Britain’s FLIT has launched a new M2i folding electric bike that weighs just 13.3kg – making it 500g lighter than the £5,799 Brompton Electric T Line. And there’s a much bigger difference when it comes to price: the M2i costs £2,999.
FLIT describes the M2i as the lightest fully folding premium e-bike out there, targeting commuters who need to carry their bike as well as ride it. In other words, it’s designed for people who’d rather not treat a flight of station stairs as an impromptu strength workout.
The M2i is built in Cambridge around an anodised 6061 aluminium frame – a cheaper material than titanium – that’s made with “structural adhesive bonding” instead of welds.
Compared with the FLIT M2 that we rode a few years ago, the M2i comes with more expensive components – like Hope hydraulic brakes and Goodyear tyres – while retaining the easy fold and integrated lights.
FLIT is making a big deal of the weight here. And fair enough: 13.3kg is properly light for an electric folder.
It says, “While typical folding ebikes average around 20kg, FLIT’s Cambridge team engineered the M2i for urban commuters who carry bikes up station steps or onto crowded trains, and travellers who want to extend boat or aircraft adventures.
“Among e-bikes that fold fully (small enough to fit in a train luggage rack) and that have premium components and ride quality, the FLIT M2i is the lightest.”
It folds down to 797mm x 600mm x 305mm.
As mentioned, FLIT uses structural adhesives in the M2i frame-building process – which is a technique it already employs with the M2.
FLIT says, “Structural bonding eliminates heat distortion caused by traditional welding. This ensures tight alignment across hinges, wheels, and locking mechanisms while preserving structural integrity.”
To shed weight, FLIT uses XCR Pro X2 hydraulic disc brakes from Lancashire’s Hope, along with Goodyear Eagle F1 R tyres, a Fizik Vento Antares R3 saddle, TPU inner tubes, a hollow-pin KMC chain, and a lightweight finishing kit. FLIT reckons you get over £875 in component upgrades over the original M2.
FLIT is clearly very proud that the M2i is 500g lighter than the £5,799 Brompton Electric T Line – it’s mentioned a couple of times in the launch material. And this isn’t the first time that FLIT has taken a playful swipe at its London-based rival.
When Brompton launched its Electric T Line last year, FLIT offered its M2 with half a kilo of Fortnum & Mason caviar thrown in for the same price.
> FLIT takes salty swipe at Brompton with e-bike and caviar bundle
“Crucially, the M2i retains full everyday practical functionality: it folds compactly to fit into train luggage racks, rolls smoothly when folded, and features integrated front and rear lighting,” says FLIT.
The M2i runs on a 250W rear hub motor (with a maximum torque of 35Nm) that’s powered by FLIT proprietary, lithium-ion 230 Wh, 36 V, 6.4 Ah, LG cells.
FLIT gives a range of 50km (31 miles) per charge, although that’ll on assist level, terrain, and so on).
The FLIT M2i is priced at £2,999, compared with £2,749 for a standard M2 (lower if you buy it through a Cycle to Work scheme).
So you’re paying £250 more for the M2i, but getting a substantially lighter bike and a bundle of higher-end components – a fairly compelling proposition if carrying your e-bike is part of the daily commute rather than an occasional punishment.
FLIT will deliver a limited run of M2i e-bikes by the end of the month, with further limited batches released as production capacity becomes available. Trade-ins of existing FLIT e-bikes are available.
