Who Makes Bolton Electric Bikes? | Factory And Origin

Shopping for an e-bike and stuck on a simple question: who makes bolton electric bikes? Here’s a clear answer with sources and plain language.

Who Makes Bolton Electric Bikes? Details That Matter

Area 13 Ebikes—formerly Bolton—designs and specifies the bikes in Grass Valley, California. Production runs are contracted to established assemblers in China, using parts from global brands. In a talk hosted by CleanStart, founder Kyle Chittock said he orders parts overseas and sends them to assemblers in China, then keeps a flow of components coming to meet demand. That covers the “who” and the “where.”

Item	Answer	Source
Current Brand Name	Area 13 Ebikes (formerly Bolton)	“Bolton” BlackBird page
Founder	Kyle Chittock	CleanStart profile
Headquarters	Grass Valley, California	Area 13 store listing
Design & Spec	In-house at Area 13	CleanStart talk
Manufacturing	Contract assemblers in China	CleanStart talk
Notable Model	“Bolton” BlackBird	Product page
Sales & Service	Retail store + online	Area 13 site

If you’re hunting for the name on the factory wall, you won’t find a single plant. Like many direct-to-consumer e-bike brands, Area 13 coordinates frames, motors, batteries, and brakes from different suppliers. Final assembly and quality checks happen within contracted facilities before bikes ship to the U.S. shop and customers.

Why The Rebrand From Bolton To Area 13 Happened

The company operated as Bolton eBikes for years, then moved to the Area 13 name. On product listings you’ll still see “Bolton” used to describe older stock, and the store explicitly notes that “Bolton”-labeled bikes are being cleared to make room for Area 13 models. That’s a brand move, not a change in ownership.

Who Makes Bolton Ebikes — Supply Chain Facts

Here’s what the supply chain looks like in practice for who makes bolton electric bikes?. The company develops specs, secures parts overseas, and works with Chinese assemblers to build frames and systems to order. Components often come from names riders already know—Bafang for motors, Tektro for brakes, Shimano for drivetrains—then the finished bike heads to Area 13 for sales, support, and accessories.

You can see the same pattern in the brand’s parts catalog and upgrade kits. Area 13 sells controllers, displays, and other hardware used to tune popular models from bigger brands. That mix of retail, upgrades, and in-house bikes lines up with what the founder described in investor and community talks.

For readers who want an official source inside the first half of this article, two links do the job: the CleanStart interview summarizing how parts go to “assemblers in China,” and the Area 13 “Bolton” BlackBird page that shows the rebrand in action.

How The Bikes Are Designed And Built

Design Inputs

Area 13 builds bikes for real-world use: paved paths, mixed dirt, steep grades, and cargo. The company leans on rider feedback from its store, events, and a busy YouTube channel. Geometry, battery capacity, and controller tuning all come from that input.

Component Sourcing

Sourcing spans multiple suppliers. A fat-tire build may pair an aluminum frame with a hub motor and a 48–52V battery. Brake sets and drivetrains slot in from known brands. The spec can shift with parts availability, which Area 13 states on product pages during supply crunches.

Assembly And QC

Contract assemblers in China build to the spec. Frames are welded and finished, wheels are laced, and wiring looms are routed. Controllers are set to match the motor and voltage. The batch then ships. In the U.S., Area 13 handles retail checks, warranty help, dyno testing, and rentals at its Grass Valley location.

Pros And Trade-Offs Of This Manufacturing Model

Pros

• Flexible models: the company can adjust specs fast when parts supply shifts.
• Cost control: contracting assembly keeps prices in reach for riders who want range and hill power.
• Parts access: using common standards makes maintenance simpler down the road.

Trade-Offs

• Batch variance: minor component swaps can happen when suppliers change.
• Lead times: ocean freight adds weeks during peak season.
• Service model: most support runs through the Area 13 store or a local shop willing to service DTC bikes.

What This Means If You’re Buying

Here’s the practical take for a shopper. Check the current spec on the product page, not just older videos. Ask about the controller firmware, battery capacity, charger amperage, and tire size. Confirm the warranty and who pays freight on returns. If you want local assembly and a first tune, call the store and ask about build options or a ready-to-ride pickup.

Questions To Ask Before You Order

• What wheel size and frame size fit your height?
• What’s the battery watt-hours and the charger’s amps?
• What motor type is used (hub or mid), and what’s the peak current?
• What tire clearance does the frame allow?
• What’s the warranty period and claim process?

Models And Typical Specs Snapshot

Exact specs change with supply. Use this as a simple map when comparing trims sold under the Bolton label and the current Area 13 line.

Model Line	Common Setup	Use Case
BlackBird	52V hub motor, fat tires, hydraulic discs	Mixed terrain, hills
BlackBird Step-Thru	Low-standover frame, similar drive system	Riders who prefer easier mounting
Sabre	50–52V class setup, trail-friendly geometry	Fitness and gravel paths
Falcon EMTB	Mid-drive options shown on store	Off-road trails
Moto	Compact frame, smaller battery	Short hops and campus rides
Coach	Entry-level components	Budget rides and light commutes
Lite	Minimal kit and accessories	Kids or spare bike duty

How To Verify Where A Bike Was Built

If you want proof, look at three places. First, the box or the fork steerer usually has a country-of-origin label. Next, controller cases and battery packs sometimes list the plant. Last, ask support for a parts list for your batch. With contract assembly, the label will usually read “Made in China,” while components may list China, Taiwan, or Malaysia.

Warranty, Parts, And Long-Term Ownership

Before you buy, read the warranty page and look for clear timelines on frame, electronics, and wear items. Ask who handles shipping on warranty swaps and how long a typical claim takes. Keep your receipt, note the serial number, and take photos of your bike when it arrives. If a shipment has rough handling, those photos help. For batteries, stick to brand-approved chargers and store packs at a mid charge during long breaks. If you plan to ride year-round, price spare brake pads, a chain, inner tubes…

Resale depends on care and documentation. Keep a log with mileage, pad changes, and any firmware notes. Save the original bars and pedals if you upgrade; some buyers prefer stock parts. A clean build with tidy cable routing and straight rotors sells faster.

Care, Safety, And Setup Basics

Want a smoother first season? Budget for pro build, spare tube, and basic multi-tool. Keep tire pressure in range, and recheck fasteners after the first dozen rides.

Battery And Charging

Use the charger in the kit unless the brand approves a higher-amp unit for that pack. Let the pack rest after a hard ride before charging. Store the bike inside and keep the pack dry. If a cell swells or the pack gets hot while idle, stop using it and contact the seller.

Brake And Drivetrain Checks

Check rotor bolts, caliper alignment, and lever feel. Confirm cranks are tight and the derailleur hits each gear cleanly. Recheck spoke tension after the first few rides.

Torque And Fastener List

Most bikes arrive 85–95% assembled. Have a torque wrench handy. Typical ranges: 4–6 Nm for controls, 6–8 Nm for stem faceplate, 35–50 Nm for crank bolts, and 35–40 Nm for axle nuts on hub motor bikes.

Parts, Upgrades, And Compatibility

One reason fans stuck with Bolton—and now Area 13—is the steady flow of upgrade parts. Controllers and displays that wake up a RadPower model, brake kits that improve feel, or a battery adapter that reshapes range. If you’re the tinkering type, that catalog matters.

Component	Common Brand	What To Check
Motor	Bafang (hub/mid)	Controller current and connector type
Brakes	Tektro, Juintech	Rotor size and pad style
Drivetrain	Shimano	Freewheel vs cassette
Display	Area 13 kits	Harness style and voltage
Battery	48–52V packs	Capacity (Wh) and charger rating
Fork	Area 13 replacements	Axle type and travel
Rack/Fenders	Aftermarket options	Mount spacing

How We Verified The “Who Makes” Answer

I reviewed the CleanStart write-up of a talk with the founder, where he states that parts ship to assemblers in China and that he orders parts overseas to keep production running. I also checked the Area 13 store for present-day language showing the rebrand and current models. Those two sources give you a reliable view into the maker and the supply chain. CleanTechnica’s hands-on test of an Area 13 controller kit adds color on the brand’s technical depth without changing the answer about who builds the bikes.

Final Take For Shoppers

If you came here asking “Who makes Bolton Electric Bikes?”, the short version is this: Area 13 designs the bikes in California and contracts production to Chinese assemblers using global parts. That setup is common in the e-bike market and helps hold prices down while keeping parts easy to service.