MiRider is a relatively new UK-based company which currently sells just one electric bike model, the MiRider One.
This is the second-generation 2020 model which has had a few tweaks and upgrades such as a telescopic seat post and handlebar stem. These make it possible for taller riders to cycle comfortably, but it is also great for shorter people too.
It comes in orange, white or grey, so you can choose how conspicuous you want to be.
The One is designed to be a city bike, folding up small for public transport or popping in your car’s boot. It measures 770x430x680mm when folded, and weighs just under 19kg with all the accessories fitted.
They include the mudguards, front LED light, rear reflector, kick stand and stabiliser wheel. The latter is located under the middle of the frame so the bike can rest on it and be wheeled along (in a wobbly sort of way) when the bike is folded.
Folding and unfolding takes less than a minute and useful magnets help to hold the wheels together when folded.
At 16in, the wheels are a bit smaller than the 20in rims on the GoCycle GX, but there is a rear shock which soaks up the worst of the bumps. Still, I did find myself looking further down the road than usual to navigate around any potholes, drain covers or bumps which make their presence known on the MiRider.
In common with quite a few folding electric bikes, the One has a single-speed drive so there are no gears to worry about. And this is absolutely fine so long as there’s battery power available. Once that’s gone, you’ll be able to continue cycling until you encounter an uphill stretch, at which point you’ll no doubt be forced to get off and push since the ratio requires too much effort from your legs.
However, this isn’t aimed at those who want to go touring: it’s for a 5-10 mile commute. MiRider says that you can get up to 30 miles from the 5.2Ah LG battery and that if you really want to you can buy a spare for £200. They weigh only 1.2kg, so you can pop it in a rucksack or even onto the optional rear luggage carrier.
There are five power modes available ranging from almost no assistance up to the motor’s maximum power. Full power is great fun to use, and you’ll likely spend your first few rides honing around in mode 5, surprising a few car drivers at traffic lights with your 0-15.5mph time.
It will slash miles off the possible range, however, and you might only get 15 miles out of the battery if your route is particularly hilly. However, use a lower power mode and some muscle power and 30 miles is certainly realistic.
On the right is a throttle, except unlike the (illegal in the UK) bikes you can buy from China, this will bring the bike up to walking pace to assist hill starts, and will then act like the boost button on the VanMoof S3 if you’re pedalling and going slower than 15.5mph.
The KT torque simulation sine wave controller, to give it its full name, does a great job at delivering power smoothly despite the cadence sensor rather than the more expensive torque sensor. There’s none of the horrible – and frankly dangerous – surge that you get with some electric bikes. It also fades out nicely when you reach the 15.5mph / 25km/h limit, but the gearing means it’s only really possible to achieve 17-18mph beyond which the cadence becomes silly and your legs won’t be able to keep up.
If you spot a similar-looking bike available from certain Chinese retailers, you may wonder why you shouldn’t just buy a OneBot S6 instead, since it’s cheaper. When I quizzed MiRider about the similarities, the helpful staff explained that the magnesium alloy frame and wheels are sourced from OneBot, but that’s where the component sharing ends.
Everything else has been sourced independently or custom designed, such as the KT controller and the canbus wiring loom which uses Higo IP67 connectors to ensure you won’t grind to a halt when it rains.
The One is the first electric bike I’ve ridden which claims to use a canbus system – a method of communication that requires fewer wires. It might be clever, but the MiRider still has plenty of external wiring and cables.
A couple of those are for the mechanical disc brakes, which do a fine job of scrubbing off speed.
While a few of the components bolted to the frame look suspiciously like those on the OneBot S6, such as the kickstand and magnets, the MiRider One does justify its price with quality components where it matters, such as the pedals, chain and comfortable seat. And as mentioned at the start, it has a telescopic seat post and stem, which the S6 doesn’t.
There’s no discernible flex in those or the frame, so the One feels nice and sturdy at speed.
Price & Availability
Talking of price, the MiRider One costs £1300. That’s a good price for a folding bike, and you could buy two for the price of one GoCycle GX. It’s also a lot cheaper than the Furo X Max.
Pre-order a MiRider One
The company provides a reassuring two-year warranty, and that’s something you certainly don’t get when you buy a bike from China.
At the time of review, MiRider said pre-orders should ship in September, which isn’t a terribly long wait. Many electric bikes have a lead time of several weeks, as you’ll find out when you try to buy them.
Verdict
The MiRider One is a great-looking electric bike. It folds up small enough to fit into the average hatchback’s boot and not get in everyone’s way if you take it on the train.
Build quality is very good and while I’d prefer it to have a few gears, that’s no issue as long as you can keep your rides to under 30 miles.
The fact it doesn’t have any built-in tracker (like the VanMoof S3, say) isn’t a major issue either as you’re less likely to need to leave it parked outside thanks to the fact it folds up.
Specs
MiRider One: Specs
Motor: 250W
Max Speed: Assisted Motor Speed: 15.5 mph
Location of Motor: Rear hub
LCD Display Showing battery power, speed, mode, odometer
Frame: OneBot S6 Magnesium alloy
Weight: approx 18.8Kg With kickstand and mudguards
Max Person Weight: 120 Kg
Frame Size: One size fits most: 152-195cm / 5’0-6’4
Wheel Size: 16in
Wheels: OneBot S6
Tyres: 16 x 1.95in with reflective sidewalls
Seat: Telescopic
Gears: None
Brakes: Mechanical Clarks CMD-24
Lights: Front LED
Handlebars: Telescopic
Battery Type: Quick-removable LG lithium ion 5.2Ah, 36V
Distance: Up top 30 miles (depends on level of assistance)
Charge Time: 2-3 hours
Warranty: 2 years
Dimensions folded: 770*430*680mm
Dimensions unfolded: 1340*575*1100mm
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