I am copying below the post I recently made to the Gen 2 Fuel+ thread as a stimulus for polite, non-partisan comment and discussion about the future of SL bikes. I recall several commentators saying not so long ago that there was no demand for mid power bikes, and that the SL concept was now redundant with the launch of more full fat bikes that weigh-in not far in excess of the 20kg mark.
I recognise that full fat bikes will probably always be the first choice for heavier riders, or for those who just want to blast up steep stuff fast. But my introduction to the Fuel+ (other SL bikes are available
) was enough to convince me that mid power bikes can offer a genuinely different but equally enjoyable riding experience.
Coincidentally, Suns_PSD has just posted this comprehensive test review of 11 eMTB motors. Thanks to him for this.
ebike-mtb.com
So here's my Fuel+ thread post to get the ball rolling.....
I've been riding my 2022 Trek Rail for the last three years and modifying it along the way to the point where I think it rides really well. But the release of the new Bosch Gen 5 motor and the launch of a whole bunch of great new bikes from various brands has led to me to test ride a few new full fat and one SL bikes over the last year or so to see if maybe I might be missing out on something even better (Santa Cruz Vala, Heckler SL, Mondraker Crafty, Amflow, Moustache,...). Yeah they were all fantastic bikes, and the Gen 5 and Avinox motors deliver impressive performance. But did any of them genuinely merit shelling out a shed load of more cash to be worth moving on from my trusty Rail? I personally felt than none of them rode so much better or that the new motor performances gave me more enjoyment than I can achieve with my old 85Nm Gen 4 Bosch. Of course, YMMV.
Then this weekend I test rode the Trek Fuel+ MX for 70km and 1800m+ over the two days.
I was hoping this experience would finally satisfy my curiosity with the mid power motor options, and I could return the test bike to the shop knowing that these motors (or at least the TQ60) could not give me enough assistance for my 67 year old legs to get me up my local steep, rocky and often very technical climbs.
The result.... I was absolutely blown away by this bike!
The motor is 99% totally silent and it was a real joy to hear nothing but the crunch of my tyres over the ground and, although I rode at a slower pace than with the Rail, the ride experience was "purer" and I felt more in touch with the trail. On the Sunday ride I took it up some of our steepest local trails with some challenging technical elements, and to my great surprise the motor power was entirely sufficient except in a few of the most tricky and steep sections where I finally lost control or traction and had to get off and push it past the obstacles.
I thought I would need to constantly ride in High mode to get the support I required, but in fact I found Med mode was adequate for much of the time. The power delivery is so silent, subtle and natural that I often had to check the display to confirm that the motor was still working!
Regarding the bike itself, it is so (comparably) light and nimble that it accelerates breathtakingly fast under gravity. It handles brilliantly and is both stable when needed and playful when asked. I had an absolute blast on it over the weekend and when I returned it to the shop it only took me a few minutes to decide to buy it on the spot! (Which is something I never do!)
So, is it a "better" bike than my old Rail? I wouldn't say that, but it is a bike that gives a genuinely different but equally thrilling ride experience. Maybe not quite as capable in the extremes, so I might still choose the Rail for enduro rides, but it is ideal for a less aggressive day out when the purity and pleasure of the ride is more important than the speed and adrenaline rush (although I got that too!).
I was so impressed with this bike and this motor system that I wanted to share my experience here so that anyone else who is "SL curious" but wonders if they could live without full fat power might be tempted to give it a try.
I recognise that full fat bikes will probably always be the first choice for heavier riders, or for those who just want to blast up steep stuff fast. But my introduction to the Fuel+ (other SL bikes are available
) was enough to convince me that mid power bikes can offer a genuinely different but equally enjoyable riding experience.Coincidentally, Suns_PSD has just posted this comprehensive test review of 11 eMTB motors. Thanks to him for this.
What’s the Best E-Bike Motor of 2026? 11 E-Bike Motors in a Full-On Showdown.
While everyone else is talking about peak power, we’re looking at what really matters: 11 E-Bike motors in a full-on showdown.
So here's my Fuel+ thread post to get the ball rolling.....
I've been riding my 2022 Trek Rail for the last three years and modifying it along the way to the point where I think it rides really well. But the release of the new Bosch Gen 5 motor and the launch of a whole bunch of great new bikes from various brands has led to me to test ride a few new full fat and one SL bikes over the last year or so to see if maybe I might be missing out on something even better (Santa Cruz Vala, Heckler SL, Mondraker Crafty, Amflow, Moustache,...). Yeah they were all fantastic bikes, and the Gen 5 and Avinox motors deliver impressive performance. But did any of them genuinely merit shelling out a shed load of more cash to be worth moving on from my trusty Rail? I personally felt than none of them rode so much better or that the new motor performances gave me more enjoyment than I can achieve with my old 85Nm Gen 4 Bosch. Of course, YMMV.
Then this weekend I test rode the Trek Fuel+ MX for 70km and 1800m+ over the two days.
I was hoping this experience would finally satisfy my curiosity with the mid power motor options, and I could return the test bike to the shop knowing that these motors (or at least the TQ60) could not give me enough assistance for my 67 year old legs to get me up my local steep, rocky and often very technical climbs.
The result.... I was absolutely blown away by this bike!
The motor is 99% totally silent and it was a real joy to hear nothing but the crunch of my tyres over the ground and, although I rode at a slower pace than with the Rail, the ride experience was "purer" and I felt more in touch with the trail. On the Sunday ride I took it up some of our steepest local trails with some challenging technical elements, and to my great surprise the motor power was entirely sufficient except in a few of the most tricky and steep sections where I finally lost control or traction and had to get off and push it past the obstacles.
I thought I would need to constantly ride in High mode to get the support I required, but in fact I found Med mode was adequate for much of the time. The power delivery is so silent, subtle and natural that I often had to check the display to confirm that the motor was still working!
Regarding the bike itself, it is so (comparably) light and nimble that it accelerates breathtakingly fast under gravity. It handles brilliantly and is both stable when needed and playful when asked. I had an absolute blast on it over the weekend and when I returned it to the shop it only took me a few minutes to decide to buy it on the spot! (Which is something I never do!)
So, is it a "better" bike than my old Rail? I wouldn't say that, but it is a bike that gives a genuinely different but equally thrilling ride experience. Maybe not quite as capable in the extremes, so I might still choose the Rail for enduro rides, but it is ideal for a less aggressive day out when the purity and pleasure of the ride is more important than the speed and adrenaline rush (although I got that too!).
I was so impressed with this bike and this motor system that I wanted to share my experience here so that anyone else who is "SL curious" but wonders if they could live without full fat power might be tempted to give it a try.
