Trek FX+ 2 Review: The Complete Ebike Commuter Package Leave a comment

The FX+ 2 has a 250-watt Hydrive rear hub motor, which is the European normal. That may appear barely underpowered to Americans seeking to energy up big hills, however the bike is so mild and maneuverable that having a smaller motor doesn’t matter a lot in any respect. The medium body dimension weighs 40 kilos—virtually 30 kilos lighter than my very own Tern GSD S00.

Not solely is it simple to scootch up hills, it’s additionally simple to maneuver onto crowded bike racks once I’m out, or to elevate onto our hanging bike rack in my storage. Also, for the previous two weeks, it’s the primary bike each my dad and I’ve grabbed to run errands across the neighborhood. The said vary is 35 miles, however we’ve put at the very least 10 miles on it by now, and the battery appears largely untouched. The quick 45c street tires didn’t damage, both.

Nothing Over the Top

It does lack a number of options we’re used to seeing on higher-end ebikes by now, like a low-maintenance carbon belt drive or a constantly variable shifter. Instead, it has an everyday bike chain on a nine-speed Shimano shifting system, with a derailleur that, sure, you could have to regulate sometimes.

But truthfully, this was greater than advantageous by me. I didn’t need to be taught a brand new shifting system or work out learn how to calibrate the gearing with the help ranges. I wasn’t using a motorbike that was making an attempt to foretell how a lot help I’d want and when—I might merely toggle on kind of as I rode. In that method, it felt a lot simpler and extra pure. 

It additionally has lots of equipment that could be equally essential, particularly because the climate right here in Oregon has grown chilly, grey, and moist up to now few weeks. The 120-lumen headlamp is extremely shiny. The bell is extremely loud. The fenders have saved my denims comparatively dry, and I’ve been in a position to bungee objects onto the rear rack. A kickstand retains it up within the storage for fast entry, and hydraulic disc brakes work even when the rain is pouring down.

The value level could seem excessive in comparison with direct-to-consumer bikes from Aventon, Lectric, or Rad Power. But when you begin including up the price of high quality parts, labor, and equipment, their costs begin inching up. Mail-order corporations are in a position to provide a lot decrease costs on base fashions as a result of their motors are cheaper. With a nicer motor, a mail-order bike just like the Ride1Up Prodigy is priced comparably to the FX+ 2, and you need to assemble and safety-check it your self.

Over the years, I’ve seen bicycle producers debate after which battle so as to add or subtract options that can make electrical bikes extra enticing to individuals who haven’t biked earlier than. Extremely low step-throughs! Weird shifting programs! Apps! Huge tires! Maybe one of the simplest ways to get folks on an electrical bike is identical method you get folks on an everyday bike—by making it enjoyable, mild, and straightforward to journey.