2022 DYU D3F Review

Video Review

Written Review

Well hello again, awesome peeps and welcome back to another Electrified Review. Today we’re looking at the DYU D3F. This is one of those e-bikes that, when it comes our way for review, rest assured, we’re gonna have a lot of fun with it. And that’s really what the D3F means to us: it’s fun, super compact, and despite its pint size, this tiny tike packs a ton of value, especially given it has a starting price of just $469 USD. Now THAT’S what we’re talking about! 

Now, even though the D3F has such an affordable price tag, DYU pulled out the stops when it comes to warranty and returns. The D3F comes with a 12-month comprehensive warranty and a 14-day return policy. Shipping, on the other hand, isn’t free, like so many e-bikes nowadays, but costs $40 USD for addresses within the contiguous United States. Not a deal breaker by any means, but definitely worth mentioning.

Right! Let’s break down the specs.

The D3F is small, compact and lightweight, so it makes sense that DYU paired it with an efficient 240 nominal watt rear hub motor that can propel this ride up to a top speed of 15.5 mph, which is pretty much as fast I’d feel comfortable going. Even at this relatively slow top speed, the D3F feels squirrelly. The wheelbase is only 44.6”, which is great for storage, but we found during testing that the narrow wheelbase does occassinsaly translate into some wonky wobbliness. And let’s not forget about the absolutely adorable 14” wheels. These smaller diameter wheels give the motor a mechanical advantage, but it also increases the angle of attack. So it’s good for going up hills, but not so good for tackling obstacles. Pebbles can feel like boulders. 

One of my favorite things about the D3F is, and maybe this is obvious by now, but it’s the size. Its not just small and compact, but it’s also lightweight at just 38 pounds. This is important because one of the biggest selling points on the D3F is its ability to pack up and go pretty much anywhere. And when you’re bending over at funky angles trying to load up this folding bike into the trunk of your car, or under your desk, or wherever you plan on stowing it, you really want it to be as light as possible so you’re not straining your back. It’s worth noting here that the handlebars and pedals do fold down to minimize its footprint even further.

Now, despite its low curb weight, the D3F still has an admirable max load capacity of 265 pounds. Not bad.

The D3F also has a recess in the top of the battery compartment so you can easily carry it by the top tube. This is great for storage, or just picking it up and moving around when you need to.

The 36 volt battery for the D3F is housed inside a plastic case sandwiched between the curved top tube and down tube and offers 10 amp hours of electric juice for a max estimated range of around 37 miles. Of course, heavy use of the full-grip twist throttle will cut that range by around half, but if you plan on primarily using the cadence sensing pedal assist you’ll definitely squeeze more miles out of the battery. It’s a lot like a miles per gallon with a car. Range goes down in the city and up on the highway. As the usual disclaimer goes: Actual mileage may vary depending on use. 

The D3F is a single speed, which means there’s no derailleur and no way to switch gears. With the efficient 240 watt motor in mind, it’s pretty clear that this e-bike is best used on flat-ish roads. It can handle small hills, especially if you pedal, but it’s not overly powerful. 

I love that DYU added mechanical disc brakes instead of rim brakes, and I love that they have motor inhibitors built in! This means whenever you depress the brake levers, the motor automatically shuts off to ensure the shortest possible stopping distance. This is a great safety feature. 

There is a headlight on the D3F and while its fairly bright, you’ll probably want to pick up an aftermarket light with around 2,000 lumens for any serious night riding. There’s also a tail light, which is pretty awesome, and together these lights make for a safer ride by increasing visibility. It just makes it easier for cars and pedestrians to notice you.

When it comes to the display, the D3F is keeping it clean and simple. There’s a button on the left to turn the D3F on, and a button on the right to toggle the cadence sensor on and off. If you want to activate the lights, just hold the button on the right side of the handlebars for about 4 seconds. 

Overall, the D3F truly is a fun ride, despite, or maybe partly because of its squirrelly nature. I love how light it is and I love the price point is so accessible. It’s rare to find sub $500 e-bike that performs as well as the D3F.

See the DYU D3F website: https://us.dyucycle.com/products/