Heybike Mars 2.0 Review: This Zippy Folding E-Bike Turned My Commute Into a Joyride - CNET

Small and quick, the fat-tire Mars 2.0 is an excellent option for last-mile commutes or just getting around town.

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My commute to work starts with a 10-minute bike ride to a train station. Over the past few months, this first part of my commute (and last on my way back home) has been so much more fun because of the Heybike Mars 2.0 e-bike. Reliable, quick and with enough power to take the sting out of hills, it's just about perfect for getting around town, even if that means the occasional offroad detour.

The Mars 2.0 resembles the handful of other small foldable bikes I've tested. But its overall design, features and performance are excellent for the money. It is compact, though, so taller, larger riders might want something more substantial.

The Mars 2.0's fat tires and bouncy seat suspension make for a comfortable ride on streets and unpaved paths.

The Mars 2.0's 1,000-watt motor can get the bike up to 32 mph (51.5 kph). I tested the lower-end 750-watt motor, which is rated for up to 28 mph (48 kph). For reference, I'm 220 pounds (100 kilograms) and 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and I was able to hit that top speed with only the throttle. It takes a few extra seconds for me to reach that speed, but pedaling helps. Speaking of, the motor can easily outstrip the bike's Shimano 7-speed gear shift system and cadence sensor, so you'll end up ghost pedaling.

Also, while the Mars 2.0's motor isn't lightening off the line using the throttle alone -- there's a tiny delay between pressing the throttle and the motor kicking in -- I adjusted to it quickly, allowing me to pull into traffic safely. Surprisingly, there wasn't much of a speed hit on small hills; part of my commute has a fairly gentle 10% slope, and my speed would only drop about 5 mph. If you live in a hilly area, though, it would probably be best to go with the 1,000-watt motor version.

The light-up gauge on the bike's battery can help give you a better feel for travel distance when combined with the digital display meter.

It also helps to keep the 600-watt-hour, 54.6-volt battery fully charged to get the best performance. Heybike rates the battery life for up to 45 miles (72.4 kilometers), but that number is a guideline, not a given. While the display will tell you the available voltage and approximate battery life using bars, not a percentage, it can vary wildly depending on what combination of pedal-assist and throttle you're using. It's best to use a combination of the display meter and the push-button gauge on the battery itself until you get a feel for what distances you can comfortably travel depending on your terrain and riding style. Smaller, lighter riders will always fare better too.

The Mars 2.0 folds up fairly small and weighs 75 pounds.

The Mars 2.0 has a step-over folding frame measuring 67 by 25 by 49 inches (170 by 63.5 by 124.5 centimeters), so it's fairly small. But unlocking a midframe latch allows you to fold back the front tire next to the rear one, and lifting another latch on the handlebar's stem lets you fold those down, taking the size down to 37.4 by 21.7 by 28 inches (95 by 55 by 71 centimeters). The pedals also fold down for a tidier package. If you need a bike to throw in your car trunk, keep in the corner of an apartment or store in a small shed, this is a good fit. Unfortunately, like other folding bikes I've tested, there's nothing to lock the two halves together once folded, so lifting or moving it when folded can be a pain. (A small bungee cord or Velcro strap usually does the trick.)

A top-down look at the bike when folded.

The bike weighs about 75 pounds (34 kilograms), which is average for a bike this size. It supports up to 330 pounds, and Heybike recommends a rider height of 5 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet, 1 inch tall. I'm just above the maximum height, and the bike does feel a bit too small for my frame, making my ride seem a little cramped. Heybike's Ranger S is a slightly larger folding bike with a step-through frame and would be a better choice for my size.

The 20-by-4-inch fat tires give the bike some added stability and a comfortable ride. On my commute, I cut through a park, and errant children and negligent dog owners frequently force me off my paved route into grassy fields and stony dirt paths. The Mars 2.0 handles rough terrain just fine, and the tires, combined with the shock built into the seat post, keep the ride from getting too jarring.

The bike's seat has a shock, adding bounce to your ride, but the seat is also hinged to make it easier to remove and install the battery.

The mechanical disc brakes offer good stopping power, but if you're regularly traveling at top speed, you'll need some extra distance to slow down and stay in control. Stepping up to the version with the 1,000-watt motor also bumps you up to better hydraulic disc brakes. The motor with increased power and torque and the hydraulic brakes are the only differences between the two versions -- everything else is the same.

The standard features include things like a shock-absorbing seat post with a seat that flips up to make battery access easier; a powerful headlight and brake light; a loud electric horn; a rear rack with pegboards on the sides to add baskets, a toolkit or other gear; front and rear plastic fenders; and a monochrome display that's easily read in daylight and has a backlight for the night. The bike also has Bluetooth, and with its mobile app, you can see all your trip data and adjust the parameters of the pedal assist among other things. About the only thing that's missing that you'll find around its price are rear turn signals.

The handlebars are small, and between the center-mounted display, e-bike controls on the left and gear shift and thumb throttle on the right, there's not much room for mounting a mirror or a phone.

At its current price of $999, the Mar 2.0 delivers on performance and features. It's a fun little ride that's a good choice for short commutes and just getting around town. It's missing a couple of key ingredients for its price, namely turn signals, and its frame might be a little too compact for bigger riders, but overall, it's more than worth it. I wouldn't hesitate to spend the extra money for the 1,000-watt motor, though; it's only $100 more at the moment, and the increased power and hydraulic disc brakes would, again, be more than worth it, particularly if you need to get up hills regularly.