Fiido M1 Pro

The folding e-bike segment is flooded with cheap models with very little to distinguish one from the next. Fiido’s M1 Pro is another one of these bikes. Its rectangular frame resembles models from brands like Lectric, Heybike, and ENGWE. 

In this review, we’ll put the Fiido M1 Pro through our standardized tests to determine its strengths and weaknesses and compare it to similar bikes we’ve tested.

What Is the Fiido M1 Pro?

The Fiido M1 Pro is a budget folding bike. It folds at the frame, handlebars, and pedals, reducing its size considerably. This bike also has front and rear suspension, a 500W hub motor, and mechanical disc brakes. 

The max pedal assist speed is approximately 15mph, which is slower than most other bikes in the category that typically reach 20mph or above. However, when speed settings are unlocked, the throttle will power you up to 20mph or 24mph. 

Now, let’s see how the M1 Pro performs in real-world testing. 

Pros

Folding Design

The obvious advantage of folding e-bikes is their ability to fold down for storage or transportation. Most e-bikes require a vehicle-mounted bike rack for transport or a large space at home for storage. The folding design allows you to store the bike in a tight space at home or in a car or RV. 

The M1 Pro’s folding mechanism is relatively generic, and Fiido didn’t include a system to keep it closed when folded. This can be done using a bungee cord.

Full Suspension Ride

The M1 Pro runs a 90mm suspension fork and simple seat tube-mounted rear shock. The suspension components are cheap, but they do enhance comfort slightly.

The suspension fork lacks the high resistance common on lower-end forks and, surprisingly, absorbs some bumps. The rear shock, by comparison, is very firm and offers minimal benefit. The fat 4″ tires aid the suspension to improve ride comfort. 

High Throttle Top Speed

The M1 Pro has unusual speed settings. The bike ships with a 15mph limit on both pedal assist and throttle. However, higher speeds can be unlocked through the advanced settings menu, accessible by holding the right brake lever and throttle down together for five seconds and turning the bike on. 

Unlocked, the M1 Pro can reach around 24mph with throttle power. However, the PAS limit remains at 15mph. In most states, e-bike classification limits throttle speeds to 20mph, so the M1 Pro’s throttle, when unlocked, makes it illegal to use on public roads and paths. 

Using throttle power, you can easily zip around at 24mph. The motor is surprisingly peppy, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance in our 0-20mph and hill climbing tests. The M1 Pro achieved better results than many other 500W motors, holding speed well on climbs and accelerating quickly.

Cons

Component Quality

The M1 Pro is a budget e-bike, which is reflected in its specs. It has non-branded mechanical disc brakes and a basic 7-speed Tourney drivetrain. 

The limited gearing results in ghost pedaling below the bike’s top speed. The brake levers use the EU layout, the reverse of North America. The right lever controls the front brake, and the left controls the rear. 

I found the brakes needed constant adjustment to eliminate rubbing. Even after adjustment, they were very loud when stopping. However, the tested stopping distance is about average. 

Another design issue is that the rear brake cable is routed outside the frame hinge, so it could be stretched while folding.

Of course, this is a budget e-bike, but none of the components stand out, and they certainly don’t merit the “Pro” in the bike’s name.

Low Pedal Assist Speed

The M1 Pro’s max speed as sold is just 15mph, which is low by US e-bike standards. Unlocking the top speed only affects the throttle, and PAS remains at 15mph.

The motor provides good acceleration and a high top speed of 24mph (exceeding e-bike classification) when using the throttle, but it’s disappointing that pedal assist doesn’t match. 

Display Visibility and Features

The M1 Pro’s display is dim and challenging to read in sunlight. The blue tone also makes it difficult to read in the dark. I constantly had to squint and shade the display with my hand in order to see it.

I was also unimpressed by the display’s features. It only shows basic information like speed, PAS level, and a five-bar charge indicator. 

What Does It Do Best?

The M1 Pro’s biggest draw is its low price, though there are plenty of similarly priced folding e-bike options. 

Another strength is its capable, torque-heavy 500W motor, which returned a great 0-20mph test time and above-average performance on our hill climbs.

For throttle lovers, the M1 Pro has a high throttle top speed of 24mph and a reasonable range of just over 20 miles at full power.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

Other than the motor, the M1 Pro doesn’t offer much performance. Of course, you can’t expect high-end parts on a bike at this price, but the quality of its components still disappoints.

The non-branded mechanical brakes require a lot of tweaking and maintenance, and they’re loud when braking. The display lacks functionality and is hard to read in sunlight.

If you are on a tight budget and looking for a folding e-bike, you may be able to overlook these negatives. However, if you have experience with other e-bikes or have higher expectations, you may be disappointed by the M1 Pro.

Conclusion

The M1 Pro impresses in some areas and disappoints in others. The high-speed throttle is great to see on a budget bike, though it exceeds e-bike regulations in most states. Likewise, the suspension adds comfort, and the folding mechanism works well.

In contrast, overall component quality leaves a lot to be desired. The low pedal assist max speed of 15mph is also questionable. Prospective buyers should weigh up these pros and cons before making a purchase. 

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2, Unrestricted
Warranty: 3 to 12 months, depending on the part
Weight: Claimed: 55.1lb / Actual: 58.2lb
Motor Brand: JIAXI CZJB-104C2 48V 500W
Motor Type: Geared hub
Motor Nominal Output: 500W
Max Torque: 50Nm
Battery: 48V, 12.8Ah (614Wh)
Range Claimed: 19-55mi
Range Tested: 20.49mi
Max Speed: 24mph
Throttle: Thumb-style
Pedal Assist: 3 levels, 15mph max
Charger: 54.6V – 2A
Charge Time: 7 hours
Display: LCD
Frame: Aluminum
Fork: Coil suspension, 90mm travel, lockout, preload adjustment
Brake Levers: Unknown mechanical
Brake Calipers: Unknown mechanical
Brake Rotors: 180mm – 1.8mm
Chain: KMC
Crankset: 170mm – 48t
Derailleur: Shimano Tourney 7-speed
Shifter: Tourney TX-50 – 7-Speed
Freewheel: 14-28t 7-speed
Rims: 20″ Aluminum
Tires: 20” x 4.0”
Fenders: Plastic front + rear
Lights: LED headlight
Grips: Rubber slip-on ergonomic
Saddle: K.San sport-style
Handlebar: Flat, 580mm width
Kickstand: Single-sided, non-adjustable
Pedals: Folding plastic platform
Max. Total Capacity: 265lb

Frame and Geometry

The M1 Pro has a generic folding frame with a single rectangular tube that houses the battery. The steep head tube may cause issues for riders during turns and descents as it pulls the rider forward and causes instability in tight situations.

Overall, the frame feels solid. The locking mechanisms work well, and the 90mm fork adds some vibration damping. 

Unfortunately, the handlebars aren’t height-adjustable, a common feature for this type of bike. Because of this, the bike feels slightly cramped for me at 6’0″ despite being rated for 6’5″.

I set the saddle close to its max height but would have liked to increase the handlebar height, too. Given that, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone over 6′. 

Seat Tube: 17” (432mm)
Reach: 21” (533mm)
Stack: 17” (432mm)
Stand Over Height: 28” (711mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 25” (635mm)
Handlebar Height: 41.73” (1060mm)
Min Saddle Height: 32.67” (830mm)
Max Saddle Height: 41.73” (1060mm)
Wheelbase: 47.63” ( 1210mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’1” – 6’

Folded Dimensions:
Height: 32” (813mm)
Width: 38” (965mm)
Depth: 20” (508mm)

Motor

The M1 Pro has a 500W geared hub motor from Jiaxi, a Chinese producer. Its max torque output is 50Nm, which is surprising given the acceleration and hill climbing performance.

I was impressed by the motor’s performance, particularly the acceleration. The bike achieved an excellent result in our medium hill test when compared to the other 500W motors we’ve tested recently.

I was also shocked by its performance in our 0-20mph test. The M1 Pro reached 20mph faster than almost all 500W motors we’ve tested. This acceleration and ability to hold speed using the throttle are notable assets for a bike with lackluster performance in other areas.

The downside of the M1 Pro’s system is the max PAS speed of 15mph, which is low for commuter bikes. Only the throttle reaches 24mph when unlocked.

Cockpit and Control

The M1 Pro’s controls are incredibly simple. Firstly, the key must be inserted for the bike to operate. 

There are dedicated buttons for the headlight and horn and two buttons on the display. The display only shows battery level, current speed, and assist level. Unfortunately, there is no odometer, range estimate, trip timer, or power output. 

Battery

The M1 Pro is powered by a 48V 12.8Ah battery. Though smaller than average for e-bikes, it’s adequate given the price and pairing with a 500W motor.

The total distance covered in our range test was 20.5 miles, a reasonable return considering I relied mostly on throttle power for its higher unlocked assist speeds. 

The battery level indicator was fairly accurate, but there was a big drop in power upon reaching the last bar, so I would treat the second-last battery bar as a low battery warning. 

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The 12.8Ah battery takes approximately seven hours to charge from empty using the 2A charger. 

Charging can be done on or off the bike, but you must fold the bike to remove the battery, which isn’t very convenient.

The keyhole is located on the underside of the frame, towards the seat, directly under the locking clasp. The key must be inserted and turned to the on position for the bike to operate.

Drivetrain

The M1 Pro has a Shimano Tourney drivetrain. The TX-50 overhand shifter and Tourney derailleur are typical of this price point and offer basic functionality. 

The 7-speed drivetrain comprises a large 48t crank and a 14-28t cassette, which is broad enough for the max PAS speed of 15mph. However, it leads to ghost pedaling at around 20mph (if pedaling to assist the throttle). 

Brakes

The brakes on the M1 Pro are unbranded mechanical discs with a motor cut-off switch. They require consistent tweaking to eliminate rotor rub, and even after adjustment, they squeal when braking. 

The noises make me doubt their quality and long-term durability. That said, the stopping distances were acceptable, with an average stopping distance that puts the M1 Pro in the middle of the pack of recently tested e-bikes. 

Wheels, Tires

The M1 Pro performs well on most surfaces. I tested it on loose gravel, sand, dirt, and pavement. 

It rolls on 4″ CST BFT tires with 20″ alloy rims. Again, this is a typical setup for this type of e-bike. The tread offers decent grip on mixed surfaces, with large enough lugs for light off-road riding. The bike is also relatively stable at higher speeds despite its smaller 20″ wheels. 

Fiido provides plastic fenders that do a good job of blocking spray from the road and trail. 

Safety

The M1 Pro has a brake inhibitor switch, a standard safety item on all e-bikes I have tested. The only other safety features on the bike are the headlight and reflectors. Fiido doesn’t provide a rear light, so buyers should consider adding one. 

Kickstand

The M1 has a non-adjustable single-sided kickstand, which is a bit short, so the bike can fall if placed on uneven ground.

Contact Points

Grips

The grips that come with the M1 pro are basic ergonomic rubber slip-on grips. These are pretty comfortable but do not offer much traction. 

Saddle

The saddle is Fiido-branded and manufactured by K.San. It has minimal padding and feels firm, leading to minor discomfort after the 20-mile range test.

Pedals

The M1 Pro has flat plastic pedals with small plastic pegs that offer limited grip. The pedals fold to reduce the footprint by a few inches for storage or transportation.