HeyBike Mars 2.0 Ebike Review: What You Need to Know (2023)
This post is sponsored by HeyBike. All content and opinions are my own.
I was sent the HeyBike Mars 2.0 to check out. Since I had some familiarity with HeyBike after reviewing their Tyson model, I was excited to see what the Mars 2.0 brought to the table. This is not your typical ebike–it’s built for more off-roading and bumpier, more challenging terrain while still trying to prioritize style and a compact design.
After testing it in a number of scenarios, here were some of the conclusions I came to while riding the Mars 2.0 and what you should expect if you choose to buy.
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HeyBike’s Mars 2.0 ebike review
Here are some of my thoughts after trying out the HeyBike Mars 2.0.
Out of the box
Since I already had some experience building a HeyBike, putting together the Mars 2.0 was a breeze. It took me and my dad only about 45 minutes to get it up and running, and everything went super smoothly. If this would be your first time assembling a HeyBike, you should know that the bikes can be pretty solid, so having two people up to the task can make the whole process go much faster.
This ebike is slightly lighter than some of the other models HeyBike carries at 75 pounds. The original Mars weighed in at 66 pounds, so this is a definite change in the weight of the tires and frame. I believe this change was to make it a more versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrains. However, for your first ebike, you might want to consider one of HeyBike’s other options.
Charging and features
Charging and featuresThe original Mars model is HeyBike’s best-selling bike, and from first glance, there have been some updates made in the 2.0. One obvious feature is the enhanced rear rack, which I loved. Not many ebikes are designed to carry items on the rear wheel, but if you are planning on going long distances, this can be incredibly useful. I found it streamlined and stylish, while knowing it can carry a significant weight of 120 pounds made it functional, as well.
Another upgrade is the integration with the HeyBike app. The app gives you a wealth of knowledge about your ride, even including how much CO2 you’ve saved by using the Mars 2.0 over driving. You could easily park it at a coffee shop and charge it outside while keeping track of how much battery you have while sipping a latte. It’s not necessary, but if you plan on riding long distances, it’s very nice to have.
My favorite feature was the power behind the bike. With a 1200w motor, the Mars 2.0 has plenty of engine to get you around and that lasts. You can manage a distance of up to 45 miles without having to recharge, and while testing, oftentimes I wouldn’t even have to consider whether or not I should charge before the next ride–it would have plenty of battery life after a ride.
On the road
Once the bike was built, I was ready to take it out and get on the road. One of the first things I noticed was that the Mars 2.0 was built super solidly–with 20” x 4” fat tires, I felt stable taking it out on the pavement nearby. It’s also speedy! It doesn’t take long to reach the maximum speed of 28 miles an hour and it sustains speed nicely without draining battery life.
The 0-5 pedal assist is also incredibly responsive on paved road. While you don’t need to use it, I found that when you choose to, it transitioned seamlessly and created an enjoyable ride. Likewise, the front suspension fork was another plus when it came to riding on the road. Any bumps or holes I barely noticed, and it worked in tandem with the fat tires to make the time on the Mars 2.0 responsive.
Off the road
One of the reasons I was most excited about trying out this ebike was the fact that it was designed to take on several types of terrains. Since we’re currently in Florida, I was looking forward to seeing what it could handle and how it would do in a number of environments. After seeing how it did on pavement, I took it to a trail nearby to test it.
The smoothness I expected from the ride on the road transferred to the trail, and the bike had no problem taking on some rocks and other obstacles in the area. The front and rear disc brakes really came into play here when maneuvering up and down steep hills, and after riding it there, I felt comfortable looking into even more challenging trails in the future. This is also where the Shimano 7 speedGear Shift System came in handy, and it was certainly nice to have on some of the inclines.
Storing
StoringHeyBike has made the process of folding the bike fairly easy, so even I can do it as a smaller-than-average woman. The fact that you can make it more compact is especially helpful, since we don’t have a lot of room in our Florida place and have to store it in a tight space. It took me a little longer than the 15 seconds that HeyBike says to fold it up the first few times, but once I got the hang of it, it was smooth.
Like other HeyBike ebikes, you can also charge it off or on the bike, which makes it super easy to keep everything in one place. I really liked that I did not have to remove the battery in order to get more juice, and that made it easier to keep it all in one place and contained.
Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed testing out the Mars 2.0 and found that it had some definite positives over other ebikes on the market. Most of all, the ride was smooth and I loved how I wasn’t limited to one type of terrain or the other. I could ride from my condo to a trail or even take it out on the beach where allowed. All types of rides were a blast, and I enjoyed being able to switch from one type of ride to another with no issue.
I also was impressed by the power behind this bike. Not only did I feel as though it was long-lasting and could get me to where I needed to go, but it also kept whatever speed I wanted and could maintain it on rough roads or trails. The fat tires also helped with this–I hardly felt any bumps in the road.
For those who want a reasonable price point and a quality bike without having to compromise on the number of features, the Mars 2.0 from HeyBike does just that and more.
Have any questions about the Mars 2.0? Let me know in the comments!
