Total Weight:
36 lbs (16.32 kg)
Frame Material:
Magnesium
Geometry Measurements:
Stem Angle 70°, Seat Tube Angle 68°, Wheelbase Length 1065mm (42 in), Bottom Bracket Height 275mm (11.5 in), Folded Dimensions 600mm x 760mm x 300mm (With Optional Folding Pedals)
Frame Types:
Compact, Folding
Frame Colors:
So White, Gunmetal Grey, Stealth Black
Frame Fork Details:
Fixed, Single-Sided, 6061 T6 Aluminum Alloy
Frame Rear Details:
Gocycle Lockshock™ 25 mm (1 in) Travel
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Lock Bosses, Pannier Bosses
Gearing Details:
3
Speed 1x3 Internally Geared Shimano Nexus Hub Cleandrive®Shifter Details:
Electronic Predictive Shifting™ or Manual Shifting
Pedals:
Plastic Platform with Rubber Tread
Handlebar:
Flat, Aluminum and Plastic
Brake Details:
Hydraulic Disc with 138 mm Rotors
Saddle:
Velo D2 Comfort
Rims:
Magnesium Wheelset, Side-Mounted with Three Quick Release Levers
Tire Brand:
Gocycle Performance by Vredestein, 406-50, 20" x 1.75"
Wheel Sizes:
20 in (50.8cm)Tire Details:
Reflective Sidewall Stripes
Tube Details:
Schrader Valve
Accessories:
Optional Kickstand $150, Optional Fold Leg (Supports Bike When Folded) $20, Optional Shocklock $30, Optional Light Kit (Lumotec by Busch and Muller) $160, Optional Front Mudguard Fender (Plastic) $60, Optional Rear Mudguard Fender (Plastic) $60, Optional Front Pannier Rod $30, Optional Pannier Briefcase $70, Optional Lock and Holster $170, Optional Anti-Theft Bolt Kit $30, Optional Folding Pedals $17, Optional Travel Case $160, Optional Kit Bag (For Charger, Wheels and Saddle) $20, Optional Pedal Spanner 15 mm $10, Optional Extra Schwalbe Big Ben Tyre $40
Other:
Maximum Rider Weight 220 lbs (99.8 kgs), Gear Sizing: 1st 39.1 in, 2nd 53.3 in, 3rd 72.5 in, Universal Vgonomic™ Frame Size (Reach and Height Adjustment)
Hanson
9 years agoI’m glad you finally had the opportunity to review the G2, Court. I spent around 3 months poring over the reviews on your site (especially the Kalkhoff Compact, the Focus 1.0 and the Faraday Porteur) as I contemplated making my purchase. As I visited the various e-bike retailers in Seattle, I was surprised to see the GoCycle suddenly appear. For some reason, it was the seat that I found most compelling upon first look, but I otherwise dismissed it as I was pretty much set on either the Kalkhoff or the Faraday. But the more I contemplated what I really wanted, the more the G2 made sense.
As you requested feedback from GoCycle owners in your review, and your site has been so invaluable to me, I’d like to share my experience with it so far.
Specifically:
– Weight: I wanted to be able to take the bike up and down the stairs, throw it in the back of my car, etc. The Kalkhoff was at least fifteen pounds too heavy. I sometimes drop the kids off at school, leave the car there for the day, and then head to my meetings, etc throughout the city. I avoid the increasingly bad Seattle traffic, still get a pretty decent workout, and clock around 20-30 miles on a regular basis that I might have otherwise driven.
– Maintenance: I do a lot of long distance bike commuting when not having to transport kids. Changing a tire on a bike without a quick release is not fun. I thought the Faraday rear wheel set up with its Gates Carbon Drive was even more daunting. I really appreciated the maintenance-free aspect of the GoCycle (no lubrication, no truing of wheels, easy tire change).
– Security: I go to a lot of meetings in downtown Seattle. If I have to lock up my bike on the street, I don’t want a non-removable display (the problem with the Focus and Kalkhoff bikes). A huge plus to the GoCycle: it looks so interesting, the wheels are so easily removable, it’s so compactable (with the folding pedals, fold-down handlebars, etc.) that no office has yet to refuse my request to bring it onto their premises. And if I’ve put a lot of miles getting there, I can also easily plug in the laptop-like charger to boost my battery.
– Range: Speaking of which, I thought the GoCycle was a good compromise on overall range. I was drawn to the Kalkhoff and Focus bikes for their range, but concluded that ultimately I needed at most 35 miles on a given day. If I were visiting Microsoft HQ across the lake for example, I could charge up while I was there for an event and avoid range anxiety. I know that Faraday is working on an extended battery, but frankly 20 miles (at best) is too low for my purposes.
– App customization: I love the configuration through the app. If I’m in a rush and I can spare the battery, I’ll pour on the speed and the wattage. Otherwise, I make sure that I put in a lot of effort myself first before the motor really kicks in.
– Doesn’t replace my regular bike: I still want to ride my regular bike, and am more likely to do so if I can differentiate between the two. If I had, say the Faraday, I’d probably just sell my Surly bike. But the GoCycle is so unusual, so practical, and frankly future-facing compared to a technology that doesn’t seem to have changed that much since the days of the Wright Brothers that I thought if I were going to buy another bike, it should be something radically different from what I already had. That said, the geometry and components of the GoCycle are so incredibly good, that even without the battery boost, it’s hard to go back to my regular bike (especially its squishy brakes).
I’ve put 700 miles on this bike since I got it in July. I essentially consider it my primary vehicle and ride it nearly ever day. I carry small GoCycle cards with me supplied by Seattle E-Bike (where I bought it) because I get stopped SO OFTEN by other cyclists, drivers and pedestrians who are curious about the bike, and have contemplated purchasing an e-bike.
A few negatives:
– The accessory light kit is finicky, and prone to damage if you fold the bike up on a regular basis
– My headset/stem is exceptionally creaky, especially when I start from 0 at a traffic light. Seattle E-Bike has made some adjustments, greased it, etc. but it hasn’t made a huge difference. It’s an annoying sound; my next step is to reach out to GoCycle support for any advice they have on fixing it. It makes me a little more cautious on bumpy roads, etc. because I’m still testing the robustness of the bike and that noise adds to my sensitivity about it.
– As the battery is not easily removable, it’s unlikely that I would put the bike on a plane to go anywhere despite its portability (as the battery needs to be taken into the cabin for safety reasons).
– The motor is louder than the other e-bikes I tested. I’m especially conscious of this around other cyclists or on a bike path. I remedy this through the app to have the motor kick in after more physical effort.
– Given its relatively high price tag (and its top motorized speed), I ultimately purchased insurance specifically for the GoCycle. I shopped around a bit and decided that liability was as important to me as replacement value. Most policies were giving me the same annual premium (around $450). I ended up going with a local insurance company that is increasingly writing e-bike policies (leveraging some motorcycle insurance language). It’s not something you usually think about when buying a bike. But you should in this case.
I think it’s testimony to my overall satisfaction with the GoCycle that I haven’t really felt any buyer’s remorse and have stopped comparing it to the other contenders. Yes, it’s expensive, proprietary technology. But the design is remarkable and it fits so much of what I’m looking for. If I hadn’t purchased the GoCycle, I would have probably gone for the Faraday Porteur, with the hope that their extended battery accessory would soon be available.
p.s. I blogged a bit more about why I bought an e-bike if you’re ok with including an outside URL in this comment.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoWonderful post Hanson! Your deep insights and perspective on the Gocycle vs. some of the other ebikes was enjoyable to read. I’m sure this will benefit others who come to the site and yeah, I included your link (and linked to Seattle E-Bike). Your point about insurance is a good one, feel free to share the company that’s helping. I wrote a short blog post about electric bike insurance here comparing the two largest companies that I had heard of. I also got it for liability and safety coverage vs. just replacing the bike. Ride safe out there!
ReplyHanson
9 years agoThanks Court, happy to provide perspective. I did look into Velosurance after seeing them on your site, but I ended up going with a local insurance company, Safeco, as they’re the first to really get into e-bikes and self-propelled alternative transportation generally (the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks play at Safeco field) and I liked their liability coverage. As you can imagine, Seattle is probably a good early-adopter market for mainstream e-bikes usage.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoSweet! Yeah, I’ve heard of them and it’s great to hear your feedback. Seattle is indeed a popular cycling spot. I got to visit recently and was impressed with the Rad Power Bikes people who are connected with the GolfBoard and ElectraFin (in case you need to do some water navigation)!
Replybernard uttley
8 years agoExcellent reports and have played a major part in me trying out the Gocycle and buying one for my wife – it is an impressive machine and feels just right from the moment you get on. Really taut controls and maneuvering, excellent brakes and impressive gears.
A fourth slightly higher gear option might be the icing on the cake, however it is a super machine – quite expensive here in Switzerland but it has persuaded my wife back onto a bike – she had a Ritchey special lightweight mountain bike weighing 22lbs but hated the position. I was about to buy a Hymer E-bike but reading your remarks changed all that last weekend. Thankyou.
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoSure thing! Glad you’re enjoying the Gocycle, it really is a unique highly refined product. Was fun to meet the founder and take it for a ride :)
ReplyFilip
7 years agoCAREFUL: they’ve recently released a firmware update that limits the bike to 20 mph (whether you like/want that or not). So the speed-pedelec capability is abandoned by software and without leaving the choice and responsibility in the hands of the owner/driver. This is unacceptable for a product in this price range…
ReplyCourt Rye
7 years agoThanks for the feedback Filip, I believe that you’re correct. The G3 did have a set top speed of 20 mph and I believe this is shipped with the same firmware as you’re talking about updating the G2 to.
ReplyBisk
4 years agoI just bought the GX and it also has the creaky handlebar / headset issues when you rotate it with some slight weight. Seems like a product defect.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHmm, thanks for the input on this Bisk! I wonder what is making the sound? These are very fancy bikes, and the designers are great… maybe this creaking noise is the compromise on certain materials they chose to keep it lightweight or something. I feel like they would notice too. If you discover the issue or hear from the company directly someday, please let us know!!
Reply