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e-Bikes

TREK POWERFLY LT

This is some sophisticated bike and it took very little riding time before we were left wondering whether Trek fully realise the beast they have created here.

The Powerfly LT is all-action, with superb detailing and at a price that leaves you with the horrible decision of whether to opt for this 27+ e-bike or for a few thousand pounds more the new Slash 29er. Yeah, we know what you’re thinking but just take one of these for a spin, the Trek Powerfly LT is simply so much fun it’s unreal.

So what type of riding is the Trek Powerfly LT suited to? What category or compartment to place it? Well, this one can be placed anywhere. The Trek’s geometry allows fatigue free all day climbing, whilst the balanced 150mm travel (front and rear) gives this e-bike stability and poise. This is aided by some bang on sizes (from 15.5” to 21.5”) and dimensions. The cockpit is neat, the lines clean and the balance exceptional.

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’

First up, the frame and suspension carry over all Trek’s latest tech and thinking from their current range of full suspension designs. The Alpha platinum aluminium frame comes with the adjustable geometry via the Mino Link, ABP (active braking pivot) suspension, Knock Block steering stopper to prevent top tube damage and the impressive RE:active damper which dishes out incredible grip. Boost front and rear gives some real purpose to its chassis shape and feel. Up front Trek have opted for the 150mm Solo air Pike (with a 51mm offset), matched to Rockshox Deluxe RT3 on the rear. A sorted chassis.

The Trek is very much up to date when it comes to e-bike specific component choice. It’s 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 a bigger 48T rear sprocket to drive the ‘Plus-size’ 2.8” Chupacabra tyres up ever steeper slopes. We’d switch the tyres to a more aggressive tread for the real slop though and there’s an ever-increasing range of 2.8 to 3.0 inch options becoming available. Talking of ground conditions, riding in deep mud should be avoided if possible as it clogs the tiny front sprocket way too easily – one of the very few issues we had with this bike along with a slightly noisy battery.

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 Guide RE brakes might have been a better option for fast and lengthy Alpine descents. 200/180mm rotors are fitted and essential on a bike like this.

The Powerfly LT uses the Bosch Purion display, which gives all the detail needed – battery life, power mode, speedometer and service detail. It’s a more compact design and easier to use than some other models and a sight we’re seeing more of on 2017 model e-bikes.

The Bosch motor requires a slightly different technique to get up and over the steeper stuff than the Brose equipped Specialized Levo but crucially, on longer climbs the Trek keeps bubbling away and means lighter legs as you approach the top of the crazy climbs. Remember we’re talking steep climbs here, the ones that get the heart rate into the maximum zones rather than spinning fire roads, a place where there is not much between the bikes. This Bosch equipped bike is quiet under load, unlike the Brose system on the Specialized Levo.

TREK POWERFLY LT

A low bottom bracket, correct head angle and a good front/rear centre balance means the Powerfly LT is very confident when descending. The Trek’s geometry is inspired, the shock tune correct and the bike always feels planted. This bike is fully brilliant. It makes everyone who has ridden it very, very happy.

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Selected for Dirt 100 2017

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