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How does the aluminium-framed Trek Fuel EXe perform in comparison to its carbon brother? Now that he’s got more than 100 miles on each under his belt, our ops manager Alistair knows more than most about how they fare side by side. Here are his thoughts on some of the key aspects of this amazing bike.
One ride was all I needed to call Trek Fuel EXe the best bike I’ve ever ridden, when I took a carbon 9.7 up and down Dalby Forest for three hours and 30 miles [read the blog here]. Now I own an aluminium Fuel EXe 8, I still think the same. My mate Ezra, whose amazing yellow 9.8 Project One is pictured next to mine in these photos, had the same response, word for word. Having had my new bike for a few weeks now, I wanted to rate it alongside the carbon Fuel EXe to help anyone who’s trying to choose between the two. Here’s what I think…
Appearance
I think the aluminium frame looks just as good in the flesh as the carbon. There’s a couple of places where the welds are visible on the alloy frame - where the top tube, down tube and head tube meet, for example - but no-one’s seeing that when you fly past in the woods. Some people won’t want the welds and will go for carbon as a result; some don’t care. As far as colourways are concerned, Trek have gone for fairly muted shades across the whole alloy and carbon range. There’s only the Baja Yellow and Pennyflake finishes on the carbon bikes that are really eye catching.
Durability
I think a lot of people do shy away from carbon because they still think it’s vulnerable. That’s not really the case - read our bike frame comparison blog for more [read the blog here] - but if you simply prefer an alloy bike because you feel more confident with it and you’ll enjoy it more because you’re less worried about breaking it, then I can fully vouch for the performance and experience of the aluminium Fuel EXe. Which brings me onto the next subject…
Weight
I do think I can feel a slight bit of difference in weight when I’m riding; I can feel the aluminium bike is a bit heavier. It doesn’t bother me and in some ways I prefer that extra kilo for cornering and going downhill as it feels really planted, which is great for giving you confidence that your rubber is going to stay under you when you need it most..
Performance
Both bikes are super-nimble, and that’s what sets them apart from other electric mountain bikes. I’ve set mine up as a mullet and that’s made it really playful; great for flicking the back end around. I’ve been riding my alloy bike faster downhill than my previous bike, a Fuel EX carbon and, as I’ve said, the extra weight gives you more grip and confidence. It truly rails the corners.
Desirability
If you want to own the lightest, coolest-looking e-bike out there. There’s no doubt the Fuel EXe carbon is top of the pile. Ezra’s 9.8 Project One turns a lot of heads when we’re out and his upgrades to the fork, bars, stem and wheels only make it more appealing. That obviously comes with a price tag so if it matters to you and you have the budget, go for it! If that’s not a priority to you, I think the Fuel EXe aluminium is an incredible bike and I love it.
The Fuel EXe Range
The aluminium range of three models is priced between £5,175 for the entry level Fuel EXe 5 and £7,075 for the Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS T-Type. The carbon bikes start with the 9.5- currently reduced from £6,400 to £5,504 - and top out at the 9.9 XX AXS T-Type at £13,150.
Come and see both frame types in store in Southgate, Pickering, and talk to our friendly, expert team about which is right for you.
