2019 Pure Cycles Volta Review

Video Review

Written Review

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed is a sleek and compact electric bike that’s easy to operate and comfortable to ride.

Pure Cycles is known for their innovative electric bike designs; this one, the Volta Single Speed, is chock full of proprietary features like an internal GPS that tracks the location of the bike and notifies riders if someone is trying to steal it, integrated lighting, integrated front basket and an extremely quiet belt drive.

Power — 250 nominal watts, 350 peak watts

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has an efficient gearless Aikema hub motor that puts out a modest 250 watts of nominal power and 350 peak watts of power. Since this motor is gearless, it is incredibly quiet and can also feed energy back into the battery through regenerative braking.

Speed  — 20 mph

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the pedal assist, making this a class 1 electric bike. Class 1 electric bikes can be legally ridden in almost any area, which makes this a good choice for those who live in a city with strict electric bike laws.

Battery and Range — 42 volt 5.8 ah, 25 miles

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike runs on a 42 volt system and has a 5.8 ah battery for an estimated max range of 25 miles with pedal assist. The battery is located inside the frame, which keeps the bike well balanced and also keeps the battery protected from dirt and debris.

Pedal assist sensor — Torque sensor

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike is equipped with a torque sensor that measure the torque placed on the cranks. This is an extremely responsive sensor and there is very little latency from the time pressure is placed on the cranks to the time the motor activates and deactivates. 

Display — App, LCD

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike uses an integrated proprietary LCD display located on the top of the handlebars. The feedback on this display is elegant and minimal, but the Pure Cycles app allows for much more electronic feedback, including speed, distance, battery level, wattage output and more.

Frame and weight — 6061 Aluminum alloy, 36 pounds

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has one frame size and weighs in at nearly 36 pounds, making this an extremely lightweight and agile electric bike. Though the Volta Single Speed has a compact frame, the geometry keeps it from feeling cramped and the ride remains comfortable even on extended treks.

Suspension —  Solid forks

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has solid forks and no suspension, but an aftermarket seat post suspension can be easily added for those riders who want a little more shock absorption.

Gearing — Gates belt drive, single speed

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike uses a Gates belt drive, which makes for an extremely quiet operation. The belt drive also eliminates the risk of derailment and requires virtually no maintenance.

Brakes — Tektro, mechanical disc, caliper

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has a Tektro mechanical disc brake in the front with a 140 mm rotor and a Tektro caliper brake in the rear. Coupled with the built-in regenerative braking, the stopping power on this bike is still quite good. The brake levers also have motor inhibitors built in, which instantly cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed.

Warranty — 30 day return, 1 year comprehensive, lifetime frame

The Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike has a 30 day no questions asked return policy and a 1 year comprehensive warranty that covers everything. They also have an extended lifetime warranty on the frame and forks.

Price — Starting at $1,999

Starting at $1,999 the Pure Cycles Volta Single Speed electric bike starts to creep into the mid-tier price point. The price seems generous given the great warranty and many proprietary features that are often only found on much more expensive bikes. The GPS tracking systems is great and gives riders peace of mind when leaving their bike unattended, and the internally routed wires and internal batteries make the Volta Single Speed an incredibly stealthy, under-the-radar electric bike.

Who’s it for —Urban commuter with limited space

This feels like a good choice for those who want to commute shorter distances through the city but don’t have tons of space to store their electric bike; because the Volta Single Speed is so lightweight, it also makes it easy to carry it up and down stairs. Though the battery capacity is limited, the efficient motor and regenerative braking allow for extended ranges, and the built-in basket makes stowing items easy. For those who want a stylish, stealthy electric bike that isn’t too heavy and is compact, the Volta Single Speed is a great option.