Eurobike news 2015: Trek launches Fuel EX in 27.5 inch and Remedy 29 in carbon fibre

Trek has invited the world's most important bike media to North Carolina, Charlotte to be precise, to present its new products. The first information can be found here, this article will be updated over the next few days as various individual presentations are planned.

The presentation of the Fuel EX in 27.5 inchAfter all, it was only a matter of time for this step. The 120 mm travel remains, and Trek's own technologies such as Full Floater, E2 or ABP are still used. Technologically, the bike is not a world wonder, but the change to the 27.5-inch wheel format (26 inches no longer applies) is in keeping with the times. The basic concept of the Fuel EX (EX stands for extra) has not changed. The bike remains an all-rounder with a sporty character - the ideal touring bike for many. A detailed ride review of the Fuel EX 9.8 27.5 will follow in a separate article!

In addition to the bikes with aluminium frames, two carbon models are available in Germany. The 9.7 with carbon triangle and aluminium rear triangle and the neon yellow 9.8 with carbon frame & seat stays and aluminium chain stays. The top-of-the-range full carbon Fuel EX 9.9 model is not expected to be launched in Germany.

Because Trek has said goodbye to model cycles, we can't really talk about the 2015 season here. Some of the new Fuel models have been available from dealers since 10 June. The press presentation runs almost simultaneously with the presentation in the shops. Trek has already cancelled the Eurobike trade fair as a major news platform years ago.

"Formula One meets MTB": New RE:aktiv damper technology

The partnership with Penske Racing Shocks, on the other hand, is surprising. The US company Penske specialises in motorsport suspension technology and supplies six Formula 1 teams (in the USA, however, the NASCAR racing series is far more important than F1). Five years ago, Trek started a partnership with Penske that is now becoming visible. RE:aktiv is the name of the technologywhich is initially located in the shock, which is still produced by Fox. Behind RE:aktiv is a technology patented by Penske that affects the oil flow and the shim stack (the number of discs/shims and the number and size of the holes influence the damping). Nothing can be seen on the damper from the outside, nor can the function be influenced or changed from the outside.

The aim of the system is a stable shock platform for maximum pedalling efficiency, yet small and large bumps should be eliminated "as if removed with a cheese slicer", as Trek product manager John Riley explains. In the Pracix, this innovation should be particularly noticeable in the Trail and Descend stages of the Fox CTD system.

The Trek-exclusive DRCV system is still in the shock. DRCV was a big step forward in terms of ride comfort and utilisation of the suspension travel. While DRCV influences the suspension, RE:aktiv also takes care of the damping. The keywords here are: Low Speed and High Speed compression and rebound damping.

The system should "offer more control and feedback, stick to the ground and react super-fast" - if test rider Travis Brown is to be believed. The technology will be fitted to all models from Fuel EX 9 upwards.

Is this revolution or evolution or just a small step forwards? The ride test with a Trek Fuel EX 9.8 and the new shock shows: In trail mode, the rear actually works very smoothly and takes all the peaks out of the terrain - smoother than before. Climb mode feels firmer, more like a lockout than ever. Nevertheless, there is still residual suspension travel when it is needed. Descend mode, on the other hand, seems almost dispensable. There is a lack of progression, the rear end dips a lot - a criticism that the DRCV system has often had to put up with. Perhaps the D-Mode only shows its strength in really rough terrain, which was not the case today. However, to speak of Formula One technology here is certainly an exaggeration...

Remedy 29 finally available in carbon and with a new wheel standard

Trek has added two carbon versions (9.8 & 9.9) to the aluminium models of the 29er Remedy, thus solving a problem: the high weight of the aluminium bikes. The frame material saves up to half a kilo - a test in our BIKE test lab will have to clarify how this relates to stiffness.

Because wheel stiffness is a bigger problem with 29ers than the frame material, Trek presents a solution. It's called Boost 148 and is based on a new wheel standard developed in collaboration with Sram. A hub flange that is three millimetres wider in each case and thus a greater distance between the spokes makes the wheel laterally stiffer, supposedly to the level of a 26er wheel.

However, hubs that are three millimetres wider in each case also mean that we are dealing with another standard. Is that desirable in principle? The first test ride will show...

Ladybike Lush will also roll on 27.5-inch wheels in future

It was only a matter of time: Trek is also changing the wheel format for its women's bikes to 27.5 inches. The 120 millimetre suspension is specially tuned for the lower weight of female riders compared to the men's model. More information coming soon, here is a first photo.