The recent move to Auckland, New Zealand-a city and hilly area with underdeveloped public transportation that can turn a fast bike ride to a store into a sweaty workout-sparked my interest in electric bicycles.
However, strong demand and soaring prices make it difficult to buy these coveted electric bicycles in Aotearoa, the country of long white clouds. After learning about Ubco, things changed. The New Zealand-based electric bike startup recently raised $10 million from investors.
The company provided me with a Ubco 2X2 Adventure Bike for nearly a month, which gave me plenty of time to test.
I may not be Ubco’s target audience, although I try my best to use this bike as recommended by its design and fill it with school bags and other heavy objects that may mimic the delivery of garlic bread, mail, and others The weight of the package. Ubco 2X2 Adventure Bike is specially designed for practical riding in the city. You can choose off-road. I will try it enthusiastically later.
The company’s flagship product is the Ubco 2X2 work bike, an electric off-road vehicle originally designed to help farmers. The new funds raised by the company in June will be used to expand into existing verticals such as food delivery, postal services and last-mile logistics, expand commercial subscription business, and achieve sales growth goals in the United States.
You can see Domino’s drivers in Auckland (I heard in the UK) using Ubco bicycles to deliver hot pizzas. The company also has a series of customers in other countries, such as New Zealand Post, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Pāmu or Landcorp Farming Limited, among others Local restaurants and shops.
CEO and co-founder Timothy Allan drove from the company headquarters in Tauranga to hand over the bicycle in person. It was a sunny day near me, and I listened impatiently to him describing all kinds of odds and ends, how the machine works and how to charge it.
Allan helped me download the Ubco app to pair my phone with the bike. Among other features, it also allowed me to select the beginner mode and limit the speed to about 20 miles per hour. I made a mental note so that I can write it down here, but I decided to immediately reach the top speed of 30 miles per hour.
I did it, and…very sick. I shouldn’t be gushing, but buddy! This is a sweet journey. The reasons are as follows:
The Adventure Bike comes standard in white, with 17 x 2.75-inch multi-purpose tires and aluminum rims, both of which meet DOT standards. My version also has Maori decals on the frame to pay tribute to the indigenous people of New Zealand.
The height of the bicycle is approximately 41 inches and the seat is 32 inches. From wheel to wheel, it is approximately 72 inches. The payload including the rider is about 330 pounds, so my partner (6’2” male) and me (5’7” female) can easily ride this bike, only need to adjust the extended wide rearview mirror bike Bundle. No, we did not ride together. This bicycle is designed as a single seater.
In other words, there is a small shelf above the rear wheels for placing license plates (obviously these are classified as mopeds and need to be registered in many places) and any other goods that may be carried. I haven’t tried it, but I guess it can hold at least five pizza boxes tied with bungee cords. The bicycle rack also allows saddle bags to be attached. Ubco sells its so-called Pannier Back Pack for $189. This is a weatherproof roll-top bag that fits well, and is actually a premium bag with a capacity of 5.28 gallons.
Aside from accessories, the alloy frame is lightweight and straddling. This is where I like to ride a bike-it allows me to start shifting gears before I stop completely, feeling super agile and agile. When it comes to parking, I think the rules vary from place to place, but here, you park it on the street or parking space, not on the sidewalk. It has a bracket to fix it, and you can lock the front wheel so that no one can push it away. However, if they want, they may throw it into the back of the pickup truck because it only weighs 145 pounds.
The appearance of the bicycle is outstanding, not just to me. During my test drive for several weeks, many businessmen and bicycle enthusiasts went to great lengths to praise its design, which is Ubco’s target demographic.
The lightness of the bike means it is easy to take off and find balance. The battery is also located in the middle of the frame, near where your feet are. It can hold the bicycle and provide you with a stable center of gravity.
The lightweight characteristics of bicycles are both a blessing and a curse. Turning is easy, but on windy days and open roads, I sometimes worry about being knocked down-but this may be related to riding a 10-wheeler on the street. Because it is so light, it really feels a bit strange to me to be on the street lane with other larger and thicker cars instead of on the bike lane.
Thanks to the high-torque gear transmission system, even on steep hills, the bicycle can be quickly accelerated by full electronic throttle control. The drivetrain has two 1 kW Flux2 motors with sealed bearings, active thermal management and active ventilation to remove residual moisture-a necessity in this wettest city.
The acceleration sound mimics the sound of a gasoline-powered off-road vehicle, but has a softer electronic tone, which is surprising. It wasn’t until I rode Ubco that I realized how much I rely on my voice to judge my speed.
The braking system is a bit sensitive. It feels very sensitive to me, probably because the hydraulic and regenerative brakes are running on the vehicle at the same time. There is also a passive regenerative braking system, which I think will brake for me when I try to slide down those huge hills.
The front suspension 130 mm and the rear suspension 120 mm are equipped with coil springs with hydraulic dampers, and have preload and rebound adjustment functions. In other words, the vibration is great. Even if I take the initiative to drive away from the sidewalk and speed bumps, I can hardly feel anything.
To test its off-road capability, I took my bike to Cornwall Park, where I ran at full speed on the grass, turned between trees, flew over tree roots and rocks, and made donuts in the fields. This is very interesting, I feel that I can control the vehicle completely. I can imagine why farmers are turning to work bikes.
When I needed to test its use as a delivery bike, I filled two schoolbags and groceries with the schoolbag, and then took it around. It was still a great ride, although I was a bit wobbly before turning until I mastered it.
Since Ubco Adventure Bike is not entirely suitable for a specific bike category, this is not a simple price comparison. An electric moped, such as Lexmoto Yadea or Vespa Elettrica, can cost US$2,400 or US$7,000, respectively. For things like KTM or Alta Motors, the price of an electric off-road vehicle ranges from $6,000 to $11,000. In other words, Swedish electric motorcycle startup Cake has just launched the latest Makka designed for urban cycling, priced at $3,500. It looks a lot like Ubco, but smaller.
With this in mind, Ubco Adventure Bike with 2.1 kW power supply is priced at US$6,999 and with 3.1 kW power supply is priced at US$7,499. According to your needs, I would say that for such a bike, it is near the mid-range. Since you may use it for work-related activities, it may be tax-deducted. In addition, you want the quality of the bicycle to withstand some heavy work, and Ubco has a lot. It is not only a convenient multifunctional bicycle, but also has some excellent technology under the well-known hood, which we will introduce later.
Ubco estimates a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, depending on usage. Over-the-air software updates, replacement parts, and full refurbishment can help extend the life of the bicycle. The company encourages riders to return abandoned bicycles because of its commitment to comprehensive product management.
In other words, if you want to buy a bike now, it is a pre-order (unless your local Ubco dealer has it in stock). If you live in the US, ordering now can provide you with Ubco before September. The company stated that it still feels the impact of COVID, with high demand and tight supply chains causing delays. Pre-order requires a deposit of $1,000.
Ubco also has a subscription model, which is currently mainly oriented towards corporate customers and priced according to specific conditions. However, it is piloting subscriptions for individuals in Auckland and Tauranga before promoting the program globally. The subscription fee is around 300 New Zealand dollars per month for 36 months.
Adventure Bike is equipped with a 2.1 kWh battery pack with a range of approximately 40 to 54 miles, or equipped with a 3.1 kWh battery pack with a range of 60 to 80 miles.
The battery is run by a management system called “Scotty” to monitor real-time performance and safety. The battery is sealed with alloy and vented during use. It is made of 18650 lithium-ion battery, which means it is a powerful battery that can handle up to 500 charging cycles. Ubco said its battery is designed to be removed at the end of its life.
The 10 amp alloy quick charger can fully charge the battery in four to six hours. You can simply connect it to a power outlet to charge it while it is still in the car, or you can unlock the battery and pull it out (it is a bit heavy) and charge it inside. Note: The charging sound is loud. Not sure if this is standard, but it might be.
I charge it every two to three days, but it depends on usage and your location. It is winter in Auckland, so it is a bit cold, which affects battery life, and the mountain roads are very dangerous and consume a lot of battery life.
I ride my bike in and around the city center every day, but I bet the delivery driver needs to charge every night. As I mentioned before, the battery can be removed and charged, so if you take it to work, you can take it to the office or anywhere to charge while doing other things.
The vehicle runs Ubco’s so-called Cerebro vehicle management system, which integrates all electronic and electrical functions of the vehicle, and provides control and updates via Bluetooth. Ubco considers the end of the life cycle when constructing, so the CAN bus is isolated, so future CAN devices can be easily integrated.
Now, one of my first questions, considering the weight of this bicycle and the possibility of gig economy workers riding it to work in a city house, is this: How do I make sure there is no one when it’s on the street Will steal it because I can’t drag it to my hallway on the fifth floor?
Like I said, you can lock the wheel in place, which will make it harder for others to push it down. If someone does decide to capture the entire heavy vehicle, Ubco will be able to track it for you. Each Ubco bicycle has a telemetry function, that is, a SIM card, which is hardwired internally to help provide data that can be used for positioning, repair, theft, security, route planning, etc.
This VMS architecture is designed to subscribe to vehicle handling fleets through Ubco’s enterprise, but it obviously has other uses, such as providing peace of mind (personally, I still use a chain to lock it, but I’m a New Yorker and I don’t believe it. anyone). Obviously, if you think this kind of telemetry is creepy, you can opt out, but it is indeed a standard configuration for subscriptions, allowing subscribers to track the location of the bike on the app.
Mounted on the handlebar is an LCD display that can display speed, power level, etc. The handlebars also have high beam or low beam switch control, indicator lights and horns. I found that the indicator was a bit sticky, and sometimes I would slip and fall and hit the horn. I hope the handlebar also has a phone holder so you can follow the instructions. I was wearing headphones and listening to Google Maps telling me how to move around, but it didn’t feel safe and efficient.
You can turn on the power with the keyless remote key by clicking the button on the remote control key or the button on the handlebar. I will notice that the keyless button is extremely sensitive. In many cases, I put it in my pocket with my mobile phone or other residents in my pocket. It must have hit the button and turned off the vehicle while I was riding. Fortunately, this has never happened in a busy place, but it requires vigilance.
As I mentioned before, you can use this application to pair your phone and other users’ phones with the bicycle. The app allows you to select learner mode or restricted mode to control riding settings; turn the bike and lights on and off; change indicators; and check the status of battery life, speed, and motor temperature. It’s basically all the information on the dashboard, but on the app. I really don’t feel the need to use it.
The LED headlights are always on when the vehicle is started, but there are also high beams and low beams, as well as peripheral parking lights, all of which are designed for disassembly at the end of life. There are also LED rear lights, brake lights and license plate lights, as well as DOT approved indicator lights.
Among the functions that are not fully compatible with other categories, there is a field kit, which is fixed on the lift seat, contains a user manual and tools for setting and maintaining 2X2, which is very convenient. Usually, when people buy a Ubco bicycle, it is packed in a box and “just a few simple steps are required to be ready to ride.” There is also a UBCO university course that shows how to set it up. If you buy from one of Ubco’s distributors, they will unpack and install it when you come to pick up the goods.
Maintenance comes with a monthly subscription fee. Ubco has a network of technicians that can be deployed wherever the company sells bicycles as long as they need repairs. If there are no authorized mechanics nearby, Ubco’s headquarters will work with customers to help them repair bicycles. Ubco did not respond to information about how many authorized mechanics are in its network.
Once again, I’m from New York and I’ve seen thousands of delivery men who ride bicycles and mopeds. They wrap oven gloves in plastic bags and tape them to the handlebars so that the drivers can stay in the cold. Keep your hands warm during the months of the year. This bicycle can withstand the heavy load of transporting goods, it is fast and flexible when in and out of traffic, and is easy to ride and use.
Subscription services, especially those for businesses, make it an excellent city bike that can cope with various weather conditions. I already know that it can handle rain and mud, so all signs point to success in the wet winter hell of the northern city. And for adventurers-people who just want to ride on the road and off-road, out of town and in the wilderness-this is also a great consumer ride that can last a long time.