What’s the best mountain bike for you? If you’re trying to decide wether you should get a trail bike or enduro bike, OR more specifically wether you should get the Trek Fuel EX or Trek Slash. Then you have a few questions to answer:
What’s the difference between these two bikes?
and
Which bike is right for you?
If you take a look at these bikes on Treks website they look pretty much identical. So we’re gonna talk a little bit about some of those similarities, but we’re also gonna talk about one HUGE difference between the Fuel EX and Slash. We will go over my experience owning and riding both of these bikes. By the end of this video we will have you set to get the full suspension that’s right for you.
Trek Fuel EX trail bike versus Trek Slash enduro let’s get into it!!!!
Similarities:
These bikes look almost identical on the website, and even in person I find myself checking the top tube to see if it’s a Fuel EX or Slash
Same frame design,
Same Suspension layout,
29” wheels,
down-tube storage,
Alloy and carbon options
Slash slightly more expensive, but what do you get for those extra bucks and what’s the difference between these two bikes?
Differences:
Small geometry changes
Slash longer slacker bike more downhill focused bike.
coil conversion,
more down-tube protection,
You’ll also notice some component differences on the slash like bigger 4 piston brakes, and beefier tires
There’s also a weight difference with the Fuel EX in the mid to high 20lb range and the Slash I’m the mid 30 lb range. Depending on what parts you put on each bike. The Fuel EX is also a little cheaper wether your buying the base model of fully loaded 9.9, so that’s something to consider.
But the BIGGEST difference,,, and the one thing that‘s really the tipping point for which bike is right for you and the type of riding you do!
Is the amount of suspension travel and overall suspension design of each one of these bikes. So let’s talk about the suspension a bit and my experience owning and riding each one of these bikes…
Fuel EX - 130/140
Max 150mm fork, which we will talk about more in a bit
But this bike is definitely in the Trail bike category
Usually spec’d with a 34mm fork like a Fox 34 variant or Rockshox brand fork
Now the Slash on is a 160/170
Enduro bike
max 180 fork
super enduro/downhill bike range
The Slash is usually going to come with the biggest beefiest single crown fork like a Rockshox ZEB or like the Fox 38 I have on my Slash 9.7. When I purchased the Fuel EX, I was looking for a versatile full suspension mountain bike capable of handling if every trail on my local mountains, looking for one mountain bike that does it all and I heard such good things about the Fuel EX. It was also a little cheaper than the Slash and fit my budget at the time.
But after riding this bike and really starting to push my riding towards hitting bigger drops, jumps and steeper gnarlier trails. That 130 rear travel with a lightweight shock and the 34m 140 fork were holding me back.
So I chose the Slash
But which bike is right for you?
Are you the type of ride that:
Definitely pushing beyond what and XC bike can handle.
Riding every trail on the mountain.
Want to the most efficient pedaled to climb back up and do it again.
And you you only ride the steepest, gniest trails every once in a while.
Or maybe you’re just getting into writing you’re not quite sure how far you want to push your limits and you’re OK upgrading at a later time to a bigger travel bike.
Fuel EX is right for you.
Are you the type of rider that:
Is always in search of the biggest drops
Gnarly black diamond trails
Bike park laps
And are rarely concerned with how light a bike is or how fast you can pedal back to the top
Get the Trek Slash.
Now for those stuck somewhere inbetween…
Maybe you know you want a 29er but not sure if you need the full 160/170 Slash travel.
Fuel EX with 150mm fork “All Mountain Bike”
But leave a comment below and let me know what you guys think, and if you’ve made it this far smash that like button. But most importantly check out that next video.
Get stoked! Go ride! Have fun!
