Everything you need to know about the Trek Fuel EX

We have often said that the Trek Fuel EX is the perfect do-it-all trail bike in Australia. And as times and trails change, and the capability of bikes and riders do too, so has the Trek Fuel EX. Trek hgave just released the 2020 Fuel EX and here is everything you need to know.

It is still a trail bike

Trek haven't gone crazy and changed this to a short travel enduro rig. While the geometry and fork travel have been updated, it still fits between the Trek Top Fuel and their bigger bikes. With 140mm travel up front and 130mm in the back, The Fuel EX is still built as a capable trail bike.

The suspension is updated

Trek have flushed the Full Floater from the Trek Fuel EX frame, with a fixed lower shock mount to keep the weight lower on the frame and create a stiffer platform. Trek use their RE:Aktiv suspension with ThruShaft. This was introduced for 2018 and it includes a thermal compensator to keep your bike running sweet on long runs, and negates the initial stiction of the internal floating piston. Plus, rebound knobs are numbered – less counting your clicks!

It's longer, lower and slacker

OF course it is! Trek have dialled the head angle back from 67 degrees to 66 degrees – but that's not just because of the longer fork, the reac h has been extended as well, between 10-20mm depending on the size you're on. The seat tube is also 75 degrees, to keep you centred on the flats and ups, but nothing so crazily far forward that you can't actually get your position right. Trek have also made sure you can run a longer dropper post, upto 170mm on some models and sizes.

You can fit bigger tyres 

That's right, you have clearance for a proper 2.6" tyre in the new frame, and given the top bikes come with a Fox 36 you can fit something huge and aggressive upfront as well.

There's a lunch box

Never leave home without your spares! Trek have internal storage that sits under a door below the bottle cage. There's a wrap to keep it quiet, but this is a perfect way to keep those essential spares on your bike and away from the elements at all times.

They're bikes for everyone

Which is to say, there aren't women's models anymore. But Trek have one of the widest sizes ranges of bikes, and each model comes int two colour options and has huge standover height. The XS ans small sizes run 27.5" wheels which mean the standover remains really good even when going to the smaller sizes. This works for any riders of shorter stature, not just women. It also means to get a women's bike you're not limited to the range. Trek have made sure their bikes fit a wider range of people – that's men and women and presumably transgender riders – and they come in two colours for each of the 6 models.

There's a huge range

From the Trek Fuel EX 5 with a Shimano Deore 1×10 group set sells for $3000, through to the range topping SRAM Eagle X01 equipped Trek Fuel EX 9.9 at $9500, there is something for just about any trail rider. Visit your Trek dealer for details, or jump onto the Trek website for specific specs.