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Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT gloss dark carmine/matte trek black 12-speed

Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT carmine red: XT brakes 203 mm, Fox, 15.28 kg in M

£5,425.50 Incl. Tax

Color

Black and red

Size

Size charts

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Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Dark Carmine: simple mechanics, powerful braking

For riders who like straightforward mechanics that are easy to look after, the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Gen 7 pairs a cable-operated Shimano XT drivetrain, four-piston XT M8220 brakes with a 203 mm front rotor and an OCLV Mountain carbon frame suspended by Fox Factory. It weighs 15.28 kg in size M according to Trek. Gloss Dark Carmine/Matte Trek Black plays on the contrast between a glossy dark carmine red and matt black.

Technical specifications

Frame	OCLV Mountain carbon, integrated storage, adjustable progression, threaded BSA 73, ISCG 05, UDH hanger, Boost
Suspension	Fox Factory 36 GRIP X2 150 mm / Fox Factory Float X 145 mm
Drivetrain	Mechanical Shimano XT 1x12, long-cage M8200 derailleur, XT M8200 30T chainset, XT M8200 10-51 cassette
Brakes	Shimano XT M8220 4-piston hydraulic, RT86 203 mm (front) and 180 mm (rear) rotors
Wheels / tyres	Bontrager Line Comp 30 aluminium / Maxxis Minion DHF (front) and DHR II (rear) 2.5, EXO+, Tubeless Ready
Cockpit	Race Face Turbine alloy 35 mm handlebar, 40 mm rise, Bontrager Elite 45 mm stem
Saddle / seatpost	Verse Short Comp 145 mm / Bontrager Line Dropper, 150 to 200 mm depending on size
Weight	15.28 kg in size M (Trek figure, with tubeless sealant)

At a glance

✓ OCLV Mountain carbon, integrated storage	✓ Fox Factory 36 GRIP X2 and Float X
✓ 145 mm rear, 150 mm front	✓ 12-speed Shimano XT 10-51
✓ 4-piston XT brakes, 203 mm rotor	✓ 15.28 kg in size M

Who is it for?

For the mountain biker who maintains their own bike, rides a lot and wants parts that are easy to find and adjust, with no battery to charge. It is also aimed at riders who go on MTB trips far from any workshop and prefer a drivetrain they can fix at the side of the trail.

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.

	OCLV Mountain (Fuel EX 9.8 / 9.9)	Alpha NEXT Platinum (Fuel EX 5 to 9)	Road OCLV (Madone, Domane)
Level	Off-road version of OCLV carbon	High-end MTB aluminium	Trek road bike carbon
Construction	Layers reinforced in impact zones	Hydroforming, tuned wall thicknesses	Layers optimised for weight
Fuel EX frameset (M)	3.31 kg	4.95 kg	not applicable
What it means	Lighter and livelier when accelerating	Tough, but 1.64 kg heavier	Different use, different stresses

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.

The XT M8220 brakes combine four pistons with a consistent lever feel; with the 203 mm front rotor, they keep their bite on the long descents down to the Orb valley. Maintenance is simple: widely available pads and a bleed with Shimano mineral oil, which we carry out in the workshop at the start of the season.

A well-adjusted mechanical drivetrain never runs out of battery, and a cable can be replaced in ten minutes. For the mountain biker who rides in all weathers, that is a concrete argument: a clean cable and housing restore crisp shifting, even after a busy season.

Which Fuel should you choose?

Model	Frame	Travel rear / front	Drivetrain	Weight (M)
Fuel EX 9 XT	Alpha NEXT Platinum alloy	145 / 150 mm	Mechanical Shimano XT	17.14 kg
Fuel EX 9.8 XT	OCLV Mountain carbon	145 / 150 mm	Mechanical Shimano XT	15.28 kg
Fuel EX 9.8 XT Di2	OCLV Mountain carbon	145 / 150 mm	Wireless Shimano XT Di2	not disclosed
Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2	OCLV Mountain carbon	160 / 170 mm	Wireless Shimano XT Di2	15.97 kg

Our take: between the 9.8 XT and the 9.8 XT Di2, everything is identical except the derailleur. If you prioritise self-sufficiency and simple maintenance, mechanical XT is the logical choice; the Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 is aimed at more aggressive riding.

LVR sizing advice

If you are between two sizes, choose the shorter one for a lively bike on twisty trails, the longer one for more stability on fast descents. Dropper post travel grows with the frame.

Size	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Rider height (cm)	155-165	165-177	177-188	188-195	195-203
Inseam (cm)	74-78	79-83	84-89	89-91	91-97
Dropper post (mm)	150	170	200	200	200
Wheels front / rear (in)	29 / 27.5	29 / 29	29 / 29	29 / 29	29 / 29

Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop.

Your questions

Which fluid for the XT brakes?	Shimano mineral oil; we bleed the system in the workshop.
Can I change a cable myself?	Yes, it is easy; the frame's guided internal routing simplifies the job.
Can I switch to Di2 later?	The frame accepts it; it means a new derailleur and shifter, which we can quote for in the workshop.
Is the carmine red bright?	It is a dark, almost burgundy, glossy red, contrasted with matt black.

The LVR Cycles verdict

The carbon Fuel EX for riders who want reliable, simple mechanics without electronics. The glossy carmine red over matt black gives it an elegant, sporty look.

Pros
+ Mechanical drivetrain with no battery
+ 4-piston XT brakes and 203 mm rotor
+ Striking carmine and black contrast

Cons
- Shifting less quick than Di2
- Line Comp 30 aluminium wheels

Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we bleed your XT brakes, adjust the drivetrain and service your Fox suspension to keep your Fuel EX at its best season after season.

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

Reference TRK-5348917

Data sheet