Ride report Rover TLM 709: Trekking bike for the city
Rover - a name that still resonates with car fans today. But the brand is long gone. Nevertheless, new models can still be bought and ridden under this name: E-bikes. Elektro Mobile Deutschland offers a range of pedelecs under the Rover brand name. There is a casual cruiser, a trendy folding bike and a robust trekking bike in two versions: with a wheel hub motor or mid-mounted motor, each as a men's and women's version.
The three letters in the TLM 709 stand for Trekking Lady mid-engine, while TMR stands for the man's version with a wheel hub motor, which is appropriate in both German and English (Man Rear). The number is based on an internal code for the equipment, the variant and the color.
Visually, the Rover TLM 709 certainly makes quite an impression. The gray-silver frame is accentuated by the black contrasts on the mudguards and battery. Speaking of mudguards: yes, they're not just plastic, but real sheet metal. Nevertheless, thanks to the aluminum frame, the trekking bike weighs 23 kilograms, which is within the usual range.
The Bafang M 200 is used as the drive. The 3.2 kilogram motor from China responds smoothly after half a chainring revolution, but switches off with a noticeable short jolt when freewheeling. It delivers up to 250 watts and a good torque of up to 65 Newton meters. The Rover offers a surprising setting option in the submenu of the display. The TLM owner can choose whether they would prefer to have three, five or even nine different levels of assistance available. The levels are nameless and simply numbered. The bike comes preset with five. These are always sufficient and are linear and finely tuned to each other. In conjunction with the seven-speed derailleur gears from Shimano with Revoshift twist shifter and Tourney rear derailleur, this results in a harmonious overall picture, especially as the M 200 is powerful. This means that the Rover bike can often be ridden without too much effort in the upper speed range of the maximum permissible electric assistance. Conversely, the Rover TLM runs surprisingly smoothly even without motor power.
The number of mechanical gears gives you an idea: The TLM is not necessarily a trekking bike for vacation rides. The step-through bike feels more at home in the city, where a suspension fork and coarser studded tires also make sense in view of the increasingly dilapidated cycle paths. But nothing stands in the way of a trip into the countryside either. The 2.1-inch wide wheels in 29-inch format are not easily upset by gravel. There is also a sturdy luggage rack equipped with three straps. However, there is no suspension saddle and no damping adjustment on the fork. Instead, the Rover has an adjustable handlebar stem.
In our initial experience, the brakes need to be run in a little. At the rear, the deceleration should also be a little stronger. However, if both levers are pulled, the rear wheel can be locked.
EMD promises ranges of up to 80 kilometers for the 468 Wh battery. As an alternative to charging in the frame, it can be conveniently removed and reinserted. The final assembly of the Rover, which comes to the customer in a box for 2399 euros, is also reasonably easy. Only the pedals need to be screwed on and the handlebars straightened. That's not rocket science. And if you take a closer look, you will be surprised to discover that the first impression is deceptive: Rover trekking bikes do not come from China. They are made in Sri Lanka. (aum/jri)
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