First Ride: Trek Powerfly FS Plus and Powerfly FS LT Plus 2017
Trek has left it two years before presenting the second model generation of its full-suspension e-MTB with the Powerfly FS Plus and the Powerfly FS LT Plus. Brimming with the best innovations from the trail bike range, they are equipped with plus-size tyres, Bosch engine and slacker head angles.
In addition to the completely new Powerfly FS models, Trek also presents a redesigned Powerfly hardtail line-up. In the FS models, Trek is opting for both 2.8” wide plus-size tyres and 27.5” in the lower price range. Only the Powerfly FS LT comes exclusively with 27.5+ tyres. Without exception, the US company is using the Bosch Performance CX motor with its large 500-Wh battery as the drive unit.
Trek Powerfly 9 FS LT Plus
At € 5,599, the Trek Powerfly 9 FS LT Plus marks the upper end of the model range and is intended to appeal to the ambitious trail rider. With 150 mm travel, 2,8″ tyres and a head angle of 66.5° in the high position (low 66°) it does indeed tick all the boxes. To ensure their e-mountainbikes offer the best possible performance as well, Trek is relying on many familiar technologies from the classic trail bike segment. These include the Powerfly 9 FS LT with the familiar RE:aktiv rear shock, the Active Braking Pivot suspension, the Mino-Link for adjusting the geometry and the now common Boost standard.
Specifications Trek Powerfly LT 9 Plus
Fork: RockShox Pike RC, Solo Air 150 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RT3 RE
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery: Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: SRAM Guide RS
Drivetrain: SRAM EX1
Seatpost: Bontrager Drop Line 125
Stem: Bontrager Line
Bars: Bontrager Line
Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: € 5,599
Trek Powerfly LT 8 Plus
Fork: RockShox Yari RL, Solo Air 150 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RT3 RE
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: Shimano M615
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus
Seatpost: KS eThirty Integra
Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
Bars: Bontrager alloy
Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: € 5,099
Geometry of the Trek Powerfly LT Models (low / high)
Size | 15.5 | 17.5 | 18.5 | 19.5 | 21.5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 368 mm | 419 mm | 445 mm | 470 mm | 521 mm |
Top tube length | 570 mm / 556 mm | 600 mm / 600 mm | 620 mm / 620 mm | 634 mm / 634 mm | 662 mm / 662 mm |
Head tube length | 100 mm | 100 mm | 105 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm |
Head tube angle | 66° / 66.5° | 66° / 66.5° | 66° / 66.5° | 66° / 66.5° | 66° / 66.5° |
Seat tube angle | 73.5° / 74° | 73.5° / 74° | 73.5° / 74° | 73.5° / 74° | 73.5° / 74° |
Chain stay length | 475 mm / 474 mm | 475 mm / 474 mm | 475 mm / 474 mm | 475 mm / 474 mm | 475 mm / 474 mm |
Bottom bracket height | 34 mm / 34.6 mm | 34 mm / 34.6 mm | 34 mm / 34.6 mm | 34 mm / 34.6 mm | 34 mm / 34.6 mm |
Wheel base | 1183 mm / 1182 mm | 1213 mm / 1212 mm | 1233 mm / 1233 mm | 1248 mm / 1247 mm | 1278 mm / 1277 mm |
Reach | 393 mm / 399 mm | 423 mm / 430 mm | 441 mm / 449 mm | 454 mm / 461 mm | 478 mm / 485 mm |
Trek Powerfly FS 9 Plus
The Trek Powerfly 9 FS Plus is – as it were – the little brother of the Powerfly FS 9 LT Plus. It has a travel of 130 mm and somewhat more moderate geometry. The head angle is 0.9° steeper, the reach 12 mm longer. It is also driven by a Bosch Performance CX motor with a 500-Wh battery.
Austattung des Trek Powerfly FS 9 Plus
Fork: RockShox Pike RC, Solo Air 130 mm
Rear Shock: RockShox Deluxe RT3
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery: Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: SRAM Guide RS
Drivetrain: SRAM EX1
Seatpost: Bontrager Drop Line 125
Stem: Bontrager Line
Bars: Bontrager Line
Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: 5.499 €
More Trek Powerfly FS Models
Trek Powerfly FS 8 Plus
Fork: RockShox Yari RL, Solo Air 130 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RL
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery: Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: Shimano M615
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus
Seatpost: KS eThirty Integra
Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
Bars: Bontrager alloy
Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: € 4,999
Trek Powerfly FS 7
Fork: RockShox Sektor, Solo Air 130 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RL
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery: Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: Shimano M615
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus
Seatpost: Bontrager SSR
Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
Bars: Bontrager alloy
Tires: Bontrager XR3 Expert
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: € 4,499
Trek Powerfly FS 5
Fork: RockShox Sektor, Solo Air 130 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RL
Motor: Bosch Performance CX
Battery: Bosch Power Pack 500Wh
Brakes: Shimano M315
Drivetrain: Shimano Alivo
Seatpost: Bontrager SSR
Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Comp
Bars: Bontrager alloy
Tires: Bontrager XR3
Wheels: Bontrager
Weight: n.a.
Price: € 3,799
Geometry of the Trek Powerfly FS Models (low / high)
Size | 15.5 | 17.5 | 18.5 | 19.5 | 21.5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube length | 368 mm / 368 mm | 419 mm / 419 mm | 445 mm / 445 mm | 470 mm / 470 mm | 521 mm / 521 mm |
Top tube length | 570 mm / 556 mm | 600 mm / 600 mm | 620 mm / 620 mm | 634 mm / 634 mm | 662 mm / 662 mm |
Head tube length | 100 mm / 100 mm | 100 mm / 100 mm | 105 mm / 105 mm | 110 mm / 110 mm | 125 mm / 125 mm |
Head tube angle | 66.9° / 67.4° | 66.9° / 67.4° | 66.9° / 67.4° | 66.9° / 67.4° | 66.9° / 67.4° |
Seat tube angle | 73.5° / 74.9° | 73.5° / 74.9° | 73.5° / 74.9° | 73.5° / 74.9° | 73.5° / 74.9° |
Chainstay length | 474 mm / 474 mm | 474 mm / 474 mm | 474 mm / 474 mm | 474 mm / 474 mm | 474 mm / 474 mm |
Bottom bracket height | 33.2 mm / 33.8 mm | 33.2 mm / 33.8 mm | 33.2 mm / 33.8 mm | 33.2 mm / 33.8 mm | 33.2 mm / 33.8 mm |
Wheel base | 1177 mm / 1176 mm | 1207 mm / 1207 mm | 1228 mm / 1227 mm | 1243 mm / 1242 mm | 1273 mm / 1272 mm |
Reach | 405 mm / 399 mm | 435 mm / 442 mm | 453 mm / 461 mm | 466 mm / 473 mm | 490 mm / 497 mm |
Impression of riding the Trek Powerfly FS 9 Plus
During the presentation in the Swiss resort of Flims we had the opportunity to ride the new Trek Powerfly FS 9 Plus on the varied and demanding trails. The balanced geometry instantly gives you a good feeling. A RockShox PIKE RC with 130 mm of travel working in combination with the Bontrager Chupacabra 2.8″ tyres impart a sense of great safety. With a tyre pressure of 1.3 bar and the effective geometry we never had the impression of lacking travel even in the Alpine terrain. And those who need more than the 130 mm can always choose the big brother, the Powerfly FS LT, with 150 mm of travel.
The new Trek Powerfly FS 9 Plus in summary
With its new Powerfly FS models, Trek is presenting two exciting platforms very much in keeping with the latest trends. Well thought-out detailed solutions such as the Knock Block and the RE:aktiv suspension tuning are evidence of their technical expertise. Plus-size tyres, consistent features and balanced geometry result in fully developed handling. Most trail bikers will already be content with the Powerfly FS Plus while more aggressive riders will opt for the LT version.
More information on the Trek website
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Words: Max-Philip Schmitt Photos: Gaudenz Danuser, Dan Milner