FX+ 7S?
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Sparky731
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
No direct experience but high regards from a Trek employee who has one (my brother).
Comparatively, I have an Allant 7s that is a bit heavier but just as nimble and quick. Also have Allant 8s and Verve+3. I would definitely consider the FX+7s given it all of the quality componentry and very strong motor. And it is a Class 3. Definitely get the s.
My only advice is to add the range extender battery. You will definitely want to ride the bike a lot and you may find 360watts a little shy if you also grow fond of Sport and Turbo modes.
I have ~15K miles on my 3 Treks — my wife has 2 Verves including the Verve 4s. We have never been stranded or disappointed in any of our Treks.
Comparatively, I have an Allant 7s that is a bit heavier but just as nimble and quick. Also have Allant 8s and Verve+3. I would definitely consider the FX+7s given it all of the quality componentry and very strong motor. And it is a Class 3. Definitely get the s.
My only advice is to add the range extender battery. You will definitely want to ride the bike a lot and you may find 360watts a little shy if you also grow fond of Sport and Turbo modes.
I have ~15K miles on my 3 Treks — my wife has 2 Verves including the Verve 4s. We have never been stranded or disappointed in any of our Treks.
Thanks. I’d be moving from a Verve+2. Probably 95% of my riding is in ECO but headwinds usually push me to Touring. Some of the hills near me are 10+% grade but short and that pushes me to Turbo.
Any idea what kind of range your brother gets?
Also is that battery removable?
Thanks again.
Any idea what kind of range your brother gets?
Also is that battery removable?
Thanks again.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
According to the specs it is.
He gets around 50-70 miles per charge, mostly riding in ECO and occasionally using Turbo for hills. The battery is removable, which makes charging easier if you can’t park near an outlet.
JoeDirt
Member
- Region
- USA
I just saw the Trek FX+ 7s class 3 bike is awesome! I just wish it had a little more torque. I'm going to be heading to my local shop they have one,
I'm going to take it for a blast. Even though I purchased a gazelle ultimate T10+ with the Bosch performance line speed 75nm torque with a class 3 rating. I still will want to try this out as this is a pretty awesome bike so when the sale comes around I might grab one for a friend.
I'm going to take it for a blast. Even though I purchased a gazelle ultimate T10+ with the Bosch performance line speed 75nm torque with a class 3 rating. I still will want to try this out as this is a pretty awesome bike so when the sale comes around I might grab one for a friend.
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BakedPringles
New Member
- Region
- USA
I took delivery of mine a little less than a month ago. I really love this bike! I opted to get mine with the range extender. The TQ motor is very quiet. In the rare instance that I can hear it, it still leaves me thinking that I'm mistaking it for some other noise in the background.
One of the first things I had to change after a few rides was the tires. It comes with the Bontrager H2 Hard Case Lite, which aren't bad but they are heavy and slow. I could feel the difference compared to my Specialized Turbo Vado SL which is outfitted with Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires. I installed the Continental Contact Urban in the same size (700 x 40), and rode 40 miles this past weekend. Very clear difference, and I confirmed that with the numbers measured on my bike computer. This set made me love riding this bike even more.
One thing I don't like is that there isn't an option to use both batteries in parallel. It uses to the range extender first and then the main battery, so I usually just keep the extender in my pannier until I need it. Likewise, when charging, the main battery gets charged first, then the range extender. I do like that I can connect via a second port on the extender and that connection will charge both batteries.
On a related note, the bike wasn't initially allowing me to use the whole battery (same with the range extender). It would get down to 10-15% and then skip to 0%. But that must have been because it was still new, because subsequent rides did allow me go all the way down to 0% with no skipping, while gradually throttling motor power starting at 10%.
I hope that with future updates, I can run both batteries together and hopefully get more range. I was able to do 20 miles on the highest assist level and had 27% battery left on the range extender. I upgraded to a brighter headlight so that probably has a small effect on the range. I figure that with my current setup, I can do about 25-30 miles before both batteries are fully depleted.
Another small thing I've noticed is when I'm switching gears. I ease on the pedalling pressure when I'm shifting, but about 10% of the time, the cadence sensor reacts a bit too quickly to the reduction in pressure and stops the motor. I would've liked maybe an extra second of delay between when it thinks I've stopped pedalling and when it stops the motor. This is how my Vado SL works.
Finally: I'm not the hugest fan of the handlebar. I would've preferred a straight/flat handlebar. However the service manual says that I can change the stem and handlebar if I so desire.
One of the first things I had to change after a few rides was the tires. It comes with the Bontrager H2 Hard Case Lite, which aren't bad but they are heavy and slow. I could feel the difference compared to my Specialized Turbo Vado SL which is outfitted with Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires. I installed the Continental Contact Urban in the same size (700 x 40), and rode 40 miles this past weekend. Very clear difference, and I confirmed that with the numbers measured on my bike computer. This set made me love riding this bike even more.
One thing I don't like is that there isn't an option to use both batteries in parallel. It uses to the range extender first and then the main battery, so I usually just keep the extender in my pannier until I need it. Likewise, when charging, the main battery gets charged first, then the range extender. I do like that I can connect via a second port on the extender and that connection will charge both batteries.
On a related note, the bike wasn't initially allowing me to use the whole battery (same with the range extender). It would get down to 10-15% and then skip to 0%. But that must have been because it was still new, because subsequent rides did allow me go all the way down to 0% with no skipping, while gradually throttling motor power starting at 10%.
I hope that with future updates, I can run both batteries together and hopefully get more range. I was able to do 20 miles on the highest assist level and had 27% battery left on the range extender. I upgraded to a brighter headlight so that probably has a small effect on the range. I figure that with my current setup, I can do about 25-30 miles before both batteries are fully depleted.
Another small thing I've noticed is when I'm switching gears. I ease on the pedalling pressure when I'm shifting, but about 10% of the time, the cadence sensor reacts a bit too quickly to the reduction in pressure and stops the motor. I would've liked maybe an extra second of delay between when it thinks I've stopped pedalling and when it stops the motor. This is how my Vado SL works.
Finally: I'm not the hugest fan of the handlebar. I would've preferred a straight/flat handlebar. However the service manual says that I can change the stem and handlebar if I so desire.
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SbSteve
New Member
- Region
- USA
I'm considering the Vado SL 5.0 or the Trek FX+ 7s as my first e-bike. Are you planning to keep both? Does your Vado have the Future Shock Boost fork? That seems like a benefit over the Trek's fork for hand and wrist comfort. If you could have only one, which would it be? I haven't ridden either yet.
BakedPringles
New Member
- Region
- USA
I am keeping both. They are my transportation and I wanted a second e-bike ready to go in case the other one's out of service.
My Vado does have Future Shock which is a feature I really like. Switching to a fully rigid fork really highlights the difference in ride quality. However, the FX+ rides really well despite the rigid fork.
It's tough to say which one I would keep if I had to choose. They are both great bikes and are ranked the same in mind. I think either one will be a good choice.
I decided to buy the FX+ over all the other lightweight e-bike offerings because of how similar the feature set is to the Vado SL.
My Vado does have Future Shock which is a feature I really like. Switching to a fully rigid fork really highlights the difference in ride quality. However, the FX+ rides really well despite the rigid fork.
It's tough to say which one I would keep if I had to choose. They are both great bikes and are ranked the same in mind. I think either one will be a good choice.
I decided to buy the FX+ over all the other lightweight e-bike offerings because of how similar the feature set is to the Vado SL.
I’m in the same boat as you Steve. And now Specialized has replaced the previous Vado SL 5.0 with the SL2 version (along with an SL2 4.0). The SL2’s seem more comparable to the FX+7s in terms of the motor and battery, but their weight went up from 37 to 45 lbs! The Trek weighs 41 (and comes with that sweet carrying handle at the bottom of the frame).
My original reason for pursuing the Vado SL was the low weight (especially for getting it up onto a hitch rack), but now that the SL2 has leapfrogged the Trek’s weight I think I’m leaning toward the latter. Plus the Trek costs $500 less (and I can buy it from the LBS I trust vs one that’s smaller and further away).
But the SL2’s have the Future Shock suspension and one or two other cool things (brighter headlight, Apple FindMy integration). Decisions decisions! And unfortunately neither of the local shops have these bikes in stock to check out in person.
So if anyone has any suggestions to help me decide, I’m all ears!
SbSteve
New Member
- Region
- USA
Yeah, I like the look and design of the Trek, with that carrying handle, and the display built into the top tube. I like the TQ-HPR50 motor too. It's really quiet. I test rode one not in my size just to get a feel for the motor, and I like it a lot. Trek keeps the weight down by putting in a smaller battery, 360Wh compared to the SL 2 520Wh battery. I like the new Specialized SL2 6.0 too. It's about 40lbs, but it's $2500 more than the Trek for the equipped version with a rack and fenders. A bit beyond my budget. I still haven't committed to the Trek yet, but I'm close. I want to find one in my size to sit on to make sure the geometry works for me.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The thing that made me never consider Trek is the brand owns no motor/e-bike system. If I can count properly, Trek has now 11 model categories, and is even not consistent within a model group. How come FX+ 2 has a Hyena hub-drive motor while FX+ 7 is equipped with a mid-drive TQ?
Not long ago, Trek used e-bike systems from six different manufacturers. Now, it is either Bosch or TQ or Hyena. I wonder what happened to owners of older Trek e-bikes, for instance the ones equipped with Fazua... It was the e-Caliber with the Fazua motor. The e-bike was offered at an eyewatering price in 2021. It was promised that you could remove the motor and the battery from the e-Caliber so it would become a regular MTB. What has happened to e-Caliber?
At least Specialized owns the SL systems, and also owns the e-bike infrastructure/electronics for its Brose powered e-bikes.
Not long ago, Trek used e-bike systems from six different manufacturers. Now, it is either Bosch or TQ or Hyena. I wonder what happened to owners of older Trek e-bikes, for instance the ones equipped with Fazua... It was the e-Caliber with the Fazua motor. The e-bike was offered at an eyewatering price in 2021. It was promised that you could remove the motor and the battery from the e-Caliber so it would become a regular MTB. What has happened to e-Caliber?
At least Specialized owns the SL systems, and also owns the e-bike infrastructure/electronics for its Brose powered e-bikes.
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SbSteve
New Member
- Region
- USA
OK, yes that is a point of pride for Specialized and a consideration in comparing bikes. But not a reason for me to completely rule out any bike manufacturer that does not also build their own motors. Otherwise what other brand could I consider other than Specialized? I don't think TQ will be going out of business soon. The TQ motor in the FX+ 7 makes sense for a lightweight hybrid fitness commuter bike and I think it was a good decision on Trek's part. It's very competitive with the Vado SL.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Steve, I simply cannot trust the brand that cannot decide what motors to use for a single e-bike model line... Take Giant: It is only Yamaha, full stop.
I think you are convinced to go with the FX+ 7 and only look for the confirmation of your choice
I think you are convinced to go with the FX+ 7 and only look for the confirmation of your choice
BakedPringles
New Member
- Region
- USA
Well if confirmation is what you need, I'm here to give my endorsement. I've had a blast on mine, and I'm very happy I decided to get it. Trek definitely seems to be leaning heavily into the TQ platform too, so I expect that we'll be well supported for quite a while.
I test rode it and went with a Allant + 7s. I had a lot more fun on the Allant and the sale price of 2299 helped a ton too! The increased torque on the Allant + is a big game changer. With that you hardly notice the extra weight of the Allant vs FX to me. Picking it up in maybe 2 weeks.
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