GoCycle GX is an awesome urban folding ebike

GoCycle GX is an superior city folding ebike

Though there are actually a slew of producers providing folding ebikes, UK-based GoCycle was one of the first to popularize them. The corporate’s GX mannequin is a superb city commuter, as I lately found after I tried one out for every week.

First released in 2019, the GX gained a number of notable enhancements in its 2020 incarnation. These included a extra ergonomic entrance fork (inherited from the higher-up GXi mannequin), better-streamlined inner cable routing that permits for simpler folding and battery removing, and a claimed 300-gram discount in total weight. The entire bike reportedly ideas the scales at about 17.5 kg (38.6 lb), though my demo unit got here out at 18.3 kg (40.4 lb).

So far as primary specs go, the 2020 GX options the next:

• Hydro-formed 6061 T6 aluminum alloy body
• Magnesium wheels with house-brand 20 by 2.25-inch all-weather tires
• Entrance and rear hydraulic disc brakes
• Sealed chain drive with a Shimano Nexus 3-speed rear hub transmission
• Microshift grip shifter
• Polymer rear shock providing 1 inch (25 mm) of journey
• GoCycle 500-watt entrance hub motor powered by a rapidly detachable 13.7-Ah/22V lithium-ion battery pack

One 7-hour cost of that battery is claimed to be good for a spread of as much as 65 km (40 miles) relying on pedal enter, which is roughly according to what I obtained. Set to its North American configuration, the GX has a prime pedal-assisted velocity of 20 mph (25 km/h). There’s additionally a throttle mode for these occasions whenever you simply do not feel like pedalling, or for when the chosen stage {of electrical} help wants a brief enhance.

The GoCycle GX accommodates riders weighing as much as 100 kg (220 lb)

Ben Coxworth/New Atlas

Riders select between 4 help modes (Metropolis, Eco, On-Demand and Customized) using an iOS/Android app on their Bluetooth-linked smartphone. That telephone will be mounted on the handlebar using an included pair of rubber rings, displaying an digital dashboard that gives info reminiscent of battery stage, velocity and distance travelled.

Nevertheless, as soon as the app has been used to pick the mode, the telephone does not have to be close to the bike anymore. A row of pink LEDs on the handlebar nonetheless exhibits the battery cost stage, which is the principle factor that the majority riders will care about.

In contrast to another ebikes, the GX does not have a built-in LCD display or mode selector swap of its personal. Whereas this does make for a much less cluttered handlebar, riders who need the additional knowledge and controllability may really feel uncomfortable placing their telephone on the bar when driving within the rain, or whereas traversing notably tough roads.

On a associated aspect word, as a result of the handlebar is comparatively fats and never spherical (cross-sectionally), mounting third-party equipment reminiscent of headlights or bells may show to be difficult. Gocycle does provide its personal line of suitable equipment, however current gizmos most likely cannot be transferred over from different bikes.

Time for a recharge – LEDs on the handlebar point out the battery stage

Ben Coxworth/New Atlas

Using the GX was nice. I caught primarily to Metropolis mode, with the motor easily kicking in as soon as the pedal torque sensor decided that I had reached the required threshold. The trip was fairly comfortable, thanks partly to the soft Velo Sport saddle, the flared GoCycle Sport Ergo grips, and maybe that little little bit of rear suspension.

As a result of the handlebar peak cannot be adjusted, although, I do marvel how shorter riders will really feel about having their arms sitting comparatively excessive. That stated, in accordance with the corporate, the one-size GX ought to comfortably match riders ranging in peak from 4’8″ to six’4″ (142 to 193 cm).

Folding and unfolding the GX is as fast and straightforward as marketed, taking about 10 seconds and primarily involving simply two latches – one on the body, and one on the base of the handlebar tube. I did should do some Googling and emailing to get all the small print of the method, although, as they don’t seem to be totally introduced within the movies included within the setup app.

If the seatpost is left in place (it is taken off on this picture), it may be used as a deal with to wheel the GX alongside whereas folded

Ben Coxworth/New Atlas

Moreover, with the intention to take away the seatpost when folding the bike, a thumbscrew on the body needs to be manually loosened off. I discovered that when placing the seatpost again in, that screw needed to be tightened very firmly with the intention to hold the seat from twisting round whereas driving. It might be good if there have been merely a lever that did the job.

For that matter, it may also assist if the seatpost had a groove operating down it that match right into a corresponding ridge on the body, so there could be no guesswork as as to whether or not the seat could be straight when every little thing was tightened down.

One different small factor I seen was the truth that when the bike is unfolded, its lack of a prime tube makes it moderately awkward to choose up and carry up steps, and many others. That is frequent to many folding bikes, nonetheless, and is not a downside that is particular to the GX.

Minor niggles apart, the 2020 GoCycle GX presents just about every little thing you could possibly need in a smooth-riding, nimble, fast-folding and cool-looking electrical metropolis bike. It is obtainable now in colour selections of white, blue or matt black, priced at US$3,299.

And final however not least, I would prefer to thank Edmonton, Canada-based GoCycle seller Redbike for supplying me with the demo bike.

Product web page: GoCycle GX