Trek Rumblefish Elite
After a lot of web browsing and soul-searching, I have decided to order a 2013 Trek Rumblefish Elite from my local bike shop. I think the most difficult part of the decision was not whether I would get a Yeti or Trek mountain bike because the Yeti cost skyrocketed well past my budget. The difficulty came in the form of which Trek Rumblefish to get. The Trek Rumblefish Pro is perfect except for its price of about $3700. The Trek Rumblefish base model comes in at $2170 and well under budget. That leaves the Trek Rumblefish Elite in the middle of the pack in both cost and hardware. The funny part of this was I was caught between purchasing the Trek Rumblefish and hoping I would have the restraint to not spend a ton of money on upgrades a year later or purchase the Trek Rumblefish Pro and be done with it. It was at this point that Greg at Class Cycles chimed in with an honest opinion. Greg stated that unless I had money to burn the Trek Rumblefish Elite was the best bike for me and maybe even the Trek Rumblefish would suffice as the technology of any of these mountain bikes is leaps and bounds over what I am used to with my Gary Fisher Sugar 3 Disc. Greg unaware sold me on the Trek Rumblefish Elite.
Now here is an ironic side note. The Trek Rumblefish Elite is a Gary Fisher mountain bike under the Trek company name. When I bought my Gary fisher Sugar 3 Disc in 2002 Gary Fisher Bikes was a division of Trek Bikes. Now in 2013, They are one and the same. They are all Trek Bikes.
If there is one thing I don’t like about the Trek Rumblefish Elite it is the color. I think either of the other two Rumblefish models look great. I’m not real crazy about the grey and green finish of the Trek Rumblefish Elite.
I will be placing the order in a few weeks. Stay Tuned.
Trek Rumblefish Elite Specifications:
- Colors Dark Tint
- Frame 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, 7.25×1.875″
- Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23″
- Wheels 15mm oversized front hub, Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing 142×12 alloy axle rear hub w/Bontrager Duster 28-hole Tubeless Ready disc rims
- Tires Bontrager 29-3, Expert, 29×2.3″
- 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
- Extras Trek fork & shock sag meter, Bontrager shock pump
Put a deposit on the Trek Rumblefish Elite today. Im VERY excited. Now I need to select pedals and maybe shoes if I can find a deal.
The Trek Rumblefish should be delivered to Class Cycles along with some shovel-able snow on Tuesday
I have the bike on hand now. Looks much better in person. Also internet pictures do not give a proper sense of how big these 29er’s are.