Long distance cycling might be challenging, but Xiaomi’s QiCycle has an electric motor built in to help you get about.
As long as the rider is over 14, electric bikes like the QiCycle are totally legal to use on UK roads and bike lanes. With a 250W engine and a top speed of 20 km/h, the Xiaomi is considered a standard bicycle under UK law, so a driver’s license, road tax, or bike registration are not required. Of course, we do advise taking safety precautions like using a helmet.
If Xiaomi’s low-cost, high-quality smartphones aren’t enough to propel it to global dominance in the very near future, the company now has a folding electric bike, a superthin laptop, and a drone in its arsenal.
The QiCycle isn’t the lightest bike, weighing 14.5 kg (32 pounds). Although it isn’t excessively heavy in comparison to other foldable bicycles, some sacrifices had to be made to achieve this small weight.
Chinese sellers operate under different regulations than those governing us in the EU, which can make it more difficult to obtain a refund if something goes wrong. Naturally, delivery times can also be extended. Before making the purchase, educate yourself about Chinese technology.
| Brand Name: | Xiaomi Mijia Qicycle |
| Gears: | 27 Speed |
| Range per Power: | 31 - 60 km |
| Frame Material: | Aluminum Alloy |
| Wheel Size: | 16" |
| Max Speed: | <30km/h |
| Voltage: | 36V |
| Motor position: | Central Motor |
| Battery Capacity: | 9.5 AH |
| Max Load Weight: | 100 - 130 KG |
| Weight: | 14.50 KG |
Video Review of Xiaomi QiCycle
Xiaomi QiCycle: Design and Build Quality
For starters, the wheels are 16 inches in diameter, similar to Bromptons, so you’ll have to pedal harder than you would on a 20 or 24-inch bicycle. Naturally, it’s not a big deal because the QiCycle has an electric motor that kicks in for an extra boost to make flat roads incredibly speedy and uphill climbs a breeze.
The QiCycle features a high-end appearance and excellent build quality. While we wouldn’t go so far as to call it attractive, it is undoubtedly more attractive than most other electric folding bikes.
Despite having a 5800mAh battery inside, the QiCycle’s chassis is made of an aluminum alloy, making it quite lightweight. It is slightly heavier than the F-wheel DYU D1 at 14.5kg, but it folds up more easily for portability.
Xiaomi created the QiCycle such that the handlebars, seat, wheels, and pedals can all be folded in place, as opposed to keeping everything as small as possible, which doesn’t make for a very comfortable ride. Both the handlebars and the saddle have complete adjustment.
Because of this, the QiCycle has a more adult-oriented vibe to it and is easier to picture oneself using it for longer trips than the DYU.
Of course, the fact that its battery lasts longer also helps in this area. The Xiaomi can travel farther thanks to a bigger battery and pedal force. Although Xiaomi claims it can travel up to 45km, the exact mileage will certainly depend on how much you rely on the motor for assistance.
The motor cannot be started with a switch (though one of the four power modes does allow you to turn it off). When you begin to ride, it automatically engages, employing a torque sensor to detect your own input and output the proper amount of electrical power to support cycling.
In our tests, the system felt smooth and performed quite well. You simply peddle and ride, and it takes care of the controls to support you. In comparison to using a regular pushbike, we discovered that riding up hills was substantially simpler, and overall, trips went lot faster. The one thing that really bothered us about it was the speed restriction when you really want to cycle quickly.
The QiCycle incorporates front and rear brakes, a three-speed gear hub, and other features not seen on the DYU D1. The lack of a kickstand (we really don’t want to toss a £600 bike on the ground) and any mud protection are two obvious design flaws, though.
Okay, so you probably won’t be riding the QiCycle across muddy terrain, but you might give it a try nonetheless thanks to its larger 16-inch wheels and water-resistant construction. However, when the roads are wet, it does cause the wheels to slip and slide a little, so drive carefully.
Xiaomi QiCycle: Motor and Driving
I found myself testing it out in the sweltering Beijing July sun and whizzing along. You can select full-powered assist, eco mode, or completely off using the power assist controls, which are quite straightforward. Even in third gear, climbing hills was simple, and I was able to effortlessly reach 28 kph (17.4 mph) on flat ground. You may track your mileage traveled by pairing the bike with your phone via Bluetooth.
According to Xiaomi, the electric motor is capable of a top speed of 20 kph (12.4 mph) when you aren’t pedaling and are simply coasting. Regenerative braking is absent, and it takes at least 3 hours to fully recharge from a flat battery.
Given that this electric bike is produced by the Chinese company Xiaomi, it’s important to remind our primarily English-speaking audience that setup and use can be a little challenging due to the language barrier. More crucially, the trip computer is also entirely in Chinese. The directions are all in Chinese.
Download the QiCycle app from the App Store or Google Play, then connect it to the bike via Bluetooth by scanning its QR code to set up the QiCycle. This can be found in the trip computer settings or on the underside of the trip computer.
When you start pedaling, the screen instantly changes to an English-language real-time counter showing your speed and mileage. (In the app, you can choose between metric and imperial units.)
Four menu options will be visible while this screen is visible, and you can choose one using the two buttons next to the 1.8-inch display. From top to bottom, these are the power modes: Enhanced (highest aid), Balanced (average assistance), Eco (minimum assistance), and Off (no assistance).
By pressing and holding the up button, you may turn on and off the lights, which is really the only other task you should perform with the trip computer. To make cycling at night safer, a rear reflector is linked with a few on the wheels.
The app is helpful for keeping track of your daily mileage, total number of calories expended, and percentage of battery life remaining. The QiCycle will also keep track of previous data so you can monitor your development over time.
Xiaomi QiCycle: Range and Battery
The bike’s 36V battery is hidden inside the frame and secured there with the use of a seat post hole. I’m not a big admirer of this design because the QiCycle requires you to open two locks in order to alter the seat post’s height.
In addition, the QiCycle doesn’t fold as efficiently as Terns or Bromptons. To fold a bike in half, you must first lift the seat post, move the rear wheel slightly, then lower the seat post once more to support the bike before folding the fork downward.
Last but not least, the front handle bar is a little too low and would work better on a faster bike. Since riding an electric bike is intended to be more relaxing, I prefer to sit comfortably upright rather than needing to bend forward as I would on a more sporty road bike.
Xiaomi QiCycle: Conclusions
The Xiaomi QiCycle is an expensive but exceptionally well-made pedal bike with electronic assistance. Long-distance and uphill cycling is made easier, and it’s simple to track your speed, mileage, and other information over time. Although we would like to see a kickstand and some mud guards added, the Chinese trip computer is really the only thing we have to complain about (clearly not a problem if you speak Chinese).
Nevertheless, $450 feels absurdly cheap for a bike that is extremely well made. You’ll probably need to be willing to import it because the QiCycle bike will probably only be sold in China until Xiaomi decides to start selling more of its products in other nations.
