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Today’s DealsFuel EX 5 29
A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$2,199| Weight | 32.3 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Full, 130 / 130mm |
| Fork | RockShox Sektor |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 2 × 10 |
| Groupset | Deore |
| Brakes | Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
Summary
The Trek Fuel mountain youth bike is praised for its versatile and light trail capabilities, offering a balanced and maneuverable feel suitable for various terrains. Its suspension performance, particularly the RE:aktiv shock with Thru Shaft technology, is highlighted for reducing lag and improving ride quality. However, some reviews note it may be too conservative for aggressive riders and could benefit from a longer dropper post and more aggressive tires.
Versatile and light trail bike
Quick-responding ABP suspension platform
RE:aktiv shock with Thru Shaft technology
Balanced and maneuverable feel
Superb rear-wheel traction
Too conservative for some riders
Would benefit from a longer dropper post
Bontrager XR4 tires' side knobs felt under-gunned
The Fuel isn’t the biggest and baddest bike of the test. Instead it focuses on being the do-everything quiver killer.
Imagine taking the heart of an XC race bike and giving it the soul of a trail bike and you’d have the Fuel EX.
Not the quickest climber, but clever suspension and geometry provide a fun, fast and capable ride
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Oct 2018 · Joseph Delves
A great full-sus all-rounder with an innovative frame

Jun 2018 · Nic “U-Turn” Hall
Without a doubt one of our favorite bikes in the budget bike roundup. The Trek Fuel EX 9.7 blends a refined look with affordable performance to offer you a killer mountain bike at a great value.

Mar 2018 · Emily Schaldach
The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 has redefined the do-everything mountain bike.

Dec 2017 · Christoph Bayer
The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 had a lot to lose, as it was defending its title in this comparison. In our last group test, the bike secured the coveted top spot. Since then, Trek has fundamentally reworked the shock – was it enough to win again?

Nov 2017
While this Trek Fuel EX 5 may look like a roller skate on wheels, complete with disco-tastic 'anthracite' metallic grey finish and chunky platform shoes reminiscent of the Spice Girls’ heyday, it does cover a particular niche between ‘trail’ and ‘cross-country’, and it does it very well on a respectable budget. Review: Banshee Phantom GX - a short travel machine with hardcore intentions Buying your first mountain bike?
Nov 2017 · Will Hilbert
Take a look at the new Fuel EX and you will quickly see Trek has fully redefined the model. The 2016 Fuel Ex 29 was a step in the right direction, but it was a timid half-hearted step that left the rider wondering what if…? What if it came spec’d with a stiffer fork, more travel and a slacker headtube? The team at Trek delivered and the 2017 bike answers these questions. It now allows the use of 29” or 27.5+ wheels and is one of the stiffest frames in the category, featuring a totally new geometry that’s slacker and longer than its predecessor.

Oct 2017 · MBA Action
Designed Specifically for a Trail Near You It’s not often a company revamps its entire lineup in just one year, but if there’s one company that can do it,

May 2017 · Seb Stott
Not the quickest climber, but clever suspension and geometry provide a fun, fast and capable ride. Buy if you're not competing for uphill KOMs, but want a relatively rapid and comfy all-day mile-muncher that can be ridden really hard too
Great geometry and kit encourage aggressive riding
Comfortable and fast on rolling terrain
Seat angle could be steeper for climbing
Not the lightest
| Frame | Alpha Platinum Aluminum, ABP, Boost148, Knock Block steerer stop, Full Floater, EVO link, E2 tapered head tube, Mino Link, Control Freak internal routing, down tube guard, PF92, ISCG 05, G2 Geometry, 130mm BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Sektor Silver RL, Solo Air, TurnKey lockout, E2 tapered steerer, Boost110, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 130mm travel Travel: 130mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe RL, 210x52.5mm Travel: 130mm |
| Bottom Bracket | PF92 |
| Headset | Knock Block Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom |
| Stem | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, Knock Block, 31.8mm, 0 degree |
| Handlebar | Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 720mm width |
| Saddle | Bontrager Evoke 1.5 |
| Seatpost | Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 12mm offset Type: Rigid |
| Grips | Bontrager Race |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore, Shadow |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Deore, high direct mount |
| Crank | Race Face Ride, 36/22 |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore, 10 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano HG50, 11-36, 10 speed |
| Chain | KMC X10 |
| Brakes | Shimano M315 hydraulic disc Type: Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Bontrager AT-650 32-hole double-walled alloy |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Bontrager alloy, 15mm alloy axle |
| Rear Hub | Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing alloy axle, Boost148 |
| Tires | Bontrager XR3, 29x2.30" |
First added April 12
Last updated July 21
Not listed for 3,234 days