When I first laid eyes on the Eovolt Afternoon,
I was struck by its unique charm. Its chunky Z-frame, solid build, and delightful desert sand color immediately caught my attention. But as they say, looks can be deceiving. This wasn’t just a bike with style—it was a marvel of practicality and performance, tailored for both urban adventures and rural escapes. Purchased from Winstanley’s Bikes in Wigan, England, this French-made folding e-bike has been a revelation in my cycling journey.

Built for Dual-Purpose Riding the Eovolt Afternoon is marketed as a dual-purpose bike, and it’s not hard to see why. Its wider-than-usual thick tires make it adept at handling both smooth city streets and uneven paths. Whether it’s cobbled roads, forest trails, or leafy bike paths, with its 20 inch full sized tires, the Eovolt Afternoon rises to the challenge with ease. The manual highlights its suitability for urban and mild off-road use, but I’ve found it excels even in rural terrains, like the rolling hilly back roads of Perthshire. The bike’s sturdy frame and wide tires provide excellent stability and traction on uneven paths, while the Shimano gears ensure a smooth ride up steep inclines.

Design: A Mini-Tank on Two Wheels

The bike’s solid Z-frame design exudes strength and reliability. The closest comparison I can make is to a little two-wheeled tank, or perhaps driving a Mini Cooper. It’s compact, sturdy, and charmingly robust. And then there’s the Transformer-like ability to fold down to a quarter of its size in under 10 seconds. This feature is a game-changer for me: I can fit two folded Eovolt Afternoons into my Mini without needing a bike rack. This portability makes the bike ideal for commuters needing compact storage or travellers looking to explore new places without the hassle of a bulky setup.

Battery and Performance

A key feature of any e-bike is the battery, and Eovolt has nailed it with this design. The battery, cleverly integrated into the seat post, can be removed for indoor charging or safekeeping. With a range of 50 miles and a full recharge time of approximately six hours, the battery provides consistent power for my weekly rides. Importantly, its secure connection ensures that power isn’t disrupted on bumpy roads—a significant improvement over other e-bikes I’ve owned.

The Shimano 7-speed gears are another standout feature, offering the versatility needed to tackle steep hills and rougher terrains. This gearing, combined with the bike’s power assist levels, ensures smooth and efficient rides, even in challenging conditions.

Practical Features

The Eovolt Afternoon comes with thoughtful additions that make it ideal for both commuting and leisure rides. Its solid metal mudguards and sturdy pannier rack enhance its utility, allowing me to carry shopping bags or even pack for a weekend tour, and the anti-puncture tires offer anxiety-free biking adventures.

Accessories

Like my Garmin Radar, Garmin Explore GPS, and Rock Bros soft top box with fold-away panniers further enhance the bike’s practicality.

Despite weighing over 20 kilos, the bike’s robust build feels like a worthwhile trade-off for its durability and versatility. For flat terrain, I’ve found keeping the power assist at the lowest setting works just fine.

Cons to Consider

No bike is perfect, and the Eovolt Afternoon has its drawbacks. The paintwork is prone to flaking, particularly around the nuts securing the side stand. The lack of suspension might be a concern for some, though the thick tires absorb most shocks effectively. The single front LED light and small power assist buttons—which require removing winter gloves to operate—are minor inconveniences.
Finally, while it’s not a Smart bike (there’s no accompanying app), I’ve come to appreciate this simplicity. It means fewer chances of tech failures interrupting a ride.

Value for Money

Priced at £1,800 from Winstanley’s Bikes (with an option to upgrade to Shimano brakes and Schwalbe tires for an additional £400), the Eovolt Afternoon offers excellent value. Its build quality, versatility, and features rival those of more expensive e-bikes.

Opening Up a New World

This e-bike has transformed my cycling experience. Whether commuting to the next village, boarding the Edinburgh city trams, or exploring Scottish Highlands like Loch Katrine or Loch Rannoch, the Eovolt Afternoon has proven to be a reliable companion. It also excels when peddling through historic sites like Culross’s medieval salt mines, adding a sense of adventure to every ride. It’s also introduced me to a thriving social scene of e-biking enthusiasts, opening doors to new friendships and shared adventures.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a London city cyclist or a rural e biker, the Eovolt Afternoon is a bike that delivers on its promises. Its practicality, solid construction, and versatility make it a worthy investment for anyone seeking a folding e-bike. While not without its flaws, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. For me, it’s been the most ultra-practical bike I’ve ever owned, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.