Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XTR Gen 5

Trek’s 2021 “Fuel EX 9.9 XTR Gen 5” model is a state-of-the-art mountain bike designed for demanding riders. Priced at 7,999 EUR, it offers a wide range of high-quality components and technical innovations. The frame is made from OCLV Mountain Carbon and combines a main frame and seat stays made from this material. It features an integrated storage compartment, a tapered head tube and Knock Block technology, which prevents damage to the frame caused by the handlebars. Further features of the frame include internal Control Freak cable routing, Carbon Armor protection, an ISCG 05 mount for chain guides, a magnesium derailleur hanger, the Mino Link for geometry adjustments, the Active Braking Pivot (ABP) system and the Boost148 hub standard. The frame offers 130 mm of suspension travel.

The bike’s maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst it weighs 12 kg. Braking performance is provided by front and rear Shimano XTR M9120 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors (Shimano RT86, 6-bolt rotor mount). Gear changes are controlled via the Shimano XTR M9100 shifter with 12 speeds. The fork is a FOX Factory 36 with Float EVOL air spring and GRIP2 damping, offering 140 mm of travel and fitted with a Boost110 axle and a 15 mm Kabolt axle.

The crankset consists of a Shimano XTR M9120 with an aluminium chainring (30 teeth), a Boost chainline of 52 mm and a crank arm length of 170 mm. The PressFit bottom bracket is a Shimano MT500 with a width of 92 mm. The cassette is a Shimano XTR M9100 with a 10–51-tooth range. The drivetrain is provided by a combination of Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR M9100 components.

The handlebars are Bontrager Line Pro made from OCLV carbon, with a diameter of 35 mm, a width of 780 mm and a rise of 27.5 mm. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Elite with aluminium clamps. The stem is also a Bontrager Line Pro, measuring 35 mm in length, featuring the Knock Block function and Blendr compatibility. The integrated headset features a Knock Block with a 58-degree radius and cartridge bearings, with the upper part having a diameter of 1 1/8" and the lower part 1.5".

The tyres are Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready with Inner Strength sidewall protection and an aramid bead core. They come in sizes 29 x 2.40 and 29 x 2.60 respectively. The wheelset consists of Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheels made from OCLV Mountain Carbon, which are also Tubeless Ready and feature a 6-hole disc mount.

The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada Pro with carbon rails and a width of 138 mm. The seatpost is a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper with a 100 mm travel and internal cable routing. It has a diameter of 31.6 mm and a length of 340 mm.

The bike’s geometry comprises a reach of 42 mm, a stack of 60 mm, a seat tube length of 40 mm, a top tube length of 58 mm, a head tube angle of 66 degrees, a seat tube angle of 68 degrees, a head tube length of 10 mm, a chainstay length of 44 mm, a standover height of 71 mm and a wheelbase of 115 mm.

The bike’s packaging measures 30 mm wide, 82 mm high and 159 mm long. The model is listed under the product code ‘TREK FUEL EX 9.9 XTR S 29’.

Overall, the Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XTR Gen 5 offers an impressive combination of lightness, stability and advanced technology for discerning mountain bikers.