I say this as a Trek fan and someone who has owned the now 2 gens past Top Fuel (120/115 one) but I can't fathom why you would buy this over either the Specialized Epic 8 Expert -- exact same price, but with carbon hoops, a little more XC with SID suspension OR the Rocky Mountain C70 Element which also comes with carbon hoops but the same pike/burlier suspension.
As a brand that makes in-house components and can compete at the scale game as well as anyone taking the carbon hoops off of the 9.8 is a huge bummer to me.
And this thing still can't carry 2 bottles. I'm sure it's a great riding bike but I just can't figure out why you'd choose it over all the other competitive, better spec'ed options unless you get a deal on Trek.
July 12, 2024, 9:28 a.m. - Hunter Garrison
I say this as a Trek fan and someone who has owned the now 2 gens past Top Fuel (120/115 one) but I can't fathom why you would buy this over either the Specialized Epic 8 Expert -- exact same price, but with carbon hoops, a little more XC with SID suspension OR the Rocky Mountain C70 Element which also comes with carbon hoops but the same pike/burlier suspension. As a brand that makes in-house components and can compete at the scale game as well as anyone taking the carbon hoops off of the 9.8 is a huge bummer to me. And this thing still can't carry 2 bottles. I'm sure it's a great riding bike but I just can't figure out why you'd choose it over all the other competitive, better spec'ed options unless you get a deal on Trek.