Amgen tour of California 2012

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Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL

  • Just 100mm of travel is on tap at either end but the well-tuned suspension rates and stout chassis make the most of it.

    Just 100mm of travel is on tap at either end but the well-tuned suspension rates and stout chassis make the most of it.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cable routing on the Top Fuel 9.9 SSL is good but not perfect. This amount of rub is just annoying for now but could be problematic once it starts to wear into the air can. Check housing lengths carefully.

    Cable routing on the Top Fuel 9.9 SSL is good but not perfect. This amount of rub is just annoying for now but could be problematic once it starts to wear into the air can. Check housing lengths carefully.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Both the rear derailleur and brake lines criss-cross behind the seat tube to keep them away from rider's legs during suspension movement.

    Both the rear derailleur and brake lines criss-cross behind the seat tube to keep them away from rider's legs during suspension movement.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • …but a 140mm one out back to save a little weight.

    …but a 140mm one out back to save a little weight.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Our Top Fuel 9.9 SSL came with a 160mm rotor up front…

    Our Top Fuel 9.9 SSL came with a 160mm rotor up front…

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The latest edition of Shimano's XTR hydraulic disc brakes are their best-feeling yet with none of the sticky piston issues that occasionally plagued earlier iterations.

    The latest edition of Shimano's XTR hydraulic disc brakes are their best-feeling yet with none of the sticky piston issues that occasionally plagued earlier iterations.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Interestingly, our bike came with a Shimano Dura-Ace chain that was secured with a SRAM PowerLink Gold master link.

    Interestingly, our bike came with a Shimano Dura-Ace chain that was secured with a SRAM PowerLink Gold master link.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The perfectly rounded tread profile puts the bare minimum amount of rubber on the ground but provides virtually no shoulder to lean on in corners.

    The perfectly rounded tread profile puts the bare minimum amount of rubber on the ground but provides virtually no shoulder to lean on in corners.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • …but we had issues with both the bearings and the the freehub mechanism on the rear.

    …but we had issues with both the bearings and the the freehub mechanism on the rear.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The minimal Bontrager Jones XR Team Issue tires actually aren't quite as scary as they look - unless you're on loose ground in which case they're every bit as scary as they look but still wicked fast.

    The minimal Bontrager Jones XR Team Issue tires actually aren't quite as scary as they look - unless you're on loose ground in which case they're every bit as scary as they look but still wicked fast.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bontrager have traded in the DT Swiss-made hubs for an in-house design that works ok up front…

    Bontrager have traded in the DT Swiss-made hubs for an in-house design that works ok up front…

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The lightweight rolling stock includes scandium rims and narrow tires that spin up remarkably quickly.

    The lightweight rolling stock includes scandium rims and narrow tires that spin up remarkably quickly.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Shimano's XTR 'Shadow' rear derailleur reliably rattled off shift after shift.

    Shimano's XTR 'Shadow' rear derailleur reliably rattled off shift after shift.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A PushLoc remote is available on the left-hand side when riders want to lock out the front end.

    A PushLoc remote is available on the left-hand side when riders want to lock out the front end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The DT Swiss rear shock lockout is somewhat hard to operate while on the trail and we never got on with the Bontrager foam grips, which tended to rotate on the bars and don't provide much useful cushioning, either.

    The DT Swiss rear shock lockout is somewhat hard to operate while on the trail and we never got on with the Bontrager foam grips, which tended to rotate on the bars and don't provide much useful cushioning, either.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Separate lockout levers for both the rear shock and fork make for a crowded front end.

    Separate lockout levers for both the rear shock and fork make for a crowded front end.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The flat bars are just 580mm wide in keeping with the preferences of many World Cup-level cross-country racers but most riders will likely want to swap to something wider - or at least install some bar ends.

    The flat bars are just 580mm wide in keeping with the preferences of many World Cup-level cross-country racers but most riders will likely want to swap to something wider - or at least install some bar ends.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • There's plenty of clearance with the narrow tires but the widely-set stays will easily accommodate wider rubber.

    There's plenty of clearance with the narrow tires but the widely-set stays will easily accommodate wider rubber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Front suspension duties are handled by RockShox' top-end SID World Cup with 100mm of travel.

    Front suspension duties are handled by RockShox' top-end SID World Cup with 100mm of travel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek have opted for an 11-32T cassette to shave a few grams but an 11-34T would provide extra range given the relatively tight 29/42T chainrings.

    Trek have opted for an 11-32T cassette to shave a few grams but an 11-34T would provide extra range given the relatively tight 29/42T chainrings.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek worked with FSA to create a narrower version of their K-Force Light 2x9 crankset and the effect on pedaling mechanics is definitely noticeable.

    Trek worked with FSA to create a narrower version of their K-Force Light 2x9 crankset and the effect on pedaling mechanics is definitely noticeable.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Top Fuel 9.9 SSL uses carbon fiber seat stays but aluminum is used for the asymmetrical chain stay assembly.

    The Top Fuel 9.9 SSL uses carbon fiber seat stays but aluminum is used for the asymmetrical chain stay assembly.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Torque settings are conveniently etched right on the alloy hardware heads.

    Torque settings are conveniently etched right on the alloy hardware heads.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The compact one-piece EVO rocker link helps keep the back end tight and controlled.

    The compact one-piece EVO rocker link helps keep the back end tight and controlled.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek's Full Floater suspension design puts both shock ends on dynamic pivots for more control over spring rate.

    Trek's Full Floater suspension design puts both shock ends on dynamic pivots for more control over spring rate.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The main pivot would normally be lined up right with a 32T chainring but it's still pretty close to the 29T on the Top Fuel 9.9 SSL for efficient pedaling manners.

    The main pivot would normally be lined up right with a 32T chainring but it's still pretty close to the 29T on the Top Fuel 9.9 SSL for efficient pedaling manners.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The compact rear end is light yet impressively stiff for reliable wheel tracking in technical terrain.

    The compact rear end is light yet impressively stiff for reliable wheel tracking in technical terrain.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The top tube is fairly broad but we still noticed some torsional flex and twang from the front triangle in more technical terrain.

    The top tube is fairly broad but we still noticed some torsional flex and twang from the front triangle in more technical terrain.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The top tube and down tube are both pushed right to the ends of the integrated head tube.

    The top tube and down tube are both pushed right to the ends of the integrated head tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The integrated seatmast makes packing for shipment difficult but it requires no cutting and provides a remarkable amount of vertical flex for a buttery smooth ride on the trail.

    The integrated seatmast makes packing for shipment difficult but it requires no cutting and provides a remarkable amount of vertical flex for a buttery smooth ride on the trail.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The integrated bottom bracket design uses a road-width shell that allows for a narrower pedal stance width.

    The integrated bottom bracket design uses a road-width shell that allows for a narrower pedal stance width.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Actual frame weight on our 17.5" tester is an impressive 1950g (4.30lb) complete with rear shock, derailleur hanger, seatpost collar and water bottle bolts.

    Actual frame weight on our 17.5" tester is an impressive 1950g (4.30lb) complete with rear shock, derailleur hanger, seatpost collar and water bottle bolts.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek's Top Fuel 9.9 SSL flagship racer is brutally fast but can also serve as a reasonable trail bike with a few simple modifications.

    Trek's Top Fuel 9.9 SSL flagship racer is brutally fast but can also serve as a reasonable trail bike with a few simple modifications.

    Photo credit © James Huang