Verdict: SINOHON A20
Our editorial rating is based on product testing.
- lots of accessories in the box such as rearview mirrors, a smartphone holder, a front basket, or a tool bag with a tire repair kit
- the option to increase speed to 45 km/h
- removable battery with the option to charge it off the bike
- good comfort while riding
- clear and easily readable display with a current voltage indicator
- lower quality of some components - the brake pads kept rubbing against the disc
- high bike weight of over 40 kg
- after several rides, slight creaking begins to appear
We tested another electric fatbike based on a well-known design with a lower folding frame. Specifically, it is the SINOHON A20 with a powerful 500 W motor.
Since this is the first model from this brand that we’ve had the chance to test, we’ll take a closer look at the build quality, design, and individual components. We won’t leave out a real-world range test or our personal experience after several rides either.
Where to buy SINOHON A20?
The new electric fat bike SINOHON A20 is brought to you by Banggood. The bike is located directly in the EU warehouse, so you can expect fast delivery within 5 days, with no extra fees. Available in black and gray.
SINOHON A20 (preorder from 30.10.)
CZ warehouse
TIPExpress delivery from the Czech warehouse with no customs duties and VAT.
This product will be delivered to you express from the local Czech warehouse. Delivery from Czechia usually takes 7-10 days and is handled by courier. On delivery, you don’t pay any additional fees—no customs duty and no VAT.
Technical specifications
| Model | SINOHON A20 |
|---|---|
| Motor | 500 W (max 1000 W) |
| Weight | 45.9 kg |
| Battery | 48 V / 18 Ah |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h |
| Charging | 6 – 8 hours |
| Charger | 54.6 V / 2 A |
| Brakes | mechanical disc |
| Frame | aluminum alloy |
| Tires | 20 x 4" |
| Range | 60 – 80 km in pure electric mode / 80 – 100 km in assisted mode |
| Speeds | 7 (Shimano derailleur) |
| Display | LCD |
| Max load capacity | 150 kg |
Packaging contents & quality
The bike was delivered to us by the TnT courier in a box measuring 141 x 28.5 x 72 cm, with a total weight of almost 45 kg. The box was strapped with plastic straps, which were also sealed with adhesive tape. This made it harder to carry the box, but on the other hand it strengthened the entire packaging.
Inside, there is a partially assembled bike and several components that still need to be installed. We find the front wheel separately, pedals, charger, front basket, rear rack, front LED light, saddle, and user manual.
In the other smaller boxes, more interesting bonuses were waiting for us, namely rearview mirrors, a smartphone holder, tools, a small pump, and a puncture repair kit. The tools, pump, and repair kit are also neatly stored in a zippered fabric travel pouch.
The package is therefore truly above average in contents. Despite the fact that most components are wrapped in protective foam padding, we found slight scratches on some parts. So the packaging quality is not perfect, but it is at a good level. There was no serious damage.
Longer assembly
As you can already see from our description of the packaging, the bike includes several components that still need to be assembled. We started by inserting the handlebars and then folding them up.
We continued by attaching the front wheel, which gave us a bit of trouble. The wheel’s center axle was already visibly a bit short at first glance, so after placing the wheel into the front fork, we couldn’t tighten the nuts as the manual instructed. Later, however, we found another thinner axle with a quick release in the box, which needs to be inserted into the one already in the wheel.
In this step, the instructions are so inaccurate that they really confused us. Another issue is that the brake pads are too tight, and we could barely fit the disc into the front wheel. When turning, they rubbed against it significantly, which is definitely not ideal.
Next, we fitted the saddle in place, installed the pedals, and in the end we left the front fender and the light. We tightened the screws for the display on the handlebars, as well as the screws on the frame of the rear rack.
The final step was securing the rearview mirrors. The threads for them are located close to the brake levers, but we had to noticeably adjust the shifting on the right side of the handlebars, which was in the way of the rearview mirrors.
The assembly was not completely problem-free, partly due to the inaccurate instructions, which aren’t very detailed and whose photos are harder to see. Later, though, we found out that Banggood has a video tutorial on its YouTube channel, which is definitely better than the included manual:
The bike also comes with a front basket and a wider rear rack. Personally, we didn’t mount these components because we don’t really have a use for them.
Design and build quality
The SINOHON A20 bike frame is made of an aluminum alloy and is basically a nearly identical folding frame to what we’ve already seen on several bikes from China, for example from the Engwe brand. SINOHON even has the same slogan on the box: “Explore a new way”.
The bike looks bulky and robust thanks to the wide wheels and a massive frame. At first glance, the workmanship seems good, but the problems during assembly already hinted that it isn’t a top-tier product on the market.
The overall impression is also marred by some components, whose quality is rather low. We’ll talk about them in more detail in the next chapters.
Handlebars and display
The handlebars have a width of 63 cm and are height-adjustable. On the left side, we have the brake lever, which controls the front brake, and the power on/off switch. There are buttons “+” and “-” for switching between modes, as well as controls for lights, turn signals, and the horn. The buttons work properly—pressing is easy and some are also rubberized.
On the opposite, right side, there’s a brake lever for the rear brake, the so-called half-twist throttle controller integrated into the grip, and Shimano shifting. Unfortunately, this is again one of the cheapest shifting systems we’d rather not see on any bike. They’re probably still sitting on plenty of stock, so Chinese manufacturers will keep using it in lower- and mid-range bike models.
The display in the middle is clear, easy to read even in sunlight, and overall we’re very happy with it. It shows the current speed, mileage, the selected assist mode, and the battery status using ten segments. However, at the bottom, we can switch between additional data, including the current battery voltage and ride time.
Motor, power and speed
The electric fat bike SINOHON A20 is equipped with a 500 W motor, whose maximum output can reach 1000 W. There are 5 assist modes available, as well as the so-called walking mode, when the electric motor helps you push the bike.
From the factory, it’s limited to 25 km/h, but there’s an option to unlock the maximum speed so you can reach up to 45 km/h. The speed increase is done via a hidden menu, the so-called P-setting. We access this menu by holding the “+” and “-“ buttons at the same time. In addition to other options, you’ll find the maximum speed under P08.
When it comes to acceleration, it’s not particularly strong. The start is rather gradual, not aggressive. Overall, the bike accelerates more slowly, and to reach the maximum speed after unlocking—45 km/h—we need a longer straight section. The bike’s high weight of around 40 kg really shows.
Tires, suspension and ride comfort
Even though the SINOHON A20 has only front suspension, the ride is quite comfortable. The fork is just a standard spring type, but it absorbs bumps well. Comfort is also improved by the wide 20 x 4″ tires, which are inflated to just 20 PSI.
The saddle is also suspended, but it only has stiff springs on the underside of the seat, which don’t have a very big effect.
We rode the bike mainly on roads, but we also tested it on lighter terrain like dirt paths and forest trails. On those, it handled excellently. A bit worse is the tougher terrain with lots of stones, uneven ground, and roots. For such more demanding terrain, the SINOHON A20 isn’t very well suited.
Brakes and shifter
Since we’re used to hydraulic brakes, we had to get used to the mechanical ones for a while. Compared to hydraulic brakes, the mechanical brake levers are harder to squeeze, but their effectiveness is still sufficient even for a heavy bike like this. The rotors have a diameter of 160 mm.
As we mentioned at the beginning, we had a problem with the brake pads being too tight, constantly rubbing against the rotor. After the first ride, the situation did improve slightly, but it still wasn’t perfect and we could keep hearing the pads lightly rubbing against the rotor.
You get 7 speed(s), but only the basic Shimano shifting setup. It works correctly, but we don’t like this cheap model. A higher model with levers costs just a few more bucks, and the overall impression from using it is much better. It’s a shame the manufacturer didn’t go for a better model.
Battery and range
The SINOHON A20 has a 48 V / 18 Ah battery, which is located behind the seat post. The battery includes a status indicator, a lock for locking it in place, and it’s removable. While riding, the key must stay in the battery lock in the ON position.
You’ll appreciate the folding seat—thanks to it, we can easily take the battery out using a practical handle on the top part. Charging takes about 7 hours.
As for range, the manufacturer states 60 – 80 km in pure electric mode and 80 – 100 km in assisted mode. There are no more details available about the range, so we don’t know at what speed and in what conditions the manufacturer tested it.
We tested the range at a temperature of around 22 °C and in fairly windy weather with a rider weighing 75 kg. We rode in Košice and the surrounding area, and we didn’t skip the hills, but most of the route was on flat roads. Since we like to enjoy the ride, we unlocked the speed to 45 km/h and used it everywhere we could.
We ended the ride with the battery almost completely depleted, when we could even feel a drop in performance. Based on the voltage, the remaining capacity was somewhere around 10 – 15 %. Overall, according to the Strava app, we covered 33.66 km. The bike’s display showed 32 km, so the distance measurement is fairly accurate.
Lighting and folding
The SINOHON A20 bike has a folding frame, so we can fold it in half and then also fold the handlebars. Because of its higher weight, folding it this way is more challenging—let alone carrying it in this state.
When it comes to lighting, we have a front LED light, which is just standard and not very powerful. At the back, however, there’s a red light that’s very easy to see and wide, which gets brighter when braking. It’s also supplemented with turn signals, but they’re very hard to see.
SINOHON A20: Final evaluation
The electric fat bike SINOHON A20 offers a nominal power of 500 W with a maximum value of 1000 W, which lets it reach a top speed of up to 45 km/h. We appreciate the riding comfort, achieved thanks to the wide tires and a clear, easy-to-read display that offers plenty of information, including the current voltage.
The 48 V / 18 Ah battery is enough for a range of roughly 33 kilometers at maximum power. In assisted mode or at lower speeds, we can achieve an even longer range.
The downside is the lower quality of the components and overall build quality, which is reflected in the price as well. The front brake bothered us the most—we weren’t able to adjust it so that the pads wouldn’t rub against the brake rotor at all. Overall, we’d recommend this bike more to those who can handle minor repairs and component adjustments themselves.
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