Fiido Nomads review: a seriously capable e-touring bike at a budget price
I like Fiido bikes. The company, along with Himiway and some others, produces some of the best electric bikes for those who can’t quite stretch their budget to Canyon’s and Brompton’s price range.
I’m not saying Fiido is a cheap brand, though. It certainly punches above its weight in terms of features and ride quality for the money. However, there usually is a trade-off in the form of cheaper components or a clunkier build than you’d expect from big-ticket brands.
The Nomads – like that, plural – is the brand’s take on e-touring bikes, designed for long-distance riding with the assistance of an electric motor. Touring bicycles are a bit sturdier than your standard hybrid or road bike, allowing for carrying gear rather than speed.
Sadly, the testing period coincided with one of the wettest months on record in the UK, so I haven’t taken the Nomads on as many long trips as I’d hoped. Based on my experience so far, though, it’s an amazing value-for-money e-touring bike that everyone on a limited budget should at least consider.
Fiido Nomads review
Price and availability
The Nomads is available now at Fiido UK, Fiido US and Fiido EU for the recommended price of £1,271 / $1,429 / €1,399. Both the medium and large frames are the same price. The extender bundle, which includes the battery rack, two extra batteries in sturdy battery bags, costs a hefty £1,817 / $2,089 / €1,999. I would say paying £550 / $600 / €600 for a pannier rack and two batteries is a bit excessive, but it does triple the range of the Nomads, seriously reducing the battery anxiety.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Other accessories are also available, such as the Pet Traler that costs £372 / $372 / €372, and the Fiido Mate Watch (£90 / $99 / €99), which can be used to unlock the bike and as an external display (even though I wouldn’t recommend using the watch for controlling the bike – see my Fiido Air review for more info).
Design and build quality
The Fiido Nomads follows a fairly classic trekking-bike template, with its 29 inch aluminum alloy frame and clean, understated aesthetic. It weighs a whopping 24.7kg (manufacturer’s numbers), which is far from lightweight but not excessively heavy for a touring bike, either. The setup supports a maximum payload of 120kg.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Geometry leans toward comfort rather than aggression and comes with an adjustable stem. I was sent the large frame, and it is one of the most comfortable bikes I’ve ever ridden. I’m 6’1”, and medium frames often feel a touch too small, but I thoroughly enjoyed the commanding width and height of the Nomads.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Fiido has equipped the Nomads with a fairly sensible mid-tier parts list aimed at reliability and value. A 250 W brushless rear-drive motor is paired with a Mivice S200 torque sensor, delivering smooth, natural pedal assistance.
The front suspension fork is an oil-spring model with a 120mm travel. It combines a metal coil spring with oil-based hydraulic damping, one of the most common suspension designs on trekking bikes (and entry-level mountain bikes). There is no rear suspension, unlike on the Himiway A7 Pro.
The frame integrates a removable battery that can be easily removed with the included key. The button to turn on the battery is located on the battery itself. Fiido likes this approach of having to turn the battery on separately from the bike itself. There is also a latch to ensure the battery doesn’t fall out during the ride, even if for some reason you didn’t secure it in its slot properly.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
The drivetrain is a Shimano 9-speed setup, while stopping duties are handled by TEKTRO hydraulic front and rear disc brakes, both solid choices at this price point. Comfort and versatility come from CST Patrol hybrid tyres, and the optional battery storage at the back for extended range.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
The bike is equipped with front and rear lights, as well as rear indicator lights. Sadly, there is no front indicator lights, and the lights at the rar are hardly visible with the extra batteries in place. It’s nice the bike has an indicator light feature, though, no matter how limited.
Cockpit and ride control
The Nomads has a built-in 1.47-inch display in the centre of the cockpit, which looks very similar to the Fiido C21’s non-tiltable screen. I found the display spot on in terms of brightness and the size of the data fields.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Underneath the screen, you’ll find the buttons to turn the bike on and off, the mode switching button – which toggles between the different data screens – and the up and down arrows to cycle through power assist modes. The lights can be turned on by double-pressing the on/off button.
As well as the sub-screen controls, the Nomads also has a separate control unit on the left grip. This is where you’ll find the indicator light control, which, luckily, is laid out horizontally, making it easier to locate it with your thumbs.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
It also features a toggle for the different assist modes, as well as the horn and a walk-assist button. Even though the layout os ergonomical, the buttons are quite small and there are so many of them that it’s almost impossible to operate them without looking, especially if you’re wearing gloves.
I would imagine that moving some of the controls over to the right side would alleviate the confusion significantly, and it would also allow the buttons to be more prominent. As a side, the horn is incredibly loud, so use it with caution.
The Fiido app
If you prefer a larger screen while riding, you can use the Fiido app as an external display. The app’s dashboard shows all the key stats about your ride, including current distance, duration, altitude, average and max speed and climb distance. It also shows which assist mode you’re in and how much battery’s left (how many bars out of five).
The app is also where you can customise the few settings the Nomads offer, such as Bike Guard, the brand’s app-based anti-theft lock, and Smart Unlock, a proximity unlock system that works with either your smartphone or the Fiido Mate smartwatch.
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One interesting setting is the “Maximum Gear Mode,” which lets you switch between three and five assist modes. The minimum and maximum assist power won’t change, but setting the mode to 5 allows for more granular adjustments to power assist.
One major caveat of using the Fiido app is that it won’t work without an internet connection, even if the bike is already connected to it. I would much rather the app be used offline for control; not sure what the benefit is of not being able to see your bicycle’s stats if there is no reception.
Performance and ride quality
I thoroughly enjoyed riding the Fiido Nomads. It’s not only a stable workhorse but also a comfortable one, thanks to the front suspension and the wide handlebars. I would have preferred a similar seat adjustment setup to the Himiway A7 Pro (and DJI Amflow PL Pro), where you can drop the seat as you go instead of having to change it manually.
Shifting is spot-on straight out of the box, and the 9-gear Shimano setup makes it easier to climb hills. The bike’s wide tyres help grip into the terrain easily, and torque is applied smoothly. I opted for five assist modes instead of three to help preserve battery life, but in all honesty, it’s hard to tell the difference.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Just like in the case of most touring e-bikes, as soon as you hit that 25 km/h (15.5 mph) speed limit and the assist switches off, you’ll soon realise how heavy the Nomads is. It’s a beast to take up the hill with the support off – I wish the EU/UK allowed for a little more oomph. One thing is for sure: with the assist on, the Nomads is comfortable to ride.
Sadly (but understandably), the larger frame comes with the same 417.6 Wh battery as the medium one, which means the range will be reduced, as it has to lug around more weight. That’s even without factoring in that taller/heavier users will also use more power than shorter/slimmer people.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
I’m yet to confirm the accrual range on mixed terrain, but on my initial ride (~40km on comparatively smooth terrian), I went through a battery and a half. I used the batteries as they arrived, so it’s possible they weren’t fully charged; however, that 79km on a single battery feels ambitious, to say the least.
Another thing to note is that the spare batteries are stored in an angle, which makes it impossible to tif standard pannier bags at the rear of the Nomads. Fiido sells custom-made panniers (£68 / $79 / €79), which might be your best option if you’re planning on making the most of your rear storage racks.
Battery life and charging
Thankfully, the Nomads’ batteries are removable, making it easier to charge spare batteries at home. It also makes the bike less theft-friendly. It takes about 6-7 hours to charge a battery from 0 to 100 per cent, so you can easily charge both spare batteries in a day.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
In terms of range, I mentioned it above that the official 79km per charge might be a bit of an overstatement, unless you have a slim build and use the medium frame on a flat terrain. I would imagine the actual number is closer to around 50-55km, especially using the larger frame, but I’ll need to verify that with more testing.
Even though carrying around two extra batteries makes the bike even heavier, they do provide a peace of mind when you’re on a longer trip. It would great if Fiido offered a parallel charger (or multi-charger cable) to help you replenish battery power quicker.
Verdict
Despite its shortcomings, I loved riding the Fiido Nomads: it’s a brilliant e-touring bicycle that punches well-above its weight. The components are excellent quality for the price, and the extra features, such as the built-in lights and display, comfortable handlebars, and smooth assist, make the bike appealing not just for those on a budget but also for anyone interested in e-touring.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
What ultimately makes the Nomads stand out is how little compromise there is for the price. It isn’t the lightest, the smartest, or the most refined touring e-bike out there, but it delivers where it matters: comfort, stability, and dependable assistance over long distances. For riders who want to dip their toes into e-touring without spending premium-brand money, the Nomads feels like a safe and satisfying bet.
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