Vvolt Alpha II Review

You may remember the Vvolt Alpha 1, which was a great and simple bike we enjoyed riding. Now, with the arrival of the Alpha 2, we’re seeing some familiar features that we liked on the original. Let’s take a closer look at what the Alpha 2 brings to the table compared to its predecessor.

The Alpha II is a Class 2 e-bike, offering riders five different levels of pedal assist. Additionally, it includes a throttle that can help you reach a top assisted speed of 20 mph. You can also remove the throttle altogether to make it a Class 1 e-bike.

Powering the ride is a 350W Ananda rear hub motor, custom-tuned for Vvolt. It’s paired with a standard 374 Wh integrated battery, with an option to upgrade to a 490 Wh long-range version. Peace of mind comes standard with UL certified batteries and charger.

The centrally located display keeps essential information like speed and assist level readily visible. A thumb controller sits on the left handlebar, while the right features a responsive throttle that delivers 80% of the bikes power to help get you off the line.

The Alpha 2 features 27.5” wheels wrapped in durable 2.4” tires with reflective sidewalls. Added reflective graphics enhance visibility for safer urban commutes. Simplicity reigns with the single-speed Gates belt drive system. This setup ensures quiet operation and minimal maintenance, eliminating the mess of chain grease.

The swept-back handlebars promoting an upright riding posture, complemented by ergonomic grips. For reliable stopping power, Shimano MT-200 hydraulic disc brakes are equipped front and rear. As for lighting it features integrated front light and a rear Vvolt-multivision light, providing all-around visibility.

The Alpha II is available in three sizes and two colors, all featuring an easy-to-mount mid-step frame. Weighing around 44 lbs, it offers a range of 20-45 miles on the standard battery, extending to 60 miles with the long-range option. Optional accessories like fenders and a rear rack we have on our test bike enhance its versatility. The base price is $1899 with the 374wh battery.

Many of the aspects we appreciated on the Alpha 1 still hold true for the Alpha 2. For instance, the simple, clean lines contribute to a good-looking bike. Moreover, having the mid-step frame design makes it exceptionally easy to throw your leg over and start pedaling. It also proves to be very convenient when you need to make frequent stops at lights or stop signs.

Riding the Alpha II is comfortable, thanks to the upright seated position. The model we reviewed was a size M/L, and at 5’8”, it fit me well. The backswept bars help your upper body straight, and that backward sweep puts your arms in a comfortable position. While I’m typically not a fan of bars with such a back sweep, as I generally prefer a more forward riding position and flatter bars, it works surprisingly well for this bike’s intended use of easy city riding.

A standout while riding the Alpha II is its remarkable quietness. The combination of the single-speed belt drive along with the Ananda rear hub motor produces very little noise, even when using pedal assist level five or the throttle. This all makes for a very pleasant riding experience, and it’s also incredibly smooth. Another advantage of belt drive systems is the longevity of the belt itself and the very minimal maintenance required. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about chain grease or getting chain stains on your leg or pants.

The gearing for the Alpha II is definitely geared towards flatter terrain and performs well on smaller hills with not overly steep grades. In the city, it felt ideal for those frequent stop-and-go situations, and if there was a slight incline from a stop, I could easily use the throttle to get moving. However, when you’re closer to the 20 mph speed limit, your legs will be spinning quite fast, so be prepared for a high cadence when going at speed.

When I ventured into hillier areas, like where I live, the gearing felt a bit heavy. On steeper terrain where the gradient exceeded 9%, I found it necessary to get out of the saddle and put in some significant power to get the pedals moving at a cadence I preferred. While the higher pedal assist levels did help, I still wasn’t exactly flying up hills over 10%.

On the other hand, for handling going down those steeper hills, the bike felt great. Even when exceeding 25 mph, the bike remained stable, and when I needed to slow down to a stop, the hydraulic disc brakes were smooth and efficient in bringing me to a halt.

Overall, the Alpha II is a solid e-bike and a nice upgrade from the original Alpha. Small yet significant improvements, such as now having the headlight integrated and an included taillight, along with the mid-step frame and more swept-back bars, make this bike ready to tackle city streets. Additionally, the bike is fairly light, coming in at around 44 pounds, so if you need to carry it up some stairs or load it into your car or onto a bike rack, it isn’t too much of a lift. Furthermore, if you want to lighten the load even more, you can remove the battery that is integrated into the frame.

For someone seeking a good-looking, lightweight, simple, and maintenance-free e-bike for riding around the city, the Alpha 2 is an excellent choice. When it comes to navigating city environments, it is genuinely a pleasure cruising around on the Alpha II. The single-speed drivetrain is so smooth, and having the five speeds of pedal assist almost feels like having a few more gears on your bike.

However, if you reside in a much hillier area, the stock gearing might feel a bit heavy for those steep inclines. While it can certainly handle them, you will need to exert more effort and rely on those higher pedal assist levels to get you up those hills.

Price: $1899
Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
Weight: 44lbs
Website: www.Vvolt.com