Trek Fuel EXe 9.7
Trek · Lightweight e-MTB· €6499.00
Our verdict
The lightweight e-MTB benchmark for experienced riders. Premium build + invisible motor at €6499.
Detailed review
The Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 is the bike that briefly changed the e-MTB world. The TQ HPR50 motor (made by German firm TQ Systems) weighs just 1.8 kg — a fraction of a Bosch CX (2.9 kg) — and sits hidden in the frame with no visible motor bulge. The result: a bike that feels like a regular full-suspension trail bike, with assistance only when you truly need it.
At 19 kg total this is objectively lighter than many analog enduro MTBs. On Veluwe singletrack, Loonse en Drunense Duinen or Brabant forests it rides like a sporty trail bike — none of the e-MTB 'motorised' feeling. The Fox 36 fork and Fox Float DPS shock deliver premium suspension that justifies the price.
The limit: 50 Nm motor and 500Wh battery. On long Vaalserberg climbs or a full Limburg day you notice a Bosch CX (85 Nm) with 800Wh has more power and range. For riders who don't want a pure 'power-station' bike but a refined trail bike with invisible assistance, this is the best answer on the market.
Who is this for?
- Experienced MTBers wanting to preserve analog feel
- Riders for whom weight is critical
- Trail riders prioritising technique over raw power
What to watch out for
- 50 Nm less than Bosch CX — test for long steep climbs first
- 500Wh battery limits 60+ km day rides
Specifications
Drivetrain
| Motor | TQ HPR50 (50 Nm, 1.8 kg) |
| Battery | 500 Wh |
| Top speed | 25 km/h (NL legaal) |
| Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed |
Suspension & wheels
| Front travel | Fox 36 Float, 140 mm |
| Rear travel | Fox Float DPS, 140 mm |
| Wheel size | 29" |
| Weight | 19 kg |
The best MTB trails in the Netherlands, e-MTB rules in national parks and how to choose the right e-mountain bike for Veluwe, Limburg and Brabant.
Pros and cons
Pros
- TQ HPR50 motor — 1.8 kg, smallest motor in its class
- 19 kg total — lighter than many analog MTBs
- Fox 36 fork + Fox Float DPS shock — premium suspension
- Trek's Knock Block headset protection
Cons
- €6499 — most expensive in this comparison
- TQ 50 Nm less than Bosch CX 85 Nm on steepest climbs
Use case fit
How well does this product fit different bike types?
| E-Mountain Bikes | 98 |
| Mountain Bikes | 90 |
| E-Gravel Bikes | 72 |
| Electric Bikes | 70 |