I bought a 2020 trek fuel EX 8 about a year ago. I am going to show you the specs and Geo. I will tell you my experience with this bike, thoughts on handling and climbing. I hope this gives a good perspective on this bike.
SPECS
PRODUCT-2020 TREK FUEL EX 8
RIDING TYPE- Trail
RIDER-Unisex
SIZE-Med
WHEEL SIZE-29in
FRAME MATERIAL-Aluminum
FRAME MATERIAL DETAILS- Alpha platinum aluminum, magnesium rocker link, down tube guard
REAR TRAVEL-130mm
REAR SHOCK- Fox performance float evol, reactive with through shaft three position damper, turned by trek suspension lab
FORK- Fox rhythm 34 float evol air spring, grip damper, tapered steerer, 44 millimeters offset, boost 110, 15 millimeter Kabolt Axle
FORK TRAVEL-140mm
HEAD TUBE DIAMETER-Tapered 1.125-1.5
HEADSET- Knock block integrated, cartridge bearing
HANDLBAR- Bontrager line, alloy, 35 millimeters, 27.5 millimeter rise, 780 millimeters wide
STEM- Bontrager line, knock block, 50 millimeters
GRIPS- Bontrager XR trail elite, alloy lock on, 50 millimeters
BRAKES- Front- Shimano Deore M6000 hydraulic disc, shimano RT 66 6 Volt 203 millimeter rotor
Rear – Shimano Deore M6000 hydraulic disc, Shimano RT 66 six bolt 180 millimeter rotor
BRAKE LEVERS- shimano deore M6000 hydraulic disc
DRIVETRAIN-1x
SHIFTERS-SRAM GX EAGLE,12 speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR-None
REAR DERAILLEUR-SRAM GX EAGLE 12 speed
ISCG TABS-ISCG 05
CHAIN GUIDE-None
CRANKS- Sram truvativ descendant 6K eagle, dub, 175 millimeters on medium
CHAINRING-30 tooth steel
BOTTOM BRACKET- Sram dub, 92 millimeters, pressfit
PEDALS-None
CHAIN-SRAM GX EAGLE 12 speed
CASSETTE-SRAM XG-1275 EAGLE,10-50 tooth,12 speed
RIMS- Bontrager line comp 30, tubeless ready
HUBS-Front- Bontrager 6 bolts, boost 110
Rear- Bontrager garman 54 tooth rapid drive, 6 bolts, Sram XD driver, boost 148, 12 millimeter thru axle
TIRES- Bontrager XR4 team issue, tubeless ready, inner strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 TPI, 2.60
SADDLE- Bontrager Arvada, polo Chromoly rails, 138 millimeters wide
SEATPOST- Bontrager line dropper, internal routing, 150 millimeters
SEATPOST DIAMETER-31.6mm
SEATPOST CLAMP- standard single bolt
REAR DROPOUT/HUB DIMENSIONS-Boost 12x148mm
BOTTLE CAGE MOUNTS-Yes
GEOMETRY Frame Size Medium, H and L represents HI and LOW with the mino link flip chip
TOP TUBE LENGTH- 602H,603Low mm
HEAD TUBE ANGLE- 66.5 Hi,66 Low Degrees
HEAD TUBE LENGTH- 100mm
SEAT TUBE ANGLE- 75.5 Hi, 75 Low degrees
SEAT TUBE LENGTH- 420mm
BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT- 346 Hi,340 Low mm
CHAINSTAY LENGTH-436 Hi,347 Low mm
WHEELBASE-1178 Hi,1179 Low mm
STANDOVER-748 mm
REACH-445 Hi,440 Low mm
STACK-605 Hi,609 Low mm
FRONT TRAVEL-140mm
REAR TRAVEL-130mm
FORK RAKE OFFSET-43mm
TRAIL-116 Hi,119 Low mm
WHEEL SIZE-29in
Trek redesigned the 2020 fuel EX with changes to the geometry and the rear suspension design. The headtube angle is slacker at 66 degrees in low with a mino link in low and with the mino link in hi it is 66.5.
The rear suspension ABP, active breaking pivot provides a very good platform for pedaling. They also have a minor link in the rear that changes the geometry of small mount.
COMPONENTS
TIRES- Bontrager X4 team issue 2.60 these tires are decent tires they seem to grip good and ride good. I changed these out for Maxxis Ardent 2.4 they roll a little better and I like a little smaller tire myself.
SHOCKS- front fork is a Fox Rhythm 34, 140MM, rear shock Fox performance Float Evol 130MM REAKTIV.
The front forks performed really well they soak up the little stuff and they take the bigger hits. These forks make the ride a lot more comfortable. The rear shock performed really well also soaking up the bigger hits and smoothing out the smaller stuff.
The reaktiv shock makes a good pedaling platform so when you head up a hill you don’t have to reach for the lockout switch.
DRIVETRAIN- the GX eagle 1X12 drivetrain is one of my favorites. The drivetrain has performed flawlessly. Shifts really good and smooth.
The GX is a very reliable setup with 30T chainring up front and 10-50T rear cassette. This is a great setup for gnarly and hilly terrain.
BRAKES- Shimano M6000 these are good brakes for the money. They are very good reliable brakes. That get the job done.
I have had these brakes on several of my bikes and they performed really good and have had no problems with them. Shimano brakes are known for their off and on feel but they do a really good job at stopping you.
THE RIDE
CLIMBING- this bike pedals good and it climbs good. The pedaling platform with the reaktiv shock gives a firm but forgiving feel the front stays planted good. The bike felt efficient and responsive it’s capable of taking on any kind of climb.
DESCENDING- this bike is a capable descender. It has rock solid performance on the downhill it feels planted and stable even at higher speeds. The slacker headtube angle at 66 degrees stabilizes the front end on descents.
FLOW TRAILS- this bike really shines on flow trails. It tracks good and handles really well. It has a relaxed and planted feel. The suspension does a good job at soaking up the hits. Overall this bike is a really fun bike to ride on flow trails.
SINGLE TRACK- this bike does good at maneuvering around obstacles like roots and rocks. I’ve found this bikes handling to be very forgiving. Some people complain about the knock block getting in their way but I didn’t I liked it.
I like to know that the front fork isn’t going to hit the frame with the nok block it won’t. Tight switchbacks gave me no problem with this bike.
CONCLUSION
I really like this bike it is my favorite bike that I ride. The Trek Fuel ex 8 is a good middle of the road trail bike. For me personally I feel that this bike is the best I have had so far.
I like the way it handles and I like the way it pedals. This bike is a great all around trail bike.
I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a good trail bike. Really you can’t go wrong with this bike. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Dave