Trek FX+ 7S Review | Lightweight, Yet Feature-Loaded

One way Trek keeps the weight down on the FX+ 7S is by using a more modest battery setup. The 360Wh battery is neatly integrated into the downtube, blending in well and adding minimal bulk—but it is on the smaller side. That said, mid-drive motors tend to be more efficient than hub drives, as they work with the bike’s drivetrain and don’t have to work as hard on hills.

In our range tests—both conducted using the standard power settings and keeping speeds near the 20 mph path limit—we saw 18.78 miles on high assist and 39.23 miles on low.

Those numbers land pretty squarely in the “average” range. They’re on par with other lightweight city e-bikes we’ve tested, both in terms of mileage and overall efficiency. Looking at watts-per-mile (a more reliable comparison metric than just range, similar to MPG for cars), the FX+ 7S landed right at the class average: 9 WPM in low power and 18 WPM in high.

If 19 to 39 miles doesn’t sound like quite enough for your rides, Trek offers a range extender that mounts in place of one of the bottle cage bosses. It adds another 160Wh—boosting total battery capacity by 44%. Based on our testing, that would push your estimated range to somewhere between 27.13 and 56.5 miles, depending on the usual factors that affect range.

The Trek FX+ 7S is designed to enhance—not replace—your own pedaling power. It offers a helpful boost while staying mostly in the background, keeping you engaged and letting you get a workout in.

When we put it through our standard Hill Test at the Hell Hole trail, the FX+ 7S made it to the top in exactly two minutes, averaging 9.0 mph. That’s on the lower end compared to other bikes we’ve tested (seven seconds slower than our current city bike average), but it aligns with what this bike is all about.

If it sounds like I’m making excuses for a slower hill time, I’m not. It’s just a different kind of ride experience—like comparing sushi and pizza. Both are great but for different reasons. This bike takes a more natural, rider-forward approach to climbing, and it delivers on that intent, where other bikes focus on making things as easy as possible with less natural-feeling power.

Even Trek leans into this messaging. On the FX+ 7S product page, you’ll see talk of its quiet ride, sleek design, and subtle assist. But when it comes to hills, these snippets from their marketing really sum it up:

“Sleek. Light. Quiet. FX+ 7S is an elegant city e-bike made to blend into the environment with smooth assist that feels like an extension of your own power… (It’s for you if) You want quiet support that makes light work of big hills without taking you out of the element.”

I’d take that one step further: This is the kind of e-bike that can win over longtime cyclists who’ve been hesitant to go electric. It adds to your ability but never overwhelms it. It’s a great option for those who still want to feel the effort but with less strain.

And if you do want more climbing punch from Trek’s lineup, there are options. The more budget-friendly FX+ 2 uses a hub motor that zips up hills a bit quicker, and the Allant+ 8S offers a higher-performance setup for riders who prioritize power.

The FX+ 7S comes well-stocked in the braking department. Many city commuters—being among the featherweights of the e-bike world—get away with smaller rotors or mechanical disc brakes. But Trek doesn’t take that shortcut here.

Instead, they’ve outfitted the FX+ 7S with a solid Shimano hydraulic brake setup, including a 180mm front rotor and a 160mm rear. It’s a more robust system than you’d expect for a lightweight bike, and it absolutely pays off.

In our brake test, the FX+ 7S recorded an average stopping distance of 21’10”. That’s nearly two feet shorter than the current average for similar city commuters, which is about 23’6”.

The brakes perform well beyond emergency stops, too. On longer, sustained downhills, they handled great under light feathering, maintaining consistent control without fade or fuss. Whether in measured testing or everyday riding, the braking performance held up across the board.

Shifting from the quantitative side of testing to the qualitative, the FX+ 7S really earns its premium badge. There are a lot of thoughtful touches—both big and small—that come together to make this a genuinely enjoyable ride.

The handling feels crisp and well-balanced. The Shimano CUES derailleur shifts smoothly, and the gear ratio has a great gear range for both climbing and reaching higher speeds. It includes Shimano’s Linkglide, which beefs up the drivetrain for added durability without sacrificing shift quality.

The 700x40c Bontrager tires offer solid traction and a more cushioned ride by road standards, thanks to the width. At 30 TPI, the rubber is pretty dense and durable. I loved to see that the wheels are tubeless-ready, so you can drop the pressure for an even softer ride without the risk of pinch flats.

The carbon fork not only helps keep the overall weight down but also reduces road vibrations better than aluminum, making the ride feel pretty smooth without sacrificing the responsiveness of a rigid fork.

The handlebar has limited adjustability, but it feels well-sized for quick, agile handling. The integrated Quadlock stem mount is a standout—it wirelessly charges your phone when using a compatible case, letting you run Trek’s turn-by-turn navigation without draining your battery. The internally routed cables through the headset elevate the bike’s sleek aesthetic, though they may complicate future maintenance.

The integrated top tube display gives you the essentials if you don’t want to use your phone. It’s nicely blended into the frame, but i’s small and positioned low with the bike’s effective top tube being on the short side—so it’s more like checking your knees than a quick glance between your wrists—so we’d recommend a Quadlock case to take full advantage of the mount for a better display experience.

A little more details on the Trek Central app: you can fine-tune motor settings, sync with heart rate monitors or digital tire pressure gauges, and view your personal and bike wattage outputs. It essentially acts as a bike computer, which is a great bonus for riders who want to track performance.

The rear MIK rack works with a wide range of quick-mounting accessories, and the integrated brake light helps keep you visible. There are also two bottle cage mounts, which is especially helpful if you’re using one for the optional range extender.

Touch points are mostly solid. The grips are soft and comfortable, and the Bontrager Verse Comp saddle—while supportive—might feel a bit firm for less seasoned riders. The plastic pedals were grippier than expected, but they’re plastic, and they’re probably the one component that feels out of place on such a polished bike. That said, pedals are among the easiest parts to upgrade if you want to.

As for the frame, it’s a sleek sight. There are eight total size options—four each in the high-step and mid-step versions—and while there are only two colorways, our green test bike looked fantastic, with black accents tying together the fork, downtube underside, and chainstays.

And as a final thoughtful touch, the frame has a type of grab handle near the crankset—a small but super handy feature for apartment dwellers or anyone needing to haul the bike up stairs.

The ride feel of the FX+ 7S is genuinely impressive. If you’re looking for the benefits of an e-bike without feeling disconnected from analog experiences, this one nails it. The motor’s response to rider input is exceptionally well-tuned—it makes the ride easier and expands what you can do, but you might honestly forget you’re on an e-bike.

Handling is another standout. The geometry is spot-on, giving the bike a responsive, agile feel while still feeling planted and stable at speed and through corners.

Thoughtful features like the Trek Central app and the integrated Quadlock mount round out the experience. They’re the kind of extras that add real value for everyday riders and make the bike that much more enjoyable to live with.

There are plenty of good lightweight e-bikes out there—Trek’s own FX+ 2 is a more budget-friendly example if you’re just after a lightweight commuter.

But if you’re looking for a ride that delivers a top-tier natural feel, adds smart features you’ll actually use, and elevates your daily ride, the FX+ 7S delivers a standout premium experience.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Trek FX+ 7S down in our comments section.