Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices

Today’s Deals

2017 Trek

Fuel EX 9.8 29

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
Compare the full range

Manufacturer Price

$4,999
Weight28.4 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 130 / 130mm
ForkFox Performance Float 34
ShockFox
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 11
GroupsetXT
BrakesShimano XT Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Learn about Trek
Where to Buy
Similar Bikes
Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Fuel EX 9.8 29
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

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.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

28 mph

Fuel EX 9.8 29

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
15.5"

5'0" – 5'7"

17.5"

5'5" – 5'11"

18.5"

5'9" – 6'3"

19.5"

5'9" – 6'3"

21.5"

6'1" – 6'6"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.

Reviews

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.

Pros
  • 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

Cons
  • Too conservative for some riders

  • Would benefit from a longer dropper post

  • Bontrager XR4 tires' side knobs felt under-gunned

Key Quotes
The Fuel isn’t the biggest and baddest bike of the test. Instead it focuses on being the do-everything quiver killer.
BIKE Magazine logoBIKE Magazine
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.
Bikerumor logoBikerumor
Not the quickest climber, but clever suspension and geometry provide a fun, fast and capable ride
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar

Feedback?

View all reviews

Cyclist
Trek Fuel EX 5 full suspension MTB review

Oct 2018 · Joseph Delves

A great full-sus all-rounder with an innovative frame

Read Review

Loam Wolf
Review: Fuel EX 9.7 29

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.

Read Review

VeloNews
Trek Fuel EX 9.9

Mar 2018 · Emily Schaldach

The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 has redefined the do-everything mountain bike.

Read Review

off.road.cc
Trek Fuel EX 5 Women’s 27.5 Plus

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?

Read Review

Freehub
2017 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 // Bike Review

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.

Read Review

Mountain Bike Action
Tested - Trek Fuel EX 9.8 27.5+

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,

Read Review

BikeRadar
Trek Fuel EX 9 29 review

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

Highs
  • Great geometry and kit encourage aggressive riding

  • Comfortable and fast on rolling terrain

Lows
  • Seat angle could be steeper for climbing

  • Not the lightest

Read Review

MBR
Trek Fuel EX Plus 9.8 27.5 (2017) review - MBR

Apr 2017 · Danny Milner

Trek’s venerable Fuel gets a high-octane boost in the form of Plus-size wheels with the Trek Fuel EX Plus 9.8 27.5. Beautiful to behold and a joy to ride.

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & seatstay, alloy chainstay, ABP, Boost148, Knock Block steerer stop, Full Floater, EVO link, E2 tapered head tube, Mino Link, Control Freak internal routing, Carbon Armor, PF92, ISCG 05, G2 Geometry, 130mm travel

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Fork

Fox Performance 34 Float, GRIP 3-position damper, E2 tapered steerer, Boost110, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 130mm travel

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210x52.5mm

Travel130mm

Bottom Bracket

PF92

Headset

Knock Block Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom

Stem

Bontrager Line Pro, Knock Block, 35mm, 0 degree

Handlebar

Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Evoke 3, titanium rails

Seatpost

Bontrager Drop Line 125, universal remote lever, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset, internal routing

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus

Front Derailleur

Shimano Deore XT, high direct mount

Crank

Shimano Deore XT, 36/26

Shifters

Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11 speed

Cassette

Shimano Deore XT, 11-42, 11 speed

Chain

Shimano Deore XT

Brakes

Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc

TypeShimano XT Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, Boost110 front, Boost148 rear (tubeless strips included, valves sold separately)

Tires

Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, 120tpi, aramid bead, 29x2.40"

Rider Notes
Riders Also Viewed

First added April 12

Last updated July 21

Not listed for 3,234 days