The HONBIKE U4 is still functional and only costs 1699 euros online. You will learn what the e-mountain bike is capable of throughout this test and where you must make concessions.Â
Due to its downgrading to a pedelec, the HONBIKE U4 is an electric mountain bike that is also legal to ride in Germany. The top features include a 100km range, 25 km/h pedal assistance, and huge 27.5-inch tyres. You can at least look at the U4 if you’re considering switching to an e-bike in light of rising gas prices. We also did that and used the e-bike.
It’s sad that good packaging and security for the U4 are not standard practises. With only a few easy steps, the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and front light are assembled in a short amount of time. Even the included tool can be put to use. Also included is a bracket that can be simply fitted with two screws and serves to protect the rear derailleur.
If an electric bicycle can be used without pedal assistance, it is referred to as a “e-bike“; otherwise, it is referred to as a pedelec. As long as the pedal assistance does not cause the pedelec to reach speeds of more than 25 km/h, a pedelec can be driven normally (and legally) even without an insurance number plate and driver’s license. Given that the self-acceleration throttle on the HONBIKE U4 is optional and detachable when installing the bike, it falls somewhere in the middle. The bike is still permitted on German roads since it cannot operate entirely electronically.
With the HONBIKE U4, you may escape this by reducing it to a pedelec, which is permitted on German roads but not for the majority of Chinese e-bikes.
| Frame | Aircraft-grade 7000 series aluminum |
| Drivetrain | Gates Carbon Belt Drive |
| SmartHON | Smooth and responsive riding system |
| Riding modes | Eco, City, Sport |
| Motor | High reduction ratio 1:13, smooth power output·36V 250W rear hub motor |
| Battery | Integrated lithium-ion 432Wh |
| Charging | 4 - 4.5 hours |
| Display | Handlebar integrated LCD screen |
| Smartphone App | Honbike App (connected by built-in Bluetooth®) |
| Range | Maximum 100km |
| Assist speed | 25km/h (15.5mph) |
| Saddle | Comfort urban riding style |
| Tyre | 27.5" x 2.0" |
| Wheelset | One-piece Tru magnesium die cast |
| Brake | Disc brake |
| Light | F: LED R: LED |
| IP rating | IPX6 Highly water-resistant |
| Dimension | 1780 x 670 x 1035mm |
| Rider's height | 1.6 - 1.9m |
| Approximate weight | 20.2kg |
| Maximum rider weight | 120kg, including luggage |
HONBIKE U4: Design
The e-hardtail appears to be nicely constructed and makes a good impression for the price. Personally, I really enjoy the matte black lacquered frame’s basic design. Only a few components, such the crank, brake calipers, or seat clamp, exhibit the low cost. Despite having a somewhat cheap appearance, they work without any issues.
The whole effect really impresses me. Other affordable e-bikes that were able to persuade me were the HONBIKE F1 and the two e-folding bikes NAKXUS 20F057 and Himo Z20.Â
Undoubtedly one of the bigger electric motorcycles is the HONBIKE U4. Many of the types are foldable motorcycles with 20-inch tires or smaller. The wheels are 27.5 inches in diameter. Due to this, it is not only appropriate for city driving but is also clearly touted as a mountain bike. The U4 is likewise huge, measuring 180 cm at its full length. The handlebar is 68 cm broad, and the saddle height ranges from 85 to 105 centimeters. 120 kg is the maximum load.
The front wheel, saddle, and pedals still need to be put together, but it’s a simple process. The mounting of the lighting is still the most bothersome element, but it is only momentarily screwed here. However, there is a suggestion that the “back light” is actually only a reflector. Since an actual lamp is needed in this location, you will still need to attach it manually; however, this is not a problem for a straightforward battery-powered lamp. Additionally, there are two reflectors for the spokes, however strictly speaking, this is insufficient because each wheel needs two cat’s eyes, as per the German STVZo.
You can also mount a throttle as an alternative. Two handlebar grips are also included in the bundle, one of which can be cable-connected to the bike. As was already mentioned, a totally electric drive is also conceivable, which would make it illegal to ride a motorcycle without approval and insurance, at least in Germany.
We now arrive at the handlebars. The usual grips are, in my opinion, regrettably inadequate. They cannot be held properly due to their size or narrowness, which is the first drawback. This eventually causes a lot of discomfort, especially in the thumbs. The second issue is the handles’ ribbed surface, which becomes nearly painful after 30 minutes of riding and leaves obvious marks on your hands.
Additionally lacking are mudguards and a luggage rack. If you’re a backpacker, the former isn’t necessarily a negative thing. But in the latter, it doesn’t just shine. Although I had no issues with this on my test rides during a heat wave in the midst of the summer, you wouldn’t want to be driving in the rain without the mudguards’ splash guard.
HONBIKE U4: Motor and Driving
250 watts of electricity are used to power the rear-wheel drive, which is managed via a 5-level support LCD display on the left side of the handlebar. The various levels only support up to specific speeds, as is typical with inexpensive China-made e-bikes. Only in the final level do you reach the top speed of 25 km/h. You can also open the menu from the display using a key combination and choose your own peak speed. At this time, it should be noted that Germany does not allowed support at speeds higher than 25 km/h. Unfortunately, due to a lack of certification, the U4 does not possess formal authorisation in Germany.
But I also enjoy traveling on the U4. While the handlebars cannot be adjusted to the proper height, the saddle can. To suit individual preferences, the front fork’s suspension can be altered. Despite being mostly utilized as a city bike, the bike can also be ridden pretty effectively off-road. However, you also feel at ease using it on paved and unpaved roads.
There are five distinct pedal aid modes, each of which operates at a top speed of 12, 16, 20, 23 or 25 km/h. Although you have a lot to choose from, 12, 20, and 25 km/h would have likely sufficed as well.
Other than that, the drive is very powerful and pushes impressively, even on mountains with greater steepness. For such an inexpensive e-bike, the pedal sensor is surprisingly finely tuned, which surprises me quite a bit. It even approaches a natural driving experience because the rear-wheel drive is not in the foreground and moves through the vehicle in a nice manner. The motor starts up after a brief pedal spin, but it then easily fits into my cadence. Whatever the case, I’ve encountered considerably worse drive units here.
Even if there are no surprises in this, I want to at least quickly highlight the display. The level of pedal assistance, speed, and battery life are all indicated. The light can also be turned on and off here. This can be controlled by pressing the buttons.
HONBIKE U4: BatteryÂ
With pedal assistance, the built-in battery’s 12Ah capacity should allow you to travel up to 100 kilometers. The range would still be 50 kilometers in fully electric mode, which should be included for completeness.
HONBIKE U4: Conclusions
For this price, the whole concept is more than consistent. After a little fine-tuning, the gears are relatively direct, the brakes hold quite firmly, and the motor is enjoyable to drive. With my 1.80 m, the frame is large enough for me to feel completely at ease. I really enjoy the wide handlebars a lot. A truly functional e-hardtail is the consequence of this. The only cheap Chinese e-bike that I would possibly even dare to ride on a gentle single path is this one. Even while the fork generally exhibits acceptable damping behaviour and doesn’t rebound with a loud bang like most others, it has a tendency to form slightly peculiar figures when applying heavy front-wheel braking.
Overall, I still view it as a work in progress since I would have to make too many sacrifices. Which is unfortunate because I would truly enjoy riding the HONBIKE U4 more if the aforementioned pieces were installed or changed. And theoretically, all of the issues outlined can be resolved. Currently, HONBIKE is selling the bike for €1.699 on their own website.
