Tern Updates eBike Vektron with Bosch Smart System and Gates belt option
Tern’s long established Vektron folding eBike has been upgraded for a new generation, with a stronger motor, the Bosch Smart System and featuring a low-maintenance Gates belt drive option.
Through the Bosch Smart System the rider’s smartphone can connect, enabling features like eBike Lock, ride metrics and route planning. Optional features like GPS Tracking and eBike Alarm are also available. And the entire system is backed by Bosch’s eBike service network.
That brand is also to thank through the Bosch Performance mid-drive motor, which delivers smooth, natural pedal assist that makes city commutes, hills and longer less arduous. The new Performance motor gets a power bump to 75Nm (previously 65nm), while running smoother and quieter.
That other headline change the Belt Drie (with the Vektron P5i) came about through customer requests. Folding bikes get handled constantly – through train stations, in and out of cars, and into lifts with other people – and that means a dirty/greasy chain has numerous opportunities to make a mess. The Vektron P5i with a belt eliminates those issues, while delivering a smoother, quieter ride with far less maintenance. It partners with a smooth-shifting Shimano Nexus 5 hub.
Alongside its own warranty, there is extended coverage available for the frame, handlepost, and fork for up to 10 years. Tern will support and ensure the availability of replacement parts (i.e. battery and electronics) for at least seven years. And through Tern’s recently launched Tern Warranty Transfer Programme there is coverage can move with the bike to secondary owners, protecting resale value.
“It’s really hard to build a bike that rides like a great eBike and folds like a great folding bike,” said Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain. “Usually there are compromises made on ride quality, motor power, battery safety, serviceability, weight, or folded size. But with Vektron, we’ve managed to design a bike that’s great on all of those critical parameters and that’s why we call it our Goldilocks bike. It’s just right”
Tern said that Vektron rides like a full-sized, premium eBike, with a stiff frame, reinforced handlepost and heavy-duty OCL+ frame joint minimise flex and avoid a flex and twitchy ride.
The new Vektron preserves its hallmark ride quality while providing riders more choice. Riders have the option of choosing the original sporty riding position (P10) or a comfort-focused cockpit inspired by Tern’s GSD and HSD platforms (P5i), featuring a taller handlepost, a swept handlebar and a shifted centre of gravity for a more upright and stable feel.
The Vektron folds in under 10 seconds into a compact package that locks securely and rolls smoothly on its own wheels, making it easy to guide through crowded train stations or into elevators. Once folded, Vektron is easy to slide under a desk, tuck beside a workstation or stash neatly inside an RV/camper. So for city riders, it overcomes that bike storage issue that has been found to be a serious obstacle to bike sales.
Tern also notes the headlines swirling around eBike safety: “Safety is critical for any eBike, especially given the proliferation of cheap, uncertified eBikes in the market. Vektron is tested to meet the European EN 15194 e-bike standard and is UL 2849-certified, meaning the entire electrical system (motor, battery, and charger) is independently verified for safety.”
Vektron will be available in two configurations, P5i with Nexus hub and Gates Belt, and P10 with 1×10 derailleur.
The bikes will arrive in stock for UK retailers in late Q1 2026 but pre-orders can be made in advance by contacting James Parker on [email protected]. Bikes will begin arriving with Tern dealers in European markets starting in October, with additional European and North American availability by year’s end. Prices start at €3,999, with exact pricing and model availability varying by market.
