Which GOTRAX Folding Ebike Should You Buy? Comparing the F1, F2 & F3

Which GOTRAX folding electric bike should you buy? We compare the GOTRAX F1, F2, and F3 and bring you our findings. 

In this review, we’re comparing GOTRAX’s core lineup of electric folding bikes: the F1, the F2, and the F3. We’ll look at price, components, performance, specs—all of the stuff you need to know to determine which bike will be the best for you.

We’ve previously reviewed the F2, and I’d already ridden the F1 a decent amount. I’ve now spent the last week riding the F3, and I’m here to tell you what each of these bikes does well, and what kind of needs each bike would fit.

The F1 starts at $800, then the price moves up $100 for each bike. All three are 48-volt, and visually, the differences aren’t significant. One of the obvious, core differences between these three bikes is the drivetrain.

The F1 is a single speed, so the F1 in general is much more focused on simplicity and lightweight. This is the one you want to get if you’re a smaller rider, if you’re someone who is on a tight budget, or if you’re the type of person who does not want to worry about maintenance and who wants the simplest, most straightforward bike you can get.

The F2 adds a basic 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, and the F3 keeps that same gearing. If you want to be able to shift through the gears, then you’ll want to get one of these two. All three of these ebikes are hub driven with twist throttles; however, the F3 does offer a torque sensor, which gives you a more natural riding experience with a more controlled feel.

You can see the progression in suspension going from the F1 to the F3. There’s no suspension on the F1, about 30 millimeters of front spring suspension travel on the F2, and about 45 millimeters of front spring suspension on the F3.

For those who want a little bit of suspension, the F2 is kind of that Goldilocks ebike with the best of both worlds. You get the lighter weight of the F1, but you the upgraded components and features of the F3.

Weight is relevant here, not only for picking up these bikes when you fold them down and need to stick them in your car, but it’s also relevant for the way the bike feels when you jump on and ride it.

The thing I like most about the F1, besides the simplicity, is how light and nimble it feels. There’s not a lot of weight under you, so it’s so easy to control.

A few things to note with this F1 in particular: I rode the version 1, and GOTRAX just released version 2 of the F1, which gets the same color display as the F3. They’ve also given the latest F1 a bit of a visual update, and I think version 2 has a bit more of a polished look.

While the F1 is small, light, nimble, and a lot of fun to ride, I would say that I’m probably as large as you would want to be on this bike. I’m six foot one, and two hundred pounds, and I think if you weigh more than that or if you’re taller than me, you’re going to want to go for one of the larger bikes. I have the seat post all the way up on the F1, for example.

The F2 has the largest amount of immediately noticeable differences when going from one bike up to the next one. You can feel the jump up in size and weight; the larger, wider tires are immediately noticeable. You get a little bit of front suspension.

As the Goldilocks bike – the one with features of both the F1 and the F3 – the F2 is the bike I’d recommend for the majority of riders. At $900, I think the price is great, and you make the step up into getting suspension and tires that can handle a little bit of dirt riding.

There’s a significant jump in weight up to the F3, so if you’ll be regularly folding this bike up and sticking it in a car or carrying it upstairs, then I would say the F2 is the one to get if you think the F1 is too small. It still maintains a level of nimbleness and deftness that the F3 doesn’t quite have, but it’s definitely not as quick and smooth as the F1.

Just like with the F1, the F2 version 2 does have the upgraded display and an overall extra level of polish. That is something to note. You still have cable brakes on this bike. I thought that maybe they went up to hydraulic brakes on the new version, but they actually didn’t. I think getting the hydraulic brakes on the F3 might be a big enough reason to do the $100 upgrade, especially if you already like other features of the F3 more than the F2. But, you know, this is that happy medium bike.

The F3 has the same size battery as the F2, and I range tested the F2 and got 22 miles in the highest riding mode. It has a maximum range of 40 to 45 miles, so if you’re in a lower riding mode, you should be able to get those higher numbers.

Because the motor of the GOTRAX F1 is smaller and the bike is a bit lighter, I imagine you’d be able to get an additional five miles of range on this bike: somewhere in the 25 to 30-mile range in the highest riding mode, which is great for the price.

The cable brakes have been fine, and with a top speed of only 20 miles an hour, I don’t feel like I need more. The gearing is really good; it’s only a single speed, but I’m not really spinning in place at all except when I get above 20 mph. It’s geared to feel like you’re pedaling at a normal cadence when you’re up at the higher speeds. 20 miles an hour on this bike is plenty fast. The other two do 25, but I don’t feel like you need it on this bike.

As someone who is a big fan of the simplicity, compactness, and the tire size of the F1, I genuinely think the smallest of these three ebikes would be my personal choice if I had to choose one of the three. I’ve just turned into a person who values simplicity, the more ebikes and electric scooters I review, and there’s really something to be said for how straightforward the GOTRAX F1 ebike is. But, really, that’s true of all three of these folding e-bikes.

Which one should you get? That all depends on what you need as a rider. If you’re under six feet and 200 pounds and value compactness, portability, and a nimble ride, I’d say go for the F1. If you need a little more heft and suspension, larger tires, and a bigger battery, the F2 gives you the best of both worlds without adding too much weight.

The F3, however, will give the most ride comfort of the three bikes, if you don’t need to worry too much about transporting your bike frequently, and you want to hit some nastier trails on the way home.

That’s all for now! Remember to always wear a helmet, and stay frosty!