trek fuel 9 2015

• Rider Notes

2015 Trek Fuel EX 9 29

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components. Compare the full range

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Fuel EX 9 29

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Earlier this year, the Fuel EX received rapid fire updates that first introduced a 27.5+ version then quickly made it the standard model by adding 29er wheels and tires for most of the stock builds. The frame was all new for both, bumping travel to 130mm, and it effectively did away with the standard 27.5 …

Read Review

Jun 2016 · Josh Patterson

It appears Trek’s design team has been paying close attention to the desires of trail riders, many of whom have been gravitating toward short-travel 29ers with slack geometry, and redesigned the Fuel EX accordingly. . .

Spirited handling

Good suspension performance

Ultra low bottom bracket might not suit everyone

Proprietary headset

The Trek Fuel EX 9 29 made it onto most testers’ shortlists with its enviable trail demeanor.

Nov 2015 · McCoy

The Fuel EX 9.9 is a trailbike that can rival even enduro bikes in the hands of a strong and skilled pilot

Turning its focus on its cross-country racing bikes, Trek made some significant changes to its XC line. Most notable is the introduction of the Isospeed coupler in to the Procaliber hardtail line. - Mtbr.com

Jun 2015 · Editors of Bicycling

This lightweight but trail-capable 29er mountain bike is infused with a rock-and-roll spirit

Dec 2014 · Christoph Bayer

The Fuel EX is one of the most popular Trek models. The numerous model and spec versions available and the option to configure your own bike are proof of this. For this test the € 3,999 Fuel EX 9 29 was chosen to go head-to-head with the bikes of the competition. This review is part […]

If you’re looking for a travelling mate, you want someone dependable. You want someone open to new experiences. Someone who can cope with situations that might be out of their comfort zone… like getting robbed by prostitutes while sleeping in car park. The top-shelf Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29er is sure doing a lot of …

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,543 days

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Trek Fuel EX 9 29 review

The Fuel you need to set the trails alight?

Steve Behr / Immediate Media

Great geometry and kit encourage aggressive riding; comfortable and fast on rolling terrain

Seat angle could be steeper for climbing; not the lightest

Trek’s trail 29er sports 130mm travel at each end. There’s a carbon version for the same price, but I opted for the alloy bike due to the lure of posher parts.

• Trek Fuel EX 8.0 Women's 29er mountain bike review
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Trek’s ‘ABP’ (Active Braking Pivot) suspension design puts the rearmost pivot concentric with the wheel axle, rather than on the chainstay. As with Horst Link bikes, such as the Specialized Camber Comp Carbon 29, the rear brake caliper is mounted on the seatstay, so braking forces don’t interfere with the suspension as much as on a traditional single-pivot design.

The frame has a straight down tube, which is claimed to boost stiffness but would normally be in the path of the front wheel. Trek’s ‘Knock Block’ system limits how far the bar can turn, to stop the fork crown contacting the frame. This reduced steering lock isn’t usually noticeable when riding — just don’t try any barspins!

Included in the solid spec is a sensible 760x65mm cockpit, wide Bontrager wheels, SRAM X1 gearing and Guide RS brakes. The Fox shock uses Trek’s Formula One-inspired RE:aktiv damping tune, which is claimed to improve pedalling.

Trek Fuel EX 9 29 ride impression

The Fuel EX needs that clever damping tech. Pedalling stood up with the shock in ‘open’ mode results in a fair amount of bob.

Add a tough, wide wheelset and stiff frame, and the Fuel EX rewards you for chucking it down rocky chutes and stuffing it into corners

Flipping to ‘medium’ cuts down on this a fair bit, and large bumps are absorbed almost as if the shock had been left fully open. This is because of the RE:aktiv tune, which offers quite firm low-speed compression damping, particularly in the ‘medium’ and ‘firm’ modes, but allows the valves to pop open under harder impacts.

While this is handy for pedally descents and technical climbs, it’s not quite the best of both worlds. When sprinting, the firmest mode still permits a little bob, while in the ‘medium’ setting, the shock feels slightly insensitive. Left ‘open’, the suspension performs pretty well over rough ground and absorbs big hits nicely.

The fork’s GRIP damper is less responsive to trail chatter than more expensive units found on bikes such as the Norco Optic C9.2 too, so when battering over really bumpy ground, the 130mm Trek wasn’t quite as smooth as I’d hoped.

Although the cockpit is relatively well-proportioned, I’d fit a shorter stem to get the most out of the long reach, as the Fuel EX felt a touch stretched-out on steep descents. The tyres lack bite in corners too.

SRAM’s Guide RS brakes performed well, helping to push the Trek’s trail chaos confidence.

I used the ‘low’ geometry setting for most of my testing, which gave a confidence-inspiring ride. With a 67-degree head angle and fairly long front centre, the Trek felt like a capable and stable descender.

Add a tough, wide wheelset and stiff frame, and the Fuel EX rewards you for chucking it down rocky chutes and stuffing it into corners.

At 13.9kg it’s on the heavy side, and it’s got the stiff gearing too, making steep, sustained climbs a bit of a chore. More importantly, the ‘low’ setting results in a 74.5-degree effective seat angle. Although this is steeper than bikes such as the Canyon Neuron AL, I found it a little too laidback for attacking technical climbs. Switching to the ‘high’ setting helps, but this also raises the BB and steepens the head angle, losing the Fuel EX its descending edge.

Although it’s not the fastest climber, it’s no slouch. The fast-rolling, high-volume tyres carry speed exceptionally well. With the shock in the firmer settings, it responds well to pumping and pedalling efforts, too. It bowls along flowing trails effortlessly and really comes alive when pointed downhill.

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• Fuel EX 9 29

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• Trek Fuel EX 9 29 2015

Bike summary

Bike components.

Alpha Platinum Aluminum, ABP Convert, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, press fit BB, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, ISCG 05 mount, magnesium EVO link, down tube guard, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel

Rear Derailleur

SRAM X1, Type 2

Shift Levers

SRAM X1, 11 speed

SRAM XG-1180, 10-42, 11 speed

SRAM X1 1400 X-Sync, 32T

Bontrager Rhythm Comp Tubeless Ready w/TLR strips, Stacked Lacing, 142x12 rear, 15mm front

Bontrager XR3 Expert, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 29x2.30"

Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc

Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Bontrager Race Lite Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise

FSA IS-2, E2, alloy cartridge

Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails

RockShox Reverb Stealth, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset

Bike geometry

Model overview.

Fuel EX 9 29 is part of the Trek Fuel model. Trek released 277 bikes variations of this model so far. Take a sneak peek at all Trek Fuel bikes models from 2015 , by clicking here .

When you go for a ride, don’t forget to put your helmet on. Moreover, ride with traffic, not against it. This will help you stay visible to drivers and also makes it easier for them to see you.

Trail bikes average price

According to our calculations, the average cost of a Trail bike that is reliable is 2762 $ . However, you could also get a good Trail bike even if you pay a lower amount than the average price. In conclusion, always check bike reviews and their components before making a purchase to make sure you don’t overpay.

Internal Cable Routing

Moreover, this bike comes with internal cable routing allowing you to keep the cables in a good condition. It also makes it look more professional.

Fuel EX 9 29 components

Rear shocks improve riding comfort and give you greater control over all terrains. In conclusion, to increase your riding experience, get a bike with a rear shock if possible.

Wheels size

When it comes to wheels, the Fuel EX 9 29 bike is equipped with the 29″ aluminum model. With 29″ wheels, bumps will feel lighter and you’ll gain more speed on descends, compared to smaller wheel-sized bikes. However, if you’re not a tall person, you might find it difficult to adapt to this wheel size.

For your safety, it is important to have quality breaks on your bike. Trek Fuel EX 9 29 has Hydraulic Disc brakes installed. Hydraulic disc brakes provide amazing stopping power, no matter what the terrain. To sum up, these are ideal for anyone.

Dropper post

Every bike should have a dropper post, and this one does. A dropper post is a must-have these days if you’re riding anything remotely technical. The main benefit of a dropper post is increased safety while riding. As mentioned above, the lever system allows you to quickly move the saddle out of the way when approaching descents or trail obstacles.

Trek Fuel models from 2025

Trek fuel models from 2024, trek fuel models from 2023, trek fuel models from 2022, trek fuel models from 2021, trek fuel models from 2020, trek fuel models from 2019, trek fuel models from 2018, trek fuel models from 2017, trek fuel models from 2016, trek fuel models from 2015, trek fuel models from 2014, trek fuel models from 2013, trek fuel models from 2012, trek fuel models from 2011, trek fuel models from 2010, trek fuel models from 2009, trek fuel models from 2008, trek fuel models from 2007, trek fuel models from 2006, trek fuel models from 2005, trek fuel models from 2004, trek fuel models from 2003.

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Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 XTR

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte Trek Black/Trek Charcoal

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & stays, Carbon Armor, ABP Convert, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, BB95, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, ISCG 05 mount, magnesium EVO link, G2 Geometry, 120mm travel
• Wheels Bontrager Rhythm Elite Tubeless Ready w/TLR strips, RapidDrive, Stacked Lacing, 142x12 rear, 15mm front
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, aramid bead, 29x2.30"
• Crank Shimano XTR, 32T
• Rear Derailleur Shimano XTR, Shadow Plus
• Shifters Shimano XTR, 11 speed
• Brakeset Shimano XTR Trail hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke RXL Carbon, carbon rails
• Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset
• Stem Bontrager XXX, Carbon, 31.8mm, 7 degree
• Headset Cane Creek IS-3, E2, carbon cartridge

Q: What size wheels does the 2015 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 XTR have?

The 2015 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 XTR has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2015 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 29 XTR should I get?

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2015 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 27.5 Bike (discontinued)

• Write Review

Review by AJ Barlas // Product Photos AJ Barlas, Riding Photos Jon Anthony

Almost a full year ago now, Trek revealed to the world a special sauce they'd been working on with top motorsports racing outfit, Penske. That technology was the RE:aktiv damper , a unit that took onboard Penske's advanced regressive suspension tech used in their F1 race car suspension, and a range of similar applications.

After initially enjoying a couple of days aboard the RE:aktiv equipped Trek Fuel in South Carolina, we were eager to spend more quality time on this bike and suspension technology, on trails we commonly ride in the Pacific Northwest and Sea to Sky region. After a number of months now and a range of incredibly varying conditions, we're happy to report on our experiences with this very interesting, shorter travel trail bike.

Trek Fuel EX 9.9 Highlights

• OCLV Mountain Carbon frame and stays
• 27.5-inch wheels
• RE:aktiv DRCV Fox rear shock
• 120mm (4.7 inches) of rear wheel travel // 120mm (4.7 inches) front travel
• E2 tapered headtube
• 68 degree head angle
• 73 degree seat tube angle
• 333-mm (13.1-inch) bottom bracket height
• 433-mm (17.1-inch) chainstays
• BB95 bottom bracket
• 142-mm rear spacing with 12-mm through axle
• Measured complete weight (size 21.5-inch, no pedals): 25-pounds (11.34-kg)
• MSRP: $8,799.99 USD

Initial Impressions

Black beauty! Who would have thought that an almost fully blacked out bike with barely legible branding could look so, so sharp? The black chrome XTR 1x11 on the 9.9 was the icing on the cake!The rest of the OE spec on this build is absolutely dialled as well, both in regards to appearance and functionality, but it all comes at a price. If looking to ditch the front mech but carbon is not a must, there is an aluminum version available for $4,299.99 USD.

This trail bike is light - the lightest XL bike we have ridden that is still capable of ripping aggressive single track, while also entering an XC race. Our stock build came in at 25-lbs on the nose (11.34-kg) and with the bar/stem switched for a shorter/wider set-up and the tires swapped for some more aggressive rubber, it weighed in at 26.7-lbs (12.2-kg). The light weight was instantly noticeable on the trails, making it very easy to move the bike around, or accelerate quickly and efficiently.

We set the bike up with 25% sag in the rear and 20% up front; about 5 clicks of rebound damping in the rear (from full open) and 4–5 clicks in the front. After a parking lot test we were fairly happy with these initial settings and set out on the trails to gather up some real world experiences.

On The Trail

Since early December, we've been riding the Trek Fuel EX 9.9 on everything in the Sea to Sky. From aggressive downhill trails on Cypress, parts of the classic North Shore network of Vancouver, to the flowing tech of Pemberton, the Trek has seen a wide array of terrain. Conditions for this time of year have also been a challenge for equipment, with monsoons and the wettest trail conditions experienced in years, frozen solid velcro dirt and ice, to dry, dusty loose dirt and heroic brown pow; the Trek has literally seen it all.

Without a doubt, the RE:aktiv damper is the key piece, or heart, of the updated Trek Fuel series. The technology was first taken to the trails mostly as an external addition to Trek's already established DRCV, until such a time that Trek and Penske were happy with the ride characteristics. Once they reached this point the shock was passed along to the clever tech team at Fox, in order to make the technology ready to build for the masses.

This partnership resulted in a damper that has the ability to create a solid platform for both rider and smaller external inputs, yet when a larger velocity impact occurs, the valves open and the suspension takes action. This is different to the more common tactic of shutting off the valves altogether, or at least heavily restricting their ability to allow oil through, and it grants riders a little of the best of both worlds. A strong platform to mash on, but retaining the ability to smoothen out the trail and theoretically, retain traction when climbing more technical terrain.

Wide open, the rear shock was very neutral when adopting an efficient pedal technique and climbing in the saddle. However, standing was another story altogether, with the bike liking to bob a bit more than we're used to. Despite the improved platform that the RE:acktiv damper provides, the Fuel still likes to have the dials flipped in order to show riders its most efficient climbing traits; similar to Trek's of the past.

In "Trail" mode - the middle compression setting - the bike climbs very well, retaining reasonable traction thanks to the damper's ability to accommodate higher velocity hits. This was, in our experience, the most useful mode for climbing, as we found the "Climb" position was too harsh. The result was opting not to use the "Climb" mode unless ascending bitumen roads.

Another thing to consider with the RE:aktiv damper is that because it shuts off the low speed, or low velocity impacts, it remains quite high in its travel when using the Trail mode, and even more so in Climb. If pedal strikes are a common issue on a particular piece of trail, or you're approaching an incline that would benefit from a steeper headangle, flipping the compression dial will assist greatly with this. We did find a downside on the climbs though…

The terrain that we rode the Fuel EX 9.9 on was primarily rooty and rocky, mixed with loose dirt. Climbs ranged from mild and smooth, to very steep, rubble infested hills. If the dial was flipped to either Trail or Climb, we found that the Fuel would loose traction in some situations that it probably shouldn't have, with the damper struggling to react enough for the small, traction sucking, looser terrain. Obviously this would be the same, or worse, for many of the dampers already out there, and the RE:aktiv damper did outperform these in some situations, but was not far ahead when it came to loose, smaller root and rock infested climbs.

Leaving the rear shock wide open in these situations it was amazing, but the obvious downside was that it required a little more effort and a more aggressive body position to beat the trail. We generally preferred to leave it wide open and allow the suspension to track the ground on the more technical climbs experienced in the Sea to Sky, opting to run it in Trail mode for moderate climbs and dirt roads, and flicking it to Climb mode on the bitumen - which wasn't often. The 73º seat tube angle was pretty average, especially given the more aggressive angles showing up on geo charts nowadays. Had it been 1º, or even 0.5º degree steeper, it would have helped with positioning on the tougher, steeper and more technical climbs we encountered.

When descending, the Fuel came to life! We opted to leave it wide open after some initial experiments resulted in the bike being too harsh in Trail mode. Our initial couple weeks of riding resulted in some large bottom outs, front and rear, with the suspension wide open. The first major one was within 100ft of trail on Cypress, with the bike bottoming at both ends, hard enough that we felt and heard it happen. This was not the first time we had bottomed the bike's clever suspension, but the first time that it was so pronounced - real hucker head banger type bottoms, sounds and all. It happened another 4 times that ride, each as harsh and obvious as the first. In the bike's defense, it was in beyond its pay grade when these and others happened, but it's worth noting these limitations.

These situations resulted in the 32 up front being flipped to Trail mode pretty early on, as descend mode was deemed pretty well useless for us. With the fork in the Trail setting we were also more well balanced front to rear, granting us a good deal of confidence when coming into rougher corners hot, or in steeper, chunky terrain. Unfortunately the same for the rear didn't cut it, with the suspension losing a lot of its finesse in Trail mode, and no longer tracking the terrain suitably. It was especially noticeable on high speed chatter and successive medium sized hits.

At this point we decided to utilize the Push volume reducers. These little beauties go in the top of the shock, are super easy to install and make a world of difference if seeking a more progressive end stroke, or some more mid stroke support. We wanted the changes to be incremental, and began with the smaller of the two 'chips'; the 7-cc volume reducer. With this installed a slightly more supportive mid stroke was noticed and it ramped up nicely at the end to prevent the harsh bottom out we were experiencing without it. The suspension performed exceptionally, tracking the ground well and utilizing the travel efficiently, while remaining well balanced with the front.

After some experience with the 7-cc reducer, it was time to try the 10-cc version. We found that for a 165-lbs rider this was too much, and provided a rougher ride. The ramp of the suspension was noticeable earlier in the travel and was not something we were enjoying in more technical terrain. Even on larger hits it was too abrupt, resulting in the bike being unstable on impact. The 10-cc reducer also threw the balance off and during steeper descents we found ourselves being pushed over the front too much. Adjusting the fork at this point to level it out would only have resulted in a loss of front end traction which would not have helped the situation.

The bike still handled reasonably well on flow trails and jumps, and we could see this being a potential benefit to a heavier rider, but it had lost its butter smooth traction experienced both with the 7- cc reducer (or no reducer at all). For us, the 7-cc option was the reducer of choice and remained in the shock for the majority of the test.

With the 7-cc reducer installed and the Fox 32 Float set to Trail, the bike excelled. The rear suspension is very, very predictable and reliable, never doing anything unexpected and always where we wanted it. The rear suspension did outshine the 32 up front, leaving us wanting more. Despite this being a 120-mm trail bike, it can punch above its weight class! It was in these situations that the fork would be noticed, simply because it wasn't keeping up. In fast, rough descents with large compressions it felt as though the fork was being stressed to the limit, at times with a "the front end is going to collapse, or tear off" kind of feeling, yet the rear remained composed.

The ability to really see just how high above its weight class the Fuel could punch was hindered somewhat by the front end. The 32 could not take high speed, consecutive medium sized hits or deep compressions the way the rear could, often resulting with us off on some tangent that we never intended to be on, or worse, in the bush next to the trail. It was unfortunate how distracted the fork was in this type of terrain, with the rear of the bike seeming like it would be up for more while the front end wandered off to do its own thing.

Putting the Fuel EX on 'flow trails' means preparing for a good time. Cornering, the bike was on rails thanks to its low 13.1" bottom bracket and its predictable nature. It jumps incredibly well, urging you to lift harder and huck as far as possible, off everything! The light weight coupled with the geometry had it feeling akin to a BMX bike down at the local skatepark - try not to smile when jibbing flow lines down the hill on this bike; it's not possible! In fact, it reignited a whole style of riding in us that we had almost forgotten, and we're so glad that it did.

The Trek Fuel line comes with Fox suspension front and rear. Our 9.9 test bike was fitted with the 32 Factory Float up front, a fork that as mentioned, struggles to keep up with the rest of the bike in technical situations. The rear is the evolution of Trek's custom tweaking and new partnerships, with the Fox manufactured DRCV shock receiving additional love by way of the RE:aktiv technology developed with Penske. The damper performs well, but really excels when special attention is taken to set it up correctly for your riding style. Flipping the compression dial will assist on the long grind climbs, but we found it to track better wide open when in more technical climb scenarios.

Taking care of transmission duties was the new 11 speed Shimano XTR kit. In typical Shimano fashion, the shifting is impeccable. Quick, sharp shifts in pretty well any situation, regardless of thick mud, trail debris, or poor execution, it does a great job. The appearance of the new XTR crank is better in the flesh as well, but cover the arms up with some clear tape - our cranks showed noticeable signs of wear after the first ride. The Fuel also came without a guide and was the only 1x unit that we have not dropped a chain on. Some have lasted a fair amount of time prior to dropping, but eventually did and perhaps that would happen here once there is more wear. Nevertheless, it was flawless during testing.

The gear range on our test bike was taller than some may enjoy, fitted with a 34t front chainring and a cassette that maxed out at a 40t, while the other end was an 11t. We found the range to be fine for our terrain and long limbs, with only the most aggressive of climbs resulting in a click up into the 40t. When doing this it was a quick, smooth change, with no delays or stalls in the process. During testing, the drivetrain has needed little more than chain lube and one twist of the barrel adjuster - pretty impressive!

The Shimano XTR brakes performed as many have come to expect. They're consistent, don't fade, don't do anything unexpected and slow the bike down in a heartbeat when needed. They do offer less modulation than we prefer, but once we got used to them it wasn't an issue.

The Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels could be deemed a little 'light' for the performance this bike is capable of delivering. The inner rim width is narrow, making for a bit more tire squirm than we would like to have. Upping the pressure a couple of psi helped curb this, but is not ideal. They also were softer than what we commonly ride, adding to our unsuccessful line choice at times and lacking a little zest when exiting corners. Our test bike wheels also seemed to feature a higher end hub than the stock Rhythm Elite wheels - one that had Bontrager's Rapid Drive Engagement which was a nice touch.

We swapped out the stock Bontrager XR3 Team Issue tires, which may perform okay in hardpack, but generally didn't grant any confidence in the terrain they were tested in. Initially they were ridden in wet conditions, which they definitely have no place in. They were replaced with a firmer sidewall, more aggressive set of Maxxis EXO treads, which we chose to setup tubeless. This was very straightforward and simple to accomplish with a hand pump, thanks to Trek's TLR system.

The bar and stem that came on the bike were beautifully made carbon numbers, but that's where their draw stopped. The bars, at 740mm wide, are not only generally too narrow for the size of human that will typically ride an XL frame, but they lack the stability granted in stressful situations with the wider bar. Add to that the 90mm stem (you read that right) and we had to laugh. They were replaced with a 780mm bar and a 40mm stem, centering us on the bike perfectly and granting a comfortable riding position.

The bike arrived with a stealth Rockshox Reverb, which performed flawlessly during the test. The internal routing kept the bike looking sleek. Unfortunately it came with a left side lever, despite the bike being specced as a 1x. Given the 1x drivetrain, we would have preferred a right side lever, flipped and placed under the bar on the left side. Something that many riders do when running Reverb posts and 1x systems.

We should also mention that the bike is incredibly quiet, with no cable clang thanks to the clever mix of internal and external routing. The brake line runs externally along the top of the down tube, making for easy servicing and access, and is mated with the stealth Reverb line, which ducks into the frame through the down tube, as it nears the bottom bracket junction. The rear gear cable runs internally and is tensioned, preventing it from making any noise inside the frame.

Things That Could Be Improved

Given the potential trail destroying abilities of the Fuel EX, a more capable fork than the spec'd Fox 32 would be a good starting point for improvements. We feel that aggressive riders will get a lot more out of this bike with something like the Fox 34, or perhaps a Pike (we know, there it is again). Either of these would increase the bike's already impressive abilities and perform in line with the rear of the bike. For the less aggressive, or those riding in smoother terrain, the 32 will work fine.

The 90-mm stem that came on our Fuel seemed ridiculous. We completely understand that this is a trail bike, but with the long and low geometry, something that the industry has been pushing toward for some time, why there was a stem reminiscent of something from the Tour De France, circa 1995 (only in carbon), on the front of the bike is puzzling. Fitting this bike with a 50- or 60-mm stem seems totally reasonable to us - the 90-mm that came on it was just alien.We would also have preferred to see a Reverb lever that can be placed underneath the left side of the bars. It's a more natural and easily accessible position and it also keeps the lever out of harm's way a lot better. It's a minor gripe, but nevertheless, an oversight in the spec.

The persistence to spec narrow bars is growing tiresome as well. Educate retailers to cut bars down when the consumer needs it, rather than require the customer to either ask for an exchange, or purchase a different bar from the get-go. If not for all frame models, at least for the those size large and up. Add to this, that if throwing down large for a new bike then generally the exchange of parts should not come into play, at all. Obviously some riders are going to tinker and customize to their preferences, but we still feel it should be a solid build from the get go, with any part swaps done purely for the sake of personalization.

We found that the stack height for the XL was too low and even with the stem perched above 3 10-mm spacers and a set of 20-mm rise bars, an extra 5-mm would have been nice. It would be appropriate to allow for little adjustment up, or down, rather than simply being at the upper limits of the frame. We also feel that a slightly steeper seat tube would help with the bike while climbing in technical terrain, placing the rider a little more over the bottom bracket. It climbs reasonably well, but could be better.

Long Term Durability

The Trek Fuel frame has seen a good amount of action since early December and has needed little by way of maintenance. The frame is running great, with the bearings still friction free and tight. The Shimano drivetrain has been flawless as well, despite seeing some ugly conditions. Our rear wheel is out of true, but not terribly so and the rear hub has come loose as well. Aside from these and given our experiences thus far, we don't see any long term issues with the bike outside of regular maintenance.

What's The Bottom Line?

A bike that's this much fun on flow trails and pretty capable in technical terrain should be illegal - the country will lose all sense of productivity as hordes of people flip work the bird and head out to ride as much as they can humanly manage! The Fuel isn't without its nuances in stock form, but it's a more common trend than one would think it should be. The fork struggles to keep up in aggressive situations, however, outside of these situations the whole package performed flawlessly and were it not for the overall capabilities of the bike, we doubt we would have even noticed the fork struggling.

The Fuel is composed, predictable and inspires a surprising amount of confidence for such a small bike. It has its limits, like any 120-mm trail bike but despite these, we think it's of the more capable in its class. If seeking a smaller travel do it all bike and money is not an object, then the 9.9 is a must look. If the price tag of the 9.9 is a bit much, most of the ride characteristics can be obtained in lower tiered packages.

For more on the Trek Fuel EX 9.9, check out www.trekbikes.com .

About The Reviewer

AJ Barlas started riding as most do, bashing about dirt mounds and popping off street curbs. Not much has changed, really. These days the dirt mounds have become mountains and the street curbs, while still getting sessioned, are more often features on the trail. He began as a shop monkey racing downhill since day zero, only to go 'backwards' and start riding and racing BMX later on. He then came full circle once moving to Whistler. AJ loves riding everything from 8 hour mountain pass epics (bonking) to lap after lap in the park and 20 minute pumptrack sessions at sunset. Driven by his passion for biking and exposing people to the great equipment we ride, AJ started and maintains the Straightshot MTB blog . So long as wheels are involved, and preferably dirt (the drier and dustier the better), life is good.

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Race Fuel- San Francisco Bay Area & Northern CA,

• Thread starter JT641
• Start date Oct 8, 2012

• Oct 8, 2012

Ready to race!

76 in downtown Saratoga. Pump closest to Saratoga Sunnyvale serves 100 oct. http://goo.gl/maps/eyn48  

Grownman said: 76 in downtown Saratoga. Pump closest to Saratoga Sunnyvale serves 100 oct. http://goo.gl/maps/eyn48 Click to expand...

JT64 said: Think I heard about that one?, got an address?? Click to expand...

Check edit ^^ Just looked at the Sunoco fuel finder and they're not showing anything in Saratoga, Do you know how long they've been selling it. http://www.racegas.com/fuelfinder  

Nice, I'm not sure what brand of race gas haha. Sorry!  

Yeah I just zoomed in on to street level They had a sign out near the side walk Sunoco Race Fuel Sold Here..:w00t:  

Here's some more :w00t: Avenal Hillcrest Travel Plaza Union 76 44779 S. Lassen Ave. 559-386-9783 VP StreetBlaze100 octane unleaded at the pump Must go into store to pre-pay for fuel or leave credit card/ID. Manteca Frank's One Stop Union 76 2072 W. Yosemite, Manteca Sunoco GT 100 octane unleaded at pump Modesto Modesto Gas Union 76 1401 Coffee Road, Modesto (209) 571-9999 Sunoco GT 100 octane unleaded at the pump Sacramento Watt Tosco Union 76 2847 Watt Ave (916) 489-7133 Sunoco GT 100 octane unleaded at pump Saratoga Saratoga 76, Ratra Enterprises Incorporated 14395 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070, (408) 867-0551 100 octane unleaded at the pump $8.99!!! What the Heck?? (As of 10/14/2012) Stockton Vanco Truck & Auto Plaza 76 1033 W Charter Way, Hwy 4 near I-5 209-466-0833 VP StreetBlaze 100 unleaded at pump Turlock Golden State 76 881 N. Golden State Blvd (209) 668-7677 Sunoco GT 100 octane unleaded at pump Folsom Lake 76 9871 Greenback Lane Folsom (916) 989-2825 100-110 Available  

• Oct 9, 2012

Bump :thumbup:  

Go Kart Champion

• Oct 12, 2012

I know for sure that 2 of them have race fuel at the pump. The 76 station on Coffee Rd in Modesto and the station in sunol off 680 both have it. The sunol station also has their own blends for 93, 95, and I believe 98 octane.  

11blueGTI said: I know for sure that 2 of them have race fuel at the pump. The 76 station on Coffee Rd in Modesto and the station in sunol off 680 both have it. The sunol station also has their own blends for 93, 95, and I believe 98 octane. Click to expand...

• Oct 14, 2012
• Oct 15, 2012

Updated Above with current prices, When you consider that standard 91 octane Super Unleaded is $5 a gallon in some places these prices with the excetion of "Saratoga 76" are not that bad. I'll be posting up prices for Sears Point Later Today. If you happen to go to any of these others please let us know what the current prices are. :thumbsup: