Name: Blix Packa Genie Review
Item: Blix Packa Genie
Author: Court Rye

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Blix Packa Genie Review

Blix Packa Genie Shengyi 750 Watt Geared Motor With 90nm Torque Power

Blix Packa Genie 48 Volt Downtube Reention Dorado Battery Color Matched

Blix Packa Genie Adjustable Angle Stem Ergonomic Grips Trigger Throttle

Blix Packa Genie King Meter Nokee U Grayscale Lcd Display With Usb Charging Port

Blix Packa Genie Rigid Steel Fork Cst 24x2 4 Tires Plastic Fenders

Blix Packa Genie Bengal Hydraulic Disc Brakes 180mm Rotors

Blix Packa Genie Front View Spanninga Axendo 40 Headlight

Blix Packa Genie Spanninga Flexio Rear Light With Brake Activation

Blix Packa Genie Longtail Cargo Rack With Two Yepp Easyfit Windows

Blix Packa Genie Optional Second Battery 48 Tooth Chainring With Alloy Guide

Blix Packa Genie Adjustable Double Leg Kickstand Extra Sturdy

Blix Packa Genie 7 Speed Shimano Acera 14 34 Tooth Freewheel

Blix Packa Genie Compact Portable Ebike Charger 2 Amp

A fully-equipped electric cargo bike with fenders, integrated lights, USB charging port, and a large versatile rear rack. It comes in three colors, has an adjustable stem to improve fit, uses 24" wheels that make loading easy but still provide good comfort, and has a dual-battery option for extended range!
The Genie improves upon the original Packa model by granting three of the top customer wishes. It offers a more powerful 700 watt 90nm rated motor, can go further if you purchase the second battery, and has hydraulic brakes now vs. mechanical. It still offers pedal assist and throttle mode, but throttle overrides assist with full power!
Redesigned frame looks nice, adds stiffness, and makes the batteries easier to access, but this does raise the top tube a bit (higher standover). Dedicated attachment points make it easy to attach and pull a trailer. Features two Yepp! EasyFit windows and lots of proprietary rack, seat, and bag accessories.
Super stable adjustable double-leg kickstand and deflopilator spring makes it easy to load and unload. Reflective puncture-resistant tires improve safety. Two bottle cage mounts and a head tube rack mount add convenience and versatility. Cannot charge two batteries simultaneously, requires two chargers or one at a time.

Make:

Blix

Model:

Packa Genie

Price:

$1,699

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Cargo, Commuting, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

1 Year Comprehensive, Extended Warranty Options (2 Years $160, 3 Years $220)

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

20212022

Total Weight:

67.7 lbs (30.7 kg) (76.8lbs with Optional Dual Battery Mount and Pack)

Battery Weight:

7.6 lbs (3.44 kg) (7.2lb Optional Second Battery Pack)

Motor Weight:

8.6 lbs (3.9 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

17.25 in (43.81 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

17.25" Seat Tube, 23" Top Tube, 15.5" Reach, 21.5" Stand Over Height, 32" Minimum Saddle Height, 40"Maximum Saddle Height, 26" Width, 53.75" Wheelbase, 81" Length, Rear Deck: 26" Usable Length x 6.75" Wide

Frame Types:

Mid-Step

Frame Colors:

Gloss Slate Gray, Gloss Bright White, Gloss Teal

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Steel, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

175mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Keyed Threaded Axle with 18mm Nuts

Attachment Points:

Fender Mounts, Front Rack Mounts, Rear Rack Mounts, 2 Bottle Cage Mounts

Gearing Details:

7 Speed 1x7 Shimano Acera Derailleur, Shimano MF-TZ500-7 Cassette 14-34 Tooth

Shifter Details:

Shimano Revoshift Grip Shifter on Right

Cranks:

Prowheel Forged Aluminum Alloy Arms, 170mm Length, Square Taper Bottom Bracket Spindle, 48 Tooth Steel Chainring with Aluminum Alloy Guide

Pedals:

Wellgo B249DU, Aluminum Alloy Platform, Silver

Headset:

NECO, Threadless, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Straight 1-1/8"

Stem:

Zoom, Aluminum Alloy, Adjustable Angle 0° to 90°, 90mm Length, 65mm Height, 15mm Tapered Base Spacer, 31.8mm Clamp Diameter

Handlebar:

Promax, Aluminum Alloy, Swept-Back, 15° Backsweep, 640mm Length

Brake Details:

Bengal ARES3 Hydraulic Disc with 180mm Rotors, Dual Piston Calipers, Three-Finger Bengal ERES3 Levers Adjustable Reach with Brake Light Activation and Motor Inhibitors

Grips:

Velo Ergonomic, Non-Locking

Saddle:

Selle Royal Hertz City

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Single Bolt 6mm Hex, Quick Release Collar

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

Star Circle, Aluminum Alloy, Double Walled, 40mm Inner Width, 36 Hole, Silver, KT Front Hub

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge Front 12 Gauge Rear, Silver with Nipples

Tire Brand:

CST C1381, 24" x 2.4" (61-507)

Wheel Sizes:

24 in (60.96cm)

Tire Details:

35 to 65 PSI, 2.5 to 4.5 BAR, Reflective Sidewall Stripe, Anti-Puncture Casing

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Spanninga Axendo 40 Integrated Headlight (40 Lux), Spanninga Flexio Rear Light (27 Small Constant LEDs, 2 Brake Activated LEDs), Deflopilator Stabilizing Spring, Flick Bell on Left Brake Lever, Plastic Fenders with Mud Flaps (75mm Width, Matte Black), Extra-Strong Double Leg Kickstand (Adjustable Length Legs), Optional Bamboo Running Boards, Optional Bamboo Rear Deck, Optional Rear Rack Seat Pads, Optional Additional Charger, Optional Second Battery Pack, Optional Alloy Front Rack, Optional Alloy Small Basket with Integrated Cup Holder, Optional Alloy Large Basket with Bamboo Deck, Optional Alloy Platform, Optional Thule Yepp! Maxi EasyFit Child Seats, Optional Alloy VIP Child Surround Rack, Optional Custom Designed Bags (Rack Compatible)

Other:

Locking Removable Semi-Integrated Color-Matched Downtube Mounted Battery Pack, Optional Second Battery Pack Mounted Behind Seat Tube, 1.2lb 2 Amp Charger, Basic Assembly Toolkit, 250lb Rider Max Load, 150lb Rear Rack Max Weight, 50lb Front Rack Max Weight, IP65 Rated Electronics, 15 Amp Continuous 25 Amp Peak Potted Controller, 3-Bolt Head Tube Badge Rack Mount

Motor Brand:

Shengyi DGW25

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

750 watts

Motor Torque:

90 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Panasonic 18650 3,200 mAh 13S4P

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

12.8 ah (Optional Second 12.8ah Pack)

Battery Watt Hours:

614.4 wh (Optional Second 614.4wh Pack)

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

6 hours

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

90 miles (145 km)

Display Type:

King Meter NOKEE-U, Fixed, Backlit, Grayscale LCD, 3.75" Diagonal, Full Sized USB Type-A Charging Port on Right Side of Display (5 Volt 1 Amp)

Readouts:

Battery Level (5 Bars), Assist Level (0-5), Speed, Average Speed, Max Speed, Assist Level (0-5), Trip A, Trip B, Odometer

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad on Left, Buttons: Up, Down, Mode/Power, Lights: Hold Up Arrow, Cycle Display: Press Mode Button, Walk Mode: Hold Down Arrow, Settings Menu: Hold Up and Down, Charge Level Indicator on Battery Pack (4 LEDs), On Off Button on Battery Pack, Second USB Charging Port on Downtube Battery (5 Volt 1 Amp)

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle (12 Magnet Sealed Cedence Sensor)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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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.

Pros:

Amazing value here… I practically couldn’t believe that they priced the updated Packa at $1,699 with so many improvements. It still comes with extra wide fenders, integrated lights, and a high quality rear rack with lots of cargo options. I do expect that the company will raise prices as time goes on, due to supply chain constraints that everyone is facing… but wow, they are really committed to value here.
Beautiful custom frame design, it was redone since the last generation to improve stiffness and add functionality without adding weight. I love that it’s now available in three frame colors vs. just two, and that the fork and battery cover are paint-matched!
Blix was able to fit two bottle cage bosses onto this frame! That’s awesome, because one could be used for fluids while the other supports a folding lock or something. This leaves the rear rack more open for child seats etc. If you opt for the child surround bar accessory, it adds an additional four bottle cage bosses for maximum utility!
Lots of great accessories for hauling cargo or additional passengers (infants, kids, and adults). Blix designed many of the bags to work in combination with the bolt-on cargo racks so you don’t have to choose one or the other. I love the dedicated pannier hanger rods, bungee loop at the back, redesigned running boards (and easier to attach footboards), and trailer hitch mount (10mm holes on both sides).
The bike is rated to carry a lot of weight! You get up to 250lbs for the rider, 150lbs on the rear rack, and 50lbs with an optional front rack. I rode around with an adult male passenger who weighed 150lbs plus and the bike performed well. Note that a fully loaded bike will flex a bit more
Blix decided to use matching 24″ tires on the Packa, so you don’t need as many different sized replacement parts. By choosing 24″ vs. 26″ they gave the motor a greater mechanical advantage, added wheel strength, and kept the rack lower to the ground for easier to load, but didn’t sacrifice as much comfort as 20″ wheel size.
I love that they chose puncture resistant tires that have reflective stripes for safety, and made the front wheel quick release for easier maintenance.
Mounting and loading the bike is very easy thanks to the giant double-leg kickstand and stabilizing “deflopilator” spring at the front fork. I like that the kickstand offers some adjustment too, so you can make it fit your environment and fine tune things over time.
The drivetrain is pretty good for around town riding with a wider 14 to 34 tooth cassette (vs. 14-28 on most of their other models) and an alloy chainring guide to reduce chain drops. The chain is also rust-resistant, and should last longer than average.
Safety is important, especially if you’ve got passengers along for the ride! so I really appreciate the reflective tires, premium integrated lights, and brake bright activation. Basically, whether the lights are turned on or not, the rear light goes bright whenever you pull one of the brake levers! This action also cuts motor power for faster stopping. Note that the white frame option is probably the safest for night riders, because the entire frame will stand out more.
The bike felt very comfortable to me, even without suspension, because of the higher volume 2.4″ wide tires, upright adjustable angle stem, swept back handlebar with ergonomic grips, and steel fork (which helps to dampen vibration).
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.
It’s neat that both the LCD display and battery pack have 5 volt 1 amp USB charging ports built-in! This could be useful for charging portable electronics, additional lights, or even for picnic situations where you remove the main battery and bring it with you. I like that the main battery has a USB port built into the side, so you can run portable electronics in a tent or at a picnic separate from the bike itself (if you remove the battery).
Blix has left the display panel open, 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 if you’d like. They ship it at 20mph 32kmh to comply with legal framework for Class 2 ebikes. You could unplug and remove the throttle easily and ride this as Class 1 if you wanted.
Blix is using a high resolution cadence sensor with 12 magnets, so pedal assist feels very responsive. The sensor is compact and appears to be well sealed against water and dust, good choices.
Updated battery pack design (only for the optional second pack). They are 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 for sending energy and also increases the potential power output. This enabled them to increase motor power to 700 watts and get that high 90 newton meter torque rating.
Notice the wide rear hub spacing (175mm like you’d see on a fat tire bike), which provides more space for the powerful motor. Blix also increased the motor controller amp output to 15 amps continuous and 25 amps peak, so the motor can operate efficiently. And, they moved the motor power cable to the non-drivetrain side of the bike to reduce clutter and add physical protection if the bike tips.
The electronics are all modular, using press fit connectors, which makes them easier to replace if damaged. I was told that this used to be more difficult, especially for the main controller. Considering that the bike is primarily sold direct to consumer, it’s nice that they are making it easier to maintain.
The original Packa Genie electric cargo bike came with an empty battery box and mount interface if you chose not to upgrade. I think they did this to make upgrading later easier, and to protect the electronics. With this new generation of bikes, they do not include the mount or empty pack, which cuts down on waste and confusion. The trade-off is that you must mount the second pack yourself if purchased later. I think the modular controller improvements make this fairly easy though.
The optional second battery pack is much easier to mount, remove, and interact with. It’s mounted to the seat tube vs. rear section of the frame, so weight distribution is better and there’s more space around it. There’s an on/off toggle switch on this pack, so you could disable it and only drain the main battery if you wish. When both packs are mounted and switched on, the Packa Genie controller alternates between them automatically, to drain them evenly as you ride.
Geared hub motors are known for being compact, lightweight, and efficient. I’m familiar with the Shengyi brand. This bike felt very powerful, and I was able to test it out by climbing a steep hill on throttle only (no pedaling). It seems like a solid choice, based on what I’ve observed from competing hub motor powered e-cargo models.
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 too, so you can be gentle by only pressing part way.
The bike isn’t as long as I thought, possibly due to the medium 24″ wheel size. The full length is ~81″ which is very close to the Blix Sol Eclipse electric cruiser model that they also sell. In short, it won’t stick out as far at bike racks and might fit into your garage more easily.
I saved one of my favorite upgrades for last, and that’s the hydraulic disc brakes! They are still using large 180mm rotors that offer improved mechanical advantage and cooling, and I love that the levers have motor inhibitors, brake light activation, adjustable reach, and there’s a bell attached to the left lever!
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.

Cons:

The headlight used to be mounted to the front fender, which positioned it forward and reduced any blockage by the fender… but it would bounce around more and seemed a bit vulnerable. Blix has now moved the light onto the fork. It’s a decent solution, but there is some fender blockage and if you get an optional front rack, it can be even harder to see from the sides and front. Some competing ebike designs include an extension cable to mount their lights onto front racks, but then the light doesn’t point where you steer… I prefer handlebar or stem mounted lights due to the higher positioning and improved visibility, but they can get blocked by cargo piled up in a front rack. I guess that no solution is perfect ;)
This is a direct-to-consumer electric bike, meaning that most customers order online and have to receive and unbox it. There aren’t too many steps, but there’s definitely some extra time required to attach the handlebar and get the bike going compared to buying from a local dealer. 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.
Blix no longer includes a bamboo deck and running boards with the Packa, you have to pay extra for these options. I don’t see this as a big negative however, because some people who plan to attach child seats probably didn’t use the decking and they definitely added weight.
Minor consideration here, but if you opt for the child surround bars, note that they only use a single outer tube. This makes it easier for fingers to be pinched vs. a double tube that lets kinds hold to one tube and be protected by the second outer one. Perhaps you could look at Yuba’s accessory to see if it will fit on the Blix bike.
The new battery charger feels solid and looks great, it’s fairly small and lightweight, but I think it’s slower than before. You get a standard 2 amp charger here vs. 3 amp, and it can only charge one battery at a time (if you opt for a second battery pack). It could take 7 hours to charge each pack from empty, so consider buying a second charger if you plan to get the second pack use both batteries regularly.
Similar to the need for two charger situation, if you opt for the second battery pack, it will come with a unique locking core and key. This means that you’ll have to keep track of more keys and spend more time trying to figure out which one is for which battery. Perhaps you could paint a dot on one or use some colored tape to save time?
It would also be nice if both batteries were the exact same design so they could be interchangeable with other Blix models and simpler to replace. I suspect that the colored cover for the main battery requires extra money could take more time to find and replace someday if needed.
The bike is fairly heavy at 67.7lbs (or 76.8lbs with a second battery attached), and this does not included additional racks and accessories. Keep this in mind when receiving and unboxing the bike, or trying to lift it for transport if you get a flat tire or are doing maintenance. I usually remove batteries before trying to lift any ebikes :)
While it can be useful to have a second battery pack, for extended range, this does cost more money, adds more weight, and requires a second key to unlock… the locking cylinders will not match, so you have more to keep track of and more time to unlock.
The long chain and mid-level derailleur results in some bouncing, producing noise and possibly marring the frame. I was surprised that Blix had not added a slap guard. Consider using some box tape to protect the right chain stay as a cheap and easy solution.
Minor complaint, the frame only comes in one size… but the mid-step design is fairly easy to approach and the adjustable angle stem, swept back handlebar, and adjustable seat height offer a wide range of fit options.
The charging port for the main battery is low down on the left side of the frame, directly in the path of the left crank arm, so be careful not to bump the pedals while it’s plugged in or the plug and socket could get damaged.
The display 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 is actually split into 5 bars even though there are 10 lines… it would be more precise if you actually had 10% increments vs. 20% here.
Sometimes, adjustable angle stems can start to wiggle loose and then strip. I’ve experienced this with some cheaper stems and would just keep an eye out this part and keep the bolt tight to avoid issues. The one Blix used here appears to be higher quality.

Useful Resources:

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mike

3 years ago

Wow, I’m impressed this seems crazy good. I’ve had a Blix Vika for some time now and just started looking for a cargo. Love it.

Court

Perfect timing! I was really impressed too… great job with the build and an excellent price point. If you do get one, I’d love to hear your thoughts after some riding :)

Tom Trindle

As always this was another great review, thank you. On the first generation of the Packa there was a way to mount a cafe lock to the front fork. That feature seems to be missing now. I thought that feature was quite smart because it is a way to secure the front wheel to the bike. I suppose it does save a little money to eliminate it but really?? Also, it appears that when the kickstand is up in the riding position it it is very close to the road. I presume it did not strike the payment on turns, but it sure looks like it could. Thanks again and please keep up the good work.

Both very good observations, Tom! Thanks for adding to the review. Yes, it does seem that the bosses for adding a cafe lock to the front fork have been removed. I also agree that the kickstand hangs a bit low, but I did not have a problem with ground strikes when turning sharp or going over obstacles like curbs, because it is positioned far enough back. It felt very stable, and seemed like a good hardware choice. Some competing e-cargo models have started using single side kickstands, but they just don’t seem as stable for loading like this one.

Rami

If you want to secure the front tire to the frame you could use Hexlox or other skewer locks. Hexlox with their custom skewer has worked great for me. No issues.

Bre

Is the blue color bike in the video the “Teal” option? It looks a bit brighter than the website photos!

Hi Bre! I can’t really comment on this, perhaps you could ask Blix directly? Sometimes I’ve seen companies take photos using a pre-production unit, then the final color is slightly different (this is not always the choice of the company, but color availability or manufacturer mixups). It could also just be the lighting for their stock photos vs. real life? This is one of the reasons I always use my own photos and video equipment, trying to provide and independent perspective :)

Haley

@Bre the Packa in the video above is the Slate Gray color!

Elizabeth Kohr

When I asked Blix Support over chat, they say the torque is 45 Nm on the new Packa Genie. Can you clarify where you get 90 Nm?

Hmm, I got the information about battery voltage and motor power directly from the Blix team during my visit in Santa Cruz. Perhaps they have adjusted what they are saying since then or are providing nominal torque vs. peak? I’ll bring this up when I speak with them again. Thanks for sharing what you’ve seen/heard.

Thanks for looking into this. This is a huge difference to me and would determine which model year I get.

Nick

The Packa Genie has 90nm of torque. This is an upgrade from the Packa, which had a direct drive with 40nm. Specifically, in this review, Blix mentions they upgraded this bike for more power – geared hub at 750 with peak at 1,350. Why the torque isn’t listed on their website under the specs is beyond me, especially for a cargo bike, where torque is a crucial metric.

I can tell you that, compared to the Radwagon, this has far more torque and far more power. It goes significantly faster, accelerates faster, and climbs harder. The difference between the two is stark – whether that’s due to the motors or the programming of the controllers, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.

Elizabeth

“the battery charge level is actually split into 5 bars even though there are 10 lines… it would be more precise if you actually had 10% increments vs. 20% here.”

I agree, this decision seems odd. It looks from your pic that there’s actually 15 lines. Did they have to tell you that it’s only 10% increments or is that documented somwhere?

Yeah, I think it’s just a stylized menu that is emphasizing design vs. precision. Even if they did have 15 bars, the readout could be inconsistent if the controller is measuring based on voltage alone. I’ve seen some ebikes where the battery capacity dips significantly realtime as the motor begins to work hard. Basically, there may be more to this decision than just laziness, and I don’t blame Blix directly for it. Most of these batteries, controllers, motors, and displays are pre-built and then customized a bit by the brands. There may be a handful of displays that work with a particular motor, and most of that stuff is designed and manufactured in Taiwan, China, or Vietnam from what I understand.

That insight is helpful. Thank you!

Rob Oliver

I actually emailed Blix regarding the torque, and they responded saying that it is 45nm. Where does 90nm come from?

Hi Rob! This question came up from someone else too. I got the 90nm number about motor peak torque directly from the Blix team during my visit in Santa Cruz. Perhaps they have adjusted what they are saying since then or are providing nominal torque vs. peak? I’ll ask the next chance that I get :)

David

Do you know why they raised the price so much? Looks like $2,000/$2,300 for single/dual battery now according to their site.

I didn’t know that, but thanks for the update! I’m kind of glad that they did, Blix seems to offer great support and prices of shipping and materials have really risen lately. They probably weren’t able to make the money they deserved and needed to grow at the older prices. Have you been considering buying? I bet you could offer a little bit less and they might give you a discount :)

Great idea, thanks for the review and suggestion!

Alex

Thank you for the fantastic detailed review. I’m choosing between this Packa Genie against the RadWagon 4. While the Packa Genie spec is better than the RadWagon 4, this site still recommended the RadWagon 4 as the best affordable cargo bike over the Blix Packa Genie for 2022. What’s the opinion of choosing between these two bikes for hilly city like SF?

Great question Alex, I actually used to live in San Francisco! Yeah, these two ebikes are some of my favorite cargo models. I barely chose Rad for the top spot because they have more in-person stores, a broad range of accessories, and a really good reputation for customer support. Blix is a very very close second or third. I’d consider it one of the top contenders. As for benefits for your specific application, the smaller 22″ wheel size of Rad will offer an improved mechanical advantage for the hub motor while also lowering the cargo. The attack angle is slightly higher, but their high volume tires help to improve comfort. I think you could be happy withe either bike, maybe it comes down to color, or which company you like better. Rad seems to have good resale value and many of their accessories are cross compatible. They don’t have the dual battery option, but you could buy an extra pack and stick it in a cargo bag for similar results. I hope this helps explain, and I’d love to hear what you get and how it works for you :D

Test rode the Radwagon4 at their retail store. The frame is heavy and it is difficult to hold it upright when stopped. The bike wobbles when starting from standstill but then I figured out that one could use the throttle to help it get going. The throttle is sensitive and the motor seems wanting to rev to the maximum power. The pedal is pretty much useless because the motor would kick in at maximum power whenever cycling begins. It is more a moped than a bicycle. The seat position is uncomfortable and the ride is rough. There are too many control inputs at the handlebar and they could be dangerous to those unfamiliar to electronics. Like others have reported, many crucial parts have been replaced with cheaper components. I would not recommend RadWagon to petite women that weight less than 2x the bike. All in all, I decided to abandon cargo bike ideas and purchased a mid drive mountain ebike from REI along with a bike trailer.

Red

2 years ago

Thanks for all of your great reviews! I am moving to Chicago soon and plan on replacing my car with an e-bike. I plan on using it to commute and run errands within the city. I am currently between the Blix Packa Genie and the Radwagon 4. Which do you think is better for a flatter city like Chicago or if a cargo bike would even be my best option? Thanks for the help!

Hi Red! I like both of those options. If you want the dual battery setup, the Blix Pack is worth exploring. If you like the accessories and styling of Rad, then it could be a winner. I could see myself being happy with either one, and it might just come down to color or other minor preferences vs. which one is “better” on paper. Hope this helps! I do appreciate the unique wheel size and tires that Rad created for their RadWagon, they work well but then you have to buy replacements from them since it’s unique. I also think their brand has good resale value due to widespread recognition, but lots of people like how Blix products look and they seem to be popular too :)