$3410
27.9 pounds
4.7-inch rear wheel travel
Trek, (920) 478-2191
Full test: December 2007 (Click here to order this issue)

Highlights: The all-new EX 9's suspension needs to be looked at as an ensemble rather than singling out the system's components. Trek calls this team effort R1i Trail Tuned Suspension. It means that the Fox custom-tuned suspension components, Active Braking Pivot (ABP), Full Floater suspension design and aluminum EVO Link were developed from scratch and implemented together. Trek also opened a California R&D office, tripling their access to on-the-trail testing and evaluation.

Best quote: "Gone is the firming rear suspension under braking, and in its place is a system that allows the rider to stay in contact with the trail during heavy braking."

Bottom line: Trek Fuel EXs have never enjoyed widespread acceptance outside of the Midwest. That all changes with the Fuel EX 9. This is a Trek that is just as much at home on the rocky, nasty trails of Moab, Utah, as it is on the rolling hills of Madison, Wisconsin. This bike brings Trek into the same trailbike league as the Specialized Stumpjumpers, Giant Trances, Santa Cruz Blur LTs and Fisher HiFis.