XC Bike Check: Dan McConnell's Trek Top Fuel

Jul 2, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Trek Top Fuel 2016

Dan McConnell finished last year in third place overall in the World Cup XC standings, and with two 11th place finishes so far this year the Australian is going to be looking to reclaim his position on the podium in Lenzerheide. He'll be riding Trek's recently announced Top Fuel, a 100mm speed demon designed specifically for XC racing at the highest level.

Trek Top Fuel 2016
Trek Top Fuel 2016

McConnell's running Shimano's electronic XTR Di2 drivetrain, with an MRP 1x chainguide for an added measure of security. The guide weighs less than 50 grams, so it's a minimal weight penalty, especially when compared to the cost of dropping a chain mid-race.

Trek Top Fuel 2016
Bontrager's 167 gram Montrose Pro Carbon is mounted to Bontrager's XXX carbon seatpost - dropper posts are still a rarity on the World Cup XC circuit, although it is possible to run a stealth routed post on the Top Fuel.
Trek Top Fuel 2016
Just enough tread to keep the bike rolling along rubber side down and nothing more - Bontrager's XR1 tires should a good choice if the dry and dusty conditions persist through the weekend.

Trek Top Fuel 2016
  The XTR Di2 shifter is on the right side of the bars, with the digital readout that displays the gear selection and battery life situated next to the long, negative rise stem. The battery for the shifter is tucked away inside the headtube junction, a configuration that requires removing the front fork for access.


Trek Top Fuel 2016
No lock-ons here - foam grips keep the weight down, and add a little extra cushion. FOX's iRD remote is to the inside of the grip, controlling the fork and shock settings simultaneously.
Trek Top Fuel 2016
A closer look at the electronic lockout unit on the FOX Float rear shock.

Bike weight: 23 pounds with pedals





Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Bike Checks Trek


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101 Comments

  • 141 6
 An xc bike check and you don't tell us the weight Facepalm
  • 23 1
 Seriously, that's why I come into the XC bike checks.
  • 58 2
 Hang tight - I'll have the weight shortly.
  • 7 0
 @mikekazimer, sweet!!
  • 63 3
 It's 23 pounds.
  • 7 1
 Eek damn that's pretty damn light for a full sus xc bike!
  • 6 0
 That's lighter than my Bianchi.
  • 2 0
 what about the price for this bike @mikekazimer ? :O
  • 18 1
 @hardyk - I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of $11,000 USD.
  • 6 1
 19.5 pounds is insane
  • 4 1
 Lighter than my carbon hardtail (granted, it's a 2007 Giant XTC). Would love to have a go on this bike.
  • 3 39
flag starpak (Jul 2, 2015 at 15:16) (Below Threshold)
 You blind? Bike weight: 19.5 pounds
  • 7 1
 19.5 say what Eek that weighs less then my carbon DJ bike !!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Does the weight include pedals?
  • 4 1
 $564.10 per pound USD
  • 4 0
 That weight is insane and doesn't sound right. If it is right, I'd like to know how he does it. Those are XXX wheels (1440g set) and XR1 Team tires (600g each). He has an ultralight saddle, post, stem and bars but that can't be the lightest frame and shock in the world. Can it?
  • 2 0
 Frame size? 18.5" or 19.5"?
  • 5 3
 So, how much is 19,5pounds in actual weight? (Kilos)

-Yes, I'm too lazy to google it. Partly because metric is the way to go.
  • 2 0
 8.5kg or something like that Smile
  • 5 3
 There is no way it is 19.5lbs with pedals. FACT. The wheels aren't the lightest, the tyres aren't the lightest, contact points aren't the lightest, ICD adds weight, XTR Di2 is heavier than the mech version, forks aren't the lightest, XTR pedals certainly aren't light even if tuned. Even with proto stuff and tuned stuff that isn't 19.5lbs ready to ride.

@ mikekazimer , find someone with a hanging scale and prove me wrong Smile
  • 1 2
 I can easilly see it weighing that when my ss 4x bike weighs 10.5kg (23.1lbs) with a really heavy fork!
  • 5 1
 19.5lbs = 8.86kg. As BeardlessMarinRider mentioned above, there's no way in hell it's that light. The actual weight should be closer to 22lbs = 10kg.
  • 2 0
 @ jfloren A 167g saddle isn't ultralight. There're much lighter saddles and I'm not even talking about boutique bike components. For example, Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flow and San Marco Aspide Carbon FX Protek Open saddles are both around 125g. Nothing on that Trek is particularly light.
  • 1 1
 Nino's FS is about 19. Given the bigger wheels, I'd guess 20-20.5 for McConnell's bike.
  • 3 2
 That may be, but Nino rides a smaller frame, smaller wheels and tyres, has much lighter wheels, lighter Dugast tubs, no Di2, no iCD, much lighter proto fork, lighter cassette, lighter pedals for everything else being more or less equal. To say they should be within 0.5lbs (claimed by PB) of each other is way off. It is at least 20.5-21.5lbs ready to ride.

@mikekazimer put us weenies out of our misery and break out the hanging scale Smile
  • 2 0
 Dugast tubs are not light, by any stretch of the imagination. Those tires, despite being 650B, weigh more than plenty of 29er tires. They have an excellent ride, but light weight is not one of their foremost qualities.
  • 1 0
 530-590g depending on which model is run. True they aren't super light but Bonty don't make light tyres either, plus there will be no sealant in the Dugasts. Still the whole host of other heavier parts to overcome vs Ninos Spark
  • 4 0
 Nino's Spark is 9.46kg = 20.82lbs.

See picture: fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11013126_10206926241940691_2059991942743204294_n.jpg?oh=712104fb749bb83dcae8174184f4699c&oe=56225095&__gda__=1445844970_c84a88eb117773bfa0cf7a7dc1634131

And that Trek is definitely heavier than Nino's Spark. The guy who said it's 19.5lbs didn't weigh the bike himself and the people up-voting his comment don't know anything about bike weights.
  • 2 0
 Fiiiinnnnalllly! Someone who gets it. Thank you @sfer1
  • 1 1
 We'll see when @mikekazimer comes back with a scale shot!

Bear in mind treks carbon is one of the best in the industry! Smile
  • 8 0
 The weight weenies are right, and I stand corrected - the bike is 23 pounds with pedals. www.pinkbike.com/photo/12416555
  • 1 0
 Even heavier than than the highest guess here!

Thanks @mikekazimer
  • 1 0
 So, that's 10,44kg in proper measurements then.
  • 28 0
 That electronic lockout on the shock looks like it was designed by a General Motors engineer.
  • 1 0
 I also noticed that the cable for (what I assume) fork lockout actually routes from the top of the fork to the internal cable routing, implying it has to go back to the shock as well? Seems odd to me, but I've never run a bike with remote lock ability.  I'm guessing it goes to the box on the shock, as does a cable from the switch on the handlebar, and everything is triggered from that box.
  • 9 2
 Nailed it. Big, bulky and plasticy just like the interiors of all those shitty gm cars.
  • 1 0
 From the thumbnail I thought it was a piggyback
  • 1 0
 the cable runs into the frame to the battery i think which is in the frame. or maybe a junction box hidden in the frame like shamanos road Di2
  • 20 2
 From the side the bike looks really nice. The frame looks lean and fast. I can't get over the long dropped stem look that's necessary for racers on 29" wheels to get the handlebars in the right location. The new XTR design language, especially on the crank and somewhat on the RD, isn't really Shimano's best work (in this industrial designer's opinion) though it does showcase their forging and finishing capabilities.
  • 7 1
 in this designers either, Dura Ace is much more pleasing on the eyes
  • 3 0
 Agreed, but if you remove the crank bolt covers the design of the groupset is improved by 100%.
  • 14 0
 the xtr crankset before this version was much better looking
  • 3 0
 @snotrocket yup I think so as well, DA looks killer
  • 3 0
 XTR cranks and rings get uglier with every generation. Love the PB XC bike checks. Fascinating machines!
  • 1 0
 not to mention the proprietary BCD. I'm a stay away from shimano cranks for the time being till they get their heads checked.
  • 9 0
 I thought that was reservoir on the shock in the first picture and I thought "man, these XC guys are gettin gnarly!"
  • 7 0
 They aren't "just foam grips", they're ESI's and I love em on everything except the DH rig. I'd run them on that too if I didn't crash so much!
  • 7 1
 Nice bike, can't get used to these ugly new XTR cranks though
  • 4 3
 @mikekazimer you didn't weight bike did you? I bet they told you weight and wouldn't let you actually weight it yourself.

With that part spec. that bike is at least 23lbs. I have a nearly identical spec on my XC bike and it is 23.5lb. My frame weighs in at 5lbs with shock, so unless Trek is making a 1lb FS frame that bike is not 19.5lbs.
  • 2 0
 Yes, 19.5 lbs does not sound right at all, not with those wheels and tires.
  • 1 0
 It isn't 19.5 but it also isn't 23lbs. Hate to sit on the fence but I'd bet its mid way between the two with pedals.
  • 1 1
 Nino's Scott Spark 700 weigh's 19 or under. There's no reason this couldn't be 20lbs.
  • 1 0
 As in the other comment....

That may be, but Nino rides a smaller frame, smaller wheels and tyres, has much lighter wheels, lighter Dugast tubs, no Di2, no iCD, much lighter proto fork, lighter cassette, lighter pedals for everything else being more or less equal. To say they should be within 0.5lbs (claimed by PB) of each other is way off. It is at least 20.5-21.5lbs ready to ride.
  • 1 0
 @LeDuke Nino's Spark is 9.46kg = 20.82lbs.

See picture: fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11013126_10206926241940691_2059991942743204294_n.jpg?oh=712104fb749bb83dcae8174184f4699c&oe=56225095&__gda__=1445844970_c84a88eb117773bfa0cf7a7dc1634131
  • 1 0
 Great guess @WhatAboutBob !

Mike's scale shot said 23lbs Smile
  • 1 0
 @BeardlessMarinRider I had an unfair advantage. As I said I have a bike with nearly the same parts hanging in my basement. It is just over 23lbs. It seems that 22 - 24lbs is the weight of most the of FS being raced right now. There are a couple that are around the 21lbs range but they are few and far between.

The trend in XC racing has actually been to heavier bikes. XC bikes are reflecting what general public wants; quality suspension and reliable components, which cost grams.
  • 1 0
 Seems like riding positions in XC racing are starting to follow the recent road bike trend back to longer, negative stems and large saddle heights... a few years ago somebody with that setup would have been told to just get a bigger frame Wink
  • 1 0
 holy shit an alloy spacer on an XC world cup race bike??? treason!!

seriously though, why the f*ck are people removing rotor bolts when they can still switch stuff out for lighter parts? i know, it's a spacer, and this bike is also center lock, but you get the point
  • 4 4
 I have a stellar idea. I'm still trying to get it approved by the imba but it's getting there.

It is called enduro, wumbo edition: strap a dh bike to your back for the climbs and strap the xc bike to the backpack for descents. Unlimited possibilities.
  • 1 0
 So is body position the reasoning for running negative rise stems? If someone where to buy this bike to rip on local singletrack/berms would the "for fun" rider probably go with a rising stem/bars?
  • 1 0
 How, and when did it gain 4 lbs?

The original post said it was 19lbs, which most people rightfully jumped all over, calling it Bull.

Now it's 23lbs? More realistic (maybe even heavy?)
  • 7 4
 I think removing the electronics would save some weight.
  • 10 0
 And the wheels
  • 6 2
 Di2 is lighter than mechanical...
  • 17 1
 yeah and dont forget the chain! nobody needs those things these days.
  • 5 0
 XTR Di2 is actually heavier than the mechanical version rrsport. Di2 DA is lighter on the road side though than its mech brother
  • 1 0
 Thanks didn't know that
  • 5 2
 What the flying fuck is going on with that stem!! Honestly!!
  • 16 0
 That stem is just not enjoying the lap dance
  • 3 0
 @bishopsmike How can I prop you more?!!!
Those stems are ridiculous but I guess XC is won on the climbs. I run my HT CC machine with an all mountain stem and it's quite fun and doesn't look super stupid.
  • 7 4
 Looks like a carbon session
  • 1 0
 Lol. ...nice one
  • 2 0
 Im pretty sure thats not an XR1 tyre. Unless theres a brand new XR1....
  • 2 0
 You can see the tire in the first picture, looks like it says XR1 2. Maybe a new version?
  • 2 0
 Prototype.
  • 1 1
 Yeah I assemble bikes with XR1's all day at work, this is definitely something new. And better, by the looks of it.
  • 1 0
 That being said the current XR1 is a sick tyre, I ride them all day everyday.
  • 4 2
 I don't think the stem is long enough... just sayin.
  • 1 0
 If they can find a post with just a bit more offset, he'll be sitting over the rear axle.
  • 1 0
 What garmin mount is that?
  • 2 0
 Dan runs a Magellan not a Garmin.
  • 3 2
 A gear indicator with one shifter? Who needs that?
  • 5 1
 SC-M9050 Display Unit: system status at a glance

Digital Di2 E-tube electronics allow the inclusion of the handlebar mounted SC-M9050 Display Unit for monitoring important Di2 data: gear selection, battery level and shift mode. The SC-M9050 not only provides data, but also is the convenient interface where riders will plug in and charge the system from the handlebar – an especially handy virtue when running an internal battery. The expandable E-tube platform also means that integration with electric-controlled suspension from FOX is a reality.

Multiple simultaneous display fields
Battery level
Gear position
Shift mode (Synchronized or Manual)
FOX iCD position (Climb or Descend)

Shimano Synchronized Shift mode switch
Change between S1, S2 and Manual shift maps
Audible Shimano Synchronized Shift notification tone

Precision derailleur adjustment
Easy access adjustment mode
Numerical adjustment indicator

Junction A function
Battery charging port
Three E-tube wiring ports
  • 2 0
 I WANT that chainguide!
  • 2 0
 Looks fast!
  • 1 0
 Good heavens I LOVE that frame color. That whole bike looks the business.
  • 1 0
 And how much cha-CHING($$) will that 19.xlbs cost you?
  • 1 0
 @trailblitz That garmin mount is made by sram
  • 7 7
 Why is the stem upside down?
  • 1 0
 For a more aggressive stance for the climbs.
  • 4 6
 what a dick of a stem. assholes!
  • 2 4
 Dat seatpost though...
  • 1 4
 I don´t know if the rear tire is 26 or the front is a 36 ?
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