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2021 Trek

Top Fuel 8 NX

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$3,499
Weight30.1 lbs  
FrameAluminum
SuspensionFull, 115 / 120mm
ForkRockShox Recon Gold RL
ShockFox Float DPS Performance
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetNX Eagle
BrakesSRAM Level T Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Top Fuel 8 NX
Other Crosscountry bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

25 mph

Top Fuel 8 NX

27 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews

Summary

The Trek Top Fuel is a versatile cross-country bike that has undergone significant redesigns to offer a more playful and capable ride. It features improved geometry, effective suspension, and internal storage, making it a strong contender in its category. While it excels in efficiency and handling, some reviews note its weight and component limitations as drawbacks.

Pros
  • Redesigned with a more playful trail-oriented stance

  • Effective suspension gives suppleness and support

  • Internal storage increases stability

  • Improved geometry for better all-round balance

  • Strong climbing performance

Cons
  • The robust frame means it’s heavier than its rivals

  • Bontrager XR3 tires generate poor traction

  • Knockblock isn't as well executed as other brand's versions

Key Quotes
This isn’t a minor revamp; almost every aspect of the Top Fuel has been tweaked in some way.
Beta logoBeta
The downcountry/XC-trail category is evolving
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
Despite its meagre 120mm of travel, the new Trek Top Fuel can be rallied harder than the numbers suggest.
MBR logoMBR

Feedback?

View all reviews

NSMB
Trek Top Fuel Review

Jul 2022

This Trek Top Fuel review has it all: Speed, sustainability, shifting mindsets, and thoughts on the new breed of short travel trail bikes.

Highs
  • Efficient climber

  • Rewards punchy efforts and sit-and-spin periods equally well

  • Suspension remains active with good comfort and traction

  • Comes alive on undulating terrain

  • Solid chassis feel

  • Confidence-inspiring on descents

  • Handles random trail yanks well

  • Excellent on trails it was designed for

Lows
  • Higher bottom bracket and lower stack height noticeable on steep/rough terrain

  • Requires conscious effort to stay centered when steep and rough

  • Less confidence in very steep terrain compared to Spur and Tallboy

Read Review

Bike Perfect
Trek Top Fuel 8 review: a progressive rather than podiuming XC machine

Mar 2022 · Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Top Fuel delivers superlative short-travel suspension performance but it’s definitely a trail bike not an XC bike

Highs
  • Infectiously agile and playful vibe

  • Superlative suspension feel

  • Seriously tight tracking frame

  • Trail tough kit

  • Internal storage

Lows
  • Too heavy for XC racing

  • Simple fork damper

  • Tight internal storage access

  • Yawning gap between this and the Supercaliber

Read Review

BikeRadar
Trek Top Fuel 8 review

Dec 2021 · Will Soffe

Impressively playful characteristics, progressive geometry and solid build, despite lacking the outright pace of XC-derived competitors

Highs
  • Effective suspension gives suppleness and support

  • Confidence-inspiring geometry beyond XC-derived counterparts

  • A riotous blend of capability and playfulness

Lows
  • The robust frame means it’s heavier than its rivals

  • A flexy fork is the only weak spot in a bullet-proof build

Read Review

Pinkbike
Field Test Review: 2022 Trek Top Fuel - Same Name, Different Bike

Dec 2021 · Henry Quinney

For a bike that is so capable on the descents, though, the Top Fuel still packs a mighty punch when it comes to gaining elevation..

Highs
  • Great suspension performance

  • Frame storage

  • Strong climbing performance

Lows
  • Knockblock isn't as well executed as other brand's versions

  • Works well when pushing hard, but might not be the most comfortable for all

Read Review

Beta
Trek Introduces the New Top Fuel

Oct 2021 · Ryan "Squirrel" LaBar

Adding fire to the Fuel

Read Review

MBR
Trek Top Fuel 8 review: brings in-frame storage to aluminium bikes - MBR

Oct 2021 · Danny Milner

New Trek Top Fuel 8 is a short travel - 120mm travel front and rear - down-country trail bike with internal frame storage for both alloy and carbon models.

Highs
  • Sublime suspension, playful handling, fantastic size range, internal storage

Lows
  • Not particularly light for the intended use, inconsistent Shimano brakes on our test bike

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
2022 Trek Top Fuel Review | All-new frame & geometry, with a whole new attitude

Oct 2021

The Trek Top Fuel has been overhauled for 2022, receiving an all-new frame with integrated storage, plus key updates to the suspension design and geometry. So how does it ride on the trail? And will everyone be pleased with all the changes? Read on for our Trek Top Fuel review.

Highs
  • Brilliant trail-ripping geometry

  • Active and supportive suspension

  • Masses of cornering grip & stability

  • Refined and practical frame design

  • Downtube storage is a welcome addition

Lows
  • Dropper post is sluggish

  • Wheels are solid but quite heavy

  • Carbon bars are harsh

  • Heavier than many of its competitors

Read Review

Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Trek Top Fuel 9.9 X01 2021 in review - From XC-racer to our trail bike group test

Jun 2021 · Peter Walker

The Top Fuel 9.9 flies through singletrack and rips descents, but it really shines when pushed to its full potential during gruelling endurance races.” That's what Trek say about the Fuel 9.9 X01, but how did it fare against its bigger brother, the Fuel EX, in our test?

Highs
  • Accelerates willingly

  • Easy, intuitive handling

Lows
  • Bontrager XR3 tires generate poor traction

  • Remote cluster in the cockpit area is confusing

  • Odd-looking spacer tower

  • No Trek storage compartment

  • Very few advantages over the Fuel EX, which suits a much wider range of applications

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

alloy frame

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Tire Clearance2.4"

ColorsSatin Trek Black; Volt / Dark Aquatic

Fork

RockShox Recon Gold RL, Solo Air spring, Motion Control damper, tapered steerer, 42 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 120 mm travel

Travel120mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Fox Performance Float, 2-position DPS damper, Bontrager DropLock remote, 190x45mm; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Fox Performance Float, 2-position DPS damper, TwistLoc remote, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 190x45 mm

Travel115mm

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB, 92 mm, PressFit

Headset

Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Stem

Size: S, M, M/L, Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 60 mm length; Size: L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 70 mm length

Handlebar

Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy, 31.8 mm, 15 mm rise, 750 mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138 mm width

Seatpost

Size: S, Bontrager Line Dropper, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 345 mm length; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 440mm length

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM NX Eagle

Crank

Size: S, SRAM NX Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost, 170 mm length; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, SRAM NX Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost, 175 mm length

Shifters

SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed

Cassette

SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 11-50, 12 speed

Chain

SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed

Brakes

SRAM Level T hydraulic disc

TypeSRAM Level T Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Kovee, double-wall, Tubeless Ready, 28-hole, 23 mm width, Presta valve

Front Hub

Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle

Tires

Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.40"

Disc Rotors

Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round-edge, 160 mm; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 180 mm

Rider Notes
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First added June 23

Last updated April 22

Not listed for 1,133 days