Simple & Beautiful – VVolt is Now Shipping the Revamped Alpha II

Companies often try something outrageous or radically different regarding fresh and innovative designs. Just look at all of the wild concept bikes over the years, primarily out-of-the-box ideas that rarely see the light of day outside of a tradeshow. While trying to be innovative, sometimes the thing that has been working for years, the tried and tested design, can become an afterthought when trying to bend or break the rules.

Yet when you look at VVolt's latest offering, the revamped Alpha II, you can't help but notice that the team at Vvolt has taken the influence of many years of successful commuter bikes and added a slight touch of innovation to make one of the most simple, yet aesthetic commuter bikes being released on the market today.

Quick Specs

• Motor: 350W rear hub motor

• Battery: 375 Wh

• Torque: 45 Nm

• Range: 20-45 miles

• Class 1: Assist up to 20 mph (with an option for Class 2)

• Weight: 44 lbs

• Gates Sidetrack Carbon Belt Drive

Classy Commuter

Drop into any weekend garage sale, and you might find an old lady who has dusted off some old-style bikes that she used to ride 'back in the day.' If you are like me, you have always loved seeing the old-style commuters and probably paid a pretty penny to that old lady (bless her heart) for a vintage ride.

Well, the team at VVolt seems to have had the same nostalgic feeling (minus the dust) when it designed the Alpha II. The steep top tube resembles a step-through bike, with a low standover height and easy on/off for just about anyone. But with the old-school inspiration, some nice innovative touches also make this electric commuter shine.

For me, it all starts with the Gates Carbon Drive, a feature becoming increasingly prevalent among electric commuter bikes. This clean and efficient drivetrain eliminates greasy chains and derailleurs that can get smashed on a curb or a rock. I've never met a belt-drive bike that I didn't like, and the Alpha II isn't about to break that streak.

View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article

Other excellent innovations on the Alpha II are the built-in headlight, which seems to pour right out of the frame, giving the frame a unique look, and the ergonomic handlebars, which provide the rider with a comfortable yet upright positioning on the bike. These two elements, along with the belt-drive system, really bring an element of class and simplicity to the Alpha II.

Marry all these elements into an efficient yet effective motor and battery combination, and you have a beautiful electric commuter for commuting to work or a simple Sunday cruise along your local paved pathways. The rear hub motor provides plenty of power, shelling out 350W, coupled with a 375 Wh integrated battery that gives the rider up to 45 Nm of torque. The Alpha II efficiently tackles any large hills, which is especially handy due to the tremendous power-to-weight ratio given that it only weighs 44 lbs.

Finally, the Alpha II can be outfitted as either a Class 1 or Class 2, thanks to its easily removable throttle that is programmed for only 80% power. This is a 'safe speed' option that still delivers all the power you need without overpowering the ride.

Final Thoughts

I'm a man of simple pleasures, and that is what appeals to me with the Vvolt Alpha II. Cruising on a simple bike, without too many distractions or gadgets, is what I love most about commuter bikes. Sure, technological improvements are inherently part of society, and I welcome them, too. However, if the essential design elements are an integral part of any bike, they lay the foundation for the rest of the design.  I have yet to ride the Alpha II, but I can already feel the wind in my face, the smooth pedalling motion and the simplicity of just throwing my leg over the frame and going for a ride. To where? I don't know. Does it matter? Not in the slightest, as long as I'm enjoying the ride.