It’s One Whale of a Bike! QualiSport Beluga+ Dual Battery, Folding E-bike

QualiSport Beluga Plus Overview

• The QualiSport Beluga Plus is a Class 2 folding e-bike featuring two batteries, providing impressive power and range.
• It can reach speeds of up to 20 mph using the throttle, with five levels of pedal assist and a Cadence Sensor for a smooth ride.
• Weighing 64 lbs with a 300 lb payload capacity, this stepover bike suits riders with heights ranging from 52 to 62 inches.

“The Beluga Plus is a Class 2 e-bike with dual batteries, combining portability with extended range and power.”

Riding Experience and Performance

• Riding the QualiSport Beluga+ e-bike in pedal assist zero is comfortable and easy, maintaining a speed of around 11 mph.
• The bike is a Class 2 e-bike, reaching speeds of 12 mph in pedal assist one, 15 mph in pedal assist two, and up to 20 mph in pedal assist four.
• The throttle operation is unique, requiring a slight pedal movement before engaging, ensuring you are pedaling to activate the throttle.
• The throttle does not work if you are stationary, requiring you to be pedaling at around 7 mph for it to kick in.
• The seat post might require additional tightening with an Allen key to prevent slipping during rides.

“Riding this bike with zero pedal assist isn’t bad at all… Everything feels comfortable, and that is a good thing.”

Riding Experience and Hill Test

• Despite minor noise from internal items, like the drone, the QualiSport Beluga+ Dual Battery Folding E-bike feels substantial and steady, providing a superior riding experience compared to other folding bikes tested.
• Uphill performance was impressive; while throttle-only was not an option, pedaling to engage the throttle proved efficient, and even pedaling alone up the hill was effortless.
• The bike handle the hill conditions admirably, requiring some initial pedaling to activate the throttle, after which it smoothly ascended.

The bike feels beefy, and nothing felt like it was falling apart; this is probably one of the better riding folding bikes that I have tried.

Battery Management and Distance Tests

• The battery indicator on the display dropped a bar within the first 3 miles, highlighting potential concerns about battery efficiency.
• To offer varied distance tests, one battery was purposely turned off to gauge mileage for both single and double battery versions.
• The battery depletion seemed rapid, but the voltage reading was used as a more reliable measure, showing a steady decline in battery power during the test rides.

The battery dropped down to the last two bars within 8.36 miles, indicating a 49% battery level; multiple tests were conducted to assess battery and distance performance.

Additional Features and Brake Test

• The bike exhibited a walk feature which could be activated by holding the minus button, assisting in maneuvering the bike when not riding.
• Despite battery indicators dropping to zero bars, the voltage readings suggested remaining power, indicating around 42.5 volts when no bars were displayed.
• The brake test showcased the bike’s efficient braking capabilities, stopping consistently within a short distance at varying speeds.

The bike has a walk feature activated by holding down the minus button, aiding in moving the bike without riding; the brake test demonstrated the bike’s reliable braking ability.

Power Interruptions in the Bike

• The bike lacks a suspension seat post due to the battery’s placement.
• The battery indicator shows fluctuations in power output, affecting the bike’s performance.
• Despite showing 43% battery, the bike experiences intermittent power delivery, causing it to pulsate.
• The inconsistent power supply creates a frustrating riding experience, as the assist kicks off repeatedly.

The battery indicator is now flashing, indicating power fluctuations, causing intermittent assistance on the bike.

Riding Experience and Battery Performance

• The e-bike experienced power pulsing issues, making it less fun to ride and affecting its overall performance.
• The dual-battery version was able to cover a distance of 25.23 miles, surpassing the single-battery version’s range of 15.87 miles.
• The throttle on the bike had intermittent functionality, often failing to engage from a dead stop.

“With the power pulsing and intermittent throttle issues, the riding experience was affected, making it less enjoyable.”