UBCO 2×2 – Electric Bike Workhorse

Jeff Glucker

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Today we’re looking at another electric bike. This one comes to us from UBCO, a New Zealand company looking to make strides in the mobility space with its 2×2 utility bike. The UBCO 2×2 is smartly designed and works well for its intended use; helping ranchers on farms, military use, and as a general stout runabout town machine. How does it do when pushed? Well… we’ve got a very long video here for you to find out.

I take the UBCO 2×2 up part of the Maple Springs Truck Trail. It doesn’t love the climb, as the motors soon become a bit hot. But the rest of the ride is great, and I can see this machine excelling when used as intended. It’s well built, stout, useful, and smartly designed. And I can’t wait to see more offerings from UBCO in the future.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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10 responses to “UBCO 2×2 – Electric Bike Workhorse”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Kinda cool, depending on the price. It’s been a long time since I’ve dirt-biked, but I never felt like I ever needed power to the front wheel. But, maybe it’s because I never had it. Is 2×2 really much of an advantage?

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Probably better to split load duty between two motors rather than force one to move it all around? Also, it makes it like an electric Rokon which is pretty sweet.

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        If a Rokon 2×2 won’t do the job, there’s always the 3×3.

        http://www.rokonworld.com/3×3.gif

        Reply
    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      At some point when you run out of traction it would have to be like 4×4 vs 2wd. Electric would have to be an advantage because the weight penalty wouldn’t be as much as a mechanical drive.

      Reply
  2. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    I’m glad it doesn’t have pedals so there is no pretence of it being an e-bike (the local trails groups can verge on flame wars over that). I like the Honda Ruckus style esthetic and it looks like good clean fun, unless you ride through a mud puddle.

    Reply
    1. mdharrell Avatar
      mdharrell

      I was thinking that had it had pedals, Jeff might have made it farther up that hill.

      Reply
  3. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    Does it have a stamped chassis number so it can be registered as a moped and get number plates in places where that matters?

    Reply
    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      Vehicle Identification Number. It is stamped on the right-hand side of the frame head tube according to the owner’s manual.

      Reply
  4. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    Right hand is almost always the front brake on a motorcycle. Having a rear brake for your left hand is a bit weird, though. I can’t think of another instance of a rear brake on the left hand lever.

    If I have 2 brake levers, I’d sort of expect them to follow bicycle convention (right rear, left front) just as you did.

    Reply
    1. Troggy Avatar
      Troggy

      The left hand is usually the rear brake on most powered bikes (well scooters mainly) that don’t have gears or clutch.

      That way you can ‘lock’ the throttle in place with your right hand and modulate the rear brake with your left to give more control when maneuvering in tight situations.

      It confused me when I recently got back on a pushbike. I nearly sent myself arse over tip when I got the levers mixed up and locked the front wheel.

      Reply