Fiido T1 Pro Utility Electric Bike review – Get your (electric) motor running!

REVIEW – With gas prices constantly in flux and a recession looming in the background it’s wise to start considering alternative modes of transportation. While all the coolest electric cars remain well out of my price range the newest crop of electric bikes is becoming increasingly attractive. Boasting improved power and range compared to previous models, options like Rad Power Bikes’ RadRunner and Fiido’s T1 Pro electric bikes combine efficiency, versatility, and convenience. Although much cheaper than an electric car, the Fiido T1 Pro Utility Electric Bike, which I recently tested, still costs a hefty $1699 which may be a blocker for some. While I found many positive aspects of the T1 Pro during testing, there were also some shortcomings compared to the more popular RadRunner.

What is it?

The Fiido T1 Pro is an electric bike designed for urban commuting with a focus on utility. The T1 Pro boasts a reinforced aluminum frame and a 750W brushless rear hub motor that can reach speeds of up to 28mph. The e-bike also has hydraulic disc brakes and a 960Wh lithium-ion battery, which can provide a reported range of up to 93 miles if used in full pedal assist mode. With a maximum load capacity of 440lbs, the T1 Pro can support riders weighing up to 265lbs and an additional 175lbs of cargo. The T1 Pro model is an upgraded version of the Fiido T1, which was recalled and redesigned in October 2022 due to frame failures caused by welding defects.

The Fiido T1 Pro ships partially assembled in a massive box with plenty of protection from shipping mishaps.

What’s in the box?

• Fiido T1 Pro Utility Electric Bike (partially assembled)
• Battery
• Charger
• Keys
• Manual
• Front Basket
• Front Headlight
• Front Fender
• Front Wheel
• Pedals
• Tools
  • Y-Type Allen Wrench
  • Set of 5 Hex wrenches
  • Open spanner
  • 10# Socket wrench
  • 15# Socket wrench

Hardware specs

• Model: Fiido T1 Pro
• Maximum Speed: 28mph (45km/h)
• Power-assisted range: 93mi (150km)
• Battery: 960Wh Removable Lithium-ion Battery
  • Voltage: 48V
  • Amps: 20Ah
  • Charge Time: ~8 Hours
• Battery Cycle Times: 800 times
• Operating Temperature: -10°～50°
• Input voltage: 100～240V
• Display: LED
• Drive Type: Rear Drive
• Brake Type: Hydraulic
• Suspension: Hydraulic Coil Sprung Fork w/ Lockout
• Included accessories:
  • Front and rear lights
  • Front and rear racks
  • Kickstand
  • Electric horn
• Chainset: Steel 52 Tooth
• Gears: 7-Speed Shimano Gears
• Grips: Rubber
• Frame: Aluminum Alloy Low Step Frame
• Rims: Magnesium Alloy
• Motor: 750W Rear Hub Brushless Motor
• Power Assist System: 3-Level Pedal Assist System w/ Right Side Thumb Throttle
• Tires: 20” x 4” CST (Cheng Shin Tire) Puncture-Resistant Fat Tires
• Gross Weight: 99lbs (45kg)
• Size: 71″ x 27″ x 46.5″ (180cm x 69cm x 118cm)
• Saddle height: 36.2” – 46.5”
• Recommended Rider Height: 5′-0″ – 6′-5″
• Maximum total load: 440lbs (200kg)
  • Riding seat: 265lbs (120kg)
  • Rear Rack: 175lbs (80kg)

Design and features

The utilitarian design of the Fiido T1 Pro is what initially drew me to the e-bike. At first glance, the T1 Pro looks like something designed for military use with its olive-green paint job, oversized wheels, and thick reinforced frame. After a bit of research though I discovered that the design for the T1 Pro was lifted practically note for note from Rad Power Bikes’ RadRunner. This makes sense since Rad Power Bikes is the largest e-bike brand in North America and the RadRunner, released in 2019, is one of their most popular models. That being said, the Fiido T1 Pro does manage to improve a bit on the RadRunner’s design.

The overall construction quality of the Fiido T1 Pro electric bike is quite impressive with strong aluminum reinforced oval tubes connected with very thorough expert welds and Fiido branding liberally displayed.

One advantage the Fiido T1 Pro has over the RadRunner is its adjustable solid long-stroke suspension fork. By turning a red anodized dial on the fork, the front shock absorption can be hardened for a stiffer ride with a faster rebound speed or softened for a smoother ride and slower rebound.

Another bonus of the T1 Pro is a set of hydraulic disc brakes that provide superior stopping power, especially after hitting the T1 Pro’s top speed of 28mph.

The front and rear brakes work like traditional bike brakes triggered by handles on either side of the handlebars. The back brake handle is on the right side along with the controls for the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain.

The throttle is just to the right of the gear indicator and offers responsive control of the Fiido T1 Pro’s 750W motor.

Just below the throttle are two additional paddles, one for shifting up through the seven manual gears and another for downshifting.

The left side of the handlebars hold the front brake handle, the hi/lo headlight switch, the horn button, and the T1 Pro LED display and main controls.

One note about the horn button, it seemingly has a mind of its own and will be triggered by doing practically anything in its vicinity. It is impossible to get on or off this e-bike without honking the high-pitched, annoying horn via this demonic little green button.

The T1 Pro LED display has indicators for speed, battery level, light status, Power Assist System (PAS) gear, and range. The display is easy to read at night, but practically impossible to see while riding in daylight. There are only two buttons on the display and they are not clearly labeled at all. A long press on the upper button powers the T1 Pro and a short press activates the headlight. Pressing the lower button cycles through the three PAS modes. You can also turn the PAS off and pedal the T1 Pro unassisted like a traditional bike. Long pressing on the lower button initiates the cruise control function.

The key port for unlocking the Fiido T1 Pro electric bike is on the left side just behind the battery.

Turning the key to the “On” position will power up the T1 Pro system while turning it to the “Unlock” position releases the battery lock.

A small paddle on the back of the seat flips it forward so that the battery can be removed.

Once unlocked the battery slides out easily by pulling up on the integrated handle.

The round port on the top side of the battery is for connecting the included charger. Underneath the battery handle is a two-prong port that connects to the red power plug on the Fiido T1 Pro.

The seat for the T1 Pro is wide and quite comfortable. It features its own integrated shock-absorbing seat tube which makes for a surprisingly comfortable ride when working in concert with front fork suspension.

The rear cargo area of the Fiido T1 Pro electric bike has a wooden base which adds a nice, stylish design element to the e-bike.

In the cargo department, the T1 Pro has an additional bonus over the RadRunner with an included front basket.

The basket is fairly large and provides a great mount for the T1 Pro’s oversized headlight just over the front fender.

The 20” x 4” fat tires on the T1 Pro are absolutely massive and slightly larger than those found on the RadRunner. While quite beefy, the tread on the tires isn’t very aggressive and I wouldn’t expect much traction from them except on hard road surfaces.

On its rear wheel, the Fiido T1 Pro has a large kickstand integrated securely into the frame.

The pedals are fairly unremarkable and don’t provide as much grip as I would have hoped for on an e-bike costing this much.

The T1 Pro has a steel 52 tooth chainset that worked well at first but then became problematic.

The chain kept continually falling off on my initial test rides and I was unable to switch gears up or down successfully. It wasn’t until I took a few hours to adjust the derailleur that the T1 Pro finally functioned properly.

Setup

Setting up the Fiido T1 Pro electric bike is a bit involved since it does ship only partially assembled. Luckily, Fiido includes a small tool set with everything you need to put the e-bike together. While assembling the T1 Pro it’s also a good idea to start charging the battery since it takes about eight hours to reach full power.

The front basket, headlight, front fender, handlebars, and front wheel all need to be attached to the frame to complete the T1 Pro.

The front basket, along with most other components, connects easily with Allen bolts using the included tools.

The mount for the handlebars was a bit of a pain to manage since all four bolts had to be tightened down leaving the same amount of space to keep the handlebars even.

The pedals were simple to install once we were able to identify the right from the left (hint: look at the ends of the attachment points).

An open wrench is provided specifically for attaching the pedals to the chainset.

The front tire is pretty big and unwieldy so it took two of us to hold it into place while fastening the bolts.

Fiido’s custom socket wrenches worked great for getting the wheel connected securely.

Once we got everything properly connected it was finally time to roll the T1 Pro out onto the road.

Performance

With the Fiido T1 Pro eBike assembled I had my trusty test pilot take it out for a few test rides. Since it was a typical rainy day here in Seattle, we first tried it out in a local parking garage with some good results.

The headlight was pretty impressive and provided plenty of illumination during our tests.

Switching between high and low offered a wide, clear field of view.

There’s also a red light that activates when the front lights are turned on offering even more visibility.

Once the weather cleared up a bit, I was able to really put the Fiido T1 Pro through its paces on the streets of Seattle. As a daily commuter, the T1 Pro performed really well with a great mix of functionality, durability, and speed. I was routinely awed by the sheer power of the T1 Pro, especially when riding up the incredibly steep hills in my neighborhood. I never hit the top speed of 28mph, but I came pretty close. The long battery life was also something that impressed me. The T1 Pro seemed to never need charging despite working hard carrying my “husky” frame all around town. I’m not sure I would ever be able to achieve the battery’s purported 93-mile pedal-assisted range, but it’s nice to dream.

Strapping cargo to the front and rear of the T1 Pro was easy with plenty of available connection points. You’d be surprised how much you can haul on the T1 Pro with some bungee cords and a little imagination.

As I mentioned, I did have a lot of frustration with the chainset at first, but after that first derailleur adjustment I now only occasionally have to tweak it.

For a brand that has only been around since 2016, Fiido has produced a high-quality, if not particularly innovative, e-bike with the T1 Pro. Building on the RadRunner design the T1 Pro does have more than a few benefits over the more popular e-bike, the price being the biggest one.

What I like

• Very sturdy frame and overall construction
• Great battery life
• Powerful motor

What I’d change

• Chain and derailleur need significant adjustments
• Horn constantly triggered accidentally
• Poor operational instructions

Final thoughts

The Fiido T1 Pro is a powerful electric utility bike that is well-constructed and capable, ideal for running errands, transporting cargo, or just exploring a city. At a cost of $1699, the T1 Pro offers good value for the money compared to other e-bikes with similar features. Although the design is borrowed directly from the more popular RadRunner e-bike, the T1 Pro does have some upgrades such as wider tires, hydraulic brakes, a larger battery, and higher speeds. In comparison to the RadRunner the T1 Pro’s upgrades might justify buying a high-end e-bike from a lesser-known brand like Fiido, but that’s more of a personal choice. Overall, despite some shortcomings, the Fiido T1 Pro is definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a versatile, sturdy electric bike that’s built like a tank.

Price: $1,699.00
Where to buy: Fiido
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Fiido.