The Fiido X e-bike isn't complicated to use, but it does present a little complexity with regard to who, exactly, it's intended for. It has the sensibility of a standard bike that could be used for exercise or fitness. But it also has the power to carry people farther than they might want to travel on their own strength. This e-bike is a bridge, blending the sport of biking with modern commuting needs.

Fiido X is a foldable, seven-gear Class 1 e-bike. The 350-watt motor version sold in the U.S. comes with a top speed of 15 miles per hour, but that can be unlocked to go up to 20 mph. All its power is funneled into pedal-assist riding with no throttle for simply cruising. The bike has a nimble feel to it on the road, thanks to its 20-inch wheels and minimal frame. It oozes style with its sleek design, but at the end of the day, it's clearly function over form. That function is portability.

Before getting into specifics and detailing my time with the e-bike, I should mention that the original Fiido X was recalled in early 2022 for its potential to break in half—not good. The unit I rode was a version two, so to speak, that had the flaw addressed and has been tested to exceed the EN19154 standard. Along with the structural improvements are also enhancements including a full Shimano transmission kit, added settings to the on-board display and other minor tweaks from front to back.

Foldable bikes seem to be coming into their own now, and all sizes of bikes are incorporating this feature, not just the ultraminimal ones. Previously, these bikes were largely aimed for folding and lugging their 30-plus pounds onto a train. Now collapsing your ride in half has seems primarily meant for storage or the trunk of a vehicle, where it otherwise wouldn't have fit.

The Fiido X e-bike is minimal while still retaining enough mass so its ride doesn't feel fragile. Here are some quick facts about the 350-watt X model that I tested.

The 250-watt model sold in Europe is the same weight with the same wheel size, but has a top, unlocked, speed of 18 mph.

Twenty miles per hour was adequate on my rides. It provided enough power so I didn't have to do all the work. The motor didn't ever feel completely satisfying, though. I could have used a little more torque and more peak performance while hitting moderate elevation hills around the neighborhood. On flat paths, the power was reasonable.

Conversely, because of the relatively thin tires and nimble frame of the Fiido X, I'm not sure I would have wanted to go faster on the bike. I didn't feel unsafe riding it at its top speed, but I might have were it to go upward of 25 mph. In other words, the power and design are well matched in the case of this bike.

I liked how the X was about the size of a BMX bike but still had seven gears for varying degrees of pedaling. In a worst-case type of situation, when the battery is completely dead, the gears will make riding up a hill possible. Most people who aren't seeking to break a sweat won't enjoy that, but at least pedaling with a dead battery is still possible.

The bike is compact, but I still found it comfortable enough for casual rides up to 10 miles or so. Its build quality didn't seem cheap, and its size didn't feel too small. The Fiido D11, by comparison, was even more narrow to sit on; I much preferred the feel of the Fiido X.

Folding the bike was always smooth and convenient. The plastic pedals had some creakiness to them, but I liked that they folded up. I also appreciated the attempt to attach the bike together magnetically when it was sandwiched in half. This kept it from flopping around when rolling it into my garage.

Having the battery as the seat post is a neat trick. The battery with the seat attached is removable, so it can be taken out of the bike and charged at any location. It is weird to carry the two pieces connected together, but the way it's done doesn't preclude it from being used like most other e-bike removable batteries. In fact, I even used the seat to rest the battery on while juicing it up, so there may be some benefits to the design, as well.

While the Fiido X e-bike is far from perfect, there aren't many things that are outright bad. But there are aspects for consideration that might not be for everyone. For example, the handlebars are not adjustable in height. That didn't bother me or matter during my rides, but the lack of adjustability might be a concern for some.

As a reminder, Fiido X is a Class 1 e-bike, so it's completely pedal-assisted in nature. There is no throttle, so it can't be used to cruise around without any effort from the rider. I could have used a little more oomph from the bike in certain situations, mainly hills, but in flat areas or along a boardwalk the power should be fine.

As much as the security system might seem like a benefit, I found it to be mostly cumbersome. It added an extra step or two to the riding routine. Needing the keypad each time I wanted to turn the bike on felt like overkill. Using the keypad to unlock the seat to remove it seemed more necessary. I also didn't use that function as much, so it bothered me less.

But requiring the keypad to punch in a six-digit code to power it on in addition to each time I raised or lowered the seat—disconnecting the power button—became annoying. I expected to like that it could be locked down with a number pad, but ultimately I could have done without that advanced feature.

Although the bike is comfortable enough, I should note that it did feel a bit stiff after riding it for a while. The narrower tires, the thinly padded seat and the lack of shocks don't make for a laid-back, relaxing experience. Younger people won't have an issue with this, but it should be noted for those who are feeling their age.

Recommending Fiido X to a specific buyer is tricky because it does fall between a bike with gears that can be used for exercise and ridden without power and one that is designed for portability and carless commuting. Ultimately, city dwellers, those looking for a bike to bring to campgrounds in their RV, or people with limited storage space are the best fit for Fiido X.

The e-bike's portability and compact size make it a great solution for anyone dealing with tight spots. Fiido does put a premium on size—and design. But compared with other similar rides, it's hard to look at the Fiido X and not immediately fall in love with its style.

Newsweek may earn a commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. We participate in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters