I have a Specialized Turbo Creo SL...and yes is expensive...Uss9000 Is my first a Ebike and I’m completely in love with it...just 12,6kg with gravel tires and XTR pedals...100km of autonomy that I proof myself...is limited to 28kmh but if fine because the motor is there all the time when you need it...you have 3 different modes completely custom with the App Mission Control...and you have too a battery extender for another 60km of range People criticize Ebike for two reason... 1 don’t have the money 2 ever try one
Welcome to the party, Joe. My own car is worth about $5k, and that's about how much I spent on my bicycle five years ago too. I guess it depends on how much you've got and how you value the car vs. a bike or maybe supporting friends/family. I hope you're doing alright financially, I know times are tough for many of us... I like cycling because once you've got a bike, it's basically free and de-stressing ;)
@@ElectricBikeReview Ya I have a few bike...always ride, but been unemployed for over a year due to my knee, just had surgery a few weeks ago, so just poor AF...plus peddling kinda impossible now.
Yes, it's expensive. No, I can't afford it. Neither do I need it. But I am glad you review the full range of possibilities out there. That's a good service to provide for consumers. Can you imagine a computer review website that only reviewed Chromebooks and not fully loaded gamer laptops or Mac Pros? Didn't think so.
I love your reviews. Always very informative and comprehensive. Please don’t change. Your reviews are perfect as they are and a real help when considering a purchase.👍
Thank you for the review. Trek did a good job with electrifying their XC bike. Definitely a possibility since I am more of a climber and ride pavement to get to the dirt.
when more bike manufacturer use Fazua motor ,then the e mountain bike race can begin in a level starting point !Bulls wild flow SL has slightly more travel than Trek & beats specialize SL in hill climb(since software updated to black pepper ) & quietness .Having motor & battery can be removed for traveling or repair are a dream combination .Like two bike for one price .
I think removing the battery is the right design. Having a port on the exterior leads to added weight, risk of damage and waterproofing problems. Just be disciplined.
Went to local Trek store today to buy the 9.9 XX1, but they have an 11 month waiting list LOL. Contacted Trek directly and same thing. I tried to get it ordered through Project One, and exact same thing but $1,000 more expensive. So much for that idea.
Thanks Scott! If you chose the 9.6 E-Caliber to compare against the Wild Flow EVO from BULLS, the Trek would be just a pound lighter but have shorter rear travel. I'm a huge fan of the Fazua Black Pepper updates and handlebar remote here, so I'd probably lean Trek unless you can also update the BULLS (or maybe it has already been updated). The Trek is more aggressive for sure :)
I love mountain biking and go out every day here in Scottsdale AZ but being 64 now the climbs witch is every trail here are getting harder for me . But this E-Bike seems like it would fit just perfect , light weight , and doesn't look like a big bulky E-Bike . Trek is having a demo day next week I'm to go see and try one out
Yeah, I talk about the Levo SL in the review here because it has longer rear travel but weighs a bit more at 38.8lbs for the Expert Carbon version, you can see reviewed here electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-levo-sl-expert-carbon/ I like how Specialized has a battery range extender that fits into the bottle cage. I also like that you can charge their bike without removing the battery, and I prefer the SL motor to the Fazua personally. It seems that most of the big companies are using Fazua, and their drive system and software has improved with the Black Pepper software update, but the custom setup Specialized has created with MAHLE is pretty sweet. I don't have as much to say about geometry differences between these ebikes, and that might be the most important deciding factor if you want something more aggressive like the E-Caliber vs. light trail more slack head tube angle with the Turbo SL.
Yeah, this design reminds me of the hidden drive systems that some of the Tour de France guys were said to be using. I think theirs was a lot smaller and weaker, here's an article on Bicycling from 2017 about it and I think 60 Minutes did a show about it as well www.bicycling.com/racing/a20020140/are-tour-de-france-racers-cheating-with-secret-motors/
Considering purchasing the E-Caliber 9.6 Gen 2 but uncertain if it's the ideal bike for my needs. Can it serve well for downcountry/trail riding? Are there superior alternatives you suggest? Essentially, I'm looking for an eMTB equivalent to the Pivot Trail 429, Transition Spur, or Ibis Ripley.
I stopped running those intros to save people time and no longer charge for any reviews. I only ever charged for ~50 out of the 1,000+ I've done. That policy was introduced so that I could invite others to review and they would be compensated. I now frequently pay them out of company money to perform free reviews. Unless we say it is paid, it was free :)
Do you actually own this bike? If so, I was wondering how you like it since this review in February. BTW, it's obvious that these people posting negative comments want this bike and love it. They are simply jealous and and know they want it but cannot afford it. Thanks for the awesome review!
Far too expensive I bought a Chinese ebike fat tyre it’s very comfy strong well made bike and definitely reasonably cheap bike at £1200 and because it’s Chinese as some people think they are rubbish believe me they are not ,most ebikes made have some Chinese made parts fitted this is something people don’t know great reviews thank you
Oh Man, EBR is gonna catch a lotta grief from the commenters.... I wonder what the sales numbers are for e-bikes at $12.5K?.....Rad and Sondors should find a way to market themselves as an absolute value compared to any offering from Trek....I would be afraid to ride anything that cost this much...no value in ownership (regardless of feature set), just bragging rights...
Yeah, there's always a lot of comments when I cover the expensive ones like this. I try to mix it up... Got an exciting $2k model that's all carbon fiber getting posted soon! Have you heard of Nireeka?
450 w of power is way too much for most trails. And 55 Nm of torque should be good enough. The Levo SL I think only provides 35 Nm of torque and that is a bigger bike with slacker head angle and 150 mm travel.
Yeah, I agree with you Peter. It surprised me to see that they have five versions of the bike, and are able to support four colors for most of them and four frame sizes as well! That's a lot of options for what would seemingly be a niche market. I guess Trek is big enough to make it work since they have so many shops and sell in many locations.
Well, yesterday, November 4, 2023, my forks broke. This bike is crap! Remember to check the pressure in the rear shock absorber before each ride. If the pressure drops and you don't check it every time before going off-road, the forks will break if you hit a deeper hole. You will close the cup 100%, but the rear forks will not be able to absorb the remaining energy. You buy a bike for a lot of money and ride with your heart on your sleeve. Will it break? Won't it break? What kind of product is this anyway? It is important that Trek replaces them with new ones, but you have to bear the replacement costs.
It just has a lot of choices... this is a top-end offering for weight savings and performance. You pay a lot per gram of weight reduction in the standard cycling world, a Trek Supercaliber non-electric model can still be $10k so it makes sense that the electric version would cost more. For some people, it's the perfect product and worth paying for, others might just want a $1,500 hub motor powered aluminum alloy frame. It's all good :)
Went to ERB ...just looking and found this: ruclips.net/video/Pfl4aU7tIUY/видео.html - Not exactly the same bike form factor but certainly a better value
Yeah, Biktrix has some good stuff. This Trek E-Caliber line is at the high end for lightweight racing and performance, it's more expensive than 90% of the other products I've reviewed :P
For 6500$ it better have 4 wheel drive and air conditioning. I have a truck I've driven all over the country I bought for half of that. But cycling can be a money pit if you allow it to be imo.
Not worth the high price , you get a small battery , 7AH , which is ridiculous really , no display and hardly any power from the motor . You must be paying for the carbon fiber and the name , better bikes out there a for half or even quarter the price :-(
I try to speak quickly, but also clearly. There's so much information for these bikes and I'm trying to organize thoughts and create a story, but I realize that it takes time. If you're limited, I do post timestamps in the description of each video :)
I can buy top line motorcycles for less than that. Even nice cars, what is wrong with the minds of people that will spend that amount of money for a little carbon fiber and an electric motor. Are they just plain devoid of any reasoning power.
It's just another choice in the marketplace, one that's inspired by the non-electric Trek Supercaliber that ranges in price from $6.3k to $10.5k. Yeah, it's a lot of money to spend (time to convert into something you want), but I feel that it's a pretty healthy and positive product to buy. Some people spend this much on drugs and alcohol over the same lifespan of use. There are many less expensive ebikes to consider as well, this one is just really nice with lots of options and great support :)
@@ElectricBikeReview That’s a fantastic point and one I’ve made myself to certain work colleagues who think nothing of spending 3-4K per annum on alcohol and take out junk food. I spend a similar amount on cycling and feel I receive far more pleasure for my money. But it’s horses for courses right? I don’t instruct others how to spend their own money and I’d like others to reciprocate.
What a Muppet why would you put the bike on its side to remove the battery. And if a 6 lb battery is difficult for you to remove with the bike standing upright maybe let your sister remove it for you . Or maybe use both hands to remove the bloody battery .
I have a Specialized Turbo Creo SL...and yes is expensive...Uss9000
Is my first a Ebike and I’m completely in love with it...just 12,6kg with gravel tires and XTR pedals...100km of autonomy that I proof myself...is limited to 28kmh but if fine because the motor is there all the time when you need it...you have 3 different modes completely custom with the App Mission Control...and you have too a battery extender for another 60km of range
People criticize Ebike for two reason...
1 don’t have the money
2 ever try one
I've never had a $6,500 vehicle yet at 40 ,but I still clicked on this video for reasons I cannot explain
Welcome to the party, Joe. My own car is worth about $5k, and that's about how much I spent on my bicycle five years ago too. I guess it depends on how much you've got and how you value the car vs. a bike or maybe supporting friends/family. I hope you're doing alright financially, I know times are tough for many of us... I like cycling because once you've got a bike, it's basically free and de-stressing ;)
@@ElectricBikeReview Ya I have a few bike...always ride, but been unemployed for over a year due to my knee, just had surgery a few weeks ago, so just poor AF...plus peddling kinda impossible now.
You and me both my dude!!! LOL
@Arminda Marler Do you know R2D2?
Yes, it's expensive. No, I can't afford it. Neither do I need it. But I am glad you review the full range of possibilities out there. That's a good service to provide for consumers. Can you imagine a computer review website that only reviewed Chromebooks and not fully loaded gamer laptops or Mac Pros? Didn't think so.
You get it, thanks Tom!
Hey buddy I’m really sorry to hear about you being poor.
3 years later... ebikes are now $10,000 ....lol
I love your reviews. Always very informative and comprehensive.
Please don’t change. Your reviews are perfect as they are and a real help when considering a purchase.👍
Thank you for the review. Trek did a good job with electrifying their XC bike. Definitely a possibility since I am more of a climber and ride pavement to get to the dirt.
when more bike manufacturer use Fazua motor ,then the e mountain bike race can begin in a level starting point !Bulls wild flow SL has slightly more travel than Trek & beats specialize SL in hill climb(since software updated to black pepper ) & quietness .Having motor & battery can be removed for traveling or repair are a dream combination .Like two bike for one price .
Good colour, I hope that next Supercaliber will have same geometry that e-Caliber (more aggressive) 👍
I think removing the battery is the right design. Having a port on the exterior leads to added weight, risk of damage and waterproofing problems. Just be disciplined.
Never thought I’d see a ebike with flex stays
Went to local Trek store today to buy the 9.9 XX1, but they have an 11 month waiting list LOL. Contacted Trek directly and same thing. I tried to get it ordered through Project One, and exact same thing but $1,000 more expensive. So much for that idea.
Nice bike, nice in depth review. How would you compare this to the Bulls evo rs you reviewed last year(another great review)?
Thanks Scott! If you chose the 9.6 E-Caliber to compare against the Wild Flow EVO from BULLS, the Trek would be just a pound lighter but have shorter rear travel. I'm a huge fan of the Fazua Black Pepper updates and handlebar remote here, so I'd probably lean Trek unless you can also update the BULLS (or maybe it has already been updated). The Trek is more aggressive for sure :)
I love mountain biking and go out every day here in Scottsdale AZ but being 64 now the climbs witch is every trail here are getting harder for me . But this E-Bike seems like it would fit just perfect , light weight , and doesn't look like a big bulky E-Bike . Trek is having a demo day next week I'm to go see and try one out
I've noticed there is no battery indicator? Is there a battery indicator that I am missing on your review?
So I guess this is treks answer to turbo levo sl and orbea rise? Can you compare to those bikes?
Yeah, I talk about the Levo SL in the review here because it has longer rear travel but weighs a bit more at 38.8lbs for the Expert Carbon version, you can see reviewed here electricbikereview.com/specialized/turbo-levo-sl-expert-carbon/ I like how Specialized has a battery range extender that fits into the bottle cage. I also like that you can charge their bike without removing the battery, and I prefer the SL motor to the Fazua personally. It seems that most of the big companies are using Fazua, and their drive system and software has improved with the Black Pepper software update, but the custom setup Specialized has created with MAHLE is pretty sweet. I don't have as much to say about geometry differences between these ebikes, and that might be the most important deciding factor if you want something more aggressive like the E-Caliber vs. light trail more slack head tube angle with the Turbo SL.
Always wondered why someone hadn’t refined and marketed the old “cheating” system bike racers where caught using. And whoop 🙌 there it is
Yeah, this design reminds me of the hidden drive systems that some of the Tour de France guys were said to be using. I think theirs was a lot smaller and weaker, here's an article on Bicycling from 2017 about it and I think 60 Minutes did a show about it as well www.bicycling.com/racing/a20020140/are-tour-de-france-racers-cheating-with-secret-motors/
we should say, riding the future ,not cheating anymore .
The most expensive version doesn't come with a dropper post? That seems a bit strange.
Buy a Trek Marlin 6 and add a rear hub 1500w motor. Cost you about 2,000$ and it’ll do 40mph, you’re welcome
FUN if you want test Trek Rail 9.9 XTR too.
Yeah, I haven't covered that one yet... I really need to ;)
Considering purchasing the E-Caliber 9.6 Gen 2 but uncertain if it's the ideal bike for my needs. Can it serve well for downcountry/trail riding? Are there superior alternatives you suggest? Essentially, I'm looking for an eMTB equivalent to the Pivot Trail 429, Transition Spur, or Ibis Ripley.
So what are the wires sticking under the cross brace in front of the rear shock. $12K bike with wires sticking out - looks bad.
Are most electric bikes loud when coasting? Thank you
Have you guys n gals in The States got hold of any Haibike Flyon ebikes yet? Great system :)
Beautiful e bike no questions asked but a little bit expensive. But nice bike overall
Funny how you didnt run the "did not collect fee" letterboard lol. Thanks for the vids!
I stopped running those intros to save people time and no longer charge for any reviews. I only ever charged for ~50 out of the 1,000+ I've done. That policy was introduced so that I could invite others to review and they would be compensated. I now frequently pay them out of company money to perform free reviews. Unless we say it is paid, it was free :)
Can it be driven with no battery like a normal MTB?, whats the range?
Do you actually own this bike? If so, I was wondering how you like it since this review in February. BTW, it's obvious that these people posting negative comments want this bike and love it. They are simply jealous and and know they want it but cannot afford it. Thanks for the awesome review!
This is not a bad budget entry priced bike but I would hold out for something better.
Far too expensive I bought a Chinese ebike fat tyre it’s very comfy strong well made bike and definitely reasonably cheap bike at £1200 and because it’s Chinese as some people think they are rubbish believe me they are not ,most ebikes made have some Chinese made parts fitted this is something people don’t know great reviews thank you
Suprisenly loud. Thank you 😊
Thank you 🙏
id buy one here in Canada IF I COULD FIND ONE
Oh Man, EBR is gonna catch a lotta grief from the commenters.... I wonder what the sales numbers are for e-bikes at $12.5K?.....Rad and Sondors should find a way to market themselves as an absolute value compared to any offering from Trek....I would be afraid to ride anything that cost this much...no value in ownership (regardless of feature set), just bragging rights...
Yeah, there's always a lot of comments when I cover the expensive ones like this. I try to mix it up... Got an exciting $2k model that's all carbon fiber getting posted soon! Have you heard of Nireeka?
@@ElectricBikeReview ...The Homie ??
Thanks ❤
Is it April 1? Better come with a $500 bike lock and alarm system, that said, nice review
450 w of power is way too much for most trails. And 55 Nm of torque should be good enough. The Levo SL I think only provides 35 Nm of torque and that is a bigger bike with slacker head angle and 150 mm travel.
How noisy is the engine?
AMAZING
GAMECHANGER!!!!!!
12k for a bike ;)
needs a 38T minimum chainring
this is $19,500 w taxes in Canada
Love the review and the bike but definitely not for the masses. This is for 40+ executives or dentist who are weekend XC racers.
That’s pricey, limited market!!
Yeah, I agree with you Peter. It surprised me to see that they have five versions of the bike, and are able to support four colors for most of them and four frame sizes as well! That's a lot of options for what would seemingly be a niche market. I guess Trek is big enough to make it work since they have so many shops and sell in many locations.
@@ElectricBikeReview On the other hand I’m excited about the trend to lighter weight bikes. My wife has a Trek that weighs 54 lbs. Very nice to ride.
Im glad i got my Powerfly 5 but it costs me 5k! And it only goes up in price, I am thinking who the heck has that kind of cash for a bike.
I would never spend more than like 2500 on a ebike
Well, yesterday, November 4, 2023, my forks broke. This bike is crap! Remember to check the pressure in the rear shock absorber before each ride. If the pressure drops and you don't check it every time before going off-road, the forks will break if you hit a deeper hole. You will close the cup 100%, but the rear forks will not be able to absorb the remaining energy. You buy a bike for a lot of money and ride with your heart on your sleeve. Will it break? Won't it break? What kind of product is this anyway? It is important that Trek replaces them with new ones, but you have to bear the replacement costs.
Gonna watch it now 😑
Bosnian Ape Society video on bikes will help you protect your investment.
Just can't 😵
Ebike market is currently a ripoff!
It just has a lot of choices... this is a top-end offering for weight savings and performance. You pay a lot per gram of weight reduction in the standard cycling world, a Trek Supercaliber non-electric model can still be $10k so it makes sense that the electric version would cost more. For some people, it's the perfect product and worth paying for, others might just want a $1,500 hub motor powered aluminum alloy frame. It's all good :)
Depends on the Ebike.I am currently looking at the Rad bike.
@@ElectricBikeReview what would you suggest at the 3k range?
Around 1k USD for saving 1 lbs? What a bargain. LOL Better to go on a few lbs diet or take a long piss before biking
Went to ERB ...just looking and found this: ruclips.net/video/Pfl4aU7tIUY/видео.html - Not exactly the same bike form factor but certainly a better value
Yeah, Biktrix has some good stuff. This Trek E-Caliber line is at the high end for lightweight racing and performance, it's more expensive than 90% of the other products I've reviewed :P
Way out of most rider's budget bracket.
Yeah, I feel ya on this. It's an expensive one for sure!
If you can't pay to live in one of those houses this bike is not for you haha.
resta muy intt
ere
s
Overpriced tec
why no dropper post?
My car is cheaper. A lot cheaper.
So is mine... it's less expensive than even the most affordable E-Caliber 9.6, but it's a lot less fun and costs more to maintain and operate ;)
Ariel Rider Grizzly or X Class cheaper than a car and more than enough for commuting and fun.
Analog not acoustic!
Lol definitely anyone who says ‘acoustic bikes’ should slap themselves
For 6500$ it better have 4 wheel drive and air conditioning. I have a truck I've driven all over the country I bought for half of that. But cycling can be a money pit if you allow it to be imo.
Not worth the high price , you get a small battery , 7AH , which is ridiculous really , no display and hardly any power from the motor . You must be paying for the carbon fiber and the name , better bikes out there a for half or even quarter the price :-(
This bike is for 100 mile rides with power to get you up hills, not for out of shape people to get to work.
@@bindingcurvedoes it have enough power to assist uphills for commuting? Can it help hold 20mph the whole way there?
You don’t know what you’re talking about in most of you MTB videos, tubeless is NOT lighter
There's absolutely no reason to justify the bike price. Beyond absurd. If you can afford it and want to buy it, fine.
RIPPOFF, way to expensive.
Buy 2 bikes , Then you can Poop on 1 use other 1 to cover it up.
Cheap...and please talk a little quicker...
I try to speak quickly, but also clearly. There's so much information for these bikes and I'm trying to organize thoughts and create a story, but I realize that it takes time. If you're limited, I do post timestamps in the description of each video :)
@@ElectricBikeReview 😁
Not on your life
I can buy top line motorcycles for less than that. Even nice cars, what is wrong with the minds of people that will spend that amount of money for a little carbon fiber and an electric motor. Are they just plain devoid of any reasoning power.
I pay uss9000 for my Specialized Turbo Creo SL...what’s wrong? Nothing! 🤷♂️
It's just another choice in the marketplace, one that's inspired by the non-electric Trek Supercaliber that ranges in price from $6.3k to $10.5k. Yeah, it's a lot of money to spend (time to convert into something you want), but I feel that it's a pretty healthy and positive product to buy. Some people spend this much on drugs and alcohol over the same lifespan of use. There are many less expensive ebikes to consider as well, this one is just really nice with lots of options and great support :)
@@ElectricBikeReview
That’s a fantastic point and one I’ve made myself to certain work colleagues who think nothing of spending 3-4K per annum on alcohol and take out junk food.
I spend a similar amount on cycling and feel I receive far more pleasure for my money.
But it’s horses for courses right?
I don’t instruct others how to spend their own money and I’d like others to reciprocate.
Don’t judge what you don’t understand
What a Muppet why would you put the bike on its side to remove the battery. And if a 6 lb battery is difficult for you to remove with the bike standing upright maybe let your sister remove it for you . Or maybe use both hands to remove the bloody battery .
I like how you managed to sneak a little misogyny in there with your general uncalled-for rudeness. Very impressive.