Trek E-Caliber 9.8 GX Review

At steep sections, the somewhat weak FAZUA motor requires a lot of initiative from the rider. The FAZUA Evation Ride 50 Trail gives off a well-rounded riding feeling. The short range unfortunately limits the tour radius quite significantly.

The Rock Shox chassis provides safety and traction, even when the trail gets rougher. However, it comes to its limit at high speed. At the brakes, Trek instals upper class brakes with four pistons and 2 millimeter rotors from SRAM. The drivetrain and components have a subordinate but not to be neglected importance when it comes to EMTB. Even the bike brand product managers know this and don't aim too high with mostly average components. When it comes to the geometry, Trek does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. The low bottom bracket height will likely be a sticking point for trail riders, as it negatively affects handling. Due to the short chainstays and the shallow seat angle , when climbing steep sections, it requires active weight shifting to prevent the front wheel from lifting. The weight of a bike is a key factor for the fun of riding. With 17 kg, the E-Caliber 9.8 GX is one of the lightest Tourenbikes on the market. This turns the bike into a real joyride on the trail. If the crankset stands still during the descent, the motor and battery become an unnecessary burden. But Trek manages to give the E-Caliber 9.8 GX a natural, smooth handling despite this, with a pleasing geometry and low weight. Only very few manufacturers manage to create the illusion of a MTB without motor in the EMTB genre. Hats off!