The NIU AERO ROAD-01

By: kiritozhang　　Translator: alanyu

The NIU AERO ROAD-01, produced by NIU, who mainly focus on the electric motorcycles, is a new blood from China. In one word, it has a good value for money.

NIU AERO ROAD-01 is available in two models: ROAD-01 LITE and ROAD-01 SPORT.

The price of the ROAD-01 LITE is 579 USD, but it has a high-level 6069 alloy frame, the same with that of the ROAD-01 SPORT. It’s similar to the higher-level ROAD-03 (carbon frame), with a bit lower comfort and stiffness. Comparing to CAAD12, EMONDA ALR and Allez e5, whose frame is the same level with ROAD-01, it’s really cheap as you can get only a frame from those big brands with this price. IMO, it can be viewed as “buy the frame, and get the others free”.

However, the LITE comes with an alloy fork, in contrast to their high-level bikes which come with the carbon fork. This is an obvious shortage comparing to the SPORT selling at 999 USD. The alloy fork lowers the performance of the frameset. In contrast, the SPORT is more balanced in every aspect, and you can live with it after changing the bar, stem and the saddle.

The geometry of the ROAD-01 series copies that of the Specialized Tarmac sl6, without sizes 44, 58 and 61, covering around 165~ 180 cm. However, this geometry is good for high-level racing frame, a bit aggressive for those who just get started. Though the LITE is above the average, the SPORT has a much better value. The LITE is cut down too much to reduce the price.