The F4W (fast forward) Ride is a well rounded entry level electric bike. The highlights include a low mid-mounted battery pack that’s easy to put on and take off, front and rear lights, a cargo rack with bungees and front and rear fenders. My experience with the bike has been limited but the ride quality was average and that’s reflected in the lower rating I gave the bike as well as its lower price point. There’s really a lot of value in the accessories and warranty here but some of that is spoiled for me given the unique spring-activated torque sensor. Whether the bike is powered on or just being ridden like a traditional bicycle the cranks feel soft and squishy when pedaling. It’s hard to explain but very noticeable when pedaling, it’s the opposite of stiff and responsive… but thankfully that feeling does not transfer into the power output by the motor.
The motor driving this bike is a 350 watt geared hub located in the rear. It can be activated via twist throttle (on the right grip) or through one of three pedal assist modes. The system relies on a torque sensor that smooths out power activation but causes some other issues as described above given the unique spring design. Geared hub motors are known for offering solid torque and power for their lighter, smaller footprint and this one is made by 8Fun (Bafang in China) which is a reputable brand. The motor performs well enough though it does produce some noise as shown in the video review. I’d call it average, good enough for scooting around town and ascending medium hills as long as you help by pedaling a bit.
The battery powering this system is a Lithium-ion pack mounted just behind the seat post tube. It can be charged on or off the bike and simply tilts out to the side for removal which is pretty cool. It also has a neat metal cap on the side designed to keep water and dirt out of the charging port. The pack offers 36 volts of power and 9 amp hours of capacity that should take you 20 to 40 miles depending on how much you use the twist throttle verses pedal assist. The cells inside are made by Sony and come with a two year warranty which is fantastic. The battery pack is actually one of my favorite parts about the F4W Ride or its brother, the Peak. They did a great job with it and it even includes a key for locking security.
Operating the Fast Forward Ride is relatively simple. Just click the toggle switch on the battery pack and activate the bike with the center rubberized button on the LCD display panel. At level zero none of the drive systems on the bike will work but you can still use the control panel to see how fast you’re going, how far you’ve gone and how much battery capacity remains. Once you choose an assist level (there are three) you can activate the motor by either pedaling or using the half-grip twister on the right handle. It’s a simple system, I would have liked to use throttle at level zero but it’s not a deal killer. While the bike does have ann adjustable headlight tail light, they run off their own batteries and have to be activated independently with little switches. For the price of this bike I’m just happy it came with lights but having them integrated would definitely have been nice to save weight and waste on disposable batteries (yes, I know you can get rechargeable but then you need a separate charger etc.
The F4W Ride offers a lot of value but ironically it’s just not that fun to ride (compared with other ebikes I’ve tested). You get the lights, fenders, a rack and a mini computer but it’s all rather average and not entirely integrated. If you forget to turn one of the lights off after a ride… it will probably run out. The pedals are rubber and plastic making them easier to slip off of in the rain and the suspension fork is extremely basic. Overall the bike feels a little cheap and doesn’t pedal as smoothly or efficiently as higher priced options. This comes back to the spring-activated assist. If Hero Eco would have used a standard 12 or even 5 sensor pedelec disc with magnets to activate the F4W Ride it would be a lot more satisfying to pedal and the score would be a 4 or 4.5 given the excellent weight distribution, warranty and decent price point. If you’re very price sensitive or this is your first ebike it could be a good choice but consider checking out similar bikes like the e-Joe Anggun that pedal more smoothly and are similarly priced.
Mid-level city style ebike with practical features including lights, suspension fork and removable battery. Average sized motor offers enough power to cruise around town and ascend moderate hills with…...
Adora
10 years agoLong Island Electric Bikes has the “F4W Peak” with an 8FUN (Bafang) 350 watt geared brushless rear hub motor … looks like a mountain bike … don’t see any suspension … $1799.00 … have you seen that? Any comments?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoI have tried the F4W Peak and will post a review for it soon! Stay tuned… It’s a bit more generic than the mid-drive system from 8Fun, imagine a high step version of the F4W Ride reviewed here.
ReplyAdora
10 years agoAre you saying the 350watt Bafang (aka 8FUN) in the F4W Peak is more “generic” than any other Bafang? Wouldn’t they be using the same Bafang in the Volton (and others) as well. I suppose that any number of manufacturers have copied the Bafang?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoYeah, it’s the same motor being used on many different bikes. The real variation shows up in the battery used, the bicycle frame and the accessories added. 8Fun or “Bafang” also makes mid-drive motor systems like this so that’s another difference you might see.
ReplyTony
8 years agoWe’re can l get a battery charger for a f4w ride
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Tony! I have no clue to be honest… Might be worth asking in the forums here but so far nobody has made any comments and I rarely see this brand at all anymore. It’s kind of sad, I wish I could be more help to you… Maybe ask the shop where you bought it? I don’t have a contact at the company unfortunately.
ReplyMeron
6 years agoHello, I want to ask about F4W Ride battery. Is it available and what is the price? I’d like to get a replacement.
Replycourt
6 years agoHi Meron! I don’t think F4W is still in business, at least I haven’t seen their products at many shops lately… Perhaps the best approach would be to have your own battery refurbished and repacked with new cells. Here’s a guide on that with some links to companies that can help :)
ReplyLouis Beaumont
5 years agoLooking for a battery management system (PCB) for my Fast4ward ride electric bike. 36V 9ah. Thank you.
ReplyCourt
5 years agoHi Louis, this company has been off of my radar for many years now. I’m not sure they are still in business… but you could work to get your battery and controller replaced entirely (and even upgraded) by working with a third party like FTH Power. I visited and made a guide with a video a while back that you can see from that link :)
ReplyHarold William Evelyn Hosking
4 years agoI have tried to contact Hero Eco about where to get a replacement battery if I need one. All I get is a message but this guy Tait never replies and I suspect this bike is no longer serviced or even sold any more.
ReplyCourt
4 years agoHi Harold! Yeah, that’s the impression I’m getting as well. I think these F4W products had a limited run. If you’re in need of a replacement battery pack, there are some service providers out there who might be able to help. Here’s a post I made about a company in Southern California called FTH Power. Good luck!
ReplyHarold William Evelyn Hosking
4 years agoThanks so much for the link – at the moment the bike is fine – after four years! But then the e-bikes were a novelty and many chancers scrambled to “deal” in them like my chap who subsequently realised that there was more to a dealership than just passing on products at a profit. makes. Will try the link, or maybe adapt the bike to one of the current models on the road battery. May not be possible, but the link is in the US and I am in UK.
Harold William Evelyn Hosking
4 years agocountybattery will refurbish, but it seems to 26v and not (yet?) to 36v which is necessary I think for the F4WRide. When ours expires I will see if they can do 36v, but if not then to the dump. It has, surprisingly, done 4 years now and is still charging and holding its charge.
ReplyJULIAN ACEVES
1 year agoWHAT IS THE CHARGER THAT THIS BIKE USES OR WHERE I COULD GET IT SINCE MINE WAS LOST AND I NEED A CHARGER :((((
ReplyCourt
1 year agoHi Julian, I’m not sure where you can get a replacement charger for the F4W ebikes. I believe they no longer make this product, and it can be risky to use different chargers. Perhaps you could search more in the forums or contact a company like FTH Power in California, who make battery replacements and do re-packing. They could have more insight into chargers if you read them the details of the battery and send a picture of the plug design. Hope this helps!
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