We’ve already ridden pre-production versions of the Trek Fuel in it’s homelands of Wisconsin and we’ve got the socks to prove it, but today we’re getting to sling our leg over the real thing on our own test trails for the first time.

It hasn’t arrived yet so we’re not sure which of the model range it’ll be but here’s some tasters about Fuel before we bring you first riding impressions later.

The Fuel uses a rocker linkage to drive the shock mounted inside the frame (think Turner). However – in common with Trek’s other family members (Fisher Sugar and Klein Adept) – it avoids having a rearward pivot on chain or seatstay by using carbon or thin aluminium seatstays to allow vertical flex.

Though it’s not designed to be as light as the Sugar or Klein it is designed to give better lateral rigidity than the Sugar, and longer travel than either. The design was also concieved from the outset with mounts on the downtube for two water bottles and room to stick your shoulder through for carrying. Both traditionally compromise victims on suspension designs.

In the meantime if you want nice portrait pictures of it all clean and shiny (it won’t stay that way for long up here) then Trek over to their website otherwise log on later for our first test taster.

If any of you have any specific questions to ask about the bike, mail us with them Copy now and we’ll get you an answer as soon as possible.