Trekking bikes in the test: Top equipment and good value: 14 trekking bikes in the big test
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Text: Christian Bonk
Versatility on two wheels was probably what the developers of the first trekking bikes had written into their specifications when the first of them were created in the 1980s on the design plans of bike tinkerers. The requirement: off-road capable enough for short turns through woods and meadows, faster than a mountain bike on tarmac and fully equipped for everyday use on the way to the supermarket or the office. They also made luggage racks an option for longer tours.
Trekking bikes were the bicycle manufacturers' response to the introduction of mountain bikes as a completely new type of bicycle, which were first seen off-road in California in the 1970s. The wide range of uses was requested in the 1980s by bicycle customers who found a mountain bike too one-sidedly sporty and who wanted a two-wheeler that would optimally mobilise them in all areas of life.
These are the trekking bikes tested
- Bergamont Horizon 3 >> available here
- Canyon Pathlite 7
- Cube Kathmandu >> available here
- Decathlon Riverside 740 TR >> available here
- Diamant Elan Deluxe >> available here
- Ghost Square
- Hercules Tourer Sport
- KTM Life Lite
- Pegasus Premio SL Disc 27
- Radon Sunset 10
- Rose Black Lava >> available here
- Scott Sub Sport 30 >> available here
- Stevens Esprit Gent
- Victoria Treqana
Trekking bikes in detail
A trekking bike, also known as a trekking bike or all terrain bike (ATB), is a versatile bike designed for use on roads as well as on light terrain such as gravel and forest tracks. It combines features of road bikes, mountain bikes and touring bikes to offer both comfort and efficiency.
Frame and geometry: Trekking bikes typically have a sturdy frame made of aluminium or steel, which ensures durability and resilience. The frame geometry enables an upright riding position, which increases comfort on long journeys. Depending on the model, different frame shapes are available, including diamond, trapezoid or mixed frames, to suit the rider's individual needs.
Tyres and wheels: Generally equipped with 28-inch wheels and medium-width tyres with a light tread, trekking bikes offer a good compromise between rolling resistance and traction. This tyre width enables efficient riding on asphalt and at the same time offers sufficient grip on unpaved roads.
Gearstick and drive: Trekking bikes are generally equipped with derailleur gears, which offer a wide range of gear ratios and therefore make it easier to tackle different types of terrain. The number of gears varies depending on the model, but there are often 21 to 30 gears to comfortably master both steep climbs and fast descents.
Brakes: For reliable braking performance, trekking bikes are equipped with either rim brakes (V-brakes) or disc brakes. Disc brakes offer greater braking power, especially in wet conditions, and are therefore advantageous for use in different weather conditions.
Equipment: A characteristic feature of trekking bikes is their extensive equipment, which makes them ideal for everyday use and longer tours. This includes permanently installed mudguards that protect against splashing water, a sturdy luggage rack for attaching panniers or baskets, a complete lighting system in accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) with dynamo or battery-powered lighting and reflectors for increased visibility. In addition, most models are equipped with a kickstand, bell and ergonomic handles to increase comfort and safety.
Field of application: Thanks to their versatility, trekking bikes are suitable for daily commuting in the city as well as for extended bike tours on varying surfaces. They are ideal for riders who want to use a single bike for different purposes, be it for commuting to work, shopping or leisure activities.
Sophisticated bike technology and proven components
The sales figures for these once popular multi-talents are now declining, but every renowned manufacturer still has one or more models in this class in its range without an electric drive. This is because there are still customers who want medium off-road capability, good long-distance characteristics and the option of shouldering luggage for multi-day tours and running everyday errands as an affordable package. Trekking bikes in the entry-level price category are generally well equipped by manufacturers today, especially with gear and brake groupsets that may not come from the upper price range, but have proven themselves a million times over.
Even if the term seems a little worn: they mark the golf class in the bike range - a sensible, solid mix of proven technology, tried and tested ergonomics and a rather high load capacity. The rather heavy aluminium or steel frames and the solid add-on parts for lighting and logistics make for rather high overall weights. However, this is also offset by high payload options. This is why many bikes are also equipped with gear groups that have at least two front sprockets, 27 gears are by no means the exception, because the versatility calls for finely adjustable gears.
Still a great alternative to cheap e-bikes
In this buyer's guide, we have listed 14 of these "bread and butter" bikes, which are ideally suited to the mixed requirements profile mentioned above and also represent a category for which manufacturers do not want to make any mistakes. Prices of even less than 1000 to a maximum of 1500 euros make them competitors to cheap e-bikes, but they appeal to a target group that still shies away from electric drives for a variety of reasons and instead expects "a lot of bike for the money". They are also extremely popular with landlords, holiday home providers, city or leisure hotels or customers who are purchasing a fleet of bikes for their company, for example.
Trekking bikes without electric drive: all-purpose evergreens?
According to the Zweirad Industrie Verband (ZIV), trekking bikes account for around 40 per cent of total sales of bicycles without an electric drive. What's more, they are something like part of the brand DNA for manufacturers. True to the motto: If you don't really perform with the bread-and-butter model, you have to reckon with image damage. We asked Ruben at the Cube Store Weilheim what significance this type of bike has for a brand.
MYBIKE: Ruben, can you confirm the ZIV figures from the opening credits for your shop?
Ruben: The ZIV figures only apply to our shop to a limited extent - e-bikes are now far ahead, and we can clearly feel that. Nevertheless, we are still very well positioned in the non-hybrid segment. Anyone looking for a classic bike will definitely find what they are looking for and can rely on genuine Cube quality. And if we don't have the right bike, we have a large branch network of more than 50 shops across Germany, where I can always find what our customers are looking for.
Even in the price range below 1500 euros, trekking bikes are generally equipped to an above-average standard. Why is that?
Ruben: Trekking bikes simply offer a lot for the money in this price range, and there are several reasons for this. On the one hand, they are made for all-round use and have to be robust and durable, which automatically makes the equipment higher quality. Brands such as Cube attach great importance to ensuring that even entry-level models have top basic equipment that offers comfort and safety. This is important because anyone buying a trekking bike expects a bike that is suitable for everyday use as well as weekend tours - and this is reflected in the equipment.
What do your customers pay particular attention to when choosing the right trekking bike without drive?
Ruben: When it comes to choosing the right trekking bike without drive, our customers prioritise durability - a point where Cube really scores highly. Most prospective customers are commuters looking for a solid bike for their journey to work or travelling to Munich by train. With an e-bike, this would often be a little more cumbersome on the Bavarian railways, so many deliberately opt for a non-hybrid model that is uncomplicated and reliable.
What would be your five main criteria for selection that you emphasise in the consultation?
Ruben: Phew, that's not so easy because there are many factors that play a role! But if I had to name five main criteria, the first would be the tyres, because a trekking bike is often used in a wide variety of weather conditions and surfaces - so it needs good grip and puncture protection. Secondly, hydraulic brakes, because they work reliably in all weathers. Thirdly, a hub dynamo with powerful lighting so that you can ride safely on unlit paths even after work. And of course, comfort and ergonomics are also important: A good suspension fork and a comfortable saddle are essential.
Which type of customer is mainly interested in this type of bike?
Ruben: As we are located in a very outdoor-orientated area, there are many people here who see their commute to work as a short exercise session to keep fit. And of course, as already mentioned, there are those who travel part of their way to work in Munich by train and rely on their trekking bike. However, there are always exceptions. When I went on a multi-day MTB tour with a fully through the Karwendel mountains last year, Jochen from Cologne arrived on his Kathmandu at the Plumsjochhütte at an altitude of 1630 metres in the evening, sweating profusely. He confirmed to me that he still likes to rely on the power in his legs!
Do you think the time of the trekking bike without an electric drive has come to an end?
Ruben: I believe that the trekking bike without an electric drive will always exist, albeit probably in a reduced form in terms of the variety of models. Here too, we can see that light e-touring bikes are becoming increasingly popular. After all, innovation never stops with brands like Cube and Bosch. This year, for example, Cube has launched the Kathmandu Hybrid C:62 SLX 400X a light trekking bike weighing just 16.3 kilos. I have a feeling that we have a very exciting future ahead of us in this respect!
To Ruben Engel: "I have been repairing and selling Cube bikes for over ten years - first in the Montimare bike shop in Frankfurt and now for almost four years in the Cube stores in Weilheim and Penzberg operated by Multicycle. I still ride privately without e-assistance, which is probably better for my girlfriend's sake. I do my daily commutes on a fixie, and in my free time I travel all over Europe on my fully, the Cube Stereo 140, or my Cube TWO15 downhiller."
The most important criteria for making a good decision when buying a trekking bike
When comparing trekking bikes at the dealer, you should pay particular attention to the following criteria to ensure that you have a lot of fun with your bike.
- When choosing handles, you should look out for wing handles: If they are not fitted, it is best to ask how much it will cost to retrofit them. They are important for resting your hands, especially on long tours.
- While there is a clear trend towards fewer sprockets on mountain and gravel bikes, trekking bikes should have a large selection of gears. This pays off at the latest when you go on multi-day tours with a lot of luggage.
- Equipping your bike with a hub dynamo is highly recommended. Hub dynamos are maintenance-free, always reliable energy sources for lighting. Retrofitting is very expensive, a wheel with a hub dynamo costs up to 200 euros.
- Cantilever brakes are still occasionally fitted to bikes of this type. Anyone who still knows them will appreciate the positive characteristics of quality disc brakes all the more, especially in damp conditions and with a load.
- Rim and tyre thickness are crucial for the right mix of speed, grip and load capacity. Make sure that the (28") tyres are in the middle of the range in terms of tread width - 35 to 45 millimetres are ideal for trekking bikes.
- No trekking bike should be without a sturdy kickstand. Tip: Be sure to test whether the mounted stand will still hold the bike securely when loaded with 20 kilos of luggage.
- Whether for touring or in the city: in addition to a comfortable saddle, it is also worth considering a parallelogram seatpost. Although this comfort feature is negligible in the city, it is a blessing on long tours.
- When choosing a suspension fork, you should look for a suspension travel of 60 to 80 millimetres. More is not necessary for trekking bikes, but the value should not be less than 60 millimetres either, as this would otherwise be at the expense of riding comfort.
- On a quality trekking bike, there is no getting round on-board lighting. It makes sense to enquire whether the front headlight and rear light components are part of the manufacturer's standard spare parts as this can otherwise lead to time-consuming fitting of spare parts.
