We know the company is well known for building quality and sometimes good-looking bikes.
With the slight success of the Trek Verve+ e-bike in 2019, the brand decided to improve some of its components, such as motor efficiency, battery performance, and ride comfort.
Table of Contents
How Riding the Verve+2 Feels Like?
– One of the outstanding things I noticed with this e-bike improvement was how smooth and balanced the whole frame felt. Part of that is the addition of the seat-post suspension.
– On the motor side, if you get annoyed with noisy motors, no matter what assistance I was riding in, I don’t think this was the case.
The latest Bosch motors have many sensors (speed, torque, and cadence) included, so to deliver what the rider needs.
Having said that, if you want to get the best out of the Bosch technology, you are better off putting in more active pedaling than just cruising with not much use of your legs.
A couple more things:
– The bike now has a chain plastic guard, which is fantastic for commuting to prevent work pants or shoes from being stained.
– No front suspension. This could be an important factor if you are looking for more comfort, but it also adds to the overall weight.
Verve+ 2 Specs
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY & RANGE
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CONTROLLER & RIDING MODES
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FRAME
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DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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TIRES AND SUSPENSION
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FEATURES
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Pedal Assisted System (PAS) Feature
This electric bicycle is classified as a pedelec, with a power assist cut-off limit of 20 mph (32 km/h). On the other hand, depending on how much assistance you need, you can get four (4) levels: eco, tour, sport, and turbo.
What does it mean in terms of power?
Well, I found that the Eco mode will provide 40% power, the Tour mode will be 60%, the Sport level will be 80%, and last but not least, the Turbo mode will be 100%.
Bosch Purion display feature
– I think the display is a straightforward controller that shows all the basic features, including speed, traveled distance, battery range, and assistance level.
– Although the controller is easily accessible for on-riding operation, I think it is better to set what you need beforehand as I found the display a bit hard to read on a sunny day.
– I like the controller shows battery range, as this is always an important readout, especially when touring.
Other things about its pedelec configuration
– I’m unsure why the brand did not include a walking mode feature. I believe this feature is a miss as there could be moments where walking is easier than riding.
– Although some users believe the display is terrible because of its small size, it still does much better than what more expensive brands offer, like the iWOC TRIO by Mahle.
Mid-Drive Bosch Motor
– Compared to the 2018 Verve model, this mid-drive motor is basically the same. Nevertheless, there seems to be more sensor sensitivity, which gives more accurate power based on your pedal cadence.
Read More: Electric Motor Bike Guide – What to Know About It.
– The watts and torque may not be impressive to me, but I think they are good enough for commuting in any city setting.
– Another thing I like about this motor is its small size, which is ideal for bikes that may be generally heavy.
Lastly, if you are more inclined to pedal on low gears, be mindful that the RPM has been limited to only 100, meaning that the motor won’t give power passing this point.
Any Battery Changes?
– The brand hasn’t changed much on the 400W lithium battery side either, as this new model has a standard one.
Read More: eBike Batteries – The Beginner’s Guide.
– One thing that I appreciate about the brand is its weight, which is about 2.45 kg (5.4 lbs). Therefore, it would be easy to carry anywhere.
Read More: eBike Anti-Theft Guide: Best Ways to Secure an Electric Bike
– One thing that I noticed is how hot it gets if charging on a hot day. I’m unsure if this is normal for 36v batteries, but it is better to pull it out of the frame and charge it in a cool room (if you can).
What can you get for range?
As mentioned before, you have four-pedal assistance levels. Depending on the selection, you will roughly get:
– Eco: ~ 90 miles.
– Tour: ~70 miles.
– Sport: ~55 miles.
– Turbo: approx. 35 miles.
These range estimates are not 100% accurate because other factors, such as route topography and cadence, will affect them.
Also, the ranges are estimated, assuming the motor always assists you.
Other points to know about it
– This e-bike also comes with a standard charger of 2 amps, which means the battery will be charged in about 5 hours.
– The front and rear lights and the controller are other elements the battery powers. There is no need to be worried here, as the power drawn by these elements is minimal.
The Non-powered Elements
Braking performance
– Like the previous model, this one also has Shimano hydraulic brakes. The 160 mm rotors were designed to perform well with the dual-piston Calipers.
– One thing I like here is the three (3) level adjustable finger, so people with small hands like me can easily reach the brake lever.
– Not many electric bicycles come with a dual-piston system, so rest assured you will have great braking performance in any weather.
Seat and lights
– This model has undergone many changes, which are more noticeable in the seat design, the light position, and the fenders.
– The saddle has a 30mm travel spring suspension, which is great for long-distance rides. I like that it is kept wide and has a small ventilation point for comfort.
– After many riders’ feedback, one of the biggest changes was the front and rear light position.
– The front light is now attached to the fork rather than the actual frame. For many, this was a downside when steering, as no light brightened the way.
– The rear one is attached to the rear rack rather than the fender. This doesn’t look like a big change, I think.
Tires and gearing system
Not much was changed with the tires this time. They kept the same Bontrager brand to provide the quality required on any hard terrain.
One thing to notice is the quality of the tires’ carving.
I believe it is smoother in the center, so there is less friction when riding. Also, the side pads are bigger to keep a good grip when taking corners
Read More: Electric Bike Tires Buying Guide.
As for the gear system, it is the same Shimano quality that many other brands use.
On this occasion, 9 gears are available to reach the top speed without pedaling too much.
I’m pleased to see the addition of the plastic guard to cover the chain. This is great for avoiding your long pants being wrapped by the chain and for keeping them from getting greasy.
This was very thoughtful, considering it was designed for commuting.
Structure design
There are two (2) frames available, where one is a high-step, and the other one is a step-thru
If you are more inclined to the low-step design, I see that there was no allowance for a bottle holder to be installed. This is definitely a downside.
No suspension?
Many riders believe that not having a front suspension will result in an uncomfortable ride. This could be true, depending on where you ride it.
I know the Verve 2 Plus doesn’t come with a suspension system, aside from the saddle, of course, but looking at the bigger picture, not many dedicated commuter electric bikes have suspension.
Just think that the overall weight will increase when adding more fancy elements.
If you want added comfort, I suggest getting a hybrid electric bicycle, such as the Giant Roam E+.
Available sizes
Last but not least, knowing what sizes are available is good. From the old days model, these numbers haven’t changed:
| SMALL (STEP-THRU) | MEDIUM | LARGE | EXTRA-LARGE |
| 154.0 – 167.0 cm 5’0.6″ – 5’5.7 |
164.0 – 177.0 cm 5’4.6″ – 5’9.7″ |
174.0 – 187.0 cm 5’8.5 – 6’1.6″ |
186.0 – 197.0 cm 6’1.5 – 6’5.6″ |
Even if your height is good for one of their frames, I strongly suggest having a test ride and making sure you can comfortably touch the ground.
Should you Consider this Trek Commuter eBike?
It is clear that other bike companies are launching good quality commuter models for an affordable price.
When comparing the two models, 2018 and 2022, I saw few changes. To be honest, the modifications were more aesthetic than mechanical.
Some of the modifications included a set of plastic fenders, a plastic guard chain (which is awesome for keeping your long pants from getting dirty), and a more versatile light system.
The one thing I definitely like is the improved responsiveness of the sensors when pedaling. This translates into a more efficient motor and an improved range for the battery.
Overall, I believe the Trek Verve+ 2 model is worth test-riding.
All images courtesy of Trek
