‘08 Trek Fuel EX 5.5 : A Preview
November 5th, 2007 by Arleigh Jenkins
There is a new bike on the ropes here at Blue Collar. Last week a brand new 2008 Trek Fuel EX 5.5 showed up at my local shop with my name on it. Thankfully since I work for the local shop I am able to build it myself & give a few how to’s along the way. In the back of my truck it went and we drove home to start the process. (Trek does not allow dealers to sell bikes that are no fully built by the bike shop. Please know since I am a mechanic at the shop and normally would be building this bike that this is the ONLY reason I was allowed to take the bike home not fully built.)
A general spec of the bike via TrekBikes.com
Frame Alpha Red Aluminum w/R1 Trail Tuned Suspension, Hi/Lo chainstays, oversized sealed bearings, 120mm rear wheel travel
Front Suspension RockShox Tora 289 U-Turn w/travel, rebound, 85-130mm
Rear Suspension Fox Float R w/rebound, custom tuned
Wheels Wheels Shimano M475 disc hubs; Bontrager Ranger rims
Tires Bontrager Jones XR, 26×2.2/2.25″; 27 tpi
Shifters SRAM X-5, 9 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-7
Crank Shimano M442 Octalink 44/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals Alloy platform w/clips and straps
Saddle Bontrager Race Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid BB-5, mechanical disc w/alloy levers; 185mm front, 160mm rear rotor
Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5″
The MSRP on this bike is $1369.99, while searching online I found them anywhere from $1050 to the MSRP price. Simply looking at the parts and not having ridden this bike yet it seems to be a good buy for a little over $1000. This suspension platform and the design of the bike is exactly what the top of the line Fuel EX 8 and 9 were last year. The parts are a bit different but it is last years award winning designs. We’ll see what riding it feels like.
A little background of what I will be comparing this to. Currently the full suspension in my stable is a Yeti 575. In the past I have either owned or ridden for a good period of time these bikes - ‘05 Santa Cruz Blur, ‘03 Trek Fuel 90, ‘07 Gary Fisher Hi Fi, ‘06 Cannondale Rush, ‘05 Litespeed Niota (Aluminum) and a ‘06 Maverick ML7.
Thanks to the guys at Trek I will have a new bike to test out for the next couple months. If all goes well it will be going to the Punk Bike Enduro in December for its ultimate muddy and crazy test.
The Fuel EX out of the box with some of the packaging still on it.
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I am curious about the weight of this rig! Looking forward to your impressions.
Hello,
I would like to know… what dealerships have the ex fuel 5.5 at $1050.00 I am interested in getting one. Thanks in advance for the information.
Alfe - I can’t find the site currently. I think it was on the forums of BikeForums. When they were first released there were a few dealers that sold them at $1050, now all I’m seeing is $1250-1300.
If I see something I’ll let you know!
William, I asked the same question to Trek Customer service, their reply was:
Thanks for your interest in Trek bikes. The 2008 Fuel EX 5.5 weighs 31.9
lbs in the 18.5” size, with the stock pedals. Depending on the size you
ride, your bike might weigh a bit more or less.
Look in the next week for a better first impressions. I also hope to find a fish scale to weigh in the bike.
Arleigh,
So what was the over all impression when riding them.
I plan no buy one next week. the exact model is Trek fuel EX5.5 E (not the model with the US suffix)
I like to ride XC, with light touchs of AM.
Would you recommend this bike?
Yonatan,
I wrote up a lengthy review if you look under trek fuel ex. I would recommend this bike for you totally. It’s a great bike if you are looking to dabble on all mountain. If you were more on the other end of the spectrum I might recommend something else.
If you have exact questions feel free to email me!
Arleigh,
I have a chance to get a 2006 Fuel EX 6 for $1000, a 2008 EX 5.5 for $1250, or a 2007 Woodstock 707 for $799. Money is not necessarily the biggest deal, but I am looking for the best overall bike. Which do you think is the best?
Tony,
In the EX line last years 6 and this years 5.5 are much different suspension platforms. The new 5.5 is what was top end technology last year.. so you will be getting a much better ride IMO than the 6 from last. The rear end has been completely vamped with the chainstays being stiffer, pivots being stronger and a much better shock. (Again my opinion.)
As for the Woodstock I can just look at the parts. I don’t know anything about these bikes nor have I heard anything about them on the East Coast. I can’t speak for how they ride or what research has gone into their frame design. The part spec looks good but it concerns me that it is an online only type of bike. If you feel confident putting it together and dealing with an online company with any warranty or issues go for it. If you are newer to cycling, build the relationship with your local dealer by purchasing one of the Trek’s through them.
Arleigh,
Thanks so much for the help. I’ll let you know what happens!
Hi Arleigh,
After contemplating price, components, and my usage of a bike, I actually decided to put a deposit on an’ 07 6700. Most of the components are the same as the ‘08, and for the ones that have been changed, a friend of mine said he liked the ‘07 setup a little better. Price my LBS is selling for is $900 since it’s last years model. Do you have any yeas or nays for this purchase? Thanks again!
PS: The ‘08 6500 is the same price at $900, so that’s an option, as is any other hardtail at less than $1,000.
Hey tony,
i check the specs tonight and reply!
hey, do you feel it is better to go with the 08 fuel ex 5.5 then last years 6? i’m a college student, so not much money to play with but am looking at getting a road bike too. i don’t really want to spend more then $2,000 altogether. But the 6 from last year would cost me around $1,000 which still gives me $1,000 for a decent road bike. but if going with the 08 5.5 is so much better then i might just have to go with it. i ride more of XC but want something that can take a pounding. thanks.
Tony -
My apologies my comment went to spam for some reason. There are so many GOOD hardtails under 1000, i think any from the major brands are going to suit you well.
Craig -
Go with this years 5.5, the suspension is much better, the bike is much stiffer and its over all a better feeling bike.
See if your local shop will give you a deal on a Trek 1000 and a 5.5 or something comparable in the $600 road bike field.
To me road bikes don’t get decent until $1300 due to parts and shimano charging more now.
Hi Arleigh,
No problem with the comment going to spam. I just wanted to be sure there were no major differences between this year’s and last year’s in the frame and suspension, like there seem to be with the Fuel EX line. Thanks again!
Tony
there is a huge different in frame design and suspension between 08, 07 and 06.
basically the trickle factor has effected the EX line faster than most. What was last years top of the line is now the 5.5 & 6 of this year. Same goes from the year before. I haven’t gotten a chance to ride this years top of the line, I’ve heard all the speeches and tutorials about the new active pivot but I’m not sold on it until I ride it.
Personally I wouldn’t buy last years entry level EX line, or two years ago (2006) top of the line. As a mechanic I have fixed many of those bikes and also the newer design (last years top end and this years entry level) is very well loved across riders.
do you feel that a gf mullet would be a bad bike? i know it have a DJ3 not bad and the frame is suppose to be bomb proof. but does that ever work as a XC bike/ dirt jumper. the trails i ride have a lot of roots and that’s why i was thinking fuel F/S. do you know by chance if the back shock is thought of as being part of the frame? or is it only under the one year? thanks
Craig,
I don’t know too much about the mullet. I know that I (and others) have successfully ridden other DJ bikes for XC. Is it perfect? No.. but it works.
As for the shock. Most parts attached to the bike are supported by that manufactors warranty. So if it’s fox, manitou, or who ever that’s who’s warranty its under.
Weight for my 19.5 = 31.5 lbs.
Sorry for the delay. Lack of scale and a back order from ultimate support for the scale!
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Fuel Trek EX5.5 E - experience of 5 months - Full satisfactory.
Well, I’ve been riding this set of bicycles for more than 5month.
I’m a weekend rider, traveling mainly XC varying from dirt roads to single tracks with
Moderate technical requirements such as rock ledges and rock drops of ~300[mm]. And covering around 25 [km] a week.
I like the frame work (i.e.: geometry of the frame), I like the double suspension mechanism it has (in Israel the default is 100[mm] for the front and 5’’ for the rear wheel)
I find the pedal crank a bit low, making the ability to maneuver over rocky terrain a bit problematic because of the fear for the large chain wheel and also the pedals that sometimes clash with the rocks.
I truly recommend this bike, it is an excellent purchase.
Best regards,
Yonatan
Hi all,
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If you are in any doubt then just check their email addresses, no company uses Hotmail as its internal mail server.
Again please dont fall for their scam, either buy from your local bike shop from one of the online shops as recommended by MTBR.com
Also whoever is running the admin for this site, please remove the advert.
i own this bike it is sweet especaly for the price
i dont like the front foks though with the twist peice that ajusts the travel
get it