Trek launches its first ever cargo bikes with Fetch+ model series

How can you tell that a niche is no longer a niche? Well, for example, in the fact that market leaders are reacting and expanding their regular product range to include something that previously only played a marginal role. Cargo bikes with electric drives have long been in the middle of such a transformation process. Want proof? Trek is also tackling this bike category – right away with a double pack.

1. Trek Fetch+ 2: When the rear carrier is the most important part of the bike
2. Trek Fetch+ 4: Everybody wants to come along

Apparently, the manufacturer has said to itself: Let’s go with the whole hog. After all, the introduction of the Fetch+ 2 and Fetch+ 4 can’t be dismissed as a half-measure. According to the American cliché, they go all in. But this should by no means be misunderstood as mindless. Both models unmistakably follow a very clear route. And this is aimed at families who are enthusiastic about bicycles, who live in an urban rather than small-town environment and who want to leave the car in the garage more often. According to their own statement, during the development of the innovations at Trek, almost everything revolved around transporting children. That is why we are paying special attention to this aspect in this article.

1. Trek Fetch+ 2: When the rear carrier is the most important part of the bike

Fetch+ 2 and Fetch+ 4 – already the number is directly related to the passengers. On the Fetch+ 2 you can take two children, while on the Fetch+ 4 there is enough space for four. The Trek Fetch+ 2 is a longtail, i.e. a more compact cargo bike with an extended and reinforced rear triangle. Child seats, a seat bench or large panniers – the large rear carrier accommodates them all. At the same time, the bike rolls on small 20-inch wheels. This makes it very manoeuvrable and easy to ride despite an unladen weight of 31 kilograms.

Rear carrier of the Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike — Rear carrier welded to the frame

If the children are even younger, they sit in a maximum of two child seats arranged one behind the other. The seats do not come from the manufacturer itself, you will have to get them elsewhere. Two models are listed as compatible: the Yepp Maxi from Thule and the Dash from Burley. When the children get older and thus bigger, you can switch to a combination of backrest and two seat cushions. In both cases, you can attach an optional railing, which Trek calls the “Safari Bar”. This provides additional support for the passengers. The railing is also equipped with bottle cage mounts at four points. Especially on longer tours and in warmer temperatures, this quickly proves to be an extremely useful feature.

Child seats on the rear carrier of the Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike — Space for a maximum of two child seats on the rear carrier

Protection and container in one

To ensure that children can get on and off the cargo bike safely, there is no way around footrests. On the Fetch+ 2 they serve a second purpose. They also support large bags, which you can attach to the rear carrier on the left and right.

It would be more accurate to call them boxes instead of bags. After all, they are made of PVC-free plastic and are correspondingly rigid. Passengers can comfortably dangle their legs in the boxes. This also prevents them from taking the spokes. This is prevented by the inner side wall of the box. However, with legs and especially shoes in the box, dirt becomes an issue. Perhaps the easiest way to deal with this is with a little water. After all, the plastic can be rinsed off easily. The water runs off through small holes in the bottom of the boxes. The same applies to rainwater.

Where there are children’s legs, there is obviously less space for things that need to be transported. The bags – or boxes – for the front wheel compensate for this. Trek has a pair of these as a kind of front roller. Understandably, they are smaller and take less load. Each box holds 11.2 litres or 4.5 kilograms of weight. The figures for the large panniers are considerably higher, at 44 litres and 36 kilograms. Remarkably, all panniers as well as the mudguards are available in four different colours: blue, green, black and orange. Together with the three available frame colours Blue Sage, Galactic Grey and Lava, there are plenty of different colour combinations. At this point, you can experiment to your heart’s content.

Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike with transport boxes, seat and footrests — Trek Fetch+ 2 with panniers, seat bench, Safari Bar and footrests

A lot is possible – but not everything

In all this, however, you should keep an eye on the numbers. Two children on the rear carrier, two huge and two smaller panniers. That adds up to a lot of weight pretty quickly. In addition, the Fetch+ 2 itself weighs a few kilograms. As an upper limit, you can remember the 200 kilograms for the maximum permitted total weight. The aforementioned minimum of 31 kilograms for the bike and your body weight are deducted from this. The remaining kilograms are then distributed at the front and back. Depending on how many passengers or cargo you are riding with.

Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike in the colour Blue Sage — Trek Fetch+ 2 in the colour Blue Sage

Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike in the colour Lava — Trek Fetch+ 2 in the colour Lava

Trek Fetch+ 2 ebike in the colour Galactic Grey — Trek Fetch+ 2 in the colour Galactic Grey

The Fetch+ 2 is powered by you – and a Smart System from Bosch. Trek has chosen the Performance Line CX motor with its well-known torque of 85 Newton metres. The bike’s convincingly simple aluminium frame houses a battery in the down tube. Unfortunately, this is the smallest PowerTube with a capacity of 500 watt hours. The larger version with 750 watt-hours would certainly have found many fans. At least Trek has prepared the ground for the DualBattery option. As soon as Bosch takes the final step, you can use a second battery if you wish. For the control of the system, Trek relies on the LED Remote and combines it with the SmartphoneGrip as standard. The only gearing option is a ten-speed derailleur from Shimano.

The basic version of the e-cargo bike costs exactly 4,999 euros. Important accessories such as mudguards, transport boxes and footrests are not included. The advantage of this is that you have a wide range of configuration options. However, every accessory costs extra.

Trek Fetch+ 2 at a glance

Frame: Aluminium frame with hydroformed tubes
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500 Wh
Display / Control unit: Bosch SmartPhone Grip / Bosch LED Remote
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
Brakes: Tektro HD-T737
Load capacity front panniers: 9 kg
Load capacity rear rack: 72 kg
Weight: 31 kg
Maximum permitted total weight: 200 kg

Trek Fetch+ 2

2. Trek Fetch+ 4: Everybody wants to come along

Extended family. Shared taxi. Children and lots of cargo at the same time. These are possible reasons why someone might opt for a Fetch+ 4 instead of a Fetch+ 2. Long john instead of Longtail. Large transport box instead of oversized rear carrier. Cargo area in front of you in view instead of behind your back. All differences aside, Trek is once again focusing on its use in a family environment with children.

Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike in the colour Dnister Black

Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike in the colour Lava — Trek Fetch+ 4 in the colour Lava

The cargo area in front of the riders is completely dominated by that of a large transport box, which is characteristic of this type of cargo bike. You can move a considerable 230 litres or a maximum weight of 80 kilograms from A to B with it. Converted, this results in four seats for children. Two of them come as separate child seats as standard. Two more seats are offered by an optional seat bench that can be installed in the front of the box. Alternatively, you can also attach a baby car seat such as the Maxi-Cosi. Even the rear carrier is approved for loads of up to 27 kilograms. Consequently, a child seat could also be placed there. Accordingly, the maximum permitted total weight is set at 250 kilograms.

Child seats in the transport box for the Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike — Two child seats in the transport box as part of the standard equipment

Rear carrier with integrated tail light on the Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike — MIK system compatible rear carrier with integrated tail light

Long john with familiar pros and cons

Children often feel more comfortable in the box of the Fetch+ 4 than on the rear carrier of a Longtail. The seats are more comfortable and can be adjusted in terms of inclination. There are headrests which children can lean on if their eyes suddenly close during the ride. Tried-and-tested five-point harnesses ensure stability and safety. There is also the communicative aspect. Adults find it much easier to talk to the children without losing sight of the traffic. At the same time, the children can interact with each other more comfortably. And if the weather is not so great, a canopy successfully keeps out rain, wind or cold.

Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike — Recess on the transport box for better grip when getting in

Canopy to protect against rain, wind and sun for the Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike — Optional canopy to protect against rain, wind and sun

As is so often the case, advantages do not come without disadvantages. The riding experience on such a large cargo bike is noticeably different from that of a conventional bicycle. If you have never sat on a long john before, you should expect some time to get used to it. Despite the box made of lightweight plastic and the aluminium frame, the Fetch+ 4 weighs a mighty 75 kilograms. Handling the bike is made easier by a high-quality cable steering system. Trek has geared it to a ratio of 1.3. For example, if you turn the handlebars to 65 degrees, the front wheel turns to 85 degrees.

Kickstand for the Trek Fetch+ 4 ebike — Solid kickstand for a secure hold even when fully loaded

Specialists at work

Given the sheer mass of the bike and the possible payload, it is clear that the motor and battery will be really challenged. The installed Bosch Cargo Line is already an example from the Smart System generation. It is precisely designed for such loads and will presumably do its job reliably. Basically, the same applies to the Bosch PowerTube with its 750 watt hours. However, it is mounted on the steering column of the Fetch+ 4 in such a way that there is not enough space to accommodate a second battery. Even in the long term, DualBattery is therefore not an option. For the admittedly considerable price of 7,999 euros, you still get the stepless automatic transmission from Enviolo in the heavy duty version designed for cargo bikes.