eBike Battery Care and Handling Tips: Bosch PowerPack
Your eBike’s battery is a major part of your eBike investment. This overview from the Bosch Battery Guide will help you understand how to care for your eBike’s battery, and avoid pitfalls that could shorten the life of your battery.
The service life of a PowerPack is influenced mainly by the type and duration of use. Like every lithium-ion battery, a PowerPack also ages over time, even if you do not use it.
Factors that have a positive impact on the service life of the battery:
- Low load
- Storage at a temperature between 0 and 20 °C
- Storage at approx. 30 to 60% charge status
Factors that shorten the service life:
- Heavy-duty use
- Storage at over 30 °C ambient temperature
- Prolonged storage in a completely charged or completely discharged state
- Parking of the eBike in the blazing sun
eBike PowerPack Care Proper Treatment
The more conscientiously you treat the PowerPack, the further it will take you. We have a few tips and tricks to help:
ebike Battery Charging
The battery should be charged under dry conditions and at room temperature.
ebike Battery Storage in Winter and Summer
Store your batteries in a dry location at temperatures between 0 and 20 °C. Storage at room temperature is ideal. Temperatures below.10 °C and above 60 °C should be avoided. Being completely charged or completely discharged for storage is also not advised for the PowerPack and other eBike batteries. The ideal charge status for lengthy periods of storage is approx. 30 to 60% or two to three LEDs on the battery indicator.
How to Clean an ebike Battery
Cleaning with a direct water jet is not permitted, in particular to protect the electronic components. Before cleaning, remove the battery. Occasionally, you can clean and lightly grease the plug terminals.
Winter Use of eBike Battery
During winter use (particularly below 0 °C) we recommend charging and storing the battery at room temperature before inserting the battery in the eBike immediately before riding it. For frequent travel in the cold, it is advisable to use thermal protective covers.
Transporting an Electric Bike Battery
For transport, the battery should always be taken off the eBike and safely transported in your car or truck.
eBike Battery Inspection
Using a diagnostic unit, the dealer can check the health status of the eBike, especially the battery, and tell you the number of charging cycles used since battery was new.
How to convert a bike to electric power | Electric bike conversion kits explained
The best electric bike conversion kits will enable you to add a motor to your existing bike simply and relatively cheaply – at least compared to the price of buying a whole new electric bike.
There are an increasing number of ebike conversion kits out there, and they’re getting more sophisticated and easier to install on your bike, making for a practical alternative to a new purpose-built electric bike. An electric bike conversion kit will include the motor to drive you along and the battery to power it. It also needs to include the apparatus to control the power output level. This usually takes the form of a bar-mounted display.
In addition, a kit will include sensors to detect how fast you’re travelling and your level of pedal input to ensure the power supplied matches your needs. We’ve tested a few electric bike conversion kits here at BikeRadar, but there are lots more we’re yet to try. A full test of the best electric bike conversion kits is in the works – stay tuned. If you want a more detailed explanation of the different types of kit available and things to consider when purchasing an electric bike conversion kit, then head to our explainer further down the page.
Best electric bike conversion kits 2022: our picks
Swytch electric bike conversion kit
Swytch says its electric bike conversion kit can convert any bike into an electric bike. Stan Portus / Our Media
- Pros: Very compact; easy to install; variety of range options
- Cons: 100mm threaded front axle only; not compatible with thru-axles
London-based Swytch makes a conversion kit that, it says, is the lightest in the world at 3kg total weight. It can convert any bike into an ebike.
The kit includes a 40Nm brushless hub-based motor that comes pre-laced into a replacement front wheel. The lithium-ion battery pack connects to your handlebars and also acts as the system controller and LCD display.
There’s a crank-mounted cadence sensor, and that’s all you need to fit to your bike to get going.
There’s a Brompton-specific kit available too, with an adaptor for the Brompton’s front luggage mount.
Depending on the range you want, there are three sizes of battery pack available, which provide a claimed range of 35km, 50km or 100km.
Swytch has recently unveiled an even more compact kit with a.sized battery that weighs just 700g and, Swytch says, gives 15km of range.
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Cytronex electric bike conversion kit
Cytronex makes electric bike conversion kits for Bromptons, as well as standard bikes. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
- Pros: Clever sensor tech; decent range
- Cons: Not much onboard info on battery level and range
Weighing between 3.2kg and 3.6kg, the Cytronex ebike conversion kit is another front-wheel conversion to house a hub motor, but in this case, the battery is designed to fit in a standard bottle cage.
We tested the kit on a Cannondale Quick hybrid and reckon that conversion takes around 30 minutes. The charge level is displayed via LEDs on the battery, which also houses the system controller. We got up to an impressive 48 miles on a charge.
We’ve also tested the kit on a Brompton P Line lightweight folder, where the total weight undercut the C Line-based Brompton Electric. Fit it to a C Line and it’s also cheaper than the Brompton Electric.
Electric bike conversion kits: different types explained
Electric bike conversion kits come in styles to suit all types of bike. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
There are a number of ways to electrify your existing bike for assistance up those hills: you can fit a powered wheel, either front or rear; you can attach a drive unit to the bottom bracket; you can fit a motor above the rear wheel and drive it via friction; or, most sneakily, you can conceal a motor in the seatpost.
Whether you ride a hybrid, mountain bike, road bike or even a folder, tourer or gravel bike, it should be possible to convert your bike.
Many can even be fitted by a competent home mechanic if you’re feeling handy and have an afternoon spare.
So, what are your options? Let’s take a look at the different ways to convert your non-assisted bike into an electric bike.
Powered ebike wheels
The Swytch is a good example of a readily available universal electric bike conversion kit that uses a motor at the front hub. Swytch
Fitting a powered ebike wheel is probably the most practical option for many people.
A powered ebike wheel is built around a special hub that contains a motor. This is usually powered by a separate battery.
This sounds simple, but the main downside is that it adds rotating mass to your bike, which feels harder to accelerate than non-rotating mass.
There’s a steady stream of front- and rear-wheel conversion kits on Amazon and eBay, all looking suspiciously similar, priced from around £150 and with names you’ve probably never heard of.
Be wary of systems controlled by a throttle (also called ‘twist-and-go’) though. Legally, they’re classified as electric motorcycles rather than ebikes, and need to be taxed and insured. Take a look at our guide to ebike laws for more information.
Rear-mounted friction drive ebike conversion kit
Readers of a certain age may remember earlier incarnations of these in the 1980s/90s: a box that sits on your rear wheel and powers it via friction with a rubber flywheel driven by a motor.
The idea hasn’t gone away, and lives on in devices such as the Rubbee, which promises bolt-on electric assistance for nearly any bike.
Rubbee’s base model has a claimed weight of just 2.8kg, with a 16km range that can be extended up to 48km with the top-spec, 4kg version.
It works with any wheel diameter between 16in and 29in, has an integrated carrying handle and clips on and off your seatpost. start from €579.
Concealed ebike conversion kit
The Vivax Assist hid a motor in the seat tube of the frame and applied power directly to the axle of the crank. Vivax
Now we come to the low-key way to do it – hiding a motor inside your bike so no one knows it’s there.
The Vivax Assist was the best-known device for doing this, although the company has now ceased trading. It’s the system that was used by Belgian cyclocross pro Femke Van den Driessche in 2016 to power her way to victory in her home championships. She was found out at a subsequent race, got a six-year ban and quit racing.
Vivax Assist may be no more, but we reckon this idea still has legs – at least for the budding cyclocross cheat.
Mid-drive ebike conversion kit
eBay and Amazon are awash with mid-drive motor electric bike conversion kits like this one from TongSheng. TongSheng
Many commercially available ebikes are powered with motors mounted around the bottom bracket, near the pedals.
These have the advantage of placing the weight low down on the bike, making it more stable.
This isn’t just a ready-made option though – you can also buy aftermarket conversion kits with mid-drive units.
Bafang is a brand that is increasingly focusing on complete ebikes, but it also offers a mid-drive conversion kit on Amazon, as well as wheel hub motors.
Priced from £360, Bafang says the conversion is easy to install using only a few tools to remove the bottom bracket and fit the drive on the front of the down tube.
As above, be careful of throttle-controlled kits that won’t pass the UK ebike regulations and will legally be considered a moped.
You’ll find other mid-motor systems on Amazon too, such as that from TongSheng, which is claimed to fit 95 per cent of standard bike frames and be 30 per cent lighter than a Bafang unit.
It uses a torque sensor, so should fall within the ebike regulations, and is priced from around £350 – although that doesn’t include a battery.
German brand Pendix has a mid-drive system priced from €999 to €2,190 that weighs from 5.4kg for a 28km range. It replaces a BSA bottom bracket and can be fitted to folding bikes as well as a wide range of regular machines.
Folding ebike conversion kit
The Brompton electric conversion from Electric Concepts is one of many kits available to electrify an existing Brompton. Electric Concepts
What can you do if you’ve got a folding bike and want to join the electric revolution?
Well there’s good news if you’ve got a Brompton – a number of ebike conversion kits are available. They generally work with a powered hub in the front wheel and a battery carried in a bag mounted on the front.
As discussed above, Swytch and Cytronex can both be used to convert a Brompton. Swytch’s Brompton kit is priced at £999, although discounts of up to 50 per cent are sometimes available on the site.
As with its other systems, there’s a front wheel hub motor, a clip-on power pack and a bottom bracket torque sensor. Quoted range is up to 50km.
Swytch will also build wheels for folders with other wheel sizes and different fork blade widths, such as Dahon’s models.
Are electric bike conversion kits legal?
If your electric bike uses a throttle, it is technically classed as a moped, and must be taxed and insured as such. Simon Bromley / Our Media
Most electric bike conversion kits are legal to fit to a bike, although the precise rules differ depending on where you live.
In most of the world, the motor needs to be limited to a maximum of 250 watts of continuous power output, unless the electric bike is only used on private land.
You also need to be pedalling for the motor to work – a throttle can only operate at low speeds and assistance needs to cut out once the speed exceeds 25kph. There may be a minimum age to ride an electric bike: in the UK it’s 14.
The rules are different in the US, where higher power outputs and higher speeds are usually legal, while Australia has some variants as well, so it’s worth checking that your electric bike conversion kit is legal where you live before purchasing.
Is converting an electric bike worth it?
An electric bike conversion kit is not cheap, so you want to be sure it’s going to work for you.
You need to have a candidate bike in decent condition to justify taking the kit route.
If you’re going to have to buy a bike to fit the kit to, or going to need to make a lot of repairs to your bike to make it roadworthy, the total cost is probably going to mean it’s not a lot cheaper than buying a complete electric bike.
You need to be confident you can fit the kit yourself as well. If you’re going to have to pay a shop to fit the motor or sort things out if the conversion goes wrong, your savings over purchasing a new electric bike may dwindle quickly.
It’s also worth noting that an electric bike conversion kit may affect your bike’s handling, particularly if there’s a heavy motor and battery mounted somewhere where the bike was not designed to carry it.
Drivetrain components may not be adequately beefed up for the extra power they need to transmit and may wear or break. Factors such as torque steer may be a problem, and cabling and sensors can be unsightly.
In contrast, if you buy a complete electric bike from a reputable brand, it will have been engineered around the motor and battery, and you’ll know what the finished product looks like.
Can you convert any bike into an electric bike?
There are designs of electric bike conversion kit that will work with pretty much any type of bike. Kits are available that are engineered specifically for certain bikes, such as the folding bike conversion kits we’ve talked about above.
A design such as the Rubbee should be mountable on most bikes. However, tyre wear may be an issue with a road bike with narrower tyres, and wet-weather grip between the motor’s drive wheel and the tyre may also be a problem.
But some kits, such as those that work with a specific bottom bracket configuration, may not fit on some bikes. An unusual wheel size may also limit available options, so it’s worth checking the compatibility of your planned solution before buying.
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How to Extend the Life of Your Bosch eBike Battery
New batteries are no longer that complicated, but here is a guide on how to extend the life of your eBike Battery focusing on the Bosch range of products.
The Basics
The 300Wh, 400Wh, 500Wh 625Wh PowerPacks used on Bosch-powered eBikes are amongst the most advanced batteries currently on the electric bike market. They offer a superior range, reliability longevity compared to many other batteries. However, this all comes at a price; with a replacement pack currently costing around £600. Some people are put off by the price of a replacement battery, thinking that it will have to be replaced every other year, but this is just not true.
Bosch actually guarantees their batteries for 2 years or 500 charge cycles (whichever comes first). This doesn’t mean your battery will pack up after 2 years and 1 day. In fact, Bosch themselves state that the battery should be good for around 10 years or 1500 full charge cycles. After 1500 cycles the battery will still work, but any battery will age over time so it will start to lose capacity and therefore not power your electric bike as far.
Also, it’s worth pointing out now that many people think that a part charge counts as a full charge cycle in Bosch’s terms. Unfortunately. it doesn’t! If you just top the battery up a small amount, only this is recorded and will not be counted until there are enough of these partial charges to count toward a full charge cycle.
As a registered Bosh eBike dealer, when a Bosch-powered eBike visits our workshop we can use our diagnostics tool to read the battery itself. The Bosch battery is a very clever unit and records many different parameters, these are then saved within the system for us to analyse and consider depending on any issues presented. Also, we can tap into the system and see exactly how many ‘Full Charge Cycles’ this particular battery has had. Furthermore, we can view many other variables within the Bosch software, for example – maximum/minimum battery temperature, charge state, usage, etc.
Here are some of the most common questions we hear regarding Bosch batteries:
If your eBike came from us, we normally charge the battery fully just before letting it out of the workshop as we know you’ll be itching to ride it the minute you receive it. This helps condition the battery and gives it a starting point from which to gauge the rest of its operation. If you find it’s not fully charged, please charge it to 100% before riding. This applies to all brands of electric bike batteries too.
How often should you charge your Bosch eBike battery?
The new Lithium cells used within the Bosch battery packs are very advanced. Unlike the older style batteries where you had to completely discharge the battery and then fully charge it back up again, the new Bosch PowerPacks do not need this. In fact, it’s much better to just top up the battery after every trip. So if you have just cycled 10 miles on your electric bike, it’s better to top it back up to full when you get home rather than incorporating a few trips before charging fully.
Can I still clean my bike?
Yes, as with any bike – it is good to keep all components of your eBike thoroughly clean. If the exterior case or shell of the battery and motor is dirty, which will happen, this does not affect the performance of the internals. The best way to clean the battery is with a specialist bike cleaner, wet sponge (or soft paintbrush!), and low-pressure hose. A typical garden hose is perfect for washing away grime without applying too much pressure, once the area has been lightly agitated with the bike cleaner and sponge/paintbrush.
Although the Bosch batteries are weatherproof, it is never advised to use any sort of high-pressure jet/pressure washer on your bike. This pressure can force water into the battery case itself and potentially cause damage. It can also force water into other parts of your electric bike where you don’t want water to be (motor, bearing internals, suspension seals, etc.). So although it may be quicker to clean please don’t use pressure washers at all.
Will my battery range be affected if using an inverter from my vehicle or motor home?
No, you can use inverters to charge your electric bike – for example – from the cigarette lighter port in most cars. This can be handy if you are out and about or wish to charge on the move. But please make sure that the inverter itself is rated for the correct output for the Bosch charger. You can normally find this information on the inverter’s packaging or on a sticker on the inverter itself. The Bosch charger is designed for a rated voltage between 207 – 264 volts with an output of 42v.
The charger only charges the battery at a low 4 amp current; this is fine for most inverters and car batteries. Please check these values to make sure the inverter is compatible before plugging it in. One point to remember is that depending on the inverter itself, the battery may take a little longer to charge than if it was plugged into the mains.
Most importantly of all make sure the vehicle engine is running whilst the battery is on charge because it could drain your vehicle battery faster than you think.
How you can extend the life of your eBike battery easily:
In very simple terms, the harder you use your eBike the faster the battery will discharge. You can maybe classify this as the trade-off between fun and economy! Remember, the power of the motor can peak at 500w (depending on the specific Bosch motor) so it can draw power from the battery quicker and put a higher load on it the harder you push, and the assistance required.
The faster it discharges, then the more you will be charging it back up. This means that you could end up performing many more charge cycles than someone who is using their eBike lightly in the same time period. After a long period of time, the capacity of the battery will gradually drop. You could, therefore, be in the position of replacing it sooner if you’re riding your eBike close to capacity for the majority of the time (this is especially prevalent in de-restricted bikes).
We would recommend using an assistance level that works for you. Quite honestly you don’t ‘need’ to use the eBike flat out in ‘Turbo’ all of the time (even though it is fun!). The use of ‘Eco’ ‘Tour’ modes for the majority of riding is generally more than enough, with ‘Turbo’ mode assisting on the very toughest of climbs or in tough conditions.
You can also utilise the eMTB mode on your Bosch system, which will vary the motor’s input depending on what you are putting in yourself. eMTB mode is always optimally adapted to you, the incline, and the terrain – regardless of rocks, roots, or steps. This will give you the most bike-like ride feel and will give you an even drain on your battery.
Obviously, everyone’s fitness levels are different so you will need to work out what works for you, it is far too easy to hit ‘Turbo’ mode for the majority of your ride. The bike won’t go any faster (mph) but it will have more ‘grunt’, in fact, the eBike will only go as fast as you pedal, it’s just the amount of assistance the motor gives you that changes.
I’m putting my eBike away for the winter, will this damage the battery at all?
No, we know that some riders may not want to cycle through the cold, wet, and grim UK conditions found in the winter. You can store your bike away, it’s not a problem, however, there are some steps you can take to keep your battery healthy during these times.
If you are keeping your eBike outside in a shed or garage, then it’s always best to bring your battery indoors. The Bosch batteries are capable of being stored in temperatures between.10 through to 60 degrees centigrade. But the cells don’t like to be stored in very low or very high temperatures. In fact, the best possible temperature for storage is room temperature – around 15-20 degrees.
Once in the house at room temperature, store the battery in a dry and secure place. Sticking it on a shelf in the kitchen above the kettle runs the risk of moisture traveling up from the kettle and into the battery case. So we probably wouldn’t recommend this as a location for storage! The perfect place is tucked away in a cupboard where it’s kept at optimum temperature, away from moisture, and where it’s not vulnerable to being knocked at all. We know it can make a very good doorstop, it’s tempting; but not good for your battery. Just make sure you remember where you left it when you come to want to ride it again…
Storage
When storing your eBike battery for long periods of time it’s best to keep the battery partially charged. If you store the battery completely flat then you run the risk of damaging the internals of the cells themselves. Also if you store the battery fully charged this can leave the cells under more pressure. So it’s best to keep the battery stored in between.
For the Bosch battery in particular the optimum charge state to leave it in is 60% (Or 3 LED’s lit on the battery level indicator). Try to check the capacity every 6 months or so. When the battery reaches 1 LED showing, then top it back up to 3 LED’s again. Many people think it’s best to keep the battery on charge so it’s always topped up in storage, but this is simply not the case. The Bosch charger won’t ‘overcharge’ the battery at all and does not trickle charge.
Will it harm the battery if I run it completely flat on a ride?
No – it’s never recommended to run the battery completely flat – but for longer rides, we know it can happen. The Bosch Battery is protected by its onboard BMS (Battery Management System). This means it’s protected for deep discharging, the BMS won’t allow the battery to run completely flat.
It may seem that you have no power left, but the BMS will have already shut off the power to the motor before it can hurt itself. We all know that the beauty of the Bosch drive is you can still ride without any resistance with the power switched off. On a side note here, if you are running lights directly powered from the Bosch motor and you do run out of power, the BMS will allow a small amount of power still to the lights so you will still remain visible!
I ride in very cold conditions during the winter, will this affect my battery life and performance?
The simple answer is yes. Similar to fuel MPG in a traditional car, Bosch says economy can be affected up to 30% in sub-zero conditions. So if you are consistently riding in these conditions it can really affect not just your range but will decrease the overall lifespan of the battery as well. There are certain actions you can take to prevent this, such as wrapping an external Bosch powerpack in a specific neoprene sleeve to keep it as temperature as possible.
Should I remove the battery when transporting my bike on the bike rack of my car/motor home?
Yes, this is strongly advised, put it in a dry safe place inside the vehicle. It is less likely to get knocked and lessens the chances of the battery flying off the bike on the motorway if it’s not secured properly.
The best place to store the battery is under the driver’s seat, this means it’s out of the way and also shouldn’t move around too much. Wrap it in a towel to prevent any knocks. Do not leave the battery on your parcel shelf, if you end up braking hard, the 2kg battery is the last thing you want hitting you in the back of the head.
Also, by storing it in the car it keeps the battery from getting wet. Although the battery is rainproof, people don’t realize that if you’re traveling at 70mph down the motorway, the water air traveling over your car is then doubled in speed as it wraps around the back of your vehicle. This means the battery could be being sprayed with water at around 140mph! This is stronger than a pressure washer and can force water into the battery and components of the bike itself.
I dropped my Bosch battery and the case is cracked, what shall I do?
If your Bosch battery (or any eBike battery for that matter) is damaged in any way, then it should be looked into being replaced. Even if it seems OK on the outside one or several of the cells inside may be damaged, this can then move on to other cells and the whole pack can become a ticking time bomb. The battery could seem fine and work but weeks later the effects of the damage could become apparent. The battery could heat up or even ignite in extreme circumstances.
Do not under any circumstances ship this battery anywhere. A faulty Lithium cell can reach temperatures of 1000 degrees. It’s really not worth the risk, visit us in-store and have it replaced.
So, how many miles can I ride on a Full Charge?!
Well this is the million dollar question we get asked over and over again. And to put it frankly, there is no one fits all answer to this question! You see, there are multiple factors at play which affect the distance capable on an eBike.
Tyre pressures, total system weight, type of bicycle, tyre tread, battery capacity, motor system, cadence, environmental conditions, riding mode, average riding speed and even road surface choice will have individual and then combined factors on what you can get out of your Bosch motor battery.
Bosch have a fantastic tool on their website, classified as Range Assist which can help you calculate the range for your next eike ride or tour. This takes into account all of the above factors, for you to determine by the sliding tools, and it will calculate the estimated range for you! Bosch Range Assistant – Here
When was your eBike last serviced?
Something as simple as a brake pad rubbing can slow you down considerably. With the extra assistance on an electric bike, you may not even notice the extra drag. But the motor will be working much harder to assist you and therefore will drain the battery faster. It’s best to get your eBike serviced at least once a year to keep it in good shape which can pay dividends to battery health.
I think my battery needs replacing, what shall I do?
You should visit a Bosch dealer and have the battery capacity checked properly. We won’t take a meter near it, we will plug the entire bike into our computers and be able to give you a decision straight away if the battery needs to be replaced. On request, we can also print diagnostics reports for your records. When a new battery is purchased it comes with a new Warranty from a Bosch dealer, so be sure to keep the receipt of the purchase date safe.
Remember if you treat your Bosch eBike Battery well, it will treat you well in return. We hope that this guide will help you to extend the life of your eBike Battery!
Visit our specialist page for everything you could possibly want to know about eBikes and how they can help you.
Why not also take a look through our eBike options?
Tern Introduces a Smarter HSD Gen 2 Electric Cargo Bike
Over the past few days, Tern has been teasing a Goldilocks story about e-bike shopping and trying to find a bike that wasn’t too small, but not too big.
Today, we get to share with you that the Goldilocks of electric cargo bikes is the redesigned mini but mighty HSD! This article is written by a major fan of the original HSD, and as someone that does work for Tern Bicycles (gotta get that disclaimer out of the way!)
I’ve often said that if I could only have one electric bike it would be an HSD and coined it the “Crossover of Electric Bikes.” That statement is even more so with the new generation 2 updates. Let’s dig into what is new, improved, and different. Make sure to post your questions in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев at the bottom!
The original HSD Gen 1 is a fantastic daily bike. I truly believe that it changed many people’s perspective of what an e-bike is, how it should ride with the smaller 20″ wheels and lower battery placement, but the capacity of carrying 136 lbs on the back with ease. The Tern design team took our own experiences using the HSD, and all the stories from bike shop owners, and riders, to simply amplify what was already great to be even better.
Here are some of my key differences between the generations, I’m sure I’ll add to them as I spend more time on the HSD Gen 2 bikes.
A Stronger, Stiffer Frame
The HSD Gen 2 is significantly stiffer at the bottom bracket and headtube. This is important as the frame is also stronger with a max rear rack capacity of 176 lbs compared to the 136 lbs of the HSD Gen 1.
Simplified Model Structure
One thing I really appreciate from an ex-bike retailer is that we simplified the HSD Gen 2 models. There 4 models available for the US, 3 are Class 1 (max 20mph assistance), and a single Class 3 (max 28mph assistance) option. The motors are all Performance Line / Performance Line Sport and the key differences will be drivetrain and Bosch displays. Previously, we offered so many models with multiple different motor options. It is now simplified, hooray!
Bosch Smart System
This is the newest e-bike system from Bosch with Bluetooth connection to your phone, built-in alarm, and GPS on the higher-end S-class models. I plan on having a full article all about the Bosch Smart System soon!
HSD S00, HSD P5i, HSD P10 models have a Performance Line Motor – Class 1 with 75 Nm torque and 340% assist
HSD S11 has the Performance Line Sport Motor – Class 3 with 75 Nm torque and 340% assist
Bosch Battery – All models are using the PowerPack 545 battery
EasyAccess Port
We moved the charging port to the top tube to make it easier to charge your battery when it is installed on the bike
Compatible Accessories
99% of the original HSD accessories work on the Gen 2. The exception, that I know of, is the original HSD DuoStand Gen 1 kickstand.
Other Features All HSD Models Have
Rear wheel frame lock with key that matches the battery lockFendersFront and rear lights that integrate with
Tern HSD Gen 2 North American Models
4,299
Class 1 E-Bike
1×10 Derailleur Drivetrain Bosch Intuvia 100 Controller North American colors: Orange Satin Black
4,599
Class 1 E-Bike
Internally Geared Hub Shimano Nexus 5-speed Gates Belt Drive Intuvia 100 Display North American Colors: Dragon Fruit Sea Breeze
5,499
Class 1 E-Bike
Enviolo Internally Geared Hub Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 380% Gears Gates Belt Drive Kiox 300 Display Bosch electronic lock, alarm, and GPS Brighter Ignis headlight (700 vs 190 lumens) Magura MT4 Brakes RearStop Brake Light North American colors: Dark Blue
4,899
Class 3 E-Bike Shimano 11-speed derailleur drivetrain Kiox 300 Display Brighter Ignis headlight (700 vs 190 lumens) Magura MT4 Brakes RearStop Brake Light Bosch electronic lock, alarm, and GPS Color: Dune Only available in the US
Which Tern HSD Gen 2 Cargo Bike is for you?
(Actively working on this section today!)
At the time of writing this, these bikes aren’t yet available for test rides so I want to help you as much as possible to figure out which model could be for you!
There are 4 models available in the US, 3 versions that are Class 1 and 1 that is Class 3. In Canada, only the 3 versions of Class 1 are available. All Class 1 models share the same motor and battery so we really are focused on different drivetrains (what makes the bike shift), the Bosch display, and if it comes with the Bosch E-Bike Alarm and ConnectModule.
HSD P10 Class 1 Electric Cargo Bike
This is the “base” model but still pretty spectacular. It uses a chain and Shimano 10-speed derailleur system. This uses the Shimano Deore Shadow derailleur which has a clutch that adds tension to the derailleur. This will help on potholes and help a bit more when you are shifting under load (though you want to try and avoid this!) This is also the lightest of the HSD models at 54.2 lbs including the battery. View more details on Tern Bicycles
HSD P5i Class 1 Electric Cargo Bike
The “i” in the naming means internally geared hub. This is using the Shimano Nexus 5i hub, a specifically designed internally geared hub to withstand the demands of a high torque e-bike motor. The internally geared hub means you can shift at a stop, and a lot less maintenance than a derailleur bike. This model also comes with the Gates Belt Drive, making this model well worth the 300 upgrade over the P10 in my humble opinion if you want a bike with lower maintenance overall. View more details on Tern Bicycles
HSD S00 Class 1 Electric Cargo Bike
The “S” in the naming means this is the supreme model lineup, often coming with nicer details and the S00 does not disappoint! The S00 naming is carried over from the GSD and represents the Enviolo CVT system that technically does not have a specific number of gears because the hub has infinite adjustments. It is hard to understand until you ride it but there are no steps in between the gears and has a gear range of 380%! This is why it is named “00”. This also has the Gates Belt Drive.
Other S-Class upgrades: Magura MT4 brakes with the RearStop Brake lights Cane Creek suspension seatpost Bosch E-Bike Alarm and Connect Module Fancier color Bosch Kiox 300 displayView more details on Tern Bicycles
HSD S11 Class 3 Electric Cargo Bike
Following along with the upgraded S-Class from the S00, the S11 is the Class 3 model in the HSD Gen 2 lineup. This is a derailleur bike, with a Shimano 11-speed Shadow Deore setup. The Shadow means the derailleur has a clutch on it to provide tension, this helps when shifting under some load and to help if you are hitting lots of potholes.
The motor is a Performance Line Sport motor, this is a Class 3 motor from Bosch and my favorite of the Class 3 options from them. Compared to the Performance Line Speed motor you have to work a bit harder to get the extra speed between 20-28mph. I appreciate this as it makes the bike feel more sporty and less of a speed machine.
Other S-Class upgrades: Magura MT4 brakes with the RearStop Brake lights Cane Creek suspension seatpost Bosch E-Bike Alarm and Connect Module Fancier color Bosch Kiox 300 displayView more details on Tern Bicycles
HSD Gen 2 Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure to post your questions in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!
Unfortunately, no. A bike must be tested and properly outfitted with the approved Bosch motor, you can not upgrade motors or e-bike systems.
The majority of HSD Gen 1 accessories work on the Gen 2. The exception is the original DuoStand Gen 1.
This is a personal take, but I love that I can carry an adult on the HSD Gen 2, and I’m VERY excited about the Bosch security system integrated into the motor on the S-class bikes. Saying that, unless I really needed to carry a bigger rider or my current HSD is underpowered then I probably wouldn’t upgrade.
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Visit TernBicycles.com for all the details and let me know what questions you have!