2021 Blix Sol Eclipse Review

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:

• Great value for the money here. This model has been refined since it was first launched, and I love that it comes in a range of fun colors, includes reflective puncture-resistant tires, and has an integrated headlight.
• Battery weight is positioned low and center on the frame, behind the seat tube so the pack won’t get kicked when you step onto the bike. They also included a pair of braze-on bottle cage mounts on the front side of the seat tube! I like that they actually welded on the threaded eyelets vs. screwing directly into the tubing, because it adds strength and might allow the seat post to go lower.
• Blix offers some nice accessories for their ebikes, including paint-matched fenders, touch up paint, suspension seat post, and a front or rear rack. You could get one of the racks and a set of their beautiful pannier bags or one of the bolt-on top baskets to add a lot of utility for your bike vs. just cruising.
• Interesting wheel size here! Blix chose 27.5″ to smooth out the ride vs. 26″ on most cruisers. This larger size does raise the frame about 0.5″ but lowers the attack angle of the wheel and adds air volume. Note the wider 2.4″ tires they chose, which also add air volume, comfort, and stability.
• As with most step-thru wave style frames, this ebike is extremely easy to approach, mount, and stabilize. I found that the frame reinforcement was strong enough to reduce flex, so it felt steady when riding. I love the adjustable kickstand that they chose, and appreciate that it’s mounted far enough back to be clear of the crank arms when deployed, so you don’t get pedal lock when backing the bike up.
• The bike felt very comfortable to me, even without suspension, because of the higher volume 2.4″ wide tires, upright adjustable angle stem, long swept back handlebar with ergonomic grips, relaxed head tube angle, 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.
• 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 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 even unplug and remove the throttle to 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! 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.
• I like how the battery seems really secure on the flared metal seat tube, 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. Ideally, keep it in a cool dry location and try to maintain 50%+ when you aren’t riding the bike. Fully draining the pack can stress the cells.
• 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. Note the wider rear dropout 175mm vs. 135mm for bigger motor and magnets inside that can increase power without requiring such a tall visible motor casing. These are small things that can go unnoticed, but to me it shows that they care about the details.
• 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.
• Geared hub motors are known for being compact, lightweight, and efficient. I’m familiar with the Shengyi brand. 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 electric cruiser ebikes.
• The plastic chainring guide protects your pant legs or dress end, and ensures that the chain won’t drop off as easily when riding on bumpy terrain.
• 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.
• 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 drivetrain is very basic, using the entry-level derailleur from Shimano. You get seven gears, but the range is pretty limited at 14 to 28. It’s best suited to neighborhood riding and cruising vs. steep climbing or high speed.
• Another component choice that helps to keep the price lower on this model is the mechanical disc brakes. In my experience, they do require a bit of extra hand effort compared to hydraulic, especially the rear brake (right lever), and the cables can set in and get stickier over time with dust and water ingress. Notice how the brake housing is pointed up and the wire runs down into it so water and dust can also settle downwards into it. Blix chose standard 160mm rotors vs. larger 180mm, which leaves less cooling surface and lower mechanical advantage, but they are also less likely to get bent at bike racks.
• If you get the optional front tray rack system, you’ll have to re-mount the headlight to the base of the basket and it will no longer point where you steer. If you get fenders, it seems like the headlight gets blocked a bit from shining down and lighting your path perfectly. I only tested during the day, but tried to demo the brightness during our elevator ride. It should still help you to be seen when riding.
• 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.
• The bike is a bit heavy at 54.7lbs without any fenders or racks attached. Most cruisers do weigh a bit extra because of the larger tires and swept-back handlebar.
• It’s a bummer that this bike does not come stock with a rear light like many of the other Blix models, but if you opt for the rear rack, you can also get a rear light that plugs right in! I appreciate that the bike is pre-wired for this optional rear light, and it features a bright mode when you pull the brakes! It’s much more convenient and efficient than a disposable battery operated rear light.
• Minor complaint, the frame only comes in one size… but the low step-thru 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 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 of good quality so this is just a proactive observation.
• I didn’t see a clear sticker slap guard on the chainstay, which means the chain could bounce down and mar the 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.
• The controller box is mounted below the frame where it can stay cool but may also take some damage if you get high-centered on rocks or logs. Sometimes it’s nice to have these internal, but that can make troubleshooting and repairs more difficult.
• 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 need to raise the seat or take the seat post out completely for easier access.