In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the innovative world of Tern electric bikes, a brand renowned for its commitment to sustainable urban transportation.
The Tern Brand
Tern is one of the most upscale and renowned brands in the electric bike market. It's history speaks for itself and it's product line is second to none in terms of breadth and quality. Tern has something for every type of rider.
Where to Buy a Tern Electric Bike
They have a local dealer network across the world including in North America, Asia, and Europe. That makes it easy to find Tern electric bikes to buy or get serviced.
Key Features of Tern Electric Bikes
Compact and Foldable Designs
Tern is renowned for its foldable electric bikes. This feature is incredibly useful for urban commuters, allowing for easy storage at home or work, and convenient transport on public transportation.
High-Quality Build
Tern bikes are known for their durability and high-quality construction. They use premium materials and components, ensuring longevity and reliability.
Powerful and Efficient Motors
Tern e-bikes are equipped with powerful motors, often Bosch or Bafang, providing smooth and efficient assistance, which is particularly useful for climbing hills or long-distance riding.
Versatility
Many Tern models are designed to be versatile, catering to different needs such as commuting, cargo carrying, or leisure rides. Some models come with accessories like cargo racks and child seats.
Innovative Features
Tern e-bikes often include innovative features like integrated lighting, electronic shifting, and advanced display screens.
The Potential Cons of Tern Electric Bikes
- Price: Tern electric bikes are generally on the higher end of the price spectrum. This can be a significant investment, especially for casual riders or those new to e-bikes.
- Weight: Due to their robust build and additional features like batteries and motors, Tern e-bikes can be quite heavy. This might be a concern for those who need to carry their bike up stairs or load it into a vehicle.
- Complexity for Repairs: The advanced technology and specialized components of Tern e-bikes can make repairs and maintenance more complex and potentially more expensive, requiring specialized service.
- Limited Dealer Network: Depending on your location, it might be challenging to find a local dealer for test rides, purchases, or servicing.
- Battery Range and Charging Time: While Tern bikes offer good battery range, it can vary based on model, riding conditions, and assistance level. Charging time might also be a consideration for some users.
- Size and Fit: While the foldable design is a pro, it can also be a con for taller or larger riders, as the compact size might not fit everyone comfortably.
Popular Tern Electric Bike Models
Tern Quick Haul
Price: Starting from $3725 (USD)
Overview
The Tern Quick Haul, a new, more affordable compact cargo bike from Tern. The Quick Haul is designed to offer much of the versatility and functionality of more expensive bikes but at a more accessible price point, making it an excellent choice for city biking and various cargo needs.
Potential Buyers and Use Cases
Whether for grocery runs, carrying children, or replacing car journeys, the Quick Haul presents a compelling option for those seeking a reliable, versatile e-bike without the higher cost of premium models.
Key Specs
- Motor and Battery: The pre-production model featured a larger 500-watt-hour battery, contributing to the bike's robust performance, especially on hills. The Quick Haul uses a Bosch motor, known for its power and efficiency, making it capable of handling significant loads with ease.
- Compatibility with Accessories: The Quick Haul is compatible with a range of Tern accessories, including cargo hold panniers, child seats, and the Clubhouse mini bars.
- Affordability and Versatility: Positioned as a cost-effective alternative to the Tern GSD and HSD, the Quick Haul can carry a total of 150 kilos, with its Atlas Key rear rack supporting up to 50 kilos. This capacity is suitable for carrying children or groceries but not for adult passengers.
- Cost-Saving Measures: To achieve a lower price point, the Quick Haul makes several economical choices compared to the HSD P9, such as omitting a suspension fork, frame lock, and using lower-spec components for lights, wheels, and brakes. Despite these cost-saving measures, the bike maintains the powerful Bosch motor central to its design.
- Riding Experience: The Quick Haul is fun to ride, especially due to its compactness and lighter weight compared to the GSD. It offers an upright riding position, which may feel slightly cramped for taller riders but fits a wide range of sizes. The lack of front suspension affects ride quality on rough terrain, but high-quality tires help mitigate this.
Recommendation
The Tern Quick Haul is a highly versatile compact cargo bike. While it makes some compromises to achieve its more attractive price point, it retains the core features that make Tern bikes popular among urban cyclists and cargo bike enthusiasts.
Tern Vektron
Price: Starting from $4475 (USD)
Overview
A compact electric folding bike ideal for city commuting and easy storage.
Versions of the Tern Vectron
S10 Version: Features a Bosch Performance Line motor, a 400-watt-hour battery, and a 10-speed Shimano derailleur for mountain bike-style gear shifting.
Q9 Version: Equipped with a Bosch Active Line Plus motor, a 400-watt-hour battery, and a Shimano Alivio 9-speed derailleur, offering standard mountain bike-style gear shifting.
Potential Riders and Use Cases
Urban commuting. Compact and easily foldable design, great for city living and commuting. Powerful Bosch motor for reliable performance. Versatile for both short daily commutes and longer rides.
Key Specs
- Compact and Foldable: The Vectron can be folded in 10 seconds, making it convenient for carrying on trains, buses, or cars. Its fold-and-roll capability enhances portability.
- Stiff and Stable Ride: Despite its compact size, the Vectron offers a stiff and stable riding experience, ensuring rider safety and confidence.
- Robust Rear Rack: Comes with a durable rear rack, making it an excellent commuter bike for daily use without compromises.
- Rider Compatibility: The bike accommodates a wide range of rider heights, from 4'10" to 6'5", making it shareable among friends and family.
Recommendation
The Tern Vectron stands out as a versatile, foldable electric bike designed for urban environments, offering ease of storage and transport, a stable ride, and compatibility with a range of accessories for everyday commuting needs.
Tern GSD
Price: Starting from $6699 (USD)
Overview
One of the most high end transport or cargo electric bikes on the market. The Tern GSD is expensive but best in class in almost all elements of design and specs.
Potential Riders and Use Cases
Perfect for cargo carrying or family transportation. Can carry up to two children or substantial loads. It is larger and heavier than typical e-bikes, which can be a storage challenge.
Key Specs
- Design: Compact design despite being a cargo bike.
- Versatility and Accessories: Offers a range of accessories like child seats, cargo trays, and panniers. Allows for easy customization to meet individual needs. This versatility makes it suitable for various cargo and passenger configurations.
- Storage and Portability: The GSD is designed for easy storage, featuring flat-folding and vertical parking capabilities. Its handlebars can also fold in, offering a more compact storage solution suitable even for small spaces.
- Power and Performance: Equipped with the Bosch cargo line motor and options for either the Purion or Kiox display. It includes two slots for Bosch power packs, with configurations available with either 400 or 500-watt-hour power packs. The roll-off version features dual 500W power packs for extended range.
- Shifting and Drive Options: The GSD offers a touring version with standard derailleur and cassette for mountain bike-style shifting. Alternatively, there's an option for a Gates carbon belt drive with either a 14-speed Rohloff internally geared hub with electronic shifting or a Nuvinci (Enviolo) continuously variable transmission for smooth shifting.
- Carrying Capacity: The back rack supports up to 220 pounds, capable of transporting two children or a small adult. Accessory options like the captain's chair, child seats, and rain covers are available for passenger comfort and safety.
Recommendation
The Tern GSD is presented as a highly capable, versatile electric bike that can effectively replace a car for many urban and family transportation needs, offering a range of configurations and accessories to suit a wide variety of uses.
Tern HSD
Price: Starting from $6349 (USD)
Overview
The Tern HSD has been a popular choice for those seeking a compact yet capable cargo bike, positioned as a smaller sibling to the Tern GSD. The Tern HSD Gen 2 is presented as a highly versatile, more capable cargo bike that retains its compactness and ease of use. With increased weight capacity, updated motor systems, and a range of new accessories, the HSD Gen 2 is positioned as an even more appealing option for those needing a compact cargo bike without the full size of the GSD.
Potential Riders and Use Cases
Perfect for urban riding. Is great for carrying light cargo and passengers. The HSD is ideal for riders looking for a versatile bike that can be shared among different users, thanks to its adjustable features and significant carrying capacity.
It appeals to those needing a bike for more than just carrying children; it's designed for anyone requiring a capable cargo bike for various loads.
- More compact than the GSD but still capable of carrying passengers or cargo.
- Easy to handle and maneuver in urban environments.
- Good range and powerful motor assistance.
- Limited off-road capability.
Key Specs
- Increased weight capacity on the rear rack (up to 187 pounds), making it even more versatile as a cargo bike.
- New features include updated motors to the Bosch smart system, options for GPS tracking on premium versions, belt drive options, new colors, and additional accessories like the captain's chair for increased weight accommodation.
- The bike supports a variety of accessories and configurations, including front racks capable of carrying up to 44 pounds.
- A notable feature across Tern bikes is their ability to stand vertically for storage, saving space.
Recommendation
The HSD stands out for its ability to stand up on its rear end for compact storage, a feature particularly appreciated in space-constrained environments like New York City. It offers a blend of lightness and capability, with the ability to carry significant loads but in a more compact form factor than the GSD.
Tern Node
Price: Starting from $1375 (USD)
Overview
A balance of performance and affordability. Foldable, making it convenient for mixed-mode commuting. Good for both short trips and longer rides.
Potential Riders and Use Cases
Urban and suburban commuting. General leisure riding
Key Specs
- 8-speed drivetrain for various riding conditions.
- Includes fenders and a rear rack for practicality.
Recommendation
Another solid offering from Tern that should be considered if you are looking for an urban e-bike.
The Bottom Line
Tern offers a diverse range of high-quality e-bikes to suit various needs and lifestyles. Whether you're an urban commuter, a family looking for a versatile transport solution, or someone in need of a compact and efficient cargo bike, Tern has a model that can cater to your specific requirements.
Tern electric bikes stand out for their innovation and quality. While the choice of the right model depends on individual needs and preferences, you can't go wrong with a Tern electric bike.
