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It's right for you if...
You want a single bike that can handle any trail with the light weight and vibration damping of a carbon frame. You're willing to pay for parts that give you a better connection with the trail, but you'd rather skip the bling.
The tech you get
A light and stiff full-carbon frame with internal storage, FOX Performance 36 fork with a GRIP damper that offers more adjustment, and a RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft shock. A Shimano XT 1x12 drivetrain for super-smooth shifting that's easy on the thumb—plus an extra-low 51-tooth climbing gear, and all-new Bontrager carbon wheels with a 108-tooth Rapid Drive hub for fast engagement.
The final word
Fuel EX 9.8 is a great investment for one bike that does it all. You get a light carbon frame, but it's the parts that make this model, like the extra-adjustable GRIP damper, the magic-carpet ride of Thru Shaft, and the blistering acceleration of carbon wheels with a Rapid Drive hub.
See it in action
favorite_borderWhy you'll love it
- Fuel EX 9.8 will take your riding to the next level with a parts package that gives you top-shelf performance without the top-shelf price tag
- RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft works faster than a normal shock, so it tracks the ground better and keeps you in control
- A sleek internal storage compartment gives you a handy spot to stow flat fixing supplies or gear
- We expanded our size range to ensure a better fit for all riders. And, you get the fastest wheel that fits your frame: XS frames get 27.5˝ wheels, S frames get to choose between 27.5˝ or 29˝, and sizes M to XL get 29˝ wheels
"A world-class trail bike"
"Fuel EX is a beautifully balanced and capable trail bike. The rear suspension is beautiful; as close to ideal as any bike I've ridden. It's sensitive where you want it to be, firm and crisp where it should be. It feels deep and controls big hits very well, and there's a nice platform for pedaling, and to pump and pop off when you're playing."
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"Good at pleasing everybody"
"Fuel EX has a few tricks that help it keep a level head when outside of its comfort zone, and to be a cloud on rails when it's in the zone. Everything about the Fuel EX, which was already good at pleasing everybody, is now even better at it."
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"An absolute trail rocket"
"Thanks to its burlier components, increased travel, and more aggressive geometry, it has become more of a shredder than ever! More performance, fun, and trail prowess."
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"Perfect all-arounder"
"In a world where most new full-suspension mountain bikes are amazing, Fuel EX stands apart as even more than that."
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Will my bike have a curved top tube?
Smaller frames (XS and S) have a top tube that dips down as it approaches the seat tube. This design makes for a lower standover height, which is good for shorter riders because it allows them to straddle their bike more easily. Larger frames (M and up) have a straight top tube because taller riders with longer legs typically don’t have the same issues with standover height.
Active Braking Pivot allows our engineers to tune how the suspension reacts to acceleration and braking forces independently. That means you get more confident control when you need it most.
Internal frame storage makes it easy to ditch the pack and still carry your ride essentials.
RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft gives you unmatched grip and control with a shock that reacts to the terrain faster than anything else out there.
Trek's mountain-specific carbon fiber is tougher carbon, with unique materials and layup procedures, Trek's advanced engineering, and a higher standard of testing.
Suspension Calculator
This suspension calculator will help you optimize your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.
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Complete Tubeless System
Tubeless Ready rims and tires make it easy to ditch the tubes so you get better traction, fewer flats, and less weight. You're ready to roll right out of the box with the included TLR rim strips, valves, and sealant.
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Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme
Every set of Bontrager carbon wheels is backed by the Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme. In the unlikely event that you damage your Bontrager carbon wheels within the first two years of ownership, we’ll repair or replace them for free.
Mino Link adjustable geometry
Fine tune head tube angle by 1/2° and BB height by up to 10mm with the simple turn of a nut. Just flip the link to choose between slack or slacker geometry, without negatively affecting suspension performance. A Trek exclusive.
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Control Freak Cable Management
The lightest, quietest, most versatile cable management system allows any combination of shift, brake, lockout, and dropper post lines to be routed through the frame for clean looks and the ultimate custom setup.
Specifications
*spec applies to all sizes unless otherwise noted
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame and stays, internal storage, tapered head tube, Knock Block, Control Freak internal routing, Carbon Armour, ISCG 05, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 130 mm travel |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox Performance 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Kabolt axle, 140 mm travel |
| *Shock |
Size:
XS , S Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with ThruShaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210 mm x 52.5 mm |
|
Size:
S , M , ML , L , XL Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with ThruShaft 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210 mm x 55 mm |
|
| Max compatible fork travel | 150mm (561mm axle-to-crown) |
| Wheel front | NEW Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Wheel rear | NEW Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
| Skewer rear | Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever |
| Rim | Bontrager Line Elite 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
| *Tire |
Size:
XS , S , M , ML , L , XL Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29.x2.40" |
|
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 sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.60" |
|
| Rim strip | Bontrager TLR |
| Max tire size | Frame: 29x2.60" Fork: See manufacturer |
| Shifter | Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Rear derailleur | Shimano XT M8100, long cage, 51T max cog |
| *Crank |
Size:
XS , S Shimano XT M8100, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 170mm length |
|
Size:
M , ML , L , XL Shimano XT M8100, 30T alloy ring, Boost (52mm chainline), 175mm length |
|
| Bottom bracket | Shimano MT500, 92 mm, PressFit |
| Cassette | Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano Ultegra/XT M8100, 12-speed |
| Max chainring size | 34T |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width |
|---|---|
| *Seatpost |
Size:
XS , S Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 340 mm length |
|
Size:
M , ML Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 440mm length |
|
|
Size:
L , XL Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 480mm length |
|
| Handlebar | Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 780 mm width |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on |
| *Stem |
Size:
XS , S Bontrager Line Pro, 35 mm, Knock Block, Blendr-compatible, 0-degree, 35 mm length |
|
Size:
M , ML , L , XL Bontrager Line Pro, 35 mm, Knock Block, Blendr-compatible, 0-degree, 45 mm length |
|
| Headset | Knock Block Integrated, 58-degree radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom |
| Brake | Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston hydraulic disc |
| *Brake rotor |
Size:
XS , S , M , ML , L , XL Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm |
|
Size:
M , ML , L , XL Shimano RT66, 203mm, 6-bolt |
| Weight | M - 13.13 kg / 28.94 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes) |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg). |
Sizing & Tech
The charts below show our recommended sizes based on height, but there are some other factors, like arm and leg length, that determine a great fit. That’s why you’ll see some overlap in our recommendations. Not every rider who’s 5´8˝, for example, will fit on the same size bike. The best way to find your perfect fit is to consult the experts at your local retailer.
Rider Height
Inseam
XS
137.0 - 155.0 cm
4'5.9" - 5'1.0"
64.0 - 73.0 cm
25.2" - 28.7"
S
153.0 - 166.5 cm
5'0.2" - 5'5.6"
72.0 - 79.0 cm
28.3" - 31.1"
M
161.0 - 172.0 cm
5'3.4" - 5'7.7"
76.0 - 81.0 cm
29.9" - 31.9"
M/L
165.5 - 179.0 cm
5'5.2" - 5'10.5"
77.0 - 84.0 cm
30.3" - 33.1"
L
177.0 - 188.0 cm
5'9.7" - 6'2.0"
83.0 - 88.0 cm
32.7" - 34.6"
XL
186.0 - 196.0 cm
6'1.2" - 6'5.2"
87.0 - 92.0 cm
34.3" - 36.2"
All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise stated.
| Frame size number | Frame size letter | Geometry position | Wheel size | A — Seat tube | B — Seat tube angle | Effective seat tube angle | C — Head tube length | D — Head angle | E — Effective top tube | F — Bottom bracket height | G — Bottom bracket drop | H — Chainstay length | I — Offset | J — Trail | K — Wheelbase | L — Standover | M — Frame reach | N — Frame stack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.0 | XS | Low | 27.5" | 35.6 | 69.0° | 75.0° | 9.0 | 66.0° | 54.6 | 33.5 | 2.1 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.1 | 112.0 | 69.5 | 39.5 | 56.3 |
| 14.0 | XS | High | 27.5" | 35.5 | 69.5° | 75.5° | 9.0 | 66.5° | 54.5 | 34.1 | 1.4 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 111.9 | 70.0 | 40.0 | 55.9 |
| 15.5 | S | Low | 27.5" | 39.5 | 69.0° | 75.0° | 10.0 | 66.0° | 56.8 | 33.5 | 2.1 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.1 | 114.4 | 70.2 | 41.5 | 57.2 |
| 15.5 | S | High | 27.5" | 39.5 | 69.5° | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 56.7 | 34.1 | 1.4 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 114.3 | 70.8 | 42.0 | 56.8 |
| 15.5 | S | Low | 29" | 39.5 | 67.5° | 75.0° | 10.0 | 66.0° | 57.8 | 34 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 115.4 | 70.2 | 41.5 | 60.9 |
| 15.5 | S | High | 29" | 39.5 | 68.0° | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 57.7 | 34.6 | 2.8 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 11.5 | 115.3 | 70.8 | 42.0 | 60.5 |
| 17.5 | M | Low | 29" | 42.0 | 67.5° | 75.0° | 10.0 | 66.0° | 60.3 | 34 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 117.9 | 74.1 | 44.0 | 60.9 |
| 17.5 | M | High | 29" | 42.0 | 68.0° | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 60.2 | 34.6 | 2.8 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 117.8 | 74.7 | 44.5 | 60.5 |
| 18.5 | ML | Low | 29" | 43.5 | 67.5° | 75.0° | 10.5 | 66.0° | 61.9 | 34 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 119.6 | 74.6 | 45.5 | 61.3 |
| 18.5 | ML | High | 29" | 43.5 | 68.0° | 75.5° | 10.5 | 66.5° | 61.8 | 34.6 | 2.8 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 119.5 | 75.2 | 46.0 | 60.9 |
| 19.5 | L | Low | 29" | 45.0 | 67.5° | 75.0° | 10.5 | 66.0° | 63.4 | 34 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 121.1 | 74.8 | 47.0 | 61.3 |
| 19.5 | L | High | 29" | 45.0 | 68.0° | 75.5° | 10.5 | 66.5° | 63.3 | 34.6 | 2.7 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 121.0 | 75.4 | 47.5 | 60.9 |
| 21.5 | XL | Low | 29" | 50.0 | 67.5° | 75.0° | 12.0 | 66.0° | 66.3 | 34 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 124.2 | 77.0 | 49.5 | 62.7 |
| 21.5 | XL | High | 29" | 50.0 | 68.0° | 75.5° | 12.0 | 66.5° | 66.2 | 34.6 | 2.7 | 43.6 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 124.1 | 77.6 | 50.0 | 62.3 |