2013 trek fuel ex 9.8 carbon

2013 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 (discontinued)

• Write Review

Reviewed by Steve Wentz, Joe Schneider, and Brandon Turman // Photos by Shawn Spomer and Brandon Turman

From its creation, the Fuel EX has been the "go-to trail bike" in Trek 's lineup. They say it's for the rider that "can't decide between a rugged, capable long-travel trail bike or a nimble, lively XC bike." That's a big slot to fill, especially for a bike with just 130mm of travel and a 68-degree head angle. Curious if it really could meet the needs of both ends of the spectrum, we had the boys from Wisconsin send out a recently updated Fuel EX 9.8 for our 2013 Test Sessions in Southern Utah.

Fuel EX 9.8 Highlights

• OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame and seatstay, alloy chainstay
• 26-inch wheels
• 130mm (5.1-inches) of rear wheel travel
• Trek Full Floater suspension platform with ABP
• E2 tapered head tube
• 68-degree head angle
• 73-degree seat angle
• 338mm (13.3-inch) bottom bracket height
• 425mm (16.7-inch) chainstay length
• BB95 bottom bracket with ISCG05 tabs
• 142x12mm rear through axle
• Measured Weight (size 18.5): 26-pounds, 11-ounces (12.1kg)
• MSRP $5,249

Over the past few years, the Fuel EX has seen a number of small tweaks. Most recently, they made the decision to make it a much more capable ride for 2013. Updates from the 2012 frame include 10mm more travel front and rear, a 5mm lower sagged bottom bracket height, 5mm shorter chainstays, lower standover height, wider bars, ISCG05 tabs, and slightly tweaked pivot placement. It may not sound like much, but rest assured that those few millimeters here and there made a huge difference. Given the current trend toward slacker bikes, the fact that Trek stuck with a 68-degree head anglemay be surprising to many.

With seven(!) different models to choose from, ranging in price from $1,870 to $8,400, the Fuel EX line is just as diverse as the terrain they say it can tackle. Add in five sizes per model and you've got a whole lot of variations of the same bike to choose from. Options are good, and in this case it's very likely that Trek has one to precisely fit your budget and precise size needs.

Our test bike was the Fuel EX 9.8 model, which is the second-tier in the lineup and one of two carbon offerings. The size 18.5-inch build weighed in at just 26.7-pounds, the second lightest among the 22 bikes in our Test Sessions. Key to the weight of the bike is the surprisingly light Optimum Compaction, Low Void (OCLV) Carbon main frame and seatstay. Trek prides themselves on the in-house testing they do on all of their carbon models, ensuring they're built to withstand some nasty hits.

Internal routing for the rear derailleur, front derailleur, and seatpost add to the sleek look of the frame and really clean things up nicely, though they can be a hassle when it comes time to do maintenance. Additional frame features include a post mount disc brake, direct mount front derailleur, exclusive BB95 bottom bracket, an integrated tapered headtube (no headset cups needed), and a rubberized downtube guard.

Out back, the Fuel EX relies on Trek's proven Full Floater suspension design coupled with a magnesium EVO link and Active Braking Pivot (ABP) at the rear axle. For 2013 they moved the main suspension pivot forward a bit, modifying the already progressive leverage curve every so slightly. This resulted in a 5mm lower sagged bottom bracket height, flattened the anti-squat curve a bit for better pedaling efficiency throughout the range of travel, and also let them use a higher base compression setting in the Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) FOX Float CTD shock for improved pedaling. Trek's DRCV technology uses an internal plunger to cycle between two chambers, combining the pedaling benefits of a low volume shock and the big hit cushion of a high volume one.

A similar DRCV system is also integrated into the FOX 32 Float CTD fork, and for 2013 they've allowed the user to adjust the progressiveness of the fork by the addition of some easy to add volume spacers.

On The Trail

Wanting to see this bike's performance over a variety of terrain types, we tested it on three different trails in the Hurricane and St. George, Utah area. First, Brandon piloted it along JEM to Hurricane Rim, which offered some fast, flowy cross-country terrain and a handful of rugged rock sections. Joe, our cross-country specialist, chose to ride the entire JEM trail from top to bottom, pinning it the entire way. Later, Steve hopped on and immediately started sending it off anything and everything on the drop and jump-filled Barrel Ride trail.

Thanks to new, wider Bontrager bars for 2013, we can't complain that much about the bike's cockpit. Even so, we found things a little on the skinny and long side, opting to swap the 720mm bar and stem out for something a bit wider and shorter. Others will really appreciate the added reach on steep climbs. Regardless of the swap, it had a really nice feel, was comfortable, balanced, and centered, if only a little long in the reach department. The bars have a very low rise, so the addition of some spacers under the stem may be needed for some riders.

Our immediate impressions were very positive, and we were surprised by just how incredibly fun and flickable the Fuel EX is. The bike was a blast to ride from the get go, and its responsive, light feel encouraged us to really get after it. Thanks to the short 16.7-inch chainstays, picking the front end up to manual was very easy to do which instantly turned the trails we rode into a playground. Whether riding aggressively or just cruising, the bike responded well to inputs and changing lines at a moment's notice was a breeze. It felt planted in corners, and when we let off the brakes it tracked really well thanks to the stiff and predictable rear end.

Geometry wise, the Fuel EX offered nothing to balk about while descending, even with what sounds like a steep head angle in comparison to many other trail bikes. The chosen numbers gave it a very alert, precise feel through all terrain types, and we never felt like we were going to get pitched over the bars or knife in turns. While it was slightly taxed in the super rough stuff, it offered a great compromise between downhill stability and good climbing characteristics.

Rear shock performance was solid almost across the board. It had a very active feel, was supple and active in the beginning of the stroke providing good small bump compliance, gave plenty of support during big compressions, didn't bottom off some sizable drops, and offered something solid to push against when pumping or sprinting to gain speed. On a few occasions, we did feel the rear end kick out a little bit during sustained chatter and through successive sharp square edge hits. Overall, the rear suspension outperformed its 130mm specification and showed that it's capable of lots more. Rear suspension performance was good enough, in fact, that it far outclassed the front end of the bike.

In the stock configuration, we found ourselves wishing for better bottom out control in the DRCV FOX 32 Float CTD fork which seemed to wallow a bit in the mid-stroke. Luckily that's an easy thing to do given the updated system for 2013. After the addition of a few volume spacers we're betting the issue would have been alleviated. One other minor issue we encountered with the fork was a recurring noise midway through the stroke, which we assume was the second DRCV chamber activating. Stepping up to a FOX 34 would be a welcome upgrade from the stiffness perspective, especially given the bike's all-around nature. (Editor's Note: Turns out FOX doesn't make a 130 or even 140mm fork with 34mm stanchions. We'll keep wishing!)

One of the things we loved most about the Fuel EX is its perceived weight - it's light and it shows. The bike wanted to take off, accelerate, and dart from one side of the trail to the other on command, making it feel every bit as light as the scale said. Rolling speed was also very good, especially when pumping came into the mix.

Out of the saddle sprints resulted in gobs of speed quickly thanks to good support in the suspension, a stiff frame, and super light tires. Bob was virtually nonexistent, and we'd classify the Fuel EX as a very good pedaling bike. Aided by a 73-degree seat tube angle, powering up climbs required less effort than we're used to, which says a lot given the range of bikes we've been riding recently.

There's a lot to love when looking at the components. From the Shimano XT brakes and drivetrain to the RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper seatpost, the build is made up of parts that are both reliable and durable. The only real value-minded concession for a bike this high-end is the use of Performance Series FOX suspension as opposed to the Kashima-coated and slightly more adjustable Factory Series. Then again, the price tag sits at $5,249, which is on the lower end of the carbon bike price range.

A variety of in-house Bontrager parts complete the build, including tubeless-ready wheels, tires, a titanium-railed saddle, stem, grips, and carbon bars. We found the wheels to be plenty stiff, the seat felt great, and the grips were nice and thin. Keeping the grips on the bike, however, presented a bit of an issue. In combination with the smooth carbon bars, the plastic-lined clamps couldn't get tight enough, forcing us to swap them out.

Perhaps the biggest thing we didn't like about the bike was the tire choice, but not for the reasons you'd expect. At just 580 grams, they were far too light for a bike that has "long-travel trail bike" duties written into its description. While impressively fast and great on hard pack, the super thin casings make the bike much less stable than it could be. We'd quickly add half a pound in exchange for more confidence during compressions, big hits, and really over any terrain. Even the front wheel would wander sometimes on the climbs, likely because the front end was too light for its own good. Some added girth in the casings and knob height (not width) might have just a little bit more traction and slow down its ever so slightly twitchy manners.

As we've mentioned countless times in our Test Sessions reviews, Shimano's XT brakes were excellent. Braking performance was never a concern, and having stoppers that can actually slow you down on a dime boosted the overall handling of this bike. One small gripe we had concerning the brakes, however, was the poor interface they have with the Reverb remote, which really limits you from finding that perfect position for both levers. Shimano does have an integrated shifter/brake lever solution that could help in this regard.

The Shimano XT drivetrain was also solid, though we would love to see a 2X system in place of the now outdated 3X crankset. Trek's exclusive BB95 bottom bracket was plenty stiff, though we did feel a bit a drag when rotating the cranks off the bike. On the bike this wasn't noticeable.

Chain noise was minimal thanks to the Shadow+ clutch system, and with the exception of the occasional chain slap on the inside of the seatstay and the tires pinging off rocks, the bike was very quiet.

Long Term Durability

It's tough to forecast long term concerns, but the bike as a whole seemed very reliable. Trek sweats the small details, has an impressive testing facility, and maintenance of the critical components seems well thought out. Worst case, the frame and Bontrager components are backed by a limited lifetime warranty with a five year condition on the swing arm.

What's The Bottom Line?

Did Trek succeed in making that go-to trail bike? That depends on what your definition is. If it's everything from lighting up the local cross-country loop to doubling up the rollers on a flow trail, yeah, they nailed it with the Fuel EX 9.8. If your definition includes occasional downhill use with a heavy dose of gnar, not so much. There are a lot of trail/all-mountain "do-it-all" bikes with a slightly more aggressive mentality that would be just fine in the bike park, but they likely wouldn't hold a candle to the Fuel EX in a race to the top or an all-day epic. It's every bit as fast as a cross-country race bike but a whole hell of a lot more fun to ride, and we dig the little niche that this bike fills.

An experienced rider that enjoys a precise feel will love this bike, as will a beginner that's just getting their bearings. It's super lively, laterally stiff, capable through the moderately rough stuff, and just flat out makes you want to go fast. Somewhere in-between oogling the candy blue paint job, hopping on for a second ride in the same day, manualing through dips, pumping through the turns, and generally having a blast on the trail, you'll thank us for the recommendation. Slap a slightly beefier fork and tires on there and you'll be in heaven.

Check out www.trekbikes.com for more info.

Bonus Gallery: 35 photos of the 2013 Trek Fuel EX 9.8

About the reviewers.

Steve Wentz - A man of many talents, Steve got his start in downhilling at a young age. He has been riding for over 17 years, 10 of which have been in the Pro ranks. Asked to describe his riding style he said, "I like to smooth out the trail myself." Today he builds some of the best trails in the world (and eats lots of M&M's).

Joe Schneider - During the day, Joe's busy solving complex mechanical engineering problems. When he's free, he's out crushing miles on his bikes and moto. He raced cross-country for several years, made an appearance on the Collegiate National Champs Omnium, turned Pro, and more recently shifted his focus to enduro.

Brandon Turman - Brandon likes to pop off the little bonus lines on the sides of the trail, get aggressive when he's in tune with a bike and talk tech. In 13 years of riding he worked his way through the Collegiate downhill ranks to the Pro level. Nowadays he's Vital MTB's resident product guy.

Which reviewer resembles you the most? Don't miss our Q&A with the testers for more insight about their styles and preferences.

Post a reply to: 2013 Test Sessions: Trek Fuel EX 9.8

Specifications, sizes and geometry.

Trek website

More Products

2022 Scott Spark 910 Bike

2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 Shimano Bike

2022 Niner JET 9 RDO 2-Star SRAM SX Eagle Bike

2022 Knolly Fugitive 138 GX + RockShox Bike

2023 Santa Cruz 5010 R Carbon C Bike

2022 Trailcraft Maxwell 24 X01 Eagle AXS Bike

2022 Juliana Wilder TR R Carbon C Bike

2022 Niner RIP 9 RDO 29 2-Star SRAM SX Eagle Bike

• Mountain Bikes
• Trek Mountain Bikes
• Trek Fuel EX
• 2013 Trek Fuel EX

Most Popular

• Rider Notes

2013 Trek Fuel EX 9.8

A 26″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

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

Fuel EX 9.8

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

5'0" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'11"

5'9" – 6'3"

6'1" – 6'6"

🐐 Estimated

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

Dec 2014 · Christoph Bayer

The Fuel EX is one of the most popular Trek models. The numerous model and spec versions available and the option to configure your own bike are proof of this. For this test the € 3,999 Fuel EX 9 29 was chosen to go head-to-head with the bikes of the competition. This review is part […]

Read Review

Sep 2014 · Danny Milner

A 27.5in Fuel EX joins the existing 29er, but the real story is a leap forward in suspension damping

The RE:aktiv rear shock combined with DRCV is a great combo — plush in descend mode while firm and supportive in climb, with an excellent mix of both in trail mode.

Long stems on the larger sizes seem at odds with the trail-orientated set-up.

The Fuel EX’s prowess on steep and fast lines belies its short travel suspension and XC geometry…

Dec 2013 · MBA Action

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

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 make the EX 9.8 feel like a no-holds-barred race whippet while on the pedals.

I was listening to the nightly quiz on an AM radio station recently – AM radio is my secret vice – and the topic of discussion that night was movie remakes. Specifically, was the original movie always the best, or could a remake surpass the original. There were plenty of examples – The Blues Brothers, …

A sensational trail bike - confident and smooth

Great suspension

Look at the frame finish!

Reliable, high-performance component choices

Our bike had a 680mm bar, could do with something wider

Long chain stays

Jul 2013 · Jenn Hill

Jenn's long termer of choice this year is Trek's Fuel EX 9.8.

Jun 2013 · James Huang

Great rear suspension and playful handling but wheels aren't super light

First added June 29

Last updated June 29

Not listed for 2,618 days

Trek Bikes Fuel EX 9.8 2013

Reviews / Trail Bikes

• Trail Bikes

At A Glance

This is one hot looking bike; we shot it at the Trek World show in Munich and fell in love with the colours. If you get the chance to see one in the flesh take a good hard look at the slight blue tint to the carbon weave. Bikes aren’t just about looks though and there is a reason this machine has won many accolades in the industry. The 120mm trail bike has long been a popular choice for many riders, capable of everything from XC racing to some serious trail abuse. However, in recent years the trend has shifted towards enduro and longer travel bikes the Fuel EX was in danger of being left by the wayside. New for this year is a 130mm front and rear suspension platform that will make this bike even more capable than it was before!

The central platform to any bike is the frame, and the 9.8 features the stunning OCLV Mountain Carbon frame and seatstay with an alloy chainstay. E2 tapered head tube at the front and 142x12mm at the back along with ISCG 05 mounts. The EVO Link is magnesium to save on weight and internal cable routing is featured throughout, including the dropper post, keeping things nice and tidy.

Suspension is built around the tried and tested Full Floater system with Active Braking Pivot to ensure the suspension works irrespectively of what you are doing with the brakes. Trek have a long history of working with Fox Racing Shox to custom tune their suspension to each bike and the Fuel EX 9.8 gets the same treatment with a custom tuned Fox Performance Series 32 Float 130mm with DRCV, CTD (climb, trail, descend) and the FIT Damper with a 15QR Axle.

The rear end gets the same custom treatment with a Fox Performance Series Float DRCV shock with CTD at 7.25x2.0” giving 130mm of travel.

Wheels and tyres are an all-Bontrager affair, as you would expect, the set up is the Rhythm Elite Tubeless Ready wheeleset with 15mm front and 142x12mm rear. Rubber duties are performed by the Bontrager XR3 Expert 2.20 tyres.

Handlebars and stem are Bontrager Race X Lite with a Bontrager Evoke 3 saddle on titanium rails held up by a Rock Shox Reverb dropper post.

Stopping is taken care of by the excellent Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm front and 160mm rear discs.

The drivetrain is also Shimano with XT Shadow Plus rear mech, XT 3x10 crankset plus XT shifters and an XT front mech.

Trek Fuel EX 9.8 17.5

Seat tube 419mm Effective top tube 585mm Head tube 122mm Chain stay 425mm Wheel base 1110mm BB height 33.8cm Head angle 68° Seat angle (eff) 73° Reach 414mm

Weight w/o pedals 26.3lbs

On the Trail

It’s not hard to swing your leg over the Fuel EX 9.8, the arcing top tube leads to a very low standover height. Once you have got your leg over you are going to struggle to get it back off though, this bike is seriously fun to ride. Out of the three testers who rode it from our team none of them wanted to give it back and there were smiles aplenty on the trails.

The Fuel EX has always been a fun bike to ride, and very capable too, but the extra 130mm and tweaked geometry make it even better in terms of hitting heavier stuff. The rear shock tune is superb and it never seems to wallow, instead feeling taught with every pedal stroke. This is attributed as well to Trek’s excellent suspension platform, add in the Climb Trail Descend modes and you have a bike that is just as at home on flat blasty singletrack races, as it is in big mountains.

The handling is sublime and we never felt out of our depth, no matter what we asked of the bike. It has a very playful nature and feels infinitely “chuckable”, throw it into berms, off jumps and drops and it takes it all with aplomb.

Climbing is very good, the stiff frame and taught suspension ensures maximum power is converted and the bike accelerates up the hill like a bulldog that has been stung on the balls by a wasp. When it gets steep the front can lift a little so be sure to trim your body position in the saddle to keep the nose down.

Cornering inspires confidence with the short nature of the bike allowing you to dominate the frame and really get round tight corners fast. The XR3 tyres were lacking a little in the mud and gloop, but that is only to be expected with conditions as they are here in the UK. Spring through to Autumn these are great and if you stick some mud tyres on for winter there will be no stopping you.

Simply one of the easiest to ride, fun, playful and entertaining bikes out there. It isn’t cheap, but the same smile inducing geometry and suspension set up can be had for a lot less on the aluminium models.

If we had to find fault, and it is hard, the ability to drop the front fork down to 100 or 110 would help on steep climbs, it also looks so good you will cry when you scratch it for the first time.

A great upgrade to the hugely popular Fuel EX platform, 130mm of travel makes the bike even more relevant in the current marketplace and a whole heap more fun to ride down just about anything!

This review was in Issue 22 of IMB.

Trek Bikes Fuel EX 9.8 27.5

Trek bikes lush carbon 27.5, trek bikes fuel ex 9.8, commencal meta sl 4, cube bikes ams 120 sl 29, trek bikes fuel ex 9.9, trek bikes fuel ex 8, scor 4060 st gx, bold cycles linkin 135, merida bikes ninetysix rc xt, bmc switzerland fourstroke lt 01, santa cruz bicycles tallboy cc x01.

By Rou Chater Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.

Tried this? What did you think?

Shop in-store for even more deals!

Shop in store for even more deals we can't advertise!

Mountain Bike Suspension Service

Trade In Your Bike

• Base Layers
• Mountain Bike Shorts
• Bibs, Tights + Knickers
• Mountain Bike Shoes

SAFETY GEAR

• Adult Helmets
• Youth Helmets
• Road Helmets
• Casual Wear
• Road Bike Shorts
• Bibs, Tights & Knickers
• Road Bike Shoes
• Accessories/Parts

Safety Gear

• Women's Helmets
• Road Bike Helmets
• Mountain Bike Helmets

WHEELS & TIRES

• Road Wheels
• Mountain Bike Wheels
• Mountain Bike Tires
• Wheels Accessories and Parts
• Derailleurs
• Chains & Cassettes
• Cranks and Chainrings
• Bottom Brackets
• Cables and Housing
• Power Meters

BRAKES & PEDALS

• Clipless Pedals
• Flat Pedals
• Mountain Bike Brake Sets
• Mountain Bike Brake Pads
• Road Bike Brakes and Pads
• All Brakes/Levers/Pads

Forks & Cockpit

• Grips and Bar Tape
• Rigid Forks
• Suspension Forks

Accessories

• Car Rack Accessories
• Electronics
• Front Lights
• Tail Lights
• Locks/Security
• Media/Resources
• Bicycle Mounted Racks
• Pumps/Inflation
• Tools/Maintenance
• Trailers/Strollers
• Trainers/Rollers
• Travel/Storage
• Water Bottles & Cages

Brand Guides

Bike buyer's guides, gear guides, new bike releases, summit bicycles online (855) 245-3663 [email protected] email, burlingame (650) 343-8483 [email protected] email, summit outfitters (408) 878-3252 [email protected] email, los gatos (408) 399-9142 [email protected] email, san jose (408) 264-2453 [email protected] email, palo alto (650) 304-0035 [email protected] email, summit bicycles mobile we'll come to you schedule mobile service today, (855) bike-one - for online orders and rental inquiries.

• Account Account
• Subtotal : $ 0.00 Checkout Cart

Summit Bicycles San Jose

Our San Jose is known for clean modern design, outstanding selection, and fantastic staff who want to help you with your bike / fitness goals. 

We are a community of approachable bike experts who love urban, mountain, road and family bikes. We are conveniently located near the inside the Plant Shopping Center for easy parking.

Our store specializes in all things road biking, with great models and gear to choose from. We also stock lots of commuter bikes for those looking to move through daily life on two wheels. We have talented technicians who can help with repairs and if you are looking to rent a bike we can help with that too.

Where to ride near San Jose

If you're looking for good trails or roads to ride near San Jose, check out our page on Bay Area Bike Trails & Routes.

Rental Bikes

Popular categories in san jose.

Kid's Bikes

More fun for the whole family.

Mountain Bikes

Trail-tested and ready to rip.

Gravel Bikes

Fast and furious with unlimited possibilities.

Our Specializations

We have all your ride bike needs, from lightning-fast models to the best road riding gear.

Shop Road Bikes

Commuter Bikes

Come see us for a huge selection of great commuter and city bikes that are comfortable and versatile.

Bike Repairs

Let our expert technicians get your bike rolling smoothly again.

Bike Rentals

If you want to explore the area or test a new model, renting a bike is the way to go.

Our Top Brands

Our Best Selling Products

Trek Marlin 5

Want something that's trail-ready and hard as nails at the same time? The Trek Marlin is what you're looking for. Get yours today, and enjoy serious on and off-road capability.

Santa Cruz 5010 C S

The Santa Cruise 5010 is about fun first and foremost. Danny MacAskill’s bike of choice, this bike will turn nature into your playground with its flexibility and power.

Trek Checkpoint SL 6

Add some serious speed to your next adventure. The Trek Checkpoint is the perfect gravel bike for race day, all-day epics, and bikepacking missions. 

Trek Fuel EX 8 GX

The Trek Fuel EX 8 hits the sweet spot between pro performance and affordability. This mid travel 29er is fit to shred local trails take your riding skills to the next level.

• Rocky Mountain
• Specialized
• YT Industries
• Allied Cycle Works
• Black Market
• DALLINGRIDGE
• Diamondback
• Early Rider
• EVO Bicycles
• Growler Bikes
• Guerrilla Gravity
• iGO Electric
• Intense 951
• Juiced Bikes
• View all brands
• Production Privee
• Rad Power Bikes
• Rambo Bikes
• Riese & Müller
• Soul Fast E Bikes
• Spark Cycleworks
• State Bicycle Co.
• Structure Cycleworks
• Surface 604
• Van Nicholas
• Vintage Electric
• We Are One Composites

• Cross Country

• All Mountain

Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Volt/Solid Charcoal, Matte Gravel/Quicksilver, Radioactive Orange/Trek Black, Gloss Purple Phaze/Matte Trek Black, Viper Red/Trek White

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5

Weight / 28 lb 0 oz (12,701 g)

At a glance

ABP (Active Braking Pivot), Knock Block steerer stop, Integrated frame protection, Internal cable routing, Price varies by colorway

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame and seatstay, alloy chainstay
• Fork FOX Performance 34 Float, GRIP 3-position damper, 51mm offset, boost 110, 130mm
• Shock FOX Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft, 210mm x 52.5mm
• Hubs Rapid Drive, boost 110mm front, boost 148mm rear
• Wheels Bontrager Line Carbon 30, tubeless ready, tubeless strips included, valves sold separately
• Wheel Size 29"
• Spokes DT Swiss Aerolite14/17G spokes with Alpina alloy locking nipples
• Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Inner Strength sidewalls, 120 tpi, aramid bead, 29 x 2.40
• Chain 432mm, None included, 32 tooth direct mount, SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
• Crank Truvativ Descendant 7k Eagle DUB
• Bottom Bracket 30mm drop, SRAM DUB press fit, 92mm
• Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle, roller bearing clutch
• Shifters SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
• Brakeset Shimano SLX M7000 hydraulic disc, Shimano SLX
• Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails
• Seatpost Bontrager Line, internal routing, 100mm (15.5), 125mm (17.5 and 18.5), 150mm (19.5 and 21.5), 31.6mm, Standard single bolt, 31.6mm, Standard single bolt
• Stem Bontrager Line Pro, Knock Block, 35mm clamp, 0 degree
• Grips Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on
• Headset Knock Block Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing

Q: Where to buy a 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29?

The 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 weigh?

A 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 weights 28 lb 0 oz (12,701 g).

Q: What size wheels does the 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 have?

The 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2019 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more MTB in your mailbox?

The latest on mountain bikes delivered straight to your mailbox.

More Bikes in Range View All

Trek Fuel EX 7

Trek Fuel EX 5

Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS

More trail bikes view all.

Breezer Supercell Expert

Bulls Aminga EVA TR 2 27.5”

Deals view all, view all deals, recent posts view all.

Blackburn Honest Digital Pressure Gauge Review

It's 2020 people. The squeeze and bounce test doesn't cut it anymore (and this is…

Comparing Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines. They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in…

Undomestic Mountain Bikes: Here’s what we know

Update March 2020: Undomestic has announced that they are manufacturing frames "at this moment" and…

Send Feedback

Have a suggestion? Looking for a bike that's not on MTB Database? Or perhaps you've spotted an error?

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with the form below.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Learn more.

About MTB Database

Explore, search and compare thousands of the world’s best mountain bikes here on Mountain Bike Database.

Compare prices, components, suspension, reviews, images and more on current and past MTB’s. You can even share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Trek , Specialized , Giant , Santa Cruz , Norco and more .

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information for mountain bikes on MTB Database. If you’ve spotted any issues, please let us know . We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. Bear in mind that these tools serve as a guide and simply provide a general indication. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike.

Bikes By Brand

Bikes by year, bikes by riding style, bikes by wheel size, popular bikes.

• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Comp
• 2022 Trek Marlin 6
• 2022 Specialized Enduro Comp
• 2022 Specialized S-Works Epic EVO
• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Expert
• 2022 Giant Fathom 29 1
• 2022 Trek Marlin 7

Latest Bikes

• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE 70'S
• 2023 Orange Phase 29 Factory
• 2022 Commencal META SX V4 TEAM Frame
• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE LTD
• 2023 Commencal META SX V4 - Frame
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 vario
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 silent

• Help Center
• Chat with a Ride Guide
• 1-866-401-9636
• Retail Store
• Bike Services

Reset Password

We will send you an email to reset your password.

Don't have an account? Create an account

Create Account

Already have an account? Sign In

• Favorite your products & save them to your account
• Save a search & get notified when new products drop
• Be first to know about the latest events & promotions

Bike Finder

Results have arrived, extended through 9/6/24, labor day sale.

Deeper Discounts Added (9/2): Up to 70% 75% off 3,300+ Markdowns + Extra Savings in Cart: $100 Off Orders of $1000+ $250 Off Orders of $2000+ $1000 Off Orders of $5000+ Terms & Conditions

Let the Bikes Come to You

Shopping around for the perfect bike? Make life easy with our Saved Search tool! Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll notify you via text or email whenever a bike you want comes in stock, giving you the best chance to scoop up your dream ride before someone else.

2024 Leadville 100 Recap

Three TPC employees tested their fitness above 10k ft at the Leadville 100 MTB race. See how they did!

TPC Local Events

Join us for rides, parties, fundraisers and more in the Front Range community.

New Arrivals - CPO Used & New Bikes

Find your bike with tpc. with 46,000+ bikes sold, we're the leaders in certified pre-owned used and new bikes..

Labor Day Deal

Certified Pre-Owned

Trek Remedy 9.8 Mountain Bike - 2019, X-Large

Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Gravel Bike - 2021, 54cm

$2,110.99 $2,599.99

Cervélo Áspero-5 Red XPLR eTap AXS 1 Gravel Bike - 2022, 48cm

Cervélo Caledonia-5 Ultegra Di2 Road Bike - 2022, 61cm

$4,548.99 $5,599.99

Trek Checkpoint SL 5 Gravel Bike - 2022, 52cm

$1,867.99 $2,299.99

Revel Bikes Rail29 X01 Eagle Mountain Bike - 2023, X-Large

Lynskey R500 Road Bike - 2021, X-Large

$2,435.99 $2,999.99

Quintana Roo V-PR Dura-Ace Di2 Triathlon Bike - 2022, 50cm

Specialized S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike - 2021, 54cm

$5,603.99 $6,899.99

OBED Boundary GRX 810 Di2 Gravel Bike - 2021, Large

$1,948.99 $2,399.99

Orbea WILD FS M10 Mountain E-Bike - 2020, X-Large

Trek Émonda ALR Force AXS Road Bike - 2024, 58cm

Specialized S-Works Roubaix SRAM eTap Road Bike - 2018, 58cm

$3,492.99 $4,299.99

Canyon Neuron CF 9 Mountain Bike - 2022, X-Large

Vielo R+1 Strato Road Bike - 2023, Medium

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Disc Women's Road Bike - 2018, 50cm

Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gravel Bike - 2021, 54cm

$2,029.99 $2,499.99

Pivot Mach 429 Trail Mountain Bike - 2019, Medium

Quintana Roo V-PR Triathlon Bike - 2022, 52cm

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL6 Road Bike - 2019, 56cm

$3,085.99 $3,799.99

The Green Journey: Crossing the U.S. on Solar-Power Bikes

Polo and Megan are riding across the country on a pair of solar-power E-bikes to advocate for climate solutions and promote clean energy. We take a closer look at their wild custom trikes and learn more about their adventure and goals.

TPC Staff Favorites

BMC Teammachine SLR ONE Road Bike - 2021, 58cm

$3,045.99 $3,749.99

BMC Teammachine SLR01 ONE Disc Road Bike - 2018, 47cm

$3,004.99 $3,699.99

Specialized S-Works Aethos Road Bike - 2021, 54cm

$6,984.99 $8,599.99

Trek Verve+ 2 Lowstep Commuter E-Bike - 2022, Small

$1,785.99 $2,049.99

Parlee RZ7 Road Bike - 2020, X-Large

$3,476.99 $3,999.99

Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XX AXS T-Type Gen 6 Mountain Bike - 2024, Med/Large

$6,741.99 $8,299.99

Pivot Mach 4 SL Team XTR FOX Live Valve Mountain Bike - 2022, X-Large

$4,872.99 $5,999.99

Trek Verve+ 3 Lowstep Commuter E-Bike - 2022, Medium

$1,664.99 $2,049.99

Trek Émonda SL 6 AXS Road Bike - 2022, 56cm

$2,842.99 $3,499.99

2023 Yeti SB160 T1 Mountain Bike - 2023, Large

$4,142.99 $5,099.99

Pinarello Prince Road Bike - 2023, 60cm

$2,639.99 $3,249.99

Specialized Roubaix Expert Road Bike - 2020, 54cm

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Road Bike - 2021, 58cm

Specialized S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike - 2021, 58cm

$5,359.99 $6,599.99

Specialized Aethos Road Bike - 2022, 56cm

$3,167.99 $3,899.99

Trek Slash 9.9 XX1 AXS Mountain Bike - 2022, Medium

$5,156.99 $6,349.99

Dean El Diente Custom Road Bike - 2017, Small

Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 Mountain Bike - 2020, X-Large

$2,391.99 $3,099.99

Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert Mountain Bike - 2022, S1

BMC Roadmachine FIVE Road Bike - 2022, 58cm

Sell // trade.

We offer on bikes, frames, & wheels for cash or credit. The process is easy and our team of expert buyers respond to your submission quickly.

More Specialized Bikes Arriving Daily

Specialized S-Works Epic EVO Mountain Bike - 2022, Large

$6,496.99 $7,999.00

Specialized Epic EVO Expert Mountain Bike - 2022, X-Large

$3,653.99 $4,499.00

Specialized S-Works Shiv TT Disc Time Trial Bike - 2023, Medium

$7,309.99 $9,999.99

Specialized Stumpjumper Mountain Bike - 2022, S4

$3,329.99 $4,099.99

Specialized Diverge Pro Carbon Gravel Bike - 2021, 54cm

Specialized S-Works Roubaix Di2 Road Bike - 2018, 52cm

$3,248.99 $3,999.99

Specialized Turbo Kenevo SL E-Mountain Bike - 2022, S3

Specialized S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike - 2019, 56cm

$3,654.99 $4,999.99

Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper Mountain Bike - 2019, Large

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Road Bike - 2022, 44cm

$6,091.99 $7,499.99

Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo E-Mountain Bike - 2022, S4

Specialized S-Works Roubaix Road Bike - 2021, 58cm

$6,009.99 $7,399.99

Specialized S-Works Enduro Mountain Bike - 2019, Medium

Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert Mountain Bike - 2022, S3

Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL Carbon Mountain E-Bike - 2022, X-Large

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 SRAM AXS Road Bike - 2021, 49cm

$6,699.99 $8,249.99

Specialized S-Works Epic Mountain Bike - 2022, X-Small

$4,791.99 $5,899.99

The leaders in certified pre-owned bikes since 2006 with over 160,000+ customers served and 46,000+ bikes sold.

Create a Saved Search

Not seeing what you want? Let us know what you're looking for and we'll let you know when something comes in that matches your checklist.

From the Magazine

Bikes, Features, Gravel, Latest Aug 16, 2024

Lynskey GR300: How Gravel Bikes Can Be Whatever You Want

Bikes, Features, Fun, Latest Aug 15, 2024

Bikes, Latest, Road, Tech Jul 22, 2024

The Stage-Winning Bikes from the 2024 Tour de France

Bikes, Features, Latest, MTB Jul 19, 2024

Our Specialized Epic EVO Race Bikes for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB

Bikes, Features, Guides, Inside, Latest Jul 12, 2024

Mid-Year Check-in: The Best-Selling Bikes of 2024 (So Far)

Bikes, Features, Fun, Latest, Road Jul 11, 2024

To Hell With Tradition: The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Tour de Future

• Fuel EXe 9.8

We'll take care of you. Period.

It's our mission to provide you with world-class hospitality every time you visit us online or in-store. We're always here to help you. It's the Trek way.

Free shipping and professional assembly

All bikes ordered online ship for free to your local Trek shop for professional assembly. Participating retailers will even deliver your new ride to your doorstep!

Warrantied for life

Each Trek carries a simple promise. We'll take care of you and do what's right.

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 licence.

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 the 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 pedalling. 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 miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. The Trek Fuel EX’s handling is dialled, 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.'

More options