Pros: Great lightweight all-around trail bike. The quality of the components is excellent. The 2011 model comes with key upgrades over the 2010.

DT Swiss wheelset
Avid Elixir CR Brakes
ABP Convert
XT components everywhere
10 speed cassette

Cons: The chain broke in 80 miles. My LBS replaced it under warranty which was really nice.

Recommendation: This is an awesome trail bike. If you are looking for a top notch ~5" travel bike this is the right choice. There is no compromise when it comes to quality or spec. The Trek Fuel EX 9 leaves you wanting nothing more than endless epic days and countless miles of singletrack.

Pros: Stock I like the frame, the front and rear shocks and the rims.

Cons: The seat (a mid evil torture device for sure), the Avid Juicy 7 brakes (squeel like a stuck pig), the tires and the paint seems a little bit too prone to chipping.

Recommendation: The 2008 Fuel EX9 msrp was approximately $3500.00. I bought mine 6 months used from the manager at the Trek bicycles store in Shawnee Mission Kansas for $2400.00. It works well for all of the conditions I ride in: gravel roads, single track fast and swoopy, and on the technical trails full of roots and rocks.

I have made the following changes:
1) New SRAM XO grip twist shifers $71.59 (an expeditious way to up/down shift through multiple gears, like from 3rd to 9th in one smooth shift) with Yeti ODI Lock On Grips.
2) New Kenda Navegals $69.98. After a couple of weeks on them they have have been a good compliment to the EX9. I will buy another set next time, but I will buy the next size smaller than the 26x2.35 DTC's. The 2.35's don't fit in my roof rack tire tray. Too wide.
3) Replaced the abusive seat with a Bontrager Inform R saddle $69.99. Much better on the rump.
4) Installed the Crank Brothers Candy SL Pedals $70.98. Be careful how you install the cleets. If not adjusted correctly clipping out will be difficult. They're ok peddles once adjusted. I damaged the left one on a root and now they don't allow me to clip in right away and sometimes release on up stroke.

Overall this bike is very competent, balanced, durable and a comfortable mountain bike. I would recommend this bike for most applications. My bike as it sits now is right at 28 lbs..

I am upgrading the pedals this week to the Shimano XT M770's and in the near future the seat post and handle bar stem to the Thomson Elites, the head set to Chris King, the brake pads to organic. My dream upgrade will be the replacement of the Avid Juicy 7's to the Magura brand brakes.

Pros: Adjustability Weight (light) Strength Components that come standard

Cons: Adjustability (confusing) Quality of little things (cables, switches, ect.)

Recommendation: I think this is a top notch bike. It really impresses me. It has Rock Shox reba Team and all shimano XT components. It works great, but as i mentioned, a few things like cables and knob, they couldn't stand being jared they way they were. It has a lot of "Features" so prepare yourself.