Allant+7 thoughts/review

[gringo]

Hi all, new Allant 7s owner here. Thanks to all for your posts to help me make a decision. There are certainly many, many companies to pitch their e-bike choices at you. Especially on Facebook when you first show an internet interest in research. I choose the Allant because it fit my check list of being a solid commuter and some light touring in it's future. I also chose Trek because of it's reputation in the marketplace for e-bikes and their strong dealer network. I am a good bike mechanic but wanted a dealer start for the e-bike world in case I ran into issues. So, after my research I had decided on the 7. There were none to be had anywhere close in my size ( XL ) so I headed to the Trek store to get one ordered and onto the wait list. I was talking to the Manager and he had a 7 and after three months traded up to the 7S. He had a large 7 and an XL in the 7S. He let me ride both and compare the two. To his credit he did not try to upsell me in any way. Let me decide on my own. I really liked the 7S and the fact that I could own it that day and not wait 4 months for a 7. I got it home and the next day did some mods to make the bike my own! Moved some parts over from my Long Haul Trucker. Surly Moloko Bars, the Pedal Innovations pedals with the large platforms that I like for my big feet. I am sure the saddle on the 7S would have been fine but I moved my Brooks Imperial over to just give the bike some Brooks personality!! I planned on moving the stem riser I had on the LHT over to raise up those bars but there was not enough loose play in the cables. In fact, I installed the bars first and then I could not get the things out and up on the bars. I had to slide the brake levers, shifter, and computer on first and then mount the completed bars onto the fork tube. I would like to get a stem riser, but will have to wait until I can lengthen all the cables. That is a way down the road project. The ride is pretty good with how it is!! Here are some pictures how it looks!!

Wow! Beautiful! I have been thinking about those Moloko bars for a long time too. I might go for it one day...

Congratulations on the bike. I have this same bike (but different color) and really like it. I think you will too!

 

[Dallant]

For any bike with a rear derailleur (e-bike or otherwise), I recommend purchasing a chain stretch checker tool/gauge. For example:

CC-3.2 Chain Checker

Accurately determine the level of chain wear with this simple go/no-go gauge.

www.parktool.com

It is a low cost tool and could save you the headache and cost of having to replace your entire cassette and drivetrain.

You want to replace your chain before the chain stretches beyond 1/16" (1.6mm).

You can also use a ruler to measure between rivets, but the chain stretch tool is easier.

An overly stretched chain can cause damage to the cassette and chain ring. It happened to me in the past and after replacing my drivetrain once, I bought a chain checker tool. It is a lot cheaper and easier to replace just the chain.

Just got my Park CC-3.2…
Rail 5 with <100 miles and Allant+7 with well over 1700 miles.

 

[Old Fart At Play]

Just got my Park CC-3.2…
Rail 5 with <100 miles and Allant+7 with well over 1700 miles.

does the 0.5 fit in though? 0.5 is 0.5% wear - less than 0.75% but still worth changing chain I reckon.

 

[Dallant]

No. I thought the picture told the story.

 

[Old Fart At Play]

God that is weird, I was sure it was the 0.75 end! My brain is like swiss cheese these days. Cheers, John

 

[Dallant]

God that is weird, I was sure it was the 0.75 end! My brain is like swiss cheese these days. Cheers, John

No you were right. I flipped it and did it again. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Nonlinear]

I've never used one of these before, can you explain what this means? I get the 0.5% wear mentioned above, but is the tool supposed to fit between the links? Does this indicate good or bad performance of the Allant+ at 1300 miles? Thanks!

 

[Dallant]

I've never used one of these before, can you explain what this means? I get the 0.5% wear mentioned above, but is the tool supposed to fit between the links? Does this indicate good or bad performance of the Allant+ at 1300 miles? Thanks!

CC-3.2 Chain Checker

Accurately determine the level of chain wear with this simple go/no-go gauge.

www.parktool.com

A worn chain shifts poorly and wears sprockets at an accelerated rate. The CC-3.2 is a go/no-go gauge designed to accurately indicate when a chain reaches .5% and .75% "stretch," the points at which most chain manufacturers suggest replacement. For 9 and 10-speed chains, replace chain just as the gauge fits the 0.75% side fits flat into the chain. For 11 and 12-speed chain, replace as the 0.5% side fits. The CC-3.2 is long, accurate and features permanent measurement markings.

 

[Nonlinear]

Thanks Dallant! So do your above two photos show that there is less than 0.5% wear in both cases? (Rail 5 with <100 miles and Allant+7 with well over 1700 miles)

 

[Dallant]

Thanks Dallant! So do your above two photos show that there is less than 0.5% wear in both cases? (Rail 5 with <100 miles and Allant+7 with well over 1700 miles)

Yes

 

[Dallant]

Hit the 1800 mile mark with my Allant+7 on Tuesday with wifey on her Lowstep. All going great with both Allants! We originally were going for a 25-30 mile ride but we’re limited to just over 20 by trail maintenance.

 

[Dallant]

So our recent trip out to Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota was momentous in the variety of trail types my Allant+7 was taken on, the length of uphill it was ridden up, and the beauty I was riding in. Hit a milestone of 2k miles, rode a 15 mile uphill on crushed gravel, and did it all with total reliability. It was indeed filthy but after cleaning the bike and especially the drive train, I measured the chain tonight and was a bit shocked to see it’s STILL not in need of real adjustment or replacement. Still loving this Allant+7!

 

[retiredNH]

^ The first photograph is lovely. Where were you? Are you going to do a more detailed trip report? Favorite rides, for instance?

 

[Dallant]

^ The first photograph is lovely. Where were you? Are you going to do a more detailed trip report? Favorite rides, for instance?

Lots of favs…all very different. A great (but pretty rocky) service road (Silver something?) outside of Red Lodge, MT., Rattlesnake (crushed gravel to heavy rock) trail outside of Missoula, Headwaters (light gravel to rock) trail outside of 3 Forks, the (paved) trail running by the Tetons to Jenny Lake outside of Jackson Hole, WY., and of course the famous Mickelson (crushed gravel) trail in South Dakota.
I don’t do Strava and certainly am not in any kind of mileage competition. Maybe a 150 mile total as wifey and I were mostly being truck tourists, not bike tourists. Maybe next time we‘ll focus on a more organized and focused biking tour. Certainly for the whole 109 mile Mickelson.
In my fantasy life, I’d love to go back to Glacier National Park and ride the Going To The Sun (aka Logan Pass) highway! Glacier is totally awesome, biking or not!

Your fav trails in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming?

Thinking of a trip out west. Your fav (non-MTB) trails in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming? Wifey don't EMTB!

electricbikereview.com

 

[retiredNH]

You've given me ideas! I've longed to make a road trip to that neck of the woods. Maybe someday medical things will stabilize enough that I can. And I agree, the Going to the Sun road is something of a dream trip. Maybe after I can buy a few spare batteries?

 

[Dallant]

You've given me ideas! I've longed to make a road trip to that neck of the woods. Maybe someday medical things will stabilize enough that I can. And I agree, the Going to the Sun road is something of a dream trip. Maybe after I can buy a few spare batteries?

Good luck. It’s certainly great country but extremely crowded, even in September. can’t imagine what June/July/August would be like next year.
You better order that battery soon! It took me over 9 months to get the 625 battery. Very frustrating wait.

 

[retiredNH]

Good luck. It’s certainly great country but extremely crowded, even in September. can’t imagine what June/July/August would be like next year.
You better order that battery soon! It took me over 9 months to get the 625 battery. Very frustrating wait.

But I'd need 2 batteries, one for me, one for spouse. Not with the way my retirement accounts are trending this week though.

Seriously, I'd do the ride in the off season before the snow closes it. And maybe if Covid ever goes away, the crowds will head back to Europe, Asia or whatever?

 

[Dallant]

But I'd need 2 batteries, one for me, one for spouse. Not with the way my retirement accounts are trending this week though.

Seriously, I'd do the ride in the off season before the snow closes it. And maybe if Covid ever goes away, the crowds will head back to Europe, Asia or whatever?

We were in the Two Medicines area of Glacier Sept. 10 and took the boat ride. They closed down that weekend for the season. Lack of help is closing lots of things down very early this year and probably next year also.

 

[retiredNH]

Years ago (decades, actually) spouse and I had a delayed honeymoon at Rocky Mt. NP in mid October. We were one of 3 campers in a 300 site campground, and heard elk bugling every night. The place was deserted. This year, they're requiring reservations through October 11! Trail Ridge road there would be another great ride, though. The NPS claims it's a 4000 foot climb, but no grade greater than 7%. Considering I just did 1500 feet of climbing (according to my bike) using about 13% of the battery, it might be doable!

 

[Ron.65]

I had major open heart surgery years ago and the ebike can be a great help to keep from having more issues. I have the +7 regular frame and do just fine. I’m not impressed with the Verve +3. Didn’t care for the geometry or the motor’s lack of guts.

I have a Trek Verve +3 and looking forward to buy a Allant+7.
There is no Allant 7 for me to try in my region.
My question: Looking at Bosh motors drive unit overview and Comparing the Active line Plus to the Performance line CX , can I assume CX motor Eco mode (40Nm) equals Tour mode (40Nm) on the active line plus and CX unit Tour mode (50Nm) equals Turbo mode (50Nm) on the active line plus?