Admittedly, you can't have everything you want in this lifetime. Far from letting that put a damper on customer satisfaction, PVY is doing its best to show that, as least as far as the e-bike you use for the daily commute goes, you can come close to that.
PVY is a micromobility-focused startup that's been making headlines for the past few years thanks to their sustained efforts to offer reliable products at affordable pricing. These days, you can't swing the proverbial cat without coming across at least a dozen solid options for e-bikes, whether you wish to ride it on the daily commute, for health benefits, to explore the city and whatever is outside its limits, or as a proper car replacement.
Depending on your budget, you can pick and choose until you find the one e-bike that suits you best. But we all know that budgeting can lead to limited choices, and this is where PVY aims to make a difference. Their bikes still carry some compromising but not where it would make much of a difference.
The same goes for the Turbo, the latest addition to the lineup.
Photo: PVY
The Turbo is a fatty e-bike, which means it's suitable for all-terrain riding, but it's also a foldable bike, which makes it ideal for city dwellers who don't have plenty of room to store a two-wheeler. The Turbo also boasts a very powerful motor and double suspension, app connectivity, and an incredible estimated range, and it packs all these into a package that is comparatively affordable.
With an aluminum alloy frame that folds in half, the Turbo rides on fat tires for the most comfortable experience and good grip, whether you take it out in the city or on the trail. Power comes from a rear hub geared motor of an unspecified make, locked at 250W but unlockable to its full potential of 750W and delivering 80 Nm of torque.
In locked mode, the Turbo maxes out at 25 kph (15.5 mph), after which motor assistance is cut off, but you could go as fast as 38 kph (23.6 mph) on motor in unlocked mode – but only where local legislation allows it.
Photo: PVY
That's plenty to get you to wherever you need to be, and even up inclines of 25-30 degrees, according to the company. To make things even smoother, you get 3 or 5 levels of PAS (pedal assist), according to your preferred setting, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain. You also get an adjustable suspension fork and a rear spring shock absorber, which is a particularly nice touch.
The 48V 13Ah battery promises 100 km (62 miles) of range on a single 3.5-hour charge, which would mean you could go for the entire week on a single charge. Granted, the estimated range is highly dependent on your riding style, weight, riding terrain, and weather.
The bike itself weighs 29.5 kg (65 lbs) and has a maximum payload of 150 kg (331 lbs). Features also include metal fenders and pedals, app connectivity and a large, centrally-mounted color display for stats and settings, and integrated front and rear lights. As for the compromises made to retain affordability, these are a cadence sensor for motor assistance, instead of torque sensing, and disc braking instead of hydraulic brakes.
In the end, it's up to the customer if the trade-off is worth it. PVY is now taking pre-orders on the Turbo with a €100 ($109) discount on the MRSP of €1,199 (approximately $1,300 at the current exchange rate), throwing in free shipping and a mid-July delivery date to sweeten the pot.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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