
The pivot is worth about $250. The trek is worth about $100.
500 for both would still be a bad deal.
Is OP a female? That Trek is a 2005 Fuel EX 7 WSD (women’s specific design).
[https://media.trekbikes.com/image/upload/v1711485520/Archive_2005_Trek_Fuel_EX_7_WSD.pdf](https://media.trekbikes.com/image/upload/v1711485520/Archive_2005_Trek_Fuel_EX_7_WSD.pdf)
[https://99spokes.com/bikes/trek/2005/fuel-ex-7-wsd](https://99spokes.com/bikes/trek/2005/fuel-ex-7-wsd)
[https://mtbdatabase.com/bikes/2005/trek/fuel/2005-trek-fuel-ex-7-wsd/](https://mtbdatabase.com/bikes/2005/trek/fuel/2005-trek-fuel-ex-7-wsd/)
For $150 more, I would definitely go with the 5 year newer Pivot. That being said, I think you would be better off applying that $650 towards a newer hardtail. But if you really want a full suspension that is 15+ years old, then see if you can talk them down to $400 or less. I mean for $1000 you can get a 2018 alloy Santa Cruz Bronson.
If the Trek had just been tuned up (including shocks) I’d be fine paying $300 for it. But that drivetrain is old, doubt the shocks have been serviced recently. But you’d need new pedals right away and seat looks like arse. Pivot is marginally better but if it doesn’t fit it doesn’t fit.
You can do better.
These are both turds. Don’t go full suspension unless you have a 1.5k ish or higher budget.