Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 Build

[Rubble]

Both Oak Components and Freedom Coast make really nice CNC'd levers for TRP brakes, and they have detailed installation videos. I bought the Oak Components levers and really like them.

Thanks. They look real nice but cost more than I wanted to spend.

I'm finding that I have to really pump the brakes hard to get them to stop me sometimes. Does adding alternative levers help with power here? Wondering if I'm wasting money on levers when I should just save instead for some better brakes. Always found Hope brakes great but my wallet is already crying.

 

[tdeater]

Thanks. They look real nice but cost more than I wanted to spend.

I'm finding that I have to really pump the brakes hard to get them to stop me sometimes. Does adding alternative levers help with power here? Wondering if I'm wasting money on levers when I should just save instead for some better brakes. Always found Hope brakes great but my wallet is already crying.

I don't think swapping the lever blades will help you at all. Have you bled your brakes? My TRP Slates don't require pumping like that.

 

[irie]

Thanks. They look real nice but cost more than I wanted to spend.

I'm finding that I have to really pump the brakes hard to get them to stop me sometimes. Does adding alternative levers help with power here? Wondering if I'm wasting money on levers when I should just save instead for some better brakes. Always found Hope brakes great but my wallet is already crying.

Changing brake blades will simply result in you pumping your brakes with different blades. Don't bother. You have air in your brakes.

 

[zglenn]

As I've got a lot of useful info from this thread, I thought I'd contribute. I ride mostly XC and light trail, tires usually on the ground, so I went with a build that fits.

• Wren carbon bar
• Hunt Proven XC Race wheels
• Bontrager XR3 tires
• XT breaks with XTR rotors
• GX transmission

Weight is 39.6 with a full 4 lbs of rotational weight dropped. No idea if the wheels will hold up, they're crazy light, but I'll report back if anyone is interested.

 

[Julie_X1]

As I've got a lot of useful info from this thread, I thought I'd contribute. I ride mostly XC and light trail, tires usually on the ground, so I went with a build that fits.

• Wren carbon bar
• Hunt Proven XC Race wheels
• Bontrager XR3 tires
• XT breaks with XTR rotors
• GX transmission

Weight is 39.6 with a full 4 lbs of rotational weight dropped. No idea if the wheels will hold up, they're crazy light, but I'll report back if anyone is interested.

I would be interested to see how the wheels fare.

When I was looking for a carbon wheel set for my EXe, I was being dissuaded from more XC/ Trail sets.

I decided to go with We Are One Convergence Triad. They are high quality enduro wheels but I think they are overkill for the type of riding I do. Which is similar to you.

I would also be interested in what you think of the more narrow XR3’s.

Thanks.

 

[zglenn]

I would be interested to see how the wheels fare.

When I was looking for a carbon wheel set for my EXe, I was being dissuaded from more XC/ Trail sets.

I decided to go with We Are One Convergence Triad. They are high quality enduro wheels but I think they are overkill for the type of riding I do. Which is similar to you.

I would also be interested in what you think of the more narrow XR3’s.

Thanks.

I went for a ride today and made sure to find some rocks. I tried pick lines but definitely took some hard hits. The wheels were great and show no damage. The XR3s were ok, we got a half inch of rain yesterday and I would have liked and XR4 on the front. I think in dry conditions they'd be perfectly fine but not quite enough tread for wet. Hope that helps. I'll follow up if I fold the rims but first ride was a success

 

[Julie_X1]

I went for a ride today and made sure to find some rocks. I tried pick lines but definitely took some hard hits. The wheels were great and show no damage. The XR3s were ok, we got a half inch of rain yesterday and I would have liked and XR4 on the front. I think in dry conditions they'd be perfectly fine but not quite enough tread for wet. Hope that helps. I'll follow up if I fold the rims but first ride was a success

View attachment 149391

That’s great, thanks for the report back!

I may experiment myself with a lighter wheel & tire combo for the EXe next season (will be watching for winter wheel sales), in which case I will also report back.

 

[Megatryn]

Just put in an order for a 9.5 as I got it for dirt cheap I wanted black, but only blue was available and for that price I couldn't let it slide. Can't wait to get on it and back into shape.
Will be swapping over all the parts from my meat-bike (Revel Rascal) so I'll be running the following:
Matte Invisiframe on order

• Öhlins RX36 m.2 150mm, but will bump it up to 160mm
• Rental Apex stem
• Bontrager Line Pro Carbon bars
• Sensus Swayze lockon grips
• Hope E4 brakes
• Hope Pro4/DT Champ/DT EX511 wheels
• Michelin Enduro tires
• CushCore inserts
• SRAM GX drivetrain
• OneUp V1 dropper

Actively looking for a shock upgrade on the used market here in Norway. Considering bumping up to a 205x62,5 shock.

 

[Megatryn]

Nice! Just scored a used RS Super Deluxe Ultimate from a friend which will be going straight on

 

[Megatryn]

I had New Bike Day on saturday

 

[JayX2A]

Reviving an old thread! Are people enjoying the 160mm more? Does it work ok with the stock rear shock?

I’m on a budget so looking at cheaper options. Found a new but older Lyrik Select but it’s 42mm offset rather than 44mm.

My rides do involve lots of flats and hills so wondering if sticking with 150 is better?

 

[Nugget]

Reviving an old thread! Are people enjoying the 160mm more? Does it work ok with the stock rear shock?

I’m on a budget so looking at cheaper options. Found a new but older Lyrik Select but it’s 42mm offset rather than 44mm.

My rides do involve lots of flats and hills so wondering if sticking with 150 is better?

I moved to a 160mm front fork from day 1 and don't know any different so I can't tell you how different it feels to 150 but I can say I have no complaints about 160 - very little con to 160, apart from maybe a taller stack and more wandering on the front on climbs requiring less rise on the bar/headset spacers. It works great with the stock rear shock too.
as for offset on the fork - if you can detect any difference between 42mm and 44mm then you are a far more sophisticated rider than most! 2mm will be undetectable! Even 51mm is a bit of a wash, although I did experience a bit more steering flop on climbs at 51mm offset.

 

[JayX2A]

I moved to a 160mm front fork from day 1 and don't know any different so I can't tell you how different it feels to 150 but I can say I have no complaints about 160 - very little con to 160, apart from maybe a taller stack and more wandering on the front on climbs requiring less rise on the bar/headset spacers. It works great with the stock rear shock too.
as for offset on the fork - if you can detect any difference between 42mm and 44mm then you are a far more sophisticated rider than most! 2mm will be undetectable! Even 51mm is a bit of a wash, although I did experience a bit more steering flop on climbs at 51mm offset.

Thanks, all makes sense! I think it’s an older 21/22 model but it’s a lot cheaper than anything I can find in my budget!!