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When I first laid eyes on the Vvolt Alpha, I immediately sensed that this was an e-bike designed with an eye toward the urban commuter at an excellent price point. This Class 1 e-bike doesn’t aim to overwhelm you with high-tech gadgetry; instead, it offers a simple yet functional experience for newcomers and veterans alike. In this review, I’ll dive into the specifics about what I liked about the Vvolt Alpha and where I found it to fall short.
Key e-bike details
Basics
- Base Price: $1,199
- Class: 1
- Max Speed: 20 mph
- Estimated Range: 15 mi. – 40 mi.
- Weight: 43 lbs
Motor & Electronics
- Motor: Xplova 350w rear hub motor
- Torque: 45 Nm
- Motor location: Rear hub
- Battery: 36V 10.4Ah Integrated Battery 375Wh | LG Cells
- PAS Sensor: Cadence
- Throttle: No
- Display: Backlit display with USB power-out
Components
- Brakes: CStar Radius hydraulic disc
- Drivetrain: Single speed Gates Carbon Belt
- Belt Drive: Yes
- Tires: 27.5 x 1.95 low tread
Misc
- Recommended Rider Height:
- Medium: 5’2″ – 6′
- Large: 5’9″ – 6’4″
- Payload Capacity: 350 lbs
What we like about it
- Affordable Price Point: At $1,199, the Vvolt Alpha offers a budget-friendly introduction to the e-bike world, which can be particularly appealing for beginners or those on a budget.
- Lightweight Design: Weighing only 43 pounds, this e-bike is on the lighter side. This makes it easier lift and carry in case you need to carry it up stairs to an apartment or onto public transportation.
- Removable Battery: The battery can be removed for easy off-bike charging, which is not a feature you find in all e-bikes at this price range. This also serves as an extra theft deterrent.
- Gates Carbon Belt Drive: Known for durability and low maintenance, the Gates Carbon belt drive offers a quiet and smooth ride. This is a high-quality feature rarely found at this price point, most e-bikes in this price range opt for a chain drive.
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes: These offer good stopping power, especially in wet conditions, and when compared to traditional mechanical disc brakes they have a more supple feel when applying brake.
- Wide Tires: The almost 2-inch wide tires with a slight tread offer good traction and handling on both paved roads and light off-road paths.
- Impressive Warranty: Vvolt offers a comprehensive three-year warranty with no mileage limitations, as well as a 14-day return policy and a crash replacement program. This shows us that Vvolt has a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality.
Where it falls short
- Rear Hub with Limited Torque: The rear hub motor only has 45nm of torque, this e-bike is best suited for flat terrains. You might find steep inclines a bit of slog on the Alpha.
- Cadence Sensor: Vvolt opted for a cadence sensor rather than a torque sensor, which results in less smooth accelerations. I find that the cadence sensors leads to a less natural riding experience, with sudden accelerations.
- Lack of Suspension: While the simplicity of the e-bike is one of its strong points, the absence of a suspension system can make longer rides or bumpy terrains less comfortable.
- No Throttle: Some people prefer having a throttle for the option of riding without pedaling, or getting started faster when crossing a busy intersection.
- Lack of integrated light: The Alpha does not come with integrated front and rear lights, instead it comes with rechargeable lights. Something I don’t like because I always forget to charge my lights
In-depth review
The first thing that caught my eye about the Vvolt Alpha was its affordability. At just $999, it made me wonder if I was indeed looking at a full-featured e-bike or a scaled-down version. As someone who has reviewed e-bikes double or triple this price, the Alpha provides a welcoming entry point without feeling “cheap.” My experience confirmed that the Alpha offers good value for the money.
The Vvolt Alpha is very nimble. It’s very easy to maneuver and turns quickly. Plus because it only weighs 43 pounds, it’s an ideal e-bike for someone that lives in a city and needs to carry their e-bike up a flight of stairs, something I used to do a lot when I lived in San Francisco. It would have been great to have had an Alpha back then.
The removable battery is a standout feature for me, particularly as many e-bikes in this price range do not have this option. There are two main reasons I appreciate e-bikes with removable batteries. Firstly, it is essential if you are ever in a situation where you need to charge the battery quickly, but cannot bring the entire e-bike inside. Secondly, in the event of a battery failure, it is far more convenient to have a battery that is easily replaceable, rather than having to take the e-bike to a specialist. Additionally, the removable battery serves as an extra theft deterrent, enabling me to remove the battery and take it with me when I need to leave the e-bike locked up outside for extended periods.
One of the Alpha’s key differentiators is its Gates Carbon belt drive. In my experience, nothing beats the smooth and silent operation of a belt drive, especially the Gates brand which is known in the industry as making the highest quality belts. If you’re tired of the chain clatter and the messy lubrication process, you’ll appreciate this upgrade. During my rides, I noticed a serene calm, allowing me to focus on the environment around me rather than any noisy distractions.
The hydraulic disc brakes offered excellent stopping power, especially in wet conditions. Compared to traditional mechanical disc brakes, they have a more supple feel when applying the brake. However, I found that Vvolt’s disc brakes required a bit of a breaking-in period (no pun intended). The first few times I tried to stop, the brakes did not have much bite. After speaking with Vvolt, they advised me to do a few hard stops (e.g., slam on the brakes) to break them in. After doing this, I didn’t notice a significant improvement in their performance.
Navigating through varying terrain from paved roads to light trails, I found the almost 2-inch wide tires to be a trusty companion. They provided excellent grip, and I felt stable even when I took the e-bike for a light off-road spin. The slight tread on the tires offered a smooth ride, whether I was cycling through damp conditions or exploring some light off-road paths.
Another thing I really value about Vvolt is their comprehensive three-year warranty with no mileage limitations. This not only speaks to their confidence in their e-bikes but also provides riders with peace of mind. The few times I’ve had questions for them I’ve found their customer service to be quick and responsive.
While the Vvolt Alpha does many things right, there are a few areas where I found it to fall short. First is that it’s rear hub motor only produces 45 Nm of torque. It’s evident that this e-bike is more suited for flat commutes. During my testing, I took it on a steep hill and could feel the motor struggling to maintain pace. So, if your regular route involves a lot of uphill travel, you might want to consider this limitation. I think the Alpha was designed with flat urban commutes in mind.
The Alpha employs a cadence sensor rather than a torque sensor. Personally, I find torque sensors provide a more natural, responsive riding experience, especially during acceleration. With cadence sensor, I often experience abrupt bursts of speed when I start pedaling, making the ride feel a bit jerky at times.
As someone who often manages to find the biggest pothole on my commute, I prefer my e-bikes to come with front suspension. While the Alpha handles minor imperfections on the road adequately, you might find longer rides on uneven terrains to become uncomfortable.
The lack of a throttle option could be a deal-breaker for some. While the Class 1 designation means that it’s pedal-assist only, having a throttle can be especially useful for quickly crossing busy intersections or when you just want to take a break from pedaling.
Finally, the Alpha e-bike does not come with integrated front and rear lights. Although this may not be a big deal for some, it is for me because I often forget to charge my lights and find myself riding home in the dark. The first time I rode an e-bike with integrated lights, I was thrilled because I never had to worry about charging the lights again. Therefore, I always prefer e-bikes that come with integrated lights.
The Vvolt Alpha stands out as a strong contender in the budget-friendly e-bike market. Its thoughtful features, from the Gates carbon belt drive to the removable battery, are signs that Vvolt has a keen understanding of what commuters and casual riders are looking for. While it does have its shortcomings, particularly when it comes to handling steep terrains I believe the pros far outweigh the cons. I can confidently say that the Vvolt Alpha offers a lot for its price, making it an excellent choice for those looking to dip their toes in the world of e-biking.
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