The Heybike Ranger S Fat Tire Electric Bike with a surfboard rack makes the commute to surf a cinch. Photo: The Inertia
Editor’s Note: This installment of Gear Drops is presented by our partners at Heybike.
If you’re looking for a foldable, step-through, fat-tire electric bike that won’t totally break the bank, you’d be well-served to take a closer look at the Ranger S. After using it for a month winding up and down the hills to the beaches in San Clemente, California, we can confirm it gets the job done – whether that’s commuting to the surf or running errands downtown.
As for the nitty gritty, the Heybike Ranger S has a 750W motor capable of hitting a max speed of 28 MPH, though, in our testing, we rarely were able to push the speed beyond 22 MPH. The Ranger S is also capable of traveling up to 55 miles on a single charge, has a max load of 400 pounds, and has a fast-charging, removable battery that can hit full capacity in three to four hours.
The bike includes bright tail lights, turn signals, and a headlight, which are all key safety features. The fat tires are capable of taking on rugged, unpaved surfaces, which certainly came in handy on the trek to Trestles, as did the adjustable, hydraulic front suspension fork. The tires are rated for all-season use.
For facilitating uphill rides on a variety of terrain, the Heybike Ranger S is serviceable without a doubt. As you can see, we easily installed a Moved by Bikes moped surfboard rack to the rear cargo area. It was a cinch to install in about 20 minutes, and the cargo holder rear feels very sturdy.
The Heybike Ranger S also has a few quirks worth noting. First, the torque has some kick. It tends to get to max speed as quickly as possible and then quickly back off, which requires an adjustment period for the rider as the acceleration is not even. Also, when left in the dark, the headlight seems to automatically turn and stay on. Perhaps that’s a feature that can be adjusted, but, as of yet, our solution has been to disengage the battery so as not to drain it overnight.
On the tech side, the Ranger S includes an app with bluetooth compatibility, so you’re able to track your rides and engage the bike through your phone, which is an additional handy feature.
Another plus is that the Heybike Ranger S might be among the most accommodating step-throughs on the market, as it supports riders from 5’ 1” to over six feet. For those seeking a highly portable, fat tire electric bike that can support an active lifestyle, take a closer look at the Heybike Ranger S here:
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You can also check out The Inertia’s round up of Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes here as well as reviews of the Heybike Tyson and Heybike Mars.
