I get the point about aesthetic design if the entire bike was like that but only the top tube seems out of place, hence my query. The bike is in a well lit room with roof windows where I prepped it for ride wrap, so when the sunlight hit it, I noticed, as you would when riding on a good day...
Can anyone with the 9.8XT in deep smoke colour, put my mind at ease and check if you have this effect/defect? on the top tube...
https://www.emtbforums.com/threads/so-whos-ordered-the-trek-fuel-exe.29759/post-439063
sounds exactly like our situation. I had the Fuel EX8 first, then he got that and I got the Rail which had me doing multiple loops up and down in a single session.
Ordered the 9.8XT Deep Smoke, Medium in August but just picked it up due to injury. When I was inspecting it under natural sunlight and a torch pre-ride wrapping, the top tube shows what appears to be the carbon patches and looks like they didn't use enough paint. Trek store and their HQ said...
yes its all his fault I'm into this hobby/sport and loving it. He has nicknamed me EnduroDad although I'm far from it and after a year of riding, came off my Rail and currently recovering from a broken wrist! Nothing too difficult, easy trail, got complacent but can't wait to get back on...