Testing: Test: Victoria Trekking 5.8 – Comfortable tourer with belt drive

Test: With the Victoria Trekking 5.8, we looked at a classic trekking bike in the under-€1000 class. Unusually well equipped for this price range, it even comes with a Gates belt drive. Is the whole package right?

High-quality trekking bikes have it much harder today than they did a few years ago. In times of modern and increasingly cheaper e-bikes, the group of people willing to pay a four-digit sum for a well-equipped trekking or touring bike is shrinking. Many simply add a few euros and opt for an e-bike, while others prefer to look around in somewhat lower price regions. Even if there are still enough non-e-trekking fans, it is more important than ever for manufacturers to put together an attractive overall package in terms of price and quality.

Victoria Trekking 5.8: Sub-1000€ trekking bike with top equipment

This is exactly what the traditional German manufacturer Victoria is trying to do with the Trekking 5.8 model. 999€ it remains just below the magic 1.000€ – brand and comes with a package of features that wouldn't have been possible in this price range just a few years ago. But let's stay with the bike itself and its focus for a moment. Because – as the name suggests – it's clearly a classic trekking bike, but as we all know: There are trekking bikes and there are trekking bikes. In a nutshell: The gap between a sporty tourer and a comfortable everyday and touring bike is wide, and that's where the Victoria Trekking 5.8 needs to be placed first.

To get straight to the point – the Victoria is more of a “comfortable all-rounder”. First clue: the adjustable stem. This enables every driver to find a comfortable and ergonomically sensible seating position. In terms of looks and rigidity, it can't quite keep up with a "normal", fixed stem - but in this case, function comes first.

In any case, the seating position on the bike is quite relaxed overall - so if you feel like you're sitting on a stretching bench on many modern urban bikes; Not only is it much more comfortable to sit on the Victoria, but it is also easier and easier to keep track of what is happening, especially in dense city traffic, without having to uncomfortably twist your neck.

In many ways, modern trekking bikes are a bit like the swiss army knives of the cycling world and have their great advantages in their versatility. This also applies to the Trekking 5.8: With the add-on parts, you give the bike an "all-round carefree package". In addition to mudguards at the front and rear, this also includes the obligatory luggage rack and a lighting system including a hub dynamo - of course compliant with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations. There is even space for a small air pump on the luggage rack - which should make touring enthusiasts and touring bike fans particularly happy.

Victoria Trekking 5.8: Quiet and low-maintenance belt drive

When it comes to component selection, the Gates carbon belt in particular stands out. This is rarely found in this price range and replaces the classic bicycle chain on the Victoria Trekking 5.8. The advantages of the extremely tear-resistant belt cannot be denied: it hardly wears out, does not need to be lubricated or serviced and runs much more quietly than a conventional chain. Since you don't need any lubricant, little or no dirt collects on the belt, which could, for example, soil your trouser leg while pedaling.

At the back, this belt runs over a sprocket that lies on a Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub. The latter is controlled via the well-known twist grip on the handlebars and offers a range of just over 300% - that's not too generous and means that you need a lot of fat in your calves, especially in less flat regions with the Victoria - but that's about it soon more. Braking is done by Shimano hydraulic rim brakes.

So the overall package is right on paper – but does the plan work in practice? Right from the start, the really comfortable and upright seating position is pleasing. Alternatively, the adjustable stem also gives you the option of making the cockpit a little lower - so if you prefer it sporty, you can readjust the Victoria. Speaking of the adjustable stem: This makes a really good impression and proves to be pleasantly stiff and hardly twists even when the handlebars are pulled on purpose.

In line with the seating position, the riding experience is also extremely good-natured and undoubtedly also suits riders who don’t spend every minute of their free time on the bike. The smooth running and the stiff frame convey security and give a lot of control.

Victoria Trekking 5.8: Whisper drive and riot plates

How does the highlight of the Trekking 5.8 fare - the drive belt? The chain replacement is pleasingly inconspicuous and runs quietly and reliably without lubrication and without dirt, there are no effects on either of the switching processes in the Nexus hub - no surprise, after all, these are independent of the belt, but as crisp and fast as usual. So everything good? Unfortunately not quite, because despite the low-noise drive, the Victoria Trekking 5.8 is unfortunately not exactly a quiet pedal; this is due to the mudguards, which tend to rattle even on less bad roads. Aggravating!

Despite sitting upright, the Victoria trekking bike is a real sprinter: the light rolling tires in particular are a lot of fun. At just over 15kg, it is also rather light for a bike in this class and, especially when it starts to roll, it moves really quickly. The sporty translation of the drive also invites you to pedal at over 30km/h. The downside of the coin: If the terrain becomes more hilly and you may have additional bags on your carrier, it becomes very strenuous and less trained drivers could quickly start sweating.