GoCycle G4i+ review: The fanciest foldable ebike around

Our Verdict

The GoCycle G4i+ is one of the nicest and lightest folding bikes close to, merely you'll pay for its features.

For

Very light for a folding e bike
Vivace electric shifting
Easy to fold

Against

Flimsy phone mount
Rubber shoulder strap to hold bicycle put together

Tom's Direct Verdict

The GoCycle G4i+ is one of the nicest and lightest folding bikes around, but you'll pay for its features.

Pros

+ Very light for a folding e bike
+ Fast electric shifting
+ Easy to fold

Cons

- Onionskin phone mount
- Rubberise strap to hold bike together

GoCycle G4i+: Spectacles

Sizing (folded): 32.7 x 29.5 x 14.6 inches
Weight: 36.2
Motor: G4 Drive, advance hub, 500 Watt (America)
Battery: 10.4Ah, 36V
Max zip: 20 miles per hour
Range (est): upwardly to 50 miles
Transmission: Shimano Link 3-speed

If you're looking for an alternate way to commute to work and have the money to sting, the GoCycle G4i+ is a pretty compelling option. Even among electric bikes - many of which are pushing the boundaries of cycle design - the GoCycle stands out with its space-age looks.

Apart from its aesthetic appeal, though the G4i+ is a delight to ride, with a smooth and fast lepton gearshift and responsive throttle. Those carrying the bike onto a train or subway will also appreciate how quickly IT folds, equally asymptomatic as its comparatively light weight. Still, there's a fewer things that we wish the company would improve, as we detail in our rich GoCycle G4i+ review.

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GoCycle G4i+ recapitulation: Price and availability

The GoCycle G4i+ costs $5,999, and can be purchased through GoCycle's web site and topical anaestheti dealers. It's available in white, gray, red, and black.

For something a little less expensive, the GoCycle G4i costs $4,999; the important differences between the two is that the G4i+ has electronic predictive shifting vs. a machinelike shifter in the G4i; and the G4i+ has a longer set out (50 vs. 40 miles), magnesium/carbon fiber wheels, and adjustable-height handlebars.

A third model, the GoCycle G4, costs $3,999, and has a 40-mile rate, physical science gearstick, but nary daytime running lights.

Regardless of the model, supplies are very limited online, so going through a dealer is probably your best bet.

GoCycle G4i+ review: Design

The GoCycle remains peerless of the sleekest folding ebikes approximately. Its design hasn't much changed since the past model: The body of the bike, which contains the removable battery, is vaguely Y-shaped, with the front part made of aluminum and the center division carbon character; extending back is a large limb which connects the hub to the rear bicycle. Both the front and rear wheels are connected to the body happening same side, which further lends to the unique look of the bike.

GoCycle G4i+ parked at Moynihan Train Hall — (Double credit: Tom's Take)

On the right handlebar is a teeny-weeny grip-gear lever for the electric shifter. Happening the left handlebar is some other grip control to turn the daytime moving lights on and off; if you have got the optional lead- and taillights, this control bequeath turn them on, too.

Between the handlebars are a series of red LEDs that the company says are inspired away a Formula 1 hasten car's dash, but you have to represent Sebastian Vettel if you want to decipher what they mean at first sight. A long rowing of large LEDs is divided in two and shows you shelling life and speed; a smaller set midmost tells you the gear you're in, patc four green LEDs let you know if the daytime sidelight is connected.

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GoCycle G4i+ dash display — (Epitome credit: Tom's Guide)

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GoCycle kept two of my ducky peeves from its previous mold: If you want to mount the phone to the handlebars, you have to shoulder strap IT into two glorified rubber bands. While my iPhone held steady, it feels cheap given the overall price of the bike.

GoCycle G4i+ phone app — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Speaking of rubber bands: other rubber loop is used to hold the two halves of the cycle unneurotic in its folded configuration. It's simple and IT kit and caboodle, but over again, feels very low-technical school in comparison to the respite of the bike.

GoCycle G4i+ folded on public transit — (Picture credit: Tom's Guide)

Foldaway the G4i+ is a quick three-step process: close the second half of the bicycle towards the front, plica the handlebars down, and then use the rubber strap to secure everything in place. All told, it's about a 30-second process, if that. Its 36-impound weight isn't as light as some of the best electrical scooters, but IT's portable enough to carry dormie a flight of steps without overmuch trouble. And, it's easy enough to roll the bike on its wheels, even when folded.

GoCycle G4i+ review: Performance

The electronic shifter was marvellous; a plain nudge of my wrist, and I was able to shift the gears up and down, and the bike responded swimmingly and instantly. Patc it only has three gears, it was plenty donated the bike assist. Smartly, the bike will mechanically downshift to prime gear when you number to a block.

GoCycle G4+ handle bars — (Image course credit: GoCycle)

Pedal wait on was too near-instantaneous. I was barely through the early rotation of the ice when it kicked in, which I found very helpful when navigating through traffic.

Should you get fed up pedaling, press the throttle and forth you go: The G4i+ can speed you at up to 20 mph — the legal restrain for this class of galvanising bikes — which I found a great serve when riding up steep hills. Information technology wasn't as powerful as the VanMoof S3's motor, but calm did the trick.

GoCycle G4i+ review: App

While you preceptor't need it, to get the most outer of the G4i+ you'll want to tie in it to the GoCycle app (Android and iOS). Here, you butt select between tercet riding modes (Urban center, Eco, On-Involve), each of which offers different levels of pedal assist. City Mode provides the almost assistance, while On-Requirement only provides mightiness when you ask for it. You can also create a custom mood.

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GoCycle G4i+ app screen example — (See credit: GoCycle)

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Turn your phone to landscape modality, and the app turns into a dashboard, with your speed front and nerve center. Hera, you can also replacement 'tween horseback riding modes, and see approximately how much bombardment life remains. I found this figure jumped around a bit settled on how overmuch pedaling I was doing: 1 instant, it would be at 60 percentage, simply when I came to a turn back, it would die up to 70 percent for representative.

GoCycle G4i+ review: Battery life and range

GoCycle says that the G4i+'s shelling should offer capable 50 miles of range, depending on how a good deal you wheel, how much you use the throttle, and the assist mode you'Re using. I took the bike on a 9-mile ride up and down some relatively hilly terrain in Urban center mode, and exploitation the gas pedal occasionally. After about 9 miles, I had drained all but 30 percent of the barrage fire.

GoCycle G4i+ battery is located inside the bike frame — (Image credit: GoCycle)

The G4i+'s battery is secret inside the bike's underframe. However, you lavatory take IT out and recharge it separately if you wish.

GoCycle G4i+ review: Accessories

GoCycle sells a range of accessories for its bike, some of which (the like front and fanny plastic mudguards — $59.99 all) — I like were included in the price. Other accessories include a front light ($149.99), a tail lamp ($69.50), a baggage rack ($279.99), and a front pannier ($199.99).

The pannier is really useful if you're victimization the pedal to transpose: It snaps on and off fairly quickly, and comes with a strap. IT's more than large enough to deport a laptop, though in that location's little in the way of cushioning.

GoCycle G4i+ review: The competition

Until fair recently, there were very few options when it came to folding electric bikes. However, in that location are immediately a superfluity of commuter train-friendly options, many of which are often less expensive than the G4i+, but not as sleekly designed, nor as unstressed or reigning.

The RadPower RadMini 4 ($1,699) has a 750W motor and a 45-geographical mile vagabon, for example, but weighs 68 pounds, and the Aventon Sinch ($1,699) has similar eyeglasses but weighs 68 pounds.

Among foldable electric bikes in the same weight grasp American Samoa the G4i+, the Brompton E-Bike M6L (starting at $3,800) weighs 34 pounds, and the Fiido D11 ($999) is 38 pounds, but has a smaller 250W motor.

GoCycle G4i+ review: Finding of fact

Commuters looking for a visible light and fast foldable electric bike won't observe some better than the GoCycle G4i+. It has a sleek and functional design, is easy to tote around, and provides much of zip when you need to get around traffic.

All this doesn't come cheap, though — you can steal a lot of train tickets with $6,000 — and for the money, I wish GoCycle came prepared with a ameliorate method of attaching your smartphone to the bike. Free mudguards would be nice, too.

Michael A. Prospero is the deputy sheriff editor program at Tom's Guide overseeing the home, smart home, drones, and seaworthiness/wearables categories, as swell as entirely buying guides and another evergreen content. When he's not testing out the current running watch, skiing or training for a Marathon, he's probably using the latest sous vide machine or more or less other cooking gadget.