To run the forums, host the website, and travel, I charge a universal service fee for my reviews. This review was sponsored by Qualisports. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased, this video and written review are not meant to be an endorsement of Qualisports products.
So today, I am checking out the Qualisports Dolphin which is new to me, but apparently they have been around for a while. They have been making bikes worldwide under a number of names, but the Qualisports brand is used for the United States. The bike is similar to their Volador, so you may see some parallel information in this review, but I will call out the new changes as we go along. One cool side note is that the bike was named literally a day or two before I reviewed it. Apparently, they asked fans for aquatic name suggestions and Dolphin was in the top 3. Sam’s wife said they should do the Dolphin name, so the company said “Alright, Dolphin it is!” and I guess the rest will be history! So the Dolphin is an affordable ($1,299) 20” wheel folding electric bike, but aside from the hub motor, it doesn’t look electric, it looks quite normal. That is mostly due to the battery being integrated in a unique place, the seat post. That comes with its own pros and cons that we will jump into later, but for now, I can say it definitely makes for a clean frame and a beautiful look. The bike comes in 2 colors, matte black and dark metallic gray, but the red you see in the video is just a prototype. The aluminum alloy frame is rigid all around and doesn’t provide for any suspension or absorption of any kind apart from the tires and a slightly comfortable saddle that I would still however classify as an active saddle. The tires are 20” x 2.35”, so a bit bigger than what you see on the Volador. I wouldn’t call these fat-tires, but they are definitely capable with comfort and stability. However, larger tires may mean it won’t fold up quite as compact as the Volador. Although not on the prototype in the video, the bike will come with these nice sturdy steel fenders. Steel fenders are great but they can rust if the paint gets nicked or scratched and left outside over time. I do see some included lights which is very considerate, but I should note the rear light is not integrated, so do make sure to turn it off when you are done using the bike so you don’t wast those AAA batteries. The front is integrated which I love, but it should be noted that if you have the front basket, it will not point where you steer due to the mounting of the light. Looking around, there are some bottle cage bosses, a quick release on the seat post clamp, and a kickstand positioned out of the way to eliminate pedal lock when reversing. The Dolphin has some nice wire wraps, but it should be noted since this is a folding bike, the wires are not internally routed… this is pretty common since folding bikes need that maneuverability when bending so the wires don’t get pinched. Qualisports also has some accessories that go well with the Dolphin; in the video I review one with an optional $50 rack with nice standard gauge tubing. There is also a $60 basket that can mount to the front and they even offer a $50 bag for the bike itself that it will fit into when folded. This is a nice touch since there are actually places where you may transport this when folded where they require it to be in a bag. When loading this bike with accessories however, I would be careful in placing a trunk bag, since it could block that rear light. Overall the bike we tested weighs 47.7lbs, (so almost 8lbs heavier than the Volador) folds up quite well with some good locking points, and can even be walked easily if you leave the seat post up. Other features include Velo grips (non-locking), a little flick bell, plastic chain guard, and trigger shifters.
Driving the Dolphin is a planetary geared hub-motor from MXUS. The motor is 350watt nominally rated with a 12 magnet cadence sensor and throttle. I love that the cadence sensor is sealed, that really helps keep road debris out, and I wish more manufacturers went with this setup. The max speed is 20mph, so with that throttle and pedal assist, that makes this a Class 2 ebike. The power ramps up kind of slow, but the smaller wheels do have a mechanical advantage to it as well. Overall, it’s a nice linear power delivery. It’s quite efficient, really a power sipper and I found it both to be very quiet and smooth. The Dolphin would be a great last mile vehicle for both students and commuters. The electrical system is rounded off with these nice motor inhibitors, another feature I love to see in bikes because it really makes the ride that much safer. On the mechanical side, you get a 7 speed Shimano Tourney derailleur with 14-28 teeth and a 52 tooth chain ring in the front…. that rear setup is a little limited, so you may be spinning a bit more at higher speeds, but otherwise great for a commuting around town. For stopping power, you get some 160mm mechanical brakes. Mechanical brakes are easy to adjust and maintain, however, the stopping can take a bit more accusation in the handle, especially for that rear brake.
Powering the Dolphin is a 36v 14ah battery, which is about double the amp hour rating of the Volador and Nemo. What is really interesting is that the battery is located inside the seat tube. That aspect brings with it is own pros and cons… on the one hand, it is very discreet, clean, protected, and likely won’t advertise that it is an electric bike to would be thieves. On the other hand, you cannot change the seat post to a suspension seat post to increase comfort, and it limits you to just the one battery type style. You can actually remove the seat post, the entire thing is removable if you wish to take the battery with you somewhere. The charging port sits protected under the seat front and faces upward from the tip of the tube, like where you would put a straw in for a drink pouch. The charger itself is pretty portable at 1.3lbs and charges at 2amps, which is a little slow, but helps maintain a healthy battery life. To really care for this and other lithium-ion packs, I have heard that storing in a cool dry location vs. extreme heat or cold will extend the life and try to keep it about 50% full when not using for long periods so you won’t stress the cells. Try not to let it run down to zero, because that’s really hard on the cell chemistry.
Controlling the Dolphin is done though this plastic display mounted on the left. It is backlit, but is not removable as far as I can tell and doesn’t seem to swivel either. The controls feature a Power button as well as an Up and Down button for scrolling. Along with the speed here in MPH, it shows a 4 bar battery info graphic, with the outline of the battery logo itself acting as a 5th bar. So basically, it reads out in 20% increments. It also has readings for a timer, distance, and what level of assist you are in. Assist levels range from 0-5, but I did notice that 0 also locks out the throttle, so if you want to use that throttle, make sure to push the assist into 1-5. If you press Power lightly again, you can cycle through current speed, average speed, max speed, voltage, and odometer. Holding down the Up button will get the display to turn on its backlight. This also activates the integrated headlight too. Hold the Down button will active a walk mode. Finally, if you turn the display off, then back on, begin to hold down Up and Down together and you get a deep menu that lets you configure things like top speed, wheel diameter, and MPH to KMH. Believe it or not, you can go even deeper by holding Up and Down again and again to get into a series of coding menus if you really want to get into the nitty gritty. Qualisports also has a in-depth manual online for those interested.
All in all, the Dolphin is a great option at that $1,299 price point. It’s not often you see bikes like this with unique features and aesthetics when browsing other affordable options. Another neat feature is that when the bike is folded, you can push the seat tube down through the frame and the lower part is sturdy enough to act as a chair leg so to speak, and it allows you to sit down on the seat comfortably while waiting for a train, bus, or just need a moment to relax. With all these unique features, there are some tradeoffs to consider. The most obvious is that there is no suspension of any kind. This paired with the high seating, high handlebar, and attack angle make for a bumpy and twitchy ride. Definitely not something to look forward to if you have a commute with long distances. Some of the parts are generic like the brakes and pedals, but I suppose that is to be expected given the price point. The bike really shines as a last mile vehicle, great for little hops across the way and getting in and out of transportation like buses, trains, subways, etc. The ability to sit with it, store it, and walk with it are great. And it looks good too! I should also mention that the bike comes pretty much assembled from the the get go and you can even get dealer support. I think Qualisports did a good job here and I am excited to observe their growth and thank them for the opportunity to do so.
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 Qualisports ebike forums and share your own photos, videos, and review updates to help others! Have fun out there, and ride safe :)
Pros:
- Really just a beautiful bike, I love how the battery is hidden and out of the way, it doesn’t look like a typical electric bike to most people so it could deter would be thieves as well
- When shopping for affordable bikes, you usually get some bottom of the barrel options, its nice to see the Dolphin bring a purpose built bike with unique features and aesthetic to the segment for just $1.299
- A lot of times with bikes like this you have to go online to find them, Qualisports also has a dealer network so you can get established and knowledgeable help and service which is great
- Has some really good locking points and is a nice folding bicycle, that battery position is really is beautiful and it keeps the battery out of the way
- If the bike is folded and you prop up the seat post, you can hold the seat and guide it as you walk it and it glides straight with no problems
- The seat post itself is sturdy, you can push the seat tube down through the frame and the lower part is sturdy enough to act as a chair leg so to speak, and it allows you to sit down on the seat comfortably while waiting for a train, bus, or just need a moment to relax
- The bike comes pretty much fully assembled so you don’t have to worry about putting pieces together or needing complicated tools
- The display has a very deep menu section that will let you configure just about everything with the electrical system if you are a real tinkerer and want to get things just right, they will be posting a in-depth manual online with information too
- Some lights are included for both the front and rear, I particularly like that the front headlight is battery integrated and can be turned on and off via the display
- Trigger shifters are my favorite and I cannot count how many affordable bikes actually chose a thumb shifter with their throttle, I really appreciate the trigger shifter and throttle setup Qualisports went with on this bike
- The power delivery is nice and linear when using the electrical system and I am a big fan of motor inhibitors on brakes, so I am grateful they included them here
- Some great optional accessories are available like a rear rack, front bucket, and even a cover bag that you can put the bike in when its folded
- A lot of the features on this bike like the optional cover bag, the seat post chair setup, and being able to walk the bike when folded really help this stand out as the perfect last mile vehicle, this would be great for a student that has to take a tram to campus but still has a mile or two to get to class, or the subway commuter that has a long walk to his loft, you can tell they really thought out the design of the target user
Cons:
- The bike does not have any suspension or much comfort aside from what the tires can handle, it should be noted that you cannot swap out the seat post because of the integrated battery, similarly, you cannot swap out the fork either, I like this bike a lot, but it probably won’t be my top choice for a lengthy ride
- The tires here are nice but have neither puncture protection or reflective sidewall, also, there is no quick release on either wheel
- There is no slap guard on the frame where the chain rides along, I would recommend protecting it with an aftermarket neoprene slap guard or at least some box tape
- Some generic parts here and there like the brake system, plastic pedals, and plastic display, but that is to be expected since the price of the bike is so low
- There is no derailleur guard which would be nice if it was here because it would protect that derailleur when folding or shipping the bike as well as if it took a spill
- The ride is a little twitchy because of the riding geometry and the bumps you feel, it really is best for short rides or as a last mile vehicle
- The included rear light takes batteries instead of being integrated into the battery pack itself, so it could be a bit of a hassle to turn it on and off separately, additionally, you could forget to turn it off and drain the batteries leading to having to replace them more frequently
- The display is easy to read and backlit, but I do wish it was removable since the rest of the bike hides the fact that it is electric really well
- Only comes in darker colors, so be aware that visibility, especially during the night, may be difficult
Resources:
Joseph P Lamos
5 years agoIn comparing the reviews of the Volador and the Dolphin it seems that there is very little difference between the two bikes other than the larger battery size and wider tire size of the Dolphin. Are those the major differences and what leads to the $200 price difference? Also, for both the Volador and the Dolphin, you mention that the ride is “little twitchy because of the riding geometry and the bumps you feel, it really is best for short rides or as a last mile vehicle.” That doesn’t make it look to be a useful commuting choice if you have to go more than what, 4-6 miles? I just read and watched the review of the Motiv Stash. Do the Volador and Dolphin feel more twitchy? I am an older person and the word twitchy makes me wonder if the bike is stable or would be prone to having the rider fall. I really like the innovation of the Volador and Dolphin design.
ReplyMike
5 years agoThis ebike is absolutely the smoothest operating folding ebike I have ever ridden. Not sure what the reviewer is talking about AT ALL, regarding ‘twitchy’. The motor is super smooth, and the ride is very solid, and extremely comfortable, and not harsh like the Magnum Premium or Blix Vika+, where the Magnum even has shocks, but its a harder ride due to its mag wheels. The power is very nice on this ebike, and is plenty, and is appropriately delivered in lower levels, and does well at higher levels. This would be a GREAT ebike for longer rides, and the only thing I added was a cloud 9 comfort cruiser saddle, and this made it heaven. The metal fenders are solid, and very well supported, so no rattling at all. Grips are very comfortable, and the handle bar is uncluttered. Wiring is very snug, very clean looking ebike with the battery hidden. The tires are perfect width, and that is probably what really makes it comfortable, super stable, and a very secure ride feel overall. Bumps just get absorbed very easily. If it had 8 speeds for a little better top end cadence, then it would be an A+++ folder, but its at least an A++. I was so seriously impressed by this folder and had been really underwhelmed by many others out there. Its absurd to have to spend $2000 or even $3500 which a number of folders are selling for. I like the 36 Volts on this coupled with 500 watts. you feel you could go all day. Too many folders have too sudden and jolty acceleration (again Blix and Magnum come to mind) and the motors suck their batteries down, which at 48 Volt and 14 AH’s on the Blix and Magnum, the batteries feel like 50 lbs of cement blocks on these small folders. The Dolphins rack options are solid, and well designed too. For $1299, this folder is one of those rare hidden Gems, that few people even barely know the company, and yet its one of thee best folders on the market. Unreal – I just didn’t expect this ride. So awesome ! (btw, Ive always heard good things about how MXUS makes very strong motors, and you can feel it with this, but the controller is really super smooth so it doesn’t overpower you. They’ve done something very different with this ebike control system. It doesn’t feel like typical cadence sensing at all. Well done Qualisports. Im recommending these to everyone ! )
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThanks for your feedback, glad you’re enjoying it :D
Mark Poynter
5 years agoHi Mike. Thanks for your thoughts on the Dolphin. Did the cloud 9 comfort cruiser saddle you bought allow for easy charging of the battery? Could you send me a link of which exact one you bought for the Dolphin, thanks.
Mark
don Ipock
4 years agoMike – I totally agree with your review. I’ve owned a Dolphin for almost a year now and it’s a remarkable value, fun and super stable ride with nice build quality. The rear light and pedals are the only components that I’ve upgraded (and that’s minor). There is nothing twitchy about the Dolphin. I’m guessing this site’s “official” reviewer failed to update model specifics between his reviews and was referring to the little 16″ wheeled Nemo. I’m 5’10” and weigh 165 lbs. and find the power quite adequate and would consider this an e-assisted cruiser bike–very capable and comfortable even after 2 hours of riding.
4 years ago
Wait, 500 watts?
Paul Patrick
5 years agoI own 2 Qualisports Belugas. They are exactly like the Dolphin except with fat tires. I am well into my senior years. I have a lot of miles on these bikes in the time I have owned them. I agree with Mike’s post in his more realistic review. I disagree that the bike feels “twitchy.” I don’t understand why the reviewer used this term since the geometry and dimensions of the Dolphin are similar to other bikes in this category, yet those bikes are not described as “twitchy.” The Qualisports bikes are solid and comfortable bikes and I use them for both commuting and pleasure. The bikes fold quickly and smoothly, they are relatively lightweight (compared to other folding bikes in this size range), and the unique seat post allows them to be rolled easily for transport and also to be used as a “chair” when waiting for public transit.
As noted in the review, the Qualisports bikes do not have active suspension like suspension front forks or suspension seat posts. Therefore they do not make a good off-road or mountain bike. But for paved road and bike path riding they are extremely comfortable, fast, and easy to mount and dismount for older riders with their “low bar” frame geometry. Be aware that any bike with an included front suspension fork from the manufacturer, at the Qualisports price point, is going to be of no practical value and just adds un-needed weight. These cheap included front suspension forks are just “eye candy” and a marketing gimmick. To get a really good front suspension fork on a bike like the Dolphin you would have to spend at least double the price.
I am a heavier rider and I do not worry about the carrying capacity of the bike. The frame is very strong and the wheels/tires are like any other bike in this size range. In my opinion, the Dolphin would have no problem with carrying close to 300 pounds. Even at my size and weight the battery seems to last forever.
In summary, I love my Qualisports bikes and highly recommend them for commuting or pleasure on surface streets and paths. In my opinion, they are the best looking folding bike, they are well engineered, and they are a great value and “best buy” at this price point. With the included dealer support, you can’t go wrong with a Qualisports bike.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThanks for sharing your perspective and experience with the Qualisports ebikes, Paul :)
Joe
5 years agoMike and Paul, thank you for your comments and reply to my initial comment. Now I am trying to decide between the 2.35″ tires of the Dolphin and the 4+” tires of the Beluga. The Beluga is only a $100 more but you get a 500W motor compared to the 350W motor of the Dolphin. The door opening on my travel trailer is 18.5″ wide so my choice will come down to whether the Beluga is compact enough because it seems the larger tires will be better for riding on gravel country roads. However, perhaps the tire size of the the Dolphin will be sufficient for both comfort and stability on such gravel roads.
There certainly are a number of online purchase options for electric bikes, folding or otherwise, but without being able to get hands-on experience to get a feel for the bike and to test things like a suspension it is hard to judge between the tradeoffs. Here in Denver I have been surprised by the relative lack of ebike retail sources that offer a range of price options. Of course the ones we do have pretty much feature the high end bikes because obviously they have the largest margins. But, being retired it is hard to envision justifying spending $2000+ though the joke about Colorado is that you know you are in Colorado when the bike on top of the car is worth more than the car it is on (mostly in reference to standard mountain bikes.)
Ordering a bike online is mostly a final decision because of the high return shipping cost for such a large item unless the bike is really unacceptable. That is why understanding the quality of the ride is so important as well as knowing the quality of the components.
Paul Patrick
5 years agoCourt, I saw you at Sam’s ebike Expo last August. I wanted to introduce myself, but you had a line of people waiting to talk with and I was short on time. Maybe next time.
Drew
5 years agoThe Dolphin battery is the big difference, from the Volador. It uses the same 8lb monster as the Beluga’s. With huge range – probably double that of Volador. I am finding I’m charging it every third ride, even when pinned with level 5 assist most of the time on a 20mile route. Despite the wider tires, the Dolphin road feel is tactile. I’m not sure I’d want to go any smaller on the tire width and diameter on an ebike without a front suspension…esp at >20mph.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoGreat feedback! Thanks for taking a moment to share your experience with this bike, Drew :)
Mark Poynter
5 years agoI agree with Mike’s review. I bought 2 of these and so far they are as described. Only thing I am wondering about in the review by Court is the total maximum weight of 220 lbs. I read at 2 sites that the max weight is 150 kg (300 lbs) at the Bolton site and then 260 lbs at the Qualisports website. I am 237 and the bike seems to handle this very well. What is the max designed load?
Thanks, Mark
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Mark! I met with the company founder and passed my questions to him… which could be good or bad. Maybe he just forgot or was being conservative. Most other ebikes are 250lb or 300lb rated, so perhaps the other sites just copied this default limit. I wish I could be more descriptive for you, but it’s nice to hear that it seems to be holding up well! What I hear is that the first major point of failure is spokes, which can start to loosen over time if they are carrying heavy loads. Keep an eye on them and keep the wheels trued to maximize the reliability and lifespan of the wheels and the bike :)
ReplyMark
5 years agoHi Court! Thanks for passing the question on to the company founder. The main reason I bought these bikes is because it is advertised as 150kg weight limit. This allowed me to comfortably feel this bike has enough maximum weight load for myself as well as a some cargo. I hope the answer comes back as 300lbs or at least 260. This is very concerning to me.
Mark Poynter
5 years agoHi Court. Did the owner ever get back to you on the weight limit of the Dolphin? I cannot recommend this bike to folks I meet out and about if I don’t know what the limit is. This is also a matter of whether I should be riding it if I am over the weight limit. 3 different weight limits across different sites is getting me a little worried.
Thanks, Mark
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Mark! I emailed again today and will keep an eye out for a reply to then comment back here for you. Sorry it hasn’t been answered quicker :/
ReplyKim
5 years agoAnyone able to weigh in on the ride comfort of the Voldor or Dolphin in terms of bump/vibration absorption as well as seating position comfort (reach span for a tall person)?
Also, not clear on weight of each with battery/seat step removed.
BTW: you guys have the absolute best ebike reviews anywhere! Great work! And, I wish we had a SAM in Atlanta :-)
ReplyCourt
5 years agoThanks Kim! We do our best, and yeah… Sam is awesome :D you might actually benefit from calling him directly to ask about the bike. He works most days 10am-5pm and is a taller/larger guy. He might have other bikes to recommend. Just give him a ring from the number listed on his website here.
ReplyGarry
5 years agoCan someone comment on the range of Beluga, on throttle and PAS. I can read specs but wanted someones personal experience. Thank you.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Gary, that’s a great question. Hopefully someone will chime in! Perhaps you could also ask and search around in the Qualisports forums here.
ReplyIlgaz
4 years agoFirst of all really useful website so it helps me alot to find the right bike. I bought dolphin couple days ago. I am really confused between dolphın and sondors xs 500 watt. They are both the same price at the moment. Sondors fully equipped, suspension, high capacity battery but it is also heavy. So dolphin is more mid size 22kg and sondors about 30 kg which makes a difference. I think dolphin has more range or they are about the same.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Ilgaz, it sounds like you’re noticing the main differences between these bikes. Yes, I like the lighter design of the Dolphin and that could help it get better range. The Sondors XS is a full sized fat tire ebike that does not fold. It may require more leg and hip strength and flexibility to mount. I like that it has a suspension fork, and the tires will add comfort, but they add weight and size. It may be a better option for off-road riding or if you want a larger more comofortable bike. For the best range on-road, I do think that the Qualisports Dolphin would be more efficient and work well for you :)
ReplyIlgaz
4 years agoHello Court, I mean Sondors Fold X. It is also foldable and uses large size battery so the range should be similar. I also mind the weight of the bike so that’s why I choose dolphin. Actually I want to stay on 500 watt motor so it was hard for me choose between those bikes.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoOh, I see! Thanks for responding and clarifying your situation. I really like Qualisports and think that they offer a unique and satisfying product. I hope that you find the same, and I welcome further comments once you spend some time riding it!!
ReplyGreg
4 years agoHi, thanks for the in depth on this, really awesome. I am going to order for Japan and will probably attempt to go through Sam or another dealer. One thing that seems to be out of sync with the review: you do mention the dolphin has a carry bag accessory available. However, all of the Qualisport bag listings say it only works for the Nemo and the Volador. The dolphin is very close in size to the Volador, so I think that YOU are probably right, yet consistently this is what I’m seeing online.
Since I will be purchasing from overseas, whether dealers are willing to ship or not is useful info. With all the options like fenders etc… Seems like dealers are the way to go.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Greg! I do my best to create a clear picture of each bike, the company that makes it, the accessories etc. with my reviews… but I rely on those sources and often lean on shops or owners to fill in the gaps. I do think that the bags would work, but I cannot say for sure. Dealers are great, but Sam (the dealer I used to work with in Fullerton California) has since retired and out of the loop living in Thailand with his wife! I wish you luck, and I have noticed that the founder of Qualisports does seem reachable, possibly through their Amazon store page.
Reply