2024 Trek Top Fuel

This 2024 Top Fuel was a surprise new bike purchase that resulted in a
lot more fun than ever anticipated; its a multipurpose machine that
can be setup for XCO racing or pure trail riding; the 9.7 price point
offering sadly was phased out with the new 2025 top fuel only avail at
a 9.8 price point/kit spec and above.

The top fuel replaced my gen1 supercaliber as a XC /  endurance XC
race machine; initially I was looking for a gen2 supercaliber but M/L
was not available

when comparing the Supercaliber and top fuel in for a lighter duty
race course the ridiculous efficiency of the supercaliber shows up
ever time there is elevation gain; whenever there is gravity and rough
terrain the top fuel will close down gaps to the next rider quickly;
so much it kind of becomes a game to reduce efforts on climbs just to
close gaps to the next racer ahead for fun.

In regards to tire testing on the top fuel a pure XCO race tire like a
bontrager XR2 is slightly annoying as the chassis wants more grip in
cornering lean and braking. The factory XR4 is actually quite well
matched to the handling and rear stability (sliding rear tire turn in
corner entry is encouraged by the chassis setup and dynamics over
rough terrain while braking).

Some updates to the 9.7 spec were added:


Bontrager kovee elite 30 carbon wheels helped with inbound shock from
rough terrain and reduction of rotational mass; the 9.7 came with the
same 108 rapid drive hub mechanism but with aluminum wheels to cut
costs

+Sram GX AXS (gen 1) shifter and rear derailleur and chain
+Sram XX1 10-50 cassette fitted
+ 25mm 750mm bontrager carbon handlebar

These optimizations make the machine above and beyond the value spec
9.7 pricepoint and leave not much on the table; optimal 20% effort 80%
returns for gainz

what I would like next?

a 2025 top fuel 9.8 GX AXS transmission t type to park next to this
one; the top fuel is that good I want another.