Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29 (2015)

Technology abounds on this long travel XC beast

Pros

* ABP full-floater suspension
* Shimano XT groupset
* All-round capabilities

Cons

* Price

Review

The Fuel EX 9.8 29 is a top-flight long travel XC or trail bike with all the trimmings. This bike, as well as its 27.5" twin, really blur the lines between cross country and trail. The awesome "volt green" frame is composed predominantly of carbon with an alloy chainstay. The Fuel's ABP (Active Braking Pivot) is the concentric rear axle pivot which, in conjunction with the "full-floater" design, allows the bikes suspension to remain active even under braking.

The suspension has been further refined with the creation of the RE:aktiv; a partnership with motor racing's Penske Racing Shocks which provides a solid pedaling platform that can quickly switch into active mode when the trail conditions change.

All this technology means that the Fuel is a handy bike no matter the trail. Full-floater allows free flowing confidence when descending, 29" wheels decisively carve up fast trails, and the platform shock assists with climbing power.

Components are a sweet spread of Shimano XT, which is nearly impossible to fault, and the rest is the typical blend of Bontrager parts. There is little to upgrade here that would make any perceivable difference.

Perhaps the only downside is all this stuff comes at a price. To be honest, if you consider what you are paying for, it's as much of a bargain as a $5500+ bike could be. My other pet hate is companies putting non-Shimano chains on otherwise complete Shimano groupsets! I have experienced problems with drivetrain noise and meshing issues from this... why not uses an XT chain?

Apart from these very minor complaints, the Fuel EX 9.8 29 is an easy bike to love. It would suit nearly any rider who loves all manner of trail riding or potentially even endurance format cross country racing. The hardest decision to make would be whether to buy this or the 27.5" version. One of those decisions we would all love to agonize over!