Heybike EC1 Review

This bike is about smiles. From the moment you see its clean sleek lines, to when you realise you just want to keep riding it, you’ll be smiling.

There may be some areas where one or two niggles could be tweaked, but throughout testing the Heybike EC1, the experience was pure fun and one we didn’t want to end.

Introduction

The Heybike EC1 is a budget-friendly electric bike making waves in the e-bike market. Already established in the USA, Heybike are newcomers to the UK and European markets, with the aim of providing an accessible entry point for first-time e-bike buyers.

Looking at the EC1’s sleek, modern aesthetic it’s hard not to be immediately smitten. The frame’s clean lines and smooth welds give it a premium look that belies its budget-friendly price point. At a glance, you might not even realise it’s an e-bike, one of its standout features is how seamlessly the battery integrates into the downtube –  This subtle design not only enhances the overall appearance but also contributes to the bike’s balanced feel.

The frame exudes a sense of robustness, with the slightly oversized tubing hinting at durability without appearing bulky. The attention to detail is evident in areas like the smooth integration of the headset and the clean cable routing, which further accentuate the EC1’s polished appearance. Stylish enough for around town at the weekend, practical enough for daily commuting and robust enough for gravel track excursions, in theory, this bike makes a perfect all-round budget e-bike, but what’s it like in practice…?

Assembly

An often overlooked factor in the age of home-delivered bikes is how simple they are to assemble. The EC1 came shipped in a regular compact-sized bike box, with ample padding and protection. Assembly took about an hour, using the tools provided. There were some niggles though – the brakes are set up for the European market, meaning the front and rear brake levers are swapped the other way around to how we are used to them in the UK. Not a problem if you’re new to bikes, but potentially catastrophic if you have an ingrained muscle memory for regular brakes. As the brakes are hydraulic you would need a bike shop to swap the hoses around but you can get around this by flipping the levers upside down and swapping them from left to right.

The optional mudguards were prone to rubbing on the wide tyres, so we opted to use the bike without them. There was also a minor dragging noise from the disc brakes on the rotors but it didn’t affect performance. You’d be well advised to arrange with your local bike shop for them to do the build for you. For something like an extra £50 it’s well worth the hassle-free peace of mind, and the elimination of any annoyances like rubbing disc brakes or mudguards.

Design and Build Quality

One of the things you’ll first notice is that the EC1 boasts a sleek, welded frame with internal cable routing, giving it a very clean, polished look.

Its paint job is attractive and stood up well to scratches in our extended usage. The removable battery integrates seamlessly with the frame, looking very low-profile and unobtrusive.

Overall, the build quality is impressive for its price point, with smooth welds and attention to detail even in less visible areas like the bottom bracket, making it all look very swish.

Shimano gearing is ever reliable and the hydraulic RSX disc brakes were confidence-inspiring in all conditions. We did note that the levers were quite a distance from the handlebars, so if you’ve got particularly small hands, these may not be the best.

Performance

The 250W hub motor provides smooth assistance, with a slight delay due to the cadence sensor. Three levels of assistance are available, with speed limits on the first two levels. The full 15.5 mph is achievable on level 3. Hill climbing is adequate for moderate inclines, but steeper gradients require more rider input. The bike handles well in urban environments and feels stable at speed.

Battery Life and Charging

The 360Wh battery is on the smaller side, but given the bike’s light weight, it provides a decent range. We’re always wary of manufacturers’ claimed battery ranges, but in our real-world test from London to Brighton (approximately 50 miles), using the lowest assist level, the battery still had charge remaining. However, using higher assist levels will significantly reduce range.

The removable battery is convenient for charging under the desk at the office, and total charge time from empty is about five hours.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Despite the rigid frame and fork, the EC1 offers a surprisingly comfortable ride. The 700x40c tyres absorb a lot of road vibrations. The upright riding position and swept-back handlebars contribute to overall comfort. The stock saddle is firm but surprisingly comfortable for most riders which is helped by the cut-away channel in the centre of it which works well to reduce pressure on delicate areas. The seat post is quick-release, which is ideal for making adjustments, but not great if you need to lock the bike up somewhere. The stem height is fixed and not adjustable, although we found it to be proportionally set at a comfortable height for the frame dimensions.

Value for Money

Priced at £1,199 (on sale from £1,768), the EC1 offers good value compared to competitors like the Fiido C21, Tenways CGO600, and Estarli E28. It provides a balance of features, performance, and build quality at an accessible price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very attractive, well-built frame
• Comfortable ride
• Good value for money
• Removable battery
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Excellent range on lower assist modes

Cons:

• No torque sensor (uses cadence sensor)
• European brake arrangement may require adjustment
• Assembly can be time-consuming
  

Our Tests

We wanted to put the EC1 through a variety of challenges to see how it rode, and what issues we could uncover in it.

Park Circuits

First off was hill circuits in our local park to work out how useful each of the different modes were. A long lap of the park on Level 1 and the reliable handling of the bike shone through on the twisting tight descents. The motor kicked in at places you would expect it to, and when it came to climbing back up the steep 1 in 6 hill that has previously had me off and walking when on a traditional shopping bike, the motor slowly got me up without me breaking into too much of a sweat adding in the additional effort.

For the second lap I switched it to Level 2 for the whole way round and immediately felt more of a kick when the motor switched in when I started pedalling. When going over 15mph on the downhills, and pedalling, in keeping with UK law, the motor doesn’t switch on, but as soon as your speed dips, you feel a sudden boost. Climbing the 1 in 6 hill on Level 2 was a breeze and took minimal effort on my part.

For the third lap on Level 3 assist I wished I’d brought my helmet. Having a sudden surge of speed up to 15mph seems shocking the first time you feel it. On the steep climb having this much power at my command just made me grin from ear to ear. The motor was quieter than I expected and the bike just wanted to power up the hill.

London to Brighton

With all sorts of battery ranges claimed by manufacturers these days, the only real way to test is to try to outride the battery and see how far you get. Around this part of the country the classic ride is to the coast, loosely following the famous London to Brighton charity route, but on cycle paths to keep the traffic levels down.

Keeping the assistance mode to Level 1, it became apparent that this wasn’t going to be a quick test. Level 1 , without a torque sensor, saves its power by only kicking in to about 10mph. If the bike is going faster than that, the motor drops out. In reality, this is a nice every day cruising speed around town, but if you’re in a rush, you’ll find yourself often out pedalling the motor, especially if the road is slightly downhill.

On the main climb over the North Downs the bike let me catch a road rider out training, even on Level 1. Over the top of the Downs it took some pedalling to keep up with the faster speed of my new companion, but the bike is light enough to ride like a normal bike too, when you need it. The fast country lane twisting descent off of the Downs saw me reach 60km/h with the bike feeling very confident and trustable underneath me.

Pushing through past Gatwick Airport the saddle still felt remarkably comfortable, although I did have padded cycling shorts on as a precautionary measure. The motor kept quietly whirring, and the battery gauge hardly moved.

Taking an off-road route through Maidenbower Woods slowed things down a bit, and I noticed that the power the motor was supplying suddenly increased a lot, which would negatively affect battery range.

Up and over the South Downs and the bike kept going without complaints. I was getting tired from adding in the pedalling to make the motor run, but not anywhere near as tired as if I’d had to pedal the whole 50 miles on my own!

Amazingly coming into Brighton the battery still had about 25% guage showing. At the lower assist level the range on the EC1 really is impressive.

Off Road Test

I was keen to find out how the EC1 fared on tougher off road trails. The 40mm gravel tyres suggest this bike is good on all trails apart from mud, so a spin through local fields and woods was planned to put it through its paces.

On dry and dusty tracks this bike performs well. it’s not its typical bread and butter, but switching to Level 2 assist meant the EC1 could power up all sorts of dusty climbs. I did try it on Level 3, but the motor was so strong I scared myself on the loose stuff! Dropping down to Level 2 did the job, with plenty left in the tank.

Conclusion

The Heybike EC1 is a solid choice for urban commuters and leisure riders looking for their first e-bike. It offers a good balance of performance, comfort, and style at an attractive price point. While it may lack some refinements of more expensive models, it provides an accessible entry into the world of e-bikes. For those seeking a reliable, good looking, and capable e-bike without breaking the bank, the EC1 is definitely worth considering.