Suspension/Chassis/Detail

Where to start? The Trek is one of the few e-bikes featuring Sram’s EX1 drivetrain (8 speed with a 15T up front), it’s stiffer with a greater gearing differential and the bigger 48T rear sprocket to drive the big 2.8” Chupacabra tyres up ever steeper slopes.

The Alpha platinum Aluminium frame comes with the great Trek detail of adjustable geometry via Mino Link, ABP (active braking pivot) suspension, Knock Block steering stopper to prevent top tube damage and the impressive RE:active damper. Boost front and rear gives some real purpose to its chassis shape and feel. Up front Trek have opted for the 150m Pike with 51mm offset, solo air version with Rockshox Deluxe RT3 on the rear.

Interestingly Trek have opted for Sun Ringle Duroc 40 rims but as we found out proved super durable. We love the Dropline seatpost and the Evoke 2 saddle is good for all day action. SRAM Guide RS are strong but we wonder whether the new RE brake’s might have been a better option for the Alpine stuff. It depends where you live I guess. 200/180 rotors are a basic.

The Trek Powerfly LT has the Bosch Purion display which gives all the detail needed from battery life, power mode, as well as speedometer, service detail in a compact design which is easy to use and not over burdening like some e-mtb units can be.

Limitations

Slightly noisy the bike has already had some creaks develop, we’ve also broken the chain device on the drive side casing quite easily. The bar mounted display is far better than the bulky versions on the other Bosch clad bikes but can still be vulnerable.

Tyres aided climbing and the traction under braking was good, but whilst the tyres roll quickly when loaded into corners the sidewalls simply collapse due to weak sidewalls. In the mud they are quite simply useless. It’s also difficult on occasions to pair the correct gearing with the right power mode until you get tuned in. Riding in deep mud should be avoided as it clogs the front sprocket way too easily.

Verdict

While the Trek boasts of “inner strength” sidewall tyres we found this to be its weakness, for they simply collapse when ridden hard. The battery makes too much rattle and the brakes can get hot on super extended descents. On two to three minute UK downhill tracks they are fine. The cabling is neat and overall for the abuse it has been taking, it’s the bike that has held up the best.

But as a climbing/descending machine we feel it’s the best on the market. We’re going to experiment with tyres and try and silence the battery but the climbing/descending position is excellent and crucially the Trek Powerfly LT has a correct tuning to the damper, a feature some brands have yet to figure out. This bike is fully brilliant. It makes everyone who has ridden it very, very happy.

Motor – Bosch 250Wh 60Nm
Battery – Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Travel – 150/150 Boost 51 offset
Weight – 49lb
Price – £4350

SIZE             15.5S              17.5M             18.5L              19.5XL           21.5XXL
Wheelbase    1183               1213               1223               1248               1278
Reach             393                423                441                 454                478
Head Angle                66
Seat Angle                  71.5
Chain Stay                  475
BB Height                   340

www.trekbikes.com

[monetizer101 search=’Trek Powerfly LT’]