Trekking bikes used to be the losers. However, there’s a new generation of bikes and riders as the segment undergoes a major technological, conceptual and communicative shift, opening new possibilities. This overview lists the most important E-trekking bike buyer’s guides, tests, and trekking inspiration!
What could be better than exploring the world on two wheels? The wind in your hair, scenic landscapes and winding bike paths under your wheels. The journey is just as important as the destination and delivers new experiences, interesting encounters and culinary highlights. Regardless of whether it’s a day trip, overnight stay in a tent (keyword overnighter!) or a bike tour with stops in a bed & breakfast or 4-star hotel, they all have their place! So, all good then? Unfortunately, not. The trekking sector has evolved greatly over the past few years but, in many cases, trekking bikes have not! The truth of the matter is that trekking bikes used to be regarded as the losers amongst bikes. In most cases, they featured little attention to detail or functionality, simply doing the bare minimum they could get away with. More often than not, they were fitted with terrible, short-travel forks that usually didn’t work properly, skinny tires, weak brakes and cheap, no-name components. Added to this was the way magazines and brands often portrayed them. At best, the images looked like scenes from Heidi with badly lit faces and fake smiles. Plain, no style and boring. The trekking bike never had it easy when it comes to image. Nevertheless, they remain a cash cow for many brands, especially since the electrification of this category began.
A lot has changed with the electrification of bicycles. Not only was the eMTB invented, but it also opened up new use cases that go far beyond those of a classic mountain bike. Whether as a vehicle for the whole family, urban SUV ebike, uphill flow rocket or car replacement, eMTBs don’t just allow you to ride further but also broaden your horizons. It’s no wonder they’re attracting an incredible number of newcomers to the world’s best hobby.
Countless people have significantly improved their leisure time, health, day to day and quality of life with eMTBs. On the other hand, the E-trekking bike was once again the loser, despite having just as much potential for innovation and new possibilities. Instead, brands have produced and sold bikes that do the job on bike trips and tours but are little more than a poor compromise in terms of sex appeal, quality and functionality. Even if E-trekking bikes and their specced components may meet the required safety standards, there are much better, similarly priced alternatives that are significantly more capable and higher quality! This is especially annoying for consumers who could get substantially more for the same money. Unfortunately, this is still often the case. Trekking bikes like the new Specialized Tero might be technically advanced but they still don’t live up to the potential and current possibilities of this category. Instead, they’re modern interpretations of an outdated concept.
Fortunately, the likes of Riese & Müller recognised the potential early on and set about finding pragmatic solutions, even if they go outside of the box. Now, a handful of brands have come forward with the intention to rethink and redefine the trekking segment. And it’s our intention too! Because trekking is fantastic and can be damn cool. It’s the most relaxed and beautiful kind of two-wheeled travel. Ultimately, it’s also a kind of gravel riding and bikepacking, both of which are booming, though with flat bars and varying frame shapes. Trekking is the laissez-faire of the bike world where everything goes but nothing is compulsory. Free. Individual. Suitable for the masses. And you can start from any doorstep!
Gravel and trekking share the same mindset, the same spirit – cycling off the beaten track in moderate off-road terrain with the goal of having great experiences!”
By definition, modern trekking bikes are the all-rounders among ebikes. They bridge the gap between urban ebikes, sporty gravel bikes and eMTBs, covering a wide range of uses in that vast undefined middleground. From pleasure cruises on vacation to weekend trips with the family, travelling with luggage, commuting and moderate off-road excursions, they’ll turn their hand to anything. The uses and potential of this new generation of trekking bikes are enormous! For us, that’s reason enough to devote ourselves to the topic and provide you with in-depth tests, groundbreaking stories and the best know-how around. We recommend looking at the different concepts and getting clued up – you’ll quickly notice that it makes sense to stop thinking in traditional bike categories if you want to find the best bike for you or your friends and loved ones. Our trekking bike group test will tell you what to consider when looking for the right trekking bike for you, which products are useful and which we can’t recommend! Nothing is more annoying than investing your hard-earned money or your precious free time in the wrong bike!
If bike brands want to retain the raison d’etre and realise the potential of their trekking bikes, they will have to take inspiration from current gravel and eMTB trends and invest heavily in their development. With this in mind, let the following articles inspire you and help redefine the trekking segment. Meanwhile, we’re cruising into the sunset aboard our E-trekking bikes, with 20 kg luggage, best friends and family in tow. We’ll save a spot for you by the campfire.
Between urban ebikes, sporty gravel bikes and eMTBs, there is a large, undefined spectrum of use cases that a new generation of trekking bikes can cover. We have compiled some groundbreaking tests, stories and inspiration for the new trekking generation below:
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Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Robin Schmitt
