Trek/Specialized Advocate Challenge
Posted by Inciteful_Analysis@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Name one model from Trek or Specialized you believe is competitive at the $2k price point.
And I will show you why these brands don't get recommended very often on this sub.
Worried_Document8668@reddit
why even force an argument about a pricepoint those brands don't really cater to?
sure, they offer some lower pricepoint stuff, but that's not the core portfolio that riders gravitate towards. And the people that opt for a legacy brand usually are the performance-minded crowd, not necessarily the ones with the tightest budgets.
And if you opt into a legacy brand at the more budget pricepoint, it's probably done to opt into the available service network and aupport structures, so it's pretty clear that you will lose out on specs compared to a more dtc brand
ExtremeProfession113@reddit
It depends on the use case. The closest to $2k is FX plus or the dreadful Ponto which is their new 2k bike designed for the clueless. Thats a hybrid leisure bike made for leisurely riding. It’s well built and engineered, with a good breaking system. As a leisure bike it’s a lot of fun and stable. But I’d rather take out my road bike. This sub isn’t full of the intelligent leisurely riding crowd which is the FX market. And since that has been the dominant offering from trek with specialized closest being almost 3k (when on sale) your question answers itself with even a tiny bit of thought.
Trek and specialized are primarily in different segments to most of the e-bike and “e-bikes” discussed here. Their commuter e-bikes have never been that cheap for good reason. Their eMTB and cargo aren’t in the same class either. It’s why I have a trek commuter as my e-bike, and that isn’t even comparable to my road bike or the FX+ or the Vado. They serve completely different purposes. Having tried some other e-bikes that people have commuted to my office with, it’s doesn’t take long to understand the difference between a well built and designed $4,000-6,000 e-bike and the sub 2k variant.
Competitive is so relative too. Many posts here ooze with highly inexperienced riders that shouldn’t be on the road (or sidewalks…), with others of course being a mixed bag. This is often why the brands don’t come up here. When they do it seems to be more experienced commuter looking for a better option. The delinquent that is scared is being on a low speed urban road wanting a full face helmet while modifying their “e-bike” to go 40 mph on a sidewalk isn’t exactly in the $4,000-$10,000 price point for an e-bike.
BodSmith54321@reddit
If you commuting every day and it your only transport, I can see getting a Trek FX+1S if your shop can replace a hub motor or controller in a day. Granted it’s $2200 but close enough. As a bike it’s not competitive, but if you have a great local shop and can’t have downtime waiting for a part might be worth it.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
This was the first (and only) model that came to my mind. At $2200 its close enough for discussion.
520 Wh battery and 500W hub motor with just 60Nm of torque and an obscure brand of brakes. Rigid fork. Still comes in at 48lbs.
It's not a bad bike but I see most buyers going in one of two alternate directions. Either a full power 750W motor, 627Wh battery bike like the Velotric Breeze with Tektro brakes coming in at the same 48lbs. Loaded with features like sensor swap, IPx6/IPx7 water resistance, turn signals, etc for $400 less.
Or a lighter bike like the Tempo or Roadster weighing closer to 40 lbs and costing $700-$800 less. Granted not quite as powerful and a smaller battery.
Does the Trek ride noticeably better to justify the higher price and/or less features? I don't know, haven't ridden it. But being a hub drive, those demanding the best ride quality probably aren't even considering it.
BodSmith54321@reddit
Like I said, In think the only reason to buy it is you are worried about not having immediate service on the electronic components. But truthfully I don’t know how good Trek stores are or whether they stock motors and controllers for next day repairs.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
No disagreement. For some it might be a good option.
DamnBlackTea@reddit
You don't just buy a bike, you buy into a bike shop as well. If the shop is good, it's worth the money you spend rather than buying online.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
That's not a model.
I do all my own maintenance. No need for a bike shop though I recognize this will vary from rider to rider.
hezuschristos@reddit
Can’t say as I’m advocating for either brand, although both make quality mountain bikes. Most often what I see is people recommending against cheap/online only brands for the simple fact that most do not know how to do their own maintenace.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Yes, both brands are good options to consider if you are dropping $5k+ on an eMTB.
But so far no one can recommend a $2k model worth buying from them.
Active_Ad_5322@reddit
Hey, jackass. Specialized doesn’t have a $2,000 model.
But anyway, tell us why the recreational design of the $1,600 Townie Go! 7D is a bullshit product.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
Hey Jackass, they were selling a Turbo Tero 3 for $1999 not that long ago.
Since you started with unprovoked insults, you can keep going.
Active_Ad_5322@reddit
So your only answer to why LBS brands aren’t common in r/ebikes is mainly based on the DIY community.
Makes sense that people who already have a great ebike from a bike brands that, you know, is an ACTUAL bicycle company, do t post in this subreddit.
r/e-bikes has never been a platform to talk about major bike brands. There are already subreddits for those communities.
This is a pointless post. It is just explaining in an egotistical way what this community it about
zanek012@reddit
You still want to shop around for warranty and electrical issues …
railroad-dreams@reddit
There seems to be the argument that a) you pay for quality or b) you get a really cheap ebike that falls apart. What these discussions don't discuss enough is that there is a middle. Aventon and Lectric sell pretty good bikes and you seem to get way more than a $2.1k Trek with a 250 watt motor.
dickeybarret@reddit
Trek FX+ 1S. 2200 but close enough. With a full 2 year warranty and a network of shops that can help you.
DamnBlackTea@reddit
Domane AL 5, now go find one cheaper but at my shop, I have every size to try. I can swap stems, saddles, give you 30 days to ride or return. I can give you advice as you progress or want interesting routes. I can give you a loaner bike while yours is being serviced. I can tell you which service advisor has the time to teach you how to work on your own bike. So go find a cheaper bike online but not everyone has the knowledge or even wants to service their own bike. The local (insert any store) is dying due to people only shopping by price and not factoring the community.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit (OP)
I'll grant you that looks like an attractive road bike offering in the $2k range but I implicitly meant an ebike. This doesn't appear to be an ebike. I'll update post to make it explicit.
DamnBlackTea@reddit
So what other bikes are out there with a TQ motor? That's the comparison I'd like to see. That motor is in the Fuel, FX, Domane and Checkpoint.
Feisty-Delivery2047@reddit
Given the sub,I think they're asking about ebikes
DamnBlackTea@reddit
Well this really shows how people shop for ebikes. I'll admit, Trek and Spec may be more money for ebikes, but the amount of ebikes that roll into our shop, purchased online, with inadequate parts, hard to find tires/tubes or electrical issues shows me cheaper isn't always better. Batteries that are not UL listed is an issue too. I wish new ebike owners would at least lube their chain, use your gears and mind your brake pad wear!
I'm not aware of any State tax credits available online, maybe someone knows. I know we offer them right at the register at our local store.
The big brands have taken note and give it a month or two and you'll see something being released that will give you a reason to check out a Trek store. So just looking at retail price is not a accurate gauge.