sondors lcd display supplier

The Sonders Ebike (formerly the Storm Electric Bike) is an ultra-affordable fat tire ebike that was launched through Indiegogo in February of 2015. The name change was a result of conflict with ProdecoTech which offers two Storm electric bike models of their own including the Storm 500. The Sondors, still named for it’s creator “Storm Sondors”, remained interesting due to its extremely aggressive opening price point of $499 plus $194 shipping and the controversial claim that it was the “worlds most affordable electric bike” despite the thousands of ebikes sold in China annually for under $300 USD… Yay for marketing! Having raised over three million dollars within a week, selling over 3,000 units and ultimately reaching nearly $6M total, new concerns were raised by backers about the possibility of delivery delays. The original target for manufacture, shipment and arrival in the US was set just four months out, May of 2015. Further questions were raised about the weight and performance specs of the bike which were eventually updated on Indiegogo to include a heavier overall weight and smaller battery capacity than the initial advertised specs. At the time of this review, those specs were still listed online and they were still far from accurate which is sad because many people are learning about this ebike through word of mouth or one of the myriad ads running on Facebook and Google AdSense. To me, that’s wrong and hurtful to the crowdfunding movement which is built on trust. Perhaps as a means of addressing concerns and validating the product, the Sondors team began a tour of demo rides in mid February 2015 which I attended and filmed. Shortly thereafter, the marketing agency which helped promote the Sondors sued based on fees that they had not been paid. With all of this historical context in mind, I will now focus on the final product which I received in mid July 2015.

Many things changed about the Sondors as it was produced and ultimately delivered. Some of those things were bad (increased weight at ~59 vs. the advertised 45, smaller 160 mm disc brakes vs. the advertised 180 mm, reduced range ~15 miles vs. the advertised 30 to 50 miles, fewer colors, smaller motor size 350 watt vs. 380 watt) and some of those things were good (upgraded ergonomic grips with lockers, improved throttle control and LED readout, the addition of a basic pedal assist sensor). Considering the short amount of time that these electric bikes were finalized, manufactured and shipped internationally I was actually amazed and thrilled with the results… even if the delivery was a month or two late (many people have not received their ebikes at the time of this review, especially those who live outside the US). Compared to many other electric fat bikes I’ve tested and reviewed this one felt a bit under powered but it actually handled the beach riding and hill climbing well (note that I only weigh ~135 lbs). The Sondors is currently only available in one standard size ~18 inches, but for me (a 5’9″ male) it felt perfect. Perhaps the most delighting addition to the frame (in my opinion) is the threaded eyelets on the chain stays! There are two on each side for adding a carry rack and there are bosses at the fork and rear for adding fenders. I also like the solid and oversized platform pedals, cutout rims, plastic chain guide and kickstand. These are inexpensive minor touches but they impact how the bike fits into your life… Perhaps the greatest design decision of them all is the plastic battery box mounted in the main triangle of the frame. It beautifully conceals the battery pack, controller and extra wires and even provides storage space. There were no instructions included with the bike and this resulted in me missing a few of the extra features like pedal assist, I also wasn’t able to discern whether or not it was okay to put items in the battery box for storage while riding. I decided to experiment and was able to fit the keys and charger in there for my test ride, this is not something I can endorse as it could be dangerous if air circulation is required to keep the battery from overheating. Longevity is one of the big question marks for me with this ebike… You get a 30 day warranty (according to my interview with the founder) but representatives from the company are slow to respond to emails if you use the publicly available email forms (they didn’t respond at all to my multiple requests for a delivery address change). If you do end up with some kind of issue you might end up on your own, so proceed with caution.

Powering the Sondors electric bike is a 350 watt planetary geared hub motor laced into the rear wheel. I’ve seen dozens of motors from Bafang (the company that made this one) but none were as wide as this. It’s possible that this is a fat-bike specific design or something new? In any case, it performed as expected and definitely looked nice with the black paint because the spokes, tires, saddle, grips, crank arms and wiring are also black. A few times when accelerating from standstill the motor stalled when I pushed all the way down on the throttle. This might be a built in protection mechanism designed to keep mosfet transistors from failing. For best results, accelerate slowly and help the bike by pedaling for a few strokes. Geared hub motors tend to be light weight and small while remaining zippy. They freewheel efficiently so there’s no drag when coasting but they can wear out more quickly over time because there are plastic gears inside. I like that this motor was wired into the system with a quick disconnect break point because it will make maintenance much easier. Speaking of maintenance… these wheels did require some spoken tightening and truing during the initial build. Compared with some other ebikes I’ve purchased online, this one took longer to build and required more fine tuning. I worked with a professional ebike manufacturer who spent ~27 minutes building it straight from the box and I was thankful for the specialized tools they used and the stand that made it easier to work on. For the $50 to $100 that this sort of service might cost, I think it’s well worth it and could ultimately extend the lifetime of the bike altogether or make it safer.

Powering the Sondors is an average sized 36 volt 8.8 amp hour canister style battery pack that mounts to the downtube inside the plastic box. The sticker says Samsung cells which is reassuring and the Lithium-ion chemistry was chosen to be light weight and long lasting compared with some older Lead Acid types. The pack itself is removable but there are also two circular holes punched into the box surrounding it that allow you to charge it or switch it on without having to take it off. Many times I suggest removing batteries during transport because it helps to reduce the overall weight of a unit but in this case it’s only ~5.4 pounds. One of the big challenges surrounding this battery case/box design is that it completely fills the space beneath the top tube. That means some bike racks simply won’t work with this product, you’ll probably need an oversized platform rack like this and some fat-tire adapters which can add up. People with trucks can use straps or just lay the bike on its side. You could remove the front wheel to shorten the bike but that will require extra tools as there is no quick release here. I like that the battery locks to the frame and includes an LED charge level indicator (useful if you’re storing it away from the bike and wondering whether it’s full). To help extend battery life I recommend storing in a cool dry place because extreme heat and cold can degrade the cells. You should also keep the battery charged between 20% and 80% if it’s not being used and check in on it every couple of months in case it’s slowly going down. Because this ebike is so affordable and there are some questions about the quality of the cells used I feel compelled to remind users only to charge the pack with the included charger. This charger got pretty hot when I used it and I have heard of several ebike fires in the past based on cells that were damaged or improper charging. Be careful with this thing and store it somewhere that won’t burn easily just in case there is some issue. Many electric bike shops have special metal cabinets to store batteries because they deal with damaged packs that customers bring in. I’m not trying to be hurtful towards Sondors or imply that their pack is lower quality, I just know that many people who purchase this product are first time ebike owners and I want to support a positive experience.

Operating the bike is about as simple as it gets. Once the battery is charged and seated inside the box area… you close the door and use a little thumb screw to secure it. From here, you actually have to switch the pack to “on” and this can be done on the right or “starboard” side of the pack through the little circular cutout. Next, press the rubber button at the base of the throttle control module. You should see three LED lights activate (green, yellow and red) communicating that the bike is ready to go and the battery is fully charged. At this point you simply press the throttle and the motor takes you away! Initially, the Sondors ebike wasn’t going to have this LED display (there was a smaller, dimmer one) and the throttle wasn’t as large or smooth. I love the upgrade they went with and I appreciate that they used a thumb throttle vs. a twist throttle because it means they could go with affordable, locking, ergonomic grips. The grips feel great and they sort of match the accent colors on the frame (yellow/gold in my case). The cockpit is clean and simple… probably fairly durable if the bike tips over. You don’t get a fancy LCD display (at least not initially) but there is some discussion that one might be arriving as an optional addon at a later date. During the ride it seemed like I was hitting 20 mph (according to Strava) and even though the LED lights changed from green to yellow fairly quickly, the range wasn’t cut short immediately, even as it went to red. I’m guessing that the display is based on a simple voltmeter because I saw the lights drop to red while accelerating and riding and then go back up to yellow when parked. I parked several times to let the bike rest and I also pedaled part of the time during my tests to simulate real-world riding. I did some small hills, some packed dirt, some wood and a little bit of sand but I was not overly aggressive in the way I rode the bike. Also, there was extra hardware installed at the bottom bracket for use with pedal assist but I didn’t realize it was working (because it was very gentle and I was focused on the throttle for most of my review). Here’s an updated video that explains pedal assist and shows how it compares with using the trigger throttle to drive the bike. I though it was left on as an extra part because one end of the cable was a dead end. It’s neat that they added this extra feature and I was excited to hear that there may be an optional LCD display panel for use with this assist sensor in the future.

In closing, the Sondors electric bike really impressed me but there was drama and disappointment in the way it was advertised and sold. It feels premature to call it a complete success because I haven’t used it for weeks or months of riding (and I’m selling it so I can continue traveling and reviewing). That part is up to the community to share with each other. The build was difficult and long and the limited support was unsettling but that might be a temporary issue because the company is so busy right now. There are probably some legal issues with this bike, I wonder if the importer has manufacturers insurance (or even who the importer officially is?) I was surprised that the bike came with a plastic cadence sensor and extra wiring at first but it’s great that it actually works, the only mention I found of this feature was on the Sondors blog from three months ago and there were no instructions with the bike so I missed it in the video (annotation has been added to help clarify there). If you take this out and get 10 to 15 miles per charge, I’d call that a success! If you want to climb steeper stuff or plan on pedaling, there is some limitation with the single speed drivetrain… I looked for a way to mount a derailleur and add a cassette but there just isn’t room. You could add an Efneo Gearbox or Schlumpf drive at the bottom bracket but the range will still be limited and it might not fit with the wider bottom bracket. The sprocket size they chose feels good, it’s smaller than average which provides more leverage for starting and maneuvering the heavier frame and larger tires. I like the cutout rims because they look cool and reduce weight and that improves steering. For a fat bike, it’s pretty cool and got a lot of smiles and interest. My hope is that everyone else receives theirs and that the drive systems work well or are easy to replace when there are issues. With this many bikes going out it’s impossible to avoid some issues but mine arrived in great shape (aside from a few minor frame scrapes) and I was fairly impressed with the performance I got.

Assembly was required and much more involved than other electric bikes I’ve purchased online, there are some good instructional videos posted by Sondors but it might be worth getting help from a local shop with the proper tools, grease and stands

Everything you love about the KT-LCD3, but in color!  A thinner display with improvements over the old black and white model.  Now standard with USB port.  Compatible everywhere the standard KT-LCD3 is.

Special NOTE - These screens are NOT compatible with stock Sondors motor controllers, unless you have a fat bike from the 2015 Indiegogo campaign.  To make this work with your bike you will also need a compatible motor controllerfound here.

The front fork is a solid fork which makes sense but you can feel bumps on uneven roads. Again this isn’t an off-road mtb, it is a folding electric bike. I am very happy with the comfort level of Sondors, I am just letting you know about some problems you may face.

So maybe we must judge the comfort of the bike based on its category, price, and promises. I never hear Sondors claim to be the most comfortable e-bike regardless of the terrain. It is rather a folding electric bike which can be used on off-road (moderate level) and it is giving a  comfortable ride for those purposes.

I review chaincover and mudguard in the comfort part. As it may affect your ride quality in rainy weather. Sondors don’t offer mudguards at their standard product and I am not sure if it can be purchased as I didn’t see it on their accessories page.

Sondors don’t come with a chaincover but it comes with double layer crank. This is making chain stay in position rather than protecting your pants. But it is a nice well thought feature.

Sondors come with a standard solid fork. I hear many complain about not having suspension forks but I totally support Sondors decision here. It is a folding bike mainly designed for asphalt roads. So a solid fork will do the work very well. Besides most of those suspension forks used in this price e-bikes are very low quality which may create lots of problems. So rather than having a low-quality suspension fork with a very low travel, I prefer to have a solid fork like Sondors have which is reliable.

Sondors is not one of the lightest electric folding bikes but not so heavy too for an electric bike. It weighs over 55 lbs which is OK-ish.  Height and geometry is very well designed and handlebar angle can be adjusted.

Assembly seems slightly harder than other electric folding bikes but nothing you can’t do at your home. And I know Sondors has a strong family of riders who are more than happy to help you If you face any problems.

This feature unlocks an additional four (providing a total of five) levels of electric pedal assist plus added torque for increased hill-climbing power, greater range, and improved towing capacity. In addition, the SONDORS LCD screen supplies a digital display offering accurate battery level and distance traveled.

The Sondors Fold XS is a folding Class 2 ebike (Class 3 optional) with playful fat tires, a low wheelbase, telescoping handlebars and a powerful 750watt Bafang rear hub motor with responsive cadence sensor, twist throttle, and 80Nm of torque. The Fold XS has been upgraded in 2020 to make it even more user friendly. The folding frame collapses down so this bike will fit in your trunk or truck bed and the extended one-year warranty is a valuable addition on a direct-to-consumer ebike. Sondors has long been a presence in the ebike space and offers several bikes for users of all abilities. The Fold XS provides a good option for those who want a sturdy folding ebike with impressive kick. The base model does not include extra accessories which keeps the bike price low so you don’t pay for extras you don’t need. The XS is currently offered online from Sondors for $1699 in two colors: Torch orange and Graphite gray. The XS only comes in one frame size, but there are several adjustable features to make it work for riders of all sizes. This is a peppy ebike that is great for trail riding, off-road recreation, zipping around town, or taking a jaunt along the beach.

The Fold XS has a 48 V 14Ah Lithium-ion battery tucked inside the bike frame so it isn’t in the way while riding and stays protected when the bike is folded. This battery will provide about 25 miles of straight electric power and from 40 to 60 miles of range on pedal assist. Total range varies a little with each rider and is affected by assist level, terrain, and any cargo weight. The charging port is located at the front of the top tube and protected by a color-matched port cover. Be careful however, as there is not a tether attached to the port cover so it could get lost or dropped when you pop it off the bike. If you lose the port cover, the exposed port could get dirt or grit inside which would damage the battery. The Sondors XS battery is cylinder shaped for easy removal — simply fold the bike in half and slide the battery out of the base of the top tube. No tools are required to fold the bike or remove the battery. It can also be charged both on or off the bike. A 3amp charger is included which will recharge the battery in roughly 3-5 hours.

We like that Sondors has placed the charging port on the right side of the bike, so when you engage the kickstand or fold the bike, the port is on the exterior side — which both keeps it up off the ground and makes it easier to access when charging.

An extra battery (or replacement) is available from Sondors for $389 which is an affordable price for a full battery. You can take an extra battery along for a longer trip to avoid range anxiety, or just keep one around for backup as needed. The battery weighs roughly 7.5 pounds.

The Sondors XS has a rear hub Bafang motor with 750 watts of nominal power, 1000 watts of peak power, and 80Nm of torque. The Sondors XS includes a sensitive 12-magnet cadence sensor that is highly responsive. Usually with a cadence sensor there is a short lag before the assist kicks in, but Sondors has dialed in the sensitivity on this 12-magnet system to make the assist instantly responsive. Usually on bikes with a cadence rather than torque sensor you have to add a bit of throttle to offset the bike weight when starting from a full stop due to the slight lag in cadence detection. The XS doesn’t have this problem so you can quickly start from a full stop on pedal assist alone. (Although a touch of throttle provides a nice kick.)

The computer display is a Sondors branded Bafang DCP-18. It is not removable but there is a charging port on the right side. The backlit display is 3.25” large and has pretty good visibility. As with any display, it can be challenging to see in very low (garage) or very bright (full sunlight) conditions.

This display is not removable, so you can’t take it off the bike. It is subject to the elements should you leave your bike out (in the rain, sun, etc.).

The display fits seamlessly into the handlebar system — it is easy to see but not in the way since it is mounted on the left handlebar (shifters and throttle are on the right).

The Fold XS does not include lights. In keeping with Sondors policy of providing affordable bikes to every rider, the XS includes minimal accessories so riders don’t pay for extras they don’t need. Lights would need to be purchased after market. Sondors does not currently list lights as an available accessory on their website. We always like to see lights — they keep you more visible as well as improve overall safety while riding. Even a rear reflector would help a ton here without adding weight or much cost, so we recommend riders consider adding lights or reflectors after purchase.

The Sondors XS has Tektro Auriga 180 mm disc brakes with four-finger brake levers for more precise control. Even though the XS is a class 2 bike that limits the speed to 20mph (as opposed to 28mph on class 3 bikes), the Bafang motor is well known for its power and kick — as a result, responsive brakes are important since you need to manage the higher speed of an ebike. These Tektro brakes have good stopping power thanks to the 180mm rotors so you can always feel in control of the bike. Motor inhibitors also shut off motor power any time you tap the brakes so you don’t brake and run the motor at the same time.

The air suspension fork helps a ton here to mitigate bumps and jarring from the road. The fork provides 45mm of travel and is both lockable and adjustable. Sondors has outfitted this bike with a 30mm suspension seat post which provides a lot of rider comfort from bumps and dips in the road. The seatpost has a preload adjustment bolt in the base and a quick-release skewer so you can easily raise and lower the seat.

The aluminum alloy frame is sturdy and looks hearty. Sondors has dialed in the folding mechanism so it is easy to fold up and stays folded thanks to the magnetic locking system. The cabling is all connected and integrated so it stays protected and tucked inside the frame. This keeps the design sleek and uncluttered.

The XS only comes in one size, but the handlebars can be raised and angled per the needs of different size riders. The seat lifts and lowers as well. Sondors claims the XS will work for riders of all sizes, although those over 6’3” and under 5’0” may have to adjust a little.

The 7-speed 14-28T gear system on the XS Fold provides just a bit of range but isn’t really extensive enough to offset steep hills or a hard climb, especially since the bike weighs 68 pounds. Thankfully, that’s what the powerful 750watt Bafang motor is for. The gears do allow for higher cadence, lower torque riding on flats and uneven terrain and this is where the XS Fold really shines. Fatty low-profile tires like this love sand, dirt, gravel and other off-road surfaces which is part of the appeal of the Sondors XS. The rear derailleur is standard, but Sondors has upgraded the chain to stainless steel to prevent rust. A 48T steel chainring in the front helps as well and we particularly like the double guard chain system and protective cover.

The Sondors Fold XS is a sporty, folding ebike with a powerful rear hub motor, integrated battery, 20” fatty tires and a nice color LCD display. The Fold XS battery is tucked into the frame so it isn’t in your way when getting on and off the bike. The battery is easily removable — it slides in and out of the tob tube and doesn’t require tools — and it is color matched to the frame for a seamless design. There are bosses for a rear rack and the bike has a handy telescoping kickstand. The Fold XS will go 25 miles on electric power alone and 40 – 60 miles with pedal assist. This fun urban bike is well suited for a bit of beach scrambling, heading off road, trail riding or just a quick jaunt around town. The Fold XS lacks front and rear fenders and does not have front or rear lights, or reflective stripes on the tires — so there are a few things to be aware of. It folds in half easily and stays locked — but it is difficult to lift and move when folded. Even strong owners may have a hard time getting this bike into the back of a car trunk or into a truck bed simply due to the weight.

We do love the crisp Torch colored frame (also available in Graphite), and the 750 watt Bafang motor is plenty powerful. You get 80Nm of torque and Sondors has dialed in the sensitivity to make sure riders feel the power right at the get-go. The 7-speed gear range is adequate but not extensive and the rear derailleur is entry-level but does the job if you shift carefully. We are impressed by the 180mm hydraulic disc brakes! These are ebike specific and provide instant stopping power which is needed on this sporty bike. The suspension seat post, gel saddle and locking ergo grips also add comfort while riding.

Sondors bikes can be ordered online directly from the manufacturer which saves on cost but limits buyers’ ability to ride and test the bikes. The Fold XS is currently on pre-order and listed at $1699.

Sondors has long been a recognized name in the ebike industry and we like the upgrades they’ve made to the Fold XS with a new rust resistant chain and responsive pedal assist. This is a class 2 ebike with class 3 potential so make sure you are aware of local ebike laws when riding the Fold XS. As always, handle responsibly and enjoy — we look forward to a test ride soon ourselves!

All great deals must come to an end. Ok, maybe that"s overstating it, but the Sondors 2018 Thin got a big price hike. It"s still a great value, just less of a value.

The BadMust buy the LCD screen which adds $150. While the LCD screen is nice and gives you different levels of pedal assist, we prefer to save $150. It takes up handlebar real estate where we would rather put our smartphone and run a more robust speedometer like Strava or any other modern activity tracking app.If you want the bigger battery for increased range, you currently must buy the front suspension. We were very disappointed in the Sondors" front fork as it can"t easily be tuned. It basically just adds extra weight.

Hopefully, when "Pre Sales" are over, Sondors will go back to allowing you to skip the LCD display and give you the option of a bigger battery without needing the sub-standard front fork.

The Sondors Fat bike is better for rough roads, sand, and snow. For everything else, we much prefer for the Sondors Thin. It"s faster and more efficient. The Thin weighs 38 pounds while the Fat weighs 55 (49 lbs for the Sondors X). It"s a BIG difference. The Thin is relatively easy for most people to lift into the bed of a truck or a tray-style bike rack. The Fat is like wrestling a heavy piece of furniture with wheels. We would recommend the Fat for trails, but the motor is just not powerful enough for many hills. The Sondors X may solve that issue but it"s $1240 or $1440 for the 7-speed.

Skip the fork. It"s not serviceable, which means that as soon as a week after riding, it may lose most of its travel. This happened on our Sondors Fat bike after about three weeks. Now, as soon as we weight the bike it fully compresses, which makes it useless. It now just adds weight to the bike and reminds us that the $100 "upgrade" was anything but. This is a big deal as currently Sondors seems to pair the front fork with 7-Speeds. We love 7-speeds and hate the front fork. That puts the buyer in a tough spot.

When looking at miles per KWH, the Sondors, or just about any electric bike, is about 20 times more efficient than an electric car. And that"s if you just hold down the throttle all the time. If you add in your own pedal power, it"s even more efficient.

At 350 watts, the Sondors gives plenty of pep on the flats. It handles most mellow hills easily with some assist. Once you get to serious "San Francisco" steep hills, expect to be in granny gear, pedaling hard, and still working hard for it.

We found the original Sondors Fat Bike a pain to assemble. Maybe we were just used to the process by the time we got the Thin, but assembling the Thin was much easier. It still takes about an hour and some bike knowhow, but it wasn"t too painful.

The other issue is that the throttle lever is relatively fragile. One sliding crash on an icy road and it snapped. It"s a $65 part to fix if you order through Sondors.