At a look
Knowledgeable’s Score
Execs
- Good experience high quality
- Quiet motor
- Detachable battery
- 7-speed Shimano gears
Cons
- No suspension
- Keypad system appears like a gimmick
- No handlebar peak adjustment
Our Verdict
The Fiido X V2 is an outstanding folding e-bike which rides exceptionally and has nearly all of the options you’d need. It’s properly priced, too.
Value When Reviewed
$1799
Greatest Costs At present: Fiido X
In the summertime of 2021, Fiido introduced the follow-up to its folding e-bike, the D11.
We reviewed the D11 in 2020 and though we favored it, there have been some apparent enhancements that may very well be made. Evidently most patrons agreed with us and Fiido took all of the suggestions on board and created the Fiido X.
Amongst different issues, it had an improved seat-post battery with no exterior wire, and a sleeker body with no ugly welds.
This launched in the direction of the top of 2021 and opinions had been definitely optimistic. Nonetheless, in April 2022 a report of a defective body emerged and, having replicated this within the lab, Fiido then proceeded to rearrange a recall program to exchange the frames.
Although Fiido had provided to ship us a motorbike for evaluate, it hadn’t truly bought spherical to sending one by the point these shenanigans kicked off.
Quick ahead to October 2022, and a Fiido X V2 lastly arrived.
The rationale for the historical past lesson is solely in order that you already know this evaluate is of the most recent design the place the problems – in keeping with Fiido – have been put to mattress.
Options & Design
- Fast folding and unfolding
- Detachable battery
- Keypad locking system
Probably the most hanging factor in regards to the Fiido X is its design. Just like the D11, reviewed, there aren’t any chainstays – no body components connecting the rear hub to the crank.
Prefer it or detest it, this can be a bike that stands out from the gang. There aren’t any color selections or body sizes. It’s turquoise or nothing.
Jim Martin / Foundry
The one choices when buying are whether or not you go for the 250W or the 350W motor. The latter has a better high velocity of 19.2mph (32kmh) whereas the previous is restricted to fifteen.5mph/25kmh.
The one different distinction is in vary, as a result of the higher-power motor reduces this from a claimed 130km to 110km.
It’s uncommon that the configurator means that you can choose the 350W mannequin for the UK and EU, since you may experience an e-bike on roads solely whether it is restricted to fifteen.5mph/25kmh.
Weighing in at a smidge underneath 20kg (43lb), the Fiido X doesn’t problem for the “lightest” crown. It’s a very good couple of kg heavier than the MiRider One, and the Gocycle G4, however its large 417.6Wh battery makes up for this by permitting the Fiido X higher vary than each these bikes.
Nonetheless, the one factor the Fiido X lacks is suspension, which each the MiRider and Gocycle have.
The Gocycle is much more costly, although, and the truth that the Fiido X has 20in wheels just like the Gocycle – 4in larger than the Mirider – means experience consolation isn’t utterly sacrificed.
And though the Fiido X has seemingly suffered the identical disagreeable value rise that many different electrical bikes have, it nonetheless gives a very good specification for the cash.
Jim Martin / Foundry
There are hydraulic disc brakes, for instance, which have a lot better really feel than cable-operated mechanical brakes. Most significantly, there’s a torque sensor. Cheaper electrical bikes make do by detecting solely when the rider is pedalling, typically which means a jerky, scary expertise because the motor thrusts you ahead violently.
A torque sensor – because the title suggests – measures how laborious you’re pedalling and tells the motor to ship energy accordingly. In different phrases, pedal gently, and the motor will present light help. Pedal laborious and also you’ll get far more help. This feels far more pure, and likewise makes you’re feeling super-fit as you energy up hills and away from site visitors lights.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Fiido has made a lot of different enhancements within the V2 mannequin together with a softer saddle, a derailleur guard, higher cable safety (to mitigate in opposition to injury), an improved folding clamp and 20% extra body power.
Speaking of the body, Fiido despatched over diagrams to point out precisely how the hinge has been redesigned to forestall fractures within the body. I gained’t bore you with the main points, partly as a result of I’m not a structural engineer and due to this fact can’t say something wise about whether or not the modifications are enough or not. Let’s simply say they definitely appear convincing.
As you may see, entrance and hind lights are inbuilt, which is all the time good.
Jim Martin / Foundry
A singular function is the keypad beneath the rear mild. Underneath a plastic cowl are ten numeric buttons with energy and padlock keys. Till you enter the right five-digit sequence, the bike won’t energy on.
The identical code is used with the padlock button to launch the seatpost so the battery will be faraway from the bike. With out coming into the code, the seat peak will be adjusted after lifting the quick-release bar, however can’t be slid utterly out of the body, making this an anti-theft function.
Jim Martin / Foundry
It’s a disgrace Fiido didn’t go one step additional and put a lock in as VanMoof has to cease a thief using off together with your bike.
I struggled at first with the keypad. It has its personal energy button, separate to the ability button on the battery. It’s essential to solely energy on the battery after the keypad, however earlier than coming into the code. Deviate from this order and the code gained’t do something, even if you happen to hear the lengthy “success” beep.
Nonetheless, you get used to it fairly shortly and it does imply there’s no want to recollect keys or to make use of an app.
There may be an app – Fiido Sensible Lock – however this can be very rudimentary and seems for use just for altering the default passcode and for updating the bike’s firmware.
Fiido says it’s going to work on making the app prettier and including extra options.
The primary drawback with the keypad, although, is that it isn’t going to behave because the theft deterrent Fiido says it’s going to: a thief will take the bike and solely later realise they’ll’t activate the motor.
And there’s no monitoring system inbuilt as on VanMoof and Cowboy bikes.
Finally, you’ll have to lock up your Fiido X securely, identical to any bike.
Like most folding bikes, there’s no actual meeting required. Merely take away it from the field, minimize the cable ties, slot within the battery (the saddle is already mounted to it) and use the equipped spanner to connect the pedals.
The one gotcha is that you should undo the handlebar quick-release clamp and rotate the handlebars as they’re turned spherical for transport. It’s additionally beneficial that you just absolutely cost the battery earlier than using for the primary time.
Efficiency
- Quiet motor
- A lot of torque
- No body flex
I’ve ridden a lot of folding electrical bikes and virtually all of them flex in a means that consistently reminds you that you just’re using a fold-up bike.
Not the Fiido X V2. Its body is so inflexible that there is no such thing as a noticeable flexing in any respect and I did overlook I used to be on a folding bike.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Experience high quality is reassuringly good as a consequence. However there are different components which contribute to this, together with the grippy tyres, the fade-free disc brakes and – most of all – the intuitive electrical motor help.
It issues not that many of the parts are from manufacturers the Westerners haven’t heard of. They’re good high quality.
I used to be most impressed by how quiet the motor remained even underneath load. Some are virtually inaudible when using alongside flat roads, however they turn into noisy when biking up steep hills, as that’s when they should work their hardest.
Jim Martin / Foundry
There’s loads of energy on faucet, too, which noticed me capable of climb my native Massive Hill at a very good tempo. The one caveat right here is that Fiido despatched me the 350W mannequin, however if you happen to stay in Europe – together with the UK – you’ll want to decide on the 250W one if you wish to experience on the roads legally.
Fiido doesn’t publish the torque specs of every motor, however it’s probably the 250W model has round 30% much less torque.
The torque sensor is constructed into the underside bracket, and the system works brilliantly. Energy is available in easily, and fades out whenever you attain the 25km/h / 15.5mph restrict. I most popular the center of the three modes, although it’s nonetheless enjoyable to make use of the power-sapping mode 3 whenever you need most acceleration.
It’s additionally doable to experience with no motor help in any respect, and there’s no noticeable drag from the motor whenever you do that.
It’s price stating that there is no such thing as a throttle and that, not like bikes which use cadence sensors, you do need to put some effort in to experience the Fiido X. You’ll be able to’t merely flip the pedals with no effort let the motor do all of the work. On this respect, the Fiido X is a motorbike that can enchantment to those that actually love biking.
The seven-speed Shimano system is geared across the authorized velocity restrict, so whereas it’s doable to stand up to about 20mph in high gear, it requires you to spin your legs too quick for consolation.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Nonetheless, the Fiido X isn’t designed for prime speeds: it’s actually aimed toward commuters. And the low gearing helps whenever you’re using with out the motor.
If there are criticisms to be levelled, one is that you should persist with easy roads for a snug experience. Potholes should be prevented, and even recessed drain covers can upset the Fiido X.
It isn’t too dangerous on gravel paths, and the smooth saddle helps to take in minor bumps. Nonetheless, some folks will desire to look elsewhere for a motorbike with suspension.
I’m pretty brief, so the using place was high quality for me. However I can see that taller folks would possibly need the flexibility to boost the handlebars a bit, a function the Fiido X doesn’t provide.
The seat publish raises a lot increased than on most bikes, so it does cater for even the tallest riders.
Jim Martin / Foundry
The one different points I encountered included the ability turning off once I adjusted the seat peak mid experience. In contrast to the older D11, the battery has built-in rails for transferring energy as a substitute of a plug-in energy cable. That is a lot neater, however it undoubtedly didn’t admire being moved whereas the ability was turned on.
Final, I discovered that the speedometer tops out at 25kmh / 15mph, no matter your precise velocity. I queried this with Fiido, who thanked me for pointing it out and stated they might work on fixing it.
Because of the big battery capability, vary is fairly good. As all the time, it’s very tough to offer you an actual determine as a result of it relies upon upon the climate (temperature), your weight, the terrain and different issues together with which energy mode you employ.
Fiido claims as much as 130km (81 miles) for the 250W model, and 110km (68 miles) for the 350W. These are, after all, the best-case state of affairs.
In actuality, you’ll in all probability get someplace between 50km (30 miles) and 85km (55 miles), which could be very respectable.
Charging the battery from empty is an in a single day job: round seven hours in whole.
There’s an easy-to-miss USB port on the handlebar show, which you should use to maintain a telephone topped up – useful if you happen to purchase a mount and use it for navigation.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Folding is fast and simple, and highly effective magnets preserve the wheels firmly collectively within the folded place. There’s no stand or something to cease the bike resting on the underside fringe of the seatpost battery when folded, although.
Unfolding is equally quick, however the catch for the primary body hinge requires numerous drive to lock it into place. It’s vital to make use of a flat palm to verify your hand doesn’t get pinched.
Usefully the seatpost has peak markings so you may modify it to the right peak by sight.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Value & availability
As Fiido is a direct-to-consumer model – like Dyson for vacuum cleaners – you should purchase an X V2 from the corporate itself.
It prices US$1799, which interprets to about £1600 – there is no such thing as a possibility however to pay in US {Dollars}. In Canada it prices $1999. There’s no distinction in value no matter whether or not you decide the 250- or 350W mannequin, and each include the identical battery.
Delivery is free and on the time of evaluate it was doable to make use of a coupon “FX20” to get $200 off. Additionally, Fiido was bundling a kickstand (usually $23) and mudguards ($44) free on the time of evaluate.
Non-compulsory equipment additionally embody a telephone mount ($22), a handlebar bag ($25) and a rear baggage rack ($50). You can even purchase further batteries for $488.
Even at full value, the Fiido X V2 is nice worth, however it’s price making an allowance for that the guarantee in all probability isn’t what you’re used to. Plus, period varies in keeping with the part in query. Solely the body has a three-year guarantee however some “primary components” are coated for less than three or six months.
If one thing breaks however is roofed, you’ll be despatched the parts and are anticipated to suit them your self.
There are different folding bikes, as talked about already, and you’ll see much more in our roundup of the very best electrical bikes.
Verdict
I actually just like the Fiido X V2, much more than I used to be anticipating to. It rides extra like a full-size, non-folding bike than you’d anticipate.
It’s nice to have a torque sensor at this value and whereas a few of the parts such because the Radius brakes don’t have the cache of Shimano, Magura and others, they’re nonetheless good high quality.
The one lacking function I’d need is suspension, however general, this is without doubt one of the best-value folding electrical bikes round.