Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!

[Canyon Shawn]

So he'd go for 50mm bars?

Don't really know why my high bars work but they do, might be because i can move your weight around to what makes the bike work best. Perhaps also helps, as Mrs irie says, to have gorilla arms.

PNW carbon loam 38mm bars with an uncut steerer and 5mm rise stem.

Bingo! It just puts your body in a better position. There’s no need to be all bent over spreading KY jelly on your backside. People are slowly learning, that’s not the best way to ride a mountain bike or ebike.

 

[Canyon Shawn]

Will try the 20mm rise and if they seem to low get the 35mm. Getting older now so a more upright position might help a bit! Are you running the higher rise ones?

Go straight to the 35mm ones. I went with 20mm, then rode the same bike a friend has with 35mm and now I’m switching.

 

[Canyon Shawn]

If you guys want to get more into riding technique, check out Ryan Hughes videos on YouTube. He is the premier, cutting edge motocross technique teacher. I used to race pro motocross. And, it all translates directly to riding mountain bikes. I used to train horses and most of it even applies to that also. Basically, ride a mountain bike like Jett Lawrence and Chase Sexton ride motocross bikes.

 

[JayX2A]

Go straight to the 35mm ones. I went with 20mm, then rode the same bike a friend has with 35mm and now I’m switching.

Yeah sounds like a plan. Probably go for the 42mm OneUp stem as doesn’t seem many 45mm ones around.

 

[JayX2A]

What are people running their mino links in, low or high for 29s front and rear? Think mine has always been in low, so just wondering what the positives and negatives of high are?

 

[Mteam]

What are people running their mino links in, low or high for 29s front and rear? Think mine has always been in low, so just wondering what the positives and negatives of high are?

Low for me. Main positive for high seems to be less pedal strikes from the higher bottom bracket, but I don't really have an issue with pedal strikes in the low setting.

High also steepens the head angle so will make the steering feel a bit faster, which could be considered good or bad depending on your point of view. High also steepens the seat tube angle which might make seated climbing a bit easier.

I prefer low.

 

[Ribinrobin]

What size tyres people running? Got some 2.4s on and they seem super narrow on the bontrager rims

 

[JayX2A]

What size tyres people running? Got some 2.4s on and they seem super narrow on the bontrager rims

2.4 contis on some roval carbon rims. Seem about right width wise.

 

[JayX2A]

Go straight to the 35mm ones. I went with 20mm, then rode the same bike a friend has with 35mm and now I’m switching.

So today had some time so had a bit of experimenting. Firstly my bars were 20mm rise running 2x10, 1x5 and 1x3 spacers.

Borrowed my mates OneUp 760mm 35mm rise bars with 42mm stem. Made no changes to spacers and it still feel a bit too high and too narrow.

Moved the grips and controls out a cm each side to make it feel like 780mm. Experimented with spacers and felt best with 2x10 under the stem.

Only issue is the random top spacers having to use. Going to ride over the weekend with this set up and if it feels right with order some 35mm rise bars and chop em to 780. Also will chop the steerer down to make it nice and tidy once I definitely know the right set up!

View attachment IMG_2023.jpeg

 

[Canyon Shawn]

So today had some time so had a bit of experimenting. Firstly my bars were 20mm rise running 2x10, 1x5 and 1x3 spacers.

Borrowed my mates OneUp 760mm 35mm rise bars with 42mm stem. Made no changes to spacers and it still feel a bit too high and too narrow.

Moved the grips and controls out a cm each side to make it feel like 780mm. Experimented with spacers and felt best with 2x10 under the stem.

Only issue is the random top spacers having to use. Going to ride over the weekend with this set up and if it feels right with order some 35mm rise bars and chop em to 780. Also will chop the steerer down to make it nice and tidy once I definitely know the right set up!

View attachment 154558

Give it some time to feel right. Don’t chop the steer tube. You can’t put it back. Put the spacers under the stem and again give it sometime to feel good. It will given time.

 

[Canyon Shawn]

What are people running their mino links in, low or high for 29s front and rear? Think mine has always been in low, so just wondering what the positives and negatives of high are?

Always low for a 29 in the back. The EXes have to much weight in the front anyway. Make sure rear sag is a solid 30%.

 

[Canyon Shawn]

What size tyres people running? Got some 2.4s on and they seem super narrow on the bontrager rims

2.6 Recons front and rear on Race Face Next R 36 wheels. PSI is 17 front 19 rear. I love it!

 

[JP-NZ]

Also have Next R rims with maxxis Assegai F and DHR2 rear. Both 29x2.5 max grip DH casings.

 

[KC10ENG]

What size tyres people running? Got some 2.4s on and they seem super narrow on the bontrager rims

I’m running a 2.5 Assegai in the front and a 2.4 XR5 in the rear and the tires are mounted on Bontrager Kovee Pro wheels.

 

[EnduroIntern]

Also have Next R rims with maxxis Assegai F and DHR2 rear. Both 29x2.5 max grip DH casings.

How did you manage to mount DH casing?
I broke my back trying to mount them

 

[Czm]

Hi all. I have some issues with my AXS Trek Exe.

I noticed that it wasn’t charging when plugged in to the charge port.

I took the battery out and plugged the battery direct into the charger and it charged fine so I know the battery and the charger are ok.
Once I have charged the battery this way I plug it back in and the bike turns on and shows charge.

However once I power it down, it won’t turn on again using the power button, what I have also found is that when the bike is turned on from plugging the battery back in, the - button on the handle bar controller doesn’t work. The + button works fine, just not the -
I am really confused!!!

Any help much appreciated

 

[JayX2A]

My lord my bike starting squealing like an absolute pig on my ride today.

The motor dying? It makes no noise when bike is off but can’t ride it with motor off as it seems to be in some sort of resistance mode like I am pedalling against the motor!

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[JP-NZ]

My lord my bike starting squealing like an absolute pig on my ride today.

The motor dying? It makes no noise when bike is off but can’t ride it with motor off as it seems to be in some sort of resistance mode like I am pedalling against the motor!

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That doesn't sound good. Warranty claim at your LBS.

 

[Czm]

Hi all, my Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS T-Type build has thrown a code ERR 5402 DISP BTN, the - button on the controller doesnt seem to click anymore like the + button does so assume the handle bar controller is the fault. Is it just a case of replacing it or does a new one have to be re programmed using the TQ Dealer Service Tool (DST)

 

[Mteam]

Hi all, my Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS T-Type build has thrown a code ERR 5402 DISP BTN, the - button on the controller doesnt seem to click anymore like the + button does so assume the handle bar controller is the fault. Is it just a case of replacing it or does a new one have to be re programmed using the TQ Dealer Service Tool (DST)

If it is a fault with the handle bar remote, you can just plug a new one in, no programming is required.

 

[EnduroIntern]

Hi all, my Trek Fuel EXe 8 GX AXS T-Type build has thrown a code ERR 5402 DISP BTN, the - button on the controller doesnt seem to click anymore like the + button does so assume the handle bar controller is the fault. Is it just a case of replacing it or does a new one have to be re programmed using the TQ Dealer Service Tool (DST)

I had a similar issue.
You can try unplugging the remote and program the button on the main display to shift modes. As a workaround.

In my case it didn't work. Unplugging it still showed the same error.
After a few days the error went away, and everything just stated working again.
This made me think it was actually some sort of moisture or connection issue

 

[DancingWithMyself]

What are people running their mino links in, low or high for 29s front and rear? Think mine has always been in low, so just wondering what the positives and negatives of high are?

To add on the good points on effects on geo, the BB is really low and the HTA is good for the bike's intended purposes, which means the high setting is something that should be considered. It's not like a bike from a few years ago where the high setting wasn't really applicable for most riders. If you're pedaling through chunky stuff and getting pedal strikes, the high position is a viable option.

I'm running low currently, but I've also got a 160mm fork on it. If I were going to the desert, I'd probably put it in high (I'm on 160 cranks with flats and don't want to go shorter). If I was mostly climbing up gravel roads or dedicated climbing trails (not chunky and technical) and bombing down, low for sure. In between scenarios I think it comes down to personal preference.

 

[Czm]

I had a similar issue.
You can try unplugging the remote and program the button on the main display to shift modes. As a workaround.

In my case it didn't work. Unplugging it still showed the same error.
After a few days the error went away, and everything just stated working again.
This made me think it was actually some sort of moisture or connection issue

Thanks for the replies, I have now replaced the smart box and the handle bar controller and all works fine, charges and no errors so I think my old smart box had water ingress.
The only issue I have now is that the AXS shifter is not working however I believe that because it is new smart box, the e shifting option needs to be enabled. I know that this can be done with the TQ service tool which I don't have, is there a way of accessing this without the TQ service tool;?

 

[Integralnz]

Update. Trek are replacing the frame. I was told it could be a 3-4 week wait as the replacement is coming from the US.

Update. New frame arrived and all components swapped over at no cost to me. As the second owner of this bike my expectations of warranty support have been exceeded. Based on the excellent backup from Trek I have now bought an EXE for my wife. Attached are a couple of pictures showing the damage. First pick showing how the bearing housing had detached from the frame. Second pick showing a small crack in the shock pivot mount.

 

[DylanJM]

That bearing looks in awful condition. Does it even rotate?

 

[Integralnz]

it was seized.

 

[JayX2A]

My lord my bike starting squealing like an absolute pig on my ride today.

The motor dying? It makes no noise when bike is off but can’t ride it with motor off as it seems to be in some sort of resistance mode like I am pedalling against the motor!

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Update - after LBS went back and forth with Trek/TQ they are sending a new motor. Sadly it takes 10-12 days but least it’s being changed.

 

[Mark C]

My March 2023 Fuel Exe 9.8 AXS is back in the LBS for its third motor. Hoping it will be covered under warranty again, but a third motor in two years seems a high rate of failure. I think I have seen others on this thread who are also on a third motor. Have others had more than three? Not sure what the warranty length is and if it runs from the date the bike is purchased or when the latest motor is fitted! But kudos to Trek for (hopefully) keep covering this on warranty! Maybe the rate of failure for the motor will fall as all the problems get ironed out. I hope so because when fully working it is a great bike.

 

[Mteam]

My March 2023 Fuel Exe 9.8 AXS is back in the LBS for its third motor. Hoping it will be covered under warranty again, but a third motor in two years seems a high rate of failure. I think I have seen others on this thread who are also on a third motor. Have others had more than three? Not sure what the warranty length is and if it runs from the date the bike is purchased or when the latest motor is fitted! But kudos to Trek for (hopefully) keep covering this on warranty! Maybe the rate of failure for the motor will fall as all the problems get ironed out. I hope so because when fully working it is a great bike.

Yeah, I'm on my 3rd motor too.

First motor only lasted 400 miles, second motor lasted about 1600 miles. Maybe the 3rd will go for 3000!?

Id be interested if anyone knows whether they have made running changes to the motor to improve reliability, anyone know anything?

 

[erider1]

My March 2023 Fuel Exe 9.8 AXS is back in the LBS for its third motor. Hoping it will be covered under warranty again, but a third motor in two years seems a high rate of failure. I think I have seen others on this thread who are also on a third motor. Have others had more than three? Not sure what the warranty length is and if it runs from the date the bike is purchased or when the latest motor is fitted! But kudos to Trek for (hopefully) keep covering this on warranty! Maybe the rate of failure for the motor will fall as all the problems get ironed out. I hope so because when fully working it is a great bike

Do you or anyone know what seems to be the most common problem of the motor failures?
Also what is the warranty on the motor, in your understanding?

About to grab one of these 9.5s now for sale price, and having second thoughts after reading about motor reliability