2023 Trek Fx+ and Dual Sport+

[Richard Stallard]

Nearing home on yesterday’s ride, there is a short hill which maxes out at 5%. My wife tried L3 pedal assist just to see how it went, and soon found she was going faster than the 25 km/h limit for motor assist. However, she found that the motor assist cut out quite suddenly then cut back in as the speed dropped a little, this sequence repeating several times. The difference between motor on and off was quite noticeable due to the grade.

It’s not really a problem for normal riding as L1 assist would have coped easily with the hill and provided a smooth ride, but it does suggest the Hyena control system is not as sophisticated as some other e-bikes. The good news is the firmware can be updated, by a Trek dealer, so there is potential for improvements in the future if Trek wants to realise the full potential of the bike.

 

[Djangodog]

If loot like a nice platform for customization. I like a bike that has good potential and leaves the dialing in up to the rider’s wants and needs. My wife and I bought Yamaha Cross Cores because they are relatively light and could be easily customized, (our preference being along the line of a flat bar, e-gravel bike).

Our drivetrains are now 1X11 Shimano SLX and we upgraded the tires and added suspension seat posts and stems to mention a few upgrades. It seems that this Trek followed that theme of versatility, (easily converted for trekking, gravel, fitness, commuting or recreation. A lighter rider should get more than enough boost from the specified assist).

I hope that she gets many kilometers of enjoyment from it. Please keep us posted regarding upgrades and the overall owner/rider experience.

 

[Gee_Whiz]

@Richard Stallard You seem fairly knowledgeable on these bikes thus far.. Do you know if the FX will take a larger chainring? It comes with a 42T, but something like a 48T may be ideal

Edit - Largest size without chainguard is 46t per Trek

 

[Gee_Whiz]

If loot like a nice platform for customization. I like a bike that has good potential and leaves the dialing in up to the rider’s wants and needs. My wife and I bought Yamaha Cross Cores because they are relatively light and could be easily customized, (our preference being along the line of a flat bar, e-gravel bike).

Our drivetrains are now 1X11 Shimano SLX and we upgraded the tires and added suspension seat posts and stems to mention a few upgrades. It seems that this Trek followed that theme of versatility, (easily converted for trekking, gravel, fitness, commuting or recreation. A lighter rider should get more than enough boost from the assist.

I hope that she gets many kilometers of enjoyment from it. Please keep us posted regarding upgrades and the overall owner/rider experience.

You nailed it.. this is why they're so intriguing.. It seems like a good base, that you can mod to fit various needs

 

[Djangodog]

@Richard Stallard You seem fairly knowledgeable on these bikes thus far.. Do you know if the FX will take a larger chainring? It comes with a 42T, but something like a 48T may be ideal

I would be surprised if 42t was the max., but I don’t know. I would ask Trek.

If I were leaving it as a 1x9, I would probably leave the 42 to preserve the 42-36 low gear and avoid big steps. Our Cross Cores began life as 2x9, but being 1x11 lessens the steps, so mine has a 46t chainring and 11-42 cassette, (a little lower than the stock 50/34 x 11-28). I could spin out if I really pushed it, but I don’t see the need, (I recently hit 46.6 mph going downhill and didn’t spin out, but I was getting close). This gearing eliminates the redundancies of a 2x while providing all the gears that I want.

I changed my wife’s Cross Core over first. We are both longtime cyclists, but she was having trouble getting used to the 2x9 in conjunction with the four assist modes, so I suggested the 1x11. She loves it. I took hers out for a shakedown ride after changing it over and found that I liked it better as well. The 1x11 changeover to SLX came to a little over $400.00 USD including Wolf Tooth Chainring Bolts, a KMC 11e chain and SRAM 1x11 chainring.

 

[Gee_Whiz]

I would be surprised if 42t was the max., but I don’t know. I would ask Trek.

If I were leaving it as a 1x9, I would probably leave the 42 to preserve the 42-36 low gear and avoid big steps. Our Cross Cores began life as 2x9, but being 1x11 lessens the steps, so mine has a 46t chainring and 11-42 cassette, (a little lower than the stock 50/34 x 11-28). I could spin out if I really pushed it, but I don’t see the need, (I recently hit 46.6 mph going downhill and didn’t spin out, but I was getting close). This gearing eliminates the redundancies of a 2x while providing all the gears that I want.

I changed my wife’s Cross Core over first. We are both longtime cyclists, but she was having trouble getting used to the 2x9 in conjunction with the four assist modes, so I suggested the 1x11. She loves it. I took hers out for a shakedown ride after changing it over and found that I liked it better as well. The 1x11 changeover to SLX came to a little over $400.00 USD including Wolf Tooth Chainring Bolts, a KMC 11e chain and SRAM 1x11 chainring.

Oh wow.. this is GREAT info.. I pushed it over 20 and didnt see any spin out but was in a pretty low gear. Maybe this bike doesn't need a 48 since it's locked to 20mph anyway

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Whiz: I am lost. What e-bike did you eventually get?

 

[Gee_Whiz]

I would be surprised if 42t was the max., but I don’t know. I would ask Trek.

If I were leaving it as a 1x9, I would probably leave the 42 to preserve the 42-36 low gear and avoid big steps. Our Cross Cores began life as 2x9, but being 1x11 lessens the steps, so mine has a 46t chainring and 11-42 cassette, (a little lower than the stock 50/34 x 11-28). I could spin out if I really pushed it, but I don’t see the need, (I recently hit 46.6 mph going downhill and didn’t spin out, but I was getting close). This gearing eliminates the redundancies of a 2x while providing all the gears that I want.

I changed my wife’s Cross Core over first. We are both longtime cyclists, but she was having trouble getting used to the 2x9 in conjunction with the four assist modes, so I suggested the 1x11. She loves it. I took hers out for a shakedown ride after changing it over and found that I liked it better as well. The 1x11 changeover to SLX came to a little over $400.00 USD including Wolf Tooth Chainring Bolts, a KMC 11e chain and SRAM 1x11 chainring.

I hadn't heard of the Crosscore before now.. that's a really nice bike for a a good price. How do you like it overall and how's the motor noise if any? And does the 2x help with climbing more than 1x or it's relative?

 

[Gee_Whiz]

Whiz: I am lost. What e-bike did you eventually get?

Since April:
Vado IGH - Too heavy
Vado SL - Too noisy
Trek Allant already had this but sold
Giant Fastroad E 2022 - THIS BIKE IS AMAZING.. but was concerned with durability.. few owners here had issues on 2021 model and they are the same
Soltera 7 - I like it a lot but it has issues with spongey mechanical brakes and pretty bad battery range unless it was the model I received.

Still looking at Topstone and other options

 

[Djangodog]

I hadn't heard of the Crosscore before now.. that's a really nice bike for a a good price. How do you like it overall and how's the motor noise if any? And does the 2x help with climbing more than 1x or it's relative?

The Yamaha Cross Core has been great. I regularly ride gravel/dirt roads with grades over 20% and rarely use more than eco. It’s a mid drive with 70 Nm of torque. The motor is quiet and the stock bike with 500 watt battery was 44 pounds. Due to drivetrain, tire and wheel changes, mine is now a bit lighter despite the addition of a Cane Creek eeSilk Carbon seat post and Red Shift stem. Nothing too fancy. Just a very capable and enjoyable bike.

I don’t want to hijack the thread too much. I see the Trek as having similar potential, or as I said earlier, it is a good platform for other modifications. The internal-not-removable battery on the Trek is a plus and a minus, (it can actually be removed, but not for everyday charging or storage). The hub motor may or may not be a plus as well. Being six pounds lighter and having equal battery when desired by use of the range extender could be a plus to some, (of course when using the range extender you will have a weight penalty and the extra battery is fairly expensive and is a bolt-on style). The Trek dealer network is a plus as well and Trek generally has very good build quality from top of the line to the bottom. I think that either would be a good choice for someone looking for a good class 1 bike that they can personalize to their liking.

 

[Richard Stallard]

Are Yamaha ebikes available outside North America? I can’t find any for sale in Australia. I don’t know about Europe?? I suspect Yamaha Bicycles is a US company using Yamaha parts and name.

 

[Djangodog]

Are Yamaha ebikes available outside North America? I can’t find any for sale in Australia. I don’t know about Europe?? I suspect Yamaha Bicycles is a US company using Yamaha parts and name.

They are the motorcycle and musical instrument company. They are generally sold by motorcycle dealerships and e-bike shops. Yamaha supplies Haibike and Giant with their power trains. I believe that they started making their own bikes about six years ago.

Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycles | Yamaha E Bikes

Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycles. Whatever life adventure is next on your list, our lineup of Power Assist eBikes will get you there. Cutting edge drive systems with integrated frames. www.Yamahabicycles.com

www.yamahabicycles.com

 

[Gee_Whiz]

The Yamaha Cross Core has been great. I regularly ride gravel/dirt roads with grades over 20% and rarely use more than eco. It’s a mid drive with 70 Nm of torque. The motor is quiet and the stock bike with 500 watt battery was 44 pounds. Due to drivetrain, tire and wheel changes, mine are a bit lighter despite the addition of a Cane Creek eeSilk Carbon seat post and Red Shift stem. Nothing too fancy. Just a very capable and enjoyable bike.

I don’t want to hijack the thread too much. I see the Trek as having similar potential, or as I said earlier, it is a good platform for other modifications. The internal-not-removable battery on the Trek is a plus and a minus, (it can actually be removed, but not for everyday charging or storage). The hub motor may or may not be a plus as well. Being six pounds lighter and having equal battery when desired by use of the range extender could be a plus to some, (of course when using the range extender you will have a weight penalty and the extra battery is fairly expensive and is a bolt-on style). The Trek dealer network is a plus as well and Trek generally has very good build quality from top of the line to the bottom. I think that either would be a good choice for someone looking for a good class 1 bike that they can personalize to their liking.

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Great info! TY! that's a realllly underrated bike it seems

 

[DaveMatthews]

They are the motorcycle and musical instrument company. They are generally sold by motorcycle dealerships and e-bike shops. Yamaha supplies Haibike and Giant with their power trains. I believe that they started making their own bikes about six years ago.

Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycles | Yamaha E Bikes

Yamaha Power Assist Electric Bicycles. Whatever life adventure is next on your list, our lineup of Power Assist eBikes will get you there. Cutting edge drive systems with integrated frames. www.Yamahabicycles.com

www.yamahabicycles.com

1989 it would seem...

The 30th anniversary of the Yamaha e-bike

www.yamahabicycles.com

 

[Djangodog]

Great info! TY! that's a realllly underrated bike it seems

I don’t mind talking about my bike, but I don’t want to hijack the thread. You can find more about Yamaha here:

Yamaha Forum

Discuss the brand, its products and upcoming models.

electricbikereview.com

I agree, they are a great value. They only make pedal assist class 1and 3, so they are not for everyone, but they were exactly what my wife and I were looking for.

 

[Richard Stallard]

I am well aware of Yamaha company. I own a Yamaha musical instrument. But Yamaha branded bicycles are non-existent here in Australia and don’t rate a mention on the Yamaha Motor Australian website.

Yamaha Motor Australia | Yamaha Motor Australia

Empowered by a passion for innovation, we create exceptional value and experiences that enrich the lives of our customers.

www.yamaha-motor.com.au

I am interested to hear what the situation is in Europe, but Stefan will be sleeping now.

Regardless of availability issues, the weight difference is significant. There are only a few hybrid style e-bikes in the 17 kg or less weight category, including the Trek Fx+ and Specialised Vado SL.

 

[Djangodog]

I am well aware of Yamaha company. I own a Yamaha musical instrument. But Yamaha branded bicycles are non-existent here in Australia and don’t rate a mention on the Yamaha Motor Australian website.

Yamaha Motor Australia | Yamaha Motor Australia

Empowered by a passion for innovation, we create exceptional value and experiences that enrich the lives of our customers.

www.yamaha-motor.com.au

I am interested to hear what the situation is in Europe, but Stefan will be sleeping now.

Regardless of availability issues, the weight difference is significant. There are only a few hybrid style e-bikes in the 17 kg or less weight category, including the Trek Fx+ and Specialised Vado SL.

I don’t know what the issues are with their distribution outside the US, other than Japan. They also have a three year warranty, including the battery.

 

[Djangodog]

@Richard Stallard You seem fairly knowledgeable on these bikes thus far.. Do you know if the FX will take a larger chainring? It comes with a 42T, but something like a 48T may be ideal

Edit - Largest size without chainguard is 46t per Trek

I went with the 46t chain ring on my Cross Core. It has a good range with the 11 speed, 11-42 cassette, (the steps are good, especially with the assist. The Shimano SLX shifter and derailleur are very good and won’t break the bank. I spin at about 80 rpm at 36 mph in 46 to 11. In 46 to 42 I can easily climb 20% on eco.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I am interested to hear what the situation is in Europe, but Stefan will be sleeping now.

Yamaha e-bikes are neither available in Europe nor Australia as Yamaha believes their e-bikes "are not to the level to be offered to the demanding market" there. Truly. It is a quote.
Personally, I think Yamaha does not want to compete with its biggest customer (Giant) in that big market.

 

[Djangodog]

Yamaha e-bikes are neither available in Europe nor Australia as Yamaha believes their e-bikes "are not to the level to be offered to the demanding market" there. Truly. It is a quote.

Stefan, do you ever sleep?

They have been having trouble with the supply line in the US. I hope that they continue to expand their distribution and product line.

There aren’t a lot of bikes that are blank canvases. The light weight and mid drive are pluses to me. Lots of bikes come with suspension forks, but the less expensive suspension forks add about five pounds to the overall weight and tend to negatively affect handling. I think that for gravel/dirt road that the suspension stem and more supple tires work better and keep the weight down. The Trek Dual Sport would be on my short list if I didn’t have the Cross Core.