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. In all honesty, when I first got this bike, I didn’t expect much from it, so I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well it has performed. It’s a great combination of power, comfort, portability, and a potential
With that said, in this Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike review, we’ll look at what the Sohamo S3 offers and what my experience has been like with this bike.
Sohamo S3: Brief Overview
To start, let’s look at the general specs of the Sohamo S3.
- Class 2 ebike with a 750 Watt Rear Hub Motor.
- Comes in two battery sizes – either a 48v, 15ah battery or a 48v, 20ah battery. I have the 20ah battery.
- Estimated 30-40 miles of range with the 15ah battery and 40-60 miles of range with the 20ah battery.
- Tires are unbranded, 20×3 fat tires.
- Advertised top speed of 28 mph, although I found 22-25 mph is a more realistic top speed.
My Experience With The Sohamo S3
At the outset, my initial thoughts on the Sohamo S3 are that it’s an excellent bike for the price point. The 750-watt rear hub motor gives the bike plenty of power – more than you’d expect for a folding bike of this size. The powerful motor gives this compact bike a good top speed -I was easily maintaining around 22-25 mph. The battery is also great, giving me plenty of range on a full charge. I’ve ridden 20 to 30 miles with it and still had plenty or battery remaining.
Since this is a folding bike, it will be fairly small compared to other bikes, so if you’re particularly big or tall, this bike might not be the most comfortable ride for you. I found the riding position of the bike to be comfortable, but it’s not the best for pedaling. Indeed, I find myself using the throttle most of the time when I’m riding it.
One interesting thing about the Sohamo S3 is how the battery installs on the bike. To install it, you flip the seat up using a lever on the underside of the bike. You then slide the battery into the slot underneath the seat. The funny thing about the Sohamo is that after sliding the battery into the slot, you then have to physically plug the battery into the bike. It’s not a big deal, but it does give the bike a cheap feeling when you have to do that.
Removing the battery follows the same process – flip the seat up, unplug the battery, then slide it out. The Sohamo uses a massive battery, but it does have a handle so you can carry it with you if needed.
The ride quality of the Sohamo is excellent. The 20×3 tires help absorb bumps well and the bike also has front suspension, helping to smooth out your ride some more too.
The brakes on the Sohamo S3 are about what you’d expect for a bike in this price range. They’re basic mechanical disc brakes that will get the job done.
The thing I really enjoy about the Sohamo S3 is the included rear rack. It gives the bike more utility since I can use the rear rack for extra cargo space.
Unboxing And Assembling The Sohamo S3
Without a doubt, the Sohamo S3 required the most assembly of an ebike I’ve received. It wasn’t necessarily difficult to assemble, but there are a lot of parts you have to put together. For example, this is the only bike I’ve had that required me to install the brake rotors. That being said, most people shouldn’t have any difficulty assembling the bike themselves. Sohamo has an excellent assembly video that walks you through how to assemble the bike. I followed the video closely and didn’t have any issues.
For me, the most difficult part of assembling the bike was putting the seat together. I couldn’t seem to get the clamps that hold the seat to fit together and it took me a bunch of time until I finally got it to fit. The difficulty in assembling it comes because the seat isn’t a normal one – rather it’s a special seat that has to flip open so you can access the battery. This can make assembling the seat more difficult than usual. I eventually did manage to put the seat together, but it was frustrating experience.
Storing And Folding The Sohamo S3
The Sohamo S3 is a folding ebike, which makes it a good option for people that live in small spaces or need a bike that takes up a smaller footprint.
Folding the Sohamo S3 is similar to other folding bikes. To do so, you unhook the latch holding the frame together in the center of the frame. You can then unhook the handlebars and fold them down. It can be a bit difficult to fold the bike if you haven’t done it before, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it. That being said, it’s not so easy that you’ll fold it regularly. Most likely, you’ll leave the bike in its unfolded position and just fold it when absolutely needed.
Below is a picture of what the Sohamo S3 looks like when folded. As you can see, it doesn’t take up much space and can easily fit in the trunk of a normal car. This is helpful, as you can use the Sohamo S3 for longer trips, where you drive somewhere, and then take the Sohamo S3 out of your car. Another good use case is if you need to drop your car off somewhere, you can take the Sohamo S3 with you, then use it to get home.
Using The Sohamo S3 For DoorDash, Uber Eats, And Grubhub
I love using folding bikes for food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. That’s because folding ebikes are compact and are generally affordable. The Sohamo S3 is a particularly affordable bike, coming in at around $800. Most people won’t have any issue making a return on their investment here.
To make the Sohamo S3 even better, I always recommend adding a few things. Putting a basket or panniers on the back will make it easier to hold orders. I’ve always been a fan of the Thule Pack n Pedal Basket, though it is expensive. If you want to save money, you can easily attach a milk crate or some other basket to the back.
In addition, I recommend adding a Quad Lock to hold your phone. A good cupholder would also be useful if you need to carry drinks – I use the HandleStash as my cup holder.
In short, for food delivery, the Sohamo S3 is a good bike to do deliveries with. At around $800, it’s very affordable, so you’ll likely be able to earn your money back quickly. The battery range is also good, with an advertised range of 40-60 miles. Depending on how conservative you are with the battery, you’ll be able to ride all day with it. The additional cargo space from the rear rack is also very helpful.
If you want to see the bike in action, check out a video I made where I did some deliveries using the Sohamo S3.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’ve had an excellent experience with the Sohamo S3 and it has exceeded my expectations for a bike at this price point. Of course, because this isn’t an expensive ebike, you have to go into it aware that it uses cheap parts and might not last too long. So far, I haven’t had any issues with it, but I know that an $800 ebike is going to be limited compared to more expensive options.
As an entry-level folding ebike, I think the Sohamo S3 is a great option for a lot of people. I would say that if you do get it, it would be helpful to be handy (or be willing to do work on it yourself). Sohamo isn’t a brand I’m very familiar with, so I can’t speak to how well their customer service will be or the company’s longevity.
Anyway, I hope you found this review helpful. If you have questions about the Sohamo S3 or about ebikes in general, feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email. You can also check out the Sohamo S3 on their website for more information or to get it for yourself.
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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.
- SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
- Webull (20 free stock shares) – Webull's current promotion gives you 20 free shares valued between $3-$3,000 each if you open an account using my referral link. Here’s a guide I wrote about how to earn your free shares using Webull.
- Moomoo (15 free stocks) – Moomoo is a free investing app currently offering 2 different referral bonuses if you open an account using a referral link. Read my Moomoo referral bonus guide for more information.
- Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
- Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.
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.
- GO2Bank ($50) - GO2Bank is an easy bank bonus that I recommend people take advantage of if they have an easy way of meeting the direct deposit requirement. I like that it’s easy to open the account and that the bonus pays out quickly. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your GO2Bank $50 referral bonus.
- Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
- Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
- 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.
Wow, the suggestions for enhancing its utility for food delivery are practical and show a thoughtful consideration of real-world usage. It may be useful to make money, not only for personal use. Great! Overall, a well-written and informative review. Thanks for sharing your experience!