The Ultra Motor A2B Electric Bicycle
March 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Ultra Motor A2B Electric Bicycle
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The Ultra Motor A2B electric bicycle is a 500 watt, twist-throttle electric bicycle powered by a lithium-ion battery. The A2B has a top speed of 20 mph and a single-charge range of about 20 miles. The A2B features a unique frame design, fat 3″ tires, and a frame-integrated battery system.
Ultra Motor designed the bike from the ground up as an electric, and it shows - the A2B’s frame style sports a unique look not found on any other bike. Both compact and rugged, the frame also houses the bike’s lithium-ion battery, which holds enough juice to power the bike for about 20 miles, assuming you weigh 160 lbs or less - expect lower range if you weigh more.
The bike is powered by a custom-designed 500 watt brushless motor integrated into the rear hub of the bike. Using the twist-throttle, expect a top speed of 20 mph on flat ground, faster if you pedal. The A2B is a twist-throttle electric bicycle, meaning you operate the motor using an integrated twist throttle in the bike’s right handlebar grip - the A2B does not have a pedal-assist mode - too bad, we think - especially if you run of out of juice while riding, as the A2B weighs a hefty 74 lbs. Not something most people would want to pedal home, although one reviewer said, “In a test on a flat road, though, the bike was much easier to ride than expected.”
The A2B is solidly-built with quality parts - Shimano Alivio derailleur, Hayes disc brakes and full suspension integrated into the aluminum frame - and can be outfitted with a range of additional accessories, such as an additional battery to double the bikes range.
Because the A2B comes with wide tires - 3″ - it can be a bit difficult to properly lock it to a bike rack, as one reviewer mentions. He solved his dilemma by using two Kryptonite NY U-Locks and a Kryptonite NY chain — which also added more than 20 pounds to his payload.
Check out this video review of the A2B electric bicycle (video credit scooter-news)
Here’s another video done by the WSJ featuring Ultra Motors’ CEO talking about the A2B:
Price and Availability
The A2B is available from authorized retailers now at a retail price of about $2,700.
Maintenance and Reliability
A search on the Internet reveals no existing customer complaints about the reliability of this bike or Ultra Motor’s service record.
Standard bicycle maintenance should be performed on the A2B, including keeping the chain and gear shifting equipment clean, lubricated, and free of debris.
Should the bike’s drive train - chain, gear shift, gears - or brakes need servicing, the bike can be taken to any bicycle repair shop since the parts used on the bike are standard. Servicing of the motor or batteries however may require a visit to an authorized Ultra Motors repair center.
Technical Specs
- Speed 20 Mph / 33kmph
- Range 20miles* / 33km* - (extendable to 40miles**)
- Vehicle weight 73lb / 33kg
- Battery type Lithium Ion
- Operating voltage 36V
- Motor Power BLDC hub motor 500W
- Frame Tig Welded 6061 Aluminum
- Wheel size 20 X 3.0 Kenda Kraze
- Derailleur Shimano Alivio 7 Speed
- Front suspension Front shock
- Rear suspension Rear swing arm
- Seat type Ultra Motor oversize comfort seat
- Brake type Hayes MX4 V7 Cable Disc
- Extras A range of additional accessories
* Dependent on rider weight, pedaling and terrain
** 40 miles (66km) is based on addition of secondary battery pack components are subject to change without notice
Online Resources
The Ultra Motor A2B electric bicycle - Manufacturer’s product page
Bought an A2B and I love riding it, however, I didn’t ask some practical questions beforehand:
1) Neither my dealer nor I know how to change a tire/tube, because my puny bike tire irons aren’t going to work on these 3″ wide tires. Don’t know where to even buy tire/tube except that my dealer would order them(!). My plan is to carry around green slime and a tire pump until UltraMotor gives me an intelligent answer.
2} No mounting brackets for a bottle rack or pump, and I’m not going to drill anything with all that $$ electricals in the frame.
3) Unique frame design means most panniers and racks aren’t going to work.
4) ON the other hand, the two year warranty on the motor, controller and batteries is excellent and shows that they must have put a lot of thought into its long term reliability.
Overall I think this was the best choice of all the Electric bikes and conversion kits that I test drove.
Update: After a week, I smoked the motor riding on a level road and no rain of any kind. The disappointing part was that the motor had basically locked up, and I could not pedal the bike at all, and it could be barely pushed. Luckily a buddy was at a nearby McDonalds with his pickup and gave me a ride home.
The bike shop couldn’t troubleshoot the problem; they replaced both the motor and the battery but no joy. To the vendor’s credit (Ultramotor), they shipped a brand new bike and took back the old one.
The new bike has been working fine for 2 weeks, and has replaced my Saab for local errands.
I added a bottle cage using tye wraps to the head set tube, and purchased a spare tube/tire, since its not stocked anywhere in my area. A standard bike rack can be installed by removing the one on the bike and adding a homemade bracket.