Despite primarily riding manual bikes for long-distance cycling and everyday bike commuting, I recognize the rising popularity of e-bikes, especially their potential to make cycling more accessible and practical for a broader audience.
Enter the Fiido L3+, a compact folding e-bike boasting an impressive range.
This is an extremely early post on my initial thoughts because I’m excited to share them (yay ADHD). All opinions here are my own. I wasn’t paid or influenced to say anything positive or negative—just sharing my honest first impressions.
Thank you to Popcycle for lending me this customized unit!
Design & Build
First thing I noticed? This is not the lightest folding bike out there.
While it’s compact, it has a solid, somewhat bulky feel to it—likely due to the big battery and sturdy frame. It folds well, but I wouldn’t call it the easiest bike to carry up a flight of stairs, and I won’t exactly consider this for bimodal commute.
To prove a point, I slightly got winded out after doing three sets of ten reps of straight-leg deadlifts and a two-way one-handed farmer’s walk with this thing.
That said, it feels well-built and stable, which is important for city riding.
Battery & Motor Performance
The Fiido L3+ has a rear hub motor, and so far, it’s steady in its power delivery. I quickly got used to the delayed “kick” of the pedal assist feature, so once you get the hang of it, it’s predictable—which is great for new riders who don’t want an overly aggressive motor and a near-flat learning curve.
The highlight is definitely the battery. Fiido claims a huge range of up to 200km, depending on riding conditions. Of course, I haven’t had time to push it to its limits yet, but based on my short rides, it seems incredibly efficient. For city commuters or people who don’t want to charge their e-bike every night, this could be a game-changer.
Ride Experience & Handling
Switching from my manual road and gravel bikes to the Fiido L3+ was a different experience. For the first time ever, I enjoyed going up the rolling hills of Kapitolyo, but did miss putting in the effort.
This is because the twist throttle (explained in the next section) can get addicting to use. It’s like an in-bike fidget spinner that gives you the zoomies.
Additionally, the upright seating position and cushioned seat make for a relaxed ride, ideal for city commuting. In short, you’ll have fun getting around town while still staying aware. The smaller wheels make it easy to navigate through traffic, but avoid potholes or extremely rugged terrain. Slowly pedal over humps; I don’t recommend using the throttle in this case.
The mechanical disc brakes work fine in dry conditions.
However, given that it’s a folding bike and I am smol, vehicles do not see me as quickly as they would if I were on my full-sized bikes. During a quick ride to the grocery, without a companion watching out for me from behind, I nearly got side-swiped when cars made a right. I felt like I needed to fight for my space more than I would when I’m on any of my own bikes. Damn genetics (or maybe cars are getting too damn tall and wide).
Features & Tech
The Fiido L3+ comes equipped with several features to enhance the rider’s experience. There’s a clear, easy-to-read display mounted on the left handlebar. This screen shows real-time stats like speed, battery life, and pedal-assist levels (Eco, Sport, and Turbo), making it simple to monitor your ride. Additionally, the bike includes an always-on rear light, improving visibility and safety during both day and night rides. These features add to the bike’s practicality, especially for daily commuters.
For those who appreciate versatility in their riding experience, the Fiido L3+ offers both a throttle and a Pedal Assist System (PAS).
The twist throttle allows for effortless acceleration without pedaling, ideal for quick starts and mounting on the saddle, or navigating through traffic. The PAS provides motor assistance while pedaling, making longer rides less strenuous and enabling higher speeds with minimal effort. These features are perfect for commuters who want some flexibility in speed while keeping it safe on the road.
Why Choose the Fiido L3+
If you’re an everyday urban commuter looking to slowly ease out of car dependency, the Fiido L3+ makes a strong case for itself.
It’s for people who want a reliable way to get around the city without sweating through their clothes or getting stuck in traffic (but still bring extra clothes… because we live in the Philippines). If you’ve ever been frustrated by the unpredictability of public transport in Metro Manila, the high cost of gas, or the hassle of finding parking, this bike offers a practical solution.
Condo dwellers will also love how it easily fits small spaces. After all, a full-sized bike (or several) can be hard to store, and some condominiums don’t allow unit owners to bring their bikes up to their units (which sucks). With the L3+, that won’t be a problem: You can easily tuck it away in a corner, especially when you fold it. It’s also easy to bring inside elevators, so you don’t have to leave it in a shared parking area.
If you need a bike that fits into city life—literally—this one makes a lot of sense.
Verdict: The Fiido L3+ is a Great Everyday E-Bike
The Fiido L3+ positions itself as a dependable e-bike for urban settings, emphasizing range and comfort. It definitely excels in providing a hassle-free riding experience for daily commutes and leisurely trips of up to 200km in one charge. Its robust build, long-range capability, and impressive battery life make it a noteworthy contender for practical e-bikes in Metro Manila.
While I might not jump into getting an e-bike just yet, the L3+ offered a glimpse into how e-bikes can democratize cycling, making it accessible to a wider range of riders. For that alone, it earns commendation as a well-designed e-bike for modern urban mobility.
At ₱45,000, it offers an immediate return on investment for all its compelling features and benefits.
If you’ve reached the end of this posting, thank you for reading! Do you own a Fiido e-bike or another brand? How’s your experience with it? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below!
Popcycle is the exclusive distributor of the Fiido L3+ E-bikes in the Philippines. Follow them on social media and visit their website today!
Visit their stores in:
(Soon to open) Greenhills
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