The ADO Air 28 Is Here As Your Ultimate Urban Commuter

ADO is a China-based startup that's already made serious waves on the e-bike market with their previous release, the ADO Air A20, first introduced on crowdfunding earlier this year. What set the Air 20 apart from other e-bikes was the fact that it bundled a series of high-quality components and safety features normally not found on similarly-priced bikes and that it did so on an e-bike that was foldable and lightweight.

The Air A20 was billed as the perfect city e-bike, and we can confirm that much about it is true since we had the chance to test it extensively. But ADO did not rest on the laurels of the success of the Air A20 and has since been working on a new model that would best be described as an upgrade over it.

This is the ADO Air 28, which brings the same features that made the Air A20 stand out from the crowd, together with features that lacked, but were not necessarily sorely missed, on its predecessor. The Air 28 rides on larger wheels and has a step-through frame and full fork suspension, but the same powerful motor, torque sensor, and carbon belt drive as the Air A20.

As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, why fix it? ADO is bringing the Air 28 to crowdfunding first, with the bike dropping on IndieGoGo in late July and offering backers the chance to get it with a 41% discount off the retail price. The first indications are that the Air 28 will live up to the moniker ("Air" because it's lightweight) and the promise of being the "ultimate" agile commuter for the city dweller.

So what exactly makes an e-bike the "ultimate" commuter? If you already bike on the daily commute, you know the answer to the question but do indulge us.

A solid option for a city bike is a two-wheeler you can rely on, that's comfortable and fast, easy to use, durable, and maintenance-free. You need a bike with a powerful motor that can take you up hills with minimal effort and with solid range, so you won't arrive at work drenched in sweat or dreading the possibility of running out of battery. If you live in a big city, it also helps if the bike comes with certain add-ons like app connectivity and phone charging, so you can easily make your way about town.

The Air 28 has it all – in quite a stylish package. It "inherits" the carbon belt drive from the Air A20, so you get the guarantee of maintenance- and fuss-free rides for 30,000 km (18,641 miles) before you'll need a replacement. It also has the same 36V 250W motor with 42 Nm of torque and the torque sensor for intuitive, instant assistance as its predecessor, and the 14.5Ah Samsung battery in the seatpost, removable for charging and discouraging theft.

On the safety side, ADO promises peace of mind regarding the battery with the battery management system, which protects against overheating, short-circuiting, and overcharging. The drivetrain is ADO G-Drive 5.0, debugged and improved by ADO Laboratory so that you get the "smooth[est] riding experience."

The Air 28 also gets hydraulic braking, the 360-degree IPSX7 waterproof color display (now mounted centrally on the handlebars for improved viewing angle), phone charging and a phone mount, like its predecessor. But unlike that one, it's not a foldable bike: it rides on larger 28-inch wheels clad in anti-skip, puncture-proof tires and comes with a step-through aluminum alloy frame that makes it ideal for cruising. Also unlike its predecessor, it gets a fork suspension with adjustable ride, so you'll be able to optimize comfort according to the terrain.

The ADO Air 28 will be offered in two shades, green and gray, and comes with a maximum load of 120 kg (264.5 lbs). The standard spec includes fenders, a Street Wise bell with a hidden compartment for an airtag or smarttag that allows you to track down your bike in a worst-case scenario, lights, and an iron rear rack. If you're thinking of getting the most use out of it, you'll be able to add a front basket as an extra option to haul smaller items.

For the EU, the Air 28 comes limited electronically to 25 kph (15.5 mph), and there's no torque option to allow you to travel on motor only. Range is estimated at approximately 100 km (62 miles) on a single 4-to-6-hour charge, dependent on the rider's weight, riding style, weather and terrain conditions.

When the ADO Air 28 campaign goes live, we’ll also know more of pricing and the delivery timeline. But based on what ADO is promising, this is one commuting option worth keeping an eye out for.