Key Takeaways

• The Heybike Tyson eBike is a standout in the market, with a charismatic design and well-placed controls for enhanced safety and convenience.
• The powerful 750W brushless motor provides smooth acceleration and the full suspension system allows for a comfortable off-road experience.
• The bike has a range of 45-55 miles with pedal assist and a fast-charging battery that can reach 0-100% in around 4 hours. However, there are some minor inconveniences and features that aren't quite market-ready.

With a large shipping box almost tipping the scales of 100 pounds, the Heybike Tyson ebike arrived at my doorstep just in time for my big family trip. But little did I know that this beast of a bike would soon become one of my all-time favorites to review this year. Before it was assembled, I could already appreciate its striking appearance and a slew of smart and safety features.

Dark green being one of my favorite colors, of course I had to choose the dual-tone Fern Green for my new ride, perfectly complemented by its light brown tires, which together help add a touch of sophistication and flair. The assembly process was straightforward, and I was ready to hit the road in no time.

Design

As I mounted the Tyson and set off on my first ride, I immediately understood why so many riders have fallen in love with this ebike. Despite its size and heft, as one of the larger bikes in its class at 77 lbs, it surprisingly doesn't feel that big or intimidating when you get on. Although it lacks an increasingly common step-through frame, it has a low enough profile and minimum seat height that makes it easy enough to hop on and off.

Hyebike says it's best suited for riders between 5'3" and 6'3". At 5'9", I could comfortably flat foot the ground if I wanted to, which could be ideal if you frequent the roads less traveled.

In many ways, the Tyson distances itself from the bland lineup of fat tire folding E-bikes we've seen in the past few years, a huge contrast to the uninspired and rather generic Cycrown Cycknight I reviewed just before this.

Aside from its looks, which include just the right amount of swoops and curves without losing its overall rugged edge, Heybike has included several premium features like front and rear LED lights, a deafeningly loud front horn, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and even built-in rear rack. Much of the bike's extra weight comes from its relatively wide frame, which, on the one hand, gives it an almost small Grom-like motorcycle stature, but on the other, makes it rather difficult to fold or move around on your own.

Speaking of folding, the latch and mechanism found on the Heybike are well-built but also subtle enough that it doesn't make it immediately apparent that this bike essentially splits in half.

One of the most significant downsides, though, is the battery release system. I wasn't impressed with how Heybike opted to route the internal wiring within the Tyson's frame. The cables aren't secured against the bottom of the groove they are intended to be housed in, which, in turn, causes them to frequently be loose enough, rising out of their groove, that it became a huge nuisance when I tried to reinstall the battery. The solution here might be as simple as me using some electrical tape or even a perfectly cut wedge that I install later, though this oversight did leave a lasting impression on me that I wasn't expecting from a bike otherwise very well-designed.

It can be assumed that if you're opting for the Tyson, you're planning to take advantage of its smaller folding footprint at some point. When folded, the Tyson has a small leg underneath that allows it to balance upright. It's a small detail, but when forgotten, bikes like the Cycrown Cycknight are much more difficult to store without one.

As easy as it is to fold up, the bike is still challenging to carry and will likely require a second set of helping hands. That said, I packed this bike on several trips in the back of my SUV and had plenty of space for everything else that I needed, including a second (non-folding) ebike!

Performance

Its 750W brushless motor delivers powerful and seemingly endless smooth acceleration, allowing you to get up to speed even from a dead stop quickly. Though its quickness beyond 20mph won't blow you away, as a Class 3 bike, you can hit a top speed of 28 mph on flat roads, which should be plenty to keep up with most small-town traffic.

Interestingly, the label on the bike's frame seems to be incorrect as it states that the Tyson is only a Class 2 bike with a lower max payload of just 330lbs.

On flat roads, I had the power, acceleration, and even the size to give me added confidence to ride on the busy (and, unfortunately, very dangerous) streets of NYC.

Within its app, you can fine-tune your bike's power modes and even set its top speed. The default settings seem to be fine, though I did notice the difference between power mode 4 and 5 was mostly indiscernible. Mode 1 is tame enough to give you just enough extra help to maintain slower speeds. At the same time, 5 feels ludicrous at times and effectively makes your pedaling resistance-free to the point where I frequently couldn't even keep up with how fast it was spinning.

Tied in with that, while this motor is very torquey and has enough power to haul the weight of you and this beefy bike, the motor does have a slight lag from the cadence sensor, and it can at times feel jerky, which is another area where I feel Heybike had to make some sacrifices to keep costs relatively low. The Vanpowers Urban Glide, with its mid-drive motor, certainly feels much more relaxed and smooth, whereas the Tyson, with quick acceleration, can jolt you back.

Of course, being a fat tire bike with 20x4" tires, you're not buying one of these to only ride on your boring streets.

The full suspension system of the Tyson was a godsend as I ventured off-road. It smoothed out rough trails, and I felt like I was floating over obstacles that would have given me a bone-rattling experience on a regular bike. Whether it was dodging potholes in the city or tackling some rocky paths, the Tyson handled it all with ease.

Not ideal for street riding but perfect for trails and uneven paths, you can loosen its suspension to absorb all the rocks, roots, drops, and curbs you'll encounter.

Controls

The cockpit is another area that receives high marks. Front and center, we have the sharp and colored TFT-4G Display, which shows you all your important stats, including speed, battery levels, time, and distance traveled, and even allows you to enter a settings menu for additional tweaks and to pair to your phone.

Taking things a step further, I can't wait for these bikes to offer GPS navigation right on the screen; they're certainly big enough! The display can be a bit hard to see in harsh sunlight, but for the most part, I had no complaints.

The throttle and gearing are appropriately located on the right-hand side. The throttle uses a push-down thumb lever, which seems to have a good power response to how hard you press.

Hidden underneath is an auto button that automatically turns the front and rear lights on and off for you when it's dark.

On the far left, you'll find buttons for turning the lights on/off. Below that are the turn signals, which are extremely well-positioned and easy to reach, and further down, a loud electronic horn.

Again, if you do any amount of riding on the street, this horn makes every other standard bike bell look (and sound) like a toy. I kid you not when I say: this horn will get people's attention. Distracted driver? I'm over here. Person jaywalking with their Airpods on full blast? Look up from your phone; I'm about to mow you down. Large trash truck backing up and about to crush you? Please stop, I am so small and fragile.

Rather than just throw a bunch of cool features at you in a manner that feels like an afterthought, altogether, it feels like the Tyson's controls were actually tested and refined to make sure they were usable and improved safety.

Advanced Features

While it might seem like a minor detail, this is the first bike I've reviewed that has both front and rear turn signals installed.

This is something I've been waiting to see on bikes for years, and I strongly believe that it should be legally required on ebikes. Combined with its well-positioned indicator switch and on-screen notifications letting you know that they're active, it's a seemingly simple addition that has gone a long way to leaving a positive impression on me.

Although it has no bearing on the actual performance of the bike, it's another great example of how well-rounded Tyson truly is. Riding in city traffic, especially at night, I felt more secure, knowing that drivers and pedestrians around me could see my intentions.

Within its app, you can track your rides, change power mode settings, turn the bike on or off, or even unlock or set its proximity alarm. Everything except its anti-theft features worked without a hitch, which didn't seem to be very accurate or helpful. For example, the bike would give me false positives that it had been moved, even though it was completely stationary. Similarly, although I had my phone on my person, the bike would set off its alarm as though it was being stolen. As such, I've disabled these features and would only rely on a physical lock to keep my bike safe.

Battery and Range

With all the news surrounding ebike and escooter battery fires, the Tyson uses a 48V 15Ah UL 2271 certified battery, which has additional electrical and fire safety standards, something that has become increasingly necessary in cities like New York. You can expect a real-world range of 45-55 miles with pedal assist, while throttle-only mode achieves a respectable distance of around 40ish miles before needing a recharge.

Similar to many other ebikes, the Tyson still struggles with giving you consistent battery percentage readouts, which can, at times, have the effect of inducing range anxiety—especially when your battery levels suddenly drop from 80% to 40% in a matter of seconds from quickly accelerating or ascending a steep hill. Just like other bikes with this issue, you eventually get used to it and realize that levels will balance out again after a few moments when you've returned to regular riding.

When your battery is depleted, you're going to appreciate its faster 48V 4A charger, which can get you from 0-100% in around 4 hours.

A Refined Ride, With Only a Few Minor Inconveniences

The Heybike Tyson has proven itself to be a true standout in an increasingly saturated market of ebikes, which frankly, bring nothing new to the table. Its charismatic design, particularly its eye-catching color schemes, as well as its well-placed controls, enhancing both safety and convenience, suggests that more care and effort went into creating the Tyson.

While it still has its share of a few minor inconveniences and perhaps some smart features which aren't quite ready for market, the Tyson remains a formidable contender for those seeking a refined folding electric bike with safety and thrilling performance being a top priority.