Heybike Tyson E-Bike Review: Comfortable and Fun with a Few Compromises
This Folding Model is Easy to Take With You on Your RV Travels But is a Bit Heavy and Ponderous
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
One of the best things about e-bikes is that they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and variants. These days, road cyclists and mountain bikers can find incredible options to meet their specific needs, while more casual riders can opt for a comfortable cruiser. There are even models designed to fold in half, making them easier to transport and store. One such model is the Heybike Tyson, which breaks down small enough to fit inside just about any RV or tow vehicle.
Recently, we had the chance to spend some time with the Tyson, putting it through its paces on roads, paved greenways, and light trails. Like its sibling, the Ranger-S, which we reviewed a few months back, it impressed us with its quality components and comfy ride. It is a full-featured e-bike that provides a lot of value for its price, although some riders may find it isn’t as nimble as they’d like.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Range, Speed, and Specs
The Tyson ships from the factory in a partially assembled form. That means new owners will need to finish putting the bike together before they can set off on their first ride. Completing the assembly process includes mounting the front tire, connecting the handlebars, affixing the pedals, and adding the front fender and headlight. All of that took me about an hour to complete, thanks in part to Heybike, including all the necessary tools in the box. And while I found the instructions could have been a bit clearer at times, it was generally a simple, straightforward process.
The bike features a uni-body design with a magnesium frame that gives it a very solid, high-quality feel. It includes both a front and rear suspension, which makes for a comfortable ride, even on rough roads and trails. This dual-suspension design also reduces fatigue and soreness, helping riders to feel fresher after a long ride. Hydraulic disc brakes provide good stopping power, and the oversized tires further enhance comfort and stability on uneven terrain.
Powered by a 750W motor paired with a 48V battery, the Tyson has an estimated range of up to 55 miles on a single charge. As a Class 3 e-bike, it can achieve speeds of up to 28 mph using either pedal assist or a thumb throttle. Those specs make it an excellent commuter bike or a fun option for running errands. It is also perfect for exploring a travel destination, allowing RVers to leave their vehicles back at the campground. It also allows the rider to pedal as much or as little as they’d like, which is much appreciated on a hot day.
As with any e-bike, there are a number of variables that can impact the Tyson’s real-world range. The weight of the rider, amount of pedal assist used, type of terrain, and other factors can shave miles off of that distance. Still, we were able to routinely ride up to 50 miles or so between charges. And because the bike comes with a fast charger, it only takes about 4.5 hours to refill the battery and get back out on the road. All things considered, that’s quite impressive.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Comfort and Control
The Tyson is very comfortable to ride thanks to its dual suspension, fat tires, and well-cushioned seat. That said, the bike’s upright seating position may not be for everyone, especially if you’re more accustomed to riding a traditional road or mountain bike. Those handlebars can be raised and lowered to accommodate a rider’s personal preference, and after spending a few miles in the saddle, the positioning felt more natural.
The Tyson’s wide tires, unique design, and 77 lbs. weight all have an impact on how nimble the bike is on the road. While it isn’t unresponsive when turning, it also doesn’t hug curves or handle as agilely as we’d like. There were never times when it felt unsafe or out of control; it just has a wider turning radius when compared to e-bikes with thinner tires and a lighter frame.
One of our favorite ways to test any e-bike is to see how easy it is to pedal on a flat road without engaging the electric motor. Some of our favorite models perform very well in those conditions, cruising along quite comfortably while conserving battery power. That isn’t the case with the Tyson, which feels bulky and ponderous when pedal assist is turned off.
Of course, most of us don’t buy an e-bike to ride it without using the battery and motor. When turned on, the bike is fast and fun to ride, rolling along with relative ease. The Tyson’s five pedal assist modes allow riders to use as much or little of their own muscle power as they like, while the thumb throttle eliminates the need to pedal altogether. That said—like the Heybike Ranger-S—the Tyson’s electric drivetrain feels a bit laggy. This is most noticieable when you first start pedaling, as it generally takes a few pedal strokes to get the motor to engage. It can also briefly be felt when you stop pedaling, as the motor continues applying power for a second or two. That can be a bit unsettling at first, but we eventually became accustomed to this relatively minor quirk, adapting accordingly.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Know When to Fold ‘Em
One of the Tyson’s most hyped features is its ability to reduce its footprint by folding down to a smaller size. This makes it much easier to store in a closet or the trunk of a car. It also comes in handy when transporting the bike in an RV, as it neatly fits into most storage compartments.
Releasing a lever on the bike’s frame allows it to fold in half along a heavy-duty hinge. A second lever on the handlebars makes it easy to fold them out of place, too. While folded, a brace built into the bottom of the bike’s frame props it up in lieu of using the built-in kickstand, ensuring the bike doesn’t topple over as its center of gravity changes.
The folding feature is handy for owners who lack storage space. But the bike’s heavy weight makes it challenging to carry it very far, especially if you’re climbing a flight of stairs. The Tyson is bulky enough that lifting it into a trunk or RV storage compartment can even be difficult. Because the e-bike is so heavy, the folding process can even be a little frustrating at first. Thankfully, the heavy-duty hinge does loosen up some after it has been used a few times.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Other Features and Quirks
Like most e-bikes, the Tyson comes with a built-in LCD screen that serves as an odometer, speedometer, and dashboard. It indicates when your lights are on, the battery’s current charge level, and which pedal assist mode the motor is set to. Unlike the last e-bike we reviewed, this display is easy to read in bright sunlight, even when wearing sunglasses. It also provides plenty of useful information in one central place.
The bike’s high-tech features also include Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone that allows it to automatically unlock when the owner approaches. Using the Heybike app (iOS/Android), owners can track ride metrics like distance traveled and calories burned. It can also provide turn-by-turn GPS directions and receive alerts if anyone tries to steal the bike. It is even possible to lock the bike remotely to prevent would-be thieves from making off with it.
For the most part, the Tyson was fun and easy to ride, although there were a few things that we’d like to see improved. For instances, It was a bit of a stretch to reach the controls for the bike’s motor, which often required us to take our eyes off the road to find the specific button we were looking for. Those controls weren’t especially intuitive to use at first, but they became easier to understand after a few rides. The bike’s traditional components—including gearing and brakes—weren’t particularly impressive either, falling squarely into the “just adequate” category. They were easy to use, however, and their simplicity helps to keep maintenance to a minimum.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Closing Thoughts
Those few idiosyncrasies aside, the Heybike Tyson is a fun, comfortable, and reliable e-bike. It provides more power than most riders will ever need and enough range for a full day of riding and then some. The bike’s fat tires and dual suspension allow it to roll over rough terrain without missing a beat, keeping the rider safely in place at all times. And Heybike’s durable construction gives the bike a rugged feel, even if it is a bit on the heavy side.
The Tyson’s folding feature should make it a favorite with apartment dwellers or RVers who want a full-featured e-bike that doesn’t take up a lot of space. And while we did find it somewhat ponderous to move around when folded, there is no denying how convenient this ability can be.
With an MSRP of $1,778, the Heybike Tyson is an excellent representation of how far the e-bike market has come over the past few years. Considering everything this model brings to the table, it delivers excellent value and performance for the price. Buyers can choose between three different colors—black, blue, and green—and can add cargo bags and a tray if they want to upgrade the carrying capacity. Those items make the bike even more versatile without adding significantly to the cost.
All of this adds up to a unique e-bike with plenty of features at a great price. To learn more about the Tyson—and Heybike’s entire catalog—visit the company’s website.
