Michael Thompson
We’re going to admit it – most folding electric bikes aren’t that brilliant. Not through any fault of the designers. Oh no. It is more because electric bike technology doesn’t really lend itself to portability. You need a bulky motor and a bulky battery while keeping everything light enough that it is a breeze to pick up. We think that the Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike may be just one of a few e-bikes that have nailed folding technology.
Obviously, this e-bike isn’t going to be for everybody. Folding e-bikes never will be. However, if you’re on the hunt for a good commuter bike, then read on. You’ll want to read every single word of this Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike review.
How Is the Heybike Mars 2.0 2024 Version Different from the Previous Version?
In this Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike review, we’re talking strictly about the 2024 edition i.e. the latest edition. This version is an upgrade on previous iterations of the e-bike, with a slightly more powerful motor, app connectivity, and a better folding design. The rear rack is also slightly better.
Considering the 2024 version of the e-bike isn’t that much more expensive than the older versions, it is well worth the upgrade if you’ve considered the previous version of this e-bike before. Although, it may not be worth buying if you already have an older version of the e-bike.
Who Is the Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike For?
The Heybike Mars 2.0 is for those who want an electric bike with a bit more portability. Since it can be folded up in under 15 seconds, it is perfect for those that will be hopping on and off public transport along their commute. It may even be ideal for those with limited space in their apartment.
We would say that this e-bike is mostly for those who just want a short commute to work. It doesn’t have the range of some of the other e-bikes. It also doesn’t function quite so well off-road. That’s not to say that you can’t take it off-road (it has some nice thick tires), it just probably wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for most people. It is just a quick bit of fun.
So, if you want a portable e-bike that can be folded up at a moment’s notice, then this e-bike is for you. If you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph behind it, then you’ll want to look elsewhere. It is only for those where portability is key.
Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike Specifications
Here are the specs of the Heybike Mars 2.0. We’ll look at some of the key features in some more depth shortly:
- Aluminum alloy frame.
- Spring fork with 65mm travel
- 750W geared hub motor (peak power 1200W)
- 20”x4.0” fat tires
- 600Wh Lithium-Ion battery
- LED display
- Max range: 45 miles
- Max speed: 28mph
- Pedal assist (0-5)
- 15-second folding speed
- Shimano 7 Speed Gears
- Weight: 75 lbs
Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike Features – At a Glance
As you can see from the specs, this is a slightly lower-powered e-bike, so don’t expect it to be the best ride imaginable. It is designed to be portable, hence the lower power. However, it still brings a lot to the table if you’re happy with that. Let’s tell you all about it.
Folding Capabilities
At the start of this review, we said that most folding e-bikes are not that brilliant. This isn’t just because they have far less power than most other e-bikes, but it is because they are terribly difficult to fold up. Luckily, that’s not a problem with the Heybike Mars 2.0. This e-bike has one of the best folding systems we’ve seen, and you only need to twiddle a few knobs and it is folded down and ready to carry about. It takes 15 seconds once you know what you’re doing.
It does weigh 75 lbs, so it is heavier than a non-electric folding bike, so you probably wouldn’t want to carry it too far. It is fine for getting on and off public transport, though.
The Performance
For a folding e-bike, the performance of the Heybike Mars 2.0 is great. This is all thanks to the 750W motor at its heart. It is a larger motor than on other folding e-bikes, which does contribute to the higher weight. However, the motor makes it feel as if almost has the power of a larger, non-folding e-bike.
Sit on this, and you’ll be breezing over most surfaces. You shouldn’t even have difficulty going up most inclines, which is awesome. It makes that morning commute so much easier.
We feel that this e-bike will perform best on paved surfaces, as with most folding e-bikes. However, we see no reason why you couldn’t take the Heybike Mars 2.0 off on a quick jaunt off-road. It should do fine on dirt, gravel, sand, and even a few off-road jumps as you head through a forest.
The suspension is OK. You’ll probably feel some of the bumps and lumps on the rougher services, but it certainly isn’t too shabby for a folding e-bike.
The braking is fantastic. We’ve seen a few e-bikes where it takes ages to slow down. While Heybike doesn’t heavily advertise the braking system they use on their e-bikes, we are pleased to say that slowing down is a breeze. You won’t be slowing down so fast as to see yourself hurtling over the handlebars, nor so slow that it is dangerous for other road users when you’re traveling at full speed.
So, despite its issues, we don’t think you’ll find a better folding e-bike on the market than the Heybike Mars 2.0.
The Speed
The Heybike Mars 2.0 boasts pedal assist. With 0-5 speed settings. This means that you can set exactly the level of pedal assist that you want. With the higher number being almost full pedal assist. There’s also a full-throttle mode, just in case you don’t want any assistance at all.
The maximum speed you can hit on this e-bike is 28mph, when in full pedal assist. However, it is more likely that you’ll be hovering around the 20mph range, which is zippy for a folding e-bike.
The Battery & Range
We must admit that the battery isn’t the best, although this is partly because Heybike couldn’t have a high-capacity battery in this e-bike. It would have added too much extra weight.
What you do have is a lithium-ion battery, which takes about 6 hours to charge. That is quite a high figure considering the lower capacity, but it is fine. Put this on charge when you get to or home from work, and the battery will be ready to roll once you’re back on the road again.
What is a disappointment is the maximum range of 45 miles in ideal conditions. In reality, most people will get 20-30 miles on a single charge. You may even get less than this if using full throttle and going up a lot of hills. We can see why the range is so low (smaller battery), but it does show that the Mars 2.0 probably isn’t for the longer rides.
LED Display
The 2024 version of the Heybike Mars has been given an LED upgrade. The screen looks better than ever. It’ll tell you all your key stats, including speed, distance traveled, and battery level. You can also connect the bike up to the Heybike app, which gives you fault alerts, service information, and route tracking.
We must admit that the app isn’t brilliant, so you probably won’t be using it too much if you have another cycling app that you use. However, we do like that Heybike has invested in their system, and we can only see it getting better with time.
Comfort Levels
Folding e-bikes are rarely the most comfortable thing in the world to ride, so don’t expect to be climbing on this and feeling like you’re riding on a little slice of heaven. It is functional. We are not going to say that it is the most uncomfortable experience in the world, because it isn’t. However, you probably wouldn’t want to ride more than 10-20 miles on this at a time.
Part of the reason for the lower comfort is the lower suspension (cost saving), and the fact that you’ll have less back support when riding, as you’re in a less natural riding position. You also have much less adjustment over the bike to get it into the correct position for you.
That being said, it is still more comfortable than other folding bikes (both standard and e-bike) that we’ve ridden, so it is nice tech is moving forward a little here. Remember – there’s not a lot you can do with folding e-bikes on the comfort side of things.
Pros & Cons of Heybike Mars 2.0
Pros
- Comfortable to ride, in comparison to other e-bikes.
- Good performance
- Works on most surfaces
- Good at hill climbing.
- Folds up quickly
Cons
- On the heavier side of things
- Low range
- Hard to reach the top speed.
Is The Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike For You?
For all its faults, the Heybike Mars 2.0 Electric Bike is a perfectly serviceable folding e-bike. While it is never going to be as good as a full-sized e-bike, the Mars 2.0 is one of the best folding e-bikes we’ve used. It has decent amounts of power, and it rides well. It has a lower range, but if all you’re looking for is a good e-bike for a morning commute, it can’t really be beaten.
Where to buy: Heybike website or Amazon
Read Also:
The HeyBike eBike Experience – Everything You Should Know
Top Heybike Electric Bike Reviews: Which Model Is Right for You?
