Trek are one of the biggest and most influential bike brands in the world, and the Fuel has been a fixture in their product range for years. In its seventh and latest generation, the Fuel can be configured for different riding styles. By swapping linkages and rear-wheel sizes, the 145/150 mm Fuel EX trail bike can be converted into the Fuel MX with 150/160 mm of travel, and – as in our case – into the most downhill-focused member of the family, the Fuel LX.
Our Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 lines up as a full 29er with 170 millimetres of travel up front and 160 millimetres at the rear, and with its coil shock and XL frame, it tips the scales at 16.0 kilograms. The real question is whether the trail-bike DNA of this frame platform is enough to hold its own in an enduro test field, or whether its EX roots begin to show when the gradient steepens, despite the €7,199 price tag.
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2: Specs and details
Trek rely on their signature Active Braking Pivot (ABP) rear suspension system for the Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2. It decouples braking forces from suspension movement to maintain sensitive traction even in rough terrain. Visually, the bike impresses with its striking “Gloss Chameleon Green” and “Matte Black” paint finish, which shifts depending on the light and gives the frame a genuinely premium look.
A storage compartment is seamlessly integrated into the carbon frame. The hatch is easy to use even with gloves and sits flush with the downtube, while the compartment itself offers plenty of space to stow away all your trail essentials. A generously sized down tube protector above the bottom bracket, along with a shuttle guard for pickup-truck transport, provide solid frame protection. The same is true for the quality chainstay protector and the small fender tucked behind the seat tube. The cable routing is impressive, too. Threaded cable ports clamp the lines securely, preventing any internal rattling. The only drawback is the brake hose, which can make a bit of noise as it brushes the handlebars on descents. Trek could definitely improve this.
The adaptable Fuel platform is one of its most intriguing features. It’s a bike you can switch depending on your mood and the terrain.
For the suspension, Trek rely on a seriously capable package for the Fuel LX, combining a FOX 38 Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper and a matching FOX DHX2 Factory coil shock. Both deliver outstanding trail performance and suit the descent-focused character of the Fuel LX setup. The new Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain enables fast, precise gear shifts, but it also brings a fair bit of noise on rough descents. The XT brakes do not quite fit the bike’s intended use either, as they feel underpowered for rowdy bike-park sessions.
Race Face supply the Era carbon handlebars, which strike a pleasant balance between precision and compliance. For the dropper post, stem and grips Trek rely on their in-house component brand Bontrager. The Bontrager Line Comp 30 aluminium wheels were a disappointment, as the hub developed noticeable play after just a few descents. Trek take a more reassuring approach with the tires, combining a MAXXIS Assegai in the MaxxGrip compound up front and a Minion DHR II in the faster-rolling MaxxTerra mix at the rear. While this is a solid combo in principle, Trek rely on the flimsy EXO+ casing for both tires. For hard riding, you should fit a tougher Doubledown casing at the back.
Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 FLOAT Factory GRIP X2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX DHX2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost Bontrager Line 200 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Piston 203/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT Di2 12-Speed 10-51; 32
Stem Bontrager Elite 35 mm
Handlebar RaceFace ERA Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset Bontrager Line Comp 30 29
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+/MAXXIS Minion DHRII, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO+ 2.5/2.5
Technical Data
Size S, M, L, XL, XXL
Specific Features
storage box
Tuning tip: Fit a rear tire with Doubledown casing.
The Geometry of the Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2
Trek offer the Fuel LX in five frame sizes, – S, M, L, XL and XXL – covering a huge range of rider heights, between 1.55 and 2.03 metres tall. Reach values grow in 20 to 30 mm increments from 418 millimetres (size S) and 518 mm in size XXL. The coil shock’s spring rate increases with the frame size, and Trek also use size-specific chainstay lengths. In size XL, for example, they measure 447 millimetres, which makes them some of the longest in the entire group test. With a head angle of 63.5 degrees, the Fuel LX is also one of the slackest bikes in the entire test field. The straight seat tube allows you to run a long-travel dropper post and still get it well out of the way. A flip chip on the shock mount allows you to adjust the rear-end progression. In the more progressive setting, Trek promise extra bottom-out resistance without losing suppleness off the top.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 552 mm | 586 mm | 621 mm | 655 mm | 684 mm |
| Seat tube | 370 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm | 155 mm |
| Head angle | 63.4° | 63.4° | 63.4° | 63.5° | 63.5° |
| Seat angle | 77.5° | 77.2° | 76.4° | 75.9° | 75.4° |
| Chainstay | 437 mm | 437 mm | 442 mm | 447 mm | 452 mm |
| BB Drop high/low | 26 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,220 mm | 1,237 mm | 1,273 mm | 1,310 mm | 1,341 mm |
| Reach | 418 mm | 448 mm | 473 mm | 498 mm | 518 mm |
| Stack | 619 mm | 633 mm | 647 mm | 661 mm | 674 mm |
The Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 on the trail
On the climbs, the Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 scores with a pleasantly upright pedalling position that stays comfortable even on a long day in the saddle. The coil shock bobs slightly, but for a coil shock it works surprisingly efficiently. For short uphill transfers, the climb switch is hardly worth reaching for.
On descents, you’re noticeably less integrated into the frame than on much of the competition. Even so, handling feels intuitive, and is easy to get on with right from the first few metres. The Fuel LX effortlessly drops into corners and comes across as a lively bike. The suspension responds sensitively, but the overall tune is on the firmer side, even when running plenty of sag. That means you need to work a little to maximise traction, although in return you get excellent pop for jumps, gaps and undulating sections.
The Fuel LX feels easy-going and playful, but at high speed its trail-bike roots become impossible to miss.
On flat, slow and flowing trails, the Fuel LX really comes into its own. Here it is both nimble and playful, while always staying easy to control. However, as soon as the speed picks up or the trail gets steeper, the bike loses some of the composure and confidence you get from the likes of the Orbea, GHOST and Pivot, despite the long chainstays and slack head angle. In these situations, the Fuel LX cannot completely hide its trail-bike roots. All told, the Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 is an agile, lively and easy-going bike that is great fun in tight, slow or flowy sections, but it cannot match the outright descending performance of the more gravity-focused competition when the speed rises or the gradient gets seriously steep.
Who should take a closer look at the Trek Fuel LX?
The Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 is an ideal choice for riders who want an agile, easy-going and versatile bike, perfect for flowing, twisty trails and long days out. The comfortable riding position and playful handling make it a great everyday companion for both trail and enduro adventures.
With the optional link kits, you can convert the LX into a Fuel EX or Fuel MX at any time, and tailor the bike to your own riding style, terrain and future plans. It’s less suitable, however, for anyone chasing maximum high-speed stability or full bike-park performance. Here, the LX reaches its limits sooner, held back by the lower rider integration and a spec that could be improved when it comes to the tires, brakes and wheels.
Conclusions about the Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2
The Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 shows just how versatile the new Fuel platform can be. At its core it is still a trail bike, but with enough reserves and a coil shock to deliver plenty of fun on the way down. The concept is cool, although it does not fully come together on the LX. When you push it to the limit, its trail-bike DNA comes to the surface and it offers less confidence than many of the other bikes in the test. On flow trails, however, the Fuel LX shines with playfulness, strong control and excellent pop. Its agile handling and comfortable riding position, combined with the platform’s modular design, make the Fuel LX a well-rounded all-rounder.
Tops
- variable frame platform
- highly capable suspension
- comfortable riding position
- agile handling
Flops
- needs better rider integration
- inconsistent spec
- drivetrain rattles on the descents
- restless at high speed
For more information, visit Trek.
The Testfield
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
All bikes on test: GHOST POACHA FULL PARTY (Click for review) | Instinctiv Kodiak MX 150 (Click for review) | Lapierre Spicy CF Team (Click for review) | LAST COAL V4 (Click for review) | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon E-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Firebird Team XX Eagle Transmission (Click for review) | Propain Spindrift (Click for review) | RADON JAB 10.0 (Click for review) | Rossignol Heretic GX T-Type (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV (Click for review) | Starling Mega MurMur (Click for review) | Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 | Yeti LTE T4 (Click for review)
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Words: Lars Engmann Photos: Peter Walker