MSRP: $5,000 - $11,300 USD (complete builds), $3,400 USD (frame and shock only)
And now the new Trek Top Fuel:
New Mondraker F-Podium makes all other bikes look slow tractors imo! Pure XC but damn it is a nice looking bike. 
26.1 pound (medium) top of the line race rig 
. I know it has more travel and a dropper but that’s a little high for the XC weight weenie crowd. My Spark RC 900 WC (large) with dropper, power meter and pedals is 23.8 pounds. The Top Fuel AXS version is a sharp looking bike though.
Yeah, but that is for the AXS build option that also uses a Pike (rather than the SC34, that I think is lighter).
Go with the normal 9.9 and XX1 for weight-weekies that is 24 36 lbs [11.05 kg], which is crazy good, IMHO, and considering that is is 120mm/115mm compared to most XC at 110mm or less.
Highly recommend checking out the Santa Cruz Blur. I ordered the standard model and due to some miscommunication, the TR version showed up at the shop. I was given the option, but went ahead and took the TR. Ive never been so happy for the mis-ship. Phenomenal bike! Mine is the XO1 version of the TR in the CC frame and Reserve wheels. 24.5lbs w/ pedals, 34 Fox Fork, Quarq and dropper post.
Yes, another slightly longer travel and slacker option. That came at the start of the whole down-country movement (I hate that I just said that 
).
It is a great bike and build that is very capable.
Nice! That’s getting closer to the geometry of the Fuel. Wonder if they will make the Fuel a little more aggressive to keep a spread between the bikes…
It seems a new Fuel EX would be likely, since the new TF is nearly stepping on it’s toes. Maybe 140mm front, 130mm rear, 44mm offset fork, slacker head, steeper seat.
Agree with Chad. The remedy got bigger travel and geo recently so it looks like everything below it is just taking a step up accordingly.
The new (unannounced) super caliber will replace the top fuel as the lightweight full sus xc bike. On show this weekend at Nove Mesto!
Scott Spark 120mm 29er, Specialized Epic Evo. I’ve never ridden a Yeti but @Jonathan mentions them a lot on TR and his MTB podcast, 120mm w/a dropper. Lastly I’d look at the Santa Cruz Blur.
That looks awesome and expensive! 
Haven’t checked prices, don’t want to be tempted!
Scott Spark has the twin-loc remote that worked well on my demo ride. Took me just a few minutes to get used to it and the dropper remote on the left, I’ve never had either of those before.
Nice! I keep going back to review the Sniper Trail bike again and again. Seems to tick all the boxes at a decent price. However, I can get a good shop deal on the new Norco Revolver 120. Unfortunately, there’s been no opportunity for me to ride either.
Have you ridden the Sniper Trail? Anything you can compare it to? Thanks!
Yes, Scott, Orbea and Trek have front/rear remote lockout on some of their trail bikes. Maybe some more have it that I dont know about.
I haven’t tried any other of the new downcountry bikes, but compared to my Ibis Ripley (v1), it’s quite similar, but I’d say the pedal platform is just as good, but I was cleaning even harder tech climbs - possibly because it’s 3 lbs lighter. My Ripley has a Pike at 130mm, but the Sniper is also slightly better down, I think due to the longer and slacker aspect. I think it may show it’s limitations in a really rough descent, but so far it’s great.
Would you recommend the Spectral for a road cyclist looking to ride and potentially race trail/dirt events?
I haven’t ridden on the dirt that much with a cheapie MTB but I already have it in my mind I want to do the Tahoe Trail 100 and other similar events.
The Spectral is a good all around bike, but is definitely more travel than you need for Tahoe Trail 100 and similar types of events. You can definitely still ride the Spectral and do well though!
The optimal bike for mid-length trail events like TT100, Epic Rides events, etc is probably one of the:
A short travel but efficient 29er is going to be great for covering distance while also being capable enough for almost anything an event like that is going to throw your way.
So these are new terms for me. Can I decrease the travel for when I do rides like that?
I would definitely be interested in a bike more suitable for the events I’m interested in, but my husband works for Canyon and he is putting a bid in for me to get Joe Barnes’ old Spectral, which is only $1000. There’s no way I can beat that. Fingers crossed no one else wants it 
