Yesterday, Trek Bikes launched two all-new bikes: the Fuel and Fuel+. Like their predecessors, the EX and EXe, the Fuel and Fuel+ are essentially the same bikes, now with the “+” denoting the addition of a pedal-assist motor and the associated components. Here, we’ll be discussing the finer details of the new Fuel, the do-it-all pedal-it-yourself trail bike replacing the very highly regarded Fuel EX. The new Fuel certainly has some big shoes to fill.
The primary change here is the all-new frame design that serves as the basis for the Fuel platform. From there, three distinct options, EX, MX, and LX, allow riders to choose the travel numbers and setup that best serve their needs. The new models also include a handful of other frame and feature updates, but there are essentially three new bikes to discuss here, so let’s dig in.
All The Options
The new Fuel comes in three different stock configurations covering the range from your do-it-all 145 mm trail bike to your hard-hitting 160 mm enduro sled, with a mixed-wheel option in between. Between the EX, MX, and LX versions, you can almost think of it as the Fuel EX, the Remedy, and the Slash all rolled into one platform.
Between the three configurations, the frames remain the same, and it’s the rocker links and shock mounts that vary between them. Rest assured, Trek claims to have accounted for changing geometry and suspension feel while reconfiguring the frame for each setup. Additionally, Trek sells those rocker links ($100) and shock mounts ($20) separately to switch between the different configurations in case that’s something you want to tinker with later.
Speaking of options, the new Fuel is offered in carbon fiber or with Trek’s new low-impact aluminum frame, and a jaw-dropping 26 builds or as a frame only (in carbon or aluminum).
Fuel EX
The new EX appears to be the default setting, which Trek refers to as the “classic configuration.” With 145 mm of rear travel, the EX setup has 5 mm more travel than the outgoing model, and still slots nicely into the do-it-all trail bike travel bracket. That’s paired with a 150 mm fork, dual 29-inch wheels, and a very well-considered, versatile, modern geometry that aims to balance climbing and descending abilities.
Fuel MX
Not surprisingly, the MX build gets a mixed wheel setup with a 27.5-inch rear and a 29-inch wheel up front. Suspension travel increases slightly in the rear to 150 mm, which is paired with a 160 mm fork. According to Trek, it gets a more progressive leverage rate to go along with the smaller rear wheel to make it “quick, playful, and poppy — ideal for getting zesty on side hits and railing tight turns.” For those who have been lamenting the loss of the Remedy, it’s not a direct replacement, but it’s about as close as you’re gonna get these days.
Fuel LX
With a different rocker link and a longer stroke shock, the LX setup bumps up to 160 mm of frame travel and a 170 mm fork. According to Trek, “It’s the perfect ride for those wanting the hard-charging capability of Trek Slash without its high pivot suspension.” With 29-inch wheels and a more relaxed geometry, the LX build appears to be ready for some fast, rough, and steep long-travel trail bike fun.
Fuel Frame Updates
The new Fuel frame has been completely redesigned, and it has a new silhouette, yet it maintains a distinctly Trek aesthetic. While the new frames ditch the interrupted top tube of the outgoing model, they keep the subtle curve of the top tube, which gives it a look that is undeniably Trek.
According to Trek, they have also increased dropper insertion to the point that “most riders on medium frames can run a 200 mm dropper post.” Additionally, new top tube accessory mounts allow riders to bolt more things to the frame, and the in-frame storage compartment has been updated, so you can presumably fit more inside, too. In place of providing riders with angle-adjustable headsets, the new Fuel frames come with standard zero-stack headsets that can be used with any number of aftermarket angle-adjustable headsets if you want to go that route.
Suspension Design
Like its predecessor, the Fuel uses Trek’s Active Braking Pivot (ABP) suspension design. While it looks quite similar to a four-bar layout, the defining feature of the ABP design is the pivot point around the rear axle. This design is intended to help isolate the suspension from braking forces, allowing it to remain active even when you’re on the brakes.
Trek uses different rocker links and shock mounts to alter the amount of travel, leverage rate, and geometry for the different setups to create different “builds” or setups using the same frame. The shock mounts also have progression flip chips, so you can switch between high and low progression based on your preferences or the shock you’re using.
Geometry
With three variants based on the same frame, there’s a lot to wrap your head around geometry-wise. Between the EX, MX, and LX setups with different rocker links and shock mounts, there are some minor changes to the angles and other measurements, but they are relatively subtle. Still, there are three separate geometry charts to look at, which can make one’s head spin just a bit.
For starters, the carbon-framed Fuel comes in five frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The aluminum-framed versions come in four sizes, skipping the XXL. Some might notice that Trek did away with the M/L size for these bikes, but there appears to be a good sizing progression without it. Through the size run, there are sensible steps up in reach and stack with chainstays growing proportionally, too.
The EX configuration aims for the do-it-all trail bike sweet spot in terms of travel and textbook “modern trail geometry.” From there, each setup variant, EX, MX, and LX, uses different rocker links, shock mounts, and fork travel, which result in slightly different geometries. These subtle changes are also geared toward their intended uses, with the bikes getting progressively slacker head tube angles as travel increases. The head tube angle goes from 64.5 in the EX setup to 64.2 in MX and 63.5 in LX. It has been mentioned already, but the new Fuel models don’t come with angle-adjusting head cups. Instead, the standard ZS setup makes it possible to add your own if you choose.
The other main number that most people are looking at is reach, which is longest in the EX setting and decreases slightly with each bump in frame/fork travel. For example, in a size large, reach starts at 485 mm in EX, moves to 481 mm in MX, and drops to 473 mm in LX. Overall, however, there are sensible jumps in reach up the size run, starting at 430 mm in size small and topping out at 530 mm in XXL.
In an effort to keep things proportional and balanced, the chainstays are size-specific. They start at 437 on the small and medium frames, then grow by 5 mm per size up to 452 on the XXL. One could go on all day about the other subtle differences in geometry, so if you’re super interested, here is a chart showing the three different versions.
Weight
Like the Fuel EX before it, the new Fuel models are not the lightest bikes around. Of course, the carbon-framed versions are a bit lighter with a claimed frame weight of 7.3 pounds compared to the 10.1-pound aluminum frame. The top-of-the-line Fuel EX 9.9 XO AXS is the lightest at 30.6 pounds, with weight increasing slightly with the different component tiers and the different forks and shocks separating the EX, MX, and LX setups. Still, the claimed weights of the carbon builds are all under 35 pounds, while the aluminum-framed models are all in the 36 to 38-pound range.
Trek Fuel: Builds and Pricing
The new Fuel is sold as a frame only with shock, and is offered in carbon fiber or aluminum. The carbon frame goes for $3,000 with a Fox Float X factory, while the aluminum frame comes with a Fox Float X Performance and sells for $2,000. The EX setup appears to be the only option for the frame-only, although the rocker links ($100) and shock mounts ($20) are available separately, so you can change it up if you like.
With carbon and aluminum frames, numerous different component/price tiers, and three distinct setups (for most builds), there are a whopping 26 different Fuel builds to choose from. There are four carbon and four alloy builds, each with three different versions, plus two lower-end alloy builds that come in EX only.
With only a couple of exceptions, each complete build comes in an EX, MX, and LX variant, with the primary differences in the build being the fork, shock, and dropper. The EX and MX builds cost the same, while the LX builds command $200 more. Head to Trek’s website to get a full rundown of all the specs, it’s far too much to list here.
Fuel Carbon
The four carbon-framed Fuel builds range in price from $6,000 to $8,500 (+$200 for the LX versions). Within that range, riders have the option to choose between wireless and mechanical shifting from SRAM or Shimano. Again, the forks, shocks, and droppers vary between EX, MX, and LX models. The carbon frames come in three color options: Gloss Chameleon Green/Matte Black, Purple Phaze/Amethyst Marble, and Gloss Dark Carmine/Matte Trek Black.
- Fuel 9.9 XO AXS: $8,500
- Fuel 9.8 XT Di2: $6,500
- Fuel 9.8 Eagle 90: $6,000
- Fuel 9.8 XT: $6,000
Fuel Alloy
There are a total of six alloy builds, although only four of them come in all three variants. The four Fuel 9 Alloy builds can be purchased in EX, MX, and LX versions. Their specs mirror those of their carbon counterparts, with options for wireless or mechanical shifting from Shimano or SRAM. The Fuel 9 Alloy frames come in three color options: Matte Juniper/Blue Sage Splatter, Lithium Grey/Trek Black Splatter, and Matte Sedona Red/Pennyflake Splatter.
- Fuel 9 XO AXS: $6,000
- Fuel 9 XT Di2: $5,500
- Fuel 9 Eagle 90: $5,000
- Fuel 9 XT: $5,000
The more affordable Fuel EX 8 and Fuel EX 5 are currently only offered in the EX configuration. They are offered in two frame color options: Lithium Grey/Trek Black Splatter and Gloss Fury Red/Matte Dark Carmine.
- Fuel EX 8 (Eagle 70): $4,000
- Fuel EX 5 (Deore 12-speed): $2,900
Project One MTB
It is also worth mentioning that the Fuel 9.9 and 9.8 Carbon models and the Fuel 9 Alloy are also part of Trek’s Project One MTB program. This is essentially a custom build program where riders can cherry pick their favorite components for the perfect build right out of the gate.
Trek Fuel: Availability
The new Trek Fuel models are available now at your local Trek dealer, Trek Store, or through the Trek website.
