While unlikely, there may come a time where you may need to inspect and potentially replace the motor cable that is internally routed through the frame of your Turris. This is an extension cord that connects at the motor cable that is zip-tied to the chain stay and is routed up into the frame at the head tube where it then connects to the controller.


Tools Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver (# may vary across generations)
    • Please be certain you have the right size; too big or too small and you may strip the screw
    • If you do strip a screw, please stop and reach out before proceeding. You may need a screw extractor kit
  • A flashlight (or a generally well-lit work area)


Inspecting the cable

  1. Remove the battery from the bike
  2. Turn the bike upside down so that it's resting on the handlebars and seat (be sure to reposition the display and other controls to ensure they don't get damaged)
  3. Follow the instructions for Turris Controller Access to remove the controller
  4. Once the controller is removed, inspect the motor cable for damage on the exposed portions in the upper and lower compartments (do not remove cable at this step)
  5. Before removing the motor cable for further inspection, take pictures of potential damage and email them to support. Await further instructions; we do not want to remove the motor cable unless we absolutely have to.
  6. If support finds any evidence of damage and we determine that you need a new motor cable sent to you, PAUSE TROUBLESHOOTING HERE


Replacing the cable

The channel for internally routed cables is a triangle, meaning there's a wide portion and a narrow portion. While each Turris may be unique in the way the cables were routed, you should be able to push some or all of the cables off to either side to allow the passing of the motor cable through the larger, wider portion of the channel.

  1. There are three ways to route cables through the frame; pick the method that you are most confident doing. 
    1. Push-through method (remove old cable first)
    2. Existing cable method (use to pull new cable through)
    3. Fishing line method (remove old cable first)


1. Push-through Method


  1. Feed the cable (prongs go first and get routed up to controller) through the triangle under the bike by the bottom bracket.
  2. Use one had to push the cable from the hole in the seat tube. 
  3. Keep feeding the cable up through the frame until the prongs are visible at the top of the channel
  4. Pull the cable all the way up through so that there's no slack left at the bottom of the bike. Excess cable will be neatly bunched up with the controller. Go back to the Turris Controller Access article and complete steps for reassembly.
  5. Connect the motor cable to the cable that comes out of the wheel assembly and zip tie them at the appropriate braze-ons. Failure to do so may not only damage your motor cable but also cause the bicycle to crash.


2. Existing Cable Method

  1. Connect the new motor cable to the existing one that was left inside the frame and tape them together to prevent them from disconnecting while inside the frame. You will need enough tape to ensure a secure hold, but do not allow the tape to get too thick as this will make it difficult/impossible to pass through the channel.
  2. Push the taped connectors inside the headtube and begin to gently pull the old cable from the bottom of the bike.
  3. Pull the connectors through the hole in the seat tube (pictured above), unravel the tape, and disconnect the old motor cable. Refer to the Turris Controller Access article to repack the controller.
  4. Pull cable all the way up through at the head tube so that there's no slack left at the bottom of the bike. Excess cable will be bunched up at the controller. Go back to the Turris Controller Access article and complete steps for reassembly.
  5. Connect the motor cable to the cable that comes out of the wheel assembly and zip tie them at the appropriate braze-ons. Failure to do so may not only damage your motor cable but also cause the bicycle to crash.



Fishing Line Method

  1. The last method for fishing the motor cable through the frame is to tie fishing line to the pronged-head of the cable and use the slit in the frame channel to guide the cable through. Jump to Step 4 of the 'Push-through Method' after pulling the cable through the frame