Am I going to be disappointed with the Tero 3.0?

[BusDriver]

Been lurking for a while, waiting for my membership to be approved.

I've looked at all the models, but I'm kind of old fashioned and like the original, hardtail mountain bike design.
I don't need the extra expense of FS or the added upkeep and complexity it brings. I also don't want a "Mullet".
I won't be doing hardcore MTB'ing, but more likely mellow single track and dirt paths, with the occasional foray into the local Bay Area Hills, where things get a bit steeper.
I also want a more upright seating position than your traditional mountain bike, and from what I've read, the 3.0 has that geometry.

My obvious issue with the 3.0 is the smaller motor and battery. The now unavailable 4.0 looked like the perfect fit: The design I want, with the power and range I'd like to see.
Given the $1,999 price, I considered buying a second, 530 W/hr battery, to increase the range to 1,060 W/hr., but the 50 Nm motor (68 Nm?) has me worried it won't be strong enough to pull my 220# body up the hills, at least not with the stock 9 speed cassette.
With the lower price, I figured I could install a 12 speed, 11-50, group-set and still keep the total cost around $3,500.
(Would that be of much help?)

I realize that $3.5K is the price of the FS 4.0, but that comes with the same, smaller motor and battery as the 3.0, so it's of no benefit.
I'd be into it for $4,200+ with a second battery. At that point, you're nearly at the 5.0 price.

Bottom line: I want mid-drive, decent power to handle the hills of SF, an upright-ish seating position, sized to fit a 6'5" rider, and good range. Oh yeah... I also want it to be affordable.

Thoughts?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A very good decision, especially with the drivetrain upgrade, and the extra battery (take the 710 Wh one! It will fit). The motor delivers up to 430 W mechanical power, that's a lot.

The only thing I disliked about the 3.0 was the fork making the e-bike front heavy. Else? Take it!

 

[twy]

I have had the Turbo Tero 3 for about 3 years and absolutely love the bike. For your reference I am 69 and about 175 lbs. When I bought the bike I was 205 lbs. I currently ride a combination of street (65%) and trails (35%). I live in New England and only experience moderate hills. However, I ride almost exclusively in ECO mode and do not have any problems related to power and rely on the gearing instead with only very rarely relying on Trail or Turbo mode to conquer a hill.

I did end up swapping the saddle and added a REDSHIFT ShockStop seat post but the need for those was more age related than anything else. I also added the fender kit while not necessarily ideal for trails, the water/mud protection outweighs the occasional stone going through the fender. The extended mudflap is extremely flexible and I have yet to break it on any rock or logs on the trails.

I will definitely try for a bigger capacity battery when mine needs replaced as I think that is a minor short coming. Also, I am continuously debating increasing the 36T chainring as I never seem to use the lowest gears, even on fairly moderate trails, and would like more top end when on the street,

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@twy is right. No need for any modifications unless necessary. I would buy the big battery and rotate the batteries as needed. Personally, I would replace the drivetrain but the Shimano M5100 11-speed (11-51T cassette) would be both economic and practical. I love the stock saddle, that's a personal thing. Does Tero 3.0 have a dropper seat post?

 

[twy]

The Tero 3.0 does not have a dropper seat post. When I bought it in 2022 the 5.0 did have one, not sure about the 4.0.
At the time I considered adding one but my pet peeve is needing at least my toes to touch the ground when I am riding on the street. This means that my saddle height is not optimal. However, it quickly became irrelevant when I realized I needed a suspension seat post.

 

[BusDriver]

A very good decision, especially with the drivetrain upgrade, and the extra battery (take the 710 Wh one! It will fit). The motor delivers up to 430 W mechanical power, that's a lot.

The only thing I disliked about the 3.0 was the fork making the e-bike front heavy. Else? Take it!

My understanding is that the larger battery requires a different cover. That's, in part, why I thought an additional 530 W/hr battery was the better choice.
I'm not sure what else, if anything, is required when changing battery sizes. Is the casing of the batteries s different length, or are there simply more cells in the 710?
Then there's the cost. I can get the 530 for $750, but the 710 is $1,400, and that's before California sales tax.
The smaller battery would also be easier to carry in a backpack for longer rides.

I recently ran into a guy with the 3.0; the first one I'd seen in person, and noticed he added not only a suspension seat post, but a suspension steering stem.
He said it wasn't a perfect solution for the cheap forks, but certainly a more affordable way to address the crappy ride the spring forks provide (something to consider).
Unfortunately, his bike was a Medium, so I wasn't able to judge the fit of the size I would need. Around here, in order to test ride the 3.0, I have to pay a $650, fully refundable, deposit to get one brought to the showroom floor. Nobody stocks them.

And thanks for the 11 speed Shimano option. Always good to find alternative parts to help keep the overall cost of a project affordable.

 

[BusDriver]

@twy is right. No need for any modifications unless necessary. I would buy the big battery and rotate the batteries as needed. Personally, I would replace the drivetrain but the Shimano M5100 11-speed (11-51T cassette) would be both economic and practical. I love the stock saddle, that's a personal thing. Does Tero 3.0 have a dropper seat post?

I just found an off-brand (non-Shimano), 9-speed cassette in 11-42, 11-46, and 11-50.
That might also be an affordable way to get better hill climbing gears while waiting for the rest of the group-set to wear out and be replaced with the SRAM Eagle 12-speed setup (or the 11-speed mentioned).

Amazingly, I found a local dealer with an XL 3.0 in stock. Next steps: Fit and test ride.