I am in love and its name is Trek!

[GumbyGirl]

I got a new bike, I got a new bike! I started a thread last week asking for anyone's opinion on the Merida One-Twenty. No joy there and reviews were suspiciously hard to get.

Anyway went bike shopping yesterday and narrowed it down to the 2012 Giant Anthem X1 (which hubby rides and I've tried) and the 2011 Trek Fuel EX9. Debated and debated as they are two totally different bikes - XC versus Trail. My ego was getting in the way and I wanted the Giant - but truthfully the medium frame was a touch too big and the small was a touch too small. I see myself as an XC racer, but I have a really nasty lower back (degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, it's a riot down there :)) and need to protect it as best I can.

Trek it was - purchased this morning and out on the trails an hour later. Oooooooh love :D This bike is plush beyond all imagination. I knew it'd descend well being a slightly more relaxed head angle than straight XC, but man can this bike climb. It's like a mountain goat. Rode with DH and he just couldn't shake me and in fact had to chase me down. Woot, woot!

This bike is so well-balanced, you feel like you are right "in" the bike, not sitting behind, in front or on top of the bike if that makes sense? The suspension set up is just beautiful. I am coming off a hard tail, but have some experience with DS bikes and the Trek is awesome.

Got an awesome deal being 2011 stock, which makes it even sweeter - and no back pain.

Anyway just wanted to share my bliss. Here's me below halfway into our ride today.

All stock except I swapped the saddle for a WSD Bontrager Affinity RL. Love that too, no sitbone pain and all my lady bits are very happy :)

Aussie enduro season here I come - first up Capital Punishment (100km in our nation's capital)

Happy riding everyone!

[Catrin]

Congratulations on your lovely new FS Trek! It sounds like you found the one you needed :)

[7rider]

Congrats on the new ride.

Not being in expert in the explosion of niche mountainbikes of late....what, exactly, is the difference between an XC bike and a trail bike??

[Anelia]

Congratulations! It looks great!

[limewave]

Yay Congrats!!!! My first XC bike was a Trek Fuel and it made me fall absolutely in love with single track. It is a great bike. Have fun and enjoy :)

[bmccasland]

Sweet!

I keep thinking about trading in my road bike and my 3-speed Breezer ("town" bike) for a XC. I love my 3-speed, but need more gears since I don't live in flat country any more.

[GumbyGirl]

Congrats on the new ride.

Not being in expert in the explosion of niche mountainbikes of late....what, exactly, is the difference between an XC bike and a trail bike??

So the difference between XC and trail bikes generally, is that the XC bike geometry is a bit more "aggressive". This means a steeper head angle (in essence the fork is more vertical, and the front wheel closer to the bars). This makes it quicker turning and handling, and therefore racier over shortish distances. The trail bike has a slacker head angle, and more upright sitting position. They go downhill better/ more stable, and treat your body more kindly over longer distances. The suspension is also more plush

Hope this makes sense?

Thanks everyone for sharing my excitement :)

[Catrin]

So the difference between XC and trail bikes generally, is that the XC bike geometry is a bit more "aggressive". This means a steeper head angle (in essence the fork is more vertical, and the front wheel closer to the bars). This makes it quicker turning and handling, and therefore racier over shortish distances. The trail bike has a slacker head angle, and more upright sitting position. They go downhill better/ more stable, and treat your body more kindly over longer distances. The suspension is also more plush

Hope this makes sense?

Thanks everyone for sharing my excitement :)

Thank you for the description of the difference, I had wondered the same thing. Congratulations again!

[Aggie_Ama]

So the difference between XC and trail bikes generally, is that the XC bike geometry is a bit more "aggressive". This means a steeper head angle (in essence the fork is more vertical, and the front wheel closer to the bars). This makes it quicker turning and handling, and therefore racier over shortish distances. The trail bike has a slacker head angle, and more upright sitting position. They go downhill better/ more stable, and treat your body more kindly over longer distances. The suspension is also more plush

Hope this makes sense?

Thanks everyone for sharing my excitement :)

I know the difference but couldn't have explained it so simply. :) Congrats on the new bike, enjoy it and good luck in your event!!