Vvolt Slice Lite e-bike review

Summary

The Slice Lite from Vvolt is the epitome of the urban mobility company’s goal of an all-purpose utility e-bike that can be used for errands and for traveling about town. With its combination of simplicity of use, simple maintenance, and adaptability, the Slice Lite is an electric bicycle that is relatively lightweight.

Vvolt Slice Lite e-bike review

The Gates carbon belt drive and the various wheel sizes are just two examples of the many design choices that have been made for this tiny ride that prioritizes functionality.

Purpose and optimal use of the Vvolt Slice Lite

In order to make the most of its potential as a utility e-bike for errand running, the Slice Lite has been thoughtfully designed. Both the front and back wheels and tires are of various sizes, as can be seen in the image that is shown above. If you utilize the optional but highly recommended Cargo Box, the bigger rear tire measuring 24 inches by 3 inches may assist in making the ride of the electric bicycle more comfortable. On the other hand, a front tire measuring 20 inches by 3 inches can help lower the center of gravity.

The weight of the Slice Lite is just 52 pounds when the Cargo Box is not included, which adds 4.7 pounds to the total. The majority of electric bicycles are substantially heavier than this one, despite the fact that it weighs approximately 57 pounds when everything is combined.

If you are looking for a workout bike, bike for long-distance touring, or bike for exploring off-road regions, the Slice Lite is not the ideal option. There is no need for the Slice Lite to be a powerhouse because of its comparatively low-power motor and low-capacity battery. However, it does not have to be. The combination of weight, speed, and range could be the optimal choice for a lot of people who live in cities.

Power, speed, range, and charging capabilities of the Vvolt Slice Lite

It has already been shown that the Slice Lite does not depend on remarkable power figures in order to perform its functions. There is a steady power output of 350 watts from the 36-volt rear hub motor, and there is a peak power output of 550 watts. You have the option of configuring the Slice Lite as a Class 1 bike, which solely provides powered pedaling help, in order to get a wider range. Alternatively, you may leave it in Class 2 mode in order to utilize the thumb throttle and pedaling in order to activate the battery assistance. In either scenario, the maximum speed is twenty miles per hour.

The Gates carbon drive belt is connected to a single gear at the rear hub, which eliminates the necessity for moving gears from the vehicle. The Gates belt and the single-gear system bring about a reduction in weight, a reduction in maintenance, and much longer durability.

Should you find yourself in a situation where you need to carry the Slice Lite up or down stairs or hoist it in confined quarters, the weight of 56.7 pounds will be quite welcome.

On the color display of the electric bicycle, there are five different degrees of powered pedal assistance that may be chosen by utilizing a control pad that is positioned on the handlebar. For the purpose of responding to the pedaling power and speed of the rider, Vvolt makes use of a mix of torque and cadence sensors, in addition to a speed sensor.

LG cells are used in the semi-integrated battery that is positioned on the top of the bottom frame tube bar, as stated by Vvolt. This battery is also UL-listed. Up to 496 watt-hours of electricity may be stored in the 36V, 14Ah battery, which is close to the typical capacity for electric bicycles.

Due to the fact that the Slice Lite is rather lightweight, the maximum range rating of 55 miles is still fairly acceptable and not ridiculous, provided you adhere to pedal assist levels 1 or 2.

The battery should take around seven hours to be fully charged using the 2A output charger that is provided in the package. If you charge the battery to 80%, it will take approximately two-thirds as long to charge the battery, which is a good option for extending the battery’s overall lifespan.

When it comes to comfort, handling, and braking, the Vvolt Slice Lite

The Gates carbon drive belt provides a number of benefits, some of which have been described above. These benefits include a cleaner and quieter operation, the absence of the need for cleaning or adjusting, and a much longer lifespan compared to steel chains. In addition, the Slice Lite is equipped with Tektro hydraulic brakes that use 180mm disc rotors. These brakes provide exceptional stopping power and do not require a significant amount of effort to be applied to the levers.

There is no front, back, or seat post suspension on the electric bicycle, and the tires, which are three inches wide, have very little sidewall flex. Even though you will experience large bumps, pebbles, and holes while riding, paved surfaces will not provide any difficulties for you.

When riding on roads that are wet or muddy, the Slice Lite comes with front and rear fenders, which are a wonderful addition that helps keep the rider’s clothes and the bike clean. The handlebars and the seat of the Slice Lite are both adjustable, and the bike is designed to accommodate riders with heights ranging from 4 feet, 9 inches, to 6 feet, 4 inches.

To adjust the height of the seat, you will need to use an Allen wrench to loosen a nut that is located behind a rubber cover on the integrated taillight that is located under the seat. This is a rather simple task. The handlebar angle and height may be adjusted with significantly less effort owing to a clamp that can be locked and unlocked in a flip-up position.

I was able to ride the Slice Lite without much discomfort, even over some of the large speed bumps that were present in our area, even if I had to slow down for them.

It is possible to see the headlight and taillight of the Slice Lite electric bicycle from the sides, front, and rear of the vehicle. When you add the optional Cargo Box, as shown in the following photographs, you will need to remove the headlight from the head tube of the frame and then reinstall it in a cutout on the bottom edge of the front of the box. The side visibility of the electric bicycle is improved by the presence of side reflector strips on both tires.

Unfortunately, the Slice Lite does not come with a brake light, either as a basic feature or as an optional feature. The absence of a mirror is another disappointing aspect of the bike, especially considering that it is designed for riding on the street. There is an auxiliary bar end mirror that can be purchased from Vvolt that is compatible with the Slice Lite, and it is highly recommended that you equip the bike with its own set of mirrors.

Observations on the Vvolt Slice Lite on the road

For the sake of design, the Slice Lite is a convenient option that may be grabbed for a ride or to conduct errands. It was simple to attain and maintain the maximum speed of twenty miles per hour when riding on level roads, and the power supply came with pedal assistance that felt completely natural.

The thumb throttle, which is situated on the handlebar to the left of the right brake lever, also gives the bike a lively sensation when it is used. When utilizing the throttle alone, the Slice Lite was unable to maintain a speed of twenty miles per hour. This is in line with the specs sheet, which specifies that the throttle could only be used to control eighty percent of the available power. The speed, however, remained between 18 and 19 miles per hour.

I was surprised that the Slice Lite was able to climb our somewhat steep driveway, which is seen above, using just the throttle. However, it did so, although with a very little degree of difficulty, and there was nothing in the cargo box. Despite the fact that I had to repeatedly touch down with my feet in order to keep my balance, there was enough torque to achieve the desired result. In some of the other test rides, I used powered pedaling assistance to propel the bike up the driveway. Although it was a gradual climb, it was quick enough that I did not have to put my feet down.

I was able to ride the Slice Lite without much discomfort, even over some of the large speed bumps that were present in our area, even if I had to slow down for them. Although there was no suspension, the ride was not as unpleasant as anticipated and did not come as a surprise at any point.

The Slice Lite is not a race-ready electric bicycle, but that is not the point of the product. If you are searching for an electric bicycle that is easy to ride, can get you from one place to another without much hassle, and can also get you there much quicker than walking, the Slice Lite is an excellent choice.

Vvolt Slice Lite: Enhancements and available choices

In addition to bar-end mirrors, the goods Box is the other noteworthy item that can be purchased for the Slice Lite on the Vvolt website. This box has the capacity to accommodate up to forty pounds of goods. You may keep the contents of the box in place so that they do not fall out while you are riding by sliding the locking adjustable rails in the box forward and backward. In the picture that is seen above, I used them to secure a pair of stadium seats; however, you could also use them to secure a single bag of groceries or any other small load. It is not a very good choice for a pet carrier since, as you can also see in the previous image, the bottom of the box on the inside even has rails.

Our point of view

In particular, if you ride on roads that are pretty smooth and level in a town or metropolitan region, the Vvolt Slice Lite electric bicycle is a wonderful option for an alternate mode of transportation that you may use on a daily basis.

Particularly considering that the Cargo Box, which adds a great deal to its adaptability, is an option that costs $199, the list price of $2,049 is a little bit more than I had anticipated. Although the Gates carbon drive belt and hydraulic brakes are also significant advantages, the fact that the Slice Lite weighs 56.7 pounds will be of great assistance to you in the event that you need to take it up or down stairs or hoist it in confined locations.

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When compared to the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus, which is also priced at $2,099 and has a front suspension fork, a load capacity of 120 pounds, and increased hill-climbing torque, the Slice Lite presents an intriguing contrast. The RadRunner 3 Plus, on the other hand, weighs 75.5 pounds, which is approximately 20 pounds more than the Slice Lite when the Cargo Box is attached. If you need to transport the bike, the Vvolt Slice Lite is a better option than the Rad e-bike, which is an excellent choice for carrying a significant amount of weight.

Pros