MATE e-bike Review
My girlfriend and I got a MATE e-bike last year. While far from perfect, it has proved a solid purchase and we’ve put more than 2500km on it. Read on for a review and details on some of the modifications I’ve made to our MATE.
We ordered a black 350W MATE S fairly early in the Indiegogo campaign in the fall of 2016. Including shipping I think the price came to around 1000. Production and shipping took a long time and the bike arrived in mid 2017.
Quality
To be clear, the MATE is not a high quality e-bike. But it’s relatively well-designed, it’s well-appointed with disc brakes front and rear, front and rear suspension, a good battery and a powerful motor. It’s a good deal for the money in my opinion.
On our bike, the screw that holds hasp that secures the collapsing handlebar came out within the first couple days of use (I suspect it hadn’t been threaded in properly). This would cause the steering tube to collapse while riding (not a good thing). Zip-tying the hasp in place solved the problem, and I notified MATE hoping they’ll improve quality control on that component.
After a year of heavy use, 6 spokes on the rear wheel had snapped. Replacing them was not a big deal, but still annoying.
The pedals that come with the bike are of a collapsing type, but they tend to give a little when pedaling hard—not a confidence inspiring trait. I plan to replace them with some leftover regular pedals that I have lying around.
Weight
The MATE is heavy at 23,7 kg. I had hoped that my girlfriend would want to ride the bike to BART, collapse it, take it on the train and then put it back together to ride the final stretch to her office. This proved unrealistic: The bike is way too heavy to schlep around public transport. I sometimes ride the MATE to work and can only barely haul it up a flight of stairs on the way to the bike locker. No single component tips the scales: The battery is heavy, the rear wheel (with motor) is heavy, and the frame is heavy.
Before riding the MATE I thought the suspension (front telescoping fork, rear articulated sub-frame) was a gimmick. But taking into account the weight, the suspension does really help absorb bumps from holes in the road and going up or down curbs.
Bits and pieces
Other than lights and a lock, one of the first things I put on the handlebar was this phone mount. It has wrap-around elastic bands to secure the phone in place. The MATE comes with a USB port for phone charging under the handlebar. Combined with Bluetooth headphones, I can be in meetings while riding to work (with my phone charging), occasionally glancing down to see what’s going on with slides and presentations in the Hangout. I also installed a cup-holder (per girlfriend request), but that just got in the way and I’ve since removed it.
Out of the box the MATE e-assist is speed limited to 30km/h. The governor is easily removed (you can Google for instructions) and then the 350W model will go about 40km/h on a flat, even road (40km/h is probably about as fast as you want to go by the way—my eyes start to water up at that speed, and it’s enough to more-or-less keep up with city traffic).
One funny problem is that even the smallest sprocket on the rear cassette is fairly large, and that means low gearing. I suspect the designers couldn’t put on smaller sprockets because they had to fit the motor and power cable through the hub. The result is that you can’t help the bike accelerate above around 30km/h because it’s not possible to pedal fast enough. To remedy this I switched in a bigger 58-tooth front chainwheel to get higher gearing, which helped a little bit.
We’ve gone through several sets of disc brake pads already. Part of the reason is probably the weight and speed of the bike, but I also find that my riding-pattern is different with a motor. Riding my non-e-bike, I carefully try to conserve momentum, don’t accelerate if there’s a stop coming up and generally try to brake as little as possible. Once I have a motor to help me along, all such caution goes out the window, and I just mash the accelerator whenever there’s a bit of open pavement in front of me. That also means way more stopping and more wear on the brakes.
The brake calipers and pads are some sort of off-brand type, and the MATE web-site doesn’t have info on getting replacement pads. I thought bb5 pads would work, but they don’t, so I ended up installing a new Avid BB7 caliper for the rear wheel. This also has the advantage of greater pad surface area which means more stopping power and less frequent pad changes.
Same as the brake pads, tires wear out pretty fast and I had lots of flats (maybe partly because the factory tires are not of the highest quality). As replacements, I installed heavy-duty German Schwalbe Marathon tires. They’re designed for e-bikes and good for up to 50km/h. I haven’t had a single flat since putting those on. They are heavy, however, and (in my experience) almost impossible to seat, even when applying lots of lubricating soap and elbow grease.
Carriers
I use the MATE to get groceries, so I wanted a good basket. Unfortunately, that can be hard to find for collapsible bikes with 20″ wheels. I ended up getting a cheap aluminium front rack that mounts on the fork and zip-tied an IKEA wicker basket to that. This worked OK, but the rack is flimsy and I already had one crumble on me.
The front of the bike now has a Wald 157 Giant Delivery Basket. This is a great product, but it required extensive modification to mount low over the wheel on the MATE: I had to shorten the wheel-hub poles and since it doesn’t sit up high on the handlebar it’s secured with a stay that connects to the front fork.
Since the basket is not hanging on the handlebar, the weight of the basket and its content would have been on the thin quick-change axle-skewer. Some of the weight is transferred to the actual fork when the skewer is tightened, of course, but it still seemed like a precarious setup. To help transfer load to the fork I remounted the carcass of the second cheap aluminum front rack and screwed and zip-tied it all together. The result is sturdy and doesn’t sway or wobble at all.
A Durban rack (UPDATE: This rack is no longer available from Amazon—searching for “bike rack 20 inch” or “folding bike rack” seems to surface similar-looking products) is mounted on the rear wheel and two Wald 582 collapsible baskets are suspended on the sides. These are perfectly sized to hold a grocery bag each. One thing you have to look out for when mounting a rack on the rear of the MATE is to either attach it only to the unsprung subframe (most practical option in my experience) or to the sprung frame. If you use mounting points on both, the suspension loads will be transferred to the rack instead of the shock and you’re going to have a bad day.
Note that in my setup, both the front and rear racks are mounted on the unsprung suspension components. This is not ideal because it makes the suspension less effective and causes groceries to bounce around more. I don’t think there’s a good alternative for a compact bike like this, however, and it hasn’t proved a problem since I tend to ride carefully when fully loaded anyway. Also note that, even though the frame is heavy, it’s not as stiff as one could have hoped, and that shows when the bike is carrying a lot of weight.
The good part is that all the luggage ends up being mounted pretty low, which helps with stability.
Summary
Overall, I think the MATE is a good deal and would recommend it for anyone looking for a simple and cheap e-bike to get around town. With a few additions, it can be turned into a great commuter bike and grocery hauler. Between the three Wald baskets, I can carry 5 full grocery bags and the motor means I don’t even break a sweat trucking them up San Francisco hills to get home.
Mate X
SMARTER BATTERY The upgraded Smart BMS battery 3400 Li-Ion 48V 17.5 Ah allows for unmatched torque and a range of up to 70 miles / 120 km on a single charge.
POWERFUL REAR MOTOR Strong motors up to 750w. Hi-torque 48V battery for quick acceleration, and up to 17.5Ah capacity to ride farther per charge so you can take the long way home. No matter the terrain or weather conditions, this motor/battery combo prepares you for tackling them all.
POWERFUL DISC BRAKES Mechanical disc brakes provide strong, efficient braking power with expert modulation. (Optional: hydraulic disc brakes. Smoother, more reliable braking with fingertip effort. Automatic pad adjustment as pads wear down.)
WIDE-RANGE 8-GEAR SHIFTING 8-gear shifters and rear derailleur combo provide expert shifting, with ideal gear steps for seamless transitions between shifts as you perfectly match your terrain and riding style.
Online do not necessarily reflect our prices. For more information please contact us.
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MATE X
The most resilient foldable e-bike on the market.
Go faster
Indulge your need for speed. Choose between a 250W and 750W rear hub motor, and fly up to 42 km/h.
Transport anywhere
Carry it down the stairs or store it under your desk. Simple 3-step folding system lets you easily travel with your MATE anywhere.
Power to the people
Take the scenic route. The 48V Smart-battery gives you up to 120km on a single charge in eco-mode, so you can ride further.
MATE X. For the path less traveled.
Break away from the everyday on the MATE X. Its strong frame, powerful motor and huge tires attract more than just attention. They level up your riding game to expand your playing field.
MATE X. For the path less traveled.
Break away from the everyday on the MATE X. Its strong frame, powerful motor and huge tires attract more than just attention. They level up your riding game to expand your playing field.
The Hercules of bikes.
Break away from the everyday on the MATE X. Its strong frame, powerful motor and huge tires attract more than just attention. They level up your riding game to expand your playing field.
The Hercules of bikes.
Break away from the everyday on the MATE X. Its strong frame, powerful motor and huge tires attract more than just attention. They level up your riding game to expand your playing field.
Great speed, quick acceleration, and the capacity to ride further per charge. so you can take the long way home.
The Smart battery allows for unmatched torque and a range of up to 120 km on a single charge in eco-mode.
Please note that in the EU, Canada, Norway and Switzerland the Mate X 750 is legal when riding on private property
Please note that in the EU, UK, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland, MATES with motors above 250w are not legally permitted on public roads or bike paths. In the US, this may vary by state. If in doubt, please check your local regulations.
Rear-hub motor power
Strong motors up to 750W. Supplement your pedaling power, so you can ride farther and take the long way home.
High torque
Hills are no match for the MATE X. Hi-torque 48V battery gives you quick acceleration, making it easy to start up after stops and to tackle all terrains.
Smart battery
Go further, charge less. The MATE X’s boosted Smart BMS battery gives you a range of up to 120 km on a single charge.
Amplified Attitude
The MATE X is a guaranteed head turner, stand out. Think bolder. Go for a color that matches your personality.
Amplified Attitude
The MATE X is a guaranteed head turner, stand out. Think bolder. Go for a color that matches your personality.
Added strength doesn’t compromise function
Skip the escalator and take the stairs. While it’s stronger than the average eBike, it still folds in 3 simple steps, making it easy to store and carry.
Added strength doesn’t compromise function
Skip the escalator and take the stairs. While it’s stronger than the average eBike, it still folds in 3 simple steps, making it easy to store and carry.
Wide-range 8-gear shifting provides expert control, and ideal gear steps facilitate seamless transitions to perfectly match your terrain and riding style.
Full-suspension system
Don’t let bumps, ditches, or dirt roads deter you from riding. The secure full-suspension system gives you comfort over all terrains at any speed.
Durable all-terrain tires
Bigger, bolder tires mean you can choose the path less taken. Built stronger than ever, so they can keep up with your riding needs.
step folding system
When you tire of the road, simply fold your MATE X in 3 simple steps. Locked and loaded for tomorrow’s adventures.
Intelligent LCD display
Full-color Smart display gives you access to advanced settings. Control your speed settings, enact walk-assist, or charge your devices using the built-in USB.
Folding pedals
When you’re off the road, fold the durable pedals in just one simple click for extra convenience. High rigidity for maximum power transfer.
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
Choose optional hydraulic disc brakes for smoother, more reliable braking with fingertip effort.
The Mate X eBike – raising the bar (review)
We are always looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint. The Mate X eBike may just be the tool to help reach your carbon neutral goals.
About the Mate X
eBikes are fast becoming the new trend in the bike-riding world. Mate.Bike, is a Copenhagen-based startup founded in 2016 by the siblings Christian Adel Michael and Julie Kronstrøm Carton who want to engage today’s mobility challenges. The Mate X is one in a range of Mate.Bike’s models sold in Australia by SmartMotion, a leading electric bike retail store that also provides servicing and repairs.
The Mate X is rugged urban-focused machine that’s easily storable. It has an electric motor that can tackle most terrains including city streets, beaches, fire trails and everything in-between.
The Mate X can be pre-ordered or pop into one of the 25 SmartMotion stores in Australia to try it out. Our review unit is 2,199 so not cheap, but still not overly priced for an eBike of its stature. You can also choose upgrades such as fenders or a rear storage rack to make your commute slightly more practical, but none are essential.
Although our bike was pre-assembled, the Mate.Bike website includes multiple troubleshooting and instruction videos that allow you to get your bike rolling quickly. You can also pay 100 to have it assembled for you.
Design
We love the design of The Mate X. It really grew on us over the short time we had the bike with a very modern, minimal aesthetic. There are many colour choices, however, our bike had a rather menacing look, with its matte black paint and chunky tires. The bike includes a 250W motor hidden in the rear wheel that blends in seamlessly, so there is no need to worry about an ugly-looking mechanical slab attached to your new set of wheels!
Every component of the bike feels sturdy and robust, with a fair amount of 6061 aircraft grade aluminium used in its construction. Individual joints, hinges and swivels are sealed, meaning that washing any dirt or mud off the bike is quite easy and will not get stuck in any nooks and crannies. To keep your bike in pristine condition, there are additional front and back fenders that can be purchased. These are very easy to remove via a few screws.
The bike folds in half, making it easy to store, however, don’t think that this means it is easy to carry up a flight of stairs – as it weighs in at approximately 29kg. The dimensions of the bike are: 124cm tall, 180cm long and 65cm wide, but once folded, they’re reduced to: 78cm tall, 103cm long and 59cm wide. As practical as a folding bike may seem, you will need to fold and unfold the main frame, the pedals, the handlebar and lower the seat to achieve the aforementioned dimensions. This can make it a bit painful for a quick ride.
As with most bikes, it’s quite easy to step on and off the bike and the seat and handlebars are adjustable to your height and preference. We also thought the kickstand was good however it might have been more functional to place it towards the centre, allowing it to maintain more stability, but it does serve its purpose.
Battery and range
The frame hides a 48V lithium-ion Samsung battery, which can be removed via an easily accessible handle once the bike has been folded up. It can take up to 8 hours for the Mate X to fully charge. It is possible to purchase the “Speed” charger, which means you can reduce the charge time to as low as 3 hours, but the standard 240V charger that comes with the bike is perfect for an overnight charge cycle. Pedalling does not add any energy back into the battery for those wondering.
The Mate X has an estimated range of 55-120 kilometres, but this does vary on the usage of assist levels and how many hills the bike climbs. We would say that the bike can comfortably manage between 70-80 kilometres for the average user.
Quick disclaimer, once the battery has run dry, you are obviously on your own! We tried riding around without any power functions enabled and, sure, you could still ride it, but it takes a lot of effort due to the weight and size of the bike.
Brakes and gears
The Tektro braking system comes in two variants on purchase: mechanical or hydraulic. The hydraulic system is an upgrade, and ensures smoother braking, requiring less braking force, but we found nothing wrong with the default mechanical system. There are brake and front driving lights, as well as rear turning indicators. There is a small indicator control on the left handlebar, and the front headlights are automatically switched on via a light sensor. It’s also great to see that a horn is included.
Gear shifts are made easy via a simple twist in the handlebar with the Shimano gear shifter. There is a maximum of 8 gears with an easy-to-read display of what gear you are currently on, but with the motor assisting you, every gear feels easy!
The ride
Now here is the fun part. When we took the Mate X for a spin, we instantly fell in love. It had a really smooth take off that doesn’t jolt you forward as many electric modes of transport tend to do, while still offering impressive acceleration. The motor is adjustable to different levels of power depending on your preference and cuts out once you reach 25km/h. So, this means you can enjoy both power-assisted pedalling or just use the throttle.
The thickness of the tires combined with full front and rear suspension provided a very plush ride, even over dodgy pavement bumps. Although we are based near Sydney’s CBD, the inclines we did take the Mate X over were no issue, even at the lower assist settings. If you are looking to take the bike on casual off-road paths, we believe you would not find any problems in doing so.
The console display is fantastic, showing speed, energy consumption, and an easily readable battery level. To access all the settings, you will need to navigate via the buttons on the left side of the handlebars. We recommend giving the bike a quick test run and seeing what settings match your preference before going all out. The only thing we couldn’t find was a Bluetooth setting, which can be a handy way to connect your bike to a phone app for tracking distance, etc.
As for speed, we managed to sit comfortably at 26km/h in the assist mode, however, there is an extra mode unlockable in advanced settings called “Ludacris Mode” which allows for speeds up to 42km/h. When we were about to turn this feature on, a large warning was displayed asking if you wish to proceed knowing that the warranty will become null and void so we obviously didn’t test it out, but we were intrigued!
GadgetGuy’s take
If you are looking for a new mode of transport for short commutes to work or casual rides, the Mate X is a fantastic option that’s fun, practical and looks the goods too.
Compared to other eBikes on the market at a similar price point (AU2,199), it offers a step up in terms of design, quality, and enjoyment.
Although we don’t come by eBikes that often, we would be crazy not to recommend such a fun experience. For urban living, the Mate X is a fantastic way to traverse the city and even take on weekend adventures.