Calling these “e-bikes” is a disservice. They are premium mobility machines that can save you from your caged commute and can make every day an urban adventure.
FUELL invited me to test the preproduction Flluid 2s & 3s in Mukwonago, Wisc., where the spring air carries an aroma of dairy cows and Harley-Davidsons. Rural Wisconsin is the last place I’d look for FUELL’s top-secret headquarters and the home of veteran motorcycle designer Eric Buell and the engineers that are rethinking two-wheel transportation. But I got to test ride the FUELL Flluid 2s and 3s e-bikes and was impressed.
In short: FUELL aims to replace the car for commutes with its new Flluid 2s and 3s e-bikes. The brand claims the world’s longest range and combines this with good handling and automotive-quality specifications to make commuting by e-bike more viable.
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Fork: Suntour XCR34, 120mm travel
- Motor: Mid-drive Valeo, 7-speed automatic
- Motor output: 750W (US), 130Nm
- Max speed: 20 mph (Flluid 2 and Flluid 3), 28 mph (Flluid 2S, Flluid 3S)
- Range: 225 miles (Flluid-2), 110 miles (Fllluid-3)
- Battery capacity: 2,000W (2 removable batteries for Flluid 2), 1,000W (1 removable battery for Flluid 3)
Pros
- Incredible range on the 2s
- Seven-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly
- 900-lumen headlight
- Good handling traits for commuting
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive for a commuter-oriented e-bike
- Short company history
- Handling falls short for sporty riding
FUELL Flluid 2s / 3s Review
Flluid 2s and 3s Overview
The FUELL Flluid- 2s and 3s are siblings, differing only in batteries and frame styles. The 2s has 2 x 1kWh packs in its triangular frame, and FUELL claims the longest range in the world at 225 miles. The brand claims the 1kWh 3s version goes 110 miles, and it has a step-through frame.
Both bikes accelerated quickly, assisting to 28 mph (I managed 35 pedaling downhill). Other car-typical specs include 900-lumen lighting, a horn, an alarm, and a gearbox lockout. The powertrain from Valeo shifts seamlessly, sensing your cadence and speed to keep your legs at their best.
7-Speed Automatic Drivetrain From France
FUELL is the first in the U.S. to use the new “Cyclee” seven-speed automatic electric drive from French company Valeo. Hearing “new” followed by “French Company” might trigger your flight response, but stay with me. Valeo is new to bicycles, but it has been supplying the auto industry for over 100 years and ships nearly $20 billion in components annually. The 750W Cyclee powerplant and transmission really performed like an automotive-grade product.
It’s feature-rich to boot with all the connectivity features you’d expect. The forthcoming Cyclee app will allow you to monitor your cloud-connected bike from anywhere, track your stats, set locks and alarms, and help with service and diagnosis.
A monochrome display offers USB-C for phone charging and diagnostics. The small, physical buttons for power, lighting, and assistance levels were easy to use with gloves. The prototypes also had a separate toggle button on the handlebars for lights and the horn.
The Gates carbon belt is a great pairing with the Valeo drive unit. The belt is virtually maintenance-free, and the internally geared drivetrain means there’s no risk of bashing a derailleur on a rock.
Mass is also centralized at the bottom bracket, keeping handling tight. My biggest gripe was the noise — these preproduction units had a whine that really detracted from the rides. Mechanically Valeo had it nailed, but the noise was a glaring issue.
Assistance Modes & Throttle
There are three assistance levels: eco, predict, and turbo. Predict felt capable, easily accelerated with traffic, and always allowed a good cadence, which was great for relaxed riding. Turbo was fun — it was a little punchy, if slightly less refined.
I could also turn off any assistance, but the Flluids pedaled sluggishly without it. The Cyclee drivetrain shifted even with very little battery life left and will leave you in third gear if you manage to drain it completely dry.
Balancing human leg power with electric torque isn’t trivial — cheap e-bikes are janky and clunky. The Cyclee felt intelligent. I was always in a comfortable gear, I never needed to anticipate an upshift, and hill starts were trivial. It was just like an automatic car.
A separate button cluster provided manual gear shifting, and a thumb throttle was there if I didn’t want to pedal at all.
FUELL Flluid Batteries Provide Incredible Range
FUELL’s batteries are made-to-spec 1kWh Lithium-ion packs from mainland China. Many premium e-bike batteries have less than half that capacity, which directly contributes to the Flluid 2s’ incredible 225-mile claimed range. The batteries nearly disappear into the frame, though the packs can be removed if you need to charge them indoors.
Charging inlet and LED battery indicator lights are standard, as you’d expect. The Cyclee display also shows the remaining battery life. It takes a claimed 6 hours to fully charge each pack, but with so much energy, you may only need to plug in weekly.
One-Size Fits Most, but Not Everyone
Good components alone don’t make a good bike. Execution is everything. Both Flluid 2s and 3s felt solid and capable. This is what happens when you ask motorcycle designers to build an e-bike — they build you a light motorcycle with pedals.
My handling expectations were low, as these bikes weigh 83 and 70 pounds for the 2s and 3s, but I was stunned. FUELL nailed the weight balance and handling. The bikes felt nimble and solid, making going fast way too easy. Luckily, 180mm Tektro disks slowed them down with authority, and FUELL chose capable and speed-rated Pirelli Cycle-E 27.5” tires.
I’m 5’11”, and the riding position for both Flluids was somewhat upright, almost reminiscent of riding a Harley with outstretched arms. I got used to it quickly, though short-armed folks may struggle. Multiple seat post and handlebar options will be available to accommodate riders 5’1” to 6’5”.
The FUELL Flluids were comfortable and sporty but not what I’d choose for an “athletic” ride. They didn’t encourage moving dynamically, fore or aft, as I do on trail rides. If you have the chance, swing a leg over a Flluid before you buy.
Pricing & Availability
The Flluid 2s and 3s will ship to U.S. customers in Q3 of 2023. European distribution will follow shortly. If you’re already sold, check out FUELL’s Indiegogo campaign, where you can preorder at a discount.
The MSRP for the dual-battery 2S is $5,995, and the single-battery 3S is $5,499. That price includes lighting, mirrors, horn, and luggage racks. That puts the Flluid in competition with high-end e-bikes like the Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0, but the Flluid’s spec sheet outshines most of its competitors.
FUELL offers a full 2-year warranty on all parts. The Mukwonago factory will also serve as North America’s service center for Valeo Cyclee products, though Valeo is setting up its own service centers in Europe and will eventually expand to the U.S. Future accessories will include helmets, panniers, and a suspension seat post.
Ready to Trade in 4 Wheels for 2?
FUELL’s evolution of the e-bike gets narrowly close to being a full motorcycle with no need for a permit, registration, or endorsement (in the U.S., at least).
The Flluid 2s and 3s prototypes had all the quirks you’d expect in preproduction. Colors and finishes were slightly off, a reset was occasionally required due to battery communications, and the motor noise was hard to ignore. The FUELL team was aware of these issues and promised fixes.
Still, there’s risk in betting on a new motor, and FUELL has only been shipping bikes since 2019.
I’m banking that the offspring of industry veterans Valeo and FUELL will be reliable and well-supported into the future. While the price may seem stout, this is an investment in transportation that will appeal to urbanites with long commutes who don’t want to sit in a car, a rapidly growing segment.
Leave your car behind and have some fun on a Flluid. The planet will thank you for it.
