Thanks to the Trek guys at Midtown for letting me give their Top Fuel a spin over the weekend.
Here are my thoughts:
- I did not realize that a FS bike could be so stiff. At first I thought that the suspension was set up for someone twice my weight, but I was using up all the travel in the rear.
- The bike came equipped with a Fox F-Series with a remote lockout. I always thought of remote lockout as kind of gimmicky, but I really dug how you could just flip it on and off if you wanted to stand and navigate through a sketchy rock garden in a big gear ( will always be a SS'er at heart). Plus on the long climbs it was nice to lockout the fork and stand to climb........the rear suspension kept my (narrow and minimally treaded) tire hooked up at all times.
- XT all around.........its solid.....I have never used trigger shifters (gripshift for life!) and even a numbskull like me was able to operate them. The XT brakes really stood out, but that should not surprise anyone.
- Wheels......meh.....I was actually surprised how quickly the Bontrager (Pro?) hubs engaged. Not light, not heavy, just OEM wheels. I am not a huge fan of bontrager wheels though. (Patterson has made me into the wheel snob I am today).
The 4th and 5th laps were what it was all about. By this point I am usually in shambles after having put out tons of extra energy grinding up climbs, banging down descents, and spinning like crazy on the SS. I was tired, but I was not cramping or otherwise impaired and I was still having fun.
Then it was off to Tranqulity to see how the Top Fuel fared on a raging fast course. I turned 2 laps before my tank signaled empty and I headed back to the house for the quintessential southern mans dinner (and PBR).
So when it was all said and done I got in almost 40 miles.
Some thoughts
- The frame I rode was a large.....I need a med. the TT was just too long and made my low back sore.
- The Saddle was not meant for my bottom.
- I really dug how stiff the Fox Fork was, but I actually wish that it was as adjustable as the Reba. A little plushness goes a long way.
- Not sure I am in love with the Fox Fork, but I really need to learn how to adjust them before I start casting stones.
Al tiptoes through the tulips.......
5 comments:
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it. That's one thing about having a remote lockout, nice to be able to lock it out with the push of a button but you do lose some adjustability. They make an 18.5" as well as a 17.5" in that frame. Nice for the in-between frame sizers. I think that Miah at the Papillion Trek Store is on an 18.5". Might have a 17.5" available as well.
are you test driving or just playing? I've had an FS bike on the mind for some time but the camper hauler needs tires & brakes and I can't do w/o either.
@SS Thanks for the heads up!
@ Greg I am just test riding bikes to see what I like and dislike.
Im lovin the Fuel. I find that its faster than it feels. The fork is good when the rear is in maxed out propedal, but feels funky when propedal is off. though i never turn propedal off unless its a serious downhill. 6'0" on a 19.5.
make sure you set the sag (front and rear) and have the air pressure set proper, start with your weight suggestions. That should have a pro-pedal switch on the rear fox. If you don't get the fork dialed in you wont like it at all...
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