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Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT gloss chameleon green/matte black 12-speed

Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT chameleon green: lighter than alloy, 15.28 kg

€6,499.00 Incl. Tax

Color

Black and green

Size

Size charts

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Description
Product Details

Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Chameleon Green: leaving aluminium behind for carbon

Compared with the aluminium Fuel EX 9 XT, the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Gen 7 keeps the Fox suspension and Shimano XT drivetrain but moves to the OCLV Mountain carbon frame, for 15.28 kg in size M versus 17.14 kg. It retains the integrated storage, adjustable progression and threaded bottom bracket. Gloss Chameleon Green/Matte Black pairs a glossy green with shifting glints with 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 already rides an aluminium Fuel EX or another aluminium trail bike and wants to know what carbon really brings, with equivalent geometry. It also suits riders who keep their bikes for a long time and want a frame covered by Trek's lifetime warranty.

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.

Saving nearly two kilos on a trail bike is felt above all on climbs and when accelerating: the bike picks up speed more easily out of corners and is easier to carry through sections where you have to push. Carbon also filters fine vibration differently, which is appreciated on the stony tracks of the hills around Béziers.

Contrary to popular belief, Trek's MTB carbon is not fragile: OCLV Mountain is laid up to absorb impacts, and a down tube protector limits damage from flying stones. We still recommend a visual inspection after a big crash, as with any frame.

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: the difference between the aluminium 9 XT (17.14 kg) and this 9.8 XT (15.28 kg) is 1.86 kg in M, with an equivalent drivetrain. To go lighter still, the 9.9 X0 AXS reaches 14.08 kg with carbon wheels.

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

Does carbon break more easily than aluminium?	No, OCLV Mountain is designed for impacts and the frame is covered by Trek's lifetime warranty.
What is the real weight saving?	1.86 kg in M compared with the aluminium Fuel EX 9 XT, according to Trek's data.
Same geometry as the aluminium version?	Yes, it is the same Gen 7 Fuel EX platform with 145 / 150 mm.
Does the chameleon green change?	Yes, it varies with the light, from bright green to more golden glints.

The LVR Cycles verdict

The logical step up for anyone riding an aluminium Fuel EX: the same bike in spirit, nearly two kilos lighter. Its glossy chameleon green over matt black catches the eye at the start of every ride.

Pros
+ 1.86 kg lighter than the aluminium version
+ Lifetime warranty on the carbon frame
+ Chameleon green with shifting glints

Cons
- Same aluminium wheels as the alloy version
- Weight difference smaller than some expect

Why buy from LVR Cycles? As a Trek dealer in Béziers, we let you compare the carbon and aluminium versions in the shop, prepare your bike in the workshop and set up the suspension for your weight.

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-5355939

Data sheet