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The Gen 6 Trek Fuel EX 5 is an Alpha Platinum aluminium full-suspension trail bike, with 140 mm of rear travel, a 150 mm RockShox Recon fork and a Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain, weighing 15.29 kg in size M. It keeps all the qualities of the Fuel EX frame: storage hatch, adjustable geometry and a 170 mm dropper post. Its Matte Dnister Black colour, a deep matt black, stays elegant even when covered in dust.
| Frame | Alpha Platinum aluminium, internal storage, Mino Link, adjustable leverage ratio, adjustable head angle headset, ABP, BSA 73 bottom bracket, ISCG 05, UDH hanger |
| Suspension | RockShox Recon Silver RL Solo Air, 150 mm / X-Fusion Pro 2 185x55 mm, 140 mm |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Deore M6100 1x12, 10-51 cassette, MT512 30T chainset |
| Brakes | Shimano MT200 hydraulic, RT56 180 mm rotors |
| Wheels / tyres | Bontrager Line TLR 30 rims / Gunnison Elite XR 29x2.40 Tubeless Ready |
| Cockpit | Bontrager alloy 750 mm handlebar, Comp 50 mm stem |
| Saddle / seatpost | Bontrager Arvada / TranzX 170 mm dropper |
| Weight | 15.29 kg in size M (Trek figure) |
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At a glance
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For the tall rider discovering full-suspension mountain biking who wants a bike that can evolve, or for someone who regularly rides local trails without aiming to race. It also works very well for family rides or outings with friends, on two- to three-hour trail loops.
Alpha Platinum aluminium, the frame of the big brothers. The Fuel EX 5 does not get a cut-price frame: it uses Alpha Platinum and all the Gen 6 features (Mino Link, adjustable leverage ratio, adjustable head angle headset, down tube hatch). It is the build that changes, simpler, which makes it a very good base to upgrade over time.
| OCLV Mountain | Alpha Platinum (Gen 6) | Alpha NEXT Platinum (Gen 7) | |
| Level | Trek's mountain bike carbon | High-end aluminium | Trek's most refined aluminium |
| Construction | OCLV layup reinforced against impacts | Hydroformed tubes, smoothed welds | Refined tube shapes |
| Reference bike | Gen 7 Fuel EX frameset: 3.31 kg (M) | Gen 6 Fuel EX 5 / 8 | Gen 7 Fuel EX frameset: 4.95 kg (M) |
| What it means | About 1.6 kg less on the frameset | Proven, robust base | Alloy version of the new generation |
Put simply: the value of this bike lies in its frame. The fork, shock or brakes can be replaced later, as we regularly do in the workshop, without changing bikes.
The 12-speed Shimano Deore with a 10-51 cassette offers a very wide range: you can climb the steep tracks of the Béziers hinterland without putting a foot down, and maintenance stays affordable. It is a groupset we know inside out in the workshop, with wear parts that are easy to find.
The Recon Silver fork and X-Fusion Pro 2 shock cover the essentials, with a handy lockout for the road home. If you progress quickly, the frame happily accepts a higher-end fork: it is the upgrade we recommend most often on this bike.
| Model | Frame | Travel rear / front | Drivetrain | Weight (M) |
| Fuel EX 5 (Gen 6) | Alpha Platinum alloy | 140 / 150 mm | Shimano Deore 1x12 | 15.29 kg |
| Fuel EX 8 GX AXS (Gen 6) | Alpha Platinum alloy | 140 / 150 mm | SRAM GX AXS T-Type 1x12 | 15.88 kg |
| Fuel EX 8 (Gen 7) | Alpha NEXT Platinum alloy | 145 / 150 mm | Shimano 1x12 | 16.58 kg |
| Fuel EX 9.9 XTR (Gen 6) | OCLV Mountain carbon | 140 / 150 mm | Shimano XTR 1x12 | 13.98 kg |
Our take: the Fuel EX 5 is even slightly lighter than the Fuel EX 8 GX AXS (15.29 kg versus 15.88 kg), thanks to narrower 2.40-inch tyres. The 8, on the other hand, brings a Fox 36 fork, wireless shifting and four-piston brakes.
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LVR sizing advice Offered here in XL, for 188 to 195 cm and an 89 to 91 cm inseam. With a 170 mm dropper post, the saddle gets well out of the way on descents, even on a large frame.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| A good first full-suspension bike? | Yes, the frame is identical to the higher-spec versions and the build is easy to live with and maintain. |
| Can it be upgraded? | Yes, the fork, brakes or wheels are easy to replace; we advise you according to your riding. |
| Are the brakes up to it? | For leisure trail riding, yes; for long, committed descents, we can fit more powerful brakes. |
| Does matt black mark easily? | Matte Dnister Black hides dust well; simply avoid gloss products. |
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The LVR Cycles verdict The simplest way into the Fuel EX frame, with a sound build that can evolve with you. Its Matte Dnister Black suits all tastes.
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Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we prepare your Fuel EX 5, set the suspension to your weight and support you as you upgrade it, from the fork to going tubeless.
Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.
Data sheet
Specific References