HeyBike Ranger S Review, 2024

Intro

Folding e-bikes are hot, arguably the most popular category within e-bikes. The reasons why are pretty self-evident. Most are very capable, affordable and easy to store. What’s not to like? Based on what we see, it’s possible that the Lectric XP 3.0 is the most popular e-bike on the market. And what happens to the most popular product in any category? Other companies will do their best to create a similar product with as much value and similar, if not identical, features.

The HeyBike Ranger S isn’t HeyBike’s answer to the XP 3.0; that would be the standard Ranger. The HeyBike Ranger S receives a few upgrades that make it a more expensive option, but those higher-end choices combine to make for an upscale folder.
In our HeyBike Ranger S review we will examine the frame design, as well as the motor, battery and drivetrain. As a premium version of the Ranger, we will weigh just what sort of a value the Ranger S represents and the compelling reasons we see to consider it among a buyer’s choices.

The HeyBike Ranger S is a full-featured folding e-bike built with a 750W motor, 691Wh lithium-ion battery, 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. It ships with a generous accessory package that includes a rear rack, front and rear lights, fenders and a kickstand.

HeyBike claims a maximum range of 55 mi. on pedal assist and up to 40 mi. if ridden exclusively with the throttle. Let’s take a deeper look at this full-featured folder.

E-Bike Category: Folding

Who the HeyBike Ranger Electric Bike Is for:

Perfect for anyone looking for stylish transportation that is easy to store

HeyBike Ranger E-Bike Specs

• Battery: 691Wh lithium ion
• Expected Range: Up to 55 mi.
• Charger: 4A
• Motor: 750W brushless, geared hub motor
• Pedal Assist: 3 PAS levels
• Throttle: Included
• Display: LCD
• Headlight: Included
• Taillight: Included
• Frame: 6061 Aircraft aluminum, foldable
• Fork: Suspension fork
• Fenders: Included
• Kickstand: Included
• Handlebars: Alloy
• Grips: Faux leather, lock-on
• Drivetrain: 7-speed Shimano Tourney, 14-28 cassette
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
• Pedals: Alloy, folding
• Saddle: HeyBike
• Tires: Chaoyang 20 x 4-in.

In-Depth HeyBike Ranger Review

HeyBike Ranger Review: Comfort, Handling, and Ride Qualities

There is a reason why folding e-bikes are so popular. Actually, that’s not true. There are a number of reasons why folding e-bikes are so popular. And the HeyBike Ranger exhibits most all of them. With 20-in. wheels running 4-in.-wide tires, a step-thru frame, internally mounted battery, suspension fork and seatpost and an accessory package that includes a kickstand, front and rear lights, fenders and a rear rack, the HeyBike Ranger S contains most of the features riders are looking for.

Thanks to the battery position, step-thru frame design and 20-in. wheels, the HeyBike Ranger is a well-balanced, easy-to-ride e-bike. It’s nimble enough to negotiate a bike path with other users and still calm enough to get up to top speed for a commute across town.

The 4-in.-wide tires, suspension fork and shock-absorbing seatpost gift riders with a very comfortable ride. It has the ability to make even the roughest roads seem smooth.

The package of kickstand, rear rack, fenders and lights mean that it’s ready to do more than do laps around the block. Whether someone is an all-weather commuter or zipping off to do some shopping, the only thing the HeyBike Ranger lacks is a saddle bag, or two.

This is a one-size folding e-bike and as we observe with other one-size e-bikes, it’s important for shoppers to look at the suggested height range from the manufacturer. From what we see, these ranges tend to be not just generous, but optimistic. People at the low end of their recommended height as well as people at the high end should look at the frame dimensions carefully and compare those with something they can test ride locally to make sure it will fit comfortably.

HeyBike Ranger Review: Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain Performance

The HeyBike Ranger is spec’d with a 750W brushless, geared hub motor. Other than Rad Power Bikes’ Rad Expand 5, most folding e-bikes are equipped with a 500W brushless, geared hub motor. Part of the reason manufacturers do this is because those folders aren’t intended to go 28 mph as well as to help keep weight manageable in an e-bike meant to be picked up.

The HeyBike Ranger S ships as a full Class 3 e-bike, no unlocking necessary, and where its little brother, the Ranger, sports Class 3 capabilities, it has a max assist speed of 25 mph, where the Ranger S can achieve a full 28 mph. That said, the gearing could be a limiter to top speed. We’ve encountered several e-bikes with 20-in. wheels in which the high gear had to be pedaled furiously to simply exceed 20 mph; reaching 28 mph wasn’t really an option.

In Eco mode (PAS 1), HeyBike says the Ranger should be able to give riders a range of as much as 55 mi.

A 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain gives riders lower gears for climbing hills as well as a range of higher gears for reaching cruising speed, thanks to a 14-28 cassette. Reaching 20 mph with the throttle won’t be difficult, but pedaling the HeyBike Ranger faster than 20 mph (once unlocked) could be a challenge.

HeyBike Ranger Review: Braking, Safety & Warranty

The HeyBike Ranger is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. We tend to champion hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors for some obvious reasons. Hydraulic disc brakes are more powerful than mechanical ones and they offer better modulation, not to mention enjoying more stopping power with the small wheels. With 20-in. wheels, brakes don’t need to be as powerful to get the job done. Bearing in mind that this is meant to be an affordable folding e-bike, this is a very reasonable choice.

With folding e-bikes the big question on safety always relates to the folding mechanism for the frame and handlebar mast. We’ve seen latches very similar to this on other e-bikes and like it for a couple of reasons.

The hinge is positioned in a way that if the latch isn’t locked securely, the e-bike’s frame begins to fold. And thanks to a fail-safe switch in the latch, there’s no way to accidentally catch the handle and cause the e-bike to fold while a rider is aboard.

Like many direct-to-consumer e-bikes, the HeyBike Ranger comes with a one-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and factory labor.

HeyBike Ranger Review: Recommendation/Final Verdict

Where the HeyBike Ranger is aimed at competing with the Lectric XP 3.0, the Ranger S is an upgrade over the Ranger. It’s one answer to the question, “What would a more upscale folding e-bike look like?”

We can’t promise that riders will be able to reach 28 mph on an e-bike with 20-in. wheels and a 7-speed drivetrain, but we can say that this will be a folder with terrific acceleration and better hill-climbing power than most of its competitors. The HeyBike Ranger S also offers riders a superior weight capacity than many folding e-bikes, with a total payload capacity of 400 lbs.

Riders looking for maximum in-the-saddle comfort will like the HeyBike Ranger S. Its combination of 4-in-wide tires and suspension fork and shock absorbing seatpost give it a cushier ride than most folding e-bikes. The downside to this, admittedly, a minor one, is that this e-bike weighs a bit more than most folding e-bikes, tipping the scales at 72 lbs.

The fully integrated battery offers a great look and for riders who don’t always fold up their e-bike at the end of every ride, but prefer to remove the battery for charging, will appreciate that with the Ranger S, it isn’t necessary to fold the e-bike up before removing the battery. Convenient, truly.

We like to say that variety is the spice of life. That’s precisely what makes the HeyBike Ranger S a terrific alternative to other folding e-bikes. It’s not just a copycat of other popular designs. For riders who can afford to spend more than $1000 on their purchase and want the easy-to-store personality of a folding e-bike, the HeyBike Ranger S definitely deserves to be on the short list.

Thank you for reading through our review of the HeyBike Ranger S. Still have further questions? Wondering how it compares to a similar e-bike we’ve reviewed? Let us know in the comments below!