trek fuel ex 8 2012 weight

2012 Trek Fuel EX 8 Bike (discontinued)

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Trek Fuel EX 8 review

Continually evolving all-rounder

Guy Kesteven

Trek’s Fuel EX family has been around for years now, gradually evolving to become more capable and confident every season. We’re not totally convinced by the new tech for this year, but the overall bike is still one of the best all-round trail machines available.

It's keen enough to race your skinny mates up the climbs on, but more than happy to take the fight to lardier, longer-travel bikes on fast and furious descents. More confident angles for 2012, plus confidence boosting tubeless-ready rolling stock and excellent Shimano stop/go gear complete an inspiringly ‘can do’ package.

Ride & handling: Tackles everything from epic cross-country to black-run descents with efficiency and enthusiasm

The Fuel EX is a bike that’s very comfortable riding outside its cross-country/light trail orientated 120mm travel category. The screw-through fork and 68-degree head angle encourage a faster approach to rocks and technical descents, and impressive frame stiffness means accurate and predictable follow through.

It’s one of the few bikes on test that we didn’t want to change the tyres on, although something faster might be in order come summer. That’d help it pick up the pace on smoother sections, where the reasonable weight and excellent pedalling manners make it a naturally efficient and raceable rig on the right rubber.

We’re big fans of the DRCV/Full Floater/ABP back end. It takes longer to set up accurately because you have to cycle the shock to equalize pressures. But the end result is a great balance of stable pedalling but seamless repeated hit-and-drop damping that matches most 140mm bikes in terms of control and speed sustain.

We’re less convinced by the DRCV fork introduced for this year, though. There’s marketing logic for transferring a well reviewed and rated rear suspension technology to the front of the bike, and getting “more travel, more of the time” sounds good. But on the trail, less sensitive small bump response reduces comfort and traction.

Its habit of diving deep, rather than maintaining a predictable ride height under cornering and braking loads, undermines tight tracking and balanced steering geometry. The basic smoothness and control of the Fox fork still shines through though, and given the outstanding get-on-and-go performance of the complete bike it’s not a deal breaker, but we'd score the Fuel higher with a conventional fork.

Frame: Excellent proprietary suspension technology built into a stiff, future-proof chassis

The Fuel EX is a well-established chassis but it’s still loaded with more innovation than most. The angular E2 tapered head tube stiffens up the front end, and for the first time this year the EX 8 model gets a screw-through-axled fork to carry the carving advantage through. Rear dropouts with their concentric ABP pivots get the option of a screw-through axle upgrade too, although the bike comes as standard with a quick-release skewer.

Joining it all together is Trek’s proprietary DRCV-design Fox shock and Full Floater mounting system which squeezes it between extended chainstay tips and the single-piece upper rocker. This not only tunes the spring rate to Trek’s liking but also keeps stress off the main frame tubes.

Trek’s introduction of an 18.5in size between their existing medium and large frame options is something that a lot of other brands would do well to copy to serve the large number of riders stuck halfway between two options. This year semi-internal cable routing joins the feature list too, with a stealthy black/dark grey finish available as well as the more vibrant silver/red/white colourway here.

Equipment: Very good overall kit selection, from screw-through fork to tubeless-ready wheels

As well as colour matching the Bontrager stem and other kit, Trek have thought about the capability of the bike as a whole, rather than going for easy shop floor scores of low weight or easy car park speed. Okay, like most brands the supplied inner tubes are so thin they’ll burst at the sight of the first rock, but the 2.2in wide XR4 tyres are grippy, year-round rubber, and like the broad rims are tubeless ready so all you need is some sealant.

The mixed Shimano Deore XT/SLX drivetrain is a great showcase of how well the Japanese gearing lasts. Even after a winter of lousy weather the only blot on a super-smooth shifting copybook is the scuffing on the XT crank arms. The composite middle ring is still running fine, shifts are still effortless and the SLX brakes have massively impressed everyone who’s tried them. The saddle is comfy, the seatpost is secure and the bar is a decent width. While overall weight is reasonable there’s potential to upgrade and lighten the bike.

This bike was tested as part of What Mountain Bike magazine's Bike of the Year shootout. You can read the full feature in this month's mag, in shops now, and available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio .

Trek Fuel EX 8

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Trek Fuel EX 8 review – still one of the best trail MTBs?

Trek’s alloy fuel ex trail mountain bike lacks the latest features but is the overall package still a winner.

Bike Perfect Verdict

Heavy frame that misses the latest features but still a great package for fast and precise all round mountain biking

Tight, precise frame

Sorted all round handling

Very efficient suspension feel

Durable Shimano kit

Excellent sizing options

Heavy frame

No internal storage

Press fit bottom bracket

Top Fuel is more playful

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We\'ll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Trek’s Fuel EX has been one of the best mountain bikes in the world for years, but the alloy-framed 8 is lacking some of the features the latest alloy and carbon Treks. High-durability component spec matches the vibe of a really well-balanced bike. One that plans ahead, hands its homework in early (having double checked it) and rarely puts a wheel wrong or goads you into being silly yourself. So how has Trek done that and is there a better option in the range if you want something short on travel but big on fun?

Design and aesthetics

Trek has been using a rocker link-driven, vertical shock suspension design on its bikes for so long that “Looks like a Trek Session” is a cliche on most MTB forums. No surprise then that the Fuel EX continues the clean looks which leave plenty of room for a big bottle on the down tube and strap-on storage. You don’t get the internal storage of the newer Top Fuel alloy frame though and this older frame still uses a press-fit bottom bracket rather than reverting to a more reliable threaded  format. There are ISCG chain keeper tabs on the BB though, a wider-angle Knock Block steering limiter to stop bars hitting the frame in a crash and rear axle concentric ABP rear suspension pivot. Cunning zip tie tabbed ‘Control Freak’ internal cable routing and rubber frame armor including molded chainstay sleeves keep things quiet. 

You also get the 0.5-degree geometry change ‘Mino Link’ flip chip at the seat stay/rocker pivot. That changes head angle from 65.5- to 65-degrees and effective seat angle from 75.5- to 75-degrees on the Large I tested. Reach also shifts from 475 to 470mm and BB height drops from 346 to 340mm. The big win with choosing a Trek though is the sheer range of sizes from XXS to XXL including a sweet spot ML in the centre. Smaller bikes also run 27.5in wheels for proportional balance, too, although the chainstays are the same length on all frame sizes. The Fuel EX 8 is also available in three different two-tone color options.

Specification

Trek acknowledges that the ‘priority is on the parts’ with the EX 8 and the highlight is an almost complete Shimano XT drivetrain (the chain is SLX). The Fox Float shock is a custom unit, too, using a Penske race car derived RE:aktiv damper setup for a pert-pedaling feel on top of the 130mm travel. The 140mm Fox 34 fork is the stock Rhythm spec though and the Shimano brakes are basic four-piston MT400s. Bontrager’s functional Line component range completes the bike in well-judged, size-specific cockpit options although dropper post strokes are short on the larger sizes. Big volume versions of Bontrager’s XR5 and XR4 tires on Bontrager Line Comp 30mm internal rims put plenty of air between bike and trail for protection, too.

Performance

While the EX8 isn’t light at just under 15kg (a full kilo heavier than Trek claims) it’s in the ballpark for a mid-travel, alloy-framed bike at this price. What really stands out is how well it hides that weight when it comes to pedaling. The big tires don’t drag nearly as much as they look like they might, while the RE:aktiv shock and overall kinematic give it a really clean, crisp and stable platform to put down power from. That means even with three potential low-compression settings to play with, we rarely felt compelled to flick it out of full open unless we were hoofing uphill out of the saddle. Add the clean shifting, top-quality Shimano XT drivetrain and the Fuel EX is a great choice for high-mileage rides and riders. The fast-engaging ‘Rapid Drive’ freehub and relatively high ground clearance are a bonus for anyone who likes to kick hard out of corners or attack rough technical climbs, too. The efficient suspension feel still gives enough sensitivity to track the ground under power and you can drop pressures in the big tires if you’re into a proper ‘crawler/swamper’ feel. 

The 140mm fork/130mm rear travel feels well balanced on the trail and the Grip damper Fox Rhythm repeatedly proved why its our favorite cost-effective fork. Trek’s suspension calculator is accurate enough to get most people sorted on set-up for most situations. The angles and proportions of the model we tested were confident at speed on jumps but still turned in promptly on woodland twisters. Even the basic Shimano brakes feel better than normal through the neutral suspension responses created by the ABP pivot and the 200mm rotor up front boosts power, too.

While you could speed up reactions with a shorter stem, the stock setup probably suits its overall character better. That’s because while it will pop and play off trailside opportunities if you’re in the mood, it does tend to sit on top of an already relatively high ride height rather than sucking down onto the trail and railing. Interestingly that’s a big - and counter intuitive - difference to the Top Fuel 8. With slightly steeper angles, less travel, significantly different suspension kinematic and top-spec RockShox rear shock, Trek’s pocket rocket has an addictively playful charisma that’s very much at odds with it’s ‘XC’ categorization. 

In fact, despite it being heavier we’d probably opt for the Fuel EX for long marathon-style or efficiency-based events, especially as it’s significantly cheaper than its little brother, leaving you more cash for race entries and energy products. Just make sure you keep an eye on the press-fit bottom bracket and get it replaced as soon as it shows any signs of wobble/creak as that can eventually creates frame issues.

Trek’s Fuel range might be a bit backwards when it comes to assigning categories based on travel but the main thing is that the Fuel EX is still a really efficient, enjoyable and fitness/skill flattering all rounder. While it misses out on the internal storage, threaded BB and super-plush playfulness of the Top Fuel, Shimano XT will always bring a lot of hard riding boys (and girls) to the yard. Those are exactly the riders who’ll appreciate just how well this extremely well balanced bike covers ground and keeps a fresh and sharp feel long into the day, and down tough technical sections, too. 

Tech Specs: Trek Fuel EX 8 XT

• Price: $3,929.99 / £3,200
• Discipline: Trail
• Head angle: 66/66.5-degrees
• Frame material: Trek Alpha Platinum Aluminum
• Sizes: XS, S, M, M/L, L (tested) XL, XXL
• Weight: 14.9kg
• Wheel size: 29 x 2.3in
• Suspension (front/rear): Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL 140mm travel, 44mm offset/Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE:aktiv 130mm travel
• Components: Shimano XT 10-51T, 12-speed gearing, shifter, chainset and cassette. Shimano SLX chain. Shimano MT400 brakes with 200/180mm rotors. Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 29 x 2.6in front and Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 29 x 2.5in rear tires on Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels. Bontrager Line 780 x 35mm bar and 50 x 35 mm stem, Bontrager Line Dropper 150mm dropper post, Bontrager Arvada saddle

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since launch in 2019. He started writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

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Trek fuel ex 5 vs. Scott spark 960

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Tried finding a comparison for these two bike, but not a lot out there for the Scott (mostly others in the spark line). Hoping to buy one of these within the next few days, but am not sure which is the better bet. The trek is $1800 while the Scott is listed at $1900, but up until this weekend is at $1600. Just getting back into riding and am not really sure on which has the better components, and which I'll end up upgrading. Thanks,  

If you are just getting back into riding, start with the Scott. It has less (more manageable) suspension travel, and if it costs less, then if it fits it will be your best choice.  

IMO, don't waste your money with an EX5. It's such a baseline entry into the FS that it's not worth it. Go at least an EX6 and up.. As for Scott, couldn't tell you. Been seeing them more and more. I am considering one as my next bike. I demo'd a FS carbon model and loved it.  

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• Rider Notes

2012 Trek Fuel EX 8 E

A 26″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.

For This Bike

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Fuel EX 8 E

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The EX performs brilliantly on everyday singletrack—the kind of trails you want to ride for hours upon hours. Its handling traits are balanced and nimble, thanks in part to its low bottom bracket and ample standover. The efficient DRCV suspension platform and the 27.5-pound weight make the EX 9.8 feel like a no-holds-barred race whippet while on the pedals.

Jul 2013 · Jenn Hill

Jenn's long termer of choice this year is Trek's Fuel EX 9.8.

Jan 2013 · Dirt HQ

Here’s a bike that looks good and has been made into a bike that’s fun to ride, the 2013 Trek Fuel EX 9.8...

Nov 2012 · Alan Muldoon

New for 2013 is Trek’s latest incarnation of the ever-popular Fuel Ex, priced from £1,400. We swung a leg over the latest models in the Dolomites to see how the bike has evolved.

[SV_VIMEO id=”48633979″] While most of the mountain bike industry is busy burying the 26″ wheel with barrow loads of big wheels, Trek are one of the few companies who have actually invested in the 26″ trail bike market for 2013. The revamped Fuel EX line up is more capable than ever. It really is the …

An amazingly capable trail bike - there aren't many situations the EX can't handle. Gorgeous construction. Reliable spec and we love the Reverb Stealth seat post! Pretty good value too.

Rear shock tune feels a little too firm when 'Trail' mode is engaged. Fork is noisy. Would be better without a triple ring crankset.

Apr 2012 · Guy Kesteven

Trek’s all-rounder is a superb showcase of enjoyment boosting technology. It's responsive and efficient enough for epic cross-country but more than tough and confident enough for technical descents

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