Name: Tern GSD Review
Item: Tern GSD
Author: Court Rye

Tern Gsd Bosch Performance Line Electric Bike Motor

Tern Gsd Double Battery Option Bosch Powerpacks Stock 400

Tern Gsd Andros Adjustable Stem Bosch Purion Display Ergon Grips

Tern Gsd Small Bosch Purion Lcd Ebike Display Panel

Tern Gsd 15 Mm Thru Axle Rigid Alloy Fork 80 Mm Plastic Fenders

Tern Gsd Magura Mt5 Four Piston Brakes With 180 Mm Rotors

Tern Gsd 10 Speed Shimano Deore Derailleur With Shadow Plus Clutch

Tern Gsd Back Light Standing Points Reflectors

Tern Gsd Tern Branded Saddle With Integrated Handle

Tern Gsd Hebie Heavy Duty Double Leg Kickstand

Tern Gsd Bosch 4 Amp Fast E Bike Charger

A sturdy, reliable, non-flexy, compact electric cargo bike with plenty of accessories to transport kids or even other adults, rated to haul up to 400 lbs
Available in three fun colors, highly visible with reflective tires, frame and bag decals, and integrated LED lights, great fenders and chain protector
Can be stored vertically on the back rack in an upright position to fit into elevators, closets, and other tight spaces, optional second battery and efficient mid-drive offer up to 150 miles per charge
Only available in one frame size but the Andros stem and telescoping seat post fit a full range of body types, despite having fatter tires the smaller diameter and lack of suspension can be jarring, the bike can be a bit tippy side-to-side and it's heavy at 67.7 lbs

Make:

Tern

Model:

GSD

Price:

$3,999 ($4,799 with Second Battery Pack)

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting, Cargo

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Electronics and Battery, 5 Year Frame

Availability:

United States, Europe, Worldwide

Model Year:

2018

Total Weight:

67.7 lbs (30.7 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.5 lbs (2.49 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.8 lbs (3.99 kg)

Frame Material:

Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

16 in (40.64 cm)(Folded Size 39 cm x 86 cm x 84 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

16" Seat Tube, 19.5" Reach, 20" Stand Over Height, 50.5" Wheel Base, 26.75" Unfolded Width, 16" Folded Width, 72.5" Length, 42" Unfolded Height, 32" Folded Height

Frame Types:

Compact, Mid-Step, Folding (Patented OCL Joint, DoubleTruss Technology)

Frame Colors:

Gloss Beetle Blue, Gloss Orange, Metallic Silver Blue

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Aluminum Alloy, Boost 110 mm Hub Spacing, 15 mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

Boost 148 mm Hub Spacing, 12 mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Attachment Points:

Fender Bosses, Rear Rack Bosses, Luggage Socket™ Head Tube Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses, Other Rack Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 Shimano Deore Derailleur with Shadow Plus One-Way Clutch, 11-36T Cassette

Shifter Details:

Shimano Two-Way, DYNA-SYS Triggers on Right

Cranks:

GSD Branded, Aluminum Alloy, 170 mm Crank Arms, 20T Chainring

Pedals:

VP Composite Plastic Platform with Sandpaper Grip Tread

Headset:

Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Threadless Internal Cups, Tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/2"

Stem:

Andros™ Tool-Free Adjustable Angle

Handlebar:

Aluminum Alloy, Swept Back, 670 mm Length (Aluminum)

Brake Details:

Magura MT5 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Quad-Piston Calipers, Two-Finger Magura MT5 Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Ergon GC1 Ergonomic, Locking

Saddle:

GSD Branded Comfort, Integrated Handle

Seat Post:

Telescopic Seatpost™, Aluminum Alloy

Seat Post Length:

300 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

34.9mm, 30.9 mm

Rims:

Atlas, Double Wall, 6061 Aluminum Alloy, 406x36, 32 Hole (With Brass Spoke Nipples)

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, Straight Gauge, 13 Gauge, Black with Black Nipples

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Super Moto-X, 20" x 2.4" (62x406)

Wheel Sizes:

20 in (50.8cm)

Tire Details:

Performance GreenGuard, 30 to 65 PSI, 2.0 to 4.5 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, 62/110-16 M/C

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Front and Rear Fenders with Rubber Mud Flaps (80 mm Width), Rear Cargo Rack (Compatible with Yepp Child Seats Maxi Easyfit and Maxi Junior Easyfit and Other Tern Accessories), Integrated Valo™ Direct Lighting System Headlight (41 Lux, 150 Lumen), Herrmans e-Bike LED Light Back, Hebie Double-Leg Heavy Duty Kickstand, Deflopilator Handlebar Stabilizer Spring, SKS CHAINBLADE-E Plastic Chain Cover, Clear Frame Protection Stickers on Top Tube and Seat Stays, Optional Tern Branded Proprietary Fabric Rear Bags (24" Length x 8" Width x 14" Height, Adjustable, Reflective, Four Inner Pockets), Optional Proprietary Retractable Pegs for Rear Rider, Optional Upgrade to Bosch Powerpack 500, Optional Second Bosch Powerpack 500 ($800), Optional Transporteur Rack, Optional Sidekick Lower Deck, Optional Shortbed Tray, Optional Sidekick Seat Pad

Other:

Locking Mid-Frame Mounted Removable Battery Pack, Stainless Steel Hardware, 1.7 lb 4 Amp Charger, Max Weight ~396 lbs, Rubber Band Clasp for Folding Handlebar, Rear Feet for Vertical Storage, Reflective Tern Decals on Frame, Fits Riders From 4'10" to 6'5"

Motor Brand:

Bosch Performance Line Cruise

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Peak Output:

500 watts

Motor Torque:

63 Newton meters

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

11 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

396 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

3.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

75 miles (121 km)

Display Type:

Bosch Purion, Fixed, Backlit LCD Control Panel with Integrated Button Pad, (Hold - to Cycle Through Readouts, Hold - and Press Power to Change Units) (Removable, Symmetrical Integrated Buttons for Right or Left Handed Users)

Readouts:

Speed, Assist Level (Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo), Battery Level (1-5), Trip Distance, Total Distance, Estimated Range, Lights

Display Accessories:

Micro-USB Port for Diagnostics and Software Updates Only

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Wheel Speed, Pedal Cadence and Pedal Torque, Power Output Relative to Pedal Input: Eco 50% 40 Nm, Tour 120% 50 Nm, Sport 190% 55 Nm, Turbo 275% 63 Nm)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)(25 km/h in Europe)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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Tern is internationally recognized and renowned for their high-quality folding bicycles, and electric folding bikes! The Vektron was their first major entry into this category in 2017, using the Bosch Active line system, but they did have a couple of conversion models dating back to 2014 that used the hub motor BionX system. With the GSD, you get a more powerful Bosch Performance Line mid-drive that keeps weight low and center on the frame, an option for two battery packs that can deliver 150 miles of range per charge, and a frame that is stiff, sturdy, and capable of hauling up to 400 pounds of people or goods. Even though this is technically not a folding electric bike… it does fold a bit. The handlebar post swivels, the stem can be angled completely up or down, and the telescoping seat post uses quick release levers to drop easily. Perhaps the most innovative feature isn’t the folding parts, but the four pegs built into the rear section of the bike and rack that allow it to tip back into a vertical position. And, to be pretty stable in that upright position! This allows the bike to easily fit into elevators, closets, and other tight spaces that can fit an average sized person (the bike takes up similar dimensions). Even though the bike weighs a bit more than an average electric bike at 67.7 lbs, tipping it up isn’t too difficult thanks to premium hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes, along with the tapered head tube, wider Boost hub spacing, and sturdy thru-axles are all reminiscent of a nice mountain bike. The 180 mm brake rotors are very large for such small wheels, and that provides a huge mechanical advantage when stopping. The brake levers are adjustable so they can fit smaller hands and even with one hand filming and the other using the brake I was able to stop with no issues. Yes, with a top assisted speed of 20 mph, fantastic range potential, and plenty of stopping power, my biggest focus when testing the bike was on stability and comfort. And frankly, it’s a bit of a compromise on these fronts.

The motor driving this bike is a Bosch Performance Line Cruise. It fits near the middle of the Bosch line in terms of power, and is a step up from the Active Line used on the Vektron folding model mentioned earlier. This motor offers up to 63 Newton meters of torque and listens for rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque signals over 1,000 times per second! That translates to excellent climbing ability, as long as you switch gears appropriately, and start/stop power delivery that is near instantaneous. When you’re pedaling through a city environment, with a heavier load, that kind of quick response is critical and it pairs nicely with the strong braking configuration touched on before. The motor is a geared design, and it produces some high pitched whirring noises when operated at full power and pedaling at high RPM… but I love that the motor actually supports faster spinning, up to 120 RPM, while some competing models, and even the Bosch Active Line, only go to 100 RPM. As someone with a sensitive knee, I prefer to spin faster with less force and this higher RPM support also means I don’t have to switch gears as frequently to go faster. When you’ve got a 10-speed cassette to explore as you do with the GSD, it’s nice to be able to achieve a range of speeds with each gear vs. having to use the triggers so frequently. The trigger shifters work well, and are only mounted on the right portion of the handle bar because this ebike uses a one-by drivetrain (only one chainring). The chain is completely covered at the bottom bracket area to keep your pants or dress grease free, and even though there was some bouncing of the chain, I imagine that it would not drop off easily. One unique hardware feature of the Shimano Deore derailleur that Tern specced here is a one-way clutch lever that tightens the chain when pushed to the up position. It’s a feature I most frequently see on mountain bikes that encounter a lot of rough terrain, but it’s helpful here because the chain is so long. Overall, this is one of my favorite motors and I feel that the drivetrain is great. Shops and end-users tell me that Bosch is reliable and I know that they have been producing and selling variations of this motor globally since 2013.

Powering this electric bicycle is the proven Bosch Powerpack 400… which is not quite as exciting as the newer Powerpack 500 (which offers ~25% more capacity and looks the same). The good news is, the mounting interface on the bike allows for backwards compatibility and can work with the 500 watt hour pack if you want it. Actually, there are two of these mounting interfaces because the Tern GSD is one of the new double-battery ready e-bikes. You can get an additional Powerpack 400 right out of the gate for ~$800 and effectively double your range. I love that both packs are positioned low and center on the frame while staying out of the way of passengers and cargo and being protected by the metal frame tubing. Unlocking and pulling them off can be a little bit trickier than single-battery bikes I have tested, but it wasn’t too bad. And, one of the coolest design features is that both packs can be charged simultaneously on the frame by plugging the charger into the single accessible slot (for the pack nearest the seat tube). It’s convenient and satisfying to fill this bike up, and it happens faster than many other e-bikes thanks to the Bosch 4 Amp charger. This charger only weighs 1.7 lbs and is compact enough to fit into the bottle pouch at the end of either side-bag that come with the bike. Other things I appreciate about these batteries is that they have a molded loop-handle built into the top for safer transport, an LED power level chart built into the side, and can be charged off of the bike with the same interface (no dongles or adapters required). Weighing in at ~5.4 lbs, I usually take batteries off before transporting my electric bikes by car rack or if I have to lift them, and the front wheel might also reduce weight, and is easy to remove with the quick release system along with the seat post and saddle.

Operating the Tern GSD is a snap. Once the battery (or batteries) are mounted and charged up, just press the power button on the top edge of the little Purion display panel near the left grip. The thing turns on quickly and is clear and easy to read. It’s smaller than the popular Bosch Intuvia, doesn’t have a functional Micro-USB port, isn’t removable, won’t swivel to reduce glare, and doesn’t offer readouts like average speed, max speed, clock, or shift recommendation… but it’s less prone to damage and super simple to use. There’s a + and – key built into the left side of the casing and their primary function is to increase or decrease assist power. You can go from Off to Eco, Tour, Sport, or Turbo. The higher you go, the more power is delivered and the faster you may go. The secondary function of these buttons is to activate the lights (by holding plus), or cycle through trip stats (by holding minus). Those trip stats include trip distance, total distance, and range. Range is my favorite because it offers more precision than the 5-bar battery infographic at the top of the LCD screen. It is calculated based on your remaining battery charge level, chosen level of assist, and the last mile of riding efficiency. The final button on the display is walk mode, which is positioned at the lower edge and requires a push, and then hold of the plus button to use. I was able to enjoy this feature while exploring a crowded park in Brooklyn, New York, and it really made our little adventure fun and relaxing vs. uncomfortable and strenuous. I can only imagine pushing a fully loaded cargo bike vs. the still-heavy unloaded demo model we used for this review. I love walk mode but not every company offers it or even enables it when they do have the same drive system as Tern has used here. It’s a feature that Bosch allows their partners to have some choice on… so thank you Tern!

I’d like to finish out this review by apologizing for the extra-close camera work in the video review above. My camera got a bit messed up and recorded on narrow setting vs. medium and that might have been uncomfortable for some viewers. I was so excited to cover this product because it offers something unique and useful in the space. So many companies have different sized frames, different colors, slightly different components etc. but Tern invented the GSD from the ground up. It really can help you “Get Stuff Done” and empower a family to live healthier and have more fun. For me, it was a little bit jarring, but the larger tires did make a difference for stability and comfort and the saddle felt nice. I was amazed how stiff it felt to ride with a heavy load on the back and inspired again and again by all of the attention to detail. From the vertical stand design to the folding stem and rubber strap secure feature, the fork spring with quick-release, to flip-out pegs. It’s quite capable, even though it’s compact and the value of the components they used matches or even exceeds the price being charged. I suppose they saved money by only having one frame size but the multiple color choices are great. Big thanks to Tern for partnering with me on this review and sending a demo unit out to Propel bikes in Brooklyn for me to film in a city environment. It was neat to see this new model back to back with the Tern Vektron and compare the price and weight. They each have their niche but I enjoy both and am excited to see how Tern refines them over the coming years or expands their offering with even more custom built electric bikes.

Pros:

Tern is a well-recongized and trusted company with years of folding bicycle and now folding electric bicycle expertise and leadership, their folding handlebar post with rubber clasp, Andros adjustable stem, and telescoping seat post feel solid and can accommodate riders from 4’8″ to 6’4″ according to their website
Most electric bikes are rated to carry 250 lbs or maybe 300 lbs but the GSD can handle up to 400 lbs! That’s two adults and a child, lots of groceries, lumber for a project etc. and the thick thru-axles and premium tires (with puncture protection) earned my trust
Safety is a hug deal to me because I sometimes ride in the early morning or evening surrounded by traffic, so I love the bright color options, reflective tires, reflective stickers on the frame and pannier bags, and the integrated lights that run off of the main battery
Some electric cargo bikes feel flexy because they are so long and lack the proper reinforcement, some position the battery or motor at the end vs. the center but the Tern GSD felt very solid and stiff, even with an adult riding on the back
The motor used here is one that I have reviewed hundreds of times before on other electric bikes and it has earned my trust as being reliable, it’s also very responsive and powerful, I have never felt out of control with it or like it wasn’t helping me enough on a hill (as long as I had shifted gears properly to climb)
The motor, battery, and nicer Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain allow you to get excellent range by shifting gears to climb or hit and maintain the 20 mph top speed, it’s a lot more efficient than a hub motor system because it’s empowered by your shifting vs. only having one gear ratio to work with
I love how the battery pack or packs can be charged on and off the bike, this is convenient for those who commute to work and need to fill-up for a long ride home or errands and then home, the Bosch charger offers 4 Amps vs. the standard 2 Amp which is slower, Bosch also offers a compact 2 Amp charger for people who want an extra but need to reduce weight and size
Power and range are important but so is stopping, especially with a heavier bike and potentially more gear or multiple passengers, the Magura MT5 brakes are fantastic! You get adjustable-reach levers and quad-piston calipers vs. the standard dual-piston design which spreads out force and improves cooling, the 180 mm rotors are almost overkill for the 20″ diameter wheelset, these are basically mountain bike brakes meant for full sized wheels
For such a custom ebike with premium drive system, drivetrain, brakes, fenders, lights, and bags… I feel like the ~$4k price point is pretty good! Yes, it’s still a lot of money, but this thing is like a truck and could really change how you interact with your community, it can also be shared between multiple riders
Tern chose the kickstand well, it deploys and stows easily while offering much more stability than a single-side stand that you’d find on most traditional bicycles, I also like the spring that keeps the front wheel relatively straight for loading and steering with heavy loads
So many awesome accessories! Whether you’re taking people or cargo, there are plenty of ways to stow gear, I especially like that there are pannier supports so you could use this for long distance touring, the front rack mounts to the head tube and stays straight as you turn (so it doesn’t impact steering) and the included pegs make it easy to bring a friend somewhere without having to spend extra money
The swept-back handlebar, ergonomic grips, and plush saddle made the bike a lot more comfortable than it could have been, they pair nicely with the fat tires if you lower the PSI a bit (just don’t go too low or it could cause a pinch flat, they recommend 30 to 65 PSI and I was riding at 30 PSI as a 135 lb rider)
Wider tires increase the size of your contact patch for grip, provide stability, and offer float on soft terrain like grass, they might not roll quite as efficiently as a more traditional 2.15″ diameter but they are perfect for dealing with heavier loads
With a lower 20″ stand over height, you can easily step-thru the frame vs. having to swing your leg up and over the saddle or over the rear rack (which might be loaded with cargo), I like that the top tube and portions of the side stays have clear plastic stickers to keep the paint looking nice
The fenders are extra wide, sturdy, and have flexible mud flaps and the chain guard offers full-coverage of the front sprocket and chain going back pretty far… so your pants or dress should stay clean
My understanding is that you can charge both batteries from the single charging port on the bike, this is convenient because you don’t have to remember to unplug one battery and plug the second in (this is only relevant if you buy a second battery and leave both packs connected to the frame)

Cons:

I was a little bit surprised that the Tern GSD doesn’t come stock with a Powerpack 500, you get the older slightly-lower capacity Powerpack 400 by default and can upgrade or get a second 400 for ~$800
Even with the fat 2.4″ tires (vs. the Tern Vektron’s 2.15″ tires) the GSD can still feel jarring and unstable compared to a full sized bike, I lowered the PSI to 30 (the lowest on the 30 to 65 pressure range stamped on the tire) and that helped a bit but I still might get a seat post suspension for the upper 30.9 mm portion and use a shim like this
The smaller diameter wheelset makes the bike easier to mount, load, and stabilize when starting or stopping but it also brings the derailleur and kickstand lower, the clearance on this bike is less than many other cargo models so be careful when parking near a curb or other low obstacles
Very minor complaint here, but the Bosch Performance Line motors have a reduction gear that creates some friction when pedaling vs. a 1 to 1 pedal ratio, the smaller sprocket also brings the chain very close to the frame tubing which could create some noise or nicks on bumpy terrain
For how compact and little this e-bike looks, it’s actually pretty heavy at ~67.7 lbs because of the additional reinforcement tubing, long rear rack, thicker rims, and fatter tires
The compact Bosch Purion display panel is not my favorite because you cannot remove it and the integrated Micro-USB port is not active for charging accessories (just performing software upgrades and diagnostics), seems like a missed opportunity when you potentially have two battery packs to draw from and are using your phone for GPS or music etc. but I do see how the larger Bosch Intuvia might not have fit with the adjustable Andros stem setup

Resources:

Official Site: https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/gsd
More Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZSgF4wNWoXFUKouF2

January 29, 2024 (9 months ago)

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Joe Green

7 years ago

Thanks for another great review. I’d love to try this bike at the Electric Bike Expo in Philly this weekend – Tern, will you have a GSD there for demoing?

Court Rye

Hi Joe, I cannot speak for Tern but I do plan on attending with Chris Nolte and some others. Should be a good time!

Guy

Thanks Court, awesome review as always! I am on the wait list for a test ride on this :).

Sweet! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the positive words. Would love to hear your thoughts when it finally arrives and you get some saddle time :D

Jon Oates

Thanks, Court, for a thorough review. Are the passenger seat pad and cargorack clip, Vecro or bolt-on?

Hi Jon, I only saw the big pannier bags and they used Velcro. I will ask Chris to read and reply to your question, perhaps he or someone else knows?

Great. Sorry about the weird spelling – my phone was doing strange things and rewriting some of the words (including Velcro, for some reason).

Chris @ Propel

The seat pads clip on and off with a proprietary system.

josh

Hey Jon,

The panniers use velcro and can be put on or taken off in a minute or two. They are designed to be left on permanently. They fold flat when not in use and act as a wheel guard for rear passengers. I keep my lock and bike cover in the panniers so they’re always at hand when I need them.

The seat pad uses a KlickFix quick release mount and it takes a second to put it on or take it off.

Is the total weight you listed in the specs with 0, 1, or 2 batteries? Just curious since the weight difference would be especially big for this bike since it can have up to 2 batteries.

Hi Joe! I weighed it with just one battery and no accessories :)

Sylvain

How can the minimum range be lower than the Tern Vektron’s, but the maximum range higher, with the same one battery?

court

6 years ago

Hi Sylvain, I’m not sure it can. My range estimates tend to be very generalized and I have been updating based on what the display panels show sometimes and also what Bosch says. Some companies provide feedback as well and I just haven’t been consistent between all of the reviews. I’m sorry, I hope the estimate provides some guidance but it might vary depending on the rider, terrain, conditions etc.

federico

Hello, I congratulate you for the great page you have. I live in Montevideo, Uruguay and for months I am evaluating buying an e-bike. It’s really hard for me to make the decision. In my country Bosch, Shimano or Brose have no service. There are not many options either. Tern offers the vektron s10 and the gsd. In case of problem it is not very clear how they act, but they have told me that they change the piece. Specialized offers the turbo. In this mark if something happens with the engine is sent to Germany for repair. In both cases they have no possibility of updating the software. The prices are tern vektron U $ S 4,800, Gsd U $ S 5,900, Turbo ford 4.0 U $ S 4,000 and the turbo ford 6.0 U $ S 6,000. These are the alternatives that I have, I know that all are different in what they offer, I like the folding of the Vektron. I appreciate you can guide me since it is a great investment.

Regards
Federico

Hi Federico! Thanks for your patience, it sounds like you have done a great job researching and all of the products you listed are higher quality and should last. If I were in your position, I would definitely go with the Tern Vektron because it uses Bosch (which is a global brand, well supported) and their motor has been sold and tested longer than the Brose. Specialized makes great looking products, but I have heard that their support is more limited at times. With the Vektron, you get the portability of a folding ebike, the external battery that is easy to replace or find extras for extended range, and it is still sturdy but lighter than the GSD. I guess it really depends on how you intend to use the bike… if you want to do a lot of cargo hauling, the GSD is very sturdy, but the Vektron is also great and it’s nice to be able to fold it if you go by car sometimes and want to bring it along. I wish you luck and invite you to share your pictures and experiences (good and bad) in the Tern forums so that other people in Uruguay can learn about ebikes.

Robert Smith

Court, love your videos with Chris from propel. The GSD is a beautiful bike, but I am worried about the chain length. It seems to me there could be problems with chain breakage or fall off. Should I be concerned? Also why not the CX. It makes no sense. I wish you would confront Tern or at least Galen with these issues…

Hi Robert! I agree that the chain is longer than a traditional bicycle here, and that may result in some bouncing, but it’s not uncommon for cargo bikes to have long chains and it’s not something I have heard shops complain about. Chains are easy to repair if they break, but that wouldn’t be a primary concern for me personally. Tern has done an excellent job with their little chain cover and it should double as a guide to reduce drops. Because the Bosch Performance Line motors utilize a smaller chainring sprocket, chain grab tends to be very good and to be honest, I have never dropped a chain with this setup (granted that I am almost always riding brand new ebikes). My uncle did break his chain and derailleur on a Bosch Performance Line powered e-mountain bike, but that was after a year of hard performance… You can hear him talk about the bike in this video. I’m guessing that Tern opted for the Performance Line Cruise motor because it’s slightly less expensive. The fact that such a custom electric bike like this can be sold at the $4k pricepoint is very impressive to me. That has been the floor for Bosch powered ebikes with the nicer motor for a year or so now and many competing products lack the higher end components that the GSD offers. The space is rapidly evolving, but I view this product as a winner and still very capable… Again, my Uncles Haibike used a Bosch Cruise motor because CX wasn’t even available at the time, and he hasn’t had an issue with climbing on mountain bike trails with appropriate gear shifting. I hope this helps :)

Alex

5 years ago

I like your reviews. You explain the really interesting details and honor the work of terns constructing engineers – WELL DONE! I agree with nearly all your facts in the written review, but there are two BUTS:

BUT #1: If you your box on the front rack is full of stuff that needs to be cooled and your two kids on the rear are hungry and cry due to the rain and that all happens at amain road with lots of traffic you are very very thankful that you just need to lock the front wheel and can leave the Purion where it is while the Intuvia could be stolen.
BUT #2: Jarring? Really? I tested a lot use cases, the only jarring was with full load and very low speed (see picture at the end of article here)

I can really recommend the 2nd battery, especially in hilly towns when you need to commute and bring the kids to kindergarten, school, activities … whatever. You won’t have to think about range while you make the 50th mile / 75th km.

Again, great review!