Why I Hate E-bikes | Trek Fuel EXE⚡️Review & Fuel EX Gen 6 Comparison

[@BlacqueJacqueShellacque_]

Best bike I've owned by a mile. If I could only own 1 bike, it would be the Fuel EXe. It rides close enough (in Eco) to a normal bike, but obviously for shuttle laps, etc. it wins. It's the e-MTB for "mountain bikers." I've been riding for 30+ years, and I'm still in OK shape. This bike just lets me feel like I'm still in tip top shape (like when I started), but gives me the option to bail out or clean some tricky bits that I haven't been able to clean recently due to "old age" slow downs. Great video. Great bike.

[@DB-sd3cw]

How can you proudly announce you ride an ebike like that? 🤮

[@gaylengurr3911]

easy, I love my exe. still have an analog bike but this one very puts a smile on my face. also ride with a cardiac monitor and can assure you the work out is still good.@@DB-sd3cw

[@jimsteinway695]

@@DB-sd3cwbecause we were riding before you were born and now we’re older. How can you be so ignorant 🤮

[@theruggedtravelers]

I am with you. It is a MTB with some steep climbing assist. I ride mine in the German Alps and it makes those 400-500 metre climbs doable for me. It means I can go further and longer and ride areas I couldn't get to easily.

[@michaelfillman1965]

@@DB-sd3cw man’s a hater

[@edjerum]

Thanks for this review. I have the exact Exe you demoed and I am that 78 year old that needs the extra watts to keep up with son and grandson. At my age and conditioning I get more than enough of a workout and the motor helps me ride trails with steep ups and not be totally exhausted - can still have fun! The battery is easily removable with one screw. Also, on shorter rides you can take out the main battery and just use the aux - saving a couple of pounds. For me, the bike is too heavy to ride on trails without the battery removed. The bike is expensive, but I think offers value for a rider with older legs or as you concluded wants the extra watts for a more fun experience. As someone already pointed out you can tune the motor to how you would like it to respond to your input.

[@Projectnortheast]

Wow that's great to hear and stoked this technology can be used to help people still get out and enjoy the sport! I hope to be riding with my kids for a long time just like you.

[@brianrichard1768]

78? hero respect.

[@jimsteinway695]

65 here and riding with my 33 year old son.. these bikes are great for retirees

[@johnnydangerously9426]

I’m 64 . Former Mx racer . Purchased a rail 9.7 in 2020 . So much fun at the bike parks here in Oregon 😎

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

I'll be buying the EXe soon. I love riding my Ripmo and I still will, but I don't want my big adventure rides to last all day. The EXe really does feel like a regular bike, I hardly notice the power surge and I can't even notice the motor sound. I also love that you can pedal it normally without the power on; it just felt like I was pedaling s big enduro bike.

[@speedshifter]

Hi, also looking into light ebikes, and fuel ese djust ticks most check boxes for me. If its not a secret, did you used suggested by trek size? because wih my 168 they suggest M, but its longer then my Raaw madonna in S (real enduro machine), thanks.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

@speedshifter I'm 170, and size M fit just fine on a Fuel EXe. I'd say it is very slightly bigger than my Ibis Ripmo in terms of reach and standover height; like a Santa Cruz M, but not like a Commencal M

[@johnnnewmex]

You are right about it wanting faster cadence. I had a bike with a Shimano motor and definitely felt it wanted a 100+ rpm pedal speed. That's great for your leg speed but does feel unnatural. Your critique is exactly what I felt...the motor doesn't really match your leg speed and add power. And by the way there are many scenarios where the ebike is slower than a decent fit rider.

[@Jersey_Joe10]

Did you adjust the power output settings in the app? Because you can setup that power deliver like your talking about, so the more you put in the more you get out of the bike.

[@ibcrypto6139]

I have an Orbea Rise and decent shape but a bum knee. My only complaint is it lacks a removable battery. I like to go to Catalina Island and the Express requires a removable battery per Coast Guard Regs. Thanks for the video!

[@jasoncapecod]

rode the same bike in Moab....It made Slickrock trail with all it's climbs a absolute blast.. being that the bike is not a full powered beast made it even better.. I ride a ripmo, i would switch in a heart beat..and I'm 60, in a couple of years i'll trade up

[@Projectnortheast]

I can see how it would be an absolute blast at slickrock!

[@deanmcphee6663]

Great review. On the cardio side of things, while experimenting I dialled back the assistance in eco mode too far and found the cardio higher than an acoustic bike due to the extra weight but have since adjusted it to offer a good balance of a solid cardio workout, fast outright speed and get the rock solid stability that a long travel e bike offers on jumps and riding rough terrain

[@disparage1]

Yeah I hate Lamborghini bc it makes me want a Lamborghini.

[@mathewhartley4747]

I've had a 9.8 for nearly a year (and as my N=1 bike), and I agree with the upgrade points - the one-piece bars are too stiff and the tires are okay stock, but there's much better options. Pretty much the whole time it's been retuned via the app so that each mode has a max of 300w but at different % assist levels (50%, 90%, 150%) which is more in line with what you mentioned you wanted from the bike - in eco I'll have to be putting out 600w to get the full 300 from the motor, and in boost I only need to be doing 200w to do the same.

[@harveycasey1900]

I just bought a sentinel repeater last month and I absolutely love it. I do alot of shuttle rides so this e-bike cuts out the middle man and friends😅. I bought it off pinkbike used and it had about 350 miles on it and since then I put about 50 miles on it and it weighs about 50lbs BUT☝🏿Over the 4th of July weekend I had an error code 010 show up on the ride and the motor cut out on me and I was in the middle of no where. Thank God I got it working but the next day the code came back and the motor stopped all together and a torque sensor failed. There's a happy ending to this. Even though I bought it used the motor was still under warranty and shimano sent me a new one👍🏿👍🏿 the shop called today and said it was ready for me to pick it up. So if you're in the market of getting one just remember that if the motor or something electronic fail while you're out on that trail it'll be like you being up shit creek without a paddle. Also a back up bike is a good thing to have as well.

[@TheHighAltitudeRambler]

I like the e-mtnb, if I want a good work out I turn it off and I get a better workout then anyone else cause the bike it heavier. But if I’m there for the laps “boost” the amount of laps I can do before I’m tired. Besides if you are doing it for the exercise only then why buy lighter frames and better equipment? Promise you you will work harder on a junk bike and get all that extra work you claim that you want. As for me I work 6 days a week, walking anywhere from 6-12miles a day so I’ll go e bike so I can enjoy my decents on the multiple laps. Just means I can have more fun in less time. And since you can’t get time back I’ll take that daily. Not being rude, love the video trails look amazing and keep doing you! Take care ✌🏼

[@maxdergroe9082]

i can understand you point if about the exercise, but where eBikes really shine for me is commuting.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Spot on, I’m that 25yr older than you guy. E-bikes puts the FUN back in mountain biking. In my case, e-mtb is second to none as an overall training machine. I keep the HR in the right zone, avoid redlining too much, and most importantly I just ride more because of the fun factor! Great video. Cheers!

[@TCraigLinz]

Almost ALL bikes are a blast. N+1! What the heck, I already put my kids through college. I'm spending the money.

[@Projectnortheast]

Haha good for you!

[@thmz]

Thanks for the nice review. I'm 45 and quite fit and just recently traded my old hard-tail for the new exe. got the "cheapest" version with the option to change some specs if needed but i am totally ok with the performance of the bike so far. I tested a lot of bikes in the process of choosing a new bike (both emtb and bio-bike) and was very sceptical regarding the aspect of fitness and motor assist. After the first 400 km of trails i can state: - Great performing bike with excellent up- and downhill capability - more than enough power if needed for very hard climbs and still being able to do more and go further rather than being all pumped and exhausted (and even having fun) - I mostly use the lowest support setting with a limit auf 100 Watt and 80% support (you can set this up in the app from trek for each support setting just as you prefer). i usually pedal about 150 Wats with peaks around 250 to 300 Wats. this gives me a good work out with my 1,5 h after work loop with around 600 m of climbing. i am not letting the motor do the work but use it as a support to cover more trails in shorter time. since i have 3 kids and a busy job time is a limiting factor and a key argument for buying this bike since i could easily do the trails without support but would use more time (wich i don't have). this offers me the opportunity to vary the trails i ride thus having more fun and being more motivated to drive - you can hardly hear the motor at all! this was very important for my descision. also no ratteling noises (like in shimano oder bosh motors) When i have more time i will probably buy a used bio-fully like the cannondale scalpel just for fun and when i am 20 years older i will go for higher powerd emtb! after all i do it for fun! keep up the good content and happy and safe riding!

[@tomtraynor5384]

hoping to be using the EX-e 9.9 to get back on the bike, as I haven't ridden since hip replacement several years ago as a race-ready KTM c but fir the love of.... These things are as expensive as a full-on, world class, ready to race, off-road/woods KTM motorcycle.

[@Projectnortheast]

Haha yeah the price is no joke! But in the end it's worth the price if it keeps you in shape and moving and is fun at the same time!

[@uberfu]

Easy tell for which is which bike ... the downtube on the EXe is significantly thicker (despite Trek making thick tubes to begin with)

[@SuzeM_C_GravityRider]

Love this video, I own the exe, (sold a Spec full power Levo) and love it so much was thinking of selling my Stumpjumper Evo for the analog Trek Ex. Thanks for the comparison of the analog vs e-bike.

[@Projectnortheast]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@BFBMTb]

Ebikes are cool and they have their uses. They also let different people ride. They are great for general trail riding for someone who isnt really worried aboit fitness levels and stuff. However, I do prefer a nice long travel analog bike at lift assisted parks or shuttled rides. I also like the feeling of a lighter bike.

[@Projectnortheast]

Same... I'm still loving building up regular bikes with mechanical drivetrains 😅

[@davefreeman9347]

Agreed I’ve just bought a Trek Fuel exe and it makes all the boring flat stuff fun and even the technical climbs I was laughing to myself on the first ride where I would normally be coughing my lungs up cannot recommend this bike enough if you want a to dabble with an e-bike but want it to feel as close to a normal bike as possible Kudos Trek game changer of a bike 👏

[@77rockcity]

Location is key for Ebikes. More laps, more fun. Being in attack mode the entire time. Bentonville, it made sense with the long rides back to the hub. In, Michigan here not so much. The Bosch CX is amazing and rewards you with what you put into the bike.

[@clintwedel5704]

older... lol, the future is now for some of us!

[@Projectnortheast]

Haha don't rush it!

[@traceyprice4803]

Would you change the Trek fuel exe to a mullet.? If yes what would you think the pros and cons would be?

[@Projectnortheast]

No I would not... the only reason imo to run a mullet is it your riding insanely steep rollers all the time. Or maybe if you want it a little more playful in the air... but an ebike is anything but that so... I wouldn't

[@moeschlabach5559]

What you have to do in order to get the bike to match your effort better is to tune it way down to 40 or 50% assist.

[@The_Rumpo_K1d]

The point you make regarding cadence is interesting. I saw a video recently and one of the commentators said that the Bosch motor is the only one which gives you more assistance the more you put in. My Cube has a Bosch and it does work that way but I’ve not ridden any other motors so can’t say how it compares.

[@zed5129]

5 ebikes in here, since 2017, and one of them was the current EXe XT. I now don't have an ebike, I'm 48 and overweight. The reason is because I get bored with them after a number of weeks. I've come to believe this is because humans seek challenge and get motivated by struggle and progress. It's a dopamine thing. Ebikes remove all that. After a while just descending on a very capable bike becomes meh. I would feel different if I lived in actual mountains or next to a few hundred km of single track, but all the descents near me are easily rideable on a good trail bike - faster on an enduro/ebike sure but again, that gets old 3-4x per week. I now have a Top Fuel, and am very happy working on my fitness and skills again.

[@neumeisteranimalhospital2627]

I'm 67. I have a Exe. I'm still bouncing my heart rate off of the rev limiter, I'm just going faster doing it and faster equals more fun. I have ridden my Fuel EX twice, since buying the e bike. Or maybe I hate my e bike too because it's for sale already...because I want to buy a higher spec version. :)

[@Projectnortheast]

Whatever keeps ya moving my friend !

[@cadman9615]

You need to go out & ride several dif brands. All the motors are different. I totally understand what your saying abt the Fuel EXe, but with the Turbo Levo SL you get all the power regardless of your cadance.

[@Si1ent1]

Greetings to whoever sees this. I ride an emtb and I'm only 23 years of age. I'm fit and somewhat healthy. My biggest issue is my asthma which gives me shortness of breath. I'm based in England and the winter season would mean I wouldn't ride for a whole season. I'm happy I can put on clothes to match the weather and not have to worry about sweating like a pig

[@sanokano1]

Great video, been looking at the Ebike dark side myself, the future is now for me, how was the bike on features like a step-up type feature did it still want the high cadence to make power? love the content you guys put out.

[@Projectnortheast]

It honestly did great on features and jumps... felt like ya needed a little extra speed on some due to the weight but honestly not much. It would give power and from the comments alot of people have said you can program it for your preference

[@mariopazmino160]

Agree with you, also how you feel the gen 6 as a mullet?

[@Projectnortheast]

I dont have any experience on it as a mullet. But one of the guys at the shop does and he likes it alot especially for steeper terrain... not so much for flat tech where you want to carry speed

[@adventurefj819]

Question for you man, what stem length did you go with on your EX? Going to pick up a RF Turbine and can’t decide between a 40mm or a 50mm

[@Projectnortheast]

On my regular Gen 6 fuel ex I went with a 32mm turbine stem... I like my stems short and my bahs wide

[@adventurefj819]

@@Projectnortheast Right on, Ill look into that. Thanks man! I noticed the RSL bar/stem had a 45mm stem length so I was just curious. I hear you on the wide bahs lol. I like to run 800 myself.

[@worldstallestmidget]

Then just have an e bike then! That’s all I got! I got a kenevo expert and it does everything! Xc dh bike park freeride! Sold my regular along with my other e bike! Just one bike is all you need! But dies tiger woods have only one golf club?

[@Projectnortheast]

I have like 5 bikes already so... the ebike would be too much for me to spend on a bike that prolly wouldn't get ridden that much.

[@cberg9480]

Agree. See ya in 25 years with the e-bikes

[@martinforbes3371]

Maybe some tuning on the apps would make the sweet spot available on a larger range ! Good video as I have a Rail 9 and the aspect of losing 8-10 lbs is appealing !

[@philfortner1805]

Ebikes are good for old people who need some extra watts but the problem is younger capable riders just giving up and never advancing athletically or technically due to a big goofy toy. Plus ebikes are like driving at freight train, absolutely terrible for control!

[@Projectnortheast]

Generally yes but just like 29ers it takes time to perfect. Agreed on the younger generation...

[@DB-sd3cw]

Abolish ebikes and make fun of anyone riding one

[@jimsteinway695]

@@DB-sd3cwwhy? Cause you’re a stud and 30 years old? I was a stud 25 years ago raced NORBA all over the west coast. But now I’m 65 and I can’t ride my Sworks Stump jumper with my 33 year old son anymore. HOWEVER I can with my trek Fuel EXe and I still have to work to keep up with him. I didn’t want a full e bike because I was a stud before you were born and I still want to work to ride. I’m thinking I’ll just make fun of you because of your low intellect. Stop being a snob. It has no place in cycling ESPECIALLY mountain biking. If you want to be an idiotic snob get a road bike and start wearing spandex

[@77rockcity]

Yeah, no. We rode analog for well over 100 miles in four days during Bentonville bikefest. Then we had a travel day to Mt Nebo, which crushed us. There would have been next to no riding our final day, except we sprung for Orbea Wilds and rode everything all again in one day. Too much fun.

[@77rockcity]

The best bike in the world is the one underneath ya'. Whatever gets people out there ​@@DB-sd3cw

[@Kevinhatcher]

Great video! 👍 both look like great bikes! 👍

[@Projectnortheast]

Thank you my friend!

[@daltonhaverland1155]

I'm interested in this bike because like it's ex counterpart, it can really hang on the mountain, but i wont get gassed going back up.

[@Projectnortheast]

I mean just about any ebike checks that box.

[@battlebornev401]

Would you go with an alloy EXE?

[@Projectnortheast]

I mean it's probably only a couple pounds heavier and probably way cheaper so... why not?

[@duanecall9137]

Great video and personal review of the EXE.. You need to ride my modified Orbea Rise. it encourages you to pedal harder by matching your efforts with a progressive power increase. Let's meet up with Glenn and shred Goffstown soon. StraightLineReckless.

[@Projectnortheast]

Yeah that sounds like more my style of ebike for sure. I didn't mess around with programming this one either... but I did come to the conclusion that I'm not quite ready for one... unless it were a demo to keep and ride 😅😉

[@uberfu]

As for the final comment regarding ebike fully replacing acoustic bikes years from now; NOT LIKELY. There is precedent for this - powered treadmills did not replace folks going outside and walking or running; stationary bikes (spin machines to Gen Y/Z) did not replace actual bicycles; resistance machines did not replace free weights; manual transmissions in cars still exist despite 100+ years of automatic transmissions > even as the slow increase in electric vehicles becomes a thing; automakers that make sports cars are still integrating a "manual" style transmisison back into some models to appease that core of customers. Hell, I can still get a film camera and find chemical-based film processing supplies if I want to ditch digital photography. And the FAX machine still exists and is in regular use despite the concept of e-mail. So yeah, acoustic bikes won't go the way of the Dodo any time soon.

[@Happy_Biker]

You had me at "I hate E-bikes." 😂 jk

[@TwowheeledadventureVT]

Ebikes are such a great tool, they have gotten so much better now

[@Projectnortheast]

Agreed... this is one of the first I've really wanted to try as I layed my fuel ex right next to one of these and they look identical except for the motor. And it only weighs 42 lbs with pedals vs 50+ of alot of other ebikes

[@hein_mcleod]

I have to point something out regarding your workout statement. That is your own fault that you can't resist the temptation to not run it in boost mode. I personally run mine in eco mode for 98% of the ride and make sure I keep the heart rate in the right zones to get a proper workout. Don't knock the emtb just because you can't control yourself.

[@Projectnortheast]

I thought the overall view of the video came out more positive than negative towards ebikes... but I see your point. I also think your the exception though... in our day and age of obesity running rampant I think the norm would be the temptation that I would have as well to run it in boost cuz... its more fun haha

[@AIMarketingFunnels]

It depends on what you call a good workout. For me, I put 90% of my time in zone 2 . That is almost impossible riding off road. With an ebike it is possible.

[@natepacker1621]

Its all about the laps. I’ve done 11,000 ft days on my aluminum analog enduro bike. It aint about fitness. As a dad with limited time to ride I want max laps. Im the guy on boost busting my a** passing other ebikers still putting down watts snd doing 4,000 ft sessions in under 2 hours. I get great exercise and get 250% the vert in the same time. Not just cruising so it’s not a fitness thing, sorry to burst that bubble for all the tough analog bros out there. I still ride my meta sx too. I appreciate both bikes but definitely prefer max laps on the local rogue double blacks. Not your typical ebiker but we’re not all the fat lazy kooky aarp members were straw manned into being by the fun police closet ebike curious crowd

[@Projectnortheast]

@natepacker1621 your the exception for sure. Personally speaking if I lived in an area that the ebike would help me climb more I'd be all over it. Sadly in our region everything is either lift served or hike-a-bike and the trails we do pedal up to I'd get bored fast doing lap after lap. I also no matter what ebike I try I just hate the way they feel DH.

[@jokermtb]

I'm in the future you describe....or right on the cusp. 56 years old, still hooning around on my acoustic bike, but after renting an Orbea Rise in bentonville this year, I'm firmly convinced that I'll be able to keep doing my favorite thing. That said, the Orbea Rise does give you that 1 to 1 amount of power back, when you put the same in - it's very similar pedaling to an acoustic pedal bike feel. That said, I still struggled with the boost and how it affects long wheelies - definitely something I'd have to practice if I actually got an e-mtb!

[@Projectnortheast]

Nice! The orbea sounds very intriguing!

[@speedshifter]

My 50cents. Looking into light ebikes to have fun, while for workout I have pure road and cyclocross bikes...

[@KB-gu2sc]

Lol, I knew where you were going))

[@Projectnortheast]

😉

[@billycarroll4230]

Man if trek made a slash-e with a litttttleeeeee more battery that bike would be siiiiick 👀

[@Projectnortheast]

Yeah I mean isn't that what the rail is essentially? You could coil this thing and slap a 160mm 38 fork on the front and it would be a bruiser of a bike and add the extender battery

[@billycarroll4230]

@@Projectnortheast yes but no, but mostly yes. To answer your question.

[@alangolightly9850]

Slash+

[@gulfcitynd]

Ebikes have a use but it really depends on the trails they are allowed on

[@Projectnortheast]

I loved it for kanuga... got 5 laps with the slash then another 5 or so with the fuel exe

[@mybadvideos]

I think I'm still more curious about the emerging lighter e-bikes. Would be interesting to see one that only has the lower two assist modes, thus allowing you to get more life out of a smaller battery (because it isn't expected to give full assist)

[@Projectnortheast]

How much lighter you talkin?

[@johnnnewmex]

If ebikes keep people biking that's what's important. I didn't care for my sb 160e because it felt slower on descents.

[@bdouglas]

TR;DL He likes the EXe. That said, it's a fun video.

[@brianrichard1768]

I hate to say it. I am 54, still race and I want one but, don't want to "surrender" yet.

[@Projectnortheast]

Keep fighting as long as ya can!

[@matth8924]

In 10 years we're going to see Ebikes that are literally indistinguishable from analog bikes. Not everyone has access to a ton of vertical, ebikes help make flat trails fun.

[@thezonemtb]

I agree about the dropper lever. Total crap

[@Projectnortheast]

Fortunately the dropper itself is good.. just a quick lever change and good to go

[@marc007ish]

Your so buying one 😂 probable soon

[@Projectnortheast]

I'm waiting for someone to give me one 😅

[@uberfu]

One hour of riding is one hour of riding - it does not matter how far you travel or how much distance you cover. A workout is going to be however much effort you put in regardless of the equipment.

[@Projectnortheast]

Well yeah... but an acoustic bike does require more effort to ride the same terrain and there's no cheat button

[@destroystreets1023]

You deff picked fun mode over a workout mode that was fast up hill, that bike looks huge compared to the normal one conclusion i want that bike too

[@Projectnortheast]

It's a visual thing... closer to the camera and on the rack. When layer right next to each other you can hardly tell the difference

[@booshay922]

Nope. Inaccurate. First couple weeks I used emtb mode. After that the bike only leaves tour mode if I have a nasty climb. Plus I like to ride for hours and turbo mode would give me about 20 miles. Yes you can let the bike do all the work for shorter rides but not us who like to be out half a day or more

[@mzimmerman12]

Don't agree. You can get as good or better workout, you just have to have discipline. You want a better workout, turn the motor off, or run on eco.

[@Projectnortheast]

That sounds horrible... the point of bikes is fun but also getting a workout. Turning the motor off on a 42lb trail bike sounds miserable...

[@mzimmerman12]

@@Projectnortheast The more levelsthan just off. Pick the one that is fun and yet you get a workout. More options than you have with an acoustic bike.

[@siriosstar4789]

💤💤💤

[@ireddie]

Thanks!

[@Projectnortheast]

Thank you my friend!