Sur-Ron Killer? Our NIU XQi3 Dirtbike Review Is Here
Plus, Schwinn electrifies the classic 1978 Hurricane.
Welcome to Ride Review, your weekly roundup of new tech and vehicle launches in the world of micromobility.
What You Need to Know Today
To us, the biggest news this week is that Micromobility America is only two weeks away. North America’s premier gathering for micro-EV industry insiders is heading to Greater LA on Nov 14-15. On tap, we have brilliant presentations with founders and CEOs, demos with industry-defining exhibitors, and a can’t-miss after party right next to the beach. Best of all, until tomorrow (11/1), tickets are on sale for only $250. Register now because time is running out.
NIU’s electric dirt bike is officially here! The XQi3 is loaded with premium components and is an absolute blast to ride, available online or at one of NIU’s many dealers around the globe. Its specs and pricing make it a prime competitor for the wildly popular Sur-Ron Light Bee. We’ll do a deep-dive comparison between the two, as well as taking the XQi3 for a long trail ride on Blue Ridge Road in wonderful (and windy) Wyoming.
Does bigger mean better? We find out as we review the Hiboy X300 e-scooter. With a retail price of $699, it may be an even better value than previously thought. Watch the full review here.
Fiido updated its popular C11 with the new C11 Pro city e-bike. Fiido’s latest model now features a Mivice S200 torque sensor for smoother pedal assistance and a larger 499 Wh battery that delivers 16% more range than the original C11. The C11 Pro brings style and affordability to city cycling, debuting with a discounted launch price of $1,099.
As a tribute to the original 1978 Hurricane, Schwinn announced a new Hurricane e-bike designed for younger riders. This Class 2 e-bike shares some of the original’s retro lines and is powered by a 250W motor with a reasonable top throttle speed of 17.5 mph for safety.
Building on the early success of its first e-bike conversion kits, Swytch has introduced the MAX+. This latest version features more battery capacity, a front light, and the option of installing a rear hub motor. Plus it will be compatible with thru-axles. It’s priced at $1,300, but you’ll have to get on the wait list as the first batch is already sold out.
Desiknio’s 26-lb Endorphin e-bike, with a sleek, non-electric look, features a Mahle X20 rear hub motor powered by a seamlessly integrated iX 250 battery, available in drop or flat bar and starting at $6,360
Electrification is changing the mountain bike world but data passports, full integration, and universal battery standards will define the future of e-MTBs.
Texas-based Volcon is abandoning the high-performance, high-cost Stag UTV ($40,000)—and introducing the MN1 Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) that has a (relatively) more reasonable $9,999 price tag. In the near future, Volcon will also roll out the HF1, another LUV but with higher performance, to help fill the void of the Stag.
For 2025, Mondraker redesigned the Crafty Carbon full-power, enduro e-MTB. Engineered around the 29” wheel size, the Crafty Carbon is equipped with the new Bosch CX motor. Riders will have a choice of removable 600Wh or 800Wh batteries.
Spanish retailer Cecotech has unveiled a new lineup of urban electric mopeds. Their range includes three 50cc-equivalent e-mopeds (Skull, Piazza, Shark) and three 125cc-equivalent e-motos (Vulcano, Shark RS, Halo). Prices range from €999 for the base Skull, all the way up to €2,999 for the Shark RS.
Thok unveiled the TP4 eMTB, which is claimed to be fully “Made in Italy,” with production, painting, and assembly all done within Italian borders. The Thok also incorporated a unique 3D-printed aluminum prototyping process that transformed the TP4 from design to final product in 18 months.
Trek’s new Slash+ 9.7 SLX/XT is the enduro eMTB that makes you think you’re riding an acoustic mountain bike.
Cannondale launched two new urban-focused e-bikes, the comfort commuter Mavaro and the sportier Tesoro X, that have an upright design which prioritizes comfort for the rider. Both models are available in multiple component specs so you can the ride that fits your needs.
The B’Twin F900E is Decathalon’s first front-loading e-cargo bike, designed for families with room for up to 4 kids in the front basket. It’s priced at £4,999 in the UK and €4,999 in Europe, but it does include GPS tracking service for a year.
Does your work involve managing fleets of e-bikes, e-scooters, and the like? This interesting new whitepaper discusses the advantages of combining GNSS modules with a broad range of connectivity options (antenna, RTK correction services, design review) into a “one-stop-shop” solution that could transform your high-precision IoT projects.
Download the whitepaper for your chance to enter to win a free ticket to Micromobility America next month in Southern California. We’re giving away a free ticket each week to one lucky winner.
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