Last Updated on 19 May 2023 by Stefano
The bicycle can be folded in half and weighs about 16 kg (35.2 lbs). The bike has a range of up to 100 km (62 miles) on a single charge thanks to a 37 Nm motor and a 36 V battery. The Air also includes an inbuilt IPS display and a remote control app.
Riders on a short budget who want an exhilarating e-bike ride without the high price tag are lured by ADO Air.
Electric folding bikes are a growing niche in the cycling business. Nowadays, e-bikes are seen as tools mostly utilised by senior riders. The battery-powered bicycle is being used by riders from all walks of life for different forms of transportation. In an effort to take advantage of the sunshine, recreational e-bike riders flock to the bike lanes on the weekends. Daily commuters race across the congested city streets, propelled by caffeine and battery life.
Electric bike producer ADO will be able to serve a wider spectrum of clients, including those who are more cost-conscious. The company’s new ADO Air electric bicycle with carbon belt. The Air electric bike meets this demand. This sub-£1300 e-bike makes the promise that it can deliver an exhilarating e-bike ride at a lower price. But how good is it really?
A fast search for the “best foldable electric bike” turns up very few results for ADO Air. This is because ADO Electric Bikes were previously exclusively available for purchase in China. However, ADO started making electric bicycles in 2017. Recently, the brand-new ADO Air went on sale in both UK and Europe.
The ultra-light electric bike, which has an aluminium frame and weighs only 16 kg (35.2 lbs), can be folded in half for storage or transit. The bicycle has a carbon belt that should be more efficient and require less maintenance than a chain replacement.
To recharge the bike’s battery, you must connect it to the included AC adaptor. The battery charges completely in around seven hours, and according to ADO, the bike has a range of 80 to 100 miles when used as a moped. The maximum speed of the electric bike is 25 kph (15.5 mph).
The bike also includes a front headlight, and a rear taillight. On the left side of the adjustable in-height front handlebar, next to the LED display and the rear brake lever, are the controls for these parts. The front brake lever, the throttle thumb pad, and an in-line gear indicator are all located on the right side.
The ADO Air also comes with a carbon belt drive and an exposed derailleur. Two 20 x 1.75 all-season tyres with a 20-inch diameter are mounted on the bike’s wheels. To provide stopping force, the ADO Air’s front and rear hydraulic single-piston disc brake callipers are connected to matched 160mm cross-drilled brake rotors.
The front cables are nicely joined together, but ADO finally opted to run the wires through the bike’s frame. You must be careful when folding the head tube since these exposed cables might catch on the frame.
Numerous ADO Air variants will be offered, one of which will include a throttle for the US market but none will be compliant with UK regulations. A smart torque sensor is also included, which tracks your pedal pressure and adjusts the 37 Nm motor’s assistance as needed. A 36 V 10 Ah Samsung battery, which can be fully recharged in four to six hours, has a range of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles). On a built-in colour IPS display, which can also be used to control other components like the headlights, your speed is shown. The bicycle comes with a smartphone app that you can use to navigate, monitor trip information like the distance covered or the battery life, and lock the bike from a distance.
It would be an understatement to say that riding the ADO Air is fun. When you touch the throttle, the motor produces a noticeable pull in addition to giving the impression that the machine is lightweight and manoeuvrable. It is less stiff and more responsive. I felt euphoric simply thinking about how it seems like you’re driving a speedy mini-moped to fly through traffic at top speed.
Three pedal-assist levels are available for the ADO Air. Riding was effortless in full assist mode, which increases the amount of work the motor does, aside from twitching your thumb. Even on first launches, you can feel the motor quickly take over at full assist. Once you’ve used the throttle to your maximum speed, the cruise control engages, enabling you to go without moving your feet.
In London, there are a lot of bicycle lanes, so you can spend a lot of time riding one. These long trips are an excellent way to gauge how comfortable a bicycle is, and ADO Air did not disappoint. I was able to cycle for an hour without being bothered by the bike’s lack of suspension.
During this journey, I would estimate that I pedalled for around 30% of the time, with the ADO Air’s engine doing the most of the effort. Because of this, I never got fatigued and didn’t have to exert myself much to climb hills. But it was not expected that the motor would have to be pushed up higher slopes.
The only issue on my first trip was the brakes. There was a loud scream that drew my attention each time I pulled both levers. Hopefully, this problem is only the result of the new pads breaking in. Having said that, I’ve used the ADO Air almost every day since it came and I’ve had a good first experience.
Separately, I found other reviews that said that this bike was insufficient for shorter riders when conducting my research. The primary issue that other people brought up was that the battery extends just a tiny bit lower than the crankset if you’re under six feet tall.
I had no problems with the battery making contact with any surfaces as I sped through London’s streets once I got the bike adjusted for my height. I think shorter riders would be quite fine utilising ADO Air, as long as they were aware of the battery’s limits while curb-hopping, based on my experience.
Additionally, some reviewers objected to the ADO Air battery’s inability to be secured to the bike. I must object. In my experience, the included ADO lock easily fit between the saddle supports and under the rear of the seat and provided ample space to secure the bike to a stationary object.
The battery had only lost one out of four bars throughout my longest trip with the ADO Air, which the LED display said was 100 km (62 miles) long. I completed my ride with level-three full assist and travelled 80 km, therefore based on that information, I would estimate that if you just use the throttle, your battery would last for around 100 km.
This makes it possible to go a respectably long distance or do several short trips before the battery has to be recharged. Does the range match the 100 kilometres claimed by ADO? Although tests would seem to imply that there is a large degree of diversity, it is impossible to say.
Pedalling more and utilising the engine-less would obviously increase battery life. In contrast, additional motors need more power, yet the ADO Air does not appear to be consuming battery life.
Like many inexpensive ebikes in its class, the ADO Air includes a battery metre that provides inaccurate readings when the bike is under heavy load. For instance, the LED display showed that while rising, the battery life was around one segment lower than it had been while lying flat. Even though this typographical issue didn’t cause much of a problem, it’s something to bear in mind if you’re considering buying this product.
Here, the ADO Air’s extended battery life and compact design are notable benefits. These characteristics prove that ADO designed this e-bike with the commuter or urban rider in mind. The bike is very easy to fold and transportable to most places. Even better, store it in your vehicle’s trunk for weekend road excursions. It is very simple to unfurl once you are at your location.
It’s important to note that when evaluating ADO AIR, I did find a few issues. The absence of suspension might be problematic. The ADO Air isn’t the most comfortable bike to ride on bumpy roads. Because of the sturdy frame, you can see every dip and divot in the road surface.
If a marshmallow-soft ride is what you’re searching for, you won’t find it here. That could offend some people both physically and figuratively. For someone like me, who has prior experience riding a fixed-gear bike around London, it might not be an issue.
I can categorically state that it is worth the £1299 asking price after riding it for roughly 100 miles (61 km). The pricing is fair for an e-bike, and the key components are well-made. If you must have an e-bike, it will be challenging to find one that performs better than the ADO Air at this price point.
Overall, ADO Air offers great specifications. Its practicality is one of its main advantages. Although it makes no claims to be either, it is neither a Van Moof nor a Brompton. Instead, cyclists on a tighter budget who want a pleasurable e-bike ride without the exorbitant price may find the ADO Air appealing. Without a doubt, ADO Air fulfils its promise.
Budget e-bikes are an excellent choice for anyone seeking a cost-effective and environmentally responsible mode of transportation
Londoners, your city is bustling with energy, opportunity, and—let’s face it—a fair share of transport chaos. As the days get longer and sunnier, you’re likely looking for ways to enjoy the great outdoors while staying active. But what if we told you there’s a way to blend the excitement of London’s streets with a more enjoyable and efficient way to commute? Enter the e-bike!
A recent study suggests that cities should consider the rapid rise and significant potential of electric bikes in moving people.
“E-bikes should be at the core of planning, along with other forms of active mobilities and public transport, as they are a readily available way to foster decarbonisation of transport,” according to the University of Lausanne study.”
At ST3IKE, we strive to provide you with a top-quality electric bicycle at an affordable price. With our capabilities, we can offer innovative electronic technology that is accessible to everyone, at a price that was previously two or three times higher.
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In the UK, electric bikes with throttle (that are faster than 15.5mph and 250watts) are not allowed on footpaths, cycle lanes, or roads. It is solely the customer’s duty to make sure that you adhere to all UK legal requirements when using your e-bike. The customer releases i-LAPS Ltd and its owners from any liability resulting from the usage of electric bikes and takes all responsibility and risk associated with their use.
