trek fuel exe motor tuning

2023 Trek Fuel EXe Review | This brand new lightweight e-MTB is the stealthiest we’ve ever tested

The not-so-minor details.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

https://www.trekbikes.com

$13,999 USD

- The near-silent motor performance - Solid chassis with excellent weight distribution - Great geometry and all-round handling - Supportive suspension offers exceptional control at speed - Sleek frame is low on e-bulk - The 9.8 model is surprisingly well priced

- Highly damped RockShox suspension isn't the plushest - TQ motor can lag - Not as light as some of its competitors - Rear axle lever makes noise while riding - Crankset Q-Factor is very wide

Mick & Wil review the Trek Fuel EXe

Following two years of development, the Trek Fuel EXe launches as a brand new electric mountain bike for 2023. Aiming to straddle the gap between the Rail (Trek’s full-powered, big travel e-MTB) and the regular Fuel EX, the Fuel EXe is built around a unique, never-before-seen motor that is claimed to be one of the quietest and lightest on the market. Along with its slim battery and carbon frame, the Fuel EXe is purported to weigh around 18kg in its lightest configuration, which is a good 5kg lighter than the Rail. That puts it into direct competition with the Specialized Levo SL and Orbea Rise ; two bikes that have had a significant head start in the lightweight e-MTB category. So what exactly does the new Trek Fuel EXe bring to the party? And how does its new motor perform on the trail? We’ve been testing it for the past few weeks to find out!

Watch our Trek Fuel EXe review here:

Overall it’s a very clean system, and combined with the compact motor and slim downtube, the Fuel EXe does a remarkable job of not looking like an e-MTB.

An overview of the Trek Fuel EXe

Whereas the Rail is based upon the Slash enduro bike, the Trek Fuel EXe is essentially an electrified version of the Fuel EX trail bike. It features 29in wheels, though it gets a touch more travel with a 150mm fork and 140mm of rear wheel travel courtesy of the ABP four-bar suspension platform.

OCLV Mountain carbon fibre has been employed to construct the Fuel EXe frame, while a two-piece alloy rocker link drives the rear shock via a trunnion bearing mount. Unlike the regular Fuel EX, Rail and Slash that feature Trek’s proprietary Thru Shaft damper, the Fuel EXe relies on a conventional rear shock.

The compact TQ motor

Powering the Trek Fuel EXe is a brand new and extremely compact motor that has been developed in collaboration with Bavarian company TQ.

TQ has previously been known for producing the 120Nm monster motor found within the Haibike Flyon. Taking the same patented Harmonic Pin-Ring (HPR) mechanism, those clever Germans have shrunken it right down to create what it believes is the lightest and smallest e-MTB motor on the market.

Comprised of just two moving parts, the HPR drive unit doesn’t require a belt or additional cogs, and it spins at an RPM that is three times lower than a conventional motor. Thanks to its simplified construction, the HPR design is claimed to result in fewer operating frequencies, reducing not only the overall decibels produced by the motor, but also lowering the ‘tonality’ (read: annoyance) of the sound.

Despite its compact form, the German-manufactured HPR50 motor delivers a healthy 50Nm of torque and a peak power output of 300W. TQ claims this motor has the highest torque density on the market, while offering seamless power delivery with virtually no lag.

It’s bloody light too

According to TQ, the HPR50 motor weighs just 1.85kg. That’s lighter than Specialized’s SL 1.1 motor (1.95kg), Fazua’s Ride 60 motor (2.3kg), Shimano’s EP8 (2.6kg) and Bosch’s Performance CX (2.79kg).

To make the most of its weight advantage, the HPR50 motor is paired to a modest 360Wh battery. This is claimed to weigh 1.83kg, which is notably lighter than the 360Wh battery used in the Orbea Rise (2.2kg), and about the same weight as the Specialized Levo SL’s smaller 320Wh battery (1.8kg). The compact battery allows the downtube to be made much slimmer, which results in further weight savings.

Putting the motor and battery together, here’s how the total system weight compares between the new Fuel EXe and its two main competitors;

Trek Fuel EXe (50Nm motor & 360Wh battery) – 3.68kg
Specialized Levo SL (35Nm motor & 320Wh battery) – 3.75kg
Orbea Rise (60Nm motor & 360Wh battery) – 4.8kg

Unlike the Levo SL and the Rise, the Fuel EXe’s battery can be easily removed from the frame without having to drop out the motor. This means you can charge it in the bike, or separately if you don’t have a power point in your shed. Trek claims you can fully charge the battery in just two hours with a fast charger.

Trek will also be offering a 160Wh Range Extender battery that customers can purchase separately for $1,199 AUD. Boosting range by a claimed 40%, the piggyback battery is designed to fit into a standard water bottle cage with the addition of a built-in retention strap for security. Unfortunately the Range Extender battery won’t be available in Australia until late 2022 however.

Tidy, integrated display

Just like the Specialized Levo and Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay , the Trek Fuel EXe features a display that’s integrated directly into the top tube. This 2in O-LED screen forms the control hub for the bike, with a single button that turns the system on and off. This same button is then used to cycle through four pages that display key metrics including battery status, riding speed, average speed, rider power, motor power, and estimated range. Because of its integrated display, the Fuel EXe doesn’t have room for the Knock Block steering limiter, and so omits it entirely.

A discreet two button controller sits next to the left-hand grip, allowing you to toggle between the Eco, Mid and High assist settings. Holding the top button also engages the Walk mode, which delivers power to the rear wheel when you’re off the bike and pushing uphill.

Bluetooth and ANT+ capability allows the TQ system to pair with your GPS head unit and mobile phone. Further functions can be unlocked via the Trek Central app, which offers navigation and integration with third party apps. You can use the app to tune the motor’s assistance levels, and it’ll also provide you with tyre and suspension pressure recommendations if you’re using a TireWiz and AirWiz.

Geometry & mullet capability

Without a bulky motor getting in the way, there are few compromises forced upon the suspension layout and geometry of the Trek Fuel EXe. For example, the chainstay length sits at an impressive 440mm, which is quite short given the 29in rear wheel and 2.5in tyre clearance. Trek has also chosen to stick with conventional Boost hub spacing and a 55mm chainline, so there’s nothing funky in terms of standards.

With the Mino Link flip chip set in the Low position, the Fuel EXe features a 64.7° head angle, a 76.7° seat angle and a 38.5mm BB drop. In the High position those angles steepen by 0.5° and the BB lifts by almost 7mm.

In that same High setting, Trek also states that the Fuel EXe can be run as a mullet with a 27.5in rear wheel. This will affect the motor’s output and 25km/h cutoff point however, as there’s currently no way for users to adjust the rear wheel circumference in the TQ system.

Trek Fuel EXe price & specs

Globally, there will be six Trek Fuel EXe models offered for 2023. Only three of those models will be available in Australia, with prices starting at $9,499 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.5, and maxing out at $12,999 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

All Fuel EXe models make use of the same TQ-HPR50 motor, 360Wh battery and OCLV carbon frame. There will be no alloy models for the foreseeable future.

The bike we’ve been testing is the top-end Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS, which in the States will come with a staggering retail price of $13,999 USD (that’s approximately $20,000 AUD!). It features RockShox Ultimate-level suspension, Bontrager Line Pro carbon wheels, a one-piece RSL carbon bar and stem, a SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, Code RSC brakes and a Reverb AXS dropper post. While this model won’t be available in Australia, aside from the wireless bits the spec isn’t drastically different from the 9.8 XT. As usual though, our review won’t be focussing a whole lot on the individual components, but rather the important stuff that’s shared throughout the range; the frame, handling, suspension and drive system.

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon Fibre, ABP Suspension Design, 140mm Travel
Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, RT Damper, 205x60mm
Drive Unit | TQ-HPR50, 50Nm Peak Torque
Battery | TQ 360Wh
Wheels | Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Carbon Rims, 29mm Inner Width
Tyres | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.5in Front & Rear
Drivetrain | Shimano XT 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
Brakes | Shimano XT 4-Piston
Bar | Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm Rise, 820mm Width
Stem | Bontrager RSL Integrated, OCLV Carbon, 45mm Length
Seatpost | Bontrager Line Elite, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, Austentite Rails
Claimed Weight | 18.1kg
RRP | $12,999 AUD

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.7

Fork | Fox Rhythm 36, GRIP Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
Shock | Fox Float X, Performance Series, 2-Position Damper, 205x60mm
Wheels | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Alloy Rims, 29mm Inner Width
Tyres | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 2.5in Front & Rear
Drivetrain | Shimano SLX 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Race Alloy 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
Brakes | Shimano Deore 4-Piston
Bar | Bontrager Line, Alloy, 27.5mm Rise, 780mm Width
Stem | Bontrager Elite, 45mm Length
Seatpost | TranzX Dropper, 34.9mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M), 170mm (L-XL)
Claimed Weight | 19.05kg
RRP | $10,999 AUD

2023 Trek Fuel EXe 9.5

Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, Motion Control Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+, RT Damper, 205x60mm
Wheels | Bontrager Sealed Bearing Hubs & Alex MD35 Alloy Rims, 34mm Inner Width
Drivetrain | Shimano Deore 1×12 w/e*thirteen E*spec Plus 34T Crankset & 10-51T Cassette
Brakes | Shimano MT420 4-Piston
Bar | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, Alloy, 15mm Rise, 750mm Width
Stem | Bontrager Alloy, 50mm Length
Claimed Weight | 19.93kg
RRP | $9,499 AUD

Noise isn’t everything, but geez it’s nice when you’re on a quiet bike. And in this regard, the Fuel EXe sets a whole new benchmark that we expect other brands will attempt to follow over the coming few years.

Trek Fuel EXe sizing & fit

Deviating from the regular Fuel EX, which comes in six sizes, the Trek Fuel EXe will only be available in four. To suit our 175-178cm testers we chose the Medium, which features a 452mm reach.

We had few complaints with sizing, though the stock handlebars are comically wide at 820mm. Those were promptly chopped down to a more conventional 780mm width, which proved to be a better fit with the 45mm ‘virtual’ stem length.

While the big diameter seat tube is nice and short, the 150mm dropper post limited our freedom of movement when riding down steep descents and along jump trails. We’d prefer to see a 170-180mm dropper on a bike that’s as capable as this.

Otherwise the Fuel EXe cockpit is a comfortable place to be thanks to the agreeable Bontrager saddle and lock-on grips. The seat tube angle isn’t too steep, with neutral weight distribution that doesn’t put a load of pressure on your hands. There’s plenty of adjustability thanks to the long saddle rails for those who do want to shunt it forward for a more aggressive climbing position.

Where the Fuel EXe definitely feels like an e-MTB is in its Q-Factor. Although the TQ-HPR50 motor is very compact, the fat e*13 carbon crank arms see the pedalling width blow out considerably. We measured the Q-Factor at 195mm, which is wider than any other e-MTB we’ve tested, and around 20mm wider than a regular mountain bike. Many riders will be unfazed by the difference, and indeed the wider stance can improve your overall stability on the bike. However, flat pedal riders will need to be wary when riding through deep ruts, and those with sensitive knees may simply find the Q-Factor to be too wide for comfort.

Suspension setup

The rear shock on the Trek Fuel EXe is designed to be run with 30% sag, a process that’s made easy thanks to the anodised gradients on the RockShox Super Deluxe.

Jose Gonzalez of Trek’s Suspension Lab explained to us that the Fuel EXe does have a slightly lower leverage rate compared to the regular Fuel EX, and the rear shock has been valved with a medium compression tune. The aim here is to provide more support to handle the additional weight of the battery and motor. Because of the greater damping forces generated by the shock, we trended towards having the compression adjusters backed off from the neutral setting. High-speed was set at minus two clicks (fully open) and the low-speed dial was set at minus one click. Rebound was set a couple of clicks faster than halfway to suit our 68-75kg testers.

Up front is the new 2023 RockShox Lyrik that features the new DebonAir+ spring and Charger 3 damper. RockShox recommends an extra 10psi for this fork when it’s fitted to an e-MTB, but we found this pressure to be too high when paired with the highly supportive Charger 3 damper. We ended up running 10psi less than recommended on the chart, set the rebound on the faster side, ran the high-speed compression at minus one click, and set the low-speed adjuster a few clicks lighter than neutral.

Trek Fuel EXe weight

Confirmed weight for our Trek Fuel EXe XX1 AXS test bike is 18.6kg, weighed without pedals and with the tyres set up tubeless.

That’s an impressive weight for a full suspension e-MTB, especially when you factor in the aggressive Bontrager tyres, powerful brakes and piggyback shock. Still, it’s not quite as light as some of its competitors;

Specialized Levo SL Expert – 17.84kg
Orbea Rise M10 – 18.38kg
Trek Fuel EXe XX1 AXS – 18.6kg
Specialized Kenevo SL Expert – 19.12kg

When you consider that the Fuel EXe is the only bike in that list with carbon wheels and crank arms, as well as a one-piece cockpit, its weight becomes a little less impressive. Given that the Fuel EXe supposedly has the lightest drive system out of the lot, we suspect some of the additional weight is found in the frame itself. That’s no bad thing, especially if it equates to having a stiffer and more robust chassis.

What does the Trek Fuel EXe do well?

When riding the Trek Fuel EXe the first thing you notice, or more accurately don’t notice, is just how quiet the TQ-HPR50 motor is. No doubt about it, this is easily the quietest e-MTB we’ve ever ridden.

The overall decibel output is low, and the motor’s pitch is significantly less prominent than other motors we’ve ridden. Rather than droning or whining, the TQ-HPR50 motor emits a more discreet sound that’s a bit like a gentle breeze whistling through the trees. Furthermore, there’s no annoying clacking noise on the descents like you’ll find with the latest Shimano and Bosch drive units. The TQ motor does feature an integrated freewheel that allows the drive wheel to disengage from the cranks to minimise drag, but despite this we couldn’t detect any obvious noise when descending on rocky trails.

Indeed the motor and chassis are well damped, with very little vibration or rattling present. While riding back-to-back with our Canyon Spectral:ON test bike, which features a cavernous downtube and a Shimano EP8 motor, the difference in trail noise was stark. Noise isn’t everything, but geez it’s nice when you’re on a quiet bike. And in this regard, the Fuel EXe sets a whole new benchmark that we expect other brands will attempt to follow over the coming few years.

Initially the muted motor gave the illusion of providing us with less assistance. This is because the power delivery is less obvious than a louder, whinier motor. However, a glance at our average riding speeds had us soon correcting that illusion.

Of course there’s not as much punch compared to the bigger 85-90Nm motors on the market, which is to be expected. During our standardised range test (more on that below), climbing speeds aboard the Fuel EXe hovered around 14km/h, compared to 18km/h on an EP8-equipped bike. This means you’ll be working harder on the Fuel EXe if all your pals are riding on full-powered e-MTBs.

Still, if you only ever ride singletrack aboard your e-MTB in the Eco or Trail assist settings, the TQ motor is likely to meet your needs. This will especially be the case for lighter and fitter riders, who will find the 50Nm output to be just about perfect for trail riding.

Well-damped suspension & no-fuss handling

It isn’t just the motor that’s quiet either, with the Trek Fuel EXe delivering a nicely damped ride quality that’s complemented by the distinct lack of any slurping noises from the fork’s new Charger 3 damper.

The carbon chassis feels stout and reliable, with no hint of twisting or excessive flex under load. It somehow manages to achieve this sensation without feeling harsh or pingy, and instead offers an accommodating platform that allows you to push it quite hard without fear of being punished for less calculated line choices.

The top-notch suspension plays into this beautifully when you’re smashing down rowdy descents. The Lyrik’s mid-stroke is particularly good, offering a heap of support with plenty of big hit damping control that encourages you to let off the brakes when gravity takes over.

While the suspension is good, it’s worth acknowledging that the Fuel EXe is not as plush as the Rail. Along with its lower overall weight, it can’t monster-truck down wide-open terrain like the Rail can.

The Fuel EXe takes the upper hand as the trail gets squigglier though, with less exaggeration required from your handling inputs. The smaller and shorter battery puts less weight up towards the head tube, helping to centralise and lower the bike’s centre of mass. Combined with the stout frame, there’s very little understeer present with the Fuel EXe. Compared to bigger and heavier e-MTBs, it never feels like it’s trying to push wide or ride away from you.

The excellent handling and weight distribution makes the Fuel EXe an easier bike to ride for less experienced riders. For more advanced pilots, the Fuel EXe delivers a thoroughly involving ride quality. Yes it’s still an 18kg bike, but it’s far more playful than the heavier Rail, with the shorter chainstays helping to encourage front wheel popping shenanigans.

It dips into corners without requiring constant persuasion, and it takes to the air well too, maintaining a steady trajectory without making you feel like you’re an unwilling passenger. There’s a heap of support from the suspension for soaking up ill-timed landings when things do go awry, with the shock’s Hydraulic Bottom Out ramping up the travel in the final 20% of the stroke. While the O-ring indicated we’d used full travel on many occasions, not once were we able to detect it while riding.

What does it struggle with?

Though the progressive RockShox suspension on the Trek Fuel EXe offers bucketloads of high-speed control, it does feel quite aggressively damped on smaller chatter. This is more so the case with the new Lyrik, which hasn’t amazed us with its small-bump compliance, transmitting more feedback through to our hands.

The fork on our test bike has improved noticeably over the first dozen rides as the seals and bushings have bedded in, and there’s no denying the incredible support and control that the Charger 3 damper brings. However, the Fuel EXe hasn’t exactly delivered a cloud-like ride quality, certainly not compared to the floaty Spectral:ON we’ve been testing alongside it. For this reason, we’d be curious to try out the Fuel EXe 9.7 to see whether its Fox suspension package brings about a more supple ride.

We’ll point out that heavier and more aggressive riders may not encounter the same experience as us. And it has to be said that the damping support does make the Fuel EXe a highly responsive and rewarding bike to ride. Still, those eager for the cushiest ride on the chunkiest of terrain will likely be better served by the Rail.

Overall we’ve been impressed by the usable and natural-feeling support from the TQ-HPR50 motor. It doesn’t spike or surge, offering a nicely progressive power band that makes it predictable and easy to modulate on tricky climbs. The 25km/h cutoff point is about as seamless it gets, and because the motor is so quiet, it’s difficult to tell when the motor has disengaged from the cranks.

It took us a few rides to get used to though, as it can occasionally lag before the power starts to come on. Spinning a lower gear at a slightly higher cadence seems to be its preferred input, though we’ve not found it to be as adept at responding to rapid changes in RPM compared to some other e-MTB motors.

There are options to tune the TQ motor via the Trek Central app, which allows you to tweak the pedal response, assist factor and the maximum power of each of the three settings. Unfortunately the app hasn’t been available prior to the Fuel EXe’s public launch, so we’re yet to play around with those tuning options. We’ll be exploring more of that functionality over the coming weeks of riding.

What range can you get with the Trek Fuel EXe?

Depending on the terrain, most of our rides on the Trek Fuel EXe have typically racked up 1,000-1,300m of elevation gain over a distance of 30-38km. We’ve mostly utilised the Mid power setting, which strikes a nice balance for general trail riding.

It’s been mighty helpful having the battery status displayed as a percentage, and the remaining ride time and range estimations have proven to be surprisingly accurate. When you do get down to the final 10% on the battery, the motor’s power output automatically lowers a few notches to help conserve what’s left. It doesn’t totally limp home though, retaining a usable level of support all the way down to 0%. When you have finally cooked the goose, the lack of drag through the TQ motor means it’s not an awful experience to ride the Fuel EXe on human power alone.

To see how the Fuel EXe’s efficiency compares directly to some of the other e-MTBs we’ve reviewed, we subjected it to our standardised range test. This involves the same rider pedalling up a road climb with a 10% average grade, with the motor set to its most powerful setting, before bombing back down a singletrack descent. The idea is to see how much elevation, and how many laps each bike can rack up on a single charge, while keeping the variables as constant as possible.

Here’s how the Fuel EXe faired in our range test;

Norco Sight VLT (Shimano EP8, 900Wh Battery) – 2,478m climbing (12.8 runs)
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay (Dyname 4.0, 720Wh Battery) – 2,108m climbing (10.9 runs)
Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 (Bosch Gen 4, 625Wh Battery) – 1,800m climbing (9.3 runs)
Canyon Spectral:ON (Shimano EP8, 630Wh Battery) – 1,570m climbing (8 runs)
Orbea Rise (Shimano EP8-RS, 360Wh Battery) – 1,388m climbing (7.2 runs)
Specialized Levo SL (SL 1.1, 320Wh Battery) – 1,377m climbing (7.1 runs)
Trek Fuel EXe (TQ-HPR50, 360Wh Battery) – 1,312m climbing (6.8 runs)
Specialized Kenevo SL (SL 1.1, 320Wh Battery) – 1,053m climbing (5.5 runs)

As you can tell by those figures, the Fuel EXe managed to achieve considerably more range than the Kenevo SL, and not just because it has a larger capacity battery. The Fuel EXe is also lighter, comes fitted with faster-rolling tyres and features a more efficient suspension platform.

It didn’t get quite as much as the Levo SL however, and there are reasons for that. The 35Nm output of the Levo SL’s motor is naturally less demanding in terms of its fuel requirements, since it delivers a slower average riding speed. This makes the Fuel EXe a noticeably quicker bike on the climbs, which isn’t accounted for in our range test data.

Given the Orbea Rise has the same capacity battery as the Fuel EXe and a more powerful motor on paper, how did it achieve more range? The simple explanation is the tyres. The Rise M10 we tested was fitted with a lighter and much faster rolling Maxxis Dissector and Rekon tyre combo, which likely accounts for the difference.

Of course it’d be possible to get more range out of the Fuel EXe by fitting lower profile tyres, and you can also utilise the lower assist settings to reduce power consumption. Once the Range Extender batteries are available, Fuel EXe owners will have the opportunity to boost range by up to 40%, which will see it get closer to some of those bigger capacity e-MTBs.

2023 trek fuel exe 9.9 xx1 axs range extender battery

Component highs & lows

As mentioned earlier, we won’t be dwelling on the components of our Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS test bike. And truth be told, there’s not a lot to be said about the ultra high-end build kit that we haven’t discussed before.

We’ve largely ignored the TireWiz and AirWiz gizmos to begin with, partly because we’ve been experimenting with tyre and suspension setup. However, we’ll be delving more into their functionality now that we have access to the Trek Central app that pairs with the sensors to provide live readings and recommendations.

2023 trek fuel exe 9.9 xx1 axs bontrager se5

It is worth touching on the new Bontrager SE5 tyres, which are spec’d on each Fuel EXe model. These 2.5in wide tyres feature a Minion DHR II-inspired tread pattern and a dual compound mix that combines a firmer 61a rubber in the centre tread, and softer 50a rubber for the cornering blocks. They’re built upon the Core Strength casing, which combines sidewall protection with a sub-tread reinforcement for puncture protection. The result is a solid, durable and well-damped tyre that isn’t overly stiff on the trail, while also feeling predictable across a broad range of surfaces. They’re decent all-rounders, though they aren’t as tacky as a Maxxis 3C compound or a Specialized T9 tyre. If this were our bike, we’d likely be fitting something softer up front for a little more bite.

There have been some mild annoyances on our test bike, like the rattling thru-axle lever at the rear dropout. Thankfully this lever can be removed, though you do lose its handy 6mm hex key. That didn’t matter too much as the fork’s steerer tube comes loaded with a Bontrager BITS multi-tool inside. The tool can be a bit tricky to remove, and we also found the bits have a habit of coming loose, allowing them to rattle around inside the steerer. Once tightened up, the Fuel EXe returned to its blissfully silent state.

We love how the TQ display sits flush with the top tube, though it’d be nice to see a clock offered on one of the data screens. The option to display cadence would also be useful, especially while getting accustomed to the TQ motor’s output. The controller offers a nice tactile platform with an audible, yet discreet ‘beep’ whenever you switch assist levels. However, accessing the Walk mode requires you to constantly press down the top button with your thumb, which is awkward when you’re holding onto the bars and pushing the bike up a steep and slippery incline.

Otherwise all the electrics on the Fuel EXe have proven to be totally functional. Being able to easily remove the battery will be a welcome feature for anyone who needs to charge it separately to where the bike is stored, and we like that the main charge port is located high up on the downtube where it’s protected by a thick rubber plug. Internally there’s also an automatic lock built into the main battery’s connector, basically eliminating any chance of the cable coming loose while bouncing down the trail. Sure they’re only small details, but they’re also clear signs of a well-considered design.

Trek Fuel EXe vs Specialized Levo SL vs Orbea Rise

Over the past year we’ve spent a load of time aboard two of the Trek Fuel EXe’s main rivals; the Specialized Levo SL and Orbea Rise. So how do these bikes compare?

Specialized Levo SL

Specialized launched the Levo SL at the start of 2020, which shows just how far behind Trek and most other brands have been. No, the Levo SL wasn’t the first lightweight e-MTB to hit the market, but it is the bike that has legitimised the category.

The Levo SL is built around the SL 1.1 motor, which you’ll also find in the Kenevo SL and the Creo e-Road bike. This motor dishes out 35Nm of peak torque, making it considerably less powerful compared to the TQ motor in the Fuel EXe. It’s also much noisier, emitting an annoyingly whiny pitch that takes a while for the rider to tune out. However, the SL 1.1 motor does offer more intuitive power delivery, and it’s also better at handling high-cadence pedalling spurts.

In terms of ride quality, the Levo SL delivers noticeably plusher and more active suspension performance, which makes it a comfortable bike to pedal over choppy terrain. It does have 10mm more travel at the rear, though the suspension kinematic and shock tune also feels lighter compared to the Fuel EXe. We have found it easier to bottom out the Levo SL, and the sensation is harsh with the Float DPX2 shock.

The Levo SL’s handling is nice and lively, though the front-end steering is a little light with the 51mm fork offset, resulting in some twitchiness at speed. In comparison the Fuel EXe feels better balanced across a range of riding speeds thanks to its solid chassis and well-damped suspension. It’s no doubt the more modern bike of the two, making the two year-old Levo SL feel a little outdated.

It also has to be said that the Fuel EXe kills it on value compared to the Levo SL. The Levo SL Expert we tested features a Fox 36 GRIP2 fork and Float DPX2 shock, alloy Roval wheels, a SRAM GX/X01 drivetrain and Code RS brakes. In comparison, the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT gets a similar level of suspension albeit with a Shimano XT groupset, carbon wheels, carbon cranks and a one-piece carbon cockpit. Despite featuring a higher-end spec, the Fuel EXe sells for $2,100 AUD less , making for a far more appealing package.

The Orbea Rise arrived not long after the Levo SL at the tail-end of 2020, though it took a slightly different tact by taking an off-the-shelf Shimano EP8 motor and de-tuning it to reduce the peak torque output to 60Nm. Orbea also developed its own ‘RS’ firmware for the Japanese motor, which aimed to provide a more natural feel to the power delivery while improving efficiency. This was then paired to a smaller 360Wh battery and a gorgeously svelte carbon frame to deliver complete bike weights from as low as 16.2kg.

The more sensibly-spec’d Rise M10 we tested came in at 18.38kg, though it was fitted with lightweight Maxxis tyres that felt somewhat out of place. With more appropriate rubber, the Rise would likely come in at a similar weight to the Fuel EXe.

While value for money from Orbea is better than Specialized, it’s still not as impressive as the Fuel EXe. The Rise M10 comes with blingy Factory Series Fox suspension, a Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain and alloy Race Face wheels, but sells for two grand more than the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT.

On the trail the Rise is a closer match to the Fuel EXe. The geometry is pretty similar, though the Rise chassis doesn’t feel quite as stout when being pushed hard. This also comes down to the steeper head angle (65.5° vs 64.7°), and it’s also due to the suspension, which is marginally more sensitive off-the-top. It delivers terrific traction and a comfortable ride quality, though it’s not as supportive as the Fuel EXe.

Speaking of suspension, we wouldn’t be opposed to seeing both the Rise and Fuel EXe equipped with 150mm of rear travel like the Levo SL. Sure these are lightweight e-MTBs, but travel is travel, and we’re still talking about 18+kg bikes that are capable of going very fast on rough terrain. That said, any increase might see them encroaching too far into the territory of their bigger travel, full-powered siblings (the Wild FS and Rail).

We found there to be terrific power on tap from the Rise’ EP8-RS motor, and the E-Tube app allows you to tweak the acceleration response and assistance character of each setting, depending on how you want the power to come on. The stock tune works mighty well though, with the Rise being an efficient performer that feels natural and intuitive on the trail, with just a fraction more punch available for scaling crux features on a technical climb.

As mentioned earlier, the Shimano EP8 drive unit is much noisier than the Fuel EXe’s TQ motor, which is basically silent in comparison – both on the climbs and on the descents. We also prefer the clean integration of the TQ system, with its bright and easy-to-read top tube display. The standard display on the Rise is a rather austere junction box that features a couple of tiny LEDs. You can upgrade this to the Shimano EM800 display for an additional fee, though it comes with additional wires that add clutter to the cockpit. It’s plenty functional, just not as tidy as the Fuel EXe.

Flow’s Verdict

The Trek Fuel EXe is a terrific example of just how far e-MTB technology has come. Not only is it a fantastic looking bike that’s low on bulk, it also manages to deliver a load of performance out of an impressively lightweight package.

The unique TQ motor is stunningly quiet, and for many riders its 50Nm output will be ideal. Heavier folks and those chasing maximum power with maximum range will still be better served by the Rail and is full-powered Bosch motor. The Rail also features a plusher ride quality that suits brainless bombing down the roughest descents.

In comparison the Fuel EXe is a more involving bike to ride, and it rewards an active pilot that seeks to work and play with the terrain. It’s responsive and fun to ride on twisty singletrack, with the sort of on-point handling and geometry that we expect we’ll be seeing in the next generation Fuel EX.

While the suspension isn’t buttery smooth over smaller chatter, it does produce a heap of support and incredible control at higher speeds. Along with the stout chassis, the Fuel EXe exhibits a well-damped ride quality that shrugs off the big hits and awkward landings despite not having a tonne of travel.

Indeed for those riders who are looking for that hallowed middle-ground between a regular mountain bike and an e-MTB, the Fuel EXe presents one of the most compelling options to date.

Submit for Review
Terms & Conditions

Enjoy reading this?

Get similar articles delivered directly to your inbox

REVIEWING THE NEW TREK FUEL EXE EMTB

Ebike light redefined.

Words by Drew Rohde Photos and Video by Brian Niles/Treeline Cinematic

THE WOLF’S FIRST IMPRESSION

As with all our Dissected Features, this project was made in collaboration with Trek and is not intended to be an endorsement or full-on product review. We’ve only got about 45 miles on Trek’s Fuel EXe eBike so far and look forward to lots more before we report back for a long-term review.

That being said, this eMTB shows great promise with the few riders who’ve tried it so far having a good time, and we can’t wait to pass it around our whole crew. Now that we’ve got some initial miles on it, we’ll be trimming down the bars and going with a 160mm fork upgrade to get a slightly slacker head tube and some more travel for our type of riding.

Standout features from the get-go include the near instantaneous drive unit engagement, and blissful silence. Whether you’re starting on flat ground or if you’ve bobbled on a techy hill climb and want to restart, the cranks instantly engage. It’s like riding a hub with instant engagement versus a cheaper hub that has several degrees of play before spinning the drivetrain. As far as how loud the bike is, we’re not acoustics experts, but that “Barely Perceivable” rating seems about right. For 90% of our climbing time, we didn’t hear the motor over the sound of our tires on the ground. Only on the steepest of pitches could we hear a little bit of sound, and what we did hear was not nearly as high pitched or electrical sounding as other eMTBs. We hope it stays that way as we ride the bike more, but time will tell.

We are a bit concerned as to how we’ll adapt to the range of the smaller battery as we admitted earlier, since we are huge fans of Boost, or Turbo mode riding. At one of our favorite spots to test and film, we found that a Boost ride quickly put us in the red and left us with significantly less downhills than the Trek Rail we have. Of course, at 40lbs, the Fuel EXe is a whole lot lighter and more playful than the Rail too, so you do get that benefit to offset the reduced range. Perhaps we’ll have to adjust to dropping power and riding a bit slower on the climbs again until those range extenders come into stock.

If you’re not a full-boost rider and you prefer a lighter bike, with a natural feel and just a little bit of assistance to help take the edge off, then this bike is likely going to be at the top of your list. That increased agility compared with a full fat eMTB is notable and the reduced fatigue when working the bike hard through undulations or tight and techy terrain is greatly appreciated. So far It has proved to be capable of being ridden hard and into terrain far beyond what you’d expect a 140mm bike to feel confident on too. That said, we think a bump up to a 160mm fork is going to level this bike up even further, so we’re excited to make that happen and see what the Fuel EXe is truly capable of.

Though we may sound a little negative about the eBike light category as a whole, after our initial review and film rides, the Trek’s Fuel EXe has our whole crew excited. If things hold up and the bike stays as solid and quiet as it is right now, this bike could truly be the new standard for the eBike Light category. Stay tuned for a long-term review of the Fuel Exe in the coming months, and head to trekbikes.com now to pick yours up if you’ve heard enough.

TREK FUEL EXe 9.5

Price: $6,499.99

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm travel Fork: RockShox 35 Gold RL DebonAir spring | 150mm travel Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT | 205mm x 60mm

Drive Unit: TQ HPR50 | 50nm Battery: TQ 360Wh Controller: TQ OLED display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity

Handlebar: Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy | 15mm rise, 750mm width Stem: Bontrager alloy, Blendr compatible | 7 degree, 50mm length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, steel rails Seatpost: TranzX | 170mm travel | 34.9mm

Rims: Alex MD35 | Tubeless Compatible Hubs: Bontrager Alloy Tires: Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

Derailleur: Shimano Deore M6100, long cage Shifter: Shimano Deore M6100, 12 speed Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 34T | 165mm length Cassette: Shimano Deore M6100 | 10-51 | 12 speed Chain: Shimano Deore M6100 | 12 speed Brakes: Shimano MT420

TREK FUEL EXe 9.7

Price: $8,099

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: Fox Rhythm 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper | 150mm Shock: Fox Performance Float X | 205mm x 60mm

Handlebar: Bontrager Line Alloy | 27.5mm rise, 780mm width Stem: Bontrager Elite | 0 degree, 45mm length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, Austenite Rails Seatpost: TranzX | 170mm travel | 34.9mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Comp 30 | Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 Shifter: Shimano SLX M7100 Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race alloy, 34T | 170mm Cassette: Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51 | 12 speed Chain: Shimano SLX M7100 | 12 speed Brakes: Shimano M6120

TREK FUEL EXe 9.8 XT & GX AXS Options

Price: $9,199.99 (XT) | $10,999 (GX AXS)

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper | 150mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT | 205mm x 60mm

Bar/Stem Combo: Bontrager RSL OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width, 45mm stem length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, Austenite Rails Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite Dropper | 200mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

XT DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 Shifter: Shimano XT M8100 Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: Shimano XT M8100 | 10-51, 12 speed Chain: Shimano Ultegra/XT M8100 Brakes: Shimano XT M8120

GX AXS DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Shifter: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: SRAM Eagle XG-1275 | 10-52, 12 speed Chain: SRAM GX Eagle Brakes: SRAM Code R

TREK FUEL EXe 9.9 XTR & XX1 AXS Options

Price: $12,999 (XTR) | $13,999 (XX1 AXS)

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon | 140mm Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, AirWiz, DebonAir spring, Charger 3 RC2 damper | 150mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate AirWiz, RCT2 damper | 205mm x 60mm

Bar/Stem Combo: Bontrager RSL OCLV Carbon, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width, 45mm stem length Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Pro, Carbon rails Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite Dropper | 200mm

Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready Tires: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″

XTR DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: Shimano XTR M9100 Shifter: Shimano XTR M9100 Shadow Plus Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: Shimano XTR M9101 | 10-51 Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR M9100 Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120

XX1 AXS DRIVETRAIN Derailleur: SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS Shifter: SRAM Eagle AXS Crankset: E*thirteen E*spec Race Carbon, 34T | 165mm Cassette: SRAM Eagle XG-1299 | 10-52 Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle Brakes: SRAM Code RSC

Cycling Magazine

Long-term review: Trek Fuel EXe shifts the standard for eMTB

Nearly silent and so fun to ride.

Electric mountain bikes are rapidly maturing, in design and technology. When Trek launched the EXe, the lightweight eMTB with its TQ motor represented a big step forward in what was possible for the electric category.

I was really impressed with the EXe out of the gates. After spending several months on Trek’s new bike, that hasn’t faded in the slightest. Here’s what makes the EXe so great, where it could improve as well as what to expect – and what not to expect – from this lightweight eMTB.

We covered a lot of details about what set this eMTB apart when the EXe launched and there is a lot to cover in the review. So for details on the bike, hit the launch . For details on how it rides – which, really, is the important part – read on.

Review: Trek Fuel EXe

The EXe follows the design of Trek’s new Fuel EX closely. Very closely. Or, rather, leads that design, since it was released first. Both bikes feature 140mm of rear wheel travel with 150mm front suspension, modern (slack, low, long reach) geometry, but with efficient suspension that keeps the bikes quick and snappy on the trail. The ability to run a 27.5″ rear wheel with the 29″ front gives the option to make the bikes even more playful in corners and controlled on steeps. The main difference, other than a drive unit, is that the EXe only has a Mino-Link while the EX has several other geometry adjustments.

Honestly, the EXe is really fun to ride. It’s quicker and nimbler than any other eMTB I’ve ridden. It is way closer to the easy movement and balanced weight of a full-powered mountain bike than any electric bike on the market right now. You don’t have to hit the gym before you ride if you want to pull the front end up for mid-trail manuals. You can actually move the back end around with ease, instead of forethought and effort. Basically, all the skills you have on a normal mountain bike transfer over with little to minimal adjustments. You just also get a motor. One that is so small, it sometimes took people a while to realize I was on an eMTB.

There's a motor hiding behine that drivetrain.

A slightly wider downtube isthe only other hint that the EXe is hiding a drive system

Trek also launched an updated Central app to customize the TQ system. . Photo: Sterling Lorence

TQ HPR50: The little motor that could

The heart of Trek’s EXe is TQ’s HRP50 system. The German brand takes a completely different approach to motor design for bikes and it changes the game. It doesn’t render larger motors irrelevant, but it makes a different kind of bike possible. To start with, the harmonic pin ring transmission is light. The motor weighs just 1.85kg and, with a 360Wh battery and controls, the entire system weighs just 3.9kg.

TQ’s HRP50 is also much smaller. Small enough that, when I ran into other riders in the woods, it often took them a while to notice I was on an electric bike. The wider downtube on the EXe is more of a giveaway, really, than the diminutive HRP50.

Finally, the harmonic pin ring transmission design is quiet and smooth. Really, the only downside, compared to traditional eMTB at least, is that it only carries 50Nm of torque. For many, though, that will be all the support you need, or want, from a mountain bike.

Sound of silence

I don’t need a fancy graph or sciencey words like “tonality” to tell you that the EXe is quiet. It’s barely perceptible unless you’re in the highest support mode. Even then, it’s quiet. That’s when I was riding the bike for review purposes, so I was intently focusing trying to hear the bike. I verified that it was actually quiet by riding with a few analog friends. They confirmed they rarely noticed any noise coming from the motor.

Sounds that are louder than the motor include, but are not limited to: the tires, when rolling on basically any surface; the Line Pro 30 hubs freewheeling; the AXS shifting; the sound of wind in your helmet; casual conversation. Bottom line, the TQ HRP50 does make a noise, but you have to be paying attention to notice it.

Power and poise

The TQ doesn’t just sound good, though. It feels good to ride. Every rider will have a different idea of what a “natural” assist feels like, but the TQ tops the ranks in my books. It’s far and away better than any other drive unit when pedalling out of the saddle, delivering smooth and consistent power without surges. That’s the same for pedalling seated. The HRP50 comes on smooth and tapers off in a way that feels similar to how you would lose speed on a normal bike. The power engages quickly, but without any of the jolt or kick of some higher-powered motors. With 50Nm of torque, you’ll still have to put in some effort to get the EXe up steeper grades, of course. But on all but the steepest trails, its an impressively smooth support that makes you feel like a fitter rider, not feel like you’re riding a mini-moto.

The only minor issue I had with the motor’s performance came when, during the odd time spinning the cranks through tight corners but not actually putting power down, it would stutter as it re-engaged. It would still engage just fine, but a half-second later than expected. This wasn’t every time, and it didn’t happen when I coasted or when I kept power on through the corner, but something about spinning the cranks seemed to confuse the system slightly.

All in all, the way TQ’s drive unit works doesn’t just feel better, it makes technical riding easier. You don’t have to factor in when and how the motor will engage as you approach a root or rock move.

Hardwired wireless AXS shifting.

Rock Shox Super Deluxe Ultimate AirWiz shock keeps the EXe tracking smooth.

Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon fibre wheels with built-in TireWiz pressure gauges

Rock Shox Lyric Ultimate with AirWiz

Bontrager RSL integrated carbon fibre bar-stem looks sharp, especially with the wireless set-up.

Trek EXe 9.9 AXS

Trek pulls no punches for the top-end EXe. There’s a few curiosities and fancy features exclusive to the 9.9 AXS. Most notably, the wired SRAM AXS rear derailleur. While there’s something ironic about adding a wire to a wireless derailleur, I’ll admit I loved having it automatically charge when I charged the main battery. The trade-off is that the bike needs to be turned on to shift at all. So if you run out of juice, or just want to shift down the cassette to take a wheel off, you need some power. The Rock Shox Reverb AXS, though, still uses its own battery.

Trek equips the 9.9 AXS with its carbon fibre RSL bar-stem combo and the carbon fiber Line Pro 30 wheels. In combination with the stout EXe frame, it is a very rigid build. This is great when you’re carving manicured berms. But I found it overly harsh, to the point of being tiring, on any sort of sustained rough trails. Switching out the bars or the wheels to more forgiving options helped take just enough of the edge off (I tried both, in various combinations. We Are One’s Convert wheels were just forgiving enough to balance out the EXe for my personal preferences) making the 9.9 a rocket ship, but one that I could control.

There are also TireWiz and ShockWiz gadgets built into the Line Pro 30 rims and the RockShox suspension. I’m neither here nor there on that feature. If you like it and use it, great. I’m not that particular, or that irregular with checking pressures, that I ever found it useful. But the Wiz’s didn’t cause any problems during the test period, either.

The only difficulty I had with the EXe was that, eventually, some bolts holding the TQ motor did eventually loosen off. That is with a complete lack of service or maintenance over weeks of hard riding, though. So the minimum of regular maintenance should prevent that from becoming an issue at all.

All this comes in for a shocking $18,300. That is comparable to what other top-end eMTB are going for but still a lot of money. If you don’t have that kind of scratch kicking around, the EXe 9.5, at $8,400, still features a carbon fibre frame and TQ’s mini motor.

Trek Fuel EXe review - TQ black-and-white display showing battery life

Lightweight eMTBs – Battery life, power, weight: choose two

There’s an old saying in mountain biking: “Light weight, durable, inexpensive: choose two.” The idea is that you can’t have everything you want, for free. A modified version for lightweight eMTB would be “Range, power, weight: choose two.” (Because, well, there’s no lightweight eMTB’s that could be reasonably described as “inexpensive,” yet). With the EXe, Trek deliver’s on weight and sacrifices a little on power and weight. Depending on how you like to ride, this bike either hits the sweet spot or leaves something to be desired.

Personally, I really like where Trek landed. It gets you enough support for a reasonably big ride – more than I’d do every day. It has enough power that you can get a lot more out of your ride, without feeling like it does everything for you. And, most importantly, it feels more like a mountain bike than an electric bike than any other eMTB I’ve ridden at this point.

Range anxiety and riding with friends: where does a lightweight eMTB fit in?

To stick with the dime store philosophy, my family has a saying passed down (repeatedly) by one uncle in particular: “You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.” What does that have to do with mountain bikes? Well, the mid-power, mid-range of the EXe might, depending on your friends, change group ride dynamics. Because you can pick your friends and how you ride, but you can’t pick how they ride. And you definitely can’t stop a friend on a full-power eMTB from hitting turbo mode and dropping you on a climb.

The problem is similar to the problem with all ebikes: one of power differences. Since lightweight eMTB’s are still relatively new, they’re also sort of exclusive. Can you ride with full-power e-friends? Or analog buddies? The answer to both is “it depends.”

Trek’s EXe is the first eMTB that is still exciting to ride with unassisted friends. Turn down the power to match the unassisted pace of your buddy and it isn’t quite like riding without a motor, but the feeling is actually really close. Just a bit easier. And, of course, it’s really quiet. Point downhill, and the sensations are, again, really close to what your freind is riding. That, on its own, will be exciting to any eMTB converts that have struggled riding with analog friends.

Riding with full-power eMTB is a different beast. If your friends are nice, you can keep up fine, but just won’t be able to cover the same distance. If your friends are a bunch of bros that just want to blast up the fireroad or steepest trail around to get to the top as fast as possible, you’re going to struggle to keep up. Either way, you’re going to be experiencing some “range anxiety” as you watch the EXe’s power bar deplete before full-battery friends even start thinking about conserving fuel. So, pick your friends wisely, because you can’t pick how they’ll ride.

That’s not to say the EXe doesn’t have enough range. It just doesn’t have the over-the-top range of some modern eMTB. With a 360Wh battery, Trek supplies enough juice to get through rides that would be big efforts without the assist. Exact range will vary by terrain and rider, of course. But, at roughly 80kg, I’d get over 1,000m out of a charge, regularly using full-power. After learning to work with the TQ a bit better, I could regularly get more.

That is a long-winded answer, admittedly, but it’s a question I think a lot of riders will be asking before pulling the trigger on a newer line of eMTB.

Conclusions: Trek EXe and TQ shift the standard for lightweight eMTB

Trek has done an excellent job with the EXe, designing a mid-travel trail bike that fully takes advantage of the opportunities TQ’s small-but-powerful HPR50 creates. The EXe is capable of taking on all kinds of challenging trails, but its also light and snappy enough, for an eMTB, to be fun on a really wide range of trails.

I rode this bike a lot, over a long period and in a wide range of different places. And certainly a wider range of trail types than I’d usually take a full power eMTB on. That is, in part, because it made a wider range of trails fun. Since it is lighter, more maneuverable and more playful, the EXe is more fun on lower-angle, tighter trails than heavier bikes.

Trek’s also made it durable. This bike went through a week straight of big days in the Okanagan and, other than needing to tighten down a few bolts and a scratch to the paint, it came away clean.

The result was that it made the choice between pedaling and taking the assist a lot harder because, well, I knew it would feel more like a mountain bike when I wanted it to. Sure, I had to learn to live with a little range anxiety. Easily worth the trade-off for the performance of the EXe and TQ combo.

Trek EXe 9.9 AXS retails for $18,300 at Trek stores and online through Trekbikes.com .

Email address: *
Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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.

Professional Assembly

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

30 Day Unconditional Guarantee

If for any reason you aren't 100% happy with your trekbikes.com purchase, you can return it in like new condition within 30 days - no questions asked.

TIME Best Inventions of 2023

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 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 pedaling. 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 sucky. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. Trek’s Fuel EX’s handling is dialed, 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

Trek Fuel EXe stealthily packs tiny TQ-HPR50 Motor into 140mm Trail eMTB

trek fuel exe 140mm emtb trail bike with tq-hpr50 motor

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Trek has announced the all-new Fuel EXe, a lightweight eMTB incarnation of their 140mm trail bike that packs a 50Nm punch of pedal assistance. “Where is the motor?”, I hear you exclaim. I know, right… It doesn’t even look like an eBike. A partnership with Bavaria-based electrical engineering company, TQ (Technologie in Qualität), has afforded Trek exclusive use (for now) of the new TQ-HPR50 eBike motor, allowing them to create one of the stealthiest eMTBs we’ve ever seen.

Weighing a claimed 3.9 kg for the Motor System and its 360 Wh battery, the TQ-HPR50 is the lightest eBike system in its class, and boasts the highest torque density of any eBike motor on the market today. Peak power is 300 Watts. You can read lots more about TQ, their TQ-HPR50 Motor and the technology inside it, here .

Now, we take a look at the World’s first eMTB to house the TQ-HPR50 motor. Tyler has one (and I’m so jealous), so expect a review from him coming soon. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about the Trek Fuel EXe.

Trek Fuel EXe eMTB

The all-new Trek Fuel EXe joins the likes of the Orbea Rise and Specialized’s Turbo Levo SL in the rapidly developing category of super lightweight eMTBs. The lightest model is the Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR, weighing a claimed 17.47 kg (38.51 lbs); it retails at $12,999.99 USD .

Trek’s aim was to develop the most natural-feeling lightweight eMTB that rides as much like a regular trail bike as possible; to do that, they partnered with TQ, a German company known for its powerful electric motors designed for industries like robotics and space travel. Their patented Harmonic Pin Ring Technology has been adapted here to fit the specific needs of a pedal-assist bicycle with a geometry fit to shred.

trek fuel exe action shot shredding manual

Intention: Trail Riding
Fork Travel: 150mm
Rear Wheel Travel: 140mm
Wheel Size: 29″, or 29″ front and 27.5″ rear
Motor: TQ-HPR50
Maximum Torque: 50Nm
Main Battery Capacity: 360 Wh
Weight: 19.93 kg / 43.94 lb (Heaviest EXe 9.5)
Starting Price: $6,499.99 (Cheapest EXe 9.5)

trek fuel exe with rockshox super deluxe ultimate

The Trek Fuel EXe has a bit more suspension travel than the Fuel EX; 140mm in the rear, paired with a 150mm fork. Like its acoustic counterpart , the Fuel EXe runs Trek’s Active Braking Pivot (ABP) suspension platform with a Mino link at the rocker-seat stay interface that permits subtle geometry changes.

trek fuel exe mino link geometry adjustment

The Trek Fuel EXe is available in sizes S-XL with reach spanning a seemingly sensible 427mm to 507mm range. Chainstays measure up at 440mm, consistent across the size range, with a boost spacing rear-end permitting a maximum rear tire size of 29″ x 2.5″. The EXe gets a slacker head angle than the EX, sitting at 64.8° in size large.

The numbers in the geometry chart below pertain to the Fuel EXe in the Low configuration, the position in which it is shipped. Switching to the High position increases the bottom bracket drop to 31.6mm, with the concomitant effect of steepening the heat tube angle to 65.2°, the seat tube angle to 76.8°, and increasing the reach by around 5mm.

The Mino link can also be used to account for geometry changes that come with a smaller rear wheel. Those who want more bum-to-tire clearance out back may want to switch the 29″ wheel out for a 27.5″, and they can do so as long as they switch the Mino link to the High position. That will prevent the bottom bracket from going worryingly low.

TREK FUEL EXE REAR BRAKE MOUNT MAXIMUM ROTOR 203MM

While most eMTB manufacturers are adding Watt Hours to batteries ( see the 900 Wh battery on the new Canyon Spectral:ON ), Trek are going in the opposite direction with the new Fuel EXe. The main battery capacity is just 360 Wh, but motor manufacturers TQ tell us this: they found that with their small and efficient drive unit that allows them to use a compact and lightweight battery better matches the needs of the modern rider, and still gives the range needed for all your adventures.

trek fuel exe 360 wh battery removal downtube

Unlike the astonishingly lightweight e-Caliber , Trek’s XC eMTB offering, the new Fuel EXe cannot drop the motor as well as the battery. It will always have the 1.85 kg weight penalty of the TQ-HPR50 motor. However, leaving the 360 Wh battery behind makes the Fuel EXe 1.83 kg lighter, bringing the weight of the Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR model down to around 15.64 kg. That’s around the ball park weight of a longer travel enduro bike.

Indeed, that is the intention here. With the Fuel EXe, Trek wanted to give riders the best of both worlds; a natural-feeling eMTB that is competitive on weight, as well as a regular trail bike that wouldn’t look or feel out of place on a, well, regular trail ride.

There is a 160 Wh range extender, too, and all frame sizes are compatible with it. That slots into the bike’s water bottle cage and connects to the system via a port on the downtube, thus requiring a very short cable. When riding, the system empties the range extender first, so you can drop it off when it’s empty and save yourself the weight.

Many range extenders work by trickle charging the main battery. That means that if you were to run the main battery to empty, and then connect a fully charged range extender, there still will not be enough power supply to run the motor efficiently. That is not the case with TQ’s system; here the charge from the range extender completely bypasses the main battery, meaning that you can even remove the main battery and just ride with the range extender if you so wish.

tq-hpr50 360 wh main battery 160 wh range extender

The situation is quite different when it comes to charging. You can charge the range extender on or off the bike, but when you charge it while it is connected to the bike, it charges the main battery first. Only when the main battery is fully charged does it start charging the the range extender.

How does the Trek Fuel EXe stack up against other super lightweight eMTBs?

When we compare the numbers across the lightweight eMTB market, the Trek Fuel EXe doesn’t exactly blow its peers out of the water. The Orbea Rise still wins on motor output, weight and price; the incredible value there is undeniable. However, the Fuel EXe trumps the Turbo Levo SL on motor output, main battery capacity and price, with the lightest Fuel EXe coming in around $1,500 USD cheaper than the lightest Turbo Levo SL.

For a fair(ish) fight, the following table compares the lightest model for each bike; that’s the Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR, the Orbea Rise M-LTD, and the Specialized Turbo Levo SL S-Works.

For the heavier riders out there, the bike’s maximum system weight is another major consideration. The Fuel EXe is competitive on that front with a maximum system weight of 136 kg (300 lb). Even with the heaviest EX 9.5 model approaching 20 kg, that leaves 116 kg for the rider and their gear. The published maximum payload for the Specialized Turbo Levo SL (Carbon) is 109 kg. This is 117 kg for the Orbea Rise (Carbon).

Such comparisons do have their value, but they do not tell the whole story. Far from it: Trek stress that the standout feature of the new Fuel EXe is how natural it feels to pedal, almost identical to that of a regular trail bike. You’ll have to hang on in there for Tyler’s review to find out how true that is. That supposed natural feeling comes down to the technology within the TQ-HPR50 motor.

Tell us more about TQ and that tiny motor!

tq-hpr50 ebike motor with control unit remote batteries

The TQ-HPR50 system is not just a motor of course; TQ are producing the whole package including the batteries, remote, display unit, firmware, software and apps. TQ started out in 1994 in Southern Bavaria, Germany, from a two-man shop in barn. Now, almost 30 years later, they are a leading international tech company with more than 1,700 employees. They made a name for themselves with electronic components and embedded systems, but have been in the eBike game since 2008.

So where have their eBike motors been? Well, the TQ-HPR50 is not their first eBike motor to make it onto commercially available bikes. The first came in 2008 in the form of the TQ-HPR120S, still in production today. It has a monstrous maximum torque output of 120 Nm, so you’ll not be surprised to learn that it has found its home on Cargo eBikes, such as those used by the German Postal Service. Importantly, that motor also used a Harmonic Pin Ring Transmission, so TQ have been working with this technology for over a decade.

The Product Manager of the TQ-HPR50, Daniel Theil, tells us that when they began developing this new system, they focused on providing the best possible solution customized specifically for the kind of rider who loves everything about riding bikes but would like to ride a bit further or climb a bit higher without accepting any compromise in weight, noise or frame design.

Trek first set eyes on TQ’s Harmonic Pin Ring Technology at Eurobike in 2018. A prototype motor was fitted to a modified Trek Rail; that product wasn’t exactly what Trek were after, but they saw the potential of the lightweight, super compact motor and so the partnership began.

tq-hpr50 harmonic pin ring transmission exploded view

It is the Harmonic Pin Ring Transmission that allows TQ to build a nested motor construction round the bottom bracket, allowing the motor to seamlessly integrate into the Trek Fuel EXe. Unlike most other eBike motors out there, the TQ-HPR50 forgoes the use of cog wheels that create noise, suffer from wear, and offer more potential points of failure. The HPR technology simply has fewer moving parts.

The HPR transmission also relies upon a much more powerful electric motor than other eBike motors out there. This is partly why it can run at a much lower RPM, no matter the cadence of the rider. A lower motor RPM means less noise. Indeed, Trek tell us the TQ-HPR is quieter than the common full-powered eBike motors, and a lot quieter than the mid-level assist eBike motors seen on other lightweight eMTBs such as the Levo’s SL 1.1.

trek fuel exe testing in anechoic chamber tonality

They measure that noise in terms of decibels, but also in terms of tonality. That’s the fancy word Trek use to describe the noise perceived by the rider in an Anechoic Chamber. While the TQ-HPR50 is, on an objective level, quieter than other eBike motors, it has a much lower tonality rating than them, too.

Trek reckon the noise made by the motor on the Fuel EXe is barely perceptible on the trail.

On the Fuel EXe, the 2″ O-LED display unit is the control hub for the system, seamlessly integrated into the top tube. Here you can see all your ride stats, as well as how much battery you have left. A small, simple, two-button remote on the handlebar allows the rider to switch between assist modes without taking their hand off the grip, and without taking their eyes off the trail.

trek fuel exe paired with trek connect app tailor motor settings

The system features just three ride modes, each of which is fully customizable through the Trek Central App. From there, you can adjust maximum power output, assist factor, and pedal response. Adjustment of the pedal response is an interesting one; you can tailor how quickly the motor responds to your input, depending on your riding style, i.e. if you like to do a lot of steep, technical climbing, and you need the motor to respond very quickly to your input.

One of the modes is the Walk Mode, which provides minimal assistance when the rider is off the bike pushing it along; think bailing on a really steep technical climb, and then having to push the rest of the way up.

Relevant to the 9.9 XX1 AXS and 9.9 XTR models only, the Trek Central App can pair with TyreWiz and AirWiz sensors, too. From there, you can set your desired pressures and the sensors’ LED will let you know when the pressure falls below that.

Tyler will have a full review of the Trek Fuel EXe very soon, so keep any eye out for that to find out how the TQ-HPR50 motor actually rides . For a closer look at its internals, and what sets it apart from other eBike motors, take a look at our deep dive here .

Pricing & Availability

The Trek Fuel EXe is available now in six models, but not every model is available to every market, so check with your local Trek dealer as to what is available in your region. All are appropriately spec’d with a dropper seat post, 4-piston brakes and 12-Speed Drivetrains.

Pricing starts at $6,499.99 USD for the Fuel EXe 9.5 Model ; along with its Shimano Deore 12-Speed drivetrain, it gets Shimano 4-Piston brakes, a RockShox 35 Gold fork, a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock and Bontrager XR5 Team Issue Tires.

Next up the pecking order is the Trek Fuel 9.7 , which will set you back $7,599.99 USD. That cash gets you a Fox Rhythm 36 fork, a Fox Performance Float X shock, Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheelset, Bontrager XR5 Team Issue Tires, a Shimano SLX/XT 12-Speed drivetrain, and Shimano 4-piston brakes.

The Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS is where more batteries enter the mix. This one is priced at $10,999.99 USD; it gets a RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork, a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock, a Carbon Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tires, a SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12-Speed drivetrain, and SRAM Code R 4-piston brakes.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is a little cheaper, retailing at $8,699.99 USD. It boasts RockShox Lyrik Select+ fork, a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock, Carbon Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tires, Shimano XT 12-Speed drivetrain, and Shimano XT 4-piston brakes.

The lightest model in the range is the Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR , priced at $12,999.99 USD. This one boasts a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork, Super Deluxe Ultimate shock (both with AirWiz), the carbon Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheelset, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tires, the Shimano XTR 12-Speed drivetrain, and Shimano XTR 4-piston brakes.

The most expensive Fuel EXe is the 9.9 XX1 AXS model, retailing at an eye watering $13,999.99 USD. Parting with that amount secures you a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork, Super Deluxe Ultimate shock (both with AirWiz), the carbon Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheelset, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tires, the SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-Speed drivetrain that runs directly off the bike’s battery, and SRAM Code RSC 4-piston brakes.

TrekBikes.com

Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all its weird and wonderful technology for 4 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley.

Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can often be seen riding the Glentress Trail Center, and its neighboring Enduro and Downhill Tracks. She regularly competes in Enduro at a national level, and has recently competed on the World Stage at a handful of Enduro World Series events.

For Bikerumor, Jessie-May is testing the latest mountain bikes, equipment and kit, letting readers know what’s hot and what’s not.

For context, she weighs 60kg and stands at 5ft 4″ tall (163cm).

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Bike comparison lists the new Fuel Exe as a 2022 model. It’s a 2023 model

Very nice bikes indeed, and I like the lighter weight, smaller motors, and skinnier look. Definitely not liking the pricing…

Looks like it be cheaper converting my Gaint to electric!

And immediately void all warranties.

Subscribe Now

Trek Fuel EXe Review

Trek fuel exe.

The lightweight e-mountain bike genre has been gaining traction rapidly in the past six months. It’s a category that Specialized pioneered back in 2020 with the Levo SL and their SL1.1 motor. However, while the SL whet the appetite of many and teased at the possibility of a sub 19kg motorised bike that could do it all, the category never really took off. That was until this year, when firstly Fazua launched their Ride 60 platform (60nm motor and 430wh battery) which was quickly adopted by Pivot and Transition, and then came the launch of the new Trek Fuel EXe with a brand-new motor and battery system from TQ.

Electric test bikes have been notoriously hard to get hold of the past couple of years, so we were absolutely fizzing when they got in touch to say they were shipping us a new Trek Fuel EXe to review. The concept of a lighter weight, better handling e-bike had enthralled us since we first tested the Levo SL, and while the SL was a great bike, ultimately the motor’s lack of power (35nm) left it trapped in limbo between analogue and electric. Trek transcended this by teaming up with German tech company TQ to develop a totally new system which, after four years in the making, launched on the Fuel EXe with some impressive numbers—a 50nm motor with a 360wh battery and a complete weight (motor and battery) of 3.9kg.

TQ are no strangers to the world of electric motors, having debuted their insanely powerful 120nm (HPR120) drive unit in the eMTB segment almost ten years ago. The 120 held the prize as the most powerful motor on the market but wasn’t widely used outside of Europe. The new TQ HPR50 motor uses the same Harmonic Pin Ring (HPR) technology to provide the motor’s power. If you can imagine two cogs, one smaller than the other which rotates inside the bigger cog, that is the essence of how the HPR drive works. No belts, chains or gears to make noise or wear out. Just a sleek, simple mechanism that weighs in at a meagre 1.85kg for its 50nm output. To put those numbers into perspective, the two industry leading full-size motors—the Bosch CX Performance Line and the Shimano EP8 weigh 2.9kg and 2.6kg respectively and both produce 85nm of torque.

As the name suggests, Trek have decided to use their trail bike, the Fuel EX, as the basis for their new lightweight e-MTB. The EXe sports 150mm front and 140mm rear suspension on a 29” platform and carried over the numbers from the EX’s recent geometry update—Our medium test bike in the Low setting had a 65-degree head angle, 455mm reach, sporty 440mm chainstays and 77-degree effective seat tube. These all sit in the sweet spot for the mid-travel trail-focused bike. The exciting number for me was the shortish chainstays which hintedat an agile ride, which I guess was possible due to the small size of the TQ motor.

I’m going to start this section on the bike’s spec with a caveat—When you look at the images of the bike I tested and then jump over to the Trek New Zealand’s webpage you will be rightly confused! This is because Trek decided to send all the world’s media their opulent 9.9 XX1 AXS model in bright yellow to test. This is pretty standard practice for reviews, by supplying the ultra-fussy, gear-snobby paparazzi the best of the best, it negates some of our ability to whinge and moan about the bikes spec, which in turn hopefully focuses our reviews on the bike itself. However, the conundrum I faced was that the 9.9 was not even ranged in New Zealand. In fact, it was a long way above the top NZ bike the 9.8XT. Therefore, I took this as poetic license to get creative with the EXe (ignore certain components and swap out others) and see if I could relate my review a bit more to the NZ market and the models we have here.

Luckily all the bikes in the Fuel EXe range are based around the same core components—Trek’s OCLV Mountain Carbon 29” frame and the brand new TQ HPR50 motor and 360Wh battery—so I’ve focused my review on these. For the tech geeks out there, my 9.9 was fully kitted with AXS XX1 drivetrain, AXS dropper post, Bontrager’s Line Pro 30 wheelset and RSL integrated handlebar and stem. A Rockshox Lyrik with new Charger 3 damper and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock provided the support and the whole package weighed in at 18.5kg.

The TQ motor surprised me with its intuitive feel and lack of noise. It was amazing and virtually silent and I instantly realised how much noise effects the quality of your ride on an e-bike.

For my first ride, I just set up my suspension and rode it as it came out of the box. I went for a quick 40 minute pedal and was blown away, underwhelmed, and confused all at the same time.

Blown away: The TQ motor surprised me with its intuitive feel and lack of noise. It was amazing and virtually silent and I instantly realised how much noise effects the quality of your ride on an e-bike. During the EXe’s online launch, Trek and TQ spent a lot of time emphasising how quiet the HPR50 was, which at the time I’d dismissed as marketing hyperbole, but now I understood what a difference it makes. I was also very impressed by the bike’s responsiveness and handing.

Underwhelmed: As I hit the first climb, I was quite taken back as to what 50nm of torque can and can’t do—I had to change gear and pedal! However, as a regular e-biker I was comparing the EXe to my full size eMTB which boasts 108nm, so this wasn’t really apples with apples. Plus, the more time I spent onboard the Trek the more I realised that this was a mindset problem not a hardware issue.

Confused: The front end of the bike felt weird, and my wrists hurt after that first ride. The first solution here was to remove the Bontrager carbon RSL one piece bar and stem—which I’m sure goes great on an XC race bike but felt incredibly stiff and ridiculously wide at 820mm for a trail bike—and replace it with my go-to bar and stem from my own bike. This helped, and after a bit of fiddling with the Lyrik’s set up (another token and less air) I felt a lot more comfortable.

A lot more rides ensued. This bike was highly addictive, and my mindset had shifted from riding an e-bike to just riding this thing like a normal bike. The harder I rode the Fuel EXe the more it responded both motor-wise and handing-wise. I quickly learned that the TQ motor likes a high cadence and, if you can hold that by staying in the right gear, the motor is deceptively powerful on all but the steepest climbs. Even then it was just a matter of downshifting to the granny gear and spinning the pedals as you would on a regular bike. Climbing wasn’t overly taxing—the motor assistance kept it easy enough—it just took more time and a bit more skill to get up steep hills, and the rewards came on the descents.

The Fuel’s geometry and very supportive suspension platform made it a rocket ship to ride downhill or on undulating terrain (motor assistance turns everything into a descent). It was also scarily agile and manoeuvrable for an 18.5kg eMTB, which led to me pushing a lot harder than I normally would on a heavy e-bike. However, it was when I pushed a bit harder that the niggly front end issue started to appear again and on a few occasions I found myself washing the front out all too easily. The standard riding position felt too aggressively XC. I wanted to add a few spacers under the stem, but this wasn’t an option because I was already at max height.

This bike was highly addictive, and my mindset had shifted from riding an e-bike to just riding this thing like a normal bike. The harder I rode the Fuel EXe the more it responded both motor-wise and handing-wise.

After a quick sleuth through the media kit, I discovered that Trek was open to the idea of the Fuel EXe being run as a mullet or upgrading the fork to 160mm. And it just so happened that I had a 160mm fork with the right offset on my trail bike. So, in the interests of testing, I swapped the 150mm Lyrik with my 160mm fork and went for a ride.

The difference was instant, the slacker ride position felt a lot more me and when I pushed hard on steeper trails the front held better and I lost my fear of washing out. A new problem arose—I was now completely addicted and finding it hard to ride anything else.

I was returning from rides sweating and tired with the feeling of having been for relatively high-intensity ride. Yes, they were long rides (I had a motor) but with the extra effort required to get up hills I felt more like I was riding my trail bike on steroids rather than taking my moto-style eMTB out for a burn. My mindset had shifted because the EXe was performing like the perfect hybrid.

The hardest trait of the EXe to get your head around is the battery usage and the range-anxiety that comes when only sporting a 360wh battery. First up it’s worth noting that via the Trek Central phone app you can customise each of the three modes on your bike. I left the Turbo mode as exactly that—100 per cent power and assist—but aimed to only use it when really needed. Then I adjusted the Trail mode to give me 75 per cent power and assist and left the Eco one at about 30-35 per cent. My goal here was to just ride in the trail setting as much as possible and see how I went. The control panel built into the top tube also gives you an estimated range, which is another useful tool.

From my experiences over the test window riding predominantly in Mid mode (only utilising High for steep climbs), I’d say the EXe is good for 30-35kms of hard trail riding with moderate climbing. This can be eked out to over 40km with a bit more cautious battery management. So, my advice (and the way I think Trek has designed it) is that the range extender battery is a must-have for anyone looking to push themselves on long, full day rides. It is an expensive add on, but I think the benefits outweigh the initial costs. The flipside is that, even without any electrical assistance (flat battery), the Fuel is very rideable, and there is very little drag in the TQ system, so a pedal home is not a big chore. Plus, the beauty of a small battery is that it charges very quickly, so I’d make sure you always have your charger in the truck with you and take any chance you get to top up.

I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I really fell for the Fuel EXe and for me it has blown open the electric bike world by re-defining the lightweight category. The 50nm motor provided ample power and the light, nimble chassis handles remarkably well. This is the sort of bike that I’ve been waiting for; as a regular rider of both analogue and eMTBs, I’ve been chasing the dream of an electric powered (for time saving) bike that handles as close to my analogue bike as possible (for ultimate ride enjoyment), and I feel like the EXe is the closest to that hallowed hybrid bike. Add in the experience of riding an almost silent motor and maybe this is the dream—well my dream, but is it for everyone?

What type of rider will the EXe suit? I feel that it firmly suits any skilled or experienced rider looking to electrify their riding experience. I’ve chosen the words skilled and experienced because the EXe needs a lot more rider input than full powered eMTBs. By input I mean being in the right gear at all times, holding a fast cadence and precise bike handling. These factors are natural and necessary skills for most analogue trail riders, but they can often be ignored and forgotten on long travel, high torque e-bikes where the motor’s power will drag you up hills in any gear and any cadence and the plush suspension lets you monster-truck down any line.

If you’re an e-curious analogue rider wondering what all the fuss is about, then this is definitely worth a test ride. If you’re already jumped into the electric world but are missing that nimble, agile handling of your old analogue and have reasonable residual fitness, then maybe it’s time to downsize.

Of the three models coming to New Zealand, my advice is to buy the best you can afford but leave a little in reserve to add on the range-extender battery as I feel this is essential to alleviate any range anxiety. If you’re a more aggressive rider or are finding the riding position too forward orientated, then I’d also recommend getting your local shop to increase your fork travel by 10mm for the ultimate trail bike feel.

The stealthy looking EXe and the TQ motor system have set the bar very high and reinvigorated the lightweight eMTB category. I’m sure there is a lot more coming in this space, perhaps very soon, but the EXe and the eerily silent TQ HPR50 will be very hard to beat.

Check out the full EXe range available now in NZ over at the Trek website

Forbidden Druid V2 review

The Forbidden Druid V2 is a trail bike with the chutzpah to hang with the long-travel crowd.

EXT Aria review

This is EXT’s first mountain bike air shock – The Aria (Italian for “air”) is positioned very much at the high-performance end of the shock market and with it, EXT have created something that’s genuinely unique, innovative and differentiated. Check out our thoughts…

RockyMounts AfterParty review

Secure, paint-friendly, wobble free and ebike ready – the RockyMounts AfterParty ticks all the boxes.

Audi Electric Mountain Bike Review

Is Audi’s eMTB a bike both badge-fiends and dirt bags can love?

New Zealand’s MTB publication, dedicated to the art of print. Subscribe now and receive three issues a year delivered to your door.

Trek releases the Fuel EXe, a lightweight, yet feature-packed e-MTB

Trek teased it as the 'dawn of a new era' and the new Fuel EXe is certainly packed with tech

Trek has added a brand new e-MTB, the Fuel EXe. Based on Trek's lightweight trail bike platform, the new e-MTB platform is designed to give a more natural e-MTB riding experience than Trek's existing high-powered, bike battery Rail e-MTB.

Trek teased us with a new e-MTB claiming it to be 'dawn of a new era' and the new Fuel EXe will take its position as one of the best electric mountain bike in Trek's range. Trek has now released the full details of the new bike so let's dig into the details.

While the Fuel EXe shares the same name as the trail human-powered Fuel EX, Trek says that the new bike has been built from the ground up.

The frame is built from Trek's OCLV Mountain Carbon with an alloy rocker link. Trek has stuck with its proven ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension system and there is a Mino link, which is a flip-chip that can be flipped to make small geometry adjustments.

Travel has been increased to 150mm front and 140mm rear and the bike rolls on 29in wheels front and rear, rather than a mullet setup which has gained popularity of late.

In terms of geometry, a fairly neutral 65-degree head angle is paired with a 485mm (large) reach and a 77-degree seat tube which should hit the sweet spot for general trail riding.

Rather than spec one of the more commonly seen motors, Trek has gone for a TQ HPR50 transmission. While the brand from Germany might not have much of a history in the mountain bike market, TQ has built motors for moon rovers and robots performing surgery so they have plenty of experience. TQ's Harmonic Ping Ring motor is said to be lighter, quieter, and smaller than other motors on the market.

This bike is designed to enhance the rider's abilities rather than overpower them, the TQ motor only puts out 50Nm of torque. Trek reckons that's enough power to assist riders up climbs without the ride feeling too unnatural.

Small motors don't require as much power either and Trek reckons you can get between two to five hours of battery life from the 360Wh battery – obviously this very much depends on the conditions and terrain. The battery weighs 1,835g and is bolted into the downtube although Trek says it is easily removed by sliding it out without needing to unbolt the motor. Battery life can be boosted with a 160Wh range extender that mounts on the inside of the downtube in the water bottle cage.

The concentric motor design means the motor can be easily tucked away into the bottom of the frame and when combined with the slim downtube, it's hard to tell that the Fuel EXe is in fact an e-MTB.

That's helped further by integrating the display screen and buttons too. Trek has mounted a screen in the top tube, the screens aren't as detailed as the Forestal e-MTBs we saw at Core bike , and feature four display screens showing motor/battery, speed, or rider power data.

A slimline handlebar mount with two rocker buttons is neatly positioned next to the grip allowing easy on-the-fly toggling between modes. There is a walk mode as well to help push the bike up steep inclines.

Not only has Trek tried to lower the weight of the Fuel EXe to try to keep the riding experience as close to a standard bike but Trek has also thought about the audio experience. Claiming that the Fuel EXe has a perceived volume up to five times as quiet as a standard e-MTB, although Trek doesn't specify which motors they tested.

Trek has a tuning app that pairs which the motor (Bluetooth and ANT+) and gives users the options to customize the motor settings, monitor battery range, provide setup info, and navigation. The app also pairs with third-party apps too as well as GPS units.

If you plump for this 9.9 model, you also get TyreWiz and AirWiz which monitors tire, fork & shock pressure. Providing on the fly tire pressure readings as well as a green light that allows you to quickly see your suspension is set up properly.

Trek Fuel EXe availability, range, and specs

Trek has six different build options for the Fuel EXe, plus the fancy custom Project One options on certain models (9.7, 9.8 XT, and 9.9 XX1 AXS).

They are pricey though, with the Trek Fuel EXe starting at $6,499.99 / £5,750 and topping out at a whopping $13,999.99 / £13,250.

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS

Suspension: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate (150mm) / RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate (140mm)
Groupset: SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, 12sp
Cranks: E*thirteen E*spec Race carbon, 34T, 165mm length
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC brakes
Wheelset: Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon wheels
Tires: Bontrager SE5 29x2.5in tires
Handlebar: Bontrager RSL - piece carbon handlebar/stem
Stem: Bontrager RSL
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, 170mm
Saddle: Bontrager Arvada
Weight: 18.45kg
Price: $13,999.99 / £13,250

Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR

Groupset: Shimano XTR M9100, 12 speed
Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120 4-piston
Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 200mm
Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Pro
Weight: 17.47kg
Price: $12,999.99 / £11,500

Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS

Suspension: RockShox Lyrik Select+ (150mm) / RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ (140mm)
Groupset: Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed
Brakes: Shimano XT M8120 4-piston
Wheelset: Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels
Weight: 18.17kg
Price: $10,999.99 / £9,750

Trek Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

Groupset: SRAM GX Eagle AXS, 12 speed
Brakes: SRAM Code R 4-piston
Weight: 18.10kg
Price: $8,699.99 / £8,500

Trek Fuel EXe 9.7

Suspension: Fox Rhythm 36 (150mm) / Fox Performance Float X (140mm)
Groupset: Shimano XT M8100 Derailleur, SLX M7100 shifter, 12 speed
Cranks: E*thirteen E*spec Race Alloy, 34T, 165mm length
Brakes: Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, M6100 lever, M6120 caliper
Wheelset: Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels
Handlebar: Bontrager Line
Stem: Bontrager Elite
Seatpost: TranzX JD-YSP39, 170mm
Weight: 19.05kg
Price: $7,599.99 / £7,100

Trek Fuel EXe 9.5

Suspension: RockShox 35 Gold RL (150mm) / RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT (140mm)
Groupset: Shimano Deore M6100, 12 speed
Cranks: E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 34T, 165mm length
Brakes: Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT420 caliper
Wheelset: Alex MD35 wheels
Handlebar: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
Stem: Bontrager Alloy
Seatpost: TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ, 170mm
Weight: 19.93kg
Price: $6,499.99 / £5,750

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for Bike Perfec t.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg

Merida One-Twenty 600 review – budget-friendly, short travel, trail ripper

Santa Cruz Heckler SL review – is this the Californian brand's most fun e-mountain bike ever?

Thule Epos bike rack review – towbar-mounted, e-MTB-rated carrier

Behind the New 'TQ-HPR50' Motor that Drives Trek's Fuel EXe

Trek Fuel EXe powered by TQ-HPR50 during sundown

Cool Features

Bahasa Indonesia
Eastern Europe
Moscow Oblast

Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

Information

Find all the information of Elektrostal or click on the section of your choice in the left menu.

Update data

Elektrostal Demography

Information on the people and the population of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Geography

Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal .

Elektrostal Distance

Distance (in kilometers) between Elektrostal and the biggest cities of Russia.

Elektrostal Map

Locate simply the city of Elektrostal through the card, map and satellite image of the city.

Elektrostal Nearby cities and villages

Elektrostal weather.

Weather forecast for the next coming days and current time of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Sunrise and sunset

Find below the times of sunrise and sunset calculated 7 days to Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Hotel

Our team has selected for you a list of hotel in Elektrostal classified by value for money. Book your hotel room at the best price.

Elektrostal Nearby

Below is a list of activities and point of interest in Elektrostal and its surroundings.

Elektrostal Page

Information /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#info
Demography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#demo
Geography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#geo
Distance /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist1
Map /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#map
Nearby cities and villages /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist2
Weather /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#weather
Sunrise and sunset /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#sun
Hotel /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#hotel
Nearby /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#around
Page /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#page
Terms of Use
Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

Cities near Elektrostal

Places of interest
Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
Peter the Great Military Academy
Bykovo Manor
Balashikha Arena
Ramenskii History and Art Museum
Malenky Puppet Theater
Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
Pekhorka Park
Saturn Stadium
Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

Search forums
Manufacturer Specific

Fuel EXe Tq motor broken

Thread starter Mteam
Start date Jan 22, 2023

E*POWAH Elite

Jan 22, 2023

Hi all,wondering if anyone else has had this problem, I'm guessing it means I need a new motor,but thought I'd put it out there anyway. The bike turns on fine,no errors etc,but when you turn the pedals there is no resistance at all,they just spin without turning the chain ring,it's as if the clutch mechanism that engages or disengages to motor is stuck in a disengaged state. The last time I rode it it was all fine with no issues, then I put it away in the garage,came back to it today a few days later and I have this problem. Anyone got any ideas how I can sort it? Have tried engaging walk mode which works fine and propels the bike forward but doesn't engage the clutch, have tried bouncing the bike just in case it's mechanically stuck,but no joy. Think I'm going to have to go back to the dealer with this one.

Thread starter

Broken TQ HPR 50 motor, Trek Fuel exe

rocky yeung

Tq hpr50 grinding noise.

Yep. Oh well off the the dealers with it this week,as long as it gets sorted quickly I'll be happy enough. This bike was new in October and has done 300 miles. I'm in the UK. My other ebike has a Bosch gen 4 motor, the first motor in that bike failed at 500miles,but it's replacement has been going fine for 2000 miles since.

Zimmerframe

Have you tried the basics (grasping at straws) - like battery out .. and pressing X/Y/Z for 20 seconds to reset things ? Pushing the bike backwards ? Check the speed sensor (grasping at pins...)

Zimmerframe said: Have you tried the basics (grasping at straws) - like battery out .. and pressing X/Y/Z for 20 seconds to reset things ? Pushing the bike backwards ? Check the speed sensor (grasping at pins...) Click to expand...

Active member

Curious to see if there is a water/dirt intrusion that is jamming the clutch. It would not take much to foul the mechanism.

Supposedly there are heat issues with these motors that are starting to come to light (source is a emtb motor repairer). I've seen several TQ motor failures now, not sure if related to heat but hopefully they get on top of it quickly.

ebikerider said: Supposedly there are heat issues with these motors that are starting to come to light (source is a emtb motor repairer). I've seen several TQ motor failures now, not sure if related to heat but hopefully they get on top of it quickly. Click to expand...

Jan 23, 2023

By looking at parts in video, I recon the design of that one way clutch uses two springs to rotate the rollers cage back to normal contact position. It may not have sufficient tension to do the job if there is little jam. Secondly, I also suspect your weather might freeze the grease there such that there is drag to stop the roller wedging back. You might try to warm the motor with hot hair blower to see if it works when the lubs are in normal working temperature. Warm the shaft, housing, it may take sometime to let heat getting thru.

You might try to warm the motor with hot hair blower to see if it works when the lubs are in normal working temperature. Warm the shaft, housing, it may take sometime to let heat getting thru. Click to expand...

Official Trek

Mteam said: See video here Broken TQ HPR 50 motor, Trek Fuel exe The bike was new in october 22, has covered just over 300 miles in the UK youtube.com That'll teach me to say that the motor appeared to be quite reliable with no internet reports of motor failure - doh! @Roman any ideas? Click to expand...

Mitch@Trek said: That's a first for us! Not sure what information Roman has, but I would advise bringing this to your local retailer so they can have a claim submitted for both engineering teams at TQ and Trek can dive into this data formally. Click to expand...

Jan 24, 2023

Just had a chat with the local dealer, I'm going to take it in to them on Saturday - I cant get there before then. As per @Mitch@Trek - they say this is the first fuel exe failure they have heard of.

Jan 27, 2023

Mteam said: Just had a chat with the local dealer, I'm going to take it in to them on Saturday - I cant get there before then. As per @Mitch@Trek - they say this is the first fuel exe failure they have heard of. Click to expand...

mitea said: Congrats for the 1st place just joking. Hope you will get it fixed soon. Isn't the grinding noise also clutch related. So maybe there is a mechanical design issue there devs need to analyze and redesign for revision 2. Click to expand...

Mteam said: I'm happy to act as some kind of stress tester for any ebike manufacturers that want to test whether their ebikes can survive a UK winter. Click to expand...

mitea said: Checked the manual. According to the manual operating temperature is from -5°C to 40°C. You better don't write here how cold it was when you rode the bike . Can imagine that because of the tight tolerances of the HPR Gear this motor could be more senstitive to temperature than others. Click to expand...

If this really is the first failure of the motor then I suspect TQ have built a pretty reliable motor.

Mteam said: If this really is the first failure of the motor then I suspect TQ have built a pretty reliable motor. Click to expand...

Jan 28, 2023

ebikerider said: Multiple failures in Aus. Click to expand...

rocky yeung said: By looking at parts in video, I recon the design of that one way clutch uses two springs to rotate the rollers cage back to normal contact position. It may not have sufficient tension to do the job if there is little jam. Secondly, I also suspect your weather might freeze the grease there such that there is drag to stop the roller wedging back. You might try to warm the motor with hot hair blower to see if it works when the lubs are in normal working temperature. Warm the shaft, housing, it may take sometime to let heat getting thru. Click to expand...

mitea said: How many is multiple and what type of failures? Click to expand...

Jan 29, 2023

ebikerider said: I know of three and in all cases the motors became noisy and lost drive. Click to expand...

Julie_X1 said: Did these bikes go back to dealers for warranty? Trek says it’s only aware of one bike, the OP’s Click to expand...

Emailsucks98

mitea said: the grinding noise issue Click to expand...

Emailsucks98 said: This issue is 100% repeatable when you do something that is arguably 100% user error. Click to expand...

Trek fuel Exe 9.8xt's rattling noise and faulty TQ motor after less than 7 days on my wife's bike

mitea said: What exactly is the user error in this video I just can't see any pedal movement that wouldn't happen when riding on trails. Click to expand...

Emailsucks98 said: But there’s a huge difference between a failure (Like Mteam has had) and “my bike is making a weird sound” Click to expand...

Similar threads

robertpaulson
Jul 26, 2022
Silent Drone
Oct 13, 2022
Oct 20, 2023

May 24, 2023

Nov 7, 2022

EMTB Forums

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

Latest articles

The most popular eMTB brand for 2024, in Norway

Sunday at 9:30 AM
Reaction score: 3
Comments: 2

The Shimano EP8 has motor over-run?

Saturday at 7:19 AM

IMAGES

TQ E-Bike
4 upgrades & 7 updates on our Trek Fuel EXe review bike
Behind the New 'TQ-HPR50' Motor that Drives Trek's Fuel EXe
EMTB-Test TQ Mini-Motor: Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS mit TQ HPR50 Motor
Trek Breaks Ground With New Electric Fuel EXe 9.5: The Burn Is Back
4 upgrades & 7 updates on our Trek Fuel EXe review bike

VIDEO

Trek Fuel EXe SL Emtb with some upgrades #bikeadviser
Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XO
TREK FUEL EXE motor noise
Trek Fuel EXe 5
Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 X0 Transmission

COMMENTS

What settings do you have for your Trek Fuel EXe motor tuning?
ZillaG said: Trek Fuel EXe 9.7. 170 lbs (loaded), 5'7". What settings do you have for your motor tunings for Eco and Mid in the Trek app? I set the High to everything maxed out. Eco 47% ,max power 180w. Mid 140% ,max power 180w. Max 160% ,max power 300w. Last edited: Feb 6, 2023.
Fuel EXe
Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXE Tuning. Thread starter GrumpyDisco; Start date Nov 28, 2022; 1; 2; Next. 1 of 2 Go to page. Go. Next Last. G. GrumpyDisco New Member. Oct 10, 2022 5 0 Australia. ... I was seeing the same except the motor was low consistently sometimes by a factor of 2. the Garmin pedals are accurate I have compared them with my trainer ...
4 upgrades & 7 updates on our Trek Fuel EXe review bike
Price. $9,499 AUD - $12,999 AUD. Weight. 18.6kg. The Trek Fuel EXe was launched just a few months ago, arriving to much fanfare thanks to its unique TQ-HPR50 motor and clean aesthetics. We were totally captivated by the smooth and quiet motor performance, while the low weight, balanced geometry and supportive suspension gave it an impressively ...
Fuel EXe
I *think* the TQ 120s motor is non rebuildable by 3rd parties, and I don't seem able to find any for sale so have no idea on replacement price. also can you get trek to clarify re the TQ motor spec. Operating temperature - -5 °C to +40 °C / 23 °F to 104 °F. Storage temperature - 0 °C to +40 °C / -4 °F to 104 °F.
2023 Trek Fuel EXe Review
Globally, there will be six Trek Fuel EXe models offered for 2023. Only three of those models will be available in Australia, with prices starting at $9,499 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.5, and maxing out at $12,999 AUD for the Fuel EXe 9.8 XT. All Fuel EXe models make use of the same TQ-HPR50 motor, 360Wh battery and OCLV carbon frame.
Fuel Exe FAQ
The Trek app does everything the TQ app does, including motor behavior customization, range estimations, and general e-system information. In addition, the Trek app includes tire and suspension pressure set up recommendations, service reminders, useful navigation and range features, activity tracking, and more!
Fuel EXe redefines e-MTB
"Trek Fuel EXe ushers in a new generation of Light-eMTBs, combining the nimble handling of an analogue mountain bike with the motor support of an ebike." ... Fuel EXe's motor is tuned for tone, measuring in under 0.2tu—five times less perceivable than other light-assist bikes—so you can forgo the annoying whine of most e-bike motors ...
Dissected: Reviewing The New Trek Fuel EXe
What's crazy is that according to Trek's studies - and our experiences during the review - the new Fuel EXe is closer in the amount of perceivable sound to a regular mountain bike than any other eBike tested, light or full power. With a tonality reading of just over 0.1, the TQ HPR50 puts the Fuel EXe into the Barely Perceivable range ...
Long-term review: Trek Fuel EXe shifts the standard for eMTB
TQ HPR50: The little motor that could. The heart of Trek's EXe is TQ's HRP50 system. The German brand takes a completely different approach to motor design for bikes and it changes the game.
Fuel EXe 5
2 Reviews / Write a Review. $5,499.99. Model 5298747. Retailer prices may vary depending on location and delivery method. The final price will be shown in your cart. Fuel EXe 5 is an aluminum electric mountain bike that brings all the tech of its carbon counterpart into a pocket-friendly package. It boasts the same tiny-but-mighty drive system ...
Trek Fuel EXe stealthily packs tiny TQ-HPR50 Motor into 140mm Trail
Unlike the astonishingly lightweight e-Caliber, Trek's XC eMTB offering, the new Fuel EXe cannot drop the motor as well as the battery. It will always have the 1.85 kg weight penalty of the TQ-HPR50 motor. However, leaving the 360 Wh battery behind makes the Fuel EXe 1.83 kg lighter, bringing the weight of the Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR model down to ...
Fuel EXe
Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXE Tuning. Thread starter GrumpyDisco; Start date Nov 28, 2022; Prev. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. Go. A. ATLI Member. Aug 24, 2021 14 3 France. Jun 13, 2023 ... reply to your message you'll see I mentioned that when TQ got the feedback re my symptoms they immediately instructed Trek to replace the 2nd motor as well ...
Trek Fuel EXe Review
As the name suggests, Trek have decided to use their trail bike, the Fuel EX, as the basis for their new lightweight e-MTB. The EXe sports 150mm front and 140mm rear suspension on a 29" platform and carried over the numbers from the EX's recent geometry update—Our medium test bike in the Low setting had a 65-degree head angle, 455mm reach ...
Trek releases the Fuel EXe, a lightweight, yet feature-packed e-MTB
Trek has a tuning app that pairs which the motor (Bluetooth and ANT+) and gives users the options to customize the motor settings, monitor battery range, provide setup info, and navigation. ... They are pricey though, with the Trek Fuel EXe starting at $6,499.99 / £5,750 and topping out at a whopping $13,999.99 / £13,250. (Image credit: Trek ...
Behind the New 'TQ-HPR50' Motor that Drives Trek's Fuel EXe
Stealthy remote optimized for e-mtb use. Fully in-frame integrated display. TQ-HPR50 creates mountain bikes that let you clock more downhills without a massive weight penalty. Bikes that are sleek ...
thinking about the trek fuel exe. anyone have one? the motor is the TQ
I build for a trek shop sometimes and just built our first exe that came through. It's a sweet bike. I ride a fuel ex and tbh they really feel remarkably similar. The weight of the motor isn't too much and it's not jerky like some motoros can be. If youre in the market, the new ex/exe frame is really amazing. Miles are smiles. Have fun!
Elektrostal Map
Elektrostal is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Elektrostal has about 158,000 residents. Mapcarta, the open map.
Fuel EXe
Jun 21, 2023. #1. A couple of weeks ago I borrowed a friend's Fuel EXe to test. I liked the way it handled but was disappointed in the way the power was applied. Sometimes I'd pedal and I'd feel the power being applied, but other times I'd pedal and feel like there was no power there. It was bad enough that I'd hesitate to recommend the bike to ...
Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Elektrostal Geography. Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal. Elektrostal Geographical coordinates. Latitude: 55.8, Longitude: 38.45. 55° 48′ 0″ North, 38° 27′ 0″ East. Elektrostal Area. 4,951 hectares. 49.51 km² (19.12 sq mi) Elektrostal Altitude.
State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region
State Housing Inspectorate of the Moscow Region Elektrostal postal code 144009. See Google profile, Hours, Phone, Website and more for this business. 2.0 Cybo Score. Review on Cybo.
TQ HPR50 Review + Trek Central app
Article Gallery. A few months ago, we tested the new Trek Fuel EX-e 9.9 AXS with the new TQ HPR50 motor. The test was done before the bike launch and the Trek Central app wasn't ready at the time. We noticed the motor couldn't possibly be set to 200% amplification of rider input. Not if we were to trust the watt data presented on the display.
Visit Elektrostal: 2024 Travel Guide for Elektrostal, Moscow ...
Cities near Elektrostal. Places of interest. Pavlovskiy Posad Noginsk. Travel guide resource for your visit to Elektrostal. Discover the best of Elektrostal so you can plan your trip right.
Fuel EXe
Broken TQ HPR 50 motor, Trek Fuel exe The bike was new in october 22, has covered just over 300 miles in the UK. ... As per @Mitch@Trek - they say this is the first fuel exe failure they have heard of. Last edited: Jan 24, 2023. Reactions: Julie_X1 and Mitch@Trek. mitea Member. Sep 10, 2022 135 95 Switzerland - LU.