I bought my first full suspension in 2001, a Trek Fuel 100. I swapped out the noodle Rockshok for a Fox Float and I was off to the races. I also modified it with disc brakes and a better group.
I had major surgery (whipple) in 2023 and to regain core strength I got out my MTB and started riding a 9 mile dirt loop inside my city.

A few months back I decided to clean it up and that's when I discovered the cracks. Seatpost cracked in two places.






So... Trek has lifetime frame replacement, and I called them about it. Best they could do was replace the frame with one they currently make. The OG Fuel were no longer available.

In the meantime, I had found a replacement carbon Fuel 98 frame, bought it and swapped it out.



So, earlier this week my replacement Fuel EX 7 replacement M/L frame showed up.
I can't use it. Not interested in the new stuff. I suppose when you are used to things and everything changes, a solid case for moving to the "new way" needs to be made. Costs of specialty components, all new philosophies of design, well, I am not sold.

Would have been cheaper and easier for them to send me a check to cover my replacement frame & labor, but they don't do that, they said.

Ultimately I would like to sell this new and still in the box frame, but where? Ebay, a bicycle specific site?

Any advice would be welcome.

I will say, the new carbon frame gives my ride a positive boost.
I can live with 26" wheels and a triple crank, in fact I kind of like it.

Eventually I will work up to getting back on my road bike

Saw something of concern in your frame picture, the seat collar area is very worn at top. Along with the crack on the front part of seat tube this suggests at some point you may have raised your seatpost too high leaving seat tube unsupported or it was loose for some reason. It is fortunate Trek replaced it for you, likely aided by the 2nd crack being more difficult to explain.

I say this so you don't repeat any mechanical mis-match on new frame. Correct diameter, bolt torque, and post inserted well below the top tube joint as well. There are reasons they make 350mm and 400mm posts.

me I'd just put it on ebay.

quote:

Originally posted by preten2b:
Saw something of concern in your frame picture, the seat collar area is very worn at top. Along with the crack on the front part of seat tube this suggests at some point you may have raised your seatpost too high leaving seat tube unsupported or it was loose for some reason. It is fortunate Trek replaced it for you, likely aided by the 2nd crack being more difficult to explain.

I say this so you don't repeat any mechanical mis-match on new frame. Correct diameter, bolt torque, and post inserted well below the top tube joint as well. There are reasons they make 350mm and 400mm posts.

The top "wear" was sanding to allow the QR seat post clamp to fit. Did that in 2001. Only removed the paint. As to the length of the seat post, it is a super long 31.6mm carbon post extending well into the seat post tube.
Me, I blame aluminum for the cracks. Notice the crack above the weld by the front derailleur boss. The seat post played no role there. Crack is at the seam of the weld, just like the top crack.Aluminum, while good for so many things, has a lifespan. It does not take flex well as evidenced by taking otherwise perfectly good aircraft and grounding them after so many flight hours.

I have many bicycles ranging from Columbus, Ishiwata and Reynolds tubing to titanium and carbon.
Not a fan of aluminum. Same goes for firearms. I got rid of an otherwise excellent Kimber Custom II when I noticed unusual wear on the feed ramp after @ 2k rounds.

I was hoping to avoid Ebay and find a cyclist site that might be more appropriate, but Ebay may win out if there's nothing better.

Pinkbike classified is a good place to list if don’t want to eBay.

There are enough riders on this forum, if you post it in the classifieds and link it in the bicycle thread, it’ll probably sell pretty quickly. Stickman will probably need to add it to his collection.

Link to bike thread: https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/8090004574/p/1

Good suggestions!

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
There are enough riders on this forum, if you post it in the classifieds and link it in the bicycle thread, it’ll probably sell pretty quickly. Stickman will probably need to add it to his collection.

Link to bike thread: https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/8090004574/p/1

Trek is the competition to the shop where I work and the brands we support. Truth be told, I’ve gravitated towards class 1 full squish ebike racing lately. My regular mountain bike collection has been mostly sold off to co workers to fund racing. I only have two full suspension mountain bikes currently AND my hardtail collection has been hit hard too…..this new hobby is VERY expensive.


Once you ride something like this and get a taste for racing in the electric class you lose all interest in traditional (slow) MTB. The only stock parts on this Cannondale Moterra Carbon class 1 e-bike are the frame, rear triangle, rear shock and seat post clamp.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stickman428,