Ado A20F+ Review: What To Expect from an E-Bike with Fat Tires?

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The Ado A20F+ makes a real impression with its fat bike tires. The test report shows whether the purchase of the e-folding bike, which costs around $1000, is worthwhile.

When Ado was launched in 2021, the young and ambitious company looked set to become the new Fiido. Back then, Fiido was the measure of all things when it comes to cheap e-folding bikes from China. This is shown by their ingenious Laotie x Fiido D4S Pro.

$540.00
Alibaba.com
$1,155.42
$1,399.99
Geekbuying.com
$1,399.99
$1,999.99
Banggood.in

But disillusionment soon followed. Neither the Ado A16 nor the Ado A20 could convince us completely. Difficult basic requirements for the Ado A20F+ discussed here, which basically corresponds to a drilled-out Ado A20.

After the Ado A26 also disappointed us, at least the Ado D30C was able to reconcile us somewhat with the brand. The Ado D30C is a really good e-mountain bike with lots of great components at a fair price. The test of the Ado A20F+ shows whether the upward trend will also continue with the foldable e-fatbike. One thing right away: Ado didn’t manage to adapt the A20F+ to the legal requirements. In Germany, for example, it is only permitted on roads without road traffic regulations and on private property.

BrandADO
ModelA20F+
Forks MaterialsAluminum Alloy
BrakesFront and Rear Mechanical Disc Brakes
TransmissionSHIMAN0 7 speed
DisplayLCD instrument
Operating Temperature-10~40°C
Storage Temperature-20~50°C
Net Weight29kg
Gross weight37.3kg
Payload≤120kg
Dimensions L×W×HPackage Size: 101 x 49 x 71 cm
Unfolding Size: 174 x 53 x 120 cm
ColorBlack, White
ControllerNew Controller
Control SystemFrist: Assist Mode
Second: Hybri Drive Mode
Tire TypeRubber Pneumatic Tire
Tire size20 inch
Motor TypeHall Brushless DC Motor
Motor rated Power500W
Recommended Speed25 km/h
Battery36V 10.4Ah
Charger Output Voltage42V DC
Charger Output Current2A
MileageElectric Distance:<50km
Assist Distance:<70km

 Ado A20F+: Unboxing

The Ado A20F+ comes well packaged in a large box. Unpacking and assembly is done without any major problems. The buyer only has to screw on the pedals and attach the handlebars. The instructions are helpful, even if basic cycling knowledge is an advantage. The necessary tools are included. However, their quality is rather inferior. Ado also includes a smartphone holder for the handlebars and a very simple air pump with the A20F+. The Ado A20F+ does not have a mudguard.

Ado offers the A20F+ in black and white colors. We have the black version. We really like the look of it. The entire e-bike is finished in matte black. This also includes seat post, rims, headlight, gear crank and so on. Almost the only bright elements are the metal of the suspension fork and the large safety lever as well as the eye-catching A20F lettering on the frame. We don’t like the cable management as much. Ado bundles all the cables on the handlebars and runs them down in a big arc until they disappear under the frame.

 Ado A20F+: Design and Ergonomics 

Like the A20, the A20F+ is also suitable for tall drivers. This is not a matter of course for e-bikes from China. The handlebar can be adjusted in height and can be raised from 115 to 130 centimeters if desired. The seat post is also exceptionally long. Here the driver can choose between a saddle height of 83 to 112 centimeters. That should be enough for the very tallest among us.

When unfolded, the A20F+ measures a maximum of 174 x 53 x 130 centimeters. A handle helps carry it a few feet. It’s not a lot of fun, after all, the A20F+ tips the scales at a proud 29 kilograms.

If you want to stow it away to save space or use it for free public transport, you can fold it up. To do this, you first put on the pedals, fold the frame and release the safety lever on the handlebars. You can save more centimeters by retracting the handlebars and removing the seat post. Folding takes maybe a minute and reduces the dimensions to 101 x 49 x 71 centimeters.

 Ado A20F+: Features

The handlebar is relatively narrow and looks pretty overloaded. The handles are ergonomically shaped, but Ado uses a plastic that diligently emits softeners. Even after a short tour, your fingers stink of plastic. On the left sits a unit with two buttons for the lights and horn. The horn is very loud, drivers should also hear it. In Europe it is not allowed. Too bad Ado didn’t bet on a simple bell.

Next to it is the on-board computer, which we have already seen on many e-bikes from China. It is backlit and clearly shows the speed and remaining capacity of the battery. In addition, buyers can display the total mileage, the kilometers currently covered, the voltage or the trip time. The plus and minus buttons select the support level. A long, simultaneous button press on plus and minus leads to the settings menu. In addition to the on-board computer, there is also space for a USB-A port for charging smartphones, for example. On the right side of the handlebars, next to the handle, is the simple 7-speed gear shift.

The front light is very bright and depends on the circuit. Ado also includes a battery-operated rear light with the e-folding bike. However, we do not manage to clamp it firmly in the holder provided for this purpose. Who races over hill and dale runs the risk of losing them.

Ado A20F+: Drive

Admittedly, we are a bit spoiled when it comes to e-folding bikes with fat tires. Because only recently we tested the Laotie FT100, which also masters difficult terrain with flying colors. This is primarily due to the excellent suspension of the Laotie FT100. On the one hand, this is not available on the Ado A20F+ and, on the other hand, it is bad. The A20F+ offers no suspension for the rear wheel and the suspension fork at the front is set much too hard. However, you can adjust their hardness with a large Allen key.

Luckily, the A20F+ has 4″ wide fat bike tires on the 20″ wheels. These ensure that you can at least ride on country lanes at high speed with the e-bike. However, we recommend not turning on trails.

The electronics on the Ado F20F+ do not convince us. On the one hand, the sensor reacts to our pedaling slower than on many other current e-bikes from China. On the other hand, the 500 watt motor (nominal output) does not push at full power, but starts out slowly at first, before developing its full power after about three seconds. That doesn’t bother us with the Ado D30C. However, this makes the A20F+ feel less direct.

As is so often the case, the mechanical disc brakes are not perfectly adjusted by default. After we screwed on them via the supplied Allen key, they were fine. The gear shift works well in the test. However, seven gears are not enough to be able to shift down far enough on steep mountains, for example.

In the delivery state, the throttle grip does not initially work. If you want to activate it, you have to switch from Pedal Assist Mode to Hybrid Drive Mode. To do this, you first have to apply the brakes when the e-bike is switched off, turn the throttle grip and switch on the A20F+ at the same time. After ten seconds you can release the brake. If you now switch to the third support level, you can also use the gas grip. Switching back works equivalently, just without tightening the throttle grip.

Ado A20F+: Battery

The battery is in the frame and has a capacity of 374.4 watt hours. It can be removed using a key so that it can also be loaded outside the frame. Ado claims to be able to travel up to 70 kilometers with one battery charge. However, this was measured under ideal conditions. This includes a light rider, a straight tarmac route, warm weather and no breaks at a moderate speed.

We are also unable to provide any precise information on the range. There are just too many factors involved for that. However, we assume that a driver weighing around 85 kilograms can travel 35 kilometers on an average journey before the battery has to be connected to the mains again.

Conclusion

The Ado A20F+ makes a really good visual impression and is also attractively priced. When driving, however, you quickly notice that Ado has been saved in some places. The handles stink, the suspension fork is too hard, the rear light doesn’t hold up and there is no mudguard. The electronics aren’t perfect either. The motor recognizes the pedal movement late and does not immediately pull in with full force. This takes away some of the driving pleasure of the Ado A20F+. In addition, it is not approved for European road traffic.

Still, the Ado A20F+ isn’t bad. His biggest problem: there are folding e-bikes with thick tires that are significantly better. The Laotie FT100 deserves a special mention here. This bike is also not allowed on European roads. However, if you prefer to be on forest trails anyway, you will find your ideal, foldable companion in the Laotie FT100.

Ado A20F+: Price

The Ado A20F costs around $1399 from Ado Banggood and Alibaba for only $540. Here we show the Fiido M1 Pro in a price comparison. Although the e-folding bike is a bit more expensive, it is superior to the Ado A20F+ in many respects.

$540.00
Alibaba.com
$1,155.42
$1,399.99
Geekbuying.com
$1,399.99
$1,999.99
Banggood.in

Ado A20F+: Video Review

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