2021 Trek
Fuel EX 8 XT
A 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
Manufacturer Price
$3,799| Weight | 30.6 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Full, 130 / 140mm |
| Fork | Fox Rhythm Float 34 |
| Shock | Fox |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT, SLX |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
For This Bike
Dec 2022 · Mike Levy
The downtube storage compartment is on the new bike, and while it seems like Trek has put all the things onto the latest Fuel EX, there's one that they didn't: Knock Block.
Wide range of effective geometry adjustments
Just as much fun on smooth trails as it is on scary trails
Great climber, efficient pedaling
One-piece handlebar might be too stiff for some riders
Paint chips easily
Sep 2022
New geometry, more travel, and even better suspension improves Trek's mid-weight trail bike.
May 2022 · Guy Kesteven
Trek’s alloy Fuel EX trail mountain bike lacks the latest features but is the overall package still a winner?
Tight, precise frame
Sorted all round handling
Very efficient suspension feel
Durable Shimano kit
Excellent sizing options
Heavy frame
No internal storage
Press fit bottom bracket
Top Fuel is more playful
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
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.
Apr 2020 · McCoy
Can it get any better than this?
Nov 2019 · Jeremy Benson
The Fuel EX 8 is an impressively capable, versatile, and well-rounded trail bike that is ready for anything you are. Trek redesigned the Fuel EX models for...
Relatively affordable
Good component spec for the price
Great small bump compliance
Versatile/well-rounded
Frame sizing feels a little small
Can be overwhelmed in super aggressive terrain
| Frame | Alpha Platinum Aluminum, tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, downtube guard, ISCG 05, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 130mm travel BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Tire Clearance: 2.6" Color: Rage Red to Dnister Black Fade |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Kabolt axle, 140mm travel Travel: 140mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Size: XS, S, Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE:aktiv damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210mm x 52.5mm; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE:aktiv damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210mm x 55mm 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, 35mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 40mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Line, 35mm, Knock Block, 0 degree, 50mm length |
| Handlebar | Size: XS, S, Bontrager Line, alloy, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 750mm width; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Line, alloy, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 780mm width |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138mm width |
| Seatpost | Size: XS, S, Bontrager Line Dropper, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 345mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage, 51T max cog |
|---|---|
| Crank | Size: XS, S, Shimano SLX M7100, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 170mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Shimano SLX M7100, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12 speed |
| Chain | Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT420 4-piston caliper Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| 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 |
| Rear Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle |
| Tires | Size: XS, S, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.40''; 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, XXL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.40''; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60'' |
| Disc Rotors | Size: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 203mm |
Last updated April 16
Not listed for 1,100 days