Heybike Tyson E-bike Review: A Mighty Force

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First Take On The Heybike Tyson

The Heybike Tyson doesn’t look like a regular bike, a folding bike, a moped, motorcycle, or an e-bike for that matter. This myriad of styles still takes me by surprise. To be honest, I was a little skeptical about the design style at first, because it did look a bit odd from my initial research. With the Heybike Tyson assembled in all its glory, I have come to the realization that this look is growing on me.

Funny as this may sound, there’s a real machismo element to this bike which likely comes from the motorcycle side of things. The electric bike angle is obvious, and then you add in the folding component which might make you think that this e-bike lacks some punch. Once out on a ride, that mindset shifts for me. Hence, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I like how it all comes together from a look and performance standpoint. Neither here nor there, I am excited to take this e-bike out for a longer test time frame. More miles will provide the data on how I will experience the Heybike Tyson. I anticipate the bike to be a good commuter option, but with its clearance, geometry, speed, and beefy characteristics, I see myself pushing the boundaries well beyond my local city streets.

New Bike Day Unboxing

New bike day is such a wonderful feeling, and if you’ve had the pleasure, you know what I’m talking about. Subsequently, it can be a life changing day as the bike’s purpose can be one for pleasure, health, commuting, etc.

Heybike has an option for the bike to be assembled for you through a service called Velotooler. At $169, that is a viable choice, but with a bit of patience you can certainly put this bike together yourself. There are directions which are fairly straightforward with photos to guide you along. However, I do feel the sequencing and explanations can be simplified a little. That said, it’s more of a side note, and should not deter you from assembling the bike. If all else fails, take it to your local bike shop to handle a few of the adjustments. That route should also not be too costly.

The Cockpit Of The Heybike Tyson

The cockpit is usually not a thing of focus in my e-bike reviews. Let alone, as the first component I want to talk about. There is the typical handlebar with grips, brakes, a shifter, a display, and a few extra buttons. That said, I see a cohesive rider design and fluent experience here. The throttle and gearing is appropriately located on the right hand side. There are turn signals on the left side that are easy to reach without much thought or having to glance down. And mainly, the overall feel of my position on the bike along with its functions all add up to a very positive rider experience.

The “Auto” button below the right hand throttle is there to automatically turn the lights on and off for you. That is handy when going through a tunnel or underpass.

The Build: Uni-Body Design & Magnesium Frame

I do not own a bike made out of Magnesium (Mg), and wanted to find out more about its inherent qualities. I am aware that it’s a pill you take to control numerous functions in the body. However, Magnesium is also a shiny gray metal with a low density point and high chemical reactivity. Furthermore, it is used to make bike frames that have a high tensile strength with dampening capabilities that are lighter than aluminum. The result being that it leads to a smoother, more efficient ride while coming in at a lower price point than many other bike fabrication materials.

This is a one-piece body made with injection molding technology which has the advantage of a quick turn around and overall stability. In the end, this provides a higher quality and safer e-bike to take out and about.

Dual Suspension Enhanced Stability

Equipped with a hydraulic front and back suspension, Tyson’s dual suspension system provides a smooth ride no matter the terrain. I continuously play around with the front suspension settings on various rides. I realize that in lower power modes when having to push harder (or stand and pedal for power), the bounce is too much. Even on normal city riding, you may not need to go into full squish mode. Any riding I do off-terrain certainly requires all the suspension available to absorb the rocks, roots, drops, and inconsistencies.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

The braking distance with hydraulic brakes is on average 50% shorter than that with mechanical brakes. I tested this quite extensively in normal use by applying full brakes at 28 mph. I’d say it takes anywhere from 15-20 feet to come to a complete stop. Full brakes can result in a small skid, so get a feel for the amount of pressure to apply. Even in a heavy downpour, the braking efficiency is not comprised despite the wet rotors and brake pads.

The Seat

It’s a rather standard unisex saddle with quite a bit of padding. This is one component of the bike that I do want to call out for needing more thought. I get that Heybike is trying to reach a wide audience, but a possible second or third option for the kind of saddle you can select would be a step in the right direction. I do come from the racing side of biking, and something that’s more streamlined that fits comfortably is my goal. I’d happily pay for the upgrade to have that option.

Upon further thought, I think they should provide 3 or 4 seat options. Hence, I want something that is not so big. The one I have can be the standard offering. A second choice could be an even thicker and more padded seat for those who so choose. Lastly, give guys like me an option to step it down a notch by providing a slimmer and sleeker option.

As you will see below, I am playing around with a smaller and more nimble saddle. It’s a work in progress on that front, but finding something that will allow me to also pedal more freely versus sitting softly is my goal here.

Motor

The 750W brushless gear motor packs a good power punch. Reaching nearly 30 mph, is a feat and a joy by merely pedaling to gain additional speed with the torque assist. I am not an engineer, nor do I have a mechanical mind. I do know that smooth and fast is good and makes for a fun ride.

Battery

This one has me a little baffled as I venture further away from my home base and the security of the charger. The 5 different levels eat up varying degrees of electricity. That’s quite obvious as mode 5 is basically a 30 mph moped or scooter without a whole lot of pedaling going on. That said, how that power gets depleted is something I am still trying to figure out. For instance, if I am at 10% power on mode 4, but then I switch to mode 2, it will show me 30% power.  That makes sense of course, but I am wondering if I’d rather see the percentage mode as one slowly decreasing number. In the end, I am left with a bit of insecurity as the charge reading would bounce all over the place.

Display

The Heybike Tyson display is a slightly larger screen that shows all the critical components at a glance.

The screen in full sun did provide some visibility issues (see below). I kid you not, I could not make out much of anything without stopping in the shade and look closely.

 

Download the app, and there are ride tracking options, remote control of the bike, and it can even turn on when you are in close proximity of the bike. I use a different application for ride tracking. Hence, I don’t know if I’ll purchase the plan to enjoy these extra features, but it’s there for you to explore and use.

The Gearing

The front chain ring is a pretty standard 28 tooth ring protected by a rather solid looking cover. I like that it really shields the chain at the front from any oncoming debris. As a cyclist, I could easily see this chain ring go up to a handful of teeth to allow me to provide more power at top speed. More a thought than a negative, but it begs to be asked.

The 7 rear gears are a solid option for various speeds and terrain. Getting started in an easy gear (without throttle power) is aided by the easier gear. Again, at the higher speeds, I would quickly run out of options to pedal power the bike. I would end up barely soft pedaling to keep the motor activated, but not really applying any additional leg aided power.

The Wheels And Tires

No spokes, now worries. The integrative wheels provide a solid support system for those beefy tires. In addition, they are able to work well with the solid frame, components, rider, and any additional accessories you may add. In addition, these 6 spoke integrative wheels are a better option for hitting more technical terrain.

Lights

The front light is quite powerful. I would usually turn it on no matter the time of day. It’s slightly adjustable to shine up or down depending on your personal preference.

The rear light of the Heybike Tyson is rather nifty. Obviously, it lights up when turned on, but also brightens and blinks when you apply the brakes. It’s the blinking part I like. This is one added way to provide that extra bit of security.

Technical Specifications

• Battery:                           48V 15 Ah
• Fast Charger:                  48V 4A
• Charging Time:                4-5 hours
• Hub Motor:                      750W Brushless Gear Motor
• Max Range:                     55 miles (Pedal Assist)
• Max Load:                       400 Lbs
• Ebike Class:                   Class 3
• Top Speed:                     28 mph
• Display Capability:          4G Mobile App Sync
• Front Fork:                      Hydraulic Suspension Front Fork
• Tire Construction:           Unibody
• Brakes:                           Hydraulic Disc Brakes System
• Folded Dimension:         97x92x62 cm (38x36x24.5 in)
• Product Dimension:       175x62x119 cm (69×24.5×47 in)
• Product Weight:             77lbs

The Heybike Tyson: Taking The Multi-Purpose e-Bike Out And About

The 7 gearing option is great for when you encounter rolling or climbing terrain. You do have to be aware that going into easier gears is by flipping the thumb handle, and while going to a lower gear, it’s the button on top. This allows you to easily shift into the gear that works for you especially when encountering rolling or hilly terrain. I am a fairly strong rider, and as mentioned before, I kind of wish they had an option for a few harder gears for when I am going top speed.

At first, I was a bit perturbed at that lack of gears, because spinning at such a high cadence seemed silly. I did not have to wait too long for that “Aha” moment. It’s an interesting thing. Once I hit that top speed, all I do is simply soft pedal to maintain that speed. It’s truly the coolest thing, and somewhat turns this into a scooter of sorts as the pedal assist isn’t really needed anymore.

Here’s my thing for more, or smaller cog ring options. I can go roughly 29.3 mph on this bike when on the 5^th and fastest option. The cadence is through the roof as I’m spinning almost out of control. With a couple of smaller cogs installed, I can use my leg power to take this bike to the next level. This is all in the vain of pushing myself and the bike to and beyond its limits, of course. 27 or 28 mph is plenty fast for most folks, so I am very satisfied with the attainable speeds.

The folding hinge on the left side of the frame is something I bump up against on occasion with my knees. Thus, just be aware to not pedal in a super tight leg position. With time, my pedaling motion is in tune, and in a line that did not come near the folding hinges again.

Braking is spot on! With the speeds of this heybike Tyson, you need the ability to stop on a dime. I really test that every time out, and without actually measuring, I’d say I can go from a top speed of 28 mph+ to a complete stop in 15-20 feet. My suggestion would be to play around with that a little, because squeeze to tightly and a small skid could occur.

I am loving this bike as my daily commuter to take the place of my car on a 6 mile one way trip to the office. I can get there faster, believe it or not. Flying by parked cars at long lines in traffic is an absolute joy. The dollar savings will surely play out over time by not having to buy gas, but for now, I will take the freedom and wind in my hair.

I now use this bike to run around the neighborhood, get to the pool, local restaurant, and grocery store. In addition, because of the heybike Tyson’s sturdy frame, dual suspension, and 4” wide tires, I am able to explore off road trails along the front range of Denver. I also hope to take it into the mountains in short order as we go on a few camping trips.

Here is the approximate breakdown of the various modes and subsequent speeds.

• #1 – 12 mph
• #2 – 15 mph
• #3 – 18 mph
• #4 – 22 mph
• #5 – 27 mph

The space saving and storing capabilities are ideal for the commuter that wants the security of riding the bike while also being able to stash the bike in a small space. The Tyson lacks some solid balancing when folded, so make sure you have the Tyson placed accordingly to avoid it from falling over. Throwing it in the trunk or back of your car is another reason the folding option is a great feature. The Heybike Tyson is still quite heavy, so lifting into a car, for instance, does require some good effort.

I went to an appointment that turned out to be a 42 mile round trip. The Heybike Tyson is nicely charged at 97%, but I made it home on zero!  At first, I used mode 5. However, I saw that battery drain quite quickly, and changed my power level as well as effort. This is stressful for a good part of my ride not knowing if I will make it home. I deduce that the battery display can go from 56% to 28% in mere seconds when  coasting in low level power versus full throttle torque. That is a big swing, and plays on my mind. Especially when far away from home. I’d encourage Heybike to look at how that swing can be minimized.

The constant need to change modes becomes all consuming as I go to zero power on the down hills, and work much harder than I would think necessary. I suppose that’s a good thing from a fitness standpoint, but keep that in mind when planning a longer trip. I relate it to when you are out and about, your phone is low on battery, you know you need its use still, but no opportunities to charge in the near future. It’s unsettling, and want to point that out to either be fully charged, or bring along your power cord.

This bike is perfect for going fast without a whole lot of effort. This leads me to feeling really good about the Heybike Tyson, and its ability to take the place of car trips. I might take my charger along if I know it’s going to be a longer mileage day.

One aspect that I am keen to find out more about is the handling and control of the bike. I can really push the limits of the Heybike Tyson as I take sharp turns at full speed. I brake hard to test stop-ability on a variety of surfaces. This is a rather heavy bike to be pushing the limits on too much technical terrain, but I do like playing around on dirt and gravel track to see how she handles. I feel comfortable on rolling terrain for smooth and flowy twists and turns. The ups are amazing with the torque power being delivered. On the steeper down hills, I did take it easy especially when the more rocky technical terrain start to bounce me around more than I’d like.

Final Thoughts on the Heybike Tyson

The Heybike Tyson is a multi-function tool and e-bike to tackle whatever the road, path, trail, or dirt paths can throw at you. I am impressed with its powerful motor. Using various, but conservative power modes, I am able to reach 40 plus mile distances before a recharge. This is plenty for my local commutes and nearby errands. On level 5, that distance is much shorter, so be aware. For longer mountain rides, I will have to measure my power use and range limitations. The Heybike Tyson folds to allow for space saving measures, and the look is sleek and forward thinking. I am impressed with the stealth, power, and ride-ability. Taking this Heybike Tyson out on the town is a pleasure. If you are contemplating an e-bike purchase with some oomph, give this e-bike a try.

For more information please check out www.heybike.com or www.amazon.com/heybike. Canadian readers can visit www.heybike.ca.