Tag: ebike

Veloretti Ace Two e-bike review: rarified heir

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First, let me apologize: most readers of The Verge can not buy the latest electric bikes from Amsterdam-based Veloretti. But for everyone living in the Netherlands, Belgium, or Germany with €3,299 to spend… well, congratulations because you can buy one of the best e-bikes available at any price and far and away my favorite ride of the year so far.

I recently reviewed the top-of-the-line (€3,498) VanMoof S5, in which I longed for a removable battery, simple belt drive, and smoother automatic shifting. That’s exactly what you get with Veloretti’s new Ace Two and step-thru Ivy Two e-bikes — the “Two” signifying their second-gen status.

Each new Veloretti comes fitted with a 250W mid-drive motor and 540Wh battery from Bafang, a rugged carbon CDX belt drive from Gates, MT200 hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano, a front light from Osram, and a comfortable saddle from Selle Royal. In other words, Veloretti — a company purchased by transportation behemoth Pon Holdings at the end of last year — is using off-the-shelf parts that most bike shops can replace or repair. That’s important because things are guaranteed to go wrong eventually on any high-tech commuter e-bike ridden daily in sun, rain, and snow.

So, if you’re a fan of premium e-bikes built with Dutch know-how but distrust VanMoof’s specialized parts and history of service issues, then you’re going to love the new second-generation Ivy and Ace electric bikes from cross-town rival Veloretti. 

How we rate and review products

‌The Enviolo AutomatiQ shifter and Enviolo City hub fitted to my Ace Two review bike is really something that everyone should experience at least once. It’s a very civilized way to bicycle. 

Other specs:

  • The 36V, 540Wh battery is removable and lockable; and charges to 50 percent in about 80 minutes, to 100 percent in about five hours.
  • 28kg with battery (62 pounds)
  • Built-in torque and rotation sensors
  • Anti-puncture tires 
  • Powder-coated aluminum frame
  • Options for front and rear carriers coming soon
  • Fitted with GPS, Bluetooth, 3G, and 4G radios
  • Veloretti e-bikes are assembled in Portugal
  • The step-through Ivy Two is designed for riders 164cm to 184cm; Ace Two is designed for riders 173cm to 200cm. 

Enviolo — a company that’s also HQ’d in Amsterdam — builds its automatic shifter around an internally geared (0.55 – 1.7 / 310 percent ratio range) rear hub, which is why it can be used with a belt drive instead of an oily chain, cassette full of toothy sprockets, and derailleur that all require regular maintenance. With the Enviolo AutomatiQ, you simply choose the speed at which you’d like to pedal, and all the shifting is done automatically while your cadence remains the same. And because it’s “stepless,” you won’t ever feel it change gear ratios even under heavy load, but you will often hear an

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Total-suspension folding e-bike with new design

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We’ve noticed lots of folding fats tire e-bikes lately, but total-suspension folding excess fat tire e-bikes are a bit a lot more scarce. Let us consider a dive into the HeyBike Tyson to see what this e-bike has in retail store for us.

With unwanted fat tires and whole-suspension, you’d be expecting this e-bicycle to feel like you’re driving on air, and it mainly does. You’ll sacrifice some slight management and responses to get there, but the most snug rides are not always the most agile or nimble.

Even regardless of the several negatives and compromises in the HeyBike Tyson, though, it would make it throughout the complete line with some good worth. Test it out in my movie assessment down below, or keep studying for my comprehensive views on this folding e-bike.

HeyBike Tyson movie assessment

HeyBike Tyson tech specs

  • Motor: 750 W geared hub motor
  • Best speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
  • Regular Vary: Up to 88 km (55 mi)
  • Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
  • Demand time: 4-5 hours
  • Max load: 181 kg (400 lb)
  • Bodyweight: 35 kg (77 lb)
  • Suspension: Hydraulic suspension fork and rear spring shock
  • Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
  • Extras: LCD show with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS stage indicator, odometer, tripmeter, entrance/rear LED lighting with transform alerts in rear, accompanying smartphone application, involved rear rack, involved fenders, kickstand
  • Rate: $1,699 from HeyBike immediately or from Amazon
Heybike Tyson electric bike
Heybike Tyson electric bike
Heybike Tyson electric bike
Heybike Tyson electric bike
Heybike Tyson electric bike

What do I like, and what don’t I like?

Rather much every single e-bike I’ve at any time analyzed has been a series of compromises. The much better e-bikes make the finest compromises, although less costly types are likely to, very well, inexpensive out. The HeyBike Tyson appears to be to slide someplace in amongst.

Let’s start out with what I genuinely take pleasure in about this e-bicycle.

At a modest mid-amount rate of $1,699, the HeyBike Tyson offers rather darn fantastic efficiency. A 720Wh battery is slightly previously mentioned regular in this category, this means you’re likely to get really decent vary. I question you are going to at any time see the 55 miles (88 km) that they tout as the highest variety, but you may well get close if you adhere to small electric power pedal aid.

The 750W motor offers a lot of strengthen regardless of whether you are rocking the throttle tough or sipping away with reasonable pedal help.

And the inclusion of elements like hydraulic disc brakes, full LED lights, a rear rack and a fender set generally make me happy because I do not need to have to get started upgrading or incorporating equipment.

I also like the layout, which departs from the common overdone body fat tire folding bike frame we see so usually and gives us new swooping lines that really feel extra unique. It doesn’t do bodyweight any favors because this is a 77 lb (35 kg) e-bicycle, but at least it seems to be really great!

Heybike Tyson electric bike
Heybike Tyson electric bike

But at the similar time, there are some downsides

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VanMoof S5 e-bike review: nice but twice the price

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“Sometimes you have to kill your darlings,” is a phrase used by designers to justify the removal of elements they find personally exciting but fail to add value.

The last time I heard it was in April, 2022, when I rode pre-production versions of VanMoof’s new full-size S5 and smaller A5 electric bikes. The phrase was uttered by co-founder and CEO Taco Carlier to justify the removal of VanMoof’s iconic matrix display for a new “Halo Ring” interface. 

One year later and both e-bikes are now — finally — being delivered to customers, well after their original target of July 2022. The price has also been raised to $3,998 / €3,498 from an early preorder price of $2,998 / €2,498, which was already much more expensive than what you’d pay for VanMoof’s previous generation e-bikes — the VanMoof S3 / X3 — when introduced for a rather remarkable price of $1,998 / €1,998 back in 2020.

Look, everything is more expensive in 2023, e-bikes included. But in terms of value for money, the $4,000 VanMoof S5 needs to be twice as good as the $2,000 S3, right? Otherwise the latest flagship e-bike from this former investment darling might be dead on arrival. 

If only it was that simple.

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Although the S5 and A5 pedal-assisted e-bikes still look like VanMoofs with that extended top tube capped by front and rear lights, everything from the frame down to the chips and sensors have been reengineered. The company says that only a “handful of parts” were carried over from the previous models. 

Here are some of the most notable changes:

  • New LED Halo Ring visual interfaces flanking both grips.
  • An integrated SP Connect phone mount (you provide the case) with USB-C charging port.
  • New almost completely silent Gen 5 front-hub motor with torque sensor and three-speed automatic e-shifter (the S3 / X3 had four-speed e-shifters).
  • New multi-function buttons have been added below the bell (next to left grip) and boost (next to right grip) buttons.
  • The boost button now offers more oomph with torque increasing to 68Nm from 59Nm.
  • The S5 frame which has been criticized for being too tall has been lowered by 5cm (2 inches) to better accommodate riders as tall as 165cm (5 feet, 5 inches), while the A5 caters to riders as tall as 155cm (5 feet, 1 inch) and allows for an easier step-through than the X3 it supersedes.

These join a very long list of standard features found on VanMoof e-bikes like a well designed and useful app, integrated Kick Lock on the rear wheel, baked in Apple Find My support, hydraulic disc brakes, muscular city tires, bright integrated lights,

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Volt Infinity review: A comfortable hybrid e-bike with plenty of range

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Volt Infinity: Two minute review

British bike builder Volt has already produced some cracking electric two-wheelers and the Volt Infinity offers more of the same. This is an upright, very comfortable e-bike that features an aluminium frame, a Sony powerpack plus a host of component parts from Shimano. 

What this all means is that you get an easy-to-ride electric bike, complete with the Shimano Steps system that delivers auto gear shifting if you want it, along with an 8-speed derailleur setup if you prefer to work the gears yourself. 

The 250W Shimano hub-mounted motor offers dependable assistance, the range is impressive and you’ll get there in comfort thanks to a nice spongy saddle, flat handlebars and chunkier tyres. It’s all very civilised. The Volt Infinity also comes with full mudguards, front and rear lights and a rack over the back wheel, so it’s ready to hit the road.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Volt Infinity: Specifications
Component Value
Size range: S, M, L (5’ 7” and upwards)
Motor: Shimano 250W
Top speed 15.5 mph
Power: 36V, lithium battery
Control: Shimano Steps LCD Display
E-bike classification: EAPC / Class 1
Speeds: Shimano 8-speed Alfine D12
Brakes: Shimano S700 Alfine hydraulic discs
Frame material: Reinforced aluminium
Weight: 23.6 kg / 52 pounds (measured)
Weight capacity: 120kg / 264.5 pounds
Range: 90 miles (rated, Class 1 mode)

Volt Infinity: Price and availability

Volt Infinity electric bike

(Image credit: Rob Clymo)
  • £3,000 in UK
  • Approximately $3,750 / AU$5,600
  • Available from manufacturer directly

The Volt Infinity is available to buy directly from Volt, with a price tag that starts from £3,000 in the UK (approximately $3,750 in the US, and AU$5,600 in Australia). If that seems to be quite a lot for an around-town hybrid, just bear in mind this two-wheeler comes with very impressive specs. 

While the Volt Infinity does have a seemingly exorbitantly high price, this is a good value bike. The design and build quality is very good overall. However, what really takes it up a notch on the value front is the use of components. Products from Shimano feature heavily here, including the powertrain, bike computer, brakes and so on. Add in the other touches of quality, like the excellent Velo saddle plus the various ancillaries like full mudguards and lights, along with a carry rack over the rear wheel and it’s a decent package.

Volt does also offer an optional GPS tracker to use with the Infinity, which comes with an additional cost.

Volt Infinity: Design

Volt Infinity electric bike

(Image credit: Rob Clymo)
  • Restrained but cool-looking frame design in silver
  • Integrated Abus lock and Spanninga lights plus luggage rack
  • Good choice of components delivers a premium feel

There’s plenty to catch your eyes with the Volt Infinity, but while it looks cool enough, I rather like the slightly low-key stance of this hybrid e-bike. To start, the bike’s solid 19-inch aluminium frame is suited to riders from 5’ 7” and upwards. Although the brushed silver colour of the aluminium is distinctive, it’s not at all shouty. This is

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HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike review – a truly excellent foldable ebike

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REVIEW – I’ve been riding electric motorcycles and more recently ebikes for almost a decade now. I love electric bikes, especially as a way to get around town quickly and efficiently while still offering the opportunity to get a good workout when I want. We’ve been looking for a while to get a good second ebike for my partner so we can ride together, and the HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike looked like the perfect one for her. Even if HOVSCO hadn’t been sending me one to review, if I’d heard about them I’d have likely selected this one to meet our needs after researching the different models on the market today. Many of the more portable folding bikes look like clown bikes to me, with tiny wheels and usually no front or rear shocks, which look like they’d be rather painful on anything but perfectly smooth terrain. In the suburban jungle we usually ride around, larger tires and some shock absorption are necessary.

What is it?

The HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike is an electric bike with a step-through frame form factor, with fat tire wheels. This particular ebike allows you to ride with no electric motor assistance, or with a throttle pushed down and no pedaling, or with “pedal assist” where the motor combines with the rider’s efforts to propel the bike forward. You can either treat this like a scooter/moped style vehicle and just throttle all over town, or you can treat it like a regular bicycle and get to places faster with less (or no) sweat.

What’s in the box?

  • HOVSCO HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire electric bike
  • AC wall charger
  • Installation tool kit
  • 2 year warranty on the frame, motor, and battery, 30-90 days on other parts.

Hardware specs

  • 750 W (1032 W peak), 85 Nm. torque SUTTO (sub branch of Bafang) motor
  • 720 Wh, 48 V, 15 Ah Samsung/LG Lithium-ion battery with built in light
  • Up to 60 Miles range, 4 hours charge from empty
  • Suggested rider height: 4’11” to 6’3″
  • Max weight: 450 Lbs
  • Max hill climb assist: 40 degrees
  • Torque Sensor pedal assist
  • Class 1 ebike out of the box, Class 2/3 unlocked via smartphone app
  • Max speed throttle-only: 20 mph
  • Max speed pedal-assist: 28 mph
  • LCD digital display
  • Frame: 6061 Aluminum alloy with internal battery
  • Weight: 66.4 lbs
  • Dimensions Unfolded (with handlebars in lowest position): 66.92″ long x 48.82″ tall x 24.61″
  • Dimensions Folded:

Design and features

For a relatively new bike company (founded in 2019, headquartered in Ontario CA), HOVSCO has put out a bike that feels on par or better than bikes I’ve ridden or owned from market leaders like Rad Power. I couldn’t find any fit or finish flaws worth writing about, and while I’m not an expert on every bike component out there I’ve ridden

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