Trek FX+ 2 Evaluation: The Full Ebike Commuter Bundle

The FX+ 2 has a 250-watt Hydrive rear hub motor, which is the European commonplace. That may appear barely underpowered to Individuals seeking to energy up large 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—nearly 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 after I’m out, or to raise onto our hanging bike rack in my storage. Additionally, 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 not less than 10 miles on it by now, and the battery appears largely untouched. The quick 45c highway tires didn’t harm, both.

Nothing Over the Prime

It does lack a couple 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. As an alternative, it has an everyday bike chain on a nine-speed Shimano shifting system, with a derailleur that, sure, you’ll have to regulate sometimes.

However truthfully, this was greater than positive by me. I didn’t need to study a brand new shifting system or work out how you can calibrate the gearing with the help ranges. I wasn’t driving a motorbike that was attempting to foretell how a lot help I’d want and when—I may merely toggle on roughly as I rode. In that manner, it felt a lot simpler and extra pure. 

It additionally has loads of equipment that could be equally vital, particularly because the climate right here in Oregon has grown chilly, grey, and moist prior to now few weeks. The 120-lumen headlamp is extremely vivid. The bell is extremely loud. The fenders have saved my denims comparatively dry, and I’ve been in a position to bungee gadgets 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 Energy. However when you begin including up the price of high quality elements, labor, and equipment, their costs begin inching up. Mail-order firms 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 it’s important to assemble and safety-check it your self.

Over time, I’ve seen bicycle producers debate after which battle so as to add or subtract options that may make electrical bikes extra enticing to individuals who haven’t biked earlier than. Extraordinarily low step-throughs! Bizarre shifting methods! Apps! Large tires! Possibly the easiest way to get individuals on an electrical bike is similar manner you get individuals on an everyday bike—by making it enjoyable, mild, and straightforward to experience.