The Hiboy C1 Folding Electric Bike is a compact 14″ folding ebike built for short city trips, last-mile commutes, and easy storage in small spaces. It pairs a 350W rear hub motor (648W peak) with a 36V 7.8Ah battery, front suspension, and dual disc brakes, plus Bluetooth app support for speed and lock settings.
With a claimed 20 mph top speed and up to 43.5 miles of pedal-assist range, the C1 aims at riders who want something lighter and more portable than a full-size ebike, but more capable and comfortable than a tiny “toy” folder.
As a Hiboy affiliate partner, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
👉 See the official Hiboy C1 Folding Electric Bike here.
TL;DR – Hiboy C1 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bike Type | 14″ folding electric bike for urban commuting and short trips |
| Motor | 350W rear hub motor, 648W peak power |
| Battery | 36V 7.8Ah (≈281Wh) removable Li-ion battery |
| Top Speed | Up to 20 mph |
| Claimed Range | Up to 21.7 miles pure electric, 43.5 miles pedal assist (light rider, ideal conditions) |
| Realistic Range | About 12–20 miles pure electric and 18–30 miles PAS for typical adults, depending on terrain and speed |
| Tires | 14″ pneumatic air tires (≈14 x 2.125) |
| Suspension | Front suspension fork |
| Brakes | Dual disc brakes (front and rear) |
| Bike Weight | Lightweight folding design (high carbon steel frame; exact weight varies slightly by listing) |
| Payload | 230 lb (105 kg) max load |
| IP Rating | IPX4 water resistance (bike) |
| Best For | Riders wanting a compact, quick folder for short commutes, campus, RV travel, and easy storage |
👉 Check the Hiboy C1 product page for colors, geometry, and availability.
Key Specs: Hiboy C1 Technical Overview
Based on Hiboy’s product page, launch blog, and major reseller listings.
| Spec Category | C1 Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Hiboy C1 Folding Electric Bike |
| Motor Rated Power | 350W rear hub motor |
| Motor Peak Power | 648W maximum output |
| Battery | 36V 7.8Ah Li-ion battery (≈281Wh) |
| Max Speed | 20 mph |
| Pure Electric Range | Up to 21.7 miles |
| PAS Range | Up to 43.5 miles |
| Max Climb | Up to 20% grade |
| Max Load | 230 lb / 105 kg |
| Tires | 14″ pneumatic air tires (14 x 2.125) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 (bike), battery IP rating listed as water-resistant |
| Charging Time | About 5–6 hours |
| Suspension | Front suspension fork |
| Frame Material | High carbon steel |
| Recommended Age | 16+ years |
| Riding Modes | 3 modes: bike, pedal-assist, and pure electric |
| App Features | Bluetooth app for locking, speed settings, and ride data |
👉 You can confirm these specs under “Specifications” on Hiboy’s C1 product page.
Design & Frame: Compact Folder for Tight Spaces
The C1 is designed as a small-format urban folder, not a full-size commuter. Hiboy’s launch blog highlights three themes: lightweight and portable, stylish, and space-saving.
Key design points:
- 14″ wheels keep the overall footprint short, so it’s easier to tuck beside a desk, in a closet, trunk, or RV bay.
- High carbon steel frame trades a bit of weight for durability and affordability.
- The frame and cockpit fold down so the bike can stand in a much smaller rectangle than a 26–27.5″ ebike.
- A clean, simple design that looks more like a small urban runabout than a big cargo rig.
It’s clearly aimed at riders who don’t have room for a full-size bike but still want motor help and real brakes, not just a scooter.
Motor & Speed: 350W City Power Up to 20 mph
Under the hood, the C1 uses a 350W rear hub motor, with 648W peak output for short bursts.
On paper:
- 350W rated / 648W peak motor
- Up to 20 mph top speed on flat ground
- Three riding modes (bike only, pedal assist, pure electric), controlled from the bar and the app.
On the road, that translates to:
- Enough punch to pull you up to 15–18 mph quickly in city traffic.
- A realistic top speed near 20 mph on flat stretches with moderate rider weight.
- Stronger mid-range than a 250W city folder, but not as forceful as 500–750W full-size commuters—appropriate for the small wheels and short wheelbase.
This is very much an urban 20 mph ebike, not a high-speed Class 3 machine. For tight bike paths, campus, and neighborhood streets, that’s exactly the zone most riders feel comfortable in.
Battery, Range & Charging: 36V 7.8Ah (≈281Wh)
Power comes from a 36V 7.8Ah Li-ion battery (about 281Wh of capacity).
Hiboy’s range claims:
- Up to 21.7 miles in pure electric mode
- Up to 43.5 miles with pedal assist
Those figures are based on a light rider (around 143 lb) and ideal conditions—low winds, modest speeds, and flatter terrain.
Real-world expectations for most adults:
- Pure electric: roughly 12–20 miles, depending on rider weight, hills, and how close you ride to the 20 mph limit.
- Pedal assist: typically 18–30 miles, if you’re doing a real share of the work and using lower PAS levels for cruising.
Charging from low to full takes about 5–6 hours with the included charger, which makes overnight top-offs easy—you plug it in when you get home, and it’s ready the next day.
👉 See the range and battery details on the Hiboy C1 page here.
Ride Comfort & Handling: 14″ Air Tires + Front Suspension
Small wheels can sometimes feel harsh, so Hiboy leans on pneumatic tires and a front suspension fork to keep the ride comfortable.
Comfort details:
- 14″ pneumatic air tires (around 14 x 2.125) add a real cushion of air between you and the pavement.
- A front suspension fork helps smooth out cracks, joints, and curb cuts at city speeds.
- The compact geometry makes the bike quite nimble, which is handy in crowded bike lanes and campus paths.
It still won’t feel as plush as a 26″ fat-tire bike, but for a short-wheelbase folder, the ride quality is better than you might expect—especially on typical city pavement.
Brakes, Safety & Weather Protection
For stopping, the C1 uses a dual disc brake setup—one on the front wheel and one on the rear.
Safety and visibility features include:
- Front LED headlight and rear brake light, so you’re easier to see in low-light conditions.
- IPX4 water-resistance rating on the bike, meaning it’s suitable for light rain and wet roads, but not for being submerged or pressure-washed.
- Hiboy emphasizes safety and reliability across its ebike lineup, and the C1 follows that same design approach with water-resistant components, conservative top-speed limits, and a simple, easy-to-manage electrical system.
The overall package feels more like a proper small ebike than a scooter—especially for riders who want pedals, gears, and real brakes.
Folding, App & Everyday Practicality
The C1’s big advantage over full-size ebikes is portability:
- The frame folds, and the 14″ wheels keep the folded footprint compact enough for car trunks, RVs, small apartments, and dorm rooms.
- Weight varies slightly by listing, but the high-carbon frame and small wheels make it significantly easier to move and lift than a 60+ lb, 26″ Class 3 commuter.
On the tech side, Hiboy adds Bluetooth app support:
- Lock/unlock functions for extra security.
- Speed and mode settings you can tweak from your phone.
- Basic ride stats and status info.
This app layer nudges it closer to a “smart” city bike, especially for riders already used to managing scooters or other devices from their phones.
👉 You can see the C1’s folding design and app features on the official Hiboy page here.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact 14″ folding design that fits where full-size ebikes don’t.
- 350W / 648W-peak rear hub motor is plenty for urban 20 mph riding.
- 36V 7.8Ah battery (~281Wh) is well-matched to short-trip use.
- Dual disc brakes and front suspension are confidence-boosting on real city streets.
- Bluetooth app support for locking and speed settings adds convenience.
- 230 lb max load is solid for a compact folder.
- IPX4 rating and Hiboy’s safety-minded design make it a practical pick for everyday city use.
Cons
- 281Wh battery is small compared to full-size commuters; not ideal if you regularly need 30–40+ mile days at higher speeds.
- 14″ wheels can feel more twitchy and less forgiving on very rough surfaces than 26–27.5″ setups.
- Rated for riders 16+, so it’s not intended as a kid’s toy—even if the form factor looks small.
- No rear suspension and no fat-tire volume; not made for off-road or deep gravel riding.
Who the Hiboy C1 Is Best For
The C1 is a strong match if you:
- Live in an apartment, dorm, or RV and simply don’t have room for a full-size ebike.
- Want a simple, practical folder for short local trips, errands, and last-mile commuting.
- Prefer 20 mph city riding over high-speed Class 3 performance.
- Value the combination of folding frame, dual disc brakes, and front suspension at a compact size.
- Like the idea of app control for locking and speed management.
Think of it as a compact urban runabout—great for 3–8 mile each-way rides, campus loops, neighborhood trips, and RV base-camp exploring.
Who Might Want a Different Bike
You might be happier with something else if:
- You need to ride longer distances most days (20–30+ miles at higher speeds) and don’t want to think about battery conservation.
- You’re much taller, heavier, or simply prefer the feel of full-size 26–27.5″ wheels.
- You plan to ride rough off-road trails, deep gravel, or sand—that’s better served by a fat-tire or full-suspension ebike.
- You can store a bigger bike and want a 750W, 48V Class 3 commuter like the Hiboy EX9 instead of a compact 350W folder.
Final Thoughts: Is the Hiboy C1 a Good Fit?
The Hiboy C1 Folding Electric Bike combines a 350W rear motor, 36V 7.8Ah battery, dual disc brakes, and front suspension into a tidy, 14″ folding package that’s clearly tuned for short urban trips and tight storage spaces. It won’t replace a big-battery, high-speed commuter—but it isn’t trying to.
If your main goal is a compact, easy-to-live-with ebike that can handle everyday city riding up to 20 mph, the C1 deserves a serious look.
