Ahooga E-Max Alfine Review: Light Commuter Folding E-Bike

Folding e-bikes are ideal for anyone covering real distances between regional train, underground or car — and with the Ahooga E-Max Alfine you arrive quickly without breaking a sweat. Low weight and a small folded size make it remarkably easy to carry.

Folding e-bikes address the classic commuter pain points at a stroke: the kilometres between station and office, and the space squeeze on trains and buses. Folded, they carry comfortably and can come into the building if needs be, while the electric drive ensures you arrive on time and composed.

For the E-Max Alfine's construction, the Belgians adopted Brompton's folding mechanism, swinging the rear triangle under the main tube — but they added two parallel down tubes flanking the top tube, between which the rear wheel nests when folded. The result is an almost classic diamond frame, noticeably stiffer than the single main tube of most folders, with less tendency to shimmy at higher speeds. The E-Max accordingly rides far more calmly than many twitchy folding bikes, helped by wide 20-inch Schwalbe gravel tyres which — run at around two bar — add welcome damping on rougher surfaces.

On steeper ground the front motor makes itself known: by design it pulls the bike forward, and on loose surfaces the lightly loaded front wheel can spin — though only on gradients steeper than a folding bike usually sees. There the 35 newton metres reach their limits and the gearing is not built for mountains either; for hilly terrain both suffice, with five assistance levels pulling the bike along briskly and the upper levels genuinely powerful. A pleasant surprise on steep pushes is the walk-assist, undocumented by the manufacturer: press again below assistance level zero and the front wheel drives itself while you push.

The removable battery integrated in the main tube manages up to 50 kilometres from 248 watt-hours; the optional range extender, mounted like a bottle on the main tube, lifts capacity to 428Wh and nearly doubles the range. The folded package of 72 x 69 x 37 centimetres is comparatively small — a blessing in crowded commuter trains. Less of a blessing: a luggage rack costs a stiff 130 euros extra.

Weight-watchers can save a further kilogram with the derailleur-geared E-Derailleur variant, which is also 500 euros cheaper than this hub-geared Alfine version. Individualists can configure their E-Max with 20 colours each for main frame and rear triangle, glossy or matt, for 350 euros — and for another 140 euros, a personal motto hand-painted on the top tube.

The Ahooga E-Max Alfine is close to the ideal commuter folding e-bike: at just over 18 kilograms it is a very light 20-incher, well suited to anyone who must regularly carry their bike. Comfort beyond the city is pleasant thanks to the wide tyres, and while the gearing will not conquer high mountains, five assistance levels keep hilly terrain brisk. With its small pack size and removable 50-kilometre battery, the case practically makes itself — just budget for the pricey rack.