Descending
68
A solid all-round descender (64.8° head angle, 140mm) — capable in the rough and steep without being an all-out bruiser.
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Trek
Fuel EXe 2023
Discontinued✎Lightweight · TrailLegacy · 0.7/10iFreshness 0.7/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.
Motor
TQ HPR50 · 50Nm · 300W↗
Battery
TQ 360Wh
Travel F/R
150/140mm
Wheels
29F / 29R✎
Frame
Full carbon✎
Weight
17.47 kg
Price
From £6,400
From £6,400
EMTB Forums verdict
The 2023 Trek Fuel EXe is one of the original lightweight trail eMTBs, built around the discreet TQ HPR50 motor (50 Nm, 300 W peak) and a fully integrated, removable 360Wh battery, with an optional 160Wh range extender for longer days. The OCLV Mountain Carbon frame uses Trek's ABP suspension with 150mm up front and 140mm at the rear, and the Mino Link flip chip lets you switch between a 65.3 degree head angle (High) and 64.8 degrees (Low). Claimed weights run from roughly 19.9kg on the 9.5 down to about 17.5kg on the 9.9 XTR. Six trims spanned Shimano Deore through to XTR and SRAM AXS builds. It has since been discontinued and replaced by the Fuel+ range with the more powerful TQ HPR60 motor, though existing owners could retrofit the HPR60. A genuinely quiet, natural-feeling bike for riders who want assistance without losing the character of a normal trail bike.
Geometry read
What the numbers mean on the trail
Computed from this bike's geometry, spec and build kit — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, weight and the fork/tyre/brake spec — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.
Size
Setting
Playfulness
98
Short 440mm rear and a lighter build — easy to pop, manual and throw around.
Size balance
88
Balanced front-to-rear in L (FC:RC 1.83) — weight sits evenly between the wheels.
Technical climbing
56
Climbs well — a 76.8° seat keeps the front planted. 300W of peak power and 50Nm of torque.
Easy to throw around; happiest when you're active on the bike.
The numbers are well balanced for its category.
How it stacks up vs other Lightweight · Trail bikes (from 87 bikes in the database)
Weight17.47 kg1.5 kg lighter than average
Battery360 Wh74 Wh below average
Motor torque50 Nmabout average torque
Value for money43/100from £6,400 · most TQ HPR50 bikes ~£6,099
⚙️ Adjustable geometry: this frame has a high/low setting — low drops the BB and slackens the head angle for more descending stability; high lifts the BB and steepens slightly for clearance and a perkier, more playful feel.
Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.
💬 Forum discussion
Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!
4.3k replies · 1150.4k views · last reply 12 days ago
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“We’re getting ready for our annual fall trip to Utah and Colorado and are excited to take two new Trek Fuel EXe “Special Edition” bikes this time. my “EXe 9.7 Colorado” mrs levity’s “EXe 9.7 Utah””
— levity · ♥ 19 · most-liked post
OWNERS’ REPORT
Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike
Flip-chip positiongeometry changes with the chip
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 434 mm | 459 mm | 489 mm | 514 mm |
| Stack | 616 mm | 625 mm | 625 mm | 634 mm |
| Seattube | 380 mm | 410 mm | 435 mm | 470 mm |
| Chainstay | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm | 438 mm |
| Headtube Angle | 65.3° | 65.3° | 65.3° | 65.3° |
| Seattube Angle (eff) | 77.3° | 77.3° | 77.3° | 77.3° |
| Wheelbase | 1187 mm | 1216 mm | 1246 mm | 1276 mm |
| Headtube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm |
| BB Height | 342 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm |
| Standover | 732 mm | 733 mm | 739 mm | 759 mm |
| Front Centre | 749 mm* | 778 mm* | 808 mm* | 838 mm* |
| FC:RC | 1.71 | 1.78 | 1.84 | 1.91 |
Trims · 6
9.5 £6,400 | 9.7 £7,599 | 9.8 GX AXS $11,000 | 9.8 XT $8,700 | 9.9 XTR $13,000 | 9.9 XX1 AXS $14,000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | TQ HPR50 · 50 Nm · all trims | |||||
| Battery | TQ 360Wh · 360 Wh · all trims | |||||
| Travel F/R | 150/140 mm · all trims | |||||
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon · all trims | |||||
| Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, 44mm offset, Maxle Stealth thru-axle | Fox Rhythm 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Kabolt axle, 150mm travel | RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, 44mm offset | RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, 44mm offset | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, AirWiz electronic pressure indicator, DebonAir spring, Charger 3 RC2 damper, 44mm offset | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, AirWiz electronic pressure indicator, DebonAir spring, Charger 3 RC2 damper, 44mm offset |
| Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+, RT damper, 205mm x 60mm | Fox Performance Float X, 2-position damper, 205mm x 60mm | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, RT damper, 205mm x 60mm | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, RT damper, 205mm x 60mm | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, AirWiz electronic pressure indicator, RCT2 damper, 205mm x 60mm | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, AirWiz electronic pressure indicator, RCT2 damper, 205mm x 60mm |
| Headset | Integrated, cartridge bearings · all trims | |||||
| Stem | Bontrager, alloy, 50mm length, 7 deg rise, 31.8mm bar clamp | Bontrager Elite, 45mm length, 0 deg rise, 35mm bar clamp | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 0 deg rise (35mm virtual SM, 45mm MD-XL) | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 0 deg rise | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 45mm virtual length, 0 deg rise | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 0 deg rise |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy, 750mm width, 15mm rise, 31.8mm clamp | Bontrager Line, alloy, 780mm width, 27.5mm rise, 35mm clamp | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 820mm width, 27.5mm rise | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 820mm width, 27.5mm rise | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 820mm width, 27.5mm rise | Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 820mm width, 27.5mm rise |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada Pro, carbon rails, 138mm width | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width |
| Seatpost | TranzX JD-YSP dropper (drop varies by size) | TranzX JD-YSP39 dropper (drop varies by size) | Bontrager Line Elite dropper, MaxFlow | Bontrager Line Elite dropper, MaxFlow | Bontrager Line Elite dropper, MaxFlow | RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, electronic wireless |
| Brakes | Shimano MT420, 4-piston; Shimano RT66 6-bolt rotors, 203mm front / 203mm rear | Shimano Deore M6120, 4-piston; Shimano RT66 6-bolt rotors, 203mm front / 180mm rear | SRAM Code R, 4-piston; SRAM 6-bolt rotors, 200mm front / 200mm rear | Shimano Deore XT M8120, 4-piston; Shimano RT76 6-bolt rotors, 203mm front / 180mm rear | Shimano XTR M9120, 4-piston; Shimano RT86 6-bolt rotors, 203mm front / 180mm rear | SRAM Code RSC, 4-piston; SRAM 6-bolt rotors, 200mm front / 200mm rear |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, long cage | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, long cage | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, 12-speed, electronic wireless | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, long cage | Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed, long cage, SHADOW RD+ | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 12-speed, electronic wireless |
| Crank | e*thirteen e*spec Plus, ISIS, 165mm length | e*thirteen e*spec Race Alloy, ISIS, 165mm or 170mm length | e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm or 170mm length | e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length | e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length | e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Controller, 12-speed, electronic wireless | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed | Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed | SRAM Eagle AXS Controller, 12-speed, electronic wireless |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth | SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52 tooth | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth | Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth | SRAM XX1 Eagle XG-1299, 12-speed, 10-52 tooth |
| Chain | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed | Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed | Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed | SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, long cage; e*thirteen e*spec Plus, ISIS, 165mm length; Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed; Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth; Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, long cage; e*thirteen e*spec Race Alloy, ISIS, 165mm or 170mm length; Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed; Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth; Shimano SLX M7100, 12-speed | SRAM GX Eagle AXS, 12-speed, electronic wireless; e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm or 170mm length; SRAM GX Eagle AXS Controller, 12-speed, electronic wireless; SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52 tooth; SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed | Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, long cage; e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length; Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed; Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth; Shimano Deore XT M8100, 12-speed | Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed, long cage, SHADOW RD+; e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length; Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed; Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth; Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, 12-speed, electronic wireless; e*thirteen e*spec Race Carbon, ISIS, 165mm length; SRAM Eagle AXS Controller, 12-speed, electronic wireless; SRAM XX1 Eagle XG-1299, 12-speed, 10-52 tooth; SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Wheels | Alexrims MD35, alloy, 32 hole, 35mm width, tubeless compatible | Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheelset, alloy, tubeless ready | Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset, OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless ready | Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset, OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless ready | Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheelset, OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless ready | Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheelset, OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless ready |
| Tyres | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, aramid bead, 120 TPI, tubeless ready, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, aramid bead, 120 TPI, tubeless ready, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Core Strength sidewalls, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 TPI, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 TPI, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 TPI, 29 x 2.5 (front and rear) |
| Weight | 19.93 kg | 19.05 kg | 18.17 kg | 18.1 kg | 17.47 kg | 18.45 kg |
| Price | £6,400 | £7,599 | $11,000 | $8,700 | $13,000 | $14,000 |
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