There’s no denying that e-bikes and e-trikes have gotten a bad rap lately. But the Afreda S6 isn’t your ordinary e-trike: Meet the world’s first folding electric reverse three-wheeler e-bike.
Like an Autobot, this nifty electric vehicle transforms from a full-sized bike that can carry three passengers into a compact shopping cart-like form in one second. When folded, you can wheel it into elevators, theoretically bring it aboard trains and P2P buses, or stash it in a car’s trunk for easy transport.
The quirky electric trike for adults with two front wheels for stability adapts to both on-road and off-road conditions with its balanced hydraulic disc brake (HDB). The self-balancing design makes it safe for anyone to use, including younger riders, elderly riders, and those with limited mobility.
We saw the Afreda S6 in action at the Pedal UP Bike Demo 2024 event and tested a unit for two weeks courtesy of motorcycle dealership Starbike, which is expanding into the electric vehicle market. Here’s our firsthand experience using the Afreda S6.
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PHOTO BY Kara Santos
It’s hard not to think of a rover used for space exploration when you first see the Afreda S6 up close. With two front wheels instead of one, a metallic silver alloy body, aluminum alloy handlebars, and an edgy robot-like design, the Afreda S6 looks like it belongs on another planet. Or at least in a highly developed city with a seamless network of bike lanes rather than our badly-designed streets governed by entities who constantly find ways to punish commuters and alternative mobility users.
While most e-trikes have two back wheels, this one has two in front measuring 14 x 1.95 (with inner tubes) in front and one rear tire measuring 14 x 2.125 (tubeless) at the back. Like the Yamaha Tricity, this design offers better stability when cornering at high speed or in areas with a small turning radius.
When fully stretched, the Afreda S6 measures 58 inches long and is 39 inches high but folds to a compact 20 inches wide and 43 inches high. The width of the handlebars and front wheels remains the same at 22 inches. When folded, it’s small enough to wheel up ramps, bring inside elevators, and park in corners without taking up much space.
It does weigh a hefty 31kg and can be bulky to lift and stash in a car’s trunk without the help of another person. But unlike full-sized bikes, there’s no need to dismantle tires or mount a bike rack to take this in a car for convenience and portability.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
Most bikes and e-bikes are meant to be used by a single rider. Aside from the fact that it folds, what makes the Afreda S6 unique is that it’s a three-seater with a weight capacity of 200kg. Aside from the main leather saddle, there’s a padded rear rack with foldable steps for the passenger’s feet on the wheels and a smaller saddle for a kid in front of the driver.
The Afreda comes with a basket in front and side mirrors on the handlebars, which I found a bit flimsy with all the vibrations on the road. You’ll want to bring tools to adjust these or drive at slower speeds.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
The Afreda S6 is powered by two battery packs that offer a long range. It uses a Lithium Ion 48V 15.6Ah for 2 Batteries (7,8Ah per Battery) with each one capable of 500-800 cycles. Charging time takes four to six hours.
According to the official specs, the e-bike can cover a distance of 60 km at Mode 1 Speed on one charge and roughly 50 km at Mode 2 Speed. The LCD Display shows the power, speed, mileage, and riding mode control. Just press the button below the power to toggle between the different modes.
During my initial test ride that covered 15km, the battery dropped from five out of the six bars to just two. I used it again heavily on Mode 2 and 3 until the battery drained, with the odometer showing a total distance of 42.7km.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
One caveat though, batteries can be charged only while attached to the bike. The two heavy battery packs are sealed in plastic containers and screwed on tight, so you’ll need to fold the bike and wheel it somewhere with easy access to a wall socket. Good thing our condo has an elevator from the basement, but this might be a problem for those who live in areas with lots of stairs and no ramps.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
The Afreda S6 is powered by a 500W rear hub motor that has a maximum speed of 40kph. I was quickly overtaken by other vehicles and normal bikes when I kept it on Mode 1 (which topped out at 14kph), but it got more fun to use once I switched to faster modes. Based on the bike’s speedometer, Mode 2’s top speed was 23kph, while it reached 34kph on Mode 3 on a long flat stretch.
The main saddle, which has built-in shock absorption, was comfortable and lessened the impact of potholes, humps and uneven road surfaces. The seat height and footrests felt normal for my height (I’m about 5”), though my husband (5’8”) who also tried driving it said it felt a bit cramped for his legs. He also found it fiddlier to drive with me as a passenger in the rear seat compared to driving alone. As a passenger, I found the back seat padded and comfy enough for short distances.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
The Afreda managed to tackle short uphill areas with ease. It could climb up small ramps and scramble up lower sidewalks and didn’t seem to have a problem going over rocks and gravel on some off-road dirt paths. However, it couldn't build momentum on a very steeply graded ramp in our basement, which was remedied by my dismounting and using the throttle to push and wheel it up.
Admittedly, during the review period, I used this only in nearby areas around our neighborhood and within a university campus with flat roads and well-established bike lanes. Actual performance may differ once you take it out in the wild streets of Metro Manila or if you have to travel up hilly or steep areas regularly.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
Driving the Afreda felt a bit jarring at first, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it. The bike comes in two modes suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. All you have to do is switch it on and it’s good to go.
At first, the steering felt a bit stiff, but the bike was in its self-balancing mode, where the two front wheels are stable and balanced. With the suspension locked, the bike will not fall even if you brake or are at a standstill, which makes it safer for beginners, elderly passengers and kids to use. In this mode, it loses some damping effect and has to be driven at a low speed (1st gear).
Once I lifted the suspension lock to switch it to Free Riding Mode, it felt easier to maneuver, drive at higher speeds, and fun to use. Despite the sizzling hot summer weather, I did not sweat as much driving around at 10:00 am compared to using a regular bike that requires more exertion. You feel the breeze more at higher speeds with little effort, like driving a scooter, without being weighed down by heavy gear.
The Afreda can maintain a maximum 40-degree side deviation without falling. The two front wheels have a maximum vertical swing of more than 11 inches, allowing the bike to cross obstacles on the road.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
The built-in basket made it handy for running errands when I had to carry smaller items from the market and pick up food and drinks from nearby cafes. I imagine this would be useful for busy adults who travel short distances regularly with another passenger or a small kid.
To park, switch it off, pull the right brake and press the P button to lock it in place. Since there’s no key, the best option is to fold it and bring it with you inside buildings. You’ll want to secure it with a bike lock to be safe when parking for a long time. You also won't want to get the electrical parts wet, so be sure to park it indoors.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
According to the distributor Starbike, this model is classified as an L1B e-scooter due to its 42kph speed limit. Under the previous LTO classification, a license and registration are not required to drive this but drivers must wear a motorcycle helmet (like those used by Honda Sundiro users) when operating this.
However, drivers must comply with new bans regarding e-bikes on roads, but “users will not be apprehended as per new directives.” Some e-scooter users register their e-bikes as L3 vehicles (which requires a license and registration) so they have papers to show.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
There's some good news for Quezon City residents. The Green Transport Division is making it easier for e-bike users to register their bikes with a simplified set of requirements that include a certificate of ownership, valid ID, purchase receipt (or notarized affidavit of undertaking), photo of the e-bike with the owner, photo of the e-bike, and photo of the serial number.
The Afreda S6 can be used to cross national roads and main thoroughfares or roads intersecting allowed roads. However, distributors recommend sticking to private areas and side roads.
The Afreda S6 has an SRP of P94,450, which costs a bit more than some regular motorcycles in the local market. While it’s not the most budget-friendly option out there, if you’re into quirky tech and have the cash to spare for expensive toys, this is definitely a conversation starter.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
While it would be challenging to use the Afreda S6 as a daily commuter in high-traffic areas given the city's present road conditions, it might be a good option for those who need to travel short distances daily within bike-friendly streets and for use within private subdivisions, bimodal transport, to run errands, and occasional leisure rides in combination with private cars.
It could be an option for older students going to school or daily bike-to-work commuters who have to travel 3 to 5 km daily and who want to avoid the hassles of parking a car and the high cost of gas but still arrive fast and without being too tired and sweaty all the time.
The portability of the Afreda S6 is a unique selling point for those who live in small condos and apartments with no garages. When folded, you can stash it in a trunk or bring it along when riding the P2P bus or MRT trains (assuming there are ramps and working elevators) to get it into stations for that last-mile travel between transportation hubs, work and home. It could also be an option for parents with small kids or those with limited mobility who want to enjoy the feeling of biking in safe bike-friendly areas.