Undercover. The Trek Fuel+ EX lines up for our group test with a TQ HPR60 motor and 580 Wh battery on board, yet you would barely know it was an e-bike to look at it. Can this electric trail bike hold its own against 11 strong rivals?

You can find an overview of this group test here: The Best Trail Bike of 2026.

Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2 | TQ HPR60/580 Wh | 150/145 mm (f/r)
20.58 kg in size L | € 8,999 | Manufacturer website

Trek have entered this year’s trail group test with two bikes: the https://enduro-mtb.com/das-beste-trail-bike-mtb-test/trek-fuel-ex-9-9-xo-axs-gen-7/“>analogue Fuel EX and the electric Fuel+ EX. Only a closer look at the compact TQ HPR60 motor gives away that this is not quite the same bike. That’s exactly what the Fuel+ EX is about. Rather than lean on brute motor power and a bulky build, Trek have chosen sleek integration and a ride feel as natural as possible, aiming to sit closer to a conventional trail bike than a typical eMTB.

With 150/145 mm of travel, FOX Factory suspension and a 580 Wh battery, the Fuel+ EX is well equipped for long days on the trails. At the same time, Trek stick to their modular approach. Just like the analogue Fuel EX, the electric version can be converted into a more capable bike using a different rocker link, suspension setup and wheel size. At 20.58 kg, the Fuel+ EX is one of the heaviest bikes in the entire test field, yet it’s still around a kg lighter than its direct eMTB rivals. The price comes as a surprise, too. At € 8,999, the Fuel+ EX costs just € 500 more than the top-spec analogue model. So, does that relatively small premium simply buy you more vertical metres, or does it get you the better trail bike too?

Spec and details of the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2

The biggest design achievement of the Fuel+ EX is the one you barely notice. Despite the integrated motor, the bike looks surprisingly slim and avoids the bulky appearance of many eMTBs. The downtube is a little more angular than the one of the AMFLOW or RAYMON, but still looks far more elegant than the Specialized Levo R‘s. Combined with the metallic decals and dark green paintwork, the result is a decidedly premium look. It’s just a shame that the Kashima coatings on the fork and shock don’t quite match in colour.

Functionally, Trek have clearly paid plenty of attention to detail. The bolted cable ports feel high-quality, tool mounts and bottle cage bosses let you carry your trail essentials, and the easily accessed charging port on the downtube of the TQ motor system comes with a reassuringly solid cover. A chain guide comes as standard, and the clever rear brake rotor guard helps prevent frame scratches when you remove the rear wheel. Less convincing are the ergonomics of the sliding button on the TQ remote and the cable exit for the XT Di2 drivetrain at the chainstay, where the heat-shrink tubing looks rather untidy. On the plus side, every bolt is labelled with its torque setting. Nice.

Frame protection is where the Fuel+ EX sends mixed messages. The robust shuttle guard is both bolted and bonded in place, a proper job. The motor cover is another matter: large gaps and a basic rubber lip that match neither the looks nor the quality found elsewhere. The clip-on chainstay protector feels less premium than the rest, and the flap between main frame and rear triangle worked loose on our test bike after only a short time. Under heavy compressions or in berms, the rear tire can also rub the inside of the seatstays.

Trek rely on proven components for the spec. The FOX Factory suspension pairs a FOX 36 fork with GRIP X2 damper and a FLOAT X shock, offering plenty of adjustability. Drive assistance comes from the compact TQ HPR60 motor, which delivers up to 60 Nm of torque and 350 W of peak power, drawing its energy from a fixed 580 Wh battery. The TQ app lets you tune the support modes and other aspects of the motor’s character, the display keeps key ride data clearly visible on the move, and the wired handlebar remote controls the system.

Well thought out, poorly silenced
The bolted cable ports look high-quality, but the cables in front of the cockpit rattle noticeably on the descents.

Shifting is taken care of by an electronic Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain, while Shimano XT four-piston brakes with 203 mm rotors front and rear do stopping duties – top! The Bontrager Line dropper post offers a generous 200 mm of travel and, even after more than 1,000 kilometres of continuous testing, keeps delivering an impressive performance, with minimal play and an ergonomic remote. We were less impressed by the Bontrager Line Comp 30 aluminium wheels. Our rear wheel picked up some sizeable dents early on, so long-term durability leaves something to be desired. The tyre choice is much better judged, with a MAXXIS DHF in the soft MaxxGrip compound up front and a Minion DHR II in the firmer MaxxTerra rubber at the rear, both in the EXO+ casing.

Tuning-Tip: A tougher wheelset for hard trail use. The Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels picked up dents early in our test.

Helmet Fox Speedframe | Glasses Oakley Radar | Backpack Evoc Hydro Pro | Shirt Rapha MTB Technical | Shorts Rapha Trail | Knee pads DHaRCO Gravity | Shoes Crankbrothers Mallet Trail | Gloves Troy Lee Designs

The geometry of the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2

The geometry of the Trek Fuel+ EX closely follows that of its analogue sibling in size L and uses suitably modern figures. The 64.5° head angle is pleasantly slack, while the steep 77.8° seat angle is intended to put you in a central climbing position. With a 485 mm reach in size L, the longest in the test field, the Fuel+ EX is one of the roomier bikes on test, but combines this with a comfortably tall 638 mm stack.

As with the analogue Fuel EX, Trek also give you the option to adjust the rear suspension progression. Rotating the progression chip on the lower shock mount lets you choose between more or less progression. In the “Less Progressive” setting, the suspension works more linearly. The “More Progressive” setting increases end-stroke progression, providing more reserves for hard impacts or rough bike park use. For our test, we rode the bike in the less progressive setting.

The TQ drive whispers away on the climbs and the integration is superb. It’s just a shame a few details don’t quite live up to the bike’s premium aspirations.

The Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2 on the trail

Trek’s website offers a detailed setup guide that makes dialling in the suspension easier, though we would not follow the recommended air pressures blindly. In our test, both fork and shock performed noticeably better with slightly less pressure.

How does the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2 perform on the climbs?

Needless to say, the Fuel+ EX plays to its biggest strength while riding uphill. Thanks to the TQ HPR60 motor, it makes light work of steep and technical climbs, providing a gentle tailwind that only starts to make you sweat after a while. The riding position is relaxed, comfortably centred and well suited to longer climbs. Despite putting slightly less pressure on the front wheel and the pedals, the Trek generates plenty of traction and handles demanding uphill sections with confidence.

Thanks to the harmonious motor support and plenty of traction on technical climbs, even long ascents feel like a relaxed warm-up for the next descent.

The rear suspension generates similarly strong traction to its analogue sibling. At the same time, it benefits from the motor’s consistent chain tension. On forest roads and tarmac, the rear end remains noticeably calmer under pedalling and bobs less than it does without electric assistance. The generous ground clearance is another advantage in technical terrain, with pedal strikes remaining rare even on rough, awkward climbs.

Trek deliberately take a different approach to motor performance than other manufacturers do with their full-power eMTBs. The TQ HPR60 delivers its support in a pleasantly natural, harmonious way, but with the lower output figures it can’t match the more powerful drives in the AMFLOW, RAYMON and Specialized Levo R in a direct comparison.

How does the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2 perform downhill?

Forget about the motor and focus on the trail. The Fuel+ EX makes that surprisingly easy, delivering a familiar ride feel from the very first turns. Despite tipping the scales at over 20 kg, handling is intuitive, and you quickly settle into a comfortable and confidence-inspiring riding position. Compared with its analogue sibling, the Fuel+ EX lacks a little liveliness, but together with the Specialized Levo R, it’s still one of the more agile eMTBs in the test field.

Cornering without the effort
The Fuel+ EX tips intuitively into berms and inspires plenty of confidence from the very first metre.

The Fuel+ EX’s biggest strength is the immense composure it brings to rough terrain, ahead of both the analogue Fuel EX and even the RAYMON Tarok. The extra weight settles the bike noticeably and inspires plenty of confidence, particularly in fast, rough sections. Its suspension plays to that character: sensitive off the top, well supported through the middle and pleasantly controlled throughout.

Rather than skipping over every root, the Fuel+ EX stays glued to the ground and builds confidence through sheer grip. We would ask only for a little more end-stroke progression from the FOX 36 fork, which on the hardest hits reached full travel with a clearly audible metallic knock. The rear suspension, by contrast, uses its travel efficiently and holds composure even under heavy impacts.

As a result, the Fuel+ EX is an impressively balanced all-rounder that sees itself as neither a playful fun bike nor an uncompromising eMTB. Instead, it impresses with a neutral, forgiving character that works well on a wide range of trails, making it the most complete eMTB in the test field. It’s just a shame that the noise spoils an otherwise convincing package. Uphill, the TQ motor is by far one of the quietest drive systems on the market, but downhill the bike is let down by the rattling cables, noisy XT Di2 rear derailleur, chain slap and creaking bearings. Combined, they make the Fuel+ EX one of the loudest bikes in the entire test field and cost it unnecessary points in the charm department.

The Fuel+ EX would rather rack up vertical metres than excuses, combining plenty of comfort, natural assistance and a welcome tailwind.

Who is the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2 the right trail bike for?

The Fuel+ EX is the all-rounder among the eMTBs in the test. Its natural ride feel, impressive composure and intuitive handling make it a strong companion for long tours and demanding trail adventures.

Conclusions about the Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2

The Fuel+ EX is not a bike for spec-sheet obsessives, but for riders. Rather than chasing record motor output or battery capacity, it wins you over on the trail with intuitive handling, impressive composure and a surprising dose of agility. Among the eMTBs on test it stands out as the best all-rounder, and it climbs well too, with a natural ride feel, strong climbing performance and a pleasantly quiet drive system. The one shame is the excessive noise on the descents, which needlessly takes the edge off an otherwise excellent package.

For more information, visit the website of Trek.

The Test Field

You can find an overview of this group test here:
The Best Trail Bike of 2026

All bikes in test: AMFLOW PX Carbon Pro, Atherton A.130.1, Cannondale Bad Habit 1, Pivot Trailcat LT Pro X0, Propain Hugene 3 CF Ultimate, Raymon Tarok Ultimate, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Specialized S-Works Levo R, Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 15 Evo, Trek Fuel EX 9.9 XO AXS Gen 7, Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 2, Yeti MT XO.

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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Mike Hunger