TQ HPR50 Motor Review | We Test 3 Lightweight e-MTBs With This German-Made Motor

Publicado 2024-04-11
See the full review and range test results here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/tq-hpr50-motor-review-e…

The TQ HPR50 motor debuted to considerable fanfare back in 2022 when it first appeared on the Trek Fuel EXe. As the lightest motor in its category, the HPR50 drive unit blew everyone away with its astonishingly compact form and whisper-quiet performance, changing our expectations of what a lightweight electric mountain bike could look and sound like.

Initially an exclusive for Trek, the HPR50 motor is now found on several lightweight e-MTBs including the Scott Lumen, Scott Voltage, Mondraker Neat, UNNO Ikki and Simplon Rapcon. The competition in this space is evolving at a rapid rate however, with the likes of the Bosch SX motor, Fazua Ride 60 system and an updated Specialized Levo SL returning fire at TQ.

So, nearly two years on since its official release, are we still just as impressed with the HPR50 motor as the day we first rode it? And how does it stack up against its modern day competitors?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Video Contents

0:00 - TQ HPR50 Overview
0:42 - Harmonic Pin Ring Design
1:46 - Battery & Controls
2:36 - Strengths
5:02 - Downsides
6:29 - Heat Management
7:27 - Range Testing
8:27 - Optional Range Extender
9:37 - Flow's Verdict

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Love mountain biking? Be sure to follow Flow Mountain Bike for all the latest bike reviews, news, videos, travel features and more!

Website - flowmountainbike.com/​​​​
Facebook - www.facebook.com/flowmountainbike
Instagram - www.instagram.com/flow_mtb
YouTube - youtube.com/c/flowmountainbikeyoutube/videos

Todos los comentarios (20)
  • @diamondMTB
    I've done over 2500kms on my EXE and love the intuitive silent ride. TQ, Trek and my LBS have shown amazing support
  • @skinny8019
    thanks for this review....looking forward to getting a trek fuel exe....and the long adventure rides...on my recovery days...
  • @silverado5325
    1,300 miles on my Trek. Flawless and even quieter now than new.
  • Great review Wil 👏. You mentioned how it stacks up against the fazua in terms of peak power and acceleration, just wondering how the tq stacks up against the ep8rs and bosch sx? I'd imagine these motor systems would be closer to the fazua than the tq?
  • @Canyon_Shawn
    I love my EXe9.7. I can’t find any faults with it. I have about 2,500 miles on it. I’ve ridden in 100° + weather without it overheating. And, mine doesn’t have any pedal response problems. Mods I’ve done are: Hope T4E4 brakes. Marzocchi coil kit for the Fox 36 Rhythm fork, 2024 Fox X2 shock. 9Point8 dropper, Wolf Tooth seatpost clamp, stem spacers and cap, SDG saddle, I9 stem, OneUp carbon bar, Death Grip grips, One Up composite pedals and Penny Flake Slik Graphics for the fork and shock to match the frame. I absolutely love it! I wouldn’t change anything.
  • @scottc791
    You make reference to a heavier vs lighter rider where would you guys see the weight at which you think this change would be? From someone hoping to get into one to help build fitness and skill
  • @guambra2001
    The Trek Fuel EXe vs Ari Nebo Peak would be a good one.
  • @wx2999
    At 4:40, you mention that the system can tell based on power output whether someone is on flats or clips. How can this be true? No one has ever been able to demonstrate a difference in power output between flats and clips, even in a laboratory setting, much less an actual trail.
  • @LvCapsule
    Yep I am a 105kg big boy, full power ebike FTW.
  • @danh2000
    I bought a Fuel eXe from Trek when it first came out and loved it when it worked, but I had 5 warranty issues involving the electrics failing in the 3 months I owned it before returning it for a refund. I had never owned a Trek bike before and they were good to deal with, but the bike was rushed out before being ready - I wasted so much money and ruined so many rides that it left a bad taste in my mouth.
  • @mwinner101
    I just hope all these different batteries from all the different manufacturers stay permanently available. When they stop holding a charge, and the battery is no longer available, these expensive toys are all going to be in the landfill.
  • @giddyup3451
    Have heard of more than a few failures of the tq motor.
  • @coreymclernon
    Love your mountain bike videos but e- bikes I could fucking care less. Start another channel for the e-bikes. I’m sure they are fun but that’s not why I follow your channel. I’m 59 years old and don’t have any desire to ride one for some time.