Though it's been a handful of years since e-bikes have gone mainstream and battery and components tech has evolved at a rapid pace, the old rule still holds true: an e-bike will always be heavier, bigger, and generally more cluttered than a standard pedal bicycle. But what if it wasn't?
Then, that e-bike would be the Air from Fiido. Officially called the Fiido Air Carbon Fiber Electric Bike and introduced at the end of April this year, the Air is still in pre-order stage, with deliveries scheduled to kick off in August 2024.
It is an all-carbon, ultra-light, tech-packed, and surprisingly minimalist e-bike that – as the headline says – is guaranteed to impress. You, if not those who see you whooshing by, not a clue in their mind that what you're riding is an electric bicycle.
autoevolution was invited to test ride the Air extensively ahead of the delivery start date. Upon its official introduction, Fiido called it the lightest and most elegant e-bike in the world, and I can confirm they're not lying about it being exceptionally light and sleek. Only Guinness can speak for world records.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Design Evaluation
The Air isn't just the latest addition to the Fiido lineup but also the company's first product to use carbon fiber. Indeed, to achieve the promised "world's lightest" e-bike, the company is among the first to use carbon fiber in the frame of an upper mid-level bicycle.
The result is a two-wheeler that tips the scales at just 13 kg (29 lbs), which is positively lightweight for a motor-assisted bicycle – the "lightweight" descriptor on the market is usually used for bikes that are heavier by at least 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs).
But the Air isn't just light, it's also incredibly sleek, with a minimalist design that stands out right away. It's a step-over bike that's almost shockingly bare and, because of it, easily mistakable for a non-motorized bicycle. In its attempt to deliver on that "lightest" promise, Fiido stripped it of every "unnecessary" feature you get standard – all of which you will immediately find you can live without.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
So, the Air doesn't have fenders, a kickstand, a bell, or even a display. That last one might seem a shocking choice for an e-bike, and maybe even a nonsensical one, but Fiido works around that by offering other control options. There are three of them, to be precise: you can control the bike with the patented finger sensor on the upper tube, the Fiido app, or the Fiido Mate smartwatch. I found that the first two methods suited me best.
The bike ships almost fully assembled, neatly packaged, and with detailed instructions, like all other Fiido bikes. You also get all the required tools for assembly and even the carbon paste you'll need for the handlebar and matching seatpost, both made of exposed carbon fiber.
With all this support, assembly is easy. As with any other e-bike, not just those from Fiido, if you have doubts about your work, you should get the machine to a local bike shop for a lookover before you head out on that first ride.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Real World Application
The Air is powered by a rear hub Mivice 250W motor with 40Nm of torque and a torque sensor, and a maximum speed limited electronically at 25 kph/15.5 mph but unlockable to 30 kph/18.6 mph, where regulation permits.
A 208.8Wh battery is hidden in the lower part of the frame, non-removable for charging. A 3-hour charge is good for an estimated range of 80 to 100 km (50 to 72 miles), but that figure is dependent on riding style, rider's weight, riding conditions, and PAS levels.
The bike also comes with super-slim and super-light pedals, Carbon Drive CDN belt drive, Shimano hydraulic brakes, Kenda slim tires, a Velo saddle, and front and rear lights integrated flush into the bike frame. All the cables and wiring are routed through that same frame, so that the minimalist design is truly just that. And a pleasure to look at!
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The best part is that the Air is also a pleasure to ride.
You'd imagine – or at least I did – that a bike with no suspension and such a slim saddle would be taxing on the pelvis, but this is where carbon fiber works its magic. The frame isn't just light and durable, but also perfectly capable of absorbing most shocks on city streets. The Air truly flies on a perfectly smooth street, but it's also comfortable on paved surfaces and even rougher city streets.
You might also imagine that a bike that seems to be going for the e-bike version of "Spartan" might bring about a steeper learning curve or maybe at least some feeling of unease about its use. It doesn't. Riding on the Air is intuitive, down to the way where you learn the PAS you're in from the amount of kick you get from the motor, so you no longer have to look at your watch or down at the fingerprint reader.
If you're the type that prefers their ride more… untechy, you can still enjoy the Air, which is a plus in my book. You'll still have to get the app to register your fingerprint, though.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The torque sensor provides instant assistance, and the motor is whisper-quiet. Being a single-speed bike is not an issue either, as you can switch through PAS levels to minimize your effort. From experience, though, you can still ride it relatively easily up steeper inclines even without motor assistance because of its light weight.
The Air offers three levels of pedal assist (PAS), accessible through and readable on the fingerprint sensor. Since there isn't as much as a single button in the cockpit (only the brake levers, obviously), to switch between PAS levels you have to touch the sensor with the finger whose fingerprint you previously added in the app. You can add several such fingerprints.
That's the tradeoff: if you want a lighter, sleeker machine, you have to rely more on tech – on your phone and the Fiido tech, to be more precise. The good news is that you only have to do all the filling in and the pairing and the setting up once.
The sensor lights up differently according to the PAS you're in (white, yellow, and purple), and it remains lit to show you the remaining charge in the battery (green, blue, and red). You also get audio warnings when the bike turns off at idle times or at a long press.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
For an e-bike in this price segment, the Air aims for a lot of new things at once but it's also able to deliver them. That in itself is a notable achievement and a sign of great things to come for those of us who prefer to ride in the city, whether on the daily commute or for pleasure.
Conclusion
The Fiido Air isn't just notable for its exceptionally low weight or its minimalist, elegant design. Neither of these would matter all that much if the Air didn't match it with excellent handling, easy maneuverability, instant delivery of motor assistance, a solid build quality, and a good per-charge range.
Put differently, the Air is notable for its low weight and minimalism, but it truly impresses in motion. It's nimble and super responsive, stable, and, despite the rather aggressive riding stance, very comfortable. The learning curve is short because the Air was clearly designed and built with intuitiveness, reliability, and quality as its focus.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Its carbon frame absorbs vibrations, which results in a smooth, enjoyable ride wherever you might be in the city. Its silent motor and the torque sensor deliver assistance the very second you turn the pedal, and the lack of add-ons on the bike, which might have seemed odd at first, is actually a return to the basics, to the pleasure of riding.
As of this writing, the Air is still available for pre-order at $1,799/€1,799, which also makes it the most affordable carbon fiber, tech-packed, super elegant e-bike out there. MRSP once pre-orders close is $2,799/€2,799.
Pros
Very light, thanks to the carbon fiber frame and other parts
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News