[First Look] Trek Powerfly FS9 Full Suspension EBike

Trek Bicycles Invited MTB MAG to Spain to the Sierra Nevada mountains to introduce and let us test and try their new Ebike, The new 120mm Trek Powerfly FS9.

Specifications

• 27.5”, 120mm travel
• Trek technology: ABP, E2, QR15, 142×12
• Balanced geometry
• Proprietary motor covers with cable guides and chain retention
• Motor Armor
• BIC suspension performance in collaboration with RockShox
• Lighting ready
• Extended size range: 5 sizes

The p400 Bosch motor is focused on smooth power. — The p400 Bosch motor is focused on smooth power, plus is protected by a custom cover and armour guard.

The new bike includes a high level of componentary, starting with the Bosch P400 motor which has been mounted in such a manner as to make the possibility of the suspension working as Trek intended (more on this later). A SRAM X1 system has been specified which we think is excellent and gives a much better range of gears and opens up the possibility of better climbing. Finally the suspension system with a Rock Shox Revelation, Monarch DB. Also noted is the inclusion of Shimano XT Trail brakes which is a really sensible choice and finally a Reverb hydraulic seat post.

Trek also looked at a few other features and highlights that only Trek has a unique motor cover on the Bosch system with a number of aims.

• Reduce bulk to optimize pivot location
• Chain retention
• Integrated cable routing
• Improved integration

Full Build List

Frame

Alpha Platinum Aluminium 27.5” frame, ABP Convert, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur & e-system routing, Motor Armor, 120mm travel

Front suspension

RockShox Revelation 27.5″ RCT3 w/Solo Air, 32mm stanchions, rebound, adjustable low speed compression, 3 position compression, E2 tapered steerer, 15mm Maxle Lite, 120mm travel

Rear suspension

RockShox Monarch Debonair RL, rebound, lockout, tuned by Trek, 7.25×2.0″

Sizes

15.5, 17.5, 18, 19.5, 21″

Wheels

Front hub, SRAM MTH716, 15mm thru axle. Rear hub, SRAM MTH746, 12mm thru axle. Rims, Bontrager Duster 32-hole Tubeless Ready disc, Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, 27.5×2.35″

Drivetrain

Shifters, SRAM X1, 11 speed. Rear derailleur, SRAM X1. Crank, RIDE+ aluminium w/integrated bashguard, 15 teeth. Cassette, SRAM XG-1180 10-42, 11 speed. Chain, SRAM PCX1.

Components

Saddle, Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails. Seatpost, RockShox Reverb dropper seatpost, 31.6mm, zero offset. Handlebar, Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 15mm rise. Stem, Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree. Headset, FSA, E2, sealed bearings. Grips, Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on.

Brakeset

Shimano Deore XT Trail hydraulic disc.

Battery

Bosch PowerPack 400Wh, down tube battery.

Extras

Trek Motor Armor, Trek Motor Covers, Bosch front & rear light cables, AXA battery lock. Controller Bosch Intuvia Performance w/remote.

Motor

Bosch Performance Cruise 25km/h.

Price

€ 4699

Geometry

Trek have aimed the bike from the outset as an all inclusive bike that allows all types of rider to benefit from its trail riding abilities without making the bike feel too much when being ridden on road. Trek told us that they see many bikes like this for their customers as a way into mountain biking. They start riding in a town then venture offroad. (They call it the SUV effect). Therefore the bike has been tuned to fit a broad range of riders. It is not an Enduro Ebike. The fact that Trek has also produced five sizes with a 15.5″ frame shows how their thinking is also trending towards the female end of the market, according to estimates 30 percent or more of Ebike sales are to women.

The numbers here tell the story with 120mm of travel and a fairly conservative 68 degrees combined with the short chainstays give a snappy yet not aggressive bike. — The numbers here tell the story with 120mm of travel and a fairly conservative 68 degrees combined with the short chainstays give a snappy yet not aggressive bike that can be ridden and had fun with.

Trek expalined how these numbers translated into a better pivot location which gives less chain induced suspension movement and a better ride. — Trek explained how these numbers translated into a better pivot location which gives less chain induced suspension movement and a better ride.

The Bike

We went over the bike briefly before riding to have a closer look at the components and set-up, the lines of the bike are certainly showing trail bike pedigree and an overall finish that makes this bike considerably attractive to more than just already avid mountain bikers.

Our test mule was ready to ride, and we will be looking at how it performed on the trails.

Easy going tyres show that this bike is not a hard racing/Enduro machine but a more elegant trail bike.

The suspension rate is better as they have been able to use a longer shock and thus improve the rear suspension performance compared to other bikes on the market.

TrekPowerflyFS9_detail1 — More on this in our first ride, but rest-assured it was very important to have a 1×11 mounted.

Danuser-141020172427-7 — Trek are encouraging longer trail riding for those who might not normally venture upwards the down.

Danuser-141020154502 — More reminders of the theme of being an easy going trail bike. Note the Bosch battery system is fairly well integrated into the bike.

Impressions

Before riding we have to say that with our experience of Ebikes, Trek seems to have ticked all the right boxes. The inclusion of a 1×11 system really made us take note, with Shimano brakes, all the right signs are there for this bike to be taken seriously on trails. The differences then move back to the motor and what that means for biking. What’s this bike? Is it a standard mountain bike? Well maybe, but it’s heavy compared to a normal bike at over 20 kilos. It is stiff, the extra weight needs to be well supported. All these elements should add up to a different ride compared to a normal bike, plus the 400 watts of power.

Will their Ebike be accepted? According to Trek they delayed their entry to market to see where it was going first, so they have a good starting point compared to the competition. Trek focused on pivot location when building the bike as they had to work around the Bosch system, which is reliable and advanced. It is not possible to just bolt a motor onto a bike. It is not aimed at hard core riders, it even has a lighting system cables already installed, it can be accessorised with all kinds of add ons and has a huge range of sizes. Trek are aiming at making it the new bench mark for Ebikes, they started late and hit the ground running.

Overall then it seems to be a trail bike for all, the European market is developing fast and Trek realised it is time to bring their expertise to market. We will be looking at how it rides over the next days and come back with a first ride report.

Trek Bikes