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2020 Trek

Fuel EX 8 XT

A 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

€3,349
Weight13.8 kg  
FrameAluminum
SuspensionFull, 130 / 140mm
ForkFox Rhythm Float 34
ShockFox
Wheels27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetXT
BrakesShimano Deore Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
Similar Bikes
Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Fuel EX 8 XT
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

44 km/h

Fuel EX 8 XT

42 km/h

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews

Summary

The Trek Fuel EX is a versatile and capable trail bike, praised for its balanced handling, effective suspension, and modern geometry. It excels in a variety of terrains, offering a fun and confident ride. While it has some minor drawbacks like sluggish dropper posts and underpowered brakes on lower models, its overall performance and range of options make it a standout in the trail bike category.

Pros
  • Versatile trail bike

  • Improved frame stiffness and tire clearance

  • Effective rear suspension

  • Modern geometry

  • Fun and confident handling

Cons
  • Sluggish dropper posts

  • Underpowered brakes on lower models

  • Frame storage hole too small for some pumps

Key Quotes
The Fuel EX is still the Fuel EX. It just got a little bit EX-er.
BIKE Magazine logoBIKE Magazine
Push it into a high-speed berm, and it simply doesn’t flinch. At all.
Flow Mountain Bike logoFlow Mountain Bike
The Trek Fuel EX is the most versatile bike in this group test.
Enduro Mountainbike Magazine logoEnduro Mountainbike Magazine

Feedback?

View all reviews

Beta
Trek Introduces the New Top Fuel

Oct 2021 · Ryan "Squirrel" LaBar

Adding fire to the Fuel

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Gran Fondo Magazine
Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XTR Project One in bikepacking review

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.

Highs
  • Maximum fun on the descents

  • Intuitive and good-natured handling

  • Storage compartment in the down tube for tools or snacks

Lows
  • Too sluggish on easy terrain

  • Too much bike for long straights

  • Chain slap

Read Review

Mountain Flyer
First Impressions: Trek Top Fuel 9.8 GX

Oct 2020

My history of mountain biking started with a little wooden trike, with no pedals and wheels bigger than my head. I moved forward as any child does onto a bigger bike with bigger wheels and pedals. My parents always encouraged me to get outside and ride a bike, although I didn’t like the idea of mountain biking. I knew how to ride a bike; why go any further?

Read Review

Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Trek Fuel EX 8.0 XT 2020 on test – Versatility for the Best Buy

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.

Highs
  • Performs on every kind of trail

  • Fantastic spec

  • A great balance of composure and agility

Lows
  • Expensive

  • Seat tube angle could be steeper

Read Review

Outdoor Gear Lab
Trek Fuel EX 8

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...

Highs
  • Relatively affordable

  • Good component spec for the price

  • Great small bump compliance

  • Versatile/well-rounded

Lows
  • Frame sizing feels a little small

  • Can be overwhelmed in super aggressive terrain

Read Review

MBR
Trek Fuel EX 9.8 review - MBR

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.

Highs
  • Punchy trail bike with great handling.

Lows
  • Low profile tyre tread lacks bite.

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
Mid-Term Review | 6 Weeks Aboard The 2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 Test Bike

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.

Highs
  • 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

Lows
  • Rattling from the downtube trapdoor

  • Knock Block system works but creates practical annoyances

  • The 35mm carbon bars are overly stiff

Read Review

Pinkbike
Video: 2020 Santa Cruz Tallboy VS Trek Fuel EX - Cage Match

Sept 2019 · Pinkbike Originals

The Fuel EX and Tallboy are both brand new and impressively capable trail bikes, but which one do we prefer? Levy and Kazimer ride both and pick the winner.

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Alpha Platinum Aluminium, tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, downtube guard, ISCG 05, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 130 mm travel

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Tire Clearance2.6"

ColorMatte Dnister / Gloss Trek Black

Fork

Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Kabolt axle, 140 mm travel

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE:aktiv damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210 mm x 55 mm

Travel130mm

Bottom Bracket

Shimano MT500, 92 mm, PressFit

Stem

Bontrager Line, 35 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 50 mm length

Handlebar

Bontrager Line, alloy, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 780 mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138 mm width

Seatpost

Bontrager Line Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 440mm length

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano XT M8100, long cage, 51T max cog

Crank

Shimano XT M8100, 32T alloy ring, Boost, 175 mm length

Shifters

Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed

Cassette

Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12-speed

Chain

Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed

Brakes

Shimano Deore M6000 hydraulic disc

TypeShimano Deore Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle

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: ML, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60"; Size: ML, Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60''

Disc Rotors

Size: ML, Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180 mm; Size: ML, Shimano RT66, 203 mm, 6-bolt

Rider Notes
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First added 27 January

Last updated 16 April

Not listed for 1,884 days