After the pandemic, my credo became: “Bicycles offer the freedom that car ads promise.” That belief is why I've since used a bicycle almost exclusively to get around Portland, Oregon (yes, I'm a Portlandia stereotypical).
However, that lifestyle is a lot more challenging without any pedal assistance. A few summers I showed up to appointments sweaty after pedaling a $200 single-speed. So in 2024 I bought the FX+ 2, based mainly on my editor-in-chief's review. Since then, it has been a workhorse for my daily transportation needs for the past year; I drove over 1,000 kilometers with it in eight months.
So given my experience with that bike, I was the logical choice to review Trek's upgraded version, the FX+ 7S.
A premium pedaler
First off, my time with the FX+ 2 was great: I don't regret that purchase. But my only complaint concerns the battery. Due to the frequency and length of my rides, I need to charge the bike more often than not, and sometimes I experience distance anxiety when riding to the other side of town. Even though both e-bikes are considered lightweight at 40 pounds, they're still not the easiest things to pedal without assistance, and I have to rely on their built-in lighting systems in the dark.
But I didn't have to worry about the remaining charge with the FX+ 7 and its 360 Wh battery. The extra capacity means I have much less range anxiety because I can drive without worrying about losing juice on the route home. And via the LCD screen on the frame you can clearly see how much distance and time you have left during your ride, always useful. However, I would caution against relying too much on your estimated remaining distance.
The LCD screen provides useful information. You can see how much charge is left on the battery, or you can press that button to see your speed, wattage, or mileage.
Credit: Chris DeGraw
During an hour-long, 15-mile ride, while fluctuating between the first two assistance levels I adjusted, I drained 61 percent of the battery. While the estimated remaining time of my ride was consistent and accurate, the predicted mileage occasionally dropped, although that was likely because I changed the assistance level frequently.
