2021 Trek
Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
| MSRP | $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 | GX Eagle AXS |
| 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.
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
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
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
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?
| 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 Spring Type: Air |
| 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: 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 |
Last updated August 15
Not listed for 612 days