Ride1Up Turris Electric Bike Review

The delights of using an e-bike aren’t limited to the boost provided by power assist and injury-free miles on the road or trail. Most e-bikes are made to handle a variety of uses, conditions and surfaces, and the Ride1Up Turris XR E-bike – billed as an “adventure touring” bike, exemplifies the versatility of entry-level e-bikes.

The Turris XR is a veritable chameleon: commute to work in the morning on it, go hit the recreational trails at lunch or after work, and stop off at the grocery store on the way home. It’s a go-anywhere e-bike that can change its colors quickly, and at a reasonable price that might have you seeing green fields of opportunity.

Frame Sizes

The Turris is available in two sizes. We tested the XR model, which has a curved top tube and is suitable for riders 5’6” to 6’4” tall. The XT has a step-through frame design, which will suit riders from 5’1” to 6’2”, and anybody who prefers not having to swing their leg over the top tube – an act that becomes harder and more precarious as we age. Both Turris models feature strong, lightweight aluminum frames, with internal routing for wires to protect them from the elements.

Speed

The Ride1Up Turris is a Class 3 ebike, with power assist up to 28 mph (the rider must also be pedaling in this mode), and a throttle-only mode top speed of 20 mph. The slower top speed in throttle-only mode means that in most U.S. states, the Turris can be ridden on shared-use recreational trails.

When you use neighborhood streets or bike lanes, the higher speed of the pedal assist mode helps you blend in more easily with car traffic (while still staying near the speed limits of most city streets).

750W Rear Hub Motor

The Turris comes with a 48 volt, 750W geared hub motor made by Shengyi. With 60nm of torque (twisting force), the 750 watts Shengyi motor provides ample power for the many uses of the Turris.

For the rider, the 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain comes with a 46 tooth front chainring and a 12-32 rear cassette designed to accommodate a wide range of ride profiles and surface conditions.

Battery

The 48V12.8ah Reention Prism LG Cells battery with Smart BMS will power a range of 25-45 miles, depending on the weight of the rider, the course terrain and incline, and the level of pedal assist applied. “Smart BMS” refers to the Battery Management System – the rider will be alerted to the health and longevity of the charge – whether the charge has run low or the battery is overheating, so she can head off problems before they ruin a ride.

How Does it Ride?

The Turris finds the sweet spot where comfort and responsiveness come together. The frame geometry keeps the rider in an upright position that prevents lower back and neck pain, but it still has the chops to negotiate unexpected potholes. Points of contact are comfortable thanks to the wide, padded KNUS Ergo Gel MTB Saddle, front suspension fork with lockout and 100mm of travel, and an adjustable stem that helps you place the bars in the right position.

The welded aluminum frame is strong and (relatively) light, and its minimalist aesthetic gives the bike a streamlined look.

Extras

With the option of adding a rear rack and front baskets, the Turris can serve as your eco-friendly grocery getter. The bike comes standard with fenders, a stout kickstand, front headlight and rear reflector (we’d like to see a rear tailight – preferably a brake activated one – in the future). Water bottle bosses will allow you to stay hydrated, and a chainstay guard will keep your pant legs safe and ready for office meetings.

The Zoom Hydraulic Disc Brakes w/ Cut-Off Sensors are a nice feature at this price point, and they will stop you quickly in a variety of conditions with ample braking power. The KD21C Adjustable Speed LCD display puts all the salient information right at the rider’s fingertips.

Tires

The Kenda K1227 27.5″x2.4″ tires are suitably wide and grippy for a variety of road and trail uses, and they add to the Turris’ comfortable ride. All their utility aside, the Kendas have sharp-looking brown sidewalls which give the Turris a throwback look, despite its contemporary pedigree.

What We Liked

The Turris has a lot of features and accessories, but at its core it’s a fast, fun bike that’s a pleasure to ride. It’s comfortable, but not at the expense of maneuverability.

A bike’s look is a notoriously subjective measure, but for us, the Turris went above and beyond the standard here. With its smoothly-welded aluminum frame that shrouds the battery and hides the wires, the Turris is like a Swiss Army knife – eminently useful, but with a cool, stylish exterior that belies its utility. It also comes in three understated but classy colors: Forest Green, Origami White and Graphite Gray.

Overall Impression

With a MSRP of $1,295, the Ride1Up Turris Electric Bicycle is an incredible value. It has all the features of more expensive e-bikes at an affordable price point. It serves as an excellent first ebike, and its utility will expand with your horizons for its many uses. Only if you specialize in longer road rides or singletrack trail use will its go-anywhere versatility be an anchor to your ambitions.

When product designers look to introduce a new bike model, they look at the competition in the niche market and make sure their prototype checks off all the salient features found in that market segment. Ride1Up could have stopped at this point, but they went above and beyond to maximize the Turris’ value and design aesthetics. The result is the Ride1Up Turris E-Bike, a unique electric bike that stands out from a crowd of rather more vanilla pretenders.

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