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2021 Trek

Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$7,199
Weight26.2 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 115 / 120mm
ForkRockShox SID Select+
ShockRockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 12 Electronic
GroupsetEagle AXS, GX Eagle AXS
BrakesSRAM G2 RS 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 9.8 GX AXS
Other Trail 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)

28 mph

Top Fuel 9.8 GX AXS

26 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?

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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

  • Active suspension with good traction

  • Confidence-inspiring descending chassis

  • Progressive rear kinematics

  • Excels on undulating terrain

  • Carries speed well on connector trails

  • Solid chassis feel

Lows
  • Higher bottom bracket and lower stack height reduce confidence in steep/rough terrain

  • Not as confidence-inspiring on steep descents as Transition Spur or Santa Cruz Tallboy

  • Less efficient pedaling platform compared to Spur

  • Heavier than Spur

Read Review

Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS – In our 2022 downcountry group test

Mar 2022 · Peter Walker

In our big 2022 downcountry group test, we pitted the Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS against 5 of the hottest bikes of the year. Read the full review to find out what it’s capable of and how it stacks up against the competition. Hit the link for the full review and a list with all other bikes in test.

Highs
  • Freedom of movement downhill

  • Firm and efficient rear suspension generates plenty of traction

  • Intuitive handling

  • Practical detail solutions and clean look

Lows
  • Very wide handlebars

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

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

Mountain Flyer
First Impressions: Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX

Oct 2020

My history of mountain biking started with a little wooden trike, with no pedals and wheels bigger than my head. I moved forward as any child does onto a bigger bike with bigger wheels and pedals. My parents always encouraged me to get outside and ride a bike, although I didn’t like the idea of mountain biking. I knew how to ride a bike; why go any further?

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Fork

RockShox SID Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2 RL damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 120 mm travel

Travel120mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Ultimate RL damper, 190 x 45 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 Kovee Pro, 35 mm, Knock Block, Blendr-compatible, 13-degree, 60 mm length; Size: L, XL, Bontrager Kovee Pro, 35 mm, Knock Block, Blendr-compatible, 13-degree, 70 mm length

Handlebar

Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35 mm, 15 mm rise, 750 mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Montrose Elite, titanium rails, 138 mm width

Seatpost

Size: S, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 340 mm length; Size: M, M/L, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 440 mm length; Size: L, XL, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 480 mm length

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle AXS

Crank

SRAM GX 7K Eagle, DUB, 32T alloy ring, Boost, 175 mm length

Shifters

SRAM GX Eagle AXS, 12 speed

Cassette

SRAM Eagle XG-1275, 10-52, 12-speed

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed

Brakes

SRAM G2 RS hydraulic disc

TypeSRAM G2 RS Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Kovee Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless-Ready

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, 29 x 2.40"

Disc Rotors

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

Rider Notes
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First added March 28

Last updated September 2

Not listed for 1,024 days