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It's right for you if...
You want a single carbon trail bike that can take on every adventure, from singletrack to the gnarliest descents and multi-stage endurance events. You prioritise a lightweight frame and performance suspension over the highest-end drive train available.
The tech you get
A lightweight and stiff full OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with Carbon Armour, a 140 mm FOX Rhythm 34 fork, 130 mm of rear travel with a FOX Float Performance rear shock with Trek's exclusive RE:aktiv damper, a wide-range 1x12 SRAM NX/GX Eagle drive train, a Bontrager Line dropper post, Tubeless Ready Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels and powerful Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes. An internal storage compartment and Control Freak cable routing add to the bike's capability and sleek look.
The final word
Fuel EX full suspension performance on a lightweight and trail-tough carbon frame makes for a fun and fast ride. This rugged, capable bike sails down descents and helps you hang tough during fatiguing marathon rides.
See it in action
favorite_borderWhy you'll love it
- Don't confuse the Fuel EX 9.7 with other value carbon models on the market – this bike provides an outstanding frame and suspension, with a workhorse drivetrain and wheels
- A sleek internal storage compartment gives you a versatile spot to stow tools and gear
- This bike is perfect for shredding singletrack, hitting drops and pushing your limits in multi-stage and marathon events
- The shifter-style, underbar remote dropper post lever is super intuitive and easy to use
- 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!'
'The 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 pedalling, and to pump and pop off when you're playing.'
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'Good at pleasing everybody.'
'The 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.'
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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-rounder’
‘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.
Internal frame storage makes it easy to ditch the pack and still carry your ride essentials.
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.
RE:aktiv technology gives you firm support for efficient pedaling that instantly gives way for smooth control when the trail turns rough.
Trek's Straight Shot frame design optimises the stiffness-to-weight ratio for a more responsive ride. You'll be able to push harder and stay more planted on your line when the going gets rough.
Suspension Calculator
This suspension calculator will help you optimise 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 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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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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OCLV Mountain Carbon
Trek's mountain-specific carbon fibre is tougher carbon, with unique materials and lay-up procedures, Trek's advanced engineering, and a higher standard of testing.
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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 set-up.
Boost148/110
Wider dropouts (110mm front, 148mm rear) give you the stiffness of a 27.5" wheel with all the benefits of a 29" wheel, and Boost148 at the back lets you run wider tyres and a larger chain ring without affecting q-factor and pedalling efficiency.
Specifications
*spec applies to all sizes unless otherwise noted
| Fork | Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Kabolt axle, 140 mm travel |
|---|---|
| Shock | Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE:aktiv damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210 mm x 52.5 mm |
| Max compatible fork travel | 150mm |
| Hub front | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Skewer rear | Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Champion, J-Bend, Black |
| Tyre | Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5x2.60" |
| *Tyre part |
Size:
XS Bontrager TLR valve, 50 mm |
|
Size:
XS Bontrager TLR sealant, 180 ml/6 oz |
|
|
Size:
XS Bontrager TLR sealant |
|
| Rim strip | Bontrager TLR |
| Max tyre size | 29x2.60" |
| Shifter | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Rear derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Crank | Truvativ Descendant 6k Eagle, DUB, 32T steel ring, Boost, 170 mm length |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB, 92 mm, PressFit |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 11-50, 12-speed |
| Max. chainring size | 34T |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138 mm width |
|---|---|
| Seatpost | Bontrager Line Dropper, 100 mm travel, internal routing, 31.6 mm, 345 mm length |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Line, alloy, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 780 mm width |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on |
| Stem | Bontrager Line, 35 mm, Knock Block, 0-degree, 40 mm length |
| Brake | Shimano MT420 4-piston hydraulic disc |
| Brake rotor | Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180 mm |
| Weight | M - 13.69 kg / 30.19 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 & fit
Proper bike fit is essential for best performance and comfort. Any size and geometry measurements shown on trekbikes.com are for general comparison purposes only. To find your perfect fit, visit an authorised retailer, where an expert skilled at sizing will help you find the appropriate bike and size for your individual needs.
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 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 | XS | High | 27.5" | 35.5 | 75.5° | 9.0 | 66.5° | 54.5 | 34.1 | 1.4 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 10.7 | 111.9 | 70.0 | 40.0 | 55.9 |
| 13.5 | XS | Low | 27.5" | 35.6 | 75.0° | 9.0 | 66.0° | 55 | 33.5 | 2.1 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.1 | 112.0 | 69.5 | 39.5 | 56.3 |
| 15.5 | S | High | 27.5" | 35.5 | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 56.7 | 34.1 | 1.4 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 10.8 | 114.3 | 70.7 | 42.0 | 56.8 |
| 15.5 | S | Low | 27.5" | 39.5 | 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 | 29" | 39.5 | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 57.7 | 34.6 | 2.8 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 11.5 | 115.3 | 70.7 | 42.0 | 60.5 |
| 15.5 | S | Low | 29" | 39.5 | 75.0° | 10.0 | 66.0° | 57.8 | 33.9 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 115.4 | 70.2 | 41.5 | 60.8 |
| 17.5 | M | High | 29" | 42.0 | 75.5° | 10.0 | 66.5° | 60.2 | 34.6 | 2.8 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 117.8 | 74.7 | 44.5 | 60.5 |
| 17.5 | M | Low | 29" | 42.0 | 75.0° | 10.0 | 66.0° | 60.3 | 33.9 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 117.9 | 74.1 | 44.0 | 60.8 |
| 18.5 | ML | High | 29" | 43.5 | 75.5° | 10.5 | 66.5° | 61.8 | 34.6 | 2.7 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 119.5 | 75.2 | 46.0 | 60.9 |
| 18.5 | ML | Low | 29" | 43.5 | 75.0° | 10.5 | 66.0° | 61.9 | 33.9 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 119.6 | 74.6 | 45.5 | 61.3 |
| 19.5 | L | High | 29" | 45.0 | 75.5° | 10.5 | 66.5° | 63.3 | 34.6 | 2.7 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 121.0 | 75.4 | 47.5 | 60.9 |
| 19.5 | L | Low | 29" | 45.0 | 75.0° | 10.5 | 66.0° | 63.4 | 33.9 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 121.1 | 74.8 | 47.0 | 61.3 |
| 21.5 | XL | High | 29" | 50.0 | 75.5° | 12.0 | 66.5° | 66.1 | 34.6 | 2.7 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 11.6 | 124.1 | 77.6 | 50.0 | 62.3 |
| 21.5 | XL | Low | 29" | 50.0 | 75.0° | 12.0 | 66.0° | 66.3 | 33.9 | 3.4 | 43.7 | 4.3 | 11.9 | 124.2 | 77.0 | 49.5 | 62.7 |