Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT purple XXL: Fox Factory, XT, 145/150 mm, 15.28 kg in M

Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Purple Phaze in XXL: the carbon trail bike for tall riders

Offered here in size XXL, for riders from 195 to 203 cm, the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Gen 7 combines an OCLV Mountain carbon frame, Fox Factory suspension with 145 mm (rear) and 150 mm (front) and a mechanical 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain. Trek quotes 15.28 kg in size M. This version gets an 800 mm Race Face ERA carbon handlebar, a saddle with carbon rails and a 200 mm dropper post; its Purple Phaze/Amethyst Marble finish pairs a deep purple with amethyst marbling.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the tall mountain biker, often forced to ride a frame that is too small, who finally wants a carbon trail bike made to measure. The XXL is designed for an inside leg of 91 to 97 cm: the 200 mm post lets you drop the saddle completely out of the way on descents.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. Trek has made its carbon frames using the OCLV process since 1992: heat and pressure drive out air bubbles between the fibre layers. For mountain biking, the brand developed OCLV Mountain, whose layup is calibrated to withstand rock strikes, landings and crashes, whereas road carbon mainly aims for lightness. The Fuel EX 9.8 XT benefits from it with a 3.31 kg frame kit in M, covered by Trek's lifetime warranty.

In short: with comparable Fox Factory suspension, the 9.8 XT weighs 15.28 kg in M, 1.86 kg less than the aluminium Fuel EX 9 XT (17.14 kg). Most of the difference comes from the frame, and a lighter frame is felt at every acceleration and on every climb.

On a large frame, stiffness matters more: the levers are longer and a stretched seat tube flexes more. OCLV Mountain carbon allows longer tubes without making the bike vague under load, and the 800 mm bar offers a comfortable shoulder width for a tall rider.

A heavier rider works the suspension harder: the Fox Float X shock, with its separate reservoir, dissipates heat better than a compact model on a long descent. We set pressure and rebound to your actual kitted-up weight, an essential step for the 145 mm to work properly.

Which Fuel should you choose?

Our take: in XXL, this 9.8 XT remains the carbon Fuel EX with a mechanical drivetrain, simpler to maintain than the 9.8 XT Di2. The aluminium Fuel EX 9 XT weighs 17.14 kg in M versus 15.28 kg: the difference is felt even more on a large frame.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? As a Trek dealer in Béziers, we set up your XXL Fuel EX for your weight and position, cut the bar down if needed and look after the Fox servicing.

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