GoTrax F5 Review, 2024

The range test was a definite brightspot for the F5 as it got good mileage for this kind of motor and battery setup. The specs from GoTrax said we should expect a range of 15 to 60 miles, and honestly we were not holding our breath that the 60 mile range would even come close, since we used PAS 3 for the longer distance test (since the speed test showed PAS 1 and 2 aren’t too usable), but we assumed wrong.

The first range test, using PAS 3, is meant to give us an idea of the farthest distance this bike can go on a single battery charge, and with continual pedal assistance from the motor. Most folding bikes we tested previously, that had 500W hub motors and similar size batteries, went around 60 miles, on average, but did so in PAS 1. Using PAS 3 on this bike, I figured it would be more like 40 miles. But this bike kept going, and finally ran out of power at 53.68 miles, in a time of 4:49, average speed of 11.87 mph.

The second range test has us using PAS 5 because we want to know the range for when the rider is in a hurry. GoTrax said 15.5 miles was the minimum distance this bike could go, and I was pretty satisfied to see the bike take me 23.18 miles (at a time of 1:25, average speed of 16.2 mph) before the battery shut off. I was hoping this bike could at least make 20 miles, so those extra three miles were cool to see. The other important takeaway is my second ride had some challenging inclines and an elevation gain of 673’. Most test racks used by bike companies are flat and easy. So these range test results were pretty good for the most part.

Riding up a steep hill can make you love or hate your e-bike because hills are the obstacle you really want your bike to help you over. When Justin, our hill test rider, tested this bike at the hill of all hills here, Southwest Utah’s own “Hell Hole Trail,”

The first test had Justin using the throttle only, with no pedaling. The F5 took off from a start with no problem. But then there was that one point where the trail gets even steeper – that’s when I thought this bike was going to sputter and stop. But it kept going! The F5 slowed to about 8 mph at that point, but then picked up speed again and made it to top in a decent time of 1:22 and average speed of 13.2 mph.

The second time around, this time with Justin giving basic non-exertive pedaling, and using PAS 5 for pedal assist from the motor, the F5 was able to improve a bit. It reached the top in a time of 1:15 with a pace of 14.5 mph.

In the larger picture of our testing those are both pretty respectable results, and if I’m being honest, probably better than I was expecting given the bike’s price. It’s pretty cool whenever we see entry level products make good time up our test hill – it means you can get a handy bike without dropping a ton of coin.

We don’t always find good brakes on similarly priced entry-level bikes. That’s because brakes are one of the components where some bike makers choose a cheaper option. The Nutt brand hydraulic disc brakes on this bike are not as well-known but these brakes did well on our brake test, giving an average stopping distance of 23’5”. This was one inch shorter than our current average for folding e-bikes, which we were not expecting to see on a bike priced this low.

The Nutt brakes use the common-size 180mm rotors and dual-piston calipers for stopping the wheels. Sometimes the brakes on the cheaper bikes squeak, but that was not the case here either. I rode this bike for both of the range tests, and didn’t experience brake fade at any point, including four long downhills where I had to keep partially pulling on the brake lever (known as modulating) and continually maintained a safe and slower speed with no issues.

Sometimes it’s not easy finding replacement parts on lesser-known brakes, but I had no problem finding replacement pads for under $25, which are comparable similar name brand pads. These brakes also use the same mineral oil other brakes use, so maintaining the F5’s brakes should be pretty straight forward and similar costs as other e-bikes.

As demonstrated by our review here, the GoTrax F5 surprised us a few times, leaving a good lasting impression when thinking about entry level folding bikes that ride pretty good, too. Of course at this price point it’s not difficult for us to find something we’d like to see improved. But this bike is a good start. The folding process was easy, and I had no difficulty lifting it up to place in a car trunk, but the 67 lbs weight might require a second set of hands helping lift and carry this bike. We’d like to see GoTrax give a strap or bungee cord to keep the bike from unfolding.

Regardless, GoTrax found a good mix of components and features on this bike that made me feel like I’d be getting pretty good value for my money if I had bought this bike. And this part probably really rings the ears of price conscious ebike shoppers who are eager to get on two-wheels sooner rather than later.

For more information about current pricing on this ebike, please click the link above. GoTrax ships directly to buyers, meaning you can see one of these on your porch in a few days. Thanks for reading our review of the GoTrax F5. Be sure to sign up on our mailing list so you can learn about the latest with new and upcoming e-bikes.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions down in our comments section or if you think we left anything out in this review of the GoTrax F5.