E-Folding Bikes from Exxite: Ride Outside, Exercise Inside.

For many, winter is the perfect time to plan the next holiday. You are free to rack your brains over where to go soon. We just have a suggestion for what you could take with you. How about a foldable ebike, which is a bike for outdoors and indoors?

Not beautiful, but unmistakable

Even with their appearance, the folding bikes from the Spanish manufacturer Exxite set an accent. While other bikes impress with curved lines, both the XS and XXS remind us why we often use the term “frame tube”. The folding bikes with 20 and 16 inch wheels respectively are dominated by a horizontally running top tube. An even more massive seat tube merges into a seat post with an above-average diameter. From the bottom bracket, a third strut, also round but much slimmer, leads almost vertically upwards and supports the very low-set top tube. To us, it looks a bit like someone has reached into a modular kit containing parts of completely different sets that just happen to fit together.

E-folding bike XS (right) and E-folding bike XXS from Exxite

At the front, the headlight immediately catches the eye. Its polished silver socket makes it stand out from the rest of the frame. At the other end of the top tube, a rear light is integrated in the same way. Visually, this creates a coherent picture. In a way, it’s also practical, because you can put the idea of external lighting to rest. On the other hand, you have to live with the solution chosen by the manufacturer. This probably means that the angle of the front light, for example, cannot be adjusted individually.

A different kind of backpedal

In addition to the rather unconventional design, the bike also has something to offer technologically. It is equipped with a coaster brake. Yes, it doesn’t sound very spectacular at first. But it is one that you can currently only find on Exxite ebikes. You pedal backwards while riding. In contrast to a conventional coaster brake, however, you do not immediately feel the resistance that slows down the rear wheel hub almost instantly. Instead, as with a freewheel, you are able to perform several revolutions. The harder and the longer you do this, the more the folding bike is slowed down. However, this is done by a motor brake. The energy released in the process is converted by the e-drive into electrical energy, which is used to charge the battery.

Intelligent Regenerative Brake System, or iRBS for short, is what manufacturer Exxite calls its in-house development. Unfortunately, we can’t say what riding and braking with it, including recuperation, actually feel like without a test drive. It is quite possible that a little time is needed to get used to the system. However, sufficient safety is ensured. After all, two hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear wheel are standard equipment.

With some components such as the grips, the ebikes give a noble impression.

Practical and safe at the same time

The motor of the electric drive is integrated in the rear wheel hub. It provides the 250 watts of continuous power permitted in Europe. Its torque is 35 Newton metres. This means you should be well prepared for all the things you typically do with a folding bike. Exxite even offers a choice of three different battery sizes. They have capacities of 288, 378 and 504 watt hours.

At a first glance at the bikes, they are not immediately visible. The energy storage units are in the voluminous seat posts. This also explains why their diameter is this large. Apart from the associated visual advantages, this can be very useful in everyday life. Firstly, the battery can be removed relatively easily and recharged anywhere. Secondly, the lack of a seat post and saddle is usually a very effective deterrent to thieves. Especially if the electric support is also disabled in this way.

At the end of the seat post is the plug from the battery to the charger.

Otherwise, the e-folding bikes can be operated via a small display next to the left grip. From “Mini-EIVA” you can read the usual parameters such as the current speed, the status of the battery or the respective assistance level. If you want to use more functions, you can download a corresponding app from Exxite and access GPS and navigation via your smartphone, listen to music and even control the bike by voice command.

Simple and at a glance – the Mini-EIVA display

Welcome to your own gym

A real extra dimension opens up when you take the bike into your home or shed. There, it can be clamped to a stand with the rear wheel and then used as an indoor trainer. You can adjust the pedalling resistance to different levels of difficulty. The RegenFit app even allows you to simulate climbs and complete specific workouts. At the same time as you keep fit, the battery is charged by pedalling. So you kill two birds with one stone.

In this regard, it doesn’t matter whether you choose the Exxite XS with the 20-inch wheels or the Exxite XXS with the 16-inch wheels. The difference between the two is more noticeable on the road. The larger of the two models has a seven-speed derailleur. The smaller version only has a singlespeed drive with a fixed gear ratio. You can only control how smoothly you ride with the help of the assistance levels. That said, at 15 kilograms, the XXS weighs an impressive four kilograms less than the XS.

With its weight of 15 kilograms and compact frame, the XXS from Exxite can also be carried if necessary.

Patience required

The bikes were presented in September 2021 at last year’s Eurobike in Friedrichshafen. In the online shop of Rayvolt, to which the Exxite brand belongs, neither of the two has yet appeared. What is certain is that the Barcelona-based manufacturer will offer the bikes in the colours Copper, Black and British Green. Prices for the Exxite XS are expected to start at 1,649 euros.

Pictures: Rayvolt Bike S.L.