Edit: thanks to suggestions here I am looking at a Fezzari Abajo Peak but have otherwise passes on the trek.
I got my LBS to agree to $2k for the bike – i have been out of MTB for about 7 years and now that 1) my son is old enough to ride with me, 2) i moved from flat Florida to Utah, and 3) i’m about 50 lbs overweight (265lbs so still under the 300lb limit), i want to get back into it. At the age of 37 and a bit overweight, my knees aren’t exactly what they used to be, so i want to be in a full suspension. Anyhow, i set a budget for $2k and this was thought to be well over my budget, but i called the shop and i guess because new models are coming in, the guy’s gonna let this one go for $2k. Any reason not to pull the trigger on what seems liek a really good deal?
[https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en\_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-5-gen-5/p/33073/?colorCode=grey\_orangelight](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-5-gen-5/p/33073/?colorCode=grey_orangelight)
Edit for compliance:
* The type of riding will you be doing – Whatever northern Utah has to offer, only relatively slowly and leisurely. Likely “all mountain” type riding.
* Where you will be riding – norther Utah / Salt Lake area
* Your budget (with included currency) – $2k USD
* What you like/didn’t like about your current bike – last bike i rode was a Gary Fisher / Trek rumblefish – i liked it just fine. One gripe was super high seat tube so i could barely fit a dropper
* Your experience level and future goals – used to ride quite a bit, now i mostly just want to get good exercise and ride with my 6 year old (he’s got a Specialized Jett). Though i do intend on getting back to at least “lower-intermediate” level.
by BigSh00ts
21 Comments
As former Gen5 EX8 and now Gen6 EX8 owner. Don’t: the spec is too shitty regarding fork and damper. Get something from a different brand or negotiate an EX8 down.
For reference, got an EX8 of that generation early 2020 for 2300 euros. So it should be able to drop a lot more.
I own a 2020 EX7, absolutely love it. I’ve ridden it in a 10 hour xc race, and plenty of enduro and DH races. No ragrets
For a little bit more, why don’t you get the yt jeffsy core 2 for $2600? I think the spec on the fuel ex 5 sucks and it’s an older design. You can also look at the marin rift zone 2 which is about the same price but much better spec.
Even at $2000 I wouldn’t buy it.
Up to you
I had a 2017 trek fuel ex5 and have a 2021 stump jumper, 2021 polygon d6 and a 2022 Rocky mountain altitude. The trek was definitely my least favorite. I think the d6 was a much better value.
The bontragger components are prone to failure, especially the hubs. I had 3 hub failures in 2 years.
I personally think it’s not that great a deal. The fork and shock are kind of bad for that much money honestly. For that price I would go for the polygon siskiu t8 (2200, but regularly on sale for 1999). It’s a way better bang for your buck, though I have heard of frame failures with bigger dudes. And I know you said you don’t want to stretch the budget much, but check out YT with their jeffsy series
Just two suggestions:
Quality full suspensions are expensive. I’m not sure how much you will find sub 2k. Have you considered a higher end hardtail like the Roscoe? Especially if you are going to be riding slow and for leisure, it may be a better value spec wise. Tubeless technology has come a long way and you can have a larger volume tire on the rear and run at lower pressures. Again, not ideal for what you ultimately want but this would get you better components package.
Second, have you visited hanger 15 bikes in Draper? I have fam in SLC and frequently visit. That place sells Trek, Specialized, Scott and Cannondale. They may be able to offer the best value by brand. I love my local Trek store, but they only sell… well… Trek.
As someone who has also left FL for a northern state, I don’t miss the mountain biking in Florida. Utah has awesome trails! Enjoy.
Canyon, YT and Vitus are really the best brands to go for cheaper end bikes.
Nah dude don’t do it. $2k can get you better bike.
I’m no badass rider or anything but I love mine. Had it for two years with no problems other than me sliding off a skinny and snapping the derailleur.
I have one and I really like it. It’s my first bike, got it last year and definitely paid more than that. A friend had a fork he gave me which was nice.
Being my first bike, I don’t know what I’m missing with “bigger and better spec”. A lot of what I read on Reddit says everything is the worst and everything else is better… But then I ride the bike and have a blast so 🤷. I’m trying not to buy a new bike just because people I don’t know say bad things on the internet about what I have (which is a terrible reason to spend $3k+).
Ouch. It hurts to see someone talked out of buying a bike on this sub. Now OP will spend more time shopping and less time biking. Not complaining about the advice exactly. Just sucks as might not be a great deal but it’s a real mtb that is capable of fun and life is short.
The Fuel 5 is a good bike. I got one for my kid and rode it a little bit. I’d say it is decent for the price.
Trek has a really mushy suspension design. You’ll need to use the lockout a lot and that just leads to more wear and tear.
Giant has the best full suspension bikes for the price. They are all multi link. You can run them with the shock fully open all day long. If you want to splurge a little more an ibis Ripley AF is a killer bike, albeit a bit heavy.
Go do some demo days and make your own opinion. It will help narrow the field. The fuel is a great bike, not my taste, but still a great bike. Shoot for something with GX or XT drivetrain, Shimano brakes (better overall stopping power, less modular than sram), and good tires.
Edit: Don’t worry about expensive suspension unless you get into it. Get something with F/R air suspension with simple rebound and maybe compression adjustment. Get your sag and rebound right and you’ll be better off than 90% of people.
I have a 2022 EX5 and while I agree the spec sucks out of the box I bought a takeoff Pike Select+ fork, Fox Float shock, Code R brakes, and an EX8 wheel with the 6 pawl upgrade for almost nothing and now the bike rips!
How long you been out of Florida and how long were you down there for? I’m here too and hate and want out. But I can ride all year here. AZ is in the back of my head but curious how the transition is as a cyclist.
It’s not very good, and the spec on it is poor.
The gen 6 however may be the best bike I’ve ever ridden if you can get one for around that price.
My rule of thumb for people looking for a full suspension is: don’t get a piece of crap with bad parts just to have a full suspension. It’s always better to save and get a good bike with good parts and wait longer
I’ve had a fuel ex5 since Jan 2021. I’ve put thousands of miles on it and it’s a great bike. It’s not the best or lightest, but it’s a great starter full sus, everything is upgradable over time, and the trek warranty cant be beat. A lot of people just dont like Treks.
I’ll likely upgrade to a new mtb soon, but only cuz I’m getting fidgety having the same bike so long. 😂
If you need any trail recommendations, I can give you some. I live around the same area.
There is an advantage to buying from a local shop.
They call it fuel? Does it take diesel, gas, wood pellets, electric? Sorry but fuel seems like a silly name for a bike that you pedal. I thought we ride bikes because they don’t use fuel