trek fuel ex 6 2012

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Trek Fuel EX 6

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Metallic Black/Red

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum w/ABP, Full Floater, magnesium EVO Link, replaceable derailleur hanger, 120mm travel
• Wheels Formula DC51 15mm alloy front hub, Shimano M475 alloy rear hub; Bontrager AT-850 disc 32-hole rims
• Wheel Size 26"
• Tires Bontrager XR4, wire bead, 26x2.2"
• Crank Shimano M522, 42/32/22
• Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
• Rear Derailleur Shimano SLX M663 Shadow
• Shifters Shimano Deore M591, 10 speed
• Brakeset Avid Elixir 3 hydraulic disc brakes
• Handlebar Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 9 degree sweep
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1
• Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset
• Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm
• Headset 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Q: What size wheels does the 2012 Trek Fuel EX 6 have?

The 2012 Trek Fuel EX 6 has 26" wheels.

Q: What size 2012 Trek Fuel EX 6 should I get?

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The Trek Fuel EX 6 is a full-suspension mountain bike with an aluminum Alpha / Fox / ZR 9000 frame. The frame comes in colors like Chi  Red, Raw  Tint and Gloss  Black.

Originally released in 2006, there are 7 versions of this bike. Due to the frame materials and other factors, we estimate that this bike weighs around 35 pounds.

The Fuel EX 6 comes with Mountain Mix and Shimano components, including a Bontrager stem, a semi, semi-integrated, threadless, FSA, Aheadset Slimstak, VP-A76 E2 headset and Shimano SRAM shifters.

The Fuel EX 6 has 10,9 speeds and has a Shimano SRAM derailleur.

It comes with Bontrager tires (26in x 2.2in) and disc Bontrager rims.

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Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 review

Does Trek's sixth-generation trail flagship live up to the hype?

Great frame, with perfect handling and suspension feel; adjustable geometry and sizing options mean a bike fit for all; happy on any level of trail

Cockpit harshness; mediocre tyres; poor brakes; expensive

The Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 is part of the sixth generation of the US brand’s flagship trail-bike family, launched in 2022. It went live hot on the heels of the aesthetically similar, but motor-assisted Fuel EXe bike.

The Fuel EX family offers 140mm of rear-wheel trave l, paired with 150mm forks, and is targeted at more aggressive trail bike riders. The bulk of the bikes are offered with 29in wheels , the XS frames have 27.5in wheels, while those looking at size-small bikes get the pick of both sizes.

One of the most adjustable bikes on the market, the Fuel EX offers two geometry adjustments, as well as suspension adaptability and mullet compatibility. With an expansive range, covering alloy and carbon models, there are bikes for many pockets.

This EX Gen 6 sits at the top end of the alloy range, and while the spec list isn’t dripping in top-end kit, the selection of parts suggests solid performance should be expected.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 frame and suspension

The frame uses Trek's Alpha Platinum aluminium, which is butted and hydroformed into the tube shapes the brand desires.

The down tube features a storage port, into which tools, snacks or pumps can be stashed, situated under the bottle cage.

Under the tube is a two-piece rubberised bolt-on protection strip to keep the frame safe. It extends the length of the down tube, which is great to see.

Threaded bottom bracket shells will appeal to home mechanics, while there are ISCG05 mounts around the shell too.

Thick rubberised protection keeps the rear triangle running quietly and the paint chip-free.

A wide 34.9mm seat tube means large-diameter droppers are fitted - a boon when it comes to durability.

Trek uses its ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension linkage on the Fuel EX. This places the rear pivot concentric to the rear axle (rather than on the chainstay or seatstay, as on most suspension systems ).

This, Trek says, separates braking forces from the suspension’s action. The idea is that suspension remains active while braking.

Normally, the torque applied to the seatstay by the brake during braking interferes with the suspension, hampering the wheel’s ability to track the ground while slowing down.

Trek says the seatstay, which floats between the rear pivot and the rocker link, separates the two competing forces.

The suspension linkage features a two-position lower shock mount on the frame (the ‘Progression Chip’), enabling you to run a more progressive leverage curve, offering improved bottom-out protection, or the ability to run a coil shock , which is more linear than a standard air shock.

This feature should appeal to more aggressive riders.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 geometry

Trek has given the Fuel EX plenty of adjustability in terms of the bike’s geometry.

The MinoLink has been seen on numerous Trek bikes. This flip chip in the suspension rocker gives Low and High settings, altering head and seat angles by 0.5 degrees. It also alters the BB height by 8mm.

There are also three headset options – Slack, Neutral and Steep. In Slack (and MinoLink in Low), this offers adjustment from 63.5 degrees to 64.5 degrees (Neutral) up to 65.5 degrees in Steep. There's minimal impact on other areas of the bike's geometry.

Bikes ship with the Neutral headset (and the bike is tested here in Neutral), with a rotatable headset cup available aftermarket, offering the Slack and Steep options.

Finally, in terms of adjustability, if you stick the bike in the Steep setting with a 160mm fork, the Fuel EX can be run as a mullet bike , with a 27.5in wheel in the back.

Overall, the geometry is very modern. Reach figures are long, the head angles are slack and the seat tube angles are steep, at around 78 degrees.

Chainstay lengths alter with size, too, ranging from 435mm to 450mm across the (impressive) eight sizes on offer. These go from XS to S (27.5 or 29in), Medium and Medium Large, Large, XL and XXL.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 specifications

At £4,350, it’s fair to say the EX 8 doesn’t offer the best value around. However, many of the spec choices are solid, and the alloy chassis is great.

Suspension comes from Fox , in the shape of a Rhythm-level 36 fork with 150mm travel. This comes with the basic GRIP damper, which has a lockout dial on the top of the fork and low-speed rebound adjustment at the bottom.

At the rear, there’s a Float X shock, in its Performance flavour. This has a piggy-back design, giving it a higher oil volume, which in turn improves performance consistency on long descents.

The Performance level largely means there’s less adjustment than its pricier siblings, but you still get a lockout lever.

The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano XT, SLX and Deore, as well as an e*thirteen 9-50t cassette. The brakes on my test bike are the new mineral-oil based DB8 brakes from SRAM, with 200/180mm rotors. Some bikes may come with M6100-level Shimano brakes, though.

Bontrager (Trek’s in-house parts brand), provides the bulk of the finishing kit, from the cockpit to the saddle, as well as its Line 30 Comp wheels, and mid-aggressiveness XR5 Team Issue 29x2.5in tyres.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 ride impressions

This bike was tested as part of our 2023 Bike of the Year test. It was compared to seven of the best trail bikes , listed later.

I took all the bikes to the same locations and trails for some dedicated back-to-back testing on a wide variety of terrain.

From hand-dug tracks in the woods to trail-centre laps and BikePark Wales’ rocky runs, I ensured the trail bikes were exposed to every type of trail such a bike is likely to be ridden on.

Riding the bikes back to back, usually with four in each testing session, ensured I was able to pick out the finer performance points of each one.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 climbing performance

The Fuel EX does a solid job when the trails start to ascend.

The seated position is excellent, with a steep seat angle putting you right where you need to be over the cranks when the front wheel is higher than the rear.

When your weight shifts rearward, the suspension doesn’t seem to squat much, either, so the seat angle rarely dips from its steep position too much.

Seated, the suspension is as good as solid when pedalling, with minimal movement of the shock under regular pedalling loads, leading to an efficient feel. The SE5 tyres roll fairly fast, thanks to their low tread height.

Stand up, and you can get the suspension bobbing about, but it doesn’t feel as wallowy as many in this situation, and the lockout lever is within easy reach on smoother drags.

Get to a step up in the trail and the suspension stays static as the rear wheel crests the ledge. Traction on slippery roots from the SE5 rubber could be better too – though the trade-off would likely be some rolling resistance.

When stood, you get the first impression that the chassis is stiff – there’s no spaghetti feeling as you put power through the cranks, and the whole setup feels, simply put, solid.

Despite all this, it’s not the fastest climbing bike ever. It has a reassuringly composed feel, rather than light and flighty, and during testing I never really felt myself being egged on to ramp up the watts to get up the hill faster. It’s a bit of a sit and spin bike.

The Shimano drivetrain is good, with Trek speccing a largely XT groupset. Cassette specs seem to vary, like the brakes, with e*thirteen (as I have) and Shimano SLX being listed.

The e*thirteen’s shifting performance isn’t quite as slick as a Shimano alternative in my experience, but does feel a little quieter when the drivetrain is covered in grit and grime, compared to Deore/SLX cassettes.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 descending performance

The solidity that was evident on the climbs is almost more so on descents. Trek has made a super-stout chassis that gives the Fuel EX an impressively composed feel on the trail.

It is almost unshakeable, pretty much regardless of the terrain.

The suspension doesn’t have a light, flighty feel, but is nicely damped, offering buckets of traction, whether you’re on the brakes or not, and provides ample isolation from the minutiae detail of the trail, without leaving you feeling entirely disconnected from it. Lighter riders may well find the shock over-damped.

On big hits, after a slightly harsh entry into its travel, the shock is controlled, with a smooth transition towards the bottom of its travel, avoiding any nasty clunks as the shock bottoms out. This is in the normal rather than more progressive shock setting too.

In this, I struggled to get through all the travel, suggesting it may well work better with a coil shock (which is, by its very nature, less progressive at the end of its stroke).

Drop the bike into a corner, and the chassis doesn’t flex, pushing your weight straight onto the tyre’s shoulder in a reassuring manner, and communicating exactly what’s happening through the rubber. It carves corners beautifully.

Fire it through some janky rocks, and the bike seems to shrug off any attempt to push it off-line and you into trouble. It doesn’t display full monster-truck tendencies, but it’s certainly a bike that feels happy being pointed somewhere in the distance and then allowed to get there in as straight a line as possible.

It’s a similar story on rolling trails, too. The suspension enables you to push and pump the bike through undulations, gathering speed, avoiding feeling like you’re trying to compress a marshmallow. Turn the pedals and you’re projected forward with ever-increasing speed.

It even displays ample levels of agility, too – want to add a few air miles to your account? There’s support there to boost off a lip. Keen to whip the rear wheel round a tight bend? It’ll drop its shoulder and scrabble its rubber round when required.

With a 485mm reach (large) and 64.5-degree head angle, the Fuel EX should excel on steep tracks, especially because the Fox Rhythm 36 has a similarly stout chassis and ample support when needed.

However, you do need to trust both the brakes and the tyres in this situation.

The new SRAM DB8 brakes didn’t impress me in testing. They feel wooden through the lever, with a disconnected lever feel, and their power levels are down on both the SRAM G2 and Shimano’s similar offerings.

Given Trek lists both the DB8 and Shimano M6100-series brakes on its spec list, given the choice, I’d opt for the Shimano stoppers.

While I’ve been relatively complimentary of the tyres so far, their performance is outshone by Maxxis tyres on other trail Bike of the Year bikes.

The tread depth is low, and so in sloppier conditions they don’t have the same bite. The slightly more rounded profile means the shoulder tread doesn’t engage the dirt as effectively as other tyres might.

Compared to Maxxis’ 3C MaxxTerra rubber and EXO+ casing , these tyres can’t compete. They ping over rocks more and have less traction on damp rocks and roots.

Early testing on the loam, mud and roots of the forest left me impressed. But later trips to the high-frequency rocky chatter of BikePark Wales revealed the Trek’s other weaknesses – the stiff frame, Line 30 wheels and oversized bars.

These combined to transmit a whole lot of buzz straight to my hands. Add in under-powered brakes, and arm fatigue was an issue on prolonged rocky descents.

How does the Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 compare to the Merida One-Forty 700?

Trek and Merida each launched great new trail bikes in 2022. Both have clearly concentrated on the quality of their chassis, and target the trail rider who doesn’t want descending performance to be compromised.

The Trek has a very assured feel – it’s calm, composed and really easy to ride. It’s agile and communicative too.

The Merida (in the Long size that I tested) is radical in its shape, and climbs exceptionally well. It has a touch more pedal feedback, but both will tackle steep tech with ease.

Merida pips the Trek, though, thanks to its better tyres and cracking value for money. It’s over £1,000 cheaper, and other than the single-can shock, rather than piggyback, I can’t see where it loses out spec-wise.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 bottom line

The Fuel EX is undoubtedly a great trail bike, and very nearly made it into my top three for this Bike of the Year category.

It was the rockiest tracks that separated the best from the rest, though, and the stiff front end, as well as questionable value, squeezed the Trek off the podium.

It’s a bike that best rewards an aggressive, rather than passive, riding style.

Treat it right (and maybe get lucky with the brake specs) and you won’t be disappointed by the Fuel EX.

Trail Bike of the Year 2023 | How we tested

This bike was ridden as part of our 2023 Bike of the Year test. It was compared to seven of the best trail bikes .

From hand-dug cheeky tracks in the woods to trail centre laps and Bike Park Wales' rocky runs, I ensured the bikes were exposed to every type of trail such a bike is likely to be ridden on.

Riding the bikes back to back, usually with four bikes in each testing session, ensured I was able to pick out the finer performance points of each one.

Our Trail Bike of the Year contenders

• Cannondale Habit Carbon 3
• Cotic Jeht Mullet Silver SLX
• Marin Rift Zone 27.5 XR
• Merida One-Forty 700
• Trek Fuel EX 8 Gen 6
• Vitus Escarpe 29 CRS
• Whyte T-140 RS 29
• YT Jeffsy Core 3

Thanks to...

Thanks to our sponsors Crankbrothers , FACOM Tools , MET helmets , Bluegrass Protection , Supernatural Dolceacqua , Le Shuttle and BikePark Wales for their support in making Bike of the Year happen.

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• Trek Fuel EX 6 2012

154cm - 169cm

166cm - 180cm

176cm - 188cm

177cm - 189cm

186cm - 196cm

Bike summary

Bike components.

Alpha Platinum Aluminum w/ABP, Full Floater, magnesium EVO Link, replaceable derailleur hanger, 120mm travel

Rear Derailleur

Shimano SLX M663 Shadow

Front Derailleur

Shimano Deore

Shift Levers

Shimano Deore M591, 10 speed

Shimano HG62-10 11-36, 10 speed

Shimano M522, 42/32/22

Formula DC51 15mm alloy front hub, Shimano M475 alloy rear hub; Bontrager AT-850 disc 32-hole rims

Bontrager XR4, wire bead, 26x2.2"

Avid Elixir 3 hydraulic disc brakes

Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm

Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 9 degree sweep

1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Bontrager Evoke 1

Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset

Bike geometry

About this model.

Fuel EX 6 completes the Trek Fuel model. Trek released 277 bikes variations of this model so far. Take a sneak peek at all Trek Fuel bikes models from 2012 , by clicking here .

When cycling always take safety very seriously. Wear a helmet, obey the traffic rules and wear hi-vis clothes. In short, take care of yourself so others can take care of you.

Trail bikes average price

Our math shows that the average cost of a dependable Trail bike is 2762 $ . However, even though the average price of a Trail bike is lower, you might still be able to get a top-quality bike. To sum up, when you purchase your bike, make sure to check if it has reviews, and also do some components research.

Fuel EX 6 components

Bike rear shocks are a great way to increase comfort on the bike and give you more control when riding on technical trails. In short, a full-suspension bike will give you the smoothest ride possible.

Wheels size

When it comes to wheels, the Fuel EX 6 bike is equipped with the 26″ aluminum model. These wheels give you great handling over your bike. However, they provide less traction than 29″ wheels do.

Stopping the bike when needed, it’s essential for your safety. This bike has Hydraulic Disc brakes. With Hydraulic Disc brakes, you’ll be able to stop on a dime, even in wet or icy conditions. To sum up, your safety is in good hands.

Fuel EX 6 comes in 5 sizes , that range from 154 cm – 196 cm (5.05 ft – 6.43 ft) . In short, it won’t be difficult to find the right one for you.

Trek Fuel models from 2025

Trek fuel models from 2024, trek fuel models from 2023, trek fuel models from 2022, trek fuel models from 2021, trek fuel models from 2020, trek fuel models from 2019, trek fuel models from 2018, trek fuel models from 2017, trek fuel models from 2016, trek fuel models from 2015, trek fuel models from 2014, trek fuel models from 2013, trek fuel models from 2012, trek fuel models from 2011, trek fuel models from 2010, trek fuel models from 2009, trek fuel models from 2008, trek fuel models from 2007, trek fuel models from 2006, trek fuel models from 2005, trek fuel models from 2004, trek fuel models from 2003.

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• Fuel EXe 9.8

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All bikes ordered online ship for free to your local Trek shop for professional assembly. Participating retailers will even deliver your new ride to your doorstep!

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TIME Best Inventions of 2023

"Fuel EXe's natural-feeling assist and stealthy good looks earned it a coveted spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2023 list." From TIME. © 2023 TIME USA LLC All rights reserved. Used under licence.

TQ HPR-50 is Pinkbike's Innovation of the Year

'That tiny harmonic pin ring drive unit is the golden goose of e-bike motors.' Find out what Pinkbike had to say about the revolutionary motor at the heart of the Fuel EXe.

Best All-Around

"Overall, the Trek Fuel EXe is a bike that ranked consistently well across the board when it came to performance on the trail. It does everything pretty darn well and would be a great jack of all trades lightweight eBike for those looking to have a mid-power eMTB for trail shredding fun."

2022 Gear of the Year

'This is the first time an e-bike has made my Gear of the Year list [...] in addition to being silent, the HPR50 motor feels frictionless while pedalling. The assistance comes on with a subtlety that makes it feel like you are a younger, fitter version of yourself with a tailwind at your back.'

Editor's Choice

"The low-key, silent assist is just enough, keeping it riding like a real mountain bike but making the climbs less miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good high-power eMTB, but I loved this bike, too. The Trek Fuel EX’s handling is dialled, and this is merely an enhanced version of that. I tested the top model, but, fortunately, there are also mid-priced models that eschew some of the AirWiz(ardy) without giving up any of what makes this bike rad."

'Nothing comes close'

'Simply put, nothing comes close to the Fuel EXe when you paint the picture of the mountain bike experience as a whole.'

'Probably going to be the most significant bike launched this decade'

'The Trek Fuel EXe is the bike (e or otherwise) that plenty of people have been waiting to see… Removes the final few issues that the e-curious crowd had.'

'One of the best mountain bikes – powered or unpowered – I’ve recently ridden.'

'The Fuel EXe is such a harmonious package that I got comfortable with it very quickly, and it wasn’t much longer before I was in love with this bike... I legitimately forgot that I was on an e-bike at times… it’s the most natural-feeling motor I’ve yet ridden.'

'We have to call it as we see it and the Trek Fuel EXe just elevated the eMTB game.'

'The first impression was a unanimous "Wow". This is one of the few times that a bike exceeded expectations.'

'Nothing less than a great leap forward for eMTBs'

'There are times when I am left amazed by something new and shiny, and that is the case with the Trek Fuel Exe... I might even go as far as to call it an engineering marvel.'

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