GOCYCLE GX
Price £2899 Weight 17.8kg (claimed) Range Up to 40 miles Charge time Seven hours Folded size 880 x 390 x 615mm (pedals folded) A premium product with a price tag to match, this folding ebike is ideal for touring
FOLDING BIKES MAKE a lot of sense on tour. Their compact size means they are easy to store, and they’re perfect for nipping into the village for a pint of milk and a paper in the morning.
Unless, that is, the nearest shop is at the top of a steep hill. Step forward, the Gocycle GX.
The latest in the range, the GX combines the ultramodern design of the other Gocycle models with a more compact fold.
While others in the line-up have removeable wheels and a folding handlebar stem, the GX is hinged in the middle of the frame and there’s no need to remove the wheels to achieve a compact size for storage.
It will easily fit underneath a fixed double bed, for example, although you’d need to secure it carefully to prevent any damage during the journey.
Folding and unfolding the Gocycle is quick, simple and intuitive. Balance the bike on the kickstand, release the frame hinge, and fold the front wheel towards the back wheel. Lower the handlebar stem and secure it to the frame with a rubber loop.
For a more compact fold, you can flip the pedals or take out the seat-post and saddle, which then sit in the loop holding the folded bike together. But essentially, that’s all there is to it.
If you’re taking the Gocycle on a train, it’s worth leaving the saddle in place, because this makes it easier to wheel the GX about. You’ll want to wheel it rather than carry it; although it’s not heavy by ebike standards, almost 18kg is still a lot to lift.
You don’t notice that heft when riding. There’s up to 250W of electrical assistance, available up to 15.5mph. Both are the legal maximum. Assistance builds smoothly, with more help the harder you pedal – hills become ridiculously easy, and it’s possible to cover the miles quite quickly without working up a sweat, even on a hot day. The rear suspension and high-volume tyres give a smooth ride and reassuring grip. To make the most of the GX, you’ll need a smartphone with the free Gocycle app. The bike works without it, but the app allows you to connect to the bike via Bluetooth, display a ‘dashboard’ on the screen, and switch between modes. You can choose more assistance if you need to, or less electrical help to maximise the range. Gocycle claims a full charge lasts 40 miles in ideal conditions, and we were just short of that in practice.
With a price tag of almost £3000, the Gocycle is very definitely a premium product; you can buy ebikes that will do much the same job for less. But they won’t have the Gocycle’s slick design, composed handling, or gadget-geek appeal.
Verdict
A state-of-the-art folding ebike, with a price tag to match.