Fiido X folding e-bike recalled after reports of frames breaking in half

The Hong Kong-based company was alerted to the issues with the mechanisms on 3 April 2022 and began the process of testing the model.

On 12 April, Fiido alerted consumers and asked them to not use the bikes, saying that the models would be recalled with replacement bikes offered instead.

The recall was initially reported by Electrek and does not require the whole bike to be returned, only a removable dropout plate from the back of the bike, and the seatpost battery locking mechanism. The replacement bikes include any of the firm’s other e-bikes, or the upgraded version of the X model when it is released later this year.

The X e-bike was said to be a more upmarket version of the company’s previous D11 model according to eBikeTips, and boasted features such as a cable-free seatpost battery and a magnesium frame. However, the newly employed low-profile folding mechanism has failed completely in some cases, causing the e-bike to break in half.

Fiido CTO Keven Wang has claimed that the e-bikes’ folding mechanism passed strength tests, but potentially could have weakened during shipping.

Fiido has stated that it is redesigning the e-bike folding mechanism to create an improved 2.0 version of the bike. On 14 April 2022, it announced that the new version of the frame (Fiido X V2) is currently being tested and may be available from the end of June.

The company says the updated frame will come with a three-year warranty as well as an upgraded display, better handlebar grips, improved magnetic parts that hold the bike together when folded, and a full Shimano transmission.

Leigh Day consumer law specialist Jill Paterson said:

“While it is encouraging that Fiido reacted swiftly to reports of faulty mechanisms, consumers should expect their bikes to be safe in the first instance, and many people rely on them as their main mode of transportation.”