Motorcycle maker Triumph has jumped on the ebike bandwagon with its new Trekker GT, a practical-looking hybrid powered by Shimano’s STEPS system.
While Triumph is best known these days for its sporty nakeds (that’s a real motorbike thing, but maybe don’t google it on your work computer) and adventure motorcycles, the Trekker GT is a decidedly sensible-looking machine.
The bike is built around an aluminium frame that houses a STEPS E6100 drivetrain at the bottom bracket, the higher-spec of Shimano’s latest urban- and trekking-focused systems.
This has a claimed weight of just 2.88kg for the motor, and is matched to a 504Wh battery that’s integrated neatly into the down tube.
The frame is pretty understated, featuring internal cabling and no outlandish swoops or curves.
Triumph credits the “overall styling” to its in-house team but, given the brand has no prior experience with bicycle design, we’re fairly certain the underlying design will have drawn on outside help.
In any case, it’s a handsome if relatively unremarkable looking machine, and existing fans of the brand will appreciate details such as the cast aluminium head badge.
Drivetrain aside, the spec looks to be well thought-out if not exactly generous. Gearing is 10-speed Shimano Deore, while the fork is a basic Rockshox Paragon coil unit with 65mm of travel, and the wheels are run-of-the-mill Alex rims built on low-key Shimano hubs.
It’s nice to see some proper accessories included as standard. The Trekker GT comes with mudguards, a rear rack, permanent lights, a kickstand and an Abus rear wheel lock.
The claimed weight of 24kg for a medium is pretty average for a fully-equipped commuter bike and the bike is available in three sizes, priced at £2,950.
BikeRadar’s take: the Triumph Trekker GT looks… fine
Bikes from car and motorcycle brands are nothing new, we’ve covered plenty here on BikeRadar over the years. Some are interesting and innovative, some not so much.
The Trekker GT isn’t groundbreaking in any way, but it looks well-considered and comes with a price tag that isn’t totally out of step with the rest of the market.
There will doubtless be owners of Triumph motorcycles who are in the market for a practical bicycle (who isn’t, right now?) and keeping it in the brand family will appeal.
Speaking as an owner, I’m not sure if the Trekker GT incorporates enough motorcycle DNA to appeal over more competitively priced rivals from mainstream ebike makers.
Branding and graphics aside, it’s a very normal, sensible ebike that doesn’t have much in common with the classically styled roadsters and screaming performance bikes I associate with the brand.
