GUY’S TREK FUEL EX9.729 £3,200

Changing the stock wheels has made a huge difference to how the Fuel feels. Both dynamically, in terms of lost weight, and, more significantly, in terms of suspension response, as the wooden wallop of over-sturdy tyres on narrow rims isn’t getting in the way anymore. Now that it’s sticking to the ground and carrying speed better, it’s time to look at the other aspects, where the cost of a carbon frame has inevitably created compromises. My first upgrade is some Hope Tech E4 brakes, fresh from our grouptest last issue.