First Look: Trek Fuel EX 29 2

This week Trek introduced three new bikes to their line, the Top Fuel, Procaliber SL and Fuel EX. While the Top Fuel and Procaliber SL are pure XC machines, the Fuel EX is slated as a do-it-all trail bike with 120mm of travel, shorter chainstays and slacker angles. Besides the geometry updates, the new Fuel EX 8 and above goes Boost 148/110 and sees an increase of 14% in terms of overall frame stiffness. Full details on the Fuel EX below. - Fred

Big Focus on Big-Wheeled Models Yields Big Results

For Immediate Release // Waterloo, WI/Zeist, NL - Trek continues to refine its proven and widely-loved Fuel EX platform. For this generation of Fuel EX, Trek focused on the big-wheeled models and overhauled Fuel EX 29 accordingly to create a 29er trail bike that defies expectations. The new Fuel EX 29 employs the new Boost 148/110 hub standard to create stronger, better 29” wheels that also allow for a chainstay as short as its 27.5” sibling, released in 2014. The result is a trail bike that is as playful and nimble as a smaller-wheeled bike, but offers all the advantages of big wheels such as stability, traction, and rollover. Any hesitations a rider may have to wheel size have been addressed, alleviating any concern over wheel size choices.

The new Fuel EX 29 also brings last year’s acclaimed RE:aktiv suspension technology to the line's most popular model globally, Fuel EX 8. RE:aktiv is coupled with FOX’s new EVOL (extra volume) air shock and all the proven Trek frame technologies such as Active Braking Pivot, Full Floater, and EVO Link to create a bike that excels at both climbing and descending.

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.

The Fuel EX 7 and 5 29 retain last year’s proven frame with standard hub spacing. The OCLV MTB Fuel EX 29 will be offered through Trek's custom bike program, Project One, as well. Fuel EX 29 will be available immediately exclusively through Trek's global retailer network.

For more images check out the gallery.

2016 Fuel EX 29 Geometry

There is a new Fuel EX 29. Is there a new Fuel EX 27.5?

Fuel EX 27.5 was introduced in MY15 and for the upcoming season it’s still the same fun, playful trail bike as before with some spec upgrades.

Does new Fuel EX 29 have Boost hub spacing?

Fuel EX 8 29 and above benefit from both Boost110 up front and Boost148 in the back. This gives them stiffer wheels for maximum efficiency and control while also allowing us to shorten up the chainstays and provide more tire and chain ring clearance. Fuel EX 5 29 and Fuel EX 7 29 feature last year’s proven frame with standard hub spacing.

What if I want to upgrade my wheels, fork, or crank? Are Boost-compatible aftermarket components available?

The industry is rapidly adopting the Boost standard. The following will be offering Boost-compatible components: Bontrager, DT Swiss, Shimano, FSA, RockShox, SRAM, Race Face, Specialized, E-thirteen, Easton, Hope, and Industry Nine.

Why aren’t there any DRCV shocks?

The spring curve of Fox’s new Float EVOL (extra volume) shocks matches the linear spring curve we previously relied on DRCV to provide. With EVOL, 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.

How much travel does Fuel EX 29 have?

120mm front and rear on all models except the Fuel EX 9 29, which gets an upgraded 130mm travel Fox 34 Float. Bonus!

Is the frame Di2 compatible?

Di2 cleanly integrates with any carbon Fuel EX 29 frame thanks to our Control Freak cable management system and a battery that’s attached to the water bottle mounts.

What’s that hole in the bottom of the downtube?

It’s part of the Control Freak cable management system, which allows riders to internally route any combination of cables or hoses for a clean, customized set up. The port under the downtube allows the use of a zip tie to secure the internally routed hoses so they don’t rattle in the frame or tangle.

Is that a Mino Link?

Why yes it is. We’ve offered adjustable geometry on our longer-travel bikes for years, and now that versatility extends to Fuel EX 29 as well. By simply rotating the Mino Link nuts that connect the seat stay to the EVO link, riders can adjust their head tube angle by a ½ degree, which will also raise or lower the bottom bracket by 8mm.

Is Fuel EX 29 available in Project One?

Carbon Fuel EX 29 will be available in Project One this August for customized spec and paint.

Will it be available as a frame?

There will be a carbon Fuel EX 29 frame available with a carbon seat stay and chain stay, painted in the stock 9.9 color scheme.

How does the geometry compare to the previous Fuel EX 29?

Out of the box, EX 29 sports a 68.8 degree head angle with a 334mm BB height. Riders who prefer the previous 69.5 head angle can get closer to that by flipping the Mino Link into the “steep” position to achieve a 69.4 degree head angle.

Out back, we were able to shorten the chainstays from 452mm to a more nimble, playful 437mm which is the same as the 27.5. Thanks, Boost148!

Does the fork have G2 Geometry?

Yes. All Fuel EX 29 models feature forks with a 51mm offset for the best 29er handling.

Did Fuel EX 29 get lighter?

While designing the new Fuel EX 29, we analyzed thousands of iterations of each individual tube shape to make sure we were making the right changes that would benefit not only our frame weight, but also our frame stiffness. In the end, we gained 30 grams (the weight of a Crayola crayon), but that small gain is eclipsed by large gains in stiffness – 11% at the BB and 14% on the full frame. Considering the strength to weight ratio, this is truly the fastest, most versatile EX we’ve ever made.

What’s the largest tire I can run?

Depending on the tire manufacturer and how they measure their tires, up to a 2.4 is possible… sometimes larger.

What’s the largest 1x chain ring I can run?

You can run up to a 36T ring … if your legs are up to it.

Can I run a chain guide or bash guard?

Fuel EX 8 and up feature ISCG 05 tabs for more drivetrain protection options.

Will there be any matching Bontrager apparel collections?

Yes. There is a matching set of apparel perfectly coordinated with the Fuel EX 9.8 focus bike. The kit includes a black Lithos helmet, powder blu/firebrand Rhythm Tech Tee, black Lithos glove, black Foray short, and black XXX MTB shoe.