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LIFE TECH FEATURE

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There’s a key

in the bottom of the frame that initiates the folding process and activates the power for riding. An LCD display, visible in direct sunlight, is positioned on the left-hand side of the handlebars, which tracks battery life, speed,

The Essentials Weight: 25KG Range: Up to 80km Max speed: 25km/h Battery: 48V - 12.5Ah Charge time: 9 hours

ROUGH RIDER

and kilometres travelled. You’ll find gear select up and down and the accelerator on the right. There are three assisted pedal modes on the M3; the first you’ll barely notice, but the third throws the bike forward. Mechanical brakes provide reliable stopping power, and for dusk or night riding, an LED light is fitted on the top of the front forks with a reflector at the rear of the bike. For off-road riding – and this is where you’re going to have the most fun with the M3 – the suspension in the front fork has a 55mm rebound that can be adjusted, while the back is served with a 35mm rebound. We put these through a rigorous test, including pounding across a sun-baked ploughed field, and the shocks performed admirably. While the M3 handles well on smooth surfaces, it’s when you take it into the bush that its full potential is realised. Now, if you haven’t ridden a bike with wide tyres before, take a little time to get used to rounding corners before taking it bush. It does demand a slightly different discipline from a standard bike. With the highest pedal assist setting engaged, the M3 churns through the undergrowth. It thunders down bush trails at an exhilarating pace, with the tyres biting hard at every twist and turn. Hills, with a little legwork, present no problem either. You still need to put in a bit of effort, but the thrill of hammering through bush trails on an e-bike mounted with fat tyres never gets old. The M3 won’t suit every rider looking to upgrade to an electric bike. But if you’re on the lookout for a reliable off-roader that can also handle tarmac surfaces, packs a lot of grunt, and won’t break the bank, it’s certainly worth closer inspection.

Fiido’s chunky M3 is a wild ride.

T he popularity of e-bikes has grown exponentially in Australia as more riders recognise the benefits of combining traditional pedalling with powered assistance if required. If you’ve spent time in any major city or town across Australia over the last two years, you would’ve undoubtedly noticed the fleets of various-shaped electric bikes traversing busy streets with mail or food deliveries. However, it’s probably unlikely that you’ve seen anything quite like the Fiido M3. Designed more for off-road use, this e-bike could double for a prop pulled straight out of the post- apocalyptic battlefield wasteland of Mad Max 2 . The most noticeable aspect of

commute, and that’s where it thrives. Powered by a 250W brushless motor fitted in the rear wheel and featuring a seven-speed Shimano cassette giving plenty of options for on and off-road racing, it has a good-sized battery that can be removed for charging when the bike is folded. At 25kg, you won’t want to be lugging the M3 up and down too many stairs.

the M3 is its massive four-inch-thick chunky tyres. The roar the treads generate when ridden on tarmac is guaranteed to turn heads. The frame, made from

aluminium, is foldable down to 96 x 79 x 45cm (even the handlebars and pedals fold

down), making it a good option for throwing in the back of the car or on public transport. But the DNA of this e-bike lies in its off-road capacity rather than the city

MARCH 2022

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