The Touroll U1 is a 29-inch e-mountain bike at a competitive price of just 699 euros on Geekbuying. The online retailer wants 649 euros for the almost identical model with 26-inch wheels. This makes it one of the cheapest e-MTBs on the market that can also be used legally in Germany. A comparable model is the Eleglide M1 Plus (test report), which also costs 699 euros on Amazon. The better equipped Eleglide M2 (test report) costs 799 euros at Geekmaxi and 849 euros at Amazon.
In our test, the Touroll U1 has to prove whether it delivers a good overall package despite the low price. Can it keep up with the good and barely more expensive Eleglide M1 Plus and Eleglide M2 or do you have to compromise on quality?
Highlights am Touroll U1
Affordable price of only 699 euros in Germany, legally quiet 250W rear motor with 45 Nm torque, large 468 Wh battery for a long range, good 21-speed Shimano gears, pleasant driving behavior thanks to 29-inch tires
Structure, optics & workmanship
Setting up the Touroll U1 is comparatively quick and easy. All necessary tools are included. All you have to do is screw on the pedals, attach the handlebars, mount the front light and inflate the tires. Since there are no mudguards, you save some time here. However, if you plan to drive frequently in the rain, you should get some retrofitted.
Visually, the Touroll U1 is discreet and not very noticeable. Apart from a few white accents such as the manufacturer’s lettering and decorative stitching on the saddle, it is completely black. There are no other color options when purchasing. With a size of 187 cm x 69 cm x 111 cm and the large 29-inch tires, the e-bike looks very grown-up. Here you don’t have the feeling of sitting on a children’s bike, as is often the case with some other very cheap e-bikes with smaller tires.
The cable management on the handlebars is negative. Here some cables appear a bit tangled and untidy. In direct comparison with the Eleglide M1 Plus and M2, the Touroll U1 looks a bit simpler and less noticeable.
As expected, the workmanship corresponds to the low price. Cheaper components are predominantly used. The pedals are made of plastic and the front suspension has no damping, so it kicks back quite loudly. At 23.5 kg, the U1 is not a lightweight. The water resistance is given as IPX4, which means protection against splashing water from all sides.
The welds on the frame are not refinished or polished. Otherwise, at first glance, there is little to complain about.
Links & Display
The handlebars of the Touroll U1 are quite wide at 69 cm. The steering handles are ergonomically shaped and do not cause any pain, even when driving for longer periods. Pleasing: There is no throttle grip that would be illegal in Germany. This is optionally included with the Eleglide M1 Plus and M2.
Instead of a proper display, the U1 has a simple LED display with red lights. The most important information such as support level, battery level and the status of the light are displayed here. The buttons can be used to switch the e-bike on and off, regulate the support and activate the walking mode. However, there is no speed display. We measured using the GPS app: the permitted speed of 25 km/h was not exceeded. The front light is StVZO certified. A rear light is missing and needs to be retrofitted.
Tourol U1 pictures
Template – photo series
Drive
The saddle height on the Touroll U1 can be adjusted from 93 to 106 cm. The handlebars sit relatively low and cannot be adjusted in height. Overall, the U1 has more of a sporty geometry. Thanks to the large 29-inch tires with a width of 2.25 inches from the CST brand, it is also suitable for taller drivers.
The 250-watt rear motor offers a torque of 45 Nm and works very quietly. It pulls gently at first and then increasingly strongly. The U1 does not have a torque sensor like higher-quality e-bikes offer. The engine only starts after almost a full revolution of the pedal and also runs a bit. It can be switched off immediately using the brake. Overall, the motor support still feels quite natural and ensures a pleasant driving experience.
The 21-speed derailleur from Shimano with 3 chainrings at the front and 7 sprockets at the rear is reminiscent of the gearing of the M1 Plus and M2. It shifts precisely and offers enough gear ratio to handle even steep climbs.
The mechanical disc brakes on the front and rear wheels could be a bit snappier and need to be adjusted. Hydraulic disc brakes like those on the Eleglide M2 (test report) would have been an advantage here.
Apart from that, the Touroll U1 is very pleasant and comfortable to drive thanks to the large tires. It offers a safe and stable driving experience.
battery pack
The Touroll U1 uses a battery with a capacity of 468 Wh and a voltage of 36 volts. According to the manufacturer, the charging time is between 4 and 6 hours. A very optimistic maximum range is given as 65 km.
In practice, however, around 40 km is more realistic. This depends heavily on factors such as the support level, the weight of the rider, the topography of the route and the surface. If you drive a lot in the highest mode, frequently accelerate and brake or plow through terrain, you will never reach 65 km. For daily trips, 40 km should be enough for most people. The battery can be removed and charged in the apartment.
Preis
Conclusion
The Touroll U1 is a very affordable e-mountain bike that offers a lot of features and decent quality for a low price. Particularly positive features include the official street approval, the powerful motor, the large battery, the precise Shimano 21-speed gears and the good driving characteristics.
Of course, you also have to make compromises. The workmanship of the cheap components is sometimes not at the level of more expensive e-bikes. It lacks a full display, a taillight needs to be retrofitted and the mechanical disc brakes could be better. For the price of 699 euros, the features are outstanding.
If you are looking for an affordable entry-level e-mountain bike that is street legal and can do without high-end components, the Touroll U1 is the right choice. The direct competitors Eleglide M1 Plus (test report) and Eleglide M2 (test report) cost similarly little and are also worth a look.
As part of this article, we tested the e-bike in various scenarios such as paved bike paths, gravel field paths and steep climbs. In this way, we cannot detect long-term problems that may arise after months or years of everyday use. If we find any errors after our test report has been published or if something is pointed out by our readers, we will report it.
If you buy from a Chinese dealer, you will often pay less. However, there is a risk of poorer service in the event of a warranty or guarantee. In addition, claiming consumer rights (return, warranty) is subject to hurdles or is not possible. We link retailers here with whom we have generally had good experiences.