It’s strange how focused people are on the price of higher end ebikes in a way they’d never be with a luxury or purpose built car. This is a design centric folding bike that’s designed from the ground up as a purpose built electric bike. Is it tremendously more expensive and slower than a generic used bike with a knock off bafang motor glommed on with a hacked together bracket with wiring running everywhere? Yup. This bike serves a niche - people with a very specific need (to fit this on a subway, boat, plane, or in a small trunk), who are willing and able to pay for a very clean and aesthetically appealing design. In that space, there are few to no competitors. The Brompton electric is one, though the Brompton front carrier block mounted external battery and electronics are significantly less elegant and the chain operated Sturmey Archer hub shifting mechanism on the Brompton is 1950s tech vs the electronic shifting on this. The Brompton is unbeatable when it comes to the quick and compact folding design, however. Retro nerd cool vs futuristic nerd cool. This bike is definitely not for everyone but they’re obviously meeting a need or desire to still be around after a decade and releasing new products. I’m intrigued, though this bike is out of my budget.
Nobody likes to talk about the weight of many of the folding ebikes. I'm a senior and as much as I like some of the folding fat tire ebikes like the Aventon Sinch ro the similar Sondors, many of them are over 60lbs! I don't want to struggle with that trying to get it in the back of my Jeep. I don't want the expense of a bike carrier either. Then I have to find a place for that in my garage. The gocycle weighs something like 37 or 38lbs. I can handle that.
@@ElectricBikeReview Weight is definitely an issue. Btw, Court when are you going to review the 23 pound Jackrabbit? ua-cam.com/video/uuf526-KwaA/v-deo.html
@@T1Oracle not practical to walk around with it while shopping etc.... it's a poor value overall with far too many proprietary parts. I'd rather get an e-Brompton for that kind of money. The Brompton brand has stood the test of time and has a retro-cool look that (IMHO) I find more appealing.
I'm disappointed that GS got discontinued - not everybody needs a quick folder. I guess the target riders changed from London subway commuters to wine country tourers in their Porsche frunk.
I feel ya. Maybe they were faxing material constraints or an influx of customer service requests for the less expensive higher volume build and decided to stick with high margin products since they’re a niche boutique type of company? I could see how that might make sense, but agree that the price puts it out of reach for many.
I have a GoCycle GX and switched to the Carbo S. The Carbo bikes are lighter, faster, more powerful, more compact, more durable and have like twice the battery range for half the price of the G4i ($2500). I liked the design of the GX but the throttle and motor were too weak, the speed wasn't that impressive, and I had constant problems with the creaking of the headset, cranks etc. It's just a pain to fix the GoCycles because they are too proprietary. The Carbo carbon fiber bikes are just way more reliable and powerful, highly recommend them over the GoCycles.
I love mine and it is worth every penny. It is not only engineered to perform well it is engineered to last. I had purchased a $1,200 ebike and have ridden and tried out Brompton and many others. Each time i considered a $2-4,000 ebike I did not feel compelled to spend more than my entry level bike. Then I rode and purchased this bike and never looked back. At the beginning, they make a big deal about the weight (saying it is 38lbs). The weight is actually 36.5 lbs and is one of the lowest weight folding/fat tire bikes available (there are a couple of bikes in the funding stage that are lighter and you could never get me to buy one of these
Sounds like you really enjoy the bike! I weighed the model shown in the video with Mark’s help using a hand scale and got 38.8lbs so I wonder if there’s a difference in your bike? Did you get the G4i+ with carbon fiber wheels by any chance?
the bike has to be moving to use the throttle?! no on demand throttle from a stop? thats a complete dealbreaker. also the throttle on the left is just dumb.
Some seem to think that many ebikes are slow. The way I look at it is if you're riding in a car doing 20mph you feel as if you're creeping but when you're on the bike with the wind blowing in your hair 20mph is plenty fast for me. You wanna go fast, hell get an electric motorcycle! Besides, when you're on a public greenway on a Saturday afternoon and the weather is nice you won't be flyin you'll be ringin that bell! If you feel the need for speed, rent time at a race track.
Class 3 up to 28mph assist is the way to go - that 20-28mph window is terrific, and I never find myself wanting more from the pedal assist. Class 1 up to just 20mph I would want more.
I quite agree. This isn't a motorbike and we're not on a race track. I haven't got one of these bikes but I have seen them around. In my case cycling is more on 20mph streets where cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are going at that speed daily. I do get to ride on some greenways but it's mostly streets.
The marine environment will not affect the G4 due to the aluminum, magnesium, carbon, and stainless steel type 316 fasteners, just awesome design, far above domestic NA products, unfortunately, top shelf pricing.
Electric bikes are expensive generally.5 grand is absolutely ridiculous.how can you in these times want so much money. well,it's British,a great product but will probably fall apart soon.people don't need carbon this and that.your price will be your downfall.as soon as someone can make something similar for probably less than half that price.game over...
That’s true, but it can be really fun to ride a nice bicycle on a path away from cars. I used to commute to work by bike in Austin and wished I had got a nicer bike after a while. I spent a bunch upgrading it, so I can see why someone would start out with a Gocycle, especially with public transit or if there are planes and boats in your life :)
It gives you a very clean look across the handlebars. Imagine the display is built in to the handlebars. I've seen too many ebikes with displays that get cracked or broken when folding the bike and stowing it.
Great review, awsome bike ,I took a 2020 G3 for test .What a blast,its a go-cart of bikes.Light ,nimble,quick and fun. Price is what you expect if you know and capable of appreciating quality.I cannot afford one :(
Lots of haters on here. Yes, 5k. You’re paying for unique engineering and quality components. 38 pound fold-up with a throttle, quiet motor, that can fit in the backseat of pretty much any car. Yep, there’s a market for that! When you dive deep into ebikes, and just regular bikes for that matter, 5k is by no means an outlier price wise for special, quality builds. How about a carbon framed non-e road bike with a fancy 2x9 and hidden suspension headset?…you can spend way more than 5k in a heartbeat. It’s all relative.
I had buyers remorse on my first low-priced ebike because I rode so much but it was loud and uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s worth spending more for useful things that will last and be comfortable :)
Hey you either appreciate the technology behind it or you don't. In this bike you get what you pay for! When I get this bike I won't have to spend more money and upgrade.
Re the price - its all the unique engineering that one is paying for. High net folk will be the target purchasers, a bit like buying a high-end Apple computer.
It doesn’t have to be that way though. Pretty much anyone who owns a second hand car to drive locally could buy something like this. Even the most expensive bikes aren’t reserved for the wealthy elite.
Have you looked at the prices of Apple's current Mac M1 offerings....? The Price/Performance/Power Efficiency "curve" makes a new Apple Computer an excellent value for most buyers.....more so than this boutique e-bike
The base G4 is £3,400 which compares well with the £3,000 e-Brompton considering how much more you’re getting for your money. I’ve had a GS for three years and use it pretty much daily in London in all weather conditions. An overpriced toy it is not. Managed to damage a wheel last year and the issue was resolved quickly by GoCycle. Reassuring to know customer support continues after you’ve paid up! I can’t think of a better way to commute in the city. Still love my GS…
I wonder with the high price tag how durable this bike is as compared to Brompton which is known to last for decades, and also how good is the after sales service.
I think the Gocycle product and customer service is great, from what owners and shops have said. I haven’t looked at the electric Brompton yet, but I’d love to at some point! First glance, the design doesn’t seem as refined, powerful, or comfortable, but light and cheap is good!
I hear ya, that’s such a subjective measurement and so time consuming that I couldn’t perform it fit every bike. If the tires are less inflated, the wind is blowing, or I am not given a fully charged bike or enough time to ride to empty then the results will be mixed. I decided not to do it, but provide as much data about the motor and battery as I could :)
Yeah, especially if you could bring it inside vs locking up at a rack! It’s really a special product in my opinion, and much more enjoyable now with the quieter motor and larger tires!
It’s strange how focused people are on the price of higher end ebikes in a way they’d never be with a luxury or purpose built car. This is a design centric folding bike that’s designed from the ground up as a purpose built electric bike. Is it tremendously more expensive and slower than a generic used bike with a knock off bafang motor glommed on with a hacked together bracket with wiring running everywhere? Yup. This bike serves a niche - people with a very specific need (to fit this on a subway, boat, plane, or in a small trunk), who are willing and able to pay for a very clean and aesthetically appealing design. In that space, there are few to no competitors. The Brompton electric is one, though the Brompton front carrier block mounted external battery and electronics are significantly less elegant and the chain operated Sturmey Archer hub shifting mechanism on the Brompton is 1950s tech vs the electronic shifting on this. The Brompton is unbeatable when it comes to the quick and compact folding design, however. Retro nerd cool vs futuristic nerd cool. This bike is definitely not for everyone but they’re obviously meeting a need or desire to still be around after a decade and releasing new products. I’m intrigued, though this bike is out of my budget.
Nobody likes to talk about the weight of many of the folding ebikes. I'm a senior and as much as I like some of the folding fat tire ebikes like the Aventon Sinch ro the similar Sondors, many of them are over 60lbs! I don't want to struggle with that trying to get it in the back of my Jeep. I don't want the expense of a bike carrier either. Then I have to find a place for that in my garage. The gocycle weighs something like 37 or 38lbs. I can handle that.
Great comment! And, I love your username. Great hook and movie, I love VR! Backed the original Oculus with Palmer Luckey :D
@@ElectricBikeReview Weight is definitely an issue. Btw, Court when are you going to review the 23 pound Jackrabbit? ua-cam.com/video/uuf526-KwaA/v-deo.html
I like this bike....lots of interesting engineering touches but it looks like a theft magnet.
Which is why I gave an extra "nope" when I heard they don't even lock the battery with a key
It folds up, there's no reason to ever leave out of sight.
@@prw56 There's even less reason to leave the battery. The best security system for your stuff, is always you.
@@T1Oracle not practical to walk around with it while shopping etc.... it's a poor value overall with far too many proprietary parts. I'd rather get an e-Brompton for that kind of money. The Brompton brand has stood the test of time and has a retro-cool look that (IMHO) I find more appealing.
@@goobfilmcast4239 good luck buying that thing 😂. The difference between them is from earth to the sky.
I would love to see competitors add carbon frames to their e-bikes to bring down the price. The price is way too high!!
It's a Swiss army knife of bicycles! Great review as usual.
Great bike, wish you would do a review on the Carbo model X, would love to here what you have to say on it. I’m looking for two bikes for my Rv.
I'm disappointed that GS got discontinued - not everybody needs a quick folder.
I guess the target riders changed from London subway commuters to wine country tourers in their Porsche frunk.
I feel ya. Maybe they were faxing material constraints or an influx of customer service requests for the less expensive higher volume build and decided to stick with high margin products since they’re a niche boutique type of company? I could see how that might make sense, but agree that the price puts it out of reach for many.
Shit bike. Spends more time in repair shop. It is a nocycle. Dont waste your money
No locking, no alarm, no GPS tracking, no handle to carry it while folded... Probably no recuperation breaks.
I have a GoCycle GX and switched to the Carbo S. The Carbo bikes are lighter, faster, more powerful, more compact, more durable and have like twice the battery range for half the price of the G4i ($2500). I liked the design of the GX but the throttle and motor were too weak, the speed wasn't that impressive, and I had constant problems with the creaking of the headset, cranks etc. It's just a pain to fix the GoCycles because they are too proprietary. The Carbo carbon fiber bikes are just way more reliable and powerful, highly recommend them over the GoCycles.
What is the link for Carbo S
Only 350W motor max on your Carbo S
@@willybaldy1999 Still much faster with more torque than the GoCycle GX I have and even the new G4. No comparison.
@@kayflip2233 isn't the Carbo a class 1 while the Gocycle g4i is a class 2?
@@dudesayHEY in the US the Carbo has both pedal assist and a throttle.
I love mine and it is worth every penny. It is not only engineered to perform well it is engineered to last. I had purchased a $1,200 ebike and have ridden and tried out Brompton and many others. Each time i considered a $2-4,000 ebike I did not feel compelled to spend more than my entry level bike. Then I rode and purchased this bike and never looked back.
At the beginning, they make a big deal about the weight (saying it is 38lbs). The weight is actually 36.5 lbs and is one of the lowest weight folding/fat tire bikes available (there are a couple of bikes in the funding stage that are lighter and you could never get me to buy one of these
Sounds like you really enjoy the bike! I weighed the model shown in the video with Mark’s help using a hand scale and got 38.8lbs so I wonder if there’s a difference in your bike? Did you get the G4i+ with carbon fiber wheels by any chance?
You sound like a salesman if you really own one of these make a video so many people claim to own these yet never do.
the bike has to be moving to use the throttle?! no on demand throttle from a stop? thats a complete dealbreaker. also the throttle on the left is just dumb.
Some seem to think that many ebikes are slow. The way I look at it is if you're riding in a car doing 20mph you feel as if you're creeping but when you're on the bike with the wind blowing in your hair 20mph is plenty fast for me. You wanna go fast, hell get an electric motorcycle! Besides, when you're on a public greenway on a Saturday afternoon and the weather is nice you won't be flyin you'll be ringin that bell! If you feel the need for speed, rent time at a race track.
Very well said, and I completely agree :)
Class 3 up to 28mph assist is the way to go - that 20-28mph window is terrific, and I never find myself wanting more from the pedal assist. Class 1 up to just 20mph I would want more.
I quite agree. This isn't a motorbike and we're not on a race track. I haven't got one of these bikes but I have seen them around.
In my case cycling is more on 20mph streets where cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are going at that speed daily. I do get to ride on some greenways but it's mostly streets.
5000 dollars !?
🤔
The marine environment will not affect the G4 due to the aluminum, magnesium, carbon, and stainless steel type 316 fasteners, just awesome design, far above domestic NA products, unfortunately, top shelf pricing.
Electric bikes are expensive generally.5 grand is absolutely ridiculous.how can you in these times want so much money.
well,it's British,a great product but will probably fall apart soon.people don't need carbon this and that.your price will be your downfall.as soon as someone can make something similar for probably less than half that price.game over...
Unfortunately the cost for the same model bike G4i has gone up by $1,000 in the US. It's not $6,000.
5k! Now your into electric motorcycle, used car prices.
That’s true, but it can be really fun to ride a nice bicycle on a path away from cars. I used to commute to work by bike in Austin and wished I had got a nicer bike after a while. I spent a bunch upgrading it, so I can see why someone would start out with a Gocycle, especially with public transit or if there are planes and boats in your life :)
How do I get one for free
Can the saddle and pedals be changed?
Dot display for 5k no way.
That does rhyme!
It gives you a very clean look across the handlebars. Imagine the display is built in to the handlebars. I've seen too many ebikes with displays that get cracked or broken when folding the bike and stowing it.
I’ve had two G3’s. They are fun bikes, but expensive, and not that fast.
Nice
Traveling around the BIKE WEEK Circuit
I gotta love 💘 THE folder luxury
Another great review
Thanks
Bike Week HOBO 8 )
Great review, awsome bike ,I took a 2020 G3 for test .What a blast,its a go-cart of bikes.Light ,nimble,quick and fun.
Price is what you expect if you know and capable of appreciating quality.I cannot afford one :(
Only $5k?? I'll take all three colors to go.
▪
Back brake light sold separately .
I guess paying 5⁰⁰⁰ isn't enough for them to have it in the original package.
🟥
Lots of haters on here. Yes, 5k. You’re paying for unique engineering and quality components. 38 pound fold-up with a throttle, quiet motor, that can fit in the backseat of pretty much any car. Yep, there’s a market for that! When you dive deep into ebikes, and just regular bikes for that matter, 5k is by no means an outlier price wise for special, quality builds. How about a carbon framed non-e road bike with a fancy 2x9 and hidden suspension headset?…you can spend way more than 5k in a heartbeat. It’s all relative.
@@OM-sb2bd
▪
It should be 4,750 dollars.
I need that 250 for changing my cat box and stuff.
🟥
you should review one of those chinese electric motorcycles, getting more popular these days
Absurdly over priced. Its like a get rich scheme.
I had buyers remorse on my first low-priced ebike because I rode so much but it was loud and uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s worth spending more for useful things that will last and be comfortable :)
Hey you either appreciate the technology behind it or you don't. In this bike you get what you pay for! When I get this bike I won't have to spend more money and upgrade.
@@davedunham605 I love the tech.
I didn't know Ben Stiller did electric bike UA-cam videos. Nicely done.
There are so many flaws with this bike - do not buy
Re the price - its all the unique engineering that one is paying for. High net folk will be the target purchasers, a bit like buying a high-end Apple computer.
It doesn’t have to be that way though. Pretty much anyone who owns a second hand car to drive locally could buy something like this. Even the most expensive bikes aren’t reserved for the wealthy elite.
Have you looked at the prices of Apple's current Mac M1 offerings....? The Price/Performance/Power Efficiency "curve" makes a new Apple Computer an excellent value for most buyers.....more so than this boutique e-bike
@@goobfilmcast4239 Talk about comparing apples and oranges. What a ridiculous comment.
@@christill nice answer.
Where's a site or place you can buy secondhand high end bikes?
The base G4 is £3,400 which compares well with the £3,000 e-Brompton considering how much more you’re getting for your money.
I’ve had a GS for three years and use it pretty much daily in London in all weather conditions. An overpriced toy it is not.
Managed to damage a wheel last year and the issue was resolved quickly by GoCycle. Reassuring to know customer support continues after you’ve paid up!
I can’t think of a better way to commute in the city. Still love my GS…
Thanks for the testimonial! Glad you’ve been getting support and enjoying this bike :D
I wonder with the high price tag how durable this bike is as compared to Brompton which is known to last for decades, and also how good is the after sales service.
I think the Gocycle product and customer service is great, from what owners and shops have said. I haven’t looked at the electric Brompton yet, but I’d love to at some point! First glance, the design doesn’t seem as refined, powerful, or comfortable, but light and cheap is good!
Longest reviews with no real mileage test SMH
I hear ya, that’s such a subjective measurement and so time consuming that I couldn’t perform it fit every bike. If the tires are less inflated, the wind is blowing, or I am not given a fully charged bike or enough time to ride to empty then the results will be mixed. I decided not to do it, but provide as much data about the motor and battery as I could :)
Why not just tell people what the ballpark mileage is between charges kinda looks like your hiding it on purpose
Initially I used manual. As I am learning, I am using oredictive more and more
Hahaha 5 k for a bike that looks like a loser bike
Wow for that price id expect 2 bikes
Three
Tree fiddy
I converted both my bikes to electric for 750€
I was thinking 4 bikes for that price.
@@ohiotalonss9098 you can buy 4 Lectric XP's for the whole family, or be selfish and buy one of these for yourself.
6k
The app is terrific and they have a very low tech way to mount your phone and while riding I use the app throughout my rides.
Way overpriced though for only a 250w
Now that's a cool folding bike
Works great/Easy install
It's a flex thing
A real beauty, top innovation!
Great review! Nice design/engineering on that bike. Looks like it would be perfect for inner city commuting.
Yeah, especially if you could bring it inside vs locking up at a rack! It’s really a special product in my opinion, and much more enjoyable now with the quieter motor and larger tires!