REVIEW – I love riding my bike, and I have been miserable for a while because my total knee replacement surgery meant that I could not enjoy what I like. My knee has been healing, and I’ve built a custom bike specifically for my rehabilitation. However, I recognize that my knee has limitations and even for a relatively short ride, it needs to take a break or sometimes help to keep going. I need on-demand assistance. Enter the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $399
Where to buy: Livall website
What is it?
The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit is a compact, all-in-one device designed to transform almost any traditional bicycle into an electric bike in under a minute, without the need for complex tools or technical expertise.
What’s included?
- 1 x LIVALL PikaBoost 2
- 1 x 220Wh Battery
- 1 x Remote Control
- 1 x AC Adapter
- 1 x User Manual
Tech specs
- Bike Models: most common hardtail bikes (mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, folding bikes)
- Wheel Size: 35.6-73.7 cm/14-29 inches
- Seat Tube Size: round tube
- Seat Tube Length: over 50mm/1.97 inches
- Seat Tube Diameter: 25-35 mm/0.98-1.38 inches
- V-shaped Tire Width: 25-65 mm/1.0-2.6 inches
- Road Tire Width: 23-32 mm/0.9-1.3 inches
- Mountain Tire Width: 45-65 mm/1.8-2.6 inches
Design and features
The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit is well built, sturdy, and compact. It is an all-in-one device designed to convert almost any standard bicycle into an e-bike. The device is designed like a cylinder, and installation is straightforward. You attach one end to the seat post and rest the other end on your bicycle wheel. The wheel on the PikaBoost uses traction with the bicycle wheel.
The PikaBoost device weighs approximately 6.6 pounds and features a swappable lithium-ion battery and a 500W peak motor. Unique screws are included for adding security to the seat post. In addition, the design incorporates a shock-absorbing spring, integrated LED rear lights, and a handlebar-mounted remote control.
Performance
The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit is easy to install and start using. There is not much to the assembly. Simply charge the battery, attach the device to the seat post, and rest and center the rear wheel of the device on the bike tire. The battery can be removed for charging or charged in place in the device.
There is also a remote control that you attach to the handlebars.
Once everything is on the bike, the key that ties them to being operational and management is the app. With the app, you can control the riding mode, the assistance level, pairing, access the user guide, control the rear light, etc. You can also track riding, various performance measurements, and achievements, both performance and healthwise.
The PikaBoost 2 is designed to attach to any standard bicycle in minutes and turn it into a fully functional e-bike. I was able to easily start riding and was pleasantly surprised that the ride was smooth and the experience was very close to a standard e-bike experience. The 500W peak power motor feels capable, but to be honest, I would prefer a bit more power, especially since I weigh around 225 pounds. The device is capable when on flat terrain, and I am surprised that it performs well when I ride against the wind.
The four riding modes—Assist, Cruise, Eco, and Workout all work well and feel different and capable. So far, the battery seems to last quite long before I need to recharge. I have not been able to measure distance per charge because my rehab from total knee replacement has me riding for short distances. I tested all the modes, and I especially like the cruise mode. Several people have asked me about the cruise mode and if it can work without Pedal Assist. So, I decided to record the following video to display the cruise mode:
Other features include the USB ports at the back of the device that allow it to be used as a power bank. Overall, I like this PikaBoost 2 kit, and it will be an integral part of my effort to rehabilitate my knee.
Final thoughts
The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit is the perfect solution for my rehab custom bike, ensuring that if/when my knee needs a rest or can’t go any longer, I have an option to make it to my destination. The long-lasting battery and reliable performance make it my solution.
What I like about the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit
- Easy to attach and get going
- Not complicated to use
- Easy app to follow and use
- Performs wells
- The long-lasting battery
- The very responsive customer support
- The solid and consistent connectivity between the wireless remote, the App, and the device
What needs to be improved?
- So far, not much to complain about
Price: $399
Where to buy: Livall website
Source: Livall provided a free sample for this review. Livall did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.
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