Owners reported an impressive range of up to 80mi and 7000ft of elevation.
A 71yo owner easily handled a daily climb of 500ft, on a 25% grade driveway.
A desert resident said the Powerfly rode easily, through soft sand.
Tektro hydraulic brakes were deemed responsive and “pulled hard”.
The 5’s fit and finish was described as “beautiful and rugged”.
‘Touring’ mode was great on roads, while ‘eMTB’ mode was excellent in the woods.
A removable battery made it easy to mount the powerfly on vehicle racks.
Powerfly drivetrains pedaled smoothly on the flats, despite the bike’s weight.
The Bosch Performance CX motor exhibited plenty of torque on climbs.
One owner cooed over the Powerfly 4’s metallic red paintwork.
The Powerfly 7’s TransX dropper-post made mounting and dismounting easy.
Overweight riders found the Powerfly’s carrying capacity to be more than ample.
One reviewer found that the Powerfly 4’s 100mm of fork-travel covered needs.
Shifting, range and gear spacing were lauded on the Powerfly 5’s drivetrain.
Some reviewers felt that the weight of the bike aided stability.

7 reasons not to buy

The Powerfly was heavy, and onerous to pedal up hills without assistance.
Some owners would have liked to be able to easily add a second battery.
The Powerfly’s high-level component spec made it a pricey option.
Some owners felt that the Powerfly’s paintwork was easily chipped.
One daily user reported delayed engagement of the power assist in snowy areas.
Schwalbe Smart Sam tires punctured easily, on the ‘Sport 4 Equipped’.
Some owners sought a way to lock the motor without removing the battery.

Bottom line

Trek's Powerfly is a hardtail e-MTB furnished with quality mechanical and electric components. The result is a bike that exhibits powerful levels of assist and torque, even when climbing steep hills. Riders report being able to go on multiple rides or for two full days of e-biking, on a single battery charge. Small frames use appropriately-sized 27.5” wheels and a lowered top-tube, while larger sizes use 29” wheels and a standard stepover frame. It's not heavy for an e-MTB, but it's no lightweight either, so don’t get stuck without juice a long way from home. The not-insubstantial price might serve as a setback for frugal e-bikers.

Expert Reviews

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Cameron McNeish

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Trek Powerfly 5

Level 1 expert

The Trek battery holds a good charge… I reckon there’s enough power to last 60 to 80 miles if you’re careful.

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cyclexperience

Level 1 expert

Trek Powerfly 4 on Exmoor Review

Level 1 expert

…outstanding fun with steep descents and river crossings followed by challenging climbs which the Powerfly managed with such ease! …I was surprised at the sub-20-mile range I achieved on this test-ride…

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