1ST IMPRESSION
with a progression flip-chip. The new frame lets you adjust the position of the shock by moving the lower mounting point further aft and increasing the leverage rate, building in more ramp-up.
The shock has also shifted further forward in the frame, the idea being to give it more space and allow for every shock on the market to fit in there, Trek says. In practice that means every shock from Fox, Rockshox, DVO, Push and MRP can be fitted to the Fuel EX, unless you’re riding a size Small or XS frame.
HOW IT RIDES
The Fuel EX 9.9 comes with a onepiece, carbon-fibre bar and stem, and at 830mm (including grips) it’s way too wide and flexy to ride well. I lopped it down to 780mm and at a stroke that cured the front-end problems I’d been having – chiefly, the scary undamped sensation when pitching into steep corners. The Bontrager tyres have been hard to get on with too, at 2.5in wide and without pronounced side lugs, it’s hard to make them bite into soft terrain. I dropped the pressures down to improve the feel… and I mean way down, 19PSI in the front and 21PSI in the rear to make the ride less pingy and more predictable. I probably could have gone further too, given there was no squirm even that low, while the sidewalls proved effective at fending off pinchflats.
That done, the bike was free to ride like its true self. The Fox Float X shock is supple off the top and bobs a little going uphill, but the EX is an expert climber – probably because it gets great traction from the active shock, while the steep seat angle and mid-length chainstays pitch you forwards. That aggressive seat angle disguises just how big this XL bike is too, it has a huge 515mm reach, making it one of the longest bikes I’ve ever ridden. In fact, I could probably step down a size, although there’s a huge jump down to the Large with its 485mm reach. All told though, the bike feels compact enough when sat down and pedalling, yet long in reach when out of the saddle.
The Fuel EX retains the stiff and bombproof feel of the old bike, it’s very direct and trails have a hard time deflecting it off course. The carbon frame has a great, damped feel, it’ll bulldoze its way across off-camber sections and let you set up wide, yet somehow manages to cushion you from the worst of the trail chunder you’re trucking over.
The suspension is supple and works well right off the top, but I did have to wind off all the low-speed compression damping to make it come alive, which makes me think it’s overdamped. Fully open though, there’s plenty of traction in the dry and loose conditions I rode in, with enough support for trail riding. When I back-to-backed the EX with the EXE, the e-bike felt more like an enduro bike, with better suspension and simply more control on the trail. This is really interesting because both bikes have identical components and suspension travel, and both felt slightly overdamped. With the right shock I’m perfectly prepared to believe the Fuel EX could work well as an enduro bike then – the frame can certainly handle it.
Trek knows how to make a wellfinished bike, and the Fuel EX is the latest demonstration of this. It’s ridiculously well finished, everything from the down-tube storage to the new steerer-hidden BITS multitool and the bolted-on (not glued) chainstay protector is solid and reliable. The Fuel gets better in every iteration, the only problem is now you can get it with a motor in… too tempting for some riders, myself included.
HIGHS
Great sizing, and range of sizes. Brilliant geometry, and ability to tweak it as you want. Quality, damped frame with beautiful finish and details.
LOWS
Incredible price. The shock is overdamped. One-piece carbon bar is too wide. Tyres are unpredictable.