ADO Air Carbon is a super lightweight electric-assist bike with a carbon frame, providing a smooth and convenient riding experience. With its modern design and high performance, ADO Air Carbon is the perfect choice for those who appreciate comfort and style.
This article is brought to you by the admin, referencing the author "Cuhiep," a well-known product reviewer in Vietnam through the Tinh Tế platform. We invite you to check out this review.
I’ve had the chance to test five different ADO bikes in Vietnam and noticed the distinct differences between each one. If you're in the market for a bike, beyond the information I share in this article, I recommend visiting an ADO store to find the right bike for you.
ADO has only been in the Vietnamese market for a few years, yet they continually release high-quality, advanced products to diversify their range, such as the super-light folding Air Carbon, or the powerful ADO Air 28 for long-distance rides.
A folding electric-assist bike that weighs only 12.5 kg
To achieve such lightness, ADO uses carbon fiber instead of aluminum. Carbon fiber is a lightweight material that still provides the necessary stiffness to replace aluminum and is even stronger. Using carbon fiber for bikes widely available to the general public, like ADO’s customer base, demonstrates their advanced production capabilities.
Typically, very expensive, professional bikes or symbolic models (made to showcase capabilities) are built from carbon. I once bought a non-folding, non-electric-assist bike made of carbon that cost much more than the ADO Air Carbon, but the production process wasn’t as successful.
The benefits of using carbon instead of aluminum
Besides reducing weight, there are other advantages I’ve experienced after using the bike for a few days:
Smooth pedaling: Initially, I only thought the bike would feel lighter when carrying it, but once I sat on it and pedaled, even without using the assist mode, I clearly felt how lightweight the bike was. This was probably the most exciting aspect of such a light bike. When the bike feels light while riding, it saves energy, which in turn extends the battery life. A heavier bike with the same battery would drain the power more quickly.
Easier to load into the car trunk: Loading a bike into a car trunk is not an easy task because you must do it carefully and fit it into the right spot. SUV drivers might not notice this, but for someone like me with a low coupe (BMW 640i), the trunk doesn’t open very wide, making it tricky to fold and load the bike in. With a lighter bike, this task becomes much easier, as I found compared to my ADO Air, which weighs 17.5 kg compared to the 12.5 kg Air Carbon.
Better aesthetics: Using carbon allows manufacturers to design bikes more freely, without the shape constraints imposed by materials like aluminum tubes. I think the design of the ADO Air Carbon is more beautiful and robust than previous models.
Design and finish of the bike
ADO Air Carbon boasts a higher level of refinement and attention to detail compared to other bikes, including last year’s ADO Air model. Using advanced materials with a higher price tag justifies the improved finish. Every joint, connection, and hardware piece ADO equips the bike with is of great quality and looks sleek.
I received both black and beige models to try, but I preferred the beige one, so I took more photos with it. In my opinion, the beige color this year is beautifully done by ADO. It has become a fashionable item, not just a mode of transportation. The color scheme—frame, wheels, and saddle—creates a stylish product that would appeal not just to people like me but also to women.
Folds in 10 seconds
ADO Air Carbon folds compactly, making it easy to store in a car trunk, in the house, in an elevator, or when traveling. The lighter weight also makes folding simpler. I mentioned in my review of the ADO Air that being able to fold the bike allows you to take it to places where cars can’t go, broadening your range of mobility. For example, if the city center is 1 km away from the parking lot, a folded bike in your trunk makes it easy to get around different locations. Combined with walking, you can reach places cars can’t access.
Folding the bike is straightforward, with two fold points: the front stem folds down first, followed by the frame’s midsection. The joints are easy to fold and unfold. Initially, the latches were a bit stiff, but they became easier to operate after a few uses. I haven’t tried lubricating the joints, but they should loosen with time.
According to ADO, it takes about 10 seconds to fold or unfold the bike. While I haven’t timed it precisely, I believe this time is achievable, and I could probably fold it faster with practice.
GPS tracking and SIM slot for precise location tracking
ADO has included a module in the Air Carbon that allows users to insert a SIM card and use the ADO Bike app on a smartphone to track the bike’s real-time location. This feature helps prevent theft or find the bike if forgotten somewhere.
This is an excellent feature, though I think GPS tracking via SIM might be overkill. Personally, I’d be content with just a spot for an AirTag. I once forgot my bike at a pho shop and only remembered days later!
Electric assist: like a boost to your legs
ADO is experienced in making electric-assist bikes, and the ADO Air Carbon continues that tradition. The assist system works similarly to other ADO models, but since the Air Carbon is lighter and more premium, the assist feels smoother and more natural.
A torque sensor detects when and how hard you’re pedaling, adjusting the level of assistance accordingly. This is different from the traditional assist that operates via a throttle. Instead, you feel the assist as though it’s coming from your legs, making for a very comfortable and enjoyable ride.
You can adjust the level of assist via the bike’s control panel or the smartphone app.
Battery and assist range
According to ADO, their batteries meet European standards, and the Air Carbon’s assist range is up to 100 km. While I haven’t tested this fully, it’s an excellent range for a folding city bike.
The ADO Air Carbon only provides pedal assist, without a throttle like last year’s models, meaning you need to pedal to engage the assist.
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