Why You Can Trust CNET Volt Infinity review: A great ride for the country or the city
A comfy ride, powerful motor and electric gears make the Volt Infinity a lovely all-round ride.
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Looking for a solid all-round ebike that's well-equipped to tackle those sweeping countryside roads as well as your daily commute?
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
The Volt Infinity is the bike for you.
Its 20-inch frame and full-size wheels make it a comfortable ride, helped by the front suspension forks, which absorb all but the worst of East London's potholes.
The electric motor provides plenty of assistance to your pedaling and has three power modes, selectable with two buttons on the handlebars. It kicks in quickly, which helps you get up to speed without much effort on your part. If you want to blitz through your commute without breaking a sweat, keep the assistance at maximum. Turn it off altogether if you want a proper workout.
The Shimano Steps gears are electric too, and selectable using a switch on the other side of the handlebars. Not only do the gears not make that clanking sound when you change between them, but they're able to automatically change down to a low gear when you come to a complete stop -- at traffic lights, for example -- which makes it very easy to get going again.
The battery provides 70 miles (113km) of range from a full charge, which is more than enough for an extended countryside cruise or multiple days of commuting without a recharge. It's removable, so you can leave your bike locked up downstairs, and simply carry the battery upstairs into your flat to plug it in.
The motor is limited by UK law to 15.5mph (25kmh), which is fine for the city centre. There's a handy display that gives your speed, assistance mode and battery range, and it can be clicked off easily when you leave your bike chained up unattended. The hydraulic disc brakes are extremely good too, which is a comfort when you're cycling in amongst heavy traffic.
It's not a bad-looking bike as such, but its plain matte-gray finish doesn't exactly catch the eye. I personally prefer something a touch more sporty to inspire my muscles to get working on a weekend ride. Still, I'm sure there will be many among you who prefer its subdued charms.
At £2,499 (converted to US dollars that equates to around $3,275), the Infinity isn't the cheapest e-bike around by any means, but it's well built and feels like it will put up with a lot of abuse. While Volt currently doesn't have a stockist in the US, it is considering a move into US distribution.