I Built A Super Enduro Trek Fuel EXe

170mm Fork and 152mm Rear Coil - This Trek Fuel RR Edition features 170mm Ohlins 38 Fork, 152mm rear travel with Ohlins TTX m.2 coil and weights in at 19.28 KG. The bike uses the new TQ HPR50 near silent motor and 360Wh battery.
Some experiments to work out how it handles when making it slack, balancing geometry, travel and ride quality!
This Channel is supported by the following partners (and videos may include promotional products, including paid product placement) from:
Troy Lee Designs: troyleedesigns.co.uk/pages/bike
Peaty's Products. By Riders, For Riders: peatys.co.uk

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Ebikes are epic- what a time to be alive!! Thanks for all the comments on the setup! I’ll definitely try a lower bar height with the flip in LOW - and also maybe a burly build 160 setup so it’s all in warranty!

[@GrumezaStefan]

Indeed the ebikes are epic! Can you say please about you chest camera? how you get this effect, what camera you’re using?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

@@GrumezaStefan sure! GoPro max filmed in 360 mode

[@dangrant7537]

Heard anything about motors failing? Seems to be quite a lot of it happening according to lots of forums..

[@waynephilbert]

The bike rides amazingly well out of the box, with more at the rear, a coil and 38mm forks even at 160mm it'd be awesome. I've been keen to see this. Thanks for putting the video together!

[@finroddd]

It looks amazing, Rob! Very nicely done!

[@thim8009]

I really want a kenevo sl, when they bump up the power like everyone else. What you did kicks butt, nice.

[@roddas26]

Absolutely awesome. This is what Trek should do. Love it.

[@jroase1658]

Nice Rob! Been riding the pivot Sl and With zero reviews that are not in English is super annoying . Trek did a great job getting this bike out in the right hands to show it’s capabilities. Cheers bud!

[@ADVtheMISSIONARY]

Slash-E with the Tq motor 👌

[@MrMatthias03]

This is the most excited I've seen Rob about an ebike; he really sells it, I'm convinced, I want this. Thanks Rob!

[@Yan7001978]

Awesome suspension swap and tweaks! I wish you could do a review of the 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude powerplay Carbon with the MX mullet shock mount!

[@smc_stefan]

Excellent review, great Video quality! Would you be curious to run it in a Mullet setting? Trek markets it as Mullet ready, maybe a Mullet test with standard Suspension would be great for lots of people.

[@chrisrae1254]

Excellent review as always. I love this bike I’m running fox 38 160mm & a DHX 146mm coil. Just fees like an enduro bike that just soaks up everything and still nimble and agile like a trail bike. The yellow looks unreal with the ohlins. Trek has worked miracles with this bike. The other manufacturers must be scratching their heads. Why buy a pivot shuttle SL for significantly more cash.

[@flippy66]

Why buy this for significantly more cash than a Rise or Kenevo SL though? The builds on these are trash for the money.

[@chrisrae1254]

@@flippy66 mine was well less than a kenevo SL.

[@adkmtb5046]

Sick review. I've got the regular gen 6 Ex. I'm running it with 160 up front but can't over stroke the rear because of the different eye to eye from EXe. Definitely throwing ohlins coil and 38 on it for the start of this season though, and might try with the headset cups too. Little mini enduro bike killer hopefully

[@bluestraycat]

Awesome mods Rob, bike looks sick the yellow Ohlins matches so well

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Looks like Ohlins copied the Baja yellow 😂

[@AB-NZ]

Such a fun video to watch Rob. Interesting to think about all the possibilities, some a lot more expensive than others eh? 😏🤔Great work as always. And I agree - the bike looks super rad all decked out in yellow like that. You should become an interior designer?? For me and my style of riding (tight, technical … but not super hard hitting or crazy fast) then changing the fork to 160 would be perfect, and not void the warranty. And then tinker with the flip chip depending on terrain. One of the things that attracted me to the Gen 3 Levo was the ability to tinker with the geometry with the Levo’s six way geo adjustment with adjustable headset cups and a rear flip chip. I significantly improved my Ibis Ripmo with a Wolf Tooth 1 degree adjustable head set. Unsure if that is do-able on a Trek?? Maybe not. Cheers from NZ

[@realradrob]

I’ve been waiting for you to release this video haha. Glad to see you did it, but I’m glad I stuck to just going to a 160 fork and absolutely love this machine, it’s the absolute perfect bike! Also, if you want to sell those RSL bars/stem, let me know! 😂

[@mateirusu2825]

I really like your pov. Can you do a gopro settings video, because your footage looks amazing. Keep up the good work and the crazy experiments!

[@johnnaki6483]

Hi Rob, thanks for this vid as been waiting patiently for it.I was hoping you would fit a longer rear shock with more travel also. 12mm extra is good but 20mm would have been excellent. I received my NZ torpedo7 Deore spec bike and immediately had a spacer removed from the front RS gold RL fork making it a 160mm front travel.No need to replace any parts to do this on that model,Yay.. I think this bike has plenty of power for the more keen to keep fit rider and this one at 20kg all up is a real pleasure to ride up and down hills. I am wondering if you will be using your one more than the Rail ? Also btw i am getting 77km on eco ie 100watt output with myself generally putting in 200-250watts. Not tried the full power range as yet. Next time maybe. Keep up the excellent video and kia ora from NZ.

[@tomcagle5324]

Finally, you're recognizing the Slash-E. 😉 But give it a TQ 65 and 475 Wh battery for a little more top end juice for turbo power and range💪...what add a pound? Worth it for perfection🤟 BTW excellent review and risk-taking. 👍

[@RobRidesEMTB]

My dream is a TQ90 in a Slash E, small modular battery, sub 20KG 🎉

[@tomcagle5324]

@@RobRidesEMTB 💯 if the TQ 90 could somehow be as stealthy and compact as the TQ 50. I and many want to ride ALL singletrack with an analog-stealth profile like the Ex-e. So, STEALTH at 160 rear and bigger battery...hells yeah 🤟 Hopefully you have influenced Trek to greenlight the Slash-E.🍻

[@neilelliston]

Is tq making a more powerful version?

[@chucklethal]

Loving this new mad scientist Rob

[@TheWeardale1]

love the colour!

[@federaldelii]

Waoww 🤩🤩 insane updates

[@hannes6114]

Looks extremely sick

[@andersonsridebikes]

I'm thinking that 160mm up front would make this a better aggressive trail/enduro bike. It would bump the headset angle to roughly 64 degrees and make traction over the front wheel easier to maintain.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Definitely a setup I’d like to try!

[@dguy-xk4fc]

oof that is sick man, very nice!

[@gbarton800]

Love the Ohlins setup! I’ve got a 9.8XT arriving later this month… same color as a matter of fact! For those of us that trail ride with minimal elevation change, would you change the travel of the Ohlins fork and rear shock? I’m imagining it would be lesser travel versions than what you did here. Thanks Rob!

[@Emis333]

Had the chance to test it out in my local Trek dealer. Amazing bike i would say, felt very agile and it will definitely be the future of emtb. But as always with Trek, prices are unmerciful :p

[@jasonchristopheruy80]

the first trek slash-E

[@ridingdeep8530]

I am pondering putting my 170mm Cane Creek Helm on the front of my Levo SL due to the rocks we have in southern Utah, I am concerned about ruining the fantastic handling of the bike however...perhaps the Helm in the 160mm travel setting? Thank for showing us your experiment, fun video.

[@mudia80]

What I'd like to see is Slash with that motor and battery - IMHO perfect combo.

[@lHawkee]

Looks sick af 😍

[@ghoststalker383]

Seeing a coil shock on a bike that is the electrified version of a bike that used to be a xc fully is so amazing.

[@nigelrandtoul8646]

Great video as always Rob, one question on the ohlin fork, I've heard some folk remove the volume spacer from the negative air chamber, to cure the harshness of the initial travel, did you find the same issue?

[@hassebir]

THAAANKS - many of us have thought of this!

[@CordlezToaster]

Nice video Rob, what handle bars are those? i'd like to know the back sweep

[@rullyartsADV]

Handsome bike

[@olivierroy4834]

Rob what is the stroke of this shock ? Thanks :)

[@AndreasRavnestad]

Leave the flip chip in high but put on a 27.5" rear wheel with a 2.6" tire and your setup will be perfect.

[@timfreeman2603]

Yellows on Yellow look good.

[@Greyarcher1]

Lower to the Bar se you got three? Washers under it! I hope you dont have studs on clip in pedals, they stop you from twisting your feet=get out of them pedals! Do like the Bike now 😉🤠

[@Stockfish1511]

Hope trek makes trek slash ebike with tq motor. That will be gamechanger for enduro ebikes

[@matthewgabb5360]

More Quantock riding Rob? Sniper roots everywhere when wet . Bike build looked sick - would love to be able to play with different step ups .

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yes, was soaking there and pretty slippy on them roots!

[@Slayaah9]

Looks like a really fun bike! I'm in the process of building one myself. Which rear shock dimensions did you go for? 230x65?

[@ThomasSchmitzSPFC]

What does Trek say about the increase in stroke in the rear? Does it also void the warranty?

[@jabar75]

Great stuff, I am in the process of converting mine to 160/140 rear coil Ohlins damper, what is your weight and what spring rate you used? No problem with quite linear frame characteristic?

[@55mblindy]

Very KoolCan you use a hopped up controller and bigger battery to get seven or 800 W out of the motor when it’s rated for 500W❓

[@lonh8554]

170 in the front is no problem, just run a little extra sag. A slightly longer stem will help with front tire grip.

[@gixerjohn1]

wondering when you will be trying out the 2023 whyte E-160

[@Grifterbiden]

How is the ride/handling versus the full 29 Kenevo you recently built up?

[@86309]

Maybe a set of no rise bars or 10mm vs the 38 you put on there would help with your weight over the front end. plus what offset fork?

[@jamesmarchant5837]

He could…. Take 30mm out of the stem stack alone. Would make a world of difference

[@ShubhamKumar01063]

Mein India se hun bhai mujhe yah cycle bahut acchi lagi But hamari India mein yah cycle nahin milati Or mujhe bhi cycling ka shauk hai Mein daily 30 kilometre ka Safar karta hun Kash asi cycle Mari pass bhi hote Love u bhai❤❤❤

[@bikevoltrides7209]

How does that high stack feel? I always slam the stem to keep the reach long and the my weight at the front.

[@db9889]

i purchased a 9.5 exe - upgraded to a lyrik ultimate160mm and mullet converted with a 140mm rear shock changed to to the ultimate deluxe - and thinking of taking a spacer out to give me some added extra travel in the rear from 140mm - would this be ok i assume so as your still running 29 inch rims with 152mm coil - i am running a 27.5 rear thougts

[@Ferrari255GTO]

That thing looks dream-like, would definitively love to try it. Maybe using a SlackR kit to make the angle lower you could get more front weigh, and therefore more front grip. 8:55 19Kg? That's heavyer than my 09 demo 8!

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yea 19KG but this has a motor and battery haha

[@Ferrari255GTO]

@@RobRidesEMTB my bad then, didn't pay attention to the channel's name since i'm pretty sure it's the first video i see from you XD.

[@tonygregg6957]

I wonder what a 160 would be like with that shock in the low position. Interesting video but those shots descending made me feel a bit sick, I'd like to see ahead a bit more. I guess it's. Just not how you see the world when you're riding so brain isn't used to it. When's the detail review on the stock bike coming out?

[@nathanh281]

great vid! so what’s the comparison with the Kenevo SL?

[@AleksanderZaryczanski]

Upvote! Would be interested in Kenevo Sl vs Trek fuel Ex-E RR comparison. I'm literally holding off my Kenevo Sl buying decision, hoping for Slash E with TQ motor!

[@scottb5268]

What size frame are you using? I'm guessing that the smaller sizes won't be able to take a longer stroke shock. At least from the looks of it.

[@CaviDS]

are you going to leave it in this configuration or go back? I have a Rise with a 160 fox front, and fox coil in the back. Think it would handle the overstrok ok with the 160 in the front? 150 is stock in the front?

[@charlesrichmond4414]

Thank you for the great experiment. So just to confirm you didn't notice any frame clearance issues with the longer stroke rear shock?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Correct 👍

[@curryonchips2865]

QUESTION PLEASE! Does changing the stroke void the warranty? Thanks

[@matteyre8711]

Really enjoyed your experiments on this video but if you want a long travel , light weight enduro bike why not go for the Specialized Kenevo SL and then there won’t be any warranty issues.

[@mtb_3930]

It only has 35nm torque so is quite a weak motor. Rumour has it the Kenevo SL will be 50 or 60nm in 2024...

[@hitary1]

Can you confirm warranty on over stroking the rear? I want to do this but the bike shop advised against given the stress on the seat stay/linkage

[@lakaldrak]

IT Looks so good👍 i personely gonna try the new zeb and ultimate coil. I wanted this Version but in different color. Is that Not possible?? I Like the color from the 9.8 xt the Most.

[@gustotrails]

In Canada the 9.8 xt comes in 3 different colors to choose from, not sure if it's everywhere like that!

[@mariopazmino160]

Nice video dude.. what do you think with a 160mm Zeb in front? Should I go with the flip chip HIGH or LOW?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Low definitely!

[@Emolokz]

Rob, you should measure the seat angle as well when you make changes, it's relevant for climbing!

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Agreed! A bit more difficult as seat angles are usually measured as effective (from BB to a set point somewhere at a given saddle height) and it can be variable between manufacturers!

[@Emolokz]

@@RobRidesEMTB agreed, it is so frustrating that it's measured differently between manufacturers as actual or effective and at a certain seat height, etc. It really should be standardized somehow. I imagine that the seat tube angle was slackened out to 76.5 or even as long as 75.5 from the 170mm fork?

[@patricedesilets3393]

All bike companies seem to put the emphasis on the range when this is not a real requirement for most of us. Most of us ride in parks where you keep looping and getting back to the same or close to the same point over and over again. Even when I do a bit more exploration, I do close the loop after 20-30km but most of the time I close that loop every 5-10km and do it again. So right now the only way to get a full power E MTB is by also getting a heavy 500W to 900w battery. What I need and probably most riders need is a light full power E MTB, at least 80nm+ with an easy battery swap so after 2-4 loop I can take a 10min pit stop and put another 350W battery in. But every light emtb that comes out has reduced torque to preserve their number one priority, the range! I do not want range. I don't need range. I usually have 2 hours to ride at night. I need power and lightness. Light should not come with less power but less range. There is this bike available in EUR only that is a good example of what I think a lot of if not the majority of riders need, I do not like their build but the concept is spot on. The Rotwild R.E375 PRO A 85nm on a 19kg bike this is what we need and we need more options from more manufacturers.

[@AleksanderZaryczanski]

Totally agree!

[@quitemountainous2528]

Most of us? Do you know all of us? I like to have a decent range

[@patricedesilets3393]

@@quitemountainous2528 not what I am saying what I say is that everywhere I ride I always make loops and I always have the luxury of swapping the battery if need be. This is how the trails are build at least where I ride on the east coast you alway get back close to where you started every 5-20km or you have a descent option to do so. If not then you take a range extender and avoid the turbo mode but now all bike are made for long ranges which clearly does not serve me very well.

[@patricedesilets3393]

And of course some people are looking for ranges all I am saying is let’s not assume we all are and I would be very surprised if this actually represent the majorly of riders. That’s all

[@tomordr]

Trance advanced e+ elite is that bike and the motor was very smooth. Oops, battery is not removable but they do have a 260w range extender

[@razorree]

what about removing all these spacers under your stem? (and you have big raiser bar...)

[@evmechanic]

I felt exactly the same when I changed the fork on my Giant Trance X from 150mm to Fox 38 180mm, understeer and washed out every corner. Then I lowered down the stem, lower the handlebar rise and put in more volume spacers to allow for a lower fork pressure, now the bike feels superb and can handle anything I throw at it.

[@eprohoda]

aamazing masterpiece, see u around, dear~👽

[@mtblover]

I would drop the spacers to only 5mm and replace the riser bar with a either flat or 5mm riser bar. That should be way better.

[@foxfolk3837]

Hey Rob, I just purchased an Exe 9.5. clearance sale in NZ, I'm in the midst of swapping out most of the base build with a high end build klt from my 2021 Stumpy EVO Expert. Swapping out the basic stock fork with my 2021 Lyrik Ultimate from my Stumpy. The only issue is the Lyrik Ultimate is a 51mm offset and there's no budget for a new fork for the Exe for approx next 12 months so just going to run the Lyrik. The 51 offset is 160 travel. Wondering if best to change out the airshaft for a 150 to reduce the additional stress on headtube that the 51 offset will create? Your thoughts are welcomed. Cheers, Mikkel

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Hi Mikkel - personally I’d run the 51 offset 160. Should be fine!

[@neilelliston]

How does the motor compare to a bosch? Eg. Bosch in eco vs tq in turbo?

[@rohankilby4499]

Nice one Rob I’m currently running a coil shock on my 160 mm pike forked fuel Ex9.8 and it’s a pretty wicked analogue all rounder, so keen to play with my soon to be delivered Exe 9.7. Loving the coil rear on the analogue bike but wasn’t able to do much about increasing rear travel on the Ex due to frame design and mounts. Interested in your thoughts on this 150 shock conversion for your Exe as I see a 160 front 150 rear as a pretty sweet spot for the Exe your thoughts ? Think your bike build looks awesome by the way 😁👍

[@RideTheEarthnow]

152mm rear. what size olins is that? 210x55?

[@girafingo9280]

Pimposity defined!

[@azzhatmax8537]

Absolutely agree. 170 -150

[@akaemzett]

I have a rail and set the eco mode to 50nm... this is really weak, no fun on the uphills. I am waiting for the 85nm TQ motor!

[@SsmAnyfeSt]

But your rail is really heavier too...

[@rjahn3000]

Does increasing the fork length reduce reach? BTW great experiment.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yes it does slightly. I’d estimate around 8 mm ish

[@Ian-yf3fo]

Rob what is the area where you test your bikes? Looks great.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Hi Ian - mixture of Surrey Hills, Quantock Hills (Triscombe) and Swinley Forest 👍

[@Kvn_MTB]

Can someone tell me what installation dimensions and stroke the damper has to get 152 mm of travel? Thanks 🙏🏽

[@dominiqueverriele]

Rob how tall are you to ride an XL frame?thanks

[@sham8723]

Try it back in Low but with the fork at 160

[@herse83]

what handle bars are you using here

[@Vector_Warface]

Why did you put the rear tire forward?

[@janvaculin962]

I would like to see oposite way of modifying this bike - as lightweight as it can be. Makes more sense to me. My Spec Turbo Levo sworks is uner 20 kg with 500kWh battery, which is basicly the same as this config. But this bike at 16ish (15ish?) kg would be killer.

[@darylgreen3446]

My rise was 16.6kg

[@janvaculin962]

@@darylgreen3446 selling point for me is this TQ motor, its quiet

[@quitemountainous2528]

@@janvaculin962 personally I do not care if the motor is loud or silent, could not care less

[@lamps_mtb]

What is the stroke of the shock?

[@sprousaTM]

Ohmaaaagawwwd, it is so yelloooow.....

[@th_js]

Put a longer stem on it for more oversteer.

[@VictorGarcia-wn5nd]

27,5 rear wheel is your finally mod to make a great enduro bike

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yeah maybe! But personally prefer full 29 👍

[@VictorGarcia-wn5nd]

@@RobRidesEMTB I prefer 29 also,but in your case the more travel need compense whit small rear wheel to balance all.Could test it.I made the same in a Orbea rise and the 27,5 rear makes the difference.

[@SpencerBaum]

@@VictorGarcia-wn5nd I disagree with the 27.5 rear wheel recommendation. That will only make the bike slacker with an even lower bottom bracket which if you watch the video, is not what Rob wanted, as he actually put the flipchip into the high position to raise the bottom bracket and steepen the head angle.

[@86309]

Rob, could you please state the shock metrics, the stroke and eye to eye numbers please, Like 230x65 and what mounting items (spacers, (or just the stock mounts if so.) that you needed to properly install it on the new Exe. thanks.

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Hi, 205x65 and all stock mounting 👍

[@86309]

@@RobRidesEMTB thank you!

[@86309]

@@RobRidesEMTB Forgot to ask, the stock shock numbers are 205x60? Thanks

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Yes 👍

[@86309]

@@RobRidesEMTB and no frame issues even under full huck compression bottom out?

[@darylgreen3446]

I had this exact experience with my orbea rise, the front was washing out with long travel so I got a longer rear shock and that fixed it

[@kaseykohler1490]

which shock and dimensions did you go for? Mullet or full 29?

[@darylgreen3446]

29. 216x63 with 1 offset bush

[@Weepee587]

What size is the bike?

[@markb868]

Are you not worried about the tyre buzzing the frame if you've over stroked the shock?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

No, I tested it it with the shock with coil removed and fully compressed the rear. There was loads of clearance, tyre comes no where near. I’m running an XL frame b

[@markb868]

Nice. You've created an amazing bike there. Looks like a lot of fun.

[@markelliot6710]

What sort of range / climbing figures are you seeing from the bike now you've been riding it for a while Rob?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

750m elevation in Turbo with everything dialled up as high as possible. It’s not amazing range comparatively to other SL type systems in terms of range.

[@markelliot6710]

@@RobRidesEMTB have you been able to try with a range extender battery yet?

[@RobRidesEMTB]

Not yet

[@PavelHanuliak]

👌

[@romma11]

what size is it? you never mention it

[@thomassantilli2188]

Dose that chain Gide have a part number? My exe didn’t come with one and my local dealer said they can’t get it for me

[@stefanlindqvistkarlsson8848]

It's W5276728 (per the online manual)

[@mindless7377]

This or Kenevo SL ?

[@boobiewatchr]

why did they make the logo so damn small on the down tube lol

[@daniladuniabduljabbar3754]

How much

[@lucian1021]

I still dont understand how you managed to increase the stroke from 140 to 152, can u plz explain with more details?

[@user-kf8pz6sl1v]

Longer stroke shock. You have to understand difference between shock length and stroke length. Shocks with same overall shock length, can have different stroke. For instance can a Fox X2 230mm shock have between 57,5 and 65mm stroke lengths, depending on what kind of spacers are inside of it. How difficult this "modification" is, depends on the shock. Might be simple, might need special tools.