Trek Top Fuel 7 Review
- Price: $3,529
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 29″Aluminum
- Gear: 1 x 12
What we like about it: excellent carbon fiber frame coupled with great components for excellent all-around performance.
What we didn’t like about it: the 120mm of damping travel front and rear is difficult to navigate for some drop platforms.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Trek Fuel EX 9.7 is a full-suspension mountain bike that combines the speed and enthusiasm of a trail bike. It excels in efficiency during climbs and sprints, yet it remains reliable when you want to take on intense descents.
In the following sections, we’ll analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Trek Top Fuel 7. In the latter part of this article, we’ve also compared several bikes. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, be sure to follow us.
Riding Experience
The Trek Top Fuel 7 indeed boasts an elegant frame design, and its striking appearance can certainly capture the attention of many riders. But this bike is not just about looks; its sturdy and durable frame, along with reliable components, ensures that it meets the riding needs of many cyclists.
For this, I took the Trek Top Fuel 7 to Wayne National Forest in Ohio, having booked a nearby hotel through IHG in advance. The riding route was composed of a variety of intricate trails, featuring both rocky ascents and winding descents with loose gravel and exposed tree roots.
Climbing
While climbing with the Trek Top Fuel 7, the excellent frame suspension design reduced the pedal feedback, providing a smooth uphill ride. As the slope got steeper, my pedaling gradually became more strenuous. So, I adjusted the Shimano drivetrain, which offers a rich 1×12 gear range, quickly and precisely to the largest freewheels. This instantly made my pedaling lighter, allowing me to maintain an effortless pace on challenging climbs.
The dropper post’s design allowed me to maintain a stable riding position, enhancing climbing efficiency. Combined with the excellent geometry, my pedaling felt direct and crisp, allowing me to maintain a faster climbing speed.
Descending
During descents, the Trek Top Fuel 7’s RockShox 35 Gold RL front fork and Fox Performance Float DPS rear shock provide a front and rear suspension travel of 120mm. While not as extreme as downhill bikes, this setup is more than capable of handling all types of terrain on these woodland trails. I easily navigated the rough patches with gravel and exposed tree roots, maintaining a stable descent.
On long downhill sections, the RockShox 35 Gold RL front fork displayed excellent initial sensitivity, absorbing all road vibrations during rapid descents. Coupled with the 29-inch large wheels’ strong traction, I could maintain a sufficiently high speed.
Approaching winding trails, the Shimano MT410 hydraulic disc brakes offered a light and precise braking operation. The braking process was also sufficiently linear, allowing me to quickly reduce my speed. This made cornering on the trails safer and more stable.
Specifications
The Trek Top Fuel 7 comes in 5 sizes of carbon fiber frames, suitable for riders with heights ranging from 5’1″ to 6’5″. It caters to almost all rider heights.
The RockShox 35 Gold RL front fork and Fox Performance Float DPS rear shock provide 120mm of front and rear suspension travel, absorbing road vibrations during rides, and enhancing comfort.
The Shimano drivetrain offers smooth gear shifting, with responsive and precise gear changes, and ensures high transmission efficiency.
Similarly, the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide all-weather braking capabilities, delivering reliable braking performance even in adverse conditions, and ensuring rider safety.
Video
Other Versions
The Trek Top Fuel 7 is an outstanding full-suspension trail bike, featuring a sturdy aluminum frame and reliable components. However, for riders with a more generous budget, we offer other versions of this bike. These versions come with high-end carbon fiber frames and top-tier components, providing an enhanced riding experience.
Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XTR
The Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XTR utilizes a lightweight and sturdy carbon fiber frame. It incorporates a Fox Factory Float 34 front fork and Fox Factory Float DPS rear shock for superior suspension support. The front fork offers longer travel to handle more aggressive riding.
The Shimano XTR M9100 top-tier components provide silky-smooth gear shifting, with rapid and precise gear changes, all while keeping the weight impressively light.
The Shimano XTR top-tier hydraulic disc brakes offer high-efficiency braking capabilities, delivering reliability and stability even in adverse conditions.
Furthermore, this bike features front and rear suspension travel of 140mm and 130mm, respectively. It uses RockShox shocks, which excel in initial sensitivity, maintaining bike stability on continuous bumpy terrain.
In conclusion, the Trek Fuel EX 5 Deore full-suspension mountain bike offers reliable performance at a reasonable price.
What do we like about it?
- Shimano four-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable braking performance in all conditions.
- Shimano transmission system offers a smooth shifting experience with rapid and precise responses.
- Frame protection features reduce frame damage in challenging riding environments.
- The dropper post design allows for easy adjustment of the center of gravity during rides.
- Internal storage space at the downtube allows for carrying more supplies during rides.
- Internal cable routing provides a clean and tidy appearance and easy maintenance.
What don’t we like about it?
- The 120mm front and rear suspension travel may be challenging on some drop-offs.
FAQ
- What is the difference between Trek Fuel and Trek Top Fuel?
Trek Fuel EX comes with 27.5-inch wheels, while Top Fuel features 29-inch wheels. Each wheel size has its advantages and disadvantages, but it’s ultimately your decision to choose the one that suits your riding style best.
- What type of rider is this bike suitable for?
It’s a fast short-travel 29er trail bike, ideal for riders who enjoy stability on both climbs and descents in hilly terrains.
- How do I choose the right size?
We provide a size chart here, but the best way to find the right size is to test ride the bike.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″ – 5’5″ | S |
| 5’5″ – 5’9″ | M |
| 5’8″ – 5’11” | M/L |
| 5’10” – 6’2″ | L |
| 6’2″ – 6’5″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | aluminum frameBB Standard: BSA, 73mm, ThreadedTire Clearance: 2.5″Colors: Matte Dnister Black; Matte Olivegrey |
| Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 120mm travel |
| Rear Shock | Fox Performance Float DPS, 3-position damper, 185mm x 50mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Shimano BB-MT501 BSA; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Shimano SM-BB52, 73mm, threaded external bearing |
| Headset | Knock Block 2.0 Integrated, 72-degree radius (includes infinite-radius chip), sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8” top, 1.5” bottom |
| Stem | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 50mm length |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width |
| Seatpost | Size: S, TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 100mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm, 346mm length; Size: M, M/L, TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 150mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm, 454mm length; Size: L, XL, TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 170mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm, 497mm length M, M/L, TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 150mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm, 454mm length; Size: L, XL, TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 170mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm, 497mm length |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage |
| Crank | Size: S, M, M/L, L, Shimano Deore M6120, 30T ring, 55mm chainline, 170mm length; Size: XL, Shimano Deore M6120, 30T ring, 55mm chainline, 175mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51, 12 speed |
| Chain | Shimano Deore M6100, 12 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT410 caliper |
Wheels
| Rims | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
| Front Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
| Rear Hub | Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Rapid Drive 108, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle; Size: S, M, M/L, L , XL, Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
| Tires | Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120tpi, 29.x2.40” |
| Disk Rotors | Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Shimano RT56, 6-bolt, 180mm; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Shimano RT56, 6-bolt, 160mm |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Travel | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Marin Rift Zone 29″ Carbon 1 | Click View | 125mm rear, 130mm front | Carbon | TRP Slate Evo | 1 × 12 |
| Canyon Spectral 125 AL 6 | Click View | 125mm rear, 140mm front | Aluminum | Shimano SLX 4-piston | 1 × 12 |
| Santa Cruz CHAMELEON R / AL / MX | Click View | 130mm front | Aluminum | SRAM Guide T | 1 × 12 |
| Niner JET 9 RDO 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE | Click View | 120mm rear, 130mm front | Carbon | SRAM LEVEL | 1 × 12 |
Trek Top Fuel 7 vs. Marin Rift Zone 29″ Carbon 1
In comparison between these two bikes, the latter boasts a lightweight carbon fiber frame, providing a more agile feeling during rides.
Regarding the suspension systems, both of these bikes offer similar suspension travel. However, the former, equipped with RockShox suspension, exhibits better initial sensitivity, resulting in a smoother ride on continuous bumpy terrain. The latter, featuring a Marzocchi front fork, provides superior support and can handle more aggressive riding.
In terms of drivetrain components, both of these bikes use Shimano drivetrain components. However, the former features a higher-grade selection of drivetrain components, delivering better performance and responsiveness.
In the end, these two full-suspension mountain bikes each have their advantages. The former offers more reliable components, while the latter’s carbon fiber frame is notably lighter.
Learn More: Is Marin Rift Zone 29″ 2 Perfect Selection? – [Marin Rift Zone 29″ 2 Review]
Trek Top Fuel 7 vs. Canyon Spectral 125 AL 6
Both of them utilize aluminum alloy frames. In terms of the suspension components, the latter has a longer travel, coupled with the robust support of Fox suspension components, making this bike capable of handling more intense downhill riding. On the other hand, the former, equipped with RockShox components, exhibits better initial sensitivity and a shorter suspension travel, which makes it easier for climbing and offers greater stability on continuously bumpy terrain.
Regarding the drivetrain components, the former features a mixed Shimano setup, which can be more efficient in certain performance aspects compared to the Shimano components of the latter. In the brake department, the latter boasts higher-grade hydraulic disc brake components, resulting in superior braking performance.
So, when comparing these two bikes, the latter indeed offers better overall performance and value for the money, making it a worthwhile choice.
Learn More: Is Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Worth Buying? [Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Review]
Trek Top Fuel 7 vs. Santa Cruz CHAMELEON R / AL / MX
The latter’s hardtail design gives it an advantage in climbing, allowing for faster speeds. However, in downhill riding, the former’s full-suspension design enables it to absorb all road vibrations, resulting in greater stability.
In terms of drivetrain components, the former’s Shimano setup offers smoother and more refined gear shifting. The latter, equipped with SRAM drivetrain components, delivers crisp and straightforward gear changes.
Both of these bikes feature reliable hydraulic disc brakes. However, the former’s Shimano brake components provide a more linear braking operation, while the latter’s SRAM brake components offer a more direct and forceful braking experience.
In summary, if you’re looking for better downhill riding capabilities, the Trek Top Fuel 7 is the superior choice. On the other hand, the Santa Cruz CHAMELEON R / AL / MX excels in climbing ability.
Learn More: Is Santa Cruz CHAMELEON A Good Bike? [2022 Santa Cruz CHAMELEON Review]
Trek Top Fuel 7 vs. Niner JET 9 RDO 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE
These two full-suspension trail bikes, the latter, employ a carbon fiber frame, which results in a lighter weight.
In terms of drivetrain components, the former’s Shimano setup offers a smoother and lightweight operation. The latter, equipped with SRAM drivetrain components, delivers crisper and more direct gear changes. Both of these drivetrains are reliable and trustworthy.
Regarding the suspension, both of these bikes offer similar suspension travel. However, the former, with its RockShox suspension front fork, exhibits better initial sensitivity, making it more helpful for trail riding. The latter, equipped with a Fox suspension front fork, provides superior support, offering an advantage on rougher terrain.
In conclusion, both of these bikes are excellent and dependable. The choice can be made based on your specific needs and preferences.
Learn More: Is Niner JET 9 RDO 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE a Good Choice? -[Niner JET 9 RDO 2-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE Review]
Summary
Above is my review of the Trek Top Fuel 7. In our opinion, it’s an excellent full-suspension trail bike with a sturdy frame, reliable components, and a price that makes it suitable for many riders. That’s why we gave it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in other full-suspension trail bikes, we also review a variety of bikes at different price points, all of which are equally interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
Lastly, if you enjoy our content, please consider sharing it with your friends. If our content has been helpful to you, you can subscribe to our newsletter by clicking the button below. Thanks for your support!
