Sondors X eBike Spec Review

In-Depth Review

Frame

Many other eBike manufacturers use a custom aluminum alloy, but with Sondors you’ll get a 100% aluminum based frame. As a result, the Sondors X is a very sturdy eBike frame, and one able to support over 300 lbs with the right rider and some weight distribution if you want to bring some extra cargo with you. However, while the durability and weight support are great, the major downside is that, combined with the other electrical components, the Sondors X does weigh about 70.9 lbs. If you lift the Sondors X, be especially careful when you lift it from the rear tire, since that is where the motor and many other electronic components are located that make the eBike back heavy.

The other concern with the Sondors X is that, while it comes in three great colors, it is currently only available in one model style and size. Sondors has included some adjustable components to help different adults find a more comfortable riding position, and between other reviews and Sondors recommendations we think it’s a great eBike for those between 5’ and 6’6’’. This should be enough for your typical adult rider, though if you fall outside of this size range you will want to consider a smaller, shorter bike like the Sondors Fold X.

Motor & Battery

The Sondors Fold X is a Class 2 eBike that can provide motor assistance up to 20 MPH, activated by either the throttle or through the pedal assist system.

The 500 W Bafang motor included with the Sondors X is one of the weaker motors provided by Sondors, but it is still more than sufficient for city riding and for light to moderate trail riding. The weaker motor does have a benefit when combined with the improved 48 V / 17.5 Ah lithium, draining less power so you can travel farther on every charge. Typically, you can travel between 40 to 60 miles on a full charge, though a few riders and reviewers noted that they managed to go even farther with optimal riding conditions before their battery ran out of power.

Charging the battery is mostly easy, since you just need to plug the included 3 Amp charger into the stem port just below the saddle. The battery is removable, but it’s a bit of a lengthy process, so we’d advise just leaving the battery on the frame unless you’re storing it long term or can only charge it in doors. The 3 Amp charger itself is a great inclusion, since it’s a bit stronger than the traditional 2 Amp chargers you often find with eBikes at this price point. To charge fully from 0% to 100%, expect to take around 5 to 6 hours. You’ll rarely drain the battery completely empty though, so most of the time you can get an almost full charge by just leaving the charger in for 3 to 4 hours.

Display/Assist Modes

The Sondors display is located in the center of the handlebars, so a quick glance down is all you need to track and control your eBike motor. We think that the 3.25’’ LCD screen is an ideal size, since it’s large enough to make reading your metrics quick and easy without being so large that it weighs down your handlebars excessively. If we have one major complaint, it’s that unlike the other Sondors bikes this LCD display is greyscale instead of a color monitor. That means that the LCD display can be very difficult to read at night or in dark environments, so make sure to bring a headlamp or some other lighting to help illuminate it if you do go out at night.

There are a number of key metrics you can monitor with the included Sondors Bafang LCD display. They are as follows:

Bafang LCD Display Metrics

• Battery percentage
• Current Speed
• Power Meter
• Trip Distance
• Odometer
• Max Speed
• Average Speed
• Trip Time
• Assist Level (0 to 5)

The five assist levels will help you prioritize and balance whether you want greater motor power and speed against battery life and range while you ride. Lower assist levels will help you travel farther, but won’t provide as strong of a push as you make use of the pedal cadence sensors. Higher assist levels help you get to 20 MPH quicker, but drain the battery faster and often cause you to waste power because of it. As a class 2 eBike, the Sondors X does come with a throttle as well that will allow you to turn on the motor with your thumb, but it is unaffected by the assist level and will provide the same push every time you press it.

While a powerful motor is included with the Sondors X, it will shut off once it hits 20 MPH in order to make it legal to operate the eBike without any additional licensing or age requirements. If you are unfamiliar with eBikes, you will be pleased to know they ride just like normal eBikes even when you aren’t using the motor or the battery runs out of power. Additionally, you can also pedal faster than the 20 MPH speed cap, relying on the motor to help you build your speed or cushion you if you find yourself tiring out or slowing down. Just make sure you use the proper pedal assist level, or you might wind up wasting power and running out of juice before you reach your destination.

Handling

• On Streets- Larger tires are generally designed for mountain biking rather than city riding, but the Sondors X still handles great on urban roads as well. The 26’’ size makes them very stable and shock absorbent, and are well suited for cobblestone, gravel, and other uneven roads that typical city tires can sometimes struggle with. While large at 4.9’’ wide, it is part of the reason why the Sondors X is able to support over 300 lbs.
• Turn Radius- The downside to having thick, wide tires is that it does make it harder to perform a sharp turn. The Sondors X does well enough that you won’t have a problem dodging other cyclists on the trail or cars on the road, but it will struggle if you have a tight alleyway or narrow door or passageway you need to go through. If you take your time, you can make a tight turn without too much trouble, but you’ll want something like the Fold X or XS if you prefer an eBike that is more suited for sharp turns in the city.
• Low Speed Handling- This is an over 70 lbs eBike, so it can be difficult to handle at lower speeds. Fortunately, there are two options that will greatly help you navigate at lower speeds, though both require you to make use of the battery and motor. A walk mode is included with the Sondors X electric bike, which will provide you with a small push while you’re walking alongside the eBike on the ground. Alternatively, you can also make use of one of the lower power assist modes, which will also provide you with small motor power that will make pedaling easier if you’re still on the bike. Just be careful not to use the throttle at low speeds, since it’s set for a higher power assistance level and can cause the Sondors X to shoot out from you at higher speeds.

Gears/DriveTrain

The Sondors X drivetrain is primarily made up of Shimano components, featuring a MF-TZ500-7 14-28 Tooth Freewheel connected with a rust resistant steel chain to the 48 T chainring. If you need to shift, the 7 speed drivetrain changes gears with the aid of a Shimano Tourney Derailleur and Shimano RevoShift Grip Twister. The main draw of this drivetrain is that it utilizes a freewheel setup, which gives you extra pedal options and is specifically designed to make climbing hills easier. With a freewheel, you can proper your eBike by pedaling forwards or backwards, with backwards pedaling great for loosening up your calf and thigh muscles if they tighten up during long rides. It is a simple drivetrain, and the 7 speed shifting along with the smaller 14-28 T freewheel might not be sufficient for your advanced, experienced cyclist. Shimano makes very reliable drivetrains though, so this is a drivetrain you won’t have to do much to maintain or repair as you ride the Sondors X electric bike.

Brakes

While it might not feature the more advanced hydraulic disc brakes used by other Sondors eBikes, the Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors is still a fantastic setup for this hybrid eBike.The brakes are more than enough for city riding, and are capable of helping riders riding fast downhill come to a quick, steady, and stable stop. This is especially true due to the integrated brake and motor design, with the brakes shutting off the motor automatically when you pull on the levers. By having an integrated design, you not only come to a stop quicker, but will extend the life of the brakes and motor system alike. As a final note, we appreciate the large four-finger levers, since they not only give you plenty of space to grip but have strong tension feedback that makes it even more fun to apply the brakes while you ride.

Suspension

The Sondors X does not offer much in terms of suspension, though it does have a standard front fork that provides some shock absorption when you hit the occasional rough patch. Whether you’ll want to add further suspension ultimately depends on the kind of riding that you want to prioritize with the Sondors X electric bike. If you prefer to stick to urban riding, the large tires will provide enough support that you don’t really need much more in terms of suspension on city roads. Alternatively, if you want to get some trail riding in, especially on more moderate to hard mountain paths, you will benefit greatly from replacing the saddle, steam, and even fork with some degree of suspension. If you are looking for a pure mountain bike, going with the Sondors XS or MXS will be better options as well. Otherwise, the Sondors X is still a great hybrid option for everyone else who only wants to engage in some trail riding from time to time.

Pedals

The Sondor X continues to stand out as a great electric bike thanks to its Wellgo aluminum platform pedals. Plastic pedals are inexpensive, but they’re easy to break and don’t provide a ton of great weight support for cyclists. Aluminum pedals cost more, but are more durable and provide superior traction support, especially for riders who weigh more.These pedals also benefit from having side reflectors, which do increase the rider’s profile and reduce the chance that they’ll suffer a collison. Overall, these are great pedals, and a surprising inclusion given how inexpensive the Sondors X electric bike is.

Grips and Saddle

Snug ergonomic rubber grips are included with the Sondors X electric bike, which means you can ride for several hours and build up a sweat while still maintaining a tight hold and be protected against chafing. The grips are also locked onto the handlebars, so if you want to replace them once they get worn out it’s very simple to do so. As to the saddle, it is a Selle Royale Gel saddle that sits on a 270 mm seat post, both of which can be upgraded and replaced if you have your own favorite or suspension option in mind. The stock saddle and stem post are enough for most riders who purchase this eBike, especially those who intend to use the Sondors XS primarily for city and urban riding.

Wheels and Tires

Of the Sondors electric bike lineup, the Sondors X has the largest tires in terms of volume, featuring Chaoyang Big Daddy tires that measure 26″ by 4.9″. These tires sit on aluminum alloy double wall 36 hole rims, with stainless steel spokes that are 13 gauge on the front tire and 12 guage on the rear tire. These tires have a recommended inflation rating set for 5 to 20 PSI, with 5 PSI great for sand and loose dirt while 20 PSI is better when you intend to ride on asphalt. The great tire stability means that while they might not be the quickest tires out there, they are designed so that you can have a great time riding almost anywhere without having to swap out your tires. One thing they are lacking though is any sort of reflective tape, so make sure to throw some to make it easier to spot you while riding, especially while riding at night!

Accessories/Upgrades

This is a very affordable eBike, and with an adjustable kickstand there’s not much you really need in terms of critical accessories to make it a fun eBike to ride. However, the one thing it is lacking that is important for every cyclist is a proper lighting system. There isn’t a headlight or tail light, which makes it significantly harder to spot the cyclist when they’re riding at night. If you purchase the Sondors X electric bike, we highly recommend adding a LED system to your electric bike to greatly reduce the risk of suffering a collison.

Recommendation

The Sondors X is bike built for all types of riders, whether it be for commuting to work or for exploring your favorite mountain trail. The pure aluminum frame is built tough, providing over 300 lbs of weight support that helps justify the heavy 70 lbs total assembly weight. The class 2 eBike has a highly accurate pedal cadence sensor and throttle, giving you two options to take advantage of the Bafang 500 watt motor and 17.5 Ah lithium battery in order to travel up to 60 miles on a single charge. The LCD display offers a wide range of metrics you can track while you’re riding, sitting in the center of the swept back handlebars that, combined with the Royale Gel seat and ergonomic grips, will make every ride a smooth and comfortable experience. This is especially true due to the reliable Shimano drivetrain and Tektro 180 mm rotor mechanical disc brakes, allowing you to rapidly pedal or come to a quick stop on float roads and steep hills alike. Given the very affordable price of this electric bike, those who are new to eBikes or are looking to add a fun secondary bike to their collection will greatly enjoy trying out the Sondors X electric bike!

Would you like us to do a full written and video review of the Sondors X? Let us know in the comments below!