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It picks up quickly at lights, and acceleration – especially in Sport mode – is reassuringly quick when it’s time to overtake. I’m happy with how smooth the overall performance is, and how smooth the torque is. Plus, moving it, moving it through the house, hoisting it onto bike racks, and even just doing basic things like locking it, is easier in every way. The engine is also quiet. Although it’s not completely silent, it’s not a distraction.
What’s also impressive is that the car can also be ridden with reasonable ease without electric assistance. A 30-pound single-speed bike won’t set any track records, but if the power fails — or, more likely, you miscalculate the battery level and forget to charge overnight like I did — it won’t be much of a workout getting home.
But please don’t confuse this commuter style electric bike with a powerful mid-engined electric bike. With a tiny engine and only one gear (a very low one at that) it doesn’t like hills. Steady inclines are easy, but there’s a short, steep hill near my office that requires me to stand and pedal hard to get to the top. I wasn’t feeling the gas as much as I would have without any mobility aid, but I certainly wasn’t flying up hills as easily.
I’ve also become a convert to the brilliance of belt drive bikes. They require less maintenance, last longer, and prevent greasy black marks on pant legs. Fiido uses a Gates belt drive here, which is one of the best systems available, perfect for urban riding.
Competition and governance
WIRED’s current favorite commuter e-bike is the Avinton Solterra 3 (8/10), weighs 37 pounds and costs about $500 less than the Air. It’s a great combination of pushbike feel and lightweight electric power, and with more power on offer, a faster top speed, and a cheaper price, it remains the car to beat. But there’s no denying the appeal of the Fiido Air. It’s a beautiful bike to ride, with stylish looks, nimble acceleration, and practical bike features. At 30 pounds, it’s impressively light and easy to live with.
Lightweight electric bikes are starting to appear but competition is still slim. New aluminum from Ribble Alle Sportfit Apex It weighs 30.4 pounds and has very practical SRAM Apex XPLR AXS 12-speed gears. Even though it costs twice as much. Carbon options are limited to two folding designs at the moment, including the $2,420, 35-pound model Addo Air CarbonAnd $1599 Urtopia carbon fold step through It weighs only 31 lbs.
So the Fiido Air ticks a lot of the boxes, and if you’re looking for a great pedal-assist electric bike for short, flat urban trips, I highly recommend it. But if there are hills in your life, and you like to keep your hands on the handlebars at all times, the Fiido Air may not be the bike for you.
