“The best bike I’ve ever ridden” has just come down in price, as Trek has released the lower cost aluminium frame version of its ground-breaking Fuel EXe. If this amazing bike caught your eye on its release last year but the carbon frame on the launch models put it financially out of reach, we’ve got great news.
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, which features SRAM’s new gearing technology. That’s around £1,000 to £1,500 cheaper than the carbon models with the equivalent componentry.
This kind of pricing puts this incredible ride in the ballpark of other bikes in the new generation of lightweight, natural-feel e-bikes, such as the Haibike LYKE, which retails for between £5,899 and £9,999, though all three of these are carbon-framed.
It was our Operations Manager Alistair who called the Fuel EXe the best bike he’s ever ridden – and his last two have been a Trek Slash and a Fuel EX. You can read his detailed review of the Fuel EXe 9.7 after three hours on it in Dalby Forest here.
His first-ride verdict on the aluminium Fuel EXe is that it delivers the same incredible, natural experience as its carbon brother.
Alistair said: “It looks just like the carbon bike and rides just the same. I couldn’t notice the difference in weight at all.
“And it looks the same as the carbon bikes too. Until you get up close and you can see a couple of welds, you don’t see any difference with the carbon bikes.
“Trek have done a really good job with it. You wouldn’t know if it was alloy or carbon if someone rode by.”
Less than a week after the alloy models were unveiled by Trek, we have two of them in store: The Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS T-type at £7,075 (above, in Matte Keswick green) and the Fuel Exe 5 for £5,175. The range also includes the Fuel EXe 8 XT for £6,575. Typically, there’s about 1kg weight difference between the carbon and aluminium models, which in turn are about 5kg heaver than the Fuel EX, though lots of people like the planted feel that comes with that bit of extra weight.
You can watch our detailed review of the Fuel EXe, plus comparisons with Trek Rail and Haibike LYKE on our YouTube channel. You can also read our blogs on Fuel EXe vs Rail and vs LYKE.
Alistair said: “The last time I was out on the Fuel EXe, I was out in the woods thinking ‘This is the best bike I’ve ever ridden’. Going down hills it’s really confidence inspiring, even more than my Slash or my Fuel EX.
“I love it because you can get 30-plus miles out of it but it’s a more engaging ride than a full fat e-bike, and the pricing on the aluminium models makes it much more affordable.
“You’re getting this natural, acoustic feel experience for a much more affordable price. And you’re getting new technology if you go for the T-Type model.
He added: “I think the TQ motor is the best in the industry. What I like about it is that way it just feels like an acoustic bike. The way it delivers power is really smooth and natural. It’s just like you’re really fit.
“But that’s just in its low setting. If you want power then you can turn up the boost and the power is there.”
Come and see the Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS T-Type and Fuel EXe 5 in store now. You can even take them for a test ride to experience the natural assist for yourself.
