Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Reviewer Stats: 5’11” & 215 lbs
After reviewing a slew of big bikes this summer—each seemingly heftier and slower uphill than the last—it was refreshing to hop on the Trek Top Fuel, a spry 5-inch bike, and start enjoying climbs again. The Trek Top Fuel is a bike with cross-country origins now redesigned to cater to a more aggressive subset of riders. The revamped geometry makes for a longer package overall with a 480-millimeter reach in the low setting on a size large and a 435-millimeter chainstay. This new length, paired with a slightly slacker 66-degree headtube angle, gives the Top Fuel a surprisingly capable feeling at speed, even down steeper trails that the traditional cross-country bikes of yesteryear would balk at.
The Top Fuel is a case study in what’s possible for a bike that’s light on overall travel, but heavy on modern geometry and suspension technology. Enduro rigs keep getting chunkier and slower uphill and this polychromatic, peppy Trek seems to have arrived to show us just how capable a featherweight package can be. While I think the average beginner rider would be happier on a more forgiving, longer travel bike, experienced riders seeking a next-level degree of efficiency and precision should take a serious look at the Top Fuel line.
**Geometry Specs reflect Large Size**
Wheel Size: 29"
Rear Travel: 120mm
Fork: 120mm
Wheelbase: 1215mm
Chainstay: 435mm
Reach: 480mm
Head Tube Angle: 66°
SEE FULL REVIEW HERE: freehubmag.com/reviews/trek-top-fuel-99-xx1-axs
TREK WEBSITE: trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-9-9-xx1-axs/p/35326/?colorCode=yellow_red
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Reviewer Stats: 5’11” & 215 lbs
After reviewing a slew of big bikes this summer—each seemingly heftier and slower uphill than the last—it was refreshing to hop on the Trek Top Fuel, a spry 5-inch bike, and start enjoying climbs again. The Trek Top Fuel is a bike with cross-country origins now redesigned to cater to a more aggressive subset of riders. The revamped geometry makes for a longer package overall with a 480-millimeter reach in the low setting on a size large and a 435-millimeter chainstay. This new length, paired with a slightly slacker 66-degree headtube angle, gives the Top Fuel a surprisingly capable feeling at speed, even down steeper trails that the traditional cross-country bikes of yesteryear would balk at.
The Top Fuel is a case study in what’s possible for a bike that’s light on overall travel, but heavy on modern geometry and suspension technology. Enduro rigs keep getting chunkier and slower uphill and this polychromatic, peppy Trek seems to have arrived to show us just how capable a featherweight package can be. While I think the average beginner rider would be happier on a more forgiving, longer travel bike, experienced riders seeking a next-level degree of efficiency and precision should take a serious look at the Top Fuel line.
**Geometry Specs reflect Large Size**
Wheel Size: 29"
Rear Travel: 120mm
Fork: 120mm
Wheelbase: 1215mm
Chainstay: 435mm
Reach: 480mm
Head Tube Angle: 66°
SEE FULL REVIEW HERE: freehubmag.com/reviews/trek-top-fuel-99-xx1-axs
TREK WEBSITE: trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-9-9-xx1-axs/p/35326/?colorCode=yellow_red
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![Jesse East and Cal Hill Ride Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park // [POV] Perspectives on Velocity](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZnNpv_reevs/mqdefault.jpg "Jesse East and Cal Hill Ride Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park // [POV] Perspectives on Velocity
Sitting at a base elevation of 9,300ft, Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park offers the ideal sampling of Colorado’s high-elevation riding with a variety of trails ranging from beginner-friendly greens to advanced double black tech and jump lines. Ride along with Jesse East and Cal Hill as they boost anything even slightly resembling a lip and effortlessly flow through some of the park’s most difficult tech, redefining what it means to carry speed through Psycho Rocks and Boulder Mason.
Everyone interprets a trail differently, and while there’s no wrong way, there are certainly some more impressive ways. Perspectives on Velocity aims to unravel the mysteries of speed, line choice, and reaction that are unique to the best mountain bikers in the world. Hop on board with an array of fast, smooth, and stylish riders as they take on select trails throughout North America.
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