Flit-16 Commuter Edition electric bike review

The battery life was also pretty good, Flit has used a proprietary lithium-ion 230Wh battery that fits inside the top tube. It’s easily removed for charging and for turning the battery on or putting it into hibernation mode. I got nearly 25 miles out of one charge using mostly the highest assist level and riding up plenty of hills, so Flit’s estimation of roughly 50km (31 miles) is spot on for less arduous trips. 

The Flit-16 is a single-speed bike and I think they've got the gear ratio spot on. It's great for riding around town without spinning out and the gear isn't so big you're churning it to get going. They've also used v-brakes, which is a good way to cut costs and weight – but a decision I far prefer to brands using mechanical disc brakes as a way to say 'hey look, we have disc brakes on this bike'. I'm not saying I'd ride down something like Rosedale Chimney in the heart of winter on it, but don’t dismiss a pair of well-maintained rim brakes.

The ride quality is superb for a bike of this size. It has some rear suspension and it works just enough to take out the harshness of British roads. The handlebars are quite narrow, but instead of them feeling a bit disconcerting, I felt more stable than on other wider bars on some folding bikes. 

In terms of foldability, the Flit-16 uses a similar sort of hinge placement to the Brompton bikes, so instead of latches you have to pull up to fold the frame, they have hinges and a brilliant little lever you push to fold the rear wheel under. The wheels are then secured using a small hook which doesn’t come undone as you’re carrying it, and it’s easy enough to wheel about with the seatpost stuck up. 

The brand reckons it takes under 10 seconds to fold completely and I think after a good few attempts you can get it to that, although the 7.4-second record they advertise on their site might have been set by a wizard. 

It's compact enough to fit inside a Peugeot 205 boot without putting the seats down, so it is likely to fit under most desks and onto trains and buses. It weighs 15kg, so it's definitely towards the lighter end of the spectrum of folding electric bicycles.

I liked the folding mudguards – surprisingly I didn't get to test them out in the rain for splash prevention, but they operate like a snap-on wrist bracelet so they're easy to keep out of the way when you don't want to use them. Additionally, the integrated lights are a great touch, and the kickstand was very helpful. I did find myself wishing there was a bell on the handlebars, but that's something you can add in for cheap. 

Finally, the sizing. It's a one size fits all frame, and for once, I think it might be. The seatpost, usually the culprit of bikes that don't fit people over 5ft 3in is long enough for me to comfortably ride (I'm 5ft 5in), and if you're over 6ft 0in, there's the option of an extendable seatpost for you. 

Where can I buy it?

From Flit directly on their website. 

How does it arrive?

In a neat box, folded up with only the seatpost to be attached. 

Verdict

The Flit-16 Commuter Edition is a brilliant electric folding bike that can offer riders a lot more than breezy commuter miles. Its intuitive motor makes it a dream to ride and the foldability means you should have no problems transporting it about if you’re not riding it.

Flit-16 Commuter Edition specifications

Cost: £2499

Frame size tested: One size

Weight of bike: 15kg