Total Weight:
47.5 lbs (21.54 kg)
Battery Weight:
5 lbs (2.26 kg)
Frame Material:
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Geometry Measurements:
12" Seat Tube, 22" Stand Over Height, 22.5" Reach
Frame Types:
Folding
Frame Colors:
Black, White
Frame Fork Details:
Basic Suspension with 25 mm Travel, 10 mm Skewer with Quick Release
Frame Rear Details:
10 mm Skewer
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses
Gearing Details:
6
Speed 1x6 Shimano Tourney TX MF-TZ20, 11-28TShifter Details:
SIS Index on Right
Cranks:
45 Tooth Chainring
Pedals:
Folding Alloy and Plastic Platform
Stem:
Folding, Integrated with Handle Bar, Telescoping Height
Handlebar:
Flat, Aluminum Alloy, 24" Length
Brake Details:
Tektro Novela MD-M311 Mechanical Disc with 160 mm Rotors, Generic Levers with Motor Inhibitors
Grips:
Rubber, Ergonomic
Saddle:
Velo Standard
Seat Post:
Aluminum Alloy
Seat Post Length:
533 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
33.9 mm
Rims:
Power Circle
Spokes:
Stainless Steel, 13G
Tire Brand:
Kenda 20" x 1.95"
Wheel Sizes:
20 in (50.8cm)Tire Details:
Reflective Sidewall Stripes, 40-65 PSI
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Plastic Fenders, Rear Carry Rack with Spring Latch (25 kg Max Weight), Plastic Chain Guard, Integrated LED Headlight, Independent LED Back Light (Uses Two AA Batteries), Flick Bell on Left, Single-Side Kickstand on Left, Free DOT Approved Helmet
Other:
Locking Removable Battery Pack, Shipping to US ~$70, 2 Amp Modiary Charger 1.4 lbs
Eric
9 years agoOn the gearing, (typo: TZ20 is not 11-28.) it looks like this is 45 x 14-28 6 speed vs e-joe’s epik SE 52 x 14-28 7 speed. A megarange 14-34 (available in 6 or 7 speeds) should fit under a TX55 — seems a shame they didn’t.
I have a hard time finding 5lb difference if the frame is the same (actually, matches epik lite except dropouts and disk brake mount — is the frame heavier with or without chainstays?) Spread across tires+fork+battery, maybe.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoThanks for the feedback Eric, I sent the bike back to VoltBike and cannot confirm but I trust you’ve dug into this a bit and appreciate that it might help another interested party. I do weigh the frames by hand using the same scale each time and just weighed one of the latest 2016 e-Joe EPIK SE models which was 48.1 lbs.
ReplyRobert Arthur
9 years agoHi! I’m anxiously awaiting delivery of my Voltbike Urban thanks to your excellent review! It should arrive in the next few hours. Do you have any advice regarding adjusting the de-railer (can’t remember the French spelling:). I’m an older guy and would have difficulty dealing with a “chain drop”. The “Hebrew Hammer:)” mentioned the adjustment method, but is there a generic starting point? I checked Youtube, but all the clips were about more sophisticated gear. Thanks, AGAIN FOR THE GREAT REVIEW!!!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Robert, I usually take my bikes to shops for cleaning and tuneups… I have tried to do my own adjustments with screw drivers but there are also usually little finger twisters where the cable enters the back side of the derailleur (there’s the French spelling for you btw ;) sorry I can’t be more helpful and clear, if you shift easy and aren’t pedaling hard when you do it and if you take the bike in for tune ups a couple times per year you should be fine. Glad the review helped and I welcome your future feedback as you get to test the bike out and learn your way around the different systems and the gears to keep it running right ;)
ReplyGene Keyes
9 years agoI always carry 2 or 3 twist ties from cookie bags (affixed to the seat), to yank a dropped chain back into place. But I hate derailleurs and chains, and might well go for the shaft drive you cited on the Energie Excursion 2.0.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Gene! Yeah… getting fingers messy or pinched messing with chains is no fun. Belt drives are cleaner, quieter and usually more reliable and they seem to be more widely available on ebikes than the shaft drive system. The Energie Excursion 2.0 is a neat ebike and I’d love to see more built like it, especially folding ebikes because the chain is easier to get in the way or get bumped with folding and transport :)
ReplyCaryl Dineen
9 years agoI ordered the Volt Urban bike a week before your EBR review! I’ve had the bike now for a month and am enjoying it so much! I did not have to do any tune up on the bike at all (just to let your reader Robert Arthur know). I am a 63 year old female and have ridden bikes all my life. The Urban has made it easier to get around and I have received so many positive comments about the bike and interested neigbours trying it out. I do enjoy reading your reviews! (PS. I chose the black Urban and it is sleek!)
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHey! Great comment Caryl, thanks for sharing your enthusiasm and contributing to the conversation here. I’m sure Robert will appreciate your feedback. Ride safe out there and have fun :D
ReplyCaryl Dineen
8 years agoHi Court/Adam: I am still enjoying the Urban volt bike. I do not do much travelling on rough terrain – usually on quiet roads/field paths/sidewalk. The furthest round trip I have done is about 8 miles. Now that Fall is in the air, I am riding less. I probably charge it every 2 to 3 weeks. One thing I will mention is: I once let the battery run out while I was biking (not on purpose). I charged it up and still bike would not turn on – I did email George at Voltbike.ca and he got right back to me. He told me to fold the bike (disengage the battery) then unfold it again (to reset bike/battery). And that did the trick! It would have been nice to have a manual on the bike/instructions but George was very helpful. Also, like you experienced when test riding, the chain has come off twice but not when I was riding – only when I leaned the bike against my other bike and the pedal hit it. I found unscrewing the chain guars was the easiest way of putting the chain back on.
Adam
8 years agoNow that you have had the Urban for a few months, how does it play out? How fast do you go, any rough road conditions, how often do you charge the battery?
Replyboomy
8 years agoMy bike arrived recently and I’ve been recharging it inside my house because I can’t seem to take the battery out of the bike. I’ve watched your video many times over, and I know I have to unlock the battery and then remove the key to slide the battery out, but it’s not budging not 1 bit. It’s like it’s held in by clamps. Am I missing a step? Are there screws or something else holding the battery pack in?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey boomy! So glad you asked… I struggled with the battery removal as well if you look at the video around 11:45 you can see there are two holes along the bottom of the main tube (one for charging and one for the key). Insert the key into the locking core and twist so you see the security rod retract and then TAKE THE KEY OUT so that you can slide the pack out. If the key is left in the battery won’t come out. There should be a little plastic handle on the battery that you can pull on to slide it in/out. I hope this helps, perhaps you’ve already tried these steps in which case I suggest reaching out to VoltBike for help. Please chime in with your solution so others can learn too :)
Replyboomy
8 years agoActually I found out why today, apparently there are 2 fat/short screws next to the Key hole (not the recharging hole). Those were screwed so in, it was pressing the battery pack’s shell inside the bike, so it couldn’t be pulled out. I didn’t notice those screws there until I flipped the bike upside down to inspect the area. It’s easy to miss those 2 screws because the wires were covering them.
Corey
8 years agoTried buying this bike on Sunday and they said it would ship Monday. They never contacted me so I reached out Tuesday and they said it was out of stock and they are upgrading the battery and will ship in August.
Question is: worth the wait? Seems like this is the best bike under the $1,500 range, but I really wanted to use it during the summer… Any suggestions for an alternative?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHmm… that’s a long time to wait. There are lots of other very similar folding ebikes that cost maybe $200 more. I’m not sure where you live and what the weather is like but that $200 could get you dozens of rides in the mean time saving money and providing some fun before Fall/Winter. As someone who rides my bike all the time, I wouldn’t want to wait but I agree that the price and value of the VoltBike Urban are great. If you don’t mind waiting that’s cool but there’s definitely a trade-ff :/
ReplyCorey
8 years agoUpdate – the customer service is great. Saw the mariner was a little more expensive and asked about it. They had one in stock. Looking forward to it! Thanks for the reply
boomy
8 years agoHi, today was a nice day, so I decided to take this bike for the 2nd time, this time around the neighborhood instead of the school playground. Keep in mind I live in a quiet residential area, I was going downhill in an area, and just as I was nearing the bottom, I slowly pull on the brake, and the next thing I knew, I was thrown off the bike, flipped, the bike flipped and skid too. My elbows both banged on the pavement, and then the left one took the most damage, it ripped 2 inches open, and my rear pelvis area took a hard bang from the seat of the bike when it landed behind me. My right palm was scraped. The bike was totaled, handle bar, seat ripped, bell, phone clamp, other stuff turned to roadkill when it smashed off the bike, and the gear shirt & speedometer was smashed, when the bike smashing on the ground.
I was lucky an old man saw the whole thing and rushed right over to drag me off the road and the bike too, those drivers didn’t give a shit and just kept driving, crushing the bike accessories like roadkill.
The guy called officers, 4 of them came, they had to do an inspection and asked what happened. The old guy told them everything he saw, and when they asked me what happened. I told them I tried to slow down, I pulled on my right hand brakes like every bike has in North America. When he checked the brakes, he told me it gripped the front wheels, so at the 15MPH on a slant, that would automatically throw a rider forward and flip the bike forward too.
WHAT COMPANY Switched the BRAKE HANDLES with each side, and NOT WARN THE RIDER?!! Isn’t the safety kind of the number one thing companies need to point out?!! IN BIG BOLD WORDS, “HEY, WE DECIDED TO USE A EUROPEAN METHOD IN BRAKING FOR YOUR NORTH AMERICAN BIKES, SO WHEN YOU TRY TO BRAKE WITH YOUR REAR WHEELS LIKE MOST CYCLISTS DO, YOU’LL INSTEAD BRAKE YOUR FRONT WHEEL AND FLIP DOWN HILL. SURPRISE!!!”
If anyone wants to see my wrecked bike and ripped up arms, let me know, I can upload it anytime. The officers there told me they ride all the time, and never have this problem when braking, because when they pull on their right hand-side trigger, it stops their rear wheel, NOT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL!!
Buyers BEWARE, I’m not some ranting troll, I’m someone that was sitting with officers covered in my own blood waiting for my dad to come pick me and my messed up bike up. All of this, just because some idiot decided “Hey lets swap out the left brake handle with the right handle, just for fun!!”
[EDIT] The following images were provided by Boomy (image 1, image 2, image 3) along with this statement: The bike’s bell and my “phone clamp” attachment are all over the pavement, the seat was ripped, the LCD display was hit so hard the clamp cracked off, the speedometer casing was scratched and damaged. Besides for the helping old man, the rest of the drivers were asses, they actually saw us, and honked their horns and shouted “move”, just so they wont miss the previews from the movie theater… unbelievable…
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoGosh, that sounds terrible! I’m glad you’re able to type but I hope it hasn’t added pain to the already bad accident :( in my time reviewing bicycles I have come across a few models that have switched brakes as you describe and it can create unexpected results… especially when your instincts kick in. I believe you can re-configure some brakes to be the opposite if you want so it will feel more natural. I’ll email you for the pictures, thanks for offering to share and sorry again that this happened.
Replyboomy
8 years agoI was pretty pissed at the time of our communication but they were understanding and didn’t argue back, they gave me time to cool down, then resumed what to do to fix the problem.
After communicating and telling/showing them what happened, they did send me replacement parts for the destroyed and damaged parts, so they do honor their warranty statements. Just an advice, if you’re use to using your right hand for the rear wheel brakes, before riding it, bring it to a local repair bike shop and have their people switch the brake wires for you and then ask them to ride it around a few times to make sure everything is good, it’s just a few dollars for their service and can save you from accidents.
Again, their company does take responsibility for their products, and they try to make you have a good experience with them which is much more than what you get from some other large name companies. If you have questions for them or want a quick response, don’t just email them, use their website’s chat option, it’s much quicker from my experience. The local repair shop I went to had similar ebikes for a few hundreds cheaper, but they did tell me the parts from the Urban model are of the highest quality, the expert told me the motor is actually China’s best ebike motor. After they swapped the brake handle wires and replaced the damaged equipment, it looked the same but felt safer thx to a simple brake switch.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoI’m so glad things are working out… I hope you continue getting better and it’s great that you took time to share about your brake experience so others can avoid accidents. Glad VoltBike was there for you :)
ReplyShirley
8 years agoHi, just wondering if you will recommned a bike newbie to buy this electric bike? I just learned to ride a bike but have trouble going uphill because of not enough strength in my legs, will this help? Or will it easily get me out of control because it is too fast? Thanks!
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Shirley! I think this ebike would help you climb but the smaller wheels might feel a little unstable compared with a 26″ wheel (or whatever standard size you’re likely using). I love that it folds and can be made lighter by removing the battery… It’s affordable but you might feel a little overwhelmed with the huge box it comes in and the bit of assembly required. If you can deal with this or even take it to a shop for help I think the bike could work very well. I’m assuming you’re petite and value the low-step design of this frame and how small it looks? Alternative affordable ebikes that I’ve reviewed are listed here and one that stands out (from a reputable manufacturer that is still approachable for shorter riders) is the IZIP E3 Vibe+. Hope this helps!
ReplyEthan Requardt
8 years agoHello all! I am considering the E-JOE folding e-Bike vs Volt folding e-Bike and am looking for some help. The above video was great, but one question I have that was not answered is which Bike is more likely to last a longer time, require fewer tune-ups, and is all around more durable? If anyone has any answers or relevant experience on this topic, please let me know! Thanks :)
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Ethan! I think the E-Joe will be slightly higher quality and probably hold up better if you purchase it from a shop. VoltBike predominantly sells online and most end users don’t have the experience or tools to really dial things in. If you know you’re buying a bike online regardless, it would probably be worth spending $80 to have a local shop help you put it together and fit it. There are even mobile bike repair services like VeloFix that I’ve used before :)
ReplyRichard Wilson
8 years agocan these bikes be customized like bosch mid drive,better LCD display etc?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoI don’t think so (though I might be misunderstanding your question?!) from what I could tell they sort of come “as is” with more value components and electronic systems. Changing stuff on ebikes is usually difficult unless it’s a DIY kit.
ReplyVoltBike
8 years agoHi Richard, changing motor, controller or LCD on any electric bike is different task and not worth it that much, because the time and money spend could be higher than buying different bike. Changing the LCD screen also requires changing the controller inside the bike. Controllers also comes in different sizes and you need to make sure it will fit in the compartment. Changing the motor to mid drive for example would require different frame. Of course you are welcome to replace parts as suspension, tires, handlebars etc. Hope this helps.
Brian Becker
8 years agoI bought the Voltbike Urban for my wife as a 20th anniversary gift, and she is having a great time on it. I did want to point out several changes/improvements that Voltbike has done on the Urban since your very informative review. I probably spent 25+ hours reading reviews of various e-bikes before choosing a Voltbike urban.
Chain guides have been installed on either side of the crank, and even on very rough terrain the chain stays put so I was quite pleased with that improvement. The crank also appears to be a 54 tooth? crank–hard to count, but the gears seem well matched and must be an improvement over the 45 tooth crank. The fenders are now actually a matte black painted aluminum vs. plastic. The pedals are slightly changed to a more traditional folding plastic Well-go brand. The handlebar stem clamp seems very sturdy and tight and looks to be a different design than what is shown in your video on the Urban you tested.
That sums up the improvements/changes, and I must say I am very pleased with my purchase and looking forward to convincing friends and family to purchase their own voltbike. Thanks for the detailed reviews; I could not have bought a bike over the internet without them. Brian
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey! Thanks for your very informative updates about the VoltBike Urban Brian, glad your wife is enjoying it! Yeah, those chainring teeth can be a pain to count. I usually put some blue tape on a tooth then turn it slowly and count that way… trying not to get too greasy ;)
I realize how unsettling it can be to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars online to buy something without even getting to test ride it. That’s a big part of why I do these reviews and it’s nice to hear they help. Ride safe and thanks again :)
ReplyAdam
8 years agoI’m quite interested in the Urban but am a bit worried about the company not being responsive. I’ve had a few email exchanges with them where they would answer a question or two and then not respond to more questions, also for their instant messenger part of their site. I’ve also tried to arrange a test ride (of any of their models) in the Twin Cities and they have not been helpful. If I am buying from an online store I want to be assured of communication!
2 more things: Do you think the Urban can be ridden through a puddle or mud without shorting out? And, does anyone know where to get the Voltbike Discount Codes?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Adam! I don’t know anything about coupon codes but maybe someone else will chime in. The default prices on their website are already a pretty good value since they sell direct… which brings us to your other question. By paying less you may forego some of the hands on support and responsiveness that shops provide. It’s a trade many people feel okay with but I think VoltBike is a smaller company which means there might not be a dedicated support team member, maybe they swap positions and sort of rotate as support is needed? Either way, have had a good time reviewing their stuff and wish you well!
ReplyAdam
8 years agoThanks Court! For my other question about riding through a puddle or mud, do you think this can be done without shorting out? I am also not sure about a control panel in rain. What say you?
Brian B.
8 years agoJust wondering what the rider size limit is for the Urban. I’m 6’1 190 lbs – because of neck issues I’m more comfortable riding somewhat upright (which seems doable with the Urban) and I like the idea of a folding bike that I can easily place in our vehicle or store inside. Thanks.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Brian! Voltbike tends to be responsive when I email them with questions like this but just going off of what I’ve seen and heard about similar folding electric bikes, I think you’d be alright weight wise. My friend Sam is ~250 lbs and he rides the folding Epik models from E-Joe regularly at his shop (they assemble and test them for customers) and that bike has a lot in common with this including the frame design. You’re also a tall individual so there might be a squished feeling until you adjust the seat high and possibly the handlebars. Ultimately, you’re on the bigger side for a bike like this but I do think it’s possible. I guess I’d recommend that you search for a local shop with any sort of folding bike first and see how it feels and then make a decision about this one based on that. You might feel very comfortable and happy with the size and body position or start having second thoughts. There are some larger folding models out there with 24″ wheels and cruisers that are much more comfortable and still upright but perhaps more expensive. There are many factors and I assume you’ve explored the site here and seen the different options?
ReplyAdam
8 years agoHey Court! I see that Voltbike has new upgrades for 2017. It looks like the chainguard is off, and the frame and wheels look quite different. Thoughts?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHey Adam! Yeah, it looks like Goerge has continued refining the bikes… there has always been a great balance of utility, fun and affordability with the VoltBike line. I really enjoyed reviewing the Mariner and Yukon recently in Mexico, did you see those? He worked with me to get the bikes down there and they arrived in good shape :) I do like the new solid wheels on the updated VoltBike Urban.
ReplyYuri
7 years agoHi Court, I see that Voltbike Urban has new upgrades for October 2017 release, did you get a chance to see the bike? If yes, are you going to update the review?
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHi Yuri! I am sure we will review the new model at some point but I believe VoltBike and some others do rolling releases throughout the year and I cannot cover them all. Also, I do not like to update reviews as much as just making comments or talking about the new ones in the forum. This way, the bike I reviewed remains accurate for people who might own the older one or find it used. Thanks for alerting me to the new model, I welcome your feedback about it!
ReplySusan
7 years agoI just got this bike picked it up from George at his shop. Really nice guys there, very helpful, they stayed late for me to try the bikes out. I believe mine is the newer model as it’s different from your review and it looks like some of the problems you mentioned have been fixed. It looks to be more like the pink bike in your review now. For example, there’s no chain guard on my bike, instead there’s a chain guide just like that other pink bike. I also noticed other little differences such as:
I’ve only had this for 2 days, so far so good, I’m happy with my choice. However I do wish it didn’t limit my speed when I’m using throttle only. I use this to commute to work so I don’t really want to pedal much at all, as I don’t want to get sweaty and have to shower/change clothes at work. Also I dislike pedal assist, when I pedal I want to pedal I don’t like to be assisted, if I want power I will use the throttle.
Another thing I think I would change in the future, maybe after the battery dies, is to extend the wiring out to use other 36V batteries and keep on the rack. I looked at the connection it looks to be a very simple thing to do. I live in a condo I need to take the battery out to charge it’s a bit of a pain to have to unfold the bike each time to take the battery out. I was looking to get the Mariner for that reason but I’m a smaller person and that bike is a bit big for me.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoGreat feedback Susan! Thanks for taking the time to record and post the updates to your model and provide some feedback about how you like to ride. Perhaps VoltBike will see your comment and consider updating how their assist and throttle work. I agree that throttle-only mode can be nice. Some ebikes allow you to turn the throttle on or off with a physical button, you can see this on the RadMini twist throttle.
ReplyVincent
7 years agoHello Susan, thank you for your review, it is helping me and my wife as we are currently hesitating between the Urban and the Mariner. Could you let us know what you mean exactly when you say that it limits your speed in throttle only mode? what is that limit exactly? I can’t find that information on the Voltbike website.
Reply