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2012 Trek Fuel EX 9 Every year we ride the EX9 we are amazing at how capable it is and wonder what Trek could possibly do to improve such a great bike. And every year we are blown away at the improvements Trek introduce making an already great bike even better. 2012 sees two major tweaks to the EX9 platform; firstly they have continued the trend of relaxing geometry and taken 1 degree out of the head angle. This slacker head angle makes the bike more confident on technical descents with a slight trade-off on steering speed. However, this trade-off is a good one for a bike as capable as the Fuel EX, as lets face it, trail riding is all about going everywhere fast and having fun doing it and that's exactly what this change is providing, more fun! The second upgrade comes in the form of DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve) technology that has been implement into the fork. DRCV allows Trek to design a bike that performs very well over small bumps and under acceleration while still handling big hits with a confident, plush feel. It does this in the fork by opening a second air chamber at 50% of the travel so that the second half of the travel is as smooth and linear as the first half. Small bump compliance & big hit capability = the ultimate go everywhere bike!
It's easy to see why the Trek EX 9 is our most popular EX model. Tipping the scales in the mid 12 kgs and coming packed with every last bit of technology available such as E2, ABP, press fit BB86, internal cable routing…and the list goes on. Everything from the suspension to the benchmark Shimano XT group is packed with the latest in function and design. Although we rarely put any emphasis on the importance of individual components and especially derailleurs, a part worth noting is the new XTR rear derailluer that uses a gold swith to engage a stiffer spring that keeps higher tension on the chain. This improvement brings snappier shifting and less chain slap on technical rough descents allowing you to focus on the trail ahead, which we think is a very good thing. The Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels are tubeless ready and combine 28mm wide rims with thru-axle hubs front and rear to provide a stiff, fast accelerating package. The 2012 EX9 is complete with a lightweight Bontrager cockpit and the latest Shimano M785 XT brakes that have boosted stopping power and modulation over previous models. All up, the component selection on the EX9 is designed to match the capability of the frame and DRCV suspension, whilst keeping weight down to a point that you can competitively race on.
Our favourite features of the EX 9
E2 Headtube E2 is the evolution of the traditional 1-1/8" headset to a tapered head tube, fork, and headset system. E2 tapers from a 1.5" lower to a 1-1/8" upper headset to provide more material where it matters most, resulting in a stronger, lighter frame with point-and-shoot control. The beauty of E2 is that you get all the benifits of the extra regidity without the problem of no cockpit options.
The Full Floater suspension design attaches the shock to two moving linkage points instead of the traditional one moving, one fixed. This standard way of thinking limits the suspensions tenability and can sometimes result in a harsh ride at certain points in the travel. Allowing the shock to “float” between two moving linkages gives the shock an increased ability to respond to bumps across a wide variety of terrain. It will feel like you have more travel, but you don’t...it's smarter travel.
A 15mm front thru axle makes steering more precise for more feedback and control. The quick release feature allows for easy wheel removal for quick on-trail repairs. Thru-axle stiff, QR quick Trek’s robust, confidence-inspiring 142mm hub + 12mm thru-axle system is about 35% stiffer than an open dropout design and is easier to install than a conventional 135x5mm system thanks to the tabbed guide in the frame's dropout. And it’s versatile as well. For those riders who still want to use their 135mm thru-axle wheels, Trek include hardware adapters for an easy interchange if you still want to use your older 135mm wheels. Put both these systems together and you get a stiffer, more responsive ride and overall a better wheel system.
Most full suspension air-shock bikes use a small-volume canister because it doesn't move up and down excessively when you pedal. But it doesn't have the best big-hit control. To compensate, some companies use a less-efficient larger-volume shock or try to strike a balance with manual controls or with fussy, overly complex shock systems. So to gain control, you either lose efficiency, or you lose simplicity. DRCV seamlessly adjusts its air volume based on the size bump you encounter. You get supple feel on the small bumps, seamless control over midsize bumps and harsh hits, with less rear-wheel hang-up. Seemingly bottomless travel on the rough stuff. Big hits seem to disappear. All this, with the pedalling efficiency of a small-volume shock. Sag + small bumps DRCV is supple and controlled like any other Fox RP2 or RP23 rear shock at sag and over small bumps. Midsize bumps This is where DRCV shines. At 50% of compression, the shock opens up more air volume. Where other shocks wallow and stick, DRCV offers seamless control through the nastiest terrain you can find. Finish Throughout the final stages of compression, DRCV behaves like a larger- volume air shock.
Trek mountain bikes come packed with the latest technology available on the market
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