Looking for a nutty blend of fun and functionality in your new ebike? The Haoqi Squirrel electric folding bike might just crack the code! This nifty little ride is packed with features that make it perfect for zipping around town, commuting to work, or embarking on weekend adventures. With a high-capacity 48V 10.4 Amp Hour lithium battery and a powerful 500W geared hub motor, you’ll have all the energy you need to squirrel away your worries and conquer variable terrain with ease…without spending a lot of money.
Not only is the Haoqi Squirrel a powerhouse, but it’s also incredibly convenient. Its foldable aluminum frame makes storage and transportation a breeze, perfect for those tight city apartments or fitting into the trunk of your car for spontaneous adventures.
The intelligent 5-level pedal assist and 7-speed Shimano gear system offer a smooth and customizable riding experience, ensuring you can scurry up hills without breaking a sweat. So, why not go nuts and treat yourself to an affordable combination of style, speed, and practicality?
I’m Lisa at E-Biking Today and, with the help of Marc, I’m sharing all of the pros and cons we discovered about the Haoqi Squirrel Folding E-bike. In this electric bike review, you’ll find out what you need to know before you buy this affordable e-bike and whether you’re the perfect rider for it.
As a bonus, I’ll provide help with unboxing and assembly since I couldn’t find an assembly video.
Pros of the Haoqi Squirrel Electric Folding Bike
High Capacity 48V 10.4AH Lithium Battery
I love that the Squirrel electric folding bike provides long-lasting power for extended rides, up to 70 miles per battery charge. And the battery level didn’t noticeably drop in the first 10 miles.
500W Geared Hub Motor
The Squirrel may have a 500-watt motor, but it feels like it peaks around 750 watts. When it takes off, it takes off fast! It offers strong performance and high speeds, making it easy to tackle hills and trails.
28mph Top Speed
Marc and I sped up to 20mph in seconds, using both pedal assist and throttle. But you can even unleash this bike to a top speed of 28 if you’re a thrill-seeker or daily commuter.
Half Twist Throttle
I liked the flexibility of the twist throttle. It allowed easy and intuitive speed control. Twist a little and you’ll pick up speed, twist a lot and you’ll take off! Be careful that you don’t twist it as you’re holding onto the handlebar.
Fat Tires
Marc enjoyed the Innova 20 X 4-inch tires. It made his ride feel solid and sturdy. Plus, there wasn’t any slipping and sliding on off-road terrain. If you want to ride fast but need a bit of security, these fat tires provide good traction and stability on uneven surfaces.
Lightweight Folding Frame
The foldable aluminum bike frame is relatively lightweight for a fat tire folding e-bike. Even though I’m a lightweight, I was able to fold all 62 pounds and lift it into our van, which suggests that most riders will have no problem handling it. It’s plenty compact, allowing for easy storage and transportation. The folded dimensions are 51.18″ x 10.24″ x 27.56″ truly offering compact convenience.
Shimano 7 Speed
The Shimano 14-28T Rear Cassette and derailleur provided smooth and reliable thumb shifting, allowing us to go from on-road to off-road easily.
Pedal Assist
5 pedal assist levels provided customizable assistance. Each level was noticeably stronger than the previous one making it easy to ride longer distances with less effort.
Payload Capacity
A 350-pound weight capacity is pretty substantial for an electric folding bike. So it should support most heavy riders and their cargo. Keep in mind that the total payload includes body weight and cargo on the rear rack.
Integrated Headlight
The high-lumen LED headlight was accessible from the handlebar remote, so it can be easily flipped on. This is an important safety feature for commuters!
Comfort and Design
Hoaqi Ebike offers a wide comfort saddle that’s high capacity (holds a lot of weight) to go along with the bike’s heavy-duty 350-pound payload. It’s also a nice-looking ebike that’s offered in 3 cool colors.
Affordable
Retailing at $1299 and currently selling for only $899, the Haoqi Squirrel falls within more budgets. So it’s a good choice for first-time e-bike owners.
Cons of the Squirrel Electric Folding Bike
No Taillight
I would’ve liked to see an integrated taillight. Not only is it essential for safety, but an advantage to an electric bike should be to have a light switch on the handlebar control. Make sure to add a rear light, even if it’s battery-operated.
Hard-to-Read LCD Display
Although it shows important information like speed, battery charge, and pedal assist level, it was hard to read the tiny pedal assist level without reading glasses. So I could hardly tell what level I was on. Further, the display was already difficult to read in the sunlight.
Fixed Bike Front Fork
A lack of front suspension made the ride on rough terrain less comfortable than it could have been. I’m sure this helped Haoqi keep the cost down for you, but don’t expect to do any hardcore off-road riding without at least a suspension seatpost. Thankfully, the fat tires absorb small bumps and uneven terrain nicely.
What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Size and Fit
First, know that I am only 5’1” and this bike is recommended for riders 5’4” to 6’8”. I had no problem reaching the handlebars and could’ve lowered the saddle even more. However, I could tell I was too small to be riding this ebike because, when the speed kicked in hard, I could feel the front tire leave the ground. Marc, at 5’8″, didn’t experience this problem.
So, if you don’t want to accidentally pop a wheelie, make sure you follow Haoqi’s size and fit recommendations. It would also be best if you are of at least average weight.
Compare your measurements to the Squirrel’s.
- Standover Height 28.35”
- Recommended Ride Height 5’4” to 6’8”
- Minimum Seat Height 26.77 inches
- Maximum Seat Height 39.37 inches
- Top Tube Length 24.80 Inches
- Wheel base 42.13”
Unboxing and Assembly
I appreciated how little unpacking was needed. Pull off two big pieces of styrofoam from the top and there’s not much left to remove.
As for e-bike assembly, it’s fairly simple. However, the 3 small pages in the owner’s manual won’t be very helpful if you’re not experienced in building electric bikes. Use the following assembly tips along with the video and manual as needed.
- Put on the front tire by first unscrewing and removing the metal bar. Remove the bolts on both sides of the tire and set the fork on the tire, placing the wheel cog in the middle of the brake pads. Keep the pronged metal washers facing inward and replace and tighten the outer bolts.
- Next, install the handlebar by unscrewing the bolts with a hex wrench, centering it, and re-tightening the bolts. Use pressure and try rotating the handlebars. They should not move. Make sure they are centered with the wheel and the electric cords are not pulled too tight.
- Preferably, use a little bike grease before attaching the pedals. Turn each pedal in the direction shown by the sticker.
- Then install the front fender and headlight. These instructions were completely left out of the manual. You should watch the video to get an idea of how to do this.
Brakes
Just a note here. Even though I prefer hydraulic brakes on an electric bike, I will say the Squirrel’s mechanical disc brakes were reliable and performed well. I stopped easily and quickly.
Who Is the Haoqi Squirrel Folding Ebike Best For?
The Squirrel is the best e-bike for you if you want a speedy, sturdy e-bike that folds up for storage or to put in your car. It’s also great if you’re concerned about lifting it, as other folding e-bikes can be incredibly heavy.
And, its current price of $899 is too good to pass up for a compact 4-inch fat bike that you can transport to ride on both trails and paved road roads.
However, it’s not the best electric folding bike for you if you’re under 5’4” or generally a lightweight like I am. And it’s not for riders who want a hardcore trail bike.
Wrap Up
In a nutshell, the Haoqi Squirrel electric folding bike is a great companion for anyone seeking an affordable, efficient, and fun way to navigate their daily adventures. Its impressive battery life, power, and fat tires ensure that every ride is carefree.
Whether you’re a commuter looking for an affordable and reliable way to beat the traffic, an urban dweller needing compact and convenient transportation, or an adventurer eager to explore new bike paths, the Squirrel has got you covered. So, grab your helmet and get ready to scurry through your city with ease and excitement—and enjoy your ride!
