Hey Everyone, after more than 10 years I am getting back into mtb. A friend of mine is selling second hand bikes and the ones that i am currently eyeing are the Trek Fuel ex 8 xt 2023 gen 5 and the Trek Slash 9.7 2020. I am leaning on the Slash altough a bit older because of the more travel and carbon, on the other side the Fuel Ex has better components overral. I rode a specialized status 160 with 160mm on the front at a bike park and loved the bigger travel but on the other side I don't have much of dowmhill around me more like enduro trails. What are your thoughts and whay do you guys think I should go with? P.S. The price is the same. I am leaving pictures of both bikes.
by Winter_Editor_6461
3 Comments
Also the Fuel Ex is L in size and the Slash is XL. I am 1.85cm or 6.08 in ft. Do you think it would be too big for me?
I can’t answer the sizing question definitively .. comfort is always key but you just have to ride them and see on that. However I’m also 6’ and a large is perfect for me.
I tried a slash and although I love the concept, it was terrible at climbing. Too heavy and wrong geometry. I get away with a lot less suspension travel because I’m a lighter build guy though.
I am 5’8” and have a 2022 Fuel EX in a M. I just purchased a 2023 Slash 9.7 in M. The Fuel felt slightly crowded, the slash fits perfect. In my experience I would buy Trail bikes with less slack head tubes and seat stays a size bigger than an enduro. But this is just how I feel after my shakedown ride on my Slash last night.