BigNerd
Well-Known Member
So I've been looking to replace my almost 5 year old Espin Sport and finally got a R1U Turris.
I was trying to decide between that and a Lectric XPress but decided I wanted the 2.4" tires and was too lazy to build another ebike (had built my Espin Sport and my Aventon Soltera 2).
Luckily Ride1Up's San Diego location is less than 2 hours from Orange County so did a mini road trip and brought home a Turris.
This wasn't my first time at R1U... I actually went there a before to try out the Turris, a Roadster V3 (so much better than my Soltera 2) and a Portola (didn't have any). I was hoping to get an open box discount but the only available ones were the new builds.
I'll follow up but first impressions:
1. Seems heavier than the 54lbs even without the battery (which is really heavy) and a bit harder to fit into my car (no tow hitch on my current vehicle).
2. Actually fits me pretty well, other bikes I had to add a riser to the handlebar stem or an adjustable stem and this one was fine.
3. Maybe it's just the new bike build but surprisingly easy to ride off power. Did a 20mi ride last weekend and battery still showed 100% as I rode it off power for may 1/3 to 1/2 the ride. I know the bars can't be trusted but my Espin would go down to 3 or 4 bars and my Soltera would definitely be below 30% for the same ride.
4. I didn't like the gear shifter at first. It's not as intuitive as the trigger shifter I'm used to on my Espin or even the twist shifter on the Soltera. It's weird that the top finger shift is to downshift and the lower thumb button is to shift in to higher gears but I'll get used to it.
5. I rode the fork in lockout as I don't like the fork to travel very much but I'll probably set that to the tightest setting so I get a little give.
6. Seat was decent comfort... I usually get a cheap suspension seat post but may just forego it as I've had issues with them.
7. PAS/motor system is interesting. I'm used to the Espin which actually has true cadence/power assist... the faster you pedal the less power and it ramps up and down gradually so similar to a torque sensor. The R1U cadence system is more of an on/off and basically takes big steps through the power curve until the max for each level. My Soltera has a true torque sensor which I don't like very much but that could be because it's a lower power motor. I am probably going to adjust the PAS% but I can see why these type of systems are a bit jolty to people because it will jump the highest output so if you are in 5, it's going to get going really fast with no curve. The good part is that if I'm in 1 or 2 and going 15mph or higher, it's not cutting off like the Espin's speed gated PAS (although that does have benefits).
8. I don't like fenders but seeing how dirty my other bikes (and my backpack and the back of my jacket is) I may just keep them on. They do rub during certain turns and the back fender has the light attached so I would have to modify that.
9. I don't think the rear light is brake activated but I'll check that next weekend.
10. I don't like the bottom battery mount system. It exposes it more to elements and over time, it may be prone to lose contacts as it going against gravity.
11. The left-handed PAS control and throttle are not located ideally. Since I adjust PAS levels more, that should be closer to the handlebar (as it is on my other bikes) and the throttle should be underneath or to right of that. I tried switching them but the throttle unit it too thick and doesn't fit under the PAS control, may remedy this with a lower profile throttle unit that is compatible.
I may still end up getting the Lectric XPress but it's torque sensor and without being able to test ride it, not sure how that will be on a higher power bike. Or the Portola, they had one when I picked up my Turris but did not have time to test ride it.
After I ride it a bit more, I'll put some thoughts down but at $1295 (yeah, they didn't have the discounted $1195 color) it's a great replacement. Aventons are also sold locally by some stores but any in this same class are about $1500+.
I was trying to decide between that and a Lectric XPress but decided I wanted the 2.4" tires and was too lazy to build another ebike (had built my Espin Sport and my Aventon Soltera 2).
Luckily Ride1Up's San Diego location is less than 2 hours from Orange County so did a mini road trip and brought home a Turris.
This wasn't my first time at R1U... I actually went there a before to try out the Turris, a Roadster V3 (so much better than my Soltera 2) and a Portola (didn't have any). I was hoping to get an open box discount but the only available ones were the new builds.
I'll follow up but first impressions:
1. Seems heavier than the 54lbs even without the battery (which is really heavy) and a bit harder to fit into my car (no tow hitch on my current vehicle).
2. Actually fits me pretty well, other bikes I had to add a riser to the handlebar stem or an adjustable stem and this one was fine.
3. Maybe it's just the new bike build but surprisingly easy to ride off power. Did a 20mi ride last weekend and battery still showed 100% as I rode it off power for may 1/3 to 1/2 the ride. I know the bars can't be trusted but my Espin would go down to 3 or 4 bars and my Soltera would definitely be below 30% for the same ride.
4. I didn't like the gear shifter at first. It's not as intuitive as the trigger shifter I'm used to on my Espin or even the twist shifter on the Soltera. It's weird that the top finger shift is to downshift and the lower thumb button is to shift in to higher gears but I'll get used to it.
5. I rode the fork in lockout as I don't like the fork to travel very much but I'll probably set that to the tightest setting so I get a little give.
6. Seat was decent comfort... I usually get a cheap suspension seat post but may just forego it as I've had issues with them.
7. PAS/motor system is interesting. I'm used to the Espin which actually has true cadence/power assist... the faster you pedal the less power and it ramps up and down gradually so similar to a torque sensor. The R1U cadence system is more of an on/off and basically takes big steps through the power curve until the max for each level. My Soltera has a true torque sensor which I don't like very much but that could be because it's a lower power motor. I am probably going to adjust the PAS% but I can see why these type of systems are a bit jolty to people because it will jump the highest output so if you are in 5, it's going to get going really fast with no curve. The good part is that if I'm in 1 or 2 and going 15mph or higher, it's not cutting off like the Espin's speed gated PAS (although that does have benefits).
8. I don't like fenders but seeing how dirty my other bikes (and my backpack and the back of my jacket is) I may just keep them on. They do rub during certain turns and the back fender has the light attached so I would have to modify that.
9. I don't think the rear light is brake activated but I'll check that next weekend.
10. I don't like the bottom battery mount system. It exposes it more to elements and over time, it may be prone to lose contacts as it going against gravity.
11. The left-handed PAS control and throttle are not located ideally. Since I adjust PAS levels more, that should be closer to the handlebar (as it is on my other bikes) and the throttle should be underneath or to right of that. I tried switching them but the throttle unit it too thick and doesn't fit under the PAS control, may remedy this with a lower profile throttle unit that is compatible.
I may still end up getting the Lectric XPress but it's torque sensor and without being able to test ride it, not sure how that will be on a higher power bike. Or the Portola, they had one when I picked up my Turris but did not have time to test ride it.
After I ride it a bit more, I'll put some thoughts down but at $1295 (yeah, they didn't have the discounted $1195 color) it's a great replacement. Aventons are also sold locally by some stores but any in this same class are about $1500+.
