Small, foldable, and electric – sounds like the perfect combo for urban commuters! The Ahooga Max aims to combine a stylish design, electric assistance, and practical features in one sturdy package. But how does the Belgian folding bike perform in everyday use? We put the Ahooga Max to the test to find out how it fares in the urban jungle.
Ahoo-what? Ahooga – although this might sound like a funny line from a bad 80’s cowboy movie, it’s actually an onomatopoeic word describing the sound of a 1920s car horn. An iconic sound that quickly became a symbol of surprise and excitement – traits that bike brand Ahooga has embraced. Founded in 2015, Ahooga has since focused almost entirely on developing folding bikes. With the new Ahooga Max, the Belgian bike manufacturer aims to shake up urban mobility. Despite its 20 kg system weight (without bag or range extender), the Max impresses with its compact folded dimensions of just 73 x 70 x 44 cm. By the way: Without the kickstand and rear rack, the weight can even be lowered to 19.3 kg. Retail prices start at € 3,499. We took the bike for a spin to find out how it performs in everyday life.
The Ahooga folding bike in detail – What sets the Ahooga Max e-folding bike apart from the competitifon?
Ahooga focused on a well-thought-out design with two frame triangles that provide extra stability and a more defined ride, both in the rear triangle and the main frame. With folding bikes, it’s hard to achieve a stiff main frame while at the same time incorporating a compact folding mechanism – Ahooga solved the problem by using a split downtube.
The Ahooga Max relies on a 250W Bafang front hub motor, which draws its power from a 248 Wh battery that is neatly integrated into the top tube. When the bike is folded, the battery can be easily removed for external charging – or you can plug the charging cable directly into the charging port in the head tube. If you need more capacity, you can expand the main battery with the optional 180 Wh range extender, although it’s a bit finicky to attach to the top tube with the Velcro straps and can get in the way when folding the bike. The range extender costs an additional € 379.95 and boosts the battery capacity to a total of 428 Wh.
The motor system is paired with a bar-mounted remote, which uses coloured indicators to display the support modes and battery charge status. However, the remote lacks haptic feedback, plus, it’s made of cheap plastic, which doesn’t quite match the premium look and feel of the rest of the bike, diminishing the otherwise high-quality overall impression slightly.
The Ahooga Max features a low-maintenance Shimano Nexus 7-speed hub gear, which requires less upkeep than a conventional drivetrain and ensures smooth, reliable shifting. Braking is taken care of by Shimano two-piston brakes, which, together with the 160 mm big rotors front and rear, ensure powerful, reliable deceleration. The Ahooga rolls on wide 20” x 2” Schwalbe Big Apple balloon tires, which are designed to provide extra comfort in urban settings. The integrated lighting system is seamlessly integrated into the bike’s overall design: the taillight is built into the rear mudguard, while the headlight is cleverly housed in the head tube badge. However, the front light is more of a daytime running light, making you visible to the oncoming traffic rather than illuminating dark streets.
Ahooga also offer a range of optional accessories that can be used to customise your ride. These include the € 129.95 Max Rear Rack, the € 149.95 Ahooga X Vincita Nash Rack Bag, and a kickstand, which retails at € 30,95 – all of which are featured on our test bike. This bumps up the € 3,499 entry price by roughly € 690 for our nearly fully equipped test model.
The Ahooga Max folding bike on test
Your train pulls in – it’s time to move fast! Release the levers on the head tube and behind the seat tube, and the bike folds up in just a few steps – brilliant! The Ahooga Max scores with its intuitive and fast folding mechanism. Particularly handy are the foldable pedals and the rear roller wheels, which allow you to push or pull the bike like a trolley – especially convenient if you leave the handlebars unfolded to use as a handle. This makes it easy to lift the folded bike onto a train or navigate it through a crowded carriage, and no one will give you dirty looks!
Unfold the bike, and you’ll discover some very useful features, like the markings on the stem that help you quickly find the right handlebar position, helping save time with the adjustments. The quick-release levers on the saddle also work smoothly, allowing you to adjust the seat height without the need for tools.
As soon as you hop on the Ahooga Max and start riding, you’ll notice the comfortable riding position. The wide 2” Schwalbe tires and well-padded saddle ensure a surprisingly high level of comfort, especially combined with the additional elastomer shock absorber in the rear fold lock mechanism. Even on cobblestones and light off-road terrain, the wide tires provide enough cushioning to make for a pleasant ride. The Bafang front hub motor provides generous assistance, ensuring you make good progress – this is especially noticeable on gentle inclines. However, the bike shows a slight weakness on steeper climbs or loose surfaces like gravel. The combination of a rear-heavy pedalling position and a front-hub motor can cause the front wheel to lose traction and spin out of control. In order to transfer the necessary power to the ground, you’ll have to actively weight the front wheel. With its integrated 250 Wh battery, the Ahooga Max is ideal for short work commutes. However, for longer weekend rides, the range might be on the conservative side, which is where the 180 Wh range extender comes in handy.
The Shimano Nexus hub gears work reliably and are well protected against the elements. While the twist-shifter may feel a bit old-school, it operates smoothly without any issues. The gear range is well-suited for urban riding, although it might struggle on very steep climbs. The Shimano brakes ensure powerful, reliable deceleration, though they require a bit more force to operate than some might expect.
A standout feature is the rear rack bag, which is easy to secure thanks to a practical click system. It’s especially handy for safely carrying small shopping items and, with its sleek design and integrated laptop compartment, it looks great in the office too. For just under € 150, the bag is our top recommendation – just remember to order the rear rack along with it!
Who should take a closer look at the Ahooga Max folding bike?
The Ahooga Max is a great match for city commuters who are looking for a compact, e-bike that is easy to fold and fits seamlessly into their daily routine. The compact dimensions make it the perfect option for people with limited storage space in city flats, office corridors, or those who regularly use public transport. It’s also a great choice for those who need to switch between different locations and modes of transport throughout the day.
Commuters who regularly face hilly terrain on their way to work might find the Ahooga Max less suitable, which is mainly due to the front hub motor and slightly limited gear range. Additionally, if you’re prioritising a particularly lightweight folding bike, the Ahooga Max is relatively heavy at 20 kg, and perhaps not the best option if you have to carry it frequently.
Conclusions about the Ahooga Max folding bike
The Ahooga Max is a very practical electric folding bike with an intuitive folding mechanism and compact size, which makes it easy to integrate into your daily routine, and the ideal companion for cramped commutes on busy buses and trains. On flat routes, it provides solid assistance, while the wide tires ensure a high level of comfort. However, the limited gear range and small battery make it less suitable for hilly commutes and long-distance rides.
Tops
- Intuitive folding mechanism
- High riding comfort despite the lack of suspension
- Practical transport solution despite being a folding bike
Flops
- Fiddly attachment of the range extender
For more information, visit ahooga.bike
Words: Benedikt Schmidt, Julian Schwede Photos: Jan Richter, Antonia Feder