Holmsie Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 Hi all, Forgive the vague noob enquiry. I've narrowed my search down to these two bikes - both within my price range (+/-). I will test ride before parting ways with my cash but based on fit/finish which of the two makes more sense? I've been given a great price on the Trek with a dropper post and upgrade to 1 X12 NX. It will come in roughly R5k less than the Norco. I have no idea what is good and what isn't in respect of brakes, suspension etc - been away from bicycles on dirt bikes for too long. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers
thebob Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 Get the one that fits your properly. That is the most important thing! Trek has a strange sizing range, especially if you are a traditional "medium" sized bike rider.Speaking from experience with a Fuel EX
madmarc Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 Also consider TREK lifetime warranty on their frames - Not sure about Norco warranty, but the TREK one has made many TREK owners happy campers after their frames failed
Holmsie Posted September 25, 2019 Author Posted September 25, 2019 Get the one that fits your properly. That is the most important thing! Trek has a strange sizing range, especially if you are a traditional "medium" sized bike rider.Speaking from experience with a Fuel EX Good to know, thank you.
Holmsie Posted September 25, 2019 Author Posted September 25, 2019 Also consider TREK lifetime warranty on their frames - Not sure about Norco warranty, but the TREK one has made many TREK owners happy campers after their frames failed Not sure of the Norco warranty either, but that is a BIG plus for the Trek. Thanks
ChrisF Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 Get the one that fits your properly. That is the most important thing! Trek has a strange sizing range, especially if you are a traditional "medium" sized bike rider.Speaking from experience with a Fuel EX after some 30k-odd worth of school fees with TREK's "sizing" I can only agree with you .... and then have the "joy" of a proprietery brand that does not allow you upgrade parts .... good luck trying to buy a better shock that fits the TREK dimensions .... looking past these issues ... I LOVED the handling of the bike ! will I buy another "EX" .... NO !!!
Falling Over Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 after some 30k-odd worth of school fees with TREK's "sizing" I can only agree with you .... and then have the "joy" of a proprietery brand that does not allow you upgrade parts .... good luck trying to buy a better shock that fits the TREK dimensions .... looking past these issues ... I LOVED the handling of the bike ! will I buy another "EX" .... NO !!! Both Fox (DPX2), and Rockshox (Deluxe RT3) offer aftermarket shocks for the Trek Fuel Ex in the 210 x 52.5 mm size.
GiantTjop Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Here's a local review on the Norco http://fullsus.co.za/bike-review-ripping-trails-on-the-norco-fluid-fs1/ Fuel EX is a great bike, I love the left field option Norco gives you. Pretty substansial dealer network for a niche SA brand! Norco builds proper machines though!
Holmsie Posted October 2, 2019 Author Posted October 2, 2019 Thanks for the comments. I ended up getting the Trek - Happy Days Cheers
Christofison Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Thanks for the comments. I ended up getting the Trek - Happy Days CheersSorry I didn't see this earlier. I have a '18 Fuel EX 8 and love it. But, if I was in your position I would have gone for the Norco.That extra R5k would have got you a better fork, better brake set and maybe even wheels too. I don't know a whole lot about how the Norco rides, but the geo numbers look a bit better than the Treks. Also, with the EX5 not getting the Re-Activ shock that's a bit of a bummer.
DieselnDust Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Re-Activ was dropped because it didn't work as intended. A bit of a failed experiment. the tech works great on vehicles where the bulk of the mass is the vehicle but not so lekker in bicycles. When you move your weight around over the bike the Re-activ gets a bit too sensitive. You're better off with a conventional tuned i.e a progressive or linear tune rather than their falling rate tune I'd have gone for the Norco because it has a better BB and build spec for the money and better options to tune the suspension
thebob Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Trek still does the Re-Aktive suspension. They've dropped the full floater link.
Christofison Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Re-Activ was dropped because it didn't work as intended. A bit of a failed experiment. the tech works great on vehicles where the bulk of the mass is the vehicle but not so lekker in bicycles. When you move your weight around over the bike the Re-activ gets a bit too sensitive. You're better off with a conventional tuned i.e a progressive or linear tune rather than their falling rate tune I'd have gone for the Norco because it has a better BB and build spec for the money and better options to tune the suspension Has Re:Activ really been dropped? It is still on all of their higher end 2020 Fuel EX's & Slash's. It actually works very well to compensate for the Fuel EX's lack of Anti-Squat. I'm no suspension expert, but re-valving or changing air volume of that RS Deluxe isn't going to achieve the same outcome of slower low speed compression without effecting the HSC damping.
Wheelie87 Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 I was in a similar situation and went with the Trek (Ex 5 2018)Absolutely love the bikeOver the course of two years I changed out pretty much everything except the suspension though.Some definitely needed upgrading, others just because..as one doesThe shock I'll leave as it is more than fine for me..the only other thing that seriously needs upgrading and for which I'm saving up is the fork.Came with a Recon 130mmDream fork will be Pike 140mmMore than 140 voids the warranty and will change the geo too much.This bike pedals like an XC bike going up and I NEVER lock the shock as it doesn't bop at all (according to me)Descending ....I rarely run out of bike here on almost all the trails in Stellenbosch...very lekkerProbably just the shock an ballas holding me backIf I could only buy the frame I would buy it again next time...Perfect allrounder Great intro into the world op dual sus
DieselnDust Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 Has Re:Activ really been dropped? It is still on all of their higher end 2020 Fuel EX's & Slash's. It actually works very well to compensate for the Fuel EX's lack of Anti-Squat. I'm no suspension expert, but re-valving or changing air volume of that RS Deluxe isn't going to achieve the same outcome of slower low speed compression without effecting the HSC damping. I was told they are dropping it by the rep but if its on bikes then clearly its not
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