Why you can trust CNET
Our expert deal sourcing team presents the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.
With the right accessories, this new folding bike is all you need to get around town on the cheap.
Russell Holly is a senior editor on CNET’s Commerce team. He works with all of CNET to bring together the best recommendations and help everyone find the best way to buy anything at the best price. When he’s not writing for CNET, you can find him biking, running in a Jedi robe, or contributing to WOSU Public Radio’s Tech Tuesday segment.
Skill 7 years of experience as a smartphone reviewer and analyst, 5 years of experience as a competitive cyclist Credentials
- Author of Taking Your Android Tablets to the Max
Save $500: Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro currently costs $1,499, a 25% discount to encourage early adopters to upgrade. This foldable electric bike is now cheaper than most of its competitors without sacrificing performance or safety on the roads.
Commuter e-bikes are, in my opinion, the strangest category of bikes. In a world where many avid cyclists dedicate hours upon hours to reducing the weight of their gear as much as possible, commuter e-bikes stand alone. They’re heavy, often encourage a seating position that seems anathema to most other bikes, and are loaded with features aimed at making you as visible as possible to other vehicles you share the road with.
Among 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 electric bike intended largely to replace your car. And with a few exceptions, it has done me very well.
Out of the box, Heybike’s Ranger 3.0 Pro is a beast. Weighing 75 pounds, it is significantly heavier than its predecessors. This makes folding and storing the bike more difficult than the Ranger S, especially if you’re a smaller rider. One of the main reasons for the increase in weight is the increase in capacity, powered by a removable 720 Wh battery, a more efficient 750 watt rear hub motor and an eight-speed derailleur system. The biggest thing you get in return is a weight capacity of 440 pounds, an increase of 40 pounds over previous versions.
A larger battery and more efficient motor allow this bike to run 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 to slow down around mile 81. Considering all the hills in my area, that’s a solid range. This is considerably further than most people will travel in several days. I actually rode this for four days of basic commuting around the neighborhood and still had 20% of my battery left.
Integrated turn signals are an important feature on ready-to-ride e-bikes.
Russell Holly/CNETHeybike gets top marks for distance, but speed is another story. Like most bikes in the United States, it’s artificially limited to 28 mph, but you’re not likely to reach that speed quickly. Whether you rely on half throttle on the handlebars to cross a busy intersection or rely on electric assist while you pedal, you won’t feel that forward lurch that many overly aggressive motors feel. It’s a more gradual start, until you reach the speed you’re looking for. Some people prefer that sudden acceleration after a stop, but you won’t find it here.
What you will see is a healthy focus on safety. In addition to its large tires – its 20-inch wheels are each 4 inches in diameter – your upright driving position allows you to see easily even from a lifted truck. The included headlight is both bright and easy to aim where you need it most, and it has a built-in turn signal that is reflected in the taillights, which illuminate when you brake.
You can control most of the bike’s settings with your left thumb, while your right hand controls the throttle.
Russell Holly/CNETThe lighting controls, as well as the very loud integrated horn, sit right next to a new color TFT display, designed to be easier to read in direct sunlight than those with LCD screens. You can also use your phone to unlock the bike now, which is much faster than the old PIN unlocking system. The app also gives you good maintenance tips and lets you track the bike if it goes missing.
The whole point of this bike is to be able to ride comfortably wherever you want to go. Whether you’re navigating aggressive traffic or riding a beach trail, your ride will be quite similar. You can get to and from work without being sweaty at the end. You can go to a restaurant to spend time with friends and return home comfortably. The included rear rack allows you to add the storage of your choice, meaning you can add a basket or side panniers without having to worry about what you’re carrying.
Attach the accessories you want to the rear, but do not cover the brake lights and turn signals.
Russell Holly/CNETHeybike provided their front and rear baskets so we could test the Ranger 3.0 Pro’s full carrying capacity, but I’m not sure if I’d recommend them for this bike. Heybike’s accessories are undeniably sturdy and allowed me to carry four large grocery bags and ride smoothly enough that the eggs were still intact when I got home. However, the metal bars do not come with any padding or pockets like its competitor Velotricand the inclusion of either basket makes the folding function of this bike much more inconvenient. Personally, a pair of Fjallraven Coolcave Saddlebags and a Citizen foldable front basket work much better for the type of commute 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 while riding virtually anywhere, but if you live up one or more flights of stairs or think you might have trouble lifting 75 pounds in a car, this bike may not be for you. More than anything, it’s encouraging to see more and more manufacturers focusing on autonomy.
