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Today’s Deals2021 Trek
Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
Manufacturer Price
$6,699| Weight | 29.1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 130 / 140mm |
| Fork | Fox Performance Float 36 |
| Shock | Fox |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | Eagle AXS, GX Eagle AXS |
| Brakes | SRAM G2 RS Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Summary
The Trek Fuel is a versatile and capable trail bike, praised for its improved suspension performance, adjustable geometry, and overall ride quality. It excels in a variety of terrains, offering a balanced mix of climbing efficiency and descending prowess. The bike's RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft shock technologies enhance its bump absorption and pedaling efficiency, making it a favorite among riders for its comfort and traction.
Versatile trail bike
Improved frame stiffness and tire clearance
RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft shock tech enhances ride quality
Adjustable geometry for personalized fit
Good traction and comfort on varied terrain
Frame storage hole too small for some pumps
Stock saddle limits adjustability
Line dropper post slower than leading aftermarket options
Heavy for spec and travel
Costs more than parts sold separately
The Fuel EX is still the Fuel EX. It just got a little bit EX-er.
BIKE MagazineIt’s clearly a brilliantly balanced all-rounder.
Bike PerfectThe new EX is bigger and more capable. It faces tougher competition, but its performance, features, and adaptability make it a compelling option.Bicycling
The Fuel EX has long been a benchmark trail bike.
BikeRadarThe Trek Fuel EX 9.9 is an absolute classic in the trail bike segment.
Gran Fondo MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
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
Nov 2022 · Matt Miller
The latest Trek Fuel EX trail bike grows in travel and geometry, but still dominates the climbs.
Capable and adaptable mid-travel trail bike
A lot of adjustability
Great price points, and alloy version
Too many options for adjustability?
Sep 2022
New geometry, more travel, and even better suspension improves Trek's mid-weight trail bike.
Sep 2022 · Guy Kesteven
More travel, longer, slacker and steeper, with extra adjustability and shock options. But how does Trek’s new trail all-rounder ride?
Superbly balanced adjustable geometry
Awesome suspension performance in ‘progressive’ mode
Poppy, playful and fast-climbing for its weight
Truly premium wireless, Fox Factory, carbon-loaded spec
Lifetime warranty, threaded BB and tunneled routing
Heavy for spec and travel
Costs more than parts sold separately
Default shock set-up is too linear
Headset adjustment is laborious
XX1 is fragile for aggro trail use
Sep 2022 · Tom Marvin
Does the benchmark trail bike retain its reputation as a solid choice?
Excellent suspension
Solid feel to the frame
Great geometry
Doesn’t feel as sprightly on climbs as some
Tyres give up corner traction too easily in loose or muddy conditions
Jul 2022
This Trek Top Fuel review has it all: Speed, sustainability, shifting mindsets, and thoughts on the new breed of short travel trail bikes.
Efficient climber with active suspension
Rewards punchy efforts and sit-and-spin periods
Excels on undulating terrain
Solid chassis feel descending
Confidence-inspiring descending on less extreme terrain
Good for random trail yanks
Higher bottom bracket and lower stack height noticeable on steep descents
Requires conscious effort to stay centered on steep, rough terrain
Less confidence on steep, ugly terrain compared to Spur and Tallboy
Expensive (top model $13,974 CAD)
Jun 2021 · Peter Walker
The Trek Fuel EX has proven itself as an excellent all-rounder in the past. This year, the American brand enters the race with the € 5,999 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX, which combines a high-end frame with a mid-level spec but still features Trek's Thru Shaft shock technology. So does it always have to be top-spec? How big is the difference in performance and how does the Fuel EX 9.8 GX fare against its more expensive peers?
Very comfortable uphill
Intuitive handling
High-quality frame with integrated storage compartment
Tires are very puncture prone and generate little traction
Brakes don't do the bike’s potential justice
| 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; 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: Raw Carbon / Rage Red; Lithium Grey / Factory Orange; Matte Carbon Smoke |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox Performance 36, 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, RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210mm x 52.5mm; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210mm x 55mm Travel: 130mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, 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, Blendr compatible, 0 degree, 35mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Knock Block, Blendr compatible, 0 degree, 45mm 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, 100mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6mm, 340mm length; Size: M, ML, Bontrager Line Elite, 150mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6mm, 440mm length; Size: L, XL, Bontrager Line Elite, 170mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 31.6mm, 480mm length Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS |
|---|---|
| Crank | Size: XS, S, SRAM GX Eagle, DUB, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 170mm length; Size: M, ML, L, XL, SRAM GX Eagle, DUB, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, 12 speed |
| Cassette | SRAM Eagle XG-1275, 10-52, 12 speed |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed |
| Brakes | SRAM G2 RS 4-piston hydraulic disc Type: SRAM G2 RS Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | NEW Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
| Rear Hub | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, 108T Rapid Drive, SRAM XD driver, Boost148, 12mm 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, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.40''; 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, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 180mm; Size: M, ML, L, XL, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 200mm |
First added April 9
Last updated August 15
Not listed for 1,397 days