Fuel EXe 9.8 - Trek Bikes (INE)

Overview

"Fuel EXe's natural-feeling assist and stealthy good looks earned it a coveted spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2023 list."

From TIME. © 2023 TIME USA LLC All rights reserved. Used under licence.

'That tiny harmonic pin ring drive unit is the golden goose of e-bike motors.' Find out what Pinkbike had to say about the revolutionary motor at the heart of the Fuel EXe.

"Overall, the Trek Fuel EXe is a bike that ranked consistently well across the board when it came to performance on the trail. It does everything pretty darn well and would be a great jack of all trades lightweight eBike for those looking to have a mid-power eMTB for trail shredding fun."

'This is the first time an e-bike has made my Gear of the Year list [...] in addition to being silent, the HPR50 motor feels frictionless while pedalling. The assistance comes on with a subtlety that makes it feel like you are a younger, fitter version of yourself with a tailwind at your back.'

"The low-key, silent assist is just enough, keeping it riding like a real mountain bike but making the climbs less miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. The Trek Fuel EX’s handling is dialled, and this is merely an enhanced version of that. I tested the top model, but, fortunately, there are also mid-priced models that eschew some of the AirWiz(ardy) without giving up any of what makes this bike rad."

'Simply put, nothing comes close to the Fuel EXe when you paint the picture of the mountain bike experience as a whole.'

'The Trek Fuel EXe is the bike (e or otherwise) that plenty of people have been waiting to see… Removes the final few issues that the e-curious crowd had.'

'The Fuel EXe is such a harmonious package that I got comfortable with it very quickly, and it wasn’t much longer before I was in love with this bike... I legitimately forgot that I was on an e-bike at times… it’s the most natural-feeling motor I’ve yet ridden.'

'We have to call it as we see it and the Trek Fuel EXe just elevated the eMTB game.'

'The first impression was a unanimous "Wow". This is one of the few times that a bike exceeded expectations.'

'There are times when I am left amazed by something new and shiny, and that is the case with the Trek Fuel Exe... I might even go as far as to call it an engineering marvel.'

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Still have questions?

Get answers

Time to get out the repair stand for some maintenance? Find a detailed breakdown of your bike with part numbers, torque values and platform-specific tech instructions below.

Get it here

Follow along as Jason from Mahalo My Dude unboxes and builds a brand new Fuel EXe.

Watch the video

Everything you need (and nothing you don’t).

Learn how

When it comes to being a better trail rider, practice makes perfect. Get seven tips from Pinkbike’s Christina Chappetta that will have you setting PRs and riding with more confidence in no time.

Features

The TQ-HPR50 motor is super-efficient with an amazing power-to-weight ratio. Most motors use gears and belts that take up space and can make noise or break. The TQ-HPR50 uses a harmonic pin-ring drive transmission that’s small, ultra-quiet and unbelievably natural-feeling.

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Give yourself 40% more range with an optional 160 Wh external battery. It fits in a standard bottle cage and doesn’t require any complicated wiring or special mounts.

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The Trek Central app seamlessly connects with your bike for custom motor tuning, activity tracking and more ways to analyse and personalise your ride. You even get navigation features and real-time range calculations.

Learn more

The 360 Wh battery gives you power for 2-5 hours. It’s concealed in the downtube, but it’s still easy to remove for more convenient charging.

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.

Learn more

Shimano XT is the original mountain bike groupset and trusted by generations of mountain bikers around the world. Whatever the trail, wherever you ride, XT is your solution for mountain biking today. Reliable shifting. Superior braking. Intuitive maintenance. XT is the high performance workhorse you can count on.

This bike doesn’t come with pedals because you'll have a better ride if you choose your own. Explore the pedal guide to find the best pedals for your riding style. Reach for flat pedals for simple versatility or go for clipless MTB pedals if you want control and efficiency.

See the guide

This suspension calculator will help you optimise your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.

Learn more

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.

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Tubeless Ready rims and tyres make it easy to ditch the tubes so you get better traction, fewer flats and less weight. You're ready to roll straight out of the box with the included TLR rim strips, valves and sealant.

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The Fuel EXe's display is simple to use and protected in the top tube. Check your assist level, range, speed and more at a glance.

Toggle between assist modes or engage the walk-assist function with the ergonomic low-profile remote.

Integrated channels in the frame make it easy to route the brake hose, dropper and derailleur housing so you get a clean set-up with no hassle.

Watch the video

With 108 points of engagement, Rapid Drive gives you nearly instant acceleration instead of a clunky lag when you step on the pedals. You get smooth, immediate power to blast out of corners and hammer through the rough stuff. And that extra pedal ratchet adds control that can make all the difference when tackling a tricky climb.

Bigger is better. The oversized seat tube diameter gives more support and strength for longer travel droppers, and allows for more robust, durable internals that work faster.

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.

Learn more

Specs

Frame	OCLV Mountain Carbon, removable battery, internal routing, alloy rocker link, 34.9 mm seat tube, upper chain guide mount, 55 mm chainline, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, UDH, 140 mm travel
Fork	RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 150 mm travel
Shock	RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT, 205mm x 60mm
Max compatible fork travel	160 mm

Wheel front	Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle, 29"
Wheel rear	Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle, 29"
Hub front	Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Skewer rear	Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever
Rim	Bontrager Line Elite 30, Tubeless-Ready
Tyre	Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.50"
Tyre part	Bontrager TLR sealant, 180 ml/6 oz
Rim strip	Bontrager TLR
Max tyre size	Frame: 29x2.50", Fork: See manufacturer

Battery	TQ 360Wh
Charger	TQ 4A charger
Computer	TQ LED display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity
Motor	TQ-HPR50, 50 Nm, 250 watt maximum continuous rated power, 300 watt peak power

Shifter	Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Rear derailleur	Shimano XT M8100, long cage
*Crank	Size: S, M, L, XL Ethirteen Espec Plus, 165 mm length
Size: S, M, L, XL Ethirteen Espec Race carbon, 165 mm length
Chainring	Ethirteen Espec, 32T alloy ring, 55 mm chainline
Cassette	Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12-speed
Chain	Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Max. chainring size	1x: 34T, min 30T

Saddle	Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width
*Seatpost	Size: S Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 345 mm length
Size: M Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 440 mm length
Size: L Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 485 mm length
Size: XL Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 200 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 550 mm length
*Handlebar/stem (integrated)	Size: S Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5 mm handlebar rise, 820 mm width, 0-degree stem rise, 35 mm stem length
Size: M, L, XL Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5 mm handlebar rise, 820 mm width, 0-degree stem rise, 45mm stem length
Grips	Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on
Brake	Shimano XT M8120 4-piston hydraulic disc
Brake rotor	Shimano RT76, 6-bolt, 203 mm
Rotor size	Max brake rotor sizes - Frame: 203mm, Fork: see fork manufacturer

Weight	M - 18.10 kg / 39.91 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes)
Weight limit	This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 136 kg (300 lb).

Sizing

How tall are you?

To measure your height, stand up straight, barefoot, with your back, heels, shoulders and head all touching a wall. While looking straight ahead, place a book or straight edge on your head and slowly push it against the wall. Your straight edge should be parallel with the floor. Mark the spot where the bottom of the book is touching the wall. The distance from the marked spot to the floor is your height.

What is your inside leg?

How to measure: Stand barefoot with your back straight and against a wall. Tuck a ruler or something that extends to the floor between your legs. Using both hands, and keeping it level, pull the ruler up into your crotch as if you were sitting on the saddle. Measure the distance from the top edge of the ruler to the ground to find your inside leg measurement. Your inside leg is very important to your final bike size so please measure carefully.

Geometry

Service

Reviews

TIME Best Inventions of 2023

TQ HPR-50 is Pinkbike's Innovation of the Year

Best All-Around

2022 Gear of the Year

Editor's Choice

'Nothing comes close'

'Probably going to be the most significant bike launched this decade'

'One of the best mountain bikes – powered or unpowered – I’ve recently ridden.'

4.5/5

'Wow'

'Nothing less than a great leap forward for eMTBs'

More options

FAQ

Service manual

Unboxing Fuel EXe with Mahalo My Dude

How to pack for any trail ride

Get faster on the trail in a week

TQ-HPR50 – small, quiet, mighty

Range Extender

Connect, customise, calculate

Removable battery

Active Braking Pivot

Shimano XT

You almost forgot your pedals

Suspension Calculator

Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme

Complete Tubeless System

Integrated display

Sleek and simple remote

Easier internal routing

Rapid Drive 108 rear hub

Oversized 34.9mm dropper post

Mino Link adjustable geometry

How tall are you?

What is your inside leg?

TIME Best Inventions of 2023

TQ HPR-50 is Pinkbike's Innovation of the Year

Best All-Around

2022 Gear of the Year

Editor's Choice

'Nothing comes close'

'Probably going to be the most significant bike launched this decade'

'One of the best mountain bikes – powered or unpowered – I’ve recently ridden.'

4.5/5

'Wow'

'Nothing less than a great leap forward for eMTBs'

More options

FAQ

Service manual

Unboxing Fuel EXe with Mahalo My Dude

How to pack for any trail ride

Get faster on the trail in a week

Product features

TQ-HPR50 – small, quiet, mighty

Range Extender

Connect, customise, calculate

Removable battery

Active Braking Pivot

Shimano XT

You almost forgot your pedals

Suspension Calculator

Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme

Complete Tubeless System

Integrated display

Sleek and simple remote

Easier internal routing

Rapid Drive 108 rear hub

Oversized 34.9mm dropper post

Mino Link adjustable geometry

How tall are you?

What is your inside leg?