Most folding electric bikes tip the scale at 60+ pounds, which makes folding and lifting them quite the chore. A newer company, called Ziprs, offers a folding ebike under 50 lbs, an easy to remove battery, a torque sensor, and good looks for like than $1500. We’re going to take a deeper look and see what the Ziprs F1 has to offer.
Quick Specs of Ziprs F1
- 350 Watt Brushless Rear Hub Motor
- 36 V 9.6 Ah (345 Wh) Lithium-ion Battery, LG Cells
- 3-Modes of Pedal Assist
- Torque Sensor
- Grip Throttle
- 20 MPH Max Speed
- Total Weight of 47.4 lbs
- Integrated Front Light (No rear light)
- 20 x 2.1″ Tires, Reflective Sidewall
- 6-Speed Transmission
- Mechanical Disc Brakes
- 265 lbs Max Rider Weight
- Magnesium Alloy Frame
- Includes Mud Guards and Horn
Pros
- Lighter Than Most Folding Ebikes
- Don’t Have to Fold The Bike to Remove Battery
- Torque Sensor for a Responsive and More Natural Pedaling Experience
- Unique and Attractive Style
Cons
- A Bit Pricey
- Not Much is Known About Durability/Customer Support
- No Rear Light
- No Suspension
Right now the F1 is going for $1349 but if you provide your email address before buying you’ll get a code for 5% off. Compared to the most popular folding electric bikes in America, the Lectric XP and Rad Power Bikes RadMini, it’s priced in between the two, but has a smaller motor and battery. However, it also has smaller tires and weighs about 20 lbs less, so you can expect about the same top speed using throttle, if you’re of average weight.
As far as range goes, that will vary greatly depending upon rider weight. If you plan to pedal most of the time in lower pedal assist levels, then a 25-30-mile range is doable. Having ridden similar bikes, it’ll perform the best on flatter terrain, and you’ll have to put some effort in of your own on bigger hills.
A big positive for the R1 is that it’s much more practical to lift into the back of a vehicle, compared to the Lectric XP, for example. It’s also great that the battery can be removed without having to fold the bike. Replacement batteries are sold for $299, so you could purchase an extra battery and easily swap it out on longer rides.
Another big plus for the bike is that it’s equipped with a torque sensor, which is usually only found on more expensive bikes. A torque sensor is much more responsive than your usual cadence sensor. They’re great when taking off from a dead stop because the motor will kick in as soon as you apply pressure on the pedals.
Two possible cons for the R1 is that it cost more than the Lectric XP or another folding ebike the Buzz Centris, but has a smaller motor and battery. The 2″ tires are great for the pavement, but not so great for off-road or bumpier terrain. The R1 is built for city commuting, while fat tire ebikes can handle gravel, and possibly sandier soils, much better.
Probably the biggest negative for me is simply the unknown. Ziprs is a new company and not much is known about customer support. Will you be able to find replacement batteries 2, 3, or 5+ years from now? I don’t know.
Other electric folding ebikes with a similar frame as the R1 are from Swagtron and Jupiter Bikes. I love my little Discovery X5 from Jupiter Bikes, though it has 16″ wheels. Jupiter Bike’s Discovery X7 has 20″ wheels, which is more comparable to the Ziprs R1.
So, if you’re looking for a lighter folding electric bike, then the R1 might be worth looking at. I’ll be keeping my eye on it. You can check it out, here.
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