Trek has always been a brand for every rider, whether you’re chasing podiums or just need a reliable way to get around. From world-class race bikes to everyday commuters, Trek’s lineup caters to all. The Allant+ 8S fits right in, combining cutting-edge tech with the practicality needed for daily life.
With its powerful Bosch motor, long battery life, and integrated features like lights and racks, the Allant+ 8S handles everything from busy city commutes to leisurely rides around town. Whether it’s leading the pack on a long ride or parked outside your local grocery store, this bike delivers performance and convenience in equal measure.
My Experience Riding The Trek Allant+ 8S E-Bike
The Trek Allant+ 8S makes a great first impression with its sleek design. The lithium grey gloss paint on our test bike, paired with the contrasting neon yellow Trek logo, gives it solid curb appeal. It’s the kind of bike that looks just as sharp parked outside a café as it does rolling down the street.
When you hop on, the first thing you’ll notice is the Bosch SmartphoneHub, which looks like a large phone holder but is much more than that. It doubles as a dock for your phone,centrally mounted on the handlebar, turning it into a high-resolution display with the COBI.bike app. The app integrates ride data, GPS tracking, music, and health monitoring. However, if you’re like me and don’t want to expose your phone to the elements, you can rely on the small LCD tucked underneath. This backup display shows essential data like speed, battery level, odometer, and pedal-assist (PAS) level—a nice touch for riders who prefer to keep things simple.
Once I hit the road, the bike’s smoothness was immediately noticeable. Trek’s decades of bike engineering, combined with the Bosch Performance Speed Line mid-drive motor, make for an incredibly fluid ride. With four assist modes—Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo—the bike accelerates effortlessly, reaching 28 mph without a throttle. The pedal assist is remarkably natural; if not for the sustained speed and a faint motor whine, I could’ve forgotten I was riding an e-bike altogether.
The Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain shifted flawlessly, and the 27.5×2.4 Bontrager E6 tires rolled quietly, giving a sensation of gliding. Whether commuting, recreational riding, or navigating urban streets, the Trek Allant+ 8S handled it all seamlessly. Honestly, after spending some serious miles with it, it pains me to send it back.
Range
Real World Range Test Results:
- Eco Mode: 30 miles
- Turbo Mode: 75 miles
Trek doesn’t provide a specific range estimate for the Allant+ 8S, but the bike is powered by a Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor with 250W nominal power (peaking at 600W) and 85 Nm of torque. So, off I went in search of some real-world range numbers.
In Turbo mode, where the motor gives you max assistance, I managed to get around 30 miles. Honestly, that’s pretty solid for a full-power ride where you’re using the bike to its max potential. On the flip side, when I switched to Eco mode—where the motor is working more efficiently—the range shot up to 75 miles. That’s a great result if you’re looking to conserve battery on longer rides or commutes.
Overall, whether you’re gunning for speed or stretching out the battery, the Allant+ 8S delivers a range that should cover most riders’ needs with ease.
Power (Motor & Battery)
The Trek Allant+ 8S comes equipped with a Class 3 Bosch Performance Speed mid-drive motor, which means it’s capable of hitting speeds up to 28 mph with pedal assist. The motor itself is rated at 250W nominal power and can peak at 600W, delivering a hefty 85 Nm of torque. In practice, this setup is a solid choice—especially if you’re tackling hills or need to accelerate quickly in traffic. That 85 Nm of torque really kicks in when you need it, making the bike feel responsive and capable, even when pushing toward its top speed.
Powering all of this is a 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery, which is seamlessly integrated into the downtube of the frame. With a battery of this size, you’re looking at a solid mix of range and power output. For most daily commuters or urban riders, this should provide more than enough juice for multiple days of riding before needing a recharge, especially if you’re mixing between Eco and Tour modes.
What I like about this setup is that it doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around a powerhouse for the sake of it. The balance between motor performance and battery capacity feels well-tuned. You’re getting all the benefits of the Bosch system—smooth, reliable assistance without feeling like the bike is over-engineered. It’s a combination that delivers a powerful ride without compromising the overall ride.
Components
Trek didn’t skimp on the components for the Allant+ 8S, and it shows. The bike is equipped with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, which I found to be smooth and reliable during my rides. Shifting through the gears was crisp, with no lag, even when accelerating hard in higher pedal assist modes. The wide-range 11-42T cassette pairs well with the 46T ProWheel crankset, giving you plenty of flexibility whether you’re climbing hills or pushing for speed on flat roads.
The brakes are Shimano MT520 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. These brakes are strong and offer excellent stopping power, which is key when you’re riding a Class 3 e-bike that can hit 28 mph. Whether I was slowing down quickly in traffic or coming to an expected stop at a crosswalk, the brakes were reliable and responsive without feeling overly grabby.
The 27.5×2.4″ Bontrager E6 tires also deserve a mention. They’re tubeless-compatible, which is great for reducing the chance of flats on commutes, and the reflective strip adds a layer of visibility—a small but thoughtful detail for urban riders. Paired with the wide Alex MD35 rims, the bike rolls smoothly and feels stable, even on rougher surfaces like cracked pavement or gravel.
Overall, the component setup on the Allant+ 8S feels like a great balance of durability and performance. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or just riding for fun, the bike is outfitted with everything you need to feel comfortable, safe, and confident.
Screen / User Interface / App
The Trek Allant+ 8S comes with the Bosch SmartphoneHub, which is a pretty slick setup that gives you some flexibility depending on how much info you want during your ride. The hub itself has a small LCD screen that covers the basics: speed, battery, odometer, and your pedal assist level. It’s great for when you want to keep it simple.
But if you’re someone who likes to get more detailed (like me), the real magic happens when you pair your phone with the COBI.bike app. The SmartphoneHub turns into a dedicated phone holder, and once you connect via Bluetooth, your phone becomes a full-featured display. The cool part is that the buttons on the handlebars work seamlessly with the app, so you can navigate without taking your hands off the bars. The app gives you way more info, including GPS tracking, ride data, speed, range, and even music controls and health stats.
Now, quick side note: the demo bike I received from Trek had a broken SmartphoneHub mount. No big surprise—these demo bikes get passed around to a bunch of reviewers, and ours must’ve taken a hit somewhere along the way. On one hand, that’s just part of the game when sharing equipment, but on the other, I’d like to see a bit more durability in this part, given its role. Fortunately, I found that using a regular bike phone mount works just as well. The app still pairs with no issues, and I got the same functionality as if the hub was intact.
So, whether you stick with the built-in display or go all-in with the app, the setup is versatile and gives you the info you need without overcomplicating things. Just maybe handle that SmartphoneHub with a bit of care!
Trek Allant+ 8S Model Options
The Trek Allant+ 8S comes in three sizes: Medium, Large, and X-Large, so there’s something for a pretty wide range of riders. For reference, the Medium is suited for those between 5’5” and 5’9”, Large fits riders from 5’9” to 6’1”, and X-Large is ideal for anyone between 6’1” and 6’6”. It’s nice to see Trek covering that kind of range, making sure most riders can find a good fit.
When it comes to colors, you’ve got two options: matte metallic gunmetal with a darker Trek logo, or the lithium grey with neon yellow Trek logo, which is what I had for testing (and you can see in the photos). Both look sharp and have that premium feel you’d expect from a bike in this price range.
Trek includes a few useful accessories with the Allant+ 8S, like a front headlight and a rear rack with an integrated light. One thing I wish they’d do, though, is make that rear light act as a brake light—seems like an easy fix for future models, and it’d add another layer of safety for commuters.
If you’re into accessories, Trek has you covered. Their list of general add-ons is long enough to find nearly anything you’re looking for. But one specific accessory worth mentioning is the optional second 500Wh battery that mounts directly to the existing downtube bosses. That’s a game-changer if you need more range for those long commutes or extended rides.
Is The Trek Allant+ 8S Worth Buying?
People often ask me whether direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-bikes stack up against legacy brands like Trek. My response? Both types of bikes will get you where you need to go, and they often share similar components, but there’s a noticeable difference in how they do it. It’s like comparing an economy car to a higher-end vehicle—both get the job done, but one just gives a more refined experience. That’s where the Trek Allant+ 8S stands out.
Pros
- The ride quality is very smooth, providing a comfortable experience for both commuting and longer rides.
- The Bosch Performance Speed Line motor feels great with solid power and torque, making it easy to accelerate and maintain speed.
- The range is good, with enough mileage to cover both shorter commutes and longer trips, even in higher assist modes.
- Trek has included plenty of mounting points, allowing for easy customization with additional accessories.
- The Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable performance, with precise shifting and solid braking power.
- The COBI.bike app integrates well with the bike, offering a useful way to track ride data, use GPS, and access other features through your smartphone.
Cons
- It’s a commuter, the bike could benefit from turn signals, or at a minimum, program the taillight to double as a brake light.
- The color options are limited, and it would be nice to see more variety available.
The Allant+ 8S feels dialed-in across the board, from its smooth ride and responsive handling to its well-chosen components. Sure, you could buy a commuter e-bike for less and, on paper, it might seem like you’re getting the same thing. But the difference is in the execution—everything just feels more polished with the Trek. The design, the ride quality, and the overall experience are more thought-out, giving you something that not only functions well but also feels better in day-to-day use.
If you’re looking for an e-bike that doesn’t just tick the boxes but delivers a level of quality and refinement, the Trek Allant+ 8S is a great choice. It might not be the cheapest option, but for riders who appreciate the finer details, it might be worth the extra coin.
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