Electric bikes: The ultimate guide
Review in brief
The top-of-the-line Vektron S10 now has a Bosch Performance Line motor that provides up to 300% assistance on top of your own pedal input.
- Fantastic quality and the most powerful motor on test, too
- Great for load carrying with full spec including lights, mudguards, kickstand and hydraulic disc brakes – the complete package
- Quick handlebar and seat adjustability to suit a wide range of different-sized riders
- On the heavy side
- 400Wh battery rather small for the bike’s high price
About Tern Bicycles
This global company is based in Taiwan, but has offices in the US, China, Finland and the UK.
About the Tern Vektron electric bike
The 2021 Tern Vektron range still uses the market-leading Bosch mid-drive system, but Tern has upgraded the motor performance across all three models in the range and updated the frame, components, and colour options - all while maintaining similar price points (at the time of writing at least).
• New Bosch motor
The top-of-the-line Vektron S10 now has a Bosch Performance Line motor that provides support of up to 300% assistance on top of your own pedal input. The Vektron Q9 and P7i models have been upgraded as well, and now feature Bosch Active Line Plus motors with 270% pedal assist. If you aren’t familiar with Bosch motors, suffice to say they will climb just about any gradient of hill with just about any load you put on the bike. What’s more, the modern motors are even lighter, quieter and more powerful than Bosch’s original excellent design.
• Heavyweight folders
The Vektron range are the heaviest folders on test here at 22kg-plus, but the 41cm by 86cm by 68cm fold is designed for ‘rolling’ and easy storage rather than being lifted up to any great height (definitely not Brompton or Flit style lightness and portability). However, the clever design means that when folded, the bike can stand either horizontally or vertically, so storage in your motorhome immediately becomes easier.
• Good value
For the admittedly high cost you get outstanding performance from a truly powerful mid-drive and the ability to take all manner of cargo on the roomy, immensely strong rear Atlas V rack, including a Thule Yepp Maxi or Nexxt Maxi child seat or the large Bucketload Panniers.
Want more electric bike reviews?
If you have finished reading this review, return to our 'Electric bike ultimate guide' for more electric bike reviews.
