Heybike is one of the few US brands that offer affordable folding ebikes with decent features. After the release of the new Mars 2.0, the Heybike Mars vs Tyson comparison has become even more interesting. Now we have two closely priced folding ebikes that come with some decent features. But which one should you go for? Let’s find out.
In comparison to the Heybike Mars 2.0, the Heybike Tyson offers hydraulic disc brakes and dual suspension. Heybike Mars 2.0, however, comes with mechanical disc brakes and is more affordable than the Tyson.
In the following sections, we’ll compare these two ebikes in terms of their electrical specs, design features, price differences, and mechanical components. So, make sure that you read till the very end.
Get a Special Discount of $50 on any Heybike ebike using our Discount code “Mag50”
Affiliate Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an associate in the Amazon affiliate network (and others), we may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you!
Best Alternative to Heybike Mars and Tyson
1. Lectric XP Lite 2.0
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 is the best value-for-money folding ebike on the market in 2024. Don’t rely on our word, take a look at the impressive features below.
Key Features:
- Powerful 819W Peak Hub Motor
- Gates Carbon Belt Drive
- Dual Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 80 Miles of Max Range
- 20 mph Top Speed
- Lightweight at just 49 lbs
- 48V 14Ah Battery (UL Certified)
- 20″ x 2.5″ Slim Tires
2. Velotric Fold 1
Velotric’s Fold 1 is another option that you must consider if you are shopping for a foldable ebike in 2024. Take a look at the impressive specs below:
Key Features:
- Powerful 750W Hub Motor
- UL-2849 Safety Certified
- Shimano 7-speed Drivetrain
- Dual Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- 55 Miles of Max Range
- 28 mph Top Speed
- 440 lbs Payload Limit
- 48V 608Wh, Detachable Battery
- 20″ x 3″ Puncture-resistant Tires
Recommended Accessories:
Heybike Mars vs Tyson: Electrical Specs & Key Features
| Electrical Specs & Key Features | Heybike Mars 2.0 | Heybike Tyson |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 750W Peak Power: 1200W | Rear Hub Motor Nominal Power: 750W Peak Power: 1200W |
| Top Speed | 28 MPH | 28 MPH |
| Battery | 48V, 12.5 Ah Removable Battery | 48V, 15 Ah Removable Battery |
| Maximum Range | 45 Miles (Pedal Assist) | 55 Miles (Pedal Assist) |
| Sensors | Cadence Sensor | Cadence Sensor |
| Pedal Assist | 5 Levels | 4 Levels |
| Throttle | Thumb Throttle | Thumb Throttle |
| App Support | Yes | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4-6 hours | 4-5 hours |
| Charger | 54.6V 2 Amp | 48V 4 Amp |
| Ebike Class | Class 3 | Class 3 |
| Headlight | Yes | Yes |
| Taillights | Yes | Rear Lights with Turn Signals |
Heybike Tyson can offer you 10 Extra Miles:
The most notable difference between these two folding ebikes in this department is that the Heybike Tyson can offer you at least 10 extra miles of range on the pedal assist mode.
In the pedal-assist mode, the Heybike Tyson offers you a maximum range of 55 miles. The Heybike Mars 2.0, however, has a maximum range of 45 miles only.
This difference is due to the fact that the Heybike Tyson comes with a 48V, 15 Ah battery that offers more juice than the 12.5 Ah battery of the Mars 2.0.
However, the difference between the range of these two folding ebikes in the throttle-only mode is very little. Both of these foldable ebikes can offer you at least 30 miles of range in the pure throttle mode.
A 1200W Peak Power Motor in both Ebikes:
Both Heybike Mars 2.0 and Tyson come with a powerful 750W motor. With this rear hub motor, you can get up to 1200W of maximum power which is enough to take you on moderate-slope hills as well.
The original Heybike Mars had a motor of 500W only which was a bit of concern for people living in hilly areas. But Heybike has resolved this issue now with both of the new folding ebikes featuring a 750W rear hub motor.
Now, these folding ebikes from Heybike are at par with their competitors as far as the motor is concerned. For instance, the Lectric XP 3.0 and Aventon Sinch 2 are two folding ebikes from competing brands in this affordable price category.
But both the Lectric XP 3.0 and Aventon Sinch 2 come with only a 500W rear hub motor that cannot offer enough torque for you to ride on even moderate slopes. So, a 750W rear hub motor in both of these Heybike foldable ebikes is worth all the appreciation.
And because of this increased torque, you can get a top speed of 28mph in both Heybike Mars 2.0 and Tyson.
Heybike Tyson comes with Turn Signals:
Another significant difference between these two ebikes is that the Heybike Tyson comes with turn signals. This was a feature missing in ebikes from Heybike and we are glad that they are focusing on these little things now.
In comparison, the Heybike Mars 2.0 does have rear lights but lacks such turn signals. And, we can understand this difference as Heybike wants to keep the Mars 2.0 around that $ 1,000 mark. So, adding these features can increase the cost of Mars 2.0.
But if you want a safer riding experience in low-light or night-time conditions, Heybike has the Tyson to offer.
A Cadence Sensor in both Folding Electric Bikes:
Both Heybike Mars 2.0 and Tyson come with a cadence sensor to complement your pedaling efforts. In comparison to a torque sensor, the cadence sensor offers a less responsive pedaling experience as it relies on the pedal rounds only instead of how hard you pedal.
But we don’t expect a torque sensor in this price range as most of the torque sensor ebikes cost around $2k. Aventon Sinch 2, for instance. is one such folding ebike that features a torque sensor.
But Aventon Sinch has a 500W motor and top speed is limited to 20mph only. So, a torque sensor is a luxury you can’t have in an affordable folding ebike.
But if you go for a torque sensor ebike like the Sinch 2, you have to miss out on some features which in our understanding are more crucial than a torque sensor.
Heybike Mars vs Tyson: Dimensions, Design, & Weight Limits
| Dimensions, Design & Weight Limits | Heybike Mars 2.0 | Heybike Tyson |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Step Over | Step Over |
| Color Options | Pumpkin Orange Dusty Blue Leather Black Granite Grey | Black Green Blue |
| Bike Weight | 75 lbs | 77 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 330 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Rear Rack Load Capacity | 120 lbs | 50 lbs |
| Rider Height | 5’3″ – 6’1″ | 5’4”-6’3” |
| Stand Over Height | 25.6” | 29.5” |
| Min Seat Height | 29″ | 31.5” |
| Max Seat Height | 34.3″ | 35.8” |
No Step-thru Frames:
The design of both these folding ebikes is pretty similar. You’ll get a step-over frame with a hinge in the top tube of the frame. The frames weigh around 75 lbs so lifting these ebikes is not an easy job.
Heybike does not offer a step-thru frame option for any of these folding ebikes. If you need a step-thru folding ebike, you can explore other options from Heybike including the Heybike Ranger and Ranger S.
Heybike offers only one frame size for these folding ebikes. So, your options are very limited here. If you are shorter than 5′, we highly recommend that you go for the step-thru ebikes like the Heybike Ranger S.
Battery Position:
Another difference in the design of these folding ebikes is the placement of the battery. Although both ebikes have removable batteries, the battery position is different.
The Heybike Tyson offers an aesthetically pleasing frame and you need to fold the entire ebike before you can take out the battery. It looks great but you need to fold the ebike every time you want to remove the battery.
On the other hand, the battery of Heybike Mars 2.0 is placed behind the saddle and you can easily remove the battery without folding the frame. Although this battery is exposed in this position, it does offer more convenience.
Sometimes you do want to remove the battery before leaving your bike outside even when it’s locked. The reason is simple: it is the most expensive part of the ebike. A replacement battery can cost you around $300-$600 depending on which ebike you go for.
Payload Capacities:
There is one final design difference between these two folding ebikes that we want to highlight.
The Heybike Mars 2.0 comes with an enhanced rear rack with pegboards on each side. So, you can carry all your accessories and equipment with you on your ebike. The rear rack can support a load of up to 120 lbs as well. The overall maximum payload capacity of the ebike is 330 lbs.
In comparison, the Heybike Tyson offers a simple rear rack that comes with a maximum load capacity of 50 lbs. However, the overall maximum payload capacity of Tyson is higher at 400 lbs.
Let’s talk about some mechanical components of these ebikes now.
Heybike Mars vs Tyson: Other Components
| Other Components | Heybike Mars 2.0 | Heybike Tyson |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc Brakes | Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano | Shimano |
| Shifter | 7 Speed Shimano | 7 Speed Shimano |
| Tires | 20” x 4” Fat Tires | 20” x 4” Fat Tires |
| Suspension | Front Fork Standard Suspension | Front + Rear Hydraulic Suspension |
| Seatpost | Suspension Seat Post | Standard |
| Rear Rack | Included | Included |
| Rear Fenders | Included | Included |
Heybike Tyson offers Hydraulic Disc Brakes
This is where the Heybike Tyson starts really getting ahead of Mars 2.0. The Heybike Tyson comes with Hydraulic Disc Brakes instead of the mechanical disc brakes that we see on most affordable ebikes.
Although the Heybike Mars 2.0 did get a motor upgrade, it has the same mechanical disc brakes as the previous model. We believe this has been a major miss in Mars 2.0 and Heybike should have included at least hydraulic brakes.
We are pointing out this because the Lectric XP 3.0 is available with a similar price tag but does include hydraulic disc brakes. We hope that Heybike will consider adding this feature to the Mars 2.0 soon.
You get a Rear Suspension with the Heybike Tyson:
Now this is what makes Heybike Tyson so special. Heybike Tyson is the only folding ebike from a US brand we can think of right now that offers rear hydraulic suspension at an affordable price.
We are not saying that you cannot find any affordable rear suspension ebikes on Amazon. You can but they lack either durable parts or the customer service that you expect from a US brand.
Even famous US ebike brands like Lectric and Aventon don’t offer any folding ebike with rear suspension. So, having this feature in an affordable category ebike is a big deal.
On the flip side, the Heybike Mars 2.0 does not offer a rear suspension. But it does offer a suspension seat post to offer you some sort of comfort. It cannot offer you the same level of comfort as the Heybike Tyson but it does absorb some bumps on the road.
Shimano Components for Transmission:
We like the fact that Heybike has included name-brand components for the transmission of these folding ebikes. Although these are entry-level Shimano components, they perform exceptionally well for these affordable category ebikes.
And you’ll see these Shimano components in most of the affordable category ebikes. So, both of these folding ebikes offer a decent transmission experience.
Heybike Mars vs Tyson: Price Comparison
| Heybike Mars 2.0 | Heybike Tyson | |
|---|---|---|
| Ebike Cost | $1199 | $1599 |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
For the price comparison, we are considering the latest prices as we write this blog post. Currently, the Heybike Mars 2.0 is being offered at a discounted price of $1199.
However, you’ll have to pay $1599 for the Heybike Tyson at the current discounted price. So, essentially there is a $400 difference between the price of these folding ebikes.
But which one offers more value for money? Let’s find that out in the final section of this comparison.
Heybike Mars vs Tyson: Which Folding Ebike Offers a Better Experience?
If you spend an extra $400 by going for the Heybike Tyson, you’ll get a hydraulic rear suspension, a bigger battery, hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, a 400 lbs payload capacity, and 10 extra miles of range.
In comparison, the Heybike Mars 2.0 can offer you only a suspension seat post and an enhanced rear rack. But it is at least $400 cheaper than the Heybike Tyson.
In this context, we highly recommend you spend the extra $400 and go for the Heybike Tyson. The luxury of having hydraulic disc brakes and rear suspension is just too good to miss. That too, for just an extra $400.
If you need an affordable ebike under $1k, we recommend that you go for the Lectric XP 3.0. The Lectric XP 3.0 is not as good as the Heybike Tyson but at least that ebike has hydraulic disc brakes to offer.
Read More: Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes Under $1000
