Fiido T1 Pro review: A great utility e-bike?

If you’re looking for an e-bike to replace your car for running errands, a utility e-bike could be just the ticket. Smaller than a cargo bike but versatile enough to carry groceries and even passengers, these types of electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular. One of the best in its class in terms of value for money and all-around performance is the Fiido T1 Pro. In this review, I closely examine the performance, battery range and practicality to see if it’s a viable alternative to using your car.

Skip to product specifications

Key features

• 750w rear hub motor
• 48v 20.4Ah battery
• Cargo-carrying capacity
• Front Suspension

In the interest of full disclosure, the T1 Pro reviewed in this article was generously provided to me by Fiido. This gesture, however, does not influence my opinions, and the ensuing evaluation remains impartial, reflecting my genuine experience and assessment of the product.

Fiido is quickly establishing itself as a major global e-bike brand, with strong US, EU and UK sales. The T1 Pro is their flagship cargo/utility e-bike aimed at riders who want to use an electric bike to run daily errands. Do we need to rely on cars and the ever-increasing expense of running one day to day?

Unboxing and assembly

The Fiido T1 Pro was very well packaged in a heavy-duty cardboard box with lots of foam protection. Upon inspection, there was no damage or marks whatsoever. Full marks here!

Assembly was a fairly straightforward process. The front wheel and mudguard needed to be fitted, along with the saddle / seatpost, front basket and large headlight. The instructions were easy to understand, and all the necessary tools were provided.

Please note: I advise getting a professional bike technician to check the bike before use if you haven’t assembled a bike before.

Test ride

The test route was hilly, with many country lanes and rough forest tracks. The weather was a mixture of sunny spells, gusting winds with occasional heavy downpours. The road surface was very wet and muddy, with standing water. Not ideal testing conditions.

Starting in pedal assist level 1, there’s no sudden surge of power; it is more like a gentle push. The pedal assist seems to respond to changes in gradient. For example, On flat ground, the assist is very subtle, but the moment you start going uphill, it increases the steeper it gets. When the road levels off, the assist seems to reduce. I prefer the instant responsiveness of torque-sensing assist. But, at least with the T1, you have the throttle to fall back on, which works very well.

After a short while, I kept it in assist level 2, where it stayed for most of the ride. On the first hill, I noticed that the motor produced much more torque than similar motors (like on the Engwe Engine Pro). It flew up the first mile-long climb and didn’t seem to struggle despite me putting in a minimal amount of pedalling effort.

Another thing I noticed is how smooth the ride is, particularly the suspension. Most budget fat tyre e-bikes I tested last year have a little back-and-forth play-in-the-fork stanchions. Not so on the T1; the suspension had a premium feel – very smooth with good damping. I would usually lock forks out, but these were so good I let them do their job.

Handling is another thing that immediately impressed me. It feels quite neutral and confidence-inspiring – I’ve always found fat tyre e-bikes to be a bit cumbersome, especially at lower speeds, but the Fiido T1 Pro feels much more nimble than its weight and style suggest. I hit speeds of nearly 40 mph on one descent, with a long, sweeping bend at the bottom, and the T1 felt planted!

I feel the handling is greatly helped by the CST Tourance 20 x 4-inch tyres. Unlike most fat tyre e-bikes, this tread is much more road-orientated, meaning you get reduced rolling resistance and road noise.

The Rush hydraulic brakes are not a brand I’m familiar with, and the initial braking performance was better than expected. I had plenty of chances to try the brakes on wet, muddy descents, and they worked very well. Towards the end of the ride, they were starting to get a little noisy, but it was very muddy, so that’s to be expected. UK buyers take note: They are set up with the rear brake on the right and the front on the left.

Motor performance was better than expected. I tried one steep climb approaching 20% gradients and didn’t need to come out of level 2. Although I had to increase my pedalling effort, I didn’t feel like I was working too hard.

I’m also suitably impressed with the throttle response. I don’t usually use a throttle on an e-bike, but this one is handy. It’s great for pulling away at traffic lights or starting on a hill. Riding on the flat will effortlessly take you along at a comfortable cruising speed.

Regarding the battery, Fiido claims a maximum range of 93 miles (150 km) on a charge. Given the size of the battery, this may be possible with the best testing conditions – flat road, light wind, good temperature, lightweight rider and lowest assist level used.

I weighed 107 kg, and the test route was just under 22 miles and very hilly. The air temperature was in the low single digits, with a strong headwind for most of the ride. I used assist level 2 throughout the ride and level 3 for 15 % of the ride. Ultimately, I still had 2 bars left (out of 5). Considering the weather conditions, the weight of the bike, the rider and the very hilly terrain, that’s pretty good.

Other features

The Fiido T1 is a well-thought-out e-bike. It’s very similar in design to the Rad Power Radrunner Plus but comes cheaper and has better specs. I love the cargo-carrying potential of this bike. Although not massive, the front basket was big enough for me to fit my large rucksack comfortably. You could easily get a bag of shopping in there.

Unlike the RadRunner mentioned above, the Fiido T1 has solid mag wheels. They may be heavier than traditional spoked wheels, but who wants to worry about broken spokes on a cargo e-bike? I think it’s a great move by Fiido. Plus, they suit the style of the bike.

I like the integrated rear rack. It’s finished with a lovely wood insert, which gives the T1 a nice retro look, along with the paintwork. I reckon tan-wall tyres and a brown leather saddle with matching grips would be perfect!

The rear rack has been rated to 80 kg, which means you could carry a child (in an approved seat) or even an adult passenger. I’ve been looking at cargo baskets, which are all quite expensive. I have an old heavy-duty crate in my garage that would fit perfectly and accommodate two large shopping bags.

One more thing Fiido have excelled at here is the headlight. It’s huge and even has a low and high beam switch. I’ve yet to test it out at night, but I did try it inside the house at night, and it’s bright. There’s also a tail light neatly fitted to the underside of the rack.

The step-through frame design is nice, opening up the Fiido T1 to riders of all ages and abilities. Step-through e-bikes are so much easier to mount and dismount. Plus, the low standover height makes the stop/start nature of city riding much easier. The design of the T1 gives the rider a nice, upright riding position so you’re not hunched over the handlebars and can remain comfortable on short or long rides.

The T1 comes with an adjustable suspension seatpost. I didn’t like it. Even fully adjusted, it still bounced too much for my liking. Others may like this feature, and I can see how it may help with rider comfort and reduce the chance of back pain.

Who is the Fiido T1 suitable for?

The Fiido T1 is such a versatile design that it will be suitable for many tasks, from daily commuting to shopping and general errands. You could even carry a small child in a suitable seat. There’s also a lot of potential for using the T1 as a delivery e-bike. It will be much better to carry food orders in the basket or a suitable basket on the rear rack.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful hub motor
• Big capacity battery
• Comfortable riding position
• Good suspension
• Excellent cargo-carrying potential

Cons

• Very heavy
• The pedal assist takes getting used to
• Saddle uncomfortable if pedalling
• I didn’t like the suspension seatpost

FAQs

How long does it take to charge the battery?

The battery takes approximately 8 hours to charge from empty to full.

What is the maximum speed of the Fiido T1 Pro?

This UK version was limited to 15.5 mph, although the US version is a class 3 e-bike and will do around 28 mph. It is easy to unlock the speed if required, but beware of your local e-bike laws.

Can you ride the Fiido T1 Pro in the rain?

Yes, the Fiido T1 Pro is designed to withstand normal weather conditions, including rain. However, riding through deep-standing water or very heavy rain is not advisable.

How much is the Fiido T1 Pro?

The T1 Pro is currently available for $1699, although Fiido has special offers on its website periodically.

Is the Fiido T1 Pro frame safe?

This latest version has thicker tubing and inner steel reinforcement (on the downtube). Any previous concerns regarding broken frames have been addressed, and now the T1 undergoes rigorous testing far over the minimum required by EU law.

What are the alternatives to the T1 Pro?

The closest alternative for styling and cargo-carrying options is the Rad Power Radrunner Plus. Although it’s a great alternative option, it lacks some of the features of the T1 Pro.

Conclusion

It’s early days, but my first impressions are very favourable. Apart from some minor niggles like the saddle and seatpost, it’s difficult to find fault in the T1. The pedal assist takes a little getting used to, so you may rely on the throttle more. Throttle response is good, and you can get away from traffic lights or junctions quickly if needed.

The suspension fork is better than expected and handles well for such a heavy e-bike. I also love the retro styling – it harks back to when utilitarian bikes were the norm.

On paper, no other cargo/utility e-bike can touch the Fiido at this price point. The 974Wh battery, hydraulic brakes and powerful motor make for a very appealing package. Based on my initial findings, I have no problem recommending the T1 Pro.

Watch my YouTube video review of the Fiido T1 Pro

Specifications

• Motor: 750w geared rear hub motor
• Battery capacity: 974.4Wh (48V 20.3Ah)
• Range: 93 miles / 150 km  – Tested range: 30-35 miles (heavy rider, level 2, very hilly)
• Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
• Brakes: Radius Hydraulic disc brakes
• Gears: 7-Speed Shimano
• Weight: 36.2 kg (79.8 lbs)
• Saddle height: 92cm~118cm
• Dimensions: 180cm x 69cm x 118cm (70.9” x 27.1” x 46.5”)
• Max load: 200KG (120KG for riding seat, 80KG for rear rack) 441Ibs(264.6Ibs /176.4Ibs)
• Accessories: Mudguards, Front Basket, Rear Rack, Kickstand, Lights, Suspension seatpost

Thanks for reading; I hope you found this Fiido T1 Pro review useful, and if you have any questions relating to this e-bike, please leave a message in the comments section below.