Trek Fuel EX 29 gets a Boost
The Fuel EX is one versatile bike, and Trek have tweaked the 29er geometry and performance thanks to the Boost standard.
Last week was a busy week for Trek. They launched their new Procaliber SL and Top Fuel, as well as their new road bike. Plus for those involved with Trek Factory Racing, there was a World Cup, and the start of the Tour de France. To keep things interesting and busy, they also launched a new Fuel EX 29, so trail riders don’t feel left out.
Most of the changes are around adopting the new Boost standard of 148mm rear spacing and 110mm on the front. But it’s also about what that has let the Trek engineers do. The Boost spacing lets them cut back the chainstay length down to 437mm from 452mm – which is huge. The handling is also slacker, with a more relaxed head tube and slightly lower BB. But the new frame runs the MinoLink, so if you change it around the head tube is almost as steep as the previous model again.
Trek have also changed the rear shock, away from the DRCV units, to the new Fox EVOL shocks.
“With EVOL, you get the same great suspension feel of DRCV without the extra cost of a custom shock body. This cost saving 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 frame design change is just for the 29″ model, as the 27.5″ model was launched last year. The changes in design has added 30g, but increased stiffness to the frame. Travel is 120mm front and rear, save for the top model which runs a 130mm Float 34. The carbon models are Di2 compatible, and the ControlFreak cabling system allows full internal cable routing, which is rattle free. All models from the 8 up have ISCG 05 chain guide mounts and all bikes can run a single ring up to 36t if you can manage it.
Do note that the Fuel EX 5 and 7 have last year’s frame with the standard hub spacing. There will be a Project One option on the top frame, and the 9 frame is also available as a frame only option. If you need more details, why not get in touch with your local Trek dealer?
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