Trek's new Powerfly headlines the 2018 trail range
Trek recently launched their new Powerfly platform, and it headlines their range of trail and all-mountain bikes for 2018.
Trek chose the mountain town of Verbier, in Switzerland, to present their 2018 range of trail and all-mountain bikes. Not short on trails, or mountains, the location was apt as the bikes were at home in Verbier Bike Park on the trails and lifts, or out climbing on the more remote trails under pedal-assist or the riders' own steam.
The big news was the new Powerfly, in both a hardtail model and a full-suspension model. Here in Australia, we will receive the Powerfly 5 and 7, in both hardtail and full-suspension models.
E-bikes won't ruin mountain biking.
What do I need to know about the Trek Powerfly?
Firstly, Trek's Powerfly range is like the majority of e-MTB bikes on the market, in that they are pedal-assist. No throttles, no sitting back and being taken on a ride. You pedal, and the electric motor gives some extra assistance. Up to 250W of assistance, and even 300% increase in torque – so it's certainly noticeable. They are also speed limited to 25km/h. That is, go faster than that and the pedal-assist cuts out.
All their bikes use Bosch Performance CX motors, with 500Wh motors (no it's not a 500W motor, it's Watt hours). What's really cool is the new mode on the motors. While you typically have Off, Eco, Tour, Sport and Turbo, the usual 'Sport' mode has been changed to EMTB, and is a variable setting that moves from Eco to Turbo, depending what effort you're putting in. Get out of the seat, jam through the gears and push hard, you'll likely get that 300% boost. Soft pedal in granny gear and it will do the same in Eco.
It makes you ride the eMTB more like a normal bike, using the gears, and not just spinning and whirring away over terrain.
Trek worked hard on battery integration and the Bosch batteries sit way down into the down tube, keeping the bike looking good, and the weight lower on the bike to improve handling. Forks, wheels, tyres and frames are all built for the rigours of riding a 22-23kg bike as well, and brakes are specced accordingly.
A closer look at the Powerfly and Powerfly FS
The Powerfly is a hardtail with a 100mm travel fork. They are size specific for wheel size – so smaller sizes are 27.5", larger are 29". The Frames and forks use Boost spacing, 51mm offset forks, 10-speed group sets on the 5 and 11-speed on the 7. The 7 also gains a dropper post, along with upgraded forks, wheels and finishing kit.
The build kits are similar on the Powerfly FS, which have 130mm travel front and rear, and are effectively very similar to the Trek Fuel EX, with 27.5×2.8" tyres on the 7 while the 5 is set up for 27.5×2.35". The Powerfly FS sports the MinoLink geometry adjustment, and of course the KnockBlock headset. The standover height is also quite for use on aggressive trails – where longer travel eMTBs are really finding favour.
Australia's Trek Powerfly range
Here in Australia, we get a select range of bikes
Powerfly 5 (hardtail) (and WSD) – $4,499
Powerfly 7 (hardtail) – $5,499
Powerfly FS 5 – $5,499
Powerfly FS 7 – $6,499
Se the full details on each model online.
We had the chance to ride the Powerfly FS 7 at the launch and you can see our full review in our next issue, out on July 10th. Unless you subscribe, in which case you might get it earlier.
So what's our stance? Pedal-assist bikes are yet another way to enjoy our sport – but they are still very different to ride compared to a regular bike. They land jumps differently, you need a different technique to get over extended technical sections, and it's more bike to handle. A ride on eMTBs also tends to be more social as everyone sticks together more, and you might be able to see more and do more.
If mountain biking is about fun and a technical challenge, you'll likely enjoy the experience. If it's about solo adventures and fitness, they probably aren't for you.
But why not look into a demo day for a brand that does pedal-assist eMTBs and figure out where you stand?
The rest of trail and all-mountain range from Trek
If you prefer to climb with your own supply, then rest assured the Fuel EX, Remedy and Slash are all still alive and kicking! With some new RE:aktiv shock technology on some models, parts spec that favours SRAM Eagle group sets over Shimano groups, and updates to wheel and part specs, it's worth getting in touch with your local Trek dealer to find out the specifics for your dream ride.
