Carbon full-suspension electric mountain bike Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT smoke grey: TQ HPR60 580 Wh, Shimano XT, 20.10 kg

Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Carbon Smoke: just one battery to manage, the motor's

On the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Gen 2, the only power source to keep an eye on is the 580 Wh TQ battery: the Shimano XT derailleur is cable-operated, and so is the dropper post. OCLV Mountain carbon frame, TQ HPR60 motor, Fox Factory 145 / 150 mm, 10-51 cassette and four-piston XT brakes, for 20.10 kg in size M according to Trek. The Carbon Smoke/Lithium Grey Marble evokes a smoky anthracite shot through with light grey marbling.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the rider who wants a high-end e-MTB without multiplying chargers, and who likes to head off on multi-day adventures with mechanics they know they can fix at the side of the trail.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. Trek moulds its OCLV frames by compressing the fibre plies under heat and pressure, leaving no voids. Its Mountain variant was developed for the stresses of off-road riding: flying stones, landings and crashes. This Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT uses it to house the motor and removable battery in a slim silhouette, backed by the Trek lifetime warranty.

Put simply: the 9.8 XT combines Fox Factory and mechanical Shimano XT on the carbon frame, for 20.10 kg in M. It is the benchmark weight for high-end carbon Fuel+ EX models.

With a cable-operated drivetrain, nothing stops if you forget to charge: shifting still works even with a flat motor battery. On an electric bike, the chain takes the combined effort of rider and motor; checking wear at every service protects the XT chainring and cassette.

The four-piston XT M8220 brakes use mineral oil; we renew the fluid before summer, when the heat of the Béziers plain wears it out. The TQ assist cuts out at 25 km/h and stays limited to 250 W, as e-bike law requires.

Which Fuel+ should you choose?

Our take: at 20.10 kg in M, this 9.8 XT remains the carbon version with the least electronics. The 9.8 XT Di2 adds a wireless derailleur to charge; the 9.9 X0 AXS also adds the wireless dropper.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? In our Béziers workshop, we monitor the wear on your chain and cassette, renew the oil in your XT brakes and carry out TQ motor diagnostics.

Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.