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Trek Verve+ 3 Review

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bosch Active Line Plus Motor My20

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bosch Powertube 500 Downtube Mounted Battery Pack With Range Boost Option

Trek Verve Plus 3 Cockpit View Swept Back Handlebars

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bontrager Ergonomic Grips Shimano Alivio Trigger Shifters

Trek Verve Plus 3 Alloy Fork Hermans 120 Lumen Headlight

Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brake Front Caliper With 160 Mm Rotor

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bontrager E6 Hybrid Tread Tires

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bontrager Boulevard Saddle With Suspension Seatpost Side View

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bontrager Boulevard Saddle Top View

Trek Verve Plus 3 Shimano Alivio Derailleur With Hyperglide 9 Speed Cassette

Trek Verve Plus 3 Full Alloy Chain Guard Bontrager Satellite City Platform Pedals

Trek Verve Plus 3 Rear Mounted Adustable Length Kickstand

Trek Verve Plus 3 Solo By Spanninga Taillight Three Leds

Trek Verve Plus 3 Bosch 2amp 1.2lb Compact Charger

Trek Verve Plus 3 Stock Lowstep Trek Black

Trek Verve Plus 3 Stock High Step Trek Matte Black

The 3rd generation of Trek's popular Verve+ ebike maintains the excellent quality of previous models while providing more power and range, supported by a large network of dealers and available in a wide range of size and frame options
Excellent craftsmanship and tuning showcase Trek's prowess in bicycle manufacturing, accessories are seamlessly integrated and easy to operate thanks to always-on lights and the simplicity of the Bosch Purion display, ready for commuting with a MIK-compatible rack, full length fenders, and a suspension seatpost
The electrical system has upgraded to the Bosch Active Line Plus motor along with a seamlessly integrated PowerTube 500 battery, with excellent range and responsive performance and the option to add an additional 500wh of battery capacity with the Bosch Range Boost system
No way to use walk mode or turn off the lights due to safety concerns, bottle cage bosses are nice to have but utilizing them may prevent removing the battery, charging port is positioned near the left crank and thus more vulnerable to accidental damage

Make:

Trek

Model:

Verve+ 3

Price:

$2,999

Body Position:

Upright, Forward

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Years Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame

Availability:

United States, Canada

Model Year:

2021

Total Weight:

55 lbs (24.94 kg)

Battery Weight:

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

Motor Weight:

7.1 lbs (3.22 kg)

Frame Material:

Alpha Smooth Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17.5 in (44.45 cm)19.5 in (49.53 cm)21.5 in (54.61 cm)23.5 in (59.69 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

44cm Small Step-Thru Measurements: 44.5cm Seat Tube, 63.5cm Reach, 44.5cm Stand Over Height, 83.8cm Minimum Saddle Height, 63.5cm Width, 188cm Length, 114.3cm Wheelbase

Frame Types:

High-Step, Step-Thru

Frame Colors:

Trek Black, Teal

Frame Fork Details:

Aluminum Rigid, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with with Quick Release Skewer

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Mount, Fender Mounts, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

9 Speed 1x9 Shimano HG200 11-36T Cassette, Shimano Alivio T4000 Derailleur

Shifter Details:

Shimano Alivio M4000 Triggers on Right (One-Way High Lever, Three-Shift Low Lever)

Cranks:

Prowheel, Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 38 Tooth Steel Chainring with narrow-wide teeth and Full Alloy Guard

Pedals:

Bontrager Satellite City, Molded Plastic with Reflectors, Steel Core

Headset:

Threadless, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Bontrager Aluminum Alloy, Adjustable Angle, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter, Blendr Compatible

Handlebar:

Bontrager Aluminum Alloy, Comfort Sweep Low-Rise, 670mm Length

Brake Details:

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc with 160mm Rotors, Dual-Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Bontrager Satellite Elite, Rubber, Ergonomic, Lock-On

Saddle:

Bontrager Boulevard

Seat Post:

Trek Pavement Suspension, 40mm Travel, Aluminum Alloy with Steel Core, Preload Adjust, 2-Bolt Saddle Clamp

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 mm

Rims:

Bontrager Connection, Aluminum Alloy Double Wall, 32 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Bontrager E6, 700x50c (50-622)

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

30 to 60 PSI, 2.1 to 4.2 BAR, 60 TPI, Hard-Case Lite Puncture Protection

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

MIK-Compatible Alloy Rear Rack with Pannier Hangers and Standard Gauge Tubing (25kg/55lb Weight Limit), Blendr Compatible Stem, Plastic Fenders with Toe Strike Guard on Front, Black Foam Slap Guard, Rear-Mounted Adjustable Length Kickstand, Fork-Mounted Hermans H-Black MR4-E Integrated Headlight (120 Lumens), Carrier-Integrated Spanninga SOLO Backlight (35 Lumens)

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, Bosch Range Boost Compatible, 1.3b lb 2 Amp Bosch Compact Charger, Maximum 105 RPM / 270% Motor Support, ABUS Locking Core, KMC X9 Chain, Maximum Total Weight Limit 300lbs (136kg)

Motor Brand:

Bosch Active Line Plus (MY20)

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Peak Output:

415 watts

Motor Torque:

50 Newton meters (Eco: 35, Tour: 40, Sport: 45, Turbo: 50)

Battery Brand:

Bosch PowerTube 500, Samsung 18650 Cells

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

13.4 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

482.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

35 miles (56 km)

Estimated Max Range:

90 miles (145 km)

Display Type:

Bosch Purion, Fixed, Backlit LCD Control Panel with Integrated Button Pad, (Hold - to Cycle Through Readouts, Hold - and Press Power to Change Units, Hold + to Activate Lights)

Readouts:

Speed, Assist Level (Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo), Battery Level (1-5), Trip Distance, Total Distance, Estimated Range, Lights

Display Accessories:

Micro-USB Port for Diagnostics and Software Updates Only

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Rear Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence, and Pedal Torque - Power Output Relative to Pedal Input: Eco 40%, Tour 100%, Sport 180%, Turbo 270%)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,000 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)46 in (116.84 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

Number of Gears

030

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This in-depth review was not sponsored by Trek or any other third party. It was funded by the display ads and placements on this website and YouTube. I cover as many products as I can, based on what I feel is relevant, interesting, and available. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comment section below, and the Trek electric bike forums.

Observations:

Trek is one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world, considered one of the “Big Three” along with Giant and Specialized. They have hundreds of dealers just in the United States, which gives them a compelling advantage in terms of support, as well as color and size choices… although you pay a premium in price! Trek has come a long ways from their beginning in 1975 when they only manufactured hand-brazed steel frames
The Verve+ 3 is no longer the most affordable electric bike in the Trek lineup, as the price has gone up by $500 USD. Technically it would be their most affordable electric bike, but Trek is still selling both the Verve+ 2 and the original Verve+ (both for $2,499 USD). It’s worth noting that Trek does offer a line of more affordable ebikes sold under the Electra brand which Trek acquired in 2014
Some units of the Verve+ 2 had an issue with the chain derailling frequently, which was fixed by replacing the standard chainring with one that had narrow-wide teeth. This replacement was made at no cost to owners but was still inconvenient to deal with, fortunately the Verve+ 3 comes standard with a narrow-wide chainring so there should be no derailling issues
The puncture protection is listed as “Hard-Case Lite” compared to the “Hard-Case Ultimate” that was equipped on the previous generation of the Verve+ 3. This appears to be a downgrade, but from what I’ve been able to find it seems the Hard-Case Lite still performs quite well while being more lightweight

Pros:

The Verve+ 3 has simplified colors with only two options (Teal or Matte Black), but still has a fantastic selection of five sizes and two frame types. If you opt for the step-thru frame (which Trek calls “Lowstep”) you can choose between extra-small, small, medium, and large sizes. For the high-step frame your options are medium, large, and extra-large! This wide selection along with numerous dealers makes it easy for you to get professionally fitted for the ideal ride experience. Add to this the excellent warranty with two years of comprehensive coverage, and lifetime coverage for the frame and fork, and you can see why many riders have a lot of trust in the Trek brand
Whether you prefer an upright seating position or one leaning forward, it’s easy to dial in the comfort thanks to the wide range of sizes and frames, as well as the adjustability of the quill stem. The step-thru frames provide the most upright seating position as well as easy mounts and dismounts, while the high-step frame is better suited for a more forward aggressive seating position, providing more stability at high speeds. Contact points from Bontrager are well designed, the Satellite Elite ergonomic grips are grippy and locking so that they don’t rotate, and the Boulevard saddle is fairly wide with a full cutout for maximum comfort
The suspension seatpost is also made by Trek and provides 40mm of travel, a significant improvement over the the 30mm of many competing products. The 31.6mm diameter makes it a bit more sturdy and when fully removed you can adjust suspension pre-load with an Allen wrench, helpful for dialing in the performance for your size
The quill stem, in addition to being highly adjustable, is also Blendr-compatible! Blendr is a mounting platform that makes it easy to mount all manner of accessories to the top of the stem, with common accessories being cycle computers, phone mounts, and additional lights. Check out the resources section at the bottom of this review to see all the Blendr-compatible accessories offered by Trek
Feature-complete and fully loaded for commuting with high-quality accessories, this makes the Verve+ 3 an excellent choice for commuting to work and running errands
The rear rack supports the same standard weight limit of 25kg/50lb, but it has received a nice upgrade in the form of being MIK-ready! The MIK platform makes it easy to quickly attach and detach luggage containers such as baskets or pannier bags by simply clicking them into place and then removing with a small key tool. This eliminates the time and frustration of having to unfasten and/or untie the more common luggage containers, and if you already have a bag or other carrier that you like, you can add on a MIK adapter plate to make it compatible with this rack
The full-length plastic fenders are sturdy, resilient, and very well mounted! Plastic fenders can be prone to rattling loudly especially on bumpy roads, but I didn’t notice any while test riding, I also appreciate that the front fender has a toe-strike guard which provides some extra coverage and mitigates any impacts from your foot if you bonk it while turning. The front light provides 120 lumens with excellent side cutouts which further increase visibility when riding at night, the rear light is also highly visible with three LEDs
Bontrager E6 tires measure 700x50c, which puts them at 5c wider than the H5s on the Verve+ 2. This extra width translates to a more comfortable ride since there is more volume of air, and you also get Hard-Case Lite puncture protection for more peace of mind while commuting. These tires have bright sidewall striping for excellent side visibility, a great safety feature and welcome upgrade from the all-black tires of the previous generation
The kickstand is rear-mounted and thus won’t get tangled up with the cranks when moving the bike backwards, this also makes chain maintenance much easier by not requiring you to mount the bike on a stand or flip it upside down
The motor has been upgraded to the Bosch Active Line Plus MY20, compared to the standard Active Line MY19 on the Verve+ 2. This motor provides a small increase in power and performance, with higher peak wattage, more torque, higher max assist, and higher maximum cadence! If you test both motors back-to-back you’ll be able to tell the difference, although they are still quite similar and most riders will be fine on either model. This is an incredibly sensitive torque-based motor which fits best for more active riders who enjoy cycling and getting some exercise, and just want an electric motor to help out occasionally and balance out some steep inclines on their commute
Shimano’s Alivio groupset feels smooth and performs excellently as usual, with a wide range of 11-36 teeth on the nine-speed cassette that is more than sufficient for all types of city riding. The Alivio trigger shifters are quite clicky and satisfying to use, and the up-shifting paddle is a two-way which means you can operate both using only your thumbs, which makes it easier to shift while keeping your fingers on or near the brakes
Shimano’s MT200 hydraulic disc brakes are back again and they still work great, providing smooth and quiet stopping power and easy actuation compared to mechanical disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes also don’t require tightening and thus require less frequent maintenance than their mechanical counterparts
The battery is the biggest area of improvement on the Verve+ 3, the Bosch PowerTube 500 has an extra 100 watt-hours of capacity and now seamlessly integrates into the towntube, compared to the Bosch PowerPack 400 which was mounted on top of the downtube on the Verve+ 2. This clean integration looks much nicer and keeps the battery better protected, and also helps the bike to appear more “stealth” which can help to reduce theft risk. The battery can be charged on or off the bike and features a flip-up handle for easy carrying when removed
The key for removing the battery is manufactured by ABUS and is keyed alike ready, which means you can order locks and other accessories from ABUS that will work with your keys. Keep your key identification card somewhere safe as you can also use it to order replacement keys if you lose both of yours
The battery configuration is also Range-boost compatible! This is a feature offered by Bosch, the three bottle cage bosses on the top of the downtube are used to mount a PowerPack 500 battery which will effectively double your maximum range. This allows you to charge both batteries at the same time while mounted on the bike and is much more convenient than simply buying a separate battery that must be carried with you and swapped out
The responsiveness and ride feel are top notch. Trek has been making acoustic bicycles for many years and it really shows in the level of craftsmanship and perfect tuning of the Verve+ 3, it is incredibly smooth and satisfying to ride even while the motor is turned off. Powering on the motor you can feel similar expertise from Bosch’s electrical system, with instant responsiveness to changes in pressure on the pedals, reading torque, cadence, and rear wheel speed at over 1,000 readings per second!
The Purion display is the smallest offered by Bosch, it is unobtrusive and out of the way while still providing clear and easy-to-read information thanks to the excellent contrast ratio of the grayscale LCD display. I’m a fan of this display as it covers the basics and is very intuitive to use, making it easy to focus on riding without needing to fiddle with settings

Cons:

There is no front suspension which may not be a problem for many riders, but if you live in an area with rough roads and lots of potholes you may not enjoy riding there with this setup. Riders with hand and/or wrist sensitivity will probably also find the ride too rough, you could swap out the stem for a suspension stem (although you would lose the high adjustability of the Blendr quill stem)
The Bosch Purion display is pretty minimalist and may leave you wanting more if you prefer to have more statistics, configurable settings, and perhaps a USB port for powering small electronics while riding. The Purion is also not removable which can leave it vulnerable to damage from weather or bumps at the bike rack, although it is quite durable and should be able to survive anything outside of a severe direct impact. Bosch displays are interchangeable, so if you would prefer a more feature-rich display such as the Kiox, Nyon, or Smartphone Hub, your Trek dealer can make this upgrade (just expect to pay at least $200 for it)
Typically Bosch displays allow you to disable the lights and also to use Walk Mode, but both of these functions are disabled on Trek ebikes. The lights are always on as long as the display is powered on, and the dedicated WALK button on the bottom of the display does nothing when pressed. This configuration is set in the interest of maximizing safety, it is my understanding that Trek dealers can modify both settings on request
As mentioned, this torque-sensing setup is very responsive an excellent choice for more active riders. However, if you have sensitive knees or anything else that prevents you from being able to put a lot of force onto the pedals, this ebike may not be a great fit. This is in comparison to cadence-sensing systems which only require that you cycle the cranks around with minimal pressure
At first I was excited to see three bottle cage bosses on the downtube, normally these are awesome for securely mounting all manner of accessories. However, on the Verve+ 3 mounting any accessories that wrap around the downtube will make it impossible to remove the PowerTube battery from the frame (unless you first remove your accessories, which would be inconvenient and time-consuming). Of course, you can charge the battery while it’s mounted on the bike, but it’s generally not a good idea to leave the battery in the frame all the time unless you always keep the bike inside. Batteries don’t do well when exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods of time, and as the most expensive component on an ebike they increase the theft risk when left mounted. Where these mounting bosses really shine is if you opt for the RangeBoost upgrade, as they are used to secure the mounting hardware for the additional battery
You can charge the battery while it is secured in the downtube, but the charge port is positioned very low and right next to the cranks on the left side. This is a risky position as the charging cord and cranks could become tangled if the bike gets moved or knocked over while charging, so be sure to position it well out of the way to minimize this risk

Useful Resources:

Local Trek dealers near you
Blendr-compatible accessories that can be mounted on the stem
More information on the Bosch Range Boost system
Bosch Ebike Systems Motor Comparison on the EBR Forums
Head to Head Comparison of all three generations of the Verve+ ebike

September 10, 2020 (2 weeks ago)

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Bruce

2 weeks ago

Trek does allow “Walk mode” on some of their Ebikes. i have a 2020 Powerfly 5 Ebike and it is available to use. Maybe for 2021 models they are inactivating it.
Ask Court to get you a device so you don’t have to ride one handed all the time with your arm extended. It looks pretty dangerous with cars whizzing by you.

Tyson Roehrkasse

Good to know about the walk mode, I’ve heard from some Verve+ 3 owners in Canada that walk mode works there as well, so it seems to vary by region. The Verve+ 2 I reviewed last year had the same restriction as well.

I do have a chest mount that I use sometimes depending on where I am and the type of riding, but I do feel pretty safe in Fort Collins. I’ve been cycling there for almost 20 years now and the city is very bike friendly :)

David Bannister

This is an excellent and accurate review based on my experience as an owner for 2750 kilometres. I am in Canada, where the price is $3999, and the lights on/off and walk features are enabled.
The bike is very smooth to operate but does have a stiff/sometimes jarring ride. I have added both a Redshift ShockStop stem and seat post, and the ride is now wonderfully smooth by comparison- especially since I ride the Verve at least as much off-road on gravel and grassy trails as I do on pavement. It does provide lots of exercise compared to a bike with a more powerful motor… I like this; looking to get in better shape at 65. I am very happy with this bike, it has been trouble-free for me and my local Trek shop has been great to deal with.
One other change I have just made is to remove the long chain guard. I prefer to have better access to the chain for service. I am looking into getting the chainring guard for an Allant to replace it, or just go without a guard.
Thanks for the great review Court, there aren’t many out there for this bike.

Hi David, thanks for commenting! I’m glad to hear you’ve been enjoying your Verve+ 3, adding the extra suspension sounds like a nice upgrade – especially if it can handle off-roading now! I’ve heard from a few other owners that they removed the chain guard as well.

John Charles

This bike has gone from 45lb to 55lbs over 2 years! Is this because of the bigger motor or is the extra weight the reasoning for the extra boost? What gives? I rode the first generation and thought it seemed quite light and nimble. Has it lost some of that ‘regular’ bike feel?

6 days ago

Great question! The original did have a lighter motor and battery (combined 11.8 pounds) vs the newest model (combined 14.6 pounds). So there’s roughly 3 pounds of weight difference to start with.

Some other factors that would affect weight:
– The original did not include a rack or a chain guard
– The original had a narrower kickstand
– The original had a smaller directional headlight integrated into the frame (vs a separately mounted light on the Verve+ 3)
– The tires on the original are 700x45c (vs 700x50c on the Verve+ 3, slightly wider diameter)

Another possible factor is that the original model we reviewed was a high-step frame, and for the Verve+ 3 I had a low-step frame. Also, since the newest version of the bike is Bosch Range Boost compatible, it presumably has some extra electronics hardware inside the frame for making that magic happen.

Oh, and the original seatpost was 27.2mm in diameter, vs 31.6mm on the Verve+ 3!

I think that’s about all the contributing factors I can think of :)

Don Helms

1 week ago

I noticed a bell on the Verve +3, what is the brand and where can I get one? I have a Verve +2 and need a bell. Thanks!

The bell doesn’t have a brand on it that I remember… I actually completely forgot to mention it in my review! It’s a standard flick bell, so any bike shop should have one like it. If you want the exact same one you’d probably have to get it from a Trek shop :)