This review was provided for free, but Blix shipped and assembled the bike through Fit n Fun Ebikes so I could meet the team and see all of the accessories. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Blix products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Blix electric bike forums.
Observations:
- This is my first time seeing a full sized fat tire ebike with optional longtail rear rack that can handle a 150lb passenger! The ride is fairly upright, and I’d call the frame small/medium in terms of sizing. It’s setup to be off-road capable, but really sines as a sport utility vehicle SUV doing trips around town. Excellent accessories that fit well, look great, and appear to be high quality.
- Blix is based in Santa Cruz, California and has been operating since 2006. I feel that they offer some of the best value in the industry, keeping prices low but using high quality parts. They offer free shipping in the lower 48 US States, and also sell through dealers. I was really impressed with the price of the Ultra, especially considering that it’s dual-battery capable and has such a custom frame.
Pros:
- The custom frame turned out really nice. Such attention to detail with the internally routed cables, dual battery integration (both kept low and center), the multiple bottle cage mounting points on the downtube and seat tube, and the heavy duty rear rack option! Another easy to miss improved design is how they routed the motor power cable on the left side of the frame, where it’s more protected.
- I love the three color options, grey really looked nice with the black fenders and black batteries. At this price point, it’s neat to have more than one color to choose from, and Blix does a good job with minimalist branding. Very classy look overall. Note that the single battery variation of the bike only comes in white.
- This is one of the only full sized fat tire electric bikes I’ve seen with a longtail cargo rack option and passenger kit. The bike is rated to handle up to 270 lbs of rider weight, up to 150 lbs of rear rack weight, and up to 50 lbs of front rack weight!
- The front rack option is done perfectly, it mounts to the steer tube of the frame instead of the fork or handlebar. This means it will not turn as you steer the bike, it won’t influence steering or dump to the side when you park. It can handle up to 50 lbs of cargo. I also noticed that the handlebar is not too wide, which makes the bike easier to walk through doors and ride through traffic, it’s setup more urban than mountain in this sense.
- It’s rare to get a smartphone app with a more affordable electric bike like this, and I was impressed by the features it offers! You can toggle between Class 1 (20mph top speed) and Class 3 (28mph top speed), track battery health, navigate routes with GPS map, get software updates, connect with Strava and other social, and get access to support. You need to create an account, the app connects with Bluetooth.
- One of the big features that differentiates the Blix Ultra from other full sized fat tire electric bikes is the dual battery option. This allows it to operate at higher levels for longer, or just go farther. I would prefer if the batteries matched exactly and were interchangeable, but as it stands, they are both made by Reention and are partially compatible with other Blix ebikes (the smaller plastic pack behind the seat tube). Both have power buttons to put them into deep sleep storage mode.
- I was really impressed by the relatively low price of this product, starting at $2.1k for the single battery white model, or $2.5k for the dual battery in white, grey, and green. It comes stock with the plastic fenders and headlight, but you’ll have to pay more for the rear rack, front rack, foot pegs, and other accessories.
- The 8-speed drivetrain is pretty decent. It appears that the sprockets are nickel coated for durability, and the trigger shifters both use your thumb and are easy to reach. The shifter also has an optical gear window readout for quick feedback. While the range is pretty basic at 11-32 tooth, at least it’s not 14-28 tooth like some entry level products.
- The hydraulic disc brakes are awesome. You get large 180mm rotors for improved cooling and mechanical advantage over the large heavy wheels and tires. Both brake levers offer adjustable reach, so they can fit small or large hands comfortably, and both levers also have motor inhibitors to safely cut power instantly when you stop.
- To activate the lights, hold up on the button pad. To activate walk mode, hold down on the button pad. You can also access the settings menu by holding the power button on the display (the O icon) for a few seconds… but not too long, or the bike will shut off.
- Geared hub motors are known for being compact, lightweight, and efficient. I’m familiar with the Shengyi brand used here. This bike felt very satisfying, and I was able to test it out by climbing some of the neighborhood hills and rocky areas, using throttle only (no pedaling). It seems like a solid choice, based on what I’ve observed from competing hub motor powered ebikes.
- This ebike really is off-road capable, and the spring suspension reduces the impact. You can lower the tire pressure to roughly 5 PSI to improve float in soft terrain like dry sand, snow, and loam. Consider adding a 27.2mm seat post suspension to further improve comfort, but note that it will raise minimum saddle height by a few inches.
- I like the adjustable kickstand that they chose because it’s mounted just far enough back to stay clear of the crank arms when deployed, so you don’t get pedal lock when backing the bike up. I love that it’s mounted inline with the left chain stay vs. attached to the outside of it, which could cause heel strikes when pedaling.
- I love that Blix has updated their throttle behavior to allow for full power output at any level of assist, even zero! This is handy for getting started from stop signs or traffic signals, catching up with friends, or focusing on balance vs. pedaling when transporting kids and other cargo. The trigger throttle offers variable power output, so you can be gentle by only pressing part way for a smooth start.
- Updated battery pack design! Blix is using very high quality Panasonic cells and spacing them apart in the casing for improved air flow and durability. The 48 volt system provides efficiency and also increases the potential power output. This combines with the high power 750 watt hub motor can produce up to 90 newton meters of torque.
- Note the color matched IP66 rated Julet Mini cables that send electrical signals from the display, button pad, and throttle to the battery, controller, and motor. These are water resistant and easy to reach and connect if something comes unplugged or needs replacement. Same setup for the lights, and the rear fender was raised to better protect the wiring for the rear light! Good external cable routing and plastic wrap protection as well as internal routing once they enter the frame.
- Blix is using a high resolution cadence sensor with 12 magnets, so pedal assist feels very responsive and natural. The sensor is compact and appears to be well sealed against water and dust.
- A sturdy aluminum alloy guide on the chainring helps keep the chain from falling off track, whether you’re riding on rough terrain, transporting, or servicing the bike. It also acts as a short chain cover to keep pants and dress ends from getting dirty and snagged. It’s especially relevant on a off-road capable model like the Ultra, because it protects the chainring teeth and the controllers, which are mounted at the bottom bracket.
- Blix has been in business since 2014, I’ve reviewed a bunch of their products and met the founder on many occasions. They seem to offer great customer support, especially for the low price point.
- I appreciate the one year comprehensive warranty that Blix offers, along with their optional $160 one-year extension so you can basically have a two year warranty that covers all sorts of things. That’s good peace of mind when you’re buying direct vs. in a local shop.
Cons:
- The frame only comes in one size, which I would consider small/medium. The geometry is more upright, the stem is very short and angled up. You can rotate the handlebar forward or back and slide the saddle forward and back to change reach. The sloped top tube makes the bike easier to mount and stand over for petite riders offering a 27-inch standover height.
- I love the integrated headlight (with little side light bars), and appreciate the optional rear light (if you get the rack), but do wish that there was a USB port somewhere near the display for charging your phone on the go. This would be handy for using the optional smartphone app for GPS, especially since the optional dual bike batteries offer so much juice!
- The battery charger is pretty basic, offering 2 amp output. This means it won’t charge as quickly as a 3 or 4 amp but is also smaller and lighter. I believe that you have to charge each battery independently vs. both at once using a single port on the bike… So it takes longer and requires a step half way to keep the charge going. At least you can take both packs off to store in a cool, dry location, and charge off the bike too without need for any dongles or other adapters. They both use the same charger.
- Each battery connects to the frame and then locks using a unique key. This means that you’ll need both keys in order to take both packs off. I love it when the keys match, so you won’t have to carry as much and clutter up your keychain, but that’s more expensive. As it stands, the two keys for the Blix Ultra are very different from each other with the downtube lock key being larger and inset vs. the seat tube battery key being smaller, lighter, and more normal looking.
- I believe that the controller systems are mounted externally at the bottom bracket, with their wires a bit exposed. This may subject them to water, mud, and dust vs. being internally mounted… but they are also easier to access and replace in this position. The large 48 tooth chainring with alloy guide helps to protect the area from rock and log strikes on the trail.
- I noticed some frame flex when riding, due to the heavier rims and fat tires. I test rode the bike with the optional rear rack, child pad, and surround… so it probably won’t flex as much without those accessories. Notice the gusset where the top tube meets the seat tube, and how they added a flat plate for mounting the seat tube battery. Even the boxier downtube increases frame stiffness.
- The coil spring fork weighs more than an air fork, and offers minimal adjustability… just preload with two clickers (on on each crown). You can “pre load” the suspension fork to match your body weight or load, but you cannot lock it out or adjust rebound.
- As with most fat tire electric bikes with suspension forks, this one weighs a lot. It’s 68lbs to 76lbs depending on whether it has one batteries or two. I would definitely remove the packs before lifting for repairs or transporting it.
- It can be a little tricky to remove the seat tube battery pack because it’s surrounded by a section of frame tubing. This is especially true if the seat is positioned low, you may even need to raise the seat post or take it off completely for easier access. I had success by unlocking the battery, sliding up part way, then tipping it at an angle to come out from the side of the frame vs. all the way up through the seat stays.
- I believe that if you get the optional front rack tray rack system, the light stays fixed to the fork (so it points where you steer, which is nice), but it’s a bit less visible from the top and sides due to the platform above.
- If you don’t have a dealer nearby and have to receive and unbox the Blix Ultra yourself, there’s some work and materials to deal with. There aren’t too many steps (attach the pedals and front wheel and straighten the stem), but there’s definitely some extra time required, and packaging to be disposed of or recycled. I was told that they work with some shops to showroom their bikes.
- The display panel isn’t removable for protection at public bike racks or from inclement weather, but at least it can be angled to reduce glare while riding. I appreciate the battery charge percentage readout, but the display itself is a bit small and only shows one readout at a time vs. multi view like many larger displays.
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