Trek Top Fuel Bike Review
We’re getting deeper into autumn in the Pacific Northwest. This shift leads to slick trails and cooler temperatures.
The new Trek Top Fuel seems to be the perfect companion to scoot around the mountain and dodge puddles.
This bike immediately caught my attention, delivering an unexpectedly fun and efficient experience in a sleek, trail-friendly package. With a lightweight, carbon frame and components tuned for speed and control, the Top Fuel has quickly become a bike I look forward to riding.
The Top Fuel excels in the climbing department, largely due to its forward-centered seated position and active suspension. Unlike many short-travel bikes that force you back, this Trek positions you well over the pedals, keeping you balanced and providing an efficient climb without sacrificing control. Trek’s ABP suspension design maintains traction without locking up, allowing you to power up steep sections smoothly. With a 30-tooth chainring and grippy yet efficient Bontrager tires, this bike finds grip easily, rolling smoothly even in slimy conditions. The 440-millimeter chainstay—long for a bike with this travel—gives a touch of stability that makes climbs feel rooted and smooth.
When it’s time to drop in, the 120-millimeter-travel Top Fuel shines as a “big little bike.” The 65.5-degree headtube angle, combined with a generous wheelbase, gives this bike the stability to charge hard, even on highly demanding descents. The RockShox Pike Ultimate fork, with its latest damping tech, keeps the bike nimble yet capable. Its lightweight frame and responsive handling mean you can pop and flick the bike through tight sections, over roots, and through corners. The Bontrager tires continue to impress here, biting into corners while maintaining low rolling resistance for fast-paced flow sections. It’s intuitive and fun—I felt connected to the trail without any excessive harshness.
The Top Fuel’s carbon build includes the Bontrager RSL integrated handlebar and stem, Line 30 Pro carbon wheels, and SRAM XX Eagle carbon cranks, all contributing to an efficient, responsive feel. Bontrager’s Montrose and Gunnison tires were the star of the show for me bringing balance of rolling efficiency and grip. The RockShox fork was a fantastic spec with its new less restrictive damping and Buttercups. With only 130 millimeters of fork travel, I opted for a few clicks of high-speed compression damping to support the fork to avoid hammering through the stroke. While the SRAM Level Ultimate brakes with 180-millimeter front rotors do the job, they lack the power needed for aggressive riding on fast descents. An upgrade here would make a notable difference, especially for heavier riders like me or those pushing the bike’s limits.
The Trek Top Fuel is an efficient, playful trail bike that performs well above its travel class. It’s perfect for the rider who wants a capable, lightweight setup that can climb efficiently, descend with confidence, and handle a range of trail conditions. With geometry and components designed for trail versatility, it offers an intuitive and lively experience. For anyone looking to add a short-travel, go-anywhere trail bike to their quiver, the Top Fuel is well worth the ride.
