2012 trek fuel ex 8 geometry

2012 Trek Fuel EX 8 Bike (discontinued)

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Trek Fuel EX 8 review

Continually evolving all-rounder

Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Fuel EX family has been around for years now, gradually evolving to become more capable and confident every season. We’re not totally convinced by the new tech for this year, but the overall bike is still one of the best all-round trail machines available.

It's keen enough to race your skinny mates up the climbs on, but more than happy to take the fight to lardier, longer-travel bikes on fast and furious descents. More confident angles for 2012, plus confidence boosting tubeless-ready rolling stock and excellent Shimano stop/go gear complete an inspiringly ‘can do’ package.

Ride & handling: Tackles everything from epic cross-country to black-run descents with efficiency and enthusiasm

The Fuel EX is a bike that’s very comfortable riding outside its cross-country/light trail orientated 120mm travel category. The screw-through fork and 68-degree head angle encourage a faster approach to rocks and technical descents, and impressive frame stiffness means accurate and predictable follow through.

It’s one of the few bikes on test that we didn’t want to change the tyres on, although something faster might be in order come summer. That’d help it pick up the pace on smoother sections, where the reasonable weight and excellent pedalling manners make it a naturally efficient and raceable rig on the right rubber.

We’re big fans of the DRCV/Full Floater/ABP back end. It takes longer to set up accurately because you have to cycle the shock to equalize pressures. But the end result is a great balance of stable pedalling but seamless repeated hit-and-drop damping that matches most 140mm bikes in terms of control and speed sustain.

We’re less convinced by the DRCV fork introduced for this year, though. There’s marketing logic for transferring a well reviewed and rated rear suspension technology to the front of the bike, and getting “more travel, more of the time” sounds good. But on the trail, less sensitive small bump response reduces comfort and traction.

Its habit of diving deep, rather than maintaining a predictable ride height under cornering and braking loads, undermines tight tracking and balanced steering geometry. The basic smoothness and control of the Fox fork still shines through though, and given the outstanding get-on-and-go performance of the complete bike it’s not a deal breaker, but we'd score the Fuel higher with a conventional fork.

Frame: Excellent proprietary suspension technology built into a stiff, future-proof chassis

The Fuel EX is a well-established chassis but it’s still loaded with more innovation than most. The angular E2 tapered head tube stiffens up the front end, and for the first time this year the EX 8 model gets a screw-through-axled fork to carry the carving advantage through. Rear dropouts with their concentric ABP pivots get the option of a screw-through axle upgrade too, although the bike comes as standard with a quick-release skewer.

Joining it all together is Trek’s proprietary DRCV-design Fox shock and Full Floater mounting system which squeezes it between extended chainstay tips and the single-piece upper rocker. This not only tunes the spring rate to Trek’s liking but also keeps stress off the main frame tubes.

Trek’s introduction of an 18.5in size between their existing medium and large frame options is something that a lot of other brands would do well to copy to serve the large number of riders stuck halfway between two options. This year semi-internal cable routing joins the feature list too, with a stealthy black/dark grey finish available as well as the more vibrant silver/red/white colourway here.

Equipment: Very good overall kit selection, from screw-through fork to tubeless-ready wheels

As well as colour matching the Bontrager stem and other kit, Trek have thought about the capability of the bike as a whole, rather than going for easy shop floor scores of low weight or easy car park speed. Okay, like most brands the supplied inner tubes are so thin they’ll burst at the sight of the first rock, but the 2.2in wide XR4 tyres are grippy, year-round rubber, and like the broad rims are tubeless ready so all you need is some sealant.

The mixed Shimano Deore XT/SLX drivetrain is a great showcase of how well the Japanese gearing lasts. Even after a winter of lousy weather the only blot on a super-smooth shifting copybook is the scuffing on the XT crank arms. The composite middle ring is still running fine, shifts are still effortless and the SLX brakes have massively impressed everyone who’s tried them. The saddle is comfy, the seatpost is secure and the bar is a decent width. While overall weight is reasonable there’s potential to upgrade and lighten the bike.

This bike was tested as part of What Mountain Bike magazine's Bike of the Year shootout. You can read the full feature in this month's mag, in shops now, and available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio .

Trek Fuel EX 8

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• Rider Notes

2019 Trek Fuel EX 8 29

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Fuel EX 8 29

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Oct 2020 · Benjamin Topf

The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 is an absolute classic in the trail bike segment. Could it also be the perfect bike for the next bikepacking adventure with its modern geometry and spare parts compartment in the down tube? We put the Fuel EX to the test.

Maximum fun on the descents

Intuitive and good-natured handling

Storage compartment in the down tube for tools or snacks

Too sluggish on easy terrain

Too much bike for long straights

Read Review

Nov 2019 · Jeremy Benson

The Fuel EX 8 is an impressively capable, versatile, and well-rounded trail bike that is ready for anything you are. Trek redesigned the Fuel EX models for...

Relatively affordable

Good component spec for the price

Great small bump compliance

Versatile/well-rounded

Frame sizing feels a little small

Can be overwhelmed in super aggressive terrain

Nov 2019 · Alan Muldoon

The updated Trek Fuel EX now features storage in the downtube, 29er wheels, more travel and a gorgeous frame… oh and it’s rollicking fast too.

Punchy trail bike with great handling.

Low profile tyre tread lacks bite.

Oct 2019 · McCoy

One seriously light and capable bike

Aug 2019 · Mike Levy

Trek's trail bike gets an all-new frame with tweaked suspension and fresh geometry, but where does sit compared to the competition?

Forgiving, deep feeling suspension

It's a wizard on technical climbs

New geometry increases capabilities

It might be too forgiving for some riders

You'll be using the pedal assist lever often

Trek could have gone further with the geometry

Oct 2018 · Joseph Delves

A great full-sus all-rounder with an innovative frame

Jun 2018 · Nic “U-Turn” Hall

Without a doubt one of our favorite bikes in the budget bike roundup. The Trek Fuel EX 9.7 blends a refined look with affordable performance to offer you a killer mountain bike at a great value.

May 2018 · Valentin Rühl

All Trek’s bikes have one thing in common: you'll feel right at home on them after just a few turns of the cranks. The Trek Fuel EX 8 29 is no exception. Read on to find out how it performs on the trail.

Last updated October 1 Not listed for 1,705 days

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Trek Fuel EX 8 29

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte Trek Black

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum, ABP, Boost148, Full Floater, EVO link, E2 tapered head tube, Mino Link, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, down tube guard, PF92, ISCG 05, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel
• Wheels Bontrager Duster Elite Tubeless Ready, TLR strips, Boost110 front, Boost148 rear
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XR3 Expert, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 29x2.30"
• Crank Shimano M627, 36/22
• Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, high direct mount
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus
• Shifters Shimano SLX, 10 speed
• Brakeset Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 5mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Seatpost KS eThirty Integra, remote lever, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset, internal routing
• Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible
• Headset FSA IS-2, E2, sealed alloy cartridge

Q: What size wheels does the 2016 Trek Fuel EX 8 29 have?

The 2016 Trek Fuel EX 8 29 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2016 Trek Fuel EX 8 29 should I get?

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Trek fuel ex 5 vs. Scott spark 960

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Tried finding a comparison for these two bike, but not a lot out there for the Scott (mostly others in the spark line). Hoping to buy one of these within the next few days, but am not sure which is the better bet. The trek is $1800 while the Scott is listed at $1900, but up until this weekend is at $1600. Just getting back into riding and am not really sure on which has the better components, and which I'll end up upgrading. Thanks,  

If you are just getting back into riding, start with the Scott. It has less (more manageable) suspension travel, and if it costs less, then if it fits it will be your best choice.  

IMO, don't waste your money with an EX5. It's such a baseline entry into the FS that it's not worth it. Go at least an EX6 and up.. As for Scott, couldn't tell you. Been seeing them more and more. I am considering one as my next bike. I demo'd a FS carbon model and loved it.  

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