ENDURO Long Term Test 2015 | First Look: Trek Fuel EX Junior

Every now and then bikes come along that immediately grab your attention, this shrunken version of Trek’s awesome Fuel EX certainly makes that grade. Its an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ kids 26” wheeled, full suspension enduro weapon, made with the same technology and design as its bigger brother.
My boy Tod fits right in the middle of the height range (132-152cm) for this bike at 140cm and was out growing his old Ridgeback 20” hardtail, made with the cheapest of parts! We managed to grab the first one sent to the UK for Tod to run as his long term test bike; to say he was excited is the biggest understatement of 2015!



This thing comes with all mod-cons, including the plushest 90mm of suspension travel in the form of X-Fusions smallest Microlite RL air shock and Velvet forks, both of which feature very affective lock-out levers. At 29kg I was amazed at just how little air pressure I had to put in the forks and shock to suite such a lightweight lad, as he’s only a skinny little thing! The suspension has to be set so soft that the bike reacts like a DH bike when dropped from a height, with no bounce back up at all out of the forks and full-floater suspension!



Cranks are Trek’s own custom 160mm versions to suit the shorter leg and the bike comes equipped with a custom chainstay guard, fantastic outer cable lugs and proper mini through-axle bolts; it’s all very impressive for a kids bike. The wheelbase is fantastically short for a 26” wheel full-suss bike at 104cm and with the tiny frame in those size wheels it kind of looks similar to a short adult sporting a small 29er!



When it comes to looks this thing screams quality, you really do have to second glance it to realize it’s a kids bike and not an adult’s. It was taken straight to Invisiframe for a wrap, to hopefully avoid those likely drops onto rocks, which only kids seem to do best!


Planned Changes
The first thing I noticed on arrival was that at 12.7kg (28lbs) it would be a fantastic weight for an adult bike, but I feel it needs to shed some excess baggage to be seen as a proper kids enduro machine! When fitting the wheels to the bike they felt excessively heavy and I’m sure a fair bit of weight could be dropped with some lighter cranks, bar/stem and saddle. Also weight could be reduced by replacing the low-end Shimano brakes with lighter models, with much shorter levers, more suited to kids hands. Also I think two-by up front is not really necessary, as kids just need a very small front ring to get them up the steepest of hills and aren’t particularly bothered about spinning out on the fastest of DH sections, so a one-by could be the way forward there.



As for planned changes, it shall be small steps, a bit done at a time, he needs to appreciate what an amazing bit of equipment he has and notice every small change, as they are made during the coming months; then maybe if he’s real good it could get fitted with a small dropper post! I shall be out riding with him every week, so watch this space and the Long Term Test Timeline (here) for constant posts on the bike’s performance.



Price: £1400.00 / $1799.99
Website: trekbikes.com
Words and photos: Jim Buchanan Rider: Tod Buchanan
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.