I have a 2018 Trek Fuel Ex which is probably the best bike I’ve owned… Cannondale Prophet might just win.

Anyway, having had a blast on my mate’s Powerfly FS I’m sorely tempted to buy one.

Due to having two kids and a job that involves a reasonably high amount of travel I know that an ebike would maximise my descending only limited riding window.

Does anyone own one? I’d transfer my bits across so I’m not worried about components. My main concerns are could I run 29er wheels in the frame and would it really survive the same level of use that my Fuel takes. I’m fairly fast and ride hard downhill, but drops are 5ft tops. My usual rides are Brechfa and Nant yr Arian but on occasion I ride BPW (mainly the reds) and Antur Stiniog (mainly the blacks).

I can get a cracking deal at Evans so the Trek in particular comes out as a relative bargain compared to others.

Should I get the LT or the 130mm travel version…

Anyone done the above or similar?

Cheers

I run 29er wheels in my levo (came with b+ originally), you’ll be fine, I much prefer it.

Id go for as much travel as you can, it’s not like a normal bike where you need to think more about pedalling efficiency etc

Thanks Tom. I thought that travel “rule” might apply!

I’ve always been a plodder up hill, so maybe I’ll hold fire for better pricing on longer travel options.

The 2019 version with the hidden battery looks so much cleaner & “normal”.

Go for as much travel as possible it’s not like you’ll be needing to put much effort in to pedal it anyway so might has well exploit it to the max

Not all 650+ will take 29er wheels, or at least decent wide tyres, so I’d try before you buy..

again im a fan of lots of travel is good on e-bikes (mine is 170mm), but a (e-biker) friend did hire a ST powerfly & thoroughly enjoyed its more nippy/responsive nature. Though he did go onto buy a LT giant (knows the distributor, so no reflection on the trek), as it simply makes more sense.

ive spent the last 6 months bashing mine down every trail I can find, & I can find a lot when you have a motor to help.  I don’t do big drops, but I’m a big(ish) lad & the electric’s have been fault-less due to ‘shake rattle & roll’ of general DH mtb-ing.

They are more inherently likely to break due to some-thing electronic, my first one was broken out if the box, so I will be aiming to buy my next one from a local specialist (not just an lbs, but a shop embracing them). That said I bought mine simply because it was an online bargain

I’m just waiting on delivery of a 2018 Powerfly FS 9 LT from Evans, got an ex display one for £3750 with another £150 back from Quidco.

I’ll update here when it arrives with a little review

I just bought a Powerfly 130 mm – see here

I would have gone for a LT but the deal was just to good to turn down. I demoed both the 2018 LT and ST but 130mm ST felt more nimble in the woods and tight tracks. The demo was in some woods near Peterborough – can’t remember quite where it was.

I’ve only done 12 miles on it so far so I’ll post up once I’ve put a few more miles on it.

Paulx sounds like my local wakerly woods

Paulx sounds like my local wakerly woods

Ah yes – that was the place.

I had a good look, ended up with a 2018 Focus Jam2, used some of the money saved for the add on TEC pack to give me the extra range.

Great bike and the Shimano head unit is hid behind the bars.

The trek shops give you a free demo if you have one close buy, don’t think you will go wrong with any of the top brands, and the new stumpjumper looks good from the online pics.

Go and test a few see what you like best, I’m riding a lot more since I went ebike.

So I’ve ordered a Trek Powerfly LT 9 2018, ex demo from Evans. With their trade in and cash back it’s about £3300. Still a lot of money but zero finance eases the pain.

Question is, do I use my nearly new Hope Pro 4, Stans Arch mk3 29er wheels with Maxxis WT DHR 2.4 tyres or what’s on there considering the stock tyres are shiiiiite and they have to go immediately anyway!

My Powerfly came with Nobby Nic 27.5 x 2.8˝ tyres. I thought they’d be shite but … in the mud and slippy cobbles up round by us I can’t get it to break away. Hammering down rutted cobbled roads at 35mph or sloppy mud in the woods. I don’t picking a line through the woods any more as this thing just steam-rollers on thru anything.

That said I feel I’m going to lose it big time when I find the limit of the grip…