Electrify Expo NYC: Powerful Lithium’s High-Power Builds and Saul’s Upholstery’s Next-Level Seats
August 18, 2023
Electrify Expo in New York always feels like stepping into the EV future for a few hours—everything from e-bikes to full-on e-motos, plus the people building the parts that make these rides faster, safer, and more personal.
This time, I spent quality time with two booths that hit opposite ends of the EV lifestyle spectrum:
Powerful Lithium, where the conversation is all about high-discharge battery builds, safety choices, and pushing performance responsibly.
Saul’s Upholstery, where the focus is comfort, craftsmanship, and making your bike feel like it’s truly yours.
Below is what stood out to me after getting up close with the hardware and taking a rip on a seriously modified Super73 RX.
Powerful Lithium: Where Performance Starts With Safety
Powerful Lithium’s booth had that “builder energy” I love—less hype, more real talk. The biggest theme was safety and structure, especially once you get into higher-power controllers that demand serious current.
A few practical points that landed with me:
Cell spacing and protection matters. They emphasized using cell holders so cells aren’t touching each other.
The BMS and connectors aren’t the place to cut corners—especially when builds start pulling huge amps.
Dual discharge cables and properly rated components become non-negotiable as power demands climb.
I also appreciated the blunt philosophy: a battery is an investment, and saving money on the wrong things can put you (and everyone around you) at risk.
Walk-Through Vibes: From e-bikes to e-moto territory
There was a lot of variety on display—batteries and custom solutions for different platforms, plus examples of how far people are pushing modern lightweight EVs.
They were also showing work tied to multiple popular bikes (including Super73 models and other platforms), and the broader takeaway for me was simple: the battery isn’t just “range.” On a high-output build, it’s the foundation for how the entire ride behaves.
Riding the Powerful Lithium Super73 RX: Quiet, Grippy, and Way More “Moto” Than Stock
I got to hop on a heavily modified Super73 RX and immediately felt like I was on something different than the typical RX experience.
First impressions
The bike felt substantial, but not clumsy. Even being on the shorter end, I didn’t feel like it was going to tip or get away from me at low speeds. The weight distribution felt sorted.
Throttle feel
The twist throttle setup felt smooth and controllable—no awkward on/off surge. That matters a lot in crowded spaces (and this was exactly that: pedestrians, tight lanes, and no room to be reckless).
Power delivery
Even without opening it up, the torque in the higher mode was obvious. It had that instant “okay, this is serious” response—more than enough to remind me this is not a casual commuter tune.
The sound (or lack of it)
What really stuck with me was how silent it was while still feeling so capable. That stealthy, electric hush makes the power feel even more dramatic.
Cornering and grip
The tires were the big story for handling. The grip and confidence in turns made the bike feel less like an e-bike and more like an electric moped or lightweight motorcycle. It genuinely didn’t ride like a stock RX to me.
Overall ride takeaway
This was one of the most practical high-power RX builds I’ve ridden in the sense that it didn’t feel thrown together. The components felt like they belonged, and the bike felt balanced and maneuverable instead of just “powerful.”
Saul’s Upholstery: Custom Seats That Look as Good as They Ride
After the performance-heavy vibe at Powerful Lithium, Saul’s Upholstery was the perfect contrast: craftsmanship, materials, patterns, and the kind of comfort upgrades you notice every single ride.
Seeing the seats up close, the attention to detail was obvious:
Multiple leather and marine vinyl combinations
Piping colors that completely change the look of a bike
Hand-made patterns (including a Diamond Weave and a Wide Hex style)
In-house embroidery and branding on the seats
It’s not just about looking good, either—there are functional fit choices that matter.
Fit-focused options that stood out
Extended bolts for setups using a rear rack (so you can actually run your gear without fighting the hardware).
A Grizzly seat design that accounts for the controller area, leaving room so it can breathe.
A taller, higher Surron seat option with gel and taller foam for taller riders.
I also liked hearing that lead times have been moving in the right direction—custom work is worth waiting for, but faster turnaround makes it easier to actually pull the trigger on an upgrade.
What We Like
The modified Super73 RX felt balanced and maneuverable, not just “overpowered.”
Smooth throttle feel made the power easier to control in tight, busy areas.
The quiet motor + strong torque combination is addictive.
Saul’s Upholstery seats look genuinely premium in person, with patterns and materials that stand out.
Smart functional details (rack-friendly bolts, breathing room for components, taller seat options) show real rider awareness.
Things To Consider
High-power battery builds demand the right supporting components (BMS, connectors, wiring, and overall build quality). This is not the place to bargain-hunt.
A heavily modified, higher-output bike needs extra judgment in public spaces—power is easy; control and awareness are the real skill.
Custom upholstery is a personal choice: patterns, colors, and fit options are part of the fun, but you’ll want to be intentional so it matches your bike and your riding style.
Final Thoughts
Walking out, I kept thinking about how these two booths represent the two upgrades that change your daily relationship with an EV two-wheeler.
Powerful Lithium is about capability and confidence—building the system the right way so performance doesn’t come with sketchy compromises.
Saul’s Upholstery is about comfort and identity—turning your bike into something you’re proud to ride, and something you can stay on longer without wishing the ride was over.
If you’re building a higher-performance setup, I’d prioritize doing the electrical side responsibly first. Then, once the bike is dialed, a seat upgrade is one of the most satisfying quality-of-life changes you can make.
Links
Powerful Lithium: https://powerfullithium.com/
Saul's Upholstery: https://saulsupholstery.com/ebikes/
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Hafny Handlebar Bike Mirror: https://amzn.to/3FVubmN
Veeape Electric Air Pump: https://amzn.to/3LPLTf9
Denlix Military Sling Bag: https://amzn.to/3LTKN2c
Lamicall Bike Phone Mount: https://amzn.to/3LXmD6O
Onvian Wireless Bike Alarm: https://amzn.to/42KUgyE
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/