A flowery, highly-engineered folding electrical bike
Whereas we’re usually wooed by funds e-bikes, it’s enjoyable to look at what you may get should you 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 superb instance of the type 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 actually present us one thing that may show their bikes are value the price.
And let me inform you proper off the bat, this e-bike is value each penny.
If you wish to see the bike in motion, try my evaluate video beneath. Then preserve studying for all the particulars on this modern and high-quality electrical folding bike.
2020 GoCycle GX e-bike video evaluate
2020 GoCycle GX e-bike tech specs
- Motor: 500W entrance hub motor
- Prime pace: 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” fully lined drivetrain, hidden push-button throttle, Shimano nexus inside 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 journey and expertise.
We previously reviewed the 2019 GoCycle GX, which we had already discovered to be an important commuter e-bike. However the brand new enhancements actually polish up the bike to an excellent 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 properly, leaving only a single exterior cable. Commuters who’re navigating tight areas and strolling by means of crowds will certainly admire the removing of each seize hazard.
Inside wiring has been up to date as properly, which helped enhance the intelligent folding mechanism employed by the up to date 2020 GoCycle GX. It additionally makes the battery removing course of extra streamlined.
All collectively, the updates helped scale back the already low weight of the bike, dropping it down to simply 38.4 lb (17.8 kg).
What makes the bike particular?
We see plenty of similar-looking e-bikes round right here providing similar features. The GoCycle GX goes its personal approach with a number of modern design options and inventive new options.
Initially, the bike is a quick-folder that may be simply wheeled round in its folded place. The one side-supported wheels don’t simply look cool, they make the bike fold up smaller and decrease the entire weight.
Subsequent, try the drivetrain. Is it a sequence drive? A belt drive? You don’t know! You’ll be able to’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 unintentionally rubbing up towards a grimy chain.
I’ve heard anecdotally of GoCycle house owners opening their CleanDrive after a number of thousand miles to test it out, and it nonetheless seems to be 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 inbuilt rear suspension (the entrance fork boot seems to be prefer it covers suspension, and fooled me at first, however there’s not truly suspension up entrance).
I also needs to level out that these customized hydraulic disc brakes are some critically good stoppers.
And we haven’t even gotten to the electrical elements but! The entrance motor is rated for 500W of steady energy, which is a lot for many commuters. The battery is a bit small at 300 Wh, however the bike is so environment friendly (and designed for use largely in pedal help mode), which implies you continue to get nice vary of at the least 30 miles (50 km). GoCycle claims you may get even greater vary, however that’s provided that you’re actually pedaling onerous.
There’s additionally a hidden enhance button on the underside of the handlebars that may be conveniently engaged along with your thumb. In Europe it’s apparently a real “enhance” button, as in you press it to get somewhat further “oomph” should you’re climbing a hill or in any other case want a stronger push. However within the US you’ll be able to configure it like a throttle, which is at all times good for whenever you get a bit drained, or simply need 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 implies you’re getting correct pedal help that adjusts to how onerous 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 journey?
Truthfully, this appears like an incredible commuter e-bike to me.
The folding is elegant, and the journey high quality is significantly better than these little wheels may suggest, due to the attention-grabbing rear suspension and swingarm setup. And the smartphone app makes an important data-filled show.
When you select to not mount your smartphone on the handlebars, you’ll need to 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 relating to naked requirements. I like to recommend benefiting from the app, although, which makes a pleasant show and likewise gives numerous attention-grabbing off-bike options for after your journey is over.
Why would somebody purchase this bike?
The entire time I used to be testing the up to date 2020 GoCycle GX, I stored considering to myself, “OK, why would somebody purchase this bike over a funds choice?”
And after serious about it, I can see the logic. Sure, for half the price you may get a folding e-bike with the identical 20 mph (32 km/h) high pace, the identical vary estimate, and that folds almost as rapidly.
However in case you 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 whenever you encounter hills. The CleanDrive is a godsend for commuters that battle to maintain their bike and their garments clear. The internally geared hub is a chic answer to dragging round a derailleur that ultimately must be tuned and cleaned.
The sunshine weight of the bike means you’ll be able to truly raise 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 record of low or zero-maintenance elements on the bike.
Principally, all the things concerning the bike is simply nicer. It’s all greater high quality, works higher, will doubtless last more, and can in the end make for a nicer using e-bike that causes much less of a headache down the street.
It won’t be within the funds 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 gives a brand new stage of using 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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