Top Fuel 8
A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
€4,499($4,943)Weight | 32.7 lbs |
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Frame | Aluminum |
Suspension | Full, 120 / 130mm |
Fork | RockShox Pike RC |
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate |
Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
Groupset | XT, Deore |
Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Seatpost | Dropper |
For This Bike
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Top Fuel model range
View ComparisonJul 2023 · Alan Muldoon
Think Top Fuel, and the image of a XC race bike instantly springs to mind. But like a faded polaroid tucked into the corner for a dusty picture frame, it’s not an accurate representation of the current design. With the Fuel EX increasing in travel, the Top Fuel has been swept along in its backdraft and seen in high definition, it’s now a capable 29er trail bike with modern sizing and 120mm travel. Trek offers the new Top Fuel in carbon and alloy options, where the Top Fuel 8 tested here is the high-end alloy build. Regardless of frame material all Top Fuels come with integrated downtube storage. And while the quick release hatch under the bottle cage isn’t big enough to cram a three course lunch into the frame, there’s enough space for a tube, multi-tool, a few snacks and a lightweight jacket. Frame Trek always offers a comprehensive size range; and with frame options from S to XXL, with a tweener M/L option too, the Top Fuel 8 is no exception. It also has geometry adjustment, but rather than having Trek’s signature Mino Link on the seat stay pivot, the Top Fuel has a flip chip at the lower shock mount. In the low setting this gives a relatively tall 340mm BB height for a 120mm bike, which is probably the only carryover from its race-bike roots – designed to let you keep the cranks spinning, and the speed high at all times. Best down-country mountain-bike: short travel full-suspension The rest of the Top Fuel’s vital stats are on the money though, where a slack 65.6º head angle and steep 77.2º effective seat tube angle make it easy to hammer up the climbs and shred the descents. It’s built solid too, the complete bike tipping the scales at 14.89kg. It also comes with a combined rider and bike weight limit of 136kg (300lb) so it’s clearly no wet noodle. Yes, it’s not the lightest for a 120mm bike, and not far off what you’d expect for a 150mm bike, but that’s the price you pay for integrated storage, as the alloy down tube needs reinforcing when you cut a hole in it. Thankfully, the Top Fuel 8 rides light, as there’s less travel to pull through to get the bike off the ground, so it offers a different ride experience to modern long-travel trail bikes which tend to have one eye on enduro racing. Suspension There are no sag gradients on the 130mm travel RockShox Pike fork, which we assume is down to cost saving, but set-up is still really straightforward with a tape measure to hand. And while the Pike has a reputation for having a sporty, firmer tune, the basic RC version on the Trek felt smooth and composed in all situations. Yes, the RC damper has a very wide range of rebound adjustment, but there’s only a small range that’s actually usable, but it is enough to get the rebound just so; and that’s all …Continue reading »
Poppy, playful and efficient. Available in six frame sizes. Internal down tube storage. Mino Link flip chip allows geometry tweaks.
Needs a 180mm rear rotor. Accurate rear shock set up is crucial. A solid build so not the lightest in its class.
May 2022 · Tom Marvin
An absolute hoot to ride on all but the gnarliest tracks, a true trail bike even if on paper it doesn’t look it
Shrugs off limited travel figures on 95% of trails
Loves to twist and turn
Fast-rolling rubber helps keep speeds high
Fork can twang under heavier riders
You’re occasionally reminded of the 120mm travel
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.
Freedom of movement downhill
Firm and efficient rear suspension generates plenty of traction
Intuitive handling
Practical detail solutions and clean look
Very wide handlebars
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
Infectiously agile and playful vibe
Superlative suspension feel
Seriously tight tracking frame
Trail tough kit
Internal storage
Too heavy for XC racing
Simple fork damper
Tight internal storage access
Yawning gap between this and the Supercaliber
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..
Great suspension performance
Frame storage
Strong climbing performance
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
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.
Brilliant trail-ripping geometry
Active and supportive suspension
Masses of cornering grip & stability
Refined and practical frame design
Downtube storage is a welcome addition
Dropper post is sluggish
Wheels are solid but quite heavy
Carbon bars are harsh
Heavier than many of its competitors
Frame | alloy frame BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Tire Clearance: 2.5" Colors: Mercury; Matte Olive Grey |
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Fork | RockShox Pike, DebonAir spring, Rush RC damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 130 mm travel Travel: 130mm Spring Type: Air |
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT, 185 mm x 50 mm Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano BB-MT501 BSA |
Stem | Bontrager Elite, 35 mm, 0-degree, 45 mm length |
Handlebar | Size: S, Bontrager Line, alloy, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 750 mm width; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Line, alloy, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 780 mm width |
Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138 mm width |
Seatpost | Size: S, TranzX JD-YSP39, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 34.9 mm; Size: M, M/L, TranzX JD-YSP39, 150 mm travel, internal routing, 34.9 mm; Size: L, XL, XXL, TranzX JD-YSP39, 170 mm travel, internal routing, 34.9 mm Type: Dropper |
Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage |
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Crank | Size: S, M, M/L, L, Shimano Deore M6120, 30T ring, 55 mm chainline, 170 mm length; Size: XL, XXL, Shimano Deore M6120, 30T ring, 55 mm chainline, 175 mm length |
Shifters | Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed |
Cassette | Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51, 12-speed |
Chain | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed |
Brakes | SRAM DB 8 4-piston hydraulic disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
Rims | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless-Ready, 28-hole, Presta valve |
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Rear Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Rapid Drive 108, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle |
Tires | Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29 x 2.40''; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, 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 CentreLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 180 mm |
Last updated May 20
Not listed for 349 days