Under Review: 2009 Trek Top Fuel 9.8
Posted: January 12th, 2009 by Karl RosengarthI first laid eyes on prototypes of Trek’s radically re-designed Top Fuel at last summer’s press camp. At that time I posted this report on Trek’s racy full-suspension steed. Ever since that first encounter, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the availability of the Top Fuel production bikes. That time has come, and I just scored a Top Fuel 9.8 for review.
In a nutshell, the Top Fuel is Trek’s 100mm full-suspension race platform. I’m psyched to be rolling into the 2009 race season with this bike in my quiver. It’s January, and the middle of winter, but visions of 100-milers are dancing in my head.
No test rides yet—but Maurice has snapped some sexy studio shots of the bike, and I’ve done my homework, with respect to the 2009 Top Fuel 9.8’s specifications and geometry:
Make: Trek
Model: Top Fuel 9.8
Model year: 2009
Type: Mountain
Wheel size: 26â€
Rear travel: 100mm
Frame material: OCLV Carbon
Suspension description: Full Floater rocker link with ABP
Rear shock: Fox Float RP23, custom “race tuned” w/3-position Pro Pedal
Fork: 100mm RockShox SID Race w/remote Pop Loc lever
Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite, carbon, 0mm rise, 31.8mm, 620mm width
Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset: Trek Mountain Integrated System w/sealed bearings
Bottom bracket: Shimano Deore XT
Crank: Shimano Deore XT 44/32/22
Pedals: none provided
Chain: Shimano HG-73
Saddle: Bontrager Race Lite w/hollow stainless steel rails
Seatpost : Bontrager XXX Lite mast system
Front hub: Bontrager Race X Lite Disc 28 spoke
Rear hub: Bontrager Race X Lite Disc 28 spoke
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT, high mount
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT “Shadow”
Shifters: Shimano Deore XT
Cassette: SRAM PG970 11-32, 9 speed
Brakes: Shimano Deore XT Ti hydraulic disc, custom Ti version; 180mm front rotor, 160mm rear rotor (Trek exclusive)
Rims: Bontrager Race X Lite Disc
Tires: Bontrager Jones XR w/Kevlar bead, tubeless ready, 26×2.25â€/2.2″ F/R, 127 tpi
Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 18.5 (under test), 19.5 and 21.5 inches
Colors: Black w/ white
Weight: 23.5lbs. (w/o pedals)
MSRP: $4,949.99
Company website: www.trekbikes.com
January 13th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
“Where does he get those wonderful toys?!”
January 13th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Just doin’ mah job, Phlat, just doin’ mah job.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I don’t want to be a negative nelly, but I find little to be desire of this bike. It’s suspension is nothing more than an over complicated faux bar and it’s definitely not made in the U.S. I would be stoked to be enlightened on why I would want such a steed.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Mooseknuckler, thanks for reading. I just got the bike. Read my report in the Dirt Rag in a few months, and I promise enlightenment.
January 20th, 2009 at 10:50 am
mooseknuckler, what do you mean it’s definitely not made in the U.S.? Everything that is made out of OCLV is indeed made in waterloo WI.
January 20th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Mooseknuckler, actually, yes… that bike, and ALL Trek OCLV Carbon bikes are made right here in Waterloo, WI. If I bring my camera with me to work tomorrow, I can walk out in the factory and show you rows of in-process Fuel EX or Top Fuel frames.
I’m also quite curious to hear about how this bike is an over-complicated faux bar.
If it’s to be compared to a 4-Bar or a Faux Bar bike, the comparison stops now. It’s a simpler, stiffer and more effective design that’s a considerable revolution in suspension technology.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Test road a 9.9 at weekend and it is a fantastic bike coping with the climbs and descent in muddy conditions really well. Rode a 19.5 and 18.5 but couldn’t decide which I preferred. I am 6ft tall what is your height? Lance Armstrong rode a 19.5 and is 5′10″. Also 9.9 SSL mentioned here http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=485452 is claimed to be 21.5lbs. I’m surprised a 9.8 is 2lbs heavier without pedals.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hey, CoticSoul, thanks for the comments. I’m a hair under 5′10″ and the 18.5 fits me like a glove. I don’t like to be tooooo stretched out (ymmv). I’d call it a good all-around trail riding position. Plenty of adjustability by removing stem spacers to lower the bars for a more racy position, if and as required.
I’m not surprised by the difference in weight between the 9.9 and 9.8 — considering the difference in fork, rear shock, dirvetrain and wheels, for instance. Trek dipped into their bag of trick to get the 9.9 geeked and tweaked. A 9.9 would be nice, but a bit too much bike for my talent level.
-Karl
January 31st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
[...] Karl RosengarthEver since first laying eyes on prototypes of Trek’s radically re-designed Top Fuel at last summer’s press camp, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the roll-out of the production models. That time has come, and I’ve got a new Top Fuel for review. More…. [...]
February 7th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I built my XL 2009 Top Fuel 9.8 Friday.
See link for pictures……. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=489743
A question. When you built it, which spacers did you use for the XT crank?
It is an awesome bike.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Hey, Ridefaster, the bike came assembled so I did not have to install the XT crank myself.
-Karl
February 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Okay, I e-mailed Trek so NBD. It is a FANTASTIC bike and a huge improvement over my previous bike. I love it! Rear suspension actually works, it is light, stiff and beautiful.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:12 am
[...] Part One [...]