Most Affordable Mid Drive Ebike! HeyBike Alpha Review

Today we're taking a look at the Heyike Alpha, a mid drive eBike. This one got our attention, especially with its price. Mid drives usually come with a hefty price tag, often priced at $2,500 and up, but the Alpha is priced between $1,500 and $1,600, which is pretty rare for a mid drive. 

We first saw this bike at CES in Vegas earlier this year, and they didn't reveal much. Now we've got all the details. We'll see what this bike has to offer and how it performs. Let's go.

Unboxing and Assembly

So, before we get into the details, this bike needs to be assembled first. Inside the box, we got the charger, pedals, headlight, tools, and a small manual. Everything we needed was right there.

We cut off the zip ties, pulled off the styrofoam, and got straight to setting it up. Handlebars went on first. We loosened the head stem, pointed it forward, placed the handlebars in, and tightened it all up once it looked right.

For the front wheel, we removed the protectors, slid the wheel into the fork, and made sure the disc brake sat properly. Tightened the nuts down, and it was good. The front fender was a little tricky. It sat too close to the tire, so we pulled it back a bit before tightening it again. Easy fix, though.

Headlight install was simple. It fits between the forks and the fender. Once it looked straight, we tightened it and plugged the cable in. Just matched the arrows and pushed.

Pedals were marked L and R, so there was no guess work. Left one went counterclockwise, right one clockwise. The seat height was quick to adjust, too. just flipped the latch, moved it, and locked it back in.

Turning on the Alpha was one click on the orange button. We set the pedal assist, tested the headlight, and clicked the turn signals to check everything worked. Pulling the battery out was easy with the key. Charging could be done either with the battery out or straight through the frame.

Overall, it took us maybe 30 to 40 minutes without rushing. Pretty straightforward setup. Putting it all together wasn't bad at all. and got to say it looks pretty sharp.

Design and Build Quality

Let's take a closer look at the design and build of this thing. Hey Bike Alpha comes in two styles. You can go with the step through frame which makes it easy to hop on and off or the step over frame if you prefer that old school bike feel. The step through comes in pearl white and the step over is galaxy black.

The frame itself is made from 6061 aluminum alloy. It feels tough, but still pretty lightweight, so you're not wrestling with it. The battery is tucked into the frame nice and clean, and it pops out easily when you need to charge it. You also get the rear rack and fenders already included, which saves some hassle.

Looking around, they've given us a spot to mount a water bottle or a lock, which is always handy.

Up front, there's a big LED headlight. It's bright and also has turn signals built into it. Same with the back brake light. Built-in turn signals, though they don't make any clicking sound. But no worries, you'll see the blinkers flashing up on the colorful screen.

Speaking of the screen, it's super easy to read even in bright sunlight. Over on the left side of the handlebars, you've got your control buttons, plus a button for the horn. 

On the right, there's a half twist throttle and Shimano's 8-speed shifter, which feel smooth. They've also cleaned up the cables up front pretty well.

The rims got a little splash of color, too, which gives the bike some nice style without trying too hard. The rear rack even comes with elastic straps already on there, perfect for tossing your bag or jacket. 

And if you don't want them, you can pop them off easily. Overall, we liked the design. Pretty neat and thoughtful.

Performance and Ride Experience

Now, it's time to see how this one runs on the road. Before we dive into the next part, take a moment, just two seconds to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out on more in-depth bike reviews like this one.

We took it for a spin and right off the bat, this bike's motor hit harder than expected for a 500 W. The torque is solid, 105 Newton m, and it powers right through hills without breaking a sweat. The torque sensor makes sure the power delivery is smooth. None of that jerky stuff you get from cheaper bikes.

Now, since it's a mid drive motor, you'll need to shift gears. It's a bit different from the usual hub motor, but honestly, once you get the hang of it, it feels pretty natural. Downshift for some extra torque when you're climbing and upshift when you're cruising for more speed. Simple.

Throttle-wise, you can hit 20 mph without pedaling. But if you want to go faster, 28 mph, you'll need to pedal. It's not the end of the world, and it's actually better that way because you're getting smoother, more controlled power. It's just that little extra effort.

Ride is also comfortable. The fat tires help with bumps and the handling solid. The brakes work well, too. Two piston hydraulics that stop the bike quickly and without any drama. It's a fat tire bike, but it's lighter than a lot of them out there, so it doesn't feel like you're hauling a tank around.

Also Read: Propella 9S Pro V2 vs Heybike Brawn: Which One Should You Choose?

Battery and Range

Talking about battery, Alpha comes with a removable lithium ion battery and it's UL2271 certified for safety. It's tucked in cleanly behind a little cover. You just use one of the two keys that come in the box, pop off the plate, and then slide the battery right out. Super simple.

Now, if you don't feel like taking the battery out, no worries. There's a charging port right on the bike frame, too, which makes things a lot easier if you just want to plug it in at home or at work.

This battery is a 680Wh setup. On paper, they say you can get up to about 60 miles, but you know how it is. That's under pretty ideal conditions. Pedal assist turned way down, flat roads, and taking it easy.

In real-world riding, with some hills and faster speeds mixed in, we were getting closer to 37 to 38 miles. Still pretty decent, especially when you're not babying it the whole time.

One thing we noticed though, the battery percentage on the screen can jump around a bit. You might see it showing 100% when you start out, then it dips to 40% once you hit some hills or crank up the assist level. 

It'll bounce back sometimes, too, which can be a little confusing. Honestly, it's better to trust the voltage reading instead of staring at the percentage all the time if you want a better idea of how much juice you've got left.

Additional Features and Specifications

• Payload Capacity: 400 lb, so you can carry extra gear or even bring someone along for the ride.
• Seat Adjustment: Comfortable seat with 5 inches of adjustment on the seat post to find your sweet spot.
• Control Pad: Simple to use with buttons, including turn signals, which is a nice touch.
• Brake Light: Always on for safety.
• Hey Bike App: Connect the bike to the app for easy control and checking settings, though it's more of a convenience than anything else.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros	Cons
Affordable mid drive motor at around $1,599	Throttle requires pedal assist startup
Solid 500W motor with 105 Nm torque	Battery percentage display can be inconsistent
Removable 680Wh battery with easy charging options	App functionality could use improvement
Comfortable ride with fat tires and hydraulic brakes	Turn signals don't make clicking sound
Good range in real-world conditions (~37-38 miles)	Requires gear shifting for optimal performance
Thoughtful design with included rear rack, fenders, and integrated lights	None significant for price point

Final Thoughts

So, here's we are. If you're looking for a mid drive ebike that gets the job done without killing your budget, the Hey Alpha is a solid pick. Sure, it's not perfect. Like, the throttle's got that pedal assist startup, and the app could use a bit of work, but for the price, it's hard to complain.

It's a great choice for commuters, weekend riders, or anyone just looking to get into mid drive ebikes without going too deep in the wallet.

So, here's our take on the Alpha. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the motor power of the HeyBike Alpha?

   The Alpha features a 500W mid drive motor with 105 Newton meters of torque.

2. How long does the battery last on a single charge?

   The removable 680Wh battery can deliver up to 60 miles under ideal conditions, but expect around 37-38 miles in real-world mixed riding.

3. Does the bike require pedaling to reach top speed?

   You can throttle up to 20 mph without pedaling, but to reach the maximum speed of 28 mph, pedaling is required.

4. How difficult is the assembly process?

   Assembly is straightforward and should take about 30 to 40 minutes, with clear instructions and all necessary tools included.

5. Are turn signals included?

   Yes, the bike includes built-in turn signals on the front headlight and rear brake light. However, they do not make a clicking sound.

6. Is the battery easy to remove and charge?

   Yes, the battery is removable using a key and can also be charged directly through the bike frame.

7. What is the payload capacity?

   The HeyBike Alpha supports up to 400 lbs, making it suitable for carrying gear or an additional passenger.