Contact us for a personalized quote [email protected]
EU companies: VAT-free purchase available [email protected]
Need advice before your purchase? [email protected]
Built for steep slopes, the Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Gen 7 brings together an OCLV Mountain carbon frame, a 170 mm Fox Factory 38 fork, a Fox DHX2 coil for 160 mm at the rear and 4-piston Shimano XT brakes. On the scales, Trek has not published a weight for this version: take as a reference the Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2, which shares this frame, at 15.97 kg in a size M. The Purple Phaze/Amethyst Marble colourway blends a deep purple with amethyst veins.
| Frame | OCLV Mountain carbon, integrated storage, adjustable progression, interchangeable alloy rockers and lower shock mount, ZS headset, BSA 73 threaded bottom bracket, ISCG 05, ABP, UDH hanger, Boost |
| Suspension | Fox Factory 38 Float EVOL fork, GRIP X2 cartridge, 170 mm, 44 mm offset / Fox DHX2 coil shock 205 x 65 mm, 160 mm |
| Drivetrain | Mechanical Shimano XT M8200 1x12: 30T chainring, 10-51 cassette, M8200 long-cage derailleur, 170 mm cranks (165 mm depending on size) |
| Brakes | Shimano XT M8220 4-piston hydraulic, RT86 203 mm and 180 mm rotors |
| Wheels / tyres | Bontrager Line Comp 30 / Maxxis Assegai MaxxGrip and Minion DHR II MaxxTerra 29x2.5, EXO+ casing, Tubeless Ready |
| Cockpit | Race Face Turbine alloy handlebar 35 mm, 40 mm rise / Bontrager Elite stem 45 mm, 0° |
| Saddle / seatpost | Verse Short Comp steel rails, 145 mm / Bontrager Line Dropper 150 to 200 mm depending on size |
| Weight | Weight not published by Trek for this version (for reference: Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2, same carbon frame, 15.97 kg in a size M) |
|
At a glance
|
For the rider who spends their days at the bike park or on purpose-built downhill tracks, but wants to be able to pedal back up under their own steam the rest of the time. It will appeal to riders who go fast through broken-up braking zones and want a stable, reassuring bike at high speed.
OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. On an enduro mountain bike, carbon is not just about saving weight: the OCLV Mountain version is laid up to withstand rock strikes and botched landings, with Trek's lifetime warranty on the frame. On the Gen 7 Fuel platform, Trek claims a frameset of 3.31 kg in carbon versus 4.95 kg in aluminium (measured on the Fuel EX in a size M).
| OCLV Mountain (Fuel LX 9.8 / 9.9) | Alpha NEXT Platinum (Fuel LX 9) | Alpha Silver (Marlin) | |
| Level | Trek's mountain bike carbon, top end | Trek's best mountain bike aluminium | Entry-level aluminium |
| Construction | OCLV process, impact reinforcements | Hydroformed tubes, smoothed welds | Simpler tubes, more material |
| Gen 7 Fuel frameset | 3.31 kg (Fuel EX, M) | 4.95 kg (Fuel EX, M) | not applicable |
| What it means | Lively acceleration, lifetime warranty | Robust, gentler on the budget | Reserved for hardtails |
Put simply: with an identical drivetrain, the Fuel LX 9.8 XT takes the components of the alloy Fuel LX 9 XT and swaps the frame for carbon. Trek does not publish its weight, but the frameset difference measured on the platform (over 1.6 kg) gives an idea of the gain to expect on the climbs.
On the red-earth tracks of the Lac du Salagou, braking makes the difference: the 4-piston XT M8220 calipers grip a 203 mm front rotor, enough to stay in control on long steep sections without cramp in your index finger. The Fox 38 fork with its large-diameter legs stays precise when you load the front in a berm.
The frame comes with transport protection, useful when the bike rests on a pick-up tailgate for uplifts. ABP, Trek's rear pivot located on the wheel axle, keeps the suspension working under braking, which limits rear-wheel bounce in chewed-up sections.
| Model | Frame | Travel rear / front | Drivetrain | Weight (M) |
| Fuel LX 9 XT | Alpha NEXT Platinum alloy | 160 / 170 mm | Mechanical Shimano XT 1x12 | 17.79 kg |
| Fuel LX 9.8 XT | OCLV Mountain carbon | 160 / 170 mm | Mechanical Shimano XT 1x12 | not published |
| Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 | OCLV Mountain carbon | 160 / 170 mm | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | 15.97 kg |
| Slash 9.8 XT Di2 | OCLV Mountain carbon | 170 / 170 mm | Shimano XT Di2 1x12 | 16.63 kg |
Our take: at the bike park, this 9.8 XT offers the fork and shock of the Fuel LX 9 XT on a carbon frame. If you spend more time descending than climbing, the Slash 9.8 XT Di2 with its 170 mm at the rear remains an option at 16.63 kg.
|
LVR sizing advice The Fuel LX is chosen first according to the rider's height: between two sizes, the smaller one makes the bike more playful in hairpins, the larger one more stable at high speed. Dropper post travel increases with size.
Source: Trek size guide. Bike fitting available in our Béziers shop. |
| Made for the bike park? | Yes, with 160/170 mm and a DHX2 coil, it handles purpose-built downhill tracks. |
| Can a larger rotor be fitted? | The 203 mm front rotor is already a large diameter; we look at your needs in our workshop. |
| Spring suited to my weight? | The spring is changed according to your weight: we work out the right rate in store. |
| Is the marbled purple unique? | The marbling can vary slightly from one frame to another, that is the nature of this finish. |
|
The LVR Cycles verdict A carbon enduro bike at home on downhill tracks, with powerful XT braking and a coil that keeps the wheel on the ground. Its deep purple veined with amethyst gives it real personality.
|
Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we match the DHX2 spring rate to your weight, bleed the XT brakes before the bike park season and check the bearings after intensive days.
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
Carbon full-suspension mountain bike Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT purple: bike park, Fox 38, XT brakes, 160/170 mm
