Trek Powerfly FS4 EQ: From a short-stroke E-MTB to a sporty SUV

E-SUV / Test: With the Trek Powerfly FS4 EQ, Trek offers an attractively priced E-SUV bike with a sporty character and a beautiful, versatile aluminum frame. The built-in Bosch drive also contributes to the strong overall impression, although a few compromises cannot be avoided given the price.

The Powerfly is actually not a “real” E-SUV, but it is a real mountain bike. Equipped with medium travel - 120 mm at the front, 100 mm at the rear - it could best be described as a touring fully for those who don't necessarily want to ride extreme trails. Above all, such an electric fully is ideal as a basis for an electric SUV, because the suspension travel can be shorter there. On the other hand, you're happy to take the powerful drive of an E-MTB with you on your everyday fully equipped bike - here Trek relies on the proven Bosch Performance CX, which with 85 Nm of torque and high peak power can be ridden in a relaxed manner even on the mountain and with little effort. The battery has a capacity of 625 watt hours and can be removed from the frame to the right. The Bosch Smart System also includes the practical LED remote on the handlebar grip and the compact, easy-to-read Kiox 300 display. Moderate suspension travel and trapezoidal frame. What is interesting is that the frame almost looks like a “trapezoidal” because the top tube slopes sharply. This fits perfectly with the unisex trend in frame shapes; On the E-MTB, this design also improves freedom of movement on the bike.

The relatively low price of the Trek E-SUV bike is noticeable when it comes to equipment. The broadly graduated Shimano Deore gears “only” come with ten gears, but still offer a more than sufficient range. The brakes and chassis are rather functional, but in our opinion quite appropriate for an e-bike in this class; After all, you probably won't be tackling any demanding enduro trails with the Powerfly EQ. On the other hand, it's nice that the Americans didn't save money elsewhere and gave the versatile bike a seat post that can be retracted from the handlebars, even in the cheapest equipment version. The short mudguards are stylish but not always practical; Especially on the front wheel, when the road is wet, this means that your feet don't always stay completely dry.

The Trek Powerfly FS4 EQ

When it comes to driving characteristics, the Trek Powerfly EQ scores points with its high level of comfort and the usual impressive Bosch CX motor. Whether the rather small battery is a disadvantage depends on the application - some people may even be happy about the weight saving of almost one kilogram compared to the 750 Wh version. The bike's sporty roots are definitely noticeable in the seating position, but without pushing themselves into the foreground. Nevertheless, the Powerfly EQ is more of a comfortable e-MTB than a sporty trekking bike.