On Test | Is the Trek Fuel EX 2023 the most forward-thinking trail bike out there?

Huge news in the trail bike world, the brand new 2023 Trek Fuel EX has landed and it looks like an absolute ripper! As we predicted when we tested the electrified Fuel EXe a couple of months ago, Trek is bringing many of the same updates to the non-motorised version. There are some surprises however, with the new Fuel EX adopting some of the innovations shown in the latest Session downhill bike, while also unveiling brand new tech that makes this one of the most versatile Trek mountain bikes we’ve ever seen.

Watch our video review of the Trek Fuel EX 2023 here:

trek fuel ex 2023
Featuring more travel and a brand new frame design, the Fuel EX is looking to make quite the statement this year.

What’s changed with the 2023 Trek Fuel EX?

For 2023 the Trek Fuel EX receives an all-new frame design, and it also sees a 10mm increase in suspension travel. Stock bikes are now equipped with a 150mm travel fork, while the ABP platform delivers 140mm of rear travel.

Most frame sizes will come with 29in wheels, though the two smallest frame sizes will be available with 27.5in wheels. And as with previous models, the Fuel EX will be offered in both alloy and carbon variants.

With the aim of improving overall practicality, some of the features we’ve seen in the past have been eliminated from the new Fuel EX. The Knock Block headset is gone, and so too is the proprietary Thru Shaft shock and custom RE:aktiv damper. You’ll also no longer find a press-fit bottom bracket, with the Fuel EX moving to a more popular threaded BB shell.

Trek has also adopted guided internal cable routing, both on the carbon and alloy frames. The same goes for the integrated downtube storage. And as with the latest Trek Slash, there’s a new two-piece, dual-density, bolt-on armour plate for the downtube.

trek fuel ex 2023
Both the alloy and carbon frames feature downtube storage, as well as guided internal cable routing. Nice!
trek fuel ex 2023
We love the bolt-on armour plates that cover almost the entire length of the downtube. More of this please bike industry.

There’s huge versatility

For sure one of the most exciting aspects of the 2023 Trek Fuel EX is its in-built versatility.

Of course you’ll still find the Mino Link flip chip, which allows you to tweak the angles by 0.5° and the BB height by 8mm.

Adding to that, there’s now a flip chip at the lower shock mount for fine-tuning the suspension’s leverage rate. We first saw this on the Session downhill bike, and the concept is the same here with ‘More’ or ‘Less’ settings. The Fuel EX will come setup from the factory in the Less progressive setting, which delivers a plusher ride quality and is well suited to air shocks. Riders can flip the chip around to increase progressitivity for more support on bigger jump trails, which is also designed to work better with coil shocks. Yes, the new frame is coil shock compatible.

trek fuel ex 2023
Flip the chip to change the rear suspension’s leverage rate.

3-way head angle adjustment

Furthermore, you can now tweak the head angle independently on the new Trek Fuel EX.

Stock bikes will come with neutral headset cups, though Trek will also be offering an offset cup that allows you to slacken or steepen the head angle by 1°. The execution is different to the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO, with the Fuel EX utilising press-in headset cups that require a proper tool for removal and installation. Trek states this was done to provide a snug and secure interface, with less chance of the headset developing play or creaking over time.

Unfortunately the Fuel EX won’t come supplied with the offset headset cups. Those will be sold separately, and we understand they won’t be available immediately either. When they are available, owners will be able to set up the head angle to be as slack as 62.9° or as steep as 66°, which is wild!

trek fuel ex 2023
The head angle can also be adjusted independently by switching headset cups. Combined with all the other adjustments, the Fuel EX’s head angle ranges from 62.9° – 66°. Wowsers!

Oh, it’s mullet compatible too!

As if that wasn’t enough adjustment, the Trek Fuel EX can be setup as a mullet too. If you do decide to fit a 27.5in rear wheel, Trek recommends flipping the Mino Link in the High position, and it also suggests running a 160mm travel fork to help lift the BB height back up to its optimal position.

It’s worth noting that most of the stock Fuel EX models come with a Fox 36 fork, so it’ll be relatively easy to fit a 160mm air shaft to extend the travel without having to buy a whole new fork.

trek fuel ex 2023
The ABP design helps to reduce the influence of braking on the rear suspension action. It’s also very tidy.

And big geometry updates

Along with the increase in travel, the 2023 Trek Fuel EX has also received a significant overhaul of its geometry.

In its stock configuration, the head angle has been slackened out to 64.5° and the effective seat angle has been steepened to around 77.5°. Reach measurements have grown, with a Medium frame now sitting at 450mm, and a Large at 485mm. All good stuff for a modern trail bike.

Perhaps more exciting however, is the adoption of size-specific rear centre lengths. By manipulating the suspension pivot locations on the front triangle, Trek’s engineers have been able to adjust the rear end length to better maintain weight distribution throughout the size range. On the smaller frames you’ll find a 435mm rear centre length, which grows to 450mm on the largest frame size.

Speaking of frame sizes, it’s worth acknowledging that Trek will be producing no fewer than eight sizes across the Fuel EX lineup. Yes, eight! The XXL size will only be available in alloy, but it’s still fantastic to see given that most brands only produce 3-4 frame sizes.

Also of note is the move to a fatter 34.9mm seat tube diameter. Along with an increased insertion depth, the Fuel EX is designed to fit modern, longer-stroke dropper posts.

Trek Fuel EX Size & Geometry
trek fuel ex 2023
The new Fuel EX will fit most piggyback shocks on the market – air and coil.

Trek Fuel EX price & specs

In Australia, there will be four models available in the 2023 Trek Fuel EX lineup. Prices will start at $4,999 AUD for the Fuel EX 7, and will top out at $8,999 AUD for the Fuel EX 9.8.

What about that gorgeous Fuel EX 9.9 model shown here? We understand that Trek Australia will be offering these in a limited number available through the Project One custom bike builder, though we’re still waiting to confirm pricing and availability.

If you’re looking for something on the other side of the spectrum, the previous generation Fuel EX 5 will carry over into 2023. This provides a more budget-friendly option at $3,799 AUD, though it does miss out on all of the frame and suspension updates.

Keen to know how the new bike rides? Check out our Trek Fuel EX review to find out how the new bike compares to the outgoing version and some of its biggest competitors.

2023 trek fuel ex 9.9 xx1 axs
The Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS is the top-end model, featuring all the bells and whistles.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS

2023 trek fuel ex 9.9 xtr
Prefer Shimano? The 9.9 model also comes in an XTR option.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XTR

2023 trek fuel ex 9.8 xt
The Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT skips the Kashima treatment in favour of a Performance Series fork and shock. You’re still getting the snazzy one-piece carbon cockpit and carbon wheels though.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT

2023 trek fuel ex 9.7
The cheapest option with a carbon frame; the Trek Fuel EX 9.7 moves to alloy wheels and a Shimano Deore/SLX groupset to bring the price down.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 9.7

2023 trek fuel ex 8
The Trek Fuel EX 8 features an alloy frame, but still gets the in-frame storage and all the same geometry adjustments as the carbon models.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 8

2023 trek fuel ex 7
The cheapest option with the updated frame design, the Trek Fuel EX 7 specs a RockShox 35 fork with a Shimano Deore groupset.

2023 Trek Fuel EX 7

trek fuel ex 2023
We’ve just wrapped up testing on this hot new trail bike – check out our Trek Fuel EX review for the verdict!

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