Let’s start with what hasn’t changed, or hasn’t changed much. Vvolt kept the 350W, 45Nm brushless, geared hub motor powered by a 375Wh battery (though that battery now carries UL 2271 certification). This is still a city e-bike with low-profile tires and a single speed (50x22t) drivetrain featuring a Gates belt. And it still has hydraulic disc brakes. Its weight remains nearly unchanged, ticking up from 43 to 44 lbs.
So what’s new? For starters, a new frame design. This low-step frame now has a substantially lower standover height (25-26.5 in. depending on size) and it now comes in three sizes, not two. There aren’t many e-bikes retailing for less than $2000 that come in three distinct frame sizes. Vvolt says they will cover riders from 5 feet up to 6 feet 3. The new frame also has an integrated headlight which gives it a very stylish look.
The Vvolt Alpha 2 now comes with a wider handlebar with more sweep, which will give riders a more upright position, making it easier to look around, whether those views are of nature or traffic. They also spec a longer stem on the medium and large sizes than they do on the small, further dialing fit.
Vvolt also gave the brakes an upgrade, moving from little-known CStar hydraulic disc brakes to Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, still with 160mm rotors, but the levers now include brake cutoff switches, always a nice feature for e-bikes with hub motors governed by cadence sensors. Another nod to rider comfort is the move from 27.5 x 1.95-in. tires to wider 27.5 x 2.4-in. tires.
The big change that will be most exciting to many shoppers is the addition of a throttle. Previously the Alpha was a Class 1 e-bike with a top-assist speed of 20 mph and no throttle, but the addition of a throttle brings the Alpha 2 into the Class 2 fold, giving it a feature that many shoppers don’t want to do without.
