Fuel EXe Trek Fuel EXe Megathread!

[EnduroIntern]

What rise bars are people running? Thinking of going higher than my current 20mm ones.

Just went with 35 rise one up carbon bar.
Really like it. And feels better at cornering and over chunk.
But it is most likely placebo

 

[xcel]

FML installed new rear shock, fastened one side of the upper bolts with 17nm as per manual, did the other side - head of the bolt sheared straight off without the torque wrench getting close to 17nm.

 

[JayX2A]

Thanks for that I think mine is very similar type of noise but mine will not creak unless I pedal very hard. I will get it out again tomorrow and thoroughly go through it to see if I can make it creak like yours.

Did you give it a go? I didn’t have time to do any greasing before riding today so still creaky.

Annoyingly my front tyre lost a load of air but still managed to limp home with what it kept inside!

Will get on to the creak this week to try track it down.

 

[JayX2A]

Just went with 35 rise one up carbon bar.
Really like it. And feels better at cornering and over chunk.
But it is most likely placebo

I’m an idiot. I have some 35mm rise oneups on the bike I’m selling so swapped them out to give them a try.

 

[Julie_X1]

Just went with 35 rise one up carbon bar.
Really like it. And feels better at cornering and over chunk.
But it is most likely placebo

Same here. Except mine is the e-carbon bar.

 

[Johannes]

Just went with 35 rise one up carbon bar.
Really like it. And feels better at cornering and over chunk.
But it is most likely placebo

I went with a 38mm rise carbon bar from PNW. Quite happy with that.

 

[JayX2A]

So it’s been a few rides now and loving the bike but few more changes to happen this week. The 20mm rise was not for me on the bars. My 35mm oneups are now on.

Just don’t like these TRP brakes. Swapping them over to the XTs from my old bike. Well my local mechanic is swapping them lol

The Wolfpack tyres I tried were a bit weak. They were ok but sidewalls not great. My mate was selling a set of brand new Maxxis for mates rate so just seated them today. These wheels are a joy to work with. Tyres are pretty easy to get on and seat so been no major swearing lol

View attachment IMG_0434.jpeg

 

[Fd3chris]

I took mine to a friend's and we stripped the motor out and greased everything while putting it back. I think it was a dry pedal after all of that. Went for a long ride yesterday in Gisburn forest in the UK and not one creak.

 

[wizard604]

Finally got around to taking off the Bont-trasher tires and putting on Assegai & Dhr2s. The thick rim strip on the wheels made it extremely challenging to mount the new tires. Normally you can just position the tire in the center channel and the tire will go on easy. The rim strip is so thick that it doesn't give you much room to play with. I did manage to mount the tires eventually resorting to every trick in the book. But in retrospect I should just have removed the rim strip and replaced with regular rim tape. It would have been a lot less effort

So just a word of advice to everyone. Yank that rim strip and replace with rim tape. Save yourself a lot of frustration

 

[JayX2A]

Finally got around to taking off the Bont-trasher tires and putting on Assegai & Dhr2s. The thick rim strip on the wheels made it extremely challenging to mount the new tires. Normally you can just position the tire in the center channel and the tire will go on easy. The rim strip is so thick that it doesn't give you much room to play with. I did manage to mount the tires eventually resorting to every trick in the book. But in retrospect I should just have removed the rim strip and replaced with regular rim tape. It would have been a lot less effort

So just a word of advice to everyone. Yank that rim strip and replace with rim tape. Save yourself a lot of frustration

I was lucky that I had my old carbon wheels. The DHF/DHR slid straight on. As good as those rim strips are they have previously made me very angry lol

 

[xcel]

@Emailsucks98 Do you happen to know the height of the bottom out bumper in the ttx1 air? Couldn't really find any info on that and haven't opened the shock yet. I'm having about 3-4mm clearance when the shock is fully deflated / compressed. Kinda undecided atm. whether I want to the risk or not.

 

[Emailsucks98]

@Emailsucks98 Do you happen to know the height of the bottom out bumper in the ttx1 air? Couldn't really find any info on that and haven't opened the shock yet. I'm having about 3-4mm clearance when the shock is fully deflated / compressed. Kinda undecided atm. whether I want to the risk or not.

Wow! Interesting. Yeah, that looks a little scary. So when I have changed volume spacers, I didn't see any sort of BO bumper in the air chamber, just the white "top hat" that the volume spacers clip on to.

Could you measure your sock stroke at full compression? I'd be happy to do the same on mine. Ohlins says my shock was rebuilt to 65mm stroke but I've never gotten that much out of it. I have also heard from a reputable source that no 205mm shock actually gets 65mm stroke, it's purely hypothetical.

 

[xcel]

Wow! Interesting. Yeah, that looks a little scary. So when I have changed volume spacers, I didn't see any sort of BO bumper in the air chamber, just the white "top hat" that the volume spacers clip on to.

Could you measure your sock stroke at full compression? I'd be happy to do the same on mine. Ohlins says my shock was rebuilt to 65mm stroke but I've never gotten that much out of it. I have also heard from a reputable source that no 205mm shock actually gets 65mm stroke, it's purely hypothetical.

The sag indicator was pretty much all the way at the top, so full stroke. Measured 63-64mm-ish, a bit hard to reach with a vernier caliper. Now keep in mind that is fully deflated with me pressing down on the saddle (mino-link on low). Don't know whether this is actually realistic in a real world riding scenario.

Edit: Reading it again, or do you rather mean measuring the leftover stroke when fully compressed? Even though it should be the same result.

 

[Jazzii]

I run TTX1 205x65 as it came from factory. Msize frame, no probs with clearance. I use full stroke (by sag indicator).

 

[xcel]

I run TTX1 205x65 as it came from factory. Msize frame, no probs with clearance. I use full stroke (by sag indicator).

Interesting, same setup then. Did you ever check the clearance with no air in the shock? Also I assume no volume spacers?

 

[Jazzii]

Interesting, same setup then. Did you ever check the clearance with no air in the shock? Also I assume no volume spacers?

Did not check, because before TTX1 I run Float X also 65 stroke with no issues. Have no idea how big bo spacer is inside.

 

[Jazzii]

Week ago I broke carbon rim, hit jump landing edge, I am sure shock went max stroke to the bottom. No signs on frame.

 

[xcel]

Week ago I broke carbon rim, hit jump landing edge, I am sure shock went max stroke to the bottom. No signs on frame.

Holy shit haha, hope you're doing okay. Yea that shock would've most definitely bottomed out.
Thanks a lot for the input though, I guess it'll be fine then. Mino-link position also shouldn't change the bottom out clearance from a few posts I've seen here.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Holy shit haha, hope you're doing okay. Yea that shock would've most definitely bottomed out.
Thanks a lot for the input though, I guess it'll be fine then. Mino-link position also shouldn't change the bottom out clearance from a few posts I've seen here.

I'm glad @Jazzii has some feedback for you, cause I am up at whistler with the coil shock so I can't help with any measurements!

The mino link does make a difference I think, and I typically run mullet with the Mino Link in high, which would create additional clearance. I have occasionally ran 29" /Low and never had issues- but maybe only a dozen rides. Hypothetically ALL 205x65mm shocks should create the same "worst case" clearance scenario with the seatstay bridge. The reservoir is what varies and the Ohlins is great there, since it is sideways. I'm pretty sure you're good but it doesn't hurt to verify.

Business time / AM/PM/Tunnel vision were awesome on the EXe today!

 

[Buster]

So Ive been chasing a creak on my bike for the last few rides. So I started by lubing and torquing all of the main pivot and shock linkage. I torqued everything in sequence and was proud and optimistic to hopefully quiet my bike down. NO. Then I came across a thread about lubing your seat post. Torqued that. NO. Still squeaks.
Today do more squeak research. Find another thread about the two motor mount bolts which should be torqued to 20nm. I come home get the torque wrench out and lo and behold I get a 1/4 turn on the front bolt and an 1/8 maybe a little more on the aft one. I’m praying for a squeak free bike on my next ride.

(Silence is Golden)
EXE 9.8xt owner for 3 weeks now.
Love the bike. Bike noises have always been an issue for me no matter which manufacturer. As others have mentioned different things to check. I went down the rabbit hole.
Lubed, repacked, torqued =
All bearings,fasteners, hub pawls,chainring,Headset bearing/cups, motor mount,derailleur hanger,dropper post & clamp all for peace of mind. Still
Had a noise that I couldn't find.
Forgive me I can't recall the gentleman that mentioned unthread the rear shock canister
Lube the threads (wtf) I thought. I'm humbled and at peace yesterdays ride
Nirvana

 

[Wolf_Trek]

New owner of a just built 9.7 (Mulsanne blue with carbon bar and code r brakes). Any big issues that you guys have had with your Fuels? Had a rear caliper rub, and a headset creak taken care of in the first 'anytime in the first 30 days' service.

 

[Swingset]

Have a 9.7 with Shimano brakes which I love. The Code R's on my Heckler just sucked. Replaced with RSC levers and the H2S rotors and much, much better.

 

[Wolf_Trek]

Have a 9.7 with Shimano brakes which I love. The Code R's on my Heckler just sucked. Replaced with RSC levers and the H2S rotors and much, much better.

Have the H2S rotors already, but unless they bed in really nice, I'll probably swap over to XT brakes next year sometime. I've run XT's on all my bikes for the last 15 years.

 

[Bogdan_CH]

It's been a while since I've posted here, it was a nirvana of getting an e-bike or stick to an accoustic. So back then I've decided to get another acoustic (Pivot Firebird) which is a dream to ride but there is something in my mind keeeping me on the way to ebikes. Just don't like heavy bikes as the slugish nature of them really doesn't appeal to my ridding style.

So to cut things short, found a really sweet deal on a 9.8 XT previous year bike that seems to thick all the boxes. I could get the 9.5 for like 1.4K euros cheaper but the build difference is just to large to neglect.

These being said, with all the changes that happened in the market lately like the over marketed AMFLOW, Bosch SX and others around the corner, should I still consider the TQ a really good option if I'm looking for something light , natural feel bike that can assist me slightly on my home trails. Not planning any long rides with it but planning to get the battery extender just in case so would really appreciate for someone around 85 kgs / 185 lbs with the pack added on, what are the numbers they've got out of the combo ?

 

[Emailsucks98]

These being said, with all the changes that happened in the market lately like the over marketed AMFLOW, Bosch SX and others around the corner, should I still consider the TQ a really good option if I'm looking for something light , natural feel bike that can assist me slightly on my home trails. Not planning any long rides with it but planning to get the battery extender just in case so would really appreciate for someone around 85 kgs / 185 lbs with the pack added on, what are the numbers they've got out of the combo ?

I'm in that weight range and regularly get 3,000' to 3,500' from a single battery in mixed modes, mostly trail.
There will be outlier rides- I just did a 3000' 18 mile ride in whistler, very technical climbing with friends on Turbo Levos, they were in trail/boost mode and I was working very hard in boost to try and keep up - I used two batteries. However, they used 95% of their 700wh batteries. We all finished with 10%. I was also carrying an extra 10lbs with the 2nd battery, cameras, food etc.

My partner has a Devinci E-Troy Light with the Bosch SX motor. While it is a really nice bike, I prefer the TQ system. The Bosch has more power, range is just slightly better, display is just adequate, battery cannot be removed, motor is louder and has developed a subtle rattle after a dozen rides. It's a trade-off between power/range (Bosch) and overall ownership experience. I'm very happy with the small details with the TQ- light, removable battery with it's own chrage display, better top tube display, which shows ETA to full charge when charging, how quiet it is, etc.

Regarding the AMFLOW and also sweet deals- I am on my 2nd TQ motor in 2 yrs. I've heard of people going through 5-6 fazuas and Brose motors on their bikes. I had a shimano full-power previously and it had chronic issues and poor support. So, I am very skeptical about new brands (DJI/AMflow) and I would be very wary of any used eBikes. This is why my partner bought the Devinci/Bosch, LBS swears Bosch has the best motor support. Though I have been very happy with the local Trek store.

Hope that helps!

 

[Bogdan_CH]

Thanks for your imput, as this is what I was looking. I'm buying online so would shy away from having to deal with alot of warranty issues on the motor so that's the main reasons I've put the Fazuas on the side, even though I have a Spesh dealer nearby I just don't like he's line of business so that's off as well. Add the crazy pricing for the new SL and there it goes.

I've seen many went the 2 battery route and not the range extender since it seems it's not that difficult to take the battery out after all.

Since I'm in Europe the E-Troy light and the Norco Fluid VLT , to get them here is really hard and any kind of support is literally complicated. The only one that remains is an all mountain cube, while light, it's more expensive than the EXe but other downsides are the geo , at 66 HA , not sure I would want that, even though I'm not planning anything crazy with this bike but still.

This is a super long thread, I might check it all but wondering, the 9.8 XT, how light it actually is ? In size Large ?

 

[Mteam]

Thanks for your imput, as this is what I was looking. I'm buying online so would shy away from having to deal with alot of warranty issues on the motor so that's the main reasons I've put the Fazuas on the side, even though I have a Spesh dealer nearby I just don't like he's line of business so that's off as well. Add the crazy pricing for the new SL and there it goes.

I've seen many went the 2 battery route and not the range extender since it seems it's not that difficult to take the battery out after all.

Since I'm in Europe the E-Troy light and the Norco Fluid VLT , to get them here is really hard and any kind of support is literally complicated. The only one that remains is an all mountain cube, while light, it's more expensive than the EXe but other downsides are the geo , at 66 HA , not sure I would want that, even though I'm not planning anything crazy with this bike but still.

This is a super long thread, I might check it all but wondering, the 9.8 XT, how light it actually is ? In size Large ?

It's all about trade offs, the tq system is not the most powerful and doesn't have the most torque, compared to the newer motors, but I believe it is still the lightest, and quietest. It is also proven in terms of reliability, and trek is a solid manufacturer that stands behind their product.

At this moment in time I wouldn't risk the dji bike (but that's just my personal position), maybe in a year or two after it's proven itself it would become my number one choice.

The fazua system looks good on paper, but it's reliability is questionable, so I wouldn't buy a fazua bike until the reliability is proven.

The bosch sx system looks great, the specialized sl 2 system looks decent but not really much different to the tq.

It's going to come down to what your priorities are, I think if I were buying a new lightish ebike today, I'd be looking at bikes with the bosch sx system, like the whyte e lyte etc.

But even then there are advantages that the fuel exe has over a bike with the bosch sx, a big one (for me anyway) being that the bike can be run on the range extender battery only, and the range extender is small enough to be allowed on a plane, so I can travel with the fuel exe more easily than any other ebike - and this is a big factor for me. I don't think any other system has this capability.

It's a tough decision right now, the fuel exe, despite its low ish powered motor still has a lot of advantages over other bikes, it just depends if those advantages are Important to you.

For the weight, I think treks stated weights are accurate, you can build these (the carbon ones) down to 18kg(probably even lighter if you were really chasing the weight) with light tyres and other components. Mine is at 19.6kg with pedals, but has heavy tyres, fox 38 fork, and other heavier duty parts on it for a More enduro build.

 

[njatherton]

The new Slash+ has a TQ motor with a 580Wh battery. Maybe this battery will come in the next gen Fuel Exe?

 

[Bogdan_CH]

Well, it could, just that if it comes with the heft of the Slash+ , like 21 kgs , then other bikes might be appealing in that weight class with more power.

Long tours have never been my thing , just that my time is limited lately so outside of dedicated bike trips ( Finale Ligure etc ) where I just can't fault a analog enduro bike, I rather ride in limited time frame as much as I can. I believe this is where a Fuel Exe fits the bill right away.

As an update, it looks like the deal on the 9.8 XT dropped but there is a really affordable offer on the 9.5

I think I might go this route and swap right away a few :

- XT Brakes
- Vivid Air R2CT or even the coil at 205 by 65 for a full squish ?
- Lyrik Ultimate or 36 Perf. Elite at 160 mm
- some decent wheels like 350's with EX511 that I've tried and tested in the past .

Even with the ones from above, the weight should not jump above 20 kgs if I'm not mistaken.
Anyone have done a similar route ?

 

[Kermit]

Well, it could, just that if it comes with the heft of the Slash+ , like 21 kgs , then other bikes might be appealing in that weight class with more power.

Long tours have never been my thing , just that my time is limited lately so outside of dedicated bike trips ( Finale Ligure etc ) where I just can't fault a analog enduro bike, I rather ride in limited time frame as much as I can. I believe this is where a Fuel Exe fits the bill right away.

As an update, it looks like the deal on the 9.8 XT dropped but there is a really affordable offer on the 9.5

I think I might go this route and swap right away a few :

- XT Brakes
- Vivid Air R2CT or even the coil at 205 by 65 for a full squish ?
- Lyrik Ultimate or 36 Perf. Elite at 160 mm
- some decent wheels like 350's with EX511 that I've tried and tested in the past .

Even with the ones from above, the weight should not jump above 20 kgs if I'm not mistaken.
Anyone have done a similar route ?

I have a Medium 9.5 which weighed as 19.2kg all in inc pedals etc
160mm Lyrik ultimate
Mudhugger front mudguard
OneUp 210mm dropper
Pinnd 155mm cranks
Burgtec Composite pedals
Peatys grips
OneUp E-bar
Raceface Turbine R 35mm stem
SDG Saddle
Shimano XT 4-pot brakes
Deore Deraileur
XT chain
Hope Pro5 hubs + DT EX511/XM481 wheels
Schwalbe 2.4 MM & BB
Rear Rimpact insert
OEM RS ultimate Select shock