trek top fuel exe

4 upgrades & 7 updates on our Fuel EXe long-term test bike | Trek Fuel EXe Review

The not-so-minor details.

2023 Trek Fuel EXe

https://www.trekbikes.com

$9,499 AUD - $12,999 AUD

The Trek Fuel EXe was launched just a few months ago, arriving to much fanfare thanks to its unique TQ-HPR50 motor and clean aesthetics. We were totally captivated by the smooth and quiet motor performance, while the low weight, balanced geometry and supportive suspension gave it an impressively playful and agile character on the trail.

We’ve since spent a load more time aboard our test bike, and have made a few key changes and upgrades along the way. For those who are curious about this lightweight e-MTB, or for those who already own one and are looking to delve a bit deeper into its capabilities, here’s a look at what we’ve learned from our long-term review of the Trek Fuel EXe.

There’s an app for that

The release of the Fuel EXe has been accompanied by a new app called Trek Central.

Designed specifically for the Fuel EXe, the app incorporates a number of features including ride tracking, navigation and range estimation. It allows you to tune the performance of the TQ HPR50 motor, and it provides recommendations on suspension and tyre setup. You can pair the app with a heart rate monitor, and it’ll even talk to SRAM TyreWiz and AirWiz modules to provide live pressure readouts.

It’s easy to tune the TQ-HPR50 motor

The most interesting component of the Trek Central app is the Perfect Tune function. This lets you adjust the motor’s power output and assistance behaviour across each of the Eco, Mid and High assist modes. Within each mode you can adjust the Maximum Power, Assist Factor and Pedal Response using a simple sliding scale.

Our main interest here was to see if we could give the TQ motor a little more punch for shorter rides. Although the High mode already comes with the Maximum Power set to the full 300W, it is possible to increase both the Assist Factor and Pedal Response settings, which is exactly what we did.

With both settings maxed out, the Fuel EXe accelerates faster and requires less pedal input to deliver maximum power. It still requires plenty of input, and it isn’t as gutsy as a full-powered motor like a Bosch Performance Line CX or Shimano EP8, but it is noticeably quicker compared to the stock settings.

Of course the downside is reduced range, and it’s possible to rinse that 360Wh battery pretty quickly, especially for heavier riders. It works well for an hour-of-power session after work, but for longer rides you’ll want to make use of the Eco and Mid settings, and consider dialling down the Assist Factor. This will encourage you to pedal harder to receive maximum motor support, while only relying on the High setting when you really need it.

It still has some lag

In our initial review, we mentioned that the TQ-HPR50 motor didn’t always provide support when we wanted, exhibiting some lag in certain circumstances.

Now we aren’t referring to the mechanical pickup of the motor. That is near-instantaneous, with very little free-play in the cranks before they engage the drive system. Rather we mean the delay between when you input a pedalling force, to the point that the motor starts delivering power output.

Even with the Pedal Response set to the maximum level, this delay can still sometimes occur. If you’re climbing in a higher gear at a slower cadence, pausing to freewheel over an obstacle won’t be met with instant power delivery once you get back on the gas. Similarly, if you’re cruising along at speed and need to pause on the pedals, there is some lag in the motor’s pickup when you begin pedalling again.

To avoid this, we’ve found the TQ-HPR50 motor to provide better support at higher cadences. Make use of the lower gears, spin at a higher RPM, and the motor will respond faster and more willingly.

Generally speaking though, this is a motor that is here to give you a subtle helping hand rather than feeling like you have a rocket booster strapped to the bike. The soft and smooth power delivery is what contributes to its discreet and energy-efficient performance, allowing the Fuel EXe to be built with such a small and lightweight battery in the first place.

The wide Q-factor may be a bother

Despite spending another couple of months on the Trek Fuel EXe, I’ve not gotten used to its wide stance at the pedals.

To clarify, the TQ-HPR50 is one of, if not the smallest mid-drive motors on the market, and its bottom bracket axle is narrow at 135mm. The issue is with the carbon e*13 crank arms that come on the Fuel EXe 9.8 and 9.9 models. These bulky cranks add significant width to the overall Q-factor, pushing the pedals further away from the bike.

According to my measurements the Q-factor is nearly 195mm. That is very wide, and it’s caused me some knee pain on longer rides.

I visited a local Trek dealer and compared the Q-factor with the alloy e*13 cranks that come on the cheaper Fuel EXe 9.7 and 9.5 models. The difference is almost 20mm, with the alloy crank arms being considerably slimmer and coming much closer to a crankset on a regular mountain bike.

Many riders won’t be fussed by a wide Q-factor, and indeed the broader stance can improve overall stability on the bike. But for riders with sensitive knees, it is something to consider. Indeed if the Fuel EXe were my bike, I’d be looking at changing out the crank arms.

But it’s oh so quiet

Since reviewing the Trek Fuel EXe, I’ve been riding a whole bunch of other e-MTBs including the Canyon Spectral:ON , the Scott Patron and the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 . Those all make use of full-powered motors that have their various strengths and weaknesses, but one of the most noticeable differences is the amount of noise out on the trail.

The TQ-HPR50 motor is remarkably quiet, even in the highest assist mode with all of the settings maxed out. The pitch and overall volume are so discreet, that every time I jump onto a full-powered e-MTB, it feels like I’m riding a vacuum cleaner.

It’s also unnoticeable on the descents, with none of the freewheel clacking that has plagued the Shimano EP8 and Bosch Performance CX drive units. Along with its smooth and surge-free power delivery, I’ve been really impressed with the experience that the stealthy TQ motor brings to riding the Fuel EXe, which feels closer to a regular mountain bike than a full-powered e-MTB.

The RockShox suspension is performing beautifully

Both the Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT and the top-end 9.9 models come fitted with the new 2023 RockShox forks and shocks as standard. Featuring an all-new construction with updated internals, the Lyrik is equipped with the new Charger 3 damper, and the Super Deluxe shock features the RC2 damper.

In our initial review, we found the Fuel EXe’s suspension to be incredibly supportive, but not the most compliant over smaller bumps. That was particularly the case up front with the Lyrik, which even felt harsh in some situations.

I’m happy to report that the suspension has bedded in a lot since new, though I’ve since been riding the Fuel EXe with a different Lyrik Ultimate. This Lyrik had been freshly serviced by SRAM, and it has bedded in beautifully over the last few weeks of riding. Compared to the original fork it is significantly smoother and plusher, especially across smaller rubble. The support is still there, it’s just vastly more comfortable and reactive.

This experience has turned around my earlier feelings on the Lyrik, which I wasn’t overly impressed with. Aside from the different colour, the only difference between these two forks is the fact that the green one had been serviced. It isn’t uncommon to encounter varying levels of assembly grease and oil with mass-produced suspension products, though perhaps the new RockShox forks are more sensitive to it.

My advice to anyone out there with a 2023 RockShox fork that is feeling harsh? Have your local bike shop check the lowers for the proper lubrication levels. It could make all the difference, as it has done on our Fuel EXe.

It’s brilliant with a 160mm travel fork

While the Trek Fuel EXe comes standard with a 150mm travel fork, the frame is rated for use with up to a 160mm fork. And so alongside the green Lyrik Ultimate, I’ve also been testing a Fox 36 GRIP2, both set at 160mm of travel.

The extra 10mm of travel does lift up the BB slightly, and it also slackens the angles a touch. With the longer fork fitted, I needed to nose the saddle down slightly, and I dropped the stem down one spacer to bring the grips down to the same level as before.

On the trail the longer fork feels fantastic. There may be a touch more front wheel wander on the climbs, but having lowered the stem to get more weight over the front, it’s pretty minimal. And the added ground clearance has actually improved the Fuel EXe’s technical climbing abilities, allowing me to keep pedalling over chunky sections with less fear of pedal strikes.

It’s on the descents where the extra 10mm of travel has been most welcome though, delivering increased grip and control when things get rough and rowdy. The whole bike feels more planted, and it’s plusher overall.

I was worried the bigger fork might feel mismatched with the 140mm of rear travel, but that hasn’t been the case. The Fuel EXe is a mighty capable bike, and its rear suspension is nice and progressive with plenty of end-stroke support thanks to the Hydraulic Bottom Out feature in the new Super Deluxe shock. Because it uses its travel in such a controlled manner, it actually feels more balanced with the bigger fork up front.

With that in mind, I can highly recommend experimenting with a longer fork on your Fuel EXe. The good news is that this a relatively cheap upgrade, as you only need to buy a 160mm air shaft to extend the RockShox Lyrik and Fox 36.

Mullet compatibility

A lesser known fact about the Trek Fuel EXe is that it can be run as a mullet. While the bike comes standard with 29in wheels and the Mino Link set in the Low position, Trek says flipping the chip into the High position will help counter the drop in BB height if you decide to fit a 27.5in rear wheel.

That’s true to an extent, though the difference in BB height between the High and Low positions is only 7mm. In our experience with trying out mullet conversions on other bikes, that difference isn’t quite enough. If we were to mullet the Fuel EXe, we’d recommend pairing that setup with a 160mm travel fork to help lift the BB up again to roughly the same spot as the stock setup.

The downside of fitting a 27.5in rear wheel? The TQ’s speed sensor can’t be recalibrated for a different wheel circumference, so the system will still assume you have a 29in wheel fitted. This will affect the speed readout on the top tube display, changing the motor’s behaviour slightly and resulting in a lower actual cutoff speed.

If you’re prepared to put in more effort at the pedals however, the mullet setup will be an effective way to add further agility into the Fuel EXe while increasing bum clearance for shorter riders. See our recent Specialized Stumpjumper mullet review  if you’re keen to know more about the advantages and disadvantages.

Burlier tyres are a great upgrade

While the stock Bontrager SE5 tyres on the Trek Fuel EXe are decent all-rounders, we did find ourselves wishing for more bite up front. As well as wanting a stickier and more aggressive set of tyres, we were also curious to try out a slightly narrower width to improve handling precision.

Since reviewing the bike in its stock form, I’ve been riding the Fuel EXe with a set of Continental Kryptotal tyres. This combination features a front and rear specific tread pattern, and I elected for the burlier Enduro casing option that features the Soft rubber compound.

We’ll have a separate feature coming on the Continental tyre range, but so far I’ve been really impressed with this setup on the Fuel EXe. The 2.4in width suits the bike well, and the sturdy casings offer a really nice balance of stability and damping. Along with the soft rubber compound, the level of grip is outstanding, inspiring more confidence and control compared to the stock SE5s. Along with the 160mm fork up front, I’ve been able to push the Fuel EXe harder and faster on the descents, while enjoying a more responsive attitude through twisty singletrack.

Dialling in the contact points

As with the tyres, I’ve also been trying out some different contact points on our Trek Fuel EXe test bike. The stock Bontrager saddle and grips will be fine for most riders, but there’s always room for personalising these touch points to improve comfort and control.

I swapped the Bontrager Arvada with an Ergon SM E-Mountain Pro saddle, which features a pronounced kick-tail profile. This elevated ramp at the end of the saddle is particularly beneficial on an e-MTB, as it helps to anchor your sit bones while you’re pedalling in the saddle on a steep climb. The ramp is subtle enough that it doesn’t feel weird on the flats though, and combined with the broad platform, relief channel and OthoCell inserts, this has quickly become my favourite e-MTB saddle.

Along with the saddle I’ve fitted a set of Ergon GD-1 grips. These utilise Ergon’s high-end Factory rubber compound, which is incredibly tacky while being quite durable. Along with the tapered profile and one-way traction grooves, the GD-1s provide a more tactile feel and much improved damping over the stock grips. A small but meaningful upgrade, which doesn’t cost a lot either.

Flow’s Verdict

We continue to be impressed by the Trek Fuel EXe, which stands as one of the most agile and enjoyable electric mountain bikes we’ve ever ridden. The discreet TQ motor allows for elegant packaging, while offering quiet and subtle power delivery on the trail. And the option to tune the motor via the Trek Central app means you can customise its performance to suit your range requirements.

It’s also been great fun trying out different upgrades on our long-term test bike. The 160mm travel fork is a winner, offering a plusher and more controlled ride quality that allows you to capitalise on the Fuel EXe’s descending capabilities. Similarly, switching the stock tyres out for burlier casings and stickier rubber has levelled up traction and control. If you’re a Fuel EXe owner and you’re looking to broaden its performance window, we can highly recommend those upgrades.

Keen to know more about the tech and development behind the new bike, as well as prices and specs for the full range? Read on for our Trek Fuel EXe review .

Watch our Trek Fuel EXe video review here:

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Review: Trek Fuel EXe eMTB smashes rough trails & climbs like (you’re) a beast

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The Trek Fuel EXe is a bit of an outlier in the current e-MTB market. Most e-mountain bikes fall into one of two categories: High-powered, long-travel beasts, or lightweight, short-travel models with lower-power systems.

The Fuel EXe sits in the middle, with 150/140mm travel and generous, adjustable trail geometry, and the new TQ HPR50 motor that’s ultra-quiet with moderate output. And it works, delivering a balanced, capable bike and an extremely fun ride experience.

If you’re looking for an eMTB that rides like a trail bike and helps you conquer bigger trails and longer days, here’s everything you need to know about the Trek Fuel EXe…

The Quick Overview

The Trek Fuel EXe translates their popular Fuel EX trail bike line into an electric-assist model that “empowers you to do more, without interrupting the way you experience nature.” That was the goal, and they nailed it.

It starts with a full OCLV carbon frame with fully internal routing and integrated TQ HPR50 drive system. The tiny motor sits where the BB is and still allows short 440mm chainstays. The 360Wh battery sits in the downtube and the power button/system monitor is flush in the top tube.

A simple two-button remote is barely visible on the bars. It cycles through the modes, initiates Walk Mode, and a long press of the lower button will turn off all assist. Meaning, default is Eco mode, you have to hold the lower button for about 3 seconds to turn assist off…I wish it was just a quick press as for the other modes.

The bike has 29er wheels front and rear, 140mm rear travel paired to 150mm forks, a 65º head angle, and 77º effective seat angle (in Low position; their Mino link flip-chip lets you tweak the geo by 0.5º steeper in High).

Size-specific dropper posts range from 120mm to 170mm in travel depending on frame size. All sizes get 165mm cranks.

Check our launch coverage for the full tech story on this bike.

How’s the TQ motor?

It’s brilliant. Until I thought to pay attention to it, I heard nothing.

And when I was paying attention, it sounds like a light, barely perceptible whistling of the wind.

The sound of my friend’s regular eMTB riding 20 feet behind me drowned out any noise from this bike.

Basically, noise is no issue here, not even at maximum power. You truly do hear nature, not the bike.

This is because the motor has no belts or gears. Trek has a great breakaway view of it , and we covered the tech in depth if you’d like to dig deeper.

The TL;DR is this: It’s ultra quiet, pumps out smooth power delivery, and 50Nm of torque is plenty to help you along the trail and up the hills. It’s also ultra-light, weighing 2.5+ pounds less than competitors’ larger 85-90Nm motors. As such, it uses a smaller, lighter battery without giving up range or ride time.

What about battery life?

Trek claims 2-5 hours of ride time per charge. With judicious use of Eco mode, I routinely got more than 3 hours of riding on a single charge. That means mixed use of mostly in Eco but using Trail mode on most climbs and Turbo on the steepest climbs.

Fortunately, Eco felt just right when pedaling along. Trail was fun, and a bit faster, but mostly not necessary for keeping up with others.

That said, when riding with others on eMTBs with more powerful systems, it was clear that they were faster. But on the trail, in the woods, things evened out enough that we all just rode together perfectly fine. I never felt under-gunned unless we were nailing it up a smooth fire road.

A 160Wh Range Extender is available for $599 and adds 44% more capacity. It’ll take up the single bottle cage on the bike, but it’s worth it for big days when range anxiety is a real thing. Personally, I’d add it to the cart.

One note: Fresh out of the box, TQ says the system needs a few full charge and discharge cycles to accurately estimate range and battery life.

My first ride’s assistance abruptly ended with 7% battery showing on the display. My second ride ended at 3%.

Subsequent rides are getting closer to 0%, but even at 0% showing, there’s a small reserve left to power the electronics. Which is crucial because the SRAM AXS rear derailleur is plugged into and powered by the bike…not its own battery.

Starting with 1%, I still managed to get 2.5+ hours of riding out of it before it finally, fully shut down and left me with a single speed.

Yes, you can borrow the battery from the Reverb AXS and use that, but then the wire and plug leading to the derailleur are left dangling about… and likely to get ripped off or sucked up into the chain.

Fortunately, the system also charges quickly, getting to about 80% in about 90 minutes, and fully charged in about 2.5 hours.

It’s worth noting that when TQ’s system drops below 10% charge, it limits output to Eco mode regardless of the setting you choose. This helps ensure you maximize your range.

Why not just get a high-powered eMTB?

I’ve been asked, “yeah, but if you’re paying for an eMTB, why not just get a high-powered e-MTB?”

That’s a good question. I have a couple of good answers.

First, this bike is a lot lighter, at least 10lbs lighter. It’s entirely pedal-able even without assist, something I unwittingly proved when I showed up at the trailhead and realized I hadn’t charged it.

Three hours later, I was spent, but had a great time riding. Granted, this was on flowing trails without any massive, long climbs, but I still had hundreds of little punchy climbs and sprints to get up and down the trail.

Second, full power feels about like half power compared to a top-level Bosch- or Shimano-equipped bike. But that’s OK. The Fuel EXe’s output feels more natural, so if you’re looking for an e-bike that rides like a regular bike, this is it. It just lets you get a little further a little faster. Big days can be bigger. Little days can be a little faster.

On loose, technical, or entirely too steep climbs, I actually preferred the lower output of the Fuel EX-e. It was more than enough to help me up (I still had to work), but it wasn’t spinning out or lurching out of control where more powerful bikes were. It makes really steep, sketchy climbs more manageable.

But if you want more power, check out the Trek Rail . If you want no power, we reviewed the non-electric version of this 2023 Trek Fuel EX with this same spec, too.

How much does the Trek Fuel EXe weigh?

I tested the top of the line Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS in size XL. It weighed in at 41lb 11oz (18.76kg) without pedals…and that’s with an impressive (and expensive) mix of both lightweight and tech-laden parts.

Trek says the entire TQ HPR50 system adds just 3.9kg (8lb 10oz). The EXe is only about 10lbs more than the nearly identical-looking standard Fuel EX, so they didn’t add much beyond the TQ system to make it an e-bike.

The frame feels stiff and robust. The tires are big and meaty.

The bike looks tough, with square-ish tube profiles and wide cross sections. All of that adds up to an extremely laterally stiff frame.

The one-piece RSL handlebar stem and Line Pro 30 carbon wheels save weight, but as a percentage of total bike weight, they’re not making the same impact they would on an analog bike. And, at 820mm wide (on all frame sizes!) it’s really wide…if it were mine, I’d cut it down (they include marks measured to 740mm).

I’d also probably switch the grips to something with a bit more vibration damping. If you choose a model with a standard handlebar and stem, I’d recommend something like the OneUp or Race Face trail handlebars with added compliance.

Too much tech?

Other spec highlights on this particular trim level include a complete SRAM AirWiz and TireWiz system, offering remote tire pressure and fork & shock pressure monitoring.

The Trek App shows recommended tire, fork, and shock pressures based on your riding weight, along with starter rebound settings. With AirWiz/TireWiz installed, their app will also show current actual pressures, too.

Check it there, or just look for the blinking lights on the bike to be green, and you’re good to go. Red lights mean something’s out of the recommended range.

I found that the recommended tire pressure settings were a tad high. I ended up at 22psi front and rear with no issues (I’m about 192-195lbs fully kitted out, ready to ride).

The Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 29×2.5 tires are excellent, I run them on some of my other bikes, too. Like most aggressive trail tires, and particularly those spec’d on e-bikes, the casings are stiffer and can take a lot of abuse, so lower pressures help improve ride feel. I may still go a bit lower.

At 22psi, they’ll mold to the ground and take a hit, but I still haven’t felt a rim strike despite some obvious deformation over roots and rocks.

The rear shock’s air pressure recommendation was spot on, giving me full travel on the big days.

The fork, however, was too high. Trek recommended 102psi, but even at 87psi I was only getting ~85% travel. I’m still tinkering here, down to 84psi, but the takeaway is that you don’t have to stick to the recommended settings.

And, once you find what you like, you can use the Trek (or SRAM’s AXS) app to manually set your preferences. If the bike has the Air/TireWiz devices, those will be updated to blink red/green accordingly, too.

Personally, I think the Wiz devices are clever, but overkill, and they definitely add cost. I like that I can set my preferences and use the Trek app to save them (because I will definitely forget), but I could take or leave the extra electronics on the bike…and, if I were shopping, would probably opt not to pay for that tech here.

How does the Trek Fuel EX-e ride?

In short? It rides like an aggressive trail bike. A really good aggressive trail bike.

Trek’s ABP suspension is efficient and effective. There’s a lockout switch on the rear shock, but in most instances it’s not needed. I only used it on long fire road stretches or when riding the road to the trails. Once on the dirt, it stays open with no issues on sprints, standing climbing, or just powering along.

On the descents, I could smash through extended rock and root sections, prevalent on the trails at Carven’s Cove near Roanoke.

While I’m still fiddling with the fork’s air pressure to improve small bump and low speed comfort, the Lyrik Ultimate on this bike absolutely demolished high speed hits.

Combined with the stiff frame and capable tires, the Fuel EXe inspires a lot of confidence at speed over gnarly terrain.

The suspension stays active under power, which is good because I (like most eMTB riders, according to research) tend to stay seated more often on e-mountain bikes. The motorized assist helps a rider power through rough stuff in theory, and a good suspension platform like this makes it happen in reality.

The Fuel EXe hammers through the rough stuff when standing, too, maintaining traction.

Situations like these, where a little bounce and skip is inevitable is another argument in favor of moderate power output from the motor. Never once did I spin out, and never did I really wish for more power. It’s a good balance.

The bike’s geometry is perfectly balanced, too. I could easily maintain rear traction while keeping the front wheel firmly on the ground, even on some monstrous 18%+ loose, rutted fire road climbs.

Even the bike’s weight feels well-balanced, in terms of handling. Jumps feel natural…

…as do drop-ins…

…and drop offs.

But there’s a definite heft to getting the front wheel up and over logs or rocks.

The result was that I’d just smash into stuff that I would usually pop up and over on a regular bike. Up to a point, of course … there are some things you simply have to lift the wheel up and over, so just know that it takes more effort.

Which means riding this bike, despite its relative light weight, is more of a full-body workout, as is any eMTB. And I feel like I pedaled more consistently and turned more total revolutions, many times also riding a bit longer than I otherwise would have.

The point is, at the end of each ride, I was all grins and knew quite well that I’d earned them. Well done, Trek.

TrekBikes.com

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com , where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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Great review!!

Thank you for the thorough review! Did you happen to test it out on jumps? I’m hoping that the reduced weight makes it feel more natural off of jumps compared to the heavier e-bikes but haven’t seen that discussed yet.

Caution: If you are like me, and ride small frame bikes, right now they are very difficult to come by. I recently ordered the Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 and it has an early arrival date of January. Other companies are into spring.

Hoping to pick up my 9.7 in early November. Excellent review.

Great review. You rode an XL but never mentioned your height. Did it feel long? I’m 6’1 190 and debating L vs XL

What the long-term plan from TQ on motor footprint/mounting. If the motor goes in 5-10 years, is the bike basically trash?

It’s still just a Trek. I guess we thank Giant for the fine work?

Also, TQ was having a heckuva time keeping up with demand in Europe, so time will tell how successful this bike will be service-wise.

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• Cycling Magazine

Long-term review: Trek Fuel EXe shifts the standard for eMTB

Nearly silent and so fun to ride.

Electric mountain bikes are rapidly maturing, in design and technology. When Trek launched the EXe, the lightweight eMTB with its TQ motor represented a big step forward in what was possible for the electric category.

I was really impressed with the EXe out of the gates. After spending several months on Trek’s new bike, that hasn’t faded in the slightest. Here’s what makes the EXe so great, where it could improve as well as what to expect – and what not to expect – from this lightweight eMTB.

We covered a lot of details about what set this eMTB apart when the EXe launched and there is a lot to cover in the review. So for details on the bike, hit the launch . For details on how it rides – which, really, is the important part – read on.

Review: Trek Fuel EXe

The EXe follows the design of Trek’s new Fuel EX closely. Very closely. Or, rather, leads that design, since it was released first. Both bikes feature 140mm of rear wheel travel with 150mm front suspension, modern (slack, low, long reach) geometry, but with efficient suspension that keeps the bikes quick and snappy on the trail. The ability to run a 27.5″ rear wheel with the 29″ front gives the option to make the bikes even more playful in corners and controlled on steeps. The main difference, other than a drive unit, is that the EXe only has a Mino-Link while the EX has several other geometry adjustments.

Honestly, the EXe is really fun to ride. It’s quicker and nimbler than any other eMTB I’ve ridden. It is way closer to the easy movement and balanced weight of a full-powered mountain bike than any electric bike on the market right now. You don’t have to hit the gym before you ride if you want to pull the front end up for mid-trail manuals. You can actually move the back end around with ease, instead of forethought and effort. Basically, all the skills you have on a normal mountain bike transfer over with little to minimal adjustments. You just also get a motor. One that is so small, it sometimes took people a while to realize I was on an eMTB.

There's a motor hiding behine that drivetrain.

A slightly wider downtube isthe only other hint that the EXe is hiding a drive system

Trek also launched an updated Central app to customize the TQ system. . Photo: Sterling Lorence

TQ HPR50: The little motor that could

The heart of Trek’s EXe is TQ’s HRP50 system. The German brand takes a completely different approach to motor design for bikes and it changes the game. It doesn’t render larger motors irrelevant, but it makes a different kind of bike possible. To start with, the harmonic pin ring transmission is light. The motor weighs just 1.85kg and, with a 360Wh battery and controls, the entire system weighs just 3.9kg.

TQ’s HRP50 is also much smaller. Small enough that, when I ran into other riders in the woods, it often took them a while to notice I was on an electric bike. The wider downtube on the EXe is more of a giveaway, really, than the diminutive HRP50.

Finally, the harmonic pin ring transmission design is quiet and smooth. Really, the only downside, compared to traditional eMTB at least, is that it only carries 50Nm of torque. For many, though, that will be all the support you need, or want, from a mountain bike.

Sound of silence

I don’t need a fancy graph or sciencey words like “tonality” to tell you that the EXe is quiet. It’s barely perceptible unless you’re in the highest support mode. Even then, it’s quiet. That’s when I was riding the bike for review purposes, so I was intently focusing trying to hear the bike. I verified that it was actually quiet by riding with a few analog friends. They confirmed they rarely noticed any noise coming from the motor.

Sounds that are louder than the motor include, but are not limited to: the tires, when rolling on basically any surface; the Line Pro 30 hubs freewheeling; the AXS shifting; the sound of wind in your helmet; casual conversation. Bottom line, the TQ HRP50 does make a noise, but you have to be paying attention to notice it.

Power and poise

The TQ doesn’t just sound good, though. It feels good to ride. Every rider will have a different idea of what a “natural” assist feels like, but the TQ tops the ranks in my books. It’s far and away better than any other drive unit when pedalling out of the saddle, delivering smooth and consistent power without surges. That’s the same for pedalling seated. The HRP50 comes on smooth and tapers off in a way that feels similar to how you would lose speed on a normal bike. The power engages quickly, but without any of the jolt or kick of some higher-powered motors. With 50Nm of torque, you’ll still have to put in some effort to get the EXe up steeper grades, of course. But on all but the steepest trails, its an impressively smooth support that makes you feel like a fitter rider, not feel like you’re riding a mini-moto.

The only minor issue I had with the motor’s performance came when, during the odd time spinning the cranks through tight corners but not actually putting power down, it would stutter as it re-engaged. It would still engage just fine, but a half-second later than expected. This wasn’t every time, and it didn’t happen when I coasted or when I kept power on through the corner, but something about spinning the cranks seemed to confuse the system slightly.

All in all, the way TQ’s drive unit works doesn’t just feel better, it makes technical riding easier. You don’t have to factor in when and how the motor will engage as  you approach a root or rock move.

Hardwired wireless AXS shifting.

Rock Shox Super Deluxe Ultimate AirWiz shock keeps the EXe tracking smooth.

Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon fibre wheels with built-in TireWiz pressure gauges

Rock Shox Lyric Ultimate with AirWiz

Bontrager RSL integrated carbon fibre bar-stem looks sharp, especially with the wireless set-up.

Trek EXe 9.9 AXS

Trek pulls no punches for the top-end EXe. There’s a few curiosities and fancy features exclusive to the 9.9 AXS. Most notably, the wired SRAM AXS rear derailleur. While there’s something ironic about adding a wire to a wireless derailleur, I’ll admit I loved having it automatically charge when I charged the main battery. The trade-off is that the bike needs to be turned on to shift at all. So if you run out of juice, or just want to shift down the cassette to take a wheel off, you need some power. The Rock Shox Reverb AXS, though, still uses its own battery.

Trek equips the 9.9 AXS with its carbon fibre RSL bar-stem combo and the carbon fiber Line Pro 30 wheels. In combination with the stout EXe frame, it is a very rigid build. This is great when you’re carving manicured berms. But I found it overly harsh, to the point of being tiring, on any sort of sustained rough trails. Switching out the bars or the wheels to more forgiving options helped take just enough of the edge off (I tried both, in various combinations. We Are One’s Convert wheels were just forgiving enough to balance out the EXe for my personal preferences) making the 9.9 a rocket ship, but one that I could control.

There are also TireWiz and ShockWiz gadgets built into the Line Pro 30 rims and the RockShox suspension. I’m neither here nor there on that feature. If you like it and use it, great. I’m not that particular, or that irregular with checking pressures, that I ever found it useful. But the Wiz’s didn’t cause any problems during the test period, either.

The only difficulty I had with the EXe was that, eventually, some bolts holding the TQ motor did eventually loosen off. That is with a complete lack of service or maintenance over weeks of hard riding, though. So the minimum of regular maintenance should prevent that from becoming an issue at all.

All this comes in for a shocking $18,300. That is comparable to what other top-end eMTB are going for but still a lot of money. If you don’t have that kind of scratch kicking around, the EXe 9.5, at $8,400, still features a carbon fibre frame and TQ’s mini motor.

Lightweight eMTBs – Battery life, power, weight: choose two

There’s an old saying in mountain biking: “Light weight, durable, inexpensive: choose two.” The idea is that you can’t have everything you want, for free. A modified version for lightweight eMTB would be “Range, power, weight: choose two.” (Because, well, there’s no lightweight eMTB’s that could be reasonably described as “inexpensive,” yet). With the EXe, Trek deliver’s on weight and sacrifices a little on power and weight. Depending on how you like to ride, this bike either hits the sweet spot or leaves something to be desired.

Personally, I really like where Trek landed. It gets you enough support for a reasonably big ride – more than I’d do every day. It has enough power that  you can get a lot more out of your ride, without feeling like it does everything for you. And, most importantly, it feels more like a mountain bike than an electric bike than any other eMTB I’ve ridden at this point.

Range anxiety and riding with friends: where does a lightweight eMTB fit in?

To stick with the dime store philosophy, my family has a saying passed down (repeatedly) by one uncle in particular: “You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.” What does that have to do with mountain bikes? Well, the mid-power, mid-range of the EXe might, depending on your friends, change group ride dynamics. Because you can pick your friends and how you ride, but you can’t pick how they ride. And you definitely can’t stop a friend on a full-power eMTB from hitting turbo mode and dropping you on a climb.

The problem is similar to the problem with all ebikes: one of power differences. Since lightweight eMTB’s are still relatively new, they’re also sort of exclusive. Can you ride with full-power e-friends? Or analog buddies? The answer to both is “it depends.”

Trek’s EXe is the first eMTB that is still exciting to ride with unassisted friends. Turn down the power to match the unassisted pace of your buddy and it isn’t quite like riding without a motor, but the feeling is actually really close. Just a bit easier. And, of course, it’s really quiet. Point downhill, and the sensations are, again, really close to what your freind is riding. That, on its own, will be exciting to any eMTB converts that have struggled riding with analog friends.

Riding with full-power eMTB is a different beast. If your friends are nice, you can keep up fine, but just won’t be able to cover the same distance. If your friends are a bunch of bros that just want to blast up the fireroad or steepest trail around to get to the top as fast as possible, you’re going to struggle to keep up. Either way, you’re going to be experiencing some “range anxiety” as you watch the EXe’s power bar deplete before full-battery friends even start thinking about conserving fuel. So, pick your friends wisely, because you can’t pick how they’ll ride.

That’s not to say the EXe doesn’t have enough range. It just doesn’t have the over-the-top range of some modern eMTB. With a 360Wh battery, Trek supplies enough juice to get through rides that would be big efforts without the assist. Exact range will vary by terrain and rider, of course. But, at roughly 80kg, I’d get over 1,000m out of a charge, regularly using full-power. After learning to work with the TQ a bit better, I could regularly get more.

That is a long-winded answer, admittedly, but it’s a question I think a lot of riders will be asking before pulling the trigger on a newer line of eMTB.

Conclusions: Trek EXe and TQ shift the standard for lightweight eMTB

Trek has done an excellent job with the EXe, designing a mid-travel trail bike that fully takes advantage of the opportunities TQ’s small-but-powerful HPR50 creates. The EXe is capable of taking on all kinds of challenging trails, but its also light and snappy enough, for an eMTB, to be fun on a really wide range of trails.

I rode this bike a lot, over a long period and in a wide range of different places. And certainly a wider range of trail types than I’d usually take a full power eMTB on. That is, in part, because it made a wider range of trails fun. Since it is lighter, more maneuverable and more playful, the EXe is more fun on lower-angle, tighter trails than heavier bikes.

Trek’s also made it durable. This bike went through a week straight of big days in the Okanagan and, other than needing to tighten down a few bolts and a scratch to the paint, it came away clean.

The result was that it made the choice between pedaling and taking the assist a lot harder because, well, I knew it would feel more like a mountain bike when I wanted it to. Sure, I had to learn to live with a little range anxiety. Easily worth the trade-off for the performance of the EXe and TQ combo.

Trek EXe 9.9 AXS retails for $18,300 at Trek stores and online through Trekbikes.com .

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Trek’s Fuel EXe Is the Best e-Mountain Bike of 2023

Light, discrete, and quiet with a great chassis, the new EX-e proves that more doesn’t make e-bikes better.

Weight: 40.9 lbs. (medium, 9.9 XX1 AXS // Price: $14,000 (9.9 XX1 AXS)

I did bad things on Trek’s Fuel EXe. But in my defense, I don’t care. Most of the trails where I live are, stupidly, closed to e-bikes. But I rode the EXe where I wasn’t allowed, and I had a metric shit-ton of fun.

Some of the fun came from being naughty, sure. A feeling that took me way back to the mid-1980s when I started riding mountain bikes. Back then, almost all trails were closed to mountain bikes. But my friends and I didn’t care. We just rode our bikes, explored, and grew our skills, asking for neither permission nor forgiveness. Because we were having fun and knew we weren’t hurting anyone or anything.

This review is of a bike, Trek’s Fuel EXe, not an essay about e-bike trail politics. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to separate the two. But I don’t find today’s debates about e-bike trail access to be substantively different than the debates we engaged in 40 years ago about mountain bike trail access.

I just wanted to say I don’t feel guilty about wanting to ride an e-bike or enjoying myself on an e-bike, and neither should you. Riding e-bikes is a blast; they are not the devil many cast them to be. And frankly, as e-bikes get quieter, sleeker, and less obvious (like this EXe), it will be increasingly difficult to tell them apart from unpowered bikes. And as they get better and lighter, also like this EXe, they’re going to become more appealing to more riders. Even ones who, in the past, had rejected e-bikes.

Guess what happened when I rode the EXe? Nothing. Nobody noticed, nobody said anything, and no horsemen of the apocalypse appeared. I, however, enjoyed myself immensely because, with assistance or not, the EXe is a damn fine mountain bike. And when you add its sleekly integrated and well-tuned motor, the EXe becomes one of the most compelling bikes in recent memory.

While the usual e-bike story is about more power, battery, and range, the EXe falls into the intriguing e-light category where the story is less. The EXe is much lighter—by ten or so pounds—than a full-power e-bike because it uses a less powerful motor. A less powerful motor is a smaller motor that weighs less and requires a smaller (lighter) battery. While many will view less as less, I found that less powerful doesn’t mean less enjoyment. The EXe is proof that the old Less-Is-More axiom works for e-bikes too.

The EXe’s embrace of less makes it an appealing choice for e-curious riders who also want the feel and handling of an unpowered e-bike. It also attracts smaller and lighter riders put off by the wrestling match that can be riding a 50-pound e-mountain bike. Plus, the lower weight means it’s easier to load on a rack, carry up flights of stairs, or hang on the wall. These are chores that make life with heavier, full-power e-bikes burdensome.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

Both the chassis and the motor represent new directions for Trek. While it retains Trek’s familiar suspension system, it’s an all-new and very different-looking frame from the crew in Wisconsin. And for the motor, Trek turned to a new-to-them supplier, TQ Group.

“We all wanted an e-bike that rode more like an acoustic bike,” said David Knauf, Trek’s full suspension product manager, “Like everything in the bike world, it generally comes back down to weight. Weight adds up and affects the ride of the bike significantly.”

Knauf states that Trek and TQ co-developed the HPR50 motor, which is essentially a less powerful, smaller, and lighter rendition version of TQ’s powerful (120Nm of torque) HPR 120S. “TQ had this HPR 120, which was huge. Knowing what their capabilities were to basically shrink that down as far as we wanted, we started out qualitative testing and playing around with different outputs of that motor [to] understand what was best for this mid-assistance category.” After considerable testing, Knauf noted that Trek and TQ found that 50 newton meters of torque provided the most balanced experience. “The goal the entire time was to find the bike that gave you enough assistance on the trail but didn’t compromise too much of what we appreciated in an acoustic bike,” he added.

Though not as big a name in e-bike motors as Shimano, Bosch, and a few others, TQ is no newbie startup: Its e-bike journey began in 2008. And, like many of its e-bike motor competitors, it is part of a large and diversified company. In addition to its e-mobility products, TQ plays in the robotics, automation, electronics, aviation, and medical fields.

Those resources allowed TQ to design an e-bike motor architecture it calls Harmonic Pin Ring, based on a principle called strain wave gearing. What’s interesting here is not the electric motor—it is a little different than any other e-bike’s electric motor—but its reduction gearing system.

All mid-drive e-bike motors need to slow the high RPMs of the electric motor to turn the chainring at a typical rider’s cadence: Usually about 60 to 100 RPM. Other mid-motors use a series of gears or a belt as a reduction system which lengthens the motor’s profile. The strain wave design, in contrast, employs a nested layout and achieves higher reduction ratios with fewer parts and almost no backlash (“play”). And lest you think this is some unproven or unreliable system, the moon buggy used by Apollo astronauts employed electric motors and strain wave gearing.

TQ’s final product looks more like an oversized BB standard than the typical e-bike motor. It’s also light, coming in at 1,830 grams: 120 grams lighter than the Specialized SL 1.1 system found in the first-generation Levo SL.

The HPR50 maxes out at 50Nm torque (300 watts maximum assist), putting the Fuel EXe into the growing e-light category of mountain bikes with the Levo SL and a handful of others. With less than half the maximum torque of a full-power e-bike motor, these e-light bikes don’t have the sheer thrust of a full-power e-MTB. But less powerful systems are smaller and lighter. They also draw less juice, meaning bikes can use smaller and lighter batteries. And that’s why this EXe is easily 10 pounds lighter than a comparable full-power e-bike. For example, the full-power Trek Rail weighs 51.3lb, while the similarly equipped EXe weighs 40.9 pounds.

Wrapped around the new motor is a mid-travel trail bike frame with 140mm rear travel. All complete bike models get a 150mm fork, though the frames are rated to take up to 160mm forks. Trek’s ABP (Active Braking Pivot) rear suspension is a single-pivot system with a floating brake arm. ABP allows Trek’s enginerds to fine-tune the bike’s anti-squat (pedaling) and anti-rise (braking) characteristics more than they could by using a more traditional single-pivot design. The frame fits a water bottle inside the main triangle, has a cargo mount under the downtube, and it’s compatible with air and coil spring shocks. There’s nothing radical in the bike’s fit or handling numbers. It’s a modern trail bike: long, reasonably slack in the head angle, with a steep-ish seat tube angle. Additionally, a flip chip gives riders two settings, though the difference is minimal to nearly the point of why bother.

While there’s a lot to gawk at and geek out about, the EXe still manages to blow away expectations once you get it on the trail. I got comfortable with it very quickly, and it wasn’t long before I was in love with this bike. I’m going to declare that this is one of the best mountain bikes—powered or unpowered—that I’ve ever ridden.

Everything about this bike makes it great, but I’ll start with the frame. The chassis has a modern fit and balanced handling that lets the rider climb comfortably or let it run on the descents. Yet the bike is still agreeable on mid-speed and flatter trails. There’s nothing particularly unique or different about the EXe’s geometry numbers, which is the point: It finds an equilibrium that works well on many kinds of climbs and flavors of descents without neglecting that some trails are flatter.

Sixteen years from its debut, Trek’s ABP suspension design continues to serve the brand’s bikes admirably. Though essentially a “simple” single pivot design, the EXe’s suspension is balanced against a mountain bike’s dynamic demands. Even with the assist, pedaling efficiency still matters. And the EXe does well in this regard, keeping the rider supported and the bike calm while floating up big climbs without sacrificing traction.

The suspension’s performance on the descents is similar: Good support and control while offering traction and smoothness. The feel from the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock feels particularly buttery; the RockShox Lyrik fork on the front does ride slightly firm—but that isn’t a bad thing on an e-bike.

Altogether the EXe’s overall feel on the trail is snappy and lively—two words rarely used to describe e-mountain bikes—enough that I often forgot that I was on an e-bike.

The motor’s lack of noise and smoothness is another reason I’d sometimes forget I was on an e-bike. I couldn’t hear it over my breathing on climbs; it’s so smooth that there are almost no vibrations or buzzing to feel in the frame. Plus, it is entirely free of clunking and lash. The EXe’s TQ unit is the most natural-feeling e-bike motor I’ve ridden to date. It doles out power in an approximately human way and so quickly that there’s almost no lag between when you start and stop pedaling; the motor power flows in and out. Legitimately, it just feels like you’re having a great day when pedaling this bike. I felt less surging and pushing from this motor, even in the highest assist mode, than I’ve experienced from any other e-bike motor.

The TQ feels exceptionally well-tuned, and the experience is refined, eclipsing even Specialized’s excellent motors. Some of this smoothness likely results from the TQ’s lower torque. The quiet system tricks the brain into perceiving the lack of noise as smoother. But riding the EXe was such a pleasant experience that I never missed the extra boost of a “full power” e-bike.

According to Trek, they spent a lot of time analyzing and quantifying e-bike motor noise. And while I don’t consider any of the current mid-drive e-bike motors loud, they all make noticeable (and not particularly pleasant) noise. Trek claims that, when measured in an anechoic chamber, its motor’s tonality, across a range of cadence speeds, is four to five times lower than competitors’ e-bikes, registering as “barely perceivable.”

After riding the EXe, I concur barely perceivable is a suitable way to describe the motor’s noise. It’s so quiet that it barely registers above (usually masked by) tire noise and breathing. Not only is it hushed, but the noise you can hear is a much lower pitch—almost like a cat’s happy purr—than the high-pitched whine of most e-bike motors.

So quiet is the HPR50 motor that I rode the EXe in a group, and other riders didn’t even know I was on an e-bike until they got a close look at the bike from the non-drive side or happened to see the discrete handlebar remote. To make it even stealthier, I covered the top tube display with electrical tape to hide it and covered the top tube logo with stickers. And I rode trails where e-bikes are barred. Of course, I can’t suggest you do the same, but no one I rode past gave me or the bike a second look.

The EXe’s 360Wh internal battery is good for “two to five hours,” according to Trek. While frustratingly vague, it’s also about as truthfully accurate as a brand can convey since so many factors influence battery range: air temperature, rider weight, terrain, and assist mode are examples. Weighing about 180 pounds, I rode for two hours and 40 minutes in the “Mid” assist mode and covered 25 miles with almost 2500 feet of climbing. I finished with under 30 percent battery remaining, so the two-to-five-hour estimate is accurate.

If you want more range or less range anxiety, the EXe offers a couple of options. One is a 160Wh piggyback battery ($660, 900 grams claimed weight) that fits into the bottle cage. You’ll lose that spot to carry a water bottle but gain 40 percent more range. One clever thing about this range extender, when hooked up to the bike, is that you can charge it and the bike’s in-frame battery concurrently.

The other option is to buy a second in-frame battery ($750). You can easily hot-swap the in-frame on the trail; if you’re willing to carry a spare 1,835g battery in your riding pack. Trek’s claimed charge time for the 360Wh battery is a relatively short two hours, while the 160Wh piggyback charges in an hour.

The EXe has a bright and easy-to-read two-inch OLED display flush-mounted in the top tube. It offers four data lines and a single button that powers the system on and off and loops through the data pages. A battery graphic and selected assist mode always show on top, with the bottom switching through different data pages with a button press. I appreciated that TQ offers multiple ways of conveying battery information—remaining battery charge as a percentage, estimated ride time, and range in miles. This system allows riders to confront their range anxiety in a way that suits them best. Other data pages show rider and bike power and speed. Overall, the TQ system’s display and controls are a model of simplicity. But if you like lots of metrics in front of you, the TQ system broadcasts information on an ANT+ channel, allowing you to pair it with a compatible GPS cycling computer. Riders may access further information and settings—and fine-tune the assist modes—through the Trek Central app for iOS and Android.

Everything added up, this e-lite mountain bike might provide a superior experience for many riders, even committed e-bike riders. Yeah, it’s not going to hurl you up the climbs the way a full-power e-bike will. Yes, I did wish for more range at times—if only because riding the EXe is so damn fun. But the Fuel EXe has enough power and battery capacity to offer substantial assistance, yet the bike remains lithe and agile. And it doesn’t punish the upper body on descents.

Based on Strava, even with the EXe’s assist, I was still slower on the climbs and descents than my town’s fastest pro rider on their acoustic bikes. I wasn’t even as fast as my best unassisted times from when I was in my best riding shape. But I could ride it quicker with less effort than I can at my current weight and fitness on an unassisted bike. It lessened—but did not eliminate—the pain and, most importantly, increased the fun in a quiet, sleek, and easy-to-ride package. These are the hallmarks of an extraordinary bike.

The EXe provides an e-bike experience that doesn’t overwhelm the mountain bike experience. Transitioning from a mountain bike to a full-power e-bike can be jarring. Full-power e-bikes are a lot: A lot of power and a lot of weight. Many riders adapt and are completely happy on full-power e-bikes, but if you’ve tried a full-power e-bike and found it just too much, the EXe will be a revelation.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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Table of contents, fuel exe 9.8 xt review (2023).

No longer are bike manufacturers only pushing to create e-MTBs with the largest batteries and most powerful motors – though, of course, there are still those bikes being made, too.

There are now new players in the market, like the super light-weight e-MTBs, which mimic the feel of normal MTBs, but still offer a little assistance when needed. Many bike brands are now pushing to create the lightest models, rather than the most powerful.

Trek, Specialized and Orbea are the front-runners in the pack looking to make this happen. Trek’s EXe range of bikes are among the best out there at the moment.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is on the cheaper end of the spectrum in the Trek range, so is it a steal? Or should you go for one of the higher spec options? Or should you look to some of the other big players?

We’ve given it a thrashing on the trails, climbed the climbs and negotiated the descents, to give you all the answers. Without further ado, then, let’s really get to grips with the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT…

Our Verdict

It’s another round of applause for the crew at Trek.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is a very well crafted e-MTB, which is set at a fair price for the amount of assets on offer. It’s lightweight and nimble on the trails, yet feels sturdy and well-planted at the same time.

It has the same motor and battery as featured on the much more expensive models in the Fuel EXe range, yet is a fraction of the price. It can climb, it can descend, it can twist and it can turn, and always feels comfortable.

There are few minor qualms, but overall we think the Trek Fuel 9.8 offers excellent value for money.

• Lightweight
• Natural power delivery
• Motor display
• Brakes (heat management)
• Battery size

Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

Price: $8,699

Weight/frame.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT comes with a strong, fully-carbon, OCLV frame . It’s a sturdy beast, which can take a lot of punishment out on the trails. It looks a beauty, too, with internally-routed cabling giving an uncluttered and simplistic finish.

If you’re wondering how much does a Fuel EXe 9.8 XT weigh? The answer is the full bike, with a medium sized frame (which we rode during our reviews), only weighs in at 18.10kg . That’s decent, but by no means the lightest out there.

The bike handles very well, though, and you can tailor your setup to your body pretty well thanks to the differing frame sizes available and the range of geometry options. You can choose between 4 sizes of frame – small, medium, large and extra large – each of which has two different geometry setups.

It means that, for most riders, you end up with a comfortable position on the bike you end up going for.

ℹ️ It’s key to get the sizing right or you could find yourself losing out on the true capability of the bike’s handling, if you don’t.

The bike handles really well on super technical and twisty trails, you feel very much in charge of the bike and it dodges and weaves seamlessly.

Trek has partnered with the robotics and aviation tech firm TQ for their electrical components. The company is a new player in the market, but it’s certainly turned heads in this collaboration with Trek.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT has TQ’s 360Wh battery installed, which is the same size as the battery in the higher spec bikes in the Fuel EXe range.

ℹ️ This is a good time to remember why this bike exists in the first place – it isn’t meant to be a powerhouse, workhorse of an e-mountain bike. It’s meant to offer a bit of assistance, while remaining light-weight, playful and like a normal MTB. This battery achieves this.

It charges up in two hours and during our review rides we managed to get out around 35-40km of assistance , with plenty of climbing involved. That isn’t insignificant and it works well with the TQ motor (which we’ll come to soon) to release power conservatively.

The motor fitted on the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is another reason to celebrate TQ. The company’s HPR50 , which can emit 50Nm , is a beautiful piece of kit and it operates near enough silently on the Trek Fuel 9.8.

ℹ️ This is another good time to remember that this type of e-mountain bike isn’t designed be immensely powerful, like some of the big beasts on the market. You would lose that manoeuvrability and lightness.

50Nm is by no means a measly amount of torque. That TQ motor does a seriously good job out on the trails. When you take into account bike’s lightness, it makes easy work of some tough climbs and the TQ technology delivers the power in a natural-feeling way.

It’s very easy to forget that you aren’t riding a normal MTB – you don’t encounter any over pulls from the motor and you feel in control. It won’t power on all day, but it offers a capable rider a decent leg up when they might need it.

Motor Display

It’s a big bravo to TQ and Trek here. The motor display is a truly excellent feature, which really needs to be credited.

It’s far from just a device which tells you how much battery you have left, although it certainly does that and with a precise percentage figure.

It also offers a full ride experience – complete with RPM information, elevation data, how many kilometres you can still use with the assistance on, along with many other awesome features.

Put simply, we flippin’ love it.

The bike comes with 3 modes to flick between – Eco, Mid and High – with the display offering prompts to make sure you utilise the right assist level at the right time, to get the most out of your battery.

The suspension setup on the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is exactly the same as the slightly pricier Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS.

The 9.8 XT comes with RocksShox Lyrik Select+, Debon Air spring forks and RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shocks . They offer 150mm travel at the front and 140mm at the rear .

It’s a setup which is ready for some enduro and XC thrashing, not crazy downhill riding. That’s not to say it can’t handle a bit of descending, but it feels very uncomfortable on the big hits – although, again, it wasn’t designed for that.

The suspension offers a decent level of comfort, particularly as it ducks and dives between techy twisty trails. It comes alive on back and forth single-tracks and has a very playful feel. With that light frame, it’s a pleasure to ride.

Wheels/Tyres

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT has exactly the same tyre setup as the more expensive and higher spec models in the Fuel EXe range – 29in carbon, Bontranger Elite Line wheels . They’re a sturdy pair of feet to have out on the trail, and lightweight thanks to their carbon OCLV compound.

They also manage to soak up quite a lot of pressure, which is complemented by the Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tyres . The tyres offer a great level of cushioning and it’s another feature that makes you feel very comfortable out on the trail, alongside the sturdy frame, suspension setup and wheels.

However, the tyres aren’t as durable as we would like them. Although they offer a decent level of cushioning, they are prone to punctures and that’s a problem for us.

Now this is where the spec comes down a bit compared to other bikes in the Fuel EXe range. The 9.8 XT comes with Shimano XT M8120 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes .

There are elements to admire – they certainly have the stopping power you need, operating well at pace and when put into some hardcore cornering.

However, they do sound quite noisy at times, with a level of screeching which isn’t easy on the ear. The heat management isn’t ideal, either – they can get very hot, indeed.

This is where the XT gets its name. The bike comes with a Shimano XT M8100 , which we think is much of a muchness compared to the SRAM Eagle XG-1275, which is fitted on the more expensive Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS.

The XT M8100 offers smooth shifting and no grumbles at our end. It ticks the boxes we want, and whilst it’s a no-thrills setup, it does the job nicely.

We think this is quite an attractive price. The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT has many similar features to some of the more expensive bikes in the Fuel EXe range and it offers a lot in the electrics department, without adding heaps of extra weight.

Its very well-rounded e-MTB, which comes in significantly cheaper than some of the higher-spec bikes in the range. We would certainly consider dipping into our pockets at this fair price point.

Fuel EXe 9.8 XT Facts & Figures

Size configurations.

* All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise noted.

How Does it Compare?

A good place to start is to look at the other bikes in the Fuel EXe range

The highest-spec Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS comes in at $13,999; that’s over $5,000 more than the 9.8 XT. If you look closely, many of the features are exactly the same – particularly in terms of the electronics, wheels and frame.

So, realistically, what you’re paying $5,300 more for is a higher-spec drivetrain, brakes and a slightly better suspension. To us, that sounds like a lot. And more to the point, the higher spec 9.9 XX1 AXS actually weighs more than our bike in this review.

Unless you’re a very experienced rider, there aren’t many of us that really need to be heading up for the highest spec bike; in terms of ride experience, you won’t notice much difference and certainly not worth paying over $5,000 more for.

There are other manufacturers operating in this area, though.

Orbea are one of the big players, with their Rise series of bikes really nailing the market at the moment. A comparable bike, price wise, is the Rise M-Team 20MPH – at $9,449.

It comes with a 360Wh battery and a Shimano EP8-RS motor, which kicks out 60Nm of torque. The large-sized carbon framed bike has a full weight of 18.92kg, slightly more than the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

Both bikes have the same amount of travel in the suspension and similar Shimano XTR M9100 drivetrain setups. Overall, they’re both very similar bikes, both handle like a dream, are lightweight and offer a good amount of torque, without compensating too much on the overall weight.

It really is a toss up between them and it depends whether you want a little extra torque for a little extra weight. Ultimately, though, we would stick with the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

Final Thoughts

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is another example of excellent manufacturing by Trek. It’s another brilliant e-MTB, which bridges the gap between the worlds of the conventional MTB and fully juiced-up e-MTBs.

It’s lightweight, a dream to throw around the trails and still offers a decent amount of assistance. There isn’t much difference between this bike and the higher spec bikes in Trek’s Fuel EXe range and, quite frankly, we loved riding it.

It ticks a lot of enduro and XC boxes, offering brilliant cornering, nimble performance on the descents and light-footedness on the hills.

It would suit a capable rider, who wants a leg up at the most challenging of times; it wouldn’t suit a novice or they might feel like they’re not getting enough out of their e-MTB.

We loved it, though, and at $8,699, it’s a fair price for a highly-advanced piece of kit that’s beautiful to ride. Go out and give this puppy a spin.

“If you enjoyed this review then make sure to check out our reviews of other Trek e-MTBs, including the Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS , Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR , Fuel EXe 9.7 , and Fuel EXe 9.5 .”

Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS Review (2023)

Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR Review (2023)

Fuel EXe 9.7 Review (2023)

Fuel EXe 9.5 Review (2023)

+1 (918) 393 4169, [email protected].

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Trail time —

I am superman: the trek fuel exe mountain e-bike, reviewed, hitting the trails with trek's top-of-the-line mountain e-bike, the fuel exe 9.9 xx1 axs..

Sheldon Waite - Dec 17, 2022 12:07 pm UTC

I rediscovered my bike after a few weeks in lockdown. At first, I just pedaled my cheap, steel-framed bike around the neighborhood. After a few rides, it dawned on me that this was a mountain bike! So I took it to my closest trail.

That first exhilarating ride is forever etched into my memory. The early morning sun breaking between the trees as deer darted away, the sound of tires on packed earth, and the stupid grin on my face as I rode fast, flirting at the edge of disaster—or at least pain—with my inexperience on trails. I was hooked to the point of riding the bike into the ground, taking a perverse pleasure every time something broke and I upgraded it. I eventually upgraded to a Trek Fuel EX 7 , and I love it.

The Fuel EX is Trek’s full-suspension trail mountain bike family intended for various terrains, from flowy to techie. Like every model in Trek's lineup, it comes in a large range of trim levels, including aluminum and carbon frames. (My EX 7 has an alloy frame.)

Currently, the EXe version is only available for the highest-specced 9.x bikes with carbon frames, but it is hoped that there will be an aluminum frame option in the near future.

• Trek’s rich gearhead history displayed at its corporate offices in Waterloo, Wis. Sheldon Waite
• Trek owns miles of fun, flowy trails that it uses to test bikes and as a perk for employees to use. Sheldon Waite

Getting my hands on the Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS involved a two-hour drive to Trek HQ in Waterloo, Wisconsin. There, I not only had a chance to speak with members of the team that developed the Trek Fuel EXe, I also got to ride Trek's private trails.

With the Fuel Exe, Trek is targeting the single-track mountain biker who rides for fun, fitness, and the outdoor experience. To achieve the look, feel, and even sound of a traditional mountain bike, Trek partnered with German technology company TQ. TQ's patented harmonic pin-ring drive can deliver 50 Nm of torque in a tiny package that fits neatly behind the chainring.

The motor offers this torque at a low RPM as it achieves a large gear reduction in a single step. Its movement is akin to a Wankel rotary engine. With the battery pack hiding in the down tube and minimalistic controls, the entire battery-motor combo adds just 8.6 lbs to the weight—an impressively low-weight addition in exchange for some real power. My EX 7 weighs just under 32 lb; the EXe comes in at 38.5 lb. Pedal assist tops out at 20 mph.

The electronic features are well-integrated into the EXe. The display is simple and easy to read at a quick glance while on the trail. Its handlebar controls are simple and intuitive, while allowing for quick cycling between the three assist modes, Eco, Mid, and High.

Customization is done through Trek's new phone app, which offers customization of the three e-bike modes by tailoring max power, assist level, and pedal response. The app defaults for these modes shift each up through Eco, Mid, High. A couple of weeks into my time with the EXe, I  tweaked the Mid settings to give me all the power with a mid-high assist, but in a gradual and controlled way. With these settings, I found my ride experience to mimic my analog bike very closely—just easier.

reader comments

Channel ars technica.

Trek Fuel EXe Review

Trek fuel exe.

The lightweight e-mountain bike genre has been gaining traction rapidly in the past six months. It’s a category that Specialized pioneered back in 2020 with the Levo SL and their SL1.1 motor. However, while the SL whet the appetite of many and teased at the possibility of a sub 19kg motorised bike that could do it all, the category never really took off. That was until this year, when firstly Fazua launched their Ride 60 platform (60nm motor and 430wh battery) which was quickly adopted by Pivot and Transition, and then came the launch of  the new Trek Fuel EXe with a brand-new motor and battery system from TQ.

Electric test bikes have been notoriously hard to get hold of the past couple of years, so we were absolutely fizzing when they got in touch to say they were shipping us a new Trek Fuel EXe to review. The concept of a lighter weight, better handling e-bike had enthralled us since we first tested the Levo SL, and while the SL was a great bike, ultimately the motor’s lack of power (35nm) left it trapped in limbo between analogue and electric. Trek transcended this by teaming up with German tech company TQ to develop a totally new system which, after four years in the making, launched on the Fuel EXe with some impressive numbers—a 50nm motor with a 360wh battery and a complete weight (motor and battery) of 3.9kg.

TQ are no strangers to the world of electric motors, having debuted their insanely powerful 120nm (HPR120) drive unit in the eMTB segment almost ten years ago. The 120 held the prize as the most powerful motor on the market but wasn’t widely used outside of Europe. The new TQ HPR50 motor uses the same Harmonic Pin Ring (HPR) technology to provide the motor’s power. If you can imagine two cogs, one smaller than the other which rotates inside the bigger cog, that is the essence of how the HPR drive works. No belts, chains or gears to make noise or wear out. Just a sleek, simple mechanism that weighs in at a meagre 1.85kg for its 50nm output. To put those numbers into perspective, the two industry leading full-size motors—the Bosch CX Performance Line and the Shimano EP8 weigh 2.9kg and 2.6kg respectively and both produce 85nm of torque.

As the name suggests, Trek have decided to use their trail bike, the Fuel EX, as the basis for their new lightweight e-MTB. The EXe sports 150mm front and 140mm rear suspension on a 29” platform and carried over the numbers from the EX’s recent geometry update—Our medium test bike in the Low setting had a 65-degree head angle, 455mm reach, sporty 440mm chainstays and 77-degree effective seat tube. These all sit in the sweet spot for the mid-travel trail-focused bike. The exciting number for me was the shortish chainstays which hintedat an agile ride, which I guess was possible due to the small size of the TQ motor.

I’m going to start this section on the bike’s spec with a caveat—When you look at the images of the bike I tested and then jump over to the Trek New Zealand’s webpage you will be rightly confused! This is because Trek decided to send all the world’s media their opulent 9.9 XX1 AXS model in bright yellow to test. This is pretty standard practice for reviews, by supplying the ultra-fussy, gear-snobby paparazzi the best of the best, it negates some of our ability to whinge and moan about the bikes spec, which in turn hopefully focuses our reviews on the bike itself. However, the conundrum I faced was that the 9.9 was not even ranged in New Zealand. In fact, it was a long way above the top NZ bike the 9.8XT. Therefore, I took this as poetic license to get creative with the EXe (ignore certain components and swap out others) and see if I could relate my review a bit more to the NZ market and the models we have here.

Luckily all the bikes in the Fuel EXe range are based around the same core components—Trek’s OCLV Mountain Carbon 29” frame and the brand new TQ HPR50 motor and 360Wh battery—so I’ve focused my review on these. For the tech geeks out there, my 9.9 was fully kitted with AXS XX1 drivetrain, AXS dropper post, Bontrager’s Line Pro 30 wheelset and RSL integrated handlebar and stem. A Rockshox Lyrik with new Charger 3 damper and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock provided the support and the whole package weighed in at 18.5kg.

The TQ motor surprised me with its intuitive feel and lack of noise. It was amazing and virtually silent and I instantly realised how much noise effects the quality of your ride on an e-bike.

For my first ride, I just set up my suspension and rode it as it came out of the box. I went for a quick 40 minute pedal and was blown away, underwhelmed, and confused all at the same time.

Blown away:    The TQ motor surprised me with its intuitive feel and lack of noise. It was amazing and virtually silent and I instantly realised how much noise effects the quality of your ride on an e-bike. During the EXe’s online launch, Trek and TQ spent a lot of time emphasising how quiet the HPR50 was, which at the time I’d dismissed as marketing hyperbole, but now I understood what a difference it makes. I was also very impressed by the bike’s responsiveness and handing.

Underwhelmed: As I hit the first climb, I was quite taken back as to what 50nm of torque can and can’t do—I had to change gear and pedal! However, as a regular e-biker I was comparing the EXe to my full size eMTB which boasts 108nm, so this wasn’t really apples with apples. Plus, the more time I spent onboard the Trek the more I realised that this was a mindset problem not a hardware issue.  

Confused: The front end of the bike felt weird, and my wrists hurt after that first ride. The first solution here was to remove the Bontrager carbon RSL one piece bar and stem—which I’m sure goes great on an XC race bike but felt incredibly stiff and ridiculously wide at 820mm for a trail bike—and replace it with my go-to bar and stem from my own bike. This helped, and after a bit of fiddling with the Lyrik’s set up (another token and less air) I felt a lot more comfortable.

A lot more rides ensued. This bike was highly addictive, and my mindset had shifted from riding an e-bike to just riding this thing like a normal bike. The harder I rode the Fuel EXe the more it responded both motor-wise and handing-wise. I quickly learned that the TQ motor likes a high cadence and, if you can hold that by staying  in the right gear, the motor is deceptively powerful on all but the steepest climbs. Even then it was just a matter of downshifting to the granny gear and spinning the pedals as you would on a regular bike. Climbing wasn’t overly taxing—the motor assistance kept it easy enough—it just took more time and a bit more skill to get up steep hills, and the rewards came on the descents.

The Fuel’s geometry and very supportive suspension platform made it a rocket ship to ride downhill or on undulating terrain (motor assistance turns everything into a descent). It was also scarily agile and manoeuvrable for an 18.5kg eMTB, which led to me pushing a lot harder than I normally would on a heavy e-bike. However, it was when I pushed a bit harder that the niggly front end issue started to appear again and on a few occasions I found myself washing the front out all too easily. The standard riding position felt too aggressively XC. I wanted to add a few spacers under the stem, but this wasn’t an option because I was already at max height.  

This bike was highly addictive, and my mindset had shifted from riding an e-bike to just riding this thing like a normal bike. The harder I rode the Fuel EXe the more it responded both motor-wise and handing-wise.

After a quick sleuth through the media kit, I discovered that Trek was open to the idea of the Fuel EXe being run as a mullet or upgrading the fork to 160mm. And it just so happened that I had a 160mm fork with the right offset on my trail bike. So, in the interests of testing, I swapped the 150mm Lyrik with my 160mm fork and went for a ride.

The difference was instant, the slacker ride position felt a lot more me and when I pushed hard on steeper trails the front held better and I lost my fear of washing out. A new problem arose—I was now completely addicted and finding it hard to ride anything else.

I was returning from rides sweating and tired with the feeling of having been for relatively high-intensity ride. Yes, they were long rides (I had a motor) but with the extra effort required to get up hills I felt more like I was riding my trail bike on steroids rather than taking my moto-style eMTB out for a burn. My mindset had shifted because the EXe was performing like the perfect hybrid.  

The hardest trait of the EXe to get your head around is the battery usage and the range-anxiety that comes when only sporting a 360wh battery. First up it’s worth noting that via the Trek Central phone app you can customise each of the three modes on your bike. I left the Turbo mode as exactly that—100 per cent power and assist—but aimed to only use it when really needed. Then I adjusted the Trail mode to give me 75 per cent power and assist and left the Eco one at about 30-35 per cent. My goal here was to just ride in the trail setting as much as possible and see how I went. The control panel built into the top tube also gives you an estimated range, which is another useful tool.  

From my experiences over the test window riding predominantly in Mid mode (only utilising High for steep climbs), I’d say the EXe is good for 30-35kms of hard trail riding with moderate climbing. This can be eked out to over 40km with a bit more cautious battery management. So, my advice (and the way I think Trek has designed it) is that the range extender battery is a must-have for anyone looking to push themselves on long, full day rides. It is an expensive add on, but I think the benefits outweigh the initial costs. The flipside is that, even without any electrical assistance (flat battery), the Fuel is very rideable, and there is very little drag in the TQ system, so a pedal home is not a big chore. Plus, the beauty of a small battery is that it charges very quickly, so I’d make sure you always have your charger in the truck with you and take any chance you get to top up.

I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I really fell for the Fuel EXe and for me it has blown open the electric bike world by re-defining the lightweight category. The 50nm motor provided ample power and the light, nimble chassis handles remarkably well. This is the sort of bike that I’ve been waiting for; as a regular rider of both analogue and eMTBs, I’ve been chasing the dream of an electric powered (for time saving) bike that handles as close to my analogue bike as possible (for ultimate ride enjoyment), and I feel like the EXe is the closest to that hallowed hybrid bike. Add in the experience of riding an almost silent motor and maybe this is the dream—well my dream, but is it for everyone?

What type of rider will the EXe suit? I feel that it firmly suits any skilled or experienced rider looking to electrify their riding experience. I’ve chosen the words skilled and experienced because the EXe needs a lot more rider input than full powered eMTBs. By input I mean being in the right gear at all times, holding a fast cadence and precise bike handling. These factors are natural and necessary skills for most analogue trail riders, but they can often be ignored and forgotten on long travel, high torque e-bikes where the motor’s power will drag you up hills in any gear and any cadence and the plush suspension lets you monster-truck down any line.   

If you’re an e-curious analogue rider wondering what all the fuss is about, then this is definitely worth a test ride. If you’re already jumped into the electric world but are missing that nimble, agile handling of your old analogue and have reasonable residual fitness, then maybe it’s time to downsize.

Of the three models coming to New Zealand, my advice is to buy the best you can afford but leave a little in reserve to add on the range-extender battery as I feel this is essential to alleviate any range anxiety. If you’re a more aggressive rider or are finding the riding position too forward orientated, then I’d also recommend getting your local shop to increase your fork travel by 10mm for the ultimate trail bike feel.

The stealthy looking EXe and the TQ motor system have set the bar very high and reinvigorated the lightweight eMTB category. I’m sure there is a lot more coming in this space, perhaps very soon, but the EXe and the eerily silent TQ HPR50 will be very hard to beat.   

Check out the full EXe range available now in NZ over at the Trek website

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• 5 reasons the Trek Fuel EXe is most important bike of the decade

by Ben Haworth July 13, 2022 85

You may have seen the new e-bike from Trek launch this week. It’s called the Trek Fuel EXe and it’s a Very Interesting Bike. We’d go as far to say that it’s probably going to be the most significant bike launched this decade.

We’ll explain why shortly. In the meantime, a quick 101 about what the Trek Fuel EXe actually is.

The headline news is that it only weighs around 18kg (40lbs) but still gives out 50Nm of pedal assist power. And it gives out this power by a new-to-MTB player in the motor scene, called TQ.

The bike itself is a 140mm rear travel trail bike with 150mm forks up front.

For those of you not yet au fait with Nm, the Fuel EXe’s top power level of 50Nm is pretty much like a full-power e-bike’s middle assist setting.

You can think of the Fuel EXe as a regular e-bike that’s had its Boost/Turbo mode removed.

You can also think of it as a regular e-bike that’s had its half its battery lopped off. The battery is 360Wh, which is around half the capacity of modern e-MTBs that come with 720-750Wh capacity.

The TQ drive unit is significantly more compact than other motors too. The claimed weight of it is 1.85kg. Regardless of its weight, it’s clearly really flipping small. This has allowed Trek to make the back end of the bike (chainstays in other words) very normal, at 440mm in length.

You can pop to Trek’s website to read all the detail you want. We’re here to discuss what this bike means for the bigger picture.

Here’s why we think the Trek Fuel EXe is most important bike of the decade…

1. It looks like a normal bike

Not only that. It looks like a really nice normal bike. There is no aesthetic reason to dislike this bike.

2. It sounds like a normal bike

Okay, so the bike is technically not silent in its motor operation but away from tarmac you’d be hard-pressed to actually hear the motor above the general noise of offroad riding alongness.

3. It’s not too heavy

From a practical point of view (putting on a car roof rack, lifting it over gates) through to a bike handling point of view, 18kg is perfectly acceptable.

4. It’s designed for normal riding

It’s just a trail bike. Not a self-shuttler. Not a SUV MTB. Not an underpowered restricted diet e-MTB. It’s arguably even a trail bike that can be ridden amongst normal non e-bikes.

5. It’s from a big brand

Orbea must be looking at all the fuss about the Trek Fuel EXe and scratching their head a bit. Isn’t it pretty much just like an Orbea Rise? In all kinds of ways, yes it is. But not in one crucial regard: Trek is one of the biggest bike brands in the world. And this bike is very much a shot across Specialized’s bows. The ball in now in Specialized’s court. What direction that brand decides to do with its SL range of e-MTBs is going to be what everyone has their eye on now.

All of the above reasons mean one thing. The Trek Fuel EXe is going to be a whole lot of people’s First Ever E-Bike. And people generally don’t go back to non-assisted once they’ve had an a-bike as their main bike.

The Trek Fuel EXe is the bike (e or otherwise) that plenty of people have been waiting to see. Aside from the price, the Fuel EXe removes the final few issues that the e-curious crowd had.

What about you? Do you want one?

While you’re here…

Orbea Rise M10 review: just happens to have a motor

Whyte E-160 RSX 29er First Ride Review

• This topic has 85 replies, 51 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by didnthurt .

Yep, colour me interested. Saw a couple of first ride video’s yesterday and it’s gone to the top of my ‘new bike’ list already. Been um’ing and ah’ing over a few bikes, both E and normal and this could well be my First Ever E-Bike(tm).

Price not withstanding, it looks like a goldilocks bike to me, just about right in all the important areas. Mainly weight and handling, I dont want a monster truck/shuttle bike and an Orbea Rise was on the list for tha reason, but this my have the juice and power that the Rise doesn’t.

Edit: my only concern would be an untested motor from a new manufacturer, what’s the warranty like ben?

Oddly, of the non E bikes i’m looking at, a Top Fuel is up there as well, Trek do make some good bikes these days.

the ring gear motor looks great. i guess time will tell how it stands up to the abuse, but it has the makings of big things (in small packages)

Theres something that doesnt sit right about the frame itself. Maybe its the yellow, maybe its the full carbon swoops. I think bringing this motor tech to more moderatly priced Aluminium frames and builds over the coming year, will be a welcome move.

5. It’s from a big brand Isn’t it pretty much just like an Orbea Rise? In all kinds of ways, yes it is. But not in one crucial regard: Trek is one of the biggest bike brands in the world.

The entry level Orbea Rise seems to be roughly £900 cheaper than the entry level Trek, with a better spec, slightly more powerful motor and similar weight. What benefit does Trek’s size bring to this?

this my have the juice and power that the Rise doesn’t

I’m not sure that’s correct – are you thinking of the spesh ?

It’s a trek, if it’s anything like that last two or three treks i’ve dealt with there will be one critically important widget that only trek make and is only available through trek dealers and must be installed by a trek dealer. 6 weeks after they shift to the next version of the frame, they’ll stop making it.

Kicker:- it’s a bearing that could easily be a ISO size, but instead uses a non-standard imperial size that has been defunct since the 1970’s.

Aside from the price, the Fuel EXe removes the final few issues that the e-curious crowd had.

For me the high initial purchase price isn’t as problematic as the potential cost of a motor replacement after a year or two, and that remains to be seen.

I don’t see it Johnny, you’ve got warranty and several companies are doing full repairs on motors now, the more people buy them, the more the repair companies will pop up.

Trek are one of the best to deal with warranty wise, and this seems to be a close collaboration with the motor manufacturer, so I’d be optimistic about warranty support.

I’d struggle with the spec though – nine and a half thousand euro for me for a base model, and that has Select+ Rockshox suspension, and a load of Bontrager parts, there’s hardly a single part I wouldn’t want to swap out. Stupid one piece bar and stem, I’m looking at you in particular.

Worse still, the same bike with a GX AXS mech and shifter is 1500 more expensive (well, Code R’s swaped in for XT 4-pots also) – you can buy a GX AXS upgrade including cassette and chain for 600 quid, not to mention the price of the XT group that you’d be taking off.

For those of you not yet au fait with Nm, the Fuel EXe’s top power level of 50Nm is 

Um. Since when has Nm been a measure of power?

The TQ motors have been running in M1 Sporttechnik bikes for a while now…

Interesting to see weights of the cheaper models rather than the all dancing singing version.

The weights are on the Trek website, IIRC the base model is 19.5kg and to get the headline 17.5kg you have to spend £11.5K! The £13K flagship model is actually heavier…

I think bringing this motor tech to more moderatly priced Aluminium frames and builds over the coming year, will be a welcome move.

The trouble is, when the “entry level” model is £5700, who do you market the £5000 aluminum one at?

I missed that earlier – the cheapest is carbon, vs the alu Rise at £900 less.

Won’t the most important bike of the decade (assuming all the way to 2029/30) be the bike that can do all that this one can but for £3k* and maybe 35lbs? At the moment it’s beyond the reach of most people and is therefore only as important as any other bike over £7k^?

*choose your own arbitrary price for a ‘good value and good performing’ bike!

^choose your own arbitrary price for a ‘expensive and therefore niche’ bike!

Clickbait article title is clickbait

Yeah bike companies definitely arent over reaching as we teeter toward a global recession and they are investing heavily in eBikes that have eyewatering price tags

also have motors with high failure rates & batteries that loose efficiency over time oh and both of these are constantly being improved upon, so go obsolte quickly

whats depreciation like for resale?

Seller “Buy my ebike, used for 1 season- bargain at £10k”

Buyer “Does it have transferable warranty on the motor/battery?”

Seller “no”

Buyer “How much is a replacement motor/ battery”

Seller “£1000/ £400”

Buyer “does the latest version of this bike use a compatible battery/ motor?”

Seller “no theres a new version out”

Buyer “will you take £500?”

Seller “but it cost me £15k!!” …..

I don’t see the point. It’s still too heavy to replace a mtb with one. Who wants to pedal something that heavy. But you don’t get the benefits of being motorised because the battery and motor aren’t upto the job compared to other motors. Do what’s the point? Worst of both works as far as I can see. The video’s on other sites suggested it’s along way from silent

But you don’t get the benefits of being motorised because the battery and motor aren’t upt o the job compared to other motors.

Utter rubbish. I’m hardly an athlete (unless eating chock Hob Nobs is an Olympic sport) and I ride a Kenevo SL with a 35Nm motor. It’s plenty, unless you get your kicks from riding up hill like your arse is on fire. I used to ride a Trek Rail with 85Nm and the KSL is more satisfying in every respect.

Hardly a shot across Specialized bow Specialized put a.shot across the bike industry when they launched the Levo, you’re saying the Trek is the most important bike of the decade, more like its taken the competition a decade to catch up, and what about the new Pivot, it makes this Trek look positively old in comparison.

Naysayers aside that is the first eMTB I’ve seen that I would consider buying.

I hired a Specialized Levo SL and it was the perfect amount of assistance IMHO. Rode just like a nice competent mountain bike.

The Trek is very nice but as with all these new bikes, I’m too poor afford one.

Definitely more interesting to me than pretty much all other e-mtbs. I don’t need full power, I just want everything to be a little bit easier. But, too expensive for me still.

Well, I’m glad I’ve ordered an Orbea Rise (better VFM and with a more powerful motor from a known brand with years of experience of manufacturing them). Hope the motor in the Trek is more robust and reliable than the Brose ones Spesh use!

everyone is too poor to afford one, hence interest free credit on new ones! same applies to all top end MTB’s and the industry relies on it.

Tbh, I think it looks stunning simply as a mountain bike, the motor tech is icing on the cake, I’m very interested!

It’s not even a bike it’s a motorbike. It has as engine. Just think how much you could save if you spent a fraction of the cost on getting a bit fitter

I wouldn’t say the most important bike of the decade. Looks interesting though and the power sounds reasonable. I wouldn’t buy a specialized sl as it just sounds too weak at 35nm and the high pitched motor noise is horrific. Who is even buying motorless bikes these days? They have surely gone the way of the dodo.

At the moment it’s beyond the reach of most people and is therefore only as important as any other bike over £7k^?

Based on the number of eBikes I see at the likes of the Golfie, ridden by folk that really don’t look ‘minted’ I’m not sure I agree with you.

I wouldn’t buy a specialized sl as it just sounds too weak at 35nm

I have it on good authority that the new SL that’s not released yet is a fair bit more powerful. Same motor just more oomphh. A friend had one fitted in his KSL to test a couple of weeks back.

Will these low power bikes get you up as steep a hill as a more powerful one? If I was to get an ebike I want to climb the steepest hills around.

There has been at least one bike on long term test in the Forest of Dean for ages. If it’s just a firmware update there will be a lot of happy Spesh owners, if not, well… 🤣

I was pretty scathing about the idea in a thread a while ago but I’m warming up to it now. I’m guessing a piggy back battery is available too.

I think if I go there I’ll be late to the party as I only bought my main bike (non ebike) last year and I can neither afford or justify the addition/swap any time soon.

I think for me something like this with a piggyback might be what I’d go for when……..reliability is a default given. Until then it’s just too much cash for the level of risk they seem to come with.

Deffo interested in this class of ebike (*doddering xc rider, but still trying to pedal, so on a levo, off/low about 80% time, mid – 15% high – 5% (possibly lower, steep hill bits, mud disaster, abject leg failure and once for about and hour when after a phone call I had to get home).

Tried the levo sl, but didn’t think it had quite enough power, esp as when I need it it’s because I need it if you see what I mean (*ie I’m knackered/can’t do it)

Loved the rise, esp after weighing it, but having had a shimano motor just not prepared to deal with the potential out of warranty costs due to lack of repairability. (*I still use my 2006 orange 5, can’t build wheels or e-motors)

Overall I *think the 50/60 power and 350 battery will work for me, esp with extender.

So trek – removable battery a plus for me (hotels, self catering etc) – unknown motor – ho hum – warranty, rebuildability, spares – big brand but seen some ‘critique’ of their warranty/parts availability.

Pivot – seems to be as above(*not sure on battery)with probably more warranty critique.

awaiting new levo sl, my levo has really impressed me and I have a localish very highly recommended dealer. If it is the same motor it is “apparently” rebuildable but it probably has a fixed battery.

Wonder what else will come along.

Yes, it’s the ‘unknown’ motor that really puts me off this bike just now. It might turn out to be a good one, but guess it needs a few thousand of them to be out in the real world for a couple of years to see how they hold up.

IME, not all ebike motors are troublesome fragile things. The Bosch Performance CX in my Trek Rail has been flawless – just over 2000 miles in 2.5 years and still feels and sounds like new. (Used all year round, but I’ve never jet washed or modded it). A friend has a few Rails on his hire fleet, which get much more use and abuse (and jetwashing!) than mine and they’re also still going strong. He’s been hiring out and servicing lots of bikes and ebikes for years and says the Bosch motors are generally the toughest and most reliable out there. Not the quietest of motors, but the CX does feel robust.

Stealth ad warning – it’s a shame I’ve got to flog my Rail to fund the Orbea purchase.

Who is even buying motorless bikes these days? They have surely gone the way of the dodo.

That’s just rubbish. I ride with 3 distinct gangs of riders, One person amongst them owns an e-bike and I don’t hear much talk amongst the others enthusing about them. And that’s actual mountain bikers*. When you think about kids with bikes, MTB riding commuters, general transport bikes, I see even fewer e-bikes.

*Not an elegant phrase, but you know what I mean, people who have mountain bikes specifically for mountain biking and not general riding.

Kimbers sums up all my issues with ebikes pretty well!

Really need to be more maintainable. 2 years non-transferable warranty for motor/battery is not enough IMO. What happened to sustainability? Could this be part of the reviews maybe? Can this motor be fixed anywhere outside warranty or is it like Shimano?

Maybe you clip a pedal (not uncommon) and damage something in the motor not covered by warranty, what happens?

Well, people like me.

Ebike to replace a car journey – fantastic.

Ebike cos you need help to overcome disability/illness/age – go for it.

Ebike cos, basically, you’re too lazy to pedal – get in the sea

The dodo comparison is apt, they were made extinct though human stupidity.

Last time I checked NO-ONE but Bosch can do a full repair on a Bosch motor… they won’t sell the control board even to partners. Kimbers sums it up pretty accurately^^^ , essentially ticking financial time bombs after warranty or if warranty isn’t transferred ..

^^^ this is a nagging worry for me, My Levo SL is just on 2 yrs old now, it was an expensive bike at the outset and has since had an upgraded fork and AXS shifting and dropper, so a lot of cash in it were it to break outside warranty..

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• Fuel EXe 9.7

TIME Best Inventions of 2023

"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 license.

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

"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 Fuel EXe.

Best All-Around

"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."

2022 Gear of the Year

"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 pedaling. 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."

Editor's Choice

"The low-key, silent assist is just enough, keeping it riding like a real mountain bike but making the climbs less sucky. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. Trek’s Fuel EX’s handling is dialed, 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."

"Nothing comes close"

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

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

"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."

"One of the best mountain bikes - powered or unpowered - I’ve recently ridden."

"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."

"Nothing less than a great leap forward for eMTBs"

"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."

Still have questions?

Get rewarded for going electric

Electric bike rebate programs are popping up all over the country, meaning you could save big when you buy a Trek e-bike! See if you're eligible for a rebate near you.

How to responsibly recycle your e-bike battery

Unboxing fuel exe with mahalo my dude.

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

Good sounds. Bad sounds.

Psychoacoustics? Tonality? Articulation index? We put a lot of thought into making Fuel EXe as quiet as possible. Like, a lot.

Run Horse Run

R-Dog shows off just how capable the Fuel EXe really is in this edit set to a Charley Crockett classic.

How to pack for any trail ride

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

Get faster on the trail in a week

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 PR's and riding with more confidence in no time.

Product features

Tq-hpr50 - small, quiet, mighty.

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.

Range Extender

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

Connect, customize, calculate

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

Removable battery

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.

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.

Compliant with leading safety regulations

Learn how we ensure our e-bikes meet or exceed the latest safety regulations

You almost forgot your pedals

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 & efficiency.

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.

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.

Integrated display

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.

Sleek and simple remote

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

Easier internal routing

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.

Rapid Drive 108 rear hub

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.

Oversized 34.9mm dropper post

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.

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.

How tall are you?

To measure your height, stand straight up, 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 inseam?

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 inseam measurement. Your inseam is very important to your final bike size so please measure carefully.

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REVIEWING THE NEW TREK FUEL EXE EMTB

Ebike light redefined.

Words by Drew Rohde Photos and Video by Brian Niles/Treeline Cinematic

SPONSORED CONTENT

When we got word of a new game-changing lightweight eMTB, the Trek Fuel EXe, we were excited to see what it was all about. Admittedly, the mid-power eBike category, or eBike Light as we call it, isn’t our favorite. Our crew has converted to being full-power prophets, preaching that All Boost, All the Time lifestyle. It’s not that we don’t want a lighter and more playful eBike, we absolutely do. It’s just that when it came down to evaluating the available time to ride and the amount of mileage and vert we wanted to conquer in that time, the capabilities of bikes that had been available up until this point just didn’t compel us to give up the extra range (A.K.A DH time) of a full power eBike. After a couple of weeks riding Trek’s Fuel EXe new eMTB, it looks like it could be the first of the next generation eBike Lights to have us considering a switch. Let’s dive into the complete Dissected review of the new Trek Fuel Exe eBike.

For those riders (purists) on the other end of the spectrum – the ones who’ve resisted the E-side because they did not want the monstrous power, bulbous frame shapes and loud electric motor noise – the Trek Fuel EXe may once again be the bike that tempts you to make the switch. Let’s dive into why we think so.

As with all of our Dissected Features , this is not intended to be a long term review or endorsement of a product but is instead a chance for our viewers and readers to get a deep dive look into some of the newest tech and products in the mountain bike space. We thank Trek Bikes for the opportunity to create this feature and getting you some valuable beta on this new, lightweight eMTB.

Like any other bit of technology or product in the early years, just getting a product to market meant you were likely to be successful. However, as products, consumer demand and companies evolve, simply having an eBike that weighs less than 48lbs isn’t enough to lead the category these days. Riders want more, brands want more, and in this case, Trek’s own staff is full of riders who were motivated to build the eBike they wanted to ride…and so, the Trek Fuel EXe was born.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL?

That in-house determination to build the eBike Trek’s own employees were dreaming of is what led to this unique and impressive machine. While there’s a lot of tech and features to talk about, some of which other bikes and brands can compete with, we’ll start with Trek’s ace in the hole – the deathly silent TQ HPR50 motor.

TQ is a German robotics manufacturer that has not only a wealth of knowledge in producing impressively complicated components, but also a very high percentage of staffers that are passionate about cycling. Their experience creating technology in use on the Mars Rover, for space travel, aviation, and daily consumer electronics has no doubt been an asset to the development of the Trek Fuel EXe. One component specifically – TQ’s patented Harmonic Pin Ring transmission, or HPR – was developed in TQ’s Drive department . The Drive department is a TQ-Group which is focused on creating the world’s leading drive systems and is a founding partner of the German Aerospace Center.

The Harmonic Pin Ring unit is what makes this drive system (and this entire bike) stand out. Made entirely in Germany, the TQ HPR50 drive unit is incredibly light at only 1,850 grams and delivers 50Nm of torque with up to 300 Watts of peak power. With just a couple of moving parts inside the HPR50 drive unit, reliability and efficiency are claimed to be huge benefits of TQ’s system. Similarly, the tone and sound, or lack thereof, are pleasant side effects. No gear lash: no belts to make noise or wear out; and fewer moving parts within the concentric design, should equal a long-lasting drive unit that we can’t wait to tally miles aboard.

SILENCE IN ACTION

One of the most impressive things we learned about the development of the Trek Fuel EXe emtb, was the acoustical science field and how important it was in refining the eBike. Many of you are likely familiar with decibels (db), or even sones if you’re an audio nerd. Rather than focus on those units however, Trek and TQ worked on tonality, which is a psycho-acoustic measure of how sound is perceived. Essentially, it’s a truer measure of the type of effects that the sounds you are hearing are having on you, the rider. For example, some ranges of sound can be more negatively perceived, even at a lower volume than a more-pleasant louder sound. For myself, the sound of a relentless chirp from a fan belt or the buzz of a lightbulb could be much quieter (db) than the purr of a V8 motor idling, but I can certainly tolerate one sound longer than the other.

What’s crazy is that according to Trek’s studies – and our experiences during the review – the new Fuel EXe is closer in the amount of perceivable sound to a regular mountain bike than any other eBike tested, light or full power. With a tonality reading of just over 0.1, the TQ HPR50 puts the Fuel EXe into the Barely Perceivable range, while other eMTBs range well over 0.4 up to 0.6 and therefore fall into the distracting range. We don’t like to be distracted from the ride, so this can only be a good thing.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS

Being that TQ is a technology company, we shouldn’t be surprised that the integration of the display, corresponding apps and handlebar controller are impressively sleek on the new Trek Fuel EXe. The 2-inch integrated screen sits flush in the top tube and displays the vital information, which can be toggled to suit your preference. At the time of writing this feature and filming our video, neither Trek’s new Central app, nor the TQ app have been finalized to experiment with. However, we’ve been shown samples of the features and what can be done once connected, and we look forward to trying them out for ourselves. Everything from drive unit tuning through to range and trail estimation, and fitness tracking can be done.

Of course, on this top-of-the-line model, SRAM’s AirWhiz and TyreWhiz technologies come included, and SRAM’s app works quite well at allowing you to set up your preferred pressures, giving you a green or red light to indicate if your bike is ready to ride or needs some attention.

AVAILABLE MODELS

Trek will be offering the new Fuel EXe in their OCLV carbon only, with six build options at prices beginning at $6,499.99. All bikes will come with the TQ HPR50 drive unit, a 360Wh internal battery, and will work with a 160Wh range extender that can be purchased separately. We have received the $13,999.99 Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS model for our Dissected Feature and will be using that to conduct our long-term review moving forward.

Model Builds are located at the bottom of this page.

THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION

As with all our Dissected Features, this project was made in collaboration with Trek and is not intended to be an endorsement or full-on product review. We’ve only got about 45 miles on Trek’s Fuel EXe eBike so far and look forward to lots more before we report back for a long-term review.

That being said, this eMTB shows great promise with the few riders who’ve tried it so far having a good time, and we can’t wait to pass it around our whole crew. Now that we’ve got some initial miles on it, we’ll be trimming down the bars and going with a 160mm fork upgrade to get a slightly slacker head tube and some more travel for our type of riding.

Standout features from the get-go include the near instantaneous drive unit engagement, and blissful silence. Whether you’re starting on flat ground or if you’ve bobbled on a techy hill climb and want to restart, the cranks instantly engage. It’s like riding a hub with instant engagement versus a cheaper hub that has several degrees of play before spinning the drivetrain. As far as how loud the bike is, we’re not acoustics experts, but that “Barely Perceivable” rating seems about right. For 90% of our climbing time, we didn’t hear the motor over the sound of our tires on the ground. Only on the steepest of pitches could we hear a little bit of sound, and what we did hear was not nearly as high pitched or electrical sounding as other eMTBs. We hope it stays that way as we ride the bike more, but time will tell.

We are a bit concerned as to how we’ll adapt to the range of the smaller battery as we admitted earlier, since we are huge fans of Boost, or Turbo mode riding. At one of our favorite spots to test and film, we found that a Boost ride quickly put us in the red and left us with significantly less downhills than the Trek Rail we have. Of course, at 40lbs, the Fuel EXe is a whole lot lighter and more playful than the Rail too, so you do get that benefit to offset the reduced range. Perhaps we’ll have to adjust to dropping power and riding a bit slower on the climbs again until those range extenders come into stock.

If you’re not a full-boost rider and you prefer a lighter bike, with a natural feel and just a little bit of assistance to help take the edge off, then this bike is likely going to be at the top of your list. That increased agility compared with a full fat eMTB is notable and the reduced fatigue when working the bike hard through undulations or tight and techy terrain is greatly appreciated. So far It has proved to be capable of being ridden hard and into terrain far beyond what you’d expect a 140mm bike to feel confident on too. That said, we think a bump up to a 160mm fork is going to level this bike up even further, so we’re excited to make that happen and see what the Fuel EXe is truly capable of.

Though we may sound a little negative about the eBike light category as a whole, after our initial review and film rides, the Trek’s Fuel EXe has our whole crew excited. If things hold up and the bike stays as solid and quiet as it is right now, this bike could truly be the new standard for the eBike Light category. Stay tuned for a long-term review of the Fuel Exe in the coming months, and head to trekbikes.com now to pick yours up if you’ve heard enough.

TREK FUEL EXe 9.5

Price: $6,499.99

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm travel Fork: RockShox 35 Gold RL DebonAir spring | 150mm travel Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT | 205mm x 60mm

Drive Unit: TQ HPR50 | 50nm Battery: TQ 360Wh Controller: TQ OLED display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity

Handlebar: Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy | 15mm rise, 750mm width Stem: Bontrager alloy, Blendr compatible | 7 degree, 50mm length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, steel rails Seatpost: TranzX  | 170mm travel | 34.9mm

Rims: Alex MD35 | Tubeless Compatible Hubs: Bontrager Alloy Tires: Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

Derailleur: Shimano Deore M6100, long cage Shifter: Shimano Deore M6100, 12 speed Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 34T | 165mm length Cassette: Shimano Deore M6100 | 10-51 | 12 speed Chain: Shimano Deore M6100 | 12 speed Brakes: Shimano MT420

TREK FUEL EXe 9.7

Price: $8,099

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: Fox Rhythm 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper | 150mm Shock: Fox Performance Float X | 205mm x 60mm

Handlebar: Bontrager Line Alloy | 27.5mm rise, 780mm width Stem: Bontrager Elite | 0 degree, 45mm length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, Austenite Rails Seatpost: TranzX  | 170mm travel | 34.9mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Comp 30 | Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 Shifter: Shimano SLX M7100 Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race alloy, 34T | 170mm Cassette: Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51 | 12 speed Chain: Shimano SLX M7100 | 12 speed Brakes: Shimano M6120

TREK FUEL EXe 9.8 XT & GX AXS Options

Price: $9,199.99 (XT) | $10,999 (GX AXS)

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper | 150mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT | 205mm x 60mm

Bar/Stem Combo: Bontrager RSL OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width, 45mm stem length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, Austenite Rails Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite Dropper | 200mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

XT DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 Shifter: Shimano XT M8100 Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: Shimano XT M8100 | 10-51, 12 speed Chain: Shimano Ultegra/XT M8100 Brakes: Shimano XT M8120

GX AXS DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Shifter: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: SRAM Eagle XG-1275 | 10-52, 12 speed Chain: SRAM GX Eagle Brakes: SRAM Code R

TREK FUEL EXe 9.9 XTR & XX1 AXS Options

Price: $12,999 (XTR) | $13,999 (XX1 AXS)

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, AirWiz, DebonAir spring, Charger 3 RC2 damper | 150mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate AirWiz, RCT2 damper | 205mm x 60mm

Bar/Stem Combo: Bontrager RSL OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width, 45mm stem length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Pro, Carbon rails Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite Dropper | 200mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

XTR DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: Shimano XTR M9100 Shifter: Shimano XTR M9100 Shadow Plus Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: Shimano XTR M9101 | 10-51 Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR M9100 Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120

XX1 AXS DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS Shifter: SRAM Eagle AXS Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: SRAM Eagle XG-1299 | 10-52 Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle Brakes: SRAM Code RSC

The Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS – In our big “Best Light-eMTB of 2023” group test

The Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS is the forerunner of a whole new generation of Light-eMTBsl and was the first bike to come equipped with the new TQ HPR 50 motor. But does it have an advantage over the competition as a pioneer and an exclusive development?

At first glance, the Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS is hardly recognisable as an eMTB. Generating 150/140 mm of travel at the front and rear, not only does it share the same hard numbers as its analogue brother, the Fuel EX, but also looks uncannily similar. It comes as no surprise that Trek’s € 14,499 Light-eMTB was the first bike on the market to feature the new TQ HPR 50 motor, because this was developed in close co-operation with Trek and covered by a three-month exclusivity agreement. Although this has now expired, the Trek stands out from the crowd of TQ bikes. The integrated display in the top tube relies on its own user interface, which differs from the standard TQ version and is more intuitive to use – and also provides more information! Moreover, the 18.9 kg Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS can be connected to the Trek Central app to recall helpful data such as the tire pressure and air pressure in the fork and shock, which are collected and sent to the interface by TyreWiz and AirWiz sensors.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best Light-E-MTB 2023 – 8 bikes in review

The Light-eMTB Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS 2023 in detail

The TQ HPR 50 motor draws its power from a matching 360 Wh TQ HPR Battery, which can be easily removed from the bottom of the frame and charged both on and off the bike. Moreover, an optional 160 Wh range extender allows you to expand the battery capacity, making the Trek an excellent companion even for longer tours – awesome! The frame features a tool mount on the top tube and there’s a minitool hidden inside the headset. Unfortunately, the locking system of the tool kit is rather loose, joining in with the rear brake line inside the frame for a loud rattle fest – annoying!

The Light-eMTB spec of the Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS 2023

The Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS comes equipped with RockShox suspension consisting of a Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3 fork and matching Super Deluxe Ultimate air shock with hydraulic bottom-out control. The American component giant also supplies the wireless 170 mm RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear do stopping duties, while shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, albeit not an entirely wireless one: the rear derailleur of the Fuel Exe is wired straight into the main battery. As a result, there’s a wireless remote on the handlebars but still a small cable running from the rear derailleur into the frame. But don’t worry, the system still guarantees up to 300 gear shifts even once the main battery is fully drained – unless the motor software reports an error or the bike is turned off! For the rest of the spec, Trek rely almost entirely on their in-house components, including the one-piece, 820 mm Bontrager handlebar/stem unit, which unfortunately doesn’t allow for fine-tuning except for the stem height, which can be changed using spacers. Bontrager also supplies the Line Pro 30 carbon wheelset and SE5 Team Issue tires. While the latter might be a good choice for moderate trail riding, the thin casing is too flimsy for rough trails, which can be a major issue, particularly in combination with expensive carbon rims. We recommend upgrading to more robust tires with tougher casings to protect the rims, especially if you’re likely to get rowdy.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

Specifications.

Motor TQ HPR 50 50 Nm Battery TQ HPR Battery V01 360 Wh Display TQ 0-LED Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 2023 150 mm Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate 140 mm Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12 Stem Bontrager RSL Carbon 45 mm Handlebar Bontrager RSL Carbon 820 mm Wheelset Bontrager Line Pro 30 Carbon 29" Tires Bontrager SE5 Team Issue/Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.5/2.5

Technical Data

Size S M L XL Weight 18.9 kg Perm. total weight 136 kg Max. payload (rider/equipment) 117 kg Trailer approval nein Kickstand mount nein

Specific Features

Toolmount TyreWiz/AirWiz integrated multitool 160 Wh Range-Extender available

Tuning tips: Shorten the handlebars | Shredders should upgrade to more robust tires

The geometry of the Light-eMTB Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS 2023

The Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS is available in four sizes, S to XL. Our size L bike combines 483 mm reach and a 435 mm seat tube.The latter is one of the shortest in the entire test field, which together with the long-travel dropper post that can be fully inserted into the frame, ensures plenty of room for movement on the bike. A flip chip in the rocker arm lets you switch between a high and low setting, adjusting the seat angle between 77.3° and 76.8°, and the head angle between 65.3° and 64.8°. Flipping the chip alters the reach and stack slightly. We rode the bike mainly in the low setting.

The Light-eMTB Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS 2023 on the trail

The Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS puts you in a relaxed pedalling position that is perfectly suitable for long rides. The suspension is firm yet comfortable, but the wide handlebars position you quite far over the front. The TQ motor engages and disengages discreetly – more than once we had to check whether it was even turned on! The background noise is limited to a faint hum, which makes the TQ the quietest motor in the entire test field. However, the TQ HPR 50 reveals its dark side on steep, technical climbs, where it proved the weakest drive system in the entire test field – but then the Trek doesn’t feel at home on this type of terrain anyway. When negotiating steep technical sections, you have to actively weight the front wheel to prevent it from lifting. At the same time, however, you have to try to avoid unweighting the rear wheel to prevent it from spinning out of control. This isn’t at all easy and, as a result, the Trek is one of the worst climbers in this test alongside the Haibike.

The Trek is a true master of connectivity, allowing you to call up all crucial bike data using the Trek Central app.

When you start shredding your back down into the valley, you’re nicely integrated with the bike. Handling is intuitive and the weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear. Even in flat corners, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, so you don’t have to shift your weight forward to keep it tracking. While the Fuel EXe is potentially a mean carving machine, in tight sections, the wide handlebars deter you from slicing through corners at mach10. In our opinion, most riders would be better off using narrower handlebars. The front is stiff, providing ample feedback from the ground. While this isn’t such a big issue per se, it makes it rather hard to regain control over the bike when you get yourself into a pickle – and quite frankly, that happened to all of us at some point! As a result, the Trek lacks a smidge of composure, offering a similar ride feeling to the Pivot Shuttle SL with its super stiff suspension. Overall, the Fuel EXe follows the “jack of all trades, master of none” motto, working discreetly in the background without showing any real weaknesses, but without excelling at anything in particular either.

On the trail, the Trek Fuel EXe is easy and intuitive to ride, but the wide handlebars and stiff front end limit its agility and composure.

Riding Characteristics

Value for money, intended use.

With the Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS, Trek have heralded a new generation of Light-eMTBs. It was the first bike on the market with the super quiet, natural TQ motor and relies on its own, intuitive user interface and modular battery concept. Uphill, you have to work hard to keep the front wheel tracking, but downhill, the Trek offers a balanced ride and intuitive handling, which makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. That being said, it’s not very forgiving when riding at the limit.

• Excellent motor integration
• Intuitive handling
• Modular battery concept

• Cables rattle inside the frame
• Cockpit doesn’t allow for fine tuning

You can find out more about at trekbikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best Light-E-MTB 2023 – 8 models in review

All bikes in test: Focus Jam² SL 9.9 2023 (Click for review) | Forestal Siryon Diode (Click for review) | Haibike LYKE CF SE (Click for review) | Orbea Rise M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle SL Pro X01(Click for review) | SCOTT Lumen eRIDE 900 SL (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax TQ (Click for review) | Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role. ↩

How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction? ↩

Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec. ↩

This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes. ↩

How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension. ↩

This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike? ↩

We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail. ↩

No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!) ↩

...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50 ↩

Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70 ↩

Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90 ↩

You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more .

Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker, Mike Hunger

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• Manufacturer Specific

Fuel EXe   Why I returned the Trek Fuel EXE

• Thread starter rockymountaindude
• Start date Feb 11, 2023

rockymountaindude

• Feb 11, 2023

I bought the Fuel EXE a few weeks ago and it was sitting inside and I was worried that it wouldn't be enough bike for me. I'm in BC and I ride Mount Fromme, Mount Seymour, Squamish, Cypress (bring diapers) and Whistler. I have been using a Rocky Mountain PowerPlay with 108 nm of torque. Today, I tested the Fuel EXE around my local area here where I live just in the parkade and up some slopes on pavement, etc. In the end, I decided to return the bike today. As nice as the bike is, it just does not look and feel robust enough for me for the rough terrain that is out here. I’ve read every page of the megathread here and there’s a pattern of: creaking sounds, the odd engine problem, and computer failures. The creaking and the overtightening of bolts on the carbon frame is concerning to me. The longevity of the motor is also a question mark and one I don’t want to beta test at this price point. The bike is also hampered in the power department and its range is very limited. I also think it will be a bit fragile and a 140 mm rear suspension will just not be enough. My Rocky Mountain is built like a tank. My takeaway from this is that Trek has built a bike that will appeal to a slice of the market who don't want/need a full power eBike. I understand it was never meant as a replacement for a full power eBike. And that's great. The bike feels like a regular bike and they've achieved their goals. They have given us a glimpse at the future. Probably in 5 years all eMountain Bikes with between 60-80 nm of torque will be as light and trim as this, all while sporting longer battery life and more shock travel.  

I've just read this whole thing on a Facebook group & it looks like you've already linked this thread in another one on here. It's fine, we get it, the EXe isn't for you but there are plenty of people out there that it is the right bike for, myself included. There really is no need to spam the entire internet with your thoughts. If you prefer other bikes just go & ride other bikes & have fun.  

Zimmerframe

Psythepie said: I've just read this whole thing on a Facebook group & it looks like you've already linked this thread in another one on here. It's fine, we get it, the EXe isn't for you but there are plenty of people out there that it is the right bike for, myself included. There really is no need to spam the entire internet with your thoughts. If you prefer other bikes just go & ride other bikes & have fun. Click to expand...

rockymountaindude said: My takeaway from this is that Trek has built a bike that will appeal to a slice of the market who don't want/need a full power eBike. I understand it was never meant as a replacement for a full power eBike. And that's great. The bike feels like a regular bike and they've achieved their goals. They have given us a glimpse at the future. Click to expand...

I agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion & I read it as I read pretty much everything I see related to the EXe & plenty of other bikes too. It was more the linking it left, right & center like they're desperate for it to be seen. If someone is searching the internet for info on a particular bike then one thread will show up, it doesn't need to be posted in lots of different places all at the same time. I am willing to accept that I may just be old & grouchy though, no offence was meant by my response.  

Psythepie said: I am willing to accept that I may just be old & grouchy though, no offence was meant by my response. Click to expand...

E*POWAH Elite World Champion

Psythepie said: ... I am willing to accept that I may just be old & grouchy though ... Click to expand...

E*POWAH BOSS

I’m curious how you can just give it back a few weeks later after deciding it’s not for you !  

Handheld Power Tool

#lazy said: I’m curious how you can just give it back a few weeks later after deciding it’s not for you ! Click to expand...

Well-known member

With a username of Rockymountaindude this was never going to end well. At least your happy with your Rocky Mountain.  

Zimmerframe said: We're all old and grouchy ! Click to expand...

Moe Ped said: With a username of Rockymountaindude this was never going to end well. At least your happy with your Rocky Mountain. Click to expand...

Active member

• Feb 12, 2023

Struck by how different expectations are for different riders. The reality is that in a year the whole dynamic could change again. The EXe that I love could be obsolete. I expect it. But I fully understood the Trek before I laid out my money.  

it's all fun and games until it turns uphill  

Montana St Alum

• Feb 19, 2023

I'll be obsolete before any bike I buy will be. My next "E"-bike might just be an electric dirt bike. Top Speed: 85 MPH Output: 46 HP, 106 Nm of torque $5k. Sign me up! I just need a rack to put my walker on it.  

• Mar 15, 2023

rockymountaindude said: I bought the Fuel EXE a few weeks ago and it was sitting inside and I was worried that it wouldn't be enough bike for me. I'm in BC and I ride Mount Fromme, Mount Seymour, Squamish, Cypress (bring diapers) and Whistler. I have been using a Rocky Mountain PowerPlay with 108 nm of torque. Today, I tested the Fuel EXE around my local area here where I live just in the parkade and up some slopes on pavement, etc. In the end, I decided to return the bike today. As nice as the bike is, it just does not look and feel robust enough for me for the rough terrain that is out here. I’ve read every page of the megathread here and there’s a pattern of: creaking sounds, the odd engine problem, and computer failures. The creaking and the overtightening of bolts on the carbon frame is concerning to me. The longevity of the motor is also a question mark and one I don’t want to beta test at this price point. The bike is also hampered in the power department and its range is very limited. I also think it will be a bit fragile and a 140 mm rear suspension will just not be enough. My Rocky Mountain is built like a tank. My takeaway from this is that Trek has built a bike that will appeal to a slice of the market who don't want/need a full power eBike. I understand it was never meant as a replacement for a full power eBike. And that's great. The bike feels like a regular bike and they've achieved their goals. They have given us a glimpse at the future. Probably in 5 years all eMountain Bikes with between 60-80 nm of torque will be as light and trim as this, all while sporting longer battery life and more shock trav Click to expand...

Montana St Alum said: I'll be obsolete before any bike I buy will be. My next "E"-bike might just be an electric dirt bike. Top Speed: 85 MPH Output: 46 HP, 106 Nm of torque $5k. Sign me up! I just need a rack to put my walker on it. Click to expand...

E*POWAH Elite

clivem25 said: Now this is what I don't get. Surron Ultra Bee, 125kW/440NM motor, 4kWh battery, 240mm travel front and rear, top speed 90kph, range upto 140km, Or for the same price you can have an EX-e 9.5. And people wonder why I say e-bike manufacturers are taking us for a ride (pun intended). Anyway, back to the regularly scheduled service. Click to expand...

I think he saying that bikes are too expensive. I am avid motorcyclist and am constantly amazed how how inexpensive parts are on the moto side. Tires are particularly shocking. A ten pound knobby is $75.  

JP-NZ said: I don't get the point? Over here you couldn't ride that Surron anywhere except Dirtbike parks or riverbeds. You certainly couldn't ride it on the road without modification. I used to have a Kawasaki KDX200 trail bike and sold it as it took more effort to take it out for a ride than the actual time I spent riding it. Yet you can ride the EXE anywhere, across all MTB parks and trail networks. Including ta ashe road. In my city your talking around 90% more areas to ride on an EX-E/Ebikes. Surron would be cool if you lived on a farm or close to a river maybe? Click to expand...

clivem25 said: I'm in no way suggesting they're like for like in usage. Just further proof, if any were needed, that MTB e-bike riders are getting ripped off. Click to expand...

Well on PinkBike we ride motorcycles.  

Swingset said: Well on PinkBike we ride motorcycles. Click to expand...

Stihldog said: I like comical hypocrisy. That was kinda funny Click to expand...

Chicane said: Right, except where I live MTB trails are for riding Mountain bikes. Kinda like this forum is for Mountain bikes, so why mention motorcycles? Click to expand...

Back to the original post. Clearly the exe didn't have the specs you desire. So why did you take it in the first place? And then wax poetic that it wasn't enough bike? I think that's the most irksome part of this forum contribution. No offense intended here either but I think if the bike 'checked all yer boxes' and THEN you decided it didn't meet expectations, I think your post would have been received differently. If that mattered...  

• Mar 16, 2023

Montana St Alum said: I'll be careful to PM you first before I mention anything. No humor allowed (it was in response to post #12). It's an electric mountain bike forum, not a mountain bike forum. Click to expand...

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Gem Visa / Gem CreditLine 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE Minimum purchase Amount $250. Minimum monthly repayments required. Credit and lending criteria and fees apply, including a Gem Visa $65 establishment fee and annual fees ($65 Gem Visa (charged $32.50 half yearly) / $65 Gem CreditLine (charged $32.50 half yearly)). Prevailing interest rate (currently Gem Visa 29.49% p.a./Gem CreditLine 29.95% p.a.) applies after any interest free term ends. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment of 3% of the outstanding monthly balance or $20 (whichever is more), will not be sufficient to repay the purchase amount(s) within the promotional period. Amount payable will be shown on your monthly statement. For cash advances, an interest rate of 29.95% p.a. and fees of ($2 Gem Visa/$6 Gem CreditLine) applies. Further information on rates and fees can be found at gemfinance.co.nz. Available on participating Gem Visa or Gem CreditLine credit cards only. New customers must apply and be approved for a Gem Visa credit card. Credit provided by Latitude Financial Services Limited. 12 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS, NO INTEREST Minimum purchase Amount $250. 12 months interest free with no repayments during the stated period. Credit and lending criteria and fees apply, including a Gem Visa $65 establishment fee and annual fees ($65 Gem Visa (charged $32.50 half yearly) / $65 Gem CreditLine (charged $32.50 half yearly)). Minimum purchase $250. Payment for your purchase will be deferred for the stated period. During this period, no interest will accrue and no monthly payments need to be made. If you do not pay the outstanding balance in full before the end of the deferred payment period, the amount payable will accrue interest and will be included in your monthly statement. Prevailing interest rate (currently Gem Visa 29.49% p.a./Gem CreditLine 29.95% p.a.) applies after any interest free term ends. For cash advances, an interest rate of 29.95% p.a. and fees of ($2 Gem Visa/$6 Gem CreditLine) applies. Further information on rates and fees can be found at gemfinance.co.nz. Available on participating Gem Visa or Gem CreditLine credit cards only. New customers must apply and be approved for a Gem Visa credit card. Credit provided by Latitude Financial Services Limited.

Q Mastercard / Q Card No Payments and no Interest for 12 Months ("Payment Holiday") is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-store & online purchases. Min Spend $250. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Standard Interest Rate of 28.50% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

24 Months Interest Free

36 months interest free.

Gem Visa / Gem CreditLine 36 MONTHS INTEREST FREE 36 Months Interest Free with [Gem Visa/Gem CreditLine] as [an instalment plan advance (Gem Visa)/ a CreditLine Select advance (Gem CreditLine)]. Credit and lending criteria and fees apply, including a Gem Visa $65 establishment fee and annual fees ($65 Gem Visa (charged $32.50 half yearly) / $65 Gem CreditLine (charged $32.50 half yearly)). Minimum purchase $750. Prevailing interest rate (currently Gem Visa 29.49% p.a./Gem CreditLine 29.95% p.a.) applies after any interest free term ends. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment of 3% of the outstanding monthly balance or $20 (whichever is more), will not be sufficient to repay the purchase amount(s) within the promotional period. Amount payable will be shown on your monthly statement. For cash advances, an interest rate of 29.95% p.a. and fees of ($2 Gem Visa/$6 Gem CreditLine) applies. Further information on rates and fees can be found at gemfinance.co.nz. Available on participating Gem Visa or Gem CreditLine credit cards only. New customers must apply and be approved for a Gem Visa credit card. Credit provided by Latitude Financial Services Limited. 36 MONTHS INTEREST FREE WITH EQUAL MONTHLY PAYMENTS 36 months of equal interest free instalments with [Gem Visa/Gem CreditLine] as [an instalment plan advance (Gem Visa)/ a CreditLine Select advance (Gem CreditLine)]. Amount payable will be shown on your monthly statement. Minimum purchase $750. Credit and lending criteria and fees, including a Gem Visa $65 establishment fee and annual fees ($65 Gem Visa (charged $32.50 half yearly) / $65 Gem CreditLine (charged $32.50 half yearly)). Prevailing interest rate (currently Gem Visa 29.49% p.a./ Gem CreditLine 29.95%p.a.) applies after any interest free term ends. For cash advances, an interest rate of 29.95% p.a. and fees of ($2 Gem Visa/$6 Gem CreditLine) applies. Further information on rates and fees can be found at gemfinance.co.nz. Available on participating Gem Visa or Gem CreditLine credit cards only. New customers must apply and be approved for a Gem Visa credit card. Credit provided by Latitude Financial Services Limited.

Q Mastercard / Q Card *36 months interest free is available on Long Term Finance (LTF) for in-store & online purchases during specific promotional periods. Min Spend $250. Lending criteria, $50 annual Account Fee, fees, Ts&Cs apply. $55 Establishment Fee applies to your first LTF transaction, $35 Advance Fee applies to subsequent LTF transactions. Min payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate of 28.50% p.a. applies to outstanding balance at the end of LTF Interest Free Period. Rates and fees subject to change. Columbus Financial Services Limited and Consumer Finance Limited reserve the right to amend, suspend or terminate the offer and these Ts&Cs at any time without notice.

• DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION +

The Fuel EXe 8 is a trail-ready aluminium electric mountain bike that quietly assists you on the climbs so you've got all the power you need on descents

Like its carbon counterpart, it looks and handles like a traditional trail bike, but with the added support of a tiny-but-mighty harmonic pin ring drive system with sleek top-tube display unit and compact remote. It comes ready to rip with upgraded parts where they matter most, like a FOX suspension package, wide Bontrager Line Comp Tubeless Ready wheels and SRAM's 12-speed wireless GX AXS transmission.

It's right for you if...

Performance matters to you, but so does the price tag. You want all of the tech you'll find in the top-of-the-line Fuel EXe, but in a bike that's built for your budget. You want upgraded components you can trust to keep ripping, and a robust alloy frame that rallies through the rough and gives you just enough power on the ups.

The tech you get

An Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame with TQ's HPR50 harmonic pin ring drive system, a fully-encased 360 Wh removable battery and smart charging port. An integrated LED display and handlebar remote that are easy to use on the fly. 150 mm FOX Rhythm 36 front suspension with Float EVOL air spring and GRIP damper and 140 mm FOX Performance Float X rear suspension. Plus, wide, Tubeless Ready Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels, SRAM's wireless 12-speed GX AXS transmission, hydraulic disc brakes and a dropper post.

The final word

If you want all the tech of the top-tier Fuel EXe without the sticker shock, the Fuel EXe 8 is for you. You get the same drive system, display and geometry of its carbon counterpart, plus an upgraded suspension package and wireless shifting – on a more economical alloy chassis.

Why you'll love it

• You get all the tech of our top-end light e-MTB without a price tag that makes you say ouch
• Its upgraded FOX suspension package and SRAM wireless transmission gives you the performance gains you crave
• Its tiny-but-mighty TQ motor is tuned for the trail, keeping things quiet so you can stay in the moment, and ramps up power with you for a natural ride feel
• The integrated display, charging port, and controls are simple to use, sleek and intuitive
• You can tweak your geometry with Mino Link, or add an adjustable angle headset to take even more control

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications +.

Ordering a bike from Evo? If you choose the option Evo Home Delivery at the checkout your order will be personally delivered to you, by an Evo Crew Member, who will also be able to answer any questions you have about your new bike. If you choose Evo Delivery your bike will be delivered completely built, tuned and ready to ride! We are also able to offer Evo Home Delivery on previously restricted brands such as Giant & Trek!

Our home delivery charge is only $30 for 15km and $1 per km after that.

Traditional Courier vs Evo Home Delivery

CLICK & COLLECT FROM AN EVO SHOWROOM

Free for all orders over $99. Orders under $99 a $6.99 flat shipping & handling fee applies. Order and pay online and collect everything from one of our showrooms. Just select which store you would like to collect from at checkout. Find out more about Click & Collect here.

* All specifications listed are subject to change without notice. Please note that our specifications may be impacted by manufacturer component substitution changes caused by high global demand for bikes and resulting supply chain issues in the bike industry. We recommend confirming the specifications with your local Evo Cycles showroom if you have any questions. Bike Weight: Many brands strive to list the lowest possible weight, but in reality weight can vary based on frame size, finish, hardware and accessories. The most accurate way to determine any bike's weight is to have your local showroom weigh it for you.

MORE PRODUCT INFO

Assembly Guide

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Interest free* finance options, qcard or qmastercard.

Simply choose your card at Checkout then choose your term in the QCard portal to receive up to 12 months no payments and no interest.*

Or apply for a Q Mastercard online now.

GEM VISA OR GEM CREDITLINE

Already have a GEM card? Contact us to receive up to 12 months no payments and no interest.*

*Normal Terms, conditions and credit criteria apply. See here for more information.

RECEIVE YOUR PURCHASE NOW, SPREAD THE TOTAL COST OVER 6 WEEKLY AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS. INTEREST FREE!

Just choose laybuy at checkout..

Simply select Pay by Laybuy at checkout

Login or Register for Laybuy and complete your order in seconds

Complete your purchase using an existing debit or credit card

Pay over 6 weeks and receive your purchase now

BIKE SERVICE PLANS

Service plans are only available when buying a new bike from evo cycles..

A service plan includes 3 services to be used anytime over the next three years.

Why buy a Service Plan

• Save big on regular workshop pricing
• Bikes need regular maintenance, just like a car
• Regular maintenance improves the ride quality & the bikes performance
• Parts can last longer when appropriately serviced, saving you money in the long run
• We'll check the bike over to ensure it is safe to ride

What's Included

GET THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES YOU NEED TODAY, PAY FOR THEM OVER 10 WEEKLY INSTALMENTS. SIGN UP TAKES LESS THAN TWO MINUTES.

SELECT GENOAPAY AT THE CHECKOUT

Genoapay will be available in the shopping cart checkout, simply select Genoapay as your payment option.

COMPLETE YOUR PAYMENT IN 2 MINUTES

If you are a new user you will be asked to create an account, you will need your driver’s license to join and then select your payment method.

APPROVAL IN REAL-TIME

You don’t need to wait around, you can complete your purchase in real-time and get the product or services you need.

ITEM ADDED TO CART

Add a maintenance package.

Have peace of mind with regular servicing.

GET VIP DEALS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & PREVIEWS WHEN YOU SIGN UP TO THE EVO CLUB

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When it comes to anything bike, Evo are the experts that live and breath cycling. Not only do we stock a huge range of bikes at some of the best pricing around, but our crew can help with expert advice to make sure you get the right bike for your style of riding and ability. Our range includes bikes from some of the worlds largest brands including Trek, Giant, Liv, Kona, GT, Polygon, Reid and over 250 more quality bike brands. Whether you are an avid mountain biker, urban commuter, road cyclist or completely new to cycling, we'll have a bike to suit your needs. And, when your bike needs maintenance, we're here to help with qualified mechanics and a full service centre in all Evo showrooms nationwide.

STORE LOCATOR

Find your local Evo store and service centre. We have stores New Zealand wide!

Find all the answers to your frequently asked questions here.

DELIVERY INFO

Shipping and delivery options.

Call us on 0800 424 537, email us here, or chat with us now.

ABOUT EVO CYCLES

Shopping with evo, bicycle servicing, expert advice, customer service, we’re always looking to improve..

Let us know if you think there is something we need to improve.

About Evo Cycles

Shopping with evo, bicycle servicing, expert advice, customer service, delivery info.

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