The owner of Hollywood Electrics, a likable, quiet guy named Harlan, pulled up to the house shortly after 8pm on a Friday night. I helped him unload the electric bike, the latest model from A2B, the Alva+, from the back of his van, and I listened as he walked me through the hows of it all.
It sounded so simple, and before I knew it I was on the bike, pedaling then not, cruising, riding, the wind was in my helmet. It was as simple as it sounded. The payoff worked in layers of joy and complexity.
It was my first time on an electric bike, and I was hooked within the first five seconds.
I walked the bike into my backyard, and I couldn’t take my eyes off itāeven as the fireworks shooting over the local high school homecoming game littered the sky with pops of fire, all I could do was look at how the colors reflected off the Alva+, and possibly weep a little.
Then the kids needed something as kids are prone to do, and I left the electric bike beneath the smoke and the stars, and I went about the business of pizza and animation.
The bike was a loaner, and I only had a few days to get acquainted before returning it to Hollywood Electrics, so it wasn’t long before I found myself at the window peering out to check on it. It was sitting there, alone, a sculpted piece of interactive art, and it needed the warmth of eyes upon it, so I brought it into the house. My wife took one look at the bike, and she totally understood. This was more than a machine, it was an object worthy of our affection.
In the morning I woke with the sun, give or take a couple of hours, and I rode. I rode for all I was worth.
Seriously, the bike is that awesome.
The Alva+ (as in Thomas Alva Edison) has a throttle that allows you to ride without pedaling when need be, but it also has pedal assist, which means that every time you push your foot forward the bike jumps like a horse on a mission. I mean that in the best way possible. The thing can move.
The Alva+, depending on the power setting, the rider, and riding conditions, has a range up to 40 miles on one battery charge and aĀ maximum power assistance speed of 24mph. It has a 500W motor, an optional 17ah battery (standard is 13.2ah), hydraulic brakes, and suspension that feels like you’re riding on pillows (not that I have ever ridden on pillows). It takes just under four hours to charge the battery and the bike weighs 66lb.
This is what it looked like in my home office:
Basically, an electric bike from A2B offers the exercise and convenience of a traditional bike with added flexibility, safety, and let’s face it, style, for those that want to go further without breaking a sweat (but again, sweating is an option)āit is perfect for getting around the city and those looking to reduce their carbon footprint by leaving the car at home.
But don’t take my word for it; win one! That’s right, we are giving away an electric bike from A2B, it’s called the Velociti (not the Alva+ that I reviewed) and if it is anything like the bike I tested, which it is, then it is sure to be awesome. Did I mention you can win it?
Yes. Yes, I did.
It looks like this:
How to enter:
- Prize: One (1) Velociti (also known as the original Alva) electric bike from A2B.
- The main differences between the bike reviewed (Alva+) and the one in the giveaway (Velociti) are the maximum power assistance speed (20mph) and range (20 miles depending on rider, conditions, and power setting), battery size (Li-Ion Samsung, 36v 12ah), and motor (480W). Information listed in parenthesis is for Velocity. For Alva+ information see review above.
- To enter, leave a comment below explaining why you want an electric bike! Please include a valid email in the space provided.
- Only one (1) entry per person is allowed. Only residents of the U.S. that are 18 and older with a valid mailing address are eligible to enter.
- The awarding of the Giveaway prize is the responsibility of A2B and not GeekDad.The winner will be contacted by the author of this post (Whit Honea).
- This Giveaway entry period starts today, Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at the time of this posting, and ends on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 11:59:59 PM PST.
- One (1) potential winner will be picked in a random drawing from qualified entries on or about Tuesday, October 22, and notice will be sent to that person via the email address they have provided. If you are a potential winner but fail to claim your prize within three (3) days of us sending you notice or are otherwise in non-compliance with the Giveaway rules, then we will choose an alternate winner.
- We will announce the winner in an updated version of this post once confirmation of prize acceptance is verified.
- No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds will depend on the number of eligible entries.
I would like to thank A2B and Hollywood Electrics for the loaner eBike. I miss it already. If you live in the Los Angeles area and want to experience an electric bike for yourself, check out the big A2B event this weekend (October 19-20), from 10am to 6pm at Hollywood Electrics (901 North Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood) and ride one for yourself! If you see me, say hi (or the greeting of your choice)!
Whit Honea
Whit Honea is the author of āThe Parentsā Phrase Bookā and co-founder of the philanthropic organization Dads 4 Change. Deemed āthe activist dadā by UpWorthy and one of the āfunniest dads on Twitterā by Mashable, Whit lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with his wife, two boys and an endless collection of assorted pet hair.
No need to start my car 5 days a week = awesome.
Experiencing the fresh Florida air on a daily base = awesome.
Beeing the most environmental friendly at your job = awesome.
I would love to win this bc we are a one car family and living in the city i could easily get around by bike and not have to waste fuel buy taking hubby to work and then picking him up again when i need to go out. Thank you for the chance!
emeraldsnewlife@yahoo.com
There are half a dozen good reasons to want this bike! Primarily, I’d love to quit driving to work, but it’s too far to walk, and we just haven’t been able to afford a bike. Going on bike rides with my son would be a lot easier with a bike, too!
I would use this bike to get me to work on the beautiful Colorado mornings, home on the pristine evenings, and tug-along the Tag-along on weekends!
I would love an electric bike because pulling my two kids on their afterburners is just about killing me.
A couple years ago I lived where I could bike to work daily… Unfortunately – I ended up moving to a different state – and living about 35 miles away from my employer.
I think an electric bike would make the occasional commute via bicycle (2-3 times a week) more doable. I miss riding to work – as a guy with 3 kids and limited time to work out, my daily bike commutes were my form of exercise and my chance to have a few moments of peace…
Plus, they’re just cool…
The Geek in me loves to use cool tech as a way to get out and try something new. Rock climbing, camping, snow shoeing, until that fateful day when I tried skiing. I only got to use my cool tech jacket, skis and boots and fog free goggles for a few runs before I got to see the cool tech used by the ski patrol as they strapped me in the high tech sled and communicated with base camp. I even got to see the cool tech the Dr’s used to put my knee back together. I could probably skip the not-so-cool tech used in those torture devices at physical therapy. My kids sure don’t not mind as they are now the proud owners of some lightly used skiing and rock climbing gear, and of course my low-tech mountain bike. Maybe the electric super bike will help me keep up with them for a little longer!!
I would like to have an electric bike to use for everyday errands around town. I would also enjoy using it for leisure time. You see and feel so much more when your on a bike. You slow down a bit and smell some of the roses……
Getting around campus and my neighborhood would be so easy and fun on this! I need a bike to save on gas and get in (decent) shape haha. Thanks!
I have been looking into retro-fitting my Fuji sandblaster into an electric bike, but this would be way easier and cooler too. I fitted a set of basket panniers on the back for groceries so I was going to do the front hub. I have heard a lot of really good things about these electric bikes. A2B is tops !!!
I’d like to have an electric bike for trips to the grocery store, pharmacy or even downtown in our small town. We have an awesome rails to trails system near by and I’d be more inclined to use it if I had an electric bike.
My wife and I rented e-bikes on Catalina yesterday and it was a blast. I want to get one for my son to ride to school and errands
It would be great to have a versatile electric bike. When I was younger, I lived in the country and would frequently ride my bike long distances, it fought both boredom and insomnia and helped keep me fit. I do not own a bike currently. I’d considered getting one, but living in a more metropolitan area makes me warry due tot he danger of traffic. Having a bike that can provide some added get-up-and-go would make me feel much safer for an afternoon trip to the store or the park. That extra assistance would also help me if I overdue it, since I’m hardly in good shape anymore. ^_^
I’m a teacher in a lower income urban and at the same time rural district. I constantly endeavor to push my kids out of a closed mind set and challenge them to look at the world around them. If I won this I would give it away to one of my students that does not have reliable transportation but has a love of learning and engineering. I have the perfect student in mind.
I love to bike but would appreciate the extended range of the electric assistance.
I am 43 years old as of yesterday. I used to make over 100k a year, lived in midtown Manhattan and I have no college degree (parents couldnāt afford it when I was high school age), everything I have/had I earned working from the ground up, lowest level of the totem pole and dedicating myself fully.
3 years ago I was sitting at a red light when I was rear ended by a guy texting on his phone who never saw my car. I received five herniated disks from the accident, lost my job of 16 years as an executive not being able to work, and had to move back home to California with my parents (together with my wife, yes she stayed with me!).
After 2.5 years, going down to 115lbs from not being able to move and 40k in medical bills, spent my life savings, I am finally, finally able to work again. I never went on disability, never went on social services, never asked for a handout, and never took advantage of āthe system.ā I am not a victim and I donāt want sympathy (empathy maybe, another opportunity, absolutely).
In the last 6 months Iāve made close to 10k, not exactly living the life I once led, but Iāve found happiness in my parentsā home and a new fresh life with my returning health. I also enjoy repping surf products that give back to ocean conservation and state parks to local stores along the coast. The pay is menial but I am happy to have any job, I am happy to be out with the sun on my face, out working. I live simple now.
If I received the electric bike from A to B, Iād use it to visit my accounts and fill their orders around town and Iād take it up and down the coast to close more accounts (and maybe rebuild what I had, who knows what’s possible). Iād even take a photo of me doing it for you š
I would love an electric bike! I work not too far away from home but it’s down hill and up hill, and I get exhausted and think it takes way too long to get home to my son. My poor car is dying anyway, but I would love to get some excersize in (not too much) and reduce my carbon foot print for sure.
Please save my coworkers from the smell of my sweat. My work doesn’t have a shower and I love to bike to work.
This would be perfect for those frequent but short trips to the store, library, etc instead of firing up the Prius. The engine never really gets warmed up in those circumstances and it burns more fuel. It is so hilly where I live in PDX the electric assist would be awesome.
This would be perfect for my wife. She is recovering from a spinal injury, and biking is recommended. I would love one, she needs it more.
mosesshirai@gmail.com
This would be perfect for me! I drive to school but always thought it would be better if I rode a bike to school instead!
Awesome bike! Congrats to the winner. Our family would love one. It would be amazing to have the assisted power for carrying my newborn son and showing him off š
I’ve been wanting an electric bike for long time. I want to get away from using a car so much for the environment and get some more exercise for me.
A few years back my wife and I decided to scale back to one car, having an electric bike would give us one more option in getting around our metro area.
I would like to win this bike because it would be great fun to ride an electric bike, and it would help me to get in shape, which I desperately need to do. I would be able to pedal in places that I currently cannot reach with a conventional bicycle because my fitness level does not allow me to tackle some of the steep hills and the distance that I need to overcome to be able to practically ride a bike safely near my home.
I’m a Geekdad and Geekpreacher who lived in a small town. My office is only a mile and half a way and this would be a great way to get some extra exercise. It would also allow me to show a small Southern town how simple it would be to lower one’s carbon footprint in our community.
As a dad, I could also reintroduce my children to the joys of bike riding as my ankles are not what they used to be.
An electric bike would be perfect for my trips to and from the train-station before and after work. Nobody wants to sit next to a sweaty dude on the train into Manhattan!
I would love an electric bike as I am already a daily commute cyclist, but being able to do it faster would get me home to my kids faster to spend more time with them (I ride nearly an hour each way). I am approaching 50 fast, so incentives to stay on the bike are great for my health.
I used to own an electric bike and LOVED every minute of owning it. Sadly, had to sell it when I moved back East, which was so heartbreaking. At least I know it went to a good home š Now that I am returning to SoCal, I so want another one, but will either have to win one, or wait until a job kicks in. Seriously, if you have never ridden one of these, they are incredibly awesome and a great way to commute to/from work etc and to say goodbye to gridlock!
I recently rode a friend’s electric bikeājust once around the blockāand it was a blast. It’s been years since I’ve owned a bike, and this one friend of mine is totally pressuring me to get back into it. Owning a bike, that is. Plus, with this bike, I could finally cruise around the neighborhood with my 6-year-old, the only member of my family currently with two wheelsāand I could cheat by not pedaling as much as she does.
My family loves to bike! We own 6 bikes and bike whenever we can. But there are times when biking can be a drag. For example, its very hilly where we live which can sap the fun out of a ride. I also enjoy biking to work, but don’t always have the time it takes for me to ride the 18 mile distance and take a shower at work. An electric bike like this would allow me to bike all those trips where heat, hills, or distance would otherwise make it unpractical or unattractive.
I would like the electric bike to demonstrate to my children that a reduced carbon footprint for transportation can be accomplished in a fun manner.
I want an electric bike, because my regular bike is too slow and I already try to live as car free as possible, but when I’m in a hurry, I end up bringing the car instead of my bike.
A bike like this would match my electric personality.
I would love to get one of these! I’ve been wanting a new bike for a long time and this one seems like an amazing option. New way to commute to work? Yes, I think so!
I could use the bike to ride to work and the market instead of driving my gas guzzling mini-van.
I wore out both batteries and motor on my last bike- heavy hill climb every day.
Time to upgrade
Iād love an electric bike because I bike to work 3 days a week.
I’d love an electric bike because I am without a car most days and I’m pretty sure it’d be a great way to outrun my kids.
I want it because it looks awesome.
Ode to an Electric Bike
In distance downtown is not that far, but the heat makes it almost unwise.
An electric bike makes possible, without sweat dripping into the eyes
(And we all know how much we hate that).
Riding a bike has always been a joy, just not in all sorts of weather
Having pedal assist may seem like a cheat, but really it’s pleasure.
(Riding should be fun too, don’t you know)
Those with back injuries, like myself, will also appreciate
The freedom to ride with their loved ones and good times create.
(Which is the best reason of all to have an Electric bike in my book)
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d like an electric bike to replace my current foldy bike so I can get farther, faster, and have some power when I need it.
I would love an electric bike. If I had one, I’d not only ride everywhere (except to the grocery store because I can’t fit 10 bags of groceries on my back) but I’d finally be able to give one of those low salute thingies whenever I’d pass a motorcycle. Because they’re TOTALLY the same thing, right? RIGHT?
I want an electric bike because I would use it to bike to and from work everyday.
I would love this A2B electric bike because I want to get to know my community better. Getting out of the car to go to the grocery store or post office etc would get me to be out of the car and connect with my community.
Hey Whit,
I am a solar powered DJ. I also teach solar power to people of all ages. I just taught at a school two weeks ago
I would want the Alva because I could integrate it into my teachings and additionally power it via solar power. I am also working on designing a bicycle trailer. With the combined forces of the Alva and the trailer, I could teach fossil fuel free anywhere in the Orlando area. I ride my current road bike 14 miles each day to and from school and the Alva would be the next step up.
Thanks! And thanks for doing what you do.
Will
More info: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dj-chill-will-powered-by-the-sun
this would be great, as I need to get in shape and would help with the hills around here!
I want an electric bike because I think it would be a lot of fun to try and would make biking to work (where there are no showers) much more feasible. š
I want an electric bike to give to my wife, who has expressed interest in one.
be great for getting around town.