The 750 mm Bontrager bar is nice, and the Shimano Deore 2×10 drivetrain and M315 brakes are functional (if a little basic), but the lack of a dropper post is disappointing.
It’s clear when looking at the specification that you are buying a very nice frame, as there’s not much else to get excited about. The frame shares little with its predecessor, with a new ‘Straight Shot’ down tube to boost stiffness and ‘Knock Block’ headset to stop the bars damaging the top tube.
Adding bigger 29” wheels and a more aggressive geometry has resulted in a potent performance boost… #gainz! It’s the skinny Olympic weightlifter of the group at first glance it’s easy to write off as a plumped-up XC pushover, but challenge it to an arm wrestle and its power will make you cry like a baby. The new Trek Fuel EX 5 29 is a monster of a bike.
