There are two speed modes you can switch between by pressing the up and down arrow buttons on the handlebar display at the same time. It’s quick and easy to swap between them, and we started calling them UK and US riding modes, though Fiido doesn’t use those terms.
We’ll describe these modes in more detail below, but whichever you pick, both deliver a hefty dose of power from the large geared rear hub motor. As you’d expect, for instant power, you’ll reach for the thumb throttle, while pedal assist gives you more gradual acceleration.
In both cases, the power delivery isn’t the smoothest we’ve tried, but it’s definitely effective. Acceleration ramps up quickly once you overcome the inertia of this heavy fat bike and get rolling above about ten mph. The torque sensing responds most smoothly to a decent amount of pressure on the pedals, combined with selecting the right power level for the terrain. When you hit that sweet spot, it feels like you’re getting a good workout while also getting an efficient and proportional boost from the motor.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s a fair bit of noise from the rear hub motor. We don’t necessarily see this as a bad thing – other road and trail users will hear you coming. After all, it’s now law that electric cars – whose motors are often silent – be made audible when driven, precisely as a safety feature.
As we’ve mentioned, out of the box, there are two riding modes you can quickly switch between, roughly similar to UK and US modes, though neither mode seems to be strictly legal.
In ‘UK’ mode, there’s the fully legal pedal assist, which provides power up to around 15 mph. However, the throttle is also activated, allowing twist-and-go assistance without pedaling up to the 15 mph limit – that’s not strictly legal.
In ‘US’ mode (called ‘Rocket’ mode by Fiido and shown by a rocket icon on the display when active), the Titan can hit at least 25 mph using both pure throttle and pedal assist only – possibly more downhill or with a tailwind. The stated limit is 28 mph.
You can disable the throttle in the app, which then makes the Titan strictly legal in both UK and US jurisdictions (as a class 3 e-bike in the US), but of course, that’s taking away a useful feature of the bike.
Legalities aside, this is an super comfortable e-bike to ride, both on and off road, as you’d expect given the combo of those huge air volume tires, front suspension, and plush seat. You wouldn’t expect it to be super maneuverable or tight-turning given its sheer size and its capability for speed, but for cruising and sweeping into turns, it’s a blast.
The front steel spring suspension helps with bigger drop-offs, and the compression is adjustable. The large volume 4″ wide tires really help over smaller bumps, along with a wide, comfy saddle. The fairly upright riding position also boosts comfort and stability.
At very low speeds, careful use of the throttle also means it’ll do what fat tire bikes excel at – rolling over all kinds of off-road terrain, from sloppy mud to bumpy grass or mountain rocks.
Electronic features worked pretty well, especially the electronic unlocking which requires you to enter a security code before the battery will drop out of the bottom of the down tube.
The LED lights on the Fiido Titan are another standout safety feature – especially the front light, which is super visible even during the day. We can’t help but wonder why all e-bike lights aren’t this good. Not only is its halo design eye-catching, but the light pattern alone grabs the attention of oncoming drivers – and that’s before you factor in its high-power output.
My only real criticism is the position of the front light. It can interfere with some of the cabling, which feels awkward rather than dangerous. It also needs the angle set quite precisely as the beam – although very powerful – is relatively compact.
The rear light is also bright enough to work as a daytime running light and is smartly positioned flush with the back edge of the rear rack, protecting it from dings and bumps. There’s also a built-in brake light that activates when you squeeze the rear brake lever – another handy safety feature.
Lastly, the electronic horn packs a punch in terms of volume and is easy to reach via a push button near the left handlebar control. It’s reassuring to have when riding in traffic, even if you don’t use it all that often.
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