UPDATE: CLASSIFIEDS section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
Here's some sneaky details on the new TQ HPX 120 / dual battery equipped Trek Fuel+ 9.8
Apparently this info has been available to dealers for a while now but there's been no official/public announcement yet.
If I didn't have my Rise LT I reckon I'd be seriously interested in one of these as the modular in-frame battery sounds awesome.
----
Fuel+ EX 9.8 combines big power, long range, and premium trail performance in one capable package. The all-new TQ HPR X system delivers up to 120Nm of torque and amplifies pedaling power up to 8x, while Trek’s exclusive 980 Modular Battery System lets you customize range for any ride. Top-tier RockShox suspension, including a 160mm Lyrik Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T shock, provides confident control, while Bontrager Line Comp wheels and a SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain maximize efficiency on climbs and descents.
Technology
Adapt, rip, repeat - Only you can define your perfect trail bike – that's why Fuel is available in three adjustability-packed configurations. Get do-it-all capability with EX, go pop-happy with MX or charge through it all with LX.
Specification
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, removable battery, ZS headset, adjustable leverage rate, guided internal routing, interchangeable alloy rocker link, interchangeable lower shock mount, downtube guard, shuttle guard, ABP, UDH, Boost148, adaptable travel 145mm-160mm |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | CARBON |
| Rim Size | 29 |
| Fork | RockShox |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, Charger 3.2 damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 160mm travel |
| Shifter | SRAM |
| Shifters | SRAM Eagle 90, T-Type |
| Brake | SRAM |
| Brakeset | SRAM Maven Bronze 4-piston hydraulic disc |
| Battery | Trek 980 Modular Battery System, 330Wh battery + 650Wh battery |
| Controller | TQ color LED touch display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity |
| Motor | TQ-HPRX, 120 Nm, 750W, 700% Support |
The lower models in the range appear to have similar spec to the existing Fuel+ (Rhythm forks on the bottom of the range model etc).
Colour options:
Any weights?
It looks interesting, but I can’t help but think that TQ/Trek have now missed out on the USP and essence of the fuel Exe/+ which was light weight/lower power but, primarily, rode like a normal bike. Going for power, they are now pitching against the main players, and would you choose a TQ over a Bosch for example, which appears to have a much wider support and dealer network?
It looks interesting, but I can’t help but think that TQ/Trek have now missed out on the USP and essence of the fuel Exe/+ which was light weight/lower power but, primarily, rode like a normal bike. Going for power, they are now pitching against the main players, and would you choose a TQ over a Bosch for example, which appears to have a much wider support and dealer network?
TQ's motor is one of the best in terms of "pedalling like a bike", just been kind of underpowered up to now, relative to the full fat competition. Looks like it allows for pretty light weight too, given it has the massive battery, but ability to remove a large chunk of it
It looks like an impressive package, tbh
Going by previous Trek e-bikes they’ll be insanely expensive but heavily discounted about a year after launch.
It looks interesting, but I can’t help but think that TQ/Trek have now missed out on the USP and essence of the fuel Exe/+ which was light weight/lower power but, primarily, rode like a normal bike. Going for power, they are now pitching against the main players, and would you choose a TQ over a Bosch for example, which appears to have a much wider support and dealer network?
I get that, but TQ motors tend to be quite light (comparatively) so hopefully that's the case with the new one.
700% ‘support’ ?!
Pedals as a throttle again.
It's not though, and you don't have to run max support.
I don't think there are any motors that don't let you to dial back power/support to what suits.
It's not though
It is though. Agreed you don’t “have to use it”, but the point is it is offered… which is very much opposed to the “primarily, rode like a normal bike” case of its predecessor. It’s yet another bike where you can choose to put in only 12.5% of the power being delivered… that’s very much pedalling just being the controller rather than the motor offering “assistance”. There’s plenty of other bikes to choose from if you want that.
It's not though
It is though. Agreed you don’t “have to use it”, but the point is it is offered… which is very much opposed to the “primarily, rode like a normal bike” case of its predecessor. It’s yet another bike where you can choose to put in only 12.5% of the power being delivered… that’s very much pedalling just being the controller rather than the motor offering “assistance”. There’s plenty of other bikes to choose from if you want that.
Your "pedals as a throttle" comment would apply to all ebikes in that case, regardless of available power or assistance %.
Not really. When “assistance” becomes “turn the pedals and the bike does it all”, that changes things drastically. The previous TQ equipped Trek doesn’t behave this way. The Rise mentioned above doesn’t behave this way. More and more ebikes do… and this Trek becomes just like them, rather than sticking to the interesting path they were on with TQ. We are on course for all ebikes working this way… being able to provide about 90% of the power to the wheel for you… it would be nice if there were to continue to be plenty of options available that just assisted. Trek look to be bowing out of that space with this, which is a shame.
That would only be true if you weren't able to set the assistance to any level you want.
My Rise is 85nm and 400% assist yet I use it at 45nm with medium assistance for 99% of my riding, but it's nice to have the extra if I need it and does no harm if I don't.
Plenty of people run full power Bosch, Avinox and Brose bikes at well below what they're capable of, albeit without the ability to tailor the in-bike battery to suit range or weight (Specialized kind of do, but not modular).
...but if it's not for you then TQ HPR60 bikes are still available. However, from what I I've heard they may be getting a bump up in power assist % too so you may be stuck with self-imposed limits.
