Without any special expectations, we took the test cellar Victoria Trekking 5.8 The name alone conveys a certain sobriety. Visually, the well-behaved trapezoidal frame bike with its raised fork, long head tube and correspondingly high handlebars impresses above all with its unexpected power.
Surprisingly convincing
But as soon as you take a seat on the well-contoured, pleasantly firm saddle, a feeling of well-being sets in: The handlebars sit perfectly in your hand, while your arms, shoulders and back remain relaxed thanks to the upright riding position. The balance is right as soon as you put your feet on the pedals. Thanks to its long wheelbase, the Victoria rolls smoothly and confidently, and the thick tyres largely absorb vibrations if you adjust your air pressure accordingly (just under 3 bar for a 75-kilo rider). With wide handlebars and a long stem, the steering is pleasantly smooth. Once again, Shimano's eight-speed hub, in this case the reasonably priced Nexus 8, proves that it can cope with all normal riding situations without any fuss. In conjunction with the low-cost CDN version of the Gates belt, the drivetrain also requires little maintenance. Occasional cleaning with water and a toothpick to remove stones from the belt groove is sufficient, even in winter.
From model 6 upwards, derailleur gears are on board. This should be favoured if there are long or steep climbs on the everyday route or if the bike, which is quite heavy in itself, is frequently accelerated. The reliable hydraulic discs, on the other hand, impress with their power, sensitivity and good modulation, even at high speeds downhill. The pannier rack can carry shopping or touring bags weighing up to 20kg. As its strut feet are height-adjustable, you should occasionally tighten these bolts so as not to lose the high lateral stiffness. The hub dynamo lighting system is perfectly adequate as long as you are not travelling in complete darkness. The Victoria shows its most charming side in bright sunlight anyway: depending on the incidence of light, it changes colour from green to violet and back again. This creates a fascinating play of light on the many straight and slightly curved surfaces.
Test summary of the Victoria Trekking 5.8
Well-behaved, reliable, practical: apart from its high weight, the Victoria Trekking 5.8 only has plus points. The flip-flop paintwork can be seen as a charming wink.
The price of the bike is 1,199 euros.
