Is the 2023 Trek Fuel EX their best trail bike ever?

Hot on the heels of the highly regared Trek Fuel EXe mid-power e-bike, Trek have just unleased their all-new Fuel EX on the mountain bike world. The new Fuel EX comes in a massive 8 sizes from XS through to XXL, with split wheel sizes between 27.5" and 29". The platform has a 150mm fork and 140mm rear travel. The geometry and suspension kinematics have evolved for modern trail riding, and this bike is designed to do it all.

The 2023 Fuel EX at a glance

– 150mm forks, 140mm rear travel
– 64.5 degree head angle, 77.5 seat angle
– Increased reach from 10-20mm
– Size specific chain stays
– Adjustable geometry with the MinoLink and 3 headset adjustments
– Mullet approved!
– Can take a 160mm fork
– Suspension chip – to make it more progressive
– Models from the Fuel EX7 – EX9.8 XT use the new frame: $4999.99 – $8999.99

The Fuel EX has been a long standing marquee in the US brand's range. First hitting the trails in 2005, Trek have continually brought their A game to the dirt with the updates on Fuel EX models. From a bump to 120mm in 2007, to then introducing the Active Braking Pivot (ABP) in 2008, along with the Full Floater design.

In 2014 Trek brought the Boost hub spacing to the masses, along with 29er wheels on the Fuel EX. Then in 2015 they introduced 27.5" wheeled models as well. With the 2023 Trek Fuel EX, the design team wanted to make sure the  Fuel EX remained a do it all trail bike, whether you want to push it or just ride it. And to do this, they have a really wide product range, from the Fuel EX5, through to the Fuel EX 9.9 in top XX1 AXS or XTR. The 9.8 XT will be the opt model in Australia.

More about the Trek Fuel EX frame

To achieve their goals, Trek had to completely re-think the Fuel EX frame – and you can see that the Fuel EX and the Fuel EXe were designed together, with a near identical silhouette. Frame travel has bumped up to 140mm from 130mm. The geometry has had a massive overhaul. Trek's well-known MinoLink geometry adjust remains, allowing a High and Low position. In low, the Fuel EX sports a 64.5 degree head angle (with 44mm fork offset) and a 77.5 degree seat angle. This much steeper seat angle puts riders further over the pedals to balance the reach, which has grown 10-20mm across the size range.

To add versatility, Trek also have an adjustable head set, so you can steepen or slacken the head angle by 1 degree. With 3 positions, and the Minolink settings, you can have 6 different geometry settings, to truly dial in your trail bike.

The new Trek Fuel EX frames can accommodate longer dropper posts, and have moved to 34.9mm seat tubes for greater stiffness and better dropper reliability. There's tonnes of standover height and a bottle fits in the mainframe as well.

The downtube is large to provide internal storage on both the alloy and carbon frames. The internal routing is guided, so fishing around with magnets and guides and chasers are a thing of the past (yes!). The newer downtube shape and position also has created more room in the main triangle for shocks with external reservoirs, and coil shocks.

Trek have made the Fuel EX less progressive, so it can really soak up trail to keep you planted on the jank. IN the stock position it works best with air shocks. But of course, you can change that with their new suspension flip chip, which is the same system used on the Trek Session Downhill bike. In the high progression position the Fuel EX has way more bottom out resistance and a lot more support in the middle of the stroke. This position is the best choice for the linear rate of coil shocks. The high progression position is perfect for those hitting big jumps and really loading up the bike on high speed flow trails. It's just another way Trek are adding a whole lot of versatility and customisation into the Fuel EX.

Trek also have a full length downtube guard that's bolt on. It's in two pieces, so you can run the lower or the lower and upper – whatever suits your riding.

Our take on the Trek Fuel EX

The Fuel EX has long been a popular bike amongst so many of us at AMB. It has been the jack of all trades and the master of none, working for an XC event through to a local enduro. Trail riding has changed a lot in the past few years, and the Trek Fuel EX has taken a big leap to be at the front of the game.

We can't wait to get onboard the new trail bike and play with the geometry options, this really allows a lot of customising to make the bike your own, and that's before playing with the mullet options, fork travel, shock progression and the rest.

If you liked their old stuff better than their new stuff, then you'll likely be best placed on the updated Trek Top Fuel, which is a 120mm travel 29er downcountry bike that can take a 130mm fork if needed. Need more bike? Then the 29er Trek Slash is for you, reading for big all-mountain rides and tearing up the enduro scene. Of course, there is the Trek Fuel EXe and the Trek Rail if eMTB models are your jam. It does leave us wondering what fate awaits the Trek Remedy, the only dedicated 27.5" wheeled trail bike still in the range… wait and see?

Need more details? Find it on the Trek Australia website.