Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by Igor Karni
Known more as a ubiquitous presence in the smartphone industry, Xiaomi is relatively young, having been established in 2010 in Beijing, China. It was founded mainly as a way to offer better smartphones to consumers that other manufacturers back then failed to do, at least, according to its founder, Lei Jun.
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Since its inception, it didn’t take long for the company to expand its portfolio and start manufacturing other gadgets, appliances, and even lifestyle-related products. Continuing this trajectory toward being a full-fledge multi-product and multi-brand company, it began its foray into the e-bike industry in 2015. The brand’s logo is “MI”, which stands for Mobile Internet.
Xiaomi e-Bikes Review: Model Lines
| Xiaomi E-bike Model Line | Xiaomi E-bike Type |
| Yunbike | Folding, Commuter |
| QiCycle | City, Cruiser |
| HIMO | Folding, Commuter |
| Mijia | Folding |
The company sells a number of e-bike models represented by different brands. Most are startups that the company chose to invest in (like, for example, Surface 604’s YunBike C1). At present, there are eMTB, commuter, road, and folding e-bike options to choose from. There’s a focus on variety instead of quantity, except, perhaps, for its folding choices.
Xiaomi’s e-bikes are mostly budget-friendly but are no less stringent when it comes to providing value for money. We can say as much for most of the e-bikes that have been recently released. The components and design are generally great, considering the prices its models come in.
Read also: Is HIMO a good e-bike brand to buy? Brand and models review.
Take note that, while the brand offers children’s bikes, they’re not actually electrically driven.
Xiaomi Commuter Model Lines
When it comes to the pure commuter e-bikes Xiaomi offers, we need to look at brands like the YunBike C1. It has variations for both men and women, and they’re mostly intended for urban rides with most riders opting to use them as commuters, hence, we’ve decided to label them as such.
The designs are noticeably minimalistic and with thin high-step and mid-step frames, which you’ll normally see in a standard bike. These models lean more toward being human-powered than battery-powered as far as how you’re supposed to ride them goes.
The gearless, quiet motor is 250W, with the weight topping only at a little below 35 pounds (16 kg). Even so, you can expect adequate assistance in most mild to moderate inclines. It can reach a top speed of a little over 15 miles (25 km) per hour.
Read also: How to select the best commuter e-bike (with examples)? – also in this article. And, how much does a commuter e-bike cost?
Notably, any YunBike C1 has the longest-lasting charge compared to other Xiaomi brands, and you can expect at most up to 25 miles (40 km) for every full charge. It’s also a single-speed e-bike, so it’s fairly beginner-friendly since you don’t have to manage a derailleur and shifters.
The models come with LED lights and chain guards made of plastic. You can add fenders, which is well worth it The kickstand is well-positioned at the back of the e-bikes and feels sturdy overall.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Xiaomi Commuter model line here (via Geekbuying.com).
Xiaomi eMTB Model Lines
There’s only one eMTB available in Xiaomi’s catalog, and it’s the QiCycle XC650. Costing less than $650, it’s one of the cheapest electric mountain bikes available on the market today. All we can say is that it’s built with practicality as the main priority and is mainly suitable for those who are looking for a reliable, all-around eMTB that can help you conquer inclines easier and provide the same assistance for long rides.
It’s got a 250W motor, with a top speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It comes with its own app where you can view all the parameters you need such as present battery life, calories burned, distance ridden, etc.
The Shimano disc brakes are adequately powerful for the purposes it is designed for. The road fine-grain tires make light to moderate offroading.
Read also: How to select your first electric mountain bike? And, How much does a good eMTB e-bike cost?
You can actually also fold its pedals, wheels, and handlebars for easier parking or storage, but it can’t be considered a full-fledged folding e-bike. It can offer as much range as most Xiaomi e-bikes – at most 25 to 30 miles (40-50 km). Since it’s an eMTB, you can do some offroading with it, but don’t expect it to be on par with mid-range to high-end eMTBs out there.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Xiaomi eMTB model line here (via Geekbuying.com).
Xiaomi Road Model Lines
The sole road option in the Xiaomi catalog is the QiCycle R1, which also happens to be one of its higher-end offerings. Whether it can be categorized as an e-bike (since it’s technically a road bike with electronic shifting) remains a matter of debate. But since it’s included in Xiaomi’s e-bike catalog, we’ve opted to include it here.
We think it’s well worth the extra price tag, though, considering the high-quality components the model integrates. The Shimano Ultegra Di2, for instance, has been lauded for a quicker overall shifting system and better durability against chain wear.
It’s accompanied by an SM-BTR2 battery that’s thin enough to be hidden in the seat post, allowing the R1 to pretty much mimic the traditional road bike look. It also uses a traditional mechanical brake system, which should make it closer to conventional bikes, too, but with the benefit.
Read also: How to select the best road e-bike (with examples)? – and also in this article. And, How much does a good road e-bike cost?
Other notable features include the carbon fiber frame, which places less stress on you when pedaling, especially on steep hills. The integrated Shimano Ultegra shifters, along with the brakes, are designed solely for road bikes and have been praised for being able to compete with the best.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Xiaomi Road model line here (via Geekbuying.com).
Xiaomi Folding Model Lines
Xiaomi’s catalog is chock-full of folding e-bikes, which really isn’t a surprise since a lot of other tech-related companies are drawn to them. The HIMO brand offers scooters and folding e-bikes, while Yunbike also has its own line of models that fall under this category.
The HIMO V1S has an unconventional but no less attractive design, is available in three different colors. Don’t be fooled by the HIMO’s size. Besides being a highly economical choice, it readily stands out with its noticeably compact design – even more compact than some folding options out there.
You also get a little over 30 miles (50 km), max, in a single charge from the 6Ah/36V battery. The brushless 250W motor is integrated into the rear wheel’s hub, allowing it to offer more torque and decreased resistance. The exact weight is just 16 kg (35 pounds), so it’s not a pain to carry when folded.
Most of the accessories are just as diminutive as the bike’s overall size, and you can readily see this in the rear rack and fenders, but we do appreciate that they are included. The rear fenders, in particular, are sufficiently wide for better mud protection. We like that the front lights are extra bright so you won’t have to worry about night rides being hard to do.
HIMO also has a Transformer-themed line, but its models ride more like a scooter, so we opted to not feature them here. The Yunbike UMA mini Pro folding model, on the other hand, looks more like standard folding e-bikes in design.
Read also: How to select the best folding e-bike (with examples)? And, How much does a good foldable e-bike cost?
It has different power modes and a free mode and is a three-speed. It’s lighter than HIMO models, weighing only a little below 14 kg (30 pounds). Very ideal for the commuter who needs to haul it into a train or bus for the regular commute.
We like that the models included a way to automatically save battery life when you’re traversing slopes. The 3200 mAh battery manages 30 hours, which is a little low, but if your commutes are relatively short in the first place, then that’s more than adequate. It’s quick to charge anyway, taking only 2 and a half hours to be fully charged. You get fenders and kickstand (positioned way back at the rear) as well, but no headlights.
We invite you to take a closer look at the Xiaomi Folding model line here (via Geekbuying.com). Check out our full review of the Xiaomi Mi Smart Electric Folding Bike here.
Does Xiaomi Offer Manufacturer’s Warranty for Its E-Bikes?
The brand doesn’t explicitly make this clear on its official website. However, if you buy from retailers, the models may come with a supplier warranty that lasts for 6 months, for example.
Does the Brand Offer a Trial Period for E-Bikes?
No.
What Do Most RidersThink of Xiaomi E-Bikes?
There’s definitely a greater focus on practicality in most of Xiaomi’s offerings, and they complement this with their highly competitive prices. It’s no wonder that plenty of middle-class riders see the appeal of that combination. And it’s not like these models don’t skimp on most of their components as well.
Read also: Check out world’s best travel destinations by electric bike.
On the whole, it’s a company that’s sending waves in the e-bike industry because of how it’s (finally?) managing to bring down the price tags of these nifty vehicles. That it has a global reach only makes it a clear competitor to keep a steady eye on in the future.
What Countries Does Xiaomi Ship To?
In the US, Xiaomi ships to all states except for Hawaii and Alaska. Most of their models are available on various e-commerce sites like Ali Express, Shopee, Caroussell, among others, so you can expect them to have wide coverage globally.
Read also: Check out the most popular e-bike brands.
Do not miss this quick video intro of the Xiaomi QiCycle e-bike:
Igor is a sustainable mobility and green energy advocate. His mission for Easy E-biking is to help make electric cycling simple, practical, and fun. Follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
