Overall Rating: 3.7/5
Pros:
- 250W brushless, geared hub motor is very responsive
- The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain is a proven performer
- Folds and unfolds in three easy steps; takes just seconds
- At 38.6 lbs., it’s a very light e-bike
Cons:
- The motor produces only 35Nm of torque so it is likely to struggle on hills
- Few accessories can be added
Fiido D11 Review: Intro
Folding e-bikes have a reputation for being on the heavy side. The Fiido D11 is one folding e-bike that pushes back against that perception. This sub-40-lb. folding e-bike manages to keep its weight low even though it includes both disc brakes and a 7-speed drivetrain.
Fiido (say Fee-doh) aims to compete with XP with a feature-rich folding e-bike in the same price tier for which XP has built such an impressive reputation. In our Fiido D11 review we will look at how the company put together a folding e-bike that can compete with the XP 2.0 on price and features.
Perhaps the single most notable feature of the Fiido D11 is its weight. Tipping the scales at just 38.6 lbs., it’s a terrific alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle with a 50-60-lb. folding e-bike. Notable is that it still manages to offer a 7-speed drivetrain even at such a low weight.
The reasons why the Fiido D11 is light owe to the sleek aluminum frame design, as well as the relatively lightweight 250W motor and the 418Wh battery. Big motors and batteries are heavy, but small motors tend to give up some oomph needed for hills, and small batteries will offer a more modest range. Surprisingly, Fiido claims that in PAS 1 the D11 has a range of as much as 62 mi.; this is another way the bike’s low weight pays off.
Let’s have a look at what makes the Fiido D11 a compelling option among folding e-bikes.
E-Bike Category: Commuter e-bike
Who the Fiido D11 Electric Bike Is For:
The Fiido D11 is great for anyone looking for a lightweight folding e-bike.
Fiido D11 Review: E-Bike Specs
- Battery: 36V, 418Wh
- Expected Range: 50-60 miles on average
- Motor: 250W brushless, geared hub motor, producing 35Nm of torque
- Pedal Assist: 0-5 level pedal assist
- Display: LED
- Headlight: Included
- Taillight: Included
- Frame: 6061 Aluminum
- Fork: 6061 Aluminum
- Fenders: N/A
- Kickstand: Included
- Handlebars: aluminum
- Grips: rubber
- Drivetrain: Shimano
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors
- Pedals: Included
- Saddle: Included
- Tires: 20 x 1.75-in.
Fiido D11 Review Ratings:
***All ratings are relative to e-bikes of a similar style and price point***
Speed/Acceleration | 3/5 |
Hill Climbing | 2.5/5 |
Battery Range | 3.5/5 |
Braking | 3.8/5 |
Construction Quality | 4/5 |
Handling | 4.2/5 |
Included Accessories | 4/5 |
Warranty & Customer Service | 4/5 |
Value | 4.1 |
In-Depth Fiido D11 Review
Fiido D11 Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities
Folding e-bikes come with an inherent advantage in terms of comfort: The frames need to be relatively small so that they can fold up and be stored in a small space. To do that, the seat must be able to be lowered to a height not possible with traditional frames or even many step-thru designs. The handlebar mast must allow for a fair range in height adjustment otherwise taller riders won’t be able to ride one comfortably.
The Fiido D11 does a great job in terms of both seat adjustability and handlebar mast adjustability. However, their claim that anyone from 5 feet up to 6 feet 5 inches can ride their bike is very optimistic. A 5-feet, 5-inch rider may not find this e-bike especially comfortable. Similarly, riders taller than 6 feet may feel cramped; they’ll be able to turn the pedals just fine, but the handlebar reach may be too short to be comfortable.
Because the Fiido D11 is built on 20-in. wheels, and the tires spec’d are 1.75-in. wide, the D11 will be a very nimble bike and fun to ride on twisting bike paths. In neighborhoods where dogs run free, an e-bike like this will be a real asset.
Fiido’s promotional video for the D11 shows the bike being ridden off-road. Considering the tires, brakes and drivetrain this bike is built around, we would encourage riders to think of this as an e-bike destined for road use. For those wanting to ride unpaved roads and paths, there are more appropriate e-bikes out there.
Fiido D11 Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance
One of the selling points of the Fiido D11 is that it is unusually light for an e-bike. At less than 40 lbs., smaller riders will find this an exciting alternative because it is so much easier to manage than e-bikes that can weigh twice as much. To get their Fiido had to spec a small-ish motor.
The Fiido D11’s hub motor produces 250W and 35Nm of torque. Because the D11 has 20-in. wheels, a smaller motor doesn’t have to work as hard to power the bike. Bigger riders may find the motor to lack some of the oomph they would like.
The 418Wh battery would offer modest range were it paired with a bigger motor, but because the Fiido D11 has a 250W hub motor, the battery manages an impressive range of 50-60 mile, depending on rider weight and terrain.
The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain gives the gearing enough range to help on hills as well as to keep the bike cruising steadily at 20 mph.
Fiido D11 Review: Braking, Safety, Customer Service & Warranty
The Fiido D11 is equipped with mechanical disc brakes and 160mm rotors. For a bike with 20-in. wheels, those brakes will provide plenty of stopping power. One advantage to mechanical discs is that they need next-to-no maintenance and any mechanically inclined person can change the brake pads should they need to.
The process of folding the Fiido D11 comprises three easy steps and the bike seems safe enough for anyone who understands how to use cam-actuated quick-release levers. That’s a notable assumption.
The battery for the Fiido D11 is hidden within the seatpost. As a result, there is a coiled cable that runs from the frame and must be plugged into the seatpost. Like the quick releases for the frame, seatpost and handlebar mast, this is a place where improper attachment could result in the motor not receiving power from the battery.
In short, provided there are no manufacturing defects, the bike appears to be well-made, but safe operation will depend on the rider learning how to properly adjust a quick release lever; fortunately, like the folding e-bikes from XP, the frame clamp has a fail-safe device to prevent the frame clamp from opening once it is closed.
On the score of customer service, we can say that based on owner reviews, the company is super responsive. One reviewer noted four different problems they had with their bike after receiving it, but said that Fiido’s customer service was as prompt as it was responsive. It’s not often we see a company so well-reviewed in this regard. They respond to most reviewers, thanking them for their input. If nothing else, Fiido puts more effort into communicating with consumers, which will go a long way toward making them feel valued.
Fiido’s warranty is unlike any other we’ve seen. In some ways, it’s better, and in other ways it’s not as comprehensive, though it’s often understandable. Owners benefit from a three-year warranty on the frame and a full year on the fork, bar, stem and seatpost. Most of the electronics come with a one-year warranty as well. Some parts, however, like the kickstand, tires, lights and brake levers are granted only a three month warranty, which is a real surprise and a disappointment.
Fiido D11 Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict
The Fiido D11 is a fresh take on what a folding e-bike can be. We love its sleek design and clean lines. We don’t love the coiled cable that runs from the battery stored in the seatpost to the frame. We also don’t love how the center of gravity rises as riders raise the seatpost. The lower a bike’s CG, the better it will handle. The bike’s relatively short wheelbase combined with the seatpost battery may make the e-bike feel rather twitchy to taller riders.
It seems a shame to produce an attractive and light e-bike but not offer buyers the opportunity to add fenders, a rear rack or a basket. They do offer a small bag that can be strapped to the handlebar mast, though.
We do like that Fiido included front and rear lights on the D11, but riders need to be aware that if they want to add a bag beneath the saddle it will obscure the rear light, making it necessary to add another; this is why lights mounted to the frame are preferable.
We increasingly see e-bikes that promote their weight capacity. The Fiido D11 is impressive with its ability to carry riders weighing up to 265 lbs. That’s not as high as some e-bikes we see, but it will accommodate most of the population. Lighter riders (>150 lbs.) will especially enjoy the bike’s low weight.
Not everyone needs their e-bike to be equipped with fenders or a rear rack. How many of us carry our necessities in a backpack? The Fiido D11 is a lightweight folding e-bike that’s easy to fold and offers a fun riding experience and terrific range; even at PAS 5, Fiido says the D11 will cover 50 miles before needing to be charged.
It’s not often that a folding e-bike looks this stylish and promises to be such a fun riding experience. The Fiido D11 is a great example of how fresh thinking continues to bring us terrific new takes on e-bikes.
Thank you for reading through our review of the Fiido D11 Stride. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar bike? Leave us a question in the comments below and the team at BestElectricBikes.com will answer!
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