Fuel EXe 9.8 XT

For mountain riding, it captures how the bike carries speed when you're pushing the pedals on less technical surfaces. It ends up here thanks to a heavier build, a lighter-feeling build that helps when you're pedaling for speed, typical trail-width tires, and a solid drivetrain that supports efficient riding. Together, these choices shape rolling resistance and how lively the bike feels.

On steep roads, it comes in at 7.9/10. Within e-mountain bikes, it sits above average. The easiest gear is very spin-friendly on hills. That lowest gear comes out around 16.9 gear inches. Compared with similar bikes, this low gear is easier than about ~91% of them. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. With roughly 18.5 kg under you, you’ll feel the weight on longer climbs even with a decent low gear. The motor support helps you keep rolling when the slope kicks up. Good for keeping cadence steady on climbs without overcooking it. Different builds can shift the feel a bit, and some manufacturer specs aren’t always publicly listed, so consider this a helpful direction.

Suspension rating is 7/10 — “High-impact ready”. It typically supports higher-speed rough sections where impacts stack up quickly. With suspension in the front and rear, the bike can stay more settled through repeated bumps. Rough trails should feel more controlled, especially when hits stack up. On rough trails, this level aims to keep the bike settled under braking and cornering through repeated hits.

Sporty fit - more tuck for efficiency, but still manageable for many riders. You get this posture because bar height comes out ~88 mm below the saddle (large), with about 640 mm of forward reach - a extreme stretch. Estimated lean is about 35 degrees. Estimated spacers: ~14 mm.

Main reasons for the fit flexibility result: The cockpit is modular (separate stem and handlebar), so it is easier to adjust or swap fit parts, Hidden cables usually add a little friction when you swap bars or stems. Plus, The dropper post improves on-the-fly position changes. So it lands in Moderately Adjustable.

Ride comfort is 8.1/10 — on a real ride it feels plush. That’s why it’s labeled Comfortable. The posture is forward, attacking (posture 8/10, torso ~35°), which puts you in an attack stance, which can feel more intense on long, rough descents.

It’s hard to see the value at this asking price. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). On the spec comparison, it sits roughly 72% above what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it’s one of the pricier listings, beating only about 12% of them. Quick reference: €9.299 listed versus about €5.397 for a comparable build. Put simply: it’s priced more like a premium pick than a value buy.

This setup suits typical singletrack and varied natural terrain. It has about 140 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which works well for everyday trails. The Full setup supports this riding style.