Trek Fuel EX 7 Review

The Trek Fuel EX 7 is a racing full suspension mountain bike that is also well suited to taking on less competitive situations, letting you get a good all round experience out on the trail regardless of your intentions or skill level. It is built to be one of the more affordable models in this highly capable range and it still manages to pull in plenty of good elements and sturdy components. These will inspire confidence in riders and let them get much more out of their time in the saddle.

The Trek Fuel EX 7 features an Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame, which is one of the lightest and toughest of its kind. Fully manipulated tubing is shaped to be light whilst still factoring in the need for durability and stiffness, so the bike is able to deliver on multiple levels. Stiffness is also improved thanks to the magnesium EVO link, allowing the main frame and rear triangle of this full sus model to remain connected without also adding to the overall weight. Meanwhile, the E2 tapered head tube lowers the weight further whilst still retaining the strength and rigidity of a full 1.5″ setup.

Outside forces are absorbed at the front of the Trek Fuel EX 7 by the Fox Evolution Series 32 Float RL air spring shock. This has adjustable rebound and also a lockout mode so that the 120mm of travel can be tightened up and modified for a ride that takes into account the need to climb as well as descend. Interestingly, Trek have increased the travel to 130mm on the 2013 model.

The rear suspension is provided by the Fox Performance Series Float RP-2 with Trek’s impressive DRCV technology, giving you adaptability and smoothness with ProPedal technology and bespoke tuning carried out by the manufacturer’s crew. This enables this model to be as responsive and agile as possible. Some full sus bikes can be too specialised in their functionality, leading some to choose hardtails as an alternative due to their improved stiffness and speed. However, here you get compliance where it is needed whilst still having a bike that can be light and stiff, shifting shapes appropriately. It never leaves you out of kilter with the terrain you are tackling.

You get a mixture of Shimano components in the drivetrain, with components pulled from the Deore and SLX groupsets. Avid Elixir 3 hydraulic disc brakes work well at the front and rear of the bike to bring it under your control irrespective of the conditions you are facing. You also get a solid and yet light wheelset comprised of Bontrager Duster Disc rims and XR3 tyres from the same brand, letting you grip and grapple with the landscape whilst taking hits in your stride.

The light and adjustable Bontrager SSR seatpost and Evoke 2 saddle setup on chromoly rails is a good combination for the Trek Fuel EX 7 and any riders that choose it. The Bontrager Low Riser handlebar is another welcome feature, which shows you that a full sus bike can still have tactile and finely tuned handling even if you might assume that its suppleness and flex would compromise this capability.

The Trek Fuel EX 7 is a well made, capably kitted out mountain bike, which is able to turn its hand to a number of situations and give you reliable, high profile performance each time. Whilst it may not have the carbon frame of some of its more expensive siblings, it makes up for it in part via its value but also through its innate ability to get you where you want to go and help you have fun whilst you are doing so.

Trek Fuel EX 7 Specifications 2013

  • Front Fork: Fox Evolution Series 32 Float, rebound, 130mm travel
  • Rear Shock: Fox Evolution Series Float
  • Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow
  • Gears: 30
  • Chainring: Shimano M552 42/32/24T
  • Cassette: Shimano HG62 11-36T 10 speed
  • Shifters: Shimano Deore
  • Brakes: Avid Elixir 3 hydraulic disc
  • Wheels: Bontrager Duster Disc
  • Tyres: Bontrager XR3 Expert, 26×2.2″