Maybe @Rob Rides EMTB can attract someone from TQ onto this forum so they get first hand feedback from you guys on these problems.
Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!
- Thread starter Rob Rides EMTB
- Start date
Zed
Active member
Another one here. From what I can make out not sure it sounds like motor though.
DugT
Active member
I heard occasional high pitched clicks that didn't sound too bad to me. It sounded a lot better than the steady rattle from the bike of Jujujuice's wife. Maybe this bike needs to the new motor bolt torque procedure.
Different subject but, I don't see how anyone can often ride a gnarly trail that fast and not eventually suffer a serious injury. It makes me grateful for water sports.
Different subject but, I don't see how anyone can often ride a gnarly trail that fast and not eventually suffer a serious injury. It makes me grateful for water sports.
Zed
Active member
Curious... which riding are you talking about? All the vids in this thread seem fairly tame...
New bike day yesterday. Just received my 9.5 EXe in Dnister Black. This is a full custom build, every part except the frame and motor.
I took it for a ride this morning on some easy trails. My bike shop mechanic wanted me to go for an easy ride and bring the bike back in to re-torque the spokes. The bike has an incredibly natural feel, at times, I wasn’t sure the assist was working because the power delivery was so smooth. The motor is absolutely silent on the trail, I never heard a thing. My trails are kitty litter over hard pack, so “crunchy” sounding, which may have masked the sound a little, but again, I couldn’t hear a thing. The bike is extremely comfortable and I can easily toss it around and pop off natural features. I sized up as I am exactly between a medium and large. I made the absolute right choice. I am running this mullet with a 160 mm fork. It is definitely more lively agile than 29” front and rear. The geometry of this bike is REALLY good and I can’t wait to take it on some steeper descents.
I have ridden my previous EMTB, an Orbea Rise. The EXe is better handling, much quieter, with no motor rattling. It has a more natural feeling pedal assist than the Rise, which is hard to believe as the Rise felt really natural. It is better than the Rise in pretty much every category, except power delivery. The difference in the 50 nm motor vs. the 60 nm motor is noticeable for sure. This does not bother me as I do not want a lot of assist, I’d still like to use my legs a lot. I’ve ridden my wife’s Turbo Levo SL, and it is definitely more powerful than that bike.
I took it for a ride this morning on some easy trails. My bike shop mechanic wanted me to go for an easy ride and bring the bike back in to re-torque the spokes. The bike has an incredibly natural feel, at times, I wasn’t sure the assist was working because the power delivery was so smooth. The motor is absolutely silent on the trail, I never heard a thing. My trails are kitty litter over hard pack, so “crunchy” sounding, which may have masked the sound a little, but again, I couldn’t hear a thing. The bike is extremely comfortable and I can easily toss it around and pop off natural features. I sized up as I am exactly between a medium and large. I made the absolute right choice. I am running this mullet with a 160 mm fork. It is definitely more lively agile than 29” front and rear. The geometry of this bike is REALLY good and I can’t wait to take it on some steeper descents.
I have ridden my previous EMTB, an Orbea Rise. The EXe is better handling, much quieter, with no motor rattling. It has a more natural feeling pedal assist than the Rise, which is hard to believe as the Rise felt really natural. It is better than the Rise in pretty much every category, except power delivery. The difference in the 50 nm motor vs. the 60 nm motor is noticeable for sure. This does not bother me as I do not want a lot of assist, I’d still like to use my legs a lot. I’ve ridden my wife’s Turbo Levo SL, and it is definitely more powerful than that bike.
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That’s a beauty, congrats. For the shock, what travel did you go with? I assume currently there’s no way to install a longer travel shock?
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I went with the factory size 140 mm
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There's no noise when motor is turned off, or with motor turned on and no load. I was able to produce the noise on the bike stand by applying the rear brake for some resistance.
I dunno, maybe they forgot to add gear oil? ;-). Every once in awhile the motor goes dead silent, seemingly at random.
On the trail the motor performs fine otherwise. The bike rides great - very solid trail bike with no real weaknesses. Fun to ride in mellower stuff and can be pushed in steeper and chunkier terrain. Geometry of XL spot-on for me (6'2") and suspension a major improvement over the 1st Gen Levo SL, even with upgraded fork and shock.
DugT
Active member
I just semi-committed to getting a blue Fuel EXe 9.8 XT before the end of September. I hope the rattle problem is solved before then.
DugT
Active member
Thanks for that.
I would think someone at TQ could pinpoint the problem quickly if they saw that video. By now, TQ probably already knows exactly what the problem is and now they are trying to decide how to solve the problem, and or impliment the fix on motors in the bikes that EXe customers already have. These things can take time. It may involve negotiations between TQ and Trek. Big companies can be too proud to realize they made a mistake and admit responsibility. Since they probably haven't shipped hundreds already, it shouldn't be a huge problem for either company so my wild semi educated guess is we will have some answers within a couple of weeks. I used to be involved in this sort of thing in the computer industry.
Edit: But, if the solution requires a redesign of something, like a gear, or different materials, then lead time for the new part could be months. So, the main thing is, try not to remember anything I said because I really don't know.
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Beautiful bike!
I am seriously considering going the same route, 160mm fork and mullet.
What size is yours? I'm concerned about the seat tube angle and that the mullet will slacken it out too much for me. I'm 6'2" and all legs so don't want to be too far over the back wheel.
Also, is the shock 60mm stroke? Did you consider 65mm?
addthebadd
New Member
Looks like an awesome build. I know this is a weird question but have you tried riding it with the battery removed?
I haven’t tried. My first ride on the bike was yesterday morning. The temperatures here in Arizona are 86 degrees at 6:00 am, so until it cools down, I probably won’t ride it without the battery. I think it will ride similar to a heavy enduro bike on hills…the weight would be about 38 lbs without the battery, not bad. there is very little to no drag without assistance, so it should pedal well.
My bike is a large and I am 5’9”. I am exactly in between the medium and large size and went with the large. Sizing up was the right call. I was worried about the wheel base lengthening and slackening out the bike with the 160 mm fork and 27.5 rear wheeI. I thought it may affect handling, poppiness and tight turns. I’ve only take one ride thus far, but based on the first ride, none of the above will be an issue. I will have it out on a couple rides this weekend on some bigger, faster trails and will report back. I went with the factory length shock in a Fox Float X2.
addthebadd
New Member
Most excellent, I would love to hear what it's like if you do get a chance!
In the video the reviewer says:
"This bike has an advantage compared to normal ones ... it weighs 3-4 kg more ... that keep it firmer on the ground on rough trails."
Perhaps another 3-4 kg would keep it even firmer on the ground on rough trails?
Or even just an extra 1-1.5kg for a Bosch CX4 motor?
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DugT
Active member
I couldn't find any. Bentley had a model car called Mulsanne and the blue version is the same shade of blue. I think it isn't a coincidence.
blue Mulsanne Bentley
I'm going to name my mulsanne blue Fuel, "Bentley".
All I see is the poor guy on the bench looking after his Mrs's shopping whilst she flirts with @BAMBAMODA
Ace Freely
Active member
In the video the reviewer says:
"This bike has an advantage compared to normal ones ... it weighs 3-4 kg more ... that keep it firmer on the ground on rough trails."
Perhaps another 3-4 kg would keep it even firmer on the ground on rough trails?
Or even just an extra 1-1.5kg for a Bosch CX4 motor?
View attachment 96625
View attachment 96626
View attachment 96627
...IMO, adding another 3 lbs AND a noisy motor isn't what this bike is about...
Ace
Zed
Active member
Yep, stuck to ground and difficult to get off it, just like my Orbea Wild. Not the point of this bike though...Perhaps another 3-4 kg would keep it even firmer on the ground on rough trails?
Or even just an extra 1-1.5kg for a Bosch CX4 motor?
The Reverend
Member
Mine was creaking and clicking like a farm gate as I pedalled.
The noise coming from the carbon cranks / bottom bracket area, but Trek sorted it as they've seen a few come back with the chainring at the old torque spec.
As noted earlier in the thread, this has been updated.
The noise coming from the carbon cranks / bottom bracket area, but Trek sorted it as they've seen a few come back with the chainring at the old torque spec.
As noted earlier in the thread, this has been updated.
If you remove the battery to run the bike acoustic only, there is meant to be a spring clip with a threaded hole that you take off the lower battery cover (storage tab shown) and clip it over the lower mounting hole in the frame so you can re attached the lower cover. Mine didn't come with this and the bike shop says none of their bikes came with it. Is this the same for everyone?
- Thread starter
- #204
Mine came in a bag of accessories with some other pieces (tokens etc). Here’s what it looks like.
Hi all havin a problem with my Exe, I've got a clicking noise when peddling which i can feel through both pedals it's not there all the time and is more harsh when riding unassisted ,obviously I've done all the checks pedals ,chainring ,crank arms ,linkages, rear derailleur engine bolts and seat post just wondering if anyone else has had or having this issue ....???
Shades
Member
Might be fixed with what Kepler mentioned above: Official Trek Fuel EXe Megathread! - EMTB Forums
JP-NZ
E*POWAH Elite
I'd start with reading this thread from page 1...
Picked up my Fuel ex-e two days ago and mine has alloy cranks. Serial number says it was made in February 2022. There is no way Trek Australia didn't know this was coming. They just chose to not tell us. Question is, if I hadn't noticed, would they call me in to change to the carbon cranks when they become available? Trek tell me they don't have a date for carbon crank stock coming in but they did tell me the second delivery will have carbon cranks and is expected in November.
Basically, Trek just sold bikes that do not meet specifications advertised, this is unlawful in Australia. Shame they couldn't have just been honest enough to explain this to us all at the time of purchase.
Don't forget, if you leave the alloy cranks on, second hand value will be lower.
Trek told me that my local factory store (main Trek dealers) did not know about this issue until 24 hours prior to me calling them the day after I bought my bike. I find this hard believe. Trek management must have been aware from an early stage that their first container delivery of these bikes was going to be subject to a component shortage. They had plenty of time to be transparent and open to everyone concerned as well as to organise a plan to recall the bikes when the carbon cranks became available.
One last thing, don't count on getting the correct cranks soon. Some people may have to wait a long time.
Basically, Trek just sold bikes that do not meet specifications advertised, this is unlawful in Australia. Shame they couldn't have just been honest enough to explain this to us all at the time of purchase.
Don't forget, if you leave the alloy cranks on, second hand value will be lower.
Trek told me that my local factory store (main Trek dealers) did not know about this issue until 24 hours prior to me calling them the day after I bought my bike. I find this hard believe. Trek management must have been aware from an early stage that their first container delivery of these bikes was going to be subject to a component shortage. They had plenty of time to be transparent and open to everyone concerned as well as to organise a plan to recall the bikes when the carbon cranks became available.
One last thing, don't count on getting the correct cranks soon. Some people may have to wait a long time.
The Reverend
Member
I'm also in Australia and mine turned up without the right cranks like yours. I noticed and they apologised for it.
It took them one week to get the carbon ones on so it may not be a very long delay
Trek Australia might well have known but the LBS literally get the bike and build it. I certainly don't blame them and they were very helpful.
It took them one week to get the carbon ones on so it may not be a very long delay
Trek Australia might well have known but the LBS literally get the bike and build it. I certainly don't blame them and they were very helpful.
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