2024 HeyBike Ranger S Review

The updated-for-2024 HeyBike Ranger S arrived on my doorstep in mid-October. Fortunately, Alberta has had a comparatively gentle fall, which has permitted me to make ample use of the native trails. More often than not, I experience “acoustically” on my Orbea Occam H30, however when reviewing an ebike, I spend extra time within the electrical saddle than not.

Provided that the Ranger S arrived in the midst of an Albertan fall, I acquired to topic it to, erm, “experience it” in, diversified situations, together with after a number of inches of contemporary snow in freezing temperatures. I took the view of “What would this bike be like every day?” and, if I’m sincere, I additionally hooned the snot out of it (they did equip it with the hub motor equal of a Hemi V8, in any case).

Should you’re quick on time, listed here are the 5 issues concerning the HeyBike Ranger S you’ll want to know:

• The motor + throttle mixture is potent and quick – The Ranger S 1000 simply accelerates to its ruled velocity restrict of 32 mph (51 kph) on flat terrain. The velocity restrict could be adjusted through the HeyBike app (you may also set velocity limits for every PAS setting if you wish to). The Ranger S is proscribed to twenty-eight mph / 45 kph in Canada.

• Driving dynamics on easy terrain are surprisingly good, and even nice contemplating the folding type issue – Folding ebikes aren’t normally that a lot enjoyable to experience. Nonetheless, the Ranger S is fairly good, contemplating the shape issue and wheel dimension. It doesn’t carry out nicely off-road, however with these wheels and fork, how might it?

• You’ll get nearer to 30 miles (48 km) of vary vs. the 55 miles (88 km) claimed – Whereas the Ranger S handles nicely, it nonetheless solely comes with a bargain-basement 7-speed Shimano groupset and weighs 72 lbs; to climb any incline, you’ll be utilizing the motor and, contemplating how good this motor is, you’ll in all probability be utilizing it loads.

• It folds and is comparatively compact, however placing it right into a automotive trunk is dicey – I might match it within the trunk of my 2017 Ford Fusion, however I couldn’t get it to lie flat sufficient to shut it. If you wish to transfer it round folded, you’ll want an SUV, van, or truck (or a trunk 10% larger than my Fusion’s).

• The 14.5 Ah (692 Wh) battery is UL licensed and detachable – It additionally has a devoted on/off swap, which is about to “off” when it first arrives. The battery could be charged through the included 4A quick charger on and off the bike.

Should you want a motorbike you possibly can fold and tuck away in a nook, however you continue to need that bike to haul ass if wanted, the Ranger S is a value-focused contender, rain, snow, or shine.

Phrases & Images: Cameron Martel 

HeyBike provided the Ranger S at no-charge. We should not have a monetary relationship with HeyBike. All opinions are topic to our review policies. Merchandise are scored primarily based on our hands-on experiences with it. I’m an avid biking fanatic (each “acoustic” and electrical) and have hands-on reviewed more than 30 ebikes up to now.

2024 HeyBike Ranger S 1000W Specs

• MSRP: $1,699 USD / $2,299 CAD
• The place to Purchase: HeyBike website (Canada)
• Guarantee: 30-day free trial, 2-year guarantee
• Prime Pace: 32 mph / 55 kph (28 mph / 45 kph in Canada)
• eBike Class: Class 3 out of the field, lockable to class 2
• Vary: Claimed 55 miles / 88 km (wBW estimated 20 miles / 32 km)
• Bike Weight: 72 lbs / 32.7 kg (together with batteries)
• Weight capability: 400 lbs (181.5 kg)
• Motor: Generic 1,000-watt hub motor (1,800-watt peak)
• Torque: 100 Nm (est. 180 Nm peak)
• PAS: Torque, 5 -levels (app adjustable)
• Brakes: RSX hydraulic brakes w/ 180 mm rotors
• Gearing: Shimano Tourney 7-speed
• Battery: 48V 14.5 Ah (692 Wh), UL licensed
• Wheels & Tires: 20” x 4” magazine wheels and CST tires
• Different: Headlight, powered taillight, flip sign, electrical horn, entrance and rear fenders, rear rack

HeyBike Ranger S Unboxing & Meeting

The Ranger S is equivalent to each bike-in-a-box setup: you set within the handlebar and stem, entrance wheel, and seat, tighten the whole lot up, cost it, and alter the shifter and brakes as wanted.

I used to be shocked to see paint put on on the underside of the fork (it was packaged this manner), and I observed that I used to be lacking a few small elements (one hex bolt for the show mount and one nut for the front-fender connecting bolt). Fortunately, I had the spares that Fucare included with the Gemini X, and I acquired myself sorted on the fender (sadly, not the show).

General, meeting was easy, and my brother and I had it sorted in about half-hour. If I didn’t have the spare nut, I’d not have been in a position to mount the entrance fender (or headlight). 

Meeting Walkthrough Video

Notes

• Sadly, my Ranger S was lacking just a few nuts and bolts (one hex bolt for the show and one washer/nut for the entrance fender. 
• Verify the whole lot earlier than you assemble it in case you want spare elements from HeyBike.
• If it’s your first time assembling a bike-in-a-box, plan for about an hour.

2024 HeyBike Ranger S Aesthetics & Design

Identical to genetics play a serious position in your general look, the shape issue of a motorbike will solely let a designer achieve this a lot visually. Folding bikes aren’t precisely lookers, regardless of the way you therapeutic massage their silhouette.

The Ranger S seems higher than most folding ebikes. It is available in 4 high-pop colours (merlot pink, stone blue, metallic sand, shark gray), and in my colorblind opinion, pink is the best-looking of them. 

The thick downtube helps the step-thru folding body keep away from trying wimpy (which is how I felt concerning the step-thru body on the KBO Compact folding ebike I reviewed earlier this yr). Commuter-focused facilities embrace the entrance/rear fenders, headlight/taillight, and built-in flip indicators. Additionally included is an digital horn, which manages to be each quiet and obnoxious concurrently. I’d vastly favor a reasonable bell.

General, the design is inoffensive and doubtless nearly as good as a folding ebike at this value level will get.

What’s the 2024 HeyBike Ranger S Prefer to Experience?

The thumb throttle is on the correct bars and responds to your inputs, whether or not delicate or in any other case. You could be mild and coast alongside, or you possibly can mash it and rocket to its high velocity. Except the slope is steep, the Ranger S by no means needs for acceleration.

The Ranger S 1000 accelerates briskly sufficient that the body noticeably squats. Certain, the low-rent suspension fork performs a task right here, however Ranger S can be genuinely quick. It’s virtually as quick because the Himiway Cobra Pro, which sports activities a 1000-watt mid-drive. 

So, it’s secure to say that the Ranger S 1000-watt hauls ass.

Dealing with and driving dynamics are common for the phase, although not fairly nearly as good because the Surface 604 Twist I reviewed final yr (which includes a inflexible fork and higher elements). 

The Ranger S prefers to be ridden on pavement or well-manicured trails, however it’s going to deal with mild off-road driving if it has to.

Like different bikes that use small-diameter wheels, slim handlebars, and cheaply-made no-name suspension, the Ranger S can get squirrely and bouncy for those who stress the suspension, particularly off-road. It’s typically much less snug than HeyBike’s different folder, the full-suspension Tyson. 

If you pair the hot-rod motor with a torque sensor, you get rapid, however delicate, pedal help on demand. It’s higher than any cadence-equipped bike, and due to how a lot energy the bike is sporting, you possibly can flip any experience right into a leisurely coast for those who please.

The Ranger S won’t maintain as much as off-road driving. Something past comparatively flat dust singletracks will put an excessive amount of stress on the stem and body hinge mechanisms, by no means thoughts that the suspension will likely be unable to maintain up. It’ll deal with the dust and gravel simply high quality however will battle when traversing roots, rocks, and different particles. 

HeyBike claims a variety of as much as 55 miles, however I don’t see the way you’d get anyplace close to that except you spend most of your time driving with no pedal help. Given the gearing, you’ll virtually all the time have pedal help enabled.

Driving aggressively within the snow, I dropped the battery to 30% life after about 12.5 miles / 20 km of throttle-only driving. I might see you getting perhaps 3 times that on paved flat floor, however the motor is simply too highly effective so that you can get 55 miles off of a 14.5 Ah battery.

Winter Driving the Ranger S

You don’t put 4” sort-of knobby tires on a motorbike like this and ship it to a northern local weather with the expectation that it gained’t get chilly, in any case. In that spirit, the primary snowfall the Ranger S noticed was about 8” of it in -10c (14f).

The suspension fork didn’t love the chilly. Within the chilly, it’s squeakier and fewer performant, although not so dangerous as to say it’s unsafe or unusable. To compensate for the slight loss in suspension efficiency, I dropped the tire stress to eight psi.

The tires are a gentle all-terrain tread and aren’t notably knobby. They did okay within the snow. It’s adequate that I’d be snug driving on them in mild to reasonable snow situations. 8” is a bit a lot, however the Ranger S can have no drawback navigating just a few inches of snow.

Grip is okay, however you need to watch the rear wheel because the hub motor will break traction effortlessly.

I’m delighted to report that the fenders do a fantastic job holding you and the bike clear. My rides within the snow don’t finish with me coming within the storage door with my again coated in snow (which might’t be mentioned for the rear fender on the Himiway C5 I reviewed earlier this yr).

In reality, with the tires at a pleasant low stress, the Ranger S is an absolute hoot to hoon round within the snow. Please don’t take my phrase for it, although: give it a go for your self. 

Notice: experience your bike responsibly. It’s not my fault for those who damage your self slipping on ice!

HeyBike Ranger S 1000W Construct High quality & Elements

Whereas the construct high quality is okay general, my Ranger S got here lacking a few minor bolts and nuts. I’ve additionally observed that I’ve to test and tighten the stem bolt each couple of rides, or else the stem feels unfastened. 

The pedals are largely forgettable and are ineffective at gripping your footwear. Should you pedal aggressively, your ft will slip and slide in every single place. They’re okay to make use of as platforms for those who’re driving the Ranger like a scooter, although.

Like most heavy ebikes, I’d have most well-liked HeyBike use a thru-axle vs. a dropout axle. At 72 lbs, the Ranger S is heavy, and a thru-axle is best geared up to deal with the stresses of that a lot weight.

Brakes

The RSX two-piston calipers are paired with 180 mm rotors. This hydraulic brake setup provides first rate stopping efficiency in most driving situations, although I wouldn’t depend on them to carry out nicely for downhill or aggressive technical driving… not that you ought to be taking the Ranger S there, anyway.

The brake setup is definitely accessible and serviceable, although, and alternative elements are cheap. I can’t converse to the long-term sturdiness of the RSX calipers, and stories on-line are blended.

Drivetrain & Groupset

The Shimano Tourney groupset is quite common on entry-level ebikes, so it’s not shocking to see it right here on the Ranger S. It shifts high quality, although the gear vary is fairly limiting for non-assisted driving. The shortage of correct climbing gearing implies that you’ll be reliant on the motor if you wish to go up something, and at 72 lbs, you’ll remorse it if/once you run out of energy.

Suspension

The coil suspension fork provides preload adjustment and lockout. It’s not a fantastic performer, with little or no journey and a springy really feel that turns into onerous to overlook as quickly because the terrain isn’t easy.

Frustratingly, with the suspension set broad open, it doesn’t really feel comfortable… it simply feels extra bouncy. Because of this,  I usually depart the suspension set to the center and alter the stress on the tires if I need to additional soften it. 

The Ranger S feels fairly stable with the suspension locked out. Its beefy body and sturdy hinge mechanism assist compensate for the truth that, you realize, it’s acquired a hinge in the midst of it.

Wheels & Tires

The 20” magazine wheels are enticing, but additionally heavy.. Going with a extra conventional rim might have in all probability saved 8 or 10 lbs, which might have been my desire from a driving dynamics/expertise perspective. Visually, I perceive why HeyBike selected to make use of magazine wheels, which have a extra substantial and sturdy look.

The 4” broad CST tires have an appropriate tread sample for many on-road and light-weight off-road settings. If you’ll want to experience in sand or snow usually, you’ll need to swap these tires out for one thing chunkier.

Show & Settings

The colour show is minimalist and, sadly, not that adjustable on the bike.

To customise show settings, you’ll want to make use of the HeyBike app. The app itself is fairly easy (the Ranger S related to my Google Pixel 8 Professional in about 5 seconds), however ought to HeyBike discontinue supporting the app, you will discover your self locked out of some vital capabilities.

A couple of issues concerning the show and app:

• The battery cost indicator just isn’t correct. One minute I’ve 5 bars, the subsequent I’ve two (and the app says I’ve 88%). Effectively, which is it?
• You need to reset the journey settings through the app
• The app has three brightness ranges: darkish, regular, and light-weight. In observe, all have been a bit too dim for daylight legibility when sporting polarized sun shades.
• The app lets you alter the max velocity, show items, PAS settings, velocity settings per PAS degree, and extra. It’s pretty deep and labored flawlessly for me.
• The app additionally has route monitoring and safety capabilities, however I’ve not used them sufficient to provide ample perspective.

Hinge Mechanisms

The stem and body hinge have a security mechanism to forestall unintentional hinge opening. They’re straightforward to function and really feel adequate in observe, although I’d like to see some sort of guide interlock to ensure the stem hinge can’t open with out my say-so.

It is a folding bike, so that you shouldn’t ship it down a mountain. However for the place you’re purported to experience the Ranger S, the stem and body are up for the duty.

Verify the stem bolt after every experience, because it’s a single level of failure for the bike and might loosen over time (particularly throughout off-road or aggressive driving).

At $1,800, the Ranger S 1000W is In all probability the Finest Bang for Your Buck Folding eBike on the Market

Whereas this assessment has deservedly identified a few areas HeyBike might enhance, the Ranger S stays top-of-the-line folding ebikes in the marketplace at this value level. It’d even be the perfect one at this value level.

Its V8-esque motor places out gobs of torque, and the torque-sensing drivetrain and comparatively secure body will allow you to use all of it. The Ranger S is a real good time and is comfortable to tear up the tarmac.

Nonetheless, all that energy comes at a value: vary. HeyBike claims 55 miles (88.5 km), however my expertise means that about half that may be a extra affordable quantity. And, as I discovered the onerous method, even much less once you’re getting throttle-happy in 8” of snow.

It’s not excellent, however the up to date 2024 HeyBike Ranger S is an effective performer and undoubtedly on the high of “worth for cash” vary. Should you’re purchasing for a folder, you must have a look at this one.