Ride1UP Turris E-Bike Review, 2023

One of the most common questions we get here at EBR is, “How far will this bike take me on a full battery charge?” Variables like weight, weather and road conditions prevent establishing a consistent distance. So we come up with an estimate, having a test rider use the same general area for the ride.

On the PAS 1 test our test rider, TJ, rode 51.47 miles, in a time of 4:06, averaging 12.55 mph. Ride1UP claimed a range of 45 miles, so our result was even better. We like seeing conservative estimates from manufacturers because this adds to their credibility.

On the PAS 5 test, I rode a total of 20.45 miles, in a time of 1:03, averaging 19.4 mph. This is a little less than the 25 miles estimate from the bike builder, but since so many factors affect range, we consider it close enough. If you want to pedal harder while riding on PAS 5 the whole time, you’re likely to come closer to the 25-mile range.

Considering that this bike uses a 614 Wh battery, with a 750W motor, these results are really good compared to similar e-bikes we have tested. The chart above shows the comparison with comparable e-bikes. One factor that enabled the Turris to post these distances, with a hungrier 750W motor, and smaller battery than the others is its lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy frame. Our test bike also lacked the optional front and rear racks that you might decide to add in order to enhance your adventure. Keep the weight factor in mind if you want to add to this bike.

The Kenda Booster Pro K1227 tires, with its knobby tread, compromises some range distance. Street tires would’ve taken the bike a little further on our all-pavement range test, but it would’ve also reduced the bike’s terrain versatility. Setting aside this speculation, the Turris still has good range, which adds to its value as a price conscious e-bike.

On the throttle-only test, some bikes didn’t make it to the top, but the Turris did reach the top, in 1:50, at an average speed of 9.9 mph. The power output was adequate throughout the ride on this test. There’s one point on the trail that I can always tell whether a bike will make it, or not. The Turris was running good when we reached that point, so I knew we’d make it the rest of the way.

On the PAS 5 hill climb test the Turris accomplished the climb in 1:30, with an average speed of 12.1 mph. When we pedal on this test we provide a non-strenuous level of pedaling – the same consistency on each test, and no standing on the pedals.

An important takeaway from the hill climb test is that this bike is okay at climbing hills, but not great. The fact that it’s not one of the faster hill climbers lends itself to its affordability. E-bikes with more gusto are likely going to cost more, or skimp somewhere else. The Turris is built to offer a lot of features that are hard to come by at that price. We’ll happily trade the slower hill climb speed for the price. And best of all, this bike still proved it could conquer the Hell Hole Trail in both tests.

Lighter e-bikes tend to do pretty well on our brake test. That’s because additional weight generates more inertia and requires greater external force to counteract. The Zoom hydraulic brakes, with dual piston calipers and 180mm rotors, did a decent job stopping this bike. The average braking distance was 23’3”.

This is a little longer than the average for this type of bike (20’ to 22’). This again is one of the trade-offs for an e-bike with better components than other e-bikes in its price range. The Turris has hydraulic brakes, not mechanical brakes. Hydraulic brakes are safer because they don’t have cables that can stick, stretch, or fail from excessive use. Hydraulic brakes usually stop a bike faster than mechanical brakes. So, you’re getting hydraulic brakes with this bike, and I think that’s a worthwhile trade for the price.

This bike is better equipped for exploring on dirt roads than the typical commuter-style e-bike, but on pavement, the average braking distance is a little more than one foot longer. That’s not much of a difference, considering the increased flexibility with terrain. Our overall view of this bike’s safety and stopping ability, this bike is a good choice for riders who want an affordable bike that they can get a lot of miles out of

All our riders agreed that the Turris was a very comfortable e-bike to ride. The frame geometry provides a comfortable upright seating posture. The design also makes it easy to adjust the seat, handlebar, and stem to fit short riders and tall riders. Depending on the length of the rider’s arms, the handlebar reach was easy to adjust, using the hex wrench that came with the bike for resetting the stem. The same tool can also be used for adjusting the seat rail, to accommodate riders with longer legs.

The cockpit layout – the handlebar and controls mounted on it – all add to the overall comfort and rideability on this bike. The 685mm handlebars are sized just right for controlling the bike, while also not being so wide to get in the way when whizzing around pedestrians and fellow riders. The riders on our team who have narrower shoulders than me also liked the handlebar width.

The rubber grips are ergonomically designed to fit your palms better, prevent sweat buildup, and allow ventilation to prevent heating up. The aluminum levers are easy to activate and reliable for continued use. And the gear shifter was easy to operate and easy to see what gear I was in.

Helping greatly with this bike’s maneuverability are the 27.5” x 2.4” Kenda Booster Pro tires. The tire width adds more tire to grab the road when you hit the brakes, meaning it gives you better stopping power. The Booster Pro are also great tires to have when you’re on gravel or dirt roads. Sliding out and laying the bike down on wet roads are less likely when you’re riding on tread like these tires have. The knobbies are great for dirt and gravel – giving you more places to explore – without compromising the quality of your street ride.

The mono-color display unit is one of the standard kinds that’s often found with Bafang motors. We prefer color displays because they offer more contrast to make it easier to pick out the information items we need. But the basic nature of the display on this unit is one of the tradeoffs that help make this a great overall bike for the price, so we can’t really complain about this.

Since its 2018 formation, Ride1UP has established an identity as a company that focuses on offering affordable adult size, lightweight e-bikes for commuting, cruising and light off-roading. The Turris fills the company’s repertoire of bikes as a comfortable adventure bike that delivers a great experience without the higher price. The bike’s overall performance is good: the motor delivered on power when we needed it. The battery took me more than 50 miles on a single charge. It conquered the Hell Hole Trail both times. And it has hydraulic brakes and suspension forks. At around $1300, the Turris’ choice assortment of features and components exceeds what the market bears with most other e-bikes in that price range.

Ride1UP makes the Turris with the usual assortment of desired featres, like hydraulic brakes and suspension forks, that reside at the lower price range in their category. But they put together a really decent e-bike for the money. Our time with this bike, along with the test results, proved to us that you’re getting your money’s worth out of this bike.

Remember, at $1300 it’s hard to find an e-bike with a powerful 750w motor, has a battery range of up to 50 miles, is comfortable to sit on and operate, designed to take you through the city and to the outskirts, and is offered by a reputable company that has a technical support team you can call, email or text when need be. The Ride1UP Turris gives you a lot, without you having to give up a lot in return.

Every Ride1up e-bike comes with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Ride1UP doesn’t charge for shipping in the US contiguous 48 states ($100 to ship directly to Canada). The bike comes almost completely assembled – only the handlebar needs to be mounted after you remove the bike from the box.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Ride1UP Turris.