Blix Vika+ Electric Folding Bike Review Part 2: Ride & Range Test [VIDEO]
The Blix Vika+ is a sporty compact eFolder with impressive cargo features for the economical price of $1,699.
A big highlight is the very impressive range it provided in the tough range test.
Another highlight of the Vika+ is the many cargo carrying options with the stock and optional accessories.
The low step-thru area makes it very easy to get on/off and the folding capabilities are well suited for storage and transport.
The 500 watt motor provides a zippy ride with the 48V 14ah battery going the distance and the Shimano drivetrain and Tektro disc brakes offer a nice ride feel.
In this second part of the Blix Vika+ full review you will get an idea of the ride characteristics, range test results, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this electric bike.
Make sure you check out part 1 of this review with large pictures and specifications to get a detailed look at this e-bike.
What you can expect from the Blix Vika+:
To get acquainted with the Blix Vika+, checkout this video:
Riding the Blix Vika+:
Overall there are some characteristics of the Blix Vika+ that really stand out when riding this electric folding bike. To summarize they are:
- Compact with easy to get on and ride step-thru frame
- Sporty 500 watt motor with pedal assist & throttle
- Impressive range with high capacity Samsung cells lithium battery
The Look & Feel of the Blix Vika+
The Vika+ has a compact design with smaller wheels that makes it a nimble and easy to ride eBike.
It has an upright and comfortable ride feel with the agility of the smaller wheels that makes maneuvering in busy areas easy.
Additionally, getting on and off the bike is very easy thanks to the smaller wheels and the low step-thru area of the frame.
The 500 watt geared rear hub motor gives the Vika+ a sporty ride feel with some additional power not found on all eFolding bikes.
Folding the Vika+ is very easy and takes less than a minute once you are used to the folding process.
The folded scenario is great for transporting the bike in a car, bus, subway, ferry and/or for storage at home or work.
There is a lot of adjustability with the handlebars and seat to fit a wide range of rider sizes (4’10” – 6’3″) and weights (240 pounds rider & 270 pound total payload).
Speaking of payload, the Vika+ is set up well to carry some cargo on the stock rear rack and Blix also offers a bunch of additional accessories to make this an impressive compact eCargo bike.
For this testing and review Blix sent the front rack and a cargo basket that was mounted on the rear rack.
The front rack has a very clean and sturdy attachment at the head tube of the frame and the platform is good for carrying small boxes with proper strapping.
It is also designed to work with cargo baskets that Blix sells separately.
The rear cargo basket is large and is well suited to carrying groceries, backpack/messenger bags, small to medium sizes boxes, etc.
It comes with a bamboo platform that adds to the style of the Vika+.
With just the front rack installed the Vika+ still folds well. The wide rear cargo basket doesn’t allow the front and back part of the frame to completely fold but it still is fairly compact.
With the compact 20″ wheels both the front and rear racks work well to carry cargo because the weight is relatively low which is good for overall bike handling.
Another benefit of the low step-thru area is that getting on and off the bike when carrying heavier cargo is much easier.
Stabilizing the bike with cargo while getting on/off with a low step-thru is much easier compared to swinging your leg over a traditional frame top tube.
The aluminum frame is well thought out with the headtube front rack mount, low step-thru area and battery just behind the seat tube.
There are reinforcing gussets at the high stress areas like the headtube and seat tube areas to provide additional strength while keeping the step-thru area very low.
When cornering quickly from side to side there is some flex in the frame but this riding scenario is not too common so most riders probably won’t experience that.
Overall the frame is designed well with the low step-thru area, central battery location, cargo capabilities, and the ability to fold down to a compact size.
When the Vika+ is folded its compact size is good for transport and storage.
For instance, it’s easier to take in a car, on a bus, train, subway, ferry, etc. And its small size is good for storing at a house/apartment and workplace.
After some practice it takes less than 1 minute to fold the Vika+.
There is a quick release knob at the handlebar mast that folds the handlebar assembly down to the right side, the pedals fold down, and then the frame is folded in half. There is the option of lowering the seat with the seat post quick release.
On the back of the seat there is a handle that is helpful when maneuvering the bike in the folded or rideable position.
For some riders there may be a limitation to how much they can pick the bike up with a total bike weight of 56.3 pound. Removing the battery helps by bringing the bike weight down to 49 pounds.
Now let’s take a closer look at the drive system.
A new feature of the Vika+ is the 500 watt geared rear hub motor that does give this eFolder some kick!
It provides assist up to 20 mph with pedal assist and/or throttle which makes this a Class 2 electric bike.
In the higher assist levels 4 & 5 the Vika+ can really zip along. The acceleration from a stop is powerful and the motor can provide a lot of assist on steeper hills.
Assist levels 1 through 3 are more easy going for casual rides around the neighborhood or when riding in crowded areas.
Each pedal assist level provides power up to a certain speed as shown below:
Level 1: up to 9 mph
Level 2: up to 12 mph
Level 3: up to 14mph
Level 4: up to 16 mph
Level 5: up to 20 mph
The pedal assist is activated by a cadence sensor that detects when the cranks are moving. The assist kicks in when the cranks have been rotated about a 1/4 turn and the assist stops slightly after the cranks stop turning.
Each brake lever has a sensor that will stop the assist when the brake lever is pulled, even if you keep pedaling.
In addition to pedal assist there is also the thumb throttle that allows you to pedal or not pedal. You can just cruise along with the motor power.
The throttle can be helpful for getting started and it can add a boost of power to the pedal assist.
There is also the walk mode that moves the bike at a few mph for walking uphill or up stairs. It is activated by holding the down arrow on the control pad.
Like many geared hub motors, the motor does create some noise that is mostly noticeable at the lower speeds. At the higher speeds the noise dissipates due to wind noise.
Another new feature for the Vika+ is the high capacity 48V 14ah 672Wh lithium battery pack with Samsung cells.
It provided some impressive range results as you will see below.
The central location and relatively low location just behind the seat tube is good for the overall handling of the bike.
The battery can be charged on or off the bike with full charging from empty in about 5.5 hours.
The 7 speed Shimano drivetrain for the bike is easy to use and its range is a 52 tooth chainring driving back to the 14 tooth to 28 tooth cogset.
At around 20 mph the cadence of pedaling was a little quick. It would be nice to have a slightly smaller low cog for a slower pedaling cadence at the higher speeds.
The Shimano RevoShit grip shifter and Shimano Tourney rear derailleur have a light action which makes shifting the gears very easy.
There is a gear indicator on the Shimano RevoShit grip shifter.
Okay, now let’s take a look at the control center on the of the Blix Vika+.
The large center mounted LCD display provides information on:
- Battery level
- Odometer & trip distance
- Current speed, average speed, max speed
- Pedal assist level. There are 5 levels of pedal assist.
Its nice that the display provides just enough information in a large format so that it is easy to read without being overly complicated.
There is a backlight for easy visibility day and night and it is activated when the lights are turned on by holding the up arrow on the control pad for a few seconds.
Under the display is a USB charging port that can charge a smartphone, tablet, or other USB device.
The control pad on the left side of the handlebar adjusts the pedal assist levels with the up and down arrows and the lower mode button turns the bike on/off and cycles through information on the display.
The faux leather grips have an ergonomic shape that adds some wrist support. They did rotate slightly during rides which could be fixed by possibly glueing the grips to the handlebar or upgrading to grips that have lock on collars.
Keeping the speed in check is handled by the Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear.
They have a powerful feel that has a broad spectrum of braking power from just a little to full stop.
The aluminum brake levers has a rubber surface that helps with gripping in wet or dry conditions. There are no brake lever reach adjustments for smaller hands.
Another new feature is the rear brake light that is activated when either brake lever is engaged.
And while we are talking about lights, the front and rear lights are powered by the eBike battery so that you don’t need to worry about charging separate batteries for the lights.
The headlight is attached to the front fender for a clean and stylish look! It casts a good beam of light for seeing the road and for being seen out on the road.
Full coverage metal fenders, the rear aluminum rack, bell, and kickstand round out the well equipped stock accessory package. Blix offers many more optional accessories to make the Vika+ even more versatile.
Okay, let’s see how the Blix Vika+ did out on the open road!
Blix Vika+ Range Test Results:
Here is the real world information on how the Blix Vika+ electric bike performed on a riding circuit that includes hills, flats, traffic, wind (when available) etc.
While testing these bikes I like to put them through the toughest conditions to see where their bottom line is in regards to range and speed. I tested the Blix Vika+ in the highest pedal assist level (Level 5) with average pedaling on paved roads.
Range: As you can see from the GPS info that I recorded, the Blix Vika+ traveled 38.8 miles and did a total elevation gain of around 3,400 ft. Considering that I weigh 190 lbs and I pedaled with average pedaling this is very good range for an eBike with a 48 Volt 14 ah battery pack (672 Watt Hours) with a 500 watt motor assisting up to 20 mph.
Watt hours are the total energy in a battery pack and it is based on the volts x amp hours of a pack. This is a way to compare the size of the “gas tank” of electric bikes.
Please keep in mind that if you pedal more, weigh less than me, ride slower and/or you use the bike in terrain that is not as hilly you will get more range. These results are from tough testing.
Speed: The Blix Vika+ will assist up to 20 mph with pedal assist and/or throttle.
Weight: The Blix Vika+ tips the scales at 56.3 lbs which is on the slightly heavier side for an electric folding bike. Removing the battery brings it down to around 49.0 pounds.
The weight distribution of the Blix Vika+ is somewhat back heavy because the motor is in the rear wheel while the battery is just in behind the seat tube of the bike.
Pros:
Comfortable Compact eFolder: The Blix Vika+ is a fun and comfortable compact bike with easy folding capabilities. The 500 watt motor gives it a performance kick and the component selection from Shimano and Tektro provide a quality feel.
Versatility: The Vika+ comes stock ready to carry cargo and Blix also offers a wide variety of additional accessories to make it an impressive compact eCargo bike with a front rack, multiple basket options, kid seat option, and more.
Impressive Range: The high capacity 48V 14ah (672 Wh) lithium battery with Samsung cells provided 38.8 miles of range in the tough range test (highest assist level) with elevation gain of 3,400+ ft of climbing. You can expect to get more range in more moderate riding conditions.
Cons:
Heavier: At 56.3 pounds this is on the heavier side for an electric folding bike which can make it slightly difficult to pick up. Removing the battery brings it down to 49 pounds which helps a little.
Motor Noise: The geared rear hub motor does create a whirring noise at the lower to medium speeds but it is not as noticeable at the higher speeds due to wind noise.
Conclusion:
Overall the Blix Vika+ is a fun, comfortable, and super versatile electric folding bike that puts a lot of useful features into a compact eBike.
It’s great to have a folding eBike that also has strong cargo carrying options to make everyday riding that much easier.
The 500 watt motor and the long range capabilities also add to the versatility of this eFolder whether you are carrying cargo or not.
At $1,699 the Vika+ offers a lot of value considering the features, components spec, and good assortment of accessories.
Please keep in mind that this is a relatively short term test. This testing can’t really give you the long term review of durability and reliability. My thoughts on the quality of this bike are from previous experiences with similar bikes. If you own this bike and have some input on the long term durability, please share your comments with the Electric Bike Report community below.
Where to buy a Blix Vika+? Check with the Blix website.
Do you have any questions about the Blix Vika+? Do you own a Blix Vika+ ? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks!
-Pete
Review Note: Each company pays a fee for a review on Electric Bike Report because of the considerable amount of time that it takes to provide an in-depth review of each eBike. A lot of time is spent on the full range test with distance & elevation profile, the wide variety of detailed pictures, in-depth video, and the write up with the specifications, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall thoughts. The reviews on Electric Bike Report are focused on providing you with a detailed “virtual” look at each eBike to help you determine if it is the eBike for you.
P.S. Don’t forget to join the Electric Bike Report community for updates from the electric bike world, plus ebike riding and maintenance tips!
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[…] Part 2 of the Blix Vika+ review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike. […]
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[…] Here is an example of the sturdy front rack bolted to the head tube of the Blix Vika+ that was recently in for testing & review. […]
Lin B says
Way too heavy. The whole point of a folding bike is that you can pick it up and either put it in your trunk or carry it up steps. There are folding e-bikes coming out now that are in the 30 pound range. These massively heavy units need to be reworked. Bike Friday haul a day is only 30 lbs and you can get e-assist with it with just a little more weight penalty. Folding cargo-style bikes should not weigh over 40 lbs max with battery and motor.
Groucho says
Those front rack fittings should be on ALL bikes! What good is a bike if you cannot carry things! How much more does it cost at the factory to weld that bracket on? Once it’s there, the owner has the choice of fitting a rack or not. Try getting anything like this in the UK.
Ranny says
Nice bike and agree with Groucho about the head tube rack mounting. Carrying on the front is a great feature. And this would offset some of the rear weight bias. It’s so nice that it can carry cargo but isn’t huge. It almost seems like skip the fold and keep it small since the folding isn’t effective with the baskets installed. The 20″ tires look narrow enough that the ride probably isn’t great. 3″ wide tires would help, but of course, they wouldn’t fit. Finally, I’ll bet with that motor and 48V battery, it would go faster than 20MPH pretty easily if it could be ‘unlocked’.