Fiido C21 only 999 euros: The best China e-bike in terms of price drop

Fido was the first Chinese manufacturer whose e-bike we tested in mid-2020. Fiido M1 (test report) We were convinced at the time because of its martial looks, big battery, good suspension and, above all, its attractive price-performance ratio. In the meantime, many more have arrived Fido E-Bike (topic page) Apart from that. But other manufacturers from China also prove that they have good e-bikes for the European market. Click here E-bike overview page,

The Fiido C21 immediately shows that this is a special e-bike. Currently it costs $ 100 directly from Fiido 999 euros. At the time of testing in June 2023, the manufacturer still wanted 1,600 euros for the e-bike. As the almost identical C22, it also comes in a low entry version with lower frame bars for easier getting on and off. We took a closer look at the Fiido C21 in the test.

As usual, the Fiido C21 comes partially assembled in a large box. Worth noting: Unlike many other Chinese e-bike manufacturers, Fiido largely avoids plastic, polystyrene and foil in its packaging. Accessories are clearly sorted in a closed box. It took us about 45 minutes to assemble the front wheel, handlebars, display, front light and pedals. The scope of delivery also includes mudguards and a rear light. Buyers can also optionally have an additional luggage rack Fido’s Shop order.

The look of the Fiido C21 really appeals to us. The matte grey e-bike is slim and minimal. The frame is narrow and the geometry is sporty. There’s not much to see in the rear motor or battery. The logo is discreetly placed and the display is cleverly integrated. Almost the only colour comes from the large 29-inch tyres, which have a light grey stripe on the side. The design looks well thought out and seems to have been made from a single piece – apart from the silver bell, which sits a little clumsily on the handlebar.

Fido calls the C21 an e-gravel bike. The low handlebar, relatively light weight of less than 18 kg and the lack of a suspension fork speak of a gravel bike. For us, the C21 is more of an e-city bike. To qualify as an e-gravel bike, it lacks attachment options for accessories on the frame and the curved handlebar typical of gravel bikes.

The display is located in the middle of the handlebar next to the bell, gears and brake. It is colorful and easy to read even in direct sunlight – unless you wear polarized sunglasses. It shows the current speed, selected support level and battery capacity in five bars in large letters.

There are four buttons below the display. With these, the driver can, among other things, switch to a different display mode if desired, showing the kilometres driven, maximum speed, average speed and time driven. Fido has also given the C21 an additional control unit on the left side of the handlebar so that the driver can control the assistance level without having to take his hands off the handlebar.

The front light is located in the center in front of the handlebar. It is bright enough and variable in height. Fido includes a rear light with the C21 for mounting on the frame. It is not connected to the power circuit, so it also needs to be turned on and off. It is charged via USB-C.

The Fiido C21 is available in three frame sizes. We are 186 cm tall and ride on the largest frame. It feels like it should fit even 2 meter people. The tread of the tires is deep. The most striking feature of the Fiido C21 is its excellent handling. Unlike most other Chinese e-bikes with rear engines, the Fiido C21 uses a torque sensor. This is immediately noticeable. While others require the pedal to be turned at least half a turn until the engine is running at full power, just a light pedal stroke on the C21 activates it. When we stop pedaling it stops just as quickly. That’s the way it should be! In fact, the rear engine of the C21 feels as natural as any other engine Mid-engine (guide),

What contributes to the fantastic driving experience is that the support level not only limits the maximum supported top speed, as is the case with cheaper e-bikes. The C21 always travels at up to 25 kilometres per hour; the assistance level only regulates the engine power.

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However, the C21 had the same problem as the VanMoof e-bike of the time. By simply pressing a button, the driver increases the maximum speed to 32 kilometers per hour. This is not allowed in Germany.

Another important thing why the Fiido C21 rides so well is its low weight of less than 18 kg. So here it is not a problem to increase the speed of 25 kmph supported by the engine to 30 kmph or more using pure muscle power. The same will be the case with the e-fat bike Himiway Cruiser Step-Thru (Test Report) Just barely impossible. What’s also good: The engine only hums softly and can hardly be heard by others.

The Fiido C21 has a 9-speed gearbox from L-Twoo. In our case it needed some tuning. Your lowest gear goes low enough for a comfortable start or climbing moderate hills. The highest gear allows for comfortable pedaling at 25 km/h. It is also possible to reach speeds of 35 km/h using muscle power. We strongly recommend wearing Helms (Guide),

Instead of the mechanical disc brakes typically found on most Chinese e-bikes, Fido has installed hydraulic disc brakes from Tektro on the C21, which work boldly when braking.

Perhaps the biggest weak point of the C21 is its battery. Although it is barely visible and perfectly integrated into the frame, it cannot be removed for charging. Plus, at only 209 watt hours, it’s not exactly large. Fido still talks of a maximum range of 80 kilometers. We don’t know under what precise conditions this value was determined. In our test, the actual range is significantly lower with a medium support level, a driver weighing 75 kilograms and a lot of stopping and going. We are close to 25 kilometers. However, the actual range can vary considerably depending on the driver’s behavior.

The Fiido C21 is currently only available… Fido’s Shop Available. Costs regardless of frame size 999 euros. The low entry version C22 also costs 999 euros. This is very similar to the C22. At the time of testing, Fido still wanted 1,600 euros. Here we show the cheapest e-grav bikes and e-racing bikes from other manufacturers in price comparison.

The Fiido C21 is the best Chinese e-bike in our tests. With a price of 999 euros, it offers excellent value for money. Its natural motor support due to the torque sensor, driving behavior, lightweight construction and attractive appearance are particularly impressive. Environmentally friendly packaging and good features including hydraulic disc brakes and an easy-to-read display also make the Fiido C21 a good choice.

However, there are disadvantages. The 209 watt-hour built-in battery is small and non-removable, which limits the bike’s range and flexibility. Despite the manufacturer’s declared maximum range of 80 kilometers, we only achieved around 25 kilometers in our testing under realistic conditions.

Nevertheless, the Fiido C21 is a remarkable e-bike and the best choice among the Chinese models we tested. At a price of 999 euros, buyers get a relatively high-quality, well-equipped and comfortable e-bike.