The Touroll S3 Pro folding bike test shows: For €849, the Chinese promise an e-folding bike with a 1,296 watt-hour battery and a range of up to 195 km. Sounds too good to be true. We chased the e-folding bike over tarmac, dirt tracks and gentle inclines for several weeks to check whether the real-world performance lives up to the spec sheet. Spoiler: It’s not down to the range – if you want to make an additional comparison, you can find more candidates in our overview of the best e-bikes.
What Touroll saves elsewhere is noticeable in everyday life. Three things bother us immediately. They all have to do with the handlebars. Nevertheless, the bike is a serious recommendation – but only if the priorities are right. Touroll is no stranger: We’ve already reported on the Touroll J1 ST trekking e-bike.
Touroll S3 Pro – Technical data & scope of delivery
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Motor | 250 W rated power, 750 W peak power |
| Torque | 50 Nm |
| Battery | 48 V / 27 Ah / 1,296 Wh, removable |
| Range (manufacturer) | up to 195 km |
| Range (test) | over 120 km with mixed tread |
| Tires | 20 × 3.0 inch, Fat Tire |
| Brakes | Double disc brake, mechanical |
| Suspension fork | 60 mm suspension travel |
| Gear system | 7-speed |
| Display | 2.6″ LCD |
| Charging time | approx. 9 hours |
| Maximum speed | 25 km/h (StVZO) |
| Lighting | StVZO-compliant |
| Protection class | IPX4 |
| Price (at the time of testing) | approx. 849 €(Use the coupon code TOUROLLSSA to save 6% on the entire Touroll S Series, including the S2, S2 Pro, S3, and S3 Pro) |
The bike is around 90 percent pre-assembled in the box. The saddle, pedals, front light, front plate and handlebars have to be fitted yourself, the necessary tools are included. A pleasant observation right at the start: Touroll has dispensed with the usual plastic and polystyrene madness. The assembly takes around 15 to 30 minutes and the waste remains manageable – a plus point that cheap Chinese bikes rarely deliver.
Design & workmanship
The S3 Pro is based on a classic folding frame made of aluminum with a low entry. Welded seams are clean and the paintwork is even. The fat 3-inch tires are striking: narrower than the 4-inch tires on the S2 predecessor, but wide enough for gravel, root passages and kerbs.
Here comes the first weakness: the handlebars are straight. There is no slight bend like on a classic trekking or Dutch bike. This doesn’t matter on short city rides. But it does on longer tours. The wrists constantly bend slightly, and after 20 to 30 kilometers the wrist starts to complain. Point two exacerbates the problem: the handlebars have a notch for clamping the stem. If you want to swap the handlebars for a curved model later on, the choice is limited. Standard handlebars only fit to a limited extent – this reduces the favorable DIY upgrade path.
On the plus side: the handlebars can be adjusted very high. This results in a pleasantly upright riding position that relieves strain on the back and neck. So if you know that the straight grips are an issue, you can counteract this with ergonomic bar ends.
The folding mechanism works perfectly. Open the frame hinge, fold in the handlebars, done. Less than 30 seconds, very compact. The bike fits in the trunk of a compact car. The folding size is a real advantage for rail commuters – just as practical as the SachsenRAD F12, which we tested as a folding bike for public transport.
Practical test: Drive, range and riding experience in an e-folding bike comparison
Motor: Sporty and direct, with character
The 250 W hub motor is sporty and direct. Level 1 is sufficient for relaxed cruising, level 5 pushes the S3 Pro confidently up to 25 km/h and also masters easy to medium inclines without drama. The lack of torque sensors is noticeable on steeper climbs: the motor reacts to cadence, not pedal pressure. The result: a short delay when starting off, then it gets stuck in. Anyone coming from the world of Bosch mid-motors like the Koga E-Xite will have to get used to it. Anyone switching from a normal bike will be thrilled.
Range: This is where the Pro plays its trump card
The big argument in favor of the S3 Pro is the 1,296 Wh battery. Touroll promises up to 195 km. In the test with a mixed profile – city, country lanes, slight inclines, medium support level – we achieved over 120 km per charge. This is well below the manufacturer’s marketing, but still a house number in this price range. For comparison: many folding bikes under € 1,000 deliver 50 to 70 km in real terms.
If you ride the battery gently (level 1-2, tailwind, flat), you can realistically break the 150 km mark. If you go full throttle uphill, you’re more likely to end up with 60 to 80 km. That’s the way it is with e-bikes – the manufacturer’s range is always the best case.
Practical: The battery is removable and lockable. Charging works in the bike or separately at home. However, the 9-hour charging time is not a quick charge. If you arrive in the evening, you’ll have a full battery in the morning – but no more.
Brakes: Solid for the class
The mechanical double-disc brakes are easy to modulate and surprisingly decent for a bike under € 850. For deep descents or frequent commuting in stop-and-go situations, they lack the bite of hydraulic systems – that’s class, not a shortcoming. In everyday use, the brakes are reliable and predictable. With a little break-in time, the pads grip noticeably better. An electric motor brake is installed, but in the test it acted more as a safety switch than a noticeable braking aid.
Comfort & riding position
The 60 mm suspension fork and the voluminous 3-inch tires swallow cobblestones and roots well. The saddle is functional, but after several hours it starts to wear out like any stock saddle – worth replacing if long rides are the main scenario.
Thanks to the high handlebar adjustment, the riding position is comfortable and relieves pressure on the back. As described above: The straight handlebars are the Achilles heel for frequent tourers.
Further performance ranges
Display & operation
The 2.6″ LCD shows speed, battery status, support level (1-5), daily distance, total kilometers and push assistance. Readability even in the sun is good. There is no app connection – but nobody has to expect this in this price range. Operation is via a button block on the left of the handlebar, intuitive after two minutes.
Lighting
StVZO-compliant, sufficient, but nothing special. The front headlight illuminates the road in front of you reasonably well, the rear light is bright enough. If you ride at night on unlit country roads, you will want a brighter system. It is sufficient for city lighting and commuting routes.
Pannier rack
The pannier rack is built in, which many folding bikes in this class do not offer. However, it lacks a spring flap. If you want to secure panniers or a crate, you have to take straps with you. This is not a drama, but an avoidable loss of points – a simple spring clamp costs a few cents to buy.
Price-performance ratio
At a price of € 849 at the time of testing, the Touroll S3 Pro plays in the lower middle class of folding e-bikes. In this price region, a range of 50-70 km is standard, here you can realistically get over 120 km. That is the honest strength of the bike.
Comparable models such as the ENGWE M20 or the Fischer FR18 have significantly smaller batteries or higher prices. The foldable Fiido D11 in the test or the LANKELEISI GOLF-X as a folding e-bike with a long range are also in a similar league, each with a different focus. If you consciously invest more, you’ll quickly end up paying € 1,500 or more for models with a torque sensor and branded components – such as the Fiido Titan in the test. That’s a different league – the S3 Pro doesn’t want or need to compete.
Conclusion: Touroll S3 Pro folding bike test
The Touroll S3 Pro is an honest offer. For € 849, you get a folding e-bike with a range that sets standards in this class. Over 120 km in real terms – that’s the story of this bike. The motor, brakes and folding mechanism deliver a solid performance and the set-up is pleasantly comfortable.
The weaknesses are clear: The straight handlebar with notch restricts both ergonomics and swap options, the pannier rack needs its own tension straps, and fast charging is not. Those who want to know that will be able to live with it. If you ride for 4 hours at a time, you should get bar ends beforehand.
A clear purchase recommendation for commuters and weekend tourers who are looking for a lot of range at a fair price and don’t expect premium ergonomics. If you expect a torque sensor, hydraulic brakes and curved handlebars, you should add € 500-800 and buy in a higher class.
PROS
- Massive 1,296 Wh battery – over 120 km real-world range in testing
- Sporty, responsive motor with good acceleration
- Quick folding process under 30 seconds, very compact
- Assembly in 15–30 minutes with minimal packaging waste
- High handlebar for upright, back-friendly riding position
- Solid mechanical disc brakes with good modulation
- Fair price-to-performance ratio at €849
CONS
- Straight handlebar strains wrists on longer rides
- Notched handlebar stem limits options for handlebar replacement
- Rear rack without spring clip – bungee cords mandatory
- Long charging time (approx. 9 hours), no fast charging
- Lighting meets only basic requirements
- Cadence sensor instead of torque sensor
Conclusion
Solid folding e-bike with a massive battery at a fair price. Over 120 km real-world range, but the straight handlebar becomes uncomfortable on longer rides. A clear recommendation for urban commuters with range anxiety.
