April 3, 2020 - Capable, solid and fun are just a few words to describe Trek’s new Allant+ 8 electric bike. This ride comes out of the box equipped for your daily commute to work, the weekly shop, or to explore the rural backroads in your community.
The Allant+ 8’s frame is engineered and constructed to be strong and durable. It utilizes Trek’s High Performance Hydroformed eBike aluminum, comes in three sizes and is available in both traditional and step-through designs. The rigid front fork is 15mm thru-axle compatible with a 5mm quick release on the back. There are front and rear mounts to add aftermarket accessories and with the frame colour being matte metallic gunmetal grey, it is guaranteed not to clash with your riding outfit of choice.
Powered by the new Bosch Performance CX system, this German-engineered, industry-leading motor puts out 250 watts of power with 75 Nm of torque. That’s more than enough “get-up-and-go” to bring you quickly up-to-speed in traffic, and over any sudden inclines along your journey.
The bike come stock with a Bosch PowerTube 500WH Lithium Ion battery and is seamlessly hidden in the downtube while allowing for tool-less removal via Trek’s RIB system. The battery can power up to a 100km range and is secured in place using a high-quality Abus lock. Trek’s Range Boost can add an additional battery to the stock mounting bolts and improve your ride time by approximately 100 km.
With the Allant+ 8 being touted for commuting, my first test ride was a journey through town. The solid feel of the bike instilled confidence while riding in traffic with the Bosch motor getting me quickly up to speed from a dead stop. The Shimano hydraulic brakes worked well to modulate speed while in traffic flow and confidently brought me to a full stop when needed.
My upright position provided a good visual of the road. Panniers fit nicely on the stock rear rack while the bright Lync headlight and taillight offered improved visibility. Once at my destination, the large kick-stand solidly held the bike upright while I secured it with a lock.
Taking it to the steep hills east of town put both battery and motor to the test. I performed a balancing act between level of pedal assist, battery life and how much physical exertion I needed to expend to get to my destination. Using turbo mode to keep moving at a reasonable speed on the steepest of hills, I found the Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain set up provided the right gear choices to maintain a high cadence to maximize efficiency.
As hilly terrain will deplete battery life more quickly, I switched to econo-mode on flatter, less steeper sections to help power me to my destination. With all the parts working as one, the Bosch motor provided the necessary power and torque to make this an enjoyable ride. For longer rides on hilly roads, the range boost would be a great addition.
The fun element was enhanced when taking the Allant+ 8 out on the local flat, gravel dyke network. I was quickly able to get myself cruising at the 32km max assist speed with the only sound being the soft purring Bosch motor against the crackling gravel under the Bontrager E6 Hard Case Light 2.5 inch tires, which provided the perfect ground contact for confident cornering at speed. Meanhwhile the large, metal fenders kept any skunk tail from appearing on my back.
Keeping track of my ride data was two fold. First, I downloaded the COBI app and connected my iPhone to the Smartphonehub. With the cold weather quickly depleting my phone’s battery life, it was a saviour having a charging port available on the side of the Bosch iPhone holder. The BlueTooth wireless compatible system allowed me to map my ride and switch through music with the bar mounted thumb control buttons. When the cold finally put my phone into cardiac arrest, I simply removed it and used the stock Bosch control panel to manage my speed, battery life, mode and distance left on battery.
At 57 pounds, the Allant+ 8 has some noticeable heft, but light weight was not the intention for this bike, which was made for all-weather riding in a variety of conditions with the ability to take whatever blows come its way. There also a walk mode on the Bosch bar mount controller, which provides a slight motor-assist for those times you need help getting the bike up a walkway or ramp into the back of your car.
My test bike was a size medium with the step-through frame. At 5’11” I was able to find the correct seat height yet still allow my wife and daughter to also experience the ride with only small adjustments. If I am ever fortunate enough to own one of these, I would choose this size and frame design.
If one is looking for a high quality, year-round commuter e-bike that will also take you on your weekly shopping trip and for long hours exploring the countyside, then the Trek Allant+ 8 is a great choice. From the solid frame, thru-axle, chainring, rear derailleur guards, steel fenders and rack, this bike is sure to stand the test of time.
The Trek Allant+ 8 has an SRP of $5,399. Recently added to the line are the Allant+ 7 and Allant+ 7 Lowstep at $4,799. For more information on the full line-up please visit here. Learn about test riding an Allant here. Watch a video here.
