Fiido X Folding E-Bike Recalled After Reports of It Breaking in Half

pcmag.com:

Cyclists have one more thing to worry about when they hit the road if they’re on the Fiido X folding e-bike, as the bike has just been recalled for a frame defect.

The Fiido X e-bike launched through an Indiegogo campaign last summer for a pre-sale price of $1,099, representing a major discount on the planned $1,999 retail price, Electrek reports. The bike has a slim, magnesium alloy frame with a mechanism for folding its frame in half that’s considerably more streamlined than you’d often find on a folding bike. That locking mechanism is at the heart of the bike’s fault, though, as Fiido had received a report of a frame defect that can see the bike break in half. 

Fiido performed additional structural testing on the bike and confirmed the defect. Given the risk of harm for riders from an e-bike breaking in half while riding, Fiido suspended sales last week, and announced recall plans this week, Electrek reports.

The recall affects 2,989 units. The company is issuing an upgraded Fiido X V2 with a revamped design for the frame-folding mechanism and a number of other hardware updates. The new model will come with a three-year warranty on the frame.

Owners of the Fiido X will have a few options: They can receive the new Fiido X V2 but they will have to wait for the ship date in late June or early July; they can trade for an a different Fiido e-bike similar in price to what they paid for their Fiido X, and those replacements will ship in early June; or they can select to receive a cheaper e-bike model that can ship later this month, and they’ll get a refund for the price difference.

The company won’t require owners to return their whole bike. Instead, owners will ship back a seat clamp and a special lug from the rear dropout