Here’s your second-best bet for a fat-tire electric bike. Some look sturdier than they really are, but the Heybike Brawn is the real deal. It’s a substantial ride with a 440-lb. load capacity and quality components for serious trail adventures. From the knobby tires to the powerful 750-watt motor, the Brawn excelled in challenging winter conditions during our test ride. Here’s a closer look at what makes this adventurous cruiser an exceptional value for your money.
Like most bikes, the Brawn arrives mostly assembled. But you’ll still need to complete the assembly before taking it for a spin. This process should take around 30 minutes. A guide is included, and you can watch an unboxing and assembly video on the manufacturer’s website if you get stuck.
True to its name, Brawn is a workhorse of a bike. It weighs a beastly 80 lbs. and has ultra-grippy tires with wide knobs that shine in the toughest conditions. Mine arrived during a cold, snowy stretch of weather.
This bike is too big for me to ride safely (the suggested user height is 5’8″ to 6’6″), so my test rider took it through several inches of fresh powder, densely packed snow, and even ice. Even on slippery surfaces, the grip was confident and sturdy. If you’re looking for something similar that might fit better, check out the Heybike Cityrun, which can fit riders 5’4″ and up.
Between the hefty weight of the frame and the knobby 26×4-inch tires, the ride was surprisingly smooth. If you’re new to an ebike, it’s probably worth practicing your turning radius a few times before mixing with other road and trail users. The roads around my neighborhood are rough, with several potholes, but the tires handled them with ease.
We also tested this bike on a section of muddy trails. It didn’t slip or slide, even when the going got really tough. There’s plenty of traction to take corners at a faster speed without too many wobbles.
Powering this bike through nearly any obstacle is a large 750-watt motor. It’s more than enough to cruise to work or really push the limits if you want. The Brawn is a Class 3 ebike, which means it can top out at 28MPH and sustain that speed.
Larger motors can sap juice from the battery, but the 48V 18Ah is surprisingly efficient. The estimated range is 65 miles with pedal-assist, and 45 miles on pure electric power. You can see your current pedal-assist levels on the display screen to get an idea of how much battery life is left for the ride home.
The removable battery can also be conveniently removed and replaced for indoor charging. It can take up to five hours to fully recharge.
Rain or shine, mud or snow, the motorcycle-style dual front fork dampened vibrations for a smoother ride. You’ll appreciate it most on longer trail rides, when you won’t get sore as quickly even after hours spent exploring the trails. The seat is wide and comfortable and has a push-button dropper design that’s hard to find on any other competitor in this price range.
Whether you want to launch ahead when the light turns green or beat your buddies down the home stretch, there’s a generous 7-speed Shimano gear selection. A user-friendly shifting mechanism makes it easy to find the right gear. Need more speed? Push the throttle and the bike will quickly pick up the pace.
The Brawn has hydraulic disc brakes for quick and dependable stopping power. Even on slick snow-covered roads, it stopped rapidly without sliding out of control. Not every similarly-priced bike has hydraulic brakes, which makes this one feel like a step up in comparison.
Even though the Brawn is a trail-loving beast of a bike, it works equally well for tamer rides. If you want a solid commuter or just a sturdy cruiser for errands around town, it’s a comfortable and safe choice. We wish it had fenders, especially on the rear, to keep your clothes clean. It also lacks a rear rack, so you’ll need to improvise for grocery or market hauls.
If you want to ride early in the morning or late at night, you’ll find bright rear and front lights for safer riding in the dark. The front light is huge but is bright enough to use on its own. Light-sensing technology means it will automatically turn on in lower lighting. It’s powered by the bike battery, so you don’t have to worry about finding obscure batteries or removing it for charging.