GoTrax F2 Review: A $699 Folding E-Bike That Proves Budget Can Still Be Good

We tested the F2 at Class 2 speeds in both the Minimum and Maximum PAS levels. The 500w motor is paired with a 499.2Wh battery, and GoTrax says the bike will do up to 50 miles on a full charge.

Our tests yielded a slightly different result; the F2 did 41.24 miles on minimum power. The category average is around the 60 mile mark, so the F2 does fall a bit short here – however, this bike does cost less than its counterparts, and this result isn’t uncommon. Additionally, on maximum power, the F2 traveled 22.86 miles on a single charge. The average for this test is about 30 miles, so the bike isn’t in the mean area there either.

The implications of this test are as follows; not bad, and par for the course. We don’t expect groundbreaking performance from this category and price point. The concern is more with value, and I’d argue the F2 still has a case there. Yes, the other bikes in the category will go further, but they also cost more. The F2 offers a solid chunk of performance for less.

Even beyond the value of the F2, these range numbers are still sufficient for most errands and commutes. Owners will need to charge a bit more frequently, especially when using the higher assist levels, but this bike still has the chops to be a reliable option. Overall, the results here are as expected. The F2 provides respectable range at an absolute steal.

GoTrax has outfitted this bike with a respectable powerplant. Our test rider, Justin, climbed Devil’s Backbone hill once using the throttle and again with only pedal assist.

In pedal assist mode, the 500 W motor pushed the F2 to the summit in 2:30, averaging 13.2 mph along the way. Like our range numbers, this is a bit behind other folding Ebikes, which average a time of 2:03 and a speed of 15.3 mph. The throttle performed at a similar level; it climbed the hill in 2:44 at 11.9 mph. Again, this isn’t astonishing speed, as the averages are 1:54 and 15.1 mph respectively.

Some perspective is necessary here. The F2 isn’t breaking any records, but we do occasionally test bikes that don’t complete the hill climb using throttle only – this is, of course, not the case here. Also, the low price is yet again a key factor. Riders will get a bike that is capable of hill climbs at an outstanding price, which is great! Just understand it may take a little longer to reach the top.

With such a tight budget, being selective about component choice is paramount. The reality is, when the price is this low, there has to be compromise; you can’t indulge everywhere. One of the areas GoTrax chose to spend was on brakes, and I think this was a solid judgement call. The F2 is equipped with a pair of NUTT hydraulic disc brakes. At $699, this is a remarkable upgrade.

The test results support GoTrax’s decision as well. This bike stopped in 19 feet 10 inches during our brake test. That’s about bang-on average for the category, but the F2 is one of the least expensive in the comparison. In fact, the only bike that costs less is GoTrax’s EFold – the F2’s little brother, which needed almost 3 feet longer to stop.

In short, the F2 brakes just as well as bikes that cost double as much. The brakes are confidence-inspiring, and they pair well with the 20 x 3.0in tires. There’s no fading or sponginess, either. Much of this performance simply comes down to the brake hardware itself; many bikes at this price point come standard with mechanical disc brakes. The upgrade to hydraulic brakes results in better stopping power, modulation, and reliability.

Achieving a good ride quality is perhaps the biggest challenge of building an Ebike under $1000. As discussed, designers only have so much capital, and certain components are bound to be on the more economical end of the spectrum. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it does require an adjustment of expectations.

Let’s start with the good: The F2 is generally comfortable, and the adjustment is solid. At 6’3, I am right at the top of the stated size range for this bike, and I found it to be intuitive and ergonomic. The seatpost and stem have enough scope to accommodate riders of many sizes, and the upright riding position is natural as well. The bike has surprisingly plush-feeling touch points; the grips felt more premium than I was expecting.

Additionally, the bike is genuinely practical. It folds up to a reasonable size – not small enough to fit under a desk, but portable enough to fit well in the trunk of a car or SUV. The F2 weighs in at 60.7 lbs, so it’s not a featherweight, but also no heavier than what we typically see in this category. The fold hinges have a clasp that locks and unlocks with ease, and the frame is sturdy while in riding position.

While riding, the bike has a nimble and responsive feel to it. There’s a sense of certitude in the corners, and the F2 is fun! Its handling is approachable, but also sharp and capable. The dampening is decent as well – I noticed rough roads, but my wrists didn’t take the beating they sometimes do on other bikes.

At this point, you may be thinking our initial question has been answered – So far, the F2 has passed with good marks, and seems to be a worthy product. While I’d say that’s still largely true, there are a few quirks that we’d like to address.

While riding on bumpy surfaces, we noticed a loud clanking sound coming from the downtube. After investigation, we discovered the battery sits loose in its housing, resulting in rattling on rough roads. This isn’t so much dangerous as it is annoying. However, we’ve also been testing the GoTrax Efold and F3 recently, which don’t have the same issue. It’s possible this hiccup is specific to our test bike, but it’s still worth mentioning.

We also had an issue with the suspension fork, which didn’t seem to be rebounding properly. Frankly, the fatter tires still provide a comfortable ride, so this didn’t feel like a performance dealbreaker, but we did still notice it. The F3 that we’ve been testing has the exact same fork, and it seemed to function properly, so this is likely a maintenance or manufacturing issue.

Still, these are relatively minor complaints, and they are possibly unique to our test example. Additionally, GoTrax offers a 2 year warranty, which is impressive for the money. While we can’t speak to their customer service, they have been offering various electric transportation options for almost a decade; we bet they’ll still be in business for the foreseeable future to back their warranty, which is not always the case for brands selling at this level. The bike is also UL 2849 certified. This essentially means the battery and motor systems meet national safety standards. Both the certification and warranty are confidence-inspiring, and again, impressive for the price point.

As far as I’m concerned, GoTrax has proven the doubters wrong – it absolutely is possible to make a viable Ebike with a tight budget. If you’re looking for a deal, the F2 should be on your list.

The value is the main headline here, but it’s not just the low cost that impressed me. The F2 is simply a good bike – it reminds me of when I wasn’t concerned about having top-of-the-line components or fancy upgrades. It isn’t dripping with opulence or flash. Rather, this bike is a reliable companion that gets the job done, and is fun every step of the way. Premium bikes are great, but the F2 reminds me of why I love riding in the first place.

Our critiques are essentially limited to manufacturing quirks. I’d love to see the fork and battery issues ironed out, but beyond that, the bike has a respectable, quality feel.

The F2 offers all of the Ebike experience at unbeatable value. It really is a testament to how far Ebikes have come; this bike would have cost much more just a few years ago. We’d recommend this bike for riders that want a reliable, portable, fun product while simultaneously spending as little as possible.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the GoTrax F2 down in our comments section.