Fuel EX 9.7 is an all-mountain ripper that rolls in with the best balance of performance and pocket-friendly components, without skimping on the good stuff. It features a lightweight carbon frame, plus a cherry-picked blend of Shimano SLX and XT components that balance price and ride quality, plus, the ultra-smooth handling of a FOX 150mm front and 140mm rear suspension.
- You get the light and stiff feel of a carbon fiber frame, plus progressive trail geometry thats ready to handle it all
- Youll find the right balance of price and performance with a cherry-picked blend of Shimano SLX and XT components
- With the adjustable angle headset (angled cups sold separately) and Mino Link, you can choose from six different geometry configurations
- Guided internal routing, universal derailleur hanger, improved hardware, and a threaded BB make maintenance a breeze
- We expanded our size range to ensure a better fit for all riders, and use the best-fitting wheels for each frame size: XS frames get 27.5˝ wheels, S frames get to choose between 27.5˝ or 29˝, and sizes M and up get 29˝ wheels
Internal Storage
Internal frame storage makes it easy to ditch the pack and still carry your ride essentials.
![]()

Active Braking Pivot
Active Braking Pivot allows our engineers to tune how the suspension reacts to acceleration and braking forces independently. That means you get more confident control when you need it most.
![]()

Slack or steep, the choice is yours
Install angle adjust headset cups (sold separately) to tweak the 64.5-degree head tube angle a degree steeper or slacker to your liking — all without impacting your bottom bracket height.
![]()

Adjust the sus for full send
Adjust leverage rate with just a flip of a chip. Ride it in the Less progressive setting for a plusher feel perfect for rugged trails with square-edge bumps. Flip it to More progressive when youre hitting big features and don’t want to bottom-out, or when you want to run a coil shock.
![]()

Size-specific stays
Size-specific chainstays provide balanced handling to keep the ride nimble for smaller riders and improve front wheel traction on climbs for taller riders.
![]()

Business in the front, party in the back
Craving the nimble ride of 27.5˝ wheels but don’t want to sacrifice the speed of a 29er? No need to choose. Fuel EX is mullet-ready, just throw Mino Link in high, toss on a 160mm fork, and get ready to party.
![]()

Frame |
OCLV Mountain Carbon, internal storage, angle-adjust headset, Mino Link adjustable geometry, adjustable leverage rate, guided internal routing, magnesium rocker link, 34.9mm seat tube, ISCG 05, 55mm chainline, BSA 73, downtube guard, shuttle guard, ABP, UDH, Boost148, 140mm travel |
Fork |
Fox Rhythm 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Kabolt axle, 140mm travel |
Shock |
Fox Performance Float X, 2-position damper, 185mm x 55mm |
Wheel Front |
Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle, 27.5 / |
Wheel Rear |
Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Boost148, 12mm thru axle, 27.5 |
Rim Strip |
Bontrager TLR |
Skewer Rear |
Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever |
Shifter |
Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
Rear Derailleur |
Shimano XT M8100, long cage |
Crank |
Shimano Deore M6120, 30T ring, 55mm chainline, 170mm length |
Bottom Bracket |
Shimano SM-BB52, 73mm, threaded external bearing |
Cassette |
Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51T, 12 speed |
Chain |
Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed |
Brake |
Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, M6100 lever, M6120 caliper // Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, M6100 lever, M6120 caliper |
Brake Rotor |
Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm |
Saddle |
Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138mm width |
Seatpost |
TranzX JD-YSP39, 100mm travel, internal routing, 34.9mm |
Handlebar |
Bontrager Line, alloy, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 750mm width |
Stem |
Bontrager Elite, 35mm, 0 degree, 35mm length |
Headset |
Integrated cartridge bearing, 1-1/8 top, 1.5 bottom, angle adjust cup compatible |
Grips |
Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on |
Geometry Chart
B B Drop |
2.1 |
B B Height |
33.7 |
Chainstay Length |
43.4 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
78.9° |
Eff Top Tube |
51.6 |
Frame Reach |
40.4 |
Frame Size Letter |
XS |
Frame Stack |
57.2 |
Head Angle |
64.9° |
Head Tube Length |
9.5 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
36 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.2° |
Standover |
71.9 |
Trail |
11.9 |
Wheelbase |
114.4 |
Wheel Size |
27.5" |
B B Drop |
2.1 |
B B Height |
33.7 |
Chainstay Length |
43.4 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
78.5° |
Eff Top Tube |
55 |
Frame Reach |
43.3 |
Frame Size Letter |
S |
Frame Stack |
57.2 |
Head Angle |
64.8° |
Head Tube Length |
9.5 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
38 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.1° |
Standover |
72.8 |
Trail |
11.9 |
Wheelbase |
117.4 |
Wheel Size |
27.5" |
B B Drop |
3.1 |
B B Height |
34.3 |
Chainstay Length |
43.3 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
79.2° |
Eff Top Tube |
55.3 |
Frame Reach |
43.1 |
Frame Size Letter |
S |
Frame Stack |
60.8 |
Head Angle |
65.1° |
Head Tube Length |
9.5 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
38 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.4° |
Standover |
73.8 |
Trail |
12.5 |
Wheelbase |
118.5 |
Wheel Size |
29" |
B B Drop |
3.1 |
B B Height |
34.3 |
Chainstay Length |
43.3 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
78.8° |
Eff Top Tube |
58.3 |
Frame Reach |
45.6 |
Frame Size Letter |
M |
Frame Stack |
61.2 |
Head Angle |
65.1° |
Head Tube Length |
10 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
41 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.4° |
Standover |
74.4 |
Trail |
12.5 |
Wheelbase |
121.2 |
Wheel Size |
29" |
B B Drop |
3.1 |
B B Height |
34.3 |
Chainstay Length |
43.8 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
78.0° |
Eff Top Tube |
60.6 |
Frame Reach |
47.6 |
Frame Size Letter |
ML |
Frame Stack |
61.2 |
Head Angle |
65.1° |
Head Tube Length |
10 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
42 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.4° |
Standover |
75.1 |
Trail |
12.5 |
Wheelbase |
123.2 |
Wheel Size |
29" |
B B Drop |
3.1 |
B B Height |
34.3 |
Chainstay Length |
43.8 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
77.7° |
Eff Top Tube |
62.6 |
Frame Reach |
49.1 |
Frame Size Letter |
L |
Frame Stack |
61.7 |
Head Angle |
65.1° |
Head Tube Length |
10.5 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
43.5 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.4° |
Standover |
75.4 |
Trail |
12.5 |
Wheelbase |
124.9 |
Wheel Size |
29" |
B B Drop |
3 |
B B Height |
34.3 |
Chainstay Length |
44.3 |
Eff Seat Tube Angle |
77.1° |
Eff Top Tube |
66 |
Frame Reach |
52.1 |
Frame Size Letter |
XL |
Frame Stack |
63 |
Head Angle |
65.0° |
Head Tube Length |
12 |
Offset |
4.4 |
Position |
High |
Seat Tube |
47 |
Seat Tube Angle |
71.3° |
Standover |
76.7 |
Trail |
12.5 |
Wheelbase |
128.6 |
Wheel Size |
29" |