MF Tests: Haibike Trekking 4 High e-Bike

The Haibike Trekking 4 High e-bike is a capable all-rounder, at home on city commutes or countryside treks…

Haibike Trekking 4 High e-Bike

BUY IT NOW:

RRP £2599 / haibike.com

PROS:

• Different frame sizes
• Stable on uneven terrain

CONS:

• Gears change slowly
• No walk assist

Weight: 3/5
Power: 4/5
Range: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5

The Haibike Trekking 4 High is part of the company’s comprehensive line-up of hybrid e-bikes. The ‘high’ refers to the frame shape (the ‘low’ version has no top tube; the ‘mid’ model has a sloping one – both designed for easier mounting). The higher top tube on this model makes it look more off-road-ready than the lower-slung commuter-focused alternatives.

It’s a rugged, sturdy-looking bike that sits at the bottom of the Haibike Trekking line-up, though that doesn’t mean it’s basic. It has an 6061 aluminium frame, hydraulic disc brakes (albeit budget Alhonga calipers and levers, not higher-performing Shimano ones), and Shimano shifters and rear mech.

Related: Best Compression Tights For Training And Recovery

The Haibike Trekking 4 High comes in either tan or blue and has a useful kickstand

Weighing in at around 55lb (25kg), it’s ideal for exploring rolling off-road routes. Its SR Suntour tapered steel-sprung forks, though with only 63mm of travel, still help take the sting out of bumps on the trails or holes in the road. Though we think they’d bottom our on steeper, more technical terrain.

The Continental Contact Urban tyres helped grip the road, and proved pretty capable when we took the bike off the tarmac. At 2.2in, they do a good job of flattening out uneven surfaces, though again you’d probably want to swap them for wider, grippier rubber if going off-road regularly.

e-Bike power settings

The bike comes with a backlit Yamaha LCD screen, which is useful when riding in the dark. It allows the rider to choose from Eco+, Eco, Standard and High power settings. You can also choose Auto mode, where the bike automatically selects the correct amount of motor assistance depending on the terrain.

Unfortunately, there is no ‘walk assist’ power setting to allow you to walk the bike up steep ramps with motor assistance. Instead, you need brute force to achieve any sort of momentum, which could be an issue for smaller riders.

Related: Best Fitness Watches

Another handy feature is the ability to turn the lights on and off from the LCD unit with just your thumb. So if you’ve forgotten to switch them on, you don’t have to stop to do so.

The Haibike Trekking 4 has a nine-speed Shimano drivetrain, which certainly helps when climbing hills. However, changing gears was often quite clunky. The gears tended to jerk into position, though this could just be how our bike was set up. Bear in mind, though, that these Altus shifters are the cheapest in the Shimano range, and can also be upgraded.

Off-road suitability

At £2599, it’s certainly not cheap, but it is the least expensive in the Trekking range. It isn’t designed as a pure off-road machine, so Its limitations in that department should be taken with a pinch of salt. And if you find yourself riding more technical terrain you can always upgrade the forks, tyres and disc brakes for better performance.

A rear pannier hints at the Trekking 4’s true hybrid nature, allowing you to strap ample storage to the bike for longer journeys or regular work commutes.

Related: Best Men’s Baselayers

Not only does the Haibike Trekking have three frame designs, each frame is also available in five different sizes, so it’s easy to find one to suit you. There’s also a sizing calculator on the website to guide you to the correct size.

Overall it’s a well-balanced e-bike that feels at home on the road, gravel tracks and muddy paths and won’t be out of its depth if you take it for occasional forays into the hills or woods. The 250W electric motor does a good job of providing assistance when you need it and its forks will allow you to take the bike a little further into the wild than most hybrids.

The battery life is dependent on a variety of factors such as rider weight, terrain, weather and the power setting selected, but you can expect to get 40 up to 50 miles (80km) out of a single charge.