Shuangye ebike
Awesome GoCycle GX urban folding ebike
Though there at the moment are a slew of producers providing folding ebikes, UK-based GoCycle was one of the first to popularize them. The corporate’s GX mannequin is a superb city commuter, as I just lately found once I tried one out for every week.
First released in 2019, the GX gained just a few notable enhancements in its 2020 incarnation. These included a extra ergonomic entrance fork (inherited from the higher-up GXi mannequin), better-streamlined inside cable routing that permits for simpler folding and battery removing, and a claimed 300-gram discount in total weight. The entire bike reportedly ideas the scales at about 17.5 kg (38.6 lb), though my demo unit got here out at 18.3 kg (40.4 lb).
Ben Coxworth/New Atlas
So far as primary specs go, the 2020 GX options the next:
- Hydro-formed 6061 T6 aluminum alloy body
- Magnesium wheels with house-brand 20 by 2.25-inch all-weather tires
- Entrance and rear hydraulic disc brakes
- Sealed chain drive with a Shimano Nexus 3-speed rear hub transmission
- Microshift grip shifter
- Polymer rear shock providing 1 inch (25 mm) of journey
- GoCycle 500-watt entrance hub motor powered by a shortly detachable 13.7-Ah/22V lithium-ion battery pack
One 7-hour cost of that battery is claimed to be good for a variety of as much as 40 miles (65 km) relying on pedal enter, which is roughly in keeping with what I received. Set to its North American configuration, the GX has a high pedal-assisted velocity of 20 mph (32 km/h). There’s additionally a throttle mode for these occasions while you simply do not feel like pedaling, or for when the chosen degree {of electrical} help wants a brief enhance.
Riders select between 4 help modes (Metropolis, Eco, On-Demand and Customized) using an iOS/Android app on their Bluetooth-linked smartphone. That cellphone might be mounted on the handlebar using an included pair of rubber rings, displaying an digital dashboard that gives info equivalent to battery degree, velocity and distance travelled.
Nevertheless, as soon as the app has been used to pick the mode, the cellphone would not have to be close to the bike anymore. A row of crimson LEDs on the handlebar nonetheless exhibits the battery cost degree, which is the principle factor that almost all riders will care about.
Not like another ebikes, the GX would not have a built-in LCD display or mode selector swap of its personal. Whereas this does make for a much less cluttered handlebar, riders who need the additional knowledge and controllability would possibly really feel uncomfortable placing their cellphone on the bar when driving within the rain, or whereas traversing significantly tough roads.
Ben Coxworth/New Atlas
On a associated facet notice, as a result of the handlebar is comparatively fats and never spherical (cross-sectionally), mounting third-party equipment equivalent to headlights or bells might show to be difficult. Gocycle does provide its personal line of appropriate equipment, however current gizmos in all probability cannot be transferred over from different bikes.
Driving the GX was nice. I caught primarily to Metropolis mode, with the motor easily kicking in as soon as the pedal torque sensor decided that I had reached the required threshold. The trip was fairly comfortable, thanks partially to the comfortable Velo Sport saddle, the flared GoCycle Sport Ergo grips, and maybe that little little bit of rear suspension.
As a result of the handlebar top cannot be adjusted, although, I do marvel how shorter riders will really feel about having their palms sitting comparatively excessive. That stated, based on the corporate, the one-size GX ought to comfortably match riders ranging in top from 4’8″ to six’4″ (142 to 193 cm).
Folding and unfolding the GX is as fast and simple as marketed, taking about 10 seconds and primarily involving simply two latches – one on the body, and one on the base of the handlebar tube. I did need to do some Googling and emailing to get all the main points of the method, although, as they don’t seem to be absolutely introduced within the movies included within the setup app.
Ben Coxworth/New Atlas
Moreover, so as to take away the seatpost when folding the bike, a thumbscrew on the body needs to be manually loosened off. I discovered that when placing the seatpost again in, that screw needed to be tightened very firmly so as to preserve the seat from twisting round whereas driving. It might be good if there have been merely a lever that did the job.
For that matter, it may additionally assist if the seatpost had a groove working down it that match right into a corresponding ridge on the body, so there can be no guesswork as as to if or not the seat can be straight when every little thing was tightened down.
One different small factor I observed was the truth that when the bike is unfolded, its lack of a high tube makes it fairly awkward to select up and carry up steps, and so on. That is widespread to many folding bikes, nevertheless, and is not a downside that is particular to the GX.
Minor niggles apart, the 2020 GoCycle GX gives just about every little thing you could possibly need in a smooth-riding, nimble, fast-folding and cool-looking electrical metropolis bike. It is accessible now in shade selections of white, blue or matt black, priced at US$3,299.
Because of Edmonton, Canada-based GoCycle vendor Redbike for supplying the demo bike.
Product web page: GoCycle GX