Vvolt Sirius E-Bike Review 2023

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The Vvolt Sirius is designed for urban commuters who enjoy a little off-road adventure. It hails from Portland, Oregon and boasts a powerful mid-drive motor with high torque. The Enviolo Hub allows for fine-tuning of gear ratios, while the Gates carbon belt drive ensures a maintenance-free and smooth pedaling experience. The comfortable ride over uneven terrain is thanks to the front suspension fork and two-inch knobby tires. Overall, the Vvolt Sirius is a well-rounded e-bike with impressive features and customer-friendly policies. Let’s take a closer look at its capabilities, highlighting both its stellar features and areas for improvement.

Key e-bike details

Basics

• Base Price: $2,199
• Class: 1 or 3
• Max Speed: 26 mph (Class 3)
• Estimated Range: 15 mi. – 40 mi.
• Weight: 55 lbs

Motor & Electronics

• Motor: MPF6C 650w mid-drive motor
• Torque: 80 Nm
• Motor location: Mid-drive
• Battery: 36V 10.4Ah Integrated Battery 375Wh | LG Cells
• PAS Sensor: Torque
• Throttle: No
• Display: LED Display, Bluetooth Compatible w/ USB charging port

Components

• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
• Drivetrain: Enviolo Internal Hub with Gates Carbon Belt Drive
• Belt Drive: Yes
• Tires: Kenda K1027 27.5 x 2.2 knobby

Misc

• Recommended Rider Height:
  • Medium: 5’7″ – 6’1″
  • Large: 5’11” – 6’4″
• Payload Capacity: 350 lbs (but upgradeable to 400 lbs with different wheelset)

What we like about it

• Mid-Drive Motor with High Torque: One of the standout features is the 650-watt mid-drive motor with 80 Nm of torque. This makes it excellent for tackling hills and providing a more balanced weight distribution. 80 Nm of torque is on the high-end when it comes to torque.
• Torque Sensor: Unlike the Alpha model, the Sirius comes with a torque sensor instead of a cadence sensor. This provides a more natural and responsive riding experience by measuring the force on the pedals and having the motor respond.
• Enviolo Hub: The continuously variable transmission hub enables you to find the optimal gear ratio for any incline you encounter. The internal hub also protects the gear mechanisms from inclement weather.
• Gates Carbon Belt Drive: Belt drives require almost zero maintenance and have a much longer lifespan than chain drives. They handle rainy and wet conditions with ease. The belt drive is also very smooth, making for a pleasant pedaling experience.
• Removable and Upgradable Battery: The 375 Wh battery provides 15 to 40 miles of range and is removalbe for easy off the e-bike charging. If you need more range you can upgrade to a 500 Wh battery for an additional $549.
• Front Suspension and Large Tires: The Sirius comes equipped with a front suspension fork and two-inch knobby tires. This makes it ideal for rough terrains and gives it off-road capability. It easily handles those bumpy city streets.
• Excellent Warranty: Vvolt’s commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality is demonstrated by their comprehensive three-year warranty with no mileage limitations, 14-day return policy, and crash replacement program.

Where it falls short

• Weight: At 55 pounds, this e-bike isn’t exactly lightweight. While it’s not overly burdensome, some might find it less convenient for multi-modal commutes involving stairs or public transit.
• Lack of Integrated Lights: Considering its price point and focus as a commuter bike, the lack of integrated lights is a noticeable oversight. Vvolt does include rechargeable lights in the box, but they are somewhat lacking in brightness.
• Some Lower-End Components: While most of the e-bike is well-equipped, some components like the brakes, front fork, pedals, and saddle are noted to be on the lower end. This may not be an issue for the average rider, but some folks might consider upgrades.
• No Throttle: It does not come with a throttle. I like throttles because they provide a nice boost when I’m trying to get across a busy intersection or get started at a traffic light.

In-depth review

Vvolt is based in Portland Oregon and the Sirius is the third e-bike in their line-up that we’ve reviewed, following the Alpha and Centauri.

Before we get to the highlights of the e-bike itself, I think it’s worth highlighting Vvolt’s commitment to customer satisfaction. Vvolt’s customer-focused approach is evident in its generous three-year warranty, with no mileage limitations. This is much better than many other direct to consumer e-bike companies that only offer a 1-year warranty. Adding to this customer-friendly stance is their 14-day return policy and a crash replacement program. These policies work together to provide a safety net that will give any potential buyer added confidence in their investment.

Now, let’s talk about the Sirius. It comes equipped with a 650-watt mid-drive motor, boasting an impressive 80 Nm of torque. This puts it in the hill climb category of torque. We generally categorize e-bikes into three categories when it comes to torque:

• <40 Nm: These are e-bikes made for flat city commutes or gently rolling hills. These are for leisurely rides.
• 41 to 60 Nm: These e-bikes can handle hills pretty well and have good acceleration on the flats roads.
• 60 Nm: These e-bikes will tackle hills easily and accelerate quickly.

The high torque of the Sirius and the fact that it’s a mid-drive motor rather than a rear hub means it climbs hills with ease. Also, the weight distribution offered by the mid-drive motor provides a well-balanced, stable ride, making it easier to handle the e-bike in diverse road conditions.

One feature that distinguishes the Sirius from its sibling model, the Alpha, is the inclusion of a torque sensor. Unlike cadence sensors that measure only the speed of your pedaling, the torque sensor gauges the actual force applied on the pedals. This makes for a more intuitive, responsive ride as the motor’s output dynamically adjusts to your pedaling force. In real-world terms, this meant that my e-bike seemed to “understand” when I needed that extra oomph during my ride and adjusted the assist level accordingly.

The Sirius features the Enviolo Hub, a continuously variable transmission that’s like a breath of fresh air for anyone tired of standard gears. The ability to fine-tune my gear ratio for different inclines and terrains was a standout feature during my commute. The internal hub also offers added protection against the elements. So if you get caught in a downpour you don’t have to worry about any gear corrosion or wear and tear.

If you’ve ever dealt with chain drives, you know they require regular cleaning and oiling. But with the Sirius, you no longer have to worry about that, thanks to the maintenance-free Gates carbon belt drive. Its durability and resistance to the elements allow it to withstand even the toughest weather conditions. The best part? You won’t have to deal with a squeaky chain ever again. The Enviolo hub paired with the belt drive ensures a smooth and enjoyable pedaling experience.

The Vvolt Sirius e-bike is equipped with a removable 375 Wh battery, which offers a range of 15 to 40 miles depending on riding style and conditions. The ability to remove the battery for charging is convenient for users who do not have access to an outlet in their bike locker at work. Vvolt also provides an option to upgrade to a 500 Wh battery for an additional $549. If your daily commute is 10 miles or less, the standard battery should suffice. However, if you plan to take longer rides on the weekends, consider upgrading to the larger battery.

The front suspension fork and large, two-inch knobby tires make riding over potholes less of a big deal. Whether it was hopping over curbs or navigating dirt trails during my off-road adventures, the e-bike’s suspension and tire setup proved versatile and robust, offering a smooth and reliable ride regardless of the terrain.

With a weight of 55 pounds, the Sirius is not the most portable e-bike out there. While it’s not excessively heavy, carrying it up and down stairs daily is a mini-workout by itself. For me, it’s manageable, but for those considering a multi-modal commute involving public transportation, this weight could be a deterrent.

For a e-bike that positions itself as a robust commuter option, the absence of integrated lights is puzzling. Vvolt does include rechargeable lights in the box, but they don’t match up in brightness to integrated lights. Also, I’m guilty of always forgetting to charge my lights. For those who often ride in low-light conditions, this could be a significant oversight that might necessitate aftermarket upgrades.

While the Sirius impresses with its motor, drive, and hub, some of its other components like brakes, front fork, pedals, and saddle leave room for improvement. They are functional but not top-tier. You may want to consider upgrading these components after the first few hundred miles.

Finally, one of the more noticeable missing features was a throttle. Throttles offer a useful boost when crossing busy intersections or when you’re looking to get going from a full stop. The Sirius opts to leave this feature out, which might be fine for some, but it’s certainly a feature I miss when commuting and having to stop and start at traffic lights.

All in all, the Vvolt Sirius is a well-rounded e-bike that offers an impressive array of features suited for urban commuting and light off-road adventures. From its powerful mid-drive motor to its intuitive torque sensor and versatile Enviolo hub, it’s designed to make your ride as comfortable and efficient as possible. Despite a few drawbacks, I think the Sirius is a solid commuter e-bike.

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