Had a opportunity to spend a few hours with Trek Bicycle's 2017 Powerfully 8 full suspension plus sized mountain bike - codeveloped with Bosch Industries. Aspects of Trek Bikes superb bicycle geometry aside, the e-assist technology is truly remarkable. Using a planetary gear set and a compact robust high-speed electric motor connected to a powerful lithium ion battery - it made for those long hill ascents over difficult terrain almost seem effortless. Bear in mind you do still have to pedal, and be cognitive about which gear to be in on the rear cassette; it is not a pure electric bike. Four mode settings allow you the rider to choose how much or how little of an e-assist you want versus how much of a battery range you want. Turbo mode will get you a short 22 miles of battery range, at it tops out at 22 mph of e-assist. Any faster than that and its all you; human power makes the rest of the speed. Eco mode, at the other end of the spectrum could offer a 60+ mile range of riding, while providing a limited pedal assist to make those steep ascents less. Sport and Tour mode make up the remaining two modes, and offer equal amounts of differing distance and assistive pedal power.
The question I have is wondering if who the bike is being marketed to is the right demographic? Looking beyond that intended spectrum and perhaps at a older more mature crowd could offer a larger more diverse assortment of potential riders with larger disposable incomes.
https://youtu.be/5C2JYcjlIRc
The question I have is wondering if who the bike is being marketed to is the right demographic? Looking beyond that intended spectrum and perhaps at a older more mature crowd could offer a larger more diverse assortment of potential riders with larger disposable incomes.
https://youtu.be/5C2JYcjlIRc