Trek Super Commuter+ 8S speeds up the ride to work with new practical e-bike

Written by Andrew Johnson May 18, 2017 10:00 a.m. ET

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E-bikes continue to grow in popularity, and there is no mistaking their practicality for the commute to work or running errands by bike. Along with better technologies, these e-bikes are also starting to look better too. A good example is Trek’s new Super Commuter+ 8S which combines decent looks (for an e-bike of course) with a boost of speed and improved usability. Like many others, Trek looked to Bosch to supply the electric oomph, pairing a 500Wh PowerPack battery with the 350W Performance Speed motor, and a Purion display showing battery level, range, speed & more. The bike’s motor can get you up to 28mph (45km/h) and its battery is even protected by a special downtube armor plate. Integrated fenders are a sensible touch, with the rear fender even building in integrated pannier support to haul your bags on the way to the office…

The alloy frame with its integrated downtube battery gets paired with a thru-axle carbon fork. Trek chose a Shimano Deore SLX rear derailleur to manage the 1×11 drivetrain and wide 11-42 cassette. Deore hydraulic brakes keep you from getting too rowdy as you zip around town. Predictably, Bontrager components finish out the stem, bars, saddle & seatpost. Formula wheels with double walled rims and sealed bearings pair with fat 2.4″ Schwalbe Super Moto-X 650b tires for durable rolling stock with ample grip to lay down the pedal assist.

The Super Commuter+ 8S is available only in red, comes in four sizes (45, 50, 55 & 60cm), and retails for a cool $5000. Only available through your local Trek dealers, this one will add a little Get Up N’ Go to your otherwise staid commute.

Trek.com

Andrew Johnson

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41 Comments

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Papi

6 years ago

Oh, cool bike! I remember when this bike was first launched in 2013 and was called the Specialized Turbo. Better late than never big T.

Dave

6 years ago

@Papi, oh WOW, you’re right. Its exactly the same as the Turbo. Its red! Can you please tell us all the other similarities to the Turbo? (deleted)

Heffe

6 years ago

I am guessing that when the ebikes lose the legal loophole they currently enjoy and are forced to have licensure and registration like other mopeds and motorcycles the gbike makers will swoop in and take over the market.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to Heffe

Why are you guessing that they will lose the “loophole”? And, what “loophole” is that?
This bike is purely pedal assist and it would be difficult for the average person to convert to non-pedal assist where it could technically fall under moped/motorcycle law depending on the state.

Unlike many e-bikes, commuter ebikes should really be applauded and supported by both cyclists and non-cyclist alike. Over time, they have the ability to allow many more people the opportunity to conveniently commute with greater ease and safety.

boom

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

@JBikes: all good and valid points. Unfortunately some people just insist on trolling and hating on ebikes. Maybe they just don’t like fun or want to be elitist and not welcome newcomers into the sport?

Chader

6 years ago

Reply to boom

Worthwhile info from the other BR post on the updated Specialized Turbo:

“From a federal standpoint, both the Class 1 E-Bike (20mph max assist) and Class 3 E-Bike (28mph max assist) are legal and considered a bicycle, so long as you have to pedal for the motor to kick in. AKA, “pedal assist”. But then you’ve got state and city laws that might vary. Some places restrict the top assist speed, and some restrict where you can ride it. Specialized is working with the industry to more clearly define what types of e-bikes there are (a Class 2 E-Bike has a 20mph max assist, but has a throttle and doesn’t require any pedaling). For now, local laws are going to vary, but rest easy knowing that the industry is working hard to provide standardized guidelines. You can keep up with the latest legislation and see charts showing the wheres, whats and hows at PeopleForBikes.org. As far as Specialized’s opinion goes, they’re bicycles, and they say there seeing a lot of very positive momentum in most every state…and even in New York City, which currently bans any sort of e-bike.”

Dan Murdoch

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

It is not a “loophole”; it is a straightforward loophole. The loophole is that most states require mopeds, scooters and motorized bicycles to have special plates, be registered and naturally they cannot ride on sidewalks or bike paths and bike lanes. The “ebike” marketing nomenclature as opposed to “moped” has allowed some bike manufacturers to push these things as hard as they can into the same category as bicycles rather than motorized vehicles where “gbikes”, mopeds etc typically function and are allowed to ride. That’s the loophole, which some municipalities are already starting to close.

Kerry

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

Listen here, your concise and logical comment has no place here on Bikerumor’s comments. It is only to detract and criticize…

Mike

6 years ago

I kinda hate the very idea of e-bikes, but totally agree that’s the best looking one I’ve seen so far. Seems like a good tire choice too.

Phil Jones

6 years ago

Reply to Mike

I was thinking exactly the same thing… Looks good and awesome tire choice

Carl

6 years ago

The “loophole” is pedal-assist.

I think that once you recognize that, pedal-assist or not, these are electric mopeds, you can begin to see where they do and do not belong. Search Wikipedia for “moped” and you’ll see what I mean.

For the urban commuter these make a lot of sense. If my commute was even ten miles each way I’d be seriously considering one.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to Carl

I just don’t agree with the term “loophole”. Most state laws specifically address pedal assisted e-bikes and regulate them specifically as bikes, often with limits on assist power and speed at which assist stops.

Since most laws are specifically addressing this, I fail to see how this is a “loophole”. It is almost the opposite of a loophole and being addressed clearly by law. Now whether people choose to modify and break the law is a completely different matter.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

Furthermore – outside of Europe, many countries again have laws specifically tailored to electric assist bicycles where the assist only occurs while pedaling. Again, hard to say its a loophole when it is specifically addressed in law.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

correction…should say “outside of the United States”

Heffe

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

It’s not being adequately addressed in the USA. The companies who profit by selling these things are driving for a certain extra-lax regulatory outcome but it is clear to many others not blinded by this factor that straightforwardly regulating these in with the appropriate g-powered mopeds and motorcycles makes a lot more sense. Therefore, it is most definitely a loophole, that I hope will close before these clowns zip through crowds on ebikes and mow down a bunch of pedestrians and cyclists. I have already observed several close calls in my city – terrifying. I’m all for these things being used – only on the roads and with a license plate.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to Heffe

Can you name a state where it is explicitly legal for anyone, ebike or not, to zip through pedestrian crowds or even large groups of casual cyclists in an unsafe manner? Few states even allow bicycles on sidewalks sans for children, hence regular or e, they are confined to the road by law.
So, there is already laws in most states to address the behavior you are afraid of…additional laws aren’t needed for that issue.

Heffe

6 years ago

Reply to JBikes

Yes, many states do allow bicycles on sidewalks. An absurd entry from start to finish. Can you name a state where it is explicitly legal for anyone on a moped or a motorcycle to ride on bike paths and in bicycle lanes?

Carl

6 years ago

Reply to Heffe

I think you understand where I was coming from with that. I haven’t looked too far into motorcycle licensing rules, but it seems that by being e-assist instead of 100% motor powered many of these bikes can ignore that.

It is true that e-assist bikes do have their own regulations to worry about but those are minimal, namely the limited speed and maximum assist power. Even the latter is pretty lax as in a “turbo” mode some ebikes are still powerful enough to flip the rider over the back.

Stampers

6 years ago

Reply to Carl

Europe has way more experience with ebikes and you don’t see them calling ebikes “motos” or “mopeds”. They refer to them as bicycles or ebikes. Stop trying to fit them into some old classification (like mopeds) when they are more-or-less a new technology that is completely unlike ANY moped I’ve ever seen.

Many people use them across a broad section of society for a wide variety of purposes and needs. I’ve ridden a huge variety of ebikes and yes they are not a bicycle in the traditional sense. But they are waaaaaaayy closer to bicycles than mopeds in function and purpose.

6 years ago

28mph and can even think to call it a bike? When I was a kid mopeds were governed at 25 mph.

Stampers

6 years ago

Reply to kb

Could you pedal your moped at all…? Let alone up a hill?

I’ve gone 35mph on my Mtb and I’ve gone even faster on my road bike…

Last I checked, nobody is calling ebikes, bikes. they are called ebikes. Although not a bike, they are way closer to bicycles than they are to mopeds

ascarlarkinyar

6 years ago

Aj,

No matter how much you are getting paid to advertise these motorcycles on this “bike” website, we are not interested and do not appreciate this being here.

Just have them buy an ad and stick it on the side like the rest.

Greg

6 years ago

Reply to ascarlarkinyar

^this guy doesn’t speak for all of us. Carry on.

nunya

6 years ago

Reply to ascarlarkinyar

Don’t presume to speak for everyone that visits the site. Personally I find this very interesting and appropriate. It’s pretty easy to skip the articles that don’t interest you.

Glen

6 years ago

Reply to ascarlarkinyar

I agree that seeing what is new out there with E-Bikes are very interesting and should continue. I have test rode some and to be honest, they are a ton of fun.

Keep up the good work Bike Rumor.

Chader

6 years ago

Reply to ascarlarkinyar

Another vote for continued coverage of ebikes.

I may or may note get one, but I like knowing about developments in the area.

Thanks BR.

Stampers

6 years ago

Reply to ascarlarkinyar

Stop trolling elitist. You don’t speak for me!

Ray Mooers

6 years ago

The “loophole” is that these are unregistered mopeds that are getting to ride on bike paths and bike lanes by the clever marketing trick of being called “ebikes” rather than motorized vehicles. This will end eventually when they run over some cyclists and plow under pedestrians. Then even dumb city govts will realize “Hey these things are just mopeds with electric rather than gas engines, maybe they should be treated exactly the same way”.

Fergus

6 years ago

Currently have no need for pedal assist as i am a bad ass and in my 30s . Ask me in 30 yrs if i want it to keep riding to work all year round and my opinion will likely change. Also cargo bikes with pedal assist are great for a car replacement and the less pollution producing shit boxes on the road the better.

Papi

6 years ago

@dave, I started list for you before I realized you were being sarcastic. I spent a lot of time on the list, so I’ll post it anyways. Also, name calling hurts, even if it’s preceded by #.

Samesies List: Specialized Turbo and Trek Super Commuter

1) Both bikes have battery integrated into downtube
2) Both bikes have just one waterbottle mounting location.
3) Both bikes have electric motors
4) Both bikes have left AND right grips
5) Neither bike is made by Moots, and that’s fine.
6) Each bike has more than 60 spokes. Did you know that some bikes only have like 6 spokes? Total. That’s not much.
7) Both bikes have a 28mph speed limit. Well, I guess you could pedal faster than that, but the motor only works to 28mph.
8) Neither bike has a front derailleur. That’s BS. I want ALL THE SPEEDS.
9) Two disc brakes per bike. Samesies.
10) Neither is a fixed gear. Sorry if you like fixed gears.
11) Both bikes have black rims. Black rims are cool.
12) Both come with kickstands. Kickstands that are probable inadequate for the weight of the bike, but that’s just speculation, so we’ll leave it at both have kickstands.
13) Both are targeted at consumers who think they want to ride a bike, but don’t want to pedal that hard, and still want to go fast. And also have five thousand extra dollars.
14) Each bike includes a battery charger. Can’t say that about a lot of bikes.
15) Black seatposts, saddles, stems. Samesies.
16) They both include pedals. That seems rare at a bike at this pricepoint.
17) Slick tires. Samesies
18) No suspension. Samesies.
19) Neither are currently being raced at the Giro d’Italia or Tour of California
20) Both have been featured on BikeRumor.

Dave

6 years ago

Reply to Papi

That’s some good stuff right there. 🙂

Papi

6 years ago

Damn Specialized! Just launched a front suspension Turbo as I’m makin my list. SO I guess these bikes aren’t that similar after all. Whomp whomp.

Dolan Halbrook

6 years ago

Looks like a cool design, but as an electric car owner, my first thought is how much it will be to replace the battery when the time comes, and whether or not a replacement battery will even be available 5 years from now.

Battery standardization across vendors would be a huge long-term boon to this business.

Greg

6 years ago

Reply to Dolan Halbrook

Currently, replacement Turbo batteries are $800 (for their highest rated one)

Nick

6 years ago

I think that eMTB’s are quite dumb. But this is an ebike that absolutely makes sense to me! I hope they sell piles of them and get people out of their cars and onto almost bikes.

The Dude

6 years ago

I’d love to own that thing. It would be awesome to cruise into the office at 28mph! Better than paying insurance and gas for a moto.

coreying

6 years ago

My daily commute is almost 60km and 1,000m of climbing (so 30km/500m each way). Even in my 30’s, I don’t have the energy to do that all 5 days of the week and still function at 100% in the office. I’m SUPER excited about this bike from Trek.

Unfortunately, being in Australia, these speed-pedelecs are currently illegal 🙁
I’m really hoping that this changes in the near future as Sydney has huge traffic issues.

Dylan

6 years ago

Reply to coreying

@coreying, what makes you say these bikes are “illegal” in Australia? I live in Hobart and see a few of the Specialized Turbo bikes around – and they are currently listed on the Specialized website for Australia.

coreying

6 years ago

Reply to Dylan

Only 25 km/h 250w pedal assist bikes are allowed in Australia. The 45 km/h 350w bikes are not legal… I really hope someone is working to change this though, cause I want this bike!

-Rizza

6 years ago

After enough eFreds get killed in traffic all bikes will be viewed as motor vehicles by the authorities and treated as such, requiring registration, insurance, lighting and helmets. A perfect example of “this is why we can’t have nice things”. Enjoy the Wild West while we have it, it won’t last. History has shown, once you put a motor on it the tax man want’s a cut, especially in the days of waning gas-tax revenue…and yes, I prefer the sport to be elitist and unwelcoming, cyclists only get away with stuff (in the US) because they’re a small minority of road traffic. If I had to obey every traffic signal, road sign, have lights/insurance/helmet and share a bike path with a million other cyclists I’d rather drive.

JBikes

6 years ago

Reply to -Rizza

I think you are the reason I get yelled at and/or cut off even as a law abiding, courteous cyclist. Being a small minority makes your infractions all the more visible and pronounced, not less so. People tend to see the outlier.

“this is why we can’t have nice things”…the irony.