A clean looking folding electric bike that comes in three different colors and has an easily removable locking internal battery
Extremely simple to fold and unfold but still has two-step locks so it won't come undone accidentally, relatively lightweight
Throttle and pedal assist options expand the role the Jolt can play, sturdy alloy wheels won't go out of true, the motor and battery are hidden
Good folding electric bike for zipping through the city with a low Indiegogo campaign price, but there's still some hidden fees like $199 for shipping, higher MSRP, no suspension, racks or integrated lights
Locking Removable Internally Mounted Battery Pack with USB port and On/Off switch, Metal Bar Below Bottom Bracket Stabilizes the Bike When Folded and Protects the Front Chainring, .8 lb 2 Amp Charger
EBR charges a service fee to manufacturers to produce ebike reviews and videos. It’s the same flat fee for each bike, and it helps us to keep the site going while limiting ad clutter. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you with our opinions and data but respect your right to know that we receive compensation :)
JOLT eBike is a new company fresh off their Indiegogo campaign, which they absolutely crushed by the way. These guys were looking for $50,000 in funding and have nearly reached $300,000 at the time of this review. While JOLT’s folding electric bike, aptly named the Jolt, isn’t particularly unique, it still offers a few unique features that set it apart. It comes with motor inhibitors that cut power whenever you brake, folds and unfolds quickly and easily, comes in three different colors, has a 350-watt geared hub motor that is built into the rear wheel (which looks great) and has both throttle and pedal-assist with a top speed of 20 mph. Perhaps the best thing about the Jolt from my perspective is the super low Indiegogo campaign price of $599. I was excited to review this bike given the price, but after a bit of research I discovered some caveats. First and foremost, the MSRP for the Jolt is $1,999 – a far cry from the campaign price. While it’s possible the retail price may go down once the Jolt hits the market, it’s not a guarantee. And even those who got in early on the campaign, and snagged one of these for $599, still have to pay a flat shipping fee of $199. Additionally, it costs $39 to upgrade the front brake from a V brake to a mechanical disc brake, and $29 for those who want to opt for the LED headlamp. Still, all said and done, you’re getting out the door for only about a grand after taxes – for the campaign price anyway… Something I found a bit confusing about the campaign though is shipping and warranty. The JOLT Indiegogo campaign website mentions warranties aren’t honored outside the U.S., which seems to imply this bike comes with a warranty and can be shipped worldwide. However, after talking with JOLT directly, I discovered there is no warranty and it can only be shipped to the contiguous U.S. So folks in Alaska and Hawaii are out of luck, unfortunately. Still, this was a fun bike to review and ride, so let’s make like a swan and dive right in.
The Jolt comes in only one frame size – 12 inches – but thanks to the telescoping handlebars and extremely long seat post, I think this bike can accommodate riders of various heights. I’m 5’10” and this bike fit me fine, though it did feel a little small and reminded me of a BMX bike. But taller riders, or those who simply want to extend their reach, can easily raise the handlebars, twist them forward, and raise the seat with the quick-release levers. One thing I want to note about the quick-release for the seat post was that it seemed like it might not have been quite the right size, or perhaps the seat post diameter was just slightly too narrow. The seat post rattled around some and I had to seriously tighten the quick-release lever to the point where I needed to use both my hands and almost all my strength to clamp it down. On the plus side though, the seat post is a whopping 33.8 mm in diameter, which is great for taller riders who need to raise the seat post higher than normal. That extra thickness should help ensure the seat post doesn’t bend or otherwise become deformed. Another note for those who are looking to utilize the telescoping handlebars: Raising the handlebars also extends the brake lines and motor inhibitor wires, which could be pulled loose or get damaged if the handlebars are raised too high and then you turn hard. Try not to stretch the wires or pull on them too much.
The frame is made from 6061 aluminum alloy, giving the Jolt a curb weight of 46 pounds. That’s not too bad for an electric bike and should make lugging it around a bit easier than some heavier electric bikes. It’s on the lighter side for folding models but that’s probably because it doesn’t have suspension and the battery capacity is lower than average. Because the 350-watt hub motor is located in the rear and the internal locking battery is secured in the middle of the frame, the Jolt felt pretty well balanced. Folding this thing is a breeze. Flick open the quick release lever in the middle of the frame and at the base of the handlebars and voila! Folded. I managed to fold and unfold this bad boy with one hand, which I thought was pretty cool. That might be handy if I had luggage or groceries or something in one hand and still needed to load the Jolt into my car with the other. The Jolt I received was the Pearl White color, but the company also offers it in Obsidian Black and Electric Blue. At the bottom of the frame is a metal bar that serves to help protect the chainring and also balance the bike when it’s folded. However, I noticed that in order to actually utilize this feature the bike couldn’t be completely folded or it would tip over. There’s also no magnetic clasp, rubber strap, or bungee system included to keep the bike folded. I sometimes use my own bungee cords or you can get some all-plastic cords with adjustable length from Amazon like this.
The tires on the Jolt are little 20-inchers, which are great for giving a mechanical boost to the motor and coasting efficiently, but not so good for shock absorption or stability. The smaller tire can lead to some squirreliness at higher speeds, and 20 mph feels a lot faster on a bike like this than something with 26″ or 28″ wheels. That’s not to say the smaller tire size is a bad thing – in fact I actually like them and think they’re fitting for this bike’s philosophy of use – but it’s definitely something to be aware of. It’s not the kind of ebike I’d get for long daily commutes. From an aesthetics standpoint, I also appreciate the rims, which have six large cast bars as opposed to traditional spokes. As far as components go, the Jolt has primarily entry-level equipment. I wasn’t able to discern the brand of the hub motor, and the Shimano Tourney derailleur works fine, but it’s definitely on the lower end of the quality spectrum. In fact, it’s the lowest component group that Shimano makes as far as I’m aware. I did like the Wellgo folding pedals quite a bit, though I prefer the type that have a lever in the middle as opposed to these, which need to be pushed in before they fold. They’re pretty generic, and might flex or feel small if you’re heavy and have large feet… this is another area that is easy to upgrade with larger alloy folding pedals from Wellgo like these.
JOLT estimates the range of their bike at 50 miles, though honestly I think with the 36 volt 7.8 amp hour battery it’d probably be closer to around 15 to 30 miles. But I think that’s still fine as I personally wouldn’t want to be riding a folding bike with no suspension fork for extended periods. The battery itself was extremely easy to remove. Just open the frame and insert the key to unlock it and it slides right out. Some of the older folding e-bikes required you to leave your key in while riding or had the locking core external to the frame which could take more water and dirt, so it’s nice that this one is protected. I LOVE that the battery has a USB port built in as that means it can be used to power the bike and also my accessories! It also means I can use the battery as a portable power bank too, which is a huge plus in my opinion. The battery has an on/off switch so you can keep it from drawing down when not in use (and maybe keeping it safer if you’re on a long trip and the bike is getting jostled around). Having a removable battery is great for those who want to use the Jolt as a city bike and charge the battery while the bike is parked a rack or maybe the bike is loaded in the cold outside of your car and you want to keep the battery safe inside or use that USB port to fill your phone or something. Because the battery is relatively lightweight – weighing just 3.8 pounds – it won’t be as much of a chore to lug around as some of the heavier battery packs. Accessing the USB port, On/Off button and charging port on the battery while it’s inside the bike is done via a triangular rubber grommet on the left side of the Jolt. The grommet seemed to fit securely and snuggly in place and didn’t seem like it would come loose during riding – a problem I’ve noticed with quite a few other electric vehicles. This may seem like a small detail, but having a grommet that doesn’t come undone when it’s not supposed to means dirt, water and other debris will stay out of the electronics, thereby increasing the overall longevity of the battery. Do be careful if you plug a USB cable in while riding the Jolt, because it could get snagged and bumped by your foot when pedaling.
Riding the Jolt was fun. The eight-magnet cadence sensor did an okay job at giving and cutting off power when I started and stopped pedaling and the lag wasn’t too bad – about a half second to a second at most. The throttle was also fun to use as it made the Jolt feel a little like a scooter as opposed to a bicycle. This is a feature I always appreciate, especially since I don’t see throttles on electric bikes that often. Because of the Jolt’s small frame and tires, it was easy to whip around and felt quite nimble. I think those who are able to get the Jolt at the campaign price of $599 plus $199 for shipping are getting a decent deal, but with an MSRP of $1,999 it would be nice to see some more upgraded features like front and rear disc brakes, a cargo rack, integrated LED lights, a torque sensor and maybe a step up or two with the derailleur and a suspension fork. You can see lots of other folding electric bikes which do offer these upgrades priced in the $1,500 range reviewed here. This seems like a good bike for those who need something portable and relatively lightweight to zip through the city or down the beach. I’d like to thank JOLT for partnering with me on this review and I welcome your comments and feedback below, especially if you’re a backer for the Indiegogo campaign. As with all crowd funded products, there’s some question as to how long it will take to ship or whether it will change from what is presented to the final product. I have done my best to present what I got in an objective way and I hope for the best to anyone who is backing.
Pros:
Very easy to fold and unfold this electric bike with sturdy quick-release levers on the frame and stem, the handlebar can also be rotated and this raises or brings it back because of the low-rise bar design
Telescoping handlebars and extremely long seat post means the Jolt should be suitable for a large range of rider heights, plus the seat post is sturdy thanks to its larger than normal diameter
Having a trigger throttle means the Jolt ebike can be used like a moped or scooter instead of only being pedaled, this could be handy if you’re carrying cargo or focused on balancing with the smaller wheels (which tend to be twitchier)
Gotta love the plastic chain guide, this ensures that the chain won’t bounce off as easily (important since there’s no suspension here) and it is handy when folding the bike as well, though plastic could get cracked vs. Aluminum alloy used on some other ebikes I have seen
The bike is very stealthy, you cannot see the motor casing or battery unless you know what to look for, I like how they are concealed and also well protected inside parts of the frame
Buying an ebike online usually means you’ll have to deal with packaging and some assembly… and while the JOLT eBike did come in a big cardboard box, I was delighted to see that it was fully assembled, and the wheels were perfectly straight because they don’t use spokes like most full sized models
It’s nice to be able to tap into the battery for your own portable electronics, either while riding or with the pack off the bike, just be careful with any wires that might be plugged in if you do try to use it and ride at the same time… it would be a bummer if you snagged a wire and broke the USB port
Being able to override pedal assist with the brake levers, which both have motor inhibitors, provides a sense of control and safety
I like how the bike remembers what level of pedal assist you were in when you turn it off… it stays in the same mode when you turn it on again! Just be careful not to get surprised by this or bump the trigger throttle on the right because that could cause some instability or an accident
Three color choices so you could get a couple of bikes and keep them separate, or just go for something more fun, but I like the white because it’s going to be the most visible at night (especially since this ebike has no integrated lights or reflective tires)
It looks like you could add a rear rack to this bike pretty easily, I saw threaded eyelets on the seat stays and near the rear dropout, just find one that would fit a smaller 20″ wheel setup
Cons:
The pricing on this ebike is a bit confusing because of the Indiegogo special, it sounds like shipping is $199 and if the true MSRP is $1,999 then this is one of the most expensive folding electric bikes around despite being kind of generic
No suspension, cast rims instead of spokes, and the smaller 20″ wheel diameter means that this ebike could feel stiff and uncomfortable on long rides
The motor power cable exits the right side of the rear dropout and is not protected by a derailleur guard, so just be careful not to bump this cable when folding and transporting, it’s not uncommon to see these cables get bent if the bike tips etc. and that could ruin the motor
The display panel is very basic, instead of an LCD with numeric readouts for speed, odometer, and battery percentage, you get LED indicators and dots that guide you but aren’t as precise
Rim brakes are a bit more basic than disc brakes and may get dirty and squeak more, apparently you can upgrade the front to disc (the demo bike I got came with a front disc) so this is one of the areas where cheaper parts were used but the price of the bike doesn’t really reflect that, on the Indiegogo campaign you have to pay more for the headlight and disc brake so I’m not sure how that will work on the final bike once the campaign is over
It seems like either the seat post is too narrow for the seat tube or maybe the seatpost collar needs to be tighter, I had to really tighten this down to reduce rattling and support my weight (so the seat wouldn’t slide down)
It’s great to have a kickstand but this one is mounted just below the bottom bracket which means the crank arms can collide with it if you back the bike up, it’s a minor gripe but some bikes do have their kickstand positioned further back and out of the way of the cranks
Minor gripe, the shifter cables, brake lines, and electrical wiring on this bike is all externally routed and can look a bit messy – especially on the white frame, but maybe it’s easier to repair and won’t get pinched when folding as easily?
Good overview; I did notice that the console pictured on Jolt’s Indiegogo page is not the old style, simplistic type that your bike comes with. The issue of not knowing your speed would’ve been solved had Jolt used the LCD console originally showed online. And no warranty; that’s a non-starter for me!
Good catch Ann, I’m not sure exactly what the deal was with Brent’s demo bike (having a front disc brake, no light, the more basic LCD) but even if it had all of these things I would still feel that the $2k+ price tag is a bit high, especially with products like the ENZO Lite which does have an LCD, a larger battery pack, integrated headlight, two disc brakes, and a long track record of selling electric bicycles with decent support for $1.4k
Definitely agree on that price point; too high for this product.
Mike
7 years ago
Still can’t figure out how these Indiegogo campaigns get started or are allowed to be funded? This is clearly a direct copy of at least 5 chinese made ebikes you can find on Alibaba, and even then you can spec better components that whats on this bike. Typically you can source them for $495 to $695, and if you buy in sufficient quantities (maybe 80 to 100 at a time), you can keep your shipping and customs costs down to about $40 to $60 per bike. With barriers to entry this low, I’m amazed that more e-bike vendors white labeling bikes like this aren’t introducing a new one on Indiegogo, at least once a week.
That this bike has an MSRP of $1999, means they will gross margin out at least $1200 per bike. It’s clear there is near zero innovation or design work put into this particular unit. Fraudulent misrepresentation if you ask me, and I’d seriously refrain from reviewing any ebike that is sourced as a copy direct from China. I wonder if people understand that when a bike is copied in China, there is literally no engineering done, but merely a copy of geometry and components. M2S does the exact same thing. They tried a Kickstarter, but somehow got ‘caught’. Again, nothing but white labeled China copies with a US ‘name’ slapped on them. You can find at least 4 or 5 copies of the same models they offer on Alibaba. So who is the ‘original’ engineering designer or manufacturer?
Hi Mike, all great points. I agree with you… but we try to cover a wide range of products, especially if they are fully funded and people are interested, so they can know more about what they are getting. I personally strive to be as thorough and objective/critical as I can, but Brent is newer and tends to be more generally excited. It can be a fine balance reviewing products and presenting information but also trying to stay fair and generally constructive so as not to upset people who are excited about cheaper products. Almost every ebike out there, even really nice ones, use parts made in China or Taiwan. Yes, this particular model isn’t as unique, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be appreciated. I do agree that the MSRP is pretty high.
Hey Court, you are doing a Yeomans job of reviewing here, and a huge service for everyone in this market. That you are doing a wide range of products, is laudable too.
That said, you are walking a tight rope by reviewing so many offerings, as people can inadvertently take these reviews as a defacto endorsement, by even being on your website, or figure that if it is being reviewed as long as they take whats said in the reviews that they think they ‘understand’ what they are getting into, it could still end up being a little misleading for them. Its hard to do what you are doing, but at some point without getting into the nuts and bolts, and actually taking these things apart to know what truly is the underlying technology in things like the motors, or batteries, and what type of controllers or BMS’s are employed in the batteries, it would seem to me to represent some risk on EBR’s part on how or what is being said.
Keep up the good work ! (my comments are only meant to help people have a little more discerning eye, and come from someone who has been following this market since the late 90’s, and is in the business of repairing them, buying them, selling them, etc.) (and yes, I have taken many of these things apart, and seen the ‘guts’ of how some are made.)
Mike
7 years ago
So here is a China version of the Jolt. Just order it with the 5 spoke mag wheels, and rear hub motor, and you have the Jolt. Feiwel, the model name of this ebike, and firm name of Jinhua Feirui Vehicle Co., Ltd does show other folding bike designs with the same wheel design. Depending on quantity and options, they price it between $450 and $800/unit. I have corresponded with at least 20 of these firms, to pin down pricing, and specific components, to see what is possible to bring over here to the US with some level of quality control. The primary issue is stocking enough of their parts in the US. Then dealing with the hassles of US customs. If you deal with an Alibaba sourced firm you have to make sure you deal with one that has at least 5 to 9 years as a Gold Star Supplier. And unless you are willing to set up a real dealer network, shipping ebikes without local dealer support, is a non starter for me. Too many things can and do go wrong, and eventually the brand will get eroded, and people will eventually catch on and likely steer toward name brands with local dealer support, selling their first ‘e-bike’ on Craiglist or Ebay, once they learned their lesson. As always its buyer beware.
Wonderful insights here Mike. Thank you for taking the time to illuminate different options and weigh the pros and cons of going with a direct cheaper product from Alibaba vs. an importer like JOLT who might handle some of the inconvenience, and how much the price differs. I love the Internet, being able to compare, and get help and perspective from others like this. Thank you :)
I’m really surprised to see a review of the bike. Indiegogo still shows this item to be in prototype stage meaning it has not gone into production. The owner of the project, John Madden, has missed the estimated shipping date which was in April. When pressed for a new estimated shipping date he responds that there are many moving parts, he’s working on it and the latest update states that he’s now looking for import support. Did you actually order one on Indiegogo? If so, perhaps he’s closer than we think to getting the product delivered. Thanks for the great review. I hope mine is as fun to ride when and if it arrives.
Hi Rick! This review was posted by my friend Brent. He has done a handful of videos here and usually covers bikes that get shipped to him (as companies are looking to build awareness). He did not purchase the bike, it was sent by Jolt because they wanted to have an independent review done even as the product had not yet fully come to market. I cannot say when it will come and I feel your pain as far as the delays go. We try to mention that crowdfunding can have delays and that the final product may differ slightly from the review units. I hope this helps you and wish you luck with the bike when it does arrive :)
Hmm, maybe someone else will comment on this, but I’m not really sure? It probably involves a freight forwarder and lots of money for shipping since ebikes tend to be large and heavy… but at least the JOLT folds to make it a bit smaller :) I don’t actually sell this or any electric bike, so you’d need to contact the company directly or reach out to another folding ebike maker like Enzo, e-Joe, or Gocycle.
Hi Anne! Usually I’ll just reach out to the manufacturer via phone or email. I’m not sure if that’s an option here… perhaps you can ask your question here or in the EBR ebike forums and someone will help directly based on experience with similar designs or similar systems (whatever you need help with). I’ll try to help here if you post a comment :)
First of all, thank you for all that you do! I’ve recently joined the search for an e-bike and your site and reviews have been a phenomenal resource. I wanted to get your opinion of this bike, and possibly your recommendation on what I should do/look for.
I am student at Clemson University which has notoriously awful parking. We have to park in a commuter lot over 1.5 miles away from class, which just is not happening for a guy that sweats as much as I do. I have been considering getting an e-bike that I can either ride from my house to campus (about 6 miles) or put in the back of my Compact SUV and ride from the commuter lot to the campus (about 1.5 miles up a steep hill). Initially, I was looking at full-sized e-bikes, but after reading, I am thinking a folding e-bike may be a better fit for me in case I wanted to drive my car to campus and then just use this to actually get around campus in. It should also be mentioned I am a grad student living off of a stipend, so I’m on a budget.
So, do you have any advice on what I should do? This bike still has their campaign price up of $599+shipping, which seems to be the cheapest option out there, but I also want a bike that at least is a little comfortable and made of decent-quality parts in case I want to ride this recreationally around town. Do you think this bike, at the campaign price, is a good fit? Or is there another bike you think would fit my needs and budget better? I prefer a bike that is very easy to work with (don’t have much working knowledge on bikes), has pedal assist and throttle on demand, and is relatively comfortable for short commuting.
For context: I’m 5’10” and about 180 lbs
Thank you!!!
Hi Nick! Great job explaining your situation. I want to preface my response by saying that I did not review the JOLT, Brent helped to cover this one so my feedback is going to be based off of my experience with other similar products. For the low price of the JOLT, you are trading comfort, motor power, and battery size. I think it could be a great fit for your 1.5 mile ride from the parking lot. It weighs a bit less than similar products because it doesn’t come with any accessories (fenders, rack, lights) so you’ll have to wear a backpack to haul goods and might get a little wet or dirty on rainy days. The brakes are very basic but should perform alright if you aren’t going too fast. It does have a telescoping stem to offer a bit of comfort and the cast rims will be sturdier than spokes. As you said, the price is great… you might be stuck working with bike shops for tuneups etc. but could also do that kind of thing yourself on such a simple drivetrain. It has the throttle and a basic cadence sensor, it should work fine. Nothing else really comes to mind at this price point… maybe a few no-name ebike or Amazon bikes that won’t look as cool and might swap the cast rims for a rack or some little difference. I hope this helps and invite you to ask around in the folding ebikes section of the forum or the help choosing area :)
I purchased two of these. One has arrived and I’m trying to contact John Madden the owner of Jolt to get the status of the second bike. Do you have his contact info? Messaging via Indiegogo has gone unanswered. Thanks!
Hi Ira, I’ll ask Brent about this because he conducted the review and I have not been in touch with JOLT myself. Is it alright if I provide him with your email address? Thanks!
Estimated delivery date was April 2018, still haven’t received mine. Very few backers have. The ones who have seem to have various complaints, such as bent and damaged parts, and no shipping information. This guy John Madden has taken over $300,000 of people’s money for a product that can be found on Alibaba for like $400, I paid $799. Just thought the press should know.
Ouch! Thanks for the update, Mark. I’m sorry to hear that things aren’t going real well with your order. I’ve seen this on other crowdfunded ebikes as well and am moving away from doing them based on this sort of feedback. I hope things improve, and I appreciate your share here, to inform others of the situation.
I have learned so much about electric bikes and crowdfunding since I ordered a Jolt e-bike. While waiting for this bike to arrive, I actually purchased another e-bike which is much larger and more powerful. My Jolt did eventually arrive, which is more than can be said for many of the purchasers who didn’t receive a bike. While not exactly what the crowdfunding campaign stated, the bike is operational and looks like it will withstand daily riding. As I run a nonprofit, and will raffle the Jolt off, so will not have the enjoyment of ownership. Thanks for your initial review of the Jolt, by the way.
Thanks for this feedback Stephen, and your generosity in donating the bike! So glad to hear that you found another product to ride this Fall. Hope it’s working well, I’d love to hear about that too sometime, maybe in the forums or on the relevant review here (if I’ve covered it).
I was #15 on the list. Still waiting. If and when it arrives it will be donated. Never again doing with anything with Indiegogo campaign and of course jolt owner. Jolt never returned an email… and monthly updates have stopped at least for me.
That’s such a bummer, Sean. I’m really sorry to hear that the bike never arrived and you haven’t been contacted. This is a review that I was not personally involved with as closely, and I’ve slowed down on Indiegogo/Kickstarter ebike coverage because sometimes they do not come through. I appreciate the update however, so that others can take this possibility into consideration before backing an electric bike on crowdfunding :(
I see you’ve addressed a few more recent negative reviews and sad to say that I have to add to the heap here. I was a backer in 2017 to the Jolt and purchased a number of add on perks (extra battery, headlamp, better breaks, etc) and haven’t received any of them. If you check the campaigns reviews I’d guess only a small number of backers even received a bike at all let alone one that is functioning as promised. As it’s a crowdsourced company there isn’t much that’s going to help get money back of course which really sucks.
I’m pretty new to Indigogo campaigns and supported this one because I was looking for a bike and read reviews like this and another on TechCrunch (definitely not blaming your reviews for the crappy campaign). That said, I think it would be worth it to add an update to your reviews, even though the campaign is over, just to note that this specific campaign was an utter flop and that sadly many other crowdfunded ebike campaigns seem to come with a SIGNIFICANT risk of not fulfilling their promises. Literally had an uber driver last week tell me about another failed ebike campaign from indigogo in 2011 that was also based in Manhattan Beach, CA (like the jolt). What is up with these guys in MB, are they all just scamming people or something?
Hmm, thanks for the input Gavin! I’ve definitely slowed down on reviewing crowdfunded ebikes. It’s such a difficult call because the SONDORS and a few others came through when many people thought they would fail… then the JOLT and others flopped and left people without a product and many times without answers. I’m sorry to hear that your first experience with ebikes has been negative, especially since many crowd funders are limited on cash and trying to get a deal, it seems like it hurts the very people who are the most sensitive. I am personally sorry, and will keep you in mind if I get any freebie ebikes that need a home. What part of the world are you based out of?
Yeah, it’s such a shame! I have strong faith in the general idea of ebikes to really change the landscape of transportation for people like me. I’m also hopeful that some day I’ll be able to afford something that’s quality and more reliably sourced. I really appreciate your transparency with ebike crowdfunding campaign reviews and such! Super generous of you to offer a freebie if you have one in need of a home and I would graciously provide one for it. I’m based in Los Angeles. You?
Jessica M.
5 years ago
Terrific review, I have been literally captivated, thank you so much for details, your site has great contents such as video reviews on folding bikes. Thanks for sharing, again great job!
I purchased a JOLT ebike during the campaign and although I had to wait about 9 months before I got the bike, I did get it and have not had any issues with it at all. I know now after the campaign, the company sent an email that due to the increase in shipping and other factors, the company had to dissolve. I was a bit frustrated finding that out but I’d like to ask a question of your EBR team. I was considering buying another battery for this bike and with the company being gone, how would I find out battery part number or if theres a stronger battery I could purchase to help this bike go further than 20 miles on a charge? Thanks guys and you did a pretty thorough review.
Ann M.
7 years agoGood overview; I did notice that the console pictured on Jolt’s Indiegogo page is not the old style, simplistic type that your bike comes with. The issue of not knowing your speed would’ve been solved had Jolt used the LCD console originally showed online. And no warranty; that’s a non-starter for me!
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoGood catch Ann, I’m not sure exactly what the deal was with Brent’s demo bike (having a front disc brake, no light, the more basic LCD) but even if it had all of these things I would still feel that the $2k+ price tag is a bit high, especially with products like the ENZO Lite which does have an LCD, a larger battery pack, integrated headlight, two disc brakes, and a long track record of selling electric bicycles with decent support for $1.4k
ReplyAnn M.
7 years agoDefinitely agree on that price point; too high for this product.
Mike
7 years agoStill can’t figure out how these Indiegogo campaigns get started or are allowed to be funded? This is clearly a direct copy of at least 5 chinese made ebikes you can find on Alibaba, and even then you can spec better components that whats on this bike. Typically you can source them for $495 to $695, and if you buy in sufficient quantities (maybe 80 to 100 at a time), you can keep your shipping and customs costs down to about $40 to $60 per bike. With barriers to entry this low, I’m amazed that more e-bike vendors white labeling bikes like this aren’t introducing a new one on Indiegogo, at least once a week.
That this bike has an MSRP of $1999, means they will gross margin out at least $1200 per bike. It’s clear there is near zero innovation or design work put into this particular unit. Fraudulent misrepresentation if you ask me, and I’d seriously refrain from reviewing any ebike that is sourced as a copy direct from China. I wonder if people understand that when a bike is copied in China, there is literally no engineering done, but merely a copy of geometry and components. M2S does the exact same thing. They tried a Kickstarter, but somehow got ‘caught’. Again, nothing but white labeled China copies with a US ‘name’ slapped on them. You can find at least 4 or 5 copies of the same models they offer on Alibaba. So who is the ‘original’ engineering designer or manufacturer?
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoHi Mike, all great points. I agree with you… but we try to cover a wide range of products, especially if they are fully funded and people are interested, so they can know more about what they are getting. I personally strive to be as thorough and objective/critical as I can, but Brent is newer and tends to be more generally excited. It can be a fine balance reviewing products and presenting information but also trying to stay fair and generally constructive so as not to upset people who are excited about cheaper products. Almost every ebike out there, even really nice ones, use parts made in China or Taiwan. Yes, this particular model isn’t as unique, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be appreciated. I do agree that the MSRP is pretty high.
ReplyMike
7 years agoHey Court, you are doing a Yeomans job of reviewing here, and a huge service for everyone in this market. That you are doing a wide range of products, is laudable too.
That said, you are walking a tight rope by reviewing so many offerings, as people can inadvertently take these reviews as a defacto endorsement, by even being on your website, or figure that if it is being reviewed as long as they take whats said in the reviews that they think they ‘understand’ what they are getting into, it could still end up being a little misleading for them. Its hard to do what you are doing, but at some point without getting into the nuts and bolts, and actually taking these things apart to know what truly is the underlying technology in things like the motors, or batteries, and what type of controllers or BMS’s are employed in the batteries, it would seem to me to represent some risk on EBR’s part on how or what is being said.
Keep up the good work ! (my comments are only meant to help people have a little more discerning eye, and come from someone who has been following this market since the late 90’s, and is in the business of repairing them, buying them, selling them, etc.) (and yes, I have taken many of these things apart, and seen the ‘guts’ of how some are made.)
Mike
7 years agoSo here is a China version of the Jolt. Just order it with the 5 spoke mag wheels, and rear hub motor, and you have the Jolt. Feiwel, the model name of this ebike, and firm name of Jinhua Feirui Vehicle Co., Ltd does show other folding bike designs with the same wheel design. Depending on quantity and options, they price it between $450 and $800/unit. I have corresponded with at least 20 of these firms, to pin down pricing, and specific components, to see what is possible to bring over here to the US with some level of quality control. The primary issue is stocking enough of their parts in the US. Then dealing with the hassles of US customs. If you deal with an Alibaba sourced firm you have to make sure you deal with one that has at least 5 to 9 years as a Gold Star Supplier. And unless you are willing to set up a real dealer network, shipping ebikes without local dealer support, is a non starter for me. Too many things can and do go wrong, and eventually the brand will get eroded, and people will eventually catch on and likely steer toward name brands with local dealer support, selling their first ‘e-bike’ on Craiglist or Ebay, once they learned their lesson. As always its buyer beware.
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoWonderful insights here Mike. Thank you for taking the time to illuminate different options and weigh the pros and cons of going with a direct cheaper product from Alibaba vs. an importer like JOLT who might handle some of the inconvenience, and how much the price differs. I love the Internet, being able to compare, and get help and perspective from others like this. Thank you :)
ReplyRick
7 years agoI’m really surprised to see a review of the bike. Indiegogo still shows this item to be in prototype stage meaning it has not gone into production. The owner of the project, John Madden, has missed the estimated shipping date which was in April. When pressed for a new estimated shipping date he responds that there are many moving parts, he’s working on it and the latest update states that he’s now looking for import support. Did you actually order one on Indiegogo? If so, perhaps he’s closer than we think to getting the product delivered. Thanks for the great review. I hope mine is as fun to ride when and if it arrives.
Rick Rose
ReplyPhoenix, AZ
court
7 years agoHi Rick! This review was posted by my friend Brent. He has done a handful of videos here and usually covers bikes that get shipped to him (as companies are looking to build awareness). He did not purchase the bike, it was sent by Jolt because they wanted to have an independent review done even as the product had not yet fully come to market. I cannot say when it will come and I feel your pain as far as the delays go. We try to mention that crowdfunding can have delays and that the final product may differ slightly from the review units. I hope this helps you and wish you luck with the bike when it does arrive :)
ReplyAntony Omeri
6 years agoHey, how can I get one of these bikes to Kenya?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHmm, maybe someone else will comment on this, but I’m not really sure? It probably involves a freight forwarder and lots of money for shipping since ebikes tend to be large and heavy… but at least the JOLT folds to make it a bit smaller :) I don’t actually sell this or any electric bike, so you’d need to contact the company directly or reach out to another folding ebike maker like Enzo, e-Joe, or Gocycle.
ReplyANNE CRAIG
6 years agoHow can I get a users manual for this bike or one like it??
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Anne! Usually I’ll just reach out to the manufacturer via phone or email. I’m not sure if that’s an option here… perhaps you can ask your question here or in the EBR ebike forums and someone will help directly based on experience with similar designs or similar systems (whatever you need help with). I’ll try to help here if you post a comment :)
ReplyNick
6 years agoCourt,
First of all, thank you for all that you do! I’ve recently joined the search for an e-bike and your site and reviews have been a phenomenal resource. I wanted to get your opinion of this bike, and possibly your recommendation on what I should do/look for.
I am student at Clemson University which has notoriously awful parking. We have to park in a commuter lot over 1.5 miles away from class, which just is not happening for a guy that sweats as much as I do. I have been considering getting an e-bike that I can either ride from my house to campus (about 6 miles) or put in the back of my Compact SUV and ride from the commuter lot to the campus (about 1.5 miles up a steep hill). Initially, I was looking at full-sized e-bikes, but after reading, I am thinking a folding e-bike may be a better fit for me in case I wanted to drive my car to campus and then just use this to actually get around campus in. It should also be mentioned I am a grad student living off of a stipend, so I’m on a budget.
So, do you have any advice on what I should do? This bike still has their campaign price up of $599+shipping, which seems to be the cheapest option out there, but I also want a bike that at least is a little comfortable and made of decent-quality parts in case I want to ride this recreationally around town. Do you think this bike, at the campaign price, is a good fit? Or is there another bike you think would fit my needs and budget better? I prefer a bike that is very easy to work with (don’t have much working knowledge on bikes), has pedal assist and throttle on demand, and is relatively comfortable for short commuting.
For context: I’m 5’10” and about 180 lbs
ReplyThank you!!!
Court
6 years agoHi Nick! Great job explaining your situation. I want to preface my response by saying that I did not review the JOLT, Brent helped to cover this one so my feedback is going to be based off of my experience with other similar products. For the low price of the JOLT, you are trading comfort, motor power, and battery size. I think it could be a great fit for your 1.5 mile ride from the parking lot. It weighs a bit less than similar products because it doesn’t come with any accessories (fenders, rack, lights) so you’ll have to wear a backpack to haul goods and might get a little wet or dirty on rainy days. The brakes are very basic but should perform alright if you aren’t going too fast. It does have a telescoping stem to offer a bit of comfort and the cast rims will be sturdier than spokes. As you said, the price is great… you might be stuck working with bike shops for tuneups etc. but could also do that kind of thing yourself on such a simple drivetrain. It has the throttle and a basic cadence sensor, it should work fine. Nothing else really comes to mind at this price point… maybe a few no-name ebike or Amazon bikes that won’t look as cool and might swap the cast rims for a rack or some little difference. I hope this helps and invite you to ask around in the folding ebikes section of the forum or the help choosing area :)
ReplyIra Bass
6 years agoI purchased two of these. One has arrived and I’m trying to contact John Madden the owner of Jolt to get the status of the second bike. Do you have his contact info? Messaging via Indiegogo has gone unanswered. Thanks!
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHi Ira, I’ll ask Brent about this because he conducted the review and I have not been in touch with JOLT myself. Is it alright if I provide him with your email address? Thanks!
ReplyMark Johnson
6 years agoEstimated delivery date was April 2018, still haven’t received mine. Very few backers have. The ones who have seem to have various complaints, such as bent and damaged parts, and no shipping information. This guy John Madden has taken over $300,000 of people’s money for a product that can be found on Alibaba for like $400, I paid $799. Just thought the press should know.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoOuch! Thanks for the update, Mark. I’m sorry to hear that things aren’t going real well with your order. I’ve seen this on other crowdfunded ebikes as well and am moving away from doing them based on this sort of feedback. I hope things improve, and I appreciate your share here, to inform others of the situation.
ReplyStephen Smith
6 years agoI have learned so much about electric bikes and crowdfunding since I ordered a Jolt e-bike. While waiting for this bike to arrive, I actually purchased another e-bike which is much larger and more powerful. My Jolt did eventually arrive, which is more than can be said for many of the purchasers who didn’t receive a bike. While not exactly what the crowdfunding campaign stated, the bike is operational and looks like it will withstand daily riding. As I run a nonprofit, and will raffle the Jolt off, so will not have the enjoyment of ownership. Thanks for your initial review of the Jolt, by the way.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoThanks for this feedback Stephen, and your generosity in donating the bike! So glad to hear that you found another product to ride this Fall. Hope it’s working well, I’d love to hear about that too sometime, maybe in the forums or on the relevant review here (if I’ve covered it).
ReplySean
6 years agoI was #15 on the list. Still waiting. If and when it arrives it will be donated. Never again doing with anything with Indiegogo campaign and of course jolt owner. Jolt never returned an email… and monthly updates have stopped at least for me.
ReplyCourt
6 years agoThat’s such a bummer, Sean. I’m really sorry to hear that the bike never arrived and you haven’t been contacted. This is a review that I was not personally involved with as closely, and I’ve slowed down on Indiegogo/Kickstarter ebike coverage because sometimes they do not come through. I appreciate the update however, so that others can take this possibility into consideration before backing an electric bike on crowdfunding :(
ReplyGavin
6 years agoI see you’ve addressed a few more recent negative reviews and sad to say that I have to add to the heap here. I was a backer in 2017 to the Jolt and purchased a number of add on perks (extra battery, headlamp, better breaks, etc) and haven’t received any of them. If you check the campaigns reviews I’d guess only a small number of backers even received a bike at all let alone one that is functioning as promised. As it’s a crowdsourced company there isn’t much that’s going to help get money back of course which really sucks.
I’m pretty new to Indigogo campaigns and supported this one because I was looking for a bike and read reviews like this and another on TechCrunch (definitely not blaming your reviews for the crappy campaign). That said, I think it would be worth it to add an update to your reviews, even though the campaign is over, just to note that this specific campaign was an utter flop and that sadly many other crowdfunded ebike campaigns seem to come with a SIGNIFICANT risk of not fulfilling their promises. Literally had an uber driver last week tell me about another failed ebike campaign from indigogo in 2011 that was also based in Manhattan Beach, CA (like the jolt). What is up with these guys in MB, are they all just scamming people or something?
ReplyCourt
6 years agoHmm, thanks for the input Gavin! I’ve definitely slowed down on reviewing crowdfunded ebikes. It’s such a difficult call because the SONDORS and a few others came through when many people thought they would fail… then the JOLT and others flopped and left people without a product and many times without answers. I’m sorry to hear that your first experience with ebikes has been negative, especially since many crowd funders are limited on cash and trying to get a deal, it seems like it hurts the very people who are the most sensitive. I am personally sorry, and will keep you in mind if I get any freebie ebikes that need a home. What part of the world are you based out of?
ReplyGavin
6 years agoYeah, it’s such a shame! I have strong faith in the general idea of ebikes to really change the landscape of transportation for people like me. I’m also hopeful that some day I’ll be able to afford something that’s quality and more reliably sourced. I really appreciate your transparency with ebike crowdfunding campaign reviews and such! Super generous of you to offer a freebie if you have one in need of a home and I would graciously provide one for it. I’m based in Los Angeles. You?
Jessica M.
5 years agoTerrific review, I have been literally captivated, thank you so much for details, your site has great contents such as video reviews on folding bikes. Thanks for sharing, again great job!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThanks, Jessica! We do our best ;)
ReplyJohn C Gildein
4 years agoI purchased a JOLT ebike during the campaign and although I had to wait about 9 months before I got the bike, I did get it and have not had any issues with it at all. I know now after the campaign, the company sent an email that due to the increase in shipping and other factors, the company had to dissolve. I was a bit frustrated finding that out but I’d like to ask a question of your EBR team. I was considering buying another battery for this bike and with the company being gone, how would I find out battery part number or if theres a stronger battery I could purchase to help this bike go further than 20 miles on a charge? Thanks guys and you did a pretty thorough review.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThanks John! I’m glad that you enjoyed the review, and I appreciate your input on the JOLT :)
Reply