Trek EX 9 - The Perfect All Rounder?

The Trek Fuel EX range has been the most popular dual suspension platform at My Mountain since we opened. The EX has come a long way since its introduction in 2005 when it had 100mm travel and was the long travel option over the then 80mm travel Top Fuel. Trek mountain bikes have always been at the forefront of dual suspension technology with the EX benefitting greatly from Trek’s research and development and collaborations with Fox suspension in recent years.

The Trek EX 9 model hits the sweet spot in the range and is the top of the line aluminium model before jumping up to the EX 9.8. In 2012 the EX range received a slight geometry tweak by slackening the head angle 1 deg, to hit the magic trail bike number of 68 degrees, increased stability and confidence is the result. This added surefootedness allows you to really test out the 120mm of Fox DRCV suspension, which for this year found its way into the fork as well as the shock. In simple terms the DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve) is a secondary air chamber in both the shock and fork which comes into effect at 50% travel ensuring things don’t get squirelly in the bottom half of the travel. Combine this sweet technology with Trek’s ABP (Active Braking Pivot) and the Full Floater rear end design and you have a bike that smashes fast, technical terrain with ease. The ABP system ensures that even when braking hard into a choppy corner the rear suspension is still working, no stiffening or suddenly feeling like you’re on a hardtail. Rear end stiffness is impressive on the EX with the new 142 x 12 rear end taking some of the credit, wheel removal and installation is simple and solid with Rockshox’s clever Maxle system. If you ever need to run a standard 135mm rear wheel the EX can easily be converted.

A full Shimano XT groupset with XTR rear derailleur and Shimano XT Ice Tech brakes takes care of the running gear, providing flawless shifting and incredibly powerful braking, increased further by the smart addition of a 180mm rotor up front. Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels spin on cartridge bearing hubs and run a 28mm wide rim for good tyre shape in larger volume rubber. The Bontrager wheels come set up as 15mm front and 142 x 12 rear but can be easily converted to 9 or 20mm front and 135mm for the rear, tubeless conversion is easy with Bontragers Tubeless rim strips and valves.

The key to the EX 9 success is its versatility, the bike can handle a huge range of riding without ever being out of its depth, it is a blast to ride. Drop into the store and check it out for yourself!