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Save $500: Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro is currently priced at $1,499, which is a 25% discount to encourage early adopters to upgrade. This folding e-bike is now priced lower than most of its competitors without sacrificing performance or road safety.
Commuter e-bikes are, in my opinion, the strangest category of bikes out there. In a world where many avid cyclists devote hours upon hours to shaving as much weight as possible from their gear, commuter e-bikes stand alone. They’re heavy, often encourage a seat position that feels anathema to most other bikes, and come with features intended to make you as visible as possible to other vehicles sharing the road.
Among the many brands in this space, Heybike’s Ranger series is a reliable, distance-focused option with few compromises. Its latest bike, the Ranger 3.0 Pro, is an e-bike that aims to replace your car. With some narrow exceptions, it has done well for me.
Out of the box, Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro is a beast. At 75 pounds, it’s noticeably heavier than its predecessors. It makes folding and storing the bike more difficult than folding it Guard Sespecially if you are a smaller passenger. One of the biggest reasons for the weight gain is increased power, aided by a 720Wh removable battery, a more capable 750W rear hub motor and an eight-speed derailleur system. The biggest thing you get in return is a weight capacity of 440 pounds, which is 40 pounds more than previous versions.
A larger battery and more efficient motor means this bike can last for hours before needing a recharge. Heybike says this bike can go 90 miles on a single charge, but during testing, it started slowing down around 81 miles. Considering all the hills in my area, it’s a solid range. This is much further than most people will ride in several days. In fact, I rode this car for four days of basic neighborhood commuting and still had 20% of my battery left.
Built-in turn signals are an important feature on road-ready e-bikes.
The Heybike got top scores for distance, but speed is another story. Like most bikes in the US, it’s artificially limited to 28 mph, but you’re in no danger of reaching that speed quickly. Whether you’re relying on the half-throttle on the handlebar to get you through a busy intersection or the electric assist as you pedal, you won’t feel the forward rush you do on many very aggressive engines. It’s a more gradual start, as you reach the speed you’re looking for. Some people prefer that sudden burst of speed after stopping, but you won’t find that here.
What you will find is a healthy focus on safety. In addition to its thick tires — its 20-inch wheels are each 4 inches wide — its upright riding position makes it easy to see even from a jacked-up truck. The included headlight is bright and easy to point to where you’re needed most, and it has a built-in turn signal that’s reflected in the taillights, which light up when you apply the brakes.
You control most of the bike’s settings with your left thumb, while your right hand controls the throttle.
Controls for the lights, as well as the onboard extra-loud horn, are located next to a new TFT color display, which is designed to be easier to read in direct sunlight than those with LCD displays. You can also use your phone to unlock the bike now, which is much faster than the previous PIN unlock system. The app also gives you good indications of maintenance and lets you track the bike if it’s lost.
The main goal of this bike is to be able to ride comfortably wherever you want to go. Whether you’re navigating heavy traffic or cruising down the beach road, your ride will feel much the same. You can go to work and back without breaking a sweat at the end. You can go to a restaurant to hang out with friends and go home comfortably. The included back shelf allows you to add any storage space you want, meaning you can add a basket or side baskets and likely never have to worry about how much you’re carrying.
Attach any accessories you want to the back, just don’t cover the brake lights and blinkers.
Heybike provided its front and rear panniers so we could test the Ranger 3.0 Pro’s full hauling ability, but I don’t know that I’d recommend them for this bike. The Heybike attachments are undeniably sturdy, and they allowed me to haul four large bags of groceries and ride smoothly enough that my eggs remained intact when I got home. However, the metal bars do not come with any padding or Pockets like its competitor VelotricInserting either basket makes the folding feature of this bike more difficult. Personally, a couple of Coolcave Baskets from Fjallraven And a Citizen Foldable Front Basket Works much better for the type of navigation I experienced.
In the end, the Ranger 3.0 Pro is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a big bike designed to help you feel safe riding everywhere, but if you’re climbing one or more flights of stairs or think you might have trouble lifting 75 pounds to the car, this may not be the bike for you. More than anything else, it’s encouraging to see more manufacturers focusing on range.