The $699 HiMo Z20 folding electric bike has just been launched worldwide

The HiMo Z20 folding electrical commuter bike has simply been launched for pre-sale, marking one other occasion of common Asian e-bikes rapidly discovering their method into worldwide markets

Beforehand, HiMo has provided a wide range of attention-grabbing electrical bicycles within the $300-$500 vary nearly solely in China.

The model’s Z16 folding e-bike was launched last year for $350 in China, and HiMo additionally launched a $450 electric moped to its home market.

Earlier this 12 months, HiMo made its first look on the world stage with the worldwide launch of its tiny Himo H1 folding e-bike for $499.

Now HiMo is again with the HiMo Z20, a folding commuter e-bike that’s more likely to enchantment to wider audiences.

HiMo Z20 e-bike gross sales start

The HiMo Z20 incorporates a rear 250 W motor and a 36V 10Ah inner battery. HiMo charges battery’s 360 Wh for as much as 50 miles (80 km) of vary in ideally suited circumstances, however the firm additionally affords a median effectivity determine of 6.5 Wh/km, that means actual world vary is probably going nearer to 34 miles (55 km).

The Himo Z20 options each pedal help and throttle, although it’s unclear if EU bikes will ship with the throttle attributable to extra restrictive e-bike legal guidelines in Europe. Most mixed throttle/pedal help e-bikes arrive in Europe with out the throttle characteristic.

Throttling round will definitely eat additional into that 34 miles of vary, compared to more efficient pedal assist.

In accordance with the corporate, the HiMo Z20 can hit a high pace of 25 km/h (16 mph) on throttle or pedal help. The bike has an Eco and Sport operation mode to let riders in the reduction of on energy or go all out.

A lot of the parts are pretty commensurate with different related 20″ folding e-bikes, akin to the twin mechanical disc brakes, entrance and rear LED lights, and 6-speed Shimano drivetrain. Nevertheless, the bike comes with one possibility we don’t see fairly often: an air pump hidden within the seat tube. Whereas I apprehensive it is likely to be pretty dinky and extra of a gimmick once I first heard about it, the pump really appears fairly first rate.

The pump would possibly add a little bit of weight, however with the Z20’s “patented aluminum body,” the e-bike nonetheless solely weighs 47.6 lb (21.6 kg).

That’s lighter than common for an electrical bike, although we’ve seen loads of related e-bikes that shave off many extra kilos, akin to the upcoming Fiido D11 at just 28.4 lb (12.9 kg).

These wishing to seize their very own HiMo Z20 can pre-order one by way of the corporate’s Indiegogo marketing campaign. The bike carries a $999 MSRP, however is offered for a pre-order discount for just $699 with an anticipated ship date of August.

Whereas I at all times give an ordinary Indiegogo caveat, HiMo is a big and revered model — not some startup. I really purchased certainly one of their e-bikes beforehand and was very happy with it. Actually, I believed it was so cool that I really backed their last Indiegogo campaign for their silly tiny folding e-bike, and I ought to be receiving my second HiMo e-bike later this summer time from that marketing campaign.

Electrek’s Take

I believe the bike appears fairly good, particularly for its $699 value, however the larger information right here is the tempo at which Chinese language e-bike firms are getting into the worldwide market.

We’ve talked earlier than about how platforms like Indiegogo are helping electric bike companies reach a wider audience, however that was largely for Western firms. Now it looks as if Japanese firms akin to HiMo and Fiido, that are already massive names within the e-bike trade, are discovering the facility of crowdfunding platforms to achieve a Western viewers.

Whereas a lot of these bikes don’t evaluate to the facility or vary of US-based worth e-bike firms like Rad Power Bikes, they’re definitely a cheaper (and lower-weight) different that may simply be excellent for riders on a finances.

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