Vvolt electric bikes was founded in 2019 by Kyle Ranson, in Portland, Oregon.
After watching the electric bike market in the US expand but not make accessible, he wanted to make a difference to the way Americans transport themselves.
The idea of Vvolt electric bikes is to bring more people into the world of electric cycling. Cycling is fantastic for the environment, and adding a motor can make this form of transport more accessible to others who perhaps can’t ride an unassisted cycle. It opens up the world of e-mobility to different types of people, and as well as that, Ranson was keen to try and make them more affordable.
Vvolt wants to fill the streets with bikes, not cars. And so in this article, we’ll focus on the brand, and briefly review each of their bikes to give you an idea of what they’re offering and whether it’s right for you.
About Vvolt Bikes
Although Vvolt only began trading in 2019, the brand has already made waves with its ideas and designs for e-mobility.
Kyle Ranson, the founder, began the company intending to get more people out of cars and into more sustainable transport solutions. This being, electric bikes and soon, other e-mobility projects. But, for more people to leave their cars at home, the market needs to become more enticing to those who haven’t already bought into it. Ranson is keen to lower the cost of owning an e-bike and has made it part of his company’s mission to help break down this barrier to ownership that many face.
Currently, the brand has a range of four bikes, each of which we will discuss below.
Why Choose a Vvolt eBike?
- Mid-Drive Motor
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Stepless Shifting and Wide Gear Range
- Belt Drive
- 3-Year Warranty
Vvolt eBikes aren’t just affordable, but they’re made of quality stuff, too.
Each model is a mid-drive belt electric bike, which means instead of chains, the drivetrain is operated with a belt. An electric bike with a Gates belt drive ensures lower maintenance requirements as there is no need to oil a chain. These belts can last thousands and thousands of miles without worry. The mid-drive motors of these bikes are well balanced and it’s rare to see a mid-drive motor at such a low price point.
Overall, the range is adaptable and durable and incredibly well specced for the price.
Vvolt Electric Bikes
| VVOLT | TYPE | MSRP $ | FRAMES | PEDAL ASSIST | MAX RANGE | MOTOR | GEARING | BRAKES | WEIGHT |
| Alpha | Commuter | 1,399 | S/M & L/XL | 20 MPH | 60 Mi | 350W Rear Hub | Single-Speed | Hydraulic | 44-46 LBS |
| Alpha S | Commuter | 1,399 | S/M & L/XL | 20 MPH | 60 Mi | 350W Rear Hub | Single-Speed | Hydraulic | 44-46 LBS |
| Proxima | Commuter | 2,699 | S/M & L/XL | 20 MPH | 60 Mi | 250W Mid-Drive | Internal Enviolo CVT | Hydraulic | 50-52 LBS |
| Sirius | Hybrid | 2,799 | S/M & L/XL | 20 MPH | 60 Mi | 250W Mid-Drive | Internal Enviolo CVT | Hydraulic | 54-56 LBS |
| Centauri | Hybrid | 2,999 | S/M & L/XL | 20/28 MPH | 60 Mi | 250W Mid-Drive | Internal Enviolo CVT | Hydraulic | 54-56 LBS |
Vvolt Alpha & Alpha S Review
Class 1 eBikes
Price: $1,399
Main Features of Alpha & Alpha S:
- Rigid Frame & Fork
- 350W Acer Rear Hub Motor
- 5 Levels of Pedal Assistance (Max 20 mph)
- 375Wh Celxpert Battery with LG Cells
- Charge Time: 5.5 Hours
- Range: Up to 60 Miles
- Single-Speed Gearing
- Quiet Gates CDN Belt Drive
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160mm Rotors
- Rechargeable Front and Rear Lights Included
The Vvolt Alpha and Alpha S are two styles of the same bike.
They are designed to be simple and easy to use and are the brand’s new e-bike offerings. The Alpha is a more traditional frame design while the Alpha S uses a step-through design which is great for those who are smaller or can’t raise their legs high enough to mount a regular bicycle frame.
This range is designed around city riding and is aimed at those who want a bike that behaves like a bike, not a gadget. Its rear-hub motor provides just enough power to help you glide around within the Class 1 e-bike requirements (20mph). The belt drive provides smooth operation while reducing the need for maintenance.
At $1,399, it’s a nifty bike and ideal for commutes or short urban journeys.
Buy Vvolt Alpha Buy Vvolt Alpha S
Vvolt Proxima Review
MSRP: $2,699
Main Features of Vvolt Proxima:
- Rigid Frame & Fork
- 250W MPF Mid-Drive Motor, 80Nm Torque
- 375Wh Celxpert Battery with LG Cells
- Charge Time: 5.5 Hours
- Range: Up to 60 Miles
- Internal Enviolo TR CVT Stepless Shifting
- Quiet Gates CDX Belt Drive
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160mm Rotors
- Rechargeable Front and Rear Lights Included
The Vvolt Proxima is their all-terrain hybrid and CVT bike, using multiple technologies to be as versatile as one bike can be.
Rather than using a chain and derailleur drivetrain setup, the Proxima uses the Enviolo CVT shifter system. This comprises of a chain belt drive and hub gears, which are controlled by a dial shifter on the handlebars. Paired with a mid-drive motor, this bike is worth far more than its price tag of $2,699.
It comes with comfortable tires suitable for compact gravel as well as asphalt. And in addition, the drive belt means that maintenance is substantially reduced, making it a seriously easy bike to live with.
Internal Enviolo Hub Gearing
The stand out feature of the Proxima is the internal Enviolo Hub Gearing. This uses what’s called stepless gearing and is similar to what’s found in some car ‘Continuously Variable Transmissions’, or CVT. Essentially, the gears or resistance is controlled by a twist shifter on the handlebars. From this, there is a cable that travels to the hub and moves the rotating balls which are positioned in between two rings. The axis of the balls is determined by the shifter, and this changes the resistance or gear ratio. It’s an incredibly efficient way of changing gears, and the fact that it is internally hidden inside the hub means it’s virtually maintenance-free!
Vvolt Sirius Review
Price: $2,799
Main Features:
- Alloy Frame
- Air Spring Suspension Fork, 100mm Travel
- 250W MPF Mid-Drive Motor, 80Nm Torque
- 375Wh Celxpert Battery with LG Cells
- Charge Time: 5.5 Hours
- Range: Up to 60 Miles
- Internal Enviolo TR CVT Stepless Shifting
- Quiet Gates CDX Belt Drive
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160mm Rotors
- Rechargeable Front and Rear Lights Included
The Vvolt Sirius is another in their range of electric-powered bicycles and takes the essence of the Vvolt brand and applies it to a multi-terrain bike.
Maintaining the use of the carbon belt drive and CVT stepless shifting system, the brand has added front suspension and wide, Kenda tires to provide grip for any off-road activities. The front fork is air-sprung with 100mm of travel, and the mid-drive motor seen in other bikes is also present in the Sirius. This bike has a long-range potential of up to 60 miles, so you don’t have to keep watching the battery level and you can just enjoy your ride.
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to buy separate bikes for riding to work, around town, and then on the trail at the weekend, the Vvolt Sirius is a serious contender.
Vvolt Centauri Review
Price: $2,999
Main Features:
- Aluminum frame and fork
- 250W, 85Nm MPF Mid-drive motor
- 375Wh Battery
- Enviolo TR CVT 380% hub
- Quiet Gates CDX Belt Drive
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160mm Rotors
- Rechargeable lights
The Vvolt Centauri is the brand’s new premium urban bike, designed with sporty geometry and powerful electronics.
Like all Vvolt bikes, the Centauri has a reliable Gates Carbon CDX belt drive. It pairs with Enviolo’s 380% Trekking hub to provide a maintenance-free and reliable performance for thousands of miles.
Power comes from an 85Nm MPF mid-drive motor paired with a 375Wh battery. The Centauri comes in a 20mph Class 1 or 28mph Class 3 model. Both use fast 45mm urban tires on 650b wheels. However, you have 50mm clearance if you don’t use fenders.
You can customize the Centauri with a range of accessories to make it the perfect commuter e-bike. So add this new Vvolt model to your shortlist if you want power, versatility, and style at a reasonable price.
Vvolt Bikes Assembly
Once you’ve ordered and received your Vvolt bike, assembling it is an easy task.
All you need to do is install the front wheel, and then install the pedals. The box has specially cut-out cardboard pieces for you to lean the front wheel in for stability while you install it on your bike. Once you’ve installed the pedals and wheels you’ll want to adjust the saddle height. Make sure it’s within the minimum insertion range, and if you’re not sure where to raise it to, a good place to start is around hip height. It’s really simple, and once you’ve completed these parts your bike is ready to be charged up and ridden!
Tip: Write down the number, which is on the bike’s key for easier replacement in case something happens with the original key.
Future Plans
The Beluga Concept
As well as pioneering e-bikes, Vvolt is also trying to expand its presence in the world of e-mobility.
The Beluga, or the above electric tricycle for adults, is a concept design first proposed by a student on the Ebike Design Studio course at the University of Oregon. This electric cargo bike aims to replace motor vehicles by combining the agility and compact size of a bike, with the spaciousness and utility of a cargo vehicle.
Although there is no word on when this may be released or if it will ever go into production, it’s certainly an interesting concept!
FAQs
How much does the shipping of Vvolt bikes cost?
If you are within the continental US, shipping is free. However, if you live in Hawaii or Alaska you will need to get in touch with Vvolt for an estimate.
What is the weight limit of Vvolt bikes?
The weight limit of Vvolt electric bikes is 300 lbs.
Geared hub vs. direct drive motor?
Generally, direct-drive motors offer better balance to a bike and allow for things like sensors in the cranks to detect how much power to assist with. They usually cost more, too, but can accelerate wear and tear on the drivetrain. Hub motors are virtually maintenance-free as they are sealed units, but this comes at the price of more uneven power distribution on the bike.
- Related: Hub Motor vs. Mid-Drive E-Bikes
Are belt drive bikes worth it?
If you don’t like cleaning chains and replacing them, then yes. Belt drive bikes can offer a quieter experience than traditional drivetrains too, as there as many metal moving parts. They also last a lot longer than chains before needing to be replaced, and they also mean less oil dripping!
Where to Buy?
Currently, you can buy Vvolt electric bikes directly from their online store. Although they may not have a physical presence as of yet, they can deliver your bike to a store if you would rather a mechanic set up your bike for you.
