Haibike is a German bicycle manufacturer. The brand was built as a sports range of Winora, before becoming a brand in its own right. Today, Haibike offers muscular and electric mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. The company is part of the Accel group, which includes brands like Ghost and Lapierre.
The Trekking 6 e-bike sits at the center of Haibike’s touring bike range. Its frame is available in three versions: High (which we test here), Mid (semi-open frame) and Low (low/open frame). Apart from this frame difference, all Trekking 6s rely on a Yamaha PW-ST motor (70 Nm, 250 W), a 630 Wh battery and a Shimano Deore drivetrain.
Sold between €3,000 and €3,200, the Haibike Trekking 6 is an all-road electric bike that is quite interesting on paper, given its technical specifications. Shimano’s Deore drivetrains are becoming increasingly rare, even at this price point.
Comfort and ergonomics
The Trekking 6 High is the variation of this closed frame model. Indeed, the latter has an almost horizontal top tube. Logically, this version is the one that offers the best rigidity among the 3 proposed (closed, semi-open, open). The aluminum frame offers fairly wide sections, so much so that you could almost take this model for a mountain bike.
The particularly wide 72cm handlebar is another nice feature you might find on a mountain bike. This allows the Trekking 6 to offer good stability, even on somewhat difficult paths. On the other hand, this width will be more of an obstacle to the use of the Trekking 6 in an urban setting where you may have to squeeze between vehicles. Better keep in mind that this Haibike e-bike is more at home in wide open spaces.
The use of WTB Groov-E tires 27.5 inches in diameter and 2.4 inches wide is in line with this same orientation. Thus fitted, the Trekking 6 remains comfortable on the road as well as on the paths. If you plan to venture into slightly more engaged terrain, it is better to opt for a more gripping pair of rubbers, however. The large air volume of the continental tires of the Haibike hybrid bike makes it a comfortable bike in the city, even on cobbles and on paths.
Comfort is supported by the presence of a Suntour Nex 25 fork. Its steel spring offers a travel of 63 mm. Not enough to consider paths that are too rough, but it remains appreciable. The shock absorber can be blocked, but the interest here is minimal.
Too bad Haibike didn’t opt for a suspended seat post to improve sitting comfort. The saddle, on the other hand, offers an interesting sporty profile and is pleasant, even during long rides. The approach may seem a little firm at first, but this type of saddle is much more recommended during long journeys and promotes pedaling. The pedals, precisely, are wide and grippy, ideal for tackling most terrains and climates.
Because unlike a Winora Sinus 9 which relies on comfort and a higher driving position, the Trekking 6 pushes for more dynamism. We find ourselves more leaning forward, palms planted on a handlebar with comfortable ergonomic handles. The stem of the Trekking 6 High cannot be adjusted to adjust the riding position, which the stem of the Low model does allow.
Overall, the finishes of the German electric bike are very satisfactory. The integration of the motor, the battery and the various cables is appreciable. The 630 Wh battery is housed in the downtube and can be easily removed by removing the plastic cover that protects it and then using the supplied key to unlock the lock.
The Haibike Trekking 6 High comes with a rack capable of supporting 25 kg. Mudguards are also on the menu. These do a good job, although the one that covers the front wheel could have gone a little lower to protect the shoes. In the absence of a chain cover, you will have to be careful not to grease your bottom of your pants.
The lighting of a touring bike is particularly important. When venturing out of cities and their nocturnal lighting, it is better to be equipped with a headlight capable of being seen, but also of effectively lighting up in front of you. Haibike uses Skybeamer lighting for this with 150 lumens and a sufficiently wide beam.
Conduct
The profile of the Trekking 6 invites you to move away from the cities and to attack the paths and trails. Its 250 W Yamaha PW-ST engine develops 70 Nm of torque, enough to climb easily and at a good pace most of the difficulties encountered.
The engine deploys its assistance on 5 levels (Off, Eco, Standard, High and Auto). The change of mode takes place very simply thanks to the controls which fall under the thumb of the left hand. High mode is the one that delivers full engine power, but it is not violent and can be used both in town and on hills. The starts are flexible and the acceleration progressive.
The Yamaha system screen is large and displays a lot of useful information: instantaneous speed, distance travelled, battery level, estimated range, clock, pedaling rate… A particularly complete list that is possible to shorten in the parameters if one does not find use for one of these data. Overall the screen is perfectly readable, even in direct sunlight. The brightness can be adjusted in the settings.
The pedaling feel is very natural overall. The use of automatic mode allows the system to choose the best assistance mode according to several parameters (pressure on the pedals, cadence, speed, etc.); no need to ask the question when approaching a coast. This mode works well overall and allows you to focus only on shifting gears.
The transmission, precisely, is a point of satisfaction. Haibike called on Shimano and its Deore system (M4120 derailleur, M4100 shifters, CSM 4100 11-42 cassette) for chain transmission. The market being very tense, it has become rare to find such a level of range at this price. The Trekking 6 benefits from a certain flexibility when changing gears and an appreciable reactivity.
It should also be noted that the Trekking 6 High can drive beyond the 25 km/h of its assistance without too many problems. Driving at 27 or 28 km/h on the flat is done without too much effort and downhill restarts are also authorized. The rather sporty spirit of the German bike comes out quite well thanks to this engine / transmission couple.
The choice of relatively smooth, but rather wide tires is a good compromise to maintain correct performance. It will be necessary to inflate them in line with the main surface of your journey, or the most demanding. Once again, it may be appropriate to choose tires that are more trekking or gravel oriented, depending on your use.
The Trekking 6 relies on Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that work well. The 180 mm diameter discs are suitable for off-road use. We would still have appreciated slightly shorter levers, more easily manipulated with 1 or 2 fingers.
Autonomy
If Bosch now offers 750 Wh batteries for electric bikes equipped with its motors, Yamaha is content for the time being with 630 Wh. What already offer great promises of endurance to big rollers. The Haibike Trekking 6 High clearly did not disappoint us on this point since we were able to ride 88 km on a single charge. A value all the more appreciable as the course had no less than 1200 m of elevation gain. All in all, a very good performance. As usual, we only rode for this range test in the highest assistance mode and trying to get the engine to work as hard as possible.
By using a less greedy assistance mode and on less hilly terrain, it will be possible to easily exceed 110 or 120 km. Enough to consider great outings, or at least not to worry too much about recharging the battery. Also note that this test was carried out by a 65 kg cyclist, in mild temperatures. The cold and a heavier or more loaded passenger will have a negative impact on range.
The battery can be easily released from its location, but remains secured by a key lock. The Trekking 6 user is free to charge the battery directly on the bike or to charge it separately. On the other hand, you will have to be rather patient for a full charge since it takes a little more than 5 hours to fill the 630 Wh with the supplied 4 A charger.