Publication-Bicycling

Date-April 2006

Title-Trek Fuel EX 7 WSD

Findings:

• "TREK DID ITS HOMEWORK: After studying bike fit on hundreds of women, Trek narrowed its focus to four female body parts: hands (they're smaller), shoulders (narrower), rear (uh, wider) and lower back (women exert 25 percent more force on it than men) to create its WSD line of bikes."
• "AND PASSES THE TEST: The shorter top tube and stem accomodate a woman's shorter torso and arms, and the steeper seat tube angle places a woman's hips over the crank for a more efficient and comfortable ride."

Publication-Mountain Bike

Date-April 2007

Title-Trek Fuel EX 7 WSD

Findings:

• "Trek's top women-specific full-suspension bike and '06 Editor's Choice Finalist Fuel EX 7 WSD sits solidly in the middle of the company's trail-bike line and is aimed primarily at recreational and endurance riders. The upright geometry puts the rider's hips above the crank for maximum power transfer, and provides a comfortable platform for taking in trail side scenery. It also makes for good control on climbs: With your weight centered, it is easy to keep the front wheel glued to the trail and moving in a straight line. The effective top-tube length is slightly shorter than that of the men's model, to accomodate a women's proportionally shorter torso; ladies with tiny hands will appreciate the smaller-diameter grips and adjustable-reach brake levers."
• "From the smooth, swoopy single track of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania's Jordan Creek Parkway to the loose, cobble-strewn climbs on nearby South Mountain, the EX7 performed well on a variety of terrain. The FOX Float RPL air shock, which can easily be adjusted to better serve lighter riders, has threee positions: open, for maximum shock absorbtion on descents; ProPedal, which reduces rear-end bobbing on climbs; and locked out, the firmest setting. The relatively tall bottom bracket height (13.4") proved helpful in navigating technical sections; the 14- and 16-inch EX7 WSDs also get shorter cranks (170 mm instead of 175 mm), making it easier for the pedals to clear rocks and logs."
• Aspiring racers should be aware that this bike's geometry and weight don't lend themselves to flying at full gas, and we sometimes found it difficult to get moving again when we stopped midway through a climb or rock garden. (If you mostly ride dry trails, you can speed things up by swaping out the Bontrager Jones XR tires, which have large lugs for extra grip and wetter, loamier soil. A good dry dash conditions choice is Bontrager's Dry X.) Overall, we found the Fuel EX7 to be a worthy and wallet-friendly companion for the woman who wants to ride all day- all year long."
• "HIGH: Upright, comfortable geometry inspires confidence."
• "LOW: Most bikes at this price have hydrolic disc brakes."