THE TREK RUMBLEFISH ELITE
THE SPECS (Direct from the Trek Website)
Details /
Colors-
Dark TintFrame-Alpha Platinum Aluminum main frame & stays w/E2 tapered head tube, press-fit bottom bracket, ABP Convert, magnesium swing link, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel
Front suspension-Fox Evolution Series 32 Float w/DRCV, CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR thru axle, custom G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 120mm travel, tuned by Trek in California
Rear suspension-Fox Evolution Series Float w/DRCV, CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, tuned by Trek in California, 7.25x1.875"
Sizes-15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23"
Wheels-15mm FCC front hub, Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing 142x12 alloy axle rear hub w/Bontrager Duster 28-hole Tubeless Ready disc rims
Tires-Bontrager 29-3, Expert, 29x2.3"
Shifters-Shimano SLX, 10 speed
Front derailleur-Shimano SLX, direct mount
Rear derailleur-Shimano Deore XT Shadow
Crank-Shimano M552, 42/32/24
Cassette-Shimano HG62 11-36, 10 speed
Saddle-Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
Seatpost-Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6mm, zero offset
Handlebar-Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 9 degree sweep
Stem-Bontrager Rhythm Comp, 31.8mm, 7 degree
Headset-FSA NO.57SC, E2, semi-cartridge bearings
Brakeset-Shimano SLX hydraulic disc
Grips-Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on
Geometry
15.5 in 17.5 in 19 in 21 in 23 in
Bottom bracket drop 1.26 in 1.26 in 1.26 in 1.26 in 1.26 in
Bottom bracket height 13.31 in 13.31 in 13.31 in 13.31 in 13.31 in
Chainstay length 17.80 in 17.80 in 17.80 in 17.80 in 17.80 in
Effective top tube 21.73 in 23.03 in 23.82 in 24.65 in 25.51 in
Frame rise 23.78 in 24.17 in 24.53 in 24.88 in 25.28 in
Head angle 69.8 ° 69.8 ° 69.8 ° 69.8 ° 69.8 °
Head tube length 4.13 in 4.53 in 4.92 in 5.31 in 5.71 in
Offset 2.01 in 2.01 in 2.01 in 2.01 in 2.01 in
Frame reach 15.24 in 16.38 in 17.09 in 17.80 in 18.54 in
Seat tube angle 73.6 ° 73.6 ° 73.6 ° 73.6 ° 73.6 °
Effective seat tube angle 72.0 ° 72.0 ° 72.0 ° 72.0 ° 72.0 °
Seat tube 15.79 in 17.32 in 18.82 in 20.83 in 22.80 in
Standover 30.94 in 30.91 in 30.91 in 31.06 in 31.34 in
Trail 3.23 in 3.23 in 3.23 in 3.23 in 3.23 in
Wheelbase 43.46 in 44.76 in 45.55 in 46.42 in 47.32 in
What is a Rumblefish?
It sounds like a gang from A Westside Story, or the title of a book I read in junior high about a group of misunderstood and misguided youths in the 1950's on the Jersey Shore. It is neither of these nor is it even a fish! What is it? It is Treks version of the full suspension 29er for the more aggressive rider. It is designed, in Treks words as the, "perfect next step whether you’re a 29er fan looking to tackle more technical terrain, or a 26" trail rider ready to trade up to bigger wheels."
The Ride-
When Ricky Bobby was asked,"Who wants to go fast?" Treks answer should be "THE RUMBLEFISH!!!"
because this bike can move. I started my ride on it with a quick descent on a fire road that goes into a short climb. The Rumblefish flew down the hill and got me half way up the other side without pedaling, but this is where I had my first problem. As I bleed speed going up the hill the bike started to feel really heavy, pedaling uphill felt like pedaling my 40 pound freeride bike. I was really disappointed with this performance. Then I decided to lock out the fork, but it still felt like crap, so I locked out the rear shock.....Bam, all of the sudden this bike feels great, it fly's up the hill. At the top I unlock the suspension and it fly's down the hill to the single track. On the single track the Rumblefish really performs. The bike corners fast and accelerates like crazy. When the trail got steep and loose the Rumblefish held the lines I picked and let me keep up with the guys on 26" bikes in front of me. All in all this was a really fun bike to ride once I figured it out.
For What It's Worth-My Thoughts
This was only my second time on a full suspension 29er (the other being the Giant Anthem X 29er) and I was impressed. The bike feels fast. I was able to really push through turns and lay the bike over with confidence that is sometimes lacking in my 26er. Corners that I have slide out on with a 26er I was able to take on much more aggressively with the Rumblefish. I believe this has to do with the larger contact patch offered by the bigger wheels. I could also feel the suspension working, the fork feels great and the rear shock feels bottomless. While I have never been a fan of Bontrager tires the 29-3's were up to anything I could throw at them. The shimano components are awesome.
For Better Or Worse, Changes I would Make, Or Wouldn't
Tires, like I said, I have never been a fan of Bontrager's tires and would probably look into something similar to the Maxxis Minion in the 29er size.
The stem felt just right on this bike, and it has nice wide bars. Perfection!
DRCV suspension is awesome, no changes needed.
I would add a dropper post, but I would add this to almost any bike.
This is a great bike and I can't wait until we get the Giant Trance X 29ers in some I can do some comparison, but I think Trek set the bar high with the Rumblefish!
