The new Trek Powerfly LT on test

Stephan Ottmar

 · 29.06.2016

The new Trek Powerfly LT on testPhoto: Hersteller
The new Trek Powerfly LT on test
Trek is responding to the European e-mountainbike boom and is presenting a whole range of new bikes. Particularly interesting: the 2017 bikes are now available at dealers.

The range comprises three models with different equipment variants: Powerfly, Powerfly FS and Powerfly LT. Prices start at 2699 euros for the Powerfly 5 hardtail, while the Powerfly with the FS suffix is a fully with 130 millimetres of travel on the front and rear wheels. We took a closer look at the top model Powerfly LT 9 and rode it extensively. Cost point: 5599 euros. LT stands for Long Travel, as the bike offers 150 millimetres of travel. In addition, fat 2.8 inch Bontrager Chupacabra tyres spin around the hubs with a wide Boost standard. The drive unit is a Bosch CX drive on the bottom bracket and is operated from the handlebars via the brand new Bosch Purion display.

  The buttons for changing the support level are located on the left of the new Bosch Purion display. They are not always easy to reach with the thumb. The silver lever below activates the remote seatpost.Photo: Stephan Ottmar The buttons for changing the support level are located on the left of the new Bosch Purion display. They are not always easy to reach with the thumb. The silver lever below activates the remote seatpost.  The Bontrager Chupacabra tyres offer traction and plenty of comfort. Slightly longer lugs would occasionally improve the grip.Photo: Stephan Ottmar The Bontrager Chupacabra tyres offer traction and plenty of comfort. Slightly longer lugs would occasionally improve the grip.

The relaxed, sporty riding position is immediately pleasing as soon as you get on the bike. The cockpit looks tidy and functional: the display for the drive and the control lever for the remote seat post are on the left. It is shaped like a shifter. On the right-hand side is the gear lever for the new EX-1 drivetrain from Sram. It was specially developed for e-mountainbikes: it can manage eight gears from 11-48 teeth and can even be changed under load. Only one chainring is required at the front.

  Sram EX-1: The smallest sprocket has 11 teeth, the largest 48. This shifts the entire ratio of the eight gears to the rear wheel. A single crank is sufficient at the front.Photo: Stephan Ottmar Sram EX-1: The smallest sprocket has 11 teeth, the largest 48. This shifts the entire ratio of the eight gears to the rear wheel. A single crank is sufficient at the front.  Clever details: the Knock-Block headset prevents the handlebars from hitting the top tube.Photo: Stephan Ottmar Clever details: the Knock-Block headset prevents the handlebars from hitting the top tube.
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  Internally routed cables round off the image of a high-quality bike for a wide range of applications.Photo: Stephan Ottmar Internally routed cables round off the image of a high-quality bike for a wide range of applications.

The overall package makes it possible to climb extreme inclines. And it is great fun to explore the limits of what is possible. The battery provides 500 watt hours, which is enough for over 1500 metres in altitude.

Test summary of the Trek Powerfly LT

Downhill, the bike offers enormous reserves: the combination of the 150 millimetre suspension with the large contact area of the fat tyres provides plenty of traction. The forgiving handling gives the rider confidence and yet the bike remains agile enough to cope with angled sections. The Bosch CX drive in combination with the great gearing pushes the limits when climbing uphill. A real fun machine.

  We were able to test the new Trek Powerfly LT at the presentation in Flims.Photo: Stephan Ottmar We were able to test the new Trek Powerfly LT at the presentation in Flims.  Trek Powerfly FS 8 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 4999 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly FS 8 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 4999 euros  Trek Powerfly FS 7 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 4499 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly FS 7 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 4499 euros  Trek Powerfly FS 5 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 3799 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly FS 5 with 130 millimetre suspension travel: 3799 euros  Trek Powerfly 5 hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3799 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 5 hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3799 euros  Trek Powerfly 5, women's version: hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 2699 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 5, women's version: hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 2699 euros
  Trek Powerfly 7 hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3499 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 7 hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3499 euros  Trek Powerfly 7, women's version: hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3499 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 7, women's version: hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3499 euros  Trek Powerfly 9. hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3999 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 9. hardtail with 100 millimetre suspension travel: 3999 euros  Trek Powerfly 8 LT with 150 millimetre suspension travel: 5099 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 8 LT with 150 millimetre suspension travel: 5099 euros  Trek Powerfly 9 LT with 150 millimetre suspension travel: 5599 eurosPhoto: Hersteller Trek Powerfly 9 LT with 150 millimetre suspension travel: 5599 euros

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