Fiido X V2 review

Finest Costs Right now: 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 preferred it, there have been some apparent enhancements that could possibly be made. Evidently most consumers 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 unpleasant welds.

This launched in direction of the top of 2021 and evaluations 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.

Despite the fact that Fiido had supplied to ship us a motorcycle for assessment, 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 just in order that you recognize this assessment is of the newest 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

Essentially the most hanging factor in regards to the Fiido X is its design. Just like the D11, reviewed, there are not any chainstays – no body elements connecting the rear hub to the crank.

Prefer it or detest it, it is a bike that stands out from the gang. There are not 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 prime velocity of 19.2mph (32kmh) whereas the previous is proscribed 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 possibly can journey 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 superb couple of kg heavier than the MiRider One, and the Gocycle G4, however its big 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 greater than the Mirider – means journey consolation isn’t fully sacrificed.

And though the Fiido X has seemingly suffered the identical disagreeable worth rise that many different electrical bikes have, it nonetheless affords a superb specification for the cash.

Jim Martin / Foundry

There are hydraulic disc brakes, for instance, which have significantly 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, usually which means a jerky, scary expertise because the motor thrusts you ahead violently.

A torque sensor – because the identify suggests – measures how onerous you’re pedalling and tells the motor to ship energy accordingly. In different phrases, pedal gently, and the motor will present light help. Pedal onerous and also you’ll get rather more help. This feels rather more pure, and likewise makes you are feeling super-fit as you energy up hills and away from visitors lights.

Jim Martin / Foundry

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Fiido has made a variety of different enhancements within the V2 mannequin together with a softer saddle, a derailleur guard,  higher cable safety (to mitigate in opposition to harm), an improved folding clamp and 20% extra body energy.

Speaking of the body, Fiido despatched over diagrams to indicate precisely how the hinge has been redesigned to stop 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 ample or not. Let’s simply say they definitely appear convincing.

As you possibly can see, entrance and hind lights are in-built, which is at all times good.

Jim Martin / Foundry

A singular function is the keypad beneath the rear gentle. Underneath a plastic cowl are ten numeric buttons with energy and padlock keys. Till you enter the proper 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 could be faraway from the bike. With out getting into the code, the seat top could be adjusted after lifting the quick-release bar, however can’t be slid fully 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 driving 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. You have to solely energy on the battery after the keypad, however earlier than getting into the code. Deviate from this order and the code gained’t do something, even when you 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 Good 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 is going to work on making the app prettier and including extra options.

The principle drawback with the keypad, although, is that it isn’t going to behave because the theft deterrent Fiido says it is going to: a thief will take the bike and solely later realise they will’t activate the motor.

And there’s no monitoring system in-built as on VanMoof and Cowboy bikes.

In the end, you’ll have to lock up your Fiido X securely, similar to any bike.

Like most folding bikes, there’s no actual meeting required. Merely take away it from the field, lower 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 it is advisable undo the handlebar quick-release clamp and rotate the handlebars as they’re turned spherical for transport. It’s additionally really useful that you simply totally cost the battery earlier than driving for the primary time.

Efficiency

• Quiet motor
• A number of torque
• No body flex

I’ve ridden a number of folding electrical bikes and virtually all of them flex in a means that continually reminds you that you simply’re driving 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 neglect I used to be on a folding bike.

Jim Martin / Foundry

Journey high quality is reassuringly good as a consequence. However there are different elements 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 a lot of the elements 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 driving alongside flat roads, however they grow to be 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 Huge Hill at a superb tempo. The one caveat right here is that Fiido despatched me the 350W mannequin, however when you dwell in Europe – together with the UK – you’ll want to decide on the 250W one if you wish to journey on the roads legally.

Fiido doesn’t publish the torque specs of every motor, however it’s seemingly 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 attainable to journey with no motor help in any respect, and there’s no noticeable drag from the motor whenever you do that.

It’s price mentioning that there is no such thing as a throttle and that, not like bikes which use cadence sensors, you do must put some effort in to journey 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 motorcycle that may attraction to those that actually love biking.

The seven-speed Shimano system is geared across the authorized velocity restrict, so whereas it’s attainable to stand up to about 20mph in prime 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 driving with out the motor.

If there are criticisms to be levelled, one is that it is advisable follow clean roads for a snug journey. Potholes have to be averted, and even recessed drain covers can upset the Fiido X.

It isn’t too dangerous on gravel paths, and the comfortable saddle helps to absorb minor bumps. Nonetheless, some individuals will favor to look elsewhere for a motorcycle with suspension.

I’m pretty brief, so the driving place was wonderful for me. However I can see that taller individuals may need the flexibility to lift 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 top mid journey. 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 positively didn’t respect 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’d work on fixing it.

Because of the massive battery capability, vary is fairly good. As at all times, it’s very troublesome to provide you a precise 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 may be very respectable.

Charging the battery from empty is an in a single day job: round seven hours in complete.

There’s an easy-to-miss USB port on the handlebar show, which you should use to maintain a telephone topped up – helpful when you purchase a mount and use it for navigation.

Jim Martin / Foundry

Folding is fast and straightforward, 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 principle body hinge requires numerous pressure to lock it into place. It’s vital to make use of a flat palm to ensure your hand doesn’t get pinched.

Usefully the seatpost has top markings so you possibly can regulate it to the proper top by sight.

Jim Martin / Foundry

Value & availability

As Fiido is a direct-to-consumer model – like Dyson for vacuum cleaners – you should buy an X V2 from the corporate itself.

It prices US$1799, which interprets to about £1600 – there is no such thing as a choice however to pay in US {Dollars}. In Canada it prices $1999. There’s no distinction in worth 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 assessment it was attainable 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 assessment.

Optionally available equipment additionally embrace a telephone mount ($22), a handlebar bag ($25) and a rear baggage rack ($50). You can too purchase further batteries for $488.

Even at full worth, the Fiido X V2 is sweet worth, however it’s price taking into consideration that the guarantee in all probability isn’t what you’re used to. Plus, length varies in keeping with the part in query. Solely the body has a three-year guarantee however some “primary elements” are lined for under three or six months.

If one thing breaks however is roofed, you’ll be despatched the elements and are anticipated to suit them your self.

There are various folding bikes, as talked about already, and you may see much more in our roundup of the most effective 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 count on.

It’s nice to have a torque sensor at this worth and whereas a few of the elements 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.