The Sohamo A3 Mini Ebike is a mini ebike from Sohamo that I think is amazing, offering great power and speed in a small form factor. I’ve been riding the Sohamo A3 for a while now, putting it through its paces and seeing how it performs. So far, my experience has been great and I can recommend this bike to anyone in the market for a mini-ebike. Indeed, the Sohamo A3 might be one of my favorite bikes I have for zipping around the city.
It’s also been a nice head-turner. I’ve had multiple occasions where people asked me about this bike while I was riding around.
In this post, we’re going to go over the specs and form factor of the Sohamo A3 Mini Ebike, what my experience with the bike has been like, and what you should think about if you’re looking to get a small ebike like this.
Sohamo A3: Brief Overview
Before we get into the in-depth review, here’s a brief overview of some of the main specs of the Sohamo A3:
- 400W 55Nm Rear Hub Motor
- 48V 12/16Ah Battery (good for around 25 miles of range, in my experience)
- Max speed of around 20 mph
- 14-inch tubeless tires
- Mechanical disc brakes
- Adjustable saddle and handlebars
- 3 levels of power
- Built-in electronic horn
- Integrated headlight (no taillight, however)
Some other interesting things about the bike that I think are worth pointing out include the following:
- You use a key to turn on the bike. I like this feature, as it gives it a small security benefit since I can remove the key when not in use.
- The throttle has a cruise control setting that turns on automatically after holding the throttle for about 5 seconds or so. This is a nice feature for when you’re riding in a straight line and don’t want to have to hold the throttle down the entire time.
- The bike has a rear rack with a padded seat. Theoretically, you could maybe hold a very small person on it, but realistically, you probably won’t want to do that. For the most part, the rear seat feels decorative.
The Sohamo A3 Mini Ebike
The obvious distinguishing feature of the Sohamo A3 is its size. This is an absolutely tiny bike – one that I jokingly refer to as a “clown bike” because of how small it is.
That being said, don’t let the small size fool you. Despite the small form factor, the Sohamo A3 packs a lot of power, featuring a 400-watt rear hub motor which gives it a max speed of about 20 mph. I’ve tried other mini ebikes and this one is definitely faster than most of them. The powerful motor also makes it pretty good for climbing hills – the bike would slow down a bit on steep hills, but for the most part, I had no issues going up even the largest hills in my neighborhood.
For the battery, the Sohamo A3 offers two battery options – a 48v, 12ah battery that can provide 20-30 miles of estimated range, or a 48v, 16ah battery that provides 27-40 miles of estimated range. I always prefer a larger battery, but if you’re not expecting to travel long distances, you can save some money by opting for the smaller battery. Similar to the Sohamo S3 and other small, folding ebikes, the battery slides into a slot underneath the seat. To access the battery slot, you flip a switch under the saddle, which then makes the seat flip up, allowing you to slide the battery in.
The other features of the Sohamo A3 are as you’d expect. The brakes are mechanical disc brakes, which work fine for a small bike like this. The bike also comes with front and rear fenders, which are nice for riding in wet conditions.
Other things I like about this bike are the saddle and the horn. The saddle is huge and cushy and has some suspension on it too, making for a comfy ride. The Sohamo A3 also features an integrated electronic horn which I love. It’s loud and very convenient to have to announce yourself to other people.
The bike also comes with an integrated front headlight. It’s surprisingly bright too. There is no rear taillight however, so you’ll need to attach one if you want to keep yourself visible at night (or you could wear a helmet like the Xnito, which is the helmet I use and has front and rear lights built into it).
The tires are also worth pointing out. The tires on the Sohamo A3 are tiny – 14 x 2.1 tires. This is a small bike, so the little tires make sense, but just to understand how small these tires are, my son’s bike also uses 14-inch tires (and he’s 3 years old). With the small tires, this probably isn’t a bike you’re going to ride around in the snow, but most of the year, it’ll be great. Another nice bonus – the Sohamo A3 uses tubeless tires, which I was not expecting for a bike at this price point. This will be useful to help avoid flats.
Finally, the Sohamo A3 features a rear rack with a padded seat. I like that there is a padded seat that could theoretically make it possible for me to carry a passenger, but in practice, I’m not sure what you would use this rear seat for. It’s definitely too small to hold anyone other than a small child, though, in a pinch, you could probably put a small person on the back if you only needed to go a short distance. In general, though, I wouldn’t use the rear seat to carry any passengers.
My Experience With The Sohamo A3
The Sohamo A3 has quickly become one of my favorite ebikes in my fleet. Its small size makes it perfect for me to quickly hop on and use it to run errands or do quick food deliveries with apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Assembling the bike was easy. The bike arrived in a fairly small box and came essentially fully assembled, including the front wheel. All I had to do was slide the handlebars onto the stem and get it aligned properly with the front wheel. Of all my ebikes, this was probably the easiest one I’ve set up.
For a mini ebike, I was surprised at how fast this bike could go. I’ve used other mini ebikes, so I expected it to be fairly slow, but it completely surpassed my expectations, easily hitting 20mph or so without issue. Being able to ride at 20 mph on such a small bike is great.
I also like how adjustable the Sohamo A3 is. Besides being able to adjust the seat, you can also adjust the handlebars, allowing you to set the bike at a comfortable height for yourself. That being said, this is still a tiny bike where you’ll likely primarily rely on the throttle, so how you set yourself up on it probably won’t matter too much.
Speaking of pedaling, the pedal assist on the Sohamo A3 works well. It gives a fairly natural amount of power as you pedal. However, the tiny size of the bike makes pedaling difficult and for the most part, most people aren’t going to be doing a lot of pedaling on this bike. I’m not a particularly big person, but pedaling made me feel pretty foolish – like I was pedaling a tiny clown bike. If I were bigger, I’d probably bump my knees on the handlebars most of the time.
The good thing is the throttle on the Sohamo A3 is excellent. It’s very responsive and gets you moving quickly, but without feeling like it jolts you forward. I’ve already mentioned that the motor is powerful for a bike of this size, and with the throttle, I’m easily able to ride at 20 mph or so without any issues.
I also really like using this bike to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Since it’s so small, I can easily carry it up steps and bring it indoors with me as needed. The bike also features an ignition key, which is helpful when I need to make a quick stop to run inside. By removing the key, the bike can still be pedaled away, but it won’t work as an ebike, making it a bit less attractive to steal.
What You Should Think About If You’re Looking At The Sohamo A3
If you’re thinking about the Sohamo A3, you need to first think about whether a mini-ebike is right for you. Mini-ebikes like this one are distinguished by how small they are. Because they’re so small, you’re not going to use them the same way as a regular bike, mainly because they can be difficult to pedal without bumping your knees on the handlebars.
In a way, the Sohamo A3 is a lot like a sit-down electric scooter. For most people, getting around primarily with the throttle is how you’ll do it. The small size of the Sohamo A3 makes it good for making sharp, quick turns, and it’s great for getting around dense areas. For people who live in small apartments, a mini-ebike makes a lot of sense too to save space (especially a bike like the Sohamo A3 which can fold up).
The other thing you need to be okay with is how you look while riding a mini-ebike like the Sohamo A3. If you’re big, you might feel a bit self-conscious riding on a tiny bike. Personally, I think I look cool riding the Sohamo A3 – as if I’m riding a tiny dirt bike – but I can understand why some people might not feel the same.
Finally, you’ll want to think about the type of trips you’re using this bike for. If you’re using a lot of throttle, you’ll get reduced range, so if you are looking to do long trips, this probably isn’t the right bike to get. And of course, since this bike has small tires, you’re not going to want to use this bike on bumpy terrain or in bad weather. For regular daily city commuting and to run errands around town, however, I think this bike is perfect.
One other thing to note – this bike is great for small people or riders who would feel more comfortable on a small bike. My mother isn’t a great bike rider, but the Sohamo A3 is now her main bike when she visits me, mainly because of how small it is. Given my mother’s experience with this bike, I think it’d be great as a beginner ebike for someone small who isn’t comfortable on larger bikes.
Final Thoughts
The Sohamo A3 has been a fantastic experience. For the price, I think this is an excellent bike, offering great power and a fun form factor at an affordable price. I said it before, but this bike is currently one of my favorite ebikes. I mainly like how zippy it is and how I turn heads when I’m riding on it since I sort of look funny on it.
If you’re in the market for a small, folding ebike with good power, this is definitely a bike I would recommend, especially over other less powerful mini-ebikes on the market.
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More Recommended Ebike/Scooters
Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:
- Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
- Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
- Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
- Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
- Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
- KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
- Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
- Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
- Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
- Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.
More Recommended Investing App Bonuses
For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:
- M1 Finance ($100) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
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More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses
If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.
- Upgrade ($200) – Upgrade is a free checking account that’s currently offering a $200 referral bonus if you open an account and complete a direct deposit. These bonus terms are easy to meet, so it’s well worth doing this bonus as soon as you can. Here’s a post I wrote with more details: Upgrade $200 Referral Bonus – Step By Step Directions.
- Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
- Fairwinds Credit Union ($175) – Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a referral bonus for users that sign up using a referral link. Fairwinds has no fees or minimum balance, so this is a particularly easy bonus to earn. Since this is a smaller credit union, my gut instinct tells me this offer won’t be around long, so if you’re in a position to meet the bonus requirements, grab this bonus before it’s gone. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Fairwinds Credit Union bonus.
- Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
- US Bank Business ($900) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
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- Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.
Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.
Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.
Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:
- SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
- 5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
- US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
- M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
- Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.
Feel free to send Kevin a message here.
I’ve been considering an Ebike for a while now. Thanks for the review. Maybe that will give me the push I need:)