London-based bike maker Volt has launched a mid-drive folding ebike designed for metropolis commutes that weighs in at 17 kg, rides with a low-maintenance carbon belt and could be had with a 60-mile battery.
Pedal-assist bikes are an effective way to get round city, commute to work or discover past town whereas getting a bit of motor assist to deal with inclines. But when your journey entails hopping on public transport for a part of the way in which, with the ability to fold your journey down is way much less nerve-racking than looking for a free rack on the prepare on your full-sized ebike.
The Volt Lite collapses all the way down to 34 x 19.5 x 27.5 in (86.36 x 49.53 x 69.85 cm) and ideas the scales at 37.5 lb (17 kg) with a regular 252-Wh detachable battery or 39.7 lb (18 kg) rolling with a 60-mile (96.5-km) 378-Wh battery. Just like the Fiido X we reviewed in 2022, the 2 halves of the hinged body (aluminum right here, not magnesium alloy) are held in place by magnets throughout transit.
The ebike packs a light-weight Bafang M820 mid-drive motor for 75 Nm (55.3 lb.ft) of torque and pedal-assist by way of responsive torque sensing to fifteen.5 mph (25 km/h), in step with native laws. For ease of use, the corporate has opted for a low-noise, low-maintenance Gates CDX Carbon Belt drive fairly than a series, and there is a Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub with twist grip shifting for a bit of extra flexibility.
Rounding out the important thing specs are 20-inch wheels wrapped in puncture-resistant Schwalbe Huge Ben tires, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, LED lighting back and front, full fenders, and a facet kickstand.
The hand-built Volt Lite begins at £2,899 (which converts to round US$3,650), and a GPS tracker could be optioned in for peace of thoughts. The corporate instructed us that the ebike will hopefully be accessible from July, and that “we need to doubtlessly be promoting exterior the UK.”
Product web page: Volt Lite