2021 Fly Electron Review


Overview

We felt that we needed a bit more affordable model in our range of Expert line of bikes, so we changed a few specs without sacrific- ing strength on the 2021 Electron. We are using the pinch bolt style cranks we used on previous versions of the Electron that we had no claims on, a thicker steel Trebol sprocket and 2-piece steer tube forks. Three details that add a bit of weight, but keeps the strength that we wanted, while cutting the cost of the price of the bike.

The Electron is a great mid level bike with a lot of aftermarket parts like Devon grips, Ruben pedals and a Trebol fully sealed rear Cassette hub, double sidewall rims, Trebol tires and a sealed headset.
One request from distributors and customers was to have this bike available in a 21” version for the taller riders, so that’s exactly what we have done.

The 2021 Electron is available in Fuego Dark Blue with Flat Black parts and classic Flat Black.

RHD: Right Drive Side (Sprocket on the right side)
LHD: Left Drive Side (Sprocket on the left side)

from: flyOpens in a new tab.

Other Fly Bikes

Bike ModelBike PriceBike Quality
2021 Fly NeoOpens in a new tab.$450Kids Bike
2021 Fly NovaOpens in a new tab.$450Kids Bike
2021 Fly SupernovaOpens in a new tab.$540Mid/high level kids
2021 Fly ElectronOpens in a new tab.$450Beginner
2021 Fly NeutronOpens in a new tab.$540Beginner
2021 Fly ProtonOpens in a new tab.$650Mid-level
2021 Fly Proton FCOpens in a new tab.$650Mid-level
2021 Fly SionOpens in a new tab.$720High-level
2021 Fly OrionOpens in a new tab.$690High-level
2021 Fly OmegaOpens in a new tab.$820High-level
2021 Fly Omega FCOpens in a new tab.$820High-level

Highlights

  • ⛔️ – Full Chromoly
  • ✅ – Under $500
  • ✅ – Double Wall Rims – (Double side wall) Not as strong as double wall
  • ⛔️ – Pegs
  • ⛔️ – Fully Sealed Bearings
  • ✅ – 3 pc. Cranks
  • ⛔️ – Freecoaster – What is a freecoaster?Opens in a new tab.
  • ✅ – Brakes
  • ✅ – Gyro tabs
  • ⛔️ – 4 pc bars

Specs

Price: $450Opens in a new tab.

Colors

Specs

FRAME 4130 CRMO DT / 1020 HITEN / 20.5″ & 21″ / WELDED PIVOTS
FORK 4130 CRMO 1 PIECE STEER TUBE / 1020 HITEN LEGS / 27MM OFFSET
BARS 1020 HITEN / 9″
GRIPS FLYBIKES DEVON / 160 MM LONG
STEM TREBOL TOP LOAD / FORGED / 6061-T6 ALUMINUM / 50MM
HEADSET TREBOL / INTERNAL SEALED BEARING
LEVER RIGHT / DIE CASTING ALLOY
BRAKE TREBOL SPRINGHANGER / FORGED / 6061 T-6 ALUMINUM
CRANKS 3PC / 4130 CRMO / 170MM ARM LENGTH
BOTTOM BRACKET MID / SEALED BEARING
SPROCKET TREBOL / CNC MACHINED / 6061-T6 ALUMINUM / 25T
PEDALS FLYBIKES RUBEN GRAPHITE / NYLON – FIBERGLASS COMPOUND
CHAIN 510 TYPE / 70 LINKS
RIMS TREBOL / DOUBLE SIDE WALLED / 6061-T6 ALUMINUM / 36H
FRONT HUB ALLOY SHELL / LOOSE BALL / 3/8” MALE AXLE / 36H
REAR HUB TREBOL / SEALED BEARING / 14MM MALE AXLE / 36H / 9T
TIRES TREBOL 2.35 FRONT & REAR / 60 TPI / 65 PSI
SEAT ELECTRON COMBO SEAT / 100% SYNTHETIC LEATHER / 25 MM THICKNESS.
WEIGHT 11.3 KG / 24.9 LB

Frame Geometry

A: Top Tube Length:  20.5″ & 21″ – Learn what size is right for you here.Opens in a new tab.

These are good options. See the size guide to know what is right for you.

Getting a top tube that is taller than suggested will make the bike feel more controlled and less responsive

Getting a top tube size that is smaller than normal will make the bike feel a lot more snappy and responsive.

B: Chain Stay Length: 13.2″ – Learn About Chain Stays HereOpens in a new tab.

This is a long chainstay.

A long chain stay will make the bike feel controlled.

A short chain stay makes the bike feel twitchy. Spins will be easy, but airing and jumping might feel hard to control.

A long chain stay will make the bike feel really controlled. Spins will feel sluggish, but manuals and air tricks will feel nice because it will be more stable.

C: Head Tube Angle: 75° – Learn About Head Tube Angles HereOpens in a new tab.

Steep head tube angles make the bike “snappy” meaning more responsive to fast turns. 

A less steep head tube gives you more control.

D: Seat Tube Angle: 71°

E: Bottom Bracket Height: 11.75″

F: Stand over height: 9″

This is a tall standover. 

A tall standover gives the bike a responsive and snappy feeling. Good for barspins and controlled riding.

Bar Geometry – Learn more hereOpens in a new tab.

G: Rise: 9″

Riding a tall rise, will give you more leverage on the bike. Making it easier to pull back and lift the front wheel up.

H: Width: 29″

This is a medium width. 

Narrow bars make barspins easier.

Wide bars give you more control and stability when steering.

I: Backsweep: 10º

What does backsweep do?

As far as I know, there is a sweet spot for backsweep. Too much will make the bike feel weird, and too little will make the bike unstable. It seems like the sweet spot is around 11º to 12º. If you need something a little more aggressive and straight feeling, go for 10º, but only do this if 11º is uncomfortable.

J: Upsweep: 2º

This is a normal upsweep!

What does upsweep do?

There is a lot of discussion about 1º upsweep vs. 4º upsweep. Some people are running experiments and testing if the greater upsweep will make drops feel better. It seems like a lot of street riders run 4º to 5º upsweep. This helps for wrist pain and lessens the impact of big drops.

Price

So I actually don’t really recommend this bike. But it isn’t because it is low quality, it’s actually decent quality for a beginner bike. The thing is, that the bike is overpriced.

You can get a better quality bike like the Kink GapOpens in a new tab. for much less than $450.

Quality

The 2021 Electron is designed for a brand new rider, with a high price tag.

The biggest thing that concerns me is the frame with virtually no chromoly. This is no good as you start to progress.

Buy if you are learning:

  • Bunny hops
  • 180
  • footjam
  • pull up barspins
  • t-bog

Don’t buy if you are learning:

  • Big drops
  • 360
  • big spins
  • back flips
  • tailwhips
  • grinding hand rails

Conclusion

I really do like Fly, and their expert line is amazing. But maybe beginner bikes just aren’t their thing. This bike is a little overpriced and you can find one with better quality for less money.

The 2021 Electron will be good for a brand new rider who doesn’t have much bmx experience. If you are still learning the first few tricks and want a clean looking bike, this is for you. But like I said, it’s a little expensive so shop around.

Common Questions

  • Where can I buy this bike? As an affiliate for sourcebmx.com, I always recommend them. They have a warehouse in the USA so shipping is pretty fast and they do so much to support bmx. Buy it here
  • Is this bike for park, dirt, or street? It is a well-rounded bike that will do good on all park, street, and dirt.
  • How much does it weigh? 24.9 lbs

 

Douglas Laird

My parents bought me my first BMX bike in 2011 and it changed my life. This bike has taken me all over the world and introduced me to cool places and cooler people. My goal is to help get 1,000,000 people into BMX so they can experience the joy and freedom that comes from a progression based sport.

Recent Posts