Xiaomi Himo Z20 vs Himo C20 – Comparison Review

Himo extended their product line of 20″ e-bikes with the new Himo Z20, a reworked version of Himo C20 with a major addition: the frame folds even more compact. It seems logical that Himo introduced this feature as Fiido bikes are very popular and they recently released two 20″ folding e-bikes Fiido D4s and Fiido D11 (You can compare all three of them here: Himo Z20 vs Fiido D11 vs Fiido D4s).

I rode my Himo C20 for quite a while and recently received my new Himo Z20. So let’s take a closer look and compare to see what’s different. (More photos of Z20 will follow soon, here’s my C20 hands-on review)

My Video Review: Himo Z20 vs Himo C20

Xiaomi Himo Z20 vs Xiaomi Himo C20 – Specs

The specs are almost identical besides the folding mechanism. So let’s take a closer look as there is more than that:

What’s in the box?

The box is pretty large & heavy and I was happy it was delivered to my door. Z20 is packed folded, so the box is a bit shorter. Both of them come almost fully assembled, you just need to mount the pedals (tool included). The brakes were set a bit weak, which I adjusted, the tires are not fully inflated and the fenders need to me mounted – if you like. So, some standard tools for the final adjusts are needed, but basically you are set out of the box, which contains:

• bike (folded)
• 2 types of fenders (plastic mudguard or aluminum full wheel cover)
• charger (in my case with EU-plug but it’s a standard 3-pin power cable you can change in case you got the wrong one)
• keys (to unlock battery from bike)
• Bike Manual, Charger/Battery Manual, Guarantee Card

What’s Different?

Folding mechanism

You can fold Xiaomi Himo C20, but not as compact as Himo Z20. You can retract the saddle pole, flip up the pedals and fold down the handlebar. Folding pedals and handlebar does the job as the bike takes less spaces when leant agains a wall, in my office e.g.. This way it is actually smaller than my e-scooter (Xiaomi Scooter Pro) where the widest part is the handle bar that doesn’t fold. Of course it takes more space in length. Here are photos of my Himo C20 unfolded and folded:

If you need to fold your e-bike even more compact the Himo Z20 is definitely the better option. (e.g. when traveling with a car or camper). The frame of the new Himo Z20 fold in half needing less storage space in length. (but will be wider of course)

Battery

Both e-bikes offer removable batteries. While the battery sits on top of the frame on Himo C20, the battery is integrated in the frame on Himo Z20. They offer the same 10 Ah capacity (18650 lithium ion batteries) with power port and LED status indicator. Power usage is stated with 0.72 kw/h per 100km. With a key you can remove the battery to conveniently take it with you for charging. But you don’t necessarily need to remove the batteries for charging, you can connect the battery while mounted on the bike. A full charge takes about 6 hours. It is stated that a battery management system offers protection against overcurrent, overcharge, short circuit, and temperature.
Extra batteries are available for 270 USD for both models.

Another benefit of the design of Himo Z20 is that you can remove the battery and ride manually without it. This way your Himo Z20 is a lot lighter. You can do so with C20 as well, but this way the compartment on top is empty leaving a recess and the ports are uncovered!

Display

In the Xiaomi Himo Facebook Group there were some reports of problems when using Himo C20 in wet conditions. According to users they faced troubles turning their e-bike off after water drops got into the gap of the power button. It seems they tackled the problem with a new display design and the Himo Z20 display is IPX7-certified (= Immersion, up to 1 meter in depth for 30min. test). The new Himo Z20 display is way better to read in sunlight and also indicates if lights are on.

The new display on Himo Z20 has 4 buttons while Himo C20 only featured 2 buttons.
Himo Z20:

• Power button (on bottom): to turn on/off
• Trip button (on bottom): to change trip and total mileage
• +/- button: to change modes
• long press + button: turn on/off lights
• long press – button: switch to parking mode

Himo C20:

• Power button: to turn on/off
• shortpress Power button: turn on/off lights
• Mode button: to change modes
• long press mode button: switch to parking mode (total mileage is shown)

Driving Modes

Both bikes offer 4 operating modes:

• [powered off] – human power mode – using the pedals without electric assistance
  • [P] You can also select Parking Mode [P] and go without electric assistance, this way the display is turned on, but not showing speed. Although you can use the front light this way.
• [ECO] – power assist mode – the motor supports you while pedalling, you don’t need to pull the throttle. 
• [MID] – [HIGH] – 2 full electric modes – you have two motor power settings: 
  • [MID] for max. 15 km/h
  • [HIGH] for max. 25 km/h.

Remarks:

When you are in full electric mode you can pedal as well and even exceed the the limit of 15 or 25 km/h, the bike is not slowing you down to the limit, it’s just not supporting electric power any further than the top speed limit.
You can’t use the motor from standing still, you need to give the bike a little push. It’s sufficient to push away with your foot, you don’t need to pedal to activate electric drive.

When in pedal assist mode you do not need to pull the accelerator throttle. You pedal as normal and when you start going you feel the motor kicking in to support your drive. (The motor is powering the wheel, not supporting the pedaling itself.) I noticed that this mode works way better on Z20 than C20.

I wouldn’t recommend both of them if you want to go without electric assistance frequently. The bike is simply too heavy and a lot of effort is needed. (I do recommend if you want to exercise  ). As mentioned with Z20 you can remove the battery from the compartment to make it lighter. In pedal assistant mode it is quite nice to ride. Although I always go in “high”, full speed electric mode and hit the pedals for faster acceleration, higher top speed and more fun.

Lights & Accessories

The front LED light is powered by the bike’s battery and turned on by long pressing the + button (Z20) resp. short pressing the power button (C20). There’s a reason why the rear LED light, including reflector, is using two AA batteries as the pole is not wire connected to the bike. You can remove it as an air pump is integrated. Nice gimmick and useful on the road, although I use my electric Xiaomi Air Pump.

Conclusion – my two cents

The folding mechanism is definitely a great addition and important when you can’t store the full length of the bike. Reclining the handlebar and flipping up the pedals, the only folding option for C20, is still great when you lean the bike against a wall.
The new display is a great feature. I find it hard to read the C20 display in bright sunlight. You can read the Z20 display in bright sunlight without any problems. Also the buttons are better sealed for rainy weather. There were reports that water got into the gap of the buttons on C20. That seems to be fixed with Z20.
The full electric modes feel pretty similar, but I noticed a difference with the pedal assist mode. I found it still too exhausting to use this mode on C20 and was using full electric mode most of the time. I think I’ll use pedal assist mode more often with Z20 as it is very pleasant to ride. You do a little exercise but it is not exhausting at all.
I’m not sure if I will ride Z20 without battery, but taking Z20 for a ride without a battery now became an option. While the battery on Himo C20 was on top of the frame, removing it left a gap and uncovered ports.
Are there any downsides? First I thought Himo Z20 might not be as sturdy or stiff because of the folding mechanism. But I didn’t notice any difference while riding it. So I haven’t noticed any downside of Z20 when comparing it to C20 so far.
I got both color options, but I prefer the grey finishing which is also a bit more matt.

Other expertise?

For the latest news and discussions, join our HIMO C20 / Z20 Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/xiaomihimo

Price- & Retailer Comparison

• official HIMO Website: www.himobikes.com
  This site offers both ADO & HIMO bikes and is their official store.
  Both models ADO A20 and HIMO Z20 can be found here.

• Geekbuying
  I got my Himo from Geekbuying
  check the website for coupon codes, sometimes they are cheaper than on the official site!

• Amazon
  ADO operates their own Amazon Store “A Dece Oasis-Store“
  ADO is connected to Himo bikes where you can find all their current products and having the Amazon Prime shipping benefits:

• Aliexpress
  several reseller offer Fiido, ADO and HIMO on Aliexpress
  check the different warehouse options!

Need help? I have contacts at Banggood, Gearbest & TomTop who provide me with coupon codes and stock information. If you have troubles with your order, contact me.