With the Fuel EXe, Trek heralded a new era of whisper-quiet and unobtrusive e-mountainbikes last year. The elegant trail bike was the first E-MTB with the super compact and quiet TQ HPR 50. However, with a price tag of just 14,499 euros, the launch model will tear quite a hole in normally proportioned bank accounts. Now the Americans are following up with an aluminium version, which is set to change hands from 5499 euros. How much light is left over with this economy course? And what can the new aluminium speedster do?
The facts about the Trek Fuel EXe Alloy
- Engine: TQ HPR 50
- Battery: TQ 360 Wh, optional range extender with 160 Wh
- 29 inch wheels
- 150/140 mm suspension travel, approved for 160 mm forks
- Aluminium frame
- Weight: 20.6 kilos (EMTB measurement, size XL, EXe 8 XT model)
- Three models between 5499 and 7499 euros
- Flipchip for geometry customisation (Minolink)
- New: Option of rotating angle headset to adjust the steering angle by +/-1°
With a suspension travel of 150/140 millimetres, the Fuel EXe is a classic all-rounder for all-mountain, trail and touring. The bike also uses 29er wheels on the front and rear wheels. The geometry is sporty and modern, but not extreme in any category. Trek wants to equip its Light-E-MTB for a wide range of uses.
The drive unit of the Trek Fuel EXe Alloy
Motor, battery, controls, app: the aluminium bike relies on the identical TQ infrastructure of its carbon brother. The high-quality TQ motor is the smallest and most inconspicuous unit on the market. And the Rundling sets further benchmarks: no other e-bike motor is as quiet and smooth. In many situations, the sound of the drive is completely drowned out by the ambient noise. Engaging and disengaging the assistance is unrivalled in its smoothness. If you are looking for an e-MTB that is as close as possible to a non-motorised bike, you won't find a better drive.
However, the quiet engine from Bavaria also has disadvantages. Compared to more powerful light engines, such as the Fazua Ride 60 or the Bosch Performance SX noticeably lower. There is no striking e-bike boost here. The heat resistance and efficiency of some other e-motors is also better. However, if you only require light assistance from your bike anyway, you won't have any problems. However, if you like jetting over steep and long climbs to the trail entrance in shuttle mode, you will get more support and consistency from other light systems.
The battery in the down tube
Many light e-MTBs have a permanently installed battery. The reason is clear: this saves a lot of weight. And that is of course important for a lightweight e-mountainbike. Trek has designed the Fuel EXe without this restriction. The battery can be removed from the bottom of the closed down tube. Both riding with a second battery and charging the battery at home or in a hut are therefore no problem. The slim battery delivers 360 watt hours and weighs 1880 grams according to the manufacturer. Including the handle, the battery in our test bike weighed 1946 grams.
Trek Fuel EXe: The range extender provides additional "juice"
In addition to the main battery, the Trek Fuel EXe offers the option of an additional range extender with 160 watt hours. This additional battery fits into the bottle cage, as is the case with many comparable e-bikes. The connection to the motor is made via the charging socket, which is located high up on the down tube. On many competitor models, it is located on the bottom bracket, where it is at risk of collision and exposed to dirt. The Trek solution looks smart and well thought out. Another special feature of the TQ system is that the additional battery can supply the motor with juice independently and without restrictions. This means you can ride the bike without the large battery in the frame. Another effect: the range extender delivers full power right up to the last per cent. If the additional battery is empty, the main battery takes over. When charging, the process is reversed. The main battery is charged first, then the additional battery. Both batteries can also be charged in series outside the e-bike, i.e. with one charger.
The controls of the Trek Fuel EXe Alloy
The controls on the Trek Fuel EXe for the new TQ drive are impressive. Functional, high-quality and stylishly integrated. A very slim and simple control unit, which fits directly next to the handlebar, is responsible for changing the support levels. Two rubberised, very easy-to-grip buttons are sufficient for operation. The feedback when pressed is crisp. The riding data is displayed on a stylish screen integrated into the top tube, which allows various display options. Trek has an exclusive screen display here, which we liked much better in previous tests than the standard TQ solution, which is used on bikes from Simplon, Scott and BMC is used. A small flaw with all TQ displays: if you press on the display, the black and white display blurs, see video below. This doesn't look particularly good.
Chassis and geometry of the new Trek bike
Trek has copied the geometry and most of the features from the carbon fibre chassis of the top models. This includes the flip chip (Mino Link) between the seat stays and the shock rocker. This allows the geometry to be customised. The effects of the two positions low and high can be seen in Trek's geometry table (see below). An additional feature that the aluminium models have over their more expensive carbon brothers: Optional angle shells for the headset fit into the head tube. This allows the steering angle to be adjusted by +/- 1 degree. The values in the table refer to the neutral setting.
In total, the Sporty and modern geometry without drifting into extremes. The reach is long and the front is rather low. As a result, the position over the bike is active and stretched. With chainstays of around 440 mm, Trek doesn't go to extremes, instead opting for a balanced load distribution between the front and rear wheel. In an e-bike comparison, however, this value is still clearly on the short side, which speaks in favour of the agile and playful handling of the speedster.
Checking the weight
Trek does not provide any precise information on the weight of the frame. The comparison between the Trek Fuel EXe 8 XT (aluminium frame) and Fuel EXe 9.8 XT (carbon frame) models can serve as a guide. Trek specifies the two models in size M at 18.1 (carbon) and 20.1 kilos (aluminium). However, the difference is not only due to the frame. The equipment also differs significantly. The carbon model comes with Rockshox suspension, the aluminium version with Fox. The 9.8 also comes with higher-quality brakes and lighter wheels with carbon rims, as well as a super-light carbon cockpit. Nevertheless, the difference in weight seems to be quite significant even with identical equipment. In the EMTB lab, we weighed the new EXe 8 XT aluminium bike at 20.6 kilos (size XL), while the carbon 9.8 XT model weighed in at 18.6 kilos (size L). Even if over 20 kilos is unlikely to make lightweight fans jump for joy: Compared to classic e-MTBs for 7000 euros, you still save around 2.5 to 5 kilos in weight.
Trek Fuel EXe: Models and prices
The new Trek Fuel EXe in aluminium will be available in Three equipment variants give. Relatively favourable is only the Entry-level model Trek Fuel EXe 5 for 5499 euros. At 6999 euros, our test bike, the Fuel EXe 8 XT, is already in the range where there are many competitor models with carbon frames. The aluminium bike also has a carbon competitor in-house for 6999 euros. However, the Fuel EXe 9.5 naturally comes with more favourable equipment.
Trek Fuel EXe 5, 5499 Euro
At 5500 euros, the Trek Fuel EXe 5 is one of the cheapest light eMTBs around. The vast majority of competitor models are significantly more expensive, especially with a TQ drive. Only the Fantic Rampage is also available in this price range. Of course, you have to make some compromises when it comes to the equipment. The suspension consists of a Rockshox Recon Silver and an X-Fusion shock. There are also Tektro brakes and a solid 12-speed Deore drivetrain. Compared to the cheapest carbon model, the Fuel EXe 9.5, the 5er is 1500 euros cheaper but also less well equipped. The equipment is not designed for serious trail use.
Trek Fuel EXe 8 XT, 6999 Euro
For 1500 euros more, there is a significant update to the suspension. Fox 36 Rythm suspension fork and Float X Performance shock make the bike fit for demanding trail excursions. The XT gears and solid Deore four-piston brakes also give no cause for complaint. If you want to spend € 6999, you can also opt for the Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 with a carbon frame. However, the suspension in particular is significantly weaker here. According to the information on the Trek website, the weight difference of around 200 grams is also very small, but the lighter frame offers more tuning potential.
Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX, 7499 Euro
Those who value the latest shifting technology should opt for the Trek Fuel EXe 8 with Sram's new GX Transmission. It costs 7499 euros. The rest of the equipment is identical to the XT version. You can find the details of the brand new GX Transmission in our detailed article.
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
