FFR City Rider Review
FFR City Rider Specifications
- Top speed: 29 kmh 18 mph
- Range: 16 km 10 mph
- Power: 300 W
- Battery: 270 Wh, 36 V
- Charging time: 5 h
- Avg. charging cost: US: $0.04, Canada: $0.02, UK: £0.08, EU: €0.08
- Weight: 13 kg 28.7 lbs
- Weight limit: 100 kg 220 lbs
- Tire size: 8.5 in
- Tire type: solid
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 110 * 46 * 50 cm 43.31 * 18.11 * 19.69 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 110 * 46 * 122 cm 43.31 * 18.11 * 48.03 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 104 cm (est) 40.94 in (est)
- Adjustable handlebar: yes
Tests and measurements
- Speed tests (EScooterNerds): 28 kmh 17 mph
- Speed tests (third party): 29 kmh 18 mph
- Range tests (EScooterNerds): 15 km 9 mi
- Range tests (third party): 16 km 10 mi
- Braking distance tests (EScooterNerds): 5 m
- Braking distance tests (third party): 5 m
- Climb tests (EScooterNerds): 9
- Climb tests (third party): 12
- Waterproofing tests (third party): no issues in light rain
Ratings and scores
Pros
- good quality
- trusted brand
- convenient
- good for short commuting
Cons
- mediocre value
- mediocre performance
When to buy
You should buy the Fluid CityRider if you’re looking for a lightweight and portable electric scooter for short inner-city rides. This model will also be a great choice for you if you’ve already ridden shared electric scooters or maybe you do that on a daily basis. You’ll also find the Fluid CityRider a good fit if you appreciate low-maintenance scooters that can’t suffer flats. Finally, this is a great budget scooter, as it’s usually super-affordable and provides great value for money.
When not to buy
This scooter might not be the perfect choice for any experienced rider or speed addict. If you belong to this group, you might want to look for more powerful models out there. Those who have longer daily commutes might also find the range this model provides unsuitable for their needs. Ride comfort will also not be a strong suite of this scooter.
In this comprehensive Fluid CityRider review, we will go through all of the aspects of this entry-level electric scooter. I tested this scooter to see what its advantages and downfalls are, and in what follows, I’ll present all of the conclusions I came up with. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it and see if the Fluid CityRider is a good fit for you.
Basics
The Fluid CityRider is well-designed entry-level scooter that is structurally built to last. It’s equipped with all the standard features you can find on models in this price range.
But unlike most of them, it comes with a sturdier frame, wider handlebars, and a bigger motor. Also, it’s elegant and classy and delivers good ride quality.
And, if you ask me, one unique thing regarding this model is that it’s the only electric scooter you can get for under $500 which is backed by a U.S.-based seller.
Unboxing and assembly
The Fluid CityRider comes delivered in a thick cardboard box with shipping bands and an extra over-box.
The scooter also comes pretty much assembled. You’ll just need to unfold it and attach the two handlebar grips. Once you do this, the scooter will be good to go.
Build Quality
The Fluid CityRider is well-built, with stiff tubular steel and good-looking frame, which is why you’ll never need to worry about dealing with odd rattles or creaks.
This model also comes with a steering column that feels quite stout, a high-mounted headlight, semi-solid, flat-proof tires, a regenerative front brake, and a drum rear brake, which make it a pretty functional and low-maintenance scooter.
Thanks to all these features, the scooter offers surprisingly good ride quality, and we mustn’t forget that it costs only $449.
Design
When viewed from the side, the Fluid CityRider looks modern and classy. This is mostly due to the wooden deck and the all-matte black frame.
Plus, its simple design comes with a minimum of protruding widgets, hanging wires, and flashing details, which further contributes to the scooter’s simplicity and elegance.
Known issues and problems
As is the case with other scooters in its class, the Fluid CityRider comes with a few flaws, too.
One commonly reported issue is the climbing capacity of the scooter. In my tests, I found that it can climb city hills that are around 6-8 degrees steep with ease, but it starts to struggle on anything steeper than that.
However, keep in mind that this scooter is not intended for riding on hilly terrains, so don’t expect miracles if there are serious hills on your commute. After all, this scooter only has one motor, so it can slow down when climbing inclines, especially if you’re a heavier rider and there’s not much juice left in the battery. I also found that if I zigzag while climbing steeper hills, the scooter doesn’t stop at all.
Another reported issue is the little clip holding the neck up while riding. A couple of owners have complained that the clip doesn’t engage all the way always. So, I recommend you always check if the clip is fully locked before riding so that you don’t end up having the neck fold back on you during the ride.
One more rarely reported issue is the stem being wobbly due to the folding latch getting loose over time.
Everyday use
The Fluid CityRider is intended for short-distance commuting and leisurely rides within urban environments. Thanks to its lightweight and compact design, it’s a convenient mobility solution for the daily commute to work, the last mile of a public transportation commute, or a quick trip to the grocery store.
Also, like I already said, it’s faster than most shared electric scooters and stands among the best scooters in its class in terms of performance and build quality, so it’s definitely worth investing in it.
Performance
Now, let’s see if this electric scooter is a good fit for you in terms of performance.
Motor, power, and climbing
The Fluid CityRider comes fitted with a 350W motor, which gives it enough power and torque to provide decent speed for commuting, accelerate well, and climb 8-degree city hills. As for steeper hills, we all know that e-scooters using a single motor usually have a hard time climbing them up, and so does this model.
Batteries, range, and charging
The Fluid CityRider runs on a 36V 360Wh battery. Now, how many miles/kilometers you’ll be able to scoot for on this two-wheeler depends on how fast you ride it. For example, in my range tests, I managed to get 13 miles of range by riding the scooter at around 14 mph. In my experience, this is enough range for standard city commutes or running errands around town.
Undeniably, you’ll be able to get a longer range if you ride the scooter slowly in comfort mode.
On the other hand, when there’s aggressive riding involved, some inclines, and fast acceleration, you’ll be able to scoot for up to 10 mi / 16 km.
Charging the Fluid CityRider from empty to full with the included charger takes about 5 hours.
Speed and acceleration
This scooter comes with a max speed of 18 mph / 29 kph in sport mode. In comfort mode, on the other hand, it maintains a solid speed of 10 mph/ 16 kph.
Now, speaking of speed, I must not forget to mention the cruise control option the Fluid CityRider comes with. As soon as you hit around 10 to 12 mph, the cruise control will activate. Being automatic, it’s impossible to turn off unless you hit the brake or touch the throttle.
I believe this piece of information will benefit many riders, both newbies and experienced ones, as they’ll know how to prevent the cruise control from causing any inconvenience during the ride.
As for how much the Fluid CityRider can accelerate, I’d say it isn’t very fast when you first take off. But once you begin riding it, the power gets decent and the motor actually feels stronger and stronger the quicker you go.
However, in my opinion, it kinda lacks power, and in my acceleration tests, it managed to reach 15 mph in 10.5 seconds.
The slower acceleration rate of this model is mainly due to the front-mounted motor, which doesn’t allow as fast acceleration rate as rear-mounted motors do. The good news is that it provides more control.
Weight limit
The Fluid CityRider comes with a weight limit of 265 lbs / 120 kg. Regardless, if you ask me, like most budget-friendly electric scooters, this model isn’t a good scooter for heavier and bigger riders.
The solid frame and tall handlebars are appropriate for taller riders. However, the heavier the load, the slower the CityRider will be to move.
Moreover, heavier riders may even have a harder time braking on this scooter, as they’ll most probably cause it to slide a bit further.
Features
The Fluid CityRider comes with low-maintenance features that make it stand out from the rest of the competitors in its price range. So, let’s see what I’m talking about.
Weight, dimensions, and portability
Weighing just 31 lbs / 14 kg, the Fluid CityRider is pretty easy to carry up a flight of stairs. Also, you can unscrew the two handlebars fast if you need the scooter to be narrower.
The scooter comes with the following dimensions:
Folded: 43 x 18 x 20 in/ 110 x 46 x 50 cm
Unfolded: 43 x 18 x 48 in/ 110 x 46 x 122 cm
Another feature that makes this electric scooter super-portable is the user-friendly folding design. Being foldable, it can fit into small spaces, such as under the desk in your office or under the seat on the train.
Cockpit and controls
This scooter comes with a simple cockpit that features non-folding handlebars, a centered LCD display, a thumb throttle, and a brake lever.
Handlebars and display
The Fluid CityRider comes with removable tall, narrow, and straight handlebars, which offer robustness and stability. There are also rubber, rounded, reverse-threaded hand grips on both ends of the handlebars.
The LCD display is easy to read and provides all the important information you need. It shows the riding mode and speed, whereas the buttons on the display allow you to turn on/off the scooter, switch gears, and turn the lights and signals on or off.
Also, right below the cockpit, there’s a little hook, which is used to lock the scooter when folded, but you can use it to hang your backpack or shopping bags on.
Brakes and suspension
The Fluid CityRider comes with regenerative braking on the front and a drum brake on the rear wheel. Both brakes work well, but the one on the rear is more effective in slowing down. The rear fender can serve as a rear brake, too, so you can always use it as a backup.
When I tested the braking power of this scooter, it turned out that from 15 mph, it came to a stop in 17 ft, as is the case with most scooters in this price range.
Now, the CityRider doesn’t come with suspension, but, like I said, the solid rubber tires and the air pockets inside of them offer some extra suspension. This allows for a relatively smooth and comfortable ride when you hit small bumps on the road.
Tires and deck
The Fluid CityRider comes with semi-solid flat-proof, honeycomb tires. They are 8.5 in / 22 cm in diameter and 2 in / 5 cm wide. They also have air pockets inside of them, thanks to which you can enjoy a relatively smooth ride.
Another cool feature of this model is the wooden deck, which is covered with black grip tape. It really gives the scooter a nice skateboard feel and a stylish look that will definitely turn heads in town.
Lights and night use
The Fluid CityRider is fully equipped to be ridden safely at night. It comes with a bright, high-mounted headlight, bright rear light, which flashes when you hit the brake, turn signals, and lateral reflectors.
However, keep in mind that the brake light and turn signals may be a bit hard to see in the daylight because they’re positioned low on the rear.
What I like about the Fluid CityRider is that, unlike most scooters in its price range, its turn signals are well integrated. Once you activate them, they’ll blink for a few seconds and then turn off automatically.
Waterproofing
The Fluid CityRider comes with an IP55 rating, which means riding it in light rain won’t probably cause it any damage. You just need to make sure you wipe it down once you get back home.
But since the battery should never be submerged in water, I don’t recommend using this scooter in heavy rain. Also, water damage can happen anytime and isn’t covered by warranty.
Mobile app
One of my favorite parts about the CityRider is that it comes with an app, called Mini Robot, which connects to the scooter via Bluetooth.
After you download the app, you can use it to:
- customize the display
- choose your riding mode
- increase the speed limit for comfort mode
- reduce the speed in sport mode
- enable or disable the cruise control option
- see an overview of technical and riding statistics
- access the lights
- lock the scooter, which I find a great safety feature
Check out this video for more details on how the Mini Robot mobile app works.
How does the Fluid CityRider compare against other popular e-scooters?
This model is usually compared to the NIU KQi2 and Levy Plus. So, let’s see how they differ.
Fluid CityRider vs NIU KQi2
Besides costing $50 less, the NIU KQi2 comes with a bigger battery (+12V 95Wh), longer range (+15 mi / 24 km), and better peak power than the Fluid CityRider. They don’t differ a lot in terms of top speed.
The NIU KQi2 weighs 12 lbs / 5.4 kg more and can carry less load than the CityRider. In case you prioritize better ride comfort, maybe the NIU model will be a better choice for you, as it comes with pneumatic and wider tires than the CityRider.
Fluid CityRider vs Levy Plus
In addition to being more expensive, the Levy Plus can carry less load than the CityRider.
It also has a bigger battery (+190Wh), longer range (+10 mi / 16 km), and higher peak power (+400W). Besides, it charges faster and comes with wider customizable tires than its counterpart.
Both models can reach the same top speed and weigh approximately the same, so, if you ask me, I’d still go for the CityRider. Consider the Levy Plus if you want a removable battery, which can be very useful.
Verdict
Anyone who is looking for a nice, well-designed, budget-friendly electric scooter will find this model to be ideal for them.
The CityRider offers enough range for inner-city commutes and great stopping power. Also, it is equipped with a roomy wooden deck, flat-free tires, and nice LED lighting.
I’d warmly recommend this model to any person who is new to scooting and is looking for an e-scooter with a relatively low max speed that can offer a comfortable, rattle-free ride. In fact, due to these reasons and the fact that the Bluetooth app allows for parental control, the CityRider will be an excellent choice for kids, too.
If you’re a regular commuter and/or work in an upstairs office, you’ll likely find this scooter a good fit, as it’s lightweight and portable.
Finally, if you’re constrained by budget and want the best bang for buck, the Fluid CityRider might be your perfect pick.
