The best part about the search for that perfect something is the journey itself. As far as looking for the perfect city e-bike, Fiido would like you to stop and put your foot – and your money – down on the C11. You won't regret it, pinky swear.
The Fiido C11 is the newest addition to the company's lineup, an upgrade on the Fiido D4S, put together with feedback from the loyal community of Fiido riders as a sort of present to them on the company's 8th anniversary. When you get your start on crowdfunding, you reach a new level of understanding and a different rapport with your customer base, and Fiido knows to value this relationship accordingly.
That said, the C11 is a bit more than just an organic evolution of an older model or yet another city bike from a whole lot of city e-bikes available today. It's a beautiful and well-made product on its own, and one that stands out for its versatility and reliability. Perhaps more importantly, it does so at a price point that, as of this writing, is near-unmatched.
The Fiido C11 is one of the hottest-selling models in the entire lineup, and that alone should serve as confirmation of the above. As far as affordable and quality city e-bikes go, you can't go wrong with this one.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Design Evaluation
The Fiido C11 is "the best electric bike offering comfortable and safe riding," according to the maker. I can't speak to it being the best for the simple reason that I haven't tried them all out, but I can speak to it being comfortable and safe.
The C11 is a step-through e-bike with front suspension, a battery integrated flush into the downtube, a very light Velo saddle, and a surprisingly powerful motor. Riders of the C22 or C21 model will find many of the things they love imported to the C11, as well as the same quality execution for the entire bike.
Ever since it brought its products to the international e-bike market – after that crowdfunding start a few years ago – Fiido has been diligently working on building a brand. Today's e-bikes that are stamped with the name on the frame share the same design DNA, the same subtle touches that make the products distinctly Fiido products, and the same attention to detail. We're still talking about mid-level bikes but with little perceived compromise in terms of quality for the average user.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Like all bikes from Fiido, the C11 ships 85% assembled, so putting it together at home is possible even with minimal knowledge in this sense. To make things even easier for customers, Fiido offers plenty of online support in the form of video tutorials, easily accessible by scanning the QR code on the bike, and in the attached literature.
Great care is also shown in the packaging, with a reduced amount of plastics, which is always a nice touch. Anyone can talk a big game about wanting to save our planet by getting more people on bikes (and presumably out of cars), but not all of these will go the extra mile to reduce the plastic in the protective covers. Fiido does.
The standard package includes the bike, a tool kit for assembly, the front light, the fenders, the pedals, a rear rack, and a charger with an adapter. A novel touch with the charger is that it now integrates a small fan that stops when the light turns green and the battery is full to prevent overheating.
Additionally, you can add a front rack, panniers, a rear bag, or a phone holder, but bear in mind that total payload is 120 kg (264.5 lbs), including yourself. The bike tips the scales at 24.5 kg (54 lbs) in the standard configuration, which makes it heavier than either of the C21 or C22 models, but not too heavy for a rider who would have to carry it inside a city apartment for storage, for example. Where there's a will there's a way, and all that.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
Power comes from a rear hub 500W motor with 55Nm of torque, limited electronically to 250W to remain road-legal in EU states but delivered unlocked to other territories. The 500Wh battery is good for an estimated range of up to 90 km (56 miles) in the lowest PAS (pedal assist) mode or 50 km (31 miles) in throttle-only mode. Like all range estimates, this one, too, is dependent on rider weight, riding conditions like weather and terrain, and riding style.
Without being as artsy or pretentious as premium e-bikes, the C11 is a pretty bike, offered in either pearly white or that gorgeous turquoise green Fiido first introduced on the X model. It's a beautiful bike designed both for good handling on city streets and for the eye.
Real World Application
If you've ever done the daily commute by bike and you happen to live in a city where infrastructure could use some improvements, you know the pain (*literally) of getting home at the end of the day with a sore butt. The C11 tries to mitigate that with a front fork suspension with 40 mm travel and large 28 wheels.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
You'll still feel the vibrations, especially with the heavier, more rigid frame and the skinny tires. But take the C11 on the street, and it will fly, with help from the 6-gear Shimano derailleur and even without motor assistance.
However, since you're paying the extra cash for a motor-assisted bicycle, you might as well make the most of it, so the C11 brings five levels of PAS (ranging from Eco to Turbo+), the ability to travel by throttle only as long as you hold the thumb throttle down, and a couple of surprises best reserved for private land in the EU countries. The motor can be unlocked to its full power, while Cruise Control allows you to ride without pedaling in throttle mode.
Maximum speed in locked mode is 25 kph (15.5 mph), but the C11 is capable of hitting 40 kph (24.8 mph) on motor only with the restrictions off.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The C11 comes with a simplified cockpit, featuring a small color display on the left handlebar, which remains perfectly visible even in direct sunlight. It holds the power button, the "M" button that grants access to the stats menu, the "Up" button to go through PAS levels, and the horn. Certain combinations of buttons offer control of the headlight and unlock the motor. A "Down" button would have come in handy for PAS levels.
The bike immediately connects to the Fiido app when you turn it on, which means you can do more monitoring and settings adjustment here. If you already own or you buy a Fiido Mate watch, you can link the two so the bike will start on approach, without you having to physically press any more buttons.
The C11 handles well in city traffic, whether pedestrian or vehicular, on dedicated cycle paths, asphalt, or paved roads. I've read that some customers found it comfortable and stable on gravel, but I would beg to differ: you will live to tell the tale, don't get me wrong, but it's not the most enjoyable experience. This bike is made exclusively for city streets.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The motor is surprisingly powerful and relatively quiet. The bike itself is quiet, so there'll be no squeaks or rattles, or any other noises to take away from the pleasure of riding it. Estimated range is as advertised, at least with the new battery, which is the best you can expect from any OEM, not just this one. The battery is removable and lockable to the frame by key, for a plus of convenience by charging indoors.
Because the C11 has a cadence sensor instead of a torque sensor, you will feel a slight difference in the way the motor kicks in. For the average user in a real-life scenario, this means a slight delay in motor assistance when he or she might need it the most – like, say, when starting from a dead stop on a slight incline. In these situations, the throttle is a lifesaver, especially if you're in a higher gear.
In standard spec, the C11 is the complete package for the daily commute: the headlight is bright, the horn is very loud (and annoying, which is a blessing in certain situations), brakes are hydraulic, and the taillight integrates a brake light.
Photo: Elena Gorgan for autoevolution
The handles are fuzzy, anti-slip silicone, so you won't have to wear cycling gloves if you don't want to (or they don't match your outfit for the day), and the riding position is super comfortable. The Velo saddle was developed with Fiido and features extra ventilation for hot days thanks to mesh-like sections. This means less padding, but choosing between a sweaty butt and a slightly sore butt on a workday is a moot point.
Conclusion
We can talk all we want about that ideal, perfect bike – the unicorn that would be a sum of all the great things we could ever want from a two-wheeler, topped with a price tag we can afford. Unicorns don't exist in real life, but with e-bikes, we do have a variety of alternatives to choose from according to budget and needs.
The C11 was designed as a city e-bike with some modularity, solid range, and extra reliability compared to similarly priced models and an affordable price tag. It is all these things, which warrants Fiido's not-so-humble brag about having delivered "the best" city e-bike. It's nimble and stable, easy to ride even without motor assistance, and with a powerful motor that ensures you will get to wherever you need to be on time – and with zero effort, if that's your thing.
As our cities are growing more crowded, congested, and polluted, the C11 is here to give you – and your wallet – a break. That sounds like a sales pitch but it's not: give it a try and you'll see. The Fiido C11 is now on offer at €899/$899, discounted from €1,099/$1,099.
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