TIME Best Inventions of 2023
"Fuel EXe's natural-feeling assist and stealthy good looks earned it a coveted spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2023 list."
From TIME. © 2023 TIME USA LLC All rights reserved. Used under licence.
TQ HPR-50 is Pinkbike's Innovation of the Year
'That tiny harmonic pin ring drive unit is the golden goose of e-bike motors.' Find out what Pinkbike had to say about the revolutionary motor at the heart of the Fuel EXe.
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Best All-Around
"Overall, the Trek Fuel EXe is a bike that ranked consistently well across the board when it came to performance on the trail. It does everything pretty darn well and would be a great jack of all trades lightweight eBike for those looking to have a mid-power eMTB for trail shredding fun."
2022 Gear of the Year
'This is the first time an e-bike has made my Gear of the Year list [...] in addition to being silent, the HPR50 motor feels frictionless while pedalling. The assistance comes on with a subtlety that makes it feel like you are a younger, fitter version of yourself with a tailwind at your back.'
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Editor's Choice
"The low-key, silent assist is just enough, keeping it riding like a real mountain bike but making the climbs less miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. The Trek Fuel EX’s handling is dialled, and this is merely an enhanced version of that. I tested the top model, but, fortunately, there are also mid-priced models that eschew some of the AirWiz(ardy) without giving up any of what makes this bike rad."
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'Nothing comes close'
'Simply put, nothing comes close to the Fuel EXe when you paint the picture of the mountain bike experience as a whole.'
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'Probably going to be the most significant bike launched this decade'
'The Trek Fuel EXe is the bike (e or otherwise) that plenty of people have been waiting to see… Removes the final few issues that the e-curious crowd had.'
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'One of the best mountain bikes – powered or unpowered – I’ve recently ridden.'
'The Fuel EXe is such a harmonious package that I got comfortable with it very quickly, and it wasn’t much longer before I was in love with this bike... I legitimately forgot that I was on an e-bike at times… it’s the most natural-feeling motor I’ve yet ridden.'
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4.5/5
'We have to call it as we see it and the Trek Fuel EXe just elevated the eMTB game.'
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'Wow'
'The first impression was a unanimous "Wow". This is one of the few times that a bike exceeded expectations.'
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'Nothing less than a great leap forward for eMTBs'
'There are times when I am left amazed by something new and shiny, and that is the case with the Trek Fuel Exe... I might even go as far as to call it an engineering marvel.'
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Service manual
Time to get out the repair stand for some maintenance? Find a detailed breakdown of your bike with part numbers, torque values and platform-specific tech instructions below.
Ver el maillotUnboxing Fuel EXe with Mahalo My Dude
Follow along as Jason from Mahalo My Dude unboxes and builds a brand new Fuel EXe.
Watch the videoGet faster on the trail in a week
When it comes to being a better trail rider, practice makes perfect. Get seven tips from Pinkbike’s Christina Chappetta that will have you setting PRs and riding with more confidence in no time.
Read moreProduct features
Range Extender
Give yourself 40% more range with an optional 160 Wh external battery. It fits in a standard bottle cage and doesn’t require any complicated wiring or special mounts.
Connect, customise, calculate
The Trek Central app seamlessly connects with your bike for custom motor tuning, activity tracking and more ways to analyse and personalise your ride. You even get navigation features and real-time range calculations.
Removable battery
The 360 Wh battery gives you power for 2-5 hours. It’s concealed in the downtube, but it’s still easy to remove for more convenient charging.
Active Braking Pivot
Active Braking Pivot allows our engineers to tune how the suspension reacts to acceleration and braking forces independently. That means you get more confident control when you need it most.
Transition to transmission
The SRAM Eagle T-Type transmission mounts directly to the frame, skipping that pesky derailleur hanger of yesteryear. This makes for a more robust system that's not only cleaner-looking, it's also more precise under load and easier to set up.
RockShox AirWiz and Quarq TireWiz
TyreWiz monitors your tyre pressure while AirWiz monitors your fork and shock pressure. Set your desired pressure in the SRAM AXS app and then just check the lights before each ride – red means you need a pump, green means go and ride.
BITS: Your trail-side saviour
Cleverly integrated into the steerer tube, the included BITS multi-tool has everything you need for trail-side adjustments and repairs.
You almost forgot your pedals
This bike doesn’t come with pedals because you'll have a better ride if you choose your own. Explore the pedal guide to find the best pedals for your riding style. Reach for flat pedals for simple versatility or go for clipless MTB pedals if you want control and efficiency.
See the guideSuspension Calculator
This suspension calculator will help you optimise your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.
Learn moreCarbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme
Every set of Bontrager carbon wheels is backed by the Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme. In the unlikely event that you damage your Bontrager carbon wheels within the first two years of ownership, we’ll repair or replace them for free.
Complete Tubeless System
Tubeless Ready rims and tyres make it easy to ditch the tubes so you get better traction, fewer flats and less weight. You're ready to roll straight out of the box with the included TLR rim strips, valves and sealant.
Learn moreIntegrated display
The Fuel EXe's display is simple to use and protected in the top tube. Check your assist level, range, speed and more at a glance.
Sleek and simple remote
Toggle between assist modes or engage the walk-assist function with the ergonomic low-profile remote.
Easier internal routing
Integrated channels in the frame make it easy to route the brake hose, dropper and derailleur housing so you get a clean set-up with no hassle.
Rapid Drive 108 rear hub
With 108 points of engagement, Rapid Drive gives you nearly instant acceleration instead of a clunky lag when you step on the pedals. You get smooth, immediate power to blast out of corners and hammer through the rough stuff. And that extra pedal ratchet adds control that can make all the difference when tackling a tricky climb.
SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain
Enjoy precise, lightning fast gear changes – even when shifting under load – with Eagle AXS wireless electronic drivetrains. They're water and dust-proof, and the AXS app makes it easy to personalise your settings.
Oversized 34.9mm dropper post
Bigger is better. The oversized seat tube diameter gives more support and strength for longer travel droppers, and allows for more robust, durable internals that work faster.
Mino Link adjustable geometry
Fine tune head tube angle by 1/2° and BB height by up to 10mm with the simple turn of a nut. Just flip the link to choose between slack or slacker geometry, without negatively affecting suspension performance. A Trek exclusive.
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, removable battery, internal routing, alloy rocker link, 34.9 mm seat tube, upper chain guide mount, 55 mm chainline, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, UDH, 140 mm travel |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, AirWiz, DebonAir spring, Charger 3 RC2 damper, 44 mm offset, Boost110, Maxle Stealth, 150 mm travel |
| Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate AirWiz, RCT2 damper, 205 mm x 60 mm |
| Max compatible fork travel | 160 mm |
| Wheel front | Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru-axle, 29" |
|---|---|
| Wheel rear | Bontrager Line Pro 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, SRAM XD driver, Boost148, 12 mm thru-axle, 29" |
| Skewer rear | Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever |
| Tyre | Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29x2.50" |
| Tyre part | Quarq TyreWiz tyre pressure monitors |
| Rim strip | Bontrager TLR |
| Max tyre size | Frame: 29x2.50", Fork: See manufacturer |
| *Battery |
Size:
S, M, L, XL TQ 360Wh |
|---|---|
|
Size:
S, M, L, XL SRAM eTap battery pack (with charger) |
|
| Charger | TQ 4A charger |
| Computer | TQ LED display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity |
| Motor | TQ-HPR50, 50 Nm, 250 watt maximum continuous rated power, 300 watt peak power |
| Shifter | SRAM AXS POD Ultimate, paired with dropper |
|---|---|
| Rear derailleur | SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type |
| Crank | SRAM XX, 165 mm length |
| Chainring | SRAM T-Type, 32T, alloy |
| Cassette | SRAM Eagle XS-1297, T-Type, 10-52, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM XX Eagle, T-Type, 12-speed |
| Max. chainring size | 1x: 34T, min 30T |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width |
|---|---|
| *Seatpost |
Size:
S RockShox Reverb AXS, 100 mm travel, wireless, 34.9 mm, 340 mm length |
|
Size:
M RockShox Reverb AXS, 150 mm travel, wireless, 34.9 mm, 440 mm length |
|
|
Size:
L, XL RockShox Reverb AXS, 170 mm travel, wireless, 34.9 mm, 480 mm length |
|
| *Handlebar/stem (integrated) |
Size:
S Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5 mm handlebar rise, 820 mm width, 0-degree stem rise, 35 mm stem length |
|
Size:
M, L, XL Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5 mm handlebar rise, 820 mm width, 0-degree stem rise, 45mm stem length |
|
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on |
| Head set | Integrated cartridge bearing, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom |
| Brake | SRAM Code Ultimate 4-piston hydraulic disc |
| Brake rotor | SRAM 6-bolt, 200 mm |
| Rotor size | Max brake rotor sizes - Frame: 203mm, Fork: see fork manufacturer |
| Tool | Bontrager BITS integrated multi-tool |
|---|
| Weight | M - 18.68 kg / 41.19 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes) |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 136 kg (300 lb). |