Ride1UP Turris

Ride1UP offers a wide range of reasonably-priced e-bikes. The Turris is their entry-level “touring” e-bike, a label that we’ll discuss later in the review. This model has 27.5″ wheels and is powered by a 750W rear hub motor.

Now, let’s take the Turris out on the road to see how it compares to models we’ve tested from Ride1UP and other brands.

What Is the Ride1UP Turris?

The Turris is an entry-level e-bike with a hybrid frame, available in step-through and step-over versions.

The step-through (ST) frame is responsive and easy to mount, and the geometry and swept-back handlebars create an upright, enjoyable riding position.

The Turris rolls on 27.5″ rims with 2.4″ tires, and a 100mm suspension fork adds comfort and traction. The bike comes with fenders and a headlight, but a rear rack and taillight must be added separately.

Overall, the Turris is a versatile e-bike that can handle mixed terrains, making it suitable for urban commuting and recreational riding.

Pros

Suspension Fork

The Turris has a suspension fork with 100mm of travel, more than most competitors (usually 50mm to 80mm). It’s an inexpensive coil spring, but it works well for bumpy gravel or dirt roads and has a lockout feature.

Class 3 Speeds

The Turris can be unlocked to Class 3 speeds (28mph) by adjusting the speed limit in the settings. While the motor doesn’t accelerate quickly, having the capability to travel above 20mph is great for long-distance commuting.

Maneuverability

Though not particularly light, the Turris is highly maneuverable. The 27.5″ wheels and 2.4″ tires make it easier to navigate tight or technical spaces, especially compared to the clunky fat tires often seen on bikes in this price category. Likewise, the frame isn’t as bulky as comparable models, adding to this agile characteristic.

Cons

Issues With the Battery and Controller

During testing, we encountered an issue with the drive system. We completed our standard range test, covering around 21 miles with the battery meter display full charge (five bars). When we reached the 21-mile mark, the battery level dropped to four bars.

Shortly after, while climbing a hill, the bike shut off, leaving me stranded with no warning, and the bike didn’t turn back on for around 20 minutes.

When it finally turned back on, the battery level indicator showed full charge again. However, as soon as I began pedaling up another hill, it shut off and took another 20 minutes to turn on.

With the battery indicator not working correctly and no warning or error code to explain the shut-off, I was left frustrated and uncertain of the bike’s capabilities or true range.

Lacklustre Hill-Climbing Ability

As noted in our medium hill test below, the Turris performs poorly on steep hills. The motor’s 750W sustained rating seems inaccurate, falling well short of other 750W competitors and struggling to match 500W e-bikes. Given that, we wouldn’t recommend it for riders who frequently tackle steep or sustained hills; it’s best for casual cruising.

Component Frustrations

The components Ride1UP chose are basic, and our test model ran into issues from the beginning. Firstly, the rear hydraulic brake wasn’t functional, requiring a bleed to restore function.

The rear derailleur and hanger were also damaged on arrival. However, Ride1UP provided a new derailleur and hanger free of charge.

Despite its 60 lux rating, the headlight wasn’t as bright as others we’ve reviewed. Additionally, this bike doesn’t have a taillight.

What Does It Do Best?

The Turris is a decent entry-level bike with a relaxed, straight-backed riding position and comfortable ride. It’s suitable as a commuter bike or for recreational mixed-terrain riding on relatively flat routes.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

Given the issues we faced with our test model, it’s hard to recommend this bike for anything other than recreational riding and urban use.

Buyers who value performance and range should look elsewhere; the Turris’s performance was lackluster and disappointing. Other bikes from Ride1UP perform significantly better.

Conclusion

The Turris looks good, but it didn’t offer the level of performance we were expecting. Regarding the electronic issues, it was frustrating to be left stranded. However, this may be an issue with the battery on our test model and not a good indication of the bike’s quality.

Otherwise, it’s enjoyable to ride and easy to maneuver and could be a good fit for recreational riders who will use it for short to medium-distance journeys.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2, 3
Warranty: 1-year limited
Total Weight: Claimed: 56lb – Actual: 60lb
Motor Brand: AKM motor
Motor Type: Rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: Unknown
Max Torque: 60Nm
Controller: 48V 18A Lishui sine-wave
Battery: 48V 14Ah, 672Wh
Range Claimed: 30-50 miles
Range Tested: 21.28 miles
Speed: Up to 25mph assist
Throttle: Thumb throttle
Pedal Assist: 5-level PAS
Charger: 54.6V – 2A
Charge Time: 7 hours
Display: LCD
Frame: Aluminum
Fork: 100mm suspension fork
Brake Levers: Zoom aluminum hydraulic
Brake Calipers: Zoom 2-piston
Brake Rotors: 180mm front + rear
Chain: KMC
Crankset: 46t aluminum, 170mm
Derailleur: Shimano RD Altus
Shifter: Shimano 7-speed SL-TX30
Freewheel: 12-32t
Rims: 27.5″ Aluminum
Tires: Kenda K1227 – 27.5″ x 2.4”
Fenders: Yes – aluminum
Lights: 60 lux front, no rear
Grips: Rubber ergonomic
Saddle: KNUS Ergo Gel MTB saddle
Handlebar: Upright cruiser-style handlebars
Kickstand: Included, single-sided
Pedals: Welgo flat pedals
Max. Total Capacity: 300lb

Frame and Geometry

The Turris comes as a step-through or step-over. We received the step-through version to review. This frame has a top tube and down tube that join at the bottom of the seat tube. This design creates a low stand-over height while helping to reduce frame flex.

The frame geometry allows easy control, and the straight-backed riding position and easy mounting make this an accessible bike. The sizing is appropriate for me at 6’0″.

Seat Tube: 18″ (457mm)
Reach: 14.37″ (365mm)
Stack: 26.37” (670mm)
Stand Over Height: 22″ (584mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 23″ (559mm)
Min Saddle Height: 32″ (813mm)
Max Saddle Height: 42.5″ (1080mm)
Total Length: 71.5″ (1816mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’1” – 6’2”

Motor

The Turris has an AKM rear hub motor. Ride1UP lists this motor as 48V, 750W, with a 60Nm max torque. However, the hill climbing ability doesn’t reflect this rating, even at high battery voltages.

The bike accelerates well on flat ground but quickly loses speed on gradients over 6%. The Turris achieved one of the slowest times in our medium hill test, performing worse than most 500W e-bikes we’ve tested, such as the Aventon Level.2 and Lectric XP 3.0.

Cockpit and Control

The Turris’ cockpit is clean and simple. It features a combined display and control pad on the left side, leaving ample room for thumb-style throttle, Shimano Tourney index shifter, and Zoom brake levers.

The brake lever and throttle are comfortable to reach and easy to use. The display and control pad are also straightforward and user-friendly, the same as those found on other Ride1UP bikes.

The three-button control panel includes up, down, and power buttons for controlling the bike’s PAS level or navigating through the settings.

The handlebars sweep back towards the rider, which, combined with the upright geometry, allows for a comfortable straight-backed riding position. Overall, I found the cockpit comfortable and easy to use.

Battery

The Turris comes with a 48V 14Ah (672Wh) battery pack, which fell short of the range we expected. Using the maximum available pedal assist, we covered just 21.28 miles and 1,226 feet of elevation while averaging 13mph. This result is on the lower end for this battery size, but it’s decent for a bike at this price point.

Again, the major issue was the battery level inaccuracy, which meant the bike died suddenly, despite displaying four bars (~80%). I’d like to hear from other users about whether they have faced similar issues with the Turris.

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The Turris comes with a 2A charger and is charged in seven hours from empty. Charging is possible on or off the bike using the external charge port, which is protected by a rubber stopper when not in use.

To remove the battery for transport or charging, you must unlock it with the key. The keyhole is located on the non-drive side. Once unlocked, turn the knob located on the battery to slide it out. You can return the battery without inserting the key; it simply slides back in and clicks into place.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain comprises a Shimano 7-speed 12-32t cassette, 46t chainring, and a TX-30 shifter, which are bottom-tier components. Though shifting is clunky, there is sufficient gearing range to pedal at high speeds.

Brakes

The Turris has Zoom two-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. As the graphic shows, the stopping distance of 25.5 feet is significantly longer than that of competing models. The rear brake also required a bleed when the bike arrived, as discussed above.

Wheels, Tires

The Turris has a sleek set of 2.4″ Kenda tires with brown sidewalls mounted on 27.5″ rims. These tires roll fast and offer a comfortable ride with plenty of grip for mixed-terrain riding, a good match for the bike’s “adventure” designation.

Contact Points

Grips

The Turris has lock-on rubber grips with ergonomic flares. These are comfortable, offer good grip, and they don’t move around on the bars.

Saddle

The saddle used offers plush padding with polymer springs for added comfort. It didn’t cause any discomfort for me while pedaling or after a long ride.

Pedals

The Turris has standard Wellgo platform pedals, which are appropriate for an entry-level bike.