QiO EINS P-5 on test – The fancy metropolitan pack mule

The QiO EINS P-5 has to compete against R&M, VanMoof and FLYER in the battle for the best compact urban bike, making up ground with its cargo-carrying capabilities. But what about the other disciplines? Can the EINS P-5 also hold its own there? We put it to the test to find out.

Get an overview of the grouptest here: Big city life on 20/24 inches – 4 hot compact ebikes on test

**QiO** EINS P-5 | Bosch Performance Line/500 Wh | / mm (f/r)
27.24 kg in size | € 3,799 | Manufacturer’s website

Most people in the world have one thing in common: they have a certain kind of day to day routine. Daily procedures that usually follow the same pattern from Monday to Friday. Whether it’s in one of the world’s metropolises, a smaller suburb or the countryside. As part of this, there are three organisational aspects at the top of the list of things to do outside of your own four walls: your daily commute to work, taking your kids to preschool, and your weekly shopping. Not many of us are lucky enough and have the time to find all this within walking distance of our home. Usually, you’ll travel by car, public transport or bicycle. And it’s precisely for the latter group of bike-loving folks that QiO designed their compact urban ebike, promising to be the perfect companion for your daily routines.

Components and details of the QiO EINS P-5

One thing is clear, the QIO EINS P-5 is the pack mule amongst compact ebikes. The KLICKfix system on the front rack allows you to quickly attach and lock a bag to the bike with a wide range of stylish options available on the market. In practice, a front-mounted bag turned out to be extremely convenient, allowing us to quickly stow a handbag, purse, drink or sandwich. The rear rack is approved for loads of up to 27 kg and is compatible with a variety of accessories that can be attached in the blink of an eye thanks to the ingenious MIK HD system, including a child seat. As such, the QiO is the only urban bike on test that allows you to take your child along for the ride, and it can be yours for € 3,799.

The height-adjustable cockpit consists of a very ergonomic and comfortable handlebar and a sufficiently bright headlight, making a positive impression overall. The frame design of the EINS P-5 is both beautiful and practical, featuring a recess above the bottom bracket that functions as a handle for when you’ve got to pick the bike up and over obstacles. However, you don’t want to be carrying it up too many stairs as the 27.8 kg QiO P-5 is anything but light. As with the FLYER Upstreet1, the EINS P-5 relies on a Shimano Nexus drivetrain, which offers a decent gear range for flat and undulating terrain, though the shifting logic isn’t intuitive, shifting down when twisting the grip towards yourself and vice versa. The gear jumps are quite large too. But thanks to a variety of builds, the urban ebike can also be had with an Enviolo TR or Rohloff E-14 drivetrain. Excellent!

**From a bygone era**
Three of the four compact bikes on test rely on the Bosch Intuvia display, providing nothing more than the most rudimentary functions.

**Family man**
The MIK HD rack is approved for loads of up to 27 kg and thus also a child seat.

**Great source of comfort**
The By.schulz G.2 LT parallelogram seat post takes the edge off and makes the ride much more comfortable.

QiO EINS P-5

€ 3,799

Specifications

Motor Bosch Performance Line 65 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerPack 500 Wh
Display Bosch Intuvia
Fork -
Rear Shock -
Seatpost by.Schulz G2
Brakes TRP HD-EU817 180/160 mm
Drivetrain Shimano NEXUS 1x5
Stem By.Schulz SDS 70 mm
Handlebar By.Schulz Superstrong 680 mm
Tires Schwalbe Super Moto-X 20 x 2.4

Technical Data

Size One Size
Weight 27.24 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 112.76 kg
Kickstand mount ja

Specific Features

KlickFix front rack
MIK-HD rear rack 27 kg
Parallelogram seatpost
cockpit adjustable

**Just fine without CX**
The Bosch Performance Line motor is a fitting choice for a compact bike, delivering a natural feel and sufficient thrust.

**Hey, what’s this doing here?**
Unlike the standard build, our test bike came with a 400 Wh PowerPack, providing less range. Don’t worry, production models come with a 500 Wh PowerPack.

**The transporter**
The QiO bike is the transporter of the group test and, thanks to the MIK HD system at the rear and the KLICKfix system up front, it’s compatible with a wide range of bags.

Size	ONE SIZE
Seat tube	460 mm
Top tube	600 mm
Head angle	71.0°
Seat angle	71.0°
Chainstays	455 mm
Wheelbase	1,103 mm
Reach	408 mm
Stack	540 mm

Motor and battery system of the QiO EINS P-5

Like the competitors from Riese & Müller and FLYER, QiO rely on a mid-mounted Bosch Performance Line motor. It’s sufficiently powerful for hilly cities and only reaches its limits when fully loaded – the bike is approved for a maximum permissible weight limit of 140 kg (including the bike, rider and cargo). The external battery has a capacity of 500 Wh and can be removed for charging in your apartment. It can also be locked to the bike. The minimalist Bosch Intuvia display and the spoke magnet on the rear wheel seem a bit outdated – surely, there are significantly more elegant and reliable solutions available in 2022. To be fair, however, we must note that the FLYER Upstreet1 and the R&M Tinker rely on the same solutions. The VanMoof sets itself apart from the competition in this regard with its specially developed software and hardware.

The QiO EINS P-5 is the pack mule of the group test, capable of transporting all kinds of loads. However, its handling is equally reminiscent of this four-legged animal, feeling rather cumbersome through the corners.

Tuning tip: retrofit a lock or some other form of theft protection

Riding the QiO EINS P-5

Can the QiO deliver on all that it promises on paper? In terms of comfort, the EINS P-5 falls between the unbalanced FLYER Upstreet1 and the superbly comfortable R&M Tinker, making it noticeably more comfortable than the VanMoof X3. Up front, the excellent ergonomics of the handlebar are its biggest asset and the By.schulz G.2 LT parallelogram seat post provides plenty of cushioning at the rear, effectively taking the edge off potholes and curbs and thereby protecting your back. Compared to the intuitive FLYER and the very agile R&M, the QiO prioritises stability and composure, making it feel rather cumbersome and less agile through the corners, similar to VanMoof’s compact ebike. However, this character suits the ebike very well as a transporter, giving the rider a significant confidence boost, which is a big plus, especially when you’ve got a child in the back seat that just won’t sit still. However, if you’re looking for a dynamic bike that you can weave around the corners and through traffic, we recommend taking a look at other offerings in the compact class.

Our conclusion on QiO EINS P-5

With its numerous cargo-carrying options, the QiO EINS P-5 is the pack mule amongst compact bikes, even letting you chauffeur your kids. Thanks to its stable handling and robust construction, the ebike instils you with confidence, letting you cruise through the city in a relaxed manner. While balanced in terms of comfort, it’s definitely on the stiffer side. If you don’t need agile handling and the most comfortable ride, the QiO EINS P-5 is a great partner for everyday urban life!