Sub-£800 e-MTB packs 70 Nm, 720 Wh battery, full suspension and some concessions

The Touroll U3 Pro is a new full-suspension electric mountain bike priced at just £776 / €889 when purchased directly from the official store. Whilst considered quite affordable for a full-suspension model, the U3 Pro does come with certain limitations in its specifications. For instance, it is equipped with a hub motor offering a maximum torque of 70 Nm. Although hub motors can certainly be quite capable in theory, mid-drive systems are more common on electric mountain bikes, partly because they have a positive influence on a bike’s centre of gravity. As the advertising doesn’t  mention a torque sensor, the bike likely relies on a cadence sensor. Especially on mountain bikes, motor control based solely on cadence can result in issues such as jerky power delivery – particularly noticeable when starting on inclines – which may lead to an unsafe riding experience.

The Touroll U3 Pro features a rear shock and a suspension fork with lockout functionality. Despite offering a decent capacity on paper, the 720 Wh battery isn’t integrated into the frame and thus not quite up to current standards – though this doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker for everyone. Deceleration is handled by hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180-mm rotors. A seven-speed Shimano derailleur manages gear shifts. Both the front and rear wheels are fitted with 29” x 2.4” tyres that appear to have a decent tread pattern.