Trek has revamped both their EX and Top Fuel bikes for 2009, with both receiving major carbon frame makeovers and gaining the hyped ABP (Active Brake Pivot) and Full Floater rear suspension.  First, a pic to wet your appetite (I’m already salivating, I mean saving, my pennies).
Trek Top Fuel – Photo ©Geoff Waugh (bikeradar.com)
So, how to make one of the most popular full-suspension racing bikes lighter and stiffer?  Easy:
- 2×9 FSA Carbon Cranks
- DT Swiss Carbon Shock
- Bontrager XXX carbon (yes, carbon) rims
- All-new SID World Cup fork
- 431 gram lighter carbon frame w/ no-cut seatmast
- Integrated BB Shell w/ narrower spacing
- New, one-piece magnesium rocker arm
Second, there’s a women’s specific (WSD, in Trek lingo) version, too.  It’s available in 14.5″, 15.5″, 16.5″ and 17.5″ sizes that mirror the men’s frame dimensions for two of those.
Trek Top Fuel – Photo ©Geoff Waugh (bikeradar.com)
Third, the contact points for the headset and BB are “net molded” carbon, allowing the bearings to be pressed directly into the frame.  This saves weight by removing the usual metal braces that are bonded into the frames, but it also usually means
Here’s how the ’09 Top Fuel stacks up by the numbers:
| Frame Weight | 2027g (4.47lb) |
| Weight savings vs. ’08 | 431g (0.95lb) |
| Bike Weight w/o Pedals | 9500g (21lb) |
| Weight saved by seatmast | 100g |
| Seatmast stiffness | + 11% |
| Weight saved by Mag Rocker | 75g |
| Weight saved by carbon rims | 62g/wheel |
| Overall Bike Stiffness | + 33% |
| Price | $6,500 – $7,500 USD |
Now, about these numbers:
Frame weight is WITH shock and seatpost.  Let me say that again…WITH shock and seatpost.  Wheel weight savings is compared to a 395g Mavic 717 disc.  Both MTBR and Dirt Rag’s report on this bike says the claimed weight is under 21 lbs with Triple-Ti Eggbeater pedals.  Price claims range from $6,500 to $7,500 USD for top of the line 9.9 SSL, but lower priced carbon and aluminum (also radically redesigned, see pic below) Fuels will be available for the other half.
Aluminum Top Fuel – Photo ©Geoff Waugh (bikeradar.com)
Since we launched this site just after the Trek (and other) press days, we’re relying on the info on these sites for this post:  BikeRadar.com has the most extensive report with the best pics, and Dirt Rag and MTBR have some info and pics of their own.
