Haibike Trekking 9 in review

With the Trekking 9, Haibike send a promising ebike into the commuter bike group test. What are the advantages of the unusual motor concept and can the bike convince away from tarmacked surfaces too? You can find out everything in our detailed test here!

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best ebike of 2021 – The 19 most exciting concepts for everyday use

**Haibike** Trekking 9 | Bosch Performance Line CX/625 Wh
26.20 kg in size M | € 3,899 | Manufacturer’s website

Similar to our tester Manne, the German ebike brand Haibike stand for two things: plush performance and radical looks. Both a Haibike and a Manne need to be identifiable as such from a distance and over the years, both have managed to establish themselves as a fixed part of the ebike market. The Haibike Trekking 9 doesn’t make any exceptions and stands out from the crowd with its unusual frame concept, voluminous tubes and iconic Skybeamer headlight. It might not be everyone’s thing, but it doesn’t have to be. If you ride a Haibike, you don’t want to disappear into the crowd on a run-of-the-mill bike. You want to be seen and, more importantly, recognised! Recognition is something that many manufacturers and men in their prime have worked on for years yet continue to fail with.

**Brand recognition? 100 %!**
Both the bike and Manne are a long way away from disappearing into the crowd.

Haibike Trekking 9 spec in detail

Haibike have a broad E-trekking model range and offer this bike in a total of seven versions. The Trekking 4 provides entry to the range for € 2,699 while the top-end model responds to the name Trekking 10 and costs € 4,199. Our test bike is the Trekking 9 which, at € 3,899, is the second most expensive version in the range and knows how to impress with its tidy cable routing. The aggressive paint job with neon red accents also draws attention. Alongside the version we tested with the diamond frame, every bike in the Haibike trekking range is also offered as a version with a lower standover and even a step-through model. Great! In particular, step-through bikes have gained a significant fan base thanks to their ease of use. And as we’re talking about frames: the Haibike frame measures up decidedly large. Our test riders who usually feel happiest aboard a size L bike were just about big enough for the size M bike. If in doubt, you should always go for the smaller bike if you’re between two sizes. The most important components of the Haibike Trekking 9 include the Shimano DEORE 11–51 t cassette with its large range and the powerful, latest-generation Bosch Performance Line CX motor. You can find out how the motor concept works in practice later on.

**A good idea cleverly implemented**
Thanks to the Haibike-typical rotated motor, the Trekking 9 allows for as low a position as possible for the battery. No bike in the test with a Bosch motor has a lower centre of gravity.

**Haibike!**
The Skybeamer headlight up front marks out the Trekking 9 as a Haibike from a distance. It can be turned on and off and is sufficiently bright to light up the path ahead. However, you’ll be looking for a high beam in vain.

**Mountain bike feeling on a commuter bike**
At 740 mm, the bars are decidedly wide and with a decent amount of rise and a short stem, offer a lot of control over the Haibike Trekking 9.

Haibike Trekking 9

€ 3,899

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line CX 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Bosch Intuvia
Fork SR Suntour MOBIE25 100 mm
Seatpost Haibike Components TheSeatpost ++ 34.9 mm
Brakes Shimano MT410 180/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano DEORE M5100 1x11
Stem Haibike Components TheStem ++
Handlebar Haibike Components TheBar ++ 740 mm
Wheelset RODI TRYP 30
Tires Continental CONTACT Cruiser 27.5 x 2.4" ****

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 26.2 kg

Specific Features

Skybeamer front light
AXA Blueline rear light
StandWell rear rack w/ 25 kg max. load

**Full load only for lightweights**
With a maximum permissible weight of 130 kg, a bike weight of 27 kg and a rack fully loaded with 25 kg, there’s only enough left for a 79 kg person in the saddle.

**Wider = better**
The wide rims with a generous inner width of 30 mm support the 27.5 x 2.4″ Continental Contact Cruiser tires nicely. Thanks to the SafetySystem Breaker, the tires are supposed to offer a high level of puncture protection.

**Savings have been made**
Unfortunately, the mudguards of the Haibike Trekking 9 are made from plastic – most bikes in the test keep dirt and water away from the rider with high-quality metal guards.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	500 mm	540 mm	580 mm	620 mm
Top tube	610 mm	620 mm	645 mm	670 mm
Head tube	160 mm	170 mm	180 mm	190 mm
Head angle	67.0°	67.0°	67.0°	67.0°
Seat angle	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°
Chainstays	470 mm	470 mm	470 mm	470 mm
BB Drop	60 mm	60 mm	60 mm	60 mm
Wheelbase	1,176 mm	1,186 mm	1,213 mm	1,239 mm
Reach	410 mm	417 mm	439 mm	462 mm
Stack	654 mm	663 mm	672 mm	682 mm

Typical Haibike – The motor concept with a twist

The Haibike development team has never been afraid of trying new things. How can we get the centre of gravity of this ebike even lower to achieve even better handling? On the search for the fitting answer, a lot of brainpower was expended and the results were worth it: like other bikes from the brand, the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, which produces 85 Nm torque, has been mounted upright to allow the 625 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery to be placed lower in the down tube than any other bike with a Bosch motor. Well done! The battery can either be removed in the direction of the front wheel or plugged in directly on the bike via the highly-placed port for charging.

Accelerating stood out of the saddle like a road bike and then carving through corners mountain bike style? The Haibike Trekking 9 wants to be there!

The motor support is controlled with a Bosch Intuvia display. Unfortunately, it has to be said that the ageing display is no longer up to date and in terms of functionality and operation, only covers the most rudimentary fundamentals. In this regard, the same-priced Kalkhoff Endeavour 5.B Excite+ shines with its world’s more capable Bosch Kiox display. During our testing, the Bosch Performance Line CX motor proves once more that currently, there is no way around it. Regardless of whether it’s about acceleration, torque, support on steeps or under full load, the Bosch motor never leaves you in the lurch and can’t be unsettled in any situation. Riding at the 25 km/h assistance limit is also a pleasure and becomes a regular occurrence aboard the sporty Haibike Trekking 9.

**Badass**
This picture doesn’t really need any words. Now you know why our tester Manne is known and feared far beyond just our editorial team.

Haibike Trekking 9 on test

On your marks, get set, go! The Haibike Trekking 9 waits for the starting gun before setting itself into motion with one of the sportiest accelerations of all the bikes in the test. With its sporty character and stiff frame, the ebike invites you to get out of the saddle to pedal. However, you should avoid long sections over poor roads or loose surfaces. A day of riding the Haibike Trekking 9 over rough gravel would be as comfortable as a cold night sleeping on a pile of bricks. The bike definitely feels most comfortable on perfect bike paths. The previously mentioned low centre of gravity combined with the high front results in a riding position that feels secure and integrated. Only the Riese & Müller Homage can stand up to the Haibike here. Together with the head angle, which is surprisingly slack for an ebike in this category, the 740 mm wide bar contributes to the masses of control and relaxed steering that the mountain bike sector is usually known for. From 0 to 25 km/h in seconds and relaxed carving through the next corner? The Haibike Trekking 9 is your bike!

Equipped for climbing hills and carrying shopping: the Haibike Trekking 9 is completely unimpressed when fully loaded thanks to the strong Bosch motor and stiff frame.

Tuning tips: suspension seat post for increased comfort at the rear | order the bike one size smaller than usual | tires with more pronounced tread for better off-road performance

On good surfaces, the Trekking 9 shines with stoically stable straight-line stability and generates a feeling of trust and safety as a result. As the ground under the wide Continental tires gets bumpier, the enjoyment and feeling of security suffer significantly. If you’re riding on loose surfaces a lot, you might want to take a closer look at the full-suspension Moustache Samedi 27 Xroad FS 7 instead. Of positive note is the loudness of the ebike: it moves without rattling or other noise and is almost as quiet as the stalking cat in the test, the Kalkhoff Endeavour 5.B Excite+.

Haibike Trekking 9 conclusion

The Haibike Trekking 9 convinces with its clever frame concept, a pleasantly integrated riding position and its straight-line stability. The brilliant Bosch Performance Line CX motor has enough power when fully loaded or up steep hills and propels the Trekking 9 up to speed in no time. Solely the limited comfort restricts the range of applications of the almost silent ebike to solid surfaces – but there, it really gets going!

Tops

high stability on good surfaces
good motor support in all situations
integrated riding position
clever frame concept results in low centre of gravity
very quiet

Flops

limited comfort at the rear
ambiguous frame size recommendations

Rider Type

The trans-urban mile muncher 1

The stylish city explorer 2

The Transporter 3

The short distance whizz 4

The passionate recreational cyclist 5

You can find out more about at haibike.com

The testfield