Triumph has gone back to its roots and announced that it will start building bicycles again, almost 90 years after selling off its bicycle division to Raleigh.
Like many motorcycle manufacturers, the then Coventry based company started out building bicycles before diversifying into motorcycles when the internal combustion engine became more commonplace. Triumph made its first bicycle in 1889, 13 years before its first motorbike, and continued making pedal bikes until 1932. Now the latest company has unveiled a £2950 e-bike, to cash in on the increasing popularity of battery assisted bicycles.
The Trekker GT is the first e-cycle designed by Triumph and uses Japanese company Shimano’s latest battery technology and drive train. The electric gubbins weigh in at less than 3kg and give a claimed range of around 150km (93 miles)
E-bikes are proving increasingly popular with commuters and leisure riders. They are ridden like bicycles and don’t need a specific licence but have built in battery and motor to reduce the effort required to pedal, especially up hills. According to the regulations, the battery assistance stops at 25kph (15.5mph) and they have been credited with getting more and more people into cycling, especially during the coronavirus crisis, when people have been looking at new ways to get out and keep fit.
The Triumph Trekker GT is a road bike, with Schwalbe Energizer Green Guard tyres, full length mudguards and LED lights, with an Italian Sella Royal Vivo comfort seat. The prototype shown (Triumph say that the final version will have some subtle differences and tidier cable routing) features the same Matt Silver Ice and Matt Jet Black colourschemes used on some of the company’s high end motorcycles. There’s also an integrated ABUS lock, front suspension forks, 10 gears, rear rack and side stand.
The Trekker GT will come in three frame sizes. Triumph has announced the price as ‘from £2950’ although no exact availability date is available yet.
NEW 2020 TREKKER GT E-BICYCLE
| Frame | 6061 Hydro-formed aluminium frame with integrated lockable battery |
| Suspension | RockShox Paragon forks with 65mm travel |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Steps E6100 250w motor
Fully integrated Shimano E8035 504Wh battery |
| Wheels | Shimano hubs and Alex Volar rims 27.5” |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Energizer Green Guard 27.5 x 2.0 tyres |
| Rear Mech | Super-silent Shimano Deore Shadow 10-speed rear mechanism |
| Brakes | High-performance Shimano Deore M6000 180/160 brakes |
| Saddle | Ultra-comfortable Selle Royal Vivo saddle |
| Grips | Triumph branded lock-on grips |
| Standard-fit Specification | LED lighting, full length mudguards, side stand, pannier rack and ABUS Proshield lock |
