2019 Trek Fuel Ex5 or 2019 Norco Fluid FS1

[ChrisF]

I was in a similar situation and went with the Trek (Ex 5 2018)

.....

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)

.....

 

I also had the EX5 ....

 

 

Do yourself a favour ... get a nice long steep hill.  Go up there with the suspension fully open, rest, then try it again with the suspension locked.

 

 

That bobbing takes a LOT more of your energy than you, well me, realised !  More than one others came past me and suggested I lock it out, and me wondering what they are on about as I did not feel the bobbing ....

 

 

My current bike has bar-mounted twin lockout for the shock and fork.  WOW !!

 

 

as for the handling down the trails - YES, the EX5 is just such and easy bike to ride !! 

[Falling Over]

How do you guys find the 67 degree head angle on the decents?

[gogo@]

What’s the issue with Trek’s sizing?

[ChrisF]

What’s the issue with Trek’s sizing?

 

SMALL ....

 

 

If you are aware of this, just make sure you get one where the critical dimensions works for you.  Dont buy "M" just because "M" works in ontoher brand ... in all fairness, that should apply to any and all bike purchases across all brands. 

[Wheelie87]

@ ChrisF

 

I'm not convinced by the rear lockout tbh

I've done it a couple times before and couldn't notice a material difference. Worst is I forget to unlock before descending.

It's been a while though so I'll definitely try it again to make sure.

Another plus is that I find the rear shock pretty much bottomless, well at least on thails I ride. Great design from Trek.

[gogo@]

SMALL ....

 

 

If you are aware of this, just make sure you get one where the critical dimensions works for you. Dont buy "M" just because "M" works in ontoher brand ... in all fairness, that should apply to any and all bike purchases across all brands.

Thanks.

Parking lot test rides aren’t the best so this is a useful warning.

[ChrisF]

@ ChrisF

 

I'm not convinced by the rear lockout tbh

I've done it a couple times before and couldn't notice a material difference. Worst is I forget to unlock before descending.

It's been a while though so I'll definitely try it again to make sure.

Another plus is that I find the rear shock pretty much bottomless, well at least on thails I ride. Great design from Trek.

 

Hiehie ....

 

I KNOW what you say .... I have had that odd occasion locking the suspension going up, then suddenly the trail is steep down and rutted !!  Nothing worse than a dual suspension turning into a rigid bike when you need that suspension !!        And then there is no safe way to get your hand down to the shock to unlock ... 

[DieselnDust]

Trek sizing isn't usual or quirky. They just add in additional sizes so they have a Small medium (17inch) medium(18inch) and large 19.5inch.

Then Trek shoots themselves in the foot by not importing the 18inch as a stock item....

[Wheelie87]

I also had the EX5 ....

 

 

Do yourself a favour ... get a nice long steep hill.  Go up there with the suspension fully open, rest, then try it again with the suspension locked.

 

 

That bobbing takes a LOT more of your energy than you, well me, realised !  More than one others came past me and suggested I lock it out, and me wondering what they are on about as I did not feel the bobbing ....

 

 

My current bike has bar-mounted twin lockout for the shock and fork.  WOW !!

 

 

as for the handling down the trails - YES, the EX5 is just such and easy bike to ride !! 

 

 

So I took your advise and tried this....I obviously now can't ride up anything without locking the rear shock....really does make a difference even though the Trek barely bops around when open. And the lockout on the Trek is fullon lock the Fool eout. Shot for the advice. My front lockout broke two weeks ago. It's very strange as I almost NEVER used it. The only thing some of the trail here have rather tech and rocky ascends and sometimes I miss the shock open on these...but janee