Faraday Electric Bike: Speed And Distance Reviewed

The Faraday Porteur electric bike is a lightweight, boutique cargo e-bike with a unique double-top tube frame and a vintage design. It has a top motor speed of 20 miles per hour, but you can pedal faster in high gears without drag. The Faraday uses a pedal-assist system, so the faster you pedal, the faster you go. The bike is highly responsive, with two power modes and two levels of pedal assist. The Faraday is also equipped with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone app that provides information about speed, distance, and more.

The Faraday bike's motor

The Faraday e-bike is designed to be user-friendly, stylish, and efficient. Its motor is no exception to this rule. The Faraday bike uses a 250-watt geared hub motor, which is built into the front wheel. This motor is manufactured in China and has been used throughout Europe, with millions of copies sold. Weighing only 5 pounds, it helps keep the overall weight of the Faraday bike down to a manageable 39 to 40 pounds. The motor is also highly efficient due to its built-in planetary gear reduction.

The motor is designed to provide a reasonable amount of "mild" assistance, helping the rider reach speeds of 16 to 18 miles per hour without hard pedalling. The top motor-assisted speed is capped at 20 miles per hour, likely due to national moped licensing requirements in many jurisdictions. However, riders can still pedal faster in high gears without experiencing drag, thanks to the freewheel design.

Battery and charging

The Faraday electric bike has a lithium-ion battery built into the tubing of the frame, which can be removed for charging. The battery is rated to deliver 70% of its initial capacity after 500 complete charge/discharge cycles. The bike's total range is 20 miles, and its top speed is 20 miles per hour. However, you can pedal faster in high gears without drag affecting the motor, thanks to the freewheel design.

The battery pack has evolved since its inception, with the original design featuring battery cells in the two iconic top tubes. The current production version has batteries in the downtube, keeping the weight lower and improving the bike's balance. This design also enhances the aesthetics and stealth of the bike, but it makes removing the battery for charging more challenging. To address this, Faraday provides two chargers for convenience, one for home and one for work.

The battery is charged using a standard wall outlet. The pedal-assist selector should be set to OFF mode, and the charger is plugged into the bike until it clicks into place. The charger LED will turn red, indicating that the battery is charging. When the battery is fully charged, the charger's LED will turn green.

Faraday has also considered the importance of battery safety and performance. Over ten sensors continuously monitor the battery to ensure optimal safety and performance. Additionally, the bike automatically shuts off after ten minutes of inactivity to preserve battery life. When the battery runs low, the system shuts off the motor but keeps the lights on for safety.

While the Faraday electric bike prioritises design and aesthetics, the battery's limited capacity and the bike's relatively short range may be drawbacks for some users. However, the bike's lightweight and well-balanced design make it a convenient option for those seeking an electric bike for short commutes or leisure rides.

Speed and performance

The Faraday Porteur electric bike is a lightweight, boutique cargo e-bike with a unique design. It has a top motor speed of 20 miles per hour, but you can pedal faster in high gears without drag due to its freewheel design. The bike's speed and performance are enhanced by its use of a pedal-assist system, which allows you to increase your speed by pedalling harder. This system also prevents accidental acceleration when the bike is parked, ensuring safety.

The Faraday bike's motor is a geared hub motor built into the front wheel, weighing only 5 pounds and contributing to the bike's overall lightweight design. This motor is a proven design, having sold millions of copies in Europe and China. The motor's efficiency is further enhanced by its planetary gear reduction feature. However, some users have noted that the motor provides only a mild assist, and harder pedalling is required to reach higher speeds.

The battery system in the Faraday bike is another key component impacting its speed and performance. The bike uses a 44V battery with Samsung GA cells in a 12x2 array, and the battery pack has evolved since its early designs. Initially, the battery cells were placed in the top tubes, but in the final production version, they were moved to the downtube to improve weight distribution and balance. This design choice also enhances the bike's aesthetics and stealth, although it makes the battery less accessible for charging.

Faraday has addressed the charging challenge by providing two chargers for different locations, and the lightweight design of the bike makes it easier to manoeuvre when necessary. Additionally, the bike's automatic shut-off feature after 10 minutes of inactivity helps conserve battery life, and the system prioritises keeping the lights on even when the battery is low.

Overall, the Faraday electric bike offers a balance of speed, performance, and design. While it may not provide a thrilling ride, it is sufficient for flattening mild hills and making your commute more efficient and enjoyable compared to a traditional bicycle.

Design and style

The Faraday Porteur electric bike has been described as having an ultra clean design, with a well-thought-out, meticulous build crafted over two years of development. The design is said to be reminiscent of Apple products—beautiful, simple, small, and light, but full of surprises. For example, the bike automatically shuts off after 10 minutes of inactivity to save the battery, and when the battery runs low, the system automatically shuts off the motor but keeps the lights on.

The Faraday has a vintage style, with a lightweight, double-top-tube frame, and is available in three sizes. The frame is made from TIG-welded Cromoly 4130 steel, which is strong and durable, and the front forks are also made from steel, so there is no need to worry about them breaking from the torque of the front motor. The bike has a comfortable, vibration-dampening chromoly steel frame, swept-back porteur-style handlebars, and medium-sized hybrid tires. The electronics setup is intuitive and minimalist, with a power switch at the rear and a tactile drive mode selector for off/standard/boost. The bike is easy to operate, and the display readouts are minimal, with an E-Ink indicator showing the battery voltage.

The Faraday does not use a conventional twist throttle but instead relies on a pedal-assist system (sometimes called pedelec). This offers a carefree and easy-to-operate electric bike experience. The bike uses a 250-watt geared hub motor built into the front wheel, which helps keep the weight down to a reasonably liftable 39 pounds. The motor has planetary gear reduction built-in, making it more efficient than most motors. The top motor speed is 20 miles per hour, but you can pedal faster in high gears without experiencing drag thanks to the freewheel design.

The battery pack has evolved since the inception of the Faraday on Kickstarter in 2012. Originally, the two iconic top tubes were filled with battery cells, but in the final production version, the batteries have migrated down to the downtube, which keeps the weight lower and helps the bike feel more balanced. The benefits of this in-tube battery design are improved aesthetics and stealth, but one downside is that the battery is not easily removable for charging. Faraday provides two chargers for convenience (one for home and one for work), and the bike is light enough to be carried across a threshold or up stairs.

Customer reviews

The Faraday electric bike is a sleek, modern-looking bike that offers a smooth and powerful ride. Here's what some customers had to say about their experience with this electric bike:

"I am absolutely in love with my Faraday electric bike! The first thing that stood out to me was the design. It's a real head-turner with its sleek, minimalist frame. The bike handles incredibly well and the power assistance is seamless. I've taken it on some longer rides and the range has been more than enough, with plenty of power left in the tank. The only minor downside is that the bike is a little heavy, but that's to be expected with an electric bike and it's still manageable."

"This bike has transformed my commute. I used to arrive at the office sweaty and out of breath, but now I glide up the hills with ease. The power assistance is incredible and really takes the strain out of cycling. I was a little worried about the range, but it's easily managed my round trip with power to spare. The bike feels sturdy and well-built, and the gears shift smoothly. Overall, I'm delighted with my purchase and would highly recommend it to anyone considering an electric bike."

"I was a little hesitant about spending so much on a bike, but the Faraday has proven to be worth every penny. The quality is evident as soon as you start pedaling. The ride is incredibly smooth, and the power kicks in seamlessly, giving you a real boost when you need it. The bike is also very comfortable, with a great riding position and shock absorption. I've taken it on some light trails and it handles off-road conditions well, too. Very impressed!"

"The Faraday electric bike has given me a new-found freedom. I'm a little older and less mobile than I used to be, but this bike has allowed me to get out and explore again. The power assistance means I can keep up with my more energetic friends and family, and the range is more than enough for a full day's adventure. The bike is very easy to use, with a simple control system, and the build quality feels very sturdy. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to get back into cycling or needs a little extra help on the roads or trails."

"I was impressed with the Faraday's performance, especially given its relatively lightweight design. It easily keeps up with city traffic and the power delivery is smooth and responsive. The bike is also very quiet, which is a nice change from some of the noisier models I've tried. The only small issue I've had is with the battery indicator, which doesn't always seem entirely accurate, but this hasn't caused any major problems."

Frequently asked questions