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Bike Test: Trek Fuel EX 9

When Trek set out to design the new Fuel EX, they up when the wheel moves deep into its travel. We’ve had wanted to set the bar for mountain bike versatility. The bike they came up with pulls from their extensive ride time and research with some of the best riders on the planet. The aluminum-framed version is not their top of the line (the carbon frame gets that title), but the EX9 sports all the high-end technologies. 

WHO IS IT MADE FOR? This bike can work for a huge range of riders, and that’s what being a true trailbike is all about. The Fuel EX9 sports just enough travel to feel aggressive, but not so much that it will hold you back on a long ride or a climb. This bike is all about versatility.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM? The Alpha Platinum aluminum frame features just over 5.1 inches of rock-gobbling suspension that uses Trek’s proprietary ABP (Active Braking Pivot) design. This design uses a pivot at the dropout inline with the rear axle and a “floating” shock that attaches to the swingarm to keep the suspension active and neutral during braking and pedaling efforts. The frame also sports a tapered head tube, one-piece magnesium rocker, and integrated chainstay and downtube protection.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT? The shock’s DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve) technology works by using an additional air chamber that’s only opened  up when the wheel moves deep into its travel. We’ve had great luck with this shock technology, but always said we’d like to see it in the fork to offer a more balanced feel. This is the first year Trek has done that. That little bit of extra air keeps the suspension from feeling like you’re getting cheated out of the last 20 percent of your travel from the air pressure “ramping up.” Bravo, Trek.

The Bontrager XR3 Team tires are a perfect fit for the EX. They roll fast and hook up very well in a wide variety of conditions. There was a day when Trek bikes were held back by mediocre, house-brand tire choices, but those days are gone.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM? Setup: Setting up the DRCV should be a hassle, but it’s not. The fork and shock have only one air chamber each to set, and Trek simplifies the process by including clip-on sag meters on both. We set both the fork and shock to 30-percent sag and hit the trails. The beauty of this system is that it can feel both efficient and bottomless with a single setup. The DRCV allows the suspension to move deep into its travel while still delivering a firm pedaling platform. With the Fuel EX, let the fork and shock work their magic.

The rebound damping circuit on the Fuel’s shock is very strong, and we found ourselves running the adjustment near full open. Smaller riders who need lower pressures may have difficulty finding a setting that doesn’t “pack up” on successive hits.

Pedaling: Trek’s DRCV shock and fork (made by Fox) also have Fox’s rider-selected CTD system (Climb, Trail, Descend modes). While the suspension action responds well to all three settings, we found ourselves leaving the suspension in the trail mode most of the time. This bike can do it all when the shock is set right in the middle.

Climbing: The aggressively steep seat tube angle puts the rider right over the pedals, which feels very efficient on long climbs. The plush suspension assists on rough, technical climbs (don’t use the too-firm climb mode in this situation) by allowing the rear wheel to follow the terrain and maintain traction. The 26-inch wheels allow for quick acceleration over obstacles in the climb, and changing lines is almost a subconscious effort.

Cornering: Rumors of the 26-inch-wheeled trailbike being killed off by the 29er and 27-incher are greatly exaggerated. The Fuel EX has something that the big-wheeled bikes can’t exactly match, and that’s maneuverability. The Fuel EX has a snappy and responsive feel in the corners, and the bike loves to be manhandled through switchbacks.

Descending: At the end of a descent, we like to see that we’ve used all the available travel. The DRCV delivers in spades. The front and rear suspension feel exceptionally balanced, allowing you to work the stroke of the shock and fork much more effectively. While the first half of the travel is designed to be efficient, the second half is designed to feel bottomless, and it just plain works. The 5 inches of travel are used so effectively; it feels like the Fuel has even more. 

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS? The Fuel EX has routing for a RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost with a remote actuation hose that routes through the frame and connects at the bottom of the seatpost rather than at the head. The EX9 doesn’t use that routing and instead comes with the standard Reverb seatpost (with its hose that connects to the seatpost head and routs externally). This spec doesn’t make sense to us. Instead, Trek should spec a less-expensive aluminum post, lower the bike price and let the rider upgrade to the Stealth seatpost if he desires. Using the standard Reverb feels like a compromise where nobody wins.

The rear brake hose clipped our heels when we were pedaling. To remedy this, we rerouted the hose on the inside of the seat stay, but this caused an unsightly rub mark in the paint. With a simple stick-on protector, both problems would have been solved. Add one before your first ride.

BUYING ADVICE The versatility of the Fuel EX9 can’t be understated. It’s not a cross-country racer, and it’s not a descending specialist; instead, it’s designed to ride everything well. The geometry feels like it has E.S.P. and knows your next move before you make it. The maneuverability and flickability built in mean you can make the move happen too.

The DRCV suspension is much more than just marketing jargon. This technology really works and makes the 5 inches of travel feel like more. Bikes like the Fuel EX9 are the reason that 26-inch wheels aren’t dead. They’re just plain fun to ride. If you’re looking for a lively partner that can do everything short of a downhill race, this bike is worth a look.

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2023 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS review: A widely capable trail bike with a high-end build

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I’ll admit, climbing is not my favourite part of a ride, but when you get a bike that climbs like Trek’s new Fuel EX, cranking uphill gets a lot more enjoyable! The 2023 Fuel EX will serve as Trek’s mid-travel do-everything trail bike, and it offers a near perfect ‘quiver-killer’ package with its aggressive climbing ability, slack steering angle and 140/150mm travel. Add adjustable geometry and shock progressivity to that, and you’ve got one versatile trail machine.

I picked up the Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS during Crankworx Whistler, giving me a few weeks to get a handful of rides on it. Right away I can say the bike climbs like a hyperactive goat, but my area demands a bike that can descend well too. The Fuel EXs steering angle is slack enough for any trail, so the bike only finds its limit on really rough terrain that challenges its 140mms of rear travel.

2023 Trek Fuel EX – basic specs:

In this article we’ll discuss how the new Fuel EX rides. Here’s few basic specs, but check out my launch post for all the details on the new Fuel EX’s features, geometry and build kit options.

The Fuel EX frames are offered in both aluminum or carbon, with 140mm rear travel and a 150mm fork (except the entry level EX 5 which carries over the outgoing frame with 130mm travel). Most sizes ride on 29” wheels, but the XS frames run 27.5” only and the smalls offer the option of 27.5” or 29”. The 29ers can be converted to mullet setups, but Trek recommends adding a 160mm fork.

Between Trek’s Mino Link chip and optional angle adjust headset cups for the Fuel EX, there’s plenty of variation in frame geometry depending on settings. Some angles and measurements change with frame size as well, particularly the rear end lengths which are now size-specific.

To summarize it quickly, the Fuel EX’s head tube angle can range from 63.5° to 66° with the optional cups in play. Without the cups, the Mino Link gives you the choice of 64.5 or 65°. Seat masts are pretty steep at 76 to 78.9° across all sizes/settings.

Trek stretched out some pretty lengthy reaches on the Fuel EXs; The M/L bike I’m testing measures 470mm. Out back, Trek leaned towards the middle with their new size-specific chainstay lengths. The M/L frame I rode has 440mm stays, which are not short but not long either.

The top-of-the-line Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AX S weighs 32.76lbs (with pedals).

Ride Impressions: Suspension

I am quite familiar with Trek’s suspension, as I’ve owned a Remedy for the last few years. I wasn’t surprised to find the Fuel EX climbs even better, and offers about 95% of the Remedy’s downhill prowess.

Trek’s ABP linkage is a very supportive climber, especially with the rear shock in its firm position. With the shock’s help, the rear end firms up enough that the rear wheel starts floating over pockets between roots and rocks, rather than diving into them. You’ll still use about 50% of the rear travel on singletrack trails in firm mode, so I still find traction is ample and the ride remains fairly comfortable.

What’s great is how the Fuel EX is a solid climber without any help from the shock too. Climbing technical singletrack in open mode, I only dipped into 2-3mms more travel than climbing in firm mode. The ride does get a bit more forgiving and slightly more grippy in open mode (without losing much efficiency), so it’s a practical option for rougher ascents.

Somehow, despite how supportive the Fuel EX’s ABP linkage is going uphill, it’s a whole different beast going down. It’s as if the linkage is speed-sensitive, as it responds very well to all kinds of high-speed impacts and has an impressive ability to round off sharp hits. Whether it’s small chatter or a full-on rock garden, the Fuel EX smooths out the trail very nicely. The rear wheel always feels well planted, and the linkage gives the bike a plowy feel through rough terrain. I do find Trek’s bikes aren’t super poppy on jumps, but they do have ample mid-stroke support to pump well through rollers and berms.

I have some delightfully rough trails in my area of B.C. and I did find moments where more than 140mm travel would have been ideal! That said, I don’t think you could do much better with 140mms of suspension than the Fuel EX has. While it’s really the slack steering that allows this bike to tackle pretty serious terrain, the adjustable shock rate also raises this bike’s tolerance for fast, rough riding.

I had no trouble getting full travel from the bike in its more linear LESS mode, and being a lightweight rider this is the mode I’d keep the bike in. It was perfectly dialed – I was enjoying full travel on descents but not frequently thrashing the bike with harsh bottom-outs.

When I flipped the chip into MORE mode, it did make a noticeable difference to the ride, but didn’t have much effect on how much travel I was using. I expected the bike to feel stiffer than preferred and that I’d need a good hard hit to bottom out the bike with the added progression. Instead I wound up using all the bike’s travel on any typical descent, although there was a palpable difference in how the bike felt. I could tell the linkage was resisting hard, fast impacts more than before, so I’d bet fans of coil shocks, or heavier and more aggressive riders would appreciate the difference the chip makes. In my case, it just made the ride a bit firmer than it needed to be. If I was a competitive racer I’d probably prefer MORE mode, but I ride recreationally so I keep things on the soft side!

Fit-wise, the first thing I noticed about the Fuel EX is its generous reach. At 470mm on the M/L frame, it’s about the longest bike I’ve ridden yet. This nearly straightens my arms, so I don’t think I’d want to go any longer, but it did feel roomy and comfortable on the trails. Of course the steep 77.5 degree seat mast leans you over that lengthy front end, so you wind up well centered between the wheels.

I liked the 440mm chainstay length on the M/L Fuel EX. It’s not so long that the bike feels like an enduro sled, but it is long enough to provide a stable ride and great climbing traction on steep uphill sections.

I am also a fan of slack steering angles. I didn’t have the optional headset cups for the Fuel EX so I couldn’t go to 63.5°, but my demo bike was set up at 64.5°. That’s a great number for rowdy trails, and definitely allows this mid-travel bike to take on enduro-level terrain. I have not found running a slack steering angle causes any real penalty on climbs, so I’m happy with a slack trail bike.

The Fuel EX comes with the Mino link in Low position, which is definitely the preferred setting for my local terrain. The BB does ride pretty low in this position at 335mm, but I must be getting used to low BB’s because I didn’t have any problem with pedal strikes on this bike.

Standover height on the Fuel EX is not particularly low, but not problematic for me. If I wound up near the head tube I could damage some sensitive bits, but in front of the saddle there’s ample clearance for standing comfortably.

On-Bike Tools and Storage:

In recent years, Trek has jumped on board with on-bike storage and tools. The Fuel EX, in either aluminum or carbon, offers a frame storage compartment in the down tube. The included Bontrager BITS tool roll is designed to hold a tube, co2 canisters, an inflator head and tire levers.

The high-end Fuel EX 9.9s also come with tools in the steerer tube. The Bontrager tool offers a chainbreaker, and a removable multi-tool with seven allen keys, a torx and a flathead screwdriver bit.

Components:

The Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS boasts a pretty top-of-the-line build kit, and gave me my first experience with SRAM’s AXS electronic drivetrain. I really like the feel and ergonomics of SRAM’s dropper post and shifter remotes, as the light push-button action is undeniably easier than throwing paddles on a traditional cable shifter. Performance-wise, the AXS drivetrain was great but not perfect – about once on every ride I’d get a bit of a hesitation when shifting (not always the same gear), and once the derailleur harshly jumped back into a gear after I rode a rough downhill section. Otherwise, the shifting was quick and precise, so for my short test I didn’t attempt to reconfigure the shifting. I had no real mechanical issues with any of the AXS components on my rides.

Aside from the XX1 AXS drivetrain I’d say it’s the one-piece handlebar/stem that gives the top-tier Fuel EX a really high performance look. The Bontrager RSL bar/stem offers a 27.5mm rise, 820mm stock width, and a 45mm stem length with zero rise.

SRAM’s Code RSC brakes offered ample power for any descent, but I was a bit surprised to feel how much squeeze they required to get full braking force. Of course, their modulation is great but compared to the TRP DH-R EVO’s I’ve been riding the Code RSC’s required more effort to almost lock up a wheel.

When I picked up the Fuel EX Trek’s people had it all set up for me, and I didn’t have to touch any adjustments on the fork or rear shock throughout my testing. Not surprisingly, the top-notch Fox Factory 36 EVOL fork with its Grip 2 damper left me nothing to complain about, as did the Fox Factory Float X rear shock.

Bontrager’s Line Pro 30 carbon wheelset offered that pleasant, slightly damped feeling carbon rims can provide, and survived my testing with no damage to speak of. The Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tires don’t match Maxxis’ Minions or Assegais in terms of overall grip, but they’re still fairly good for traction and they’re a fast rolling tire. To make sure you can get those wheels moving over anything, the Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS comes with a small 30t front chainring and a 10-52t rear cassette.

I had no comfort issues with the Bontrager Arvada saddle, and no other mechanical concerns with any other components.

I’ve described how well the Trek is set up for all-around trail riding, but one thing I really appreciate is the relatively low weight of the Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS. I’m a small guy, so I find lighter bikes a pleasure to climb, as they’re easy to heave up over bumps and power up steep sections. I’d bet Trek could have gone even lighter, but probably not with all the functionality plus the bells and whistles this bike includes.

The Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS retails for $10,749.99 .

Want more tech info on the new Trek Fuel EX? Check out our in-depth post here . 

trekbikes.com

Steve Fisher is a staff contributor for Bikerumor. Steve has been writing about trail, enduro and downhill mountain biking (plus a few commuter bikes) for seven years. Prior to that, Steve wrote for Whistler Traveller Magazine and Mountain Life Magazine. Steve is based in Pemberton, British Columbia, an area that offers plenty of challenging world-class singletrack and makes for great photos!

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I rode a lower end version of this bike ( 9.7?) earlier this year in Moab, and I was equally impressed. I called it a hero bike because I rode like I’ve never ridden before – my grey haired friends amazed to see me going off 5+ foot drops and riding past them when they got off to walk ( both up and down!).

The yellow is absolutely terrible. It looks like a GT. Seems like a great bike nothing but positive things to say. Good job Trek

I hope this signals a reduction the “TREK” logo size across their bike line-up. Some of the high end trek road bike have embarrassingly large logos.

32+ lbs for the very top spec seems a little heavy? Otherwise it sounds like a great trail bike.

The Fuel EX 8 (aluminium frame) has put on 1.8 kg, which seems crazy.

Nice review, Steve. While you’re at one end of the travel needs spectrum, I’m at the other, trying to figure out whether I really need a bike with this much travel.

Love the yellow. So tired of Boring Black…..

Looks like Trek outsourced frame design to Astro. A definite step backwards in aesthetics. Hopefully the bike rides much better than how awful it looks.

I am definitely out of touch with today’s standards of what’s light and what climbs well

Have Trek given up on the through shaft damper? I have an 2018 Fuel Ex which I love, wondering if it’s now obsolete.

I hope they have

I noticed that they shortened the crank arms on the larger sizes to 170mm

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• Rider Notes

2008 Trek Fuel EX 9

A 26″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components. Compare the full range

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Jan 2009 · Guy Kesteven

Every bike is a compromise in some way, and what the weighty Trek loses in acceleration it gains in confidence. The slippery tyres and steady steering stem definitely need changing if you want to get the most from an excellent technical chassis though.

Read Review

Jun 2007 · Matt Pacocha

If the past three weeks are any indication, Trek is going to have a very good year in 2008. Earlier this month, Trek unveiled thenew 2008 Madone. It’s an impressive bike that challenges a number of age-old approaches to frame – and component - design. Lennard Zinn saw the technology first hand, reported on it here and has a more detailed impression in the latest issue of VeloNews, issue 13, due out July 9th. Following that tough act, Trek’s mountain-bike suspension designers, engineers and product managers unveiled a completely new version of the Fuel EX, as a side note to the Madone

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,501 days

TESTED: Trek Fuel EX 9.9

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Fuel EX 9.9

https://www.trekbikes.com

An ideal trail bike for adventures. Buttery smooth suspension. Holds its own in the black run trails.

Rattling brake pads. Heavy thumb lever for dropper.

Planning a trip to Derby late last year we were faced with a tough call to make, what bike should we take for someone who’s never been there before?

The Fjord Lord, our friend from Terrengsykkel, Norway’s best mountain bike magazine was visiting, and he’s a great photographer and keen adventurer, but he was bike-less Down Under.

It’s not as simple as it might sound, that place is not suited to just one style of bike, there’s a vast variety of trails there! Derby covers the whole spectrum, from Enduro World Series rock gardens that will eat your wheels as an entree to mellow all-day singletrack rides through the lush wilderness. But there are jumpsquicker are climbs, there are berms, gaps, rocks, mud, dust, arrrrrgh, what to do!?

We were going to be carrying camera gear and riding all-day and riding many trails for the first time. So, it had to be light, tough, and confident. It would most likely suit a 29er, they seem less phased by changing terrain than 27.5” wheel bikes. The suspension needed to be enough to handle the rocks, but not too much to lug around the green and blue trails.

We narrowed it down to two bikes, got on the phone and made it happen. Mick would take the Specialized Stumpjumper 27.5” we already had on review, and Kristoffer would take the Trek Fuel EX 9.9, a lustrous matte-black beauty with a chunky carbon frame, 140mm of travel and a high-end spec.

We felt the Fuel EX was a good match for the job, so how’d it go? Read on.

130mm travel.

Bikes with around 130mm of travel tend to fit well into the ‘all-rounder’ category, they have a little more bounce than short-travel cross-country race bikes, but you don’t seem to get too lost in it like you would 150mm when pedalling around at moderate speeds on mellow trails. It’s a nice balance to feel engaged, yet still controlled.

We’ve had great times on the Fuel EX over the years, we’ve ridden them all, from the long, light-but-flexy 2014 model to the lively 27.5” wheel Fuel EX we had two of on long term test, both had been to Derby with us before. It’s a familiar bike we get along with well, it has its focus firmly set on the trail riding segment, and with the Remedy and Top Fuel on either side of it, there are options if you want to go bigger or smaller in travel.

Stretched out and robust.

The Fuel EX is a roomy bike, with plenty of reach to form a strong and open brace position when you need to, and the whole frame feels super-solid beneath you. Take a hard landing, and you don’t get that feeling of the bike squirming or shuddering from the impact. The Fuel seems to avoid that harsh feeling that plagues many carbon bikes with a solid chassis; the suspension is ultra supple, perhaps that is part of the puzzle?

Ultra-sensitive.

The FOX suspension is a real standout, the FOX 34 fork in our opinion is the best around, ultra-predictable and supportive. And out the back Trek’s proprietary Thru-Shaft shock with their twist on damping, dubbed: Re:Aktiv few remedies are floatingAktiv has an edge over the competition want sensitivity and it really does feel like the bike floats through choppy sections of trail nicely. The top-end fork and shock from FOX come with a wide range of adjustability, dial in the compression adjustments and you’ll find the bike feeling ultra-firm under your pedalling motions for the climbs and flatter trails, yet still able to react to bumps as they occur.

The Trek suspension bikes tend to feel very smooth and supple, like a Norco or Specialized, where the use of the fork and shock adjustments is key to bringing efficiency to a bike with such supple suspension.

Derby has all sorts of surfaces, in one short section of trail, you can often encounter anything from hard pack to soft, dry to wet and everything in between. That calls for a tyre that’s tacky enough to stick to rock, yet open in the tread pattern to bite.

We dig the Bontrager tyres, the XR4 tyres in 2.4” size are pretty impressive. They feel quite speedy, yet very grippy, a hard balance to strike. There were times we wished for a bigger tyre up front when the turns got faster and looser, but never did we wish for a faster tyre on the more mellow trails.

Rattle’n brakes.

These Shimano XT four-piston brakes with the finned cooling pads rattle like a coin in the clothes drier. It’s a big distraction and makes the bike feel a little rough, a significant oversight from Shimano, a total flop.

There are a few remedies floating around the mechanic realm, aside from sticking foam inside the calliper to dampen the noise, the simplest remedy we’ve found is to remove the spring between the pads, stretch it out a little, and re-install. Repeat as necessary, you’re welcome.

All rosy, then?

Pretty much, yes! We built the bike, rode it around the local trails a few times to dial in the setup before flying to Derby. For the whole trip, it never missed a beat, no flats, any creaks, nothing going out of tune.

The dropper post lever felt hard to push, perhaps improving the cable routing somehow might reduce friction, and like we said a larger tyre with a squarer profile up front would be a handy idea.

The bars are 750mm, pretty standard for a trail bike, but a little wider would be or preference, at least you’d have the option of cutting down to the right width.

Tall sizing, watch out, test first.

Watch the sizing if you’ve got short legs, the 19.5” felt nice and roomy in the length, but the seat tube is quite high. For Mick who has short-ish legs, the result was a saddle height too tall with the dropper post down all the way. We had a similar issue with the Canyon Spectral, where upsizing for long reach had us running into the issue of a bike too tall for the correct saddle height.

Derby, Beechworth, Lysterfield and home again.

After the Derby trip the Fuel EX was Mick’s bike of choice for a trip to Melbourne and back for Christmas, stopping at Beechworth for a couple of rides in the MTB Park and summer laps of Lysterfield, Melbourne.

For more on the specs, frame geometry and other models available, head to the Trek page here: More Fuel EX!

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Trek Fuel EX 9.0 review

Trek's 9.0 really fuelled our fire this year

Russell Burton

Guy Kesteven

With our sister magazine What Mountain Bike running their Bike of the Year awards in one months time here's what has been floating the boat of our testers in 2007. Guy Kesteven gives us the lowdown on why he's been spending so much time on the carbon Trek EX 9.0.

Having a first date with a bike on a three-hour descent of high alpine Colorado singletrack is always a good start. A happy honeymoon with Trek's new carbon fibre bride has continued as a very happy marriage back home, too.

For a start, its 9.5 brother was noticeably faster than other 5in bikes we race tested at last year's Bontrager 24/12 event. It weaved through the trees and kicked out of corners in a way that left the other bikes seeming somehow lumpy and sluggish. Lean back and let it soak up the hits and it was far more capable than most race bikes.

Since then our 9.0 long-termer has been in a constant state of flux, as its latest test kit outfit has either stuck or twisted. Again, it has the combination of lightweight speed gain and infectious agility, but no nervousness or need to back off in the rocks mean it's proved to be the best kit breaker we've had in recent memory. It's split cranks, crumpled several lightweight wheelsets, mangled seat posts and split more inner tubes than we can remember. It blew up one set of forks so well that oil was dripping off the bottom bracket shell the morning after.

Yet even in the depths of winter, when its sarcophagus of hardened mud earned it the 'Fossil Fuel' tag, it hasn't complained or rattled loose once. It's just limped home with its crippled componentry and an innocent: "Don't blame me, I was just riding along," expression on its handlebars.

2008 EX bikes will get a tighter rocker link and radial rear axle pivot for good measure, too.

>Occasionally, the faux bar rear end will get hung up or kicked sky high by a square-edged hit that a true linkage bike would handle better. And sometimes its sinewy flex and XC length gets a little out of shape when cross-threading ruts or ricocheting off rocks. Each time, though, it'll immediately make amends by ripping the next climb to shreds or cutting a swashbuckling swathe through the next singletrack chicane like Zorro. In short, whenever the shit has hit the fan, the Trek has come out smelling of roses, and 2008 EX bikes will get a tighter rocker link and radial rear axle pivot for good measure, too.

As for kit changes, it's been a constant tightrope walk between saving weight and survival. Using a short 80mm stem on the large frame was essential after riding the superbly sorted, synapse-fast singletrack development bike of Trek brand manager Joe V.

After trying every imaginable fork to find optimum ride height and handling, I've ended up back with the original custom 90/110/130mm Fox Talas because at least it gives me various options. I'm still getting used to a recent XTR refit after very happy times on SRAM/Avid, though. I love the Dual Control shifting for cashing in on the bike's phenomenal launch speed, but the brakes have taken some balancing up. Wheels have been a real problem too, with most lightweight sets getting screwed within a couple of rides of fitting, and the new Hope straight pulls proving the best stiff/strong/light match so far.

The spec and price (£1600) shown is for the frame only. The bike pictured is an EX 9.0 but only the EX 9.5 is available as a frame only option - decals being the only difference over the 9.0 pictured. Guy has just stripped the standard EX 9.0 and built his own bike around the frame - it's ok for some >For 2008 the new Full Floater EX 9.5 will cost £1800 for the frame only option. Check out the Trek Fuel EX site for further details on the new bikes. >

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2012 Trek Fuel EX 9 Bike (discontinued)

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Trek Fuel EX 9.8 26

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Colour / Carbon Smoke/Liquid Green

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5"

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Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & seatstay, alloy chainstay, Carbon Armor, ABP Convert, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, BB95, internal derailleur cable & dropper post routing, ISCG 05 mount, magnesium EVO Link, 130mm travel
• Wheels Bontrager Rhythm Comp Tubeless Ready w/Stacked Lacing, 15mm front hub; 142x12 rear hub
• Wheel Size 26"
• Tires Bontrager XR3 Expert, aramid bead, 26x2.20"
• Crank Shimano Deore XT, 38/24
• Front Derailleur Shimano Deore XT, high direct mount
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus
• Shifters Shimano Deore XT, 10 speed
• Brakeset Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 3, titanium rails
• Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm, zero offset
• Stem Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree
• Headset Cane Creek IS-3, E2, sealed cartridge bearing

Q: What size wheels does the 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 26 have?

The 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 26 has 26" wheels.

Q: What size 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 26 should I get?

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2012 Trek fuel ex9 26" vs a new entry level 29er?

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Like it or not, 26" wheels are dying out. We all used to ride them, and they were fine, but there is something to be said for the rollover on larger wheel sizes. That deal on the Fuel Ex is not unique, and you'll continue to see deals on 26" bikes as the owners move to 27.5 or 29er. Do you have any comparable used 29ers in your area on Pinkbike, Craigslist, etc? An FS 29er would be more, but used can often allow you to get better components. Yes, as you mention, in the $500 range for hardtails, and up to $800 on FS bikes, you'll see a cheaper fork, which is typical.  

You said it better than I did, but that is where my mind was going with the 26". The used bike search for 29ers has been frustrating! Every thing seems to be listed for $100 or less than a new one which isnt worth it at all, and I see online deals for new leftover 17 models for less than what people want for used. Now if you get out past my price range, perhaps you can find better 'deals' but the bikes are still $1400-2000 and more than I want to spend getting going. ARe there other options I should consider in new? I saw a couple of online deals diamondbacks that are $800-$1000 that seemed to have much better drivetrain and better forks, but I don't know if its REALLY better, or if I should just buy one from LBS and either sell it or upgrade the worst of the pieces if I stay in it.  

I'd recommend not getting a 26" bike. Just my opinion. Diamondback is blowing out their 2017 models on this website: https://aventuron.com/collections/bikes/products/diamondback-mason-trail https://aventuron.com/collections/bikes/products/diamondback-overdrive-comp-27-5 The most budget friendly full suspension i have seen (that is still a solid bike) is the Marin Hawk Hill: Marin debuts $1500 full suspension Hawk Hill - Mtbr.com  

https://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=3011760 no SRAM brakes, yay! I worked in a Trek dealer when that generation of the Fuel was new and relevent and sold a TON ofthose. that was an awesome bike! $500 sounds like a solid deal. if you can get over the 26" wheel thing, I would check with your local Trek dealer if they can still get suspension parts for that frame. if the pivots are worn out and parts are not available, it might be a completely useless frame. also make sure there are no cracks or damage anywhere on the frame, as that would also render it a paperweight.  

Excellent advice, and something I wouldnt have thought of at all!  

#26aintdead. Keep in mind, this is for a 12 year old. A 29" tire might be too much for him to push around at this point. My son is 13 and been riding on a 2012 Fuel EX 5 hand-me-down for a few years. He love the full suspension, and we can ride pretty much anything we want to. He even competes in the local XC races with it. So, for $500 you are getting a GREAT bike with GREAT components that will last a LONG time. And 26" components are super cheap right now (I got some Nobby Nics for his bike for $7 each on Jenson USA). Go with the high end Fuel instead of some crappy low end 29er.  

Thustlewhumber said: #26aintdead. Keep in mind, this is for a 12 year old. A 29" tire might be too much for him to push around at this point. Click to expand...

Thustlewhumber said: My son is 13 and been riding on a 2012 Fuel EX 5 hand-me-down for a few years. He love the full suspension, and we can ride pretty much anything we want to. He even competes in the local XC races with it. So, for $500 you are getting a GREAT bike with GREAT components that will last a LONG time. And 26" components are super cheap right now (I got some Nobby Nics for his bike for $7 each on Jenson USA). Go with the high end Fuel instead of some crappy low end 29er. Click to expand...

I was in a somewhat similar situation. In and out of mountain biking. Caught the bug again. Im in my early 40's and have only ridden 26" with aggressive geometry. I found a 2012 EX7 that had been upgraded here and there. I paid $750 for and still feel good about it. I switched out the very wide handlebars and super short stem for a little more narrow and longer. My old 26" EX7 is a lot better then anything new in the price range. I ride a lot of rocky rooty trails in the mountains of NC and have no problems and probably faster then most riders my age. My suggestion is get the best bike you can afford and don't get hung up on wheel size and no matter what your riding ride as much as you can with your son.  

Great info! I think I am going to go to some bike shops and check out the new stuff, and if nothing really jumps out I may grab the trek! Does anyone have advice for a fast growing 12 year boy?! 5'2 27.5" inseam so should be in an adult bike I think! He is light and not adult strong though...  

I just bought my 10 year old son an adult 27.5 Norco Storm, size XS. It's slightly too big for him (and pretty heavy), but we opted for this over smaller kid-specific bikes given future use, compatibility, and hopefully it will hold its value pretty well given his growth rate.  

I'm going to seriously consider it! Is there anything difficult about assembly on the Internet bikes? Vary by mfg?  

It will vary but you'll need basic knowledge of tuning up a bike. There are directions on the db website.  

We sound very alike lol. My youngest son got me into mountain biking 2 years ago when he was 15 and I was 52. I've been very fit but not doing biking. At the time he bought a Specialized Pitch Sport in size small. I had a 2012 Fuel EX-9 (a new warranty frame/shock) I bought for ironically, $500. Over time I upgraded the brakes, rims, tires (tubeless), handle bar, cassette, front fork and added a dropper. Rode that for a season and bought a 2017 EX-8 27.5+ last month on closeout. I really liked the 2012 EX-9 but it doesn't compare to my new EX-8. Gave the EX-9 to my 20 year old in college (it is a tad small for him) to enjoy. In hindsight I wish I used the money I put into the EX-9 for my new bike but live and learn. We can all look back and say, "I wish I would have _______."  

Thats funny! That definitely is eerily similar. The pitch was my favorite so far of the entry level stuff i have looked at for my son too haha!  

Well a 2015 Cannondale Trail 3 29er that is basically unused, turned up on the FB marketplace. Decently equipped with slightly better rockshox fork rather than the suntour junk on everything else I have looked at. Can get it for $450 if i like it and its as advertised! Im thinking this could be a pretty great option, and will be hard to lose money on this one if I decide I want something better next year. Now if something similar would popup for the kid! lol.  

My first real bike was a Trail SL3 (26")but was a great HT, and I sold it pretty well when I was ready for an upgrade. Solid bike. You can go into Cannondale forum to see some reviews.  

Got the Cannondale Trail 3 today! It was pretty much flawless shape, barely ridden as stated, and over the short distance I rode it was great! So I guess as far as the original question in the post, I decided mainly against 26". The draw to 29er was too much. If I would have bought a new one, I would have gotten either the mason trail, or the base Specialized FUSE plus sized wheels. I may still do that if we really get into riding! THanks for all of the advice! I'm going to start a new thread now about finding out about NICA in our area and what stuff I should look at for accessories for my son if he decides to do that! Thanks for all the help guys.  

landonp said: Got the Cannondale Trail 3 today! It was pretty much flawless shape, barely ridden as stated, and over the short distance I rode it was great! So I guess as far as the original question in the post, I decided mainly against 26". The draw to 29er was too much. If I would have bought a new one, I would have gotten either the mason trail, or the base Specialized FUSE plus sized wheels. I may still do that if we really get into riding! THanks for all of the advice! I'm going to start a new thread now about finding out about NICA in our area and what stuff I should look at for accessories for my son if he decides to do that! Thanks for all the help guys. Click to expand...

Porn coming your way when I get some daylight to take a pic! lol! What pedals do you recommend. Just getting started back on our rocky trails, I dont know if I want to go clipless yet??? Tires are completely a mystery as well. I assume the LBS would be best to tell me for our local conditions??  

I've never used clipless, so I will recommend flats: These are very popular and threw them on my Gravel bike, but when my current pedals die on my MTB, I will probably move to these: Race Face Chester Composite Pedals > Components > Pedals > Platform Pedals | Jenson USA What I currently have on my MTB (they are a bit heavier, but very solid): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZH1HWM/ref=twister_B006ZH1J5W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Tires: Yes check with your shop, or ask around the trail, to see what works for people, or even the local forums here if there is one for your location. Those RaceFace pedals are a pretty good deal, and work great with the right shoe. You do have 10.000.000 options when it comes to pedals.  

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