Xiaomi Himo C20 Review

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Himo is one of Xiaomi’s crowdfunded brands, specialising in electric mobility. The new Himo C20 electric bike is part of a whole new range of ebikes that will include the newly-released T1 and the compact V1 Plus ebikes. In this review I will take a closer look at the C20 to see if it lives up to the hype.

First Impressions

The Xiaomi Himo C20  looks to be excellent value at around 730 Euro (£630 / $799). What you get for your money is a great compact electric bike, that partially folds for ease of transport.

Although not a fully folding ebike, the pedals and handlebar fold to make transporting the bike easier. If you need a fully folding e-bike then the new Himo Z20 is practically identical, but is fully folding – you can read my full review of the Himo Z20 here.

Pedal Assist

There are 3 levels of electric assist on the Himo C20 – ‘0’ means no assist, so the bike is relying purely on your own pedalling input. Level ‘1’ will give the rider up to 70% of the available power through a cadence sensor – which measures pedal rotation (RPM) and level ‘3’ which is 100% of the available power utilised through the throttle control – it should be noted that you cannot activate the throttle from standstill and need to be pedalling in order to use this feature.

The most efficient way to use the assist is to use a combination of zero assist and level 1. You could also use level 3 and only use the throttle control as a boost to get you up steep hills.

Comfort and Equipment

The general feel of the bike is one of sturdiness. The fat tyres and gel saddle making for a very comfortable ride. The Himo C20 is especially suited to urban riding, and It is clear this is what the designers had in mind.

The addition of an integrated tyre pump, which is concealed inside the seatpost is a great idea. The front and rear LED lights are more than adequate for city riding.

The LED display is clear and functional, and displays information like speed, battery life and assist level.

Battery Range

Battery power comes courtesy of a 36v 10ah (360Wh) lithium battery pack, which is neatly concealed within the frame. I do feel the claimed range of 80km to be a little optimistic. If you are on the larger side (like me) I would imagine that you would be looking at a more realistic range of around 50km.

Brakes

The dual mechanical disc brakes do a decent enough job of bringing the Himo C20 to a standstill and the wider tyres inspire confidence when cornering .

Performance

As far as power is concerned, the Xiaomi Himo C20 has more than enough for a commuter ebike. The 250w motor provides almost seamless pedal assist, that is available in three different power levels. Level 0 or 1 is fine if you are cycling on the flat or moderately undulating terrain, but you will need 2 for negotiating steep hills.

On steeper hills up to around 10% gradient, the C20 makes it feel like you’re cycling up a gentle slope – it certainly helps take the sting out of hills!

The gearing is provided courtesy of a Shimano rear derailleur and 13-28 6-speed rear freewheel with a 46t chainring upfront. This gearing will be fine for city riding and moderate hills.

Weight and Portability

The only thing that is disappointing is the weight. At 21kg it is a hefty thing to be carrying around. It’s not really transportable in the sense a regular folding ebike would be, but if you want to use it at a park and ride on your daily commute, the fact that the pedals and handlebar fold will make it much easier to get into the back of your car.

Build Quality

The overall finish and build quality seem excellent. The bike is available in a choice of white or grey colour schemes. I personally preferred the grey version. The Himo C20 has a very rugged feel to it. The forks do not have suspension, but this is made up for with the larger tyres. This e-bike should be able to cope with most city streets, and even riding on canal tow paths and gravel.

Specification

Himo C20 Review Conclusion

Is the Xiaomi Himo C20 a great little e-bike? Most definitely!  For the price it offers a lot. As an electric bike it is incredibly versatile. It kind of bridges the gap between a folding and regular e-bike. It’s not quite either, it is in a class of its own!

Another great thing about this bike is when the assist is switched to ‘0’, you can ride it like a normal bike. The extra weight only becomes apparent when you get to a hill, and that is the perfect time to use the e-assist.

The throttle function is a useful addition, for those lazy mornings when you don’t feel like doing much pedalling.

The larger tyres are the perfect choice for riding on city streets and country lanes, and the dual disc brakes make for confident stopping power in all weathers.

I’m giving this bike the thumbs up, It does exactly what it says on the tin! If you are after a cheap commuter e-bike, that will easily get you through a 30km round trip daily commute without much fuss, then this is the bike for you. And at this price, it will pay for itself within a year. Well worth the money!