Busch + Müller has recently launched the Turntec T2 indicators, which you can use on both ebikes and regular bikes without electric assistance. Not only are they extremely useful in traffic, but they’re also delightfully easy to fit. This tutorial shows you the steps involved, how to route the cables so they don’t rattle, and how to set the flashing interval after installation.
1. Contents and compatibility of the bike indicators
2. Preparing the Busch + Müller Turntec T2 for installation
3. Routing the cables through the handlebars
4. Attaching the left and right indicators
5. How to operate the Busch + Müller Turntec T2
6. Setting a custom flashing interval
7. Options for charging the indicators on ebikes and bicycles
8. Verdict on the Busch + Müller with the Turntec T2
1. Contents and compatibility of the bicycle indicators
The Busch + Müller Turntec T2 comes with two separate indicators for the left and right sides, as well as a transparent plastic tube. The latter will later serve as a guide when routing the cables through the handlebars. You can recognise the left indicator by the three cylindrical units extending from it, which house the battery and electronics. The end of the third cylinder features a white plug.
The right-hand indicator, by contrast, features only two of the small cylinders. Three longer, thin cables extend from these – sheathed in red, black and yellow. All three are partially enclosed together by a black plastic sleeve approximately 20 centimetres long. This is intended to facilitate installation and prevent damage to the thin cables. Once again, a white plug completes the assembly.
Whether you can retrofit the Busch + Müller Turntec T2 to your ebike or bicycle depends on three details.
- The handlebars currently fitted should be as straight as possible. A slight rise of 40 millimetres or 50 millimetres is not a problem. Nor is a slight backward bend of the handlebar tubes of five to ten degrees, known as a backsweep.
- The inner diameter of the handlebars must measure between 17.5 millimetres and 19.5 millimetres.
- The grips on the handlebars require an opening on the left and right so that the indicators can be fitted.
Variants such as bullhorn handlebars, multi-position handlebars, drop handlebars, time trial handlebars and some moustache handlebars, however, are ruled out from the outset.
2. Preparing the Busch + Müller Turntec T2 for installation
Before you start fitting, remove the end caps from the handlebars, if present. If the grips are screwed on, you will need to loosen the screws on the grip clamps slightly. However, if the end caps are pushed in and cannot be removed, you can try using a corkscrew to take them out. Simply insert the corkscrew into the end cap until you can pull it out.
Also check beforehand how well the indicator units fit into the handlebars. To do this, insert the indicators into the handlebar tube. If they have too much play and can be rotated very easily, use the small black knurled screw to spread the two rubber stops and ensure a better grip. Turn the screw until the indicator can be pressed into the handlebar with slight resistance.
3. Routing the cables through the handlebars
Now the actual assembly can begin. First, fit the right-hand indicator and route its cable through the handlebars. To make this a little easier, you can wrap insulating tape around the three coloured cables in two or three places. This keeps them together and protects them better against kinking.
It is best to use the plastic tube provided to pull the cables through. Insert this into the black plastic sleeve. It is large enough to ensure the cables remain undamaged. Now grasp the plastic tube and use it to push the cables through the handlebar. This should normally work smoothly.
4. Attaching the left and right indicators
If the cables are sticking out on the other side of the handlebar, you can carefully pull them all the way through. Continue doing this until the right indicator reaches the end of the handlebar. Insert it into the handlebar without pinching any of the three cables. By adjusting the knurled screw earlier, you have ensured that it is already a good fit. To make the good fit a really sure one, now turn the indicator itself clockwise until it’s firmly attached to the handlebar. Important: Both the Busch + Müller logo and the arrow on the ring button need to point upwards. Otherwise, the indicator light won’t be clearly visible to traffic in front of and behind you later on.
The cables, including the black sleeve, are now hanging out of the left side of the handlebar. To prevent the sleeve from rattling inside the handlebar whilst riding, it is a good idea to wrap it in a soft material such as foam tape. When adding this extra insulation, make sure that the whole assembly still fits comfortably inside the handlebar.
Next, connect the left indicator and the cables from the right indicator using the white connector. Now everything can be carefully slid into the handlebar, and the left indicator can be screwed into place. The procedure is the same on the other side. Use the knurled screw to roughly adjust the depth of the indicator, then turn the indicator itself clockwise to secure it in place. Finally, the manufacturer’s logo and the arrow on the ring button should once again be pointing upwards.
5. How to operate the Busch + Müller Turntec T2
Operating the indicators is incredibly simple. A quick tap with the palm of your hand on the ring button activates and deactivates the indicator light on the respective side. You can keep your hands on the handlebars the whole time. The indicator is factory-set to flash 15 times after a quick tap. Another short tap interrupts the flashing interval. If you wish to flash for up to four minutes, hold the ring button for at least 1.5 seconds. Any further short tap ends this long interval
Similar to car indicators, the Busch + Müller Turntec T2 also features a warning light mode. This can be activated by holding down both buttons for at least three seconds. Once again, another short press ends this mode.
6. Setting a custom flashing interval
As mentioned, the manufacturer sets the bike indicators to flash 15 times in standard mode. If you wish, you can change this number to a value between five and 30. To do this, the indicator must be connected, must not be charging at the moment, and must not be lit. In this state, tap the ring button on the left indicator and hold it down. Whilst holding the button down, connect the indicator to an active power source via its USB charging socket. A power bank, for example, is a handy solution here.
Shortly afterwards, the front LED on the indicator will start to glow steadily. As soon as you release the ring button, it will start to flash. Start counting immediately and, once you’ve reached the desired number, press the ring button on the right-hand indicator. This confirms the new interval. From now on, the indicators will flash as often as you set in this step.
If you ever want to return to the factory settings, this is also quite simple. You already know the first part. Hold down the ring button on the left indicator, connect the indicator to a power source and wait until the front LED lights up continuously. Once again, the indicator will start flashing as soon as you release the ring button. This time, however, press the ring button on the left indicator once to reset the settings. To confirm that this has worked, the rear LED on the left indicator will light up briefly.
7. Options for charging the indicators on ebikes and bicycles
Of course, the internal battery of the Busch + Müller Turntec T2 needs to be charged from time to time. You’ll find the necessary charging socket with a USB-C port on the left indicator. A power bank, for example, is suitable for charging. Alternatively, the ebike may feature its own charging option – either via a display such as the Bosch Kiox 400C, a mount for a mobile device such as the Bosch SmartphoneGrip, or a separate port such as the Supernova USB-C Charger module.
During the charging process, a red LED in the left indicator lights up continuously. Once the battery is fully charged, it goes out. As the indicators also work whilst charging, you can actually do this whilst riding. You can tell that the indicators need charging by the significantly faster flashing of the signal lights. If you notice this, the remaining battery capacity is less than ten per cent.
8. Verdict on the Busch + Müller Turntec T2
The Busch + Müller Turntec T2 bike indicators are a simple and safe solution for retrofitting a flashing light system to your ebike or bicycle. Installation takes just a few minutes, and the controls via the two ring buttons work really well.
Our tip: You’ll probably only need to charge the indicators every one to two months. If you ride an ebike, the easiest way to do this is directly on the bike, for example using a permanently installed charging socket.
Pictures: Busch + Müller KG; Elektrofahrrad24 GmbH