Comments on: First look at the Kona Electric Ute

By: arevee

arevee — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:03:07 +0000

I test rode the Ute locally and found the electrical to be very well integrated. It is a little short on power, but for the money, it’s a great value. The dealer told me the battery is 24V Lithium (don’t know what kind of lithium) 13 amp hour battery. The range claim on the low power setting is 60 miles which seems unlikely. For comparison, I have a Yuba Mundo with 9 Continent front hub motor and 48V, 15AH battery. The Mundo smokes this bike from a performance perspective, but the integration of the Ute components and price point is impressive. The complete Mundo (kit plus bike) would be about 300 more than the Ute. I would the it to anyone shopping for an electric cargo bike.

By: Mohammed Hughes

Mohammed Hughes — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:19:10 +0000

electric motors would sometimes overheat if they are not properly ventilated”-:

By: Mark Stosberg

Mark Stosberg — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:37:53 +0000

You didn't mention what kind of battery is on the bike-- sealed lead acid, perhaps? Recently I tested riding up a hill with a 350w geared ampedbikes.com rear motor, connected to some 36v SLA batteries. I did not pedal at all, to test the motor (the hill was not huge). The motor cut-out part way up and took a few seconds to start again. The owner says that due the SLA batteries, there is a "recover period" after climbing hill. Perhaps we were both running into that effect. By contrast, my electric Yuba Mundo has a LiFePO4 battery and has always delivered steady output with no cut-outs... it just cost quite a lot more up front. Read more abou the differences between LiFePO4 and SLA batteries.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:23:04 +0000

Looks like a great off the shelf product. I would certainly have considered something like this before I built my Mundo.

I know the original Kona Ute comes with 300C wheels and I wonder if the electric version has 26inch wheels which allows the room for the battery under the carrier or if the whole carrier section is raised and unique to the Electric Ute?

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:01:34 +0000

Thanks for the review! I have a kona dealer 3-blocks from my house and have been waiting to get the chance to ride one. I have to say, I am a little jealous

By: Don

Don — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:00:40 +0000

Thanks for these clarifications! I’ve incorporated them back into the main body of the article just in case some readers don’t make it down to the comments. Please keep us posted on your 100-pound tests and any other Ute experiences you care to share.

By: Opt Out En Masse

Opt Out En Masse — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:41:54 +0000

Clarifications to your excellent review, given my ownership of the new Kona Electric Ute for the past two weeks:

I have not yet experienced that cut-out of the engine on big hills. Thus far I’ve hauled three separate loads – several times each – of
1) 50# of chicken feed,
2) 50# of dog food, and
3) 60# of kids.

Will be testing 100# loads soon.

The battery definitely does not need to be removed for charging. This was one item about my disastrous eZee kit battery that always annoyed me. With the Electric Ute, I never remove the battery. The included charging cable has ample lengths to reach from a garage wall to the bike several feet away. And it plugs in to a convenient port on the right side of the bike.

Most definitely agree that the lack of a front disc brake is disconcerting and noticed.

You can change the assist level (PAS) on the Electric Ute with a quick hit of the (only) button on the front of the controller. There are three levels it cycles between.

I appreciate the overall lighter weight of the Electric Ute versus the other cargo bikes (although it is still heavy) so I can just grab one bike to take to town, whether I am hauling lightweight stuff (soccer gear, dojo equipment) or heavy stuff. Saves me time from switching the lighting system, etc back and forth between my old road bike and new cargo bike. The old road bike is now hanging from the garage ceiling.