Tron-X One Review
Bike Tested: Tron-X One; Road Test No. 986
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 55,998/- (introductory)
I became pretty sceptical about it but the Tron-X One did well to change my thoughts
After a regular day at work, I was about to leave for home that day, when a call from our ace bike-editor, Dhanil Vira came. He led me to write this review of the Tron-X One cycle. The cycle had come inside a box and was assembled by a company technician in front of me. It took about forty-five minutes to complete the setup and get it running. I rode the bike home that day and we ended up riding it for nearly 2 weeks. I have to admit that after the first ride, I became pretty sceptical about it but the Tron-X One did well to change my thoughts. Read on to know why.
Motor Quest: The Tron-X One bicycle has come to India to capture the growing electric cycle market. The company has invested in Volta Motors that has a history of producing electric road bikes. The Tron-X One is, in fact, a rebadged Volta Zap which had been showcased in 2017. Volta Motors is now a Smartron owned subsidiary called the Tron-X Motors. The company is looking to bring Voltas’s experience in building electric cycles along with Smartron’s IoT prowess to the buyers in a modern package.
The bicycle looks sleek but does have a substantial weight to it
Styling – The Tron-X One, if seen from dead front or rear won’t look any different from a regular cycle. The flat handlebar and the skinny spoke wheels are deceptive as once you start moving towards the side profile of the cycle, you realise there’s more to it. The thick, chunky looking dual-tone (red and black on MotorBeam’s test cycle) centre-body of the cycle really makes it stand out.
There are six gears for the rear wheel and three power modes for the electric motor
The frame is made of aero-grade aluminium and won’t rust with time
An LED light is provided at the front and is switched on/off by long pressing the ‘+’ button on the cluster. It is pretty small and will only be of some use in pitch dark conditions. The rear gets a basic reflector. The cycle has an overall understated, sharp and neat design. It looks contemporary yet modern.
Gear shifts are easy when you use the blue button and the rotatable switch
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear– Yes, the Tron-X One has an instrument cluster on it. It is basically a digital display placed on the left-hand side of the handle. The software is well designed and easy to understand. The default screen on the display shows the speed, calories burnt, time-elapsed, power mode (more on that later) and the odometer. The second screen, which is accessed by pressing the ‘M’ button on the cluster shows you the overall readings that you have clocked since the time you bought the cycle. It even shows the number of trips the cycle has made.
Storage space in the mid-frame can easily fit a 1-litre bottle
An interesting thing about it is that it can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. The phone, however, needs the ‘tbike’ application to connect to it. Once connected, I was able to see all the readings on my phone itself which made it easy to keep a track of the bike and my fitness goals (just kidding). The connectivity part is something I personally haven’t seen in too many cycles but Tron-X specialises in the concept of IoT (internet of things) and the company has done well in providing this feature. Be careful about exposing the display to water as it doesn’t have any certified water resistance.
One sits is an upright position just like a regular bicycle
Ergonomics– The Tron-X One has a mid-step thru frame design. What this means is that you don’t have to always swing your leg around the cycle to sit on it. You can simply put your leg across the frame and push yourself up to the seat. This is especially helpful for the elderly and women. The variation between the lowest and the highest seat position makes the cycle accessible to people of various heights but sadly isn’t the most comfortable. It just doesn’t have enough cushioning and is similar to the ones found on much cheaper cycles. The handlebar is a riser type with rubber grips and is easily reachable. However, pushing the seat higher and sitting in a more aggressive position made my palms ache. But one can always sit more upright and avoid that. Gear shifters are placed on the right-hand side of the handle and are best controlled using the thumb and index fingers.
The Tron-X One has a speedo indicated top-speed of 28.4 km/hr
Performance– Let’s come to the reason why we are testing the Tron-X One in the first place. The cycle can not only be ridden by pedalling but also by using a 250W electric motor placed inside the rear hub. This is powered by a 13.4 Ah, 500W, removable lithium battery back hidden neatly inside the downtube. On a full charge, it allowed me to go for about 50 kms without any pedal inputs. This is the full-electric mode which pushed the cycle to its maximum speed (speedometer indicated) of 28.4 km/hr using only the electric motor. Pedalling at this speed is also kind of useless as it feels like a free moving gear. But soon, I found myself using more of the pedal-assist mode (to achieve my fitness goals) which automatically activates the electric motor as you start pedalling. The pedalling allows you to actually cycle but sans the effort as the electric motor is pushing the cycle for you.
With a change in gradient the speed changes drastically
The power of the electric motor is quite likeable especially in traffic conditions
There are three pedal-assist modes, namely one, two and three. In power mode one, the battery input is the lowest while in the third mode, it is the same as in the full-electric mode. But the motor loses its breath and the cycle starts slowing down considerably while going up a slope. The performance of the One is best suited for street riding and not highway riding but it is apt for cycling enthusiasts wanting to go long distances.
The front rubber brakes felt better than the rear disc brake
Riding Dynamics – The Tron-X One, in spite of everything that it has is still a cycle and its riding ability is no different from a regular one. It is compact and agile which gives it a quick direction changing ability. The tyres provide decent grip but lose their footing on a sandy patch. As earlier mentioned, the cycle is best suited for street conditions as on a highway, it easily unsettles because of the fast moving traffic. Also, I found myself getting nervous when the cycle crossed the 36 km/hr mark after going down a slope. The front suspension does alright in absorbing those bumps but sadly, there’s no rear suspension. This becomes a problem when moving on broken patches allowing the jerks to reach your body. There is a v-brake (rubber brakes) at the front and a disc brake at the rear. I somehow found the v-brake working much better than the rear disc brake.
Grip from the tyres is good but not the best in sandy situations
Verdict – The Tron-X One is good but at an introductory price tag of Rs. 55,998/-, it just happens to be overpriced for what it offers. Agreed, that it comes with the latest technology and a good build quality but it doesn’t really satisfy the needs of an average consumer. At that price point, one can buy a regular scooter that has more space and practicality on offer.
There’s a lithium-ion battery pack in the Tron-X One
What’s Cool
* The fact that it is electric, helps reduce fatigue
* Decent range of about 50 kms in full electric mode
* Digital Instrument cluster with mobile connectivity
* Use of aero-grade aluminium
What’s Not Cool
* Heavy, it weighs nearly 25 kgs without the battery
* Loses power while going up on a slope
* Gearing ratio, pedalling after 27 km/hr not useful
* Uncomfortable seat
The 6-speed Shimano transmission isn’t the slickest for a Rs. 55,998/- bicycle
Tron-X One Specifications
* Engine: 250W Electric Motor
* Battery: 36V, 500W, 13.4 Ah Lithium
* Transmission: 6-Speed Shimano Tourney
* Top Speed: 28.4 km/hr (Speedometer Indicated)
* Fuel Type: Electric
* Frame: Mid-Step Thru, Aero-Grade Aluminium
* Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front)
* Tyres: 26 Inch x 2.0 Inch (Front and Rear)
* Brakes: V brake (Front); Disc brake (Rear)
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.4 Ah
* Kerb weight: 25 kgs (Without Battery)
The LED headlight is not of much use
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