Trek’s most popular trail bikes get a fresh redesign.

Trail riders expect more from their bikes than ever, while suspension performance continues to improve in both efficiency and control. With this evolution in mind, Trek have made both Fuel EX and Remedy more capable with a bump in suspension travel, more aggressive geometry, and much stiffer frames. They’ve also simplified the trail bike lineup to eliminate multiple wheel size offerings in each platform, and focused on simply making the best riding bikes for each category, regardless of wheel size.

2017 TREK FUEL EX

Fuel EX 29 goes from 120mm travel to 130mm travel front and rear, and gets a longer, slacker geometry for more confident handling on high-speed descents. Using a straight downtube has also made the frame stiffer for a bike that won’t flinch on rough descents. Want a rugged, capable long-travel trail bike, and a nimble XC bike? Get both with Fuel EX. Whether it’s your millionth mile on the trail or your first, you’ll love this bike.

The new Fuel EX also includes two Women’s models geared toward female trail riders who want the same performance and features as the mainline models, but with a distinct lady-shredder style and saddle. Fuel EX Women’s also gives smaller women more manoeuvrability by pairing the 15.5” and new 14” size with more proportional 27.5” wheels for better fit and control.

Casey Brown follows Rene Wildhaber aboard the new 2017 Fuel EX

The all new 2017 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 29er

2017 Trek Fuel EX 9 (alloy)

What’s new on the frame?

New geometry that’s slacker for better stability at high speeds and on steep terrain. By straightening the down tube and eliminating the curve behind the head tube, Trek have increased stiffness without adding weight. The Fuel EX frame boasts an added level of frame protection with a Knock Block steerer stop, an ingenious device we’re surprised hasn’t seen before, that protects the down tube from fork crown impacts and the top tube from handlebar controls. While internal routing system isn’t new on the carbon frame, Trek have added the Control Freak routing to the alloy models as well.

What is new with the suspension?

The proven suspension design with ABP, Full Floater, EVO Link, and RE:aktiv is still there, but Trek have refined the system in two ways. Firstly they’ve adjusted the leverage ratio to optimise the performance of the larger negative air springs on the new Fox EVOL and RockShox DebonAir shocks without having to resort to air pressures that are higher than ideal.

Secondly they also went to a slightly longer metric-sized shock. This allows for better compatibility and provides more space for the shock’s internals, offering big performance in a more svelte package.

Does new Fuel EX still feature RE:aktiv shocks?

Absolutely. All 8-level models and higher get the exclusive RE:aktiv damper technology.

What Mino Link position is standard out of the box?

All MY17 full suspension bikes (EXCEPT Top Fuel and Session) will ship with the Mino Link in the High (steeper) setting. The high position on the new Fuel EX is the same headtube angle as the current Remedy, making for a bike that handles high-speed descents more confidently. It also allows the rider to go even slacker and lower for more aggressive riding.

What is the max tire size on Fuel EX frames?

29 x 2.4

Are all of the frames on the carbon Fuel EX models the same?

The main frames are the same, but the stays are different. The Fuel EX 9.8 gets a carbon seatstay and alloy chainstay; and the 9.9 gets a carbon seatstay and carbon chainstay. The carbon chainstay is 1x only, which allowed Trek engineers to optimize the stiffness and weight. Additionally, the carbon
chainstay features bearings at the lower shock mount for increased durability and a buttery smooth feel to the shock actuation.

Are there new Women’s bikes?

Yes! New Fuel EX Women’s is geared toward female trail riders who want the same performance and features as the mainline models, but with a distinct lady-shredder style and saddle, plus an XS 14” size option. Based on rider feedback, Trek gave the 14” and 15.5” sizes more proportional 27.5” (non-plus) wheels that give smaller riders the ability to better manoeuver the bike through technical trail sections. A carbon 9.8 model and one alloy model replace all Lush models for 2017. Trek are also offering the Fuel EX 9.8 Women’s in Project One, so extra-discerning female riders can choose their own paint, tires, suspension, and components for a uniquely dialed ride right out of the box.

2017 Trek Fuel EX 9.8 Womens

Will the new Fuel EX fit a triple chainring?

New Fuel EX is 1x or 2x only. With triple cranks come significant design constraints, especially when it comes to accommodating the short chainstays riders demand. The gear ranges offered by current 1x and 2x systems make triple cranks unnecessary.

2017 TREK REMEDY

The new Remedy gets an increase in travel from 140mm to 150mm, as well as a slacker headtube angle and longer reach. These changes, along with a dramatic increase in frame stiffness, nudge the Remedy deeper into the All-Mountain and Enduro category, combining DH toughness with trail bike agility. Want to push harder? Want more travel? Ready to graduate up? Remedy is your full suspension express ride to the next level.

For riders looking to get even more out of Remedy, Trek are offering a Race Shop Limited model with Bontrager SE Team Issue tires and longer 160mm travel-adjust forks to provide the extra performance Enduro racers demand.

The all new 2017 Trek Remedy 9.8 27.5

2017 Trek Remedy 8 27.5″

 Shop the 2017 Trek Remedy 8 now! (NZ only)

What’s new with 2017 Remedy?

To fit into the new, simplified trail lineup, Remedy goes to 27.5-only and gets a bump to 150mm in frame travel. The geometry gets a little longer and slacker with a headtube angle of 66.5 in the stock High Mino Link position, and 66 in the optional Low Mino Link position. 

All of these changes make the new Remedy more like the existing Slash. It’s a bike that is equally suited racing in an enduro or tackling technical terrain.
The new Remedy also gets the Straight Shot downtube treatment for a frame that’s remarkably stiffer than the existing Slash, with no weight penalty. Of course, the new frame also gets Knock Block frame defense, and the tidy Control Freak cable routing system on carbon AND aluminium models. Trek have also brought Boost hub spacing to this 27.5 bike not only for added wheel stiffness, but also for better tire and chainring clearance, as well as shorter stays.

As with new Fuel EX, the leverage ratio has been adjusted to optimise the performance of the new higher- volume negative air spring, and has moved to a metric shock size for better compatibility and fewer design constraints.

Andrew Shandro pinning it aboard the new 2017 Remedy

Is that a RockShox shock with RE:aktiv?

Yes it is. The Trek Suspension R&D team has partnered with RockShox to bring this exclusive technology to another popular suspension vendor.

What does Race Shop Limited mean?

The Remedy 9 Race Shop Limited build is geared toward aggressive Enduro racers with longer travel 130mm/160mm travel adjust forks and Bontrager SE4 27.5 x 2.4 tires that are ready for rowdier terrain. The 160mm fork does slacken the geometry a bit, resulting in a headtube angle of 66 in the stock High position, and 65.5 in the Low position.

Click here to shop the 2017 Trek Remedy 9 RSL now! (NZ only)

Are the frames full carbon on the Remedy models?

The Remedy 9.8 gets a carbon seatstay and alloy chainstay.

What is the max tire size on Remedy frames?

27.5 x 2.5

Where’s the Remedy 29?

The Trek Fuel EX 29’s new geometry and increased capability make it an excellent replacement for the Remedy 29 rider. Thanks to its Straight Shot downtube, new Fuel EX 29 is actually stiffer than the MY16 Remedy, and shares roughly the same head tube angle out of the box, with the option to go even slacker. This also leaves Trek the option to bring in a longer travel 29er in the future if there is demand for it.