With the TEN Torino, the young German company Coboc aren’t only out to electrify urban mobility, but also to make it more stylish. Read on to find out if the concept from Heidelberg can deliver.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test
Montreal, Brooklyn, Berlin and of course Torino – Coboc’s model names each target a specific segment of the ebike market. The style-conscious city commuter should find a suitable model in the range without having to deny themselves a quick gravel adventure on the way home. Thus, the Coboc rolls on wide 650Bx50 Schwalbe G-One tires. The sturdy and generously dimensioned fenders in combination with the integrated rack and lighting systems emphasise the practicality of the TEN Torino. The control LEDs of the electric motor are integrated into the top tube just as neatly. However, the details on the snazzy “Silent Green” frameset and the componentry don’t live up to the initial good impressions: the welds, the square taper bottom bracket and the cheap feeling cranks are aspects that not everyone will be able to overlook. The Coboc can be conveniently operated via an app or via the controls which are concealed next to the charging socket on the underside of the top tube. The app has features like range calculation, navigation and the settings of both support modes. Housed in the rear hub is the Bafang motor, powered by a 352 Wh battery integrated into the down tube. Our test bike, priced at € 4,999 comes with a SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain and weighed 15.65 kg in size L.
The Coboc TEN Torin in detail
Motor/Battery Coboc Electric Drive (Bafang) 352 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM APEX1, X horizon, 1×11
Gearing 40 T und 11–34 T
Brakes SRAM Apex 1 Hydraulic Disc 160/160 mm
Stem Stem Promax DA-263 60 mm
Handlebar Satori X-Race Pro Handlebar 440 mm
Seatpost Alu
Wheels Alexrims Volar 2.3 mit Novatec-Naben
Tires Schwalbe G-One Speed 50 C
DThe Coboc comes with an integrated lighting system as standard. The rear light is especially nice to look at!
A square taper bottom bracket, cheap covers and rough finishing in some places shouldn’t be something you see on a € 4,999 bike.
The Bafang hub motor provides support independent of cadence but is significantly louder than its competition from Ebikemotion.
The mudguards and luggage rack are nicely integrated into the overall look of the Coboc and seem very sturdy.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 529 mm | 557 mm | 596 mm | 635 mm |
| Seat tube | 498 mm | 530 mm | 560 mm | 590 mm |
| Chainstays | 444 mm | 444 mm | 444 mm | 444 mm |
| Head angle | 69.5° | 70.0° | 71.0° | 71.5° |
| Head tube | 145 mm | 165 mm | 185 mm | 205 mm |
| Seat angle | 75.0° | 74.0° | 73.5° | 73.0° |
| Reach | 376 mm | 389 mm | 416 mm | 442 mm |
| Stack | 569 mm | 588 mm | 611 mm | 632 mm |
The Coboc TEN Torin in review
You’ll feel right at home on the Coboc, though you’ll also feel overdressed if you’re wearing Lycra. Instead of a quick workout, the TEN Torino’s smoothness encourages effortless cruising in a t-shirt. Thanks to the compact and upright riding position compared to bikes such as the Bianchi, the Coboc invites you to leave the paved streets. Here, the flare on the handlebar provides additional control and instils you with confidence. The Schwalbe tires provide plenty of grip and comfort. The aluminium frame and the carbon fork are stiff, which makes the large volume tires all the more welcome. Since the tires are the only real source of comfort, it is all the more important to figure out the right tire pressure for you. Once you get used to operating the electric motor, reaching for the controls is quick and intuitive.
carbon seat post and thick bar tape for more comfort
The Coboc promises fun rather than sportiness – and it stays true to its word.
However, a clear disadvantage of the positioning of the controls is that you always have to remove one hand from the handlebar to use them. At nightfall, you can use the same controls to activate the integrated lighting system, which is also powered by the integrated battery. There was no perceptible difference in the support levels of our test bike when we got it, but they can be adjusted easily enough via the app. Riding above 25 km/h requires a considerable amount of effort, which is why you’ll soon learn to stay within the support range of the electric motor. Compared to the Ebikemotion system, the Bafang hub motor is noticeably louder but its power is easy to modulate. To charge the Coboc’s integrated battery you have to put the whole bike near a power outlet.
Conclusion
The Coboc TEN Torino is a fun urban/gravel commuter with a lot of style and clever features like the integrated lighting system. If you simply want to commute in a relaxed manner on a range of surfaces, you will get a reliable and stylish bike. However, when examined in detail the spec and the finish show room for improvement, especially considering the € 4,999 price tag.
Tops
- stable and composed
- comfortable riding position
- integrated light and luggage rack
Flops
- not the best finish or componentry
- the motor's factory settings make no sense
- loud motor
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
For more info head to: coboc.biz
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test
All bikes in test: Bianchi Aria e-Road | BMC Alpenchallenge AMP ROAD ONE | Cannondale Synapse Neo SE | CENTURION Overdrive Carbon Road Z4000 | FOCUS Paralane² 9.9 | LOOK E-765 Optimum Disc | Moustache Dimanche 28.7 | ORBEA GAIN M10 | Pinarello Nytro | Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL | Thömus Sliker E1 | Wilier Triestina Cento1 Hybrid Custom
This article is from GRAN FONDO issue #012
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No, it’s not about perfect race tracks, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along high-speed passages need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret “Smooth tarmac” bikes as follows: Hard efforts at high speeds with a maximum efficient bike on a consistently well-paved road. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
… also known as bike riding. Broken-up roads in the hinterland, deadlocked gravel roads, loose surfaces – sometimes muddy, sometimes bone-dry. For this, it takes bikes with super all-round, handling and wearing qualities uphill and downhill. Effort-joy ratio: 50:50↩
If you want to use your bike almost every day, you usually do not need an extremely tuned racing machine. Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. At the same time, the bike should have practicable details: integrated fenders/assembly options, luggage racks/attachment points and a light system or at least the option of installing bike lights. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. Effort-joy ratio: 30:70↩
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Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl, Benjamin Topf, Robin Schmitt
