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Trek Fuel EX-e 9.7 video review - $7600 best ebike value?

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19K views 31 replies 12 participants last post by  francois  
#1 ·
Full-powered ebikes fit the bill for many early-adopter ebike users, but the concept of a lighter ebike is intriguing for many holdouts out there. The biggest e-mtb objection is usually bike weight, as a 52 lb. bike is harder to stop, jump and change direction with and the ride quality is not as satisfying for some.

The Levo and Kenevo SL have addressed this market, but the 35 NM motor is not quite enough for many riders. The Orbea Rise, especially the alloy with a 540wh battery, has experienced tremendous success with a detuned Shimano EP8 that is oddly efficient while providing satisfying torque. And then there is the onslaught of entries like t Pivot Shuttle SL and Haibike Lyke that offer bikes under 40 lbs with their light motors and sleek batteries.


We spent some time with the Trek Fuel EX-e and have impressions to share in this video. Like many, we were impressed with the noise or almost absolute lack of it. But we dig in deeper into the ride quality that is perhaps the most responsive and agile of any ebike we've tried. And the 9.7 seems to deliver incredible value for the money. So join us in our experience with the Trek Fuel EX-e 9.7 emtb.

Geometry:
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Price: $7600
Weight: 42 lbs in Medium, set up tubeless
 
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#5 ·
Good enough that I have ZERO interest in a full power ebike, but am really considering this Trek or the Pivot Shuttle SL for next year. They ride so similar to a traditional mtb, but I have climbed things on my buddy's rise that would have busted my lungs and legs on my bike. Unless you are doing massive climbs or lots of laps, these lightweight bikes are pretty damn cool.
 
#4 ·
I personally do not want the added power compared to my Kenevo SL Comp S4 @ 43lbs 11oz no upgrades from stock, but this is an easy fix with the app to reduce the modes, which I have already done with my SL motor.

As to geo/build I do think this is a GREAT bike for the price. Even though I do not like rocker link suspension, this and the new Pivot are on my short list for trial e-bike #2.
 
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#8 ·
Yeah, the added power though can open up possibilities. Keep up with other riders and squeeze in a bigger ride in the same timeslot.

The price for the SLX model is really refreshing. I'm a big believer in alloy, low-spec ebikes like the Orbea Rise H15 alloy.
 
#12 ·
I rode a Trek Fuel EXe this past weekend and i can definitely verify that the motor is nearly silent. Very cool. I have a Rise which is pretty quiet (until you go downhill over bumps), but the Trek was quieter. I did notice the decrease in torque compared to my RIse which kind of surprised me since it's not a huge drop (50Nm compared to 60 on the Rise), but I definitely felt the decrease in assist. It's still an awesome bike. Seemed to handle well and fun to ride.
 
#14 ·
Yeah, so quiet even climbing and coasting. The Shimano EP8 has a clutch that engages, disengages, and creates more noise than the Trek's TQ motor entirely. The EP8 clatter is a whole other matter.

The Trek definitely has less torque and power delivery. It wants you to get the RPMs up before it delivers power. So the 10nm difference is a big understatement of the real-world feel. I bought some pedal power meters and I will quantify exactly what the difference is in power delivery on defined laps and constant rider pedal output.
 
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#16 ·
I sold my Pivot Shuttle and bought a Levo SL, which is far nicer for my riding style. I don't miss the power and none of my friends have full-power bikes either. I still ride my normal mountain bike and prefer the handling to the heavier e-bikes, by far....especially the handling in technical sections and fast downhills. This does look interesting, as does the Pivot. I don't really need the power (I'm 80% is ECO and 20% in TRAIL on the Levo SL) especially a full-power boost but at the same weight, there isn't a downside, in my opinion. Great to see these lighter e-bikes.
 
#17 ·
We're on the same path! I had a Pivot Shuttle years ago, and I enjoyed my Levo SL and Kenevo SL. 5 years ago, I had about 2 friends with ebikes. Fast forward to today and I have over 100 ebike folks here in the mountains of Santa Cruz. Definitely need to keep up, and SLs can't do it without extenders.

Then Gen3 Levo is an amazing bike and so is the Scor 4060. Even on my solo rides, I knock out a 'weekend' ride in an hour and a half. But we have big climbs here.

This new Trek Fuel EX-e is intriguing for sure. One thing I forgot to mention is this bike seems to have a lot of drag when power is off. There's no clutch and the cranks are always on the motor. I'll attempt to quantify that soon.
 
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#18 ·
The drag does not sound great. I can pedal my Levo SL without power and even on climbs, though I can tell it is a 40 lbs bike. There seems to be almost no drag and it does not squat into its travel much. We do a lot of climbing here in Colorado too, and at altitude. I'm taking the Ripmo to 10K today and over 3,000 ft of riding, I'll top out close to 12,000 ft.

I think e-bikes are still looked down upon over here, and I only know one rider with a Levo SL as well. As I got older, I tend to not ride in groups so I have the same small group of friends. They pretty much all just ride regular bikes. Plus, e-bikes are banned in higher areas like the ski resorts. I think that is legit since otherwise, tourists on throttle bikes (they rent them there) and they seriously clog the paved paths and have zero etiquette plus headphones, would overrun the trails and then break bones on the technical downhills.

So for now, the Ripmo it is and the Levo SL when I am in the Denver area looking for an easy ride or a recovery ride or even a long ride without crushing myself. I am very curious to see if the Pivot has any drag when the motor is off. Sometimes I like torturing myself on climbs, just to see if I still have enough pain tolerance left in my old age. :p
 
#31 ·
Francis Thanks for all the info.... just ordered that same bike from the shop I used to work for (retired now) I had my eye on the Orbea Rise but with low stock and all the dealers over 100mi away.
The Trek EXe seems like the way to go for me and also support my good friends at High Gear Bike Shop. I also have a Trek Rail that I plain on keeping...funny thing is every time I ride the Rail I or We pick way over the top hard trails and I have to laugh at all the "e-bikes are cheating" comments (yes I used to think this my self ) trying to ride/push a 50lbs bike up steep loose rocky tails is NOT easy.
greeting from Arizona
 
#32 ·
befoot said:
Francis Thanks for all the info.... just ordered that same bike from the shop I used to work for (retired now) I had my eye on the Orbea Rise but with low stock and all the dealers over 100mi away.
The Trek EXe seems like the way to go for me and also support my good friends at High Gear Bike Shop. I also have a Trek Rail that I plain on keeping...funny thing is every time I ride the Rail I or We pick way over the top hard trails and I have to laugh at all the "e-bikes are cheating" comments (yes I used to think this my self ) trying to ride/push a 50lbs bike up steep loose rocky tails is NOT easy.
greeting from Arizona
Click to expand...

Right on befoot. The Fuel EXe is one the funniest riding emtbs I've tried. It is so agile and poppy, so one can forget it's an E. Power, is very quiet and natural but it is not very strong. Range is quite limited too so get that extender battery as soon as you can.

Orbea Rise alloy is a great ride as well and it's very good power and range. I have the Rail too and that's quite the beast. You're gonna have a good stable for sure.

fc
 
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