2021 Mountain Biking

[noobski]

hoe much does it weight?

Online review suggests just under 30 lbs. It feels lighter than that but it may be placebo because it feels so much lighter than anything I've ever owned.

 

[Jwrags]

After a 6 month wait, my Fuel EX 9.8 has arrived. The color is just awesome. I ordered GX but got XT. I am tickled as I wanted XT but the delivery date was longer at the time I ordered, so went with GX. When we opened the box, it was like Christmas on steroids. XT!! What??!!

A spring trip to southern Utah is in order. Our ski season, save for a few weeks, has been pretty grim so I’m excited to get out on the bike again.
View attachment 127462 View attachment 127463

Beautiful bike! I hope you tried it out down the stairs

 

[AmyPJ]

Beautiful bike! I hope you tried it out down the stairs

If only there wasn’t a landing at a wall at the bottom! I did almost ride it down the stairs off the front porch but decided I’d better get to know the bike first

 

[scott43]

I remember I was riding with some relative noobs once..and I rode down about 15 stairs..and the look on their face was like they'd just seen fire invented...

 

[AmyPJ]

I don’t know if it’s the Shimano drivetrain, but I rode a road route that I’ve ridden 50+ times, which has a 3-4 minute steady climb that if I push usually leaves me huffing and puffing and out of gas, and I PRd it, which is just unheard of for an early season ride! As in, 35 seconds faster than all of last season, and I never shifted and still had life left in my legs! The closest time ever was 2 years ago on a 30 tooth oval SRAM GX. This is the exact same bike as last year’s with the exception of the drivetrain-Eagle GX last year, Shimano XT this year. We put the saddle in the same position, the bars were moved to the new bike because I had cut them to 750, so literally everything is the same. I haven’t done any crazy training this winter. I did get an Echelon bike but have only ridden it a few times. Mostly been skiing a lot, which I do every winter.

This bike is FAST. I’m really excited to get out on it on the trails.

 

[scott43]

How's the geo change Amy?

 

[Tom K.]

This is the exact same bike as last year’s with the exception of the drivetrain-Eagle GX last year, Shimano XT this year. We put the saddle in the same position, the bars were moved to the new bike because I had cut them to 750, so literally everything is the same.

Am I mis-remembering, or did last year's FEX have 2.6s at both ends, and this year a 2.4?

l hated the 2.6 out back. Felt sluggish.

 

[AmyPJ]

How's the geo change Amy?

No geo change. Same exact specs except drivetrain.

Am I mis-remembering, or did last year's FEX have 2.6s at both ends, and this year a 2.4?

l hated the 2.6 out back. Felt sluggish.

Yes but I switched to a 2.4 XR3 In the back. This year’s has an XR4 2.4 which I do prefer.

 

[scott43]

Can't explain..other than..new bike jets as Tom pointed out!

 

[AmyPJ]

I think it’s the 30x51 drivetrain. I did max out the small ring on the downhill road. I never use that ring on the dirt with the exception of maybe a fire road so no biggie.

Time to pull the trailer out and head south for some camping and biking.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Per the Noob post pic request... View attachment 128024 my new Stumpjumper...

Badass AF!

 

[firebanex]

@AmyPJ I got the same bike in the same color this year too! Shorter wait time.. only September to January for mine, but there is still multiple feet of snow on top of our trails. I won't get to ride mine for at least another 4 weeks.

 

[AmyPJ]

@AmyPJ I got the same bike in the same color this year too! Shorter wait time.. only September to January for mine, but there is still multiple feet of snow on top of our trails. I won't get to ride mine for at least another 4 weeks.

With Shimano? If so, I’ll be curious to hear if you feel like it’s a super efficient climbing machine with that drive train. Last year’s geometry and suspension made it climb Rock gardens like a goat, but it felt less efficient than previous versions on long, sustained climbs. (I get the new Fuel every year.) This one with the Shimano—same bike otherwise—is just incredible on smooth climbs. The proof will come when I get it in some 45 minute+ single track sustained climbs.

 

[firebanex]

Yup, got the XT spec as well! literally every non drop bar bike I own has some sort of SRAM drivetrain on it, really wanted to try out a Shimano mtb drivetrain. The last Shimano mtb drivetrain I owned was a 3x7 from about 2003. I also didn't really feel like GX eagle was a worthy spec for the $5500 the bike costs, my 9:zero:7 fatbike was $2500 and came with GX eagle.. I'm coming off of a 2020 Top Fuel as my last full sus, so I might end up with a bit of a biased opinion of the climbing capabilities of the Fuel EX once I get a chance to ride it. The Top Fuel was such a fantastic climber even without using the lockouts.

My usual after work ride involves starts and ends with 10-15minute climbs up singletrack, so we will see! Got some pretty ambitious rides planned for this summer, the Fuel EX will definitely be put through its paces this year.

 

[Tom K.]

Cross-post from the FB forum, but this thread needs some action!

This could be the last real winter-ish ride of the year, based on the long range forecast.

If so, it was a beauty!

And yes, I forgot to bring a water bottle....

 

[Tom K.]

X-Post from FB thread: We had ourselves more than a bit of a windstorm the other day!

 

[bbbradley]

From last year...ready to ride again soon!

 

[Philpug]

@Tricia and her Habit Neo were not getting along well, it is a very large medium, so she is shopping for a new e-ride...I think she found it...or ar least one that put the smile back on her face.

 

[Tom K.]

@Tricia and her Habit Neo were not getting along well, it is a very large medium, so she is shopping for a new e-ride...I think she found it...or ar least one that put the smile back on her face.

FWIW, Mrs. K absolutely LOVES her Liv e-mtb.

And part of that is being small enough for her.

 

[nay]

I guess we’re off the fat bikes.