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Over the past year, I’ve tested a range of Vvolt e-bikes and found them very enjoyable. I appreciate Portland-based Vvolt’s approach to e-bike design and their mission to produce high-quality, yet affordable e-bikes for different uses. Today, I’ll be reviewing the Slice Lite, their latest utility e-bike. This e-bike is tailored for city dwellers in need of a ride for commuting and grocery shopping.
Vvolt lent me a Slice Lite for a few weeks, and I thoroughly tested it, including conducting a few new tests to standardize my e-bike comparisons. These tests included a cadence versus speed test, an acceleration test, and a hill climb test.
I look forward to sharing my thoughts on the Slice Lite, detailing what I loved and areas where I felt it could improve. Let’s get to it!
Table of contents
Key e-bike details
Basics
- Price (including front cargo bin): $2,248
- Class: 1 or 2
- Max Speed: 20 mph
- Estimated Range: 20 to 50 miles
- Weight: 52 lbs
Motor & Electronics
- Motor: 350w (nominal) hub motor by Ananda
- Torque: 50 Nm
- Motor location: Rear hub
- Battery: 36v 14ah 496wh
- PAS Sensor: Torque, Cadence
- Throttle: Yes
- Display: Ananda D16 color display
Components
- Brakes: Tektro 720, 180mm rotors
- Drivetrain: Single Speed Gate Carbon Belt Drive
- Belt Drive: Yes
- Tires: Innova 20×3″ front and 24×3″ puncture-resistant tires
Misc
- Recommended Rider Height: 4’9″ – 6’4″
- Max Rider Weight: not listed
- Payload Capacity: not listed
- Safety Certification: UN 38.3, ISO 13849, IEC 62133 (per Vvolt support team)
What we like about it
- Design: The Slice Lite boasts an appealing design with its integrated battery and step-through frame, making it both stylish and accessible for riders of varying heights and abilities. It’s smaller wheelbase means it’s a great utility/cargo e-bike for those living in apartments or small homes where storing a larger e-bike would be difficult.
- Hill Climber: The Slice Lite is a single speed geared for climbing hills. I took it on our hill climb test (0.5 mile climb averaging an 11.4% grade) and it performed admirably. It was easy to maintain a high cadence even on the steeper parts. However this gearing does have some drawbacks, see below.
- Front Cargo Rack Stability: The smaller front wheel might take a bit of getting used to, but it lowers the center of gravity for any cargo, resulting in a more stable and secure ride when the front rack is loaded.
- Adjustable Front Rack: A unique feature is the adjustable front rack with a sliding metal piece that can secure smaller items without the need for a cargo net, demonstrating the thoughtful design elements intended for practical use.
- Visibility and Safety Features: Integrated lights and excellent rain fenders make this e-bike a safe choice for night riding and wet conditions. The lights provide visibility not just from the front and back but also from the sides, which is a fantastic safety feature.
- Ride Quality: Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, a Gates carbon belt drive, and plush tires, the Slice Lite offers a smooth and comfortable ride across various terrains, from city streets to gravel paths.
Where it falls short
- Geometry and Comfort for Taller Riders: At 6’2″, I found the upright posture a bit awkward due to the handlebars not extending very far up. It feels like a mix between a traditional upright position and a forward lean, which might not suit everyone’s comfort preferences.
- Gearing Limitations: The e-bike is geared for climbing hills, which is great for inclines but results in a lot of spinning without much contribution to speed on flat surfaces. A comfortable pedaling cadence of 80 rpm results in about a 13 mph speed, which felt slow to me. To reach 15 mph I had to pedal 92 rpm, which was not sustainable for long durations.
- Range: It’s advertised as having a 20 to 55 mile range, but in my testing I found it closer to 15 miles. Granted this was on full pedal assist (Turbo!) and taking it on a few significant climbs.
- Throttle Limitation: While it’s equipped with a throttle, depending on your hand placement on the handlebars it can be hard to reach the thumb throttle. I wish Vvolt had opted for a grip twist throttle, which I find much easier to operate.
Watch our Youtube review
Our Test Results
Hill Climb Test
Our hill climb involves taking the e-bike up the 65th Ave hill in Seattle. This hill climb segment spans 0.5 miles and has an elevation gain of 200 feet. With an average grade of 8.6% and a maximum grade of 11.4%. The steepest part is near the top, adding a nice kicker to the end. We ride it at a comfortable pace as if this was just another hill on our daily commute, we aren’t trying to kill ourselves and take a KOM.
Tyler (at 185’ish pounds) completed the segment on the Slice Lite in 2 minutes and 50 seconds. That’s an average speed of 9.8 mph.
Cadence vs Speed Test
This test is designed to determine the pedaling speed required to reach specific velocities. The test is carried out twice on a flat road. We record the average cadence necessary to maintain speeds of 15 mph, 20 mph, and 25 mph for five seconds, using the highest level of pedal assistance. The test is conducted twice, and the results are averaged.
| PAS Level | 15 mph | 20 mph | 25 mph |
| Turbo | 92 rpm | 120 rpm | n/a |
Acceleration Test
This test is relatively straightforward and is conducted on a flat road. Starting from a standstill, we record the time it takes for the e-bike to reach various speed thresholds (10 mph, 15 mph, 20 mph, and 25 mph). The test is carried out at the maximum pedal assist level, and if the bike has a throttle, we also perform the test using throttle only. Each test type is conducted twice, and the results are averaged. We do not conduct the test with both pedaling and throttle engaged.
| PAS Level | 0 to 10 mph | 0 to 15 mph | 0 to 20 mph | 0 to 25 mph |
| Turbo | 3.13 seconds | 5.21 seconds | 8.67 seconds | n/a |
| Throttle Only | 5.19 seconds | 11.64 seconds | 31.22 seconds | n/a |
In-depth review
I had the Slice Lite for a few weeks and rode it around quite a bit. It couldn’t replace my daily commuter (Urban Arrow) since I can’t fit two kids on the Slice Lite, but I used it to go to the grocery store and run some errands throughout the time that I had it.
Let’s start with what I liked about it. The design with integrated battery and step through frame gives it a nice look. While the smaller front wheel felt a bit odd at first, I quickly got used to it. Plus there’s the benefit of improved stability and control by having your cargo lower to the ground.
The geometry of the e-bike felt a bit awkward, especially for my height of 6’2″. Initially, the upright posture was a bit uncomfortable due to the low height of the handlebars, which required a slight lean.
Furthermore, the bike’s handlebars were narrower and tighter than expected. Compared to a bike that allows for a comfortably upright posture, like a beach cruiser with wide handlebars, this was a different experience.
The Slice’s display is excellent quality. As you switch between modes or pedal assist levels, each one is in a different color, making it easy to identify the current mode at a glance. The left handlebar has the pedal assist level controls. The right handlebar has a bell and throttle.
It features integrated lights, which look very sleek. I also liked that these lights are not just one-directional; they can also be seen from the side, enhancing visibility at night, a big plus.
Given that the company is based in Portland, where it often rains, one would expect them to produce high-quality rain fenders. The Slice model indeed has excellent fenders that extend quite far. I tested it through some significant puddles and my shoes remained completely dry. Below, you can see how far the rain fender on the front wheel comes down.
The front rack I mentioned earlier comes with a sliding guard that helps secure smaller loads, such as a single grocery bag. While it can slide back and forth, it’s not very quick to adjust since you need to unscrew the knobs on each side of the rack and re-tighten them after adjusting the slide. Because of this I didn’t use it very often. I think if this was my full-time ride I would purchase a cargo net to use on top of the basket. Still, it’s commendable to see Vvolt trying out new ways to enhance the cargo-carrying experience on an e-bike.
Vvolt highlights the quick-adjust handlebars as a key feature of the Slice Lite. According to the company rep that walked me through the e-bike, these handlebars make it easy to switch between different riders in a household sharing the Slice. While testing, I did indeed find it simple to change the handlebar positioning. However, Vvolt overlooked a significant issue – the seat is not quickly adjustable. It requires an Allen wrench due, perhaps due to how the seat post enters the frame and integrated rear light. While an aftermarket dropper seat post could potentially be purchased for those planning to share the e-bike, I believe this was a miss by Vvolt.
This e-bike features hydraulic disc brakes for smooth stopping, and a top-of-the-line Gates carbon belt drive (pictured below) for efficient power transfer. The combination of the hydraulic disc brakes, Gates carbon belt drive, and plush tires provides a comfortable, mellow ride. It performs well on both flat, smooth pavement and on gravel roads or trails, with the tires handling the gravel with ease.
The smaller wheelbase and smaller front tire gave this thing an excellent turning radius. It feels light and nimble when handling turns.
Let’s discuss a few areas where the Slice fell short, starting with its gearing. The e-bike is geared for hills, which is beneficial for climbing and could certainly be viewed as a plus for those with a hilly commute. On the hill climb test I easily climbed the hill which averages a 9% grade, with one section at 12%, without any trouble, despite it being a single-speed bike.
However, the issue arises when riding on flat surfaces. Because it’s geared for hills, once you surpass around 12 or 13 mph on flat terrain, you have to increase your pedaling cadence quite significantly to go any faster than 13 mph. Pedaling at a comfortable 70 or 80 rpms only results in a speed of 13 mph. To reach 15 mph I needed a cadence of 95 and to reach 20 mph I needed a cadence of 120, which is completely unsustainable. So, the end result was that this is a good e-bike for those wanting to ride at a mellow 13 mph. If you are looking for something for a fast commute, looks for an alternative.
While it’s equipped with a throttle, depending on your hand placement on the handlebars it can be hard to reach the thumb throttle as shown below. I wish Vvolt had opted for a grip twist throttle, which I find much easier to operate.
Another area where Slice fell short was the battery range. It is rated for 20 to 55 miles on a single charge, however, in my testing, I could only get 15 miles out of it. Granted, I was riding it pretty hard. I did a lot of hill testing and used the highest pedal assist level for most of my ride, pushing it to its limits. Nonetheless, falling 5 miles short of the rated range was disappointing. I spoke with a member of the Vvolt team and they were surprised by the range I observed, telling me, they had reached 55 miles in PAS 1-2.
One small thing I noticed was that the dual legs on the kickstand (pictured below) were not very far apart. This meant that on unstable terrain, such as grass, the Slice was very wobbly and could be tipped pretty easily if you weren’t careful when loading gear. I would be very concerned about putting a toddler on a rear seat while it’s in kickstand mode if I wasn’t holding onto the e-bike tightly.
Lastly, let’s discuss the price. At the time of writing, the Slice retails for $2,248, including the cargo bin, which is a reasonable price for a single-speed utility e-bike. The Slice is well-made and enjoyable to ride. It has some cool features, such as the integrated lights and the front cargo rack, making it super handy for quick errands around town. This e-bike is especially useful in hilly areas, where it can handle the terrain with no problem. However, bear in mind that it has some limitations, including the gearing and the battery range.
Overall, the Slice Lite is a great option for those living in a hilly city that need an e-bike on the smaller side. I hope you found this review helpful.
