Heybike Hero Review: Super Strong Carbon Fiber
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Heybike Hero
4.0/5 Buy at Heybike
Heybike Hero has a carbon fiber frame that weighs just six pounds, so it can be stuffed to the brim with features like a 1000-watt motor and full suspension without exceeding 100 pounds.
I have reviewed several Heybike products and I can say that Heybike Hero is the best of them all. You'd hope that this flagship model would be the best, given the price and feature set, but that's not always a guarantee.
There are so many e-bikes out there that it's hard to stand out, especially when many manufacturers rely on off-the-shelf parts and aluminum frames. The Heybike Hero makes a strong first impression with its bold angles and orange highlights.
Don't let the carbon fiber construction fool you. The frame may only weigh 6 pounds, but the entire bike weighs 75 pounds thanks to giant tires, full suspension, and a 1,000-watt motor.
Even though the Heybike Hero isn't a folding frame like the Ranger S and Mars 2.0 I reviewed previously, it won me over with its great suspension. Of course, other models had front shock absorbers, but everything changes when they are built into the rear under the seat.
Heybike Hero Review – Design
Heybike Hero will stand out among others thanks to smooth curves and sharp corners. Its structure is made of carbon fiber — aluminum cannot be cast with such precision.
Heybike Hero review: an outstanding e-bike
The frame is a step-by-step design with some interesting accents. There is a mid-drive motor option, but the model I'm looking at is the 1000W rear hub version. Despite this, there is a housing behind the pedals that makes it appear as if there is a motor there, although this model does not.
The rear suspension is somewhat hidden by the fork design. It's an aesthetic choice, but the complex suspension layout may also contribute to the lack of wings.
The steering wheel is set high and flat in diameter, with a display in the center. Some models may have a built-in display in the steering wheel, but my model may have been shipped before the final production model was ready.
Heybike Hero review: no mid-drive engine here
The carbon fiber frame helps keep the Heybike Hero’s weight down. Sure, it’s still a 75-pound bike, but if it had an aluminum frame, it would weigh around 100 pounds.
The Heybike Hero is probably one of the more noticeable e-bikes I’ve reviewed. Sure, fat-tire bikes have gotten attention before, but more and more people have been noticing the Heybike while out and about and asking questions because of its loud design.
Assembly and Maintenance
Like the other e-bikes I’ve reviewed, the Heybike Hero came almost completely assembled. I only had to attach the front wheel, handlebars, seat, and pedals to get out the door.
Heybike Hero Review: Assembly is pretty easy as it's almost ready out of the box
The battery compartment is interesting because it's located under the bottom bracket and is secured by a small switch. The keys release the battery, but the switch keeps the battery from falling out due to gravity.
Removing and installing the battery is not always the easiest procedure. The front wheel likes to get in the way at certain angles.
Even though the Heybike Hero is not a folding electric bike, it is surprisingly transportable. The front wheel can be removed using a simple quick release mechanism. With the front wheel disconnected and the seats folded down, the Heybike Hero can sit in my Honda CR-V for short trips.
Basic maintenance should be carried out regularly. No matter how much experience I gain with ebikes, I still like to take mine to a professional twice a year for a tune-up.
Heybike Hero
Buy at Heybike
Heybike Hero review – features
Heybike Hero is designed to conquer rough roads and survive off-road conditions. Its bright accents and 400-pound weight limit make it ideal for city driving.
Heybike Hero review: Fat tires can take you off the beaten path
1000W rear hub motor delivers 100Nm of torque and up to 1800W power top mountains. The 750W mid-drive version has 160Nm of torque and 1,400W of peak power.
The frame alone weighs 6.17 pounds, and the entire bike, wheels, motor, and everything else weighs 75 pounds. The tires are 26 inches in circumference and 4 inches thick.
Unlike other Heybike models I've reviewed, the Heybike Hero doesn't have fenders or turn signals or taillights. It truly senses torque for a more natural riding feel.
Heybike Hero review: no wings, but at least there is a headlight
Measuring torque is my favorite method for determining engine power. This means that the motor exerts force when the user pedals, which is directly related to the pedaling force and power of the motor.
Other systems will accelerate the e-bike with high torque and power output until the speed corresponding to the set PAS level is reached, requiring less pedaling but consuming more power. The torque sensor and large battery are what give it a maximum range of 60 miles.
Charging from empty takes about 5 hours using the included charger.
Heybike App
Heybike App is still not a player. If you're an iPhone user with an Apple Watch, there's no reason to rely on the Heybike app, even if there's no alternative.
Heybike Hero review: Heybike app doesn't offer much useful ride data
The results of tracking cycling around the city were questionable at best. It showed that I traveled 8.08 miles and burned 1,475 calories. The Fitness app reports 315 calories burned after 8 miles.
Given the overall ease of riding, I highly doubt I burned what Heybike rated. This number appears to be derived from basic data such as distance, time and rider weight.
The only time a user needs to use the Heybike app is to set their preferences for how pedal assist levels work, but those menus seem to have bugs as well. I wanted level one to have a max speed of 8 mph, but it immediately went to the default speed of 14 mph no matter what I tried.
This is not a hindrance and most likely a bug, but it is strange nonetheless.
Riding the Heybike Hero
The best e-bikes I’ve ever tested all have at least one standout feature. There are so many options and feature sets on the market that many feel too similar and lack differentiation.
Heybike Hero Review: A Big Bike That Doesn’t Feel Bulky
The Heybike Hero stands out with its front and rear suspension. The large tires combined with the front and rear leaf springs make for one of the smoothest rides I’ve ever experienced on an e-bike.
Sure, one model I tested had a small spring in the seat that helped cushion some of the impact, but it wasn’t the same. The areas that really irritated me while riding felt like uncomfortable cracks in comparison.
I definitely have a preference for fat tire ebikes due to their stability and overall off-road ability. While I tend to stick to paved paths, there's never a guarantee that I won't have to deal with rough terrain from time to time.
Heybike Hero review: simple display and 9-speed Shimano gearbox
No matter how good the suspension is, there is a trade-off. There is nowhere to attach the wings, period. So any dirt or water on the ground will hit your back or face, so be careful not to drive into such areas at speed.
Other than that, riding the Heybike Hero was a positive experience. The 1000W motor performed as expected on my usual test hills, leaving me out of breath but not exhausted on the steepest hills.
So, despite all the power these engines have had in recent years, they still haven't achieved the Holy Grail of getting me up the steepest hill near my house. This isn't a knock on this bike, but I hope someone gets around to it eventually.
Heybike Hero Review: Easy to reach buttons like PAS level, horn and headlight controls
The 60 mile range seems accurate based on my riding experience with the Heybike Hero. The battery rarely drops below 50% after a day of riding 30 miles or more. Of course, range depends on what level of pedal assist you use, the number of hills you encounter, and throttle dependency.
As always, the torque sensing pedaling is superb. I would really like there to be no bug with limiting the maximum pedal speed.
One unique feature of the Heybike Hero is the throttle. You can limit this in the settings, but by default, holding the throttle regardless of PAS level will get you to top speed — about 30 mph.
I tell people that e-bikes aren’t motorcycles, but this is the closest I’ve seen that behaves like one. However, it’s not recommended to use the throttle this way as it drains the battery a lot.
Heybike Hero Review: Rear Suspension Fender and Light Swappable
There’s a headlight that can be turned on with a button. There’s no taillight included either, but if you see the reflector in the pictures, that’s an AirTag holder.
The one feature I missed most about the Ranger S, besides the fenders, was the lack of turn signals. I liked having a mechanical switch to turn on the turn signals, but there’s nothing like that here.
I have nothing to complain about the Heybike Hero. I’d love to test out the fancy built-in display shown on their purchase page because the included external display seems less expensive than the price would suggest.
I noticed that in some cases, such as when starting off, the engine chugged a little. It stops if you start pedaling, but in my experience the throttle shouldn't be that hard when taking off.
Smooth and smooth ride
The Heybike Hero is a well-made electric bike. – a bike filled to the brim with heavy-duty equipment. The carbon fiber frame is all that saves it from being a ponderous and unwieldy beast.
Heybike Hero Review: A Powerful E-Bike with Fat Tires
Fat tires, torque sensor and throttle work together to make the Heybike Hero feel smooth to ride and responsive. I feel stable and safe on this big and heavy e-bike.
If you're looking for an e-bike that can go off-pavement and handle most inclines, this is a good option. However, the price and weight may be prohibitive for some buyers.
Heybike Hero Review – Pros
- The lightweight frame allows for heavy-duty components.
- Thick tires provide stability even in off-road conditions.
- Torque sensing makes the ride more natural.
- High peak power and torque. makes it easy to climb hills.
- Long range and fast charging.
Heybike Hero Review – Cons
- Heavy bike is heavy
- Guaranteed premium price for engine and build, but lacks features at this price like the turn signals are weird.
- Lack of fender selection is a problem in rainy weather.
- No taillights, brake lights or turn signals.
- Buggy app doesn't take into account pedal assist settings
- The high price and specific set of functions may deter some potential customers.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
The Heybike Hero is an excellent high-end e-bike with a price to match. It's understandable why some features are missing here as they would add even more value prices, and the design may not have allowed for this.
However, now that I have e-bikes with turn signals, I feel like they should all have them just for safety's sake. This would easily be a 5 if the missing features we mentioned above were included.
The lack of wings is a big drawback, but the rear suspension almost makes up for it.
Where to buy Heybike Hero
Buy the Heybike Hero with 1000W rear hub motor directly from Heybike for $2,599. The 750W mid-drive option costs $2,999. The Heybike Hero is available in tangerine or lemon yellow.
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