HeyBike Hero Review | You Haven’t Seen A Frame Like This

Every e-bike claims impressive numbers, but the real proof is in the pedaling. To see what the Hero could truly deliver, we put it through its paces in the real world with our Electric Bike Report Range Test. For context, Heybike says the HERO should have a range of ‘Up to 60 miles’.

On minimal pedal assist (PAS 1), the Hero clocked in at 36.62 miles on a single charge. This journey included climbing 620 feet in elevation, took 2 hours and 11 minutes, and maintained an average speed of 16.8 mph from the 864Wh battery.

A unique quirk we found during testing was that the Hero couldn’t adjust speed via the app as expected. Whether set to PAS 1 or PAS 5, it provided full power, so we made sure to stay within legal speed limits on our local multiuse paths, keeping it under 20 mph by unnaturally feathering the pedals enough to keep speeds lower for a realistic result.

Again, this is an area that HEybike says will be resolved for speed control in the final production version.

And while we can’t know for sure, once the bike’s PAS levels can be speed controlled, paired with the varied power of its torque sensor, we’ll see the range come closer to the advertised figures. Being that we received a pre-production model, we can only assume the final versions will have this in place.

Overall, the Heybike Hero shows it can cover a decent distance on minimal assist, though better speed control could enhance its efficiency. Whether you’re out for a relaxed ride or navigating hilly terrain, the Hero offers a solid range to keep you moving.

For me, a quick glance at a bike’s spec sheet usually gives me a quick idea of how it should perform in our testing. The first thing that jumped out at me with the Heybike Hero was the 100 Nm of torque. Typically, the higher the torque number, the better the hill test results, and 100 Nm is on the high side.

On the first run using throttle only, the Hero made it up Hell Hole in just 1 minute and 16 seconds with an average speed of 14.3 mph. On the second run, when Justin added some leg power along with PAS 5, the Heybike Hero climbed Hell Hole again, this time in 1 minute 9 seconds with an average speed of 15.7 mph.

These numbers show that the 1000W motor paired with 100 Nm of torque is more than enough to conquer the toughest hills in Southern Utah. So, if you’re looking to use the Heybike Hero in an area with steep hills, you can count on it to get the job done.

For those of you opting for the 750W mid-drive version with 160 Nm of torque, you should theoretically have an even better experience. Whether you’re navigating steep climbs or enjoying a leisurely ride, the Heybike Hero proves to be a capable and reliable workhorse.

Alright, let’s dive into the braking performance of the Heybike Hero. When it comes to e-bikes, being able to stop on a dime is just as important as speeding up. After all, safety and reliability hinge on how well the brakes perform in real-world conditions. To ensure fair and consistent results, we put every bike through the same brake test with the same rider.

The Heybike Hero is outfitted with RSX hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors, but this setup didn’t perform quite as well as we hoped.

During our brake tests, the Hero stopped at 24 feet 9 inches on the first run, 24 feet 11 inches on the second, and stretched out to 25 feet 7 inches on the third, averaging a stopping distance of 25 feet 1 inch.

When we stack these results against other fat tire e-bikes with hydraulic brakes, the Hero falls near the back of the pack. Why is that? Well, it’s hard to say. We haven’t tested many RSX brakes so it’s hard to speak to their performance quality at this stage. We suspect this is mainly due to its hefty 77-pound weight or one of a handful of other variables.

Overall, while the Hero’s brakes can manage the bike’s power and mass, the numbers suggest there’s room for improvement. For now, the Heybike Hero stops mostly effectively, but there’s certainly room to bump up its braking power.

Frame innovation is at the heart of the Hero’s innovation, a carbon fiber frame for more rigidity and an overall lighter weight at just 6.2 lbs. However, while it is lighter and has a great overall look, we did notice some flexing of the step-through frame which in fairness, is not uncommon for a frame design like this, it’s just something to be aware of.

When riding the Heybike Hero, one factor that cannot be overlooked is the plush ride quality.

For starters, the full suspension design with a coil spring fork up front and an air shock in the rear. Then, pair that up with the wide, cushy seat and fat 26 x 4” all-terrain Chaoyang Tires and you get a comfortable riding experience both on and off the road.

There is room for improvement though. Both forms of suspension are on the soft side, and it would get a handling benefit if you increased their resistance some. Bottoming out on a curb is one thing, but you’ll notice it if you go off-road.

When riding the Hero, you quickly notice the bike’s 1000W hub motor, which is louder than most bikes we’ve tested. I reached out to Heybike about this, and they reassured us that the production models will feature a quieter motor.

Up in the cockpit, you have a non-adjustable, flat-style handlebar. Over on the left, you have the electronic horn and pedal assist adjustment buttons. In the center is a nice full color LCD that tracks your current speed, pedal assist level, battery life, and miles traveled. Over on the right is the Shimano Index Shifter and twist throttle.

The grips on the Hero are not very comfortable to me, they are firmer than traditional grips, and when your hand sweats, it slips more than you would want. Keep in mind this is a pre-production model we received and (according to Heybike) the live production bike that’s shipped will have something different.

The Heybike HERO really impressed me with its innovative design and options. With four different frame and motor configurations, it’s clear this bike is built to tackle all sorts of terrains. Whether you’re cruising on smooth pavement or tackling rough trails, the HERO shows serious potential as a beast of an all-terrain e-bike. After putting the HERO through its paces, I can say it handles a variety of conditions with ease. The torque and power are the stars of the show, making uphill climbs feel almost too easy.

However, there are a few areas where it could get even better. The app’s current inability to control speeds was a bit of a letdown. It means you’re getting full power regardless of the pedal assist level, which isn’t ideal for optimizing range and efficiency. Additionally, the braking system, while decent, could use some upgrades. Bigger rotors would likely shorten stopping distances and provide a bit more braking capability.

And remember, most of what we’ve critiqued here Heybike says will be resolved in the final live production bike.

Despite these areas for improvement, I love that Heybike is pushing the envelope and driving innovation in the e-bike world. They’re clearly listening to feedback and working on making their bikes better with each iteration. I’m excited to see where they take things from here and have high hopes for the future of the HERO. It’s a solid start, and with a few tweaks, it could become an absolute game-changer in the all-terrain e-bike market.

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 Heybike Hero down in our comments section.