A fancy, highly-engineered folding electric bike

Whereas we’re typically wooed by price range e-bikes, it’s enjoyable to look at what you will get if you happen to climb a rung or two up the value and high quality ladder. The newly up to date 2020 GoCycle GX folding electrical bicycle is a good instance of the form of innovation and high quality that may be discovered for these prepared to put money into it.

Comparatively talking, the 2020 GoCycle GX’s MSRP of $3,299 isn’t actually that costly, particularly contemplating that we’ve spun the pedals on e-bikes that cost upwards of $10,000.

However in comparison with industry standard value e-bikes at half the cost, GoCycle has to essentially present us one thing that may show their bikes are price the associated fee.

And let me inform you proper off the bat, this e-bike is price each penny.

If you wish to see the bike in motion, try my assessment video beneath. Then hold studying for all the particulars on this revolutionary and high-quality electrical folding bike.

2020 GoCycle GX e-bike tech specs

• Motor: 500W entrance hub motor
• Prime velocity: 20 mph (32 km/h) within the US
• Vary: as much as 40 miles (64 km)
• Battery: 22V 13.7Ah (300 Wh)
• Weight: 38.4 lb (17.4 kg)
• Weight restrict: 220 lb (100 kg)
• Body: Hydroformed 6061 T6 Aluminum and injection molded magnesium Cleandrive
• Tires: GoCycle customized 20″ x 2″
• Brakes: Customized hydraulic disc brakes
• Suspension: Rear solely
• Extras: “Clear-Drive” utterly coated drivetrain, hidden push-button throttle, Shimano nexus inner shifter, smartphone app connectivity, customized profiles, folding double kickstand

What’s new for 2020?

GoCycle up to date their GX for the 2020 with several modifications to enhance the experience and expertise.

We previously reviewed the 2019 GoCycle GX, which we had already discovered to be a fantastic commuter e-bike. However the brand new enhancements actually polish up the bike to a fair nicer commuter answer.

For starters, the 2020 GoCycle GX acquired a brand new entrance fork, courtesy of the corporate’s flagship mannequin, the pricer $4,800 GoCycle GXi e-bike.

The bike has had its cabling refined as nicely, leaving only a single exterior cable. Commuters who’re navigating tight areas and strolling by crowds will certainly respect the elimination of each seize hazard.

Inner wiring has been up to date as nicely, which helped enhance the intelligent folding mechanism employed by the up to date 2020 GoCycle GX. It additionally makes the battery elimination course of extra streamlined.

All collectively, the updates helped cut back the already low weight of the bike, dropping it down to only 38.4 lb (17.8 kg).

What makes the bike particular?

We see lots of similar-looking e-bikes round right here providing similar features. The GoCycle GX goes its personal approach with a number of revolutionary design options and inventive new options.

To begin with, the bike is a quick-folder that may be simply wheeled round in its folded place. The only side-supported wheels don’t simply look cool, they make the bike fold up smaller and decrease the full weight.

Subsequent, try the drivetrain. Is it a series drive? A belt drive? You don’t know! You possibly can’t even see the drivetrain, it’s all hidden inside what the corporate calls the CleanDrive. That’s an injection molded magnesium concealment that retains the drive chain sealed off from the weather (and from gumming up your pant leg or ankle). It’s additionally nice when maneuvering the folded bike, since that’s when lots of people find yourself by accident rubbing up in opposition to a unclean chain.

I’ve heard anecdotally of GoCycle homeowners opening their CleanDrive after a number of thousand miles to test it out, and it nonetheless seems almost manufacturing unit contemporary in there.

For transmission, you get a Shimano Nexus 3-speed internally geared hub. Once more, nothing exterior, no derailleur, no muss, no fuss.

Plus there’s that in-built rear suspension (the entrance fork boot seems prefer it covers suspension, and fooled me at first, however there’s not truly suspension up entrance).

I must also level out that these customized hydraulic disc brakes are some severely good stoppers.

And we haven’t even gotten to the electrical parts but! The entrance motor is rated for 500W of steady energy, which is lots for many commuters. The battery is a bit small at 300 Wh, however the bike is so environment friendly (and designed for use principally in pedal help mode), which suggests you continue to get nice vary of no less than 30 miles (50 km). GoCycle claims you will get even greater vary, however that’s provided that you’re actually pedaling arduous.

There’s additionally a hidden increase button on the underside of the handlebars that may be conveniently engaged together with your thumb. In Europe it’s apparently a real “increase” button, as in you press it to get a little bit additional “oomph” if you happen to’re climbing a hill or in any other case want a stronger push. However within the US you possibly can configure it like a throttle, which is at all times good for if you get a bit drained, or simply wish to throttle in control after a cease after which proceed pedaling by yourself.

And talking of pedal help, the 2020 GoCycle GX has a real torque sensor, which suggests you’re getting correct pedal help that adjusts to how arduous you’re urgent on the pedals — not only a cadence sensor that offers much less correct speed-based pedal help assist.

How does the 2020 GoCycle GX experience?

Truthfully, this seems like an incredible commuter e-bike to me.

The folding is elegant, and the experience high quality is a lot better than these little wheels would possibly indicate, because of the fascinating rear suspension and swingarm setup. And the smartphone app makes a fantastic data-filled show.

In case you select to not mount your smartphone on the handlebars, you’ll must make do with a small LED dot show that merely tells you your approximate battery capability. It’s not a lot information, however it’s all you want in relation to naked requirements. I like to recommend profiting from the app, although, which makes a pleasant show and likewise affords numerous fascinating off-bike options for after your experience is over.

Why would somebody purchase this bike?

The entire time I used to be testing the up to date 2020 GoCycle GX, I saved pondering to myself, “OK, why would somebody purchase this bike over a price range possibility?”

And after fascinated about it, I can see the logic. Sure, for half the price you will get a folding e-bike with the identical 20 mph (32 km/h) prime velocity, the identical vary estimate, and that folds almost as shortly.

However you probably have the money, the upgrades on this bike are fairly good to have.

The torque sensor makes pedaling a lot nicer, particularly on startup and if you encounter hills. The CleanDrive is a godsend for commuters that wrestle to maintain their bike and their garments clear. The internally geared hub is a chic answer to dragging round a derailleur that finally must be tuned and cleaned.

The sunshine weight of the bike means you possibly can truly elevate and carry it when its folded, however the rolling nature of the bike means wheeling it in folded place is even simpler than most bikes. The hydraulic disc brakes add to the checklist of low or zero-maintenance parts on the bike.

Principally, every little thing in regards to the bike is simply nicer. It’s all greater high quality, works higher, will probably last more, and can finally make for a nicer driving e-bike that causes much less of a headache down the street.

It may not be within the price range for everybody, however I really feel prefer it’s truly a good worth for what you get. It’s a extremely engineered e-bike that merely affords a brand new degree of driving in comparison with value-oriented folding e-bikes.

What do you consider the brand new 2020 GoCycle GX? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!

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