2025 Trek Fuel EX vs 2026 Transition Smuggler Carbon
The M is the Transition Smuggler Carbon size closest to your ML Trek Fuel EX. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.
What changes on the Transition Smuggler Carbon
Compared with the Trek Fuel EX in ML, the Transition Smuggler Carbon in M places the top of the head tube at about the same height and 10 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 20 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- −1 mm
- About the same height
- Frame reach
- −10 mm
- Shorter frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −20 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- +0.5°
- Steeper: sharper steering
- Chainstays
- −5 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
We can't draw these frames yet. The Trek Fuel EX numbers we have for size ML are missing the seat angle. The numbers below still compare.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Trek Fuel EX ML | Transition Smuggler Carbon M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 470 | 460 | −10 mm |
| Stack | 616.8 | 616 | −1 mm |
| Head tube angle | 64.5 | 65 | +0.5° |
| Effective top tube | 607.4 | 588 | −19 mm |
| Chainstay length | 440 | 435 | −5 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1233.1 | 1213 | −20 mm |
| BB drop | 38 | 35 | −3 mm |
| BB height | 335 | 340 | +5 mm |
| Standover | 741.8 | not listed | |
| Seat tube length | 420 | 390 | −30 mm |
| Head tube length | 100 | 110 | +10 mm |
| Seat tube angle | not listed | 78.6 |
Differences are the Transition Smuggler Carbon minus the Trek Fuel EX. Full charts: 2025 Trek Fuel EX, 2026 Transition Smuggler Carbon.
Where each sits in its class
Trek Fuel EXTransition Smuggler Carbon
Each bike is ranked against the other trail bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
What each ships with
The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.
| Part | Trek Fuel EX5 | Transition Smuggler CarbonCarbon Deore |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Trek Fuel EX | Transition Smuggler |
| Fork | RockShox Recon Silver | RockShox Pike Select+ |
| Rear shock | X-Fusion Pro 2 | RockShox Deluxe Select+ |
| Shifter | Shimano Deore M6100 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission |
| Derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100 | not listed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission |
| Chain | Shimano Deore M6100 | not listed |
| Crankset | Shimano MT512 | SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano MT501 | not listed |
| Wheelset | Bontrager Line TLR 30 | DT Swiss M1900 |
| Tire | Bontrager Gunnison Elite XR | Maxxis Assegai, Maxxis Dissector |
| Brake | Shimano MT200 | SRAM Motive Bronze |
| Rotor | Shimano SM-RT56 | SRAM CenterLine |
| Handlebar | TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ | ANVL Mandrel Alloy 35 |
| Stem | Bontrager Comp | ANVL Swage |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail | not listed |
| Dropper post | TranzX JD-YSI-22PLQ | not listed |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada | not listed |
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