Fiido X Review – How is it Holding up After 4 Months?

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I have now had my Fiido X review sample for over four months, and in this updated article, I’ll share some of the good and bad points I’ve noticed along the way.

The Fiido X is a lightweight, feature-packed, folding e-bike that has a great specification for the price. Fiido are a well-established global e-bike brand, who were started back in 2016. As a direct to consumer brand, they’ve always had a good reputation for after-sales support.  This was put to the test in 2022, when there were reports of the original Fiido X suffering from problems relating to failure at the central folding mechanism. Fiido issued a full recall and have since addressed the problems and made further improvements to this model.

Fiido X Specs

Motor	Aikema 36v 250w or 350w brushless, geared hub motor
Battery	417.6Wh using DMEGC 18650 cells
Battery Range	130 km / 80 miles (claimed) 35-40 miles (as tested)
Charge time	Up to 7 hours
Top Speed	15.5 mph (25 km/h) 250w version,  19.2 mph (32 km/h) 350w version
Weight	19.8 kg
Maximum load	115 kg
Gearing	Shimano Tourney 7-speed with trigger shifter
Brakes	Radius Hydraulic disc brakes
Accessories	Kick stand, mudguards, integrated front and rear light
Price When Reviewed	USA $1799, UK £1587, EU €1829
Where to Buy	Visit the official Fiido website for more info

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Key Features

• Unique Frame Design
• Torque-Sensing Pedal Assist
• Keyless Security
• Wireless Battery Connection
• Improved Primary Locking Mechanism

The first thing you notice about the Fiido X is its unique frame – the sleek design wouldn’t look out of place in a Sci-Fi film! In addition, there’s a whole host of features not usually found on folding e-bikes at this price point. Most notably, the torque-sensing pedal assist, near silent motor, wireless battery connector and security keypad. A useful smartphone app is also available which allows you to switch the Fiido on remotely.

A torque sensor measures pedalling force to provide smooth, intuitive electric assist and optimum motor efficiency. It’s incredibly smooth and responsive. The innovative seatpost battery does not have any cables to plug in – you simply insert it to the correct height and the locking mechanism connects the battery. You need to enter a 5-digit number into the keypad to switch the display on. This will not prevent the bike from being stolen, but may deter would-be thieves. The code is set to a default number, and can be easily changed by the owner. The magnesium alloy frame has been improved (over the original) and contributes to the very light weight of 19.8 kg.

Assembly

This sample for this review was provided courtesy of Fiido, and was delivered very quickly (within 2 days of the order being placed). The packaging showed no signs of damage. Inside, the bike was very well protected with lots of foam and cardboard. Included in the package is a toolkit, mudguards, charger with UK plug adaptor and instruction manual.

Assembly was very straightforward, and took me about 15 minutes. You don’t need any special tools, as Fiido include a toolkit. The seatpost battery needs to be inserted and locked in place, and pedals fitted (clearly marked left and right). Then, all you need to do is adjust everything to suit your size. The Fiido X comes with easy to understand instructions on the assembly process.

The battery will come partially charged, and it is recommended you fully charge the battery before first use. Once the battery is charged, the bike is switched on using the keypad (located just below the tail light). You long press the power key and when you hear the beep, enter the 5-digit code followed by short press of the power key, and the display should power-up.

Motor Performance

• Smooth and Responsive Pedal Assist
• Very Quiet Motor
• Strong Performance on Moderate Hills
• Struggles on Steep Hills
• No drag from motor when assist is off

To asses the motor performance, I decided to go a bit further than my usual route, with an initial ride of around 10 miles. This route involved around 1100ft of elevation gain, with some very short, but steep climbs. Plus, a longer climb of around 1 mile. Below, I’ve broken down my opinion of the motor, battery and user interface.

I was sent the 350w version, although it has been limited to 25 km/h. One of the first things I noticed was how quiet and smooth the motor is. I’m used to hub motors being quite audible, but this motor is practically silent  (it’s as quiet as the X35 ebikemotion motor). The motor is made by a well-established Chinese company called Aikema and I would go as far to say it’s one the best small hub motors I’ve tested on any e-bike to date.

Pedal assist responsiveness is another area where the Fiido X V2 exceeded my expectations. I have ridden hub motors with torque-sensing pedal assist before, but the system used here is very good. The Fiido uses a torque-sensing bottom bracket which measures pedalling force (and cadence) from the rider, in order to provide the right amount of assist. This system is super smooth, and very reactive to even the smallest change in your pedalling efforts – full marks!

It’s all very well having a quiet motor and smooth pedal assist if the motor doesn’t actually provide much help! Thankfully, the Fiido X performed very well in this respect. On my test ride, I didn’t feel the need to go above assist level 2 (out of 3 available) on the moderate climbs, it was only on the steeper climbs that the small motor started to struggle.

Another big plus point is there’s no noticeable drag from the motor with the assist switched off. If you lived in a flatter area, and only needed the assist for hills, then you’d have no problem riding the Fiido X without power. Or, if you ran out of battery a few miles from home, pedalling wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Having covered over 200 miles on the Fiido X to date, I would say the motor performs best on moderate hills. It really starts to struggle on anything much above 10% which is the norm for a small hub motor.

The display is small, but functional. It shows current speed, battery level and assist mode. Plus, records trip distance. It is set at km/h by default but can easily be switched to mph. My only complaint here, is it’s not easy to read in direct sunlight.

Regarding battery range. Based on my initial test ride, things look promising. The 417Wh battery uses DMEGC cells – these are comparable in performance to the Samsung 35E and are made by one of China’s biggest lithium battery producers. Just before the end of the test ride, I lost one bar from the battery indicator – this would suggest a real-world range of between 40-50 miles (considering my weight and the hilly route).

Visit the Fiido X Product Page for the Latest Deals

Battery range update 8/10/22 – I did a 33 mile ride on the Fiido X yesterday (with 1800ft elevation gain) and only lost two bars (out of five). I used assist level 1 for most of the ride and occasionally level 2. I only used level 3 once for a steep hill climb. Bearing in mind my current weight of 107kg and a relatively good fitness level, this would indicate a potential range of around 50 miles. Of course, everyone is different and some riders may need to use more assist on a similar ride. I reckon a safe ball park figure would be between 30-50 miles.

Since this initial review, I have been using the Fiido X most days for running local errands. I generally leave it In full power mode, which gives me roughly 25 miles per charge. This is about right for this kind of motor and battery configuration.

Bike Components

• Good Braking Performance
• Reliable Gear Shifting
• Tough wheels
• Puncture-Resistant Tyres

I’ve never heard of Radius hydraulic brakes before, but I’m suitably impressed with their performance. They’re comparable to Shimano MT200’s – I didn’t experience any brake fade on steep descents. I tried an emergency stop from 20 mph and they brought the Fiido to a swift standstill. After 3 months of regular use, they’re still performing well and have minimal wear.

The Fiido X uses entry-level Shimano Tourney 7-speed gearing which provides crisp and precise gear shifts through the trigger shifter. They’ve even used Jagwire cable housing which is top quality. My only complaint is the low gearing – on the flat or downhill, you’ll struggle to pedal much above 20 mph.

I felt very comfortable on the Fiido X. Even though it looks quite small, there’s lots of adjustment in the saddle height. The saddle has plenty (but not too much) padding and is made of a nice, rubberised material. I didn’t experience any numbness or lower back discomfort. My only criticism here is the lack of handlebar height adjustment – I’m 6’1″ (185cm) and I found the riding position to be comfortable, but other riders may need the handlebars higher. This could be remedied by fitting a riser handlebar.

The wheels look tough, there’s even eyelets in the rim. The front wheel bearing is especially smooth. Tyres are CST 20″ x 1.95″ and they provided decent grip and comfort throughout the ride on poorly surfaced country lanes. At the time of this update, the wheels are holding up. They’re still true and I haven’t broken any spokes.

Handling and Security Features

• Nimble handling
• Tyres grip well in the wet
• Smartphone app for remote locking
• Keyless starting via security keypad

The Fiido X couldn’t be further from the Engwe EP-2 Pro fat tyre folding e-bike I tested last month. It’s lightweight and nimble and handles like a dream. Cornering inspired confidence, and the CST tyres seemed nice and grippy. It really is a fun e-bike to ride and would be in its element in an urban environment. I have ridden in very wet weather and grips seems good.

No test of a folding e-bike would be complete without seeing how easy it is to fold and unfold. The Fiido X folds up in four easy steps – pedals, steering, seatpost and main beam. The whole process takes a matter of seconds and all the catches are easy to use.

The security keypad is a novel feature, but isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Personally, it didn’t bother me too much, but I feel it’s a bit of an unnecessary gimmick. It’s not going to stop a would-be thief stealing the bike, but it will render the bike useless to them. You need to enter a 5-digit code to power up the Fiido X and also to remove the battery. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it, but I don’t feel it’s really necessary as a good strong lock should be enough deterrent.

Update 29/01/2023: I have recently downloaded the Fiido Smartphone App, which negates the need to use the keypad, and simplifies the start up procedure. The battery needs to be switched on, and via the dashboard screen, you long press the red circular icon (with a padlock on it) and the display powers-up. You can also switch off the lights. There is Fiido owners community within the app, and a leader board for distance covered. In addition, the app will display the percentage of battery remaining, and the total mileage of your bike.

Test Ride Verdict

For me, personally, the Fiido X is the best folding electric bike I’ve ridden to date. It doesn’t have the power of something like their T1 cargo bike, but the 250w version is legal to use in the UK and EU. It’s lightweight, nimble and really fun to ride. The torque-sensing pedal assist is smooth and intuitive. You still need to pedal and put a bit of effort in, but that effort is rewarded by a smooth wave of power. The connection you feel between your pedalling effort and the response of the motor is quite addictive!

My only criticisms are I felt the q-factor was unnecessarily wide (the distance between crank arms at pedals). And, the gearing was too low – this won’t be a problem for most riders as it’s perfectly fine at city cycling speeds, but once you’re above the assist limit pedalling cadence will be very fast (100 rpm @ 22 mph). The security keypad may make a thief think twice, but personally, a good solid lock would be advisable.

Latest update (after 200 miles of use)

Well, I’ve been using the Fiido X now for a good few months, and it’s holding up well. So far I have covered just over 200 miles on the clock. I use it most days for running shorter errands, and usually just leave it in full power mode. It does tend to eat through the battery much quicker, but it’s really good for zipping about town.

I haven’t experienced any reliability problems, despite riding it in heavy rain and freezing temperatures. The brakes are still performing well, but a couple of the bolts are showing signs of rust – I may replace them with stainless steel bolts.  One more slightly annoying thing I’ve noticed, is the paintwork seems to chip quite easily. It’s picked up a couple of chips here and there, despite me being careful when moving it about. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it could probably do with a more durable finish.

All in all, I’m really impressed. I will continue to update this article in 2023 – I’ve got a few longer rides planned for when the weather improves.

Who is the Fiido X Suitable for?

Unlike some of the folding fat tyre e-bikes I’ve tested, the Fiido X is truly portable and can be taken on public transport easily. Weighing in at 19.8kg, it’s still quite heavy, but a lot more manageable than some e-bikes. It’s going to be a great option for the daily commuter – the battery range is good enough for quite a long commute and the bike itself is surprisingly comfortable.

I reckon, this will also be a great e-bike for fitness or general leisure riding. Don’t be fooled by it’s relatively small size and folding design. When I was riding it, I forgot I was riding a folding bike altogether! It’s small enough and light enough to take on holiday – if you have a camper van, it would be easy to fit a couple of these on the back.

Buy Direct from Fiido

Review Conclusion

The Fiido X V2 isn’t going to be for everyone. You need to put in a bit of effort to feel the benefits of the electric assist, and some riders may prefer the feel of cadence pedal assist. This is definitely a cyclists e-bike – you’ll get a workout riding the Fiido, you just won’t be working quite as hard as on a regular bike. The best analogy I can use is, it’s like riding with fresh legs and a very strong tailwind. With torque-sensing assist there’s a real connection between your effort and the electric assist.

I’m also impressed with how smooth and quiet the motor is. Considering the Fiido is at the budget end of the market, the hub motor is impressive, not just in terms of performance, but also refinement. I’ll definitely be keeping this one for the long term. I plan of doing some longer rides to asses the range and long-distance comfort. Plus, I’ll also be doing a direct comparison with the similarly priced Morfuns Eole X.

If you’re looking for a performance-orientated folding e-bike, that’s light, agile and great fun to ride, then I’d have no problem in recommending the Fiido X.

I hope you’ve found this review useful, if you have any questions or would like to leave your own review, please feel free to leave a message in the comments section below.