We Tested the Trek Charter+ 4: Discover This Ultra-Comfortable City E-Bike with Massive Range!

It’s worth noting, especially this year as the electric and mechanical bike brand Trek celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme “Focus on 2076.” Indeed, the latest generation of Trek’s urban e-bike feels more like it belongs to the year 2076 than 1976. Introduced as the Charter+, it represents the premium model in their lineup, even venturing slightly into all-terrain territory with the Charter+ Trail variant.

We had the opportunity to test the urban-focused model, the Charter+ 4 Nexus 5 800 Wh Low Step, equipped with a large battery, an integrated hub, and an open frame design. This model sits in the mid-range of the lineup. So, how does this seemingly well-equipped e-bike perform in real-world conditions? Here’s what we found after a week of riding.

Product Details

This review was conducted using a model provided by the brand.

Imposing Yet Elegant Design

Let’s be clear, the Trek Charter+ presents a very robust appearance with its thick frame. It’s one of the bulkiest we’ve seen. However, the American brand has managed to polish its style with smooth welding, and the chain/motor casing integrates well into the overall bulk.

Unfortunately, the plastic parts do not fit perfectly, leaving a somewhat unfinished impression. The casing also seems oversized for the Bosch Performance motor, which looks tiny inside. This design is necessary to accommodate the larger PX motor found in the Charter+ 5 models.

Aside from that, there’s nothing to complain about regarding the well-integrated wiring or the thick stem designed for this e-bike, which incorporates the lighting. The fixed light is well-adjusted in terms of its beam angle with a dual-mode feature: a broader mode for the immediate 3 meters ahead and a more powerful, narrower mode that reaches further, although less broadly (1.5m at 3 meters, 2m at 10 meters). The rear light is also powerful and integrated into the rear mudguard.

Highly Equipped, Yet Heavily Weighted

The front and rear mudguards are extensive and come with flaps, offering protection for the rider’s feet and cyclists following behind. Trek has also included a short rear rack with straps, a kickstand (a tad too close to the left pedal), and a rear wheel lock.

Well-equipped indeed, the Trek Charter+ 4 does not compromise on weight, particularly in our version with a large battery. We estimate it at 32 kg, which is quite heavy for its category, especially in size M. This is close to the 27.6 kg listed without the over 4 kg battery (4.06 kg, to be exact).

A Constantly Evolving Bosch Universe

By opting for the Performance Line motor, the Trek Charter+ gains access to the Bosch Smart System ecosystem. This starts with the Purion 200 display, positioned to the left of the handlebar, small yet comprehensive with several weather-proof, easily readable information. It features user-friendly buttons and excellent ergonomics.

The Flow app offers a more sophisticated counter through the smartphone, compatible with the two optional Smartphone Grip mounts that benefit from induction charging (horizontal or vertical). This setup allows for viewing multiple pieces of information simultaneously with navigation, such as the human power/cadence duo or (less useful on an urban e-bike) elevation profile.

More notably, one can customize and select 4 modes out of 8, review trips with data, and manage security features. Initially, security is limited to locking the assistance via the app, while Flow+ (a paid subscription) and the Connect module (100 euros) include an alarm in case of movement and theft, link the battery to your bike (Battery Lock), and allow sharing with multiple users.

A Comfortable Electric Bike

Despite its hefty frame, the Charter+ 4 is exceptionally comfortable, possibly one of the most comfortable in the realm of urban electric bikes. Surprisingly, the frame is laterally flexible, which helps absorb shocks.

The proprietary Bontrager E6 tires (2.4 inches) effectively filter out vibrations, working well with the modest SR Suntour SF25-NVX32 suspension fork (63 mm of travel) and a welcome suspended seat post.

The riding position is passive, with a high, very curved handlebar that raises the back and where all the weight is supported by the saddle. The grips come with palm rests, a bit stiff admittedly, but the Bontrager Boulevard seat, while cushy for short city trips, becomes too soft for longer rides.

An E-Bike Best Suited for Urban Environments

This electric bike does have suspension, but that doesn’t make it a trail-ready e-bike. It can handle some light off-road use on gravel or beaten paths, but only moderately. Not because it’s uncomfortable, but because this Trek is fitted with urban-profile tires (with a smooth central band) and especially a very urban transmission.

The Shimano Nexus 5-speed hub is primarily designed for city riding, allowing gear shifts while stationary. It’s worth noting that other versions offer a derailleur as well as manual or automatic Enviolo options.

Smooth and Quiet Motor, Paired with Renowned Brakes

The assistance still allows for some off-pavement sessions, thanks to the Bosch Performance Line motor with strong acceleration and a power output of 600 W to tackle inclines. It is very quiet, with a linear acceleration to avoid any abrupt behavior, while the 75 Nm torque allows for slow starts and uphill starts without issue.

The popular Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes are very effective, requiring only 2.80 m to stop from 25 km/h (thanks also to the wide tires). Moreover, they are progressive, though they tend to lock the rear wheel a bit too much at times.

Large Battery for Over 80 km in Max Mode

Our specific test model, the Trek Charter+ 4 800 Wh Lowstep, is equipped with the largest battery option available in the catalog (vs 540 Wh for others). This is also the highest capacity offered by Bosch, aiming to provide up to 160 km of range theoretically. That’s for the Eco mode, the weakest of the 4 default modes. Conversely, we measured the performance in the most powerful Boost mode.

In this mode, the electric bike averages 82 km on our springtime rides (12-24°C) with minimal elevation changes. In Auto mode, it nearly reaches 100 km (98 km exactly), while the Tour mode ranges between 110 and 125 km. Below 10% battery remaining, a slight performance drop is noticeable, and the assistance shuts off at 0% with a reserve to keep the display and lighting running for the last few kilometers.

Extremely Slow Charging, Yet Perfect Charge Monitoring

While the Charter+ 4 comes with a large battery, the standard 2A charger provided means patience is required. It takes 2 hours to fill 25% of the battery. The next 2 hours bring it just over 40%, thus about 10% per hour until reaching 90%, then it slows down for a full charge in 12 hours.

Charging can be done both on the bike and with the removable battery. Trek has carefully designed the battery extraction with top-frame access via a magnetized cover, a key lock, and a strap that eases carrying. The battery also has its own indicators (5 in total) to monitor charging, while the display and app allow tracking when charging on the bike.

Measured Pricing

We tested the Trek Charter+ 4 Nexus 5 800 Wh Lowstep, priced at 4,099 euros. A long name, illustrating the variety of this model launched in spring 2026, starting at 3,299 euros with a derailleur and 540 Wh, and up to 5,099 euros for the Enviolo Auto with an 800 Wh battery.

All models are also available in open or closed frames, with a choice of 2 to 3 colors depending on the version and 4 sizes (from S to XL). A generous offer, which includes a lifetime warranty on the frame, while the rest of the components (excluding wear) are covered for 2 years.

The electric bike is available only through partner dealers, with customer service provided either through the dealer or via chat/phone with the brand. Each model also has a complete technical sheet on the site listing all components, very useful in case of repair or replacement.