[Video Review] 2016 Trek Fuel EX 8 - This Bike Keeps Getting Better! - 2015 Bicycling Editor's Choice

Redesigned For 2016, The Fuel EX 8 Is Ready For You!

Fuel EX continues to set the bar for full suspension trail bike versatility, bringing race-day tech to all-day adventure.


From the factory the EX 29 will be set in the low position with a 68.8-degree headtube angle and 334-millimeter bottom bracket height. Riders who want a more XC feel can steepen the head angle a half degree by flipping the Mino Link into the high position to achieve a 69.4-degree head angle.

You might notice that the shock looks smaller than the ones sporting Trek’s proprietary DRCV shocks. What gives? Fox’s new Float EVOL (extra volume) shocks match the linear spring curve achieved by the DRCV air cans. According to Trek, “you get the same great suspension feel of DRCV without the extra cost of a custom shock body. This cost savings allows us to offer our exclusive RE:aktiv damper on more models. As a result, the Fuel EX 8 and higher models in both wheel sizes will feature this unparalleled damping performance.”

The new Fuel EX 29 also offers up a solution to the increasing complexity of cable routing on modern mountain bikes. Taking into consideration all of the drivetrain options, remote lockouts, dropper seatposts, and electronic drivetrains, there are 54 cable routing scenarios that a bike needs to accommodate. Trek developed a flexible system, Control Freak Cable Management, to address this complexity, affording the new Fuel EX 29 clean and simple cable management for whatever routing option a rider prefers.

While the new Fuel EX sticks with 120 mm of travel front and rear (except for the Fuel EX 29 9, which gets a 130 mm Fox 34) the geometry can be adjusted with the Mino link that is commonly found on Trek’s longer travel bikes like the Slash and Remedy. An eccentric plate between the rocker link and the seat tube, it allows riders to adjust the head tube angle half a degree and raise and lower the bottom bracket 8 mm. The steeper setting is close to that of the previous Fuel EX 29er, while the slacker setting gets the head tube angle out to 68.8 degrees. Like all Trek 29ers the Fuel EX is designed around a 51 mm offset fork, which used to be known as G2, but has largely become commonplace for 29ers.


Bicycling Editor's Choice:

This lightweight but trail-capable 29er is a little bit XC, a little bit rock-and-roll. The Fuel would be an ideal one-bike quiver.

Specs


Colors
Matte Trek Black
Matte Dnister Black/Red

Frame
Alpha Platinum Aluminum, ABP Convert, Boost148, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, PF92, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, ISCG 05 mount, magnesium EVO link, down tube guard, Mino Link, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel

Front Suspension
Fox Performance 32 Float, FIT4 3-position damper, E2 tapered steerer, Boost110, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 120mm travel

Rear suspension
Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 7.25x1.875"

Wheels
Bontrager Duster Elite Tubeless Ready, TLR strips, Boost110 front, Boost148 rear

Tires
Bontrager XR3 Expert, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 29x2.30"

Shifters
Shimano SLX, 10 speed

Front derailleur
Shimano Deore, high direct mount

Rear derailleur
Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus

Crank
Shimano M627, 36/22

Cassette
Shimano HG50, 11-36, 10 speed

Chain
KMC X10

Saddle
Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails

Seatpost
KS eThirty Integra, remote lever, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset, internal routing

Handlebar
Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 5mm rise

Stem
Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible

Headset
FSA IS-2, E2, sealed alloy cartridge

Brakeset
Shimano Deore hydraulic disc

Grips
Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on

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You can reach us by phone at (909) 984-9067

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