Fiido D11 – review

Launched successfully through a crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo.com website, the new bicycle from the Chinese manufacturer Fiido arrived. D11 gives up the well-known design that we saw in the D1 and D2 models and turns into a bicycle with a futuristic look, even luxurious I might say. I think that even its name (D11) suggests somehow that we get a significant upgrade. However, all this comes with a matching price, D11 being the most expensive bicycle ever produced by Fiido.

I placed the order on the Geekbuying.com website and the package arrived in 4 working days, shipped from Poland. The bicycle comes in good packaging, in a box that is quite large but a single person can carry it. It was so well protected inside the box that it did not even get a scratch during transport, which was a great bonus for me.

Compared to the rest of the models launched by Fiido, D11 is only available in one colour and with a single type of battery.

It is delivered together with a set of Allen wrenches, a key, a charger and a user’s manual. It is already assembled for the most part, with well-tightened screws. I only had to assemble the pedals, the seat and to connect the battery. It takes about 5 minutes, and you are ready to be on your say. It does not come with wheel guards, but you can buy them separately on the Geekbuying website.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Designed to fit in the trunk of your car or on the balcony of your flat, Fiido D11 is a space-saving bicycle. It is also relatively light, with a weight of 18.5 kilograms (probably around 12.9 kg without the battery). It is built carefully, and the finishes are top-notch, as you would expect them to be in a bicycle in this price range.

Regarding the look, I can say that it is somewhat similar to the Xiaomi model, but this is probably due to the wheels without guards.

Although it’s a foldable bicycle, in reality, you can’t fully enjoy this option. First of all, it lacks the handle on the frame (that we can find with the other models made by Fiido) that facilitates the transport of the bicycle. When you fold it, it isn’t easy to find a place to carry it by in order to transport it easily. In this case, the fact that it’s foldable is only useful for storage, as it does not take up a lot of space.

Second, when it is folded, the handlebar touches the pitchfork, and this might cause some scratches on the long run. If you want to maintain it in good condition for as long as possible, I recommend you use some transparent stickers in the areas where the parts touch each other.

Similarly, also when it’s folded, the bicycle can’t support itself, so you will have to support it at all times. If you put it directly on the ground, it will support itself on the gear sheet. Older models have in the lower part a metallic stand that eliminated this risk.

Fiido D11 has seven speeds, and the gear switch is made by Shimano.

I am aware of the fact that they removed these elements to achieve a lower weight, but with this they also moved away from the concept of a foldable bicycle that you can take along on the subway or the bus. When necessary, of course, it is possible, but it’s not easy to transport it.

The wheels have a diameter of 20 inches, and they are quite large for a foldable bicycle. Although it is a city bike that you can use for your commute or a relaxing ride, the bike also has a suspension. Even more, the tires filled with air make the ride very comfortable. They used high-quality tires, from the brand  CST.

FUNCTIONS AND FACILITIES

One of the advantages of Fiido 11 is that the battery is detachable. It is integrated into its rod next to the seat, and it can easily be removed so it can be recharged indoors. Also, if you live in a house, you can remove it during winter and keep it inside, separated from the bicycle, to protect it against the cold. In the previous models, the battery was integrated into the frame of the bicycle, and it was quite challenging to remove it.

The fact that the battery is integrated into the rod of the seat makes it quite thick, which means it is impossible to attach another stoplight in the back. The bicycle has a stoplight right under the seat, that lights up automatically every time you turn on the bicycle, but it is not precisely the most powerful one. Me, for example, I wanted to use the InFun model that has an elastic grip, but unfortunately, I could not attach it.

In the front side, there is a LED light that concentrates the light in a narrow point, so you can’t count on it unless you are going at a low speed. If you think about using it mostly at night, I recommend you attach a brighter light. I used it with a BR35 Nitecore.

On the handlebar, there is a small display that indicates the current speed, using mode and the travel distance. It is a better display compared to the previous models, and you get a pretty good image even in daylight. I have to mention the fact that you can’t adjust the height of the handlebar. In the same place, you will also find the buttons for the light and horn.

USER’S EXPERIENCE

The position on the bicycle is a comfortable one, and it is pleasant to use it even when it runs out of battery or if you want to exercise. The height of the seat can be adjusted to fit your preferences. I found the seat to be quite uncomfortable (it is pretty hard) when I use the bike for extended periods.

At first, you have to turn on the bicycle by pressing the button that is located under the seat. This will also turn on the stoplight automatically. Afterwards, you have to turn on the screen on the handlebar. I would love for the screen to turn on automatically too!

Fiido D11 has three settings that provide a pedalling assistant, and each one of them comes with a predefined strength of the electric engine, making the entire experience more enjoyable and reducing the overall effort. The engine starts automatically when you begin pedalling, and it stops when you stop pedalling. The force of the engine that assists the pedalling is constant, and it is not proportional to the speed of pedalling.

Unfortunately, the implementation is not the best. In the previous two models, the engine was significantly helping the pedalling, in the 3^rd model comes with a problem when it comes to the start-up. The engine accelerates a bit too strongly, especially for crowded areas.

When in electric mode, Fiido D11 becomes a small-sized moped, with pedals that can support your feet and with acceleration that you can use with your right hand. It is appreciated that they gave up the acceleration handle that was integrated into the handlebar, as it used to become uncomfortable in long rides. This time, the handle for acceleration is identical to the ones we find in electric scooters. To follow the European laws, the maximum speed (that is shown on the screen) is 24 km/h, but as far as I know, it can go further than that.

The engine is integrated into the back wheel, and it has a maximum power of 250 W. While the start-up can be pretty slow, the power of the engine is generally enough even to climb steep roads, without pedalling.

When the speed is constant for a specific time, the autopilot kicks in, and it maintains the speed automatically without having to use the acceleration handle. It is handy when you use the bicycle for a long trip. To deactivate the autopilot, you only have to press the acceleration handle once.

Fiido D11 has seven speeds that make it possible to use it as a regular bicycle when it runs out of battery. It has disk brakes in the back and the front, and although they can be noisy sometimes, they are very effective, and they stop the bicycle in due time, no matter the speed.

AUTONOMY

First of all, we have to take into account the fact that the autonomy of the bicycle can vary depending on the weight of the user, the weather and the road conditions and the temperature.

In my case, with a weight of 80 kilograms, on city roads, I managed to get an autonomy of 40-50 kilometres on a single charge. I have to admit that I was impressed, taking into account that unlike the electric scooters, the bicycle does not have regenerative braking and any press on the brakes reduces the autonomy.

When in assisted mode, when the engine helps me pedal smoothly, I used the brakes less. Still, I am convinced that it can offer the autonomy that the manufacturer promises, which is 100 kilometres.

The battery is quite generous, with a capacity of 11.6Ah/36V, and a full charge takes about 7 hours. The charger is light and compact enough to be taken in your backpack, so you can charge the bicycle when you reach your destination.

CONCLUSION

Compared to the previous models, D11 wishes to attack the premium segment, by offering high autonomy, high-quality finishes and elegant design. It is a model that is made for city trips, and even without a suspension, it is solid enough to pass any bump in the road without issues. Also, the seven speeds that it comes with allows it to be also used as a classic bicycle.

It is impressive when it comes to its autonomy, it is comfortable for daily use (except for the seat), and it does not take a lot of space. Instead, it has some flaws when it comes to its folding and when used in assisted mode with assistance for pedalling, the power of the electric engine is too intense, and it can even become dangerous in crowded spaces.

Fiido D11 is, at the moment, the most expensive bicycle in the portfolio of the Chinese manufacturer. We find it on the Geekbuying.com website with a price of 899$ with a discount coupon. It comes from Poland in only a few days, with a courier, without added fees.

PROS AND CONS

🥰 Great autonomy
🥰 High-quality finishes and materials, premium look
🥰 20-inch wheels and disk brakes
🥰 Removable battery
🥰 Comfortable, it can also be used as a classic bicycle

🙅No handle for transport
🙅 Hard seat