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fat-ass
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Trek vs Santa Cruz
02/07/19 at 8:50pm
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Would be interested in your opinion Pro/Cons of these two bikes. Fairly certain I am pulling the trigger on one or the other soon.

Fuel EX 9.8 29 v Santa Cruz Hightower 29 (S Build) 

I am in close proximity to dealers for both manufactures. Riding is local trail riding (with an occasional trip to WNC). 6’ 200+ rider 

Will be swaping out new wheels with enduro I9 Torch.

Know there are a ton of variables to these types of questions but would appreciate your thoughts.  

  
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Mr.B
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #1 - 02/08/19 at 12:15pm
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Santa Cruz’s carbon is legit.  Being on the high side of 200, you can ride with confidence that frame will handle everything you can throw at it.  Also, if you’re going to ride WNC, I think the HT will perform better on the descents.  This guy’s 2 cents
  
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BudLeach
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #2 - 02/08/19 at 1:51pm
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Santa Cruz, cuz that's what I ride.
  
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DK
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #3 - 02/08/19 at 2:44pm
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Both are great bikes, but only you can decide for sure.  I ended up getting a SC Tallboy a couple years ago after riding it and a Trek Fuel.  I just thought the Tallboy rode better for me.  I also love the carbon frame.
  
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David

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rokka23md
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #4 - 02/08/19 at 3:52pm
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I narrowed it down to these bikes when I was buying two years ago.

I ended up with the fuel ex 9.8 and also put on I9 enduro wheels. I liked the ride better at the time. For me the cockpit on the hightower felt a little more cramped, longer reach on the trek but geo could have changed in the last couple years. I also thought the Trek was a better value for spec.

I still really enjoy the bike. Rides great for around here. Sometimes on rootier trails I'd like a bit more travel but overall it's great.
  
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Slothzilla
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #5 - 02/08/19 at 5:21pm
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BudLeach wrote on 02/08/19 at 1:51pm:
Santa Cruz, cuz that's what I ride.

Bud gets it
  
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Ridefour15
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #6 - 02/09/19 at 8:41pm
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Comparing the two the bigger details I see are:

Trek has Fox 34 130mm, Hightower has Fox 36 140mm

Trek has 130mm rear travel, Hightower has 135mm; Trek's shock might be proprietary size or model which could matter if you ever want to change it

Trek has wider tires (2.4) compared to Hightower (2.3)

Trek has Shimano SLX brakes, Hightower has Sram Guide R brakes

Trek has carbon wheels, Hightower does not appear to - this doesn't affect your ride, but can affect how easy they'd be to sell after buying the bike and how much money you can recoup.


Aside from those details it'd probably be whichever is more comfortable; I imagine local shops would have demos of these or a different sub-model with the same frame.
« Last Edit: 02/09/19 at 8:42pm by Ridefour15 »  
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Banjopickin
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #7 - 02/10/19 at 3:10pm
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Ridefour15 wrote on 02/09/19 at 8:41pm:
; Trek's shock might be proprietary size or model which could matter if you ever want to change it


The new Fuels and Slashes are running the Re:Aktiv Thru shaft shocks. 

The idea is that without an IFP there is no drag on the system and the low speed input is excellent. Its been tried before with poor results. 

You could run an aftermarket shock no problem when/if that shock fails...

  
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Advocat wrote on 08/22/13 at 5:16pm:
...packin some Chub in the back of the pick-up.


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SurlyDave
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #8 - 02/10/19 at 7:00pm
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Banjopickin wrote on 02/10/19 at 3:10pm:


The new Fuels and Slashes are running the Re:Aktiv Thru shaft shocks. 

The idea is that without an IFP there is no drag on the system and the low speed input is excellent. Its been tried before with poor results. 

You could run an aftermarket shock no problem when/if that shock fails...



Let me guess.  Cane Creek has got just the ticket..... Roll Eyes
  
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Banjopickin
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #9 - 02/11/19 at 2:52pm
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SurlyDave wrote on 02/10/19 at 7:00pm:


Let me guess.  Cane Creek has got just the ticket..... Roll Eyes


Yeah we make a 210/52.5 ... So does DVO, MRP, Suntour,  Xfusion, Fox, BOS, etc.

But of course ours is the best... 
« Last Edit: 02/11/19 at 2:52pm by Banjopickin »  
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Advocat wrote on 08/22/13 at 5:16pm:
...packin some Chub in the back of the pick-up.


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Ridefour15
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Re: Trek vs Santa Cruz
Reply #10 - 02/11/19 at 11:13pm
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Banjopickin wrote on 02/10/19 at 3:10pm:


The new Fuels and Slashes are running the Re:Aktiv Thru shaft shocks. 

The idea is that without an IFP there is no drag on the system and the low speed input is excellent. Its been tried before with poor results. 

You could run an aftermarket shock no problem when/if that shock fails...


I'm so conditioned by Specialized's proprietary garbage that whenever I see something along the lines of "[our brand] exclusive technology!" I steer clear; I'm not familiar enough with suspension tech to have figured out otherwise in this case based on what their website says.
  
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