Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL Review
“I can’t, I’m not allowed, I shouldn’t…” – seriously, this is old news. The change is too risky, the route too hard, the political correctness too correct. For issue #18 we threw all those concerns overboard and got hold of the absolute sickest bikes money can (not) buy. We at ENDURO are convinced: Dreams can come true!
This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.
Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL
Once on the Trek Top Fuel, all you want to do is ride the sh*t out of it. From the first turn of the cranks, the bikes gives that race feel, the red mist descends and all you’re doing is sprinting full gas, grinning like a maniac. A gentle warm up? Nah, forget about it.
The four walls of our office have never welcomed such a fast and uncompromising XC rocket as the brand-new Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL. Whether the two figures in its name refer to the weight, we’re not sure, but it appears to coincide with the scales. With a frame size of 19.5″, it comes up as a tidy 9.9kg. Damn light!
While the airy weight is achieved through their well-considered selection of only the best parts around, Trek have also ensured that these share a common look. Said look is enhanced by the presence of the sexy DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline wheels, the Shimano XTR drivetrain, and the lightweight Bontrager carbon parts. The RockShox 100mm suspension comprises an RS-1 fork and Monarch XX rear shock, both of which can be locked-out from the bars – simultaneously, we should add, giving you the sense of reaching the top of a rollercoaster, perched on the edge ready for the drop. There’s only one direction the Trek wants to take you, and that’s forwards! Every single watt exerted through the carbon soles of your lightweight XC shoes is transferred instantly through the pedals, and we’ve never had as much fun on ascents as on this bike, unable to wipe the smug grins from our faces.
With every up comes a down, and the Trek’s lightweight and powerful nature has a downside, which takes the form of braking traction – or rather, lack of. If you’re used to grippy tyres and 180 mm disc brakes, then you’ll be dismayed as you try to decelerate with the XTR brakes before a hairpin. But perhaps that’s fair, after all – isn’t braking cheating? The fact of the matter is, when you combine all of the SL’s strengths with a permanently extended saddle, you just want to log lots of miles with lots of climbing, and the trails keep calling.
Details
Specification: Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL
- Fork: RockShox RS-I Solo Air 100 mm
- Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch XX Full Sprint 100 mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
- Cranks: RaceFace Next SL
- Brakes: Shimano XTR
- Seatpost: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
- Stem: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
- Handlebar: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
- Tyres: Bontrager XRI Team Issue
- Wheelsize: 29″
- Wheels: DT Swiss XCM 1200 Spline
- Price: € 8,999
Strengths
- Very powerful.
- Super lightweight.
- Ultra chic.
Weaknesses
- Weak brakes.
Conclusion
Much like a Ferrari, the Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL knows what speed is, giving a whole new definition to the term power. Anyone with their sights set on crushing some dreams in a MTB marathon should definitely get their hands on this racing machine. However, it works just as well on post-work jaunts when your lungs are screaming and the sweat is dripping.
For more information on the Trek Top Fuel visit the Trek website.
Check out the other dream bikes from this feature here: Bold Linkin Trail Race Day 29 Custom | Canyon Spectral CF Custom | Ghost PathRiot LC 10 | Focus SAM C Team | Mondraker Dune Carbon XR | Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus
This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.
Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer