Blix Vika+ eBike Spec Review 2020

In-Depth Review

Frame

The Blix Vika+ electric bike is built with a coated aluminum frame. The electric bike won’t be a very durable bike, and it does have a lighter 240 lbs weight capacity than is typically expected for an eBike of this size. We personally think that a bike like this could support a bit more weight, especially because the rear cargo rack has a high 50 lbs recommended weight limit. Even so, it’s going to be a bit of a flimsier bike because of one of its best features, the Vika+ able to fold into a small, compact size. When folded, the Vilka+ measures just 36’’ by 21’’ by 28’’, making it very easy to store in your typical car trunk or even your typical large carry bag. The Vika+ weighs 56 lbs, which is a few lbs more than expected for a folding bike but still largely easy to carry and lift into the trunk of a car when needed.

The Vika+ is only available in one size in 2020, but it does have some high adjustment capabilities you can read about in the handlebar section of our review. The design is also well suited for all types of cyclists, with the recommended height usage for the Vika+ fitting between 4’10’’ and around 6’2’’ to 6’4’’. As such, we anticipate that the vast majority of adults should feel very comfortable riding the Vika+, though very short or tall cyclists may have to consider another option. Lastly, the Vika+ is available in Black, Racing Green, and Cream, with all three colors being complimented by the silver colored coatings that help the bike be more visible when you’re out riding it.

Motor & Battery

The 2020 Blix Vika+ is a class 2 eBike with both pedal and throttle motor assist up to 20 MPH.

The Blix Vika+ features a 500 (750 peak)W/70Nm rear hub motor, and is paired with a 672 Wh Samsung lithium cell battery. This is a powerful motor setup, but it does struggle a bit with its overall range because of it, but it still has a solid 45 mile max range when pedaling in ideal conditions on a full charge. As a class 2 eBike, you can turn on the motor by either using the hand throttle, or with the 12 magnet cadence sensor built into the pedals. The motor will remain active until you hit 20 MPH, at which point the motor won’t provide any assistance beyond maintaining a 20 MPH speed. If you want to go faster than 20 MPH, have the motor help you get to 20 MPH and start pedalling manually, with the bike typically averaging around 30 to 35 MPH at full pedal for the average adult user. While the motor is capped and could probably help your bike go even faster, the Class 2 restrictions allow it to be purchased and operated even without a motor license.

Charging up the battery from empty to 100% typically takes about 5 hours thanks to the 48 V 2.5A charger. While this isn’t the fastest charger on the market, it’s still pretty close, and you’ll be able to charge up your battery in less than 2 hours if you just want to charge about 50%. The motor itself features five power levels (controlled by the display you’ll read about next) that will let your prioritize how much power assistance you desire while you pedal. You can pick a lower power assistance mode for extended range but slower acceleration, or you can pick a higher level for greater acceleration but a shorter overall battery range. The Vika+ can still be pedaled normally if your battery runs out of juice or you decide not to use the motor, and you can even shed about 7 lbs off the overall bike weight if you decide to take the battery off. With a fully removable battery, you can decide to take it into your office with you to charge, or leave it on your bike outside to charge it if you can find a port near the electric bike.

Display/Assist Modes

The Vika+ has a very simple to use display unit that sits in the center between the two handlebars. The LCD display will allow your to track, control, or monitor the following while you’re riding on the Vika+:

VanMoof App Features:

• Assist Level (5 levels)
• Speedometer
• Energy BAy
• Odometer
• Trip Meter
• Riding Time

While it might not be as interesting or feature heavy as other displays, it has a great size that makes it easy to track your riding states in real time without excessively weighing down the bike. However, the one major flaw with the display is that it’s not removable, and it can get stuck or scratched if you aren’t paying attention while you fold the eBike. This is the part you will want to keep track of the most while you fold up the Vika+ as, while durable, it can be broken if you fold your Vika+ in the wrong way.

Handling

• On Streets- This is a eBike built for city riding, with 20’’ wheels and 2’’ tires that are stable and cushy but also fast and agile while you ride over flat, paved roads. The comfortable frame build means you won’t feel too much instability if you cobblestone, but you’re going to feel any large cracks you ride over while you ride on the Vika+ eBike.
• Turn Radius- The Vika+ has a great turning radius, making it a great option for those who need something that will help them navigate tricky roads and streets. Some customers have even reported that the Vika+ is a bit too agile, and that it can turn too sharp if they don’t maintain a good, solid grip at all times while riding.
• Low Speed Handling- There is a low power assist mode on the Vika+ that is great for walking with the bike while you’re on the ground. At 56 lbs, the Vika+ isn’t too hard to walk by hand without power support, and the battery is removable to shed about 7 lbs if you do need to make the eBike lighter.

Gears/DriveTrain

The 2020 Blix Vika+ consists of a premium silver Prowheel 170mm chainset with a 52t chainring, topped off with a Shimano 7-Speed, 14-28 Freewheel. Having a freewheel means that you can pedal forwards or backwards in order to get your tires going, pedaling backwards a useful trick to help loosen up tight leg muscles after a long ride or for those who want to try something new. The drivetrain, coupled with the powerful motor, does mean that this is a great commuter bike if you do have to hit some particularly steep paved hills or long stretches of road alike. However, the drivetrain and lack of a true suspension system were not built with off roading or mountain biking in mind, so try to stick to urban riding as much as you can. As a final note, the whole drive train does feature silver accents that will further help the electric bike standout on the road, increasing the rider’s profile and making it a safer eBike to use.

The shifter is done with a high quality Shimano Revoshift Grip lever on the right handle bar, featuring three finger support. It’s pretty easy to shift when you need to, and Blix was smart in putting the thumb throttle on the left so you won’t get confused and accidentally press on the wrong lever while you’re biking. This also helps the handlebars feel more balanced and less cramped, which is rather important as the handlebars themselves are rather narrow.

Brakes

The braking system consists of Tektro Aries mechanical disc rim brakes with 160mm rotors. Mechanical rim brakes aren’t as responsive as hydraulic, but they are a great choice for folding bikes like the Vika+ because they won’t get damaged or bent when folded up. The disc brakes themselves are responsive enough anyway, allowing you to come to a quick and steady stop as you deal with city traffic, stop signs, and red lights. The interconnected braking system will also override your motor, cutting it off automatically even if you are in the middle of pedaling or holding down the throttle. This interconnected system extends the operation life of both systems, while also reducing the overall maintenance you’ll have to do to preserve them both.

The brake levers offer three finger support, and the wires are connected in such a way as to make sure they don’t overwhelm the bike while also ensuring that they don’t get disconnected when folding. The brakes provide great feedback support, which also makes it easy to check your brakes right when you mount the bike. Before getting your ride started, give your brakes a good squeeze just to make sure they’re connected and that you’re ready to hit the road.

Suspension

There isn’t a true suspension system for the Blix Vika+, but for the most part it doesn’t need one if you plan on sticking to city riding. The handles, saddle, and height adjustment options all help the aluminum alloy frame deal with some of the stress and tumble that comes with riding over less than perfect roads. However, you are going to feel some shaking when you hit cobblestone or the occasional pothole, and the electric bike really isn’t going to handle mountain paths and off road riding well. As there are no suspension upgrade options either available from Blix, you may want to consider a different electric bike model if you need something you can take onto back country paths.

Pedals

Many eBikes like the Blix Vika+ rely on plastic pedals, but the Vika+ pedals are surprisingly good given its lower, mid-tier eBike price. They provide great strength support, and they also fold in very well when packing up the Vika+. The pedals, crank arms, and crank wheel all have silver colored coatings as well, which are largely reflective and further make the eBike as a whole stand out on the road. Visibility is important when it comes to an eBike, so we’re glad to see the silver reflective coating, even if it doesn’t match the color of the rest of the bike frame.

Grips and Saddle

The comfort padded, Selle Royal gel saddle is a very comfortable seat to sit on, absorbing some of the tumultuous vibrations you might feel when riding over less than perfect road conditions. One of the great features is the sprung mount, allowing the saddle to flip up in order to make it a whole lot easier to remove or install the battery pack. The saddle seat post also has some adjustability customization, allowing shorter and taller riders alike to get a more comfortable feel while riding the Blix Vika+.

The ergonomic faux leather handles are all quite cushy, helping protect your hands against blisters and other forms of skin irritation over long rides. Something that a few customers and other riders have noted while riding the Vika+ is the unusually high responsiveness of the handlebars. While this helps the Vika+ feel nimble and highly maneuverable, it does mean that you will want to maintain a steady and solid grip on the handlebars at all times. Overall though, the aluminum alloy handlebars are also rather accommodating, with a 10 degree backsweep for greater comfort while riding as well.

Wheels and Tires

The Vika+ rims are quite sturdy, the silver accented 36 hole rims featuring a double wall and 31.7mm outer width to ensure that they will withstand the occasional crash without too much damage. This is especially true because of the stainless steel spokes, consisting of a 13 gauge front tire and 12 gauge rear tire. The tires themselves are thicker compared to past tires used on the Vika+, the 20’’ by 2’’ tires accelerating and turning easily on paved roads while now being a bit more steady and stable for rougher patches as well. These tires are great for city riding, but while puncture resistant with kevlar technology they will not handle off-roading well. Stick to urban environments and avoid dirt trails and unpaved roads as much as you can with the Vika+ electric bike.

Accessories/Upgrades

With a built in back cargo rack platform and solid fenders, along with other features like great front/rear lights and a bell lever, there isn’t too much that you really need in terms of upgrades to complete the Vika+. However, if you are hoping to add a few extra baskets or components to the Vika+, here are a few official options from Blix we think will pair well with the electric bike.

• Blix Front Rack
• Front Basket
• Blix Large Rear Basket
• Blix Rear Rack Cushion

Recommendation

The folding Blix Vika+ eBike is a great option for those who want a comfortable yet powerful city commuter bike that will keep up with traffic. The powerful motor and battery will help you get up to 20 MPH in seconds, and the fast recharging battery with a 45 mile max range should be more than enough to get you to work or your favorite store. The 56 lbs frame is quite a few lbs lighter than several other folding bikes out there, and outside of being sturdy the silver accented frame is highly visible as well. The overall adjustment options make it great for short and tall riders alike, and will be one of the more comfortable electric bikes you can try out thanks to its ergonomic and high quality saddle and handles. The lack of suspension, along with highly responsive handlebars and lower recommended weight capacity means that you won’t have a steady, comfortable riding experience if you do take it off roading. However, if you are in the market for an eBike that you’ll be using to navigate city streets and deal with stop and go traffic, we recommend considering the 2020 Blix Vika+ eBike!

If you would like to have us do a video review for the Blix Vika+, please let us know down in the comments below!