The Ultimate Mountain Bike Showdown: Trek Fuel EX vs. Slash

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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:16 - What to expect
01:13 - Similarities
04:53 - Differences
09:32 - The question we are all asking?
09:50 - How much does a size large Trek Slash weigh?
10:29 - How much does a size large Fuel EX weigh?
10:56 - Knock Block 2.0 versus Regular headset
11:31 - Climb challenge! Slash versus Fuel EX
15:40 - Does a Trek Slash climb good?
16:54 - Send It! (Drop challenge) Slash vs Fuel EX
19:30 - Final thoughts

[HW]

The landing to flat on your video Jared, is for me the reason I am still happy that I bought the Slash8.
It gets me into what I would consider difficult riding and then just ploughs through what-ever it is, without a fuss and reminds me that, that was too easy 😂

[RyderWoodbine]

Hey My guy really appreciate you whipping up a real world video like this. Been looking into these two bikes for my first serious MTB and it has certainly helped alot with deciding whats right for me.

All the best from AUS.

[marksmith]

Jarod, Mate that's the best side by side reviews iv watched for these two bikes and really something to think about, Nice work !!

[grillo]

This channel is so underrated!! Amazing review!! Congrats!! I’m trying to catch a bike. On the last years i’ve been driving a Diverge. 80/20 pavement-dirt road. But im very, very very on starting mtb. I used to have an strajump, i think, but i found it boring AH. I’ll keep my research and try to make my best. Thank you so much

[kerryman]

Great info. Got back into MTBing after about 15 years. Told the wife I wouldn't be doing anything too crazy, just light trail stuff so went with a Trek Marlin 5. Hit one decent trail and I'm back into the crazier, techy stuff...but on a Marlin 5!! So underbiked it's silly.

I'm now doing my own build of the Trek Fuel EX 8. I've been buying the parts as I find them, mainly takeoffs or very lightly used. I've upgraded the entire drive train, brakes etc to all Shimano XT across the board. Front fork is upgraded to a Fox 36 160 mm travel, just because it was a good deal. Carbon wheels, upgraded the rear tire to the Bontrager SR4, etc. Just waiting to see if the frame set drops a little in price so I can grab one, or maybe get a slightly used one.

It will be a nice winter project for me, ready for next season. Really looking forward to hitting the trails next year with it. My body will be too 😅

Finishing up, I will say Trek builds a decent bike, even at the lower range. I have beaten the crap out of the Marlin 5 and it keeps on chugging along.

[NoHairRedBeard]

I LOVE the look of the Fuel! Something about that triangle at the seat post just does it for me.

[TivonSanders]

Here in Southeastern Michigan, we have a lot of blue trails, and a few black diamond trails. They have jumps and some flow, but not a lot. The Fuel EX would be my pick.

[SamChou]

Drop test told me everything I needed to know. Was thinking of moving down to the new Fuel EX Gen 6 as a replacement for my stolen Slash 8 Gen 4 since everything in the new lineup has gotten more aggressive in general. Wanted to see just how burly the new Fuel EX has become, and I think you found the limit! I want more sendability, I'll be going with the Slash once again. Thanks for doing the one test that is most important to me!

[LaurentiusTriarius]

For having briefly tried both I like the fuel better but the slash looks more like something I'd like to be showy about.

[calrc]

Best comparison video I've seen so far

[robertrobertson]

I actually felt compelled to give a better answer to your video more about the bikes.
For the do it all bike even with what you said taking into consideration different riding styles and WHERE you ride the most I think the Fuel EX 8 is the “one” Trail bike that could handle it all.
Clint Eastwood stated perfectly “A man has got to know his limitations” knowing the Fuel EX 8s limitations which there are few especially with the upgrade in suspension, I would say I could ride this bike anywhere especially Spence Mountain (southern Oregon) a bike park with no Gondola best way to explain it.
But do this my MTB Brothers and Sisters;
Think about the place you ride the most, now envision they dropped you off you have to ride all day there on every trail then ride home🤔within reason of course 😂⛰
The most comfortable steed for the longest times in the saddle that can do it all. Down country bikes is something I just learned as well( I live in the woods in my RV) sometimes no internet 😂😂🤷‍♂️anyway those are limited travel 120/130 travel bikes but I say 140/150 the sweet spot for me and trail building/testing what we build as we are building it⚒️💪

In the end it’s all about the journey in life right? As well as finding the right bike for next season or as I tell people, ” the best bike in the world is the one you own” See ya on the trails fellas⚒️🚵‍♀️🌵🪨🌲⛰🏕️

[MTBSHOGUN]

When I had the Slash 8. It literally did everything I wanted. Also rode the fuel and iked it but I love big bikes. Now I'm on the 23 S-Works Enduro I built up and so far it's my favorite. Love the videos brotha. . You and a few others have given me inspiration to start my channel 🎉 nothing big just riding

[Ks]

Perfect timing for this video! Thank you 👊

[philipvaren]

I have a large Slash 8. My mate has a medium Fuel EX 9.8. I'm 5'11" so I can kinda ride both sizes. The Slash eats up chunky rock gardens and big drops but the Fuel EX 9.8 is just sweet for climbs and I feel it jumps better. -as long as the landing is sweet. The Trek 8 is the top of the line aluminium. The 9.8 the top of the line carbon.

[Stockfish]

Optimal bike would be Trek Slash with TQ motor. So that the motor can assist you when climbing which will make it alot easier. Then smash downhill without worry. That would be the pinnacle of a bike.

[badbattleaxe]

I prefer the giant Trance X advanced. I test drove all these bikes. And decided to go with giant the ergonomics fit me and it was specked very well and had a carbon frame, so it was very light

[Gee-]

Just one thing... The SRAM Code R are the XT equivalent in the lineup. Code RSC are the XTR equivalent. Both the top end. Some will argue, but the Code R are better than SLX.

[lincolnlendor]

Great video - appreciate the analysis!!

[ArturoMartinez-jnus]

I just purchased mine today fuel ex 8. Love it already. I did notice trek is having some supply issues still. I had different brakes. Just a heads up

[ARouser]

Im 220lbs, havent rode a mtb bike in 20 years and 3 videos into discovering these things considering them as a new vehicle option, and you shoulda seen the look on my face when you touched a button on the left hand grip and the seat popped out lol. thats hilarious