2020 Trek
Fuel EX 9.8 XT
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$5,499| Weight | 29.0 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 130 / 140mm |
| Fork | Fox Performance Float 36 |
| Shock | Fox |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
For This Bike
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.
Maximum fun on the descents
Intuitive and good-natured handling
Storage compartment in the down tube for tools or snacks
Too sluggish on easy terrain
Too much bike for long straights
Chain slap
Aug 2020 · Christoph Bayer
The Trek Fuel EX is the most expensive bike in this group test, yet is still awarded our Best Buy – how is that possible? Read our review to find out what makes this bike so good.
Performs on every kind of trail
Fantastic spec
A great balance of composure and agility
Expensive
Seat tube angle could be steeper
Apr 2020 · Tom Marvin
A classic trail bike, with a fun and engaging ride built around a solid frame
A solid feeling frame backed up by a ride quality that encourages you to pop and play around
The long Shimano brake levers kill the feel, while the supple rear suspension shows up the budget fork
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...
Supple rear suspension
Versatile
Fun on a wide range of terrain
Affordable
Moderately heavy
Short dropper post
Frame sizing runs a little small
Nov 2019 · Alan Muldoon
The updated Trek Fuel EX now features storage in the downtube, 29er wheels, more travel and a gorgeous frame… oh and it’s rollicking fast too.
Punchy trail bike with great handling.
Low profile tyre tread lacks bite.
Nov 2019
Having spent a load of saddle time with the 2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 on home soil, we've been getting very familiar with this 130mm travel trail brawler. It hasn't all been smooth sailing though. Read on to see what the Fuel EX does well, what it's struggled with, and what changes we've made to our long term review rig.
Stupendously plush rear suspension
The Fox 36 has really stepped up the EX's appetite for gnar
New geometry brings masses of high-speed stability
Rattling from the downtube trapdoor
Knock Block system works but creates practical annoyances
The 35mm carbon bars are overly stiff
Aug 2019 · Mike Levy
Trek's trail bike gets an all-new frame with tweaked suspension and fresh geometry, but where does sit compared to the competition?
Forgiving, deep feeling suspension
It's a wizard on technical climbs
New geometry increases capabilities
It might be too forgiving for some riders
You'll be using the pedal assist lever often
Trek could have gone further with the geometry
Apr 2019 · Rob Mitchell
We've been testing two 2019 130mm travel 29er trail bikes; the GT Sensor Expert and the Trek Fuel EX 9.7. Here we review the Trek Fuel EX.
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & stays, internal storage, tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, Carbon Armor, ISCG 05, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 130mm travel BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Tire Clearance: 2.6" Colors: Miami Green to Teal Fade; Raw Carbon / Rage Red; Gloss Purple Phaze / Matte Raw Carbon |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox Performance 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm bolt-on axle, 140mm travel Travel: 140mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Size: XS, S, Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210x52.5mm; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210x55mm Travel: 130mm Spring Type: Air |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano MT500, 92mm, PressFit |
| Headset | Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom |
| Stem | Size: XS, S, Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 40mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 50mm length |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 780mm width |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width |
| Seatpost | Size: XS, S, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 340mm length; Size: M, ML, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length; Size: L, XL, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 480mm length Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage, 51T max cog |
|---|---|
| Crank | Size: XS, S, Shimano XT M8100, 32T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 170mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, Shimano XT M8100, 32T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12 speed |
| Chain | Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston hydraulic disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: Bontrager Line Carbon 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle, Rear: Bontrager Line Carbon 30, Tubeless Ready, 54T Rapid Drive, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Rear Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
| Tires | Size: XS, S, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60''; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60'' |
| Disc Rotors | Size: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm; Size: M, ML, L, XL, Shimano RT66, 203mm, 6-bolt |
Last updated January 28
Not listed for 1,177 days