Trek Releases Fuel EXe Alloy
One of the most impressive bikes to come through our doors at Pinkbike last year was Trek’s lightweight eMTB, the 140mm travel Fuel EXe. Trek is offering that same platform with the stealthy TQ HPR50 motor now packaged in an aluminum frame.
As expected, the substitution in frame materials drops the entry price, which starts at $5,499 USD. There are three models in the line up, including the high-end model spec'd with SRAM's latest Transmission drivetrain.
Another bonus of the alloy frame is that it is compatible with the angle-adjusting headset found in the non-motorized Fuel EX. That could drop the head angle below 64 degrees in the slackest approved configuration.
As expected, the substitution in frame materials drops the entry price, which starts at $5,499 USD. There are three models in the line up, including the high-end model spec'd with SRAM's latest Transmission drivetrain.
Another bonus of the alloy frame is that it is compatible with the angle-adjusting headset found in the non-motorized Fuel EX. That could drop the head angle below 64 degrees in the slackest approved configuration.
Fuel EXe Alloy Details
• Wheel size: 29" or mixed
• Aluminum frame
• ABP suspension
• TQ HPR50 motor - 50Nm torque, 360Wh battery
• 140 mm rear travel, 150mm fork
• 64.7° head angle (low)
• 440 chainstay length
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $5,499 - $7,399 USD
• trekbikes.com
• Wheel size: 29" or mixed
• Aluminum frame
• ABP suspension
• TQ HPR50 motor - 50Nm torque, 360Wh battery
• 140 mm rear travel, 150mm fork
• 64.7° head angle (low)
• 440 chainstay length
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $5,499 - $7,399 USD
• trekbikes.com
Besides the construction material and the possibility of going slacker with the alloy models, all other systems remain unchanged. The TQ HPR50 puts out 50Nm of torque and the battery stores 360Wh of juice - even the display is smoothly integrated into the top tube.
The Mino Link gives a high and low mode for full 29er mode, or you can place it in the high setting and bolt on a 27.5” rear wheel. There’s also the option to bump the fork up to 160mm of travel.
Geometry
Specs and Pricing
Kicking off the new model line is the Fuel EXe Alloy 5 at $5,499 USD. This includes a RockShox Recon Silver fork and X-Fusion Pro 2 shock - both with lockouts, Tektro brakes, Shiamno Deore gearing, and a TranzX dropper post.
The naming behind the Fuel EXe Alloy 8 XT isn't clean cut as the name suggests. There's a mix of Shimano Deore brakes, an XT derailleur, shifter, and SLX chain. At $6,599 USD, this model receives the same suspension, wheels, and Bontrager components as the most expensive model.
Piggybacking on the debut of SRAM’s more affordable T-type drivetrain, the top-end Fuel EXe Alloy 8 GX AXS is spec’d with, not surprisingly, a GX AXS shifting kit and costs $7,399 USD. To keep that price $1000 below the least expensive carbon model, the rest of the components are finished off with a Fox Rythym 36 fork, Float X Performance shock, SRAM DB8 brakes, and Bontrager Line wheels, tires, and cockpit.
Fuel EXe Alloy 8 GX AXS - $7,399 USD
Fuel EXe Alloy 8 XT - $6,599 USD
Fuel EXe Alloy 5 - $5,499 USD
For international pricing and availability, head over to trekbikes.com. You can also check out their extensive FAQ section on the Fuel EXe platform here.
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Nevertheless, I agree that these $5K and up, 20-21kg ebikes with less than 400kW are not so appealing. They are priced as the most premium product, despite being the most compromised type of bike/ebike.
EXe 8 XT: $6599, XT drivetrain and brakes, Rhythm 36 and Float X, 360 Wh battery, 50 nM max torque, 250 W continuous, 44.32 lbs
Rise H10: $6599, XT drivetrain and brakes, Float Performance 36 and Float X, 540 Wh battery, 60 nM max torque, somewhere around 44 lbs too (my wife's 2022 H10 Small weighs 44 lbs)
I'd personally give the slight nod to Orbea for the bigger battery and higher torque, but the EXe seems to have slightly more aggressive geo and the TQ motor is quiet.
I still stand by my point. For sub 30 pound trail bikes, a single pound makes a big difference. For mid-30 pound enduro bikes, it takes 2-3 pounds before weight starts to matter. By the time you're in 2007 DH bike weights in the mid 40s, it takes 5+ pounds for it to make a difference. In this same price bracket, the aluminum Specialized Turbo Levo is like 6 pounds heavier but is full powered and full range.
I guess what I'm trying to say, since its not economically feasible to sell a 40 pound lightweight ebike for under $8k, its kinda a pointless category. Its like your one friend who wants to get into mountain biking, won't settle for a hard tail, but has a $600 budget. Yes, you can find bikes to fit that price, but ultimately its not worth it.
looking at those builds a little closer, the Orbea is clearly the winner. Yes, I said this category is kinda pointless, but the Orbea does technically have a full size motor, and its 540wh battery is more than halfway to a full sized 600+wh battery. In my experience, the jump in performance from "Rhythm" to "Performance" is huge as well.
No more wet noodle forks, on an eeb it's now the electric eel.
Plus there are way more letters in the name for the same money too!
If you want more suspension Simplon makes a 170/165mm enduro bike with the TQ motor, and the Scott lumen if you want less suspension.
they do this on purpose, Trek asks them to not post the weight as its a major problem when they're not the lightest
Otherwise this is pretty sharp looking for an eeb