Save $500: Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro is $1,499 right now, a 25% discount to encourage early adopters to upgrade. This foldable ebike is now priced lower than most of its competitors without sacrificing performance or safety on the roads.
Commuter ebikes are, in my opinion, the weirdest category of bikes out there. In a world where many enthusiast cyclists dedicate hours upon hours to shaving as much weight from their kit as possible, commuter ebikes stand alone. They’re heavy, often encourage a seat position that feels anathema to most other bikes and come with features aimed at making you as visible as possible to the other vehicles you share the road with.
Of 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 ebike aimed lagrely at replacing your car. And with some narrow exceptions, it did that for me really well.
Out of the box, Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro is a beast. Weighing in at 75 pounds, it’s noticeably heavier than its predecessors. It makes folding the bike up and storing it more challenging than the Ranger S, especially if you’re a smaller rider. One of the biggest reasons for the increase in weight is the increase in capability, powered by a removable 720Wh battery, a more capable 750-watt rear hub motor and an eight-speed derailleur system. The biggest thing you get in return is a 440-pound weight capacity, a 40-pound increase over previous versions.
A larger battery and a more efficient motor mean this bike can go for hours before needing to be recharged. Heybike says this bike can go 90 miles on a single charge, but during my test, it started slowing down around mile 81. Given all of the hills in my area, it’s a solid range. That’s considerably further than most folks will ride in multiple days. In fact, I rode this for four days of basic neighborhood commuting and still had 20% of my battery remaining.
Integrated turn signals are a significant feature on road-ready ebikes.
Heybike gets top marks on distance, but speed is another story. Like most bikes in the US, it’s artificially limited at 28mph, 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 across a busy intersection or power-assist as you pedal, you won’t feel that lurch forward that many overly aggressive motors have. It’s a more gradual start, ramping up to the speed you’re looking for. Some folks prefer that sudden burst of speed after a stop, but you won’t find that here.
What you will find is a healthy focus on safety. In addition to its fat tires — its 20-inch wheels are each 4 inches across — your upright riding position makes you easy to see even from a lifted truck. The included front headlight is both bright and easy to point where you need it most, and it has an integrated turn signal that’s reflected in the rear lights, which light up when you apply your brakes.
You can control most of the bike’s settings with your left thumb, with the right hand controlling throttle.
Controls for lights, as well as the very loud onboard horn, live right next to a new color TFT 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-code unlock system. The app also gives you good pointers for maintenance and lets you track the bike if it goes missing.
The whole point of this bike is to be able to comfortably ride wherever you want to go. Whether you’re navigating aggressive traffic or cruising on a beach trail, your ride will feel pretty similar. You can get to work and back without being all sweaty by the end. You can ride out to a restaurant to hang out with friends and comfortably ride home. The included back rack allows you to add whatever storage you like, which means you can add a basket or side panniers and likely never need to worry about how much you’re carrying.
Attach whatever accessories you want to the back, just don’t cover up the brake lights and blinkers.
Heybike provided its front and rear baskets so we could test the full hauling capacity of the Ranger 3.0 Pro, but I don’t know that I would recommend them for this bike. Heybike’s accessories are undeniably sturdy, and allowed me to haul four large bags of groceries and rode smooth enough that the eggs were still intact when I got home. However, the metal bars don’t come with any padding or pockets like its competitor Velotric, and including either basket makes the folding feature of this bike a lot more awkward. Personally, a pair of Coolcave panniers from Fjallraven and a folding front basket from Citizen work a lot better for the kind of commuting I tested.
Ultimately, the Ranger 3.0 Pro is exactly what it says on the box. It’s a huge bike designed to help you feel safe as you ride basically everywhere, but if you live up one or more flights of stairs or you think you might struggle to lift 75 pounds into a car, this may not be the bike for you. More than anything, it’s encouraging to see more manufacturers focused on range.
