Public Lands Sale Withdrawn, New Bosch Mid-Drive, and New Blix Bikes Mgmt | TWR Ep 38
Plus Bluetooth Speaker Etiquette, 4th of July Sales, and Lots of E-Bike Recommendations!
This was another busy week in the realm of e-bikes and e-bike news!
Following up on a story from last week, a piece of legislation that proposed the sale of public lands has been withdrawn from the Senate. The areas under threat, many of which are locations hosting bike trails and other recreational sites, are now safe from being lost.
Additionally, Bosch released a new mid-drive motor specifically designed for trekking and other types of off-road adventuring. The motor can provide up to 400% assist, and is compatible with the Bosch Flow app, as well as the brand’s automatic eShift and eBike ABS systems.
In other news, Blix Bikes is under new management! The brand released a statement announcing the changes while prioritizing its commitment to resolving outstanding issues and customer complaints.
Finally, 4th of July sales are on! We identified a few incredible bargains to encourage you to get out and enjoy the summer sun while it lasts.
For more information, continue reading below or check out the audio or video versions of The Weekly Recharge above.
This Week’s E-Bike News Headlines
Utah Senator Mike Lee Withdraws a Proposal to Sell Public Lands
As we reported in last week’s e-bike news, the Trump Administration’s proposed Budget Bill originally included legislation supporting the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of BLM and Forest Service lands in 11 states. Areas covered in the bill included land used for biking, camping, hunting, OHV operation, and other recreational activities.
Following the rejection of the original proposal, Utah Representative Mike Lee introduced new legislation that reduced the quantity of public land for sale to 1.2 million acres. The revised proposal placed a focus on areas within 5 miles of cities.
Like its predecessor, this bill was not well-received; representatives from Montana and Idaho spoke out against it until Senator Lee withdrew his proposal.
Jenn Dice, the CEO of People for Bikes, made a statement about the new development. Dice said, “Public lands are essential to our mission of transforming the U.S. into the best place in the world to ride a bike. From mountain bike trails to gravel routes, these lands provide unmatched opportunities for millions of Americans to experience the joy of riding a bike. We are grateful for the bipartisan leaders in Congress who successfully defended our shared outdoor spaces, and we thank our members, the bike industry, and the broader outdoor community for standing up to protect access to these vital places.”
Our Take: As advocates for the bike industry and outdoor recreation in general, we are extremely pleased to know that these public lands are safe once again.
We received many comments from our readers and viewers who were opposed to the legislation and who contacted their representatives to voice their concerns. To those who contributed, we thank you for speaking up!
Bosch’s New Mid-Drive is Geared for High-Tech Trekking
Using a combination of sensors, the motor is touted to adapt its power output to changes in terrain and wind through an Auto Mode. It also features Hill Start Assist to deliver a burst of power when starting from a stop on an incline.
Like many of the brand’s other mid-drives, the power output of the Performance Line PX can be tuned through the Bosch Flow app. Users with a Flow+ subscription will have access to a new 3D map within the app, providing a topographical representation of the surrounding area, as well as a new annual overview of all recorded rides and data.
Additionally, the motor is compatible with Bosch eBike ABS systems using brakes from Magura, Shimano, and Tektro’s TRP line. It can also be paired with Bosch’s eShift system, which offers automatic gear changes.
Our Take: We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our previous experiences with Bosch mid-drives and the brand’s Flow app. With the ability to tune motor output and dictate a desired battery percentage upon reaching a planned destination, the app is extremely functional and robust.
While this motor isn’t as powerful as many of the recent “century club” models boasting 100+ Nm of torque (other motors from Bosch included), the Performance Line PX seems promising and well-suited for off-road adventuring. We look forward to getting hands-on experience with this new mid-drive!
Blix Bikes Under New Management, Promises Customer Satisfaction
The company shouldered the blame for past disappointment, stating, “We know many of you have experienced frustration with unresolved issues and unanswered complaints left behind by the previous team. That’s not acceptable to us. Starting today, we invite every past and present owner to reach out directly with any lingering concerns. Our brand-new customer support team is held to the highest service standards, and we promise to see every case through to a satisfactory resolution.
If you have any open or past issues, please email us at [email protected]. We’re committed to responding as quickly as possible and ensuring every problem is fully addressed.”
Our Take: In past weeks, many of the brand’s e-bikes were out of stock, leading us to speculate that changes were in the works, for better or worse. Our team has been impressed by many of Blix’s bikes (the Vika X, for example, has been one of our favorite folding e-bikes), so we’re hopeful that the new team can build upon the brand’s good foundation.
We encourage anyone who has contacted the new team about resolving a past complaint to share their experience in the comments section below!
You Asked, We Answered. Questions Covered In The Weekly Recharge
- What bike would we recommend to a rider seeking comfort, long battery life, affordability, and the ability to get maintenance performed locally?
- Is an 18.5-22-mile range reasonable for a 250-lb rider on the Velotric Fold 1 Plus?
- How do the Lectric XPeak 2.0, the Aventon Aventure 3, and the Velotric Nomad 2 compare?
- Is it good etiquette to ride with a Bluetooth speaker?
- How does the Lectric ONE compare to the Urtopia Carbon Joy and the Velotric Fold 1 Plus?
- What affordable fat tire e-bikes would we recommend for a 6-foot-tall rider who prioritizes range?
E-Bike Deals Found This Week
- Aventon’s 4th of July Sale promises reduced prices on already affordable clearance bikes, and more!
- The Level 2 commuter and the Sinch 2 folding e-bike are marked down to $1399
- Aventon’s classic Pace 500.3 nimble city cruiser is just $1499
- New bikes are on sale too!
- The upgraded and super-secure Pace 4 is priced at $1699
- The Ramblas eMTB is on sale for $2599
- The Breeze 1 city cruiser includes fenders and a cargo rack for $1799
- The new Fold 1 Plus includes a suspension seatpost for $1499
- The affordable Fold 1 Lite is on sale for a mind-blowing $599?!
- Turbo Como 4.0 is $750 off, down to $3250
- Como 4.0 IGH is an even better deal – $1000 off to $3250
- Turbo Vado 4.0 is $500 off, down to $3500
Make sure to tune in to the full episode to see the e-bike trail system highlight and rider of the week! Want to be featured in future episodes? Comment on any YouTube video or page of the website, or send to [email protected].