Fluid CityRider Review: Light Weight, High Value

We tested the Fluid CityRider electric scooter across more than 250 miles. We benchmarked its performance, including top speed, acceleration, and hill-climbing ability – also verifying the scooter’s range and details like braking distance.

Hop on and explore with us as we compare it to popular alternatives – and see whether it’s the good value for money it promises to be.

Fluid CityRider Overview

Here’s a quick overview of the key CityRider specs you want to know about:

Key Manufacturer Specs

Performance Test Overview

Speed & Motor Performance

The Fluid CityRider has a 36V, 350W front hub motor and an advertised top speed of 18 MPH (29 KMH).

All in all, the motor performance isn’t anything to write home about, which is to be expected given its price. The scooter has middling top speed relative to its price, and you can find several alternatives that accelerate faster at a similar price point.

That said, if either of these factors is essential to you, it’s not all bad news: the CityRider does beat the very popular NIU KQi2 Pro in all tests motor performance tests.

Top Speed Test

We performed our standard speed test with a 175 lbs (79 kg) test rider and achieved a top speed for the CityRider of 17.9 MPH (28.8 KMH). It’s just about equal to the advertised speed.

This is how it compares with its peers:

As you can see, it doesn’t make for a flattering comparison. At the same price, alternatives like the Turboant X7 Max and Hiboy S2 have a higher top speed.

Acceleration Test

It’s a similar story with acceleration.

We recorded 0-15 MPH in 8.24 seconds on average (best: 7.45 s). It then climbed slowly towards its top speed of 17.9 MPH in 16.5 seconds (best: 14.9 s).

It reaches 15 MPH slightly faster than the KQi2 Pro and X7 Max, but loses out to the Hiboy S2 and Atomi Alpha by a notable margin.

Hill Climb Test

We also performed a comparison to find out how the CityRider compares when climbing a hill.

The test was conducted on a 250 ft (76 m) hill with an average incline of 8%. The climb was completed in 30.1 seconds with an average speed of 5.7 MPH (9.1 KMH).

Performance Summary

If you’re below 220 lbs (100 kg), you may find it works for you as an affordable commuting solution. But the scooter struggles with heavier riders and with more challenging commutes that include hills.

It is worth noting that the hub motor is placed in the front wheel. This generally helps with pull when going uphill, but it can negatively impact stability as the same wheel is doing both the steering and providing propulsion.

Range & Battery Performance

The Fluid CityRider has a 36V 10Ah battery with a capacity of 360 Wh. Fluid specifies a 15 miles (24.1 km) max range. Charging takes 5 hours.

Okay, so this scooter isn’t a performance monster – but things start to look better in the battery stakes.

As always, yes, capacity matters – but it’s the real-world range test that tells you what this scooter will be like to live with, and I performed comprehensive tests to find out.

Battery Capacity Comparison

The battery capacity is identical to that of the Atomi Alpha and X7 Max and higher than the Atomi E20 and Hiboy S2. The NIU KQi2 Pro has a hair more capacity, but the difference is negligible.

Looking at the quoted capacity, the Fluid CityRider is competitive on battery relative to price.

Range Test

To better understand the CityRider’s battery performance, I tested it in the real world at 3 different speeds.

The first test yielded 15.4 miles of range. In this test, I held the throttle down as much as possible to focus on speed.

The second test is more comparable to real-world riding. At an average speed of 14.3 MPH, I got 16.9 miles of range.

In the range priority test, I rode slower to maximize mileage. I was able to push 18.8 miles of range out of the CityRider here.

Range Comparison

Let’s compare these results with the same tests conducted on the competitor models.

#1: Speed Priority

Out of the pack, the CityRider comes in third behind the Atomi Alpha and NIU KQi2 Pro. The difference is only about 11% up to the KQi2 Pro, though.

It beats the X7 Max, Hiboy S2 and Atomi E20 with a clear margin.

#2: Regular

The comparison holds in our second “regular” riding test. Once again, it isn’t far behind the KQi2 Pro.

#3: Range Priority

In the range priority, the X7 Max is catching up slightly, but the CityRider still beats it by 0.6 miles.

Range-Weight Ratio

It really delivers in terms of range relative to weight. Out of the scooters we compare it with, it offers the most mileage compared to its weight at 0.55 miles/lb (almost double what the Hiboy S2 and Atomi E20 offer).

Charging

In line with the value-for-money proposition, you can’t expect rapid charging with this scooter. The charger is a 42V *1.5A = 63W unit, which is relatively slow. Fluid advertises a charge time of 5 hours, but our tests found charging to full capacity took closer to 6 hours.

Battery Performance Summary

You’re not getting a bad deal on the battery performance here. We think the CityRider makes a reasonable compromise between value and delivering enough battery capacity to be a reliable, versatile commuting scooter.

It’s safe to expect a 10-mile commute over the lifetime of the scooter – whereas you might struggle with competitors like the Atomi E20, especially as the battery wears.

Ride Quality

With small, solid tires and no suspension, the CityRider delivers a reliable rough ride.

At this price point, we’re not expecting the cushiest of rides – but is the scooter reasonably comfortable to use? How about safety factors such as handling and braking? Let’s take a look.

Tires & Suspension

The combination of solid tires and no suspension means nothing to alleviate road vibrations. All stress goes into your body and the scooter itself. This makes for a shaky ride.

We would really only recommend this scooter in areas with good road conditions. It’s guaranteed to give you a headache on rough roads.

On the bright side, the handling is decent (which is quite surprising as it is front-wheel driven). Note that the solid tire setup makes it a no-no in rain, as traction will be really poor when it’s wet out there.

Braking

The CityRider has a rear drum brake, electronic regen braking, and a rear-tire friction brake.

I regard friction brakes of no use because friction brakes perform poorly, create unnecessary wear, and can be unsafe in some circumstances.

Combined, the rear drum brake and regen braking components are usually enough for a scooter with limited power – but in testing, I found the scooter performed relatively poorly with a stopping distance of 16.3 feet (5 m).

While 16.3 feet is enough stopping power on smooth, dry roads, you may consider a scooter with more performant braking if the road conditions are poor in your area.

A significant advantage of this scooter’s brake setup is that it is almost maintenance-free compared to disc brakes. If you aren’t technical or don’t want to deal with adjustments and repairs, drum brakes are the way to go.

Deck

The deck measures 17.7" x 6.5" (45 cm x 16.5 cm). This is a good size for most riders, but particularly tall riders may wish they had just a bit more space. It has a nice old-school look.

Grip tape is classic. It is highly effective for maintaining a solid footing, which is why it is so popular on skateboards. Be careful not to scratch your skin on it, though. It’s unforgiving like sandpaper.

Personally, I don’t mind grip tape, but I found that it wasn’t properly glued to the wooden deck. It is an easy fix with a bit of wood glue, but I can’t help but think it may become a headache that loosens itself over time in damp environments.

The 2.6" (6.6 cm) of ground clearance is relatively low, so you’re not going to want to ride straight down a curb, and again, low ground clearance means the scooter is best used on reasonably good roads.

The low ground clearance does mean a low center of gravity, which likely explains why the scooter handles surprisingly well with no suspension and a front hub motor.

Cockpit

At a measurement of 18.9" (48 cm), the fluid CityRider has relatively narrow handlebars. Wider handlebars are more comfortable, but it is a warranted design choice made by fluid, so the scooter remains compact.

It may be a deal-breaker for particularly large riders, although I’d say it’ll work for anyone below 6’3” – and it makes the scooter easier to store. Deck to handlebar distance is fixed at 40” (101 cm), which is a sweet spot that matches most rider heights.

Overall, the cockpit feels minimalistic and intuitive and looks good with few visible cables. The grips are comfortable and suitable in size for most riders. The thumb throttle has a textured surface so your finger doesn’t slip. Input lag is minimal, which ensures smooth and stable speed control.

The cockpit buttons are pretty tactile and use contrasting colors, but the buttons on the left aren’t so easily accessible when you ride because the bell gets in the way.

The brake lever is solid and functions smoothly. I did not have to tune it before riding.

The display is good. It isn’t the brightest in direct sunlight but thanks to an anti-glare surface, it is still readable. It displays important riding information. The surface is prone to scratches, but that is seen on many scooters that have a protection layer on the surface of the screen.

The turn signal setup is excellent. It is a rare feature on scooters in this price class. This is one of the things that sets the CityRider apart from its peers.

While already ahead of the curve in this regard, I would’ve loved to see some handlebar turn lights implemented for 360-degree visibility, just like the Apollo City Pro or Segway Max G2.

Portability

At this price point, riders often use scooters in a mixed-mode transport scenario, riding some of the way on a scooter – and some of the journey on public transport. If that’s your goal, the CityRider isn’t a bad choice: it’s reasonably lightweight and easy to fold.

Weight & Dimensions

At just 31 lbs (14.1 kg), this scooter is relatively lightweight. Weight distribution is even too, so it’s not awkward to carry.

All in all, the CityRider is a decently light scooter that is just at the edge of the ultra-portable category (sub 30 lbs). There are a handful of lighter options, but they come with compromises in other areas.

How does it compare to similar scooters? Here’s a full weight comparison:

Unfolded dimensions are 18.9 x 47.6 x 43.3 in (48 x 120.9 x 110 cm). Folded dimensions are 18.9 x 19.7 x 43.3 in (48 x 50 x 110 cm).

That is pretty compact. It doesn’t take up unnecessary space. In our opinion, you could take this scooter onto a train or bus without causing a nuisance.

Folding & Carrying

As a minor criticism, we’d say the stem is a bit thick, which can make it slightly awkward to carry, but it’s not a major concern.

The folding mechanism works well: it is simple and quick to use, you don’t need excessive force to use it, and it hooks up nicely on the rear fender – neatly in parallel to the deck.

Build Quality & Safety

Does the CityRider’s attractive price mean big comprises in build quality and safety? We closely examined the CityRider and subjected the scooter to a few stress tests to find out.

First, the scooter has a rated weight capacity of 265 lbs (120.2 kg). Many entry-level scooters have a max load of 220 lbs (100 kg). This specification indicates Fluid’s confidence in their scooter’s construction. While heavier riders might experience diminished performance, the structural integrity of the scooter is designed to withstand this weight limit.

Frame

The Fluid CityRider has a solid frame mainly designed from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, which is the most commonly used frame material in the business.

It is lightweight and robust, and you can expect decent resistance to heat and corrosion.

Fenders

The plastic fenders are a bit thin, and in my opinion, fluid would be better off dropping the friction braking functionality and adding extra contact points with the rear of the frame for added strength.

That said, the fenders aren’t overly flimsy. They’re angled well and generally disperse water well from my tests.

Kickstand

Again, to be expected at the price, the kickstand is a bit flimsy – but I found that it’s due to the internal spring, which makes it bounce, rather than a bad design.

To test its longevity, I simulated wear by flipping it 500 times. It did start to have a slight audible creak about halfway through, but the essential performance stayed intact.

The kickstand placement is solid. It follows the scooter’s weight distribution, so it shouldn’t topple over easily.

Folding Mechanism

Looking at it from a safety and quality perspective, the folding mechanism delivers.

This folding mechanism style is seen on many scooters for good reason. It is both efficient and easy to use. I particularly like the two layers of protection built into it.

First, there is a safety button that ensures the mechanism doesn’t come undone unless you’re standing in front of the scooter and trying to fold it.

Next, you’ll find a plastic slider that moves across the locking mechanism for further protection. All this makes for a folding mechanism in which you can place your trust. There is no accidental unlatching and no notable stem flex.

I folded/unfolded the mechanism 100 times to see if it started showing weakness. However, it held up nicely. After 100 folds, it was as smooth as in the beginning.

Weather Resistance

With an IP55 weather resistance rating, the Fluid CityRider handles the rain very well.

An IP55 rating means the scooter should be able to survive the occasional episode of medium-intensity rain, but I suggest you wipe it down after use and avoid big puddles of water. You won’t be covered for water damage if the worst happens.

That said, the scooter has small, solid tires and no suspension, so I don’t recommend riding on wet surfaces, even though it may survive it. There is a significant chance of hydroplaning and slipping because the tires offer poor water dispersion and minimal traction.

Lights & Visibility

I really like the light and visibility setup on this budget scooter.

The headlight is mounted high and angled downwards so you won’t blind oncoming traffic. It is reasonably bright, and so is the tail light.

The tail light increases in brightness when you brake, which is an excellent way to warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down.

There are reflective stickers on the front tire, but it would be nice to see the same at the rear. Again, the scooter has turn signals, which are rare at this price point and a key safety aspect.

It would be nice if the turn signals were visible from any angle, but that is asking a lot at this price. All in all, the visibility setup is far above average in its price class.

Other Features

You get a smartphone app – but the app doesn’t support newer versions of Android, so I wasn’t able to test it. It’s likely not being updated frequently, which is a bummer since it’s an excellent addition to the scooter.

For those more fortunate than me who get to use the app, it supports the following main features:

• Cruise control toggle
• Smart locking
• Speed mode change
• Lights toggle
• Energy recovery level
• Zero-start on/off
• Error codes and warning codes
• Battery insights: Temperature, status, voltage, current

Warranty

When purchased from FluidFreeRide, the CityRider comes with a 12-month warranty and Lifetime Service Commitment.

Most major components like the battery, motor, controller, and lights are covered by the warranty, but wear and tear items like tires, fenders, and kickstands aren’t. The warranty does not cover damage due to misuse, collisions, etc.

Verdict: Who Should Buy The Fluid CityRider?

I think this scooter is ideal for budget-oriented commuters who weigh under 220 lbs and who value low maintenance and high reliability over sheer motor performance (and ride comfort).

The scooter struggles on hills but is a nimble solution with ample range for most riders who stick to smooth roads on relatively short commutes.

If you live in a rainy area, you may want to consider a pneumatic tire option like the G30P, which is proven to hold up in the rain well.

Besides that, the scooter offers plenty of features to keep you riding safely, and its portable nature makes it an option for mixed-mode journeys.