Trek have been working with carbon for many years and a recent trip to their Wiscon HQ highlighted the quality and consistency in their frames. With good dimensions and a wider range of frame sizes than many brands, you should get a great fit, with only the tallest of riders needing a larger size than 21.5”.

This Fuel EX is packed with Trek’s latest features and technology – The integrated bump stop or “knock block” headset adds frame defence and allow a stiffer ‘Straight shot’ down tube. 1x specific stays, carbon armour, Re:aktiv rear shock (a Trek/Fox collaboration on this bike) and the ABP (Active Braking Pivot) all show thorough attention to detail with no area being overlooked or compromised. With Trek’s Mino-link adjustment system now in place on the Fuel EX you are able to adjust between a high and low geometry setting. With a bottom bracket height of 335mm in the low position we left it there as we felt this was perfect and it sits well with the 67 degree head angle.

‘It’s a bike with fire in its belly this one, and it delivers in heaps in terms of quick drive through the crank, a superb poise in corners and a good balance on descents and faster steeper terrain’

Trek’s unique Project One programme lets you custom spec your Fuel Ex 9.8 or 9.9 on their website and purchase it through one of their P1 authorised dealers. Paint and decal colour choice is huge – with thousands of combinations available, you’ll be riding a ‘one off’ version of the bike and built to your spec.