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Morning all.
Looking to get a Top Fuel 9.7 through bike to work, with the scheme at a max of £3000, I have to add £500 myself on top. The Top Fuel 9.7 is £3500 retail.
While I wait for the scheme to do its thing to process the voucher, I'm considering whether I should go the extra £1300 (so total £1800 on top) and get the 9.8 instead. The frames are idential - just different specs. The Top Fuel 9.8 XT is £3800 retail.
I've ridden the 9.8 Demo that Trek had and it was very good. That being said, reviews share that the carbon wheels don't provide much weight saving - rather add stiffness (which I did notice). In addition, the 9.8 has the Fox 34 StepCast Float Grip over the Reba RLs of the 9.7.
The other thing that makes me consider the 9.8 is weight - it was a believeable 27lbs, and went like it. The 9.7 is a couple of lb heavier by way of the NX drivetrain and the standard Bonty Kovee Comp wheels (I'd imagine - no weights given for the wheels).
When I first chose the 9.7 as the bike I wanted, I knew I'd need to upgrade the wheels, and most likely swap out the NX for XT 12 speed, as while I have GX on my Remedy and it's very good, I prefer Shimano and hear great things of the new Hyperglide+. I also knew I'd swap out the bars for something wider etc.
As such, I was considering whether the extra £1300 is really worth it for what appears to be an upgrade to Fox 34 Step Cast forks, Shimano XT drivetrain/SLX brakes and carbon bars/wheels.
Doing the spreadsheet nerd thing, I just can't seem to correlate the pricing difference - is the Trek 9.8 REALLY worth an extra £1300 over the 9.7?
Or should I just get the 9.7 and its Reba RLs, and upgrade the bits I want to upgrade, most likely for less than £1300?
Links for those who fancy a bit of spreadsheety and comparing this morning to distract them from work:
Be aware that previously topping up on a ride to work voucher was a bit of a grey area it's now a definite no go.
Thanks Akira - I've already checked into this and the LBS has worked something out for me. Mainly all to do with margins and so on.
Looking to get a Top Fuel 9.7 through bike to work, with the scheme at a max of £3000, I have to add £500 myself on top. The Top Fuel 9.7 is £3500 retail.
While I wait for the scheme to do its thing to process the voucher, I’m considering whether I should go the extra £1300 (so total £1800 on top) and get the 9.8 instead. The frames are idential – just different specs. The Top Fuel 9.8 XT is £3800 retail.
I think your spreadsheet needs a bit of work
I think my fingers need to go on a diet; the Top Fuel is £4800 RRP /facepalm
Have you looked at trek project one? Gives you few spec options and some crazy paint options.
Got to say that what you wrote about the 9.8T sounded rather excellent. Wouldn;t mind one myself. But then this review seems lukewarm at best... and backs up some of the stuff you say (or perhaps that's where you got your view from )
@thegeneralist - it is yes - although I have the luxury of having ridden the demo 9.8 for 3 days over my regular trails in Bristol - some XC, some trail centre type trail and then all my favourite off-piste Leigh Woods stuff.
It was all handled with ease even though you could definitely feel it was far more XC focussed - my Remedy is the opposite; capable enough at XC, but far happier being playful down a fun steep.
is the Trek 9.8 REALLY worth an extra £1300 over the 9.7?
Worth is down to preference.
Fox over rs is a big price bump.
Shimano over sram ditto.
Xt over nx is like xt over deore
Carbon wheels are spendy etc.
Will you notice any difference? Probably on the drive train, everything else, maybe, maybe not.
If you're looking at this in terms of £ step away from trek.
I'd buy the 9.9 XTR
Get a EX much better bike all round just me.
I don't know what you should do. But The T0p Fuel came of my list as you don't get much fork for the money. I was looking at the Aluminium one £2800 for a Recon Gold. Here were looking at £3500 for a Reba with a Motion Control Damper. I'm sure it's fine but the FOX seems a proper OEM modern fork. If your changing the wheels and drive train it probably doesn't matter but the 9.7 doesn't even manage an Xd driver on the wheels.
I'm are you have lots of good reason for not doing this but a Canyon Neuron 9.0 sl is all the toys for under £3800 (carbon Wheels, SRAMX01, FOX fork and dropper). They seem to do the cycles to work scheme but it isn't really comparing like with like
Get a EX much better bike all round just me.
He has a Remedy?
Yeah, but what to do if you’re a Trek Fanboi in this case?
Love you Neil