To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by MAXFOOT. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of MAXFOOT products.
The MAXFOOT MF19 is a crowd funded folding fat-tire electric bike for the American market. MAXFOOT is a new company and its nice to see their first release is a fairly decent considering the history other crowd sourced options have weathered. This may be due in part with their affiliation with a larger ebike company that has been around the North America scene for several years now producing various offerings. While fat-tire folding ebikes are becoming slightly more common, what is unique here is these great cast alloy rims. These are made special for the bike and houses the powerful 750watt hub motor perfectly. It looks it comes in just the one frame size and style at the moment (kind if a mid-step frame), but I think they will have variants that may change the price too, like this orange one I have pictured with spokes instead of the rims. I think we may have a few color options, like this white and orange which I might add are great for visibility that I got to see in person. I am told they will also have a black as well as a yellow. It’s a really tough looking electric bike, due in part to these 20”x4” Chao Yang fat tires, great for loamy and soft terrain like snow and sand. 20psi is the maximum rate for inflation, but in my experience, for off-roading you want to bring that down to about 5psi-7psi to really reap the benefits. However, keeping such a low psi make for a little looser rubber which can increase the risk of pinch flats, aka “snake bites” so do be careful at the lower psi ratings. Being a 750watt, its great that is has a throttle override that you can turn on and off, and the motor inhibitors are a great touch too. I love the internally routed cables and the Trendo integrated 10lux headlight. Going back to the sizing, there are quite a few adjustments you can make to get it fitting just right. The reach of the bike is about 24” so it is a little longer. It does have a telescoping stem to raise the handlebar and the seat post has an impressive length of 350mm so these adjustments can help get the right geometry going for your ride. No suspension here (aluminum alloy rigid fork) but the seat post is 34mm, a little wider and stronger, but can also be swapped out for suspension options. Assisting these beefy rims is 135mm hub spacing with a 9mm axle in the front with threaded nuts and 170mm hub spacing in the rear with a 11mm threaded axle. There is no external torque arm here, like you sometimes see with higher-end ebikes…with a powerful motor like this (750watt nominal rating) I do worry about it jarring up the frame over time and getting some frame rock. The MF19 is somewhat heavy for a folding bike, it weighs 60lbs total, but you could remove that 7.2lbs battery when moving it around to get it a bit lighter. For folding, it has a main joint in the middle of the frame, folds at the stem, folds at the pedals, and of course the kickstand can come up and the seat can fold down. There is a support stand for when it is folded so you don’t bang up the chain ring which is also nice. Other features include aluminum alloy chain guide, adjustable length kickstand (although it is placed at the cranks producing pedal lock when reversing), integrated bell, bosses for rear rack and fenders (but not bottle cage), and an ebike specific rust resistant chain.
When I asked MAXFOOT who makes the hub-drive motor that drives this bike, they replied that it is in house, an actual MAXFOOT branded motor, but I did notice their entry level version of the same bike was using a Xofo hub-drive so that could be a clue at least towards its inspiration. The motor is definitely powerful with a 750watt nominally rated output which probably peaks somewhere in the 900’s. It operates on a 12 magnet cadence sensor as well as a throttle that can be used on demand or turned on/off via a cutoff switch. Its very zippy, you can definitely feel the power surging through the setup, although this can give it a great sense of “on-off, on-off” when hesitating on the system. Mechanically it has a 7 speed Shimano Altus with 14-28 tooth cassette, not the widest range, but a common setup seen in similar bikes. The shifter is a thumb shifter which I am not as happy about, but it is understandable since they need such a layout to make way for folding, the throttle, and cut off switch. Stopping the bike is a set of Tektro Aries mechanical brakes, 160mm in the rear and 180mm in the front. Mechanical brakes require less maintenance and are easy to adjust, however, they do take more actuation on the hands since it has to send the power through the cables. Luckily, the MAXFOOT MF19 does have motor inhibitors on each bake handle so it will cut power to that strong motor.
Powering the MF19 is a good size battery which aims to match the strength of the motor. It’s a 7.2lb 48v 14ah Lithium-ion pack which can be charged on or off the bike. I do like the removable rubber gasket that covers the charging port on the bike, it seems well suited to keep the internals covered from debris you may catch off roading. Access to the battery is through the main tube of the frame, once folded at the latch and can be secured via lock and key. The charger is a 3amp charger, not great or terrible, but a nice medium between a slower 2amp and faster 4amp. I should mention it’s best to store any Lithium-ion battery in a cool, dry location, and avoid dropping and discharging below 20% to maximize stability and lifespan.
Once the battery pack is loaded and ready to go, simply hold the mode button located at the center of the control pad, which is mounted within reach of the left grip. The large grayscale King Meter SW-LCD unit blinks to life showing your battery level, odometer, current speed, assist level (starting in 1 by default), and watts being used. You can cycle from odometer to trip distance by tapping the mode button, cycle from current speed to average and max speed by holding the up arrow, activate the lights by holding up and mode simultaneously, and initiate walk mode by holding the down arrow. Walk mode is especially useful if the bike is loaded with gear, or maybe you’re in a park where it’s not appropriate to ride, maybe the terrain is too steep and unstable for the tires, or you’ve got a flat. However, it should be said that the walk mode (because of the powerful motor) is a little jerky in use. For those who want to adjust more settings, hold the up and down arrows simultaneously. This allows you to change the wheel size, backlit brightness (1-3), and units (mph or km/h). Press mode to navigate through the settings menus and hold mode to exit settings. Finally, the most common interaction with the display is to press up or down to navigate from 0-5 assist levels. The higher the level, the more power and speed you’ll get, but you can always override the current level by activating the twist throttle on the right. And I love that MAXFFOT has included an on/off button for the throttle! This, combined with the brake lever motor inhibitors, provides maximum control over all modes of operation. With a responsive 12-magnet cadence sensor and the variable speed twist throttle, this ebike is setup very well, though not as immediately responsive as the high-end multi-sensors now seen on many mid-drive ebikes. I love that the company has included a full-sized USB Type-A port built into the base of the display, however, this is 5 volt 500 milliamp so don’t expect it to maintain or charge electronic accessories very consistently or quickly. The display can be swiveled forward and back to reduce glare if you don’t over-tighten the clamp, but it is not removable. Given the positioning, above the stem at the center of the handlebar, this display should be fairly protected from scratches at bike racks but will still take sun and weather damage over time. The display is water resistant but not waterproof. I’ve noticed that some owners will secure their helmets over the display and others will use plastic bags to protect from rain.
In conclusion, I would say the MAXFOOT MF19 is a nice first attempt for a new company. There are a few tradeoffs to consider, so its best to measure them and see if the bike is a good fit for you. It is a little disappointing to see a few things left out such as bottle cage bosses, a rear integrated light, and an external torque arm to keep the frame stable with that powerful motor over time. Also, I do wish the controller was a bit smoother, maybe in new iterations they will update it, but for now, it just feels kind of jerky, even at level 1. There is some delay in the system too when it cuts out, but it does respond better when shifting. $2,599 is no longer an entry level price, so people do sometimes expect some of these little things to be ironed out. But for many people, the biggest trade off will be the stigma that follows crowd sourced products. Ebikes are no stranger to the crowd funding game, and there have been both successes and failures in the arena so I sometimes advise to proceed with caution. Having MAXFOOT tied to a bigger brand does help its chances however. I am also told they are offering an 18 month warranty on the bike and a 2 year warranty on the motor and battery, which is more than I can say for some other bikes new to the scene. When you consider this along with the great rims, folding capabilities, and a very powerful motor, you start getting excited for the fun this bike is built to have. I would like to thank MAXFOOT for inviting me out to check out their new MF19.
As always, I welcome questions and feedback in the comment section below. Whether you own a previous version of the bike, have taken a test ride, or are brand new to the space, my goal is to provide an objective and honest resource. You can also join the Ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- Great cast alloy rims, nice for adding strength and a premium touch you don’t see on many bikes
- 18 month warranty on the bike and 2 years on the motor and battery is a great offering from a new company
- Folding is easy and I like that it has a center stand to protect the chainring and other parts of the bike from leaning over and getting damaged
- The 20”x4” Chao Yang fat tires are great, that smaller wheel base and 750watt nominally rated motor makes for a lot of fun on several surfaces
- The Spanninga Trendo integrated headlight is nice and its positioned in such a way that it points where you steer which is great for visibility for rider and observer
- I love that a bike like this still has bosses for fenders and a rear rack, its fun to think of the possibilities you could create when making it your own
- A lot of nice little touches like the rubber gromet by the battery plug to protect it from gunk on the bike, the stronger and wider seat post, or the ebike specific rust resistant chain
Cons:
- A little heavy for a folding bike, probably because of the powerful motor, battery, and fat tires, in total it weighs 60lbs
- As another crowd funded ebike, it may bring some stigmatism that comes along with that label, mostly due to crowd funding projects not being held as accountable and tried and true brands, although they are associated with a bigger brand as well which is good
- While the motor is quite capable of getting you up a hill, that power is a tradeoff at the expense of smoothness, the motor has a very “on-off” feel when riding, and can leave you with a feeling of some jerky hesitation in some cases
- Hydraulic brakes would have been a great compliment to the strong motor, but the MF16 has mechanical brakes instead, although it does have motor inhibitors that help to cut power to the motor which I think is great
- Integrated headlights are great, but it would be great to finish it off with an integrated rear light as well
- I worry about the lack of an external torque arm on such a powerful bike, over time you could get frame rock from the current setup
Resources:
DR STEPHEN BRIGGS
6 years agoI am about to get delivery of an Alter Ego Bikes VeloVillain 750 Sport, which looks to be the same frame as this Maxfoot. Interesting to hear AddMotor has some connection with this company.
ReplyMatt
5 years agoThe MAXFOOT looks like it is also extremely similar to the SDREAM bike.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Matt, yeah, I’ve noticed that many ebikes overlap like 90% because they are using the same base build from China. My understanding is that MAXFOOT is a part of AddMotoR and they are a manufacturer brand. You may find a near-exact bike from another company, and this could be a rebranded product. I don’t know the exact details of the SDREAM, but I appreciate you mentioning it so people can explore other options that might be geo-specific or a better price :)
MATT
5 years agoHere is the SDREAM bike website, they have an Indiegogo campaign.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoCool, thanks Matt!
Replysinisaa
5 years agoDo you sell in europe?
ReplyCourt
5 years agoGreat question Sinisaa, I’m not sure? They probably have some sales in Europe but could be using a different name. That is often the case with big companies like AddMotoR (which seems to make MAXFOOT).
ReplyJames Lutz
5 years agoPedals have been replaced, the original ones made load clicking sounds. The battery indicator does not work. It always shows 5 bars (full battery). I have run out of battery twice. This has got to be a malfunction. Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Hopefully someone will contact me to help me with this issue.
Sincerely,
ReplyJames Lutz
Court
5 years agoAhh, bummer! Have you reached out to Maxfoot, or their parent/partner company AddMotoR? I’m not sure why the battery would show full if it’s running out… that does sound like an issue. Thanks for sharing here, and I hope you get a solution :/
ReplyAlan
4 years agoI have 2 of these bikes. One of them has the same problem mentioned – the battery indicator shows full even when the the battery is dead. The other bike works correctly. I contacted Maxfoot service, sent them a picture of the display but never got any resolution. They wanted more information, don’t know what more you can say.
Marlon Braga
5 years agoI bought mine recently. No one else contacted me, not even by email?!
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Marlon, are you saying that nobody from Maxfoot even reached out to confirm the sale? I hope you get the bike… that sounds a bit odd and concerning given the dollar value of the product :/
ReplyKiran Parmar
4 years agoI have had my Maxfoot for nearly a year and have had great fun on it. Sadly a week ago it would not start. So made contact with sales and support at Maxfoot and have had the worst experience ever. All they ask for is pictures and videos of the connections and serial number. It takes a day every time you are in contact with them. I can understand they want to eliminate the cause but the way they go about it is ridiculous. A week later, they think it is a controller issue, which they don’t have any in stock in the US, so they need to order more from China. This could take forever. They don’t seem to care about customer support. Latest is they will inform me when the part gets here. Then I will have to ship my old controller back to them, before they send the new one out. Who knows how long that will all take. My recommendation is not to do business with this company – avoid them like the plague. If things change I will update this post. In the meantime, if you are thinking of a Maxfoot – do NOT purchase. There are better brands and companies out there.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Kiran, that sounds really frustrating. And yeah, I got the impression that they were connected to AddMotoR and were importing directly to the US with a warehouse in California and a mostly Asian team of non-native speakers. My hope was that their commitment to opening a warehouse, staffing it, and bringing so many models here would result in a great new option for consumers, especially at lower prices, but your experience leads me to think that they may still be struggling a bit with the customer experience. I’m so sorry. Thanks for sharing your experience with us though :(
ReplyKiran Parmar
4 years agoHi Court and anyone who reads this. Having waited to hear from their support team in China for the last 6 days, their reply is “soon they will get manufacture” and send to me. Probably another 2-3 month delay. So buyers of Maxfoot be aware – their post purchase support and inventory of parts seems to be nonexistence in the US. Customer support has no power here in US and support in China could not care less. Avoid dealing with this company.
michael s zimmerman
4 years agoSo glad you guys posted your experiences, you’ve saved me nightmare experiences, I am an old man, cannot deal with those problems without going postal (in my mind), gunna suck it up and go Rad, Sondors, Aventon, or Juiced. I really want a 20″ fat tire, strongest motor and battery for the buck, had a problem with Lectric XP (no sale confirmation till I called, three day later, weirdest Fed ex shipping confirm, said don’t expect for the tracking # to be any good), so I got my $ back, bless their hearts. Theirs is a good deal, but dealing with them is weird – Rad, Sondors, Aventon, and Juice are the most responsive, from what I read, and Xmas 2020, the best deals, seem to be a Juice Scrambler or base Scorpion. If I go 20″ fat folder, I plan to go Sondors or Aventon, though, in the end, may just go ahead and go Rad. The Bolton guy says just add a higher amp controller, and their great bikes (not quite as good as his, of course).
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Michael! I’d love to hear which bike you end up choosing and how it works out for you. I agree that Lectric XP is trying their best, has grown a lot in just the past couple of years, and that they are earning a spot with the bigger older players like Rad Juiced, Aventon, and Sondors. I hope it all works out for you and that you have a Merry Christmas!
Replymichael s zimmerman
4 years agoHello Court, I found someone on Craigslist w/ a Himiway step through says he bought in July, says will sell to me for $1,200 bucks, I live up in Boone NC, it’s 3 hours each way to get it, but, hell, I think that’s going to be the way to go. Big battery, nice motor, I am 5’8″, always preferred a large bike, so, I think it can’t be a mistake. The only thing that held me back from Himi was the long wait, and, this thing is test rideable. I am psyched. Will post how it works out.
Javier
4 years agoMaxfoot is the worst company ever. They ignores my emails and have never called me back, I have left hundreds of voice mails and have send dozens of emails. Maxfoot just ignores me.
I purchased an MF-19 back in 2/22/21, Fedex lost the bike and claims they delivered it, I informed Maxfoot right away that I did not receive my bike, and that’s when Maxfoot started to ignore me. I have talked to Maxfoot about 6 times and they say that they are investigating along with Fedex, Fedex refuses to talk to me as Maxfoot is the customer not me. It has been almost 4 months and still no resolution. Maxfoot has not taken my calls for over a month now. Avoid Maxfoot…
ReplyCourt
4 years agoI’m so sorry to hear about this situation Javier… I think that Maxfoot is a part of AddMotoR and they are a value brand that appears to be shipping from China then distributing through a warehouse near Los Angeles (I’ve been there to review before). Others have expressed concerns about customer support, and perhaps your comment will help warn others. My experience with the company was good, but they did not have to ship me anything…
ReplyJavier
4 years ago4 months later and I now have my ebike from Maxfoot.. It took 4 months for Fedex to payout on the lost bike, this should have taken less then two weeks, but Maxfoot cares little about their customers and would not lift a finger to resolve the lost bike issue.. Good news is after 4 months of frustration I now have my MF-19 in hand.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoThat sounds really frustrating… but I appreciate you sharing the update. Hope the bike is fun and performs reliably for you Javier :/
Joe DiMiceli
3 years agoI have been trying to get help with my Max Foot MF 19 that Is Not Working and still under warranty. I keep getting Carol Zang’s extension that never answers and he doesn’t return calls. I did have a male sounding person “Jenero” who said he was sending me a Fedex label which never came. Bad company Beware… Bad if not for the non existing customer support.
Joe DiMiceli
ReplyCourt
3 years agoHi Joe, that sucks… I’m sorry to hear that MAXFOOT hasn’t followed up with you. I haven’t covered their products for quite some time now, and I have heard some complaints about limited response and difficulty with repairs and replacement parts. Hopefully the label comes, fingers crossed for you.
Reply