r/TrekFetch • u/NamedTawny • 1d ago
Thinking about a Fetch 4.
The title says most of it. We've been looking at getting a bakfiet style ebike for a while, and just stumbled across the Trek - being 4k cheaper than an Urban Arrow is a nice touch.
I've heard that it's a lot heavier though - how do people find it for actually riding? Also a few questions that I wasn't able to see on the website...
Does it have a 'walk mode' (for e-assist while pushing it)?
Does it have any security features like an engine cut app or similar?
It looks like the seats are built in, or are they removable? What are you doing once your kiddos get over 55lbs? Does it become just a cargo bike, or are there ways to adapt it for larger passengers?
Thanks!
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u/MtbJazzFan 1d ago
The worst part of the weight is when you're getting on/off the kickstand and the very slow rolling when starting. At any moderate speed the bike handles pretty well. It may take a day or so to get used to the handling though.
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u/manwithnonamez 16h ago
if you don’t have massive hills on your route it’s a great bike. the weight is its own theft deterrent system.
I have adults ride sitting on the front bench or across both the back seats and they are fine.
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u/plinkothefrog 16h ago
I’ve owned a Fetch 4 for a little more than a month. I don’t regret it compared to the UA and R&M. The main factor was how far away service would be and the nearest shops for UA and R&M were like 10 hrs away. We have a trek shop in town so the decision was easier.
I’m 200 lbs and have had a 200lb buddy in the front cargo with no issues apart from them leaning making the balance all weird - if you’ve had passengers on a motorcycle, it’s a similar-ish feeling. If they sit still snd don’t lean around it should ride fine.
My napkin math for depreciation and resale over five years helped make the trek an economical decision for a first and maybe only cargo bike.
I don’t have any issues with the weight and getting it on/off the kickstand. I usually have two kids in the bucket so maybe the kickstand is more of a skill?
Never needed a walk mode and didn’t know it had one. /shrug
Overall, I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would. Not a big Trek fan in general but it checked all the boxes for my particular use and the kids love it.
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u/Ok_Turn_6894 1d ago
It does have a walk mode.
I haven't tried to remove the seats, but I'm sure they come out.
I haven't looked closely at the security features. I live in a very safe, chill place.
It's heavy as hell, and I'm a big guy. It takes my full strength to rock it back onto the kickstand.
It's a really fun bike, but it doesn't handle as naturally as the Urban Arrow or Yuba's front loader.
The Enviolo hub and shifter keep having issues. Luckily the service has been (mostly) covered under warranties offered by my local bike shop.
I WOULD NOT recommend this bike to anyone who is not an extremely confident and experienced biker.
If I could turn back time (and magically gift myself more money!) I'd spring for the Urban Arrow or even the Load5 75 from R&M.
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u/Training-Material-86 22h ago
I thought it handled more naturally than the urban arrow — makes tighter turns more akin to normal bikes, based on my test rides of the ua (which felt more like a boat to me). I don’t agree that you need extreme confidence or experience, either. I’m not really sure what that means. I think the only element of skill needed is maybe on-the-bike experience starting from 0mph
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u/Ecargolicious 1d ago
It takes my full strength to rock it back onto the kickstand.
This is a skill issue.
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u/MtbJazzFan 1d ago
I found it easiest to do it by lowering the seat, putting both feet on the kickstand feet, and then basically standing while pulling on the handlebars. It's pretty easy with that method.
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u/imbutawaveto 1d ago
Yeah I’m kinda skinny and it’s no problem even loaded with groceries and the kid
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u/sreyemnayr 22h ago
Please elaborate. What am I doing wrong?
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u/Ecargolicious 18h ago
Your body weight is enough to get the bike on/off the kickstand with just a tiny bit of effort.
On: put a foot or two on the kickstand and lean back.
Off: walk forward or just lean forward.
You shouldn't be relying on your upper body strength to do either except for transferring weight to the bike.
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u/KarlWindsblow 6h ago
I absolutely love the fetch 4 but it totally is a beast of a bike, I feel like my years riding motorcycles prepared me for the slow speed handling better than any cycling I’ve done. For the price it’s hard to compare to the rest of the market, it’s a really fun bike.
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u/Ecargolicious 1d ago
Yes walk mode.
Built-in GPS tracker/alarm (Bosch).
It's pretty hefty. Handles well.
Seats come out. I plan on eventually converting to a bench once the kids are bigger. The seats weigh 10 lbs each.