Meet the new mid-level assist Trek Fuel EXe e-mountain bike

The e-bike design/look has come a long way. This and the new Orbea is starting to look more normal. 

360Wh .... when the industry is moving from 625Wh to 750Wh, and now even a couple of 900Wh options.

1 minute ago, ChrisF said:

360Wh .... when the industry is moving from 625Wh to 750Wh, and now even a couple of 900Wh options.

Definitely "against the grain" of expected e-bike evolution. 

But based on Trek's media launch and marketing this is aimed more at the current non-ebike riders. The higher power + higher Wh battery options are there and it sounds like will continue their own evolution, this fits somewhere in between analogue bikes and "normal" ebikes. 
 

Would honestly say, this is the first ebike Ive seen that I would actually consider buying in the near future. 

1 minute ago, Matt said:

Definitely "against the grain" of expected e-bike evolution. 

But based on Trek's media launch and marketing this is aimed more at the current non-ebike riders. The higher power + higher Wh battery options are there and it sounds like will continue their own evolution, this fits somewhere in between analogue bikes and "normal" ebikes. 
 

 

Their version of the SL ....lighter, smaller motor and battery ....

Some love it .... others not so much.

Getting to the point where a new ebike rider should rent and TEST a bike for their trails, climbs, range ... and handling.

The range of options and rider expectations certainly now cover a very wide field ....

I have friends for whom the light weight is THEE critical factor, who may well like this bike.

Personally I need maximum battery capacity for 100km high elevation rides.

Nice to have all these options

What is cool to see with this is the introduction of the TQ drive unit. TQ is an interesting company and although relatively new to ebikes, they have a lot of experience in creating small, powerful and efficient motors for robotics, aerospace and many other applications. Will be interesting to see what else they might have up their sleeves for ebikes.

Love it!!!

11 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Their version of the SL ....lighter, smaller motor and battery ....

 

Some love it .... others not so much.

 

 

Getting to the point where a new ebike rider should rent and TEST a bike for their trails, climbs, range ... and handling.

 

 

The range of options and rider expectations certainly now cover a very wide field ....

 

 

I have friends for whom the light weight is THEE critical factor, who may well like this bike.

 

Personally I need maximum battery capacity for 100km high elevation rides.

 

 

 

Nice to have all these options

Not to be a tonsil. But surely an e-bike is an enabler. Ie get someone on trails for like 40-60 km rides who couldn't manage it previously or as easily as they used to for whatever reason.

If you are that dedicated that you are doing 100km high elevation rides surely you are dedicated enough to be fit enough to manage them without a battery? Or you are fit enough for 60 of those km and the e-bike takes up that last 40% stop gap and thus inly a smaller baytery required? If cycling was that important to you and you needed to do such big rides you would be fit enough.

Or am I missing something here?

As for the bike in article, I think it is a good idea, if you still fit ish and feel you on that slippery slope. Or are just starting to battle to keep up with the regular group due to age or injury. It is a good option.

11 minutes ago, dave303e said:

Not to be a tonsil. But surely an e-bike is an enabler. Ie get someone on trails for like 40-60 km rides who couldn't manage it previously or as easily as they used to for whatever reason.

If you are that dedicated that you are doing 100km high elevation rides surely you are dedicated enough to be fit enough to manage them without a battery? Or you are fit enough for 60 of those km and the e-bike takes up that last 40% stop gap and thus inly a smaller baytery required? If cycling was that important to you and you needed to do such big rides you would be fit enough.

Or am I missing something here?

As for the bike in article, I think it is a good idea, if you still fit ish and feel you on that slippery slope. Or are just starting to battle to keep up with the regular group due to age or injury. It is a good option.

I WISH I was .... or rather, wish my knees were up to it.

Being "fit enough" is one topic.

What my knees can cope with is a totally different topic.

Doing a 5km commute, with only 80m elevation over two hills I had to nurse it up those hills to protect my knees.  Stand on the pedals and ride up there .... bean bags and Deep Heat for a few days.

On these longer rides I use eco mode on the flats, and barely keep up with normal riders.  As soon as the hills start I have to up the assist just that bit.  Swartberg, Franschoek pass, etc. I need to use mid-boost (the Giant has 5 assist levels) and the granny gear .... long slow ride.

And still, the male ego likes to get out the saddle and power it up a hill every so often .... at Trans Augrabies I had plenty fun out on the trails .... and Deep Heat and bean bags at the challet. 

Doctors told me in January 2020 that I should stop cycling, due to my knees .... almost 8 000 km later I ENJOY every moment in the saddle, knowing the day may come ....

I am clearly in that group of ebike riders that want the largest possible battery.  BUT, I fully understand that this type of smaller battery bike has its own market.  

9 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

I WISH I was .... or rather, wish my knees were up to it.

 

Being "fit enough" is one topic.

 

What my knees can cope with is a totally different topic.

 

Doing a 5km commute, with only 80m elevation over two hills I had to nurse it up those hills to protect my knees.  Stand on the pedals and ride up there .... bean bags and Deep Heat for a few days.

 

On these longer rides I use eco mode on the flats, and barely keep up with normal riders.  As soon as the hills start I have to up the assist just that bit.  Swartberg, Franschoek pass, etc. I need to use mid-boost (the Giant has 5 assist levels) and the granny gear .... long slow ride.

 

And still, the male ego likes to get out the saddle and power it up a hill every so often .... at Trans Augrabies I had plenty fun out on the trails .... and Deep Heat and bean bags at the challet. 

 

 

Doctors told me in January 2020 that I should stop cycling, due to my knees .... almost 8 000 km later I ENJOY every moment in the saddle, knowing the day may come ....

 

 

I am clearly in that group of ebike riders that want the largest possible battery.  BUT, I fully understand that this type of smaller battery bike has its own market.  

This.

I'm now able to ride 2+ hour rides with my mom. thats is something special

i love e-bikes

12 minutes ago, Furbz said:

This.

I'm now able to ride 2+ hour rides with my mom. thats is something special

i love e-bikes

[comic sans]

you need an e-bike to keep up with your mom ?   

[/comic sans]

Now the BIG question, where is the hardtail version?

2 hours ago, ouzo said:

[comic sans]

you need an e-bike to keep up with your mom ?   

[/comic sans]

Stereotypes are dangerous ....

All too often we read (never will we say it) that the WIFE needs an ebike to keep up with the hubby .....

While back I saw a couple ride up to the mast at Contermanskloof, from Bloemendal - both on normal bikes.  The wife was fresh and ready for the next climb .... the hubby looked in dire need of an ebike ....

A friend has done a couple of Ironman events, they regularly do Trans Baviaans.  She is now busy with a training program for Comrades.  Her husband just bought an ebike .... we joked that she must just stretch the ride, and keep the pace nice and high .... she WILL outlast that ebike battery !!

TQ supplies motors (120Nm) for the Haibike Flyon (since 2019).

This bike is interesting, but as ChrisF said, it is Trek's version of the SL.

I would take a kenevo SL over this anyday. It looks better, is lighter, handles better and is more capable.

It is massive compared to the Kenevo SL, yet somehow has pretty much identical specs (same battery size)

A good job that could have been done a bit better IMHO

2 hours ago, MTBRIDER1234 said:

This bike is interesting, but as ChrisF said, it is Trek's version of the SL.

I would take a kenevo SL over this anyday. It looks better, is lighter, handles better and is more capable.

It is massive compared to the Kenevo SL, yet somehow has pretty much identical specs (same battery size)

A good job that could have been done a bit better IMHO

Based on the above article, how can you say the SL handles better than the Trek?

2 hours ago, MTBRIDER1234 said:

This bike is interesting, but as ChrisF said, it is Trek's version of the SL.

I would take a kenevo SL over this anyday. It looks better, is lighter, handles better and is more capable.

It is massive compared to the Kenevo SL, yet somehow has pretty much identical specs (same battery size)

A good job that could have been done a bit better IMHO

Not sure I would agree.

The Kenevo is 170mm and the EXe 140/150mm, so 2 diff bikes for 2 diff applications. 

EXe weighs 18.6kg, where Kenevo is 18.7-19.1kg from what I can find, not exactly lighter?

EXe is quieter than Kenevo.

Kenevo is also MOER pricy, 155k at bottom spec, vs the EXe 9.7 with almost the same spec, for only 125k.

Only reason I'd want one is to do repeats of the new Hoogekraal Hammer flow trail. This would mean a Saturday morning well spent doing laps up and down. If I'd manage 4 maybe 5 laps then who cares if it couldn't go very far. When running out of juice just point the nose down hill and send it.

1 minute ago, Robbie Stewart said:

Only reason I'd want one is to do repeats of the new Hoogekraal Hammer flow trail. This would mean a Saturday morning well spent doing laps up and down. If I'd manage 4 maybe 5 laps then who cares if it couldn't go very far. When running out of juice just point the nose down hill and send it.

THREAD HIJACK
What's the hammer trail like?
Been hitting Jonker's lately for a change of scenery, and was just wondering. Really enjoying Red Phoenix at Jonker's though...

11 hours ago, Hairy said:

Based on the above article, how can you say the SL handles better than the Trek?

I have watched reviews of both and if you know anything about the specialised enduro (which the kenevo SL is based off) you know it is one of the best enduro bikes ever made.

11 hours ago, AkwA said:

Not sure I would agree.

The Kenevo is 170mm and the EXe 140/150mm, so 2 diff bikes for 2 diff applications. 

EXe weighs 18.6kg, where Kenevo is 18.7-19.1kg from what I can find, not exactly lighter?

EXe is quieter than Kenevo.

Kenevo is also MOER pricy, 155k at bottom spec, vs the EXe 9.7 with almost the same spec, for only 125k.

 

The Kenevo is more versatile, as it has more travel - also what is the use for a 140/150 bike? it wants to be an enduro bike but doesn't have enough travel, yet it is too much travel for a trail bike 

Also I got the weights wrong, which I will admit to

I have ridden many E bikes and personally I couldn't care less about noise

You can safely assume when people are spending north of 100k on a bike that money won't be a huge problem. 

21 minutes ago, MTBRIDER1234 said:

The Kenevo is more versatile, as it has more travel - also what is the use for a 140/150 bike? it wants to be an enduro bike but doesn't have enough travel, yet it is too much travel for a trail bike 

Also I got the weights wrong, which I will admit to

I have ridden many E bikes and personally I couldn't care less about noise

You can safely assume when people are spending north of 100k on a bike that money won't be a huge problem. 

More travel isn’t always better, I recently bought a 160/160 and feel like it’s too much, I actually switched the rear travel to 145mm yesterday.

The EXe is a do it all bike, just like the fuel. More than enough for any non downhill trails we have in this country. Maybe not the fastest, but more than capable. 
 

Personally, the only thing that I want to hear on my bike is my freehub going mad, anything else drives me crazy.

These differences between people is why there are different products for different people. I do agree both bikes are great for their class, but can’t compare them.

5 minutes ago, AkwA said:

More travel isn’t always better, I recently bought a 160/160 and feel like it’s too much, I actually switched the rear travel to 145mm yesterday.

The EXe is a do it all bike, just like the fuel. More than enough for any non downhill trails we have in this country. Maybe not the fastest, but more than capable. 
 

Personally, the only thing that I want to hear on my bike is my freehub going mad, anything else drives me crazy.

These differences between people is why there are different products for different people. I do agree both bikes are great for their class, but can’t compare them.

I got a 160/160 bike as well and feel for my riding it is absolutely perfect, but I do get your point

I agree it is a do it all bike, but this means it is a jack of all trades and a master of none.

After riding a hardtail down the scariest trails we have here, I have grown accustomed to a loud and noisy bike. My full sus feels eerily quiet haha

It definitely isn't an apples for apples comparison and the Trek has some things about it that appeal to some, and the SL has some which appeal to the gravity/enduro crowd

You can also make the EXe 1.8kg's lighter by pulling the battery (without having to drop the motor as on many of the other lightweights). It can also just run on the REx (910g).