Tern NBD S5i
£4,000 Practical urban runaround for carting kids and more
Weight 23.5kg (one size) Frameset Aluminium Gears Shimano Nexus 5-speed internal hub Brakes Magura MT4 hydraulic disc Wheels Kinetix rims, Shimano hubs Motor system Bosch Performance 65Nm motor, Bosch Powerpack 500Wh battery, Bosch Intuvia display Finishing kit Andros stem, Sweep alloy bar, Physis handlepost, suspension seatpost, all Tern; Tern/Velo saddle, Schwalbe Big Apple Performance Line 20in tyres
Tern’s NBD (No Big Deal) is designed to be easy to ride. The alloy frame’s super-low, step-through design makes it a doddle to get on and off, and you can put your feet flat on the ground when you’re sitting on the bike. It’s designed to fit riders from 4ft 10in (147cm) to 6ft 3in (183cm), thanks to the saddle moving back as it gets higher, plus the stem’s adjustable height and angle.
Handily, the NBD can be stored vertically to save space. You can also fold down the bar and elongated steerer, reducing the bike’s dimensions to 156x38x79cm so it can fit into an estate car easily.
The standard build includes mudguards, integrated lights, a
rear pannier rack and an ABUS frame lock, which uses the same key that locks the Bosch battery in place. Optional extras include lots of bags, a front rack, straps, bottle cages, baskets and more. I had the Transporter front rack on my test bike. The rear rack is certified to carry 27kg and can fit most child seats (the bike has a total weight limit of 140kg).
Bosch’s Performance Line middrive motor delivers up to 65Nm of torque and up to 300% assistance. It has four modes: Eco, Tour (the best setting for normal use), Sport (great for in stop-start traffic) and Turbo (maximum assistance for hills). This is powered by a 500Wh battery, though my test bike had a 400Wh unit. Bosch’s Intuvia head unit with bar-mounted control has a monochrome LCD display that’s clear and has all the information you need.
The drivetrain is a low-maintenance Shimano Nexus five-speed internal hub gear and Gates belt drive, so no oily chain. A full drivetrain cover helps keep you clean and dry while the twist-shifter by the right grip is simple to use. The powerful Magura hydraulic disc brakes have long, ergonomic levers for good modulation and control.
The Tern’s chunky tyres, well-shaped saddle, suspension seatpost and handlebar with a nice backsweep and ergonomic grips make for pleasant cruising. The wheelbase is quite long and the centre of gravity very low and central so, while the bike may weigh 24kg with front rack, it’s still quite nimble and light to steer. The small wheels help it accelerate quickly, too.
Tern claims the S5i can achieve 51-118km. At best, I got 34.3km with 394m climbing with the 400Wh battery. Charging a 500Wh battery takes 4 hours 45 minutes.
Verdict Won’t scare new riders, yet more experienced cyclists will enjoy its ride on many surfaces