The Analyzer Presents: Top Fuel Diet Series – Reset
So it’s been a while since I’ve done a Diet Series post and for good reason: my bike died. Or rather, the 2017 Top Fuel 9.8SL in size 19.5” frame cracked in the main triangle at the FSC Markham race as I was hopping back on the bike. My local Trek dealer Beyond Bikes worked with Trek and got the frame replaced under warranty very quickly but it wasn’t exactly the same as my old bike.
The old bike was a 19.5” frame which Trek calls Large and it just fit my long legs. I had the 410mm seatpost inserted beyond the minimum insertion amount, however the frame had cracked just below that point which made me think perhaps more seatpost insertion would be a good idea. So when I submitted the old frame for warranty I asked if we could go up a size to 21.5” and Trek gladly obliged. The 21.5” frame has a longer headtube and top tube as well which would require adjustments.
To get my handlebars at the same height relative to the seat height, I had to remove 20mm of spacers below my stem. This would have gone off without a hitch except my steerer tube on the Fox 32 SC Performance Fork was too short and I had to get new fork uppers. While I was ordering new uppers I went ahead and upgraded to the gold Kashima coating, effectively turning the fork into a Fox 32 SC Factory Fork.
To get my handlebars at the same distance relative to the saddle, I had to go with a stem that was 20mm shorter as well. The Bontrager 100mm stem was replaced with an 80mm stem which worked nicely.
The other thing that was different from the old bike was the frame model. Trek replaced my Top Fuel 9.8 SL with a Trek Top Fuel 9.9 Race Shop Limited frame. Besides going from all black to black and red, the 9.9 RSL frame has a Fox Float DPS Factory shock with the Kashima coating. Since I was already swapping the uppers on my Fox fork, this would match nicely. The other upgrade in this frameset is the chainstay is not aluminum like the 9.8 SL but the 9.9 RSL has a full carbon fiber rear triangle.
With these various changes I knew I needed to take a new baseline weight before we started cutting weight again. With the new frame and above adjustments, a Race Face Cinch Power meter (review coming soon), a Vittoria Barzo 2.35 tire up front and a Vittoria Mezcal 2.35 out back (review coming soon), the bike weighs in at 23.26 pounds.
This is how I’ve been riding and racing the bike during the past 2018 Florida Endurance Season, and with a few events coming up I wanted to start the bike diet once again so this is where we start.
Have you had any issues since? Mine cracked in the same spot this past weekend on a 21.5 frame. I was devastated. I’m waiting to hear back from dealer on the claim. I’m happy to see they replaced yours and hoping for the same outcome. Did you replace the seat post as well since that was carbon? I’m worried that could have been damaged as well.
I’ve had zero issues in the last year+ with the larger frame, still using the stock seatpost also with no concerns. I’ll be switching to a lighter post this off season though….more to come….