Vetanya Pika Foldable E-Bike | Photo Vetanya
The ebike industry is still welcoming newcomers as brands rush to get a slice of the action and show off their version of the perfect electric bike. The Vetanya brand is one of the most recent names in affordable ebikes and shows promising signs for what’s to come. But the competition is fierce in such a crowded marketplace— does Vetanya have what it takes to keep up? This brief article introduces the young brand and reviews its foldable utility model, the Vetanya Pika.
Who is Vetanya?
Vetanya specializes in fat tire electric bikes priced at the more affordable end of the ebike spectrum. That’s an ambitious niche to enter given the sheer quantity of brands that are manufacturing similar bikes, vying for sales mostly to recreational and casual riders. The fat tires make for a cushioned, stable ride with a powerful rear hub motor with plenty of zip. Riders who require top-notch performance or lightweight specs will want to look elsewhere but for many around-town cyclists, Vetanya’s value is hard to beat. Most of its models currently cost under $1,800 except for the Kodiak full-suspension electric mountain bikes priced at $2,399.
The nascent brand currently offers a limited lineup of burly ebikes with sleek design touches. I appreciate this relatively narrow selection of bikes, hinting that Vetanya pours its efforts into developing distinct models rather than creating several versions of near clones— similar to restaurant menus, too long a list can indicate lower quality across the board. There are four ebike models, a pair of which are available in two frame versions.
Vetanya Alligator E-Bike
The flagship Alligator model is a rugged hybrid ebike that comes in step-thru and high-step frame options. The Bison is Vetanya’s compact cargo ebike with smaller wheels, a low frame, and an extended rear rack for hauling gear. There’s also the Pika foldable utility ebike and Kodiak full-suspension eMTB.
As the brand’s self-reported story goes, Vetanya was founded back in 2017 and didn’t complete its first electric bike prototype until 2019. 2023 was the year the brand officially launched its “First Series” of ebikes, with options designed for city streets, paved paths, and rough trails. Vetanya’s headquarters are listed as being in the southern Californian city of South El Monte, part of an area that’s home to many of the industry’s newer brands.
Vetanya Pika Folding Bike
For a deeper look into the Vetanya range, let’s check out the Pika foldable ebike. I’d label it more specifically as a compact utility ebike that collapses down to save space when stored or fit inside a car trunk. The Pika weighs a hefty 73 lbs. and the beefy 20×4.0” fat tires smooth out rough roads and float over pesky potholes. Keep in mind, though, that this is no Brompton or Tern foldable ebike which are light enough to be carried onto the subway or into elevators due to their smaller batteries and tires.
The Vetanya Pika foldable frame swoops low to facilitate hopping on and off the bike, housing the long-range battery inside the downtube. Our staff also like that these bikes come with a global warranty on their batteries. Making it easy to swap out if the battery goes bad.
The 6061 aluminum alloy frame is available in Forest Green or Slate Gray color options that have a nice shiny finish to them. I enjoy the minimalist decal graphics that don’t overcomplicate the ebike’s aesthetic and provide a sleeker feel. There are no crazy design choices here and I appreciate the understated and straightforward approach for such a utilitarian bike. Vetanya claims the one-sized Pika is rated for riders between 5’0” to 6’8” but given the compact frame, I might lower that top end by a few inches.
Vetanya Pika Motor
The versatile ebike is powered by a 750W rear hub motor with a peak output of 1100W and 88Nm of torque. Similar to many other Class 3 ebikes, there are 5 levels of pedal assist and a throttle mode that can reach a high speed of up to 28 mph. The half-twist throttle design is easy to use and will be a blast while cruising pedal-free. The drive system relies on a cadence sensor instead of a fancier torque sensor for decently smooth acceleration and power delivery, a smart way to keep costs affordable without sacrificing too much on performance.
A highlight of the Pika model— and each of the Vetanya ebikes— is its reliable Samsung 48v 20Ah battery. The high-capacity power pack provides around 70-90 miles on a single charge and is removable for easy off-bike charging or battery swapping. The included 3-amp fast charger fully juices up the bike in just 4-5 hours. The drive unit hooks up to the color lcd display mounted at the center of the handlebars, complete with a convenient USB charging port to power up smaller devices like a phone or additional lights.
Vetanya Pika Weight Capacity
The Vetanya Pika E-Bike delivers big on usefulness, all while being able to fold down to a smaller profile. There’s a rear rack to haul cargo or carry panniers and the ebike has a maximum payload capacity of 400 lbs. including the rider. The ebike folds along hinge points on the steerer tube and middle of the frame— there’s also a small stand beneath the bottom bracket to keep the bike upright when folded.
Additional nice touches include the comfortable suspension seatpost and quality hydraulic disc brakes. The advantage of the Pika is its stable and cushioned ride that can even handle the occasionable off-road detour thanks to the oversized fat tires. There is Shimano 7-speed gearing to pair with the various pedal assist levels, too. Last but not least, Vetanya included a set of full fenders and integrated lights at the front and rear.
Vetanya Pika Folding E-Bike Pros:
- Affordable Price: $1,799.
- Long Range: Up to 70-90 miles on a single charge.
- Powerful Motor: 750W rear hub motor with 1100W peak output and 88Nm of torque.
- Fast Charging: 3-amp charger that fully charges the battery in 4-5 hours.
- Removable Samsung Battery: Global warranty on batteries.
- High Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.
- Comfortable Ride: Fat tires, suspension seatpost, and hydraulic disc brakes.
- Folds for Easy Storage: Folds down to a smaller profile.
- Includes Fenders and Lights: Front and rear lights and a full set of fenders are included.
- Sleek Design: Minimalist decal graphics and a choice of two colors.
- Easy to Use Throttle: Half-twist throttle design.
- Multiple Pedal Assist Levels: 5 levels of pedal assist.
- Color LCD Display: Provides ride metrics and has a USB charging port.
- Reliable Brand: Samsung battery and global warranty.
Vetanya Pika Folding E-Bike Cons:
- Heavy: Weighs 73 lbs.
- Large and Bulky: May not be suitable for smaller riders or tight spaces.
- Limited Top Speed: Class 3 e-bike with a 28 mph maximum speed.
- Cadence Sensor: Relies on a cadence sensor instead of a torque sensor for acceleration.
- One Size Fits Most: May not be ideal for all riders, especially taller riders.
- No Gears on Handlebar Shifter: Uses a Shimano 7-speed drivetrain but the shifters are not located on the handlebars.
Overall Impression
Priced at a competitive $1,799, the Pika model is a great example of Vetanya’s knack for creating ebikes with an impressive bang for your buck. The growing brand has hit the correct notes when it comes to aesthetics and price, without straying far into left field with gimmicky features or overcomplicated designs. Perhaps in the future Vetanya will include some higher-tech features and creative details.
Feel free to check out the rest of the Vetanya catalog to find out which model is right for you! We’ll be keeping an eye on what’s to come from this rising name in the world of ebikes, especially more bikes with ranges of 90 miles like the Pika.
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