STACK #202 Aug 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Fiido M3 Chunky. That’s the first thing you’ll think when you see the Fiido M3 up close and personal. This, of course, relates to the tyres that measure a whopping four inches wide on 20-inch wheels. With this in mind, you can take the M3 practically anywhere; it’s good for mountain trails, grass, bush, and as a standard road bike helped by the addition of suspension in the forks. Like the D12, it’s foldable (even the pedals fold down on this one) for easy storage and the battery is in the frame. It can be removed for charging, or alternatively, and if you don’t live on the fourth floor of an apartment, there’s an external port on the frame to charge directly without having to fold the frame in. There’s a 250W motor

Fiido D12 Getting around town on the D12 will always draw attention, because it’s a cool looking bike that combines a commuter aesthetic with a BMX style. Designed as an urban roadster, this e-bike will handle light off-road conditions, but it isn’t built to throw down a mountain with a Go-Pro strapped to your helmet. It’s foldable, too, so you can throw it into a car or slot it away at home – it’s perfect for riders with limited space at their disposal. Some thought has been put into the build – especially with the battery, which is uniquely positioned in the seat stem and can be easily removed for charging. There’s a front and rear light (the rear also serving as a brake light) to compensate for all riding conditions, and at 18.5kg it’s certainly on the lighter side of what you’d expect for an e-bike. The D12 comes with 20-inch wheels, a rear-wheel 250W motor, and is fitted with a Shimano 7 gear shift – a name you can trust. Three levels of pedal assist incrementally up the level of effort required to power the bike, and when you hit 25km/h pedalling on the top level, pull the throttle back and cruise without exerting any energy at all. A display will give you all the vitals and there’s even an electronic horn to scare pedestrians witless as you speed past. One of the reported issues with the previous D11 model was the brake build quality – this has been completely improved here. Overall, the D12 is a solid entry point e-bike and a good option for navigating the daily commute. Manufacturer’s Distance Estimate Up to 100km Charge Time 7 hours Weight 18.5kg

situated in the rear hub, with three levels of pedal assist. And again, when the setting is running in full auto, as per Australian laws, the speed is capped at 25km/h when using just the motor. The e-bike comes with a 7-speed gear cassette from Shimano, and stopping power is via mechanical brakes. A sleek LCD display provides all the stats you need, and there’s a

button for a front light (only a rear reflector on this one) and a horn. The M3 is a bike that will suit multiple needs, from the urban traveller to riders looking to tackle more challenging terrain. Manufacturer’s Distance Estimate Up to 100km Charge Time 9 hours Weight 25kg

The industry was worth close to US$ 15.5 billion in 2019 and by 2023, that figure is projected to be close to US$20 billion.

By 2023, there is expected to be 300 million e-bikes in circulation.

China leads

Germany remains the biggest adopter of e-bikes in Europe. However, the Netherlands reported more than half of the adult bikes sold were electric.

In 2018, more than 400,000 e-bikes were sold in the US and between 2019 and 2020, sales of e-bikes rose by 145 per cent.

E-Bike Facts

the world in e-bike ownership.

52 AUGUST 2021

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