DYU A5 electric bike review: foldable, comfortable and 100% fun!

I have been cycling for years and I use it for most of my trips: to go to work, to go for walks and even sometimes for family holidays. In the city (especially in Paris) or in the countryside, I have ridden my hump quite a bit on my classic bike (muscular for the purists). While DYU offered me to test their new DUY A5 foldable electric bike, I did not hesitate for a second, because besides the "sporty" aspect of the muscular bike I really appreciate the fun dimension of the electric bike. The pleasure is very different between the two types of bike, but it is always there.

So what is this worth? DUY A5 electric bike in everyday life and what are the uses for which it is intended? This is what we will try to determine in this test!

This DYU A5 electric bike was provided to me by the brand but I am not paid to promote it.

Introducing the DYU A5 Electric Bike

First thing to do when receiving a new bike: assembly!

The DYU A5 arrives in a large cardboard box, well protected from the threats of travel. The advantage is that since the bike is small, it arrives almost fully assembled. All you have to do is reposition the handlebars (stored in their folded position), put the seat post in place, screw the two pedals onto the bottom bracket... and off you go!

The bike is very well adjusted upon arrival, which is very appreciable.

In the box, to accompany the bike, you will find a small cardboard box containing everything necessary for assembling and using the bike:

• a foldable tool kit (also) the size of a Swiss knife, including a key, various screwdrivers and Allen keys… in short, everything needed for assembly and maintenance. Mine broke quickly…
• the battery charger
• two keys for the battery
• two remote controls to turn the bike on/off

Electric assistance and autonomy

Electric assistance is the central point of this DYU A5… Indeed, as we will see later, without assistance you really won't go far with this bike.

But the DYU A5 offers two assistance modes. The first, classic, is pedal assistance with 3 speeds : Eco, Med and High. When you pedal, the small electric motor located in the rear wheel will facilitate your efforts.

The second option is a pure electric mode that is to say that you will not need to pedal, it is the engine that will do all the work! No more effort, let yourself be carried!

On paper, DYU indicates a range of around 40 km for the A5 in optimal conditions, that is to say with a temperature of 25°, on a smooth road and carrying 60 kg of load.

40km is a bit short in my opinion, and this is undoubtedly the biggest flaw of this bike. If you use it to go to work you will need to recharge the battery very regularly. For a long ride, this leaves little room for maneuver… Afterwards, some sites have rather better feedback than me on autonomy. I invite you to read JulSa's test for example.

Battery

About the battery, the bike is equipped with a 7.5 Ah lithium-ion battery. To make it easy to remove the battery, DYU has integrated a very well thought-out device to tilt the saddle forward to let the battery pass (incidentally, I hadn't seen this system right away and the first time I removed the battery, I struggled a bit). The battery is secure and you will need the key provided to release it. All you have to do is unplug the power cable, grab the handle and pull it upwards to remove it from its receptacle by sliding it on its rail.

To recharge the battery, it must be connected to the supplied charger. A small swivel cover prevents dust or water from entering the battery's power socket.

For a 0 to 100% recharge of the battery, it takes about 4 hours. A charge indicator is present on the charger but does not show you the progress. It is binary: red means "charging" and green "charged".

Front/rear lighting and horn

When cycling, you should not overlook safety. Lights are one of the very important safety features at night to see but above all to be seen!

And to tell the truth, the DYU 5 is very well equipped! Its front LED lighting is powerful and perfectly suited… we could criticize its slightly low position just above the wheel, but that is a constraint linked to the size of the bike.

The rear light, which overlooks a red reflector, allows you to be seen well at night by vehicles coming behind you. A nice little extra, when you brake, the rear light comes on (or brightens if it is on) like on a car. This is really very interesting since it allows you to signal that you are slowing down.

To turn on the headlights, the DYU A5 has a switch positioned on the left side of the handlebar, easily accessible.

The horn speaker (which also serves as the bike alarm) is housed in the same place as the front headlight. Although it is not very powerful, it nevertheless allows pedestrians and other cyclists to hear you without attacking them. It is not certain that motorists will hear you every time. To activate it, you will find a button on the left side of your handlebars that you can reach without taking your hands off!

Folding / Unfolding and transport

It only takes a few seconds to fold or unfold the DYU A5. The mechanisms are well thought out and very easy to engage without the risk of pinching your fingers or getting dirty.

To fold the bike, you must first lower the seat as far as possible using the seat tube locking lever, without forgetting to close it. You must then open the handlebar locking mechanism and tilt the latter along the front wheel. Finally, you just have to release the central lock to fold the bike in two, wheel against wheel. At this stage, we regret the absence of a hook or system to keep the bike in the closed position.

To unfold the bike, simply perform the same steps in reverse and once again, a few seconds are enough because all the latches are very well designed and easy to handle.

Unfortunately, with its 22.4 kg on the scale, the DYU A5, although foldable, is not not really a transportable bike at arm's length. In fact, in addition to its weight, the absence of a locking mechanism in the folded version and the lack of grip on the bike make its transport not easy. On the other hand, the folded position is a real asset for storage or transport in the trunk of your car or even on a train… provided you take it apart at the last moment to avoid having to carry it.

Bike theft protection

A rather interesting feature of the DYU A5 electric bike is the existence of a Built-in anti-theft alarm. On the remote control associated with the bike, a button in the shape of a closed padlock allows you to activate an alarm on the bike. So as soon as the bike is shaken, an alarm will start to sound to scare off the thief. The volume of the alarm is not excessively loud (and fortunately) but it will be enough to disrupt the work of someone who would like to seize your bike.

This alarm is deactivated using a second button, this time in the shape of an open padlock.

Weak point of this device, if you remove the battery, the bike will no longer be powered and no alarm will go off. Personally, when I park a bike in Paris or in a big city, I prefer to remove the battery to prevent it from being stolen.

The bike does not have a lock (no wheel lock, for example) but the battery is locked with a key. You will therefore need to invest in a good quality lock to secure the bike. That said, it is not easy to secure the bike using a lock because the frame has a linear profile without "loops".

Also note that, you will need the remote control to turn on the bikeWithout it, it is impossible to activate the electric assistance... so it goes without saying that a thief will have a hard time getting away quickly by pedaling.

The DYU A5 in practice

As a test, I drove many kilometers with the DYU A5, first in the countryside on small roads and then in Paris. I really enjoyed it.… and I am ashamed to say that I quickly preferred pure electric rather than pedal assistance. What a joy to ride without getting tired, comfortably seated on the very comfortable saddle of this bike. From there, the kilometers flew by, only slowed down by the battery life which is all the more in demand when you use pure electric mode. By using almost only this mode, I achieve a range of around 32km (for a weight greater than the 60kg used by DYU for its calibration).

But in the end, one question arises when talking about this bike: is it a bicycle or an electric scooter?

Electric bike or scooter?

So let's be clear, if you are looking for an electrically assisted bicycle (the famous VAE) that will facilitate your effort by helping your pedaling, move on. The DYU A5 is not a good muscular bike, it does not have gears and starting off, without a little twist of the throttle, can be very difficult. Also, do not expect to be able to use it without any electrical assistance (unless you are going downhill).

On the other hand, once you have picked up a bit of speed (around 7 or 8 km/h) you will be able to benefit advantageously from the pedal assistance. But since the bike does not have gears, it is the speeds of the assistance that determine your cruising speed when you pedal. In economy mode, the assistance will accompany you up to around 14 km/h. In intermediate mode, you will reach 17 km/h and finally, in high mode, you will peak at 20 km/h. But beyond 18 or 19 km/h, the absence of gear plates is felt again and you pedal in semolina.

But in reality, where the DYU A5 electric bike really comes into its own is when you use it as a pure electric mode ! Pure electric mode allows you to use the bike like an electric scooter. The throttle grip engages the motor without even requiring a pedal stroke. A real joy, a real feeling of freedom, a real moment of pleasure and fun. Because yes, It's really fun to ride this super comfortable bike by letting itself be driven by its small electric motor. The acceleration is more or less progressive depending on the electric assistance mode chosen, but even in high mode, it is not violent. In pure electric mode, the bike reaches a cruising speed of approximately 23 km/h.

The accelerator, located on the right handlebar grip, allows for gradual acceleration and once you have reached top speed, a kind of automatic regulator will keep you at maximum speed. This is very comfortable since you can then release the accelerator and concentrate on driving. A simple brake will disengage this regulator.

Some complaints at the start

As the bike is very well adjusted right out of the box, the first pedal turns come very quickly! And the first observation is that although small, the bike is very heavy and it is therefore very difficult to move the beast forward with its small 14″ wheels. But you will have understood, this bike is nothing without its electric motor.

Then, quite surprisingly, the brake handles are reversed. The front brake is on the right and the rear brake on the left. On all the bikes I've known so far, it's the opposite... so be careful not to make a mistake at the risk of having a bad fall (or a very pretty sun), all the more facilitated by the size of the front wheel.

Finally, instead of the rear luggage rack, the DUY A5 electric bike is equipped with a cushion that is just as comfortable as the saddle... but what is its use? Positioned very low to the ground, it is impossible to take an adult for more than a few dozen meters. No footrests, no safety, your passenger will have to work his abs to not let his legs drag on the ground. And quite honestly, I will never put a child on this seat (except for a few meters in a safe place). In short, this chair is a big mystery, I would have preferred a luggage rack to hang my things on.

A very comfortable bike

Finally, to finish this part on the DYU A5 electric bike in practice, I wanted to talk about comfort. Because contrary to the expectations I had regarding the small size of the device, This bike is VERY comfortable despite its very small 14-inch wheels.

The first (very) good surprise is the saddle… soft and with a very good seat, you will see the kilometers go by without complaining about your rear end. Made up of a thick cushion, it absorbs most of the shocks. The only small criticism is that if you opt for a sporty approach by pedaling throughout your trip, you might be a little bothered by its width which causes a little friction on the inside of the upper thighs.

Then, so that your arms and upper body are not left out, The front fork is equipped with a small shock absorber. This shock absorber plays its role very well and prevents the transmission of imperfections in the road or path to the handlebars.

Thus, the combination of these two elements ensures high-end comfort for long rides, allowing you to almost completely forget the small radius of the wheels of this bike!

Finally, and I think it's a comfort feature, the saddle and handlebar height adjustment handles are very easy to handle (open/close) and yet provide strong support to prevent the handlebars and saddles from lowering over the kilometers. Moreover, the saddle and handlebars can be adjusted in height with adjustment ranges that should suit most sizes, from the smallest to the largest. After that, if you're 2m tall, you risk looking a bit ridiculous on such a bike.

In short, the DYU A5 gets a "Very Good" rating in terms of comfort, to the point that you'd think you were on a scooter or moped rather than a bicycle (which further reinforces my point above)!

Who is the DYU A5 electric bike for?

As a fan of muscle bikes, I have a little trouble positioning the A5 electric bike... because clearly, it's not its "bike" performance that stands out when used. No, it's really its electric assistance in pure mode that makes it a very pleasant vehicle to ride with unexpected comfort for a cycle of this size (thanks to the padded saddle and the shock-absorbing front fork).

This bike is therefore perfectly suited to people who do not want to make sustained efforts and who nevertheless want to enjoy the freedom offered by a bike for short daily trips, especially in large cities where cycle paths are flourishing galore. It is an ideal companion for going shopping over short distances, but we can very well imagine it as the camper's best friend. Its small size allows it to be transported everywhere (a camper's hold for example). I have also tested it on longer rides (25-30km) and it totally does the job thanks to its great comfort which allows you to go the distance... you just have to keep an eye on the battery level.

Finally, even if it seems more suited to the city, It works perfectly on country roads. and can even allow himself to make escapades on the green paths. Its small wheel radius does not make it "all-terrain", but it will have no problem traveling on green paths in good condition. However, expect a slight drop in top speed in these conditions.

Features of the DYU A5 electric bike

Frame material	Aluminum alloy
Wheel hub size	14 inches
Dimensions of the folded bike	730 330 x x 650mm
Dimensions of the unfolded bike	1275 520 x x 1001mm
Maximum load capacity	KG 120
Weight	KG 22.4
Driving speed	<25 km / h
Pure electric mode	Yes
Maximum slope	15°
Sealing	IP54 (Protected against dust and water splashes from all directions)
Battery Type	Lithium-ion battery
Battery capacity	7.5Ah
Loading time	3-4 hours
Autonomy	40 km / h *
Motor	350 W, 48V, Brushless DC motor
Brake	Freins à dial avant et arrière
Seat and handlebar height	Adjustable
Lighting	Front and rear (with brake indicator)

Conclusion and opinion

After having traveled several hundred kilometers with this DYU A5 electric bike, I think I'm starting to appreciate it... in reality I very quickly got carried away by the pure electric mode... To my great displeasure, me who rides a bike for the physical activity side! But it must be said that this mode is so comfortable, that we forget to pedal!

The DYU A5 is not a very good mechanical bike, but on the other hand, it is an excellent electric two-wheeler.… which, however, must be criticized for its really too short autonomy! Especially since we take so much pleasure in it that we would like to drive for hours and hours.

In short, this bike is not for everyone, but with its very reasonable price (729€ excluding promotions and currently 629€) it will satisfy all those looking for an electric bike that is compact, effortless, very comfortable and really fun!

Besides, with the code DCAA3315, benefit froma reduction of 50€ on this bike on the DYU website !