Introduction

• The video is a review of the Sohamo S3 step-through folding ebike.
• The bike stands out due to its large rear motor and battery.
• The bike is classified as a class 3 ebike and can reach speeds up to 28 mph.
• It comes in one size and one color, white.
• The average rider height for this bike is 51 to 65 inches.

“Today we are reviewing the Sohamo S3 step-through folding ebike. What sets this bike apart from others is its large rear motor and battery. It is a class 3 ebike, capable of reaching speeds up to 28 mph. This bike only comes in one size and one color, white.”

Versions and Pricing

• Two versions available: 15 amp and 20 amp.
• The 15 amp version costs $799 while the 20 amp version costs $999.
• The weight of the 15 amp version is 57 lbs, while the 20 amp version weighs 69 lbs.
• The maximum payload is 300 lbs.
• The claimed range for the 15 amp version is 25 miles using throttle only and 30 to 40 miles using pedal assist.
• The 20 amp version is expected to reach 30 miles using throttle only and 40 to 60 miles using pedal assist.

“There are two versions available: a 15 amp version priced at $799, and the model I have here, the 20 amp version priced at $999. The 15 amp version weighs 57 lbs, while the 20 amp version weighs 69 lbs. The maximum payload is 300 lbs. According to Sohamo, the 15 amp version can reach 25 miles using throttle only and 30 to 40 miles using pedal assist. The 20 amp version is expected to reach 30 miles using throttle only and 40 to 60 miles using pedal assist.”

Battery and Charging

• The battery on the Sohamo S3 is located on the rear and is removable.
• It has a liftable handle for easy removal.
• The battery is a 48-volt, 20 amp-hour battery with 960 watt-hours of power.
• It is charged using a 2 amp charger and takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to fully charge.
• The bike comes with a key to start and unlock the battery.

“The battery is located at the rear of the bike and can be easily removed thanks to the liftable handle. It is a 48-volt, 20 amp-hour battery with 960 watt-hours of power. Charging is done using a 2 amp charger, which takes around 6 to 8 hours to fully charge. To start the bike, a key is required to unlock the battery compartment.”

Bike Features and Components

• The Sohamo S3 features a 750-watt brushless rear hub motor with a peak of 1100 Watts.
• It has a Shimano 7-speed transmission with a Shimano turning derailleur and a derailleur guard.
• The bike is equipped with non-branded mechanical brakes with 160 mm rotors on both front and rear.
• It has an 80 mm travel suspension front fork with no adjustable settings.
• The bike comes with 20×3-inch Chow Yang tires, which are puncture-resistant.
• It has plastic fenders and a non-suspension seat post.
• Additional features include a rear rack, foldable pedals, quick-release seat post, and an adjustable stem.

“The Sohamo S3 features a 750-watt brushless rear hub motor with a peak of 1100 Watts. It has a 7-speed Shimano transmission with a Shimano turning derailleur and derailer guard. The bike is equipped with non-branded mechanical brakes with 160 mm rotors on both front and rear. It has an 80 mm travel suspension front fork. The bike comes with 20×3-inch Chow Yang tires, which are puncture-resistant. Additional features include plastic fenders, a non-suspension seat post, rear rack, foldable pedals, quick-release seat post, and an adjustable stem.”

Bike Folding and Unfolding

• The Sohamo S3 can be folded and unfolded.
• When unfolded, the bike measures 65.3 inches in length.
• To fold the bike, a lever needs to be flipped down, allowing the bike to fold onto itself.
• When folded, the bike is 38.5 inches long and has a height of 30.3 inches.
• Putting the bike back together involves lifting it, clamping the necessary parts, and securing it with a safety pin.

“The Sohamo S3 is a folding bike that measures 65.3 inches in length when unfolded. To fold the bike, a lever needs to be flipped down, allowing it to fold onto itself. When folded, the bike is 38.5 inches long with a height of 30.3 inches. Putting the bike back together involves lifting it, clamping the necessary parts, and securing it with a safety pin.”

Bike Operation and Display

• The bike has a basic display screen that shows battery level, speed, trip distance, and pedal assist levels.
• The pedal assist has five levels, which can be cycled through using the buttons.
• The bike has a headlight and a tail light that can be turned on with the push of a button.
• The bike has a throttle and an electric horn for additional convenience.

“The bike features a basic display screen that shows battery level, speed, trip distance, and pedal assist levels. The pedal assist has five levels that can be accessed using the buttons. The bike also has a headlight, a tail light, a throttle, and an electric horn.”

Riding Experience and Conclusion

• Riding the bike without pedal assist requires more effort and is not recommended for long distances.
• The bike reaches speeds of around 11-12 mph without pedal assist.
• The reviewer plans to test the range of the bike based on the weather conditions.
• The bike offers a comfortable grip on the handlebars and the braking system works well.
• Folding and unfolding the bike is simple and convenient.
• Overall, the bike offers a smooth and enjoyable riding experience.

“Riding the bike without pedal assist requires more effort and is not recommended for long distances. The bike reaches speeds of around 11-12 mph without pedal assist. The bike offers a comfortable grip on the handlebars, and the braking system works well. Folding and unfolding the bike is simple and convenient. Overall, the bike offers a smooth and enjoyable riding experience.”

Using Throttle Only

• Testing throttle only in pedal assist number one.
• Throttle provides good power.
• 3-inch tires make the bike nimble.
• Top speed is around 25 mph.
• No significant difference in power between throttle and pedal assist level one and two.
• Pedal assist level three reaches 15 mph.
• Pedal assist level four reaches 24 mph.
• Pedal assist level five should reach 25 mph.
• Throttle has gentle take off, but still powerful.
• Newton meters of torque not provided.

“The throttle provides good power, reaching up to 25 mph. The bike’s 3-inch tires make it nimble.”

Battery level and display

• When moving and pedaling, the battery level immediately drops down to two bars on the display.
• The video mentions that the audience cannot see it because the camera’s refresh rate is not working correctly.

“Whenever you’re moving and pedaling and got things going it just immediately drops down to two bars on the display”

Brake test

• The video shows a brake test where they get the bike up to 25 miles per hour and then slam on the brakes.
• The mechanical brakes work well, but they are not able to stop as quickly as hydraulic brakes.

“we are here for the brake test we are going to get this thing up to 25 miles hour slam on the brakes and see how she does”

Performance on sand

• The video demonstrates how the bike performs on sand.
• The bike has 3-inch tires and does surprisingly well on the sand.

“this bike is going to do on the sand now I don’t expect it to do well it’s only got 3-inch tires and so let’s see here we go oh we’re actually we’re not we’re not doing too bad”

Mileage check and battery level

• The video mentions that they are doing their first mileage check.
• The battery display level is down to three bars.

“I figured I would go ahead do our first mileage check now I’m looking at the display we’re down to three bars”

Riding around different parts of the city

• The video shows the host riding around different parts of the city.
• They are making frequent stops to check the battery level.

“have not been in this area before so this is pretty cool that’s the amazing thing about Chicago I mean I have done a ton of reviews out here and I have been everywhere but there are still places that I run into that I haven’t been to and this right here is one of them”

Performance when battery is low

• As the battery level drops, there is a delay before the power kicks in.
• The bike’s speed decreases and it becomes heavier to ride.

“what I just noticed now that we’re down to one bar is that when I take off, well it seems like it’s a little bit of a delay before the power actually kicks in and instead of us being able to just cruise at 25 miles per hour with it on pedal assist number five, well right now we’re at 20 miles per hour so we’re not surging we’re not pulsing but we’re also not going as fast as we were before”

Overall impressions

• The video concludes with the host’s final thoughts on the bike.
• They praise the features of the bike, considering its price point, including the 750W motor and the 9,160W battery.

“when it comes to foldable bikes and this one being under $1,000 the features of this bike is actually impressive when you consider the 750W motor and you consider the 960W battery”

Range and budget-friendly option

• The Sohamo S3 can go a long distance, covering 3.39 miles in the reviewer’s test.
• The bike’s range is impressive for a folding ebike in its price range, especially compared to a more expensive model reviewed previously.
• With a limited budget of $1,000, the S3 is a good choice for those seeking a folding ebike with a long-lasting battery.

“If you have like a limited budget of $1,000 and you want a folding ebike that can go a long distance, well the S3 might be the choice for you.”

Basic display and battery life

• The display on the S3 is super basic, with a simple battery indicator consisting of five bars.
• Once the battery drops to one bar, it is advised to head home as the power runs out quickly.
• The reviewer noticed a significant drop in power after just three miles of riding with two bars left.

“I can tell you that when you have five bars on your battery, the first bar is going to drop pretty quick, four is going to drop decently, three and two is going to hang on for a long time, but once you hit your one bar, you better be heading home.”

Comfortable seat and maneuverability

• The seat on the S3 is comfortable, even after riding for 30 miles, as the reviewer did not experience any soreness.
• The bike’s center of gravity and nimbleness make it easy to maneuver.
• The thinner tires contribute to the bike’s ease of handling.

“I am pleasantly surprised on how this seat handled because I did put that 30 mi in but I’m not sore, I don’t really feel it. So that is a super good thing.”

Durable rack and adequate brakes

• The back rack on the S3 is beefier and thicker, suggesting it can handle heavier loads.
• The reviewer believes that even a delivery person could place a big, heavy basket on the rack without any issues.
• While hydraulic brakes would be preferable, the mechanical brakes on the S3 work fine.
• The trigger controls for the brakes function well, ensuring a satisfactory braking experience.

“I mean this back rack with it being beefier and thicker, man I feel like you could, if you were a delivery person, you could put like a big heavy basket on there and it would be totally fine.” “Obviously, the mechanical brakes, I’d rather have hydraulic, but these brakes worked just fine, the triggers felt fine, everything worked out really rather well, well for a bike in this price point.”