vtt trek powerfly

David Harrison

Table of contents, trek powerfly fs 9 equipped gen 2 review (2023).

The Powerfly FS range is Trek’s answer to the daily use all-rounder. It’s designed to be a capable bike, which is comfortable on the urban routes, while also a fun ride on the trails. Getting that mix right is a real balancing act for a manufacturer because something has to give if it’s to be adept in both areas.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 is the second-highest-spec bike in Trek’s range, so how does it cope in the mountains? And are there any limitations? We’ve put hours into the pedals on this Trek Powerfly FS 9, to get all the answers for you.

Our Verdict

A reliable bike to take on the daily commutes, but vastly overpriced compared with the competition.

The battery and motor pairing are areas to celebrate, offering great range and a strong amount of power to cart the bike’s heavy bulk around.

However, the manoeuvrability is poor and the bike isn’t suited to challenging, off-road terrain.

It’s too cumbersome; it doesn’t offer great handling, and the tyres just don’t have enough bite.

But it’s the price we can’t get over. It’s far more expensive than some strong competitors in the market.

• Range reliability
• Powerful motor
• Manoeuvrability
• Poor on technical terrain

Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2

Price: $8,330

Weight/frame.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 has a heavy aluminium frame, which brings the sturdiness you need on a daily commute. It moves quickly when it picks up momentum, which is ideal when you’re on concrete cycle lanes, but it does come at a big cost.

It weighs in at a very heavy 27.05kg , which means it isn’t well-suited on twisty sections or for more challenging trail riding. It’s adept on forest paths and wide single-tracks, but the minute you throw in some more challenging terrain, it starts to feel like you’re trying to manoeuvre a tank.

Just how fast does the Trek Powerfly go with that weight, though? It can get up to 26km/h comfortably with the assist on, but faster with momentum.

It comes in five frame sizes, from XS up to XL, and has a few extra commuter friendly features, such as decent mudguard so you can keep your commuting clothes clean if you have an off-road section to tackle.

Plus it comes with a kick-stand, which is handy if you need to leave it outside a shop, especially considering its weight.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with a sizable 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery . The PowerTube is a strong selection by the folk at Trek, and gives you a decent range.

We found that we could push out around 90km on one charge, with around 1,000m of climbing, and still had a little bit left in the tank to go on the following day.

These are good numbers for a bike designed for daily use – the last thing you want is constant range anxiety with a bike you need to use on a daily basis.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes paired with the excellent Bosch Performance Line CX motor . We’re big fans of the Performance Line CX, which can push out up to 85Nm of torque.

It’s one of the best motors out on the market right now, offering intelligent power delivery, reliability and a very powerful kick.

It works smartly with the Bosch PowerTube battery to release the power conservatively and it helps add to that reliability with the range estimation.

Considering the heavy overall weight of the bike, you need a solid motor accompaniment to drag you up challenging climbs and the Performance Line CX is certainly armed for the task at hand.

You could be mistaken for thinking the bike is much lighter by the way it makes easy work of big inclines, particularly on the concrete or hard-packed terrain; it feels heavier-footed on bobbly ground, though.

Motor Display

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2’s display is another fantastic Bosch product. Not only does the motor itself bring reliability, but the display adds to that, offering many different customisable view options, depending on the demands of the day’s ride.

You can switch between four modes of assistance easily using the handlebar-mounted smart controller: Eco , Tour , e-MTB and Turbo . This offers you more than enough options to take on the type of terrain and routes that you’re likely to want to do on the bike.

You can also link all your data to your smartphone, with handy tools such as mapping data, RPM output, along with all the battery information you need to make sure you don’t run out on a ride.

The Bosch Performance Line CX motor and its display are spot-on products.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with 120mm travel at the front and 100mm at the rear . It’s set up with SR Suntour Zeron 35, air-sprung forks and RockShox SID Lux Select+ rear shocks .

We mentioned limitations earlier and this is certainly one to note. That suspension setup isn’t made for wild trail riding or even moderate trail riding, to be honest, and it soon comes unstuck on anything more complex than a wide single-track or forest road.

It doesn’t take lumps and bumps well and although it offers a small slice of cushioning, it really isn’t designed for the mountains.

ℹ️ If you’re wanting an off-road-focused bike, this really isn’t the one for you. This offers aspects which can cope in the countryside, but it’s also designed for paved streets. That compromise means that it loses out in certain areas. Suspension is one.

If you’re just looking for some forest tracks or country paths, then this offers an adequate amount of travel to cope with those demands and you switch from road to off-road terrain feeling pretty comfortable. Comfort is what the bike is designed for, but within the parameters we mentioned above.

Wheels/Tyres

The wheel size on the Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 depends on the frame size you go for. The XS and S frame sizes come with 27.5in wheels , whilst the larger models come with 29in wheels – both a Bontrager alloy setup, with Bontrager LT4 Expert tyres .

The alloy wheels add to that stability you feel while riding the bike – they’re robust and give you a strong planted feel out on a ride. However, they are heavy and they contribute to the overall heavy bike weight.

The tyres offer you enough bite to cope with a slice of countryside, but also enough shedding ability so they can move quickly on the concrete, too – it’s another balancing act from Trek to be able to straddle both the off-road and on-road worlds, however, it comes at a cost.

ℹ️ The tyres don’t offer enough bite to be flying into technical corners or anything too steep, off-road. With the heavy weight of the bike, you could find yourself on the deck if you tried to push the bike in those settings.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with Shimano XT M8120 4-piston brakes . They’re a powerful setup, and do offer a strong bite to contend with that weight and the chunky motor.

We felt like they adequately coped with the job in hand and never gave you any cause for concern – a relief considering the tyre issues

This Powerfly FS Equipped is fitted with a Shimano XT M8100 12-speed drivetrain . A very reliable partnering, a bit like the motor and battery – offering smooth shifting and an ease of use.

The price is upsetting considering the bike’s limitations in quite a few areas. However, a decent chunk of that price is going towards the Bosch motor and battery, which are both extremely reliable and very good products to have at your disposal.

That eases the pain to a degree, but we still think it’s vastly overpriced for what you’re getting.

Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 Facts & Figures

Size configurations.

* All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise stated.

* Please note – spec applies to all sizes unless listed separately

How Does it Compare?

There aren’t a huge number of manufacturers targeting this area because of the compromises you have to make to try and make the bikes work well in both commuting and trail environments.

However, Canyon has tried to step-up to the mark with its Pathlite: ON 5 SUV , so how does it stack up to our Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2.

It comes with exactly the same battery and motor pairing, the 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery and the Performance Line CX motor.

It also comes in slightly under the weight of our Trek, but only marginally at 26.86kg, due to its aluminium frame.

It has 100mm of travel at either end with a similar Suntour forks set-up and comes with 27.5 inch wheels, with Maxxis Crossmark II tyres, which offer a decent bite.

It’s a very similar bike to our Trek, which has the same sort of limitations – good on hard-packed and simple trails, but comes unstuck on anything more technical.

That said, Canyon has managed to keep the price down at $3,605 – nearly $5,000 cheaper than our Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped.

It really makes you wonder how Trek are trying to justify that huge difference, considering that the bikes really are very similar.

Final Thoughts

It’s a very overpriced bike, but it does the job it intends to – helping to bridge the gap between the daily commute, with a bit of trail riding.

It certainly has limitations, though.

It isn’t meant for any real degree of serious trail riding and it would come seriously unstuck on anything technical or particularly challenging.

However, it offers a comfortable ride experience for the daily commutes, on simple single-tracks and on forest roads.

It has a top battery and motor pairing, which bring great reliability, a chunky amount of range and a powerful kick to heave its heavy weight around.

We’re pained by the price, though. We just can’t understand the justification for the high price, particularly when you compare it to some competitors operating in this same sphere of the e-MTB world.

There are definitely pros and cons with this one, but it does the job the bike is designed for – reliability being a key theme. If that’s what you’re looking for, then get out there and give it a whirl.

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Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Trek Powerfly . In summary, this is what cyclists think.

15 reasons to buy

• Owners reported an impressive range of up to 80mi and 7000ft of elevation.
• A 71yo owner easily handled a daily climb of 500ft, on a 25% grade driveway.
• A desert resident said the Powerfly rode easily, through soft sand.
• Tektro hydraulic brakes were deemed responsive and “pulled hard”.
• The 5’s fit and finish was described as “beautiful and rugged”.
• ‘Touring’ mode was great on roads, while ‘eMTB’ mode was excellent in the woods.
• A removable battery made it easy to mount the powerfly on vehicle racks.
• Powerfly drivetrains pedaled smoothly on the flats, despite the bike’s weight.
• The Bosch Performance CX motor exhibited plenty of torque on climbs.
• One owner cooed over the Powerfly 4’s metallic red paintwork.
• The Powerfly 7’s TransX dropper-post made mounting and dismounting easy.
• Overweight riders found the Powerfly’s carrying capacity to be more than ample.
• One reviewer found that the Powerfly 4’s 100mm of fork-travel covered needs.
• Shifting, range and gear spacing were lauded on the Powerfly 5’s drivetrain.
• Some reviewers felt that the weight of the bike aided stability.

7 reasons not to buy

• The Powerfly was heavy, and onerous to pedal up hills without assistance.
• Some owners would have liked to be able to easily add a second battery.
• The Powerfly’s high-level component spec made it a pricey option.
• Some owners felt that the Powerfly’s paintwork was easily chipped.
• One daily user reported delayed engagement of the power assist in snowy areas.
• Schwalbe Smart Sam tires punctured easily, on the ‘Sport 4 Equipped’.
• Some owners sought a way to lock the motor without removing the battery.

Bottom line

Expert reviews, trek powerfly 5.

The Trek battery holds a good charge… I reckon there’s enough power to last 60 to 80 miles if you’re careful.

Trek Powerfly 4 on Exmoor Review

…outstanding fun with steep descents and river crossings followed by challenging climbs which the Powerfly managed with such ease! …I was surprised at the sub-20-mile range I achieved on this test-ride…

User Ratings

Your rating, best electric bikes.

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• Powerfly FS 4 Gen 2

"Powerfly FS wins Best in Test"

"Powerfly FS blends sporty handling, efficient propulsion and long-distance comfort into a harmonious overall concept. The result: pure riding fun! "

E-MTB Category Winner

"The jury was enthralled by the upright and comfortable riding position on long tours while the bike also shines on moderate terrain thanks to its fun ride and intuitive handling."

Get rewarded for going electric

Electric bike rebate programs are popping up all over the country, meaning you could save big when you buy a Trek e-bike! See if you're eligible for a rebate near you.

How to responsibly recycle your e-bike battery

How to ride on mountain bike trails.

Guidelines and tips for protecting and sharing the trails you ride.

5 things to do before every mountain bike ride

Do this quick pre-ride safety check before you hit the trails.

How do Bontrager WaveCel helmets work?

Learn more about a major advancement in the protection against cycling-related head injuries.

Product features

Bosch performance line cx motor.

Bosch Performance Line CX sets the standard for eMTB performance with up to 85Nm of torque and an intelligent eMTB mode with Extended Boost that automatically adjusts the amount of assist based on the terrain.

Custom eMTB Lite mode

Trek eMTBs feature a custom eMTB Lite mode in place of Tour mode. It gives you more natural-feeling power delivery and longer battery life.

Removable Integrated Battery

RIB is a one-piece battery and cover with a built-in handle that can easily be removed and re-installed in the frame with no tools and no hassle. It’s the most convenient way to remove your battery for transport, security, or just easier charging.

What is the range?

To see how far you can ride your electric mountain bike on a single charge, check out Bosch’s range calculator. We’ve auto-filled the variables for this bike model and the average rider, but you can make adjustments to get your most accurate estimate.

Compliant with leading safety regulations

The e-systems on Trek and Electra e-bikes are third-party tested to meet the latest e-bike safety regulations, including the stringent UL 2849 certification — so all you have to worry about is where your e-bike will take you next.

Suspension Calculator

This suspension calculator will help you optimize your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.

Bosch Purion Display

Bosch's Purion display features a fully-functional speedometer with a backlit display, service interval indicator, and battery range indicator. Its thoughtful design allows riders to scroll through functions or choose the right level of support while maintaining contact with handlebars.

Smart Wheel Size

The right wheel size paired with your frame size gives you the perfect combination of responsiveness and control.

Dropper post

Use the remote lever to lower your saddle so it's out of your way when you're descending and cornering.

Integrated speed sensor

You've got one less detail to sweat with the integrated speed sensor. The chainstay-mounted sensor stays protected while the custom hub-mounted magnet stays secure—no more error codes from mis-aligned sensors.

Lighting ready

The bike is already internally wired to accept additional lights. Go to your dealer and simply have them attached to the bike and plug them in.

How tall are you?

To measure your height, stand straight up, barefoot, with your back, heels, shoulders and head all touching a wall. While looking straight ahead, place a book or straight edge on your head and slowly push it against the wall. Your straight edge should be parallel with the floor. Mark the spot where the bottom of the book is touching the wall. The distance from the marked spot to the floor is your height.

What is your inseam?

How to measure: Stand barefoot with your back straight and against a wall. Tuck a ruler or something that extends to the floor between your legs. Using both hands, and keeping it level, pull the ruler up into your crotch as if you were sitting on the saddle. Measure the distance from the top edge of the ruler to the ground to find your inseam measurement. Your inseam is very important to your final bike size so please measure carefully.

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Trek Powerfly 5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte Trek Black/Roarange

Size / 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, Balanced Geometry
• Wheels Shimano TX-505 front hub; Shimano M3050 centerlock rear hub; Bontrager XR850 36-hole 28mm wide double-walled rims
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XR3, 29x2.30"
• Crank RIDE+ aluminum 15T w/chainguard
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio M430
• Shifters Shimano Altus M370, 9 speed
• Brakeset Shimano M315 hydraulic disc, 180mm rotors
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1.5
• Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 12mm offset
• Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7mm rise, Blendr compatible
• Headset Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom

Q: What size wheels does the 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 have?

The 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 should I get?

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• Rider Notes

2021 Trek Powerfly FS 4

A 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame full suspension crosscountry e-bike with upper mid-range components. Compare the full range

Manufacturer Price

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Powerfly FS 4

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Add custom gearing

4'5" – 5'2"

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6'1" – 6'6"

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Sep 2022 · Mike Hunger

We have tested the Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped with Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 625 Wh battery for you.

Wide range of applications

Sporty and stylish look

Intuitive handling

Bosch SmartphoneHub ensures good connectivity

Read Review

Feb 2022 · Russell Burton

A well-specified, comfortable and versatile ebike, but at a serious price

Expensive, especially if you’re considering leaving it outside the local shop

Jan 2021 · Susanne Feddersen

One bike for all occasions – with the Trek Powerfly FS 7, the American brand promises to have created a true all-rounder. The smart concept should please everyone from trekking and leisure riders to moderate trail adventurers. We tested the 120/100 mm travel eMTB with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor to find out whether the new Trek Powerfly FS 7 is the all-rounder that many have been looking for.

All-round capabilities

Overall concept

Good-natured and intuitive handling

Confidence-inspiring

Comfortable riding position and low top tube

Responsiveness of the fork is mediocre

No model featuring the Nyon display

Price: $5999.00 | Model Year: 2021 | A premium

A premium "do anything" full suspension electric bike that's equipped to handle pavement, trails, light mountain terrain, rain, shine, day, or night conditions. Available in five frame sizes for optimal fit, the XS and S come with 27.5" wheels and the M, L, and XL come with 29" wheels. Sold through one of North America's largest network of dealers. Trek and Bosch provide excellent support and warranty.

Custom made extra-wide plastic fenders are durable and quiet, very capable in off-road conditions. A sleek and sturdy rear rack provides 25kg (55lbs) of cargo capacity with pannier hangers on both sides and a removable top platform for trunk bags. Puncture resistant tires also feature unique black reflective stripes that combine safety with aesthetics.

Downtube-integrated battery pack and mid-drive motor keep weight low and center. Trek designed a "RIB" battery casing includes a handle for safe removal and transport. The battery doesn't rattle, and it can be charged on or off the bike with the fast 4 amp charger. Peformance Line CX motor is the most powerful from Bosch, but lightweight with a magnesium casing.

Highly adjustable air suspension front and rear with 120mm and 100mm travel respectively. Boost hub spacing and thru-axles increase wheel strength. Extra large 203mm hydraulic disc brakes with heat sinks and alloy cores deliver incredible stopping power. The biggest trade-offs here include the high price, smartphone display (that some may not like), louder motor operation, and increased weight (due to the high capacity battery and accessories).

The 2021 Trek Powerfly full suspension e-MTBs blend European sensibility with modern trail capability for a unique e-mountain bike option.

If I had to think of one common theme that continually came up during our time with the Powerfly, that would be it—too damn fun. Over the months we’ve had this bike, we’ve done it all and it does it all with ease.

Oct 2018 · Alan Muldoon

Up hill or down, ebikes take an absolute beating, so the new Trek Powerfly 9 has a beefed up the parts package to handle the additional abuse.

Suspension, brakes and tyres are all on point. New battery layout is neat and easy to use.

Could have more generous reach measurements and shorter stems on all sizes.

Built on the bones of the legendary Fuel series, the Trek Powerfly 7 FS is the top-of-the-line e-bike for Trek in Australia. It's got great pedigree, but we didn't love every aspect of its performance

Top notch build quality.

Frame feels indestructible.

Great rear suspension.

Torquey motor with plenty of range.

Will climb anything you point it at.

RockShox Recon fork isn't up to scratch.

Long rear end makes for sedate feel.

First added September 11

Last updated April 16

Not listed for 1,219 days

The 2021 Trek Powerfly FS 7 on test – Is this the all-round eMTB of tomorrow?

Trek have completely redesigned the Powerfly FS, overhauling the concept to target a much wider audience, from trekking and leisure riders, to moderate trail adventurers. We tested the 120/100 mm travel eMTB with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor to find out whether the new Trek Powerfly FS 7 is the all-rounder that many have been looking for.

There’s no doubt that if we won the lottery, we would own more than one bike: one for long rides, one for flowing single track, one for fast commutes… But since none of us have a goose that lays golden eggs, we have to think carefully about which bike to invest in. Trek aim to solve this problem with the new Powerfly FS 7. We put the American eMTB through its paces in the Alps of South Tyrol to find out what it’s capable of. Can the 120 mm front and 100 mm rear travel eMTB with 29″ wheels and its Bosch Performance Line CX motor be the one bike for (almost) everyone?

The Trek Powerfly FS 7 in detail

The Powerfly FS has a distinct look and the unique design with the shock positioned behind the seat tube, together with the low-slung top tube, immediately catch your eye. A fender protects the rear shock from being bombarded by dirt from the rear wheel. The 85 Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor and the 625 Wh battery are neatly integrated into the frame while the battery is easy to remove from the side of the down tube, even featuring a convenient carrying handle. Mounted in front of the stem, the Bosch Kiox display is easy to read but its navigation function is rudimentary at best. Unfortunately, Trek don’t offer any builds featuring Bosch’s new Nyon display with its extensive navigation functions. It’s a shame, the Nyon would look great on the bike! However, a model with the Bosch SmartphoneHub is available.

The components of the Trek Powerfly FS 7

In general, the componentry is good, consisting of a Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain, Shimano SLX brakes, 120 mm TransX dropper post and RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ shock. However, the 120 mm travel RockShox 35 Gold RL fork could be better. It does a good job of absorbing large impacts but a more sensitive fork would significantly increase comfort and traction at the front. The tires, handlebars, stem and wheels are supplied in-house. For frame size XS and S, Trek rely on 27.5″ wheels whereas sizes M, L and X roll on 29″ wheels. This should allow for consistent handling across all frame sizes. The Powerfly 7 is available for a reasonable € 5,360 and is approved for a maximum permissible weight of 136 kg. If you want to use the Powerfly FS for commuting and running errands, Trek have made the bike compatible with all the accessories you might need, including mudguards, a stand, luggage racks and lights. Alternatively, the € 6,335 Trek Powerfly FS 9 comes equipped with all of this as standard, including the Bosch SmartphoneHub.

Trek Powerfly FS 7

Specifications.

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh Display Bosch Kiox Fork RockShox 35 Gold RL 120 mm Rear Shock RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ 100 mm Seatpost TranzX Dropper 120 mm Brakes Shimano M6120 203/180 mm Drivetrain Shimano SLX/ XT 1x12 Stem Bontrager alloy 60 mm Handlebar Bontrager alloy 760 mm Wheelset Bontrager Line Comp 30 27.5" - 29" Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.4"

Technical Data

Size XS S M L XL Weight 24.88 kg Perm. total weight 136 kg Max. payload (rider/equipment) 111 kg Trailer approval n/a Kickstand mount yes

Specific Features

mini rear fender

The Geometry of the Trek Powerfly FS

Almost like you’re flying

How does such a versatile bike ride? The first thing you’ll notice when you climb aboard is the very low top tube and the freedom of movement that it provides. The riding position is compact and upright, which is great for long, leisurely rides and sightseeing. Your weight is evenly distributed between your hands and seat, contributing to the bikes overall comfort. An added bonus is the dropper seat post which makes getting on and off even easier.

With its predictable handling, wide handlebars, reliable brakes and high-volume tires, the bike instils you with confidence. The response of the RockShox 35 Gold fork is mediocre. A better fork could significantly increase comfort and, above all, traction. The rear suspension does a good job of managing its 100 mm travel as it doesn’t bottom out harshly and only releases as much travel as is absolutely necessary. The rider always stays informed about what’s happening on the trail beneath them without it being unpleasant. With an active riding style, the bike offers a lot of support and also responds to quick direction changes with immediate precision. The Trek Powerfly FS 7 is a nimble and intuitive ebike, allowing both beginners and experts to get their money’s worth. The Powerfly is a versatile eMTB that is equally suited to relaxed cruising, sightseeing and enjoying the outdoors as it is to more action-packed rides in moderate terrain. It’s an excellent companion for classic trekking riders who want to explore new terrain and aren’t afraid of tackling easy trails. Experienced riders will also get their money’s worth for demanding riding but you’ll have to know what you’re doing. The Powerfly FS 7 only reaches its limits on alpine trails and rough tracks.

Conclusionn

With its smart concept, the Trek Powerfly FS 7 is sure to meet the needs of many trekking riders. With its upright and comfortable riding position, efficient suspension and intuitive handling, it performs well on moderate off-road terrain as well as long gravel and forest path rides. If you’re looking for a trekking bike that rides like a sofa, this isn’t it, but if you’re looking for the trekking ebike of tomorrow, you’ll love the Powerfly.

• all-round capabilities
• overall concept
• good-natured and intuitive handling
• confidence-inspiring
• comfortable riding position and low top tube

• responsiveness of the fork is mediocre
• no model featuring the Nyon display

More info at trekbikes.com

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Words: Susanne Feddersen Photos: Jonas Müssig

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About the author.

Susanne Feddersen

With her background as a copywriter and conceptual designer at renowned advertising agencies, head of the Stuttgart copywriting school and former product marketing manager at Ferrero, it’s clear that Susanne’s passion is for writing copy, conceptual design and communication. Susanne also loves organisation and planning. No matter the hustle and bustle she's got her eye on the ball, primarily supporting our management team in implementing numerous projects and coordinating marketing campaigns. Susanne is a long-time mountain biker and, along with her entire family, has recently caught the ebike bug!

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9 Reasons to Buy the Powerfly FS 4

• The Trek 2022 Powerfly FS 4 features a suspension system, making it suitable for mountain biking and off-road adventures.
• The bike utilizes Trek's Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame, ensuring durability and strength.
• Equipped with the reliable Performance CX mid-mounted motor by Bosch, providing efficient and powerful assistance while riding.
• The integrated battery is removable, allowing for easy charging and replacement.
• The bike offers additional features ready for customization, giving users the ability to personalize their riding experience.
• The new Trek Powerfly FS is versatile and high-performing, suitable for various terrains and riding styles.
• The e-bike is equipped with top-of-the-line hardware, ensuring quality and reliability.
• Despite its high quality, the Trek Powerfly FS is considered affordable, offering value for money.
• The design of the bike allows for great off-road handling, providing a thrilling and enjoyable riding experience.

1 Reasons Not to Buy the Powerfly FS 4

• The bike's small display screen might be inconvenient for some users, potentially affecting visibility and ease of navigation.

Bottom Line

The Trek Powerfly FS 4 is a top-performing e-bike that offers durability, versatility, and value for money. With its suspension system and strong frame, it's perfect for off-road adventures. The reliable motor and removable battery provide efficient assistance and easy charging. Plus, the customizable features allow users to personalize their riding experience. While the small display screen may be a drawback for some, overall, the Powerfly FS 4 delivers a thrilling and enjoyable ride.

Average Expert Scores

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Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4 Review

• Last updated January 17, 2024

• All of our bikes are electric, but all of our writers are human.

CHARGE TIME

Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4 Review: Takeaway

The Trek Powerfly 4 is the cheapest electric mountain bike made by Trek. This doesn’t take away from its great components and rideability, though. It’s an eMTB designed for lighter trail riding with its larger wheels that smooth out the bumps on the rough spots. Relatively light yet powerful, the Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4 is an ideal electric mountain bike that doesn’t break the bank.

Ideal for...

E-bike overview.

The Bosch Performance CX motor gives a real kick with up to 85Nm of torque, meaning that you can pull away on a steep and muddy hill with confidence. Power delivery is smooth so you won’t spin the rear wheel should you push too hard. The Bosch smart system offers enhanced ride control with navigation and activity tracking via the eBike Flow app.

Packaged with the Bosch Performance CX motor, is their Walk Assist mode that helps push your e-bike up those tough hills you’re bound to encouter. The LED remote let’s you enable Walk Assist and control the level of pedal assist you need. The LED lights are bright and easy to see, even in bright sunlight.

One thing that Trek does with this electric bike is fit different equipment to different-sized machines. For example, on the XS and S framed machines, it has a 27.5” wheel size, while on the M, L, and XL sizes have a 29″ wheel. The frame on the smaller e-bikes are also slightly different, offering a curved top tub for sizes XS and S, while frame sizes M, L, and XL have a straight top tube.

Trek has thought about everything, not surprisingly. Rack and kickstand mounts are readily avilable, as well as an integrated speed sensor for those riders looking to use the PowerFly 4 as more of a trekker than a day-rider trail e-bike.

Reasons to Buy

If you want an electric bike but don’t want to empty your bank account, the Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4 is a very good machine to consider. At the lower end of the premium spectrum, the Trek Powerfly 4 will be worth every penny when it comes to an electric mountian bike that will look after you on the road or trail.

Designed not to embarrass you on the trail, it works well on longer cross-country rides. Its battery will be good for a 35-mile ride on tougher terrain, and the power of the Bosch Performance CX motor will leave you breaking a sweat only if you’re going easy on the battery.

When it comes to speed control, the electric bike won’t let you down even on steep tracks in wet conditions with its Tektro hydraulic brakes, and on 203mm rotors, they won’t fade even if used a lot.

Things to Consider

If you want a genuinely inexpensive electric mountain bike, there are others like the Rad Power brand of electric bikes, but few pack as many high performance components as the Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4. This isn’t the cheapest eMTB out there, but it is very inexpensive for a high-end machine.

Specs & Components

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know .

Offering up to 85 Nm of torque, the light but punchy Bosch Performance CX motor delivers the power you need for riding off-road, including rapid direction changes and tackling steep climbs as you journey around the woods or mountain.

Its Bontrager XR3 Comp tires won’t go quickly on hard, flat surfaces due to higher rolling resistance, but this isn’t what the Powerfly 4 is about — it’s about fun in the mud and on loose surfaces. As such, the motor won’t achieve great flat-out speeds, but it’ll more than make up for it in raw power over the rough stuff.

The 500 Wh battery on the Powerfly 4 will give you a good day out on singletrack and a reasonably long day in the saddle on an off-road adventure. However, there’s no option for a range extender, so if you’re looking for more than 35 miles per charge, choose an eMTB with a range extender or a 625+ Wh battery.

Leaving your gear at a base while doing singletrack will give you more range, but if you’re carrying your pack on an adventure, this will eat into your mileage. Muddy terrain and foul weather can impact range, too.

Sat in a trekking position, you’ll use your upper body to shift your weight according to riding conditions. This could mean you get tired in your arms, chest, and shoulders after a long ride.

Sizes XS and S in the Trek Powerfly 4 range come with 27.5” wheels, while sizes M, L, and XL come with 29” wheels. Either way, they’ll smooth out the rough terrain.

The XS version of this eMTB hardtail electric bike comes with an 80mm travel SR Suntour fork, while all larger sizes have a 120mm travel fork. Both are well-suited to rough terrain.

Though Trek offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, if you haven’t looked after this e-bike, the warranty may be voided.

Clean the bike and oil its working parts after every ride. Keep an eye on chain stretch — change it when it gets to 1 mm per link, and look out for bent/broken teeth on the cassette and front chain wheel. Also, keep an eye on brake pads and hydraulic fluid. Though the Powerfly 4 is waterproof to an extent, take care when it comes to river crossings, as it isn’t designed for complete immersion!

Being a serious electric mountain bike, the Trek Powerfly 4 also looks the part. The clean lines and nice shapes of the frame along with its overall geometry combine to make for a good-looking eMTB.

The choice of colors is good too, from the loud red and black scheme to the muted gray and black. Overall, this bike looks like it means business when thrown about the tracks and trails.

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

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Des aventures à portée de roue, rien ne peut vous arrêter Atteignez de nouveaux sommets et allez toujours plus loin avec un VTTAE qui décuple le plaisir de vos sorties. Le Powerfly vous permet de vous attaquer à des terrains plus escarpés et d’aller plus loin grâce au puissant moteur Performance Line CX de Bosch. Grâce à la technologie avancée du système intelligent et à une nouvelle télécommande LED, le Powerfly vous permet de profiter d’une meilleure connexion et d’un meilleur contrôle à chaque sortie, pour que vous puissiez explorer le monde comme vous le souhaitez.

Assistance Jusqu’à 25 km/h

Couple 85nm, autonomie jusqu'à 5 heures, batterie 500 à 625 wh.

Commande LED pour système intelligent Bosch Vous avez le contrôle au bout des doigts avec la télécommande LED de Bosch qui vous permet de basculer entre les modes, notamment le mode marche, et de visualiser le niveau d’assistance sélectionné. Elle se connecte également à votre application eBike Flow via Bluetooth pour synchroniser les données de votre sortie et recevoir des mises à jour système.

Bosch Kiox 300

L’écran couleur Kiox 300 vous permet de consulter rapidement les données de votre sortie et de suivre votre forme physique, et il vous aide même à naviguer. Disponible sur les modèles Powerfly 7 et supérieurs.

Bosch Intuvia 100

L’écran grand format Intuvia 100 permet de visualiser sans difficulté les données essentielles de votre sortie. Entièrement sans fil, il est facile à retirer pour le ranger en toute sécurité. Disponible sur les modèles Powerfly 4 et 5.

Pédalage assisté

Conçu pour la performance

Depuis 1886 (oui, vous avez bien lu), Bosch développe des technologies qui suivent deux principes directeurs : la précision et la qualité. Aujourd’hui, Bosch produit quelques-uns des moteurs électriques les plus recherchés dans le monde des VTTAE. Ces moteurs offrent une assistance puissante aux sensations naturelles. Vous pouvez également compter sur un réseau d’assistance prêt à vous aider dans toute situation.

Une assistance intelligente

Le moteur électrique Performance Line CX développe un couple de 85 Nm pour vous aider à grimper les côtes escarpées et atteindre rapidement votre vitesse maximale. Choisissez parmi 4 modes d’assistance en fonction de vos préférences. Les modes Tour+ et eMTB règlent automatiquement l’assistance en fonction du pédalage et du terrain, si bien que vous bénéficiez d’une assistance prévisible et aux sensations naturelles.

Notre système de batterie intégrée amovible (RIB) vous permet de retirer votre batterie rapidement et facilement. Plus besoin de tâtonner sous le tube diagonal ou de fouiller dans la boîte à outils.

Conçue pour améliorer votre expérience de vélo à assistance électrique, l’application eBike Flow de Bosch vous permet de prendre les commandes de votre sortie. Elle fonctionne avec les téléphones iOS et Android, met automatiquement à jour votre télécommande et votre compteur avec les dernières fonctionnalités, et l'écran d'accueil vous donne un aperçu rapide de vos données de course les plus importantes, comme le taux de charge et l'autonomie de la batterie.

Une assistance sur-mesure

Adaptez les modes d’assistance à vos préférences. Obtenez l’assistance maximale en côte ou franchissez plus de kilomètres lors des longues sorties grâce à une utilisation plus efficace de l’énergie.

Définissez vos records

Le suivi commence dès que vous mettez le pied sur la pédale et s'interrompt automatiquement lorsque vous faites une pause. De plus, vos données sont synchronisées en temps réel avec des applications intégrées comme Apple Health.

Technologie développée pour Trek

L’intégration exclusive Trek signifie que l’app eBike Flow reconnaît automatiquement votre VTTAE Trek, fournit des suggestions d’entretien et peut même vous aider à trouver le magasin Trek le plus proche.

Il y a quelque chose dans l’air

Le système intelligent se connecte via Bluetooth pour une synchronisation et des mises à jour entièrement sans fil.

Maîtrise aisée

Une géométrie droite et confortable permet de faire de longs kilomètres et de manoeuvrer rapidement dans les sections techniques des trails sans souci.

Un vélo tout en douceur

Absorbez les rochers et les racines avec juste assez de suspension pour amortir le trail sans en faire trop.

Diamètre de roue intelligent

Tout le monde mérite un excellent vélo, quelle que soit leur taille. C’est pourquoi nous équipons le Powerfly de roues adaptées à la taille des cyclistes, pour permettre tant aux petits qu’aux grands de rouler en toute confiance.

Powerfly Hardtail 

Le Powerfly Hardtail, robuste sur le trail et prêt pour les trajets quotidiens, est un vélo fiable et solide qui vous permet d’accomplir tout ce que vous voulez. Il n’a peut-être pas de suspension arrière, mais il compense cela largement par des économies de coûts et un poids plus léger.

Powerfly Full Suspension

Partez pour de plus grandes aventures avec le Powerfly Full Suspension. Avec 120 mm de débattement avant et 100 mm à l’arrière, ce Powerfly est fait pour les terrains plus rocailleux et améliore la traction et le confort sur les terrains ardus.

Powerfly Equipped

Le Powerfly Equipped associe la capacité d’un vélo de trail à la polyvalence d’un vélo de ville. Ce VTTAE robuste est conçu avec des pièces durables et une série d’accessoires pour partir à l’aventure, comme des feux, des garde-boue, une béquille et des porte-bagages pour transporter du matériel.

Vous recherchez un vélo simplifié ? Le Powerfly est tout aussi polyvalent que son partenaire tout équipé, mais sans les porte-bagages et le matériel supplémentaire. Il s’agit d’un vélo robuste simple, prêt pour les accessoires et modifications qui répondent à vos besoins particuliers.

Les Powerfly FS de 2e et de 3e génération sont dotés de toute la puissance et fonctionnalités nécessaires pour partir à l’aventure et explorer. Ils se passent du système intelligent avec télécommande LED de Bosch pour favoriser les composants Bosch éprouvés de la génération antérieure afin de simplifier vos sorties et d’éviter le recours à une application. Vous bénéficiez de la même géométrie stable et sûre que la dernière génération de Powerfly avec un système électronique hérité.

Powefly avec système intelligent

Les nouveaux Powerfly FS de 3e et de 4e génération ont les mêmes caractéristiques que la génération antérieure mais bénéficient de l’ajout du tout dernier système intelligent de Bosch pour une installation simplifiée et une intégration maximale. Vous retrouverez tout ce que vous aviez adoré dans la génération antérieure, mais avec un peu plus d’intelligence.

Vous cherchez autre chose ?

Vous voulez un VTTAE prêt à faire le grand saut ? Le Rail est le choix des vététistes qui veulent franchir les côtes sans effort avec une monture puissante à grand débattement. Il est conçu pour ceux qui ont fait du trail leur résidence secondaire et recherchent une monture aussi dynamique que ses pairs non électriques.

Vous cherchez l’équilibre entre puissance et sensations naturelles sur le trail ? Le Fuel EXe offre juste l’assistance nécessaire pour faciliter les montées tout en préservant une sensation d’agilité et de légèreté comparable à un vélo de trail traditionnel. Il s’adresse à ceux qui recherchent un VAE qui ne ressemble pas à un VAE.