Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL Review

“I can’t, I’m not allowed, I shouldn’t…” – seriously, this is old news. The change is too risky, the route too hard, the political correctness too correct. For issue #18 we threw all those concerns overboard and got hold of the absolute sickest bikes money can (not) buy. We at ENDURO are convinced: Dreams can come true!

This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.

Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL

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Once on the Trek Top Fuel, all you want to do is ride the sh*t out of it. From the first turn of the cranks, the bikes gives that race feel, the red mist descends and all you’re doing is sprinting full gas, grinning like a maniac. A gentle warm up? Nah, forget about it.

The four walls of our office have never welcomed such a fast and uncompromising XC rocket as the brand-new Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL. Whether the two figures in its name refer to the weight, we’re not sure, but it appears to coincide with the scales. With a frame size of 19.5″, it comes up as a tidy 9.9kg. Damn light!

While the airy weight is achieved through their well-considered selection of only the best parts around, Trek have also ensured that these share a common look. Said look is enhanced by the presence of the sexy DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline wheels, the Shimano XTR drivetrain, and the lightweight Bontrager carbon parts. The RockShox 100mm suspension comprises an RS-1 fork and Monarch XX rear shock, both of which can be locked-out from the bars – simultaneously, we should add, giving you the sense of reaching the top of a rollercoaster, perched on the edge ready for the drop. There’s only one direction the Trek wants to take you, and that’s forwards! Every single watt exerted through the carbon soles of your lightweight XC shoes is transferred instantly through the pedals, and we’ve never had as much fun on ascents as on this bike, unable to wipe the smug grins from our faces.

With every up comes a down, and the Trek’s lightweight and powerful nature has a downside, which takes the form of braking traction – or rather, lack of. If you’re used to grippy tyres and 180 mm disc brakes, then you’ll be dismayed as you try to decelerate with the XTR brakes before a hairpin. But perhaps that’s fair, after all – isn’t braking cheating? The fact of the matter is, when you combine all of the SL’s strengths with a permanently extended saddle, you just want to log lots of miles with lots of climbing, and the trails keep calling.

Details

Outstanding: Within the course of twelve months, the RockShox RS-1 have cemented their position amongst the suspension elite, winning us over with their far-out looks and great performance. — **Outstanding:** Within the course of twelve months, the RockShox RS-1 have cemented their position amongst the suspension elite, winning us over with their far-out looks and great performance.

Rocket fuel: Even without using the lock-out function, the Top Fuel can definitely get a move on. Pressing the remote lever puts the Top Fuel into turbo mode. — **Rocket fuel:** Even without using the lock-out function, the Top Fuel can definitely get a move on. Pressing the remote lever puts the Top Fuel into turbo mode.

Lightweight 2.0: The new Bontrager stem features just one screw to attach itself to the steerer tube, which might look dangerous but works a treat. — **Lightweight 2.0:** The new Bontrager stem features just one screw to attach itself to the steerer tube, which might look dangerous but works a treat.

Adventurous: If aggressively profiled tyres with a width of 2.3” are more your thing, then the narrow 2.0” Bontrager models with a low profile might raise an eyebrow or two. Braking traction and grip are in short supply on technical terrain, but – on the upside – they are quite speedy.

Specification: Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL

Fork: RockShox RS-I Solo Air 100 mm
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch XX Full Sprint 100 mm
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
Cranks: RaceFace Next SL
Brakes: Shimano XTR
Seatpost: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
Stem: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
Handlebar: Bontrager XXX, OCLV Carbon
Tyres: Bontrager XRI Team Issue
Wheelsize: 29″
Wheels: DT Swiss XCM 1200 Spline
Price: € 8,999

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Strengths

Very powerful.
Super lightweight.
Ultra chic.

Weaknesses

Weak brakes.

Conclusion

Much like a Ferrari, the Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL knows what speed is, giving a whole new definition to the term power. Anyone with their sights set on crushing some dreams in a MTB marathon should definitely get their hands on this racing machine. However, it works just as well on post-work jaunts when your lungs are screaming and the sweat is dripping.

For more information on the Trek Top Fuel visit the Trek website.

This article is part of our magazine feature: Dreams Come True – 7 Incredible Bike Builds.

Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer

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