The second fatbike I'm testing this year is quite different from the Duotts E26 I tested before. While the latter is versatile and suitable for practically all roads, this bike is more suited to the city. Its name is not very catchy - Samebike LOTDM200-II. This is a folding and compact bike, which might be right for you? In this review I will try to find out all the weak and strong features of this bike.

Unboxing

The box contains a Samebike safely packed with the front wheel, pedals and seat removed. This is a common method of transportation, but unlike most others, the trunk is already attached. All mudguards, instructions, charger and necessary tools are included. I was surprised to find a reversible trunk bag included, but the latter seems to be from another model, because the trunk is too wide for it… From opening and getting ready to ride, without any rush, it should take no more than 30 minutes.

Looking at the profile of the assembled bike, it is a bike with a nice and unassuming design. The chosen gray color, black logo and black trunk go well together. One of the more interesting elements is the thick tires with white rims and inscriptions, reminiscent of car and motorcycle tires from the last century. 

Assembly quality

Let's talk about the components and build quality of the Samebike LOTDM200-II. The control buttons on the handlebars are in the usual positions. On the left are the engine assist, lighting, on/off buttons - everything is simple and easy to control. On the right side, there is a button and lever for switching the rear sprockets (rails), as well as a thumb-operated speed lever.

The handles are rubber, but not made of the highest quality materials, as are the brake levers. In the middle, there is a color screen that displays all the necessary information - speed, gear, battery level, distance traveled, etc. On a sunny day and through polarized glasses, everything is perfectly visible. At the bottom of the screen is also a USB-C (oh my!) plug for charging devices.

It's no secret that this bike is foldable and folds in two places. First of all, the handlebar height can be adjusted and lowered or raised. The handlebar folds down from the side, to the front wheel. The folding mechanism seems solid, and the additional hook ensures the safety of the lock.

The second place is the bend in the middle of the frame. Here the mechanism looks even more solid, and it is quite easy to fold or unfold it. However, folding the LOTDM200-II in half is not so easy - the hinges seem to be too tight, so it takes effort to fully fold this bike.

The battery is also located inside the frame of the bike. Its position is fixed with a key, and it will not fall out when folded. The battery can be charged directly by removing it or via a plug located in the bike body.

The rear mudguard covers most of the wheel, which gives confidence when riding on wet or muddy surfaces. Once attached, it doesn't move or bump into the boot, which is wide and seemingly sturdy.

Overall, the Samebike LOTDM200-II looks pretty solid. Yes, you can point fingers at the uneven welding and cheaper parts, but it's worth remembering that its price is relatively low.

Ride quality

I have practically no experience with folding bikes, so riding the Samebike was a pleasant surprise. The height-adjustable handlebars and seat make it very easy to get comfortable and find the right position for yourself. The thick tires and soft seat provide comfort when riding on both smooth and poor road surfaces. The well-attached mudguards do not rattle while riding - only a slight creaking sound (cables, brake levers, etc.) is heard when riding on uneven roads.

Unfortunately, the brakes are quite poor. You have to press the levers quite hard to fully engage them, and it takes quite a distance to stop at 40 km/h. After 50 km, the brakes also started to squeak loudly. 

As for the electric motor assist system (PAS), the LOTDM200-II has a speed sensor, and the motor kicks in a second or so after you start pedaling and stops after the same amount of time after you stop pedaling. Unlike the previously tested Duotts C29, this system does not transfer all of its power while pedaling. This means that you won’t “shoot” the pedals forward when you start pedaling, and acceleration will be gentle and gradual.

There are also 5 different levels of assistance, each of which will help up to a certain speed. When driving at level 1, PAS will be activated up to 13 km/h, at level 2 up to 19 km/h, at level 3 up to 25 km/h, at 4 up to 31 km/h, and at 5 up to 38 km/h.

To ride using only the electric motor, you need to use the thumb-operated speed lever. It is difficult to maintain a constant speed when riding this way, as it is difficult to keep your finger in one position. Unfortunately, there is no cruise control on this bike either.

Range and maximum speed

According to the manufacturer, the electric motor can travel 40 km on a single charge, and I tried to verify this myself. So, I fully charge the battery, inflate the tires to the maximum allowed pressure, and set off on a trip around the city. The distance traveled is 35.16 km.

The maximum speed achieved on a flat surface is 42 km/h. In fact, this speed is achieved easily and consistently.

Driving uphill

I also tested the Samebike LOTDM200-II when riding uphill. The first, Narbuto g. hill in Vilnius, was bravely overcome, and the greatest slowdown occurred at 27 km/h. The Želvo g. hill turned out to be much more difficult and can only be overcome with a fully charged battery. At the steepest point, the speed reached 7 km/h.

Verdict

Samebike LOTDM200-II is a fairly versatile electric bike that can be used both in the city and for light off-road riding. Thick tires, a soft seat and front shock absorbers will provide comfort on any road. Yes, hydraulic disc brakes would be a real advantage, but looking at the price of this bike, it is understandable why they are not there.

The first NFC lock seen on a bike allows you to leave it locked with peace of mind, knowing that no one will turn it on. Some bikes have a key, a PIN code, and some bikes require you to bend over, remove and turn off the battery, which takes a lot of time, so an NFC lock is a convenient option.

It is clear that the Samebike LOTDM200-II is a direct competitor to the Engwe EP2 pro. In addition to similar dimensions and technical parameters, the Samebike has several advantages - an NFC lock, a USB-C charging port and, of course, a more attractive price.