Electric bikes are growing in popularity, and when it comes to finding the best bang-for-your-buck option, the HeyBike Mars is an underdog among the crowd. This all-terrain, folding electric bike boasts some pretty decent specs for its price. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at this bike’s features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs.
Table of Contents
What you need to know about the HeyBike Mars
The HeyBike Mars is a folding e-bike that can ride on any terrain. It is meant for people who want a portable e-bike that’s easy to use anywhere. It’s also one of the more affordable bikes, costing less than a grand, but that doesn’t mean it’s made cheaply.
Right off the bat, the packaging for the HeyBike Mars is the best I have ever received for an electric bike. There was plenty of styrofoam surrounding protruding parts of the bike and a second layer of cardboard within the box frame. There were no scratches on the frame, which I can’t say for every cycle I’ve received from couriers for review, so I appreciate the extra protection in the packaging.
Taking the bike out of the box, the HeyBike Mars is super easy to assemble and took me maybe 20 minutes total. All I had to do was unfold the bike, align the handlebars, screw in the pedals, and then leave the bike to charge. You certainly don’t need to be an expert or bring an entire toolkit to this job.
Lastly, the HeyBike Mars is a Class 2 e-bike, meaning it can reach speeds of around 20 miles per hour at the highest pedal assist level. That’s plenty fast for most city traffic, but if you need something with more speed, you may want to consider a class-3 e-bike instead.
What’s good?
Removable battery: The external removable battery is easy to take out and in on the fly. The seat has a nifty level to fold forward so that the battery easily slides out, and you can carry it with the built-in handle. This is a much easier solution to unfolding the bike and sliding the battery out of the frame, like the Lectric bikes are designed, for example. It also makes charging easier since you can park your bike and bring your battery inside, upstairs, or anywhere with an outlet. There is also a USB charging port on the battery, a great little feature that lets you charge secondary devices.
Compact folding: An external battery means this bike can get by with a more petite frame, making this bike relatively small and easy to store when folded. There are three folding points on this bike: The middle of the frame, the handlebars, and the pedals, making for final folded dimensions of 94×38×74 cm. That means tossing it in the back of a car or behind a desk is easy. However, it can be a bit awkward to carry when folded.
Smooth suspension: Between the four-inch fat tires, seat suspension, and front suspension fork, you will have a smooth ride over whatever terrain you decide to conquer.
Powerful peddle assist: I must admit, the pick-up of the peddle assist caught me by surprise on my first ride. There are three levels, but I never found myself going higher than the second unless going uphill since the extra boost in speed comes fast and can be hard to slow down when paired with the throttle. Make sure you have an open road ahead when pushing it to the max.
What’s not so good?
Medium motor: The motor on this bike is a little on the smaller side at 500W. For comparison, that’s half the size of the Lectric XP 3.0, a similar folding, a fat-tire e-bike that comes at the same price. While it’s not a deal breaker, but not a deal breaker, it does limit the bike to Class 2 capabilities.
Not waterproof: While this bike is ready for any terrain, it isn’t suited for every weather condition. The HeyBike Mars has an IPX4 rating, meaning it is water resistant, but won’t handle heavy rain or snow.
Heavy: The Mars isn’t as big as its planetary name, but the sturdy aluminum frame can feel that heavy. Weighing 66 lbs, carrying around, or luging up a flight of stairs can be challenging. Though, if you can avoid such situations, it’s no concern.
Specs
Motor: 500W hub motor
Battery: 48V 12.5Ah,
Charging Time: 6-7 hours
Max Range: 48 Miles (Pedal Assist)
Max Load: 330 lbsShould you buy the HeyBike Mars?
If you’re looking for a portable, electric bike for shorter distances that’s easy to charge, the HeyBike Mars might be a perfect choice. I really like this bike’s look and design; the three-point folding mechanism makes it portable, and the removable battery with a USB charging port is super handy. Plus, the black and red color scheme on the inside of the tires looks pretty darn cool.
The HeyBike Mars is also accessible to new riders, as it’s very straightforward to assemble and ride. The handlebars have an easy-to-read front light and horn buttons, and the Shimano 7-speed gear shifter is simple to use. The bike’s suspension and fat tires also make for a comfortable ride across almost any terrain. Lastly, the max load of 330 lbs means the cycle can support riders of nearly all shapes and sizes.
Overall, there is a lot of value here for the price. The Mars is available on Amazon, but the bike is currently going for $999 ($200 off) on HeyBike’s website, putting it at the same price as the best-selling Lectric XP 3.0. If you prefer the convenience of an easily removable battery and want a bike to get to and from work or go for weekend rides, I would recommend the HeyBike Mars. On the other hand, if you want a bigger motor and need a little extra speed, the XP 3.0 is a near-perfect class-3 budget option.