Guess the Bike: Balanced and Nible Handling, DRCV Platform and 29" Wheels

The 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29er Performs Brilliantly On The Kind Of Trails You Want To Ride

Bikemag.com “The EX performs brilliantly on everyday singletrack— the kind of trails you want to ride for hours upon hours. Its handling traits are balanced and nimble, thanks in part to its low bottom bracket and ample standover. The efficient DRCV suspension platform and the 27.5-pound weight combine to make the EX 9.8 feel like a no-holds-barred race whippet while on the pedals”

IMG: BikeRadar

Overall, the bike is playful, relishing in medium-sized drops and small doubles and happily attacking bermed corners. As on the 26in Fuel EX, rear-suspension performance is 

excellent. The feel may be slightly firm off the top but the spring rate is steadily progressive with lots of pop through the mid-stroke.

The Fuel EX 9.8 uses a carbon front triangle, and the rear triangle is composed of carbon fiber seatstays and aluminum chainstays. The rear suspension is Trek’s Active Braking Pivot with Full Floater technology (the shock’s bottom mount bolts to the chainstay, not the main frame).

The large wheels and neutral geometry, mixed with the bike’s efficient-yet-active suspension allow the bike to scoot up hills like no other. It is also competent and predictable on descents. The RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post performs flawlessly throughout the ride and adds confidence when charging.

While certain bikes are made for incredibly specific purposes, for most riders, the right tool for the job is a bike that is capable over the course of an entire ride, not just one or two segments of it. The 2014 EX 9.8 has been designed to be the Swiss Army knife of trailbikes. It’s light and efficient enough to be pressed into service for a cross-country race while retaining enough All-mountain DNA to tackle trails that would usually be reserved for much more specific bikes.

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & seatstay, alloy chainstay, Carbon Armor, ABP Convert, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, BB95, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, ISCG 05 mount, magnesium EVO link, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel

Front Suspension: Fox Performance Series 32 Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) FIT damper, rebound, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR thru axle, custom G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 120mm travel

IMG: Bike Radar

Rear Suspension: Fox Performance Series Float w/DRCV, CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, tuned by Trek in California, 7.25x1.875"

Wheels: Bontrager Rhythm Elite Tubeless Ready 28-hole disc wheel system, 15mm front hub, 142x12mm rear hub

Tires: Bontrager XR3 Team Issue Tubeless Ready, 29x2.30"

IMG: BikeRadar

Shifters: Shimano Deore XT, 10 speed

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT, high direct mount

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus

Crank: Shimano Deore XT, 38/24

Cassette: Shimano Deore XT 11-36, 10 speed

Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 3, titanium rails

Seat Post: RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm, zero offset

Handlebar: Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise

Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset: Cane Creek IS-3, E2, alloy cartridge

Brakeset: Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc 

Grips: Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on 

Come to Bumstead's Bicycles for all your cycling needs.

We are located at 1038 W. 4th St in Ontario, CA.
You can reach us by phone at (909) 984-9067

www.bumsteadbikes.com