Query about Trek e-bikes

[paulinet]

I have had a Giant Lafree bike for 5 years - regularly used. I want to get a new e-bike and recently test rode a Trek T80+ which was fabulous. However - I can't seem to find any substantial reviews of these bikes (including FX+) - not even from A-2-B magasine. Is anyone able to point me in the right direction/or know anything about the bikes? How do they compare with Kalkhoff for example? I would appreciate any information.

 

[flecc]

A couple of forum members who have tried these Trek electrics have also been very impressed. I doubt you could go far wrong, Trek are great bikes and the BionX motor they are using is a long established and very sophisticated unit.

Indeed Kalkhoff have introduced a new BionX motor model for 2011, more information on that from 50cycles.
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[eddieo]

understandable really as they are relatively new, whereas the wisper/ezee and Kalkhoff brands etc... have been around for years. The Trek bikes use the BionX system which is good but expensive and available as stand alone kits as well.

 

[paulinet]

Thanks

Thank you for such quick responses to my query! I will probably continue, then, with my focus on the Trek e-bikes.

 

[Tim]

All I know is I had a customer in the shop last week who had tried the Trek FX+ and it wasn't much good on hills in comparison with the Panasonic drive he tried, and ended up buying.

But the Bionx HT version in the Kalkhoff Image should fix that.

 

[eddieo]

Thank you for such quick responses to my query! I will probably continue, then, with my focus on the Trek e-bikes.

Just be confident that where you buy it from can maintain, service and deal with any warranty repairs in a timely fashion? As that is the difference that sets E bike companies apart. By example, Wisper have excellent service and back up. Even the warranty is transferable if you decide to sell the bike on.....

 

[flecc]

The Trek T80+ you tried does have the HT motor Paulinet, it seems the FX+ may not have from what Tim says.
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[paulinet]

Thanks again. Apparently the 2011 version of the T80 is going to be lower than last year's price - £1500 as opposed to £1800! This is because they have not made it with so many gears (previously c. 21) - as that many are not really needed.

 

[flecc]

Very true, 21 gears is overkill when motor power is available as well.
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[Cyclezee]

The Trek T80+ you tried does have the HT motor Paulinet, it seems the FX+ may not have from what Tim says.
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Can't quite remember where I read or heard it, but, despite what the Trek literature says, I don't believe that any of the UK models have the HT motor and the T80+ has the same standard PL250 motor.
Personally, I would wait until March for the new Bionx powered Kalkhoff B27 Image, that definitely will have the HT motor and the battery exactly where it should be.

​

J hn​

 

[flecc]

Yes, I like that too John, and its good to see a manufacturer at long last following the lead of my Q-bike from 3 years ago and have a chainguard with derailleur gearing.
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[overlander]

Just a quick comment, as i need to run. As most know i ride the Trek Fx+ and will put a full report on when i find the time. I travel 40 miles a day on my Trek Fx+ with many hills and i am not that fit and find there is absolutely no problems on the hills. On assist 4 it would take a pretty mighty hill to get you out of breath. But assist 4 really is battery hungry so try not to use it, but assist 3 you do start to feel the hills but only enough to get you out of breath on long steep slogs. Personally i think the Trek Fx+ has more than enough power, i have never felt wanting, but i do not like the 15mph limit that really annoys me.

 

[paulinet]

Thanks for all the comments. The trouble is, where do you get to try the Kalkhoff? I don't think there are any dealers in or near Southampton. I think there is a demo place in London but would they have the B27 Image?

 

[Cyclezee]

Thanks for all the comments. The trouble is, where do you get to try the Kalkhoff? I don't think there are any dealers in or near Southampton. I think there is a demo place in London but would they have the B27 Image?

50cycles are the only source for Kalkhoff in the UK, they do have a shop in Richmond on Thames, but the Image won't be available until March.
Electric Bikes from 50cycles - Home of the UK's Best Electric Bicycles If you like the Trek, I think you would like the Kalkhoff even more, but that is only my opinion.

J hn