Heybike Mars 3.0 Review: A Folding E-Bike With Big Power, Smooth Suspension, and Features That Punch Above Its Price

Charles and I have reviewed numerous electric bikes over the past few years, including several from Heybike. And if you know us, you know we don’t just test bikes for a day and call it a review. We unbox, take initial rides, and then put them to actual use. Since getting the Heybike Mars 3.0, I’ve ridden it all around town, including sketchy stretches of gravel — our town has terrible roads — and I’ve been impressed. Really impressed. Here’s why.

Unboxing, First Impressions & Upgrades That Matter

Pulling the Heybike Mars 3.0 out of the box was impressive in and of itself. Setup was the simplest we’ve encountered, and we had it together in less than half an hour. From the start, it was clear this was a significant step up from earlier Heybike models. The previous models from Heybike that we reviewed were all good bikes, and Charles and his wife, Jane, ride them frequently. But the Mars 3.0 impressed us both.

The frame feels sturdier, and although the seams are still visible, the welds appear tighter. The full-suspension setup is more akin to the Heybike Horizon than their other bikes, but it seems even more refined, and the twist throttle is a nice departure from the thumb throttles on their previous bikes. Honestly, we got excited about this bike before we even had a chance to ride it.

The Mars 2.0 is an excellent electric bike, and Charles’s is still going strong. But the Mars 3.0 offers some significant upgrades. These include:

More Powerful Motor and Increased Torque

The Heybike Mars 3.0 features a 750W nominal hub motor with a peak output of up to 1,400W and offers a substantial 95Nm of torque. It gives you real punch when you need it. We live in a town with steep hills, and this bike handles them better than any bike we’ve tested.

Torque Sensor

Previous Heybikes we tested had cadence sensors that sense the speed with which you pedal and then the motor “guesses” how much help you want then the motor guesses how much help you want. It’s a fine system that works well and is common on more “affordable” e-bikes. The Mars 3.0 introduces a torque sensor that reads how hard, rather than fast, you pedal and adjusts accordingly. The harder you push on the pedals, the more the motor steps in. That result is a more natural and responsive ride. This was our first bike with a torque sensor, and the difference is huge. I’m never going back!

Beefy Battery

The Heybike Mars 3.0 features a 624 Wh battery (48V, 13Ah) that is securely stored inside the down tube. That not only helps protect the battery, but it also gives the bike a refined appearance. The downside, of course, is that removing the battery requires you to first fold the bike to access the release door and slide the battery out.

Redesigned Folding System

This is a folding bike. As I’ll explain, that is one of the reasons I wanted it. Heybike folding systems have always been fine, but the Mars 3.0 offers a redesigned system that feels more robust. After practicing the folding process a few times, I got to the point where it now takes mere seconds to break it down. That is, in part, thanks to a latch that feels more ergonomic than past models.

Smooth Suspension

The Heybike Mars 3.0 has full suspension that smooths out rides amazingly well. The front fork offers ~65 mm of travel, along with preload and lockout, while the rear features a Horst-link design with ~30 mm of stroke. It’s similar to the one on the Horizon but feels more refined.

Better Stopping Power

With the Mars 3.0, Heybike upgraded hydraulic disc brakes with thicker rotors that offer better heat dissipation and stronger stopping. That’s especially important on a bike as powerful and fast as the Mars 3.0.

Smart / Security Tech

The Heybike Mars 3.0 features a new full-color TFT display, providing more intuitive menus and easier viewing in bright sunlight. The addition of NFC unlock capabilities, thanks to two included NFC proximity cards, is a great addition. For those less tech-savvy, the bike still offers PIN unlock and key features for added security. Connect the bike to the Heybike app, and you can personalize the assist sensitivity, speed limits, and adjust the throttle / and pedal assist behavior. Thanks to the app, firmware updates are delivered over the air.

Amazing Load Capacity

The Mars 3.0 payload capability makes this a utility bike if that is what you need. It can support up to 440lbs (rider + cargo) with the included rear rack now able to handle up to 100lbs.

Enhanced Durability

The Heybike Mars 3.0 features improved water and dust protection, rated IP65. You won’t want to take the bike into a lake, but with this update, you can confidently take the bike out even if the forecast isn’t great.

Extras for Nothing Extra

Heybike has consistently impressed us with the inclusion of integrated lighting (a front headlight and horn combo, rear tail, brake, and turn signals), fenders, and more. Some companies charge more for the extras. Thankfully, Heybike continues to include them in the bike’s price.

Shimano Altus 8-Speed System

This is by no means a top-of-the-line system, but it’s smooth, works well, and gets the job done. That’s important since, thanks to the torque sensor, this is a bike I actually WANT to pedal.

In short, Heybike took elements from prior models that worked well and then threw in a buffet of upgrades that make the Mars 3.0 the best Heybike we’ve tested.

Impressions

The Heybike Mars 3.0 looks great on paper. It looks even better in person. However, that matters most is the ride. And this bike is a joy.

The 1,400W peak and 95Nm torque combo make a huge difference. When I twisted the throttle or pushed the PAS harder on hills, and we have a ton of them, the Mars 3.0 responds eagerly. I caught myself grinning as I rode it up my street. While most of my other bikes come to a crawl halfway up, the Mars 3.0 maintained 15th with ease. I love that!

Then there is the torque sensor. It’s a game-changer for me. Employing this technology in place of a cadence sensing system means a smoother ride and a smooth transition when the pedal assist kicks in. (With a cadence system, there is often a sudden surge-y feel when the motor engages. I did notice slight surges when switching assist levels, but it was nothing compared to what I’ve experienced with cadence-sensing bikes. The torque sensor also makes pedaling the bike a more natural experience. For the most part, I use my e-bikes as light motorcycles/mopeds and rarely, if ever, pedal. This bike is so smooth and comfortable that I frequently find myself pedaling.

The suspension is also a joy. As previously mentioned, the roads in my town are in terrible condition. There are bumps, areas with more gravel than asphalt, and countless patches where the road lifted during winter. When I ride a bike or a scooter, I expect to feel every bump; with the Mars 3.0, that’s changed. The full suspension (front and rear) combined with fat 4? tires make the ride feel muffled in the best way. Gone are the days when my teeth would chatter as I went over road “imperfections.”

The Heybike Mars 3.0 is a Class 3 bike. That means it can easily go 28 miles per hour. Unlock it and you might even be able to squeeze an extra few mph out of it. That’s all good and well until you need to stop suddenly. Thankfully, the thick hydraulic rotors do their job. I tested emergency stops on a traffic strip, and it offered firm and dependable stopping power. (I do need to note that my rear rotor squeals fairly loudly, but a bit of adjustment and oil, and that should not be an issue.)

Until now, my favorite bike has been a beach cruiser. It’s great, but it doesn’t fold. That’s not currently an issue as I live in a house with a double garage. This time next year, however, Raina and I will be living in a 1000sf apartment. I have no idea what storage will be like, so having a folding bike makes sense. Heybike claims it takes about 10 seconds to fold and, after some practice, I’m finding that to be true. The hinge and latch feel better than earlier Heybikes I’ve handled, and those folding mechanisms were already fine.

That’s noted, let me be clear, this is a heavy bike and lifting it isn’t easy. If you live in an apartment with stairs, you’ll feel it. But it’s still better than not being able to fold the bike at all.

Heybike claims the Mars 3.0 gets up to 65 miles under ideal conditions. Company range estimates are never accurate, and that’s true here as well. In my mixed rides (some throttle, some pedal assist, hills, stop-and-go), I saw 35–45 miles comfortably. That’s not bad for the type of riding I do, but keep in mind that weight, weather, and riding style will impact the range you’ll see.

The TFT screen is a big leap forward. It offers nicer fonts, colors, and layout. That said, I saw battery readout fluctuations when under varying loads (hard pedaling, throttle bursts). It made gauging “how much juice left” ambiguous at times.

The bike ships with two NFC cards to make unlocking and starting the bike simpler than ever. If you prefer to use the included key instead, you can, but be aware that the battery key is inconveniently located inside the fold area. That makes it difficult to access and requires you to partially open the hinge to remove it. That’s not ideal if you want to charge the battery indoors. Thankfully, you can simply plug in the charger without removing the battery at all.

Riding the Heybike Mars 3.0 with all its upgrades made me feel like I was testing a “next-gen” offering rather than an incremental improvement. The tech inside (torque sensor, app tuning, OTA, NFC unlock) backs up the flashy spec sheet; it’s not just window dressing. Is it flawless? Nope. The weight, the folded bulk, and that sometimes-jumpy sensor response keep it from being perfect. But if I had one e-bike today to handle everything — city streets, hills, light trails, errands — this could very well be my bike. Let me rephrase that: once I move, space will require me to have one bike that can handle all my needs. And the Mars 3.0 is that bike.

Best of all? The price. All of this tech, packed into a well-built Class 3 bike, could easily cost $2,000 or more. However, the Mars 3.0 is just $1,299. To my mind, that’s an amazing value. Check it out here.

The Heybike Mars 3.0 retails for $1299; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample

What I Like: The torque sensor and powerful motor combo gives a responsive, lively ride; Full suspension and fat tires do serious comfort work; Advanced display + app + OTA = room for the bike to grow better over time; Strong braking and a high payload rating make it practical, not just fun; Each individual upgrade is nice, but the combination is a total winner

What Needs Improvement: Weight & handling when folded remain challenges; Battery removal design (must fold to remove) isn’t ideal; Sensor tuning and display readout stability need refinement (and I expect firmware updates may help); Brake squeak is annoying