Priced at P 65,000, the Friend is powered by a 36-volt 252 Wh battery located inside the seat post. This provides energy to the 250-watt motor at the rear hub allowing for sweat-free riding. Turn the crank and the motor will kick in with a top speed of 28 km/h. And at times you don’t feel like pedaling, a thumb throttle provides a quick boost.

A full charge lets riders go up to 45 kilometers with pedal assist, but with the separate range extender (P 20,000), it can go up to 135 kilometers. Charging the Friend takes just seven hours and can be done via a conventional wall socket.

Unique to the Friend is its tri-fold mechanism. With hinges at three places—the frame, the stem, and the rear triangle—it becomes an ultra-portable electric bike that you can take anywhere—at the mall, in a train, or even in the trunk of a car.

The Friend features a color LCD screen that shows all the pertinent information such as speed, battery life, and pedal assist level. It also comes with a built-in front light and a “walk mode” for navigating steep ramps. It rides on 16-inch by 1 3/8-inch wheels and the hydraulic brakes are supplied by Shimano. The seven-speed drivetrain also has a tri-fold specific rear derailleur from LTWOO so that the chain doesn’t slack when folded.

The Popcycle Friend is now available at all Popcycle stores located in Taguig, Greenhills, Makati, and Quezon City. It can be purchased via cash, credit card, or financing through Home Credit.