Laura Patten Test Riding the Fiido T2 Long Tail Caro E-Bike in Grand Teton National Park | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
The new Fiido T2 long-tail cargo ebike delivers fun and convenience for the whole family. A lengthened version of its predecessor, the T2 features a few minor updates along with impressive compatibility with tons of functional accessories. The loyal family dog may be named “Fido” while this Fiido T2 workhorse may be the next multipurpose addition to your family’s fleet of bikes! Check out our in-depth review below to see if this electric cargo bike really pulls its weight.
Long-Tail Cargo Bike
The Fiido T2 embraces that recognizable “long-tail” bike design that’s common on cargo bikes, lengthening the wheelbase to achieve a more stable ride, especially when loaded with gear or an extra passenger (or two!). The longer rear end also provides ample room for passengers or large cargo bags— Fiido offers accessories like oversized panniers, seat cushions, and a child safety fence to mount on the rear rack. There’s also a sturdy front rack for even more cargo-carrying abilities to transform deliveries or grocery runs into easy errands.
The previous generation model, the T1 Pro, had a compact cargo bike design (often referred to as “utility”) with a smaller physical footprint but wasn’t as stable. I’m a big fan of the T2’s new long-tail silhouette that doubles down on the bike’s main purpose of carrying people and cargo, giving users the best shot at replacing car trips around town. The T1 Pro was a large bike anyway with its fat tires and burly build, so you might as well go all the way and enjoy the T2’s enhanced functionality. Compared to the older version, the T2 further upgrades the hydraulic brakes to a 4-piston design with oversized 230mm disc rotors.
Suspension
The T2 comes with a short-travel suspension fork with adjustable settings. I’m typically critical of the decision to include suspension forks (especially short-travel ones) on fat tire bikes because of the added heft— the oversized tires typically do an adequate job of smoothing out the ride themselves. However, additional shock absorption on cargo bikes can be a smart move to ensure a cushioned ride that doesn’t rattle cargo or rear passengers. The long-tail design prioritizes stability and control and the front suspension fork is a solid addition that’s fine by me.
Top Speed
This cargo e-bike is built for utility but still pushes out plenty of pace, clocking in a top speed of 25 mph. The powerhouse of the Fiido T2 is its 750W rear hub motor with 60Nm of torque for decent hill-climbing abilities. At first, the ebike’s speed is limited but riders can long-press the “M” button on the controller until the “rocket” icon appears to unlock the speed settings— this can also be done directly through the Fiido app or the brand’s compatible fitness watch. The T2 utilizes a cadence sensor rather than a more premium torque sensor to deliver power while pedaling.
There are five pedal assist modes and a right-side thumb throttle for pedal-free cruising. The simple display is positioned on the left side of the handlebars and isn’t anything fancy— many riders these days are drawn to the fancy full-color touchscreen units on other bikes, but I appreciate the T2’s straightforward albeit austere design here. Why spend time looking at another screen when you can enjoy the gorgeous view in front of you? One drawback, however, is that riders need to toggle or cycle through the pedal assist levels instead of directly pushing up or down buttons on the controller.
Fiido T2 Long Tail Cargo Bike Battery Capacity
The external high-capacity battery is hard to miss, slotted in directly behind the seat post. It’s a 20Ah powerpack that Fiido claims to provide nearly 70 miles of range on lower levels of pedal assist, but after testing I think the estimate is more around the 50-mile mark, yet that will largely depend on rider weight, cargo, and terrain. A cool feature I loved was the handy lever underneath the saddle that flicks the seat up so you can easily slide the battery out for off-bike charging— or swap for a fresh one if you splurge on a second battery. The T2 charges relatively slowly, taking 7 hours to fully juice up.
Fiido T2 Weight
Taking into account the T2’s lengthened wheelbase and huge battery, it makes sense that it falls on the heavier side of the ebike scale. It weighs a total of 87 lbs. so it’s definitely not your carry-up-the-stairs kind of bike, but neither are most ebikes anyway. Potential riders should know that this long ebike probably won’t fit on most car racks (even ones rated for ebikes) or fit in cars (even with the seats down)— the T2 deserves and likely requires its own spot in the garage. But considering this multifunctional cargo bike can replace local car trips, that’s a worthwhile tradeoff in my book!
Family-friendly frame
The step-through frame shape is recommended for rider heights between 5’1 and 6’5— that huge range makes the T2 a great choice for families with a few riders that will share the bike. The riser handlebars are comfortable and encourage an upright riding position, complete with an adjustable stem for even more customization to the bike fit. The T2 frame is available in a sleek forest green colorway and standard gray.
Child seat compatibility
Riders can mix and match tons of compatible cargo accessories designed to work with the Fiido T2. There are at least 12 different accessories to customize your cargo setup, including a front basket, rear panniers, child safety fence, and rear foot platforms. The T2 comes ready to install a child seat between 17cm and 20cm. The maximum weight should not exceed 25kg. If you’re looking for suggestions to trick out your T2, here are a few well-known brands to consider: bobike (a Dutch brand), Thule (a Swedish brand), and OGK (a Japanese brand).
The T2 has a monstrous 440 lbs. payload capacity that’s sufficient for a rider, tons of gear, and a passenger or two. The sturdy center kickstand is a necessary upgrade from side kickstands to ensure that the bike remains upright, even when fully loaded. The front rack is mounted directly to the frame rather than the fork or handlebars so it doesn’t turn with the bike which threw me for a loop at first but isn’t much of a problem. The large headlight is also mounted this way which some users might find limiting to night visibility while turning sharply.
Components
The new T2 model upgrades the hydraulic disc brakes featured on the previous T2 Pro ebike to stronger 4-piston versions with huge 230mm rotors. This safely brings the T2 to a sure stop even while loaded up with heavy cargo. The CST 20 x 4.0” fat tires offer plenty of grip and cushion, mounted to durable mag wheels that won’t ever go out of true. Lastly, the Shimano 7-speed gearing worked totally fine on my test rides.
Fiido T2 Long Tail Cargo Ebike: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Long-tail design: Stable for carrying cargo and passengers, offers ample space for racks and accessories.
- Large cargo capacity: 440 lbs. payload capacity for rider, gear, and passengers.
- Comfortable and family-friendly: Step-through frame, adjustable stem, upright riding position, child seat compatible.
- Powerful motor: 750W rear hub motor with 60Nm of torque for good hill-climbing ability.
- Long range: Up to 50 miles on a charge (depending on use).
- Hydraulic disc brakes: Strong and safe stopping power even with heavy loads.
- Fat tires: Offer good grip and cushion.
- Puncture resistant wheels: Mag wheels won’t go out of true.
- Affordable: Compared to other cargo ebikes.
- Lots of accessories available: To customize the bike for your needs.
Cons
- Heavy: 87 lbs, difficult to carry and won’t fit on most car racks.
- Slower charging: Takes 7 hours for a full charge.
- Simpler display: No fancy color touchscreen like some ebikes.
- Limited visibility at night: Headlight doesn’t turn with handlebars.
- Not ideal for off-road riding: Short travel suspension may not be enough for rough terrain.
- Cadence sensor: Less sophisticated than a torque sensor for delivering power.
Overall Impression
Completing errands by bike has never been so enjoyable! While the Fiido T2 is plenty capable of daily trips to the store, its true utility reaches even farther— kids will love riding on the rear platform and users can transport tons of cargo easier than ever. Currently priced at $1,499, the Fiido T2 is an unbeatable deal that leaves enough room in the budget to splurge on additional accessories to transform this long-tail cargo bike into the chariot of your dreams.
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