SPEC
Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon' carbon fibre, 140mm travel
Fork Fox 36 Factory. 150mm travel
Shock Fox Float X Factory Drivetrain S
RAM XX1 Eagle AXS (1x12)
Wheelset Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheels, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 29x2.5in tyres
Brakes SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
Bar/stem Bontrager RSL integrated
Seatpost/saddle RockShox Reverb AXS/Bontrager Arvada
Weight 14.7kg (32.4lb), large size without pedals
Over the years, one thing has remained constant in the world of mountain bikes Trek's Fuel EX has always been a benchmark trail bike that others are judged against. So, does this latest iteration uphold this reputation? With 140mm of rearwheel travel and a burly 150mm fork, stout tyres and geometry that's entirely contemporary, plus tons of customisation of both frame shape and ride feel, on paper, it seems like a thoroughly modern trail bike.
THE FRAME
While the larger frames are designed around 29in wheels, a smaller rear wheel can be fitted for a 'mullet' set-up. The extra-small Fuel EX is 650b-only and the small can be purchased with either size wheels.
Cables are internally routed, with sleeves to guide them through the carbon frame, which has a threaded bottom bracket (BB) shell, ISCG-05 mounts for a chain guide and near full-length down tube protection.
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Mountain Biking UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BIKETEST BACKCOUNTRY HARDTAILS
We see whether carbon fibre or steel, big-name value or boutique attention to detail comes out on top on the trails
NUKEPROOF MEGAWATT CARBON 297 RS
The original Megawatt proved itself almost instantly, winning our inaugural E-Bike of the Year award in 2022.
CALIBRE LINE T3 29
£1,100 (with £5 GO Outdoors card) Cost-effective proper' mountain bike
FIRST RIDES
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
ROUTES QUICK BLASTS
Facing shorter days and inclement weather, Max finds three satisfying routes that show it doesn't have to be an all-day ride or nothing
GRIME TIME
EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
TRAILCREW HAVOK BIKEPARK
A hand-cut, rider-built bike park, Havok reopened earlier this year at a new site in West Yorkshire and is still expanding
From dust it did rise
Steve Thomas traces the birth of British mountain biking, from 'tracker bikes' to Muddy Fox
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET
In our final challenge of the series, we see if e-bikes really are as good at climbing as they're cracked up to be, as we tackle Antur Stiniog back to front
THE RIDER OFF YEAR' 23
THE BIG REVEAL! You voted in your thousands - now meet our winners...
