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.

Mit „the next big thing“ eröffnete Gary Fischer höchstpersönlich die Präsentation der zweiten Trek Powerfly-Generation. — With the next big thing, Gary Fischer opened the second Trek Powerfly generation in his own very personal way.

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.

Das Topmodell Trek Powerfly LT 9 Plus mit 150 mm Federweg. Der Preis: 5.599 € — The Trek Powerfly LT 9 Plus top model with 150 mm travel. Price: € 5,599

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 setzt mit dem neuen Purion-Bordcomputer auf neueste Technik aus dem Hause Bosch. — With the all-new Purion bike computer Trek is opting for the latest technology from Bosch.

Der sogenannte Knock Block ist in den Steuersatz integriert und soll den Rahmen vor Beschädigungen durch den Lenker schützen. — The feature known as the Knock Block is integrated into the headset and is designed to protect the frame from damage by the handlebars.

Der SRAM EX1-Antrieb entwickelt sich zum Standard bei hochwertigen E-Mountainbikes. — The SRAM EX1 drive unit is evolving into the new standard for high-end e-mountainbikes.

Der Dämpfer mit RE:aktiv-Technologie soll auch bei zugeschalteter Dämpfungsplattform feinfühlig auf Unebenheiten ansprechen. — The rear shock with RE:aktiv technology is designed to react sensitively even with activated suspension platform.

Dank Mino-Link in den Sitzstreben kann die Geometrie einfach an die eigenen Vorlieben angepasst werden. In der High-Position beträgt der Lenkwinkel 66,5°, in der Low-Position flache 66°. — Thanks to Mino-Link in the seat stays the geometry can be easily adjusted to your own preferences. In the high position, the head angle is 66.5°, in the low position, a slack 66°.

Die neue Bontrager Drop Line-Teleskopsattelstütze besitzt 150 mm Hub und einen sehr ergonomischen Remotehebel . — The Bontrager Drop Line telescopic seat post has 150 mm of travel and a very ergonomically designed remote lever.

Trek weiß, was Biker brauchen: In die SkidPlate ist der Bieröffner für den Afterride-Drink integriert. Prost! — Trek knows what bikers need: the skid plate includes a bottle opener for that after-ride beer. Cheers!

Der Bontrager Chupacabra-Reifen bietet deutlich mehr Traktion, als man auf den ersten Blick vermuten würde. — The Bontrager Chupacabra tyre offers considerably more traction than you would expect at first sight.

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 €

Dank Knock Block ist der Lenkeinschlag klar begrenzt und die Gabel kann nicht das Unterrohr touchieren bzw. das Cockpit kann nicht mehr das Oberrohr verkratzen. — Thanks to Knock Block, rotation of the handlebars is clearly limited so that forks cannot touch the down tube and the cockpit cannot scratch the top tube.

hier eine Explosions-Ansicht — Knock Block explosion drawing

..und zusätzlicher Schutz am Unterrohr — ..and additional protection on the down tube

Wir würden uns am Hinterrad eine 200-mm-Bremsscheibe wünschen. — We would like to see a 200-mm brake disc on the rear wheel.

Die linke Cockpit-Seite wirkt sehr clean und aufgeräumt. Leider lässt sich aber der Purion-Bordcomputer nicht ganz so ergonomisch bedienen wie der Hebel der Bontrager Drop Line. — The left side of the cockpit gives a very clean and tidy impression. Unfortunately, the controls of the Purion Bike Computer are not quite as ergonomically designed as the lever of the Bontrager Drop Line.

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.

Dank einer ausgewogenen Geometrie und den breiten 2,8"-Plusreifen vermittelt das Powerfly FS jede Menge Sicherheit. — Thanks to its well-balanced geometry and the wide 2.8” plus-size tyres, the Powerfly FS imparts a feeling of great safety.

Mit einer angenehm sportlichen Sitzposition und den 474 mm langen Kettenstreben geht das Bike gut bergauf und die Front hält zuverlässig Bodenkontakt. — With a pleasantly sporty seating position and the 474 mm chainstays, the bike climbs well and the front remains reliably in contact with the ground.

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