Mike Hardaker Taking A Break While Testing the Heybike ALPHA All-Terrain E-Bike in the Tetons | Photo Greg Von Doersten Mountain Weekly News
Say hello to Heybike’s newest mid-drive electric bike, the Heybike ALPHA. Combining an all-terrain setup with comfort-oriented features, the ALPHA is designed for entry-level riders. That said, the rugged build and 28 mph top speed mean there’s plenty of room to push the limits of terrain and speed. I recently tested the Heybike ALPHA to see exactly how well such an affordable mid-drive model performs.
Mid-Drive E-Bike
Innovation is happening fast in the e-Bike industry and the latest Heybike ALPHA demonstrates these upgrades up close, especially when it comes to competitively priced models for riders just starting out.
Fat tire rear hub-drive e-Bikes used to be the norm, but the ALPHA features key improvements while keeping the price accessible. Specifically, there’s a mid-drive unit that replaces the hub motor, torque sensor, and step-thru design. If you were previously on the fence between rear hub models and often pricier mid-drive bikes, the ALPHA makes the choice easier than ever.
Front Suspension
The Heybike ALPHA doesn’t rely only on its wide 26×4.0” tires for traction and shock absorption over bumpy terrain— there’s a short-travel front fork to take the sting out of rugged trails. While not a full-fledged mountain bike, the ALPHA can take on a wide range of off-road surfaces. The stock tires are knobbier than most fat tires which may decrease efficiency and make noise on pavement, but are a solid choice if you mainly stick to the trails.
ALPHA Top Speed
The ALPHA is Heybike’s latest mid-drive model, powered by a 500W motor placed between the pedals. There’s an impressive 105 Nm of torque to make it up steep climbs with ease. The top speed clocks in at 28 mph and there’s a twist-throttle that assists up to 20 mph— this means the ALPHA is both a Class 3 and Class 2 e-Bike, so check your local regulations on where you can legally ride it.
The advantage of mid-drive motors is the more natural-feeling assistance that works with the bike’s drivetrain and gears rather than simply spinning the rear wheel fasters, as is the case with hub-drive motors. Selecting the right gear to pedal with the correct cadence allows for the ideal riding experience and more responsive feedback from the torque sensor.
Using a Mid-Drive Motor vs Rear Hub Motor
Heybike even has a video about how to properly ride a mid-drive e-Bike, though it focuses a lot on how not to damage the motor and drivetrain. As far as I know, it’s quite difficult to damage a high-quality motor and it shouldn’t require extra precaution from riders— the more relevant task is selecting the proper gear that combines with the motor’s pedal assistance. Typically, efficiency is the name of the game rather than actually preventing damage to the drive unit.
The ALPHA includes a throttle mode but Heybike adds a caveat, stating that they do not encourage sole throttle use, especially at the start of a bike ride— this can apparently damage the motor and drivetrain. Instead, the throttle is more like a cruising option once you’re up to speeds beyond 5 mph. The throttle’s top speed tracks according to the pedal assist level you have selected, maxing out at 20 mph. And the brand emphasizes the importance of selecting the right gear to combine with pedal assist. Overall, it’s good advice but seemed a bit patronizing— or at least it shouldn’t place the responsibility of motor damage on rider gearing inputs.
Heybike ALPHA Battery Capacity
The ALPHA draws its power from a 680 Wh battery housed inside the large downtube. The integration is quite neat— with internal cable routing throughout— and the battery is UL 2271 certified for additional safety. The charger is rated at only 2 amps so you can expect slightly slower charging, but it gets the job done. Heybike estimates the maximum range on a single charge to be around 60 miles when using the lower pedal assist levels.
All-Terrain E-Bike Weight
It’s not surprising that the Heybike ALPHA is a decently hefty bike, weighing 71.6 lbs in total. The rugged, stable build feels solid on bumpy terrain and the fat tires and front suspension contribute to this elevated weight. But it’s definitely not the heaviest e-Bike I’ve ever tested, far from it. With its robust construction, the ALPHA can support up to 400 lbs, meaning you can really load up that integrated rear rack.
Heybike ALPHA Specs
The ALPHA runs on a Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain and powerful hydraulic brakes. The 26×4.0” fat tires feature grippy tread but the rims aren’t holed-out, meaning there’s a bit of added weight. The display is user-friendly and quite modern which I loved, along with the sturdy rear rack and included fenders. It’s a complete package that’s elevated above many of its rivals and provides a smooth ride over a range of terrains.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent value: Well-designed components and mid-drive at a great price
- Mid-drive motor: You’d be hard-pressed to find a better priced mid-drive e-Bike!
- Approachable step-thru frame: Easy to ride and stable setup for entry-level riders
Cons
- Gearing is important: Heybike make a point that gear selection is crucial to prevent motor damage— typically a tip for efficiency rather than damage prevention
- Heavy wheels and frame: 26×4.0” tires may be overkill on lighter terrain
Overall Impression
The Heybike ALPHA ($1,599.99) is an approachable entry-level e-Bike, and it may signal a major disruption in the electric bike and e-MTB industry. With all my testing and reviews, I’ve noticed that e-Bike prices are dropping while tech is improving. The ALPHA demonstrates an impressive setup at a competitive price whereas some other players in the industry could be overcharging their models by thousands of dollars. But one thing’s for sure, we can continue to expect excellent e-Bikes in the near future.
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