Fiido T1 Pro Cargo E-Bike Review

Regardless of whether you call it a utility electric bike or cargo e-bike, one thing’s for certain— the new Fiido T1 Pro is a purebred workhorse. A compact cargo e-bike that’s burlier than most, this upgraded model lets riders haul a big payload while staying within their budget. But with the e-bike competition being so fierce these days, we put the T1 Pro to the test to see just how well it stacks up.

Original Fiido T1 Recall

It should be noted that the release of the T1 Pro comes on the heels of a bit of controversy over at Fiido last fall surrounding the original T1 model. Several users reported that their T1 frames had sheered in half, leading to a rapid recall and redesign to fix the issue. The issue should have never occurred in the first place but Fiido responded fast and with transparency. They introduced additional reinforcement and welding to solve the problem and are confident in the change, offering a much longer frame warranty this time around.

As a young brand that started out in 2017, Fiido needs to work hard to compete with the bigger industry players such as Rad Power Bikes. And at the end of the day, they aim to live up to their “Fido” namesake (albeit spelled with an extra “i”) and make bikes that are the perfect companion. The dog-inspired name derives from a Latin word that means “to trust, believe in” and looks like this new model is extremely reliable.

The All-New Fiido T1 Pro

The updated T1 Pro is largely the same as the previous generation, apart from the redesigned frame and new hydraulic disc brakes. Launching a new model with so few tweaks is probably an attempt to quickly put that faltering behind them which is understandable. The T1 Pro is built around a strong aluminum frame and the large large, removable battery.

The 20” wheels and compact frame are smaller than other cargo e-bikes on the market but the T1 punches far above its weight, boasting wide 4” tires and a huge payload capacity of 440 lbs. And a whopping battery range of up to 93 miles.

The T1’s cargo carrying abilities come from the included front and rear racks. Customers can save money by not having to buy an additional front basket and there’s a huge headlight to illuminate the way. This city-proof beast is great for moving stuff around town or hauling gear in the outdoors. The thrilling electric boost makes the T1 super fun to ride and explore the city in a new way. The step-thru frame is easy to hop on and off of and, during testing, we were big fans of its cool army green colorway.

Fiido T1 Motor

The Fiido T1 cargo bike’s 750-watt rear hub motor gives it Class 3 superpowers and a 28 mph top speed. That’s plenty of speed for hauling and the bike accelerates smoothly, even when loaded up. There’s no torque sensor for even more responsive power delivery but that’s to be expected considering the attainable $1,699 price tag. There are 4 pedal assist modes and a right-side thumb throttle for pedal-free cruising.

Fiido T1 Battery

The 960Wh battery pack outperforms many similar e-bikes so you can worry less about running out of juice. It’s an impressively large battery that isn’t the sleekest setup but I don’t mind the way it neatly slots in behind the seat post. Removing the battery is effortless thanks to the integrated handle but keep in mind that the ignition key much be in to use the bike. There’s a handy USB port that draws power from the battery so you can keep your phone topped up on long rides.

Fiido T1 Pro vs. Rad Power Bikes RadRunner

The T1 Pro was heavily inspired by its main rival, the RadRunner cargo bike from Rad Power Bikes. This Fiido e-bike model takes design cues like the shape of the frame but comes in at a much more affordable price. The T1 Pro beats out the original Rad Runner and RadRunner Plus with its better hydraulic brakes and included front basket, but the battle between the all-new RadRunner 3 Plus is much closer.

Still, the Fiido T1 Pro E-Bike has a significantly higher maximum payload and bigger battery while being $600 cheaper. Riders wanting to keep weight  to a minimum should steer clear of the T1 Pro that weighs a hefty 99 lbs., more than 15 lbs. heavier than its nearest competitor. The popular Rad Power brand has a great reputation that persuades entry-level cyclists looking for a dependable ride, even if that name recognition comes at a premium. If you want to go with the underdog, however, the T1 Pro comes with better components and plenty more tricks up its sleeve compared to the RadRunner.

Mechanical Components

The Fiido T1 Pro Electric Cargo Bike comes with 7-speed seamless shift at the back like many of its fellow ebikes. Unlike the rest of the pack, though, this cargo ebike finally opts for something other than outdated SiS shifters! This is a small touch but I really appreciate the upgrade to the S-Ride trigger shifter that controls the 7-speed Shimano Tourney rear derailleur. There’s also a short-travel front suspension fork that’s adjustable via there’d anodized dial to help with light shock absorbing. Combined with the compression seat post, another highlighted feature that smooths out bumpy roads and floats over city potholes.

The most important improvement, however, is the new Rush hydraulic disc brakes. For a bike that weighs nearly 100 lbs. and can reach 28 mph, powerful stopping power is a top priority. The wheels are made from a one-piece magnesium alloy that is super sturdy but a main contributor to the hefty stats. I don’t love the aesthetics of them either but at least you won’t ever have to worry about truing the rims! The bike’s rubber are true fat tires at 4” wide that are bigger than what’s on the RadRunner models.

Display and Accessories

The small display is located on the lift side of the handlebar and is very simple, appearing like more of just a controller. It clearly shows essential ride stats but can be difficult to see in bright sunlight. There are two additional buttons on the display but their functions aren’t easily identifiable at first. Holding down the top button turns on the bike while a short press switches on the front headlight. The lower button toggles through the power assist modes and a long press turns on cruise control.

There’s also a cute, green horn button beneath the controller of the Fiido T1 Pro Eclectic Bike. It produces a loud, high-pitched sound that’s effective but the button is very sensitive and prone to going off at the slightest of touches. Above the horn are the High and Low headlight buttons so you can easy adjust the brightness on the fly. The grips are comfortable and go easy on your hands on longer journeys. Overall, the controller has plenty of functionality but feels a bit unintuitive and clunky to use— those initial jitters will probably go away as you use the bike more, though.

Fiido T1 Pro Cargo E-Bike Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Very affordable cargo e-bike
• High payload capacity up to 440 lbs
• Long battery range up to 93 miles

Cons:

• Heavy at 99 lbs, difficult to transport
• Large and bulky for some riders
• No torque sensor, may lead to jerky starts
• Simple display hard to see in sunlight
• Questionable customer service reputation
• Unsightly large battery design
• Sensitive horn button prone to accidental activation

Overall Impression

The Fiido T1 Pro ($1,499) is an unexpected candidate for one of the best compact cargo ebikes on the market. When compared to the popular RadRunner models, it wins out on almost every front except for weight and brand customer service. For riders looking to get the most bang for their buck when hauling gear around the city, the updated T1 Pro Cargo Bike definitely pulls it weight and then some.

Related Cargo E-Bikes We Tested

1. KBO Ranger Cargo E-Bike
2. Himiway Big Dog E-Bike
3. Kingbull Voyager E-Bike