Blix Dubbel Utility E-Bike — CleanTechnica Tested

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After spending a while using the Blix Dubbel e-bike each on metropolis streets in Tampa and the bike trails across the metropolis, I consider the bike like a Swiss Military knife of e-bikes. Why do I say that? Each due to the big range of equipment out there and the various methods you need to use the product. The title is a misspelling of the phrase double, foreshadowing its means to hold a passenger and in addition that it has two batteries. It has a wheelbase about 10 inches shorter than Blix’s Packa Genie cargo bike that helps two passengers. The Dubbel has the identical 400-pound capability, however its smaller measurement makes it extra maneuverable — and it takes up much less house in your storage, in your automobile, or in your bike rack.

My 2-Wheeled Background

Rising up in a small city in Iowa, I used varied bikes as transportation till I used to be 14. I joined my sister on some longer rides, together with a 7-day experience throughout Iowa (referred to as RAGBRAI). In regards to the time I turned 14, mopeds turned common and I ended up getting two completely different fashions— a 1978 two-speed 50cc Kriedler moped with nugatory pedals (about 110 kilos) and a 50cc Yamaha Yamahopper with out pedals however with a shaft drive (couldn’t discover the burden, but it surely was lighter, extra dependable, and didn’t have to combine oil and fuel or mess with a series). Then I had a 125cc Honda road bike (underpowered) after which a Yamaha 1 cylinder road bike that was very excessive torque and quick from zero to 30 mph. That is is the place my love of torque began earlier than I obtained hooked on electrical vehicles. Extra not too long ago, I’ve been utilizing bikes and e-bikes as a option to get extra train, benefit from the outside, lower your expenses, and decrease my carbon affect.

Blix Firm Background

Blix was based in Santa Cruz, California, 10 years in the past, so it has extra historical past and endurance than many different corporations on this trade. I like that they provide meeting guides, troubleshooting, and lots of helpful info on bike upkeep on their web site app. I like that when you might have questions or points, you might have the choice to open a ticket from the net or name them.

They embody a full 1-year guarantee and you should purchase as much as a 4-year prolonged guarantee. Their guarantee solely helps defects, however the prolonged guarantee contains put on and tear and even unintended harm. Each their guarantee and the prolonged guarantee embody labor at a neighborhood bike store so long as you get pre-approval. However for upkeep and plenty of points, it’s possible you’ll simply need to do it your self with their easy-to-follow directions.

I discovered it comforting to know they’ve over 100 approved companions within the US, together with three within the Tampa Bay space I reside in. Two places are conventional retail places and one is a cellular bike store that involves you! This cellular choice is very helpful for these individuals who have gone carless.

The Many Use Circumstances For The Blix Dubbel Utility E-Bike

I got here up with 4 use instances wherein the Dubbel utility bike excels.

• Household transportation: Probably the most frequent makes use of for utility bikes is as a household automobile. With the power to hold adults or youngsters and their belongings, utility bikes present a enjoyable and eco-friendly different to driving a automobile for college drop-offs, playdates, and weekend outings. The Dubbel comes customary with a passenger seat & foot pegs on your passenger of as much as 150 kilos and a entrance basket on your baggage and a complete capability of 400 kilos. Optionally, it even helps the mounting of a kid seat!
• Native deliveries: Companies are more and more turning to utility or cargo bikes for native deliveries, as they provide a cheap and environmentally pleasant option to transport items inside a metropolis. From meals and beverage corporations to courier providers, the Dubbel bike might be custom-made to accommodate varied sorts of cargo, making it a sensible alternative for last-mile supply.
• Commuting and private errands: For folks trying to scale back their carbon footprint, the Dubbel can function a sensible and environment friendly technique of transportation for commuting to work and working errands. With the power to hold groceries, fitness center luggage, and work-related objects, this bike makes it simple to ditch the automobile and embrace a extra sustainable way of life. The problem that I’ve present in Tampa is frequent afternoon thunderstorms in the summertime. I additionally suggest utilizing the product on sidewalks as an alternative of roads in locations and not using a bike lane, for security causes. Simply decelerate and be courteous to pedestrians and I’ve discovered no one complains.
• Leisure actions: Utility bikes are usually not only for sensible functions; they may also be used for leisure actions. With the power to hold tenting gear, sports activities tools, and picnic provides, utility bikes are excellent for weekend adventures and out of doors excursions. The twin battery actually helps with this use case, because it provides the e-bike as much as 80 miles of electrical vary.

Meeting

I’m not the best at placing issues collectively, however I used to be in a position to take it out of the field after which set up the handlebars, entrance wheel, and body bag on my own in lower than an hour (together with a brief name to help which I cowl beneath). I’d have wanted a second particular person besides it has a double-leg kickstand that makes it very steady whereas engaged on it. On the draw back, it does scale back the bottom clearance significantly and also you do must watch out to not let it catch your toe when placing it up. I used each the movies and the written directions downloaded from the web site and located each of them very clear and nicely achieved. I discovered the standard and match and end on the bike to be wonderful.

Assist

I referred to as help as a result of I couldn’t discover the bolts to connect the body bag (and in addition as a result of I wished to check help for this text). I solely needed to wait a few minute to speak to an individual in California who was very educated. As quickly as I defined the issue, I discovered the bolts in a zippered compartment of the bag (I swear I had seemed there earlier than). If I hadn’t been capable of finding them, they might have despatched them to me. As I discussed earlier than, they’ve reside cellphone help, e-mail help, and a really full web site with directions and movies.

The Specs

You will discover full specs on Blix’s web site here, however I’ve summarized them beneath with some feedback.

• Motor: 750W rear hub motor. I discovered this had greater than sufficient energy for using in Florida with two folks. I didn’t get an opportunity to check it on a steep hill, however it might in all probability be positive.
• High velocity: 28 mph (45 km/h). I used to be in a position to get to twenty mph on throttle alone and 29 mph combining pedaling and utilizing the pedal help.
• Twin battery system: I discovered the batteries very versatile and the vary estimates correct for Florida. In locations with hills, you’ll use extra energy.
  • 48V, 672Wh (single battery)
  • Complete capability: 1,228Wh (with two batteries)
  • Vary:
    • As much as 80 miles (128 km) with two batteries
    • As much as 40 miles (64 km) with one battery
• Body: 6061 aluminum alloy
• Weight capability: 400 lb (181 kg). That is key if you wish to take a passenger or haul issues together with your bike.
• Tire width: 3.3″  I discovered this to be a pleasant width, large however not too large. For commuting, I would like 2″ large, however then I wouldn’t have the cushioning of a giant tire. The puncture resistance is vital to me since I’ve had some flat tires commuting to work (earlier than Covid I’d go into the workplace 3 days every week).
• Transmission: Microshift 8-speed. The 8 speeds are vital as a result of I’ve tried different class 3 e-bikes that had 7 speeds and it was arduous to get them above 22 or 23 mph — they wanted that eighth gear. This one felt excellent.
• Brakes: Zoom hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. I’ve learn that hydraulic brakes want much less upkeep and are a considerably high-end characteristic. They’re much better than the tire brakes on my previous bikes that work poorly when moist.
• Throttle: Thumb button
• Show: Black and white LCD — I discovered it labored nicely. Many individuals will desire a cellphone holder, which doesn’t include this bike however is simple so as to add.
• Headlight: 80 Lux gentle
• Taillight: Sate-lite M8
• Pedal help: 5 ranges: In Florida, the place it’s flat and I used to be using on a path or the sidewalk, I used stage 1 more often than not. I used stage 4 or 5 once I wished to go 25 mph to  sustain with the vehicles on metropolis streets.
• Kickstand: Two-legged, low-to-the-ground design
• Class: Class 2 (20 mph max + throttle) or Class 3 (28 mph max): It labored as anticipated.
• Colours: White and gray
• Value: They steadily run specials
  • $1,999 (single battery)
  • $2,499 (twin battery)

Testing

I took a 1-hour experience on a mixture of metropolis streets, sidewalks, and a motorbike path. In Florida, you could take off your throttle to legally experience on most bike trails and restrict the bike to twenty mph. That makes it a category 1 e-bike. The bike comes with a pleasant toolkit and it takes about 10 minutes to take away or set up the throttle. I rode about 13 miles on my vary take a look at, utilizing pedal-assist stage 1 about 80% of the time and the opposite ranges about 10% of the time. I used the throttle about 10% of the time. It used 9% of the vary of each batteries, so that means I might experience for 10 hours and over 100 miles utilizing each batteries. If I had two folks on the bike or hills or if I used the throttle a bit extra or a better help stage, vary would in fact be much less.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blix Dubbel is a high-quality, versatile electrical utility bike that provides a singular mix of favor, efficiency, and practicality. I like that I can get native help if I want it. Its spectacular cargo-carrying capability, highly effective motor, and long-range battery make it the right alternative for city dwellers who want a flexible and dependable mode of transportation. It has a glossy design, a clean experience, and sensible options.

So, is that this for everybody? No — in case you are on the lookout for a rugged off-road bike, there are different fashions from Blix or others that may higher fit your wants. For these on the lookout for a smoother experience, I’d suggest both including the suspension seatpost or getting a motorbike with entrance and rear suspension. For these prepared to surrender the flexibility, vary, energy, and weight capability of a utility bike, a lighter commuter bike could higher suit your wants. However in case you are like me and need an e-bike with nice vary, energy, and security that may be custom-made to do all of it, then it is a stable and secure alternative.

Disclaimer: Blix supplied the Dubbel to the creator freed from cost for the needs of this overview, however this overview was not sponsored by the corporate — if you happen to’d prefer to buy a Blix, use this link to go to their web site.