2020 Trek

Fuel EX 9.7

A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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MSRP$4,099
Weight30.2 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 130 / 140mm
ForkFox Rhythm Float 34
ShockFox
Wheels27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle, NX Eagle
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Fuel EX 9.7
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)

25 mph

Fuel EX 9.7

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews
Gran Fondo Magazine
Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XTR Project One in bikepacking review

Oct 2020 · Benjamin Topf

The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 is an absolute classic in the trail bike segment. Could it also be the perfect bike for the next bikepacking adventure with its modern geometry and spare parts compartment in the down tube? We put the Fuel EX to the test.

Highs
  • Maximum fun on the descents

  • Intuitive and good-natured handling

  • Storage compartment in the down tube for tools or snacks

Lows
  • Too sluggish on easy terrain

  • Too much bike for long straights

  • Chain slap

Read Review

Freehub
Bike Review | 2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.9

Jun 2020 · Spencer Johnson

As warmer temperatures hit the Pacific Northwest and the dirt starts to dry, I’m always eager to get out on some long rides with some big climbs. Naturally, when this Trek Fuel EX 9.9 showed up at the Freehub office, I knew it was time to put the nimble beast through its paces. I challenged myself to a 60-mile sufferfest on some of Bellingham, Washington’s toughest climbs and descents. It definitely didn’t let me down. Climbing on this bike was a joy. Trek equipped the 9.9 model with its proprietary RE:aktiv shock with a three-position damper, which I left wide open for the entire ride. The rear suspension had an overwhelmingly supportive feel while pedaling out of the saddle, yet as soon as I hit a bump it dived deeper into the travel, keeping the rear wheel firmly planted and providing excellent traction. The geometry is modern and balanced, with a long reach and a sensible 76-degree seat angle. On the descents, the bike inspired confidence, thanks to its long wheelbase and bottomless-feeling suspension. My confidence was further enhanced by the reliable stopping power of the Shimano XT brakes. As a 200-pound rider, I couldn’t have appreciated the ultra-powerful XT brakes and the 203-millimeter front rotor more—especially while bombing down some of Bellingham’s scariest double-black trails.

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Mountain Bike Action
Mountain Bike Action Bike Test: Trek Fuel Ex Trail Bike

Apr 2020 · McCoy

Can it get any better than this?

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BikeRadar
Trek Fuel EX 9.7 review

Apr 2020 · Tom Marvin

A classic trail bike, with a fun and engaging ride built around a solid frame

Highs
  • A solid feeling frame backed up by a ride quality that encourages you to pop and play around

Lows
  • The long Shimano brake levers kill the feel, while the supple rear suspension shows up the budget fork

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
9 Lessons We've Learned About Our 2020 Trek Fuel EX Test Bike

Apr 2020

After six months of testing, it's time to the deliver the review of our 2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 long-term test bike. Here we take a closer look at some of the other parts we've changed and the problems we've encountered, and discuss exactly what this 130mm travel trail bike does best.

Highs
  • Hugely capable for a 130mm travel trail bike

  • The stiff & responsive chassis

  • Supremely balanced & versatile handling

  • The suspension is so plush and well controlled

  • Improved pedal efficiency and support

  • Lifetime frame & carbon wheel warranty

Lows
  • Poor-fitting downtube trapdoor

  • The stock Bontrager dropper post is sluggish and sloppy

  • Carbon wheels are quite harsh

Read Review

Outdoor Gear Lab
Trek Fuel EX 5

Jan 2020 · Jeremy Benson

Trek recently redesigned their popular Fuel EX mid-travel trail bikes for the 2020 model year. The updated geometry brings this bike in line with modern...

Highs
  • Supple rear suspension

  • Versatile

  • Fun on a wide range of terrain

  • Affordable

Lows
  • Moderately heavy

  • Short dropper post

  • Frame sizing runs a little small

Read Review

BIKE Magazine
First Ride: 2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.9

Aug 2019

This is not what it looks like. Even though this new Fuel EX has a Fox 36, it doesn’t mean it has shed its trail-bike past for an enduro-bike future. Even

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Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
First ride review: the new Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 – longer, faster and even better?

Aug 2019 · Robin Schmitt

First ride review of the new Trek Fuel EX 9.9 2020 – details, weight, pricing and highlights of the new bike here!

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Carbon frame

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Tire Clearance2.6"

ColorMatte Raw Carbon / Gloss Trek Black

Fork

Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Kabolt axle, 140mm travel

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210x55mm

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB, 92mm, PressFit

Headset

Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Stem

Bontrager Line, 35mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 50mm length

Handlebar

Bontrager Line, alloy, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 780mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138mm width

Seatpost

Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle

Crank

Truvativ Descendant 6k Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length

Shifters

SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed

Cassette

SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 11-50, 12 speed

Chain

SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed

Brakes

Shimano MT420 4-piston hydraulic disc

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle

Spokes

DT Swiss Champion, J-Bend, Black

Front Hub

Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle

Tires

Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60''

Disc Rotors

Size: L, Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm; Size: L, Shimano RT66, 203mm, 6-bolt

Rider Notes
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Last updated April 16
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