Gocycle GS Electric Bike Review Part 1 – Pictures & Specs [VIDEOS]

The new economical and high tech Gocycle GS has arrived for testing and review!

The Gocycle GS has a lot of the same sophisticated features as the top of the line G3 but at a more economical price of $2,799 (on sale for $2,499 in October).  

In typical Gocycle fashion they have made this futuristic styled eBike easy to get on and ride with their latest GocycleConnect App that helps with the assembly process and also works as the eBike’s display. 

In this first part of the review you will get a detailed look at this bike with a BUNCH of pictures and the specifications.

Part 2 of the Gocycle GS review will give you info on the ride characteristics, results from the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts on this eBike.

Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Gocycle GS!

Richard Thorpe is the founder and designer of Gocycle and his background is in designing race car components for McLaren Cars!  

Enjoy this video with Richard describing the new Gocycle GS.

The Gocycle GS is a high tech and futuristic eBike that is easy to get on and ride. It is also quick and easy to assemble right out the box.

Gocycle has done a great job of packing the Gocycle GS so that it is easy to unpack. 

The GocycleConnect app Setup walks you through the registration and they have built in helpful videos to make the unboxing and the assembly process very easy to follow. The app works with works with iPhone and Android phones. The set up videos are also available on the Gocycle YouTube or Vimeo channels and you can watch them below. 

The first step is the unboxing video that makes unpacking the Gocycle a breeze.

You can see that there are not many parts of the Gocycle that need to be assembled.

The assembly video is very straight forward and easy to follow along with.

The next step is the wireless Bluetooth connection of your smartphone to the Gocycle GS. It is very simple, similar to pairing a Bluetooth headset to your phone. 

This video walks though the recommended service intervals. 

The pre-ride check video will guide you through checking the brakes, wheels, handlebars, etc. before each ride. 

Next up is this video that provides the highlights on the operation of your Gocycle GS.

The last step in the GocycleConnect app setup is the final checklist that you will review and confirm that everything has been setup properly. 

And now it’s time to take a closer look at the Gocycle GS features!

Gocycle offers a number of color options. The main frame comes in either White or Grey.  The Cleandrive portion of the frame (encloses the chain, chainring, & rear cog) color options are Blue, Red, Black, Light Blue, or Pink.

The Gocycle’s Vgonomic frame design gives universal fitting from 6’5” (Gocycle’s designer is 6’3”) to 5′ and you can order a compact seat post that will fit heights down to 4’6”.

You can see how adjustable the Gocycle GS can be by adjusting the seat post and handlebar position. 

Gocycle uses magnesium for their frame and wheels. Here is the description of the process that they use:

“Gocycle uses an environmentally-friendly process called Thixomolding® to create its high-tech, durable, ultra-lightweight magnesium frame and wheels. The Thixomolding® process does not produce any ozone depleting SF6 emissions, but will still give the rider the similar weight and structural benfits as carbon fibre.

Magnesium is widely available and much easier to re-cycle than other materials like carbonfibre. Both the monocoque chassis and the Pitstop-Wheel® are made using a special magnesium moulding process called Thixomolding®. This is a first for any two wheeler.”

The 22V 13.5ah (297 watt hour) lithium battery is housed within the main frame for centered and low weight distribution which is good for the handling of the bike and it is also helpful when carrying the bike. 

Gocycle focuses on low maintenance and their Cleandrive system is a good example of that. It is a full enclosure for the chain which protects your clothes from grease and protects the chain from the elements. Gocycle says that you don’t need to oil the chain and that it does not need adjustment.

Also housed within the Cleandrive is Gocycle’s patented Shimano Nexus 3 speed internally geared rear hub that doesn’t require any regular maintenance.

There is also the Gocycle Lockshock™ that provides 25mm (1 inch) of rear suspension travel to take the edge off of rough roads.

And look at this, the fork and rear swing arm are one sided! This is an impressive engineering feat and it definitely adds style and sets the Gocycle apart from many other bikes on the market. It also makes removal of the wheels very easy. 

Here is a closer look at the front Pitstop wheel that is powered by the 500 watt front hub motor. 

The Gocycle proprietary motor is a 500 watt geared front hub motor that has a remarkably compact size. The pedal assist system is controlled with a torque sensor that measures your pedal power and provides the proportional assist based on which pedal assist level you have selected. The motor can also be controlled with the throttle button on the handlebars. 

Above the motor is the front disc brake caliper and the disc rotor itself is protected with a plastic shrouding. 

This is the other side of front Pitstop wheel and you can see the front disc brake rotor beyond. 

Here is a look at the rear Pitstop wheel and rear disc brake beyond. 

The Pitstopwheels® have a simple to use 3 lever quick release system that makes removal of the wheels very quick and easy. No tool are required for the wheel removal. 

Quick and easy removal is a good thing except for theft, but Gocycle has a solution for that. Their Anti-Theft bolt can be attached to each wheel. It uses a special wrench (included with the Gocycle GS) to prevent a thief from stealing your wheels. 

The handlebar mast is secured with a quick release lever that is easily removed for folding of the handlebar. There are 2 positions that the handlebar mast can be located in to adjust the fore aft position of the handlebars to fit your riding preference. 

There is some internal cable routing in the frame and fork to provide cable protection and a clean overall look of the Gocycle GS. 

The red button on the lower inside of the left grip is a throttle and it is easy to access with a push of your thumb. The bell is also cleanly located under the handlebar with easy access with your thumb. 

The Gocycle GS is a Class 2 electric bike per California law which is pedal assist and/or throttle up to 20 mph.

On the backside of the main frame is the on/off button, battery level indicator, and charging port. The 22V 13.5ah lithium battery is housed within the main frame and is not designed for quick removal (except by authorized dealers or those competent to do so with guidance from Gocycle).

The Gocycle GS comes stock with a basic charger that takes 7 hours to fully charge an empty battery. The charger in this picture is the optional Fast Charger that cuts the full charge time down to 3.5 hours and it is priced at $129.99. 

Here is a look at the right side of the handlebar with the rear hydraulic brake lever and Microshift 3 speed grip shifter. The hydraulic brake levers reach can be adjusted to fit the size of your hand. 

In the center of the handlebars is where your smartphone is located to provide the display information and pedal assist mode changes. Gocycle supplies a simple rubber strapping system to attach most all smartphone sizes to the handlebars. 

You do not need to use your phone as the display all the time. You can take your phone with you in your pocket to adjust riding modes or you can leave it at home and the Gocycle GS can be ridden in the mode that was last selected on your phone. 

The display options are pretty amazing! There is speed, average speed, cadence, calories burned, trip distance, odometer, average power watts from your pedal power and the assist power, your equivalent mpg, max speed, average cadence, max cadence, pedal power watts, pedal power max, and HIT pedal power max. 

The numbers in the upper corners of each stat box are your max/totals from the day, week, or all time. In the near future Gocycle will release more content to all you to rank your ride stats with other Gocyclers worldwide.

You can select up to 8 of those to be displayed and they are not all shown in the picture above. These are seen when your phone is in portrait orientation (held in the vertical position). 

This is the display information that you will see in landscape (horizontal position) orientation when your phone is mounted to the handlebars. There is a lot of info in a large format and the pedal assist mode is selected in the lower right. 

Here is a breakdown of the different assist modes:

City: Offers a moderate amount of assist and is pedal assist only (you have to be pedaling).  You can get a quick boost up to max speed using the red power button but you also have to be pedaling.  This is a nice mode for getting to work with minimal sweat.

Eco: This is a similar mode to City except that it does not provide as much assist.  Eco mode is good for getting more of a workout and longer overall range.

On Demand: This is a throttle only mode that adds assist with the red button when you want it.  The Gocycle pedals remarkably well without assist because it uses a freewheeling geared hub motor and because it is a lightweight electric bike.  The On Demand mode works well for getting a little help when accelerating or climbing a hill.

Custom: With the GocycleConnect App the Custom mode also allows you to easily adjust:

• The top speed of the assist (up to 20 mph)
• Pedal assist only or pedal assist & throttle
• At what pedal power the assist starts & at what pedal power it provides max assist.  

Here is a closer look at the GocycleConnect smartphone app custom mode where you can create your own assist modes and save them as preset modes. 

You can set how much pedal power you put in before the assist starts. 

You can set how much pedal power you put in before you get max assist. 

In the advanced settings the max assist speed can set up to 20 mph and you can choose whether to make it a pedal assist only mode or throttle and with no pedaling required. 

The Gocycle 20″ x 1.75″ tires are a fairly wide and high volume tire that have a smooth tread for a very efficient ride. With a lower tire pressure there is a bit of suspension effect from the air volume of the tires. 

The plastic pedals have fairly grippy surface. 

The pedals are also easily foldable by pulling on the interior mechanism and folding them down. 

The Velo Sport saddle has a mid width profile with center relief for a comfortable commuter style saddle. 

The kickstand has a very solid platform with its 2 legs that extend out when the kickstand is down. Gocycle has improved the design of the feet which now are mechanically retained so they stay securely attached to the kickstand leg.

When the kickstand is folded in it has a narrow narrow profile and contours well to the frame. Its ends have a grippy surface so that it is easy to use your foot to extend it. 

This is the Shocklock that takes the place of the Lockshock pin and provides a basic cable lock for quick errands. It is nice to always have a lock on your bike for those unexpected errands. 

Gocycle sells a higher security lock which fits neatly to the side of the frame with Gocycle’s LockHolster and is a Sold Secure Silver rated Abus lock. 

The Shocklock can extend through both wheels and around most bike locking structures. Gocycle also offers a more heavy duty lock and holster for leaving your Gocycle GS for longer periods of time. 

The Gocycle front pannier is an optional accessory that is very handy for commuting and errand running. The front pannier is priced at $199.99. 

It has a very simple attachment system that makes installing and removing the pannier quick and easy. You can see that there are 2 water bottle holders on the back side of the pack.  

Here is a quick video to show how easy it is to install and remove the front pannier. 

There is the main compartment, a compartment on the front, side mesh pockets, the water bottle holders on the back, and a top compartment that also holds the shoulder strap. 

Gocycle GS Electric Bike Specifications

Frame: Gocycle injection moulded magnesium monocoque with rear suspension (1″ travel ).

Fork: Gocycle proprietary, single-sided, 6061 T6, Uni-form 3D Forged.

Motor: 500 watt Gocycle proprietary front hub geared motor. 

Battery: 22V 13.5ah (297 watt hour) lithium battery enclosed in the main frame. 7 hour charge time. 3.5 hours with optional fast charger.

Assist Options: Torque sensing pedal assist and/or throttle.

Display: GocycleConnect wireless smartphone app (iOS or Android) provides these modes: City, Eco, On Demand (throttle), and Custom modes that you can set. The custom settings can only be applied with the smartphone app.

Drivetrain: Fully enclosed chain drive (Cleandrive®) with Shimano Nexus 3 speed internally geared rear hub with Microshift grip shifter. 

Brakeset: Hydraulic disc brakes front and rear.

Wheels: Gocycle Pitstopwheels® injection moulded magnesium with side mounted quick release system.

Tires: Gocycle Performance Tyre (20 x 1.75 in).

Colors: Front Frame: Grey or White. Cleandrive: Blue, Red, Black, Light Blue, Pink

Sizes: 1 size that fits riders from 5′ to 6’5” and you can order a compact seat post that will fit riders down to 4’6”.

Weight: 37.5 pounds

Price: $2,799 base price (on sale for $2,499 in October) which includes the accessories of smartphone holder, kickstand, fold leg, anti-theft wheel bolts.

Other Accessories: Lights, fenders, Gocycle lock Holster, ShockLock, pannier for briefcase, travel case. 

Here is a link to the specifications page of the Gocycle GS electric bike.

And here is a comparison of the top of the line G3 to the GS.

Now checkout part 2 of the Gocycle GS review with info on the ride characteristics, the range test, pros, cons, and overall thoughts!

-Pete

Review Note: Each company pays a fee for a review on Electric Bike Report because of the considerable amount of time that it takes to provide an in-depth review of each eBike. A lot of time is spent on the full range test with distance & elevation profile, the wide variety of detailed pictures, in-depth video, and the write up with the specifications, ride characteristics, pros, cons, and overall thoughts. The reviews on Electric Bike Report are focused on providing you with a detailed “virtual” look at each eBike to help you determine if it is the eBike for you.

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