Syklo PowerTrail Z8 Review: We Turned Our Mountain Bike Into a Monster (Until It Broke)
Hey, riders! Avec l'énergie du nouveau Drop Holy Halloween on a trouvé l'énergie de sortir vous faire un petit test VTTAE (enfin presque) ! Le marché du VTTAE (VTT à Assistance Électrique) a explosé, But the entry costs remain astronomical. The mechanical alternative? How to Convert Your Non-Electric Mountain Bike to an Electric One Yourself. On paper, That's a crazy promise. So we set our sights on the French kit Syklo PowerTrail Z8 to turn a Rockrider AM50S into an electric enduro bike, for a total budget of around 1,500 €.
But be careful, A serious mountain bike is a merciless judge. While the raw performance blew us away during the first few laps, The realities on the ground eventually got the better of the equipment. We'll explain everything in this Syklo PowerTrail Z8 Review unfiltered, with videos from that time to back it up!
Editing: 1,000 W and 120 Nm under the bottom bracket
Mechanically, The kit is impressive. It delivers a staggering 120 Nm of torque and a peak power output of 1,000 W, far exceeding traditional market standards (by way of comparison, (The well-known DJI motor has a maximum torque of 105 Nm at 850 W.). The whole system is paired with a 480 Wh battery. The whole thing adds almost 7 kg to the scale.
This installation requires a willingness to get your hands dirty: Remove the crankset, use a BB92 adapter (required for the AM50S frame), install the mounting plate, Run the cables to the control screen and secure the sensor. Check out all the steps in our setup process and our initial impressions in this video:
The Test Ride: Subtle climbs and a new sense of gravity
Off to the Prieuré de Saint-Michel (near Grenoble) for a real Enduro test. And then, That's a real eye-opener. In Turbo mode, The support is super helpful. We're climbing at 15 km/h on hills where we usually struggle at 8 km/h, to the point where they can hold a conversation.
On the descent, with an extra 7 kg perched fairly high up (the battery on the bottle cage), The bike inevitably becomes clunkier when jumping. However, The surprise comes from the grip: as soon as there is clear support, This extra weight puts more strain on the tires and provides incredible traction. As for battery life, Turbo mode drains the 480 Wh battery in about 30 km with 1,400 m of elevation gain.
Limitations of the kit: Why the engine eventually broke down
This is where engineering takes center stage again, tempering the initial excitement over the first wrinkles. A mountain bike is not originally designed to accommodate an aftermarket engine mounted under its frame. This has a significant impact on ground clearance. While the torque sensor and power output of the Syklo PowerTrail Z8 are perfect for bike commuting, whether it's a bike tour or a leisurely ride, The system isn't designed to handle the demands of serious mountain biking.
Between the asymmetry of the Q-factor (the distance between the cranks), chainline issues on Enduro cassettes (requiring very specific narrow-wide chainrings to prevent constant derailing), and, above all, the exposure of the crankcase to rough terrain, The equipment is taking a real beating.
The result? The engine eventually broke down under the strain of our use. Enduro involves impacts, twisting and rock strikes that the bindings and design of this type of "aftermarket" kit simply cannot withstand over the long term.(Stay tuned: we're working on a dedicated technical article and a full video to analyze exactly what failed inside the engine!)
Summary: Who is this kit intended for?
The Syklo PowerTrail Z8 kit remains a truly excellent electrification product, with incredible thrust. In fact, the French brand's customer service has an excellent reputation online for responding quickly when problems arise.However, our position is clear: Avoid this setup if you plan on riding enduro, Freeride or challenging all-mountain riding. You'll run into mechanical problems and inevitable breakdowns. En revanche, si vous cherchez à transformer un VTT basique en monstre de puissance pour de la piste forestière roulante, du vélo-cargo ou du déplacement quotidien pentu, c'est une solution redoutable.
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Axel - Two Bros Riding
Hi, I’m Axel, the face and creative mind behind the Two Bros Riding duo. As a mechanical engineer by training, I don’t just ride DH or Enduro—I break down the kinematics, materials, and technical specifications of every piece of gear I test. I’ve had a camera in my hand since elementary school, and I’m committed to sharing my passion for mountain biking with authenticity and precision!
