First Look: 2009 Trek Top Fuel
Posted: July 23rd, 2008 by Karl Rosengarth
My first day at 2009 Trek Camp was spent learning about and riding their updated carbon OCLV Fuel EX (report here). Later in the day, as I rolled into the group dinner, I was not prepared for the surprise that Trek had waiting there—samples of a radically re-designed carbon OCLV Top Fuel 100mm travel XC race bike. The top-of-the-line 9.9 model is said to weigh less than 21lbs. with Ti Eggbeater pedals. Key Top Fuel highlights include:
- The ‘09 Top Fuel frame is 33% stiffer than ‘08, and is 431gm. lighter (2027gm./4.5lbs. frame weight).
- Rear suspension now uses Active Braking PIvot design (more info here).
- Rear suspension now also uses Full Floater design (more info here).
- No-cut seatmast offers 100mm of adjustment, is stiffer and saves weight.
- Net molding on BB and headtube allow use of drop-in bearings resulting in weight savings.
- Crossbow frame re-design saves 100gm. and improves stiffness by 33%.
- Top-end 9.9 model has 2×9 drivetrain, with custom FSA 2-ring cranks, that produce a Q-Factor 10mm narrower than Shimano XTR.
- Bontrager Race XXX Lite wheels use all-new Bontrager XXX Carbon rims (tubeless compatible) and the wheelset weights in at 1450gm.
Alas, I did not have a change to ride the 2009 Top Fuel—the few existing samples are in the hands of Trekies such as Travis Brown and Chris Eatough, who put them through the paces on our day-two group ride on Durango’s trademark Hermosa Creek trail. With any luck, I might find a test bike under my skinny white butt at some point in the future (if I can win the cage match at DRHQ).
Click on thumbs below for larger images.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Interesting, but that seat boom/seat tube screams “catastrophic failure” to me…
July 24th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Why’s that?
July 24th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I know the seat masts on the Madone will flex up to 3/4″ back and forth without breaking- a little added suspension on the road bike!!!! I would guess a carbon seat mast on the new mtn bike does the same thing- that’s why carbon is so great. Carbon is the ticket. They would never produce it if it wasn’t perfect- couldn’t afford the lawsuit….
I also believe everything I read… life is much better that way. Try it.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Merely an observation/personal preference based on initial visual impressions and past experience. I cracked more than a couple Y-style frames with the “seat boom” shape to them - thus the initial discomfort.
I’m sure it’s been beaten to submission on a test rig, but my personal carbon tolerance level has been lowered by a couple of snapped bars/seatposts, and the shape would seem to lend itself to an internal ding/stress riser/fault from the seatpost slipping or overinsertion (and of course, riders will often replace the stock post with an aftermarket unit).
I’m sure it’s a sweet race bike.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I can respect the experience with the Y-frame, but the company has grown both in size and experience since then.
It sounds as if your discomfort lies in carbon itself rather than Trek’s design ability.
I think Trek is one of the only companies still offering a lifetime warranty on carbon off-road frames. Most others are 2 or 5-year.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:20 pm
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August 6th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Looks oddly familiar, somewhat like the old softride bike that is being used in the SBC.