MATE X Folding Electric Bike

The MATE X is a folding electric bicycle. It was made possible in June 2017 by Christian Adel Michael and Julie Kronstrøm from Copenhagen, Denmark. This was the second Indiegogo campaign they successfully funded. The first campaign was the original MATE folding ebike.

• Campaign started: 1st May 2018
• Campaign published: 16th July 2018
• Campaign concluded: 23rd July 2018 15th August 2018 14th September 2018 22nd September 2018 28nd September 2018
• First big shipment: May/June 2019, majority July/August 2019, last shipment end of September 2019

• Indiegogo campaign page
• MATE Bike website
• Facebook page
• Unofficial Discord discussion

Models

There are three different models of the MATE X, the 250, 250+ and 750. A set of accessories can also be added to the bike when placing an order.

MATE X 250 250W high performance hub motor 48V 11Ah Lithium-ion battery 55km range 32km/h max. speed 8-speed gear 20-inch fat tires Computer dashboard Front and rear suspension 2 year warranty Retail price 2199USD Indiegogo price 799USD Shipping $200

MATE X 250+ 250W high performance hub motor 48V 14Ah Lithium-ion battery 80km range 32km/h max. speed 8-speed gear 20-inch fat tires Computer dashboard Front and rear suspension 2 year warranty Retail price 2399USD Indiegogo price 899USD Shipping $200

MATE X 750S 750W high performance hub motor 48V 14Ah Lithium-ion battery 80km range 48km/h max. speed 8-speed gear 20-inch fat tires Computer dashboard Thumb throttle Front and rear suspension 2 year warranty Retail price 2699USD Indiegogo price 999USD Shipping 200USD

Perks and accessories Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes (129USD) Flashy color display (99USD) Custom MATE metal fenders (49USD) Thumb throttle (49USD) BOOSTED battery 17,5Ah (99USD) Limited Edition UNICORN Finish (49USD) Rear-rack with brake-lights (99USD) EXTRA high-speed charger (79USD) EXTRA BOOSTED 17,5Ah Battery (429USD) Spare set of tires incl. tubes (49USD) JOKER Light Set (front+rear) (49USD) JET GREY Color (29USD) IMPERIAL WOODLAND Color pattern (99USD)

Recommended accessories to get:

• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Flashy color display
• Front and rear fenders
• Rear rack
• Extra tires and tubes

Specs

Hardware

File:Mate x folding ebike folded.png

• Type: Fat bike folding electric bicycle
• Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy
• Motor:
  • China bikes:
    • Bafang RM G060.750.DC 48V-52V 750W brushless geared rear-drive hub motor with hall-sensors
      • Gear reduction ratio of 1:5
      • Nominal 50-60 Nm torque (from Mate)
      • Maximum torque of 80 Nm
      • 20 magnet poles (2P)
      • IP65 waterproof
      • Efficiency >80%
      • Weight 4.6kg
    • Shengyi DGW25 SY25N4820TA 48V 250W brushless geared rear-drive hub motor [1] [2]
  • Taiwan bikes:
    • JiaBo CZJB JB-104C2 24V-60V 750W brushless geared rear-drive hub motor
      • Efficiency >82%
      • Weight 3.3kg
    • JiaBo CZJB 48 250 250W brushless geared rear-drive hub motor
• Controller:
  • China bikes: Bafang MATE-customized sine-wave controller with UART-port with HIGO-connectors
    • 24V/36V/48V support
    • 12A continuous
    • 25A max. peak current
  • Taiwan bikes: AICO controller or Nanjing Lishui LSW858-86-1M controller
    • Rated voltage 48V
    • Max. current 25A
    • Rated current 12A
    • Throttle adjustment 1.2V to 4.4V
    • Low battery voltage protection 39V
• Computer display:
  • China bikes:
    • Key-Display KD51C monochrome display
    • Bafang DPC-14 / 850C / UK-CT-18 3.2-inch TFT LCD color display (upgrade option), developed by Aptdevelop - Open Source Ebike firmware
      • 3.2-inch IPS TFT LCD screen
      • 24V/36V/48V battery supply support
      • Rated operating current: 40mA
      • Max output current to controller: 100mA
      • Operating temperature: -20 to 70°C
      • Software upgradable through UART-port (regular USB-to-serial adapter required)
  • Taiwan bikes:
    • Most suitable one (Mate statement)
• Suspension front: Adjustable MOZO FATMAN-26-20 front fork, lightweight forged alloy, responsive adjustable spring tension, 60mm travel, mechanical lock-out, 1.5 kg
• Suspension rear: Adjustable HLT HLT-620 rear spring shock suppressor, 125L x 750 LBS - Pre-adjusted with 24 +/- 2 mm travel
• USB-port: Yes, 5V 500mA USB-A output
• Shifter: Shimano 8-speed SIS index shifting / Shimano RevoShift 8-speed twist shifter
• Rear derailleur: Shimano RD-M310 Altus SGS rear derailleur black
• Cogsets: 8-speed 13-32T freewheel (not cassette type)
• Crankset: 170 mm alloy crank arms, 53T chain ring
• Bottom bracket: BB988 68 mm x 164 mm, threaded
• Tire type: 20-inch 4.0-inch wide fat tires, studded all-terrain or street road profile
• Tire pressure: 23 psi / 1.6 bar
• Rims: 80mm wide rims, 36-hole F, with reflectors
• Spokes: 36 spokes front/rear, 12-gauge rear, 13-gauge front, diameter 3.0-3.2mm, black
• Front hub: 135 mm, 20-inch 36-hole
• Rear hub: 185 mm, 20-inch 36-hole
• Pedals: Foldable with reflectors
• Brakes:
  • Tektro EL350-RS mechanical wire brakes, aluminium lever and caliper, with motor cut-off brake sensors
  • Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic brakes, aluminium lever and caliper, with motor cut-off brake sensors
• Brake discs: Tektro TR160-24 aluminium 160 mm disc rotors
• Brake pads: Tektro A10.11 metal ceramic compound brake pads
• Fenders: Custom made all covering (upgrade option)
• Rear rack tube diameter: 16 mm
• Handlebar tube diameter: TBA
• Handlebar grips: TBA
• Colors: Black, White, Red, Green, Off-white, Pink-green, Grey, Camouflage
• Connectors: HIGO Mini-b connector
• Battery charger:
  • 48V 2A regular charger
  • Coming Data CP05460400 54.6V 4A super charger (upgrade option)
  • Sans MATE-branded SSLC300V55 54.6V 5A Lithium-ion battery charger [3]
• Battery connector: RCA-type, centre-positive (+)
• Battery capacity:
  • 48V 11Ah
  • 48V 14.5Ah
  • 48V 17.5Ah (upgrade option)
• Battery enclosure: Boazhi aluminum casing, with fuse, charging plug and lock
• Battery brand: Samsung/Sanyo/Panasonic/LG cells, Panasonic for Taiwan bikes
• Battery configuration:
  • 65x Lithium-ion 18650 cells, of varying capacity, 13 in series to get the 48V voltage, 5 parallel to build capacity
  • 11Ah battery: 48.1V 11Ah 13s5p (3.7V 2200mAh cells, 2.2x5=11Ah)
  • 14.5Ah battery: 48.1V 14.5Ah 13s5p (3.7V 2900mAh cells, 2.9x5=14.5Ah) - Samsung INR18650-29E [4]
  • 17.5Ah battery (upgrade option): 48.1V 17.5Ah 13s5p (3.7V 3500mAh cells, 3.5x5=17.5Ah) - LG INR18650MJ1 [5]
• Battery lifespan: between 400 and 600 charges (full to empty)
  • Longer lifespan if the battery is charged when around ~40% / 46,6V empty and only up to ~80% / 52,0V full

Features

• Max speed:
  • 250: 25 km/h / 15 mph
  • 750S: 32 km/h / 20 mph
• Battery range - w/pedal-assist, dependent upon terrain, weather conditions and rider’s weight
  • 55km with 11Ah
  • 80km with 14.5Ah
  • 120km with 17.5Ah
• Throttle only range: 20-30km
• Advanced controller configuration: Ludacris Mode 10 and 35mph / 56kmh max. speed - see below
• Folding points: 4 steps (main body, steering stem, seatpost, pedals)
• Keep folded lock: No
• Kick-stand: Yes
• Folded-stand: Yes
• Carrying handle: Yes, by seat-post
• Pedal assist: Yes
• Walk assist: Yes, smart display upgrade
• Thumb throttle:
  • 250: Not included
  • 650S: Yes
• Battery removal: Yes
• Battery lock: Yes
• Extra options: fenders, front light, rear rack with red light, thumb throttle

Dimensions

• Bike dimensions: 180 cm / 71 in L x 65 cm / 25.6 in W x 124 cm / 48.8 in H
• Bike dimensions when folded: 103 cm / 40.5 in L x 59 cm / 23.2 in W x 78 cm / 30.7 in H
  • Old Folded size: approx. L95xH73xD40cm
• Battery dimensions: L345xW115xH58mm [6]
• Weight w/o battery: 26kg / 57.3 lbs
• Weight w/ battery: 29kg / 63.9 lbs
• Battery weight: 3.0kg
• Rider height range: 150-215 cm
• Rider max. weight: 150 kg / 330lbs
• Rider minimum age: 16 years old
• Retail price:
  • 250: 2199USD
  • 250+: 2399USD
  • 750S: 2699USD
• Campaign price July 2018 to November 2018:
  • 250: 799USD
  • 250+: 899USD
  • 750S: 999USD

Upgrades

Must have upgrades:

• Rear shock: DNM AOY-36RC Air Rear Shock 165x35mm [7] - for better off-road performance
• Chain ring: LitePro 58T BCD 130mm black aluminium front chain ring with guard flange [8] - for lower cadence/peddle comfortably on high speed on assistant level 5 and over
• Cogsets: DNP Epoch 11-34T or 11-32T 8-Speed freewheel - wider gear-ratio for high speed peddle on assistant level 5 and over, while still retaining good low speed cadence
• Lock:
  • Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 10mm 2.77kg - solid, flexible, and insurance certified lock
  • ABUS CityChain 1060/85 10mm 2.10kg
  • ABUS CityChain 1010/85 9mm 1.85kg
  • Kryptonite Keeper 785 7mm 1.59kg
• Inner tube: 20x4-inch fat tire tube with Schrader/car valve

Great upgrades:

• Sticker: Bafang 48V 250W sticker - for 750W models [9] - for quick checks
• Seat: MSDADA Comfortable Bike Seat-Padded cushion memory foam seat - more comfortable than the original
• Helmet:
  • Bell Local helmet
  • Bell Segment helmet
  • Abus Scraper 3.0 / ACE helmet
  • Bluegrass Super Bold helmet
• Pedals: Mzyrh Mountain Bike CNC Machined 9/16" pedals
• Panniers:
  • Ortlieb City Plus panniers (rear rack required)
  • IBERA PakRak IB-BA6-RA6 Quick-Release Mini Commuter Bag and Rack Combo [10] [11]
• Chain guide: Mountain Bike Chainline Director Chain Guide
• Bell: Bicycle Bell Classical Vintage Handlebar Black Ring Bell [12]
• Charger:
  • D-Power 48V 2A charger, quiet no fan, with RCA-plug (special request) [13]
  • Luna 48V Advanced Adjustable Charger [14]
  • Sans 48V 2A Lithium-ion battery charger, fan-less [15]
• Stand: Bicycle Maintenance Stand Pedal Foldable Workstands Bike Repair Tool PH [16]

Guides

Initial setup Insert the seat stem and adjust the lock bracket Mount the handle bars and lock it in place Install the front wheel and insert the lever Screw in place the pedals Put the reflectors on the wheels Install the fenders and rear rack Adjust to get a flat saddle Adjust the handle bar height and level with the lever Inflate the tires to 20-25 psi, 1.4 to 1.6 bar Charge the battery by plugging the charger plug Configure the bike computer, double tap power

Charging procedure Park bike securely Turn off bike by holding power button on left handle Either take out the battery, or leave it in the bike Plug in charger into wall socket/mains Insert the other charger lead into the battery Wait for the charge to complete, max. 4h for 4A charger, max. 8h for 2A charger Unplug lead from bike then from wall socket Power on bike by holding the power button Verify battery state of charge by looking at the battery indicator on the display

Controller configuration

Enter the settings by double-tapping the M-button on the left handlebar.

Optimal controller settings for MATE X 750S:

Display settings:

• Language: English
• System: Imperial - for km/h
• Brightness: II
• Auto off: 5 minutes - power down the bike after idle period
• Scenes: Digital - the theme of the display layout
• Battery indicator: Voltage - easier to determine battery state, percentage only in 20%/five steps
  • Ranges from 54.6V when full, down to 41.6V when empty, but always charge at around, or before, 44V
• Power indicator: Digital - shows instantanous wattage
• Clock: Set the date and time
• Start password: Prompted for your password when you power on the bike

Basic settings:

• System voltage: 48V - the type of battery drive system used
• Wheel size: 24-inch - even though the real wheel size is 20-inch, gives a more accurate speed indication on the display, can also be input in measured cm
• USB port: On - USB-port beneath the display
• Information: shows max./avg. speeds and ODO meter

Advanced settings:

Go to the "Advanced settings" menu-option and enter the following pin code.

• Enter pin code:
  • China bikes: 1801 - Bafang display
  • Taiwan bikes: 1919

• Speed limit - max. speed before controller/motor stops assisting
  • 250: 25 km/h default/EU
  • 750S: 32 km/h default
  • Max. value: 99 km/h
    • Unlocks Ludacris mode for ~35mph / ~56kmh max. real speed
    • Unlocks hidden assistant level 10 - turbo mode
• Current limit - maximum current through controller during acceleration and climbing steep gradients
  • Default: 15A (48x15=720Watt)
  • Boost performance: 20A (48x20=960Watt)
  • Max. value: 25A (48x25=1200Watt) - short bursts only, could overheat motor coil
• Poles in motor: 2 - magnetic poles inside the motor
• Start poles: 1 - number of poles (speed sensor) needed to be detected by controller before starting motor
• Clockwise start: Yes - speed sensor turn direction, "Yes" means forward looking from right-side of bike
• Throttle 6km: No - "Yes" turns on walk-mode after twisting throttle
• Throttle level: No - "Yes" limits the top throttle speed according to the assist level
• Start mode: ECO - Power/ECO/Standard, sets the maximum current when starting riding/accelerating
• Assist levels: 9 - 3/5/9, how gradual/number of steps the levels should be
• Assist setting: Further adjustments

Usage

• For daily use, assist level 5 or 6 is a good combination of speed and battery power use
• View current, average and max. speed, press "M"/"i"-button
• Enter configuration menu, double tap "M"/"i"-button
• Walk assistant up hills, set assist level 0 and hold "-" for a few seconds for "P" to appear on the display
• Charge via the USB-port, press and hold the "M"/"i"-button for a USB-icon to appear, and plug in the device
• Turn on the lights, press and hold "+"-button, same to turn off
• Reset average speed, max speed, trip distance and trip time, press "+" and "-" at the same time

Third-party upgrade ideas

• LED light strips underneath
• Strong head-beams
• GPS tracker
• Folding magnet lock
• Storage bag/box
• Custom front and rear lights - light comparison
  • Connector used: HIGO Mini-b connector

Similar bikes

• Llobe 20" Falt City E-Bike City II
• Lankeleisi G550
• UNI Maxi cool folding electric utility fat wheel bike
• UNI Moke vintage electric bikes

References

• Ebikes.ca MATE X simulation