Tern Vektron S10 Folding Electric Bike Review

Tern Vektron Folding E-Bike Header Image
Tern Vektron Folding E-Bike Header Image

Earlier this winter I was able to ride a Tern Vektron S10 for a few weeks to review. After riding it in various conditions we can say that this small bike packs a surprising punch.

First, it folds. Second, it is a mid-drive electric bike. Third, the rear factory rack accommodates a Yepp rear child seat without an adapter. Fourth and final, it has fenders and self-powered lights (from the electric motor) already installed. Oh, I failed to mention one important detail, it rides surprisingly beautifully. Let’s get into the details and what we really think about this bike. 

Tern Vektron ebike in the folded state

Tern Vektron S10 Folding Electric Bike Details

MSRP: $3,499 
Sizes: One size that fits people from 4’10” – 6’5” 
Motor: Bosch Active 
Wheelsize: 20″ 
Gears: Shimano 11-34T, 1 x 10 speed 
Electric range: 400w battery 28-62 miles 
Weight: 48.9 lbs

Riding the Tern Vektron

Most folding bikes ride like, well, folding bikes. They have small skinny wheels and somewhat flexy frames. This Tern Vektron rewrote what a folding bike should ride like. The fat 20″ tires reminded me of riding a BMX bike in high school.  They are stable and comfortable. They are also pretty flat resistant thanks to the Schwalbe Big Apple tires (I’ve been riding these on my commuter 29″ for years!)

OCL+ Frame Joint

The frame and overbuilt OCL+™ Frame Joint made it feel like a typical stiff aluminum bike. It never flexed too much, even when I was carrying a 28-pound kid on the back and out of the saddle pedaling. This honestly surprised me!

Tern uses a mountain bike drivetrain with a Shimano Deore 1×10 with an 11-34T cassette. This provided me with ample range loaded or not.

The most important part of this drivetrain to me is that it is both durable and clean. The 1×10 system prevents the need for a front derailleur and allows Tern to install a full-length chainguard to keep your pants clean.  It really is a clean system and I hope more city bike brands go in this direction.

The bike overall fits several people that I had to try it out. The seatpost has a 2 stage extension that is well marked so that it can fit really small to pretty tall people. My favorite part was the easily adjustable stem. I wish more bikes came with this!

Using the Tern Vektron Bosch Electric Assist

This bike is considered a Class 1 in the United States. This means it provides pedal assist up to 20mph (technically 19) and does NOT have a throttle but does have buttons on the left of the handlebar to change how much assistance you are receiving. The battery is well integrated into the frame but not a pain to get out.

Without going into crazy details, the Bosch Active line just works well. In the future, we will have an article or video explaining the differences but as I write this, it is the industry-leading mid-drive option. The Bosch mid-drive system is one of the most widely used mid-drives in the United States right now. Shimano and Yamaha are coming on more brands but Bosch really did a great job going into 2017 getting on the most bikes. With this in mind, most e-bike dealers have a Bosch charger on hand and a Bosch certified mechanic (the first to me is the most important!) I hope that electric bikes catch on, and maybe chargers become more standard so that destinations like bed and breakfast or transit stations have chargers on hand as you would see for an electric car! The mid-drive motor on the Vektron gave a very well balanced folding bike. This is something that most probably wouldn’t think about unless you’ve had to carry folding bikes or wheel them around when folded.

Everyday Life with the Tern Vektron

When I initially received this bike I thought it would be a typical review and to be honest, I wasn’t very excited about it. I’ve tried out many folding bikes and none have left me wanting one. Maybe it is because I live in the Suburbs with a 2 car garage or, maybe it is because my daily ride is typically a HUGE cargo bike. The Tern Vektron reshaped my view of folding bikes. Most importantly it is fun and stable to ride. (Not recommended by the manufacturer and probably voids your warranty.)

The bike is well thought out. From the wrapping of the front cables to the built-in bungee on the rear rack, and the storage for the easily removable pedals behind the saddle. I loved that besides a lock this bike is ready to be ridden the moment you pick it up. It comes with durable tires, fenders, rear rack, and lights already installed. What really won me over on this bike was that the rear rack was designed for a Yepp seat! I didn’t spend a lot of time riding with my daughter on the back since it was freezing cold the whole time I had the bike but it rode very well when we did. For me, a parent that wants to ride with my kids often is that Tern took the time to think about that instead of telling me to buy an adapter or buy a different rack.

Folding the Tern Vektron

I hoped to get a video of this and will in the near future but the folding process was very simple thanks to large handles. My only wish is that the handles were labeled with numbers of what order to do things.

Room for Improving on the Tern Vektron

No bike is perfect for everyone. There were a few things I personally wasn’t a fan, your results may vary!  

The kickstand was a huge disappointment. If you carry cargo extensively then you’ll know how important it is to have a solid kickstand to rely on when strapping your kid or groceries to your bike. I would love to see a stable double kickstand option.  

The front light was a bit big and bulky in my opinion. With so many lights on the market, I would think there would be a something a bit more clean. The last thing, completely personal preference, is to have a 2nd color option other than black.

Who is the Tern Vektron For?

After trying different bike rides, commutes, and multimodal excursions with this bike, here is who I think the Tern Vektron is for.

Any city cyclist

I think this bike is a great option for ANYONE wanting to commute by bike. It allows the flexibility of hopping in an Uber or friend’s car and bringing your bike with you. You can store it under your desk if your work doesn’t have great bike parking (Who really wants to lock up their $3500 electric bike?). You will get to work less sweaty and faster thanks to the electric motor.

Someone with little storage room

This is hands down the best folding bike I have ridden. If you don’t need electric, Tern does make non-electric folding bikes too.

A cargo bike rider with a child over 1

This bike is perfect for when you want to bike with your kids but the cargo bike is too darn big or not easy to transport to where you are going. Example: Take the train downtown with your kid on the Yepp seat instead of trying to squeeze your cargo bike into the train.

If you travel by car, bus or train, and would love to take your bike with you

One of the bigger reasons I am interested in this bike is that it allows you to carry it with you to more places. I don’t like taking my normal bike with me when we go on vacation because it’s $50+ dollars to fly with and I have to completely disassemble it to fit it in most cars without a bike rack. When we travel by car I hate leaving it on the rack and it takes up valuable space inside of the car (we have two kids!)

Overall Conclusion

I love this bike. After working for 18 years in the bike industry I don’t say that statement very often. I think this bike can solve many people’s concerns about folding, electric, or carrying kids because it does all of them pretty darn well. While our family personally has a Tern GSD on order, this Vektron is on my short wish list once both of our kids can ride on a bike (we have a 1-month-old as I write this!) If Tern comes out with a Vektron S10 in a brighter color it will be very difficult for me to not buy one. Personally, I love the idea of pairing down to fewer bikes. I love that it can fit various sized guests and family that visit, and the electric assist will provide them with the confidence to ride. Finally, as our kids grow and we travel with them more two of these can fold down pretty well in the back of our minivan so that we can take them to the mountain towns where electric assist when carrying kids is much appreciated! My goal is to help remove barriers to get more people cycling and this Tern Vektron S10 does exactly that. The biggest barrier to this bike is obviously the price of $3500 but with time electric bikes will become cheaper and more will be available on the used market. If this replaces a car or transportation costs then it will pay for itself immediately.

Disclaimer: Since writing this article I have gone to work for Tern Bicycles. This article was written before this, and in no way biased. If anything – I went to work for them because they make such wonderful bikes!!

3 thoughts on “Tern Vektron S10 Folding Electric Bike Review”

  1. I know the vektron isn’t one of the bikes listed as compatible with the clubhouse mini, but i really want to build the doghouse mini on my vektron! Usually i take my puppy in a doggie backpack, but it’s not something i can do for longer rides. She’s less than 15 lbs but I’m very petite and not so young anymore, lol! Any ideas?

    1. Hey Caiti, The vektron rear rack is not big enough for the Clubhouse Mini. If she’s less than 15 pounds, I would look at adding a purpose-built basket like the dog basket from Basil.

  2. Really enjoyed your review of the Vektron S10. We’ve had our eye on one discounted at REI and I found your review after our return trip (REI is an hour away). I am 5′ 1″ tall with a bad neck and need to ride as upright as possible and am concerned about the distance between the seatpost and handlebars. I should’ve taken it for a test ride! I am in agreement regarding color….please, Tern come up with some more color options!! Should I get it I might need to add a pop of color with coral or aqua pinstriping!

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