Mike leroy
Active Member
Court (i.e., EBR.com) gave #1 ratings to the Volton mid drive (also 500W, 48V version) and SSR Sand Viper. The bikes cost $2,650 and $1,400, respectively. The Viper is the closest approximation to Sondors. Cost-benefit analysis is powerful tool to compare eBikes that are fundamentally different value propositions.
Bike components are features which are related to six ebike Benefit categories. Benefit categories are rated by averaging the feature scores in a category, on a scale from 1 to 5.
The cost-benefit ratio is a way to compare one bike with different options, or several bikes. Use a single number (I.e., ratio) to compare different features, trade offs, risks and prices.
Calculate the cost-benefit ratio by dividing the bike benefit score by the cost rating. Scores are displayed in parentheses.
Two Volton dealers are located in my area. A solution that delivers real value is combining the Sondors low cost business model with flexible configuration and local shop service. The Results category in the cost-benefit analysis is used to score service, warranty and support.
Can Court's review "Cons" be easily overcome by allowing riders to configure the shortcomings? I prefer to upgrade to most of the components/features in the HPC Trailblazer deluxe. The HPC Trailblazer is the opposite of the Volton Alation. The trailblazer emphasized performance at the expense of elegance and stealth. The Velcro battery cover draws attention to motor power, is aesthetically displeasing and less protective.
The Volton frame design is elegant. The stealthy battery is hidden in the frame. What set of upgrades from the entry level components optimizes value of the bike? Volton places too much emphasis on low cost.
Selecting the bike with the best frame and electrical system layout is the first step in the purchasing process. The second step is balancing components and costs. In other words, the frame represents the fixed cost, while the components are the variable cost. Accept or reject a bike layout -- Elegance benefit -- before considering components. Components represent Economy, Enjoyment, Ease, Endurance and Excitement benefit categories.
Judging the Elegance benefit means getting in touch with your emotions. Ignore numbers like price, watts, amps and speed when making your first impression. Pay close attention to your emotional reaction -- positive, negative or indifferent. Compare the first three pictures in this post. Which eBike has the greatest emotional attraction or negative reaction?
Score your emotional reaction as an Elegance benefit, on a scale from 1 to 5. The feeling might be lost when individual components are considered.
Unfortunately, human emotions Bias judgment. I am very biased against the SSR Viper because the motor is located in the front wheel. In my opinion, the front wheel is only for steering. The rear wheel is strictly part of the powertrain to smoothly combine pedal and motor power. Rear wheel traction is reduced with a front motor. A big issue for full suspension eBikes.
Write your Bias down while fresh in memory. I am also strongly biased against the HPC, because the velcro battery cover is ugly to my eyes.
Neither bike contains all the desired components, which justifies postponing purchase for another year.
Are you willing to wait a few months for Volton to accumulate enough orders to produce a batch of bikes, like Sondors? I am.
A side-by-side comparison for three bikes follows: Volton mid-drive, Sondors rear hub and SSR Sand Viper front hub.
See this post for more explanation about the cost-benefit analysis.
Bike components are features which are related to six ebike Benefit categories. Benefit categories are rated by averaging the feature scores in a category, on a scale from 1 to 5.
The cost-benefit ratio is a way to compare one bike with different options, or several bikes. Use a single number (I.e., ratio) to compare different features, trade offs, risks and prices.
Calculate the cost-benefit ratio by dividing the bike benefit score by the cost rating. Scores are displayed in parentheses.
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
Two Volton dealers are located in my area. A solution that delivers real value is combining the Sondors low cost business model with flexible configuration and local shop service. The Results category in the cost-benefit analysis is used to score service, warranty and support.
Can Court's review "Cons" be easily overcome by allowing riders to configure the shortcomings? I prefer to upgrade to most of the components/features in the HPC Trailblazer deluxe. The HPC Trailblazer is the opposite of the Volton Alation. The trailblazer emphasized performance at the expense of elegance and stealth. The Velcro battery cover draws attention to motor power, is aesthetically displeasing and less protective.
The Volton frame design is elegant. The stealthy battery is hidden in the frame. What set of upgrades from the entry level components optimizes value of the bike? Volton places too much emphasis on low cost.
Selecting the bike with the best frame and electrical system layout is the first step in the purchasing process. The second step is balancing components and costs. In other words, the frame represents the fixed cost, while the components are the variable cost. Accept or reject a bike layout -- Elegance benefit -- before considering components. Components represent Economy, Enjoyment, Ease, Endurance and Excitement benefit categories.
Judging the Elegance benefit means getting in touch with your emotions. Ignore numbers like price, watts, amps and speed when making your first impression. Pay close attention to your emotional reaction -- positive, negative or indifferent. Compare the first three pictures in this post. Which eBike has the greatest emotional attraction or negative reaction?
Score your emotional reaction as an Elegance benefit, on a scale from 1 to 5. The feeling might be lost when individual components are considered.
Unfortunately, human emotions Bias judgment. I am very biased against the SSR Viper because the motor is located in the front wheel. In my opinion, the front wheel is only for steering. The rear wheel is strictly part of the powertrain to smoothly combine pedal and motor power. Rear wheel traction is reduced with a front motor. A big issue for full suspension eBikes.
Write your Bias down while fresh in memory. I am also strongly biased against the HPC, because the velcro battery cover is ugly to my eyes.
Neither bike contains all the desired components, which justifies postponing purchase for another year.
Are you willing to wait a few months for Volton to accumulate enough orders to produce a batch of bikes, like Sondors? I am.
A side-by-side comparison for three bikes follows: Volton mid-drive, Sondors rear hub and SSR Sand Viper front hub.
See this post for more explanation about the cost-benefit analysis.
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