Rating: 8/10
Frame: Carbon OCLV
Fork: Fox Talas RLC w/air pressure, travel, rebound, compression, lockout, alloy steerer, 90/110/130mm
Rear Suspension: Fox Float RP23 w/3 position tunable Pro Pedal, custom tuned
Testing Grounds: Giba Gorge, Illovo Eston
Price: R60 000.00
Deflating:
The downfall comes with overlooking the basics. The fact that you have got 3 options on both fork and shock may justify the big tyres and wide handlebars AND luckily Trek have got that right. Overall the bike needs to have a more aggressive feel to it and Trek seem to have not got this right here. Some places they have put and aggressive part in, and left out others…..
Standard Tyres – 2.2/2.25….Trek brings out a super light spec’d bike with WIDE fast rolling tyres! DISSAPOINTING!!! You can go under 600 grams per tyre, as good as the standard spec’d tyre on the 9.5 – go thinner!!!
Handlebars – Standard riser handlebars will reduce uncomfortable setup and steering complications. This is needs to be an aggressive bike – go 0 degree or 5 degree rise MAX!
Shock position – the vertical shock position on the 9.5 makes the bike feel more of a leisurely ride. A bike like this need to be aggressive in totality. Go horizontal shock.
Chunky Evo Link – There is too much going on here. The big Evo Link makes the Trek too busy. Keep it simple! This forged rocker arm is chunky-looking and doesn’t “fit” the rest of the frame or the geometry of the bike. I would prefer to see Trek going with a shock directly below the cross tube and creating a more aggressive look and feel to the bike. I would also prefer to have the down tube coming directly into the BB and not curving in, again creating a more aggressive ride.
Pumped UP:
It has been claimed that the new magnesium alloy evo link is 15% lighter while increasing stiffness by 35%. The acceleration due to the stiffness put’s this bike in a different league. Fatigue sets in quicker with a LESS responsive bike. The more I rode it, the more I thought the value is worth it, but still too expensive for my pocket.
- Hill climbs on the Trek cannot be matched. I am yet to ride a bike that has the ability to climb like the 9.5. With the options that both the Fox Fork and shock offer as well as the combination of the stiffness of the Trek make it superior in the uphill’s.
- Fox Fork Talas – with three options of 90, 110 or 130mm travel you’ve got the full fire power for attacks from all angles. Whether you are climbing, descending or “TT’ing” the Talas will ensure ALL comfort for the terrain. BEWARE of the “Downhill Racer Feeling” with BIG travel!!!! It get’s out-of-hand!
- Braking System - Avid Juicy Ultimate. Need I say more. In my opinion, the top of the range braking system, in MTB!!!
- RP23 Shock – Need comfort, Zero flex and plush riding. THIS IS IT. Fox have got it on the money here.
- Bontrager Lite Saddle – the comfort isn’t quite Wing Flex, but the partnership with Trek & Bontrager gels so sweet. One of the lightest saddles in the game compliments the overall picture.
- XTR & SRAM X-0. Need I say more? The combination of the top 2 component manufacturers in the game, you just can’t go wrong.
- Hubs – I am a big fan of fast rolling wheels with little effort and this is exactly what is on offer here. This adds to the acceleration of the bike and ensures that no energy will be lost here due to a small oversight.
- I have saved this for last. Acceleration – AHHHHHHH you think that you can’t accelerate out of a corner on an MTB? Surprise….bring on the 9.5. Response, propulsion, out-of-control, over the limit, push the boundaries. You will HAVE to get used to this sort of riding.
