RideScout

Giant Defy Advanced E+ Elite 1 vs Trek Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2

Two emtb & road e-bikes at $8,199.99–$9,900, every published spec lined up. Nothing here is estimated: a figure the manufacturer does not publish is shown as “—”.

vs

Where they differ

  • The Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2 carries 180 Wh more battery.
  • The Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2 costs $1700 less.
  • The Defy Advanced E+ Elite 1 is rear hub; the Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2 is mid-drive.
  • The Defy Advanced E+ Elite 1 is rigid; the Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2 is full suspension.

Every spec, side by side

Defy Advanced E+ Elite 1Fuel+ EX 9.8 Eagle 90 Gen 2
Headline
Price$9,900$8,199.99
CategoryeMTBeMTB
Price per Wh$24.75 per Wh$14.14 per Wh
Model year20262026
Motor
Torque—60 Nm
DriveRear hubMid-drive
Motor makeGiant SyncDrive Move PlusTQ HPR
Drive system—TQ
SensorTorqueTorque
Battery & range
Battery400 Wh580 Wh
Removable battery—Yes
Range (claim)62 mi—
Range as stated24-62 miles (Giant range chart, extreme to ideal conditions)—
Weight & capacity
Max load—300 lb
Class & speed
Ships as—Class 1: pedal assist to 20 mph, no throttle
Unlocks to—Class 1
Class—Class 1
ThrottleNoNo
Top assisted speed—20 mph
Build
Gears24-speed12-speed
DrivetrainSRAM Force AXS 2x12 (46/33T, 10-33T)SRAM Eagle 90 T-Type (10-52T)
BrakesHydraulic discHydraulic disc
Front rotor160 mm200 mm
Rear rotor160 mm200 mm
SuspensionRigidFull suspension
Fork travelRigid150 mm
Rear travelNone145 mm
Front suspensionNoYes
Suspension seatpost—No
Tires700 x 32 Cadex Classic, tubeless29 x 2.5 Maxxis Minion
DisplayGiant RideControl GO, frame-integrated LED console—
FrameAdvanced-grade composite (carbon)OCLV Mountain Carbon
SizesS, M, ML, L, XLS-XXL
Step-through optionNoNo
Included
Lights—No
FendersNoNo
RackNoNo
KickstandNoNo
Safety—UL 2849
Safety certification—UL 2849: full system
As the maker states itNo UL certification stated on the Reign E+ product page; the battery is described as meeting EN50604All e-systems that Trek currently uses have been tested to UL 2849 and EN 15194 as appropriate, and certified to UL 2849
Warranty2 yr—
Warranty termsLifetime on the frame for the original owner (downhill frames 3 years), 2 years on Giant components and e-bike electronics, 2 years or 600 charges on the battery; third-party suspension and groupsets carry their maker's warranty (brand policy)—

Specs transcribed from www.giant-bicycles.com on 09/30/2026 and www.trekbikes.com on 09/19/2026. Manufacturers revise specs without notice: confirm before buying.

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