My Sailnovo 14 inch Folding Electric Bike Review, at El Dorado Park, Long Beach CA

1 year ago
99

My little get around car is a second hand 2014 Kia Soul. I own a big Totota Tundra CrewMax 5.7L 8V which can haul motorcycles and eBikes, but due to the price of gasoline in California, I'd just rather drive my little alien green Kia. I have a couple of bike racks but they are also a hassle. I'd been pondering an economical solution and after a few reviews, I was intrigued with a certain little budget electric bike I saw on Amazon recently.

The Sailnovo was listed on the website as the following:

Y1-14 Electric Bicycle, Sailnovo 14'' Electric Bike for Adults and Teenagers with 18.6MPH 28 Miles Folding Electric Bike with Removable 36V 10.4Ah Lithium-Ion Battery Throttle & Pedal Assist.

It cost me $379.00 plus $90.00 for Fedex shipping. With the folding handlebars/steering stem folded down and the seat post removed, I gambled that it would actually fit in the back of my Kia Soul. It barely did, only after I put either the front or the rear wheel on the plastic hump past the trunk/spare tire compartment.

I was surpirsed at the quality of the bike. It's very solid and paint and graphics are nice. It's a single speed when it comes to pedal power and but the controls are solid. LED headlight and trail with a switch on the bars. Keyed on- off switch with 2 keys. The tires are small at 14" but good handling with little mag wheels and disc brakes front and rear. No suspension on tbe front but a shock absorber on the back that is appreciated. It handles a little like a scooter with the smaller tires but it handles solidly even at the Mode 3 which clocked in at an honest 18.6 miles per hour both on the display as well as my speedometer app mounted on the handlebars. It felt a little sketchy with one hand off the handlebars since the bars aren't very wide. I only rode with one hand on the bars for a little bit but didn't trust the bumpy pavement at El Dorado Park in Long Beach.

It's a little heavy at 46.5 lbs. The horn is goofy but works. The manual lists the motor as a 450 watt, but listed on Amazon at 350 watts. Pedal assist range is listed as 40-45 miles. Pure electric mode at 25-28 miles. Folding pedals. Removeable battery. The 36 volt battery charging time is 5 to 6 hours. Maximum weight of rider 264.5 lbs which is plenty. I'm 5 ft 7 and I set the seat post to the bottom position. It will definitely fit a taller rider.

I apologize for the riding video quality of this movie. I had my DJI Osmo Action camera ready to go but I forgot it on the kitchen table as I left the house. At least I had my iPhone clamp on mount and decided to have a little fun with the footage I shot the other day. Overall, I am impressed with the very modest investment in this little eBike. It is as quick as my Kent Torpedo 20" BMX sized eBike "Twin engine" conversion but fits in my car. I really dig this little thing. It's a hoot to ride. Very happy with my purchase. ~ William Flying39

Loading comments...