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Today’s Deals2024 Trek
Fuel EX C Gen 6 Frameset
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail frameset.
Manufacturer Price
$3,899| Weight | 7.5 lbs (frame) |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 140mm rear |
| Shock | Fox Float X Factory |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ |
4'9" – 5'2"
5'0" – 5'6"
5'4" – 5'10"
5'8" – 5'11"
5'9" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'5"
None yet.
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Summary
The Trek Fuel is a versatile trail bike praised for its adjustable geometry, solid suspension performance, and ability to handle a variety of terrains. It offers a comfortable ride with modern geometry and is equipped with features like internal storage and adjustable suspension settings. However, some reviews note issues with cockpit harshness and component choices.
Adjustable geometry and sizing options
Solid suspension performance
Versatile handling on various terrains
Internal storage and modern frame features
Comfortable ride with modern geometry
Cockpit harshness
Mediocre tyres and brakes in some builds
Expensive with some builds lacking top-end components
The Fuel EX is undoubtedly a great trail bike, and very nearly made it into my top three for this Bike of the Year category.
BikeRadarThe 2023 Fuel EX will serve as Trek’s mid-travel do-everything trail bike, and it offers a near perfect ‘quiver-killer’ package.
BikerumorThis bike lights up at speed; it charges the climbs, shreds the descents, and the ABP does a fantastic job keeping the rear wheel on the ground and engaged.
Outdoor Gear LabFeedback?
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Aug 2025
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Dec 2025 · Mike Kazimer
For riders looking for a trail bike with more of a focus on the descents, the Trek Fuel EX, Propain Hugene, and Polygon Collosus fit the bill, and I'd personally rank them in that order, with the Trek on top. .
Very versatile, wide range of geometry and travel possibilities.
Well-balanced suspension feel.
Carbon and aluminum frame options, lots of models to choose from
It's more of an all-mountain bike than a trail bike; some riders may be better served by the Top Fuel.
One frame to do it all means it's not as light as it could be.
Loud chainslap from XT derailleur
Jan 2025
Although raced by Evie Richards on the elite-level cross-country circuit, Trek’s latest Top Fuel 8 Gen 4 is a bike that’ll cater to a raft of tastes thanks to its impressive adaptability. Despite the meagre suspension travel, it dishes out stellar trail manners up and downhill and is primed for UK trails.
Nov 2024 · Spencer Astra
We’re getting deeper into autumn in the Pacific Northwest. This shift leads to slick trails and cooler temperatures. The new Trek Top Fuel seems to be the perfect companion to scoot around the mountain and dodge puddles. This bike immediately caught my attention, delivering an unexpectedly fun and efficient experience in a sleek, trail-friendly package. With a lightweight, carbon frame and components tuned for speed and control, the Top Fuel has quickly become a bike I look forward to riding.
Oct 2024
3 months aboard the 9.8 GX AXS version of Trek's XC-plus, trail-lite, most of the bell curve-targeted Top Fuel
Exceptional pedaling efficiency and climbing ability.
Cohesive, balanced ride feel.
Excellent build quality with no creaks or rattles.
Well-matched Rockshox Pike fork and Deluxe shock.
Versatile geometry with adjustable flip-chip.
Clean fit and finish, tidy cable routing.
Good for 90% of trails.
Uncomfortable saddle (Trek Verse Comp).
Bontrager Line dropper post has fore-aft play and rattles.
SRAM Level Bronze brakes lack bite at high speeds.
RSL integrated bar/stem is stiff, causing hand fatigue.
Heavy wheelset (~2000g) on a $7000 carbon bike, contributing to ~30lb weight.
Conservative geometry (76° seat, 65.5° head angle) may not suit all.
Sep 2024 · Guy Kesteven
I was a big fan of the previous alloy Top Fuel from Trek, as were Danny and Alan when they tested the last Top Fuel 8, and this latest version takes its “poppy, playful nature” (MBR’s words, not Trek’s) in an even more trail oriented direction, while also losing weight from its frame. All in the quest to make it the ultimate down-country ripper. Spoiler alert: the stock bike is great, but the fact that Trek could have easily delivered an even more capable, better value bike is frustrating. Read on to find out why. Trek Top Fuel gen 4 need to know New lighter, smoother-riding frame frame with neater storage hatch and four-way shock adjust Slightly tweaked geometry makes a great feeling bike even more enjoyable on fast, technical trails Too heavy for XC, but light enough to be a very capable short travel trail bike You only get 110mm of actual rear travel rather than the claimed 120mm, but the ABP system creates an excellent, tenaciously-grippy-but-efficient-pedalling balance for all round performance Sorted trail components (aside from weak brakes) but expensive for what you get on an alloy frame Easily extended shock stroke makes a great suspension system brilliant, but you’ll need to upgrade the basic fork to match Find out more about the new Trek Top Fuel along with a range overview in our news story here Frame and geometry The new Top Fuel looks the same as every Trek trail bike in recent memory, even if it’s not as sharply sculpted as the longer travel Fuel EX, and you still get the signature Active Braking Pivot layout. This means the seatstays and chainstays pivot around the rear axle, so the suspension is more independent of braking forces. It may look the same, but the latest Top Fuel gets a welcome weight loss – the whole tube set is slimmer and 150-200g lighter (depending on size) on both this 3.7kg alloy frame and the 2.7kg carbon version. Separate alloy linkages (rather than a one piece magnesium block) also allow more flex. Adjustable geometry The hi/lo flip-chip at the shock base also gets fore and aft positions to change progression from 14 to 19%, as well as tweak the geo and BB height. Crucially you can extend shock stroke from 50 to 55mm with a simple spacer removal and capture bolt swap to give 130mm of rear travel. You can even run a piggyback air shock if you want, and the frame is strong enough, and certified, to run a 140mm fork. The Top Fuel is also MX/Mullet happy in the higher flip-chip position, with the S frame size getting 27.5in wheels at both ends as standard – other sizes come as full 29ers. Internal storage The hatch and opening for the internal frame storage and the internal cable routing have been tidied up, and you get a new higher capacity BITS bag to slide into the down tube. The opening is still quite tight though, and you only …Continue reading »
• Superbly enjoyable
• Beautifully balanced
• Intuitively engaging short travel trail bike
• Outstanding rear suspension
• High price
• It could be even more capable
Jul 2024
The new Top Fuel is an excellent lightweight trail bike.
Jul 2024 · Jordan Villella
The Trek Top Fuel has seen a fair amount of change over the years, from race-only XC, to fun fast trail monster meet the Trek Top Fuel Gen 4
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, internal storage, angle-adjust headset, Mino Link adjustable geometry, adjustable leverage rate, guided internal routing, magnesium rocker link, 34.9mm seat tube, ISCG 05, 55mm chainline, BSA 73, downtube guard, shuttle guard, ABP, UDH, Boost148, 140mm travel BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Tire Clearance: 2.5" Colors: Deep Smoke; Mulsanne Blue |
|---|---|
| Shock | Fox Factory Float X, 2-position damper, 185mm x 55mm Travel: 140mm |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 73mm, threaded |
| Headset | Integrated cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom, angle adjust cup compatible |
| Tires | Frame: 29x2.50" (XS & S: 27.5x2.50"), Fork: See manufacturer |
|---|
First added July 11
Last updated March 1
Not listed for 463 days