Senada DRIFTER Review: The Best Folding E-bike Under $1000?
If your budget is below $1000 and are in dire need to own a folding electric bike, the upgraded Senada DRIFTER is right up your alley.
After taking it for several spins, we compiled this unbiased Senada DRIFTER review to help you make an informed buying decision.
But first things first…
Senada DRIFTER Specs
Disclaimer: These specifications are based on our tests and they may vary widely from what the manufacturer says. I weigh 198 lbs and depending on your weight, you may record a higher or lower top speed and range.
Having kept that out of the way, these are the ultimate Senada DRIFTER specifications:
| Tested Top Speed | 26.5 MPH on Pure electric riding |
| Tested Top Range | 28.3 Miles on Pure electric riding |
| Motor | 500W Nominal Power |
| Battery | 48V 14Ah |
| Braking | Mechanical Disc |
| Tires | 20 X 4 Inches |
| Charging Time | 5.5 Hours |
| Throttle | Half Twist |
| Weight | 64 lbs |
| Weight Limit | 330 lbs |
Senada DRIFTER Review: Getting Ready
Unboxing
To begin with, the Senada DRIFTER folding electric bike isn’t in any way a small ride, so don’t let the images confuse you. After unboxing, you could think it’s their advanced Senada VIPER electric mountain bike in front of you.
Now, since this beast weighs 64 lbs, you might need some extra hand to properly unbox it.
As Senada ships it, they properly wrap it using styrofoam to prevent any damage while the ride is in transit. For the most delicate parts such as the LCD Display, they wrap them using a soft padding material.
Assembling
Senada ships the DRIFTER while it’s already 95% pre-assembled, just like the Senada ROAMER so it won’t be any problem for you to join each part to its appropriate place. Again, they include a user manual which you can use as a guide to properly assemble your ride.
Like every Senada model, they ship it with a wrench and Allen keys, which are helpful for a more seamless assembly.
The pedals are properly marked with the L and R symbols to show which one fits the Left or Right, making it easy for you to join them fast.
For the crank and pedal threads, we recommend that you align them properly to avoid cross-threading or mangling these components. After that, tighten all the bolts and you will have a fully-assembled DRIFTER electric bike.
When you have properly assembled the e-bike, we recommend that you fully charge it and inflate the tires to the right pressure before you take the DRIFTER for the first ride.
Our Full Senada DRIFTER Review
Tested Maximum Speed
We tested the DRIFTER electric bike in ideal conditions, just like we do for every other electric vehicle on our database.
By ideal conditions, we mean that the ebike had a fully charged battery, was well-serviced since it was out of the box, and on a smooth tarmacked surface.
26.5 MPH was our top speed in the pure electric riding mode. While riding downhill, we easily hit 30.5 MPH, before the Odometer quickly went back to 28 Miles per Hour.
Since I weigh 198 lbs, a lighter rider than me with the same condition of the e-bike and in the same riding conditions would have had a higher max speed. Conversely, a heavier rider say 300 lbs would have been lucky to hit 25 MPH.
Tested Top Range
It’s crucial to mention that the faster you go on any electric vehicle, the lower the maximum riding distance on a single charge you will expect.
So, while riding the Senada DRIFTER at 15 MPH, we had 28.3 Miles of Pure Electric Riding as our maximum range before the battery ran out of juice.
With the pedal-assisted riding mode, 58.1 Miles was our maximum range before the battery status went to 0.
Motor
The first Senada DRIFTER batch featured Bafang Motors but after numerous complaints about its high Torque vs. the Battery, Senada decided to manufacture its own motors which they now call XY Motors.
As expected, these have the same quality as the Bafang, if not better. There are currently no complaints about these new 55Nm Torque motors, which is impressive.
Now, the DRIFTER features an XY 500W brushless toothed nominal power motor. This produces a peak power output of 750W, just like the advanced all-new Senada OSPREY E-bike.
Battery
Other than the motor, Senada also upgraded the DRIFTER’s battery to become a 48V 14Ah one.
If range means anything to you, then this is good news as you won’t have to worry about the battery dying fast on you before you complete your thrill.
Even better, this battery is UL 2849 Certified, meaning you won’t have to worry about your or your ebike’s safety.
Also, there is no cause for alarm about the battery dying on you so soon, forcing you to meet the replacement costs; Senada provides a 1-Year Warranty for this battery.
If you prefer a more powerful battery, you can consider Senada’s Best-Selling Mountain Electric Bike – the Senada ARCHON 48V 17.5Ah battery.
Suspension
Your comfort matters big time and it’s only logical that your e-bike prioritizes it. Thankfully, Senada ships the DRIFTER with a front fork suspension to make maneuvering different terrains more buttery.
This front suspension fork has a lockout to make the ride quality superb. Just stiffen it or decrease the compression rate at low speed to suit your riding specifications.
Tires
Like the new advanced Senada GLADIATOR, the upgraded DRIFTER folding electric bike features 20 X 4-inch fat tires.
A few customers who owned the first batch had complaints about the inner tubes developing flats, but Senada solved the problem in the latest batch by including a different tire brand.
Since these tires are fat (4-inch width), they have better traction and grip when subjected to loose surfaces, which means vibrations or slippery roads have nothing on the frame or the ride quality.
Senada DRIFTER Features
Foldability
Do you have a compact space in the trunk of your car and a bike is taller to fit in? The solution lies in buying a folding electric bike and the DRIFTER just ticks in all these boxes.
When folded, the DRIFTER can fit in most compact spaces, which is why we find it a great-value all-rounder e-bike.
Fold it, keep it in a corner in your garage, office, car trunk, or in a PSV, and seamlessly enjoy having your e-bike within your eye range.
To get a better overview of the folding dimensions, the DRIFTER measures 37 X 19.3 X 31.1 Inches. When unfolded, it measures 66.1 X 23.6 X 44.5 Inches.
Part of a better UX (User Experience) would be that Senada needs to include a handle to seamlessly carry the DRIFTER when it’s folded.
Portability
Since the Senada DRIFTER electric bike is foldable, portability isn’t so much of a problem.
In fact, it’s one of the lightest electric bikes for adults weighing above 300 lbs. While it’s not ultra-portable, most adults won’t have a problem lifting this ride, making it a perfect companion for those who have a fear of weightlifting.
Safety Features
The DRIFTER features 160MM Mechanical Disc Brakes which have a great stopping power. These are easy to customize and maintain.
However, it would have been best if this powerful e-bike featured the hydraulic brake type for the best stopping power.
As part of the customization, you can consider buying the DEYING Zoom Brakes as they come when they have been bled already. Installing these on your DRIFTER will be a major plus for you.
If you endeavor to ride at night, the DRIFTER comes with a bright 650-lumen headlight. For the taillight, which also acts as the rear Brake light, Senada uses a bright one to make other road users notice your presence.
To alert others about your presence, the DRIFTER comes with an ear-enticing thumb-spring old-school bell. This is an incredible safety feature as there is no cause for worry about bumping into other road users.
Manufacturing
Robust Frames are a huge plus for any electric ride capable of hauling heavy adults, and thankfully Senada never cuts corners when it comes to this aspect.
While manufacturing the DRIFTER folding bike, they used aluminum alloy as the frame-making material to make the bike as solid as possible. You won’t be any wrong to say that this electric bike has been built like a tank.
The 48T Crankset is a single-speed one and is made of aluminum, which tells you that it’s durable enough. Its guard is also a premium one, and protection to the chain ring is ultimate even when riders pass on rough terrains.
The accelerator is the half-twist throttle, which makes it comfortable for the rider to smoothly switch between the pure electric riding mode or the pedal-assist feature.
For the gear shift speed system, Senada uses the Shimano 7 Speed Freewheel, which is adjustable to the rider’s preference and depending on the terrain to handle.
To power this e-bike, you don’t even need a key. However, Senada provided two keys for you to always and safely lock the battery in its place.
The rear cargo rack is also made of aluminum and it’s sturdy enough to support up to 65 lbs worth of luggage weight. On the front, there are four bolts where you can fix a front basket once Senada starts offering them in their catalog.
This e-bike also features other secondary features such as the Walk Mode, adjusting the dampening on the front shock suspension system, and the cruise control prompt.
My Senada DRIFTER Riding Experience
To begin with, the DRIFTER has one of the most comfy adjustable ergonomic saddle seats we have ever experienced on a budget electric bike.
When I started the DRIFTER and turned to the Pure electric riding mode, this e-bike just wanted to go and go some more. The ride quality is nimble, and the torque is amazing even when climbing inclined slopes.
The Mechanical disc brakes rub a little bit when you want that sudden stopping power, but that can be fixed easily. However, hydraulic brakes would have been better for a more solid feel while stopping.
I noticed that when I use the Pedal Assist mode, each PAS setting has a speed limit. For instance, PAS 1 will limit you to 12 Miles per Hour. If you wish to literally fly, switch to PAS 5 and you will have unlocked the full speed while riding on the Pedal Assist mode. Changing any of the riding modes is simple, something each of us always looks forward to.
Overall, the ride quality feels buttery smooth and the build quality feels solid. While riding the Senada DRIFTER, you feel like you are riding a small electric motorbike owing to how solid it feels.
Senada DRIFTER Pros
- For the features and specs, the Senada DRIFTER folding electric bike is one of the best budget models under $1000
- Easy to assemble
- The build quality is superb enough to conquer different terrains
- High-quality Motor and Battery
- Seamless folding mechanism.
Cons
- It could have featured the hydraulic braking type
- The front basket’s fitment could be wider.
