Blix Ultra Review

Santa Cruz, CA-based Blix bicycle company has been producing and selling electric bikes since 2014. We've tested several previous models like the Blix Packa and the Packa Genie and have been impressed with their thoughtful and purpose-driven approach to building bikes. The Ultra represents a “do it all” utility with many expansion possibilities. This class 3 bike utilizes a 750-watt hub motor and a 672 Wh battery. The Ultra is comfortable and capable with giant 26" x 4.0" all-terrain tires. Customization options for the Ultra include an extra battery (doubling range), a heavy-duty rack with or without a child carrier, front and rear baskets, fenders, and a VIP section that keeps kids contained.

The Ultra boasts a 400-pound weight capacity, strong hydraulic disc brakes, and a suspension fork to absorb the larger bumps.

Performance Comparison

Ride

The Ultra features an exceptionally long wheelbase that provides a stable and comfortable ride. Its monstrous tires ensure confidence over most types of terrain and don't limit you to just pavement. The seating position is comfortable yet neutral, with only limited adjustability to its cockpit.

The Ultra features a relatively high top tube that isn't super user-friendly; stylistically, it looks cool, but the upward kink in the top tube isn't exactly a feature we'd duplicate. The stem and handlebar are adjustable up or down about 1.5 inches, and the seatpost has a range of 10.5 inches. Blix lists a height range of 5'6" to 6'2", which seems accurate, although riders with shorter legs would be wise to stand over the top tube of this bike before buying; its listed height is 29.17, but for useful purposes, we'd call it 31 inches.

The Ultra is longer than most bikes and almost 70 lbs, giving it impressive stability and a firm planted feeling, especially at speed. The high-volume 4-inch tires provide an ultra-smooth ride and a fair bit of versatility off-pavement. The length and weight of the Ultra also have drawbacks; the bike can feel difficult to handle at low speeds and in tight situations. The wide turning radius necessitates a little more room, and lifting the front end takes a bit of muscle. This isn't unique to the Ultra as e-bikes, especially e-cargo bikes, don't move with the same finesse as many of us are accustomed to the shorter and lighter bicycles.

The suspension fork on the Ultra provides 80mm of road-softening travel, which helps with rough spots but doesn't mute the reality of the surface you're riding. The handlebars have 30mm of rise, which helps to create a comfortable cockpit but are also narrow at 680mm, leaving us feeling like we had less control over such a big bike. Zoom hydraulic brakes handle braking with 180mm rotors which felt sufficient for the loads we carried; riders planning to max out the Ultra's 400lb weight limit might consider larger rotors to increase the stopping power.

Blix gave the Ultra useful features like a kickstand, led headlight, and bosses for a wide array of modular accessories. Blix offers a large cargo rack that bolts directly to the frame, front and rear baskets, and a VIP section that keeps kids contained on the rack. The rack is also compatible with child seats like the Thule Yepp, which allow you to haul toddlers. Wheel guards, footpegs, and fenders can also be had from the Blix store; overall, the Ultra is… ultra-customizable.

Range

The Blix Ultra bike has a powerful 672-watt-hour battery built into the frame's downtube. What sets this bike apart is its ability to add a second battery, doubling the power to 1,344 Wh. While this option will cost a little more, it greatly extends the bike's range, making it perfect for people who need to carry large loads or travel long distances. This feature provides many possibilities that few cargo bikes can offer.

We were able to ride the Ultra for 22.67 miles at an average speed of 15.0 mph with 1,593 feet of elevation gain/loss using only the single 672-watt-hour down-tube battery. Given its weight and resistance from the fat tires, this distance is expected. While its range is not as extensive as other models we tested, its comfort, versatility, and expandability make it stand out. You can achieve significantly more range if you pedal along and pedaling the Ultra is enjoyable. If you plan on loading this bike down and maximizing its versatility, consider adding a second battery.

Power

The Ultra is equipped with a 750-watt hub motor that allows for quick acceleration. It is classified as a Class 2 e-bike and can reach a maximum speed of 20 mph when using the throttle. In class 3 mode, the bike can easily achieve a speed of 28 mph with the motor's assistance. While it's certainly not designed for racing, the Ultra's motor can produce up to 1350 watts of peak power, making uphill rides effortless even when carrying a heavy load.

The Ultra has five levels of pedal assistance and a throttle to get you moving. A cadence sensor measures the rider's input, and power is delivered according to the speed of the cranks, not the amount of effort exerted. Its 5 pedal assist modes (PAS) are adjusted using the simple plus/minus buttons next to the display. In higher PAS settings, the bike moves rapidly with very little rider input; in lower settings, the motor provides what feels like a tailwind.

Engaging the throttle is as simple as pressing down on the thumb paddle. It can be used independently of pedaling or in addition to it. The PAS levels do not affect the power of the throttle; full power is always at the rider's disposal. We found it especially useful when starting from a standstill or wanting to move quickly through an intersection. Like many other e-bikes, the Ultra has a walk mode that lets the bike propel its weight at a walking pace. This can be useful for walking up a steep hill that you might choose not to ride, or when loading the bike up a ramp on a hitch rack.

The modular design of the Ultra allows you to ride it as a simple e-bike or add some accessories and seriously increase its utility. The available rear rack can support up to 150 pounds giving the bike a total weight capacity of 400 pounds. With such a robust rack, the possibilities are vast. An adult passenger, child and cargo, two children in the VIP section, heavy cargo, groceries, pannier bags; so many possibilities. The available front rack supports up to 50 pounds and other accessories include a front basket, seat cushions, fenders, foot pegs, and pannier bags. Like other cargo-style bikes, adding the extras unlocks the potential.

Interface

The Ultra's display is a simple one many other e-bike manufacturers share. The display is the size of a nickel and shows the current speed, state of charge, and PAS mode. Blix also has an app that shows more comprehensive information, including a map. If you prefer the display in the app, you can mount your phone to the handlebar using any number of aftermarket phone mounts (see our favorite bike phone mounts in our review), but no charging port is available on the Ultra. Using the controls is intuitive and ergonomic; the display uses its limited space well and shows important information at a quick glance.

The display and controls on the Ultra are an all-in-one unit located next to the left grip, making them quickly accessible. Up and down arrows adjust the PAS levels while a long push of the down button puts the bike in walk mode, and a long push of the up button turns on the bike's headlight.

The downtube battery is secured into a recess in the frame's downtube. The secondary battery sits behind the seat tube; both can be locked in place and charged on or off the bike. Charging the battery from empty takes approximately 7 hours.

Assembly

Assembling the Ultra took 45 minutes in total and didn't require any tools that weren't supplied by Blix. Printed instructions were provided and there are video tutorials on the Blix website.

The Ultra comes in an Ultra-large bike box weighing north of 90 pounds. Dragging the box to an assembly area is possible with one person, but it's a good time to involve a friend. The Ultra isn't hard to manage once unboxed and clear of packing materials. Assembly involves installing the handlebar, pedals, seat, seatpost, and headlight. The task is relatively easy if you follow the instructions, but those that aren't mechanically inclined would be advised to use a local bike shop.

Should You Buy the Blix Ultra?

The Ultra is a powerful, versatile bike capable of pleasure rides and cargo hauls. It's priced competitively and has features that differentiate it from other e-bikes. We appreciate that the modular system allows you to get the desired bike and pay for just the accessories you want. The bike's powerful motor makes it a great candidate for heavy cargo missions or larger riders. Its ride quality is quite good, and the dual battery capability gives it an exceptional range. While it's a bit long and heavy, those criticisms are also some of its selling points.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

We like the Ultra quite a bit, especially its modular features, including the ability to add a second battery. If the size is more than you'd like to operate or store, check out the Lectric XPedition or Specialized Haul ST, both bikes are powerful, user-friendly, and capable while taking up considerably less space. If cargo is a larger concern than cost, check out the Yuba Spicy Curry, a premium Class 1 cargo bike that utilizes a quiet mid-drive motor and sports a 440-pound carrying capacity. Yuba also offers a wide selection of aftermarket accessories, making customization easy.