TREK has released its new Top Fuel – the fourth generation. Unlike other big brands that have redesigned their short-to-mid-travel models, TREK has just refined the Top Fuel. Here a closer look at the five primary improvements.
At 120mm rear and 130mm front with 66.5-degree headtube angle and 29-inch wheels, the Top Fuel sits neatly between TREK’s racy Supercaliber and Enduro-suited Fuel EX. The Top Fuel is designed to cover distance with comfort and control and is among the favourite models in the endurance-hungry South African mountain bike scene.
There are a total of eight models in the new Top Fuel line-up – three aluminium and five carbon, ranging from the Top Fuel 5 to the Top Fuel 9.9 XX AXS.
The TREK Top Fuel 9.8 has ‘allrounder’ firmly in its DNA. The handling is simply superb on all surfaces, it climbs comfortably and it descends with supreme confidence and control. It’s ideal for the rider that likes to race, but loves to ride – everything.
That was our summary after test-riding the current version of the Top Fuel in 2020. We were seriously impressed. It felt ahead of its time. The engineers at TREK took their time to examine just what could be refined. Using the latest technology and current riding trends, they made some tweaks and this is what’s new on the updated TREK Top Fuel.
IT’S LIGHTER
Both the aluminium and carbon frames are 220g lighter than the previous generation.
IT’S MORE ADUSTABLE
The new version retains the High/Low Mino Link flip chip to adjust the geometry, but this has been embellished with a Fore/Aft position too, which adjusts the suspension leverage rate. You have essentially four positions now.
1 Low Geo + Less Progressive
2 High Geo + Less Progressive
3 Low Geo + More Progressive
4 High Geo + More Progressive
IT HAS BETTER SIZE-SPECIFIC HANDLING
The fourth generation TREK Top Fuel comes with frame-size-specific chainstays. This keeps the rider more centred between the wheels, offering shorter riders better maneuverability and taller riders better front-wheel control. All sizes previously had 435mm chainstays. Now, Small and Medium have 435mm, Medium/Large and Large have 440mm and Extra Large has 445mm.
IT’S GOT BETTER FRAME STORAGE
The downtube frame storage feature has been updated. The storeage compartment is slightly larger and has better weather sealing. It comes with a padded tool bag (the carbon frames come with an additional unpadded bag to hold a tube).
IT’S ADAPTABLE (WHEELS & SUSPENSION)
The new TREK Top Fuel is compatible with up to a 140mm fork (comes with a 130mm) as well as a 130mm rear shock (comes with a 120mm). With a 140mm fork and the Mino Link set to High, it can accommodate a 27.5-inch rear wheel for a mullet set-up.
There will be three models of the new TREK Top Fuel available in South Africa and arriving in August 2024:
Top Fuel 5 – R55 000
Top Fuel 8 – R75 000
Top Fuel 9.8 – R125 000
For more on the new TREK Top Fuel, click here.
