Fiido Nomads Review | Your Cycling Endurance Booster

A 418 Wh battery paired with a 250W nominal motor has impressive range potential. That’s nearly a 2:1 ratio of battery to motor wattage, which is far more generous than the 1:1 setups we typically see. Fiido also does its own internal testing, reporting 49.3 miles in Eco mode and 36.5 miles in Turbo with a 187-lb rider on mostly flat terrain.

Surprisingly, our team was able to surpass those numbers on a mixed trail system with both flats and hills. We achieved 63.2 miles on Eco power, and 34.3 on Turbo. That’s not something we usually see, but it’s the kind of surprise we’ll take any day.

Looking at efficiency, the Nomads was nearly off the charts compared to other commuter bikes in our database. To be fair, most commuter e-bikes can go faster, which naturally requires more power. On average, commuters use around 11.4 Wh/mi in low PAS settings and 21.6 Wh/mi in high power. The Nomads only used 6.6 Wh/mi and 12.2 Wh/mi, respectively. Those are some of the best numbers we’ve recorded, and easily the most efficient hub drive result we’ve ever tested.

The takeaway is simple: this bike doesn’t necessarily make you lightning fast on flats, but it absolutely conserves your energy while still providing you an uptick in speed, and becomes a difference-maker on hills. That’s what allows riders to extend their commutes or explore further without burning out.

And if you really want to push the limits, Fiido sells a range-extender setup that adds two additional batteries and the rack attachments to bring them along. I like how even with those attached, the rack still leaves room for panniers and top storage. At just $600, it’s a solid value for another 836Wh. You have to swap the batteries, but you also get protective sleeves to protect it from the elements.

According to our data, you would be looking at around 102 – 189 miles of range total. That’s plenty for touring adventures.

We put the Nomads on our go-to test climb, the Devil’s Backbone. It’s a half-mile stretch with a punishing 8% average grade. It’s the benchmark we use to see just how much hill help a motor can provide.

Performance went about as expected for a 250W hub motor with 45Nm of torque: slower to the top, but smooth and natural in how it delivered power. The Nomads completed the climb in 2:54 at an average of 10.8 mph. For context, the current all-bike average is 2:06, and the commuter category average is 2:17.

Here’s where things got interesting: despite its modest motor, the Nomads wasn’t the slowest hub drive we’ve tested, and even with a speed handicap that other bikes didn’t have, it still outpaced other hub motors we’ve tested this year. In fact, it outperformed six other hub motors with higher wattage and torque. How? A wide gear range and efficient cadence helped here, as did its narrower tires, which avoided the drag we sometimes find on other commuters. Its 55 lbs of weight isn’t ultra light, but firmly on the lighter side nonetheless, which also contributed.

This test further supported the bike’s overall theme: while most riders on acoustic bikes would walk this climb, the Nomads make it not only achievable but also enjoyable, without sacrificing that authentic cycling feel.

The Fiido Nomads comes equipped with Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic brakes: a 2-piston setup paired with 180mm rotors front and rear. While this is considered entry-level in the eMTB world, it’s still a step above what most commuter e-bikes typically receive.

In our brake test, the Nomads stopped in 24’4” from 20 mph. For comparison, the current all-bike average is 21’11”, and the commuter category average is 22’4”. So the Nomads came in a touch longer than expected, but still within a safe margin. Importantly, it stayed within our 25’ mark which we consider the safety limit.

The brakes themselves felt fine; the levers were easy to operate, with good modulation and no complaints regarding control. The longer distance likely comes down to the tires.

Our database primarily features bikes with 20”–27.5” tires, and smaller diameters typically have shorter stopping distances. At 29”, the Nomads’ wheels are larger than most in this test. Additionally, the hybrid tread is designed for mixed terrain, providing great traction on loose surfaces. However, with a smaller road contact patch than a slicker commuter tire, braking power is naturally reduced.

All things considered, the setup works well for the Nomads’ intended purpose. It’s confidence-inspiring enough for urban commuting and versatile enough for light off-road use. As a bonus, Fiido even included integrated brake lights. It’s a thoughtful safety touch on a bike at this price point where that’s not a given.

With the Nomads, Fiido clearly aimed to keep pricing affordable. The smaller motor and battery help keep costs down, but Fiido seems to have reinvested those savings into nicer components and thoughtful features. The result is a bike that rides surprisingly well for its entry-level price tag.

Starting with the frame: it’s available in just one color but comes in two sizes, with an adjustable stem to fine-tune reach. You can set it up for a more aggressive fit or an upright, relaxed posture. The stem feels solid—not flimsy—and it neatly forks around the display.

One downside is that the display tilt can’t be independently adjusted since it follows the stem’s angle. On the upside, the bike uses a color display with a higher-than-average IP68 rating, making it durable and easy to read at a glance. Win-some, lose-some.

Aesthetically, the Nomads looks clean, thanks to braided cabling and internal routing. The removable main battery is double-latched for security and balances weight distribution well with the small rear hub motor. At 55 lbs, the bike feels evenly distributed and stable at speed or when leaning into turns. The 720mm handlebars are a little narrower than I personally prefer, but handling sits comfortably in the middle ground—neither overly sharp nor sluggish.

Fiido also included a full commuter kit: headlight, fenders, rear rack, brake lights, turn signals, and even an electronic horn. The only real drawback is the lack of a timer on the turn signals, where I found myself “indicating left” for far too long after forgetting to switch them off.

On the rugged side, the bike features a coil suspension fork with 120mm of travel. It’s unbranded, so long-term durability is a question, but it feels standard for this level. Preload adjustment helps, though at my 230 lbs I did notice some sag on mounting. Still, plenty of travel remained for bumps, potholes, and light gravel chatter. The 29” x 2.1” CST hybrid tires also add versatility: their semi-slick pattern rolls efficiently on pavement while providing enough bite for hardpack or loose surfaces. The larger wheel size enhances ground clearance, which is particularly useful for navigating roots or rougher terrain during camping or trekking rides.

Fiido also offers an app. It’s not essential, but it adds some features: a rider leaderboard, bike locking via password, and even smartwatch pairing (which we didn’t test) for auto-unlock functionality. I mostly used it to reduce PAS levels from five to three for a simpler low/medium/high setup. The app also supports firmware updates, which makes me hopeful Fiido could enable higher speed settings for the U.S. market down the road (but I’m not making any promises on their behalf, its just my personal wish list item).

The Fiido Nomads is a solid commuter with touring potential at a price that’s easy to appreciate. Fiido includes some thoughtful touches—like a wider gear range, quality hybrid tires, and a fork with more travel than usual—while also delivering a polished look and the full commuter kit of lights, rack, fenders, and turn signals. Add in multiple frame sizes and an adjustable stem, and it fits a wider range of riders than most budget e-bikes.

European riders, in particular, will find a lot to love here. The 250W motor engages smoothly with pedal input, creating an affordable, capable ride that feels natural. For U.S. buyers, the 15.5 mph speed cap is the one limiting factor. It’s the only thing that really narrows its appeal.

That said, the Nomads still serves a very real audience. Many commuters and recreational cyclists tell us the reason they haven’t gone electric is that they don’t want to “cheat,” meaning they enjoy the cardio that comes with riding. The Nomads speaks directly to that crowd. It matches the speeds most casual riders already reach but makes the experience easier: hills become manageable, rides last longer, and with the optional triple-battery setup, epic journeys become possible.

True to its name, the Nomads is built for wandering. It’s versatile, flexible, and efficient—equally ready for daily commutes or extended adventures.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Fiido Nomads down in our comments section.