NIU BQi-C3 Pro Review, 2024

Intro

Range anxiety affects e-bike riders just as much as it affects people driving electric cars. Fortunately, should someone on an e-bike overextend a ride and run out of battery, they can still pedal home under their own steam, so-to-speak. The NIU BQi-C3 takes a novel approach to range by coming standard with two batteries. That gives the NIU BQi-C3 more range than we typically see thanks to a 920Wh total charge between the two batteries. In our NIU BQi-C3 review we will look at what sort of range that really is, as well as how the other component and parts choices work together in this city bike design.

We see the NIU BQi-C3 is having more appeal than for people wanting a city bike for commuting and errand-running. It has an exceptionally low standover height, making it a terrific bike for seniors or anyone who’s range of motion or flexibility is limited by age or injury.

The NIU BQi-C3 features a 500W brushless, geared hub motor and a single-speed drivetrain. This makes for a quiet e-bike that requires virtually no maintenance beyond pumping up the tires.

Riders who want to extend their range even more can purchase additional batteries, making this e-bike suitable for light touring. Let’s dig into what makes the NIU BQi-C3 different.

E-Bike Category: City/commuter

Who the NIU BQi-C3 Electric Bike Is for:

This is a terrific e-bike for riders who want maximum range with minimum fuss and appreciate the simplicity of an e-bike with just one gear

NIU BQi-C3 E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 920Wh
• Expected Range:Up to 62 mi., estimated
• Charger: 48V, 2A
• Motor: 500W brushless, geared hub motor, producing 45Nm of torque
• Pedal Assist: 3 PAS levels
• Throttle: Thumb button
• Display: TFT Color LCD
• Headlight: Included
• Taillight: Included
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: 6061 Aluminum
• Fenders: Alloy, front and rear
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy
• Grips: Ergonomic
• Drivetrain: Gates belt drive, 50 x 22 gear
• Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Aluminum, with reflectors
• Saddle: Ergonomic
• Tires: 27.5 x 2.4 in.

In-Depth NIU BQi-C3 Review

NIU BQi-C3 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

We are always on the lookout for e-bikes well-suited to riders of reduced mobility or flexibility. One of the terrific things about cycling is that someone who may not be able to go out and walk 2 mi. may be able to ride 10 or even 20 mi. on an e-bike. Why? A properly sized e-bike only asks a person to bend their legs slightly through the pedal stroke and it isn’t weight-bearing. The challenge, sometimes, is finding an e-bike that someone can comfortably mount. The NIU BQi-C3 has one of the lower standover heights we’ve seen, at just 12.6 in. What this means is that a rider who can’t bend their knees deeply, or can’t swing a leg over the saddle can still ride this e-bike.

In addition to the low standover, the NIU BQi-C3 is spec’d with an adjustable stem. That allows the stem to be rotated up, which both brings the handlebar back toward the rider and raises it, helping to eliminate the need to bend forward while riding. This is particularly helpful to people whose necks have stiffened over time, or no longer have the neck strength to lean forward and tilt their head up for long periods.

Compared to some city/commuter e-bikes, the NIU BQi-C3 strikes a balance between the cushy ride we see with some e-bikes with fat tires and a suspension fork and those with a rigid fork and skinny tires. The NIU BQi-C3 is spec’d with an aluminum fork for crisp handling and 27.5 x 2.4-in. tires, which offer a comfortable ride and plenty of traction without losing much of the efficiency that comes with slick tires.

The rider who wants crisp handling and a thrill in corners will enjoy with NIU BQi-C3.

Something to bear in mind with this e-bike is that because it carries two batteries at all times, it’s heavier than some riders might expect. It weighs just a hair more than 70 lbs., which could make it a challenge for some smaller riders to handle.

NIU BQi-C3 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

The NIU BQi-C3 starts with a 500W brushless, geared hub motor that produces 45Nm of torque. This is a little lighter on power than we typically see for Class 3 e-bikes with a top speed of 28 mph. As with other hub motors, 500W is its nominal, or average output. It maxes out 50 percent higher than that at 750W.

One of the most intriguing features of the NIU BQi-C3 is its dual battery system that gives it an unusually lengthy range. And it uses the batteries in parallel so that riders don’t experience the bike going slower toward the end of the first battery. With both batteries being tapped simultaneously, riders never experience a speed lull.

This is a single-speed e-bike that uses a Gates Belt instead of a chain. A Gates belt is quieter than a change, can’t ruin pants and requires no chain lube, ever. Single-speed e-bikes can be great because they simplify the e-bike and cut a bit of weight. However, single-speed e-bikes pose a problem because the easier it is to pedal at 20 mph, the harder it will be to get started and the easier it is to start, the faster someone will have to pedal to go 20 mph. This is precisely why we have gears—so we can pedal at a comfortable cadence (for lots of people that’s about 75-85 rpm) and go many different speeds.

The rider who wants an e-bike that requires as little maintenance as possible and is as simple to operate as possible will appreciate how straightforward the NIU BQi-C3 is. This is a terrific e-bike for the rider who doesn’t want to do much more than pedal and brake.

NIU BQi-C3 Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

To price an e-bike that comes standard with two batteries—the most expensive component on an e-bike—and keep the price near the $2000 price point, NIU had to make some trades and one of them was to do with a mechanical disc brakes. They are paired with 180mm rotors for confident control. These may not be hydraulic disc brakes, but they offer all the control that a rider needs. Again, confidence is really the subjective metric we look at. A rider worried about whether or not the e-bike will do what they need isn’t a good scenario, and the NIU BQi-C3 does just fine.

We check specs to make sure that e-bikes we recommend include puncture-resistant tires. All bike tires are made with some amount of puncture resistance, but tire makers often include an extra ply of material that is difficult to puncture, and the NIU BQi-C3’s tires do include this extra layer.

NIU provides an unusual warranty on their e-bikes. The frame, fork, motor, batteries, controller, display and wiring harness are covered by a two-year warranty, double what most direct-to-consumer brands offer. Parts like the wheels, brakes, gears, bar, saddle and stem are covered by a six-month warranty, a bit shorter than usual. Consumables, like the tires and tubes and parts like the fenders, lights and rack are covered by a warranty of only three months. It’s an unusual warranty, and while we don’t understand why they would offer a three-month warranty on some parts, offering a two-year warranty on the motor and battery is terrific. It suggests they believe the BQi-C3 is more reliable than some of the competition. Riders can also purchase an extended warranty, which adds another year to the warranty for the motor and battery.

NIU BQi-C3 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

The NIU BQi-C3 presents a novel approach to giving a rider maximal range. With its two batteries it offers 920Wh of charge, enough to allow many riders to pedal more than 60 mi. on a single charge. Whether that translates to recharging fewer times per week or going for longer rides, it’s a form of convenience that provides value to anyone who buys one.

We love the step-thru frame design. It has a clean look and one of the lowest standover heights we’ve seen. That, combined with the adjustable stem, makes it great for riders who have limited range of motion or flexibility issues.

Our one reservation on this e-bike comes from its drivetrain. While we love the Gates Belt and like the simplicity of an e-bike with just one gear, reaching Class 3 top speeds—heck, even reaching 20 mph—will be a challenge. For riders willing to cruise along between 8 and 16 mph, this is a terrific e-bike. However, riders who are serious about speed may want to look elsewhere, unless they can make the pedals turn like an industrial fan.

It difficult to overestimate the value of the two-battery system and what all that range gives someone. It will make a noticeable difference in someone’s ability to go on longer, more exploratory rides. And while the rider might not be able to achieve maximum warp, they can roll at a reasonable clip and going a bit slower results in better battery range anyway. It’s a dynamite e-bike for anyone typically intimidated by technology.

Thank you for reading through our review of the NIU BQi-C3. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!