To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Gepida. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Gepida products.
The Gepida Thoris is a rare sight in the Ebike world, that of an electric tandem bike. Currently there are only a couple of electric tandem options out there, but the Thoris stands out as both a premium and purpose built setup. For those new to Gepida, they are a Hungarian bicycle manufacturer that has offerings for both conventional and electric bicycles. The Thoris here is a Bosch Performance Line powered tandem that also features hydraulic disc brakes as well as a suspension fork in the front. The bike is surprisingly light weight considering it is a tandem with a front fork… it comes in at just 67lbs. It is available in just 1 color (this matte graphite) but is available in 2 frame sizes, a 48cm and a 53cm. The frame itself is super robust thanks to these gussets and extra mid-tube. The top tube starts at the headtube and angles all the way down and back toward the passenger seat creating an approachable low step-through angle for the passenger, while the driver gets a higher yet sloped top tube for approachability. This is just one of the many ways the Thoris shows it is just as much focused on the rear rider as they are for those in the front. I learned during my review that the front seat is called the Capitan, while the back seat is called the Stoker, so I will refer to the industry terminology going forward to avoid confusion. Anyway, for the Captain’s position, you have locking ergonomic grips with these nice palm flares and horns on the end, great for longer and extended rides. The Captains position also has access to the Bosch Intuvia display, controls, bell, and the Shimano Deore brake levers and trigger shifters. The handle bars are swept back for comfort and have an adjustable stem with a bit of rise configuration. For the Stoker position, you also have an adjustable angle stem as well as this extra wide handlebar. This adds a lot of balance overall to the ride because if the Stoker is comfortable, you are going to have less sway keeping everything stabilized. The Stoker also gets a brake lever here on the right side, this activates the cantilever rim brake for the rear. This is a wonderful addition since it is not only great for added stopping power, but also maintains the Stokers position as someone who can add control and stability to the ride. As the Caption and Stoker work hand in hand (or rather foot in foot) they will propel the bike forward, however, it works a little differently than normal tandem bikes. Because this is a Bosch torque sensing motor, it works more on the sensing of the pedal rotation than, let’s say, a cadence based system would. In short, when the Capitan and the Stoker are pedaling, they will not always be in sync with each rotation. This may seem strange to those that are used to a conventional tandem bike, but there are enough benefits here that even experienced tandem riders are preferring the switch. This setup allows the Capitan and Stoker to pedal at their own given rate yet still provide the same electric power propulsion to the ride. Additionally, this makes for a much more efficient ride overall and eliminates gaps, hops, or lag sometimes associated with normal tandem riding. Again, this adds to the stability of the ride, something the Thoris excels at. Since some tandem users sometimes have a partner that is physically handicapped or even mentally challenged, the peace of mind of the added stability is a wonderful consideration. Even normal riders too will appreciate the safety and stability this system offers. Using it myself on the test ride, I must say I was very impressed and it was a lot of fun. Looking over the rest of the bike, I should make mention of this great SunTour NCX-D air fork with 63mm of travel, this is gonna help keep the ride comfortable and smooth. The tires here are both 28” x 1.75” Schwalbe Energizer with 13 gage spokes in both the front and rear. Both the front and rear get these nice platform pedals with rubber grips. It should also be noted that the front crank arm is 170mm while the rear is 175mm. The bike also has battery integrated lights in both the front and rear, fenders with mud flaps, and a rear rack. Other features include 2 sets of bottle cage bosses (again, thinking of both riders), internally routed cables, and an adjustable kickstand… really a lot of features packed into this system… that coupled with the Bosch mid-drive and hydraulic brakes is pretty impressive considering it costs $4,495.
Driving the Thoris is a Bosch Performance Line center drive geared motor. The black plastic casing blends in well on this model, because it matches the graphite frame. As demonstrated in the video review above, this motor produces a bit more noise when operating at high power, and when you pedal quickly. It can produce up to 63 newton meters of torque, making it a very capable climber if you shift into lower gears. A 10 speed Shimano Deore drivetrain gives you many options, and the motor controller offers shift detection to reduce clunking and wear. This is one area where Bosch really leads the market. The Performance Line motors can also support higher pedal cadence, up to 120 RPM, so you can downshift going into a climb without losing power. One mixed consideration is that the smaller chainring operates through a reduction gear that spins at 2.5x the pedal rate, making it equivalent to a 38 tooth chainring on a traditional setup. This reduction process introduces some friction drag if you pedal the bike unpowered or beyond the maximum supported 20mph here. And, I’m told by Bosch that it allows for better chain retention. Bosch ebike motors are designed to measure rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque signals over 1,000 times per second, making them extremely responsive. The motor can feel natural, or zippy and empowering depending on which level of assist you choose to ride in. I was also told that in 2020, Gepida is switching to the Performance Line CX motor which is a step up, but truth be told, I felt the regular Performance Line motor here did an outstanding job. Mechanically, other than that 10 speed Shimano Deore setup you get these Shimano Deore 180mm hydraulic disc brakes in both the front and rear. This offers on demand stopping power and is complimented by that 3rd rim brake that the Stoker controls mentioned earlier.
Powering the motor, integrated lights, and backlit display panel, is 1 or 2 482.4watt hour battery packs from Bosch. The battery, a PowerPack 500, clicks neatly into the cage behind the seat from above, and the second one mounts just next to that. If you want two batteries, it will cost a bit extra and you have to notify the dealer to complete the setup, so do be aware of that. Extra Bosch batteries are not cheap, but it could be worth it for heavier riders, those hauling cargo, and those who might be riding longer distances. You can charge either pack off of the bike frame or plug into one location to fill both packs in series while mounted to the bike. Lithium-ion cells, including the 18650 cells used in both of these packs, tend to be very reliable if you maintain them at 20% to 80% capacity when not in use and store in a cool dry environment vs. extreme heat or cold. I frequently store my electric bike indoors because it isn’t as heavy or smelly as a moped or motorcycle, and this keeps it clean and safe while also protecting the battery from extreme temperatures. Charging happens quickly here, thanks to the included 4amp Bosch charger, yet it’s relatively compact and lightweight compared to others on the market. Bosch does sell an even smaller, lighter charger, that delivers 2 amps. They call this the travel charger and I read many comments from people who use it at a work site or carry it along in a backpack or pannier. In closing, the PowerPack weighs less than the PowerTube at 5.7lbs vs. 6.3lbs, but you’ll want to make extra sure to hear it click into place on the frame when mounting before rides. If you have an older PowerPack 400, it will work with the same interface as the PowerPack 500, so you can swap packs or rent and borrow if you travel frequently.
Operating this bike is very intuitive Bosch Intuvia display panel and control pad. Once the battery or batteries are charged and connected to the frame, you simply press the power button on the Bosch Intuvia display panel, and it quickly loads some menus. The main dashboard shows bike speed, battery level (a five bar indicator), chosen level of assist (four levels) and a power meter to the right. Along the bottom, a rotating menu shows trip stats including max speed, average speed, clock, trip distance, clock, and dynamic range estimate (that changes as you select different assist levels). You can cycle through these menus using the i button on the display and also on the button pad mounted near the left grip. You really only need that i button and the up/down arrows on the control pad to use the bike once it’s switched on, and they produce a satisfying tactile click that helps you understand what’s happening, even if you can’t look down while riding. You slide through gear ratios (since technically there are no gears) using a half-grip twist shifter on the right. Given the potential power of the Bosch Performance Line motor, I found shifting to be most efficient and comfortable when done as I eased off of the pedals a bit (which decreases motor output). I should mention the integrated Mini-USB port, great for maintaining smartphones for GPS or music on the go, and I want to call out the always-on white backlighting of the Intuvia LCD. It’s convenient in the dark, but can sometimes feel a bit bright and distracting. There’s also a walk mode, which is accessible if you are in one of the four assist levels and press the button on the top edge of the control pad and then hold +. This activates the motor very slowly, to help you push through grass or limp home if the tire goes flat. It’s very handy if the rear rack does have cargo or you have a flat tire. In closing, the Intuvia display panel delivers almost everything I have grown to know and appreciate in the world of ebikes. It’s removable, easy to read, full of useful features but not too complicated… I just wish it showed battery percentage in addition to or in place of the basic five bar infographic.
Looking back at my time with the Thoris, it was so great to see a refreshing and thoughtful approach to a sometimes ignored segment; the electric tandem. I love that so much thought was put into the Capitan as well as the Stokers position, and that they managed to add a lot of features in a bike while keeping the price competitive and the overall weight low. However, no bike is without its tradeoffs, so I should take a moment to mention those. It may seem like a small issue, but I noticed the cockpit was a little busy, this made the bell somewhat obstructed, but I suppose that is adjustable. Also, if you are an experienced tandem rider, you may enjoy the dance of pedaling in tune with the other rider, much like some enjoy the ritual of winding an old watch each day as opposed to a battery operated watch. But I am told that for many, the benefits of this system outweigh the older technology and I still had a ton of fun with it. The largest tradeoff however, would have to be the extra long chain. This is normal for the tandem, and it does have another crank arm to pass through and keep it guided, but it did come off during my test ride, so be mindful of that. Other than that, its hard to fault the Thoris considering you get a premium setup, global dealer network, and much added control, comfort, and stability for both riders. I want to take this time to genuinely thank Gepida for inviting me out to test their bikes, it was a lot of fun and very informative.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Gepida ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- A Bosch Performance Line powered mid-drive tandem that also features hydraulic disc brakes as well as a suspension fork in the front
- The bike is surprisingly light weight considering it is a tandem with a suspension fork, it comes in at just 67lbs, making it easy to maneuver and load
- Available in 2 frame sizes, a 48cm and a 53cm, the frame itself is super robust thanks to these gussets and extra mid-tube, top tube slopes down from the headtube creating a mid-step for the back rider (Stoker) and a sloped high-step for the front rider (Capitan)
- Both handle bars have an adjustable angle stem and each have a set of controls, if the Stoker wishes, they have access to a 3rd brake lever that controls the extra rear rim brake
- The Bosch mid-drive allows the Capitan and Stoker to pedal at their own given rate yet still provide the same electric power propulsion to the ride, this makes for a much more efficient ride overall and eliminates gaps, hops, or lag sometimes associated with normal tandem riding
- Great included features are here like the battery integrated lights in both the front and rear, fenders with mud flaps, and a rear rack
- Many considerations were made to offer stability and control, something very important to tandem riders, like the extra wide Stoker handlebar, 3rd brake system, hydraulic brake system, not have the need to pedal in sync, the front suspension fork, and the Bosch system listening to measurements of pedal torque, cadence, and speed over 1000 times per second
- It is great to see a tandem bike give as much thought to the Stoker position as the Capitan, really both people riding are sure to have a wonderful time
- Bosch PowerPack may be not as new as their PowerTube setup, but it has great capacity and I love that it is interchangeable with other PowerPack systems, so if you have a PowerPack 400 lying around, or want to replace or borrow another PowerPack 500, you can do so easily, something the PowerTube system does not offer at all
- The Thoris has physical capabilities to add a 2nd battery, this would extend the range even further for those that wish to go touring with their tandem
- The Bosch Intuvia display is here and it is one of my favorites, it’s removable, easy to read, full of useful features but not too complicated
- 180mm hydraulic disc brakes are welcome here, they along with the rim brake really provide on demand stopping power, something much appreciated in a tandem setup
Cons:
- It may seem like a small issue, but I noticed the cockpit was a little busy, this made the bell somewhat obstructed, but I suppose that is adjustable
- If you are an experienced tandem rider, you may enjoy the dance of pedaling in tune with the other rider, much like some enjoy the ritual of winding an old watch each day as opposed to a battery operated watch, however, I am told that for many the benefits of this system outweigh the older technology, so this may not hinder your decision in choosing this bike
- Tandem bikes need an extra long chain and it does have another crank arm to pass through and keep it guided, but it did come off during my test ride
- The Bosch Intuvia is a favorite display of mine, however, it doesn’t have battery percentage read out like some of the newer bikes do (just separate tick indicators), and the USB port on it is not very powerful to charge newer, high demand items like an iPhone
- One of my criticism with the Bosch mid-drives are that the reduction gearing process introduces some friction drag if you pedal the bike unpowered or beyond the maximum supported 20mph, so be mindful of that
- Having the battery and mid-drive motor directly under the Capitan means if you have 2 riders of similar weight, the majority of the weight will be on the front half of the bike, something to keep in mind, you could always offset that with cargo on the rack or a Stoker of different weight
Resources:
Be the First to Post a Comment