G-Force T7 E-Bike Test | Photo Tom Wuthrich Mountain Weekly News
As the old adage states, “Go big or go home”. The G-FORCE T7 Electric Bike opts for a supersized battery so you can always make it home, even after over 100 miles of riding. This long-range foldable ebike has the largest battery I’ve ever seen on two wheels, but all that distance will come with a weight penalty. We recently hopped on the new T7 model to better understand its overall performance and put its capabilities to the test.
About G-FORCE
You’re not alone if you haven’t heard of the G-FORCE electric bike brand before. It’s another small brand in a crowded field of entry-level ebike companies focused on fat tire models at sub-$2,000 price points. G-FORCE however, has tried to separate itself from the pack with its whopping 60Ah battery pack included on the T7 folding bike— most similar ebikes have roughly a third of that capacity, or around 20Ah.
The G-FORCE brand isn’t limited to just North America and has a presence in the EU, UK, and Canada markets if you live abroad. Interestingly, it’s another ebike company with its headquarters in the Inland Empire near Los Angeles, California. Its Rancho Cucamonga location is just around the corner from where I went to college. We recently reviewed the Rattan Quercus electric bike whose brand base is in the same suburban city.
Fat Tire Foldable E-Bike
The G-FORCE T7 is the latest iteration of the brand’s fat tire folding bike. The main design change is the massive— and I mean seriously huge— battery positioned behind the seat post. On paper, this bicycle has it all. It’s an electric bike with fat tires, a folding mechanism, full suspension, and a long-range battery. If that seems like a lot that’s because it is. Most riders simply don’t need so much functionality which ends up weighing down the bike and crowding out performance metrics such as efficiency, handling, or rider comfort.
Range
After ripping around on the T7 for a while, I think it’s a behemoth that’s most convenient for ebike delivery riders. Recreational riders don’t require a 100+ mile range which equates to several hours of riding. As long as you remember to charge your ebike regularly, a smaller battery of around 20Ah or 25Ah provides plenty of juice for most outings. Delivery riders, however, can take advantage of this bike’s extended range and fly across the city all day long without needing to stop and charge up.
The T7’s long rear rack and full suspension also come in handy during frequent city riding. Soak up pesky potholes and hop curbs without issue thanks to the front suspension fork and dual rear shocks. G-FORCE states the fork has 110mm of travel but that seems like a very generous estimate for the short-travel setup. The extended rear rack can accommodate baskets and bags to transport groceries or other large items. The bike’s maximum payload capacity is listed at 400 lbs. including the rider.
750W Motor
The ebike gets its pace from a 750W rear hub motor, equipped with 86 Nm of torque and a peak power output of 1300W. G-FORCE previously advertised the T7’s top speed at 32 mph but has since made the change on its website, now in line with our fastest speed of 28 mph during testing. The acceleration is great and there’s quick pickup off the line. Riders can toggle between pedal assist levels and throttle mode— the thumb throttle is located on the left side of the handlebars. There is also a convenient cruise control feature that can be engaged by holding down the throttle for several seconds. The T7 can make it up steep 15° gradients, but the motor will strain a bit.
60Ah Battery
The T7’s pièce de résistance is undeniably its whopping 60Ah battery pack. It’s rated for between 110-130 miles on a single charge using the lower pedal assist levels. If you’re cruising on the throttle, expect a sub-100 mile range, but even that is beyond impressive. But is it really necessary?
I don’t ever get close to 100 miles per day and charging bikes overnight is part of my routine anyway. But perhaps forgetful folk— or delivery riders as mentioned before— will be glad to see such a long-range option hit the ebike market. Regardless, the battery is so long-lasting that I don’t feel any guilt laying on the throttle the entire time and enjoying a pedal-free cruise. The entire seat post has to be removed to take out the battery which is a pain, but probably not a task you have to do that often.
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Weight
The major downside of such a large battery is the weight penalty. The T7 weighs around 85 lbs. which is some serious heft, especially when pivoting while off the bike or attempting to fold the bike. Remember that the ebike is foldable, but I doubt many riders will be regularly taking advantage of that feature considering how heavy and long the T7 is. It’s cumbersome to fold and doesn’t save that much space in the end due to the large 20″ x 4.0” Kenda fat tires and rack.
Frame Size
The compact design of the T7 makes it smaller than some full-sized fat tire ebikes, but not all riders will find it comfortable to ride. G-FORCE suggests that the one-size-fits-all frame fits riders between 5’3” to 6’5” but we noticed during testing that one’s knees will come up quite high while pedaling. The foldable pedals are quite high off the ground, only exacerbating the issue so the T7 is best enjoyed in throttle mode with pedaling kept to a minimum. Smaller riders will likely fit better on the frame.
Regarding the additional parts and details around the bike, the T7 has 7-speed gearing and powerful hydraulic disc brakes. The SiS shifter feels cheap but is a common component on ebikes of this nature but the ergonomic handlebar grips are a nice, comfortable touch. There’s a 3” vertical display at the center to show bike metrics such as speed, distance, and battery health.
Overall Impression
If long-range battery specs are what you’re after, there’s no outlasting the G-FORCE T7 ($1999.99). The huge 60Ah battery took me by surprise and can come in handy for riders with weekly mileage stats that put the rest of us to shame. The go-anywhere setup is competitively priced at $1,999 and is a unique option for a small set of users. Feel free to rev the throttle and ride into the sunset on this one— you’ll reach the horizon still with plenty of battery life to spare.
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