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Dirt Rag Articles
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Perhaps you saw the photo gallery I uploaded from a media trip I took to Crested Butte, Colorado to see the new offerings from Trek, Gary Fisher and Bontrager. Maybe you had the same criticism as Zap, Trek's brand manager and former Mountain Bike Magazine Editor: "Great. Just curious if there will be any actual Trek coverage."
Well I'm here to say that my close-up photography skills are honed much more poorly than my scenic shots, so I've been waiting to receive the CD of images by Sterling Lorence that highlight the new bikes from Trek and Fisher, which is now uploaded and ready for viewing.
Since there's a lot to cover here, I'm going to break it down by brand and product. I'll try to make it easy for you to pick out what you like and what you want to read about, and provide links to close up shots of the interesting stuff. Bear with me. As I said there's a lot to cover.
R1 Theory.
There's a new buzz word at Trek, and the very sound of it screams "race." R1 is the term applied to the suspension tuning that's been going on behind closed doors at the Wisconsin headquarters. Behind R1 stands the idea that each category of bike requires specific leverage ratios, axle paths and geometries. The two categories of bikes I was presented with include XC Race and Trail.
Top Fuel: XC Race
In the XC Race category, the Top Fuel has reigned supreme in Trek's lineup for the past six years. This is the first victim of a total redesign, which now includes a lower-priced Top Fuel to bring the entire lineup to five models (Top Fuel 7, 8, 9.8, 9.9 and the no-holds barred SL), ranging in price from $1600 to $6500.
Since R1 is the theme for '07, I'll break it down according to the R1 theory of Link, Pivot and Geometry:
- Rocker Link: the specific leverage ratio for the 90mm travel is 2.37: 1. That means that for every inch of shock stroke, the wheel is moving 2.37 inches. While there's no industry benchmark to compare with, generally, the lower the number, the more active the feel. However, Trek's engineers worked closely with Fox and Manitou to realize that air shocks can have too low of a ratio. According to their findings, 2.37:1 is just the right balance.
- Pivot Location: While the main pivot location doesn't change, the pivot itself is the subject of change—bearings, not bushings allow an easier compression and a more active feel. By moving the bearings 14mm further out, the wider stance allows for a stiffer ride and less wear from lateral stress.
- Geometry: Straight up 70/72.5 degrees, built to accommodate either 80 or 100mm of front travel.
Outside of the R1 theory are a number of significant changes, including the rear triangle. The "Hi-Lo" asymmetrical design achieves some astounding feats, including a reported 200 gram weight reduction from last year and the ability to run 2.35" tires. And since Top Fuel is a race bike and many racers are reportedly not satisfied with the high Q-factor associated with the current trend of outboard bearing bottom brackets, Trek has designed the triangle for use with Bontrager still-in-the-works new 2-ring crankset. Think closely about that concept, and you'll realize that sliding a larger chainring closer to the bottom bracket demands tighter clearance at the chainstay--a significant design challenge indeed. For now, racers will have to live with the 3-ring setup, with chainrings brought to you by Stronglight.
Speaking of significant design challenges, imagine all of the above in a sub-20lb. package. Starting with a sub-5lb. frame and shock, the Top Fuel SL is the racer's dream.
Fuel EX: Trail Bike
On to the category of the Trail Bike--the category that's continually refined as shock technology progresses and designers get accustomed to working within the ever-changing boundaries of damping options. This year's Fuel EX Trail Bike from Trek retains the same name as years past, but gets an increase in rear travel from 100 to 120mm (except the Fuel EX 5 and 6 aluminum models, which maintain 100mm). The EX series also follows the R1 design mantra, so let's take a look at this '07 modifications in the same systematic way:
- Rocker Link: The Fuel EX has a slightly higher leverage ratio of 2.4:1 for its 120mm of rear wheel travel.
- Pivot Location: The EX's pivot location maintains its centering close to the middle chainring, and like the Top Fuel, also gets a wider stance cartridge bearing to keep the Hi-Low chainstay laterally stiff.
- Geometry: All models are built around the new, slacker 69.5 degree head angle. Given the tendency for longer travel bikes to be ridden at higher speeds downhill, the slacker angle makes sense to anyone in the market for a 120mm travel bike. Also notable is the 72 degree seat tube angle, 13.4" bottom bracket height and 17" chainstays.
Described in the above manner, the EX may not seem like an exciting bike, but I can see how many a journalist and enthusiast will get excited when matched up with an EX 9.5 OCLV 110 frame that weighs in at 25lbs. complete. Not to mention that Trek's carbon bikes still offer lifetime warranties without rider weight limits that are all made here in the United States... well, that's something to write home about.
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