This review was provided for free, but Blix split the cost of travel with me so I could meet the team and spend more time with the bikes. 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:
- The Aveny has been the most popular electric bike model for Blix over the past several years. Aveny translates to “avenue” and is the name of the main street in Gothenberg Sweeden where the founder, Pontus is from. I covered the 2019 version prior to this one, and noticed the following differences when studying the 2022 Aveny Skyline: Although it costs $100 more money, it offers name-brand tires, the controller is now integrated into the battery base mount vs. a metal box near the bottom bracket, the wire connectors are more accessible, it has nicer lights and the headlight is no longer mounted on the front fender, the fenders themselves have been upgraded, and it now has bottle cage bosses!
- 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 like Panasonic battery cells and Spanninga lights with brake activation. While Blix used to sell through dealers, they have transitioned towards a direct online model in recent years. This means that you may have some unboxing and assembly to manage yourself. I was told that this model is now easier and faster to assemble than prior years and the stem has been improved.
Pros:
- Great value for your money with this and other Blix products. The bikes are not cheaply made and this one comes with matching fenders, a rear rack, and premium integrated lights with brake light activation! It could be used for casual neighborhood riding or commuting. It should perform well rain or shine, day or night, and can fit a wide decent of riders because of the mid-step frame, adjustable angle stem, and four color options.
- Stand over height is low and the saddle can be positioned all the way down without colliding with the rear rack. If you add a bottle cage to the seat tube, it might crowd that area of the bike a bit, but the battery is positioned out of the way and is very well protected so it won’t get kicked.
- I like that the bottle cage bosses are actually welded on threaded eyelets vs. screwing directly into the tubing, because it adds strength and might allow the seat post to go lower without colliding.
- 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.
- Nice matching grips, saddle, and tire sidewalls (for the blue and gray models). Blix has this vintage European style that is timeless, in my opinion, and they make sure all of the supporting hardware matches. Note the silver spokes, rims, hubs, chainring, cranks, pedals, seat post, stem, and handlebar. The rear wheel uses thicker 12 gauge spokes for added strength to support the motor and a loaded rack.
- Blix offers some nice accessories for their ebikes, including touch up paint, a suspension seat post, and storage options. You could get a set of pannier bags or one of the bolt-on top baskets to carry more stuff. I believe that you could also use a child seat with the rear rack, given the higher 55lb (25kg) max weight rating.
- The rear rack has a Yepp! child seat window on top, standard gauge pannier hangers on both sides, and bungee loops! It’s awesome both functionally and visually because of the curved support stays, and it works with their optional basket that can be positioned length or width wise.
- 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 500 watt hub motor can produce up to 50 newton meters of torque.
- Blix redesigned their controller to fit into the battery slide mount, it’s no longer housed in a metal box at the bottom bracket. This new design looks much nicer, and I was told that the controller is still very powerful, offering 11 amps continuous and 20 amps peak for strong starts and continuous climbing.
- I like how the battery seems really secure, mounted on the flared metal seat tube section of the frame, and how their replacement packs are less expensive since the controller is separate. There’s also an on/off toggle switch built into the side of the battery pack, so you can disable it completely when transporting or storing for long periods. I’ve been told that it is best to store the battery in a cool dry location and try to maintain 50%+ when you aren’t riding the bike. Fully draining the pack and leaving it empty can stress the cells.
- 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.
- Good frame strength and stiffness with a higher than average weight capacity. I also like how Blix has added a gusset near the head tube to reduce flex and went with a double-tube frame vs. a single frame wave step-thru because those tend to flex more and weigh more in my experience.
- A sturdy aluminum alloy guide on the chainring helps keep the chain from falling off track, whether you’re riding on rough terrain servicing the bike. It also acts as a short chain cover to keep pants and dress ends from getting dirty and snagged. Although the derailleur is entry-level in the Shimano groupset, it still shifted well during my tests. The full sized crank arms felt natural.
- While this ebike does not have a suspension fork, it’s fairly comfortable due to the taller wheel size and wider tires. These are 27.5″ which creates a lower attack angle than 26″ to smooth over cracks and bumps, and the tires are 2.2″ or 2.25″ wide for increased air volume and stability vs. a skinny road tire. To further improve comfort, consider purchasing a 27.2mm suspension seat post (which Blix sells), but note that it will raise the minimum saddle height.
- Safety is a big deal to me, so having puncture resistant tires with reflective stripes on the side (for the black tires only, not brown) as well as a two-LED rear light with brake activation and headlight with side windows really come in handy! For those who want to stay as visible as possible, consider the Cream color which will reflect more light in dark conditions.
- The LCD display panel is center mounted and fairly large, making it easy to read. Most of the controls on this ebike are intuitive, including the half-grip twist shifter that switches gears. It has an optical window on top that displays the gear you’re riding in. I also love the integrated bell that’s built into the left brake lever, and the rubberized front edge that improves comfort and isn’t as cold to touch!
- I think it’s neat that the LCD display panel has a 5 volt 1 amp USB charging port built-in! This could be useful for charging portable electronics, like a smartphone, speaker, or additional lights, while riding.
- Blix has left the display panel unlocked, so you can adjust the settings… including top speed! You can lower the top speed to improve range and add some safety, or raise it a bit and operate the bike more like a Class 3 speed pedelec to keep up with automobiles or get to work faster. They ship the system set at 20mph 32kmh to comply with legal framework for Class 2 ebikes. You could even unplug and remove the throttle to ride this as Class 1 if you wanted.
- 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 steeper hills in Santa Cruz California, using throttle only (no pedaling). It seems like a solid choice, based on what I’ve observed from competing hub motor powered ebikes.
- 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:
- I’ve reviewed the Blix Aveny multiple times before this new Aveny Skyline version, and the price has increased by $100 since the last iteration. This may be due to shipping container price increases, parts supply limitations as ebikes have grown in popularity, or simple inflation… but the price has gone up.
- Note that the fork is made from steel, so if it gets scratched up you might develop some rust. I believe that Blix sells touch up paint, or you can use clear fingernail polish or car paint pens :)
- Due to its sturdy build with higher than average 270lb max weight limit, aluminum alloy fenders, rear rack, and integrated lights, as well as the high powered 500 watt geared motor and high capacity 614.4 watt hour battery pack… this ebike weighs more than the average city model with external battery. Consider removing the 7.2lb battery before lifting or transporting. I’ve heard it is best to store the battery in a cool dry environment at 50% capacity to maximize lifespan, and avoid discharging below 20% in general.
- It can be a little tricky to remove the 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.
- There’s no metal guard to help protect the sensitive derailleur and motor power cable which enters on the right side of the rear wheel. If you lay the bike on its side, be sure to keep these parts facing up and avoid bending or snagging them! Some of the other Blix models have repositioned the power cable on the left side of the motor and it seems better protected there.
- The cream and burgundy color options come with different tires, that I feel are nicer because they have reflective stripes and are a bit wider at 2.25″ vs. 2.2″ that provides additional stability and comfort. If you get the blue or gray color option, you get tires with brown sidewalls.
- The bike has seven speeds, but the gear range is fairly limited with a 14 to 28 tooth spread. Without a super low gear or high gear, pedaling cadence is optimized for casual neighborhood riding… but the powerful motor and throttle override really help to overcome slow starts and steep climbs.
- Mechanical brakes require a bit more hand effort than hydraulic, especially the rear brake due to the longer cable length. Note that the cable runs downward into the housing, so the rear brake could get sticker over time with dust and water settling inside. The 160mm rotor size chosen here is pretty average vs. 180mm which would improve the mechanical advantage and cool faster, but also bend easier of bumped at bike racks etc.
- 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. I’ve got to compliment the very high 50lb (22.6kg) max weight capacity of the front rack that’s way above average.
- This is a direct-to-consumer electric bike, meaning that most customers order online and have to receive and unbox it themselves. There aren’t too many steps (attach the 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, but ordering is still direct, and that’s part of how they keep the price so low.
- 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 was surprised that the battery charge level readout is actually split into 5 bars even though there are more lines drawn… it would be more precise if you actually had smaller increments or a range estimator menu type of thing as some other companies have done. I was also a bit surprised that the charge level readout drains from the left vs. the right.
- The charger looks awesome because it’s super compact and branded. It feels high quality and is light weight, so you can easily stow it in a pack and bring it along on rides. However, it only puts out two amps, and this means it takes longer to fully charge such a high capacity battery pack.
- I didn’t see a clear sticker slap guard on the chain stay, which means the chain could bounce down and mar the beautiful paint. You can find these for sale aftermarket or just use some clear box tape to avoid chips and make the grease easier to clean off.
- Minor complaint, the pedals are average width and have a rubberized surface that might be a little slick in wet riding conditions. These are better than most, since they have an aluminum alloy core, but I’d consider upgrading to larger ones with metal pins if you have large feet and ride in the rain frequently.
Reader Interactions