Blix Packa Genie Review

Blix is a Santa Cruz, CA-based company that has been producing and selling electric bikes since 2014. We previously tested the original Blix Packa, and while it was a great bike, it didn't outperform the competition. We recently got our hands on the Packa Genie, and this version's updates address the shortcomings of the previous model. The primary changes are a more powerful 750W motor and an increase in battery size to 614-watt-hours (up from 500Wh). This brings it in line with the competition in terms of power, and while it still falls a tad short of the larger battery competition in the terms of range, the ability to add an optional second battery to the bike frame can negate that issue for those who need to travel longer distances. Add that to the Packa's comfortable and smooth ride, 400-pound weight capacity, and the ability to customize your bike with accessories for cargo hauling, and we feel this is the best all-around cargo bike we tested.

Performance Comparison

Ride

The Packa Genie has a notably smooth, stable, and comfortable ride quality that is a result of its length, weight, and high-volume tires. Its got a comfortable seated pedaling position, loads of handlebar and seat height adjustability, and comes with lots of user-friendly features.

The Packa Genie has a low step-thru frame that makes getting on and off the bike relatively easy. The seatpost has a large range of adjustability, as does the handlebar with an adjustable angle stem that makes for quick and easy changes to its height and position. Blix claims a rider height range of 5'1" to 6'3", and our six-foot-tall tester with long legs had no problem finding a comfortable fit. Additionally, the large padded seat is agreeable, and the faux leather ergonomic grips are quite comfortable as well.

The Packa Genie is long and heavy, offering impressive stability at speed and an ultra-smooth ride on straightaways and through medium and large radius turns. Of course, this length has the adverse effect of making it feel a bit big and bulky, and super short turns aren't really its thing — pretty consistent across any cargo bike. You need a little extra room if you're making a u-turn or backing it out of its parking spot. Its 24-inch wheels come with high-volume 2.4-inch wide tires that provide a good bit of damping over small bumps and cracks in the road. Given that it has a rigid frame, however, super rough roads and potholes still feel a bit jarring. This big bike doesn't stop on a dime, but the hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear do a good job of slowing and stopping this heavyweight.

Blix loaded the Packa Genie with useful features that help to enhance the rider experience. It comes with front and rear fenders, a bell integrated into the brake levers, USB charging from the display, and head and tail lights. The tail light also functions as a brake light when it is on, and it lights up brighter when the brakes are applied. The back end of the bike has a large platform, and Blix sells a variety of accessories like kids' seats, baskets, and cargo racks so you can customize it to suit your needs.

Range

The Packa Genie comes with a 614-watt-hour battery integrated into the downtube of the frame, and it has a unique dual battery capability. Blix gives you the option to purchase it with dual batteries, adding an additional 614-watt-hours for a total of 1,228Wh. Adding the dual battery option bumps the price of the bike up by a few hundred dollars, but easily extends this bike's range by approximately double. This is a really exciting feature for those who may carry lots of cargo or travel long distances regularly. If you want to maximize range, there's no better option than this model with both batteries.

With just the single 614-watt-hour downtube battery, we were able to ride the Packa Genie using the throttle for 23.6 miles with 1,309 feet of elevation gain/loss. This is shy of the high bar set by other models we tested. It stands to reason that it would travel a shorter distance with 20-25% less battery. Additionally, the Packa is quite heavy. However, and we cannot endorse this enough, get the extra battery and you can more than double this range expectation. Plus, by adding some pedal power, a single charge using both batteries has the potential to go distances no other cargo bike can by dozens of miles.

Power

With a robust 750-watt direct drive rear hub motor, the Packa Genie is no slouch in the power department. This Class 2 e-bike has a top speed of 20 mph using both the throttle and pedal assist, so it isn't the fastest e-bike ever, but it's plenty fast for a cargo-style model. It has five levels of pedal assistance to support your pedaling efforts, and the throttle power also corresponds to the chosen assist level.

The Packa Genie has five levels of pedal assistance as well as a throttle that easily gets this bike up to its top speed of 20 mph on flat terrain. The pedal assistance is based on a cadence sensor, so it starts delivering power after about a quarter-turn of the cranks, and it continues as long as the cranks are turning, regardless of how much effort you're putting in. The five levels of support provide a great range, whether you want to putt along at 10 mph in level 1 or zoom down the road at 20 mph in level 5. While pedaling, shifts between levels feel smooth, with noticeable changes in support between them.

The throttle is engaged by pressing the thumb paddle by the left grip, and it can be used on its own so you don't need to pedal at all, even from a complete stop. The throttle power corresponds to the chosen assist level, so it goes faster in the higher levels and vice versa. Using the throttle, it feels quick off the line with good acceleration in level 5, though it tended to bog down a bit on steeper or extended uphills where you should probably be pedaling a little anyway. Like most quality e-bikes, the Packa also has a walk mode to push it along at a walking pace, which is activated by pressing and holding the down button.

Cargo Carrying

With a rear rack that supports up to 120 pounds and a total weight capacity of 400 pounds, the Packa Genie can haul just about anything you expect to get on a bike. The rear rack measures 25.8" long by 6.7" wide. We were able to strap a considerable load onto this bike without compromising ride quality.

As with other cargo bikes, maxing out carrying capacity relies on upgrading to some extras. If you go for the additional front rack, it supports up to 50 pounds. Other options include a front basket, cushions, running boards, bags, panniers, mesh rear wheel guards, and more. At the time of publication, Blix doesn't sell a kid seat, but you can find third-party kid bike seats, like the popular Yepp seat, that should fit this bike.

Interface

The Packa Genie uses a display and controls that are comparable to most of the other bikes in this price range. The controls are intuitive in their use with good ergonomics, and the LCD display is large, easy to read, and shows your pertinent ride information at a glance. The batteries are removable, and charging can be done on or off the bike.

The majority of e-bikes we've tested in this price range have similar controls to those found on the Packa Genie. By the left grip, a small handlebar-mounted control unit has three buttons, power/mode, and up and down arrows. A thumb paddle throttle is situated next to the button controls. Their location next to the left grip makes them easy to reach with the thumb, and they are so simple in their function that you can typically use them without the need to look down. Once the power is turned on at the battery, the power/mode button turns on power to the display. The up and down arrows are used to shift between pedal-assist levels while the mode button scrolls through several data fields at the bottom of the screen. Pressing and holding the up arrow turns on the head and tail lights while pressing and holding the down arrow engages the walk mode.

The monochrome LCD display measures 3.25" long x 2" wide and is centered in the handlebar above the stem in an easy-to-see location. The angle of the screen can also be adjusted to optimize it for viewing. The screen shows several important pieces of data, including remaining battery life, current speed, pedal assist level, and odometer/trip distance. The remaining battery life is displayed graphically at the top of the screen as a number of bars that turn off as the battery is depleted. Current speed is calculated from the bike's speed sensor and is shown in large numbers in the middle of the screen (this field can be changed to show average or max speed). Below that, the pedal-assist setting is displayed as a number 0-5. At the bottom of the screen is the odometer, and this field can be switched to show Trip A and Trip B distance instead. The display also has a USB port which can be used to charge a smartphone or similar device off the bike's battery.

The downtube battery fits nicely into a recess in the downtube of the frame. It can be unlocked with the included keys and removed for security or charging on or off the bike. If you opt for the second battery, it will sit behind the seat post. Charging is pretty standard using the included charger. Simply plug the charging cord into the charging port. Expect a charging time of approximately 5 hours to replenish a depleted battery. The optional second battery is keyed differently than the downtube battery, and it is also removable for security and charging.

Assembly

It took us 40 minutes from unboxing to riding the Packa Genie. Detailed assembly instructions and videos are on the Blix website. Pretty standard stuff for consumer-direct bike brands.

The Packa Genie comes in a large bike box that weighs a few pounds more than the 78.5 lb assembled weight of the bike. Moving this box and removing the bike from the box is definitely a task for two people. Once out of the box and all the packing materials are removed, the Packa's two-footed kickstand can support the bike before the front wheel is even on. This allows you to install the handlebar, pedals, seat/seatpost, front fender, and headlight without the bike tipping over in the process. We found it to be relatively easy to complete the remaining assembly of the Packa by following the instructions and using the included tools, but users with limited bike knowledge may want to take theirs to a professional mechanic.

Should You Buy the Blix Packa Genie?

The Packa Genie is an excellent utility/cargo bike that is ideal for running errands, commuting, and carrying lots of cargo. It's competitively priced and boasts features and performance that are well worth the asking price. This bike is comfortable, smooth, and stable, and the dual battery capability gives you the option to have a massive battery storage capacity and distance range. If you want this kind of exceptional range, it will cost a bit extra. With a 400-pound weight capacity and mounts for a variety of aftermarket racks, baskets, and kid seats, this might just be the ultimate car replacement.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

We think the Packa Genie is a great e-bike with useful features, including the ability to add the optional second battery for more power. However, if the massive range isn't one of your needs, and you prefer to save some cash, check out the KBO Ranger. It will save you hundreds while offering solid range, power, and user-friendliness while sacrificing some cargo space. If money is no object, the Yuba Spicy Curry is a premium Class 1 cargo bike with a smooth, quiet mid-drive motor, an extra-long rear rack, and an impressive 440-pound weight limit. Yuba's selection of aftermarket add-on accessories also makes it easy, and pricey, to customize it for your cargo carrying needs.