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Common Tread

2020 Triumph Trekker GT electric bicycle first look

Jun 16, 2020

Triumph is getting into the bicycle segment. Or, more correctly, getting back into the bicycle segment.

The first Triumph-branded bicycles appeared in the late 1800s, and they continued to sell into the mid-1950s. Now Triumph is hopping on the ebike bandwagon with the new Trekker GT, Triumph’s first electric bicycle. 

Triumph Trekker GT
The Shimano battery and electric motor are neatly integrated into the frame of the Trekker GT and Triumph says range is 90 miles. Triumph photo.

Intended for “commuting, fitness and everyday riding fun,” the Trekker GT has an 6061 aluminum frame with fully internal cable routing. That frame was designed in the UK by Triumph’s styling team, and they’ve done a great job of visually minimizing the Shimano BT-8035 504Wh battery in the down tube.

Triumph Trekker GT
The Trekker GT comes in "Matte Silver Ice and Matte Jet Black" colors. Triumph photo.

The heart of the Trekker GT is the Shimano DU-E6100 mid-drive motor (250w, 60Nm), which is coupled with a Deore M6000 drivetrain for 10 speeds. This is a very different approach from the quirky hub-shifting Fuell Flluid I reviewed last year. The computer/display is the Shimano Steps SC-E6100 that matches the rest of the bike’s componentry. Range? Per Triumph: “The Trekker GT offers a smooth and responsive drive and a day-long range of approximately 90 miles (150 km).”

Triumph Trekker GT
Pedal power or electrons. Or both. Your choice. Triumph photo.

For suspension, the Trekker GT wears a Rockshox Paragon Silver fork with 65 mm of travel and a Turnkey lockout damper. Intended for urban and hybrid riding, the Paragon Silver isn’t the latest, greatest fork (coil spring, for starters) but I’m more interested in how well a fork works than how much it costs. Hopefully, we can get our hands on a Trekker GT and find out for ourselves. 

Triumph Trekker GT
Disc brakes at both ends of the Trekker GT. Triumph photo.
The wheels are nothing wild. You get Shimano RM35 hubs with quick-release axles, Alex 27.5-inch rims, and Schwalbe Energizer Plus tires made specifically for ebikes. There are loads of 650b tire options out there if you want to change things up. Disc brakes (180 mm front, 160 rear) slow your roll.

Look! Fenders! And lights! And a rack! All standard! These touches of practicality are missing from too many ebikes marketed to commuters and light tourers today. Another practical touch is the integrated ABUS 5850 Pro Shield rear wheel lock. You’ll probably want something beefier to protect your Triumph, but locks like this go a long way towards protecting your bike from honest folk and lazy thieves. ABUS also makes the lock for the removable battery.

The seatpost, narrow handlebar, grips, and stem are all by Triumph, which is pretty cool to see. Lights are from Benex, and the kickstand and rack are by Ostand. The saddle is a Selle Royal Vivo.

Triumph Trekker GT
Triumph calls the Selle Royal Vivo saddle "ultra-comfortable." Whether you agree may depend on whether you compare it to a motorcycle seat or a bicycle seat. Triumph photo.

The whole package weighs 52.9 pounds in a medium (subject to change in final production) and costs $3,750.

Demand for electric bicycles is exploding, and Triumph is just the latest motorcycle company to try its hand at reaching that market. Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha have done it, just to name a few. Triumph’s bicycling heritage makes the Trekker GT kind of special, although they’ve been out of the market for so long that few will remember their years of peddling pedalbikes. Or is that pushing pushbikes? Regardless, Triumph could do well with this bike and others if they play their cards right. I doubt this will be their only model.