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Best aero bikes 2024: fastest speed weapons ridden and rated

We've ridden and rated the best aero bikes and these are our favourites

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Best overall

Best handling

Best lightweight

Best all-rounder

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• What to look for

Best aero bikes 2023: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴ 1. Best overall 2. Best handling 3. Best value 4. Best lightweight 5. Best all-rounder 6. Most adjustable

Advice What to look for

The best aero bikes can save you watts and help you to ride faster. Nearly every bike company has an aero bike somewhere in its range. And for good reason. Our independent testing shows that the difference between the best aero bikes and a lightweight bike with conventional round tube profiles could be as much as 25 watts at 45kph. It'd take a lot of training to gain 25 watts.

What makes a bike an aero bike? They're characterized by deep section tube shapes designed to reduce drag, integrated cockpits, disc brakes, and hidden seat post clamps. Often they'll have dropped seatstays and they will come with deep section aero wheels .

While it's all well and good having the fastest possible aero bike, you won't want to ride it very far if it's uncomfortable or too heavy. Happily, the latest generation of aero bikes boast impressively low weights and deliver a ride quality that's both comfortable enough for a long day in the saddle, as well as a sprint finish.

Increasingly, all-rounder race bikes are becoming more aero as well, with almost all of the best road bikes including many or all of the features mentioned above. The aerodynamic tuning may not be as extreme as the best aero bikes, but they'll be significantly faster than their round tubed predecessors.

We've tested a variety of the best aero bikes across a range of prices. Our picks are below, while towards the bottom of this page you'll find our buyer's guide to the best aero bikes and how to choose. 

The redesigned Madone is everything a modern aero race bike should be: fast, smooth and light. The only thing not to like is the price.

Read more below

The latest S5 won our Race Bike of the Year award thanks to its sublime handling and its supreme comfort, both of which help make it seriously fast.

It's a relative term when you're discussing high-end aero bikes, but the Propel Advanced Pro 1 does deliver a lot of bike for the money. 

The revamped SL8 retains the agility of its predecessor but now it's both stiffer and lighter - the SRAM Red AXS equipped model weighs just 6.6kg.

To gain this title an aero bike needs to be fast yet comfortable with handling that's responsive but assured. The updated Foil is all these.

The Aeroad is light and fast and holds its own among the best aero race bikes. The adjustable cockpit is an added bonus with three width settings.

Best aero bikes: our picks

Best aero bike overall.

1. Trek Madone SLR 7

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The seventh generation Madone impressed us enough to win 'best aero' category in our Race Bike of the Year awards. That it was up against stiff competition only deepened our appreciation of this striking machine.

The redesign has made the Madone lighter - our test model weighed just 7.5kg, which is light indeed for an aero bike. As a result it performed well when the road pointed up. But it was the overall ride quality that really caught our attention. It floated over poor road sections, even on 25mm tires, and handled beautifully on descents and around corners.  It's an enviable combination that any race bike would love to achieve - and the Madone does it with style.

Taking of style, the new IsoFlow tech may look different, but in conjunction with the new aero cockpit, it's clearly working. The Madone is flat out fast. Trek's claims of a 300g saving, coupled with it stating that it's almost 20 watts faster than its predecessor seems legitimate. However, all these improvements do make for a price tag that will likely make you wince.

Read more: Trek Madone SLR7 full review

Best aero bike for handling

2. Cervélo S5

If you followed our Race Bike of the Year awards, you'll know that the Cervélo S5 took top honours. That it doesn't quite win best aero bike here isn't a knock however, rather its testament to the updated S5's ability to perform brilliantly across the board.

In simple terms, for a blend of aerodynamics, comfort and handling, it's just hard to beat. It's little wonder that it's the choice of team Jumbo-Visma in all but the hilliest of stages and has been an important part of their recent successes, which includes back-to-back TdF titles no less.

So what makes it handle so well? It's really the balanced geometry that means you can ride hard without it ever feeling twitchy. The wheel and tire combination also play a part in the bike's impressive comfort and grip. On test our 28mm tires actually measured over 31mm, thanks to the generous internal rim width of the Reserve wheels. 

Read more: Cervélo S5 SRAM Force full review

Best aero bike for value

3. Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1

The updated Propel saw it slim down a little, especially the frame's rear triangle. It's helped make it more comfortable and a little more versatile, while still retaining it's genuine aero credentials. In fact, Giant says it's faster than the previous model by some 6.2 watts at 40kph.

Tire clearance has been upped to 32mm, which further aids comfort and handling. On review, it all added up to a smoother ride compared to previous iterations, so much so that it could easily be your every day road bike. If this raises eyebrows given the Propel's weight, we think that unless you live and ride in the mountains, it's unlikely to be a penalty - with the bike's innate speed more than making up for the number on the scales.

While the Propel Advanced can be had in various builds, our Advanced Pro 1 represented good value. While it's not cheap, it delivers unmatched performance-to-price ratio, making for  an "excellent bike with an exceptional price".

Best lightweight aero road bike

Specialized Tarmac SL7 merges aero and lightweight

4. Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

The new SL8 builds on the aero all-rounder profile of the previous Tarmac. Designed a race bike for all occasions - or stages - the update is said to be lighter, stiffer and more aero. 

Certainly the drop in frame weight is notable. Using the same layup as the featherweight Aethos, Specialized have shaved off the grams, with the SL8 frame weighing just 685 grams. This helps make for a total weight of just 6.6kg for the S-Works model in a size 56cm. 

We found it added up to a bike that's super stiff and just as responsive. If you like the SL7, you'll be pleased to read that the geometry of the SL8 is much the same. The result is the same playful characteristics that translate to a fast and snappy ride feel.

Read more: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 full review

Best aero all-rounder

The new Scott Foil is lighter and more aero but also more comfortable

5. Scott Foil Ultimate RC

The latest iteration of the Scott Foil has new, deeper tube profiles that Scott says improve the bike's aerodynamics, delivering a ride that's 1m 18s faster over 40k at 40kph. The curved seat tube hugs the rear wheel, although Scott says that the geometry is unchanged from its past Foil models.

Scott has reduced the number of joints in the frame as well, which it says reduces weight, although this - very expensive - Ultimate spec still weighs 7.3kg, which is a little more than its rivals. 

Comfort is also said to have increased, in particular thanks to the large cut-out in the rear of the seatpost, which adds a significant amount of flex at the saddle.

Fast on the flat and on gently descending roads and with good vibration damping on coarse tarmac, the Foil does show its weight on steep ascents, although that's mitigated by reassuring handling on descents.

Read more: Scott Foil Ultimate RC full review

Best aero bike for adjustment

6. Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8

Another aero bike that makes a solid claim as being an all-rounder, the Aeroad is fast, responsive and pretty lightweight. 

There's some compliance there too, with rear-end comfort delivered by a combination of a 28mm rear tire and a flexing seatpost. However, it's the Aeroad's level of adjustability that really sets it apart from other aero race bikes.

The stack height can be altered by 15mm without having to do any fiddly re-cabling or steerer tube cutting - but does require a proprietary headset tool. The width-adjustable cockpit, with Canyon says aids the bike's aerodynamics, delivers 40mm of adjustability, three width settings and collapsibility for travelling. Whether you feel the need to adjust your cockpit width is another question, however.

Read more: Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 8 full review

BMC Time Machine 01 Road Four

7. BMC Timemachine 01 Road

Since its introduction in 2012, the BMC Timemachine has always been a head-turner, but there was no doubting its purely functional credentials, sacrificing comfort for ultimate speed.

The platform has come a long way since then, and the Timemachine Road iteration is far more rider friendly, and while it retains its rapidness, the latest design manages to also shoehorn in an element of compliance, with the end result being pretty close to perfect.

Equipped with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 disc brake set up, semi-integrated cockpit, 62mm deep section DT Swiss Arc 1400 Dicut 62 wheels and fast rolling Vittoria Corsa Control tires it leaves you with no question as to the bike's ambition, but with the added comfort factor, it now means it's a lot more than just a one trick pony. Our only grumble is with the limited 25mm tire clearance.

Read more: BMC Timemachine 01 Road full review

Pinarello Dogma F

8. Pinarello Dogma F

Pinarello's superbike is still the winningest Tour de France bike of the last decade, even if the Dogma F is yet to chalk up an overall win. There are several build options, including an increasingly rare a direct mount rim brake option. 

Pinarello says that the F is the lightest version of the Dogma yet, thanks to parts like a 3D printed titanium saddle clamp and redesigned bar/stem rather than a drop in frame weight. It's marginally faster than its predecessor as well. There are 352 different frame and component size options available, so there's plenty of scope to fine-tune your fit.

It's a dream of a bike, a rapid, nimble ride, and of course, with the price tag, a rather expensive one at that.

Read more: Pinarello Dogma F first ride review

Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra Di2

9. Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra Di2

The SystemSix is Cannondale's first ever dedicated aero road bike, and the brand has come out swinging. It looks exactly the way you'd expect an aero bike to look: it's all stark angles and chunky tubes and you'd be forgiven for thinking it'd be uncomfortable, but actually the SystemSix has comfort at odds with its chunky looks.

It's also a very fine handling bike, with a geometry that almost matches the Cannondale SuperSix Evo and hydraulic brakes that instil confidence on descents.

The SystemSix rolls on the Cannondale's Knot 64 wheels which are tubeless ready, very stiff and spin along like a freight train. Teaming it with the much rated Shimano Ultegra Di2 for rapid electronic shifting is the ultimate partnership.

With two back to back years as a Cycling Weekly Editor's Choice award winner, we can't speak highly enough of Cannondale's aero offering.

Read more: Cannondale SystemSix full review

Buyer's guide to the best aero bikes: what to look for

There are a few things to consider before opting for an out-and-out aero bike, particularly since you can get many of the benefits of a full-on aero bike from an aero optimised all-rounder road bike. 

Why would you buy an aero bike?

Well that's a very good question that. With the  Cycling Weekly  wind tunnel still seeking funding from the powers that be, we can't answer with complete scientific accuracy. However, we have conducted a couple of experiments in the past that have compared the performances of aero bikes with non-aero bikes.

In the first of these, we took two bikes to a velodrome to test how much faster is an aero bike . We rode each bike (a now superseded Cervélo S5 and Canyon Ultimate CF SLX ) for 10 minutes at 200W and 10 minutes at 300W, with the aero bike being 275m ahead and 1.7kph faster when ridden at 200W, and 435m ahead and 2.6kph faster when ridden at 300W.

In the second experiment we pitched an aero bike (again the Cervélo S5) against a lightweight bike (a Focus Izalco Max ) on a climb, tackling Box Hill in Surrey twice on each bike, again at 200W and 300W, to see which climbs faster , despite the Cervélo S5 being 800g heavier.

However, this time it was the lightweight bike that came out on top. At 200W, it took our test rider 9:24 to tackle the 2.5km climb on the aero bike at an average speed of 15kph, while the lightweight bike was 18 seconds faster with an average speed of 16kph.

At 300W, the lightweight bike was still faster, but the gap between the two was reduced, with the aero bike only being seven seconds slower with a 0.4kph difference in speed. This shows how much more important aerodynamics become at higher speeds, while weight is more of a factor at lower speeds.

The take home message then, is that for most riders over most terrain, an aero bike will be faster than a lightweight bike. The only case where weight begins to become more of a factor is on steeper climbs where you're travelling more slowly, and even then any time gains could well be balanced out on the descent, where the high speeds are going to make aerodynamics a factor again.

What features should I look out for in an aero bike?

At a most basic level, all aero bikes should come with tubes that have been shaped to smooth airflow, meaning that they will have a slender front profile but elongated rearwards. 

However, manufacturers can't go crazy if they want to see their bikes used in races, with the UCI's rules still restricting how deep tube profiles can be. The latest iteration of the rules has relaxed those governing tube shapes though, so the latest crop of aero road bikes has significantly more aero tuning than its predecessors.

Whereas the first aero road bike, the original Cervelo Soloist, had teardrop shaped tube sections, all now use kammtail tube profiles. This means that the tube retains an aerofoil shape at the front, but with the back half lopped off to give it a flat back.

A lot of people say that aero bikes now all look the same and a possible reason is because of the use of popular dropped rear stays, which the industry has collectively decided is the most aerodynamic shape. Helpfully, it's also comfortable, too.

Many aero bikes include a chunky bottom bracket shell. Again, this enhances aerodynamics as the air flows more smoothly over the bottom bracket area. It also adds stiffness and improves pedalling efficiency .

What is integration and what's its benefit?

Integration is also a big feature of aero bikes, with almost all aero bikes aiming to hide as much hardware as possible within the frame.

The key to this is cable routing. The sleekest aero bikes keep the gear cables and brake hoses hidden, routing them through the handlebars, stem, and frame before they emerge close to their partner components, usually on the rear side of the tubes to keep them out of the wind.

It's a feature that's now common on the best all-rounder road bikes too and that's made easier by the switch of high-end road bike groupsets to wireless electronic shifting.

You can also expect an aero profile seatpost with a hidden clamp, which will reduce turbulence. Many aero road bikes also include features to shield the bottles and bottle cages from the airflow and reduce turbulence around them.

Now, however, the market has moved a long way from integrated brakes, and disc brakes are the most common stoppers that you'll find on aero bikes, with some models even being disc brake specific. The bike brand's argue that they've managed to design the latest models around the rotors, or generate more aero savings across the frame.

However, possibly the most important part (or parts) of a seriously sleek aero bike are the wheels. Again, there's been a lot of development in the best road bike wheels with wheel makers typically wind tunnel testing them to enhance their aerodynamic performance in a headwind and stability and aero gains in crosswinds.

Deep section wheels are the norm on aero bikes

How easy is an aero bike to live with?

Yes, for most people on most terrain, an aero bike will be faster, but if you're considering buying one, you also have to weigh up what day-to-day life will be like with your new pride and joy.

It used to be the case that the more aerodynamic the bike, the more difficult it was to live with, mostly because of complicated internal cable routing. This can make altering cable and brake hose length or raising and lowering stack height a bit of a pain because it involves cutting cables and bleeding brake hoses to do so.  However, many modern aero bikes now come with split spacers, which makes this process a lot easier.

Aero integrated handlebars can make cable and brake hose mechanics a bit more difficult

Finally, if you're going to get the most out of your aero bike, then you might want to fit a rear light to up your road presence or you may occasionally find yourself riding in the dark. In this case, aerodynamic seatposts and handlebars can make it a little tricky to fit bike lights , 

A standard cycling computer mount probably won't fit to aero handlebars, so you'll often need an out-front mount that's specific to your bike. It may be included with the bike or in some cases it's an extra.

Some makes allow you to fit an integrated rear light into the seatpost, so that it doesn't interfere with aerodynamics. The shape of the seatpost and an integrated light may also limit the saddlebags you can use - but you didn't really want to wreck your bike's aerodynamics with a bag on the rear did you?

How else can I be more aero?

Before you rush, wallet open, to your local bike shop in search of the latest aero bike, it's worth considering that there are plenty of other much cheaper ways to make some aerodynamic gains.

The vast majority of the wind resistance that you have to overcome while cycling is caused by you, so your position and clothing choice can make a big difference to your speed and there's a lot of aero optimisation you can do. 

Riding in a low, crouched position with your hands on the hoods, elbows bent, is roughly 20 per cent more aerodynamic than riding upright with your hands on the tops.

Similarly, tight-fitting aerodynamic clothing and an aero cycling helmet can also make a significant difference. The benefits might not be as pronounced as with changing your position, but if you're riding along with a baggy rain jacket unzipped and flapping in the wind, even if it is one of the best waterproof cycling jackets , then you can wave goodbye to any gains that you might have got from your expensive aero bike and flash deep sections wheels.

How much should I pay for an aero bike?

With aero bikes now being available at almost all price points, it's more a case of how much can you afford to pay rather than how much do you need to pay.

At the top-end of the scale, it's not unusual to see aero bikes costing over £10,000 / $10,000, which should be enough to get you a cutting-edge frame matched with some pretty tasty components and deep section wheels for a seriously aero machine that's similar to a bike ridden by the pros.

Top end models like a high spec Trek Madone will cost over £10,000 / $10,000

However, for a lot less you will often be able to pick up a bike with a frame that might not have the same premium quality carbon fibre (and so may be less stiff and will usually be heavier) but will have the same shaped tubes which will still be subject to the same laws of physics, at least on the flat and downhill.

Wheel choice is also important when considering how much to pay for an aero bike. If you already have aerodynamic, deep section wheels, then there's no point in paying more money for an aero bike that comes with similarly posh wheels. 

Instead, buy the bike with the cheaper wheels, take these off to use as training wheels, then put on the deep section wheels that you already own for race days.

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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.

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The Best Trek Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

The Wisconsin-headquartered company has local values and a global impact.

Trek’s founding story is out of a Hollywood director’s mind and a non-fiction writer’s wish list: In 1976, Bevill Hogg and Dick Burke drank beers at the Pine Knoll Supper Club in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and debated over the name of their would-be cycling company. They settled on Trek and soon went to work in a barn between Madison and Milwaukee, where a total of five employees built the brand’s first bikes out of steel. The company is still based near the barn that facilitated its first years—its modern headquarters are in Waterloo, Wisconsin.

Fat and grippy tires mated to a light aluminum frame

Émonda ALR 5 Disc

A smooth-riding frame paired with Shimano’s terrific 105 group

Sturdy steel in an approachable package

Madone SLR 9

Every feature imaginable and a slippery aero frame

Top Fuel 9.9 X01

A super-efficient bike that shreds down hills

“We’re a uniquely American success story from small-town USA,” said brand manager Eric Bjorling. “So many of the values that have led to Trek’s success—hard work, craftsmanship, responsibility, commitment to our customers—are Wisconsin values.”

Its values may be hyper-local and American, but it’s now a company at the center of a globalized cycling market that has made industry-leading technological advances.

A recent example of Trek’s “industry-leading technological advances” mentioned above is IsoSpeed, which is available at the front and rear on certain Trek models. The rear decoupler is at the junction of the seat and top tube, and the front decoupler is located at the top of the headset.

The front IsoSpeed decoupler allows the fork steerer tube to flex more than it would with a fixed upper headset cup, which helps damp some impacts. The rear IsoSpeed decoupler provides increased vertical seat tube deflection (compared to a traditional fixed seat tube design) for a smoother ride. The rear IsoSpeed system is adjustable on the latest Madone and Domane models, which lets the rider adjust the compliance level for terrain and or personal preference. You might not even need to adjust the rear slider to experience the road-smoothing effects of the two decouplers—our test team found that the all-over effect was fast and smooth performance equally suited to asphalt and cobbles.

Famed Classics specialist Fabian Cancellara, who retired from racing as a member of World Tour team Trek-Segafredo, worked with Trek engineers to develop the final version of IsoSpeed, which is especially useful on the cobbles and other rough surfaces that riders encounter on most Classics courses. Since the tech’s 2012 release on the Domane, Trek has claimed that IsoSpeed doesn’t sacrifice power transfer at the cost of more compliance.

Along with bolstering its ride-smoothing technologies, Trek has also begun implementing internal-storage compartments in the downtube of some of its road and mountain bikes. These handy “trap doors” debuted in the new Domane and Fuel EX, where an included organizer roll has pockets for a tube, CO2 cartridge, inflator head, and tire lever.

Trek has also started moving away from women’s specific bikes and adopting a “more bikes for everyone” ethos, where all bikes are offered in unisex sizing. The idea is that this will ensure that no matter your gender, you’ll have access to the full array of paint colors, build kits, and sizes.

And of course, Trek continues to roll out exciting new bikes. This year’s slate includes the third generation of the popular Domane roadster (now with even more ride-smoothing technology) and fully revamped versions of the Fuel EX and Top Fuel mountain bikes, which are both more capable than ever.

If you’re in the market for a road, mountain, or city bike (or any other style), Trek likely has something made for you.

How We Chose

Trek is among the most popular bike brands and has one of the most extensive bike lines in the world. Because it makes a lot of bikes—and a lot of bikes that our readers want to know about—our test team evaluates, rides, and reviews many Trek models throughout the year. This is not a complete overview of all of Trek’s models, but a focused list of the best. These are the Trek bikes that offer exceptional performance, value, technology, or features (or some combination of all four).

.css-1hhr1pq{text-align:center;font-size:1.1875rem;line-height:1.6;font-family:Charter,Charter-roboto,Charter-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;}.css-1hhr1pq em{font-style:italic;font-family:Charter,Charter-styleitalic-roboto,Charter-styleitalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;}.css-1hhr1pq strong{font-family:Charter,Charter-weightbold-roboto,Charter-weightbold-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:bold;} —BEST ALL-AROUND ROAD BIKE—

Domane slr 7, trek domane slr 7.

The third-generation of the Domane isn’t just the best Domane; it’s Trek’s best-ever road bike. And it’s one of the best road bikes on the market right now thanks to an equal blend of performance, comfort, practicality, and versatility. The Domane got more aerodynamic than the previous iteration (saving 12 watts at 40Kph), it takes at least a 38mm tire, and has hidden fender mounts and sleek internal storage. It also features compliance-enhancing decouplers front and rear that improve rider comfort and control without detracting from the bike’s pedaling efficiency or handling. The Domane’s steering is light and its handling precise, but with a mellower edge and more stability than a traditional road racing bike.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 23 IMAGES

―best new road bike―, émonda slr 9 etap, trek émonda slr 9 etap.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 35 IMAGES

―best women’s trail bike―, $1,259.99 trek roscoe 7.

There’s so much to love about this bike. The SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, with a 30t chainring and 10-50t cassette, gives a massive range of gears and plenty of low-range options for easing the pain of climbing steep hills. Its 27.5-inch wheels are maneuverable in tight, technical terrain, and the 2.8-inch tubeless-ready tires offer great traction and a plush ride. The RockShox Judy Silver fork has plenty of travel for getting rowdy (1oomm for size the extra-small frame size, 120mm for small through large) and can be locked out for more efficient off-trail riding. And speaking of rowdy, a 100mm dropper post is a very cool addition to a bike at this price.

—BEST FIRST “REAL” MOUNTAIN BIKE―

Trek marlin 7.

The Marlin 7, which also comes in a women’s version , is ideal for aspiring racers, everyday trail riders, and casual commuters alike. Riders who like to pedal fast will appreciate its steep, aggressive head and seat angles, and a high bottom bracket that offers decent pedal clearance on the trail. Its cables are internally routed, too, which isn’t common on bikes at this price. It has a 2x9-speed Shimano drivetrain, which strays from the single-chainring trend that’s popular on off-road bikes at the moment but also provides plenty of gearing options. And even though the RockShox XC30 100mm coil-spring fork is heavier than some comparable air-spring models, it does a surprisingly good job on super-rocky trails. Add to that the 2.2-inch-wide Bontrager tires on 29-inch Bontrager Connection rims, which never squirmed too much on sketchy terrain, and you have a bike that not only looks fast but offers the kind of sharp handling and precise steering you’d expect from higher-priced racing models.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 27 IMAGES

―BEST ELECTRIC ROAD BIKE―

Trek domane+ hp.

The Domane+ e-road bike is the electric version of, naturally, the popular Domane. It’s designed for riders who appreciate that bike’s reliable comfort and IsoSpeed technology but want the added fun and function of e-assist. It’s also the ideal companion for anyone coming back from injury, slower riders who want to mix it up with a speedy group, and couples with different fitness levels. A Bosch Performance Speed motor provides a very welcome 28 mph of pedal assist, and the 500Wh Powertube battery sleekly integrates into the down tube. You also get massive tire clearance, fender and rack compatibility, and Trek’s Blendr stem for cleanly mounting accessories such as lights and computers to your handlebar.

―BEST NEW XC BIKE―

Supercaliber 9.9, trek supercaliber 9.9 xx1 axs.

The new Supercaliber is the brand’s latest attempt to create the ultimate XC race bike by merging the best attributes of a hardtail (stiffness, low weight) and full-suspension (traction, comfort, control) frame into one. And based on our rides, it’s the closest yet to that best-of-both-worlds machine with 60mm of rear travel. Trek’s IsoStrut design places a Fox Float shock into a tube—both ends of that tube are bolted to the underside of the SuperCal’s top tube. At the top of the seat stays is a sleeve (Trek calls it a carriage) that slides over the bolted-in tube. Cutouts in the tube allow a cross bolt to pass through the sleeve, the tube, and the rear shock eyelet. Trek says this design eliminates rotation around the shock shaft and prevents side-loading the shaft so the bike has the stiffness and feel of a hardtail, but with real full suspension for better comfort and control. And based on back to back testing with a hardail, the Supercaliber is everything it was designed to be.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 48 IMAGES

―BEST VALUE HARDTAIL―

Procaliber 9.7, trek procaliber 9.7.

Trek did a masterful job with this bike, skimping in the right places to save money and splurging in the areas that count for performance. The carbon frame is extremely lightweight; our size XL test bike weighed in at only 21.6 pounds. The IsoSpeed decoupler at the junction of the seat tube and top tube offers so much vertical compliance you can actually see the seat tube moving if you bounce on the saddle. Tubeless-ready Bontrager Kovee Elite 23 carbon wheels also keep weight in check and roll very quickly when wrapped in (stock) 2.2-inch Bontrager XR2 Team Issue tires. Be warned, though, these are race-day tires for dry conditions and not well suited to daily trail riding or muddy courses. SRAM’s GX Eagle drivetrain and alloy SRAM X1 Eagle crank keep cost in check and can stand up to plenty of hard riding and abuse. They do add significant weight, though, which makes this bike’s overall lightness all the more impressive. Our tester was surprised, however, to find a narrow 720mm handlebar. He said it felt strange at first but didn’t notice it anymore after a few minutes of riding.

―BEST ENTRY-LEVEL RACER―

Domane al 2, trek domane al 2 disc.

The good looks of the Domane AL 2 are the first indication that Trek didn’t mess around with this bike. Start digging deeper and you’ll find even more to like. The shaped aluminum frame is nicely made and has a vibration-damping carbon fork. The rims are tubeless-ready so you can upgrade to smoother-rolling tires filled with puncture sealant. And new for 2021, the Domane AL 2 is outfitted with disc brakes. That does come with a bump in price—the previous version with rim brakes was only $860. But if you ride in variable weather conditions, the more reliable performance from disc brakes may save your bacon. The shifters snick-snick the drivetrain through the gears lightly and crisply. There are other little surprising nuggets, like the pocket in the frame for a speed sensor and the included light and computer mount that cleanly integrates into the stem. Best of all, the bike is a joy to ride. Handling is stable, precise, and attentive to pedal strokes so you feel like you’re flying over the road, not pushing across it.

—BEST MARATHON BIKE—

Top fuel 9.9, trek top fuel 9.9 x01.

While the 2019 Top Fuel featured 100mm of travel in the front and back, the new top-of-the-line Top Fuel 9.9 has 120mm of front suspension and 115mm in the rear. Trek also did away with the floating mount that compressed the shock from both ends. Instead, the lower eyelet is fixed to the downtube, a change that reduces weight and improves stiffness. Tires are also beefed up. Instead of skinny race-oriented ones, this model comes with 29x2.40-inch Bontrager XR3 Team Issue rubber designed for a variety of riding conditions. Gnar capability is further enhanced thanks to a frame that’s slacker and longer. And it’s spec’d with a shorter stem and wider bars.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 47 IMAGES

—BEST ROAD RACE BIKE—

Madone slr 9 disc, trek madone slr 9.

It’s no longer debatable that “disc brakes aren’t aero enough to race on.” Tell that to the now numerous Tour de France stage winners who’ve won highly contested sprints on disc-brake-equipped bikes. And try telling that to Mads Pedersen , who rode to the World Championship title on this bike. The Madone SLR 9 Disc is the premier aerodynamic offering from Trek. The SLR 9 Disc’s frame is made from 700 Series OCLV carbon and features an adjustable IsoSpeed, which can be set to create more or less frame compliance. This technology gives the bike versatility to suit the rider and the route. Pro-level components include a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset (50/34 crankset, 11-28 cassette), flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes, Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 carbon wheels (tubeless-ready), and a Madone-specific seatpost, headset, and handlebar. Models range from $6,000 to $12,000.

—BEST FOR GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL—

The 1120 is a bikepacking beast, ready for your next days-long adventure as soon as you leave the shop. Complete with an aluminum frame, carbon fork, 1x11-speed Shimano SLX groupset, and bulbous Bontrager Chupacabra 29x3-inch tires, the bike’s components are capable of helping you ride through challenging terrain deep in the backcountry. What’s more, the 1120 comes stock with front and rear racks that will hold plenty of gear.

—BEST KID’S MOUNTAIN BIKE—

Trek roscoe 24.

The Roscoe 24 is a great bike for older children who want to take their riding skills off road. Designed to accommodate riders between 4-foot-2 and 5-foot-3, this bike comes with 24-inch wheels, 2.8-inch tires, a 1x8-speed Shimano groupset, and Tektro mechanical disc brakes, making it a well-equipped bike for younger riders as they learn how to navigate trails.

—BEST COLLEGE BIKE—

The 820 is Trek’s answer to people who just a want solid, reliable, and affordable bike to ride. With a steel frame, a fork with 75mm of travel, and 26 by 2-inch-wide tires, the 820 is labeled as an entry-level hardtail mountain bike. This steed would be great for college students looking for a reliable commuter and way to explore local trails or a family looking to buy a bike that can be used by several people for a variety of purposes. A 7-speed Shimano Tourney groupset, with a 42/34/24 crank and a 14-28 cassette, will enable almost any level of rider to get where they’re going.

—BEST FITNESS BIKE—

Trek fx 3 disc.

The name “ hybrid bike ” mean different things to different people. To some, it indicates a ride good as both a way to habitually exercise and explore. To others, it may only be a tool for good-weather fun. With an aluminum frame, carbon fork, and 32mm Bontrager H2 Hard-Case Lite tires, the Trek FX 3 Disc can be enjoyed by, and comfortable for, almost any sort of rider. The 9-speed Shimano Acera groupset features a 46/30 crank, 11-36 cassette, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

—BEST BUDGET ROAD RACER—

Emonda alr 5 disc, trek émonda alr 5.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the new Émonda ALR 5 Disc is full carbon. But it’s not. It’s an aluminum race bike with the same geometry as Trek’s carbon Émonda frames. The ALR 5 Disc comes stock with a full Shimano 105 drivetrain, a compact 50/34 crankset, an 11-28 cassette, and hydraulic flat-mount disc brakes.

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Test report: trek’s new e-caliber full suspension emtb impresses on all trails.

May 27, 2021 - The opportunity to test out Trek’s new E-Caliber 9.6 mountain bike was a high point this spring. Touted as their lightest full suspension e-MTB ever, this new electric mountain bike was evidently created with efficiency in mind, featuring the same rear IsoStrut suspension design as Trek’s World Cup proven Supercaliber cross-country race bike.

Featuring an impressive amount of pedal efficiency for the way up, and a surprising amount of capability on the way down, the E-Caliber leans more towards an all-mountain ready rig rather than a racey XC bike like its non-electric twin.

With all six models in the lineup only being available with Trek’s OCLV mountain carbon frame options, the E-Caliber is one of the lighter eMTB options on the market at 40.6 lbs. (size medium) for the 9.6 model we tested (the 9.9 XX1 AXS model is 34lbs.). Rolling on 29x 2.4” Bontrager XR3 Team Issue tubeless ready tires, and featuring a remote lockout to easily switch the suspension on and off, riding on flat or uphill terrain felt nothing short of amazing and is certainly where the bike shines.

When Trek paired the E-Caliber’s superior pedalling efficiency with a lightweight, completely removable, 250-watt, Fazua Evation drivepack, featuring 55Nm of torque, and 250wh battery with 70km range, they delivered one heck of a fun bike.

The E-Caliber is equipped with Fazua’s intelligent Black Pepper software, which allows the motor to respond immediately as you start to pedal, delivers more power over a wider cadence range, and lets you customize the user settings.

With three easily adjustable power modes thanks to the sleek Fazua touchpad remote, and up to 32km/h of pedal-assist power, I found myself eager to tackle climbs, trying new and unique lines, and really pushing it to see what was possible to overcome.

The whole ride experience was way more interesting and engaging with that much confidence, and it was my legs that were first to relish a break, not the battery, which offers 2-4 hours of life.

I was also impressed at how well the bike could also handle technical and fast sections on the way down. When ploughing through chundery, steep, and rocky sections of trail, the bike rarely felt like it was getting bucked or out of control, which essentially sealed the deal on this awesome eMTB.

With a 67.5 degree head angle and 64.8 cm top tube, the bike seems noticeably long and slack for a cross-country bike, and really equated to a sense of stability and confidence on the way down.

With only 60mm of travel on the Trek IsoStrut Fox Performance rear shock and 120mm in the RockShox 35 Gold RL front fork, the lack of suspension bottom out was also impressive. Considering the minimal amount of suspension that the bike is built with, is something of note, for those looking for a bike that they can get a bit rowdy with while tackling some descents.

While the E-Caliber is certainly a cross-country bike, it’s spec’d with Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and a TransX dropper post with 100mm of travel, meaning it’s not only designed to go up.

Featuring a 34-tooth front chainring and 1×12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, I rarely felt undergunned for the climbs or spinning out on the descents, which further drives home the feeling that the E-Caliber is a well-balanced eMTB ready for just about anything and everything.

Not solely for those looking for a fast and efficient option to get them up the trail, the E-Caliber’s descending capabilities far exceeded my initial expectations after throwing a leg over it. Its lightweight design made for an intensely fun and snappy ride on both climbs and descents.

A cross-country bike at heart, don’t be fooled by the E-Caliber’s minimal suspension and sleek design. This nimble, lightweight and capable eMTB is ready to take on big days and fun descents alike, with a ride quality that’s sure to impress and well worth a good look.

The SRP for the Trek E-Caliber 9.6 is $8,699.99 and for more information pls visit here .

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Bike Finder

Results have arrived, how to test ride a bike: what to look for, what to check.

TPC Bike Techs test ride hundreds of bikes every week. Here's their basic checklist to ensure every Certified Pre-Owned bike is safe and reliable before it goes in a box.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Oct 12, 2022

Posted in: Gravel

How's this for a perk of the job? Our professional Bike Techs thoroughly test-ride every Certified Pre-Owned bike before it gets boxed up, to ensure it arrives in perfect working order. TPC even has its own indoor test track so we can inspect and certify bikes year-round.

I got the rundown on how to test ride a used bike from Billy Finlay, one of our Master Technicians. 

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Pre-ride inspection checklist

If you're scoping out a used bike, here are a few things to check off the list before your test ride. A quick inspection will ensure that a bike is safe to ride and worth buying. 

When examining a bike, go over the entire frame with a flashlight (the one on your phone is fine). Be wary of any cracks, sharp dents, or deep gouges. On metal frames, inspect the welds for small cracks.  

Check the chain to ensure that no links are damaged or coming apart. If there's a quick link, make sure it’s installed properly .

Cassette and chainrings 

Check for broken teeth on the cassette and chainring(s). If the cassette or chainring teeth have a “V-shaped” or “shark tooth-like” appearance then they are worn and will require replacement. 

Tires should hold air, be fully seated on the rim, and shouldn’t be too worn, cracked, or dry-rotted. 

Do a parking lot brake test. For disc brakes, make sure the lever feels firm when you pull it. If its mushy feeling or there’s too much lever throw, you might need to replace the brake pads or perform a bleed later. 

For rim brakes, make sure the brake pads aren’t worn past the wear line on the pad and that they contact the brake track correctly. They shouldn’t touch the tire or any other part of the rim. Also, check for brake track wear. 

“I run my finger over the brake track to make sure it’s not concave,” Finlay explained. “If a rim brake track feels concave instead of flat, it’s worn out.” 

Make sure the stem, seat post, and saddle bolts are all tight so they don’t slip while riding.

“Push down firmly on the hoods and you'll know right away if the bars aren’t tight enough,” Finlay said. “For mountain bike bars, I kind of give it a firm roll, as if you're trying to pull up over something while riding, to see if they’ll rotate.” 

Check that the axles are tightened too, especially if it's a quick-release bike. 

“With quick-release skewers, make sure the wheels are installed straight and the quick-release cam lever releases and tightens properly.” 

[newsletter]

How to test-ride a used bike

When test-riding a bike, our Techs are paying attention to four key areas: shifting, braking, performance under load, and creaks. If a bike struggles or fails in any of these areas, it’s immediately sent back to a workstation to be serviced. Nearly all of these issues can be fixed, but it takes a ride to catch them.     

While riding, shift through every gear combination. Do this while soft-pedaling, but also try shifting a few times under load. 

“That will let you know if the chain and cassette are meshing together well,” Finlay explained. “If it hesitates to change gears up or down, I'll typically hop off and try and do some quick barrel adjuster adjustments to see if it’s just an indexing issue. Anything more complicated and it will have to go back to one of the Bike Techs to get fixed.”

If you’re test-riding a full-suspension mountain bike, keep in mind that these bikes may shift differently depending on rider weight.   

“With a lot of modern full-suspension bikes, the b-gap tends to change as you compress the suspension,” Finlay explained. “So we want to take into consideration the weight of the rider. If something is off, we'll check the b-gap while sitting on the bike and adjust the b-gap or use a shock pump to adjust the sag as necessary. Usually, that will improve the shifting immediately.”

If a bike doesn’t shift smoothly, and simple adjustments like indexing or b-gap don’t fix it, the bike might have a bent derailleur hanger or need replacement cables and housing. 

Many riders don’t pay enough attention to the brakes during test rides. Stopping is one of the most important functions, so after running through all the gears, give each brake a good workout. 

“Build up some speed to really test the stopping power,” Finlay said. “Don’t grab a handful of brake; you don’t want to skid or go over the bars, but apply a good amount of pressure to make sure they’re working properly. Test each brake individually to make sure both the front and rear actuate properly.” 

Performance under load

Bikes can behave differently when they’re under heavy loads. To make sure things don’t come apart when we’re on the rivet, we want to pedal the bike hard. The best way to do this is by riding up a steep hill. At TPC we use a long and steep ramp by our building. If there isn’t a steep hill nearby, you can get the same effect by using the brakes or sprinting out of the saddle. 

“You can put some load on the drivetrain by applying a little bit of pressure to the front brake while pedaling,” Finlay explained. “That'll simulate a load like you're climbing. Also, you can stand up and do a quick sprint. When we do this we’re making sure that everything feels smooth, there are no creaks, and nothing's going to slip.”

Usually, creaks can only be uncovered by test-riding a bike. “A creak is always a no-go for us,” Finlay explained. “If we hear one, it immediately goes back to get sorted out.” 

If you hear a creak while test-riding a used bike, however, it doesn’t mean you need to walk away. Our Bike Techs test ride hundreds of bikes a week and find that most creaks come from three main sources: the bottom bracket, the rear axle, or the cassette. Occasionally, it’s the seatpost or the headset, but the first three are the most common. 

“Sometimes the rear axle just needs grease,” Finlay said. “In the worst cases, we replace the entire bottom bracket and that takes care of it.” 

Fortunately, if you choose a Certified Pre-Owned bike, creaks are among the many things you don’t have to worry about. Trust us, because we already took it for a test ride!

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Mountain Bike Action Bike Test: Trek Supercaliber 9.9

Trek supercaliber 9.9.

D eveloped by Trek engineers over three years, the Supercaliber made its first stealth-like appearance in 2019 at the Nove Mesto UCI World Cup race with top riders Jolanda Neff and Emily Batty pushing the design of the bike to its limits. While spectators watched that weekend’s race, the design was still under development and literally covered up on the frames that the riders were testing. At the time, it left viewers asking, “Is it a hardtail? Wait, is there a shock under the cover?” The cat has since been let out of the bag to reveal Trek’s latest suspension design known as the IsoStrut shock. Fast-forward to the present, and the Supercaliber is no longer exclusive to World Cup athletes.

Without the sneaky wrapping paper, the Supercaliber was designed to achieve the best riding traits of both a hardtail and a full-suspension cross-country bike. The Supercaliber has several build options that range from $5,899 to the jaw-dropping price of $11,499. We were fortunate to have our test riders on one of the higher-end Supercaliber 9.9s with a retail price listed at $9,499. When your races consist of grueling climbs or photo-finish sprints, you’ll be glad to put down the hammer with a helpful low stack height that puts the rider over the front of the full OCLV carbon frame.

This lightweight carbon frame also features Trek’s Control Freak internal routing to keep the cable housing quiet, a Knock Block headset, Boost spacing in the rear, room for two water bottles, a tapered head tube, and 60mm of travel with the IsoStrut design.

All gold everything! The Trek Supercaliber 9.9 is decked out with all the top-of-the-line options an XC rider could ask for. The 9.9 we tested is the SRAM XX1 build, but Trek also offers an XTR option for the same price if you prefer Shimano. Furthermore, our test build could be brought to a standstill with SRAM Level Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes that brag about being equipped with lightweight carbon levers. To maneuver this XC machine, Trek equipped the bike with a narrow 720mm Bontrager Kovee XXX carbon bar mounted to a Bontrager Kovee Pro stem made from alloy. Sticking this very lightweight rig to the ground is a set of tubeless-ready 2.20-inch Bontrager XR1 tires. These tires are set tubeless with Bontrager TLR sealant onto Bontrager’s Kovee XXX 30 OCLV carbon wheelset.

The minimal design of the rear suspension is where the unique aspects of the Supercaliber shine through. The proprietary IsoStrut suspension provides 60mm of total travel. Whereas most suspension has an independent shock and linkage system, Trek’s design has the shock as a structural part of the Supercaliber’s frame. The proprietary Fox shock mounts just in front of the strut, where an anti-rotational pin is set to prevent twisting within the strut. To steer away from excess lateral movement, the builders completely left out the option of a rear pivot. Instead, the flat carbon seatstays bow about 3mm to 5mm vertically. Note that the shock offers 55mm of travel, while the flex in the stays equals out to 60mm.

This is how Trek bridged the gap between a stiff pedaling hardtail and a terrain-ready full-suspension race bike. At the front of the Supercaliber, Trek also spared no expense on this build and equipped it with a lightweight 100mm Fox Factory 32 Step-Cast fork. With our test riders eager to clip in and put Trek engineering to the test we set off for the dirt.

DOWN AND DIRTY

The Supercaliber screams for the cross-country-racing rider. We don’t recommend this bike as an option for the “sendy” trail rider, but in capable hands, the Supercaliber can tackle some tremendously technical terrain. The reduction of weight with the IsoStrut design and carbon components will…

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2023 Trek Fuel EXe Review | This brand new lightweight e-MTB is the stealthiest we’ve ever tested

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

https://www.trekbikes.com

$13,999 USD

- The near-silent motor performance - Solid chassis with excellent weight distribution - Great geometry and all-round handling - Supportive suspension offers exceptional control at speed - Sleek frame is low on e-bulk - The 9.8 model is surprisingly well priced

- Highly damped RockShox suspension isn't the plushest - TQ motor can lag - Not as light as some of its competitors - Rear axle lever makes noise while riding - Crankset Q-Factor is very wide

Mick & Wil review the Trek Fuel EXe

Following two years of development, the Trek Fuel EXe launches as a brand new electric mountain bike for 2023. Aiming to straddle the gap between the Rail (Trek’s full-powered, big travel e-MTB) and the regular Fuel EX, the Fuel EXe is built around a unique, never-before-seen motor that is claimed to be one of the quietest and lightest on the market. Along with its slim battery and carbon frame, the Fuel EXe is purported to weigh around 18kg in its lightest configuration, which is a good 5kg lighter than the Rail. That puts it into direct competition with the Specialized Levo SL and Orbea Rise ; two bikes that have had a significant head start in the lightweight e-MTB category. So what exactly does the new Trek Fuel EXe bring to the party? And how does its new motor perform on the trail? We’ve been testing it for the past few weeks to find out!

Watch our Trek Fuel EXe review here:

Overall it’s a very clean system, and combined with the compact motor and slim downtube, the Fuel EXe does a remarkable job of not looking like an e-MTB.

An overview of the Trek Fuel EXe

Whereas the Rail is based upon the Slash enduro bike, the Trek Fuel EXe is essentially an electrified version of the Fuel EX trail bike. It features 29in wheels, though it gets a touch more travel with a 150mm fork and 140mm of rear wheel travel courtesy of the ABP four-bar suspension platform.

OCLV Mountain carbon fibre has been employed to construct the Fuel EXe frame, while a two-piece alloy rocker link drives the rear shock via a trunnion bearing mount. Unlike the regular Fuel EX, Rail and Slash that feature Trek’s proprietary Thru Shaft damper, the Fuel EXe relies on a conventional rear shock.

The compact TQ motor

Powering the Trek Fuel EXe is a brand new and extremely compact motor that has been developed in collaboration with Bavarian company TQ.

TQ has previously been known for producing the 120Nm monster motor found within the Haibike Flyon. Taking the same patented Harmonic Pin-Ring (HPR) mechanism, those clever Germans have shrunken it right down to create what it believes is the lightest and smallest e-MTB motor on the market.

Comprised of just two moving parts, the HPR drive unit doesn’t require a belt or additional cogs, and it spins at an RPM that is three times lower than a conventional motor. Thanks to its simplified construction, the HPR design is claimed to result in fewer operating frequencies, reducing not only the overall decibels produced by the motor, but also lowering the ‘tonality’ (read: annoyance) of the sound.

Despite its compact form, the German-manufactured HPR50 motor delivers a healthy 50Nm of torque and a peak power output of 300W. TQ claims this motor has the highest torque density on the market, while offering seamless power delivery with virtually no lag.

It’s bloody light too

According to TQ, the HPR50 motor weighs just 1.85kg. That’s lighter than Specialized’s SL 1.1 motor (1.95kg), Fazua’s Ride 60 motor (2.3kg), Shimano’s EP8 (2.6kg) and Bosch’s Performance CX (2.79kg).

To make the most of its weight advantage, the HPR50 motor is paired to a modest 360Wh battery. This is claimed to weigh 1.83kg, which is notably lighter than the 360Wh battery used in the Orbea Rise (2.2kg), and about the same weight as the Specialized Levo SL’s smaller 320Wh battery (1.8kg). The compact battery allows the downtube to be made much slimmer, which results in further weight savings.

Putting the motor and battery together, here’s how the total system weight compares between the new Fuel EXe and its two main competitors;

• Trek Fuel EXe (50Nm motor & 360Wh battery) – 3.68kg 
• Specialized Levo SL (35Nm motor & 320Wh battery) – 3.75kg
• Orbea Rise (60Nm motor & 360Wh battery) – 4.8kg

Unlike the Levo SL and the Rise, the Fuel EXe’s battery can be easily removed from the frame without having to drop out the motor. This means you can charge it in the bike, or separately if you don’t have a power point in your shed. Trek claims you can fully charge the battery in just two hours with a fast charger.

Trek will also be offering a 160Wh Range Extender battery that customers can purchase separately for $1,199 AUD. Boosting range by a claimed 40%, the piggyback battery is designed to fit into a standard water bottle cage with the addition of a built-in retention strap for security. Unfortunately the Range Extender battery won’t be available in Australia until late 2022 however.

Tidy, integrated display

Just like the Specialized Levo and Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay , the Trek Fuel EXe features a display that’s integrated directly into the top tube. This 2in O-LED screen forms the control hub for the bike, with a single button that turns the system on and off. This same button is then used to cycle through four pages that display key metrics including battery status, riding speed, average speed, rider power, motor power, and estimated range. Because of its integrated display, the Fuel EXe doesn’t have room for the Knock Block steering limiter, and so omits it entirely.

A discreet two button controller sits next to the left-hand grip, allowing you to toggle between the Eco, Mid and High assist settings. Holding the top button also engages the Walk mode, which delivers power to the rear wheel when you’re off the bike and pushing uphill.

Bluetooth and ANT+ capability allows the TQ system to pair with your GPS head unit and mobile phone. Further functions can be unlocked via the Trek Central app, which offers navigation and integration with third party apps. You can use the app to tune the motor’s assistance levels, and it’ll also provide you with tyre and suspension pressure recommendations if you’re using a TireWiz and AirWiz.

Geometry & mullet capability

Without a bulky motor getting in the way, there are few compromises forced upon the suspension layout and geometry of the Trek Fuel EXe. For example, the chainstay length sits at an impressive 440mm, which is quite short given the 29in rear wheel and 2.5in tyre clearance. Trek has also chosen to stick with conventional Boost hub spacing and a 55mm chainline, so there’s nothing funky in terms of standards.

With the Mino Link flip chip set in the Low position, the Fuel EXe features a 64.7° head angle, a 76.7° seat angle and a 38.5mm BB drop. In the High position those angles steepen by 0.5° and the BB lifts by almost 7mm.

In that same High setting, Trek also states that the Fuel EXe can be run as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel. This will affect the motor’s output and 25km/h cutoff point however, as there’s currently no way for users to adjust the rear wheel circumference in the TQ system.

Trek Fuel EXe price & specs

Globally, there will be six Trek Fuel EXe models offered for 2023. Only three of those models will be available in Australia, with prices starting at $9,499 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.5, and maxing out at $12,999 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

All Fuel EXe models make use of the same TQ-HPR50 motor, 360Wh battery and OCLV carbon frame. There will be no alloy models for the foreseeable future.

The bike we’ve been testing is the top-end Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS, which in the States will come with a staggering retail price of $13,999 USD (that’s approximately $20,000 AUD!). It features RockShox Ultimate-level suspension, Bontrager Line Pro carbon wheels, a one-piece RSL carbon bar and stem, a SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, Code RSC brakes and a Reverb AXS dropper post. While this model won’t be available in Australia, aside from the wireless bits the spec isn’t drastically different from the 9.8 XT. As usual though, our review won’t be focussing a whole lot on the individual components, but rather the important stuff that’s shared throughout the range; the frame, handling, suspension and drive system.

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

• Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon Fibre, ABP Suspension Design, 140mm Travel
• Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
• Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, RT Damper, 205x60mm
• Drive Unit | TQ-HPR50, 50Nm Peak Torque
• Battery | TQ 360Wh
• Wheels | Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Carbon Rims, 29mm Inner Width
• Tyres | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.5in Front & Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano XT 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano XT 4-Piston
• Bar |  Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, 820mm Width
• Stem | Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, 45mm Length
• Seatpost | Bontrager Line Elite, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
• Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, Austentite Rails
• Claimed Weight | 18.1kg
• RRP | $12,999 AUD

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.7

• Fork | Fox Rhythm 36, GRIP Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
• Shock | Fox Float X, Performance Series, 2-Position Damper, 205x60mm
• Wheels | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Alloy Rims, 29mm Inner Width
• Tyres | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 2.5in Front & Rear
• Drivetrain | Shimano SLX 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Race Alloy 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano Deore 4-Piston
• Bar | Bontrager Line, Alloy, 27.5mm Rise, 780mm Width
• Stem | Bontrager Elite, 45mm Length
• Seatpost | TranzX Dropper, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L-XL)
• Claimed Weight | 19.05kg
• RRP | $10,999 AUD

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.5

• Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, Motion Control Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
• Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+, RT Damper, 205x60mm
• Wheels | Bontrager Sealed Bearing Hubs & Alex MD35 Alloy Rims, 34mm Inner Width
• Drivetrain | Shimano Deore 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Plus 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
• Brakes | Shimano MT420 4-Piston
• Bar | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, Alloy, 15mm Rise, 750mm Width
• Stem | Bontrager Alloy, 50mm Length
• Claimed Weight | 19.93kg
• RRP | $9,499 AUD

Noise isn’t everything, but geez it’s nice when you’re on a quiet bike. And in this regard, the Fuel EXe sets a whole new benchmark that we expect other brands will attempt to follow over the coming few years.

Trek Fuel EXe sizing & fit

Deviating from the regular Fuel EX, which comes in six sizes, the Trek Fuel EXe will only be available in four. To suit our 175-178cm testers we chose the Medium, which features a 452mm reach.

We had few complaints with sizing, though the stock handlebars are comically wide at 820mm. Those were promptly chopped down to a more conventional 780mm width, which proved to be a better fit with the 45mm ‘virtual’ stem length.

While the big diameter seat tube is nice and short, the 150mm dropper post limited our freedom of movement when riding down steep descents and along jump trails. We’d prefer to see a 170-180mm dropper on a bike that’s as capable as this.

Otherwise the Fuel EXe cockpit is a comfortable place to be thanks to the agreeable Bontrager saddle and lock-on grips. The seat tube angle isn’t too steep, with neutral weight distribution that doesn’t put a load of pressure on your hands. There’s plenty of adjustability thanks to the long saddle rails for those who do want to shunt it forward for a more aggressive climbing position.

Where the Fuel EXe definitely feels like an e-MTB is in its Q-Factor. Although the TQ-HPR50 motor is very compact, the fat e*13 carbon crank arms see the pedalling width blow out considerably. We measured the Q-Factor at 195mm, which is wider than any other e-MTB we’ve tested, and around 20mm wider than a regular mountain bike. Many riders will be unfazed by the difference, and indeed the wider stance can improve your overall stability on the bike. However, flat pedal riders will need to be wary when riding through deep ruts, and those with sensitive knees may simply find the Q-Factor to be too wide for comfort.

Suspension setup

The rear shock on the Trek Fuel EXe is designed to be run with 30% sag, a process that’s made easy thanks to the anodised gradients on the RockShox Super Deluxe.

Jose Gonzalez of Trek’s Suspension Lab explained to us that the Fuel EXe does have a slightly lower leverage rate compared to the regular Fuel EX, and the rear shock has been valved with a medium compression tune. The aim here is to provide more support to handle the additional weight of the battery and motor. Because of the greater damping forces generated by the shock, we trended towards having the compression adjusters backed off from the neutral setting. High-speed was set at minus two clicks (fully open) and the low-speed dial was set at minus one click. Rebound was set a couple of clicks faster than halfway to suit our 68-75kg testers.

Up front is the new 2023 RockShox Lyrik that features the new DebonAir+ spring and Charger 3 damper. RockShox recommends an extra 10psi for this fork when it’s fitted to an e-MTB, but we found this pressure to be too high when paired with the highly supportive Charger 3 damper. We ended up running 10psi less than recommended on the chart, set the rebound on the faster side, ran the high-speed compression at minus one click, and set the low-speed adjuster a few clicks lighter than neutral.

Trek Fuel EXe weight

Confirmed weight for our Trek Fuel EXe XX1 AXS test bike is 18.6kg, weighed without pedals and with the tyres set up tubeless.

That’s an impressive weight for a full suspension e-MTB, especially when you factor in the aggressive Bontrager tyres, powerful brakes and piggyback shock. Still, it’s not quite as light as some of its competitors;

• Specialized Levo SL Expert – 17.84kg
• Orbea Rise M10 – 18.38kg
• Trek Fuel EXe XX1 AXS – 18.6kg
• Specialized Kenevo SL Expert – 19.12kg

When you consider that the Fuel EXe is the only bike in that list with carbon wheels and crank arms, as well as a one-piece cockpit, its weight becomes a little less impressive. Given that the Fuel EXe supposedly has the lightest drive system out of the lot, we suspect some of the additional weight is found in the frame itself. That’s no bad thing, especially if it equates to having a stiffer and more robust chassis.

What does the Trek Fuel EXe do well?

When riding the Trek Fuel EXe the first thing you notice, or more accurately don’t notice, is just how quiet the TQ-HPR50 motor is. No doubt about it, this is easily the quietest e-MTB we’ve ever ridden.

The overall decibel output is low, and the motor’s pitch is significantly less prominent than other motors we’ve ridden. Rather than droning or whining, the TQ-HPR50 motor emits a more discreet sound that’s a bit like a gentle breeze whistling through the trees. Furthermore, there’s no annoying clacking noise on the descents like you’ll find with the latest Shimano and Bosch drive units. The TQ motor does feature an integrated freewheel that allows the drive wheel to disengage from the cranks to minimise drag, but despite this we couldn’t detect any obvious noise when descending on rocky trails.

Indeed the motor and chassis are well damped, with very little vibration or rattling present. While riding back-to-back with our Canyon Spectral:ON test bike, which features a cavernous downtube and a Shimano EP8 motor, the difference in trail noise was stark. Noise isn’t everything, but geez it’s nice when you’re on a quiet bike. And in this regard, the Fuel EXe sets a whole new benchmark that we expect other brands will attempt to follow over the coming few years.

Initially the muted motor gave the illusion of providing us with less assistance. This is because the power delivery is less obvious than a louder, whinier motor. However, a glance at our average riding speeds had us soon correcting that illusion.

Of course there’s not as much punch compared to the bigger 85-90Nm motors on the market, which is to be expected. During our standardised range test (more on that below), climbing speeds aboard the Fuel EXe hovered around 14km/h, compared to 18km/h on an EP8-equipped bike. This means you’ll be working harder on the Fuel EXe if all your pals are riding on full-powered e-MTBs.

Still, if you only ever ride singletrack aboard your e-MTB in the Eco or Trail assist settings, the TQ motor is likely to meet your needs. This will especially be the case for lighter and fitter riders, who will find the 50Nm output to be just about perfect for trail riding.

Well-damped suspension & no-fuss handling

It isn’t just the motor that’s quiet either, with the Trek Fuel EXe delivering a nicely damped ride quality that’s complemented by the distinct lack of any slurping noises from the fork’s new Charger 3 damper.

The carbon chassis feels stout and reliable, with no hint of twisting or excessive flex under load. It somehow manages to achieve this sensation without feeling harsh or pingy, and instead offers an accommodating platform that allows you to push it quite hard without fear of being punished for less calculated line choices.

The top-notch suspension plays into this beautifully when you’re smashing down rowdy descents. The Lyrik’s mid-stroke is particularly good, offering a heap of support with plenty of big hit damping control that encourages you to let off the brakes when gravity takes over.

While the suspension is good, it’s worth acknowledging that the Fuel EXe is not as plush as the Rail. Along with its lower overall weight, it can’t monster-truck down wide-open terrain like the Rail can.

The Fuel EXe takes the upper hand as the trail gets squigglier though, with less exaggeration required from your handling inputs. The smaller and shorter battery puts less weight up towards the head tube, helping to centralise and lower the bike’s centre of mass. Combined with the stout frame, there’s very little understeer present with the Fuel EXe. Compared to bigger and heavier e-MTBs, it never feels like it’s trying to push wide or ride away from you.

The excellent handling and weight distribution makes the Fuel EXe an easier bike to ride for less experienced riders. For more advanced pilots, the Fuel EXe delivers a thoroughly involving ride quality. Yes it’s still an 18kg bike, but it’s far more playful than the heavier Rail, with the shorter chainstays helping to encourage front wheel popping shenanigans.

It dips into corners without requiring constant persuasion, and it takes to the air well too, maintaining a steady trajectory without making you feel like you’re an unwilling passenger. There’s a heap of support from the suspension for soaking up ill-timed landings when things do go awry, with the shock’s Hydraulic Bottom Out ramping up the travel in the final 20% of the stroke. While the O-ring indicated we’d used full travel on many occasions, not once were we able to detect it while riding.

What does it struggle with?

Though the progressive RockShox suspension on the Trek Fuel EXe offers bucketloads of high-speed control, it does feel quite aggressively damped on smaller chatter. This is more so the case with the new Lyrik, which hasn’t amazed us with its small-bump compliance, transmitting more feedback through to our hands.

The fork on our test bike has improved noticeably over the first dozen rides as the seals and bushings have bedded in, and there’s no denying the incredible support and control that the Charger 3 damper brings. However, the Fuel EXe hasn’t exactly delivered a cloud-like ride quality, certainly not compared to the floaty Spectral:ON we’ve been testing alongside it. For this reason, we’d be curious to try out the Fuel EXe 9.7 to see whether its Fox suspension package brings about a more supple ride.

We’ll point out that heavier and more aggressive riders may not encounter the same experience as us. And it has to be said that the damping support does make the Fuel EXe a highly responsive and rewarding bike to ride. Still, those eager for the cushiest ride on the chunkiest of terrain will likely be better served by the Rail.

Overall we’ve been impressed by the usable and natural-feeling support from the TQ-HPR50 motor. It doesn’t spike or surge, offering a nicely progressive power band that makes it predictable and easy to modulate on tricky climbs. The 25km/h cutoff point is about as seamless it gets, and because the motor is so quiet, it’s difficult to tell when the motor has disengaged from the cranks.

It took us a few rides to get used to though, as it can occasionally lag before the power starts to come on. Spinning a lower gear at a slightly higher cadence seems to be its preferred input, though we’ve not found it to be as adept at responding to rapid changes in RPM compared to some other e-MTB motors.

There are options to tune the TQ motor via the Trek Central app, which allows you to tweak the pedal response, assist factor and the maximum power of each of the three settings. Unfortunately the app hasn’t been available prior to the Fuel EXe’s public launch, so we’re yet to play around with those tuning options. We’ll be exploring more of that functionality over the coming weeks of riding.

What range can you get with the Trek Fuel EXe?

Depending on the terrain, most of our rides on the Trek Fuel EXe have typically racked up 1,000-1,300m of elevation gain over a distance of 30-38km. We’ve mostly utilised the Mid power setting, which strikes a nice balance for general trail riding.

It’s been mighty helpful having the battery status displayed as a percentage, and the remaining ride time and range estimations have proven to be surprisingly accurate. When you do get down to the final 10% on the battery, the motor’s power output automatically lowers a few notches to help conserve what’s left. It doesn’t totally limp home though, retaining a usable level of support all the way down to 0%. When you have finally cooked the goose, the lack of drag through the TQ motor means it’s not an awful experience to ride the Fuel EXe on human power alone.

To see how the Fuel EXe’s efficiency compares directly to some of the other e-MTBs we’ve reviewed, we subjected it to our standardised range test. This involves the same rider pedalling up a road climb with a 10% average grade, with the motor set to its most powerful setting, before bombing back down a singletrack descent. The idea is to see how much elevation, and how many laps each bike can rack up on a single charge, while keeping the variables as constant as possible.

Here’s how the Fuel EXe faired in our range test;

• Norco Sight VLT (Shimano EP8, 900Wh Battery) – 2,478m climbing (12.8 runs)
• Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay (Dyname 4.0, 720Wh Battery) – 2,108m climbing (10.9 runs)
• Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 (Bosch Gen 4, 625Wh Battery) – 1,800m climbing (9.3 runs)
• Canyon Spectral:ON (Shimano EP8, 630Wh Battery) – 1,570m climbing (8 runs)
• Orbea Rise (Shimano EP8-RS, 360Wh Battery) – 1,388m climbing (7.2 runs)
• Specialized Levo SL (SL 1.1, 320Wh Battery) – 1,377m climbing (7.1 runs)
• Trek Fuel EXe (TQ-HPR50, 360Wh Battery) – 1,312m climbing (6.8 runs)
• Specialized Kenevo SL (SL 1.1, 320Wh Battery) – 1,053m climbing (5.5 runs)

As you can tell by those figures, the Fuel EXe managed to achieve considerably more range than the Kenevo SL, and not just because it has a larger capacity battery. The Fuel EXe is also lighter, comes fitted with faster-rolling tyres and features a more efficient suspension platform.

It didn’t get quite as much as the Levo SL however, and there are reasons for that. The 35Nm output of the Levo SL’s motor is naturally less demanding in terms of its fuel requirements, since it delivers a slower average riding speed. This makes the Fuel EXe a noticeably quicker bike on the climbs, which isn’t accounted for in our range test data.

Given the Orbea Rise has the same capacity battery as the Fuel EXe and a more powerful motor on paper, how did it achieve more range? The simple explanation is the tyres. The Rise M10 we tested was fitted with a lighter and much faster rolling Maxxis Dissector and Rekon tyre combo, which likely accounts for the difference.

Of course it’d be possible to get more range out of the Fuel EXe by fitting lower profile tyres, and you can also utilise the lower assist settings to reduce power consumption. Once the Range Extender batteries are available, Fuel EXe owners will have the opportunity to boost range by up to 40%, which will see it get closer to some of those bigger capacity e-MTBs.

Component highs & lows

As mentioned earlier, we won’t be dwelling on the components of our Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS test bike. And truth be told, there’s not a lot to be said about the ultra high-end build kit that we haven’t discussed before.

We’ve largely ignored the TireWiz and AirWiz gizmos to begin with, partly because we’ve been experimenting with tyre and suspension setup. However, we’ll be delving more into their functionality now that we have access to the Trek Central app that pairs with the sensors to provide live readings and recommendations.

It is worth touching on the new Bontrager SE5 tyres, which are spec’d on each Fuel EXe model. These 2.5in wide tyres feature a Minion DHR II-inspired tread pattern and a dual compound mix that combines a firmer 61a rubber in the centre tread, and softer 50a rubber for the cornering blocks. They’re built upon the Core Strength casing, which combines sidewall protection with a sub-tread reinforcement for puncture protection. The result is a solid, durable and well-damped tyre that isn’t overly stiff on the trail, while also feeling predictable across a broad range of surfaces. They’re decent all-rounders, though they aren’t as tacky as a Maxxis 3C compound or a Specialized T9 tyre. If this were our bike, we’d likely be fitting something softer up front for a little more bite.

There have been some mild annoyances on our test bike, like the rattling thru-axle lever at the rear dropout. Thankfully this lever can be removed, though you do lose its handy 6mm hex key. That didn’t matter too much as the fork’s steerer tube comes loaded with a Bontrager BITS multi-tool inside. The tool can be a bit tricky to remove, and we also found the bits have a habit of coming loose, allowing them to rattle around inside the steerer. Once tightened up, the Fuel EXe returned to its blissfully silent state.

We love how the TQ display sits flush with the top tube, though it’d be nice to see a clock offered on one of the data screens. The option to display cadence would also be useful, especially while getting accustomed to the TQ motor’s output. The controller offers a nice tactile platform with an audible, yet discreet ‘beep’ whenever you switch assist levels. However, accessing the Walk mode requires you to constantly press down the top button with your thumb, which is awkward when you’re holding onto the bars and pushing the bike up a steep and slippery incline.

Otherwise all the electrics on the Fuel EXe have proven to be totally functional. Being able to easily remove the battery will be a welcome feature for anyone who needs to charge it separately to where the bike is stored, and we like that the main charge port is located high up on the downtube where it’s protected by a thick rubber plug. Internally there’s also an automatic lock built into the main battery’s connector, basically eliminating any chance of the cable coming loose while bouncing down the trail. Sure they’re only small details, but they’re also clear signs of a well-considered design.

Trek Fuel EXe vs Specialized Levo SL vs Orbea Rise

Over the past year we’ve spent a load of time aboard two of the Trek Fuel EXe’s main rivals; the Specialized Levo SL and Orbea Rise. So how do these bikes compare?

Specialized Levo SL

Specialized launched the Levo SL at the start of 2020, which shows just how far behind Trek and most other brands have been. No, the Levo SL wasn’t the first lightweight e-MTB to hit the market, but it is the bike that has legitimised the category.

The Levo SL is built around the SL 1.1 motor, which you’ll also find in the Kenevo SL and the Creo e-Road bike. This motor dishes out 35Nm of peak torque, making it considerably less powerful compared to the TQ motor in the Fuel EXe. It’s also much noisier, emitting an annoyingly whiny pitch that takes a while for the rider to tune out. However, the SL 1.1 motor does offer more intuitive power delivery, and it’s also better at handling high-cadence pedalling spurts.

In terms of ride quality, the Levo SL delivers noticeably plusher and more active suspension performance, which makes it a comfortable bike to pedal over choppy terrain. It does have 10mm more travel at the rear, though the suspension kinematic and shock tune also feels lighter compared to the Fuel EXe. We have found it easier to bottom out the Levo SL, and the sensation is harsh with the Float DPX2 shock.

The Levo SL’s handling is nice and lively, though the front-end steering is a little light with the 51mm fork offset, resulting in some twitchiness at speed. In comparison the Fuel EXe feels better balanced across a range of riding speeds thanks to its solid chassis and well-damped suspension. It’s no doubt the more modern bike of the two, making the two year-old Levo SL feel a little outdated.

It also has to be said that the Fuel EXe kills it on value compared to the Levo SL. The Levo SL Expert we tested features a Fox 36 GRIP2 fork and Float DPX2 shock, alloy Roval wheels, a SRAM GX/X01 drivetrain and Code RS brakes. In comparison, the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT gets a similar level of suspension albeit with a Shimano XT groupset, carbon wheels, carbon cranks and a one-piece carbon cockpit. Despite featuring a higher-end spec, the Fuel EXe sells for $2,100 AUD less , making for a far more appealing package.

The Orbea Rise arrived not long after the Levo SL at the tail-end of 2020, though it took a slightly different tact by taking an off-the-shelf Shimano EP8 motor and de-tuning it to reduce the peak torque output to 60Nm. Orbea also developed its own ‘RS’ firmware for the Japanese motor, which aimed to provide a more natural feel to the power delivery while improving efficiency. This was then paired to a smaller 360Wh battery and a gorgeously svelte carbon frame to deliver complete bike weights from as low as 16.2kg.

The more sensibly-spec’d Rise M10 we tested came in at 18.38kg, though it was fitted with lightweight Maxxis tyres that felt somewhat out of place. With more appropriate rubber, the Rise would likely come in at a similar weight to the Fuel EXe.

While value for money from Orbea is better than Specialized, it’s still not as impressive as the Fuel EXe. The Rise M10 comes with blingy Factory Series Fox suspension, a Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain and alloy Race Face wheels, but sells for two grand more than the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

On the trail the Rise is a closer match to the Fuel EXe. The geometry is pretty similar, though the Rise chassis doesn’t feel quite as stout when being pushed hard. This also comes down to the steeper head angle (65.5° vs 64.7°), and it’s also due to the suspension, which is marginally more sensitive off-the-top. It delivers terrific traction and a comfortable ride quality, though it’s not as supportive as the Fuel EXe.

Speaking of suspension, we wouldn’t be opposed to seeing both the Rise and Fuel EXe equipped with 150mm of rear travel like the Levo SL. Sure these are lightweight e-MTBs, but travel is travel, and we’re still talking about 18+kg bikes that are capable of going very fast on rough terrain. That said, any increase might see them encroaching too far into the territory of their bigger travel, full-powered siblings (the Wild FS and Rail).

We found there to be terrific power on tap from the Rise’ EP8-RS motor, and the E-Tube app allows you to tweak the acceleration response and assistance character of each setting, depending on how you want the power to come on. The stock tune works mighty well though, with the Rise being an efficient performer that feels natural and intuitive on the trail, with just a fraction more punch available for scaling crux features on a technical climb.

As mentioned earlier, the Shimano EP8 drive unit is much noisier than the Fuel EXe’s TQ motor, which is basically silent in comparison – both on the climbs and on the descents. We also prefer the clean integration of the TQ system, with its bright and easy-to-read top tube display. The standard display on the Rise is a rather austere junction box that features a couple of tiny LEDs. You can upgrade this to the Shimano EM800 display for an additional fee, though it comes with additional wires that add clutter to the cockpit. It’s plenty functional, just not as tidy as the Fuel EXe.

Flow’s Verdict

The Trek Fuel EXe is a terrific example of just how far e-MTB technology has come. Not only is it a fantastic looking bike that’s low on bulk, it also manages to deliver a load of performance out of an impressively lightweight package.

The unique TQ motor is stunningly quiet, and for many riders its 50Nm output will be ideal. Heavier folks and those chasing maximum power with maximum range will still be better served by the Rail and is full-powered Bosch motor. The Rail also features a plusher ride quality that suits brainless bombing down the roughest descents.

In comparison the Fuel EXe is a more involving bike to ride, and it rewards an active pilot that seeks to work and play with the terrain. It’s responsive and fun to ride on twisty singletrack, with the sort of on-point handling and geometry that we expect we’ll be seeing in the next generation Fuel EX.

While the suspension isn’t buttery smooth over smaller chatter, it does produce a heap of support and incredible control at higher speeds. Along with the stout chassis, the Fuel EXe exhibits a well-damped ride quality that shrugs off the big hits and awkward landings despite not having a tonne of travel.

Indeed for those riders who are looking for that hallowed middle-ground between a regular mountain bike and an e-MTB, the Fuel EXe presents one of the most compelling options to date.

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Vital Test Sessions - Trek Slash 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type 14

The ground up redesign featuring a high-pivot suspension design, more travel, and loads of adjustability make this trek's most adaptable slash yet..

T rek has a long history of taking a unique approach to frame construction, suspension platforms, and just about any bicycle component. Having created some of the first carbon fiber frames in the mid-80s and developed a handful of wild suspension technologies over the last 15 years, they are familiar with doing things differently. They are also familiar with success in racing and in just about every discipline.

They've figured out what works, and their frame designs have settled into the more conservative category in recent years, generally mimicking one another across all categories. Stepping away from the traditional frame design of its predecessor, the latest Slash mimics the longer travel Session downhill bike, moving the needle forward in the pursuit of maximizing descending performance and adjustability. 

• 29/27.5-inch wheels
• 170mm (6.7-inches) rear travel // 170mm (6.7-inches) fork travel
• Full carbon frame construction 
• 63.3 degree adjustable head tube angle 
• 76.7 degree size specific seat tube angle
• 513mm reach (size XL)
• 439.2mm size-specific chainstay length
• High pivot suspension with idler
• 19t chain idler
• Active Braking Pivot for fully active suspension under braking
• Internal cable routing
• Internal downtube frame storage
• Bolt-on downtube protection in multiple locations
• Molded chainstay protection
• Integrated rear fender
• 12x148mm Boost rear hub spacing
• SRAM UDH and T-Type compatibility 
• 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs
• MSRP: $9,499 USD as tested (9.9 AXS XO T-Type)

The sixth-generation Trek Slash is undoubtedly a head-turner. From the one-piece bar/stem combo to its multi-idler chain routing, this bike is littered with tech from head to toe. As always, the Slash focuses on the gnarliest of terrain, and the newest iteration takes things a step further with a 170mm high pivot mixed-wheel platform. Adaptability is the name of the game with the frame. Virtually everything is adjustable, from the head tube angle to the leverage rate of the rear suspension, along with rear-wheel sizes via interchangeable lower shock mounts. Pivot bolts appear easily serviceable and well tucked away from dirt and grime, partially thanks to the integrated rear fender.  

Our 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type build kit came littered with all the best from SRAM, just short of the XX-level components, but functionally offered the same level of performance. This build kit includes a RockShox AXS Reverb seatpost with a max travel option of 170mm. Once upon a time, 170mm droppers were the longest available option and not an issue, but with seat tube angles becoming steeper year after year, two out of three testers had an issue with it getting in the way unless the post was slammed. The Bluetooth kit is nice, but something with more travel would be appreciated for larger frame sizes. 

To address the obvious elephant in the room, most people who have gotten their hands on the first run of the new Slash have experienced dropping chains regularly. A concerning issue that is hard to imagine happening with the level of chain retention around the chainring; thankfully, Trek has a solution. Both MRP, who makes the lower idler guide, and Trek informed us that the first run of bikes was assembled with 2mm less spacing than required to align the lower guide to the chainring. We experienced the chain jumping over the outside edge of the lower guide, and this solution seems to solve that problem by moving that edge further outboard. We'll be giving this a try to see if it resolves the issue and update this article should the issue continue. Still, for now, it seems to be an easy solution to an otherwise daunting problem so early in a new product cycle. 

Much of the comfort we felt on the Slash came from the rear suspension and very central weight distribution, but it also came from the confidence-inspiring geometry. The 513mm reach on the size XL is certainly roomy and did create a slightly forward position on the bike, but the slack 63.3-degree head tube angle put the front wheel in a comfortable place to lean into. Swapping to a taller bar helped put our body weight more in the middle of the bike and allowed us to get over the rear, but this did cause us to give up a bit of front-wheel traction. This was solved by swapping to a 50mm stem to balance things out. As mentioned, the rearward axle path does result in a bit of energy loss when pumping and jumping, but that was the only scenario where we noticed the rear-center growing. 

On the Trail

Pointed downhill, the Slash glued our feet to the pedals and let us run over almost anything. The playful nature of the 27.5 rear wheel is somewhat lost in the rearward axle path when unweighting or popping off of side hits, but so is the feeling of hanging up on square edges that generally comes with a smaller rear wheel. These characteristics balance each other out; what we couldn't unweight or jump over, the Slash had no issue running over. The rear suspension performance is a strong point, without a doubt, although we experienced a bit of spike from the RockShox Vivid rear shock that could require some air can volume adjustment to resolve. 

Trek's Active Braking Pivot, which pivots around the rear axle, helps maintain traction while under heavy braking and was appreciated when things got hectic. That active feeling also carries over when things are less exciting while pointed uphill. We were just as impressed by the rear suspension performance while climbing. Two standout characteristics were the small bump sensitivity while pedaling and the lack of pedal bob while doing so. The Slash does an incredible job of balancing a high anti-squat value with a leverage curve that removes trail chatter from each pedal stroke. It's no rocket uphill, but it is very impressive how well it carries its weight and travel uphill. 

What's The Bottom Line?

Our test crew all thought the Slash felt best in the gnarliest terrain and was less exciting on jump trails. It may not be the best all-around bike for the most variety of terrain, but it is one of the best for double black diamond trails. If you find yourself riding less aggressive terrain with a bit more of everything, the Gen 5 Slash is still available from Trek and may be the better option. If your everyday ride looks more like downhill bike terrain without a chairlift or a shuttle involved, the Gen 6 Slash will be right at home. 

We stayed right at the base of the mountain, courtesy of  Visit Big Bear , and couldn't have asked for a more convenient way to spend the week testing bikes. With our condo less than a minute from the Snow Summit village, we could easily head back to our unit between laps to swap bikes and had plenty of space to work on our bikes. Off the bike, we were thankful to have enough room for our whole test crew, as well as a pool and hot tub within walking distance to relax after each day's testing. Big Bear has a wide variety of food options and a great downtown we explored when looking to mix up our dinner plans or just grab some ice cream afterward. If you'd like to explore Snow Summit or Big Bear, California for yourself, visit  BigBearMountainResort.com  or  BigBear.com  for more information.​

Big thanks to those who sponsored this test and made our trip possible!

• Feedback Sports
• Visit Big Bear
• Snow Summit

Head here to check out the entire 2023 Enduro Test Session Feature

Learn more about the Trek Slash at trekbikes.com

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the new Trek Slash in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

View replies to: Vital Test Sessions - Trek Slash 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type

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Trek er idag en af de bedst brandede mærker. Deres sortiment spænder vidt og dækker blandt andet over –

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Det var især Lance Armstrong der med 7 Tour de France sejre på netop en trek cykel, forstod at sælge varen bedst. Bla er Treks dyreste racer opkaldt efter et bjerg som Lance Armstrong tit trænede på, nemlig Col de la Madone. Trek laver utrolig flotte cykler, helt ned i de helt billige pris klasser, og det sælger som regel godt. Men alt i alt er Trek nogle gode cykler, men man får også lov til at betale for dem. Det skal også siges at skulle man gå hen og få problemer med rammen senere hen, så er Trek altid go til at bytte cyklen til en ny.

Ved siden af deres cykelmærke, levere de også dele med deres eget mærke, nemlig Bontrager. De levere blandt andet –

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