Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!

[erider1]

Do you think the bike is still relevant in today's date, meaning still a good choice, for the sale price of $3800?
Or one would be better served by something else, or perhaps wait for updated version of Ex-e with stronger motor and larger battery. Perhaps never coming... speculating here a bit based on what most folks and reviewers see as ideal bike- SL bike with larger battery. Or majority of folks here think, it is still perfect bike, even now, 3 years after it's first release, for that 2-3 hour rides, mostly for riders that want just a bit help and are in decent shape?

 

[Mteam]

Do you or anyone know what seems to be the most common problem of the motor failures?
Also what is the warranty on the motor, in your understanding?

About to grab one of these 9.5s now for sale price, and having second thoughts after reading about motor reliability

For me, both failures have been caused by moisture, the first motor failed because the sprag clutch seized up. In the second motor one of the bearings ended up running dry and rough then the torque sensor started throwing an errror.

I ride in the UK though, and the winters are wet and muddy, if you ride in a drier location I wouldn't expect these issues.

For context, I also have a bike with the bosch CX gen 4 motor, which I think is widely considered to be one of the most reliable motors, and I'm on my second motor, so I think the tq motor is not especially unreliable, it's just if you ride a lot in the UK especially in winter you will break motors.

For more context, I ride with a friend who has an orbea rise( shimano ep8) , and he is on his 5th motor doing the same rides as me.

 

[Mteam]

Do you think the bike is still relevant in today's date, meaning still a good choice, for the sale price of $3800?
Or one would be better served by something else, or perhaps wait for updated version of Ex-e with stronger motor and larger battery. Perhaps never coming... speculating here a bit based on what most folks and reviewers see as ideal bike- SL bike with larger battery. Or majority of folks here think, it is still perfect bike, even now, 3 years after it's first release, for that 2-3 hour rides, mostly for riders that want just a bit help and are in decent shape?

Tricky to answer as everyone has a different priority for what they want from their ebike, but I think for the money you can now buy them for theyre still a decent choice if you want a low power lighter bike.

If you focus purely on objective numbers (power,torque,battery capacity etc) then the fuel exe is not as good as some of the newer bikes, but it does have some characteristics that other bikes still dont get close to, but maybe these are not relevent to you?

things like:-

- Noise - the tq is super quiet
- reliability - its pretty decent, especially compared to something like the fazua r60 motor
- Motor size/bike looks - the motor is V small and as a result the bikes dont look much different to a regular bike
- Flexibility - if you want you can run the bike on just the range extender for a super light ebike, or for the ability to take it on a plane , you get a lot of options for combinations of battery capacity and overall bike weight. Some people talk about wanting a modular battery in their ebike, so you can pick the best battery size for the ride you do rather than carrying around battery capacity you wont use. the TQ system essentially allows this:-

- no battery at all, bike weighs 17kg - not sure anyone would ride it like this in reality
- just the range extender, 160wh, bike weighs 18kg, I ride it like this a few times a year when I go away by air.
- just the main battery, 360wh, bike weighs 19kg
- combination of main battery and range extender, 520wh, bike weighs 20kg
- happy to carry another main battery? 720wh, 21kg bike. etc ad infinitum

I have a look at what else you can buy in the 20kg (ish) or less weight range, and there are more options now, but they're more expensive and you lose some of the above characteristics, but gain power, range, and a weight increase. I'm not sure what I would buy now if I was in the market - I do appreciate all the above from the trek, so its not a clear cut choice for me. Maybe the canondale moterra SL, or the whyte Elyte might be a good choice if I were looking today?

 

[JayX2A]

For me, both failures have been caused by moisture, the first motor failed because the sprag clutch seized up. In the second motor one of the bearings ended up running dry and rough then the torque sensor started throwing an errror.

I ride in the UK though, and the winters are wet and muddy, if you ride in a drier location I wouldn't expect these issues.

For context, I also have a bike with the bosch CX gen 4 motor, which I think is widely considered to be one of the most reliable motors, and I'm on my second motor, so I think the tq motor is not especially unreliable, it's just if you ride a lot in the UK especially in winter you will break motors.

For more context, I ride with a friend who has an orbea rise( shimano ep8) , and he is on his 5th motor doing the same rides as me.

My motor is probably on around 300 miles and it’s gone. Not even lasted the whole uk muddy season.

Not good if the bike can’t handle muddy winters as we have them every year lol.

The worry is once warranty is up there is no way I am affording replacement motors.

Not sure what the alternative is though, such a good bike when it works.

Not sure what the issue with mine is, will ask when I pick it up. Defiantly clutch related as when you turned bike off the motor still seem engaged and peddling was near impossible!!

 

[Mteam]

My motor is probably on around 300 miles and it’s gone. Not even lasted the whole uk muddy season.

Not good if the bike can’t handle muddy winters as we have them every year lol.

The worry is once warranty is up there is no way I am affording replacement motors.

Not sure what the alternative is though, such a good bike when it works.

Not sure what the issue with mine is, will ask when I pick it up. Defiantly clutch related as when you turned bike off the motor still seem engaged and peddling was near impossible!!

My first motor failed at the tail end of its first winter, the second motor survived two winters (and two 'summers' if you can call them that).

I'm hoping they've made some running changes to make them more resilient. Maybe my third motor will make it through 3 winters?

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

Or one would be better served by something else, or perhaps wait for updated version of Ex-e with stronger motor and larger battery. Perhaps never coming...

I wouldn't think this bike will get more power. They just came out with the Slast+ with the exact same motor. So doubtfull any updated one will have more power. We might see the 580wh battery option from the Slash+, but maybe not. I would like the option for it though.

 

[Rockhopper70]

Tempted by a Fuel Exe, but I wonder if the package as a whole is now a bit last generation, as in weight v power v battery. Perhaps that is why they now seem to be on an eternal discount cycle.

I am trying to get a demo on one, and a bit randomly, I’ve been offered the Fuel Exe that Loris Vergier used for his training. Absolutely top notch no expense spared specification, but it’s still a used bike, albeit with one “careful” owner so the motor, battery and frame having no warranty gives me concerns.

 

[erider1]

For me, both failures have been caused by moisture, the first motor failed because the sprag clutch seized up. In the second motor one of the bearings ended up running dry and rough then the torque sensor started throwing an errror.

I ride in the UK though, and the winters are wet and muddy, if you ride in a drier location I wouldn't expect these issues.

For context, I also have a bike with the bosch CX gen 4 motor, which I think is widely considered to be one of the most reliable motors, and I'm on my second motor, so I think the tq motor is not especially unreliable, it's just if you ride a lot in the UK especially in winter you will break motors.

For more context, I ride with a friend who has an orbea rise( shimano ep8) , and he is on his 5th motor doing the same rides as me.

Just wow, that is some record, ....appreciate the context. I am sure, you guys, those riding in these harsh conditions are pushing the manufacturers to improve the motors and sealing properties specifically... Tx

 

[erider1]

Tricky to answer as everyone has a different priority for what they want from their ebike, but I think for the money you can now buy them for theyre still a decent choice if you want a low power lighter bike.

If you focus purely on objective numbers (power,torque,battery capacity etc) then the fuel exe is not as good as some of the newer bikes, but it does have some characteristics that other bikes still dont get close to, but maybe these are not relevent to you?

things like:-

- Noise - the tq is super quiet
- reliability - its pretty decent, especially compared to something like the fazua r60 motor
- Motor size/bike looks - the motor is V small and as a result the bikes dont look much different to a regular bike
- Flexibility - if you want you can run the bike on just the range extender for a super light ebike, or for the ability to take it on a plane , you get a lot of options for combinations of battery capacity and overall bike weight. Some people talk about wanting a modular battery in their ebike, so you can pick the best battery size for the ride you do rather than carrying around battery capacity you wont use. the TQ system essentially allows this:-

- no battery at all, bike weighs 17kg - not sure anyone would ride it like this in reality
- just the range extender, 160wh, bike weighs 18kg, I ride it like this a few times a year when I go away by air.
- just the main battery, 360wh, bike weighs 19kg
- combination of main battery and range extender, 520wh, bike weighs 20kg
- happy to carry another main battery? 720wh, 21kg bike. etc ad infinitum

I have a look at what else you can buy in the 20kg (ish) or less weight range, and there are more options now, but they're more expensive and you lose some of the above characteristics, but gain power, range, and a weight increase. I'm not sure what I would buy now if I was in the market - I do appreciate all the above from the trek, so its not a clear cut choice for me. Maybe the canondale moterra SL, or the whyte Elyte might be a good choice if I were looking today?

Thanks Mteam, indeed tough choice....
I guess, at this point, if I was to make the choice and buy it I at least would like assurance that warranty for motors is good for a very long time. Anyone knows what it is ?
Here in US, I believe frame warranty is lifetime (other places perhaps too) but does that include also motor?
What does motor cost in open market and did any of you guys had to pay for it ( ~ warranty was not approved)?

 

[Mteam]

Tempted by a Fuel Exe, but I wonder if the package as a whole is now a bit last generation, as in weight v power v battery. Perhaps that is why they now seem to be on an eternal discount cycle.

I am trying to get a demo on one, and a bit randomly, I’ve been offered the Fuel Exe that Loris Vergier used for his training. Absolutely top notch no expense spared specification, but it’s still a used bike, albeit with one “careful” owner so the motor, battery and frame having no warranty gives me concerns.

I think the Trek warranty is transferable to the second owner, but I think the frame warranty reduces to 3 or maybe 2 years, compared to lifetime for the original owner - check the Trek warranty terms. The motor/battery only ever had a 2 year warranty - in the UK anyway.

 

[Mteam]

Re replacement motor prices, if you register as a dealer on the tq website, you can log into the dealer area and download the price list for replacement parts, I don't have it in front of me, so can't be exact, but a new motor is something like 850 euros.

 

[JayX2A]

Does the warranty on a new motor just cover the original 2 years or do you get a fresh warranty with a new motor?

 

[Mteam]

Does the warranty on a new motor just cover the original 2 years or do you get a fresh warranty with a new motor?

I was told any replacement motors do not come with a new 2 year warranty.

Having said that my second motor was replaced for free outside of that original 2 year warranty period, so I guess they are open to a bit of goodwill.

 

[Ribinrobin]

I was told any replacement motors do not come with a new 2 year warranty.

Having said that my second motor was replaced for free outside of that original 2 year warranty period, so I guess they are open to a bit of goodwill.

That is such a joke you buy a new motor and it has no warranty? surely it should get the same warranty as the original motor.

 

[Mteam]

That is such a joke you buy a new motor and it has no warranty? surely it should get the same warranty as the original motor.

If you bought one it would come with a new 2 year warranty, but if you get given one under warranty for free, then it doesn't need to come with a warranty

 

[Ribinrobin]

If you bought one it would come with a new 2 year warranty, but if you get given one under warranty for free, then it doesn't need to come with a warranty

Ah sorry i misread, thank you for clearing that up.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Do you think the bike is still relevant in today's date, meaning still a good choice, for the sale price of $3800?
Or one would be better served by something else, or perhaps wait for updated version of Ex-e with stronger motor and larger battery.

For me, it's still first choice. Everyone has different priorities. I just bought a Slash+ after 2.5yrs on an EXe.

Heavier riders, or those who want to keep their heart rate down while climbing may need more assist than the TQ. A more powerful motor (like the DJI) has little appeal to me since that power often isn't useful on technical climbs. Great for zipping up roads, but that's not a selling point to me. A more powerful motor uses more battery, reducing range (or adding weight).

A valid downside to the EXe is range with the 360 battery. But that's easily fixed with a RE or 2nd battery. And I found the 360 to be enough for 95% of my rides, if I used eco/trail (which I like, I want to do>50% of the work). I plan on running a 360 in the Slash+ often.

Reliability- all eBikes should be better. Trek support has been top notch. Getting a fresh warranty (on sale) was a factor in me buying the Slash+. Been through 1 motor and a remote on my EXe. It's great that you can purchase most all TQ parts of trek's website. With many brands, if you're not under warranty, there's simply no fix available.

Ownership- so many small details I love about the TQ system. General feel of quality, Easily removable battery, good charging port, ANT+ connectivity, display shows time to full charge. Obviously it's quiet and the feel is natural.

My partner also rides, she currently has a Bosch SX and had a Specialized Turbo Levo prior to that. They've been trouble-free but, not up to TQ's level of quality IMO.

 

[Ribinrobin]

Guys im having a nightmare with these bontrager carbon rims. I've removed the plastic strip, re taped them and swapped to schwalbes but the tyres seem to be pinched at the bead. They give a bang like theyre seated and are not leaking but their pinched inwards at the bead making the tyres ride "tippy toppy" any suggestions welcome! tried lubing the bead and all the classic tricks, ive even tried a new tyre only the bontrager ones sit flush.

 

[Weeksy]

Guys im having a nightmare with these bontrager carbon rims. I've removed the plastic strip, re taped them and swapped to schwalbes but the tyres seem to be pinched at the bead. They give a bang like theyre seated and are not leaking but their pinched inwards at the bead making the tyres ride "tippy toppy" any suggestions welcome! tried lubing the bead and all the classic tricks, ive even tried a new tyre only the bontrager ones sit flush.

Never had an issue once i've removed the strip, anything and everything went on smoothly after that. It's horrible doing it on carbon rims though as you want to try to be careful.

What are you inflating with ?

 

[Ribinrobin]

just a track pump, dont have a compressor. Never had a issue before

 

[Weeksy]

just a track pump, dont have a compressor. Never had a issue before

I've got an Airshot and am between Newbury and Didcot if that helps. Airshot is usually pretty handy.
I'm WFH today and free tonight.

 

[Ribinrobin]

I've got an Airshot and am between Newbury and Didcot if that helps. Airshot is usually pretty handy.
I'm WFH today and free tonight.

I really appreciate that dude. Im going to give it another go tonight with my neighbours compressor and hope for the best

 

[Mtn Geezer]

My Fuel EXe just developed a problem at 491 miles/136 hours. The power delivery is suddenly erratic and weak overall, and I notice that the Rider watts always displays zero on both the top tube control display and the Trek Central app. Anyone else experience this? I've checked wiring connections at the motor and controller.

 

[Mr. Breeze]

My Fuel EXe just developed a problem at 491 miles/136 hours. The power delivery is suddenly erratic and weak overall, and I notice that the Rider watts always displays zero on both the top tube control display and the Trek Central app. Anyone else experience this? I've checked wiring connections at the motor and controller.

Yes. Nearly the exact same thing at only 350 miles. I did also get an error code on the display: 049C error - Torque sensor
Has your's thrown you a message? Mine required a motor replacement - fortunately it was in warranty. I should be picking it up from LBS in the next day or two.

 

[Mtn Geezer]

Yes. Nearly the exact same thing at only 350 miles. I did also get an error code on the display: 049C error - Torque sensor
Has your's thrown you a message? Mine required a motor replacement - fortunately it was in warranty. I should be picking it up from LBS in the next day or two.

Thanks for the reply. No error codes so far. Bike's only 3 months old so I'll be taking it to the shop.

 

[Mr. Breeze]

Thanks for the reply. No error codes so far. Bike's only 3 months old so I'll be taking it to the shop.

For me, they plugged it in to diagnosed, did a hard reset and came back with same code and the remedy was to replace the motor. There was a couple week delay in getting a motor as they were "back ordered"

 

[DancingWithMyself]

As to buying one of these on sale, I've had mine for a little over two years. Motor gave out just before the warranty was up. Actually glad it did, as I'm heading into post-warranty territory with a brand new motor.

I've got a second battery. Most regular rides are one battery., and I really appreciate the bike-like feel of the TQ motor and lower weight. On longer rides you have to plan a bit to use two batteries, but I'm very happy with the tradeoff. I'm probably staying put until we get a big leap in battery technology. Replaced all the pivot bearings when I replaced the motor, and I'm hoping that will get me another two years and that'll be about the time we get a true leap forward on the battery front.

If we get that leap in batter technology, I'm honestly not sure whether I'd opt for more battery or weight and ride feel even closer to my regular bikes. The two battery solution like the Slash is probably what I'd be interested in.

I'm 160/close-to-150. Running a Hazzard with a progressive spring and a F/F tune. Extraordinarily happy with its versatility. Can have fun taking trips to bigger mountains as well as on more rolling terrain.

My zen is being in the woods on a bike, and as I a get older (approaching 50) and recover less quickly, this bike has let me get more of that zen on trails I love (rather than easy trails / easy days). I'm weirdly grateful that something like exists. Hard to think of another purchase that's added this much to my happiness and sense of well-being.

Hope this helps with the decision.

 

[Mtn Geezer]

Thanks for the reply. No error codes so far. Bike's only 3 months old so I'll be taking it to the shop.

My Fuel EXe just developed a problem at 491 miles/136 hours. The power delivery is suddenly erratic and weak overall, and I notice that the Rider watts always displays zero on both the top tube control display and the Trek Central app. Anyone else experience this? I've checked wiring connections at the motor and controller.

Update: My bike seems to have miraculously fixed itself. I was out of town for a day and this afternoon hopped back on and found the rider watt reading was still zero regardless of my input. I switched up and down through the assist levels a few times, varying my pedaling effort and suddenly the rider watts reading turned on and the motor assist kicked in with the bike feeling normal. I took a 4 mile/670 ft. elevation climb and back and everything seems back to normal. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

 

[Mr. Breeze]

Update: My bike seems to have miraculously fixed itself. I was out of town for a day and this afternoon hopped back on and found the rider watt reading was still zero regardless of my input. I switched up and down through the assist levels a few times, varying my pedaling effort and suddenly the rider watts reading turned on and the motor assist kicked in with the bike feeling normal. I took a 4 mile/670 ft. elevation climb and back and everything seems back to normal. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

Glad it came back to life for you - I'd still recommend bringing it to your LBS to have them check it out. 1) You would hate to be several miles into your ride (like I was) and have the motor go out - pedaling with a dead motor is a real workout! 2) If it acted up/failed once, I'd suspect there is either a firmware and/or motor issue. While you do have plenty of time before your warranty runs out, might be worthwhile to have them diagnose/repair/replace now.

 

[Mtn Geezer]

Glad it came back to life for you - I'd still recommend bringing it to your LBS to have them check it out. 1) You would hate to be several miles into your ride (like I was) and have the motor go out - pedaling with a dead motor is a real workout! 2) If it acted up/failed once, I'd suspect there is either a firmware and/or motor issue. While you do have plenty of time before your warranty runs out, might be worthwhile to have them diagnose/repair/replace now.

Good advice, thank you. My decades old LBS where I bought the bike just went out of business so I will need to travel to another shop, so I will first take conservative rides close to home (read: in case of failure can call a friend or coast downhill to home!) to gather more clues first.