MOD City+ 3 Is the Most Practical Folding E-Bike I’ve Ridden
“Don’t put the cart before the horse” is an idiom that MOD seems to have taken very seriously when designing the MOD City+ 3. All the basics I expect from a folding e-bike are present and executed well. With all the major elements done correctly, he had time to focus on the final details that make this the most practical e-bike I’ve ever ridden.
As a shopping writer, I’ve been exposed to many products with fancy bells and whistles that catch my attention but end up disappointing when their core function is faulty. Testing MOD’s newest folding e-bike has renewed my hope that there are still companies out there who aren’t rushing to get ahead of the curve at the expense of flash.
I received MOD City+ 3 for review. The e-bike was pre-assembled and I only needed to install the front wheel, headlight and some other small parts, which was quick and easy to do. MOD says all its MOD City+ 3 e-bikes come pre-assembled, so installation should be simple. As one of the first reviewers, I received access to a pre-production model of the MOD City+ 3. I had some issues with some errors displaying and sometimes the throttle not engaging (usually on hills), but MOD later sent me an updated version. display and controller with software update. After installing them, I no longer encountered these initial problems.
MOD City+ 3, short review
Pros
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Assembly : Very easy to assemble.
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Customizable : There are many ways to personalize your e-bike and easily attach any accessory you can imagine to it.
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Features : Lumos compatible and USB port on the display are very practical.
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Double suspension : Provides a smooth ride.
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Stylish : It is very aesthetically pleasing.
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Availability : Wide range of riders from 5’2″ to 6’4″.
Cons
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Weight : While this isn’t the heaviest folding e-bike I’ve tested, 65 pounds is on the heavy side.
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Price : Expect to pay a higher price for the e-bike and accessories than the competition. At around $2,300, it’s the most expensive e-bike I’ve ever tried, but it’s also the most complete and best-looking.
Characteristics
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Classification : Class 2 ( adjustable to classes 1 to 3).
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Brakes : Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm diameter rotors.
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Tires : 20 x 3 inch Kenda K-Shield all-round tires with reflective sidewalls.
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Frame geometry : Pass-through aluminum frame.
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Headlights : LED brake lights and taillights, plus LED headlights with 300 lumens of wide-beam light.
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Battery: 48 V, 12.8 Ah (615 Wh).
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Display: Full color display with password protection and USB port.
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Motor: 500 W (peak power 750 W), torque up to 60 Nm.
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Pedal Assist: 5 programmable levels with sensors.
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Claimed range: up to 45 miles.
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Throttle: Thumb throttle.
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E-Bike Weight: 65 lbs with battery.
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Rider Height Range: One frame fits heights from 5’2″ to 6’4″.
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Maximum rider weight: 275 lbs.
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Maximum rear rack load: 55 lbs.
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Size : 66 by 43 inches (up to 50 by 24 inches (42 by 15 by 26.5 inches when folded).
MOD City+ 3 is the third version of the series, as the name suggests. It’s designed to be a compact and practical folding e-bike for people who commute and want to use it to transport pets, groceries, or anything else they can fit on its many accessories . The idea behind MOD bikes is to modify them to suit your lifestyle, and this is made possible by the snap-on technology that makes it easy to attach and remove accessories. I found it very practical and easy to use compared to other ebikes which require a lot more work to modify.
How does the MOD City+ 3 electric bike ride on the street?
Ditching the revolutionary BMX style RadExpand 5 Plus handlebar and switching back to the MOD flat handlebar made me nervous. I didn’t think I’d find this kind of comfort and control in the City+ 3, but I was pleasantly surprised. The handling isn’t as good as a BMX bar, but it’s close. The City+ 3’s handlebars aren’t quite straight, so the handling was a little better than most folding e-bikes when I hit a top speed of 28 mph. I always felt in control and wasn’t afraid to push the bike further if I could – and you can, as you’ll read a little later.
The City+ 3 has a wide, plush seat with a dropper seatpost with 40mm of travel. Driving over uneven surfaces, pavements, or most objects on the road was not a concern, even at high speeds. Overall it was a solid and smooth ride.
On the left handlebar there is a bell and the main control panel. Pressing and holding the plus button manually turns on the headlights, otherwise they turn on automatically in the dark. Holding down the minus button enables the very useful walking mode. (Walking mode gives the bike some push from the battery as you walk on it, so you don’t have to lug all of its weight yourself.)
On the right handlebar there is a seven-speed gear lever and throttle handle. The throttle was responsive and well placed. I didn’t feel like I would accidentally press it and my bike would fly off.
The display is the best I’ve ever experienced on an e-bike. It has useful metrics like battery percentage, pedal assist level, distance traveled, speed, etc. It looks bright enough to be seen on a sunny day, and the menu is very easy to navigate. There’s a USB port at the bottom of the display, which is perfect for charging my phone when I take it with me on long trips (you’ll still need a phone mount to support it). The power pedal and throttle allowed me to push 165 pounds up every hill I encountered on the Atlanta Beltline. From a standstill, the throttle can reach a top speed of 48 mph in a smooth and controlled manner.
How does the City+ 3 MOD work out?
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of a folding bike is how it actually folds, and the City+ 3 does this well. This will take about 20 seconds if you know what you are doing. The steering wheel turns neatly without straining the cables. There is also a Velcro strap that helps hold the folded bike in place while handling it. Keep in mind that the bike, including battery, weighs 65 pounds, so you’ll need to be strong enough to carry it up stairs or into the trunk.
When folded, it measures 42 by 15 by 26.5 inches, which is small enough to fit in the trunk of my Toyota Corolla. Keep in mind that if you put the bike’s weight on the right handlebar while steering, it may move it quite inboard. where it touches the throttle valve. If the throttle gets stuck and won’t come back into place, simply loosen the steering wheel and push it back into place.
MOD City+ 3 is practical and stylish.
MOD finished his homework early and had time to play around developing the City+ 3. It’s a beautiful bike that I wouldn’t mind displaying in my living room. The company has also developed an accessory snap technology that makes it very convenient to take on and off bags, baskets or any accessories. With all my other ebikes, these products have been difficult to remove and put on the bikes, to the point where I would rather not use them or just leave them on all the time. Snap-on technology really makes accessories practical and convenient.
Another impressive feature is MOD’s collaboration with Lumos. You can pair any Lumos Ultra Smart bike helmet with your MOD bike and sync your turn signals. When you press the left or right turn signal on the panel, the helmet turn signals will light up. It’s also connected to the rear brake lights, so you’ll have two lights to warn those behind you.
MOD also has a “secret” mode that removes all restrictions from the bike and allows you to pedal and throttle as much as you can. It’s designed for off-road use and can actually go faster than the posted speed limit of 48 mph. To enter this mode, hold the “I” button and when the panel asks for a password, use “2020”.
Final Thoughts
MOD City+ 3 is a great example of what you can achieve if you focus on getting the basics right, giving you time to add fancy bells and whistles that will set you apart from the competition. The City+ 3 is an outstanding folding e-bike for those who can afford it. Double suspension with a soft saddle and slightly curved handlebars make the ride very comfortable. The power pedal and throttle are powerful and give you enough push to overcome any reasonable obstacle. The screen is top-notch, with easy-to-use controls and a useful USB port for charging your phone. The ability to sync the Lumos helmet with the lights and easily switch accessories on and off makes this bike very practical and I can see myself using it most of the time.
If you’re looking for a stylish folding e-bike that can be easily modified to suit a variety of needs, the City+ 3 is your best choice.