Trek electric mountain bike e-Bike

Although the mountain bike was invented in the United States in the 1970s, a few months before the creation of Trek Founded by Richard Burke and Bevil Hogg, the Waterloo (Wisconsin – USA)-based brand did not miss out on this rapidly growing market. From 1982 onwards, the new R&D department Trek has actively focused on mountain biking and now offers a comprehensive range, including, in particular, various electric mountain bikes, which perfectly meet the needs of a new type of rider.

Trek began its journey a long way from mountain biking and a very long way from electric mountain bikes (or e-MTBs, short for ‘electric-assisted all-terrain bikes’), by producing ‘premium’ steel road bike frames made from the finest tubes on the market (Reynolds, , Columbus or Tange). It was an instant success, but when, at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, the mountain biking boom transformed this phenomenon – which until then had been exclusively American – into a global phenomenon, Trek followed suit. What’s more, over the years, the brand has become one of the leaders in mountain bike innovation.

Research and development

The first mountain bike Trek appeared in 1983. The now legendary Trek 850 (a rigid structure) was constructed from steel tubes Tange. From then on, things kept moving forward, gathering pace in the early 1990s when Trek has absorbed the cycles Garry Fisher (named after the inventor of the mountain bike). OCLV technology (Optimum Compaction Low Void), which had only just been introduced in road cycling, was then adapted for mountain bikes, with the Trek 9900, the first carbon mountain bike, fitted with a suspension fork Rock Shox, a real revolution in the small world of mountain biking.

In 1992, Trek continues to build on its success and launches the first full-suspension mountain bike, the Trek 9,000, featuring the new range of suspension systems Trek T3C (for ‘Travel is Three Times Compression’ or, in French, ‘Amortissement en Triple Compression’). What’s next? The Trek Y, in 1995, instantly recognisable with its Y-shaped carbon frame, its rear suspension arm integrated into the frame and its fork Fox. .

Trek It then moved towards a more traditional design and increasingly turned to aluminium, without, however, abandoning carbon fibre, which is considered ‘perfect’ for machines intended for top-level competition. Steel, on the other hand, disappeared completely from the catalogue.

At the same time, wheel sizes have changed completely, shifting over the last decade from 26-inch wheels (the standard since the early days of mountain biking) to 27.5-inch wheels and then to 29-inch wheels. And electric assistance is gradually being incorporated into the range Trek mountain biking.

New activities, mainly summer-based, are gradually emerging. In stark contrast to the competitive side of the sport, these purely recreational activities are proving popular with an audience that isn’t necessarily keen on cycling outside the holiday season. The preferred terrain? Just as in the early days of mountain biking, it’s the mountains. When riders lack power and/or stamina and are faced with climbing slopes that are both steep and long, this system is ideal. All the more so as body weight is not a factor at all – quite the opposite, in fact. Indeed, when it comes to descending, it can actually be something of an advantage, provided the bike remains manoeuvrable.

A certain philosophy

As regards electric assistance, the legislation remains the same as for products intended for urban use or occasional leisure rides. In this context, there is no question of venturing into motocross-style riding. An e-MTB (electric-assisted mountain bike) remains, in the eyes of the law, a mountain bike. This is specified in Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated 18 March 2002. Thus, the electric assistance is only active whilst pedalling and cuts out at speeds exceeding 25 km/h, allowing the rider’s muscle power to take over, just as on a conventional bicycle, whilst the motor’s rated power must be less than or equal to 250 watts. If either of these requirements is not met, the vehicle is classified as a moped. Wearing a specific helmet then becomes compulsory.

Trek, in accordance with this legislative framework, now offers original e-MTBs – that is to say, treated as e-bikes (and therefore distinct from the range of muscle-powered mountain bikes) – but with a practical approach that is entirely comparable to that of traditional mountain bikes. In fact, the in-house engineers will tell you exactly the same thing. E-MTBs ride just like MTBs because, first and foremost, they are MTBs… As such, they feature all the technologies applied to the frames and suspension systems of MTBs bearing the Trek. .

The guiding principle? To cater to anyone who wants to take up trail running and make their lives as easy as possible, so they can get the most enjoyment out of it. As well as the ‘bike’ part (frame and components), where the 29-inch wheel is the norm, the ‘components’ have been optimised. So, as with urban models, every component of the battery/motor unit (the motor is positioned at the bottom bracket, which has been oversized for this purpose) has been carefully selected, with the focus firmly on the product itself. Bosch, a true authority in this field.

The Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system, exclusive to Trek, is concealed within the frame, which protects the battery from the minor knocks associated with mountain biking, whilst giving the design a much more elegant look. It’s all about riding for pleasure!

Unlike what the competition offers, Trek has chosen to position the access point for the built-in battery on the side of the cross-tube, which proves extremely handy when it comes to making the most of the battery’s removable design. And it’s all the easier because the design has been particularly well thought out. No tools are required. Simply turn a key to release the battery, which features an integrated handle and an external charging port. This means you can charge it both whilst on the bike and off it.

All e-mountain bikes Trek is fitted with gearboxes Bosch Lice CX Performance, ideally suited, especially as the batteries Bosch lithium-ion prove to be active over a very long period, resulting in a build-up of outings.

As you’ll have realised, an electric mountain bike boosts your pedalling power. This allows you to go further, higher and faster. And so to push yourself, broaden your horizons and enjoy yourself immensely in the most beautiful surroundings. Trek has thought of everyone… Or at least, as many people as possible.

And to meet the needs of as many people as possible, Trek has developed two main ranges of e-MTBs. The range Trek Rail, which is aimed more at ‘physical’ users, and the (slightly wider) range Trek Powerfly, which is aimed at those who wish to develop in a much more playful – not to say contemplative – way.

The range Trek Rail

To get the most out of this ‘fun’ exercise, the first thing to do is Trek Rail. A trail running specialist, this Trek Rail is designed for the most demanding riders – those who want to put themselves to the test on long, challenging routes. A full-suspension mountain bike with long travel, it is built around an OCLV Mountain frame and, in certain versions, features an Alpha Platinum Aluminium carbon alloy frame. Hidden inside the down tube is a 625 Wh battery, which is fully integrated and therefore invisible. The motor Bosch Lice CX Performance The 250 W (new generation) unit is ‘controlled’ by a control unit Purion.

As for the suspension, the forks RockShox Lyrik (in particular the RockShox Lyrik Select Plus with 160 mm of travel, complete with shock absorber Load 2 RC) are highlighted, just as they are for the rear suspension (starting with the RockShox Deluxe RT2 with 150 mm of travel, featuring the technology Trek RE:aktiv).

The 12-speed single-chainring drivetrain is universally praised here (particularly in SRAM GX Eagle), such as the 4-piston hydraulic brake (the Shimano SLX, for example), which is remarkably effective, as it is both smooth and precise. As for the equipment, once again it comes from the in-house supplier, Bontrager which takes the lion’s share.

Whichever model you choose, you’re getting the very best in e-MTBs, with the option of a ‘hybrid’ setup – part city bike, part mountain bike – complete with a luggage rack, mudguards and lights. Prices range from €4,300 to €11,600.

The range Trek Powerfly

For mountain bikers who prefer a slightly less strenuous approach, Trek has developed the range Powerfly with a dual purpose. First and foremost, it is designed to meet the demands of ‘hardtrail’ riding, which lies halfway between adventure on singletrack trails and rides that, if not daily, are at least very regular. That is why Trek offers the option of equipping one’s Powerfly a luggage rack.

But that’s not all. This Trek Powerfly has been designed to be particularly easy to handle. And since ‘easy to handle’ does not mean ‘fragile’, the range Trek Powerfly consists of e-MTBs, which are designed to be robust, so as to tackle the most challenging mountains and the most technical trails, thanks in particular to long-travel suspension (up to 150 mm).

At the end of the day, this Trek Powerfly pushes the boundaries and enables sportspeople – not necessarily mountain bikers – to enjoy themselves whilst getting a little extra boost when needed. To do this, Trek has, once again, called upon the German Bosch, which provides the engine (the CX Performance (which is very popular) and battery (it features the RIB system – which stands for Removable Integrated Battery – available in 500 to 625 Wh versions).

What does this mean in practice? The frame is made from an Alpha Platinum Aluminium alloy, with a geometry specifically designed for women, Trek features air suspension RockShox, an 11-speed single-chainring drivetrain (Shimano rather than SRAM) and a dropper seatpost. Furthermore, the standard wheel size here is not 29’’. Some versions are available in 27.5’’, precisely to enhance manoeuvrability without compromising stability. As for the components, these are generally selected from the catalogue Bontrager, the in-house equipment supplier. A time-honoured tradition at Trek.

In terms of price, the Trek Powerfly is priced between €2,800 and €8,000. Please note that the cheaper versions do not feature the technology Trek RE:aktiv and thus turn out to be semi-rigid… Which is not, in itself, a problem, provided one does not seek to make pushing one’s own limits an absolute goal.

The range is reasonably extensive, Trek E-MTBs tend to be more sport-oriented than geared towards leisure and urban cycling. That doesn’t mean, however, that touring or cycle commuting have been completely overlooked. The batteries obviously don’t offer the same range. It all depends on your budget and how many kilometres you plan to cover (and therefore how long you’ll be using the bike). In any case, all users, whatever their riding style, will be able to find a bike suited to both their preferences and their ambitions, with the assurance that they’ll enjoy themselves in almost any situation.

See all the mountain bikes Trek here.