Trek Fuel+ EX aluminium review: it’s all about the feel
With e-MTBs now reaching 150 Nm of torque, do lightweight-assist models still make sense? Antoine put the question to the aluminium Trek Fuel+ EX. His answer comes down to one word: feel.
Commercial collaboration with Trek
The bike
An Alpha Aluminium frame with 145 mm of rear travel, extendable to 160 mm via a flip chip. Fox 36 Float Performance up front and Float X Performance at the rear, 29-inch wheels front and back, Bontrager wheels and tyres, SRAM DB8 brakes and a mechanical SRAM drivetrain. Assistance comes from the TQ HPR60 motor (60 Nm) paired with a 580 Wh internal battery. All for 21 kg and €5,599. For comparison, the Avinox-powered Pivot Shuttle weighs the same but costs closer to €9,999.
On the trail: a real bike, not an e-bike
It’s probably not built for huge mountain days or extreme gradients, even though it climbs everything. What struck Antoine is that the whole bike is light, not just the motor and battery: it feels like riding a real bike rather than an e-bike. And it quickly proves playful — you soon find yourself sending jumps and more committed lines. The test bike was a size M, a little small for Antoine, which is worth bearing in mind regarding its agility.
A motor you forget about
The TQ’s big strength is its silence and total absence of vibration. After this bike, other motors almost feel intrusive. You simply forget the motor is there. Another plus: above 25 km/h or on climbs, you can keep pushing without any drag or abrupt cut-off. As for the drivetrain and brakes, the mechanical SRAM setup does the job, simple and precise.
Who is it for?
Riders who want a feel close to an analogue mountain bike and don’t need big elevation days: around Paris, with 70 to 100-metre climbs, it finds its audience. Trek also offers an optional Range Extender. Its real limit isn’t climbing but group riding: if your friends are on full-power bikes, they’ll go further and faster, and you’ll keep them waiting. Riding solo or with a similarly equipped group, though, it’s in its element. Even Antoine’s partner, who borrowed it, loved how smooth it is.
The verdict: very, very good — but not for everyone.
Thanks to Léonard, met on the trail, for filming. Video in French. Don’t miss a review — subscribe to the En Roue Libre newsletter.
