Trek Fuel EX 5

I'm 280lbs closer to 300 with kit ect, I hired a trek fuel ex 5 the weekend just gone, I rode at coed y brenin MTB trails, started off on blue trail and then moved to a red, the reds had alot of rock gardens, steep rooty descents and alot of drops some over 18" tall, and a fair few jumps, the bike held up beautifully and put my mind at ease and allowed me to enjoy the trail. The guys at the rental set up the bike for my weight, I didn't feel the suspension bottom out, altho I did get a few pedal strikes but nothing that would slow me down or get me to doubt being on the bike.

The 2019 entry level fuel ex 5 was $2000 usd and with the deals I got was right around $1000 and I couldn't spend more. Problem was that bike was made for folk that want full suspension but wasn't going to ride hard. Within 1 year I had bent both wheels, broke the fork, had all the pivots redone and the rear hub was on it's way out. Point being, I would have been better off getting a bike suited to how I ride, which I currently have.

I bought a fuel ex 5 as my first full suspension bike for $2100. I ended up putting close to what I paid into it as I ended up buying a lyrik ultimate, Saint brakes, a oneup dropper, double down tires, and upgrades to the drivetrain. The stock build was good for when I first started riding, but the original dropper broke and I needed to replace it and I quickly found out that brakes and the Bontrager tires weren’t great.