November 24, 2025
If, like me, you’re a lover of retro-style smart e-bikes and felt a huge letdown learning that the Yamaha Y-00 BRICOLAGE was just a concept bike, you can turn your attention to the HELIO F by Heybike, which almost flew under the radar...
While maintaining its ode to vintage, Heybike also honors the present through Street Art with the Artists Limited Edition of the HELIO F, customized by three contemporary Design & Street Art artists: Hedof, Emi (Emiliano Ponzi), and Mark.
Hedof with his playful ideas of movement and freedom showing the joy of commuting as exploration, turning routine into discovery...
Emi with his suspended moments of everyday life, blending landscapes, serendipity, and the joy of being outside...
Mark and his “Magical Forest Creatures" reimagine ancient rituals and folklore with playful modernity...
Racing Green
Anchor Red
The new Heybike Helio F Vintage Edition is available in two shades: Racing Green and Anchor Red. Combining retro aesthetics with modern technology, it features a refined finish with a fluid design and no visible welds. The frame is coated in vibrant paint, and its vintage vibe is enhanced by the chrome-steel color of the crankset, fenders, battery-integrated seat post, and handlebar stem. The yellow-wall tires complete the journey back in time.
However, it must be admitted that the HELIO F isn't that vintage compared to the sublime Yamaha Bricolage, where you can clearly see the exposed welds, the faux-fade paint evoking wear and tear, and the fake corrosion marks.
Comparing it to the HELIO F Artists Limited Edition, it's clear that the e-bike's "skin" (styling) is essential in defining its style and era. We saw this with the ADO AIR CARBON—the choice of a two-tone finish totally changes the visual. Usual monochrome tones like gray, black, anthracite, or livelier colors aim to suggest quality or discretion... whereas a two-tone scheme claims a more open, approachable identity. (Just because you have a colorful little bike doesn't necessarily mean you work at a circus...).
It’s a 20" foldable built on a 6061 aluminum alloy frame, which explains its weight of ~18 kg (40 lbs). The rigid fork is hydroformed with a thru-axle.
The HELIO F features the proprietary X-Fold system: a patented mechanism allowing the bike to fold in just 3 seconds, accompanied by a magnetic locking system.
However, I don't see a stopper pad under the seat tube for when it's folded.
Performance-wise, the 36V, 250W rear hub motor is paired with a torque sensor (40Nm) and a Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain.
The removable lithium battery (brand currently unknown) integrated into the seat post is 360 Wh, offering a range of 80 to 120 km (50 to 75 miles) and charges in 4-6 hours.
Hydraulic disc brakes (TEKTRO HD-T275) and Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires (20'' × 2.0'') are among the components that suggest it’s capable of more than just city riding and ideal for hilly areas.
The top speed is 25 km/h ~ 15.5 mph for EU version, US version speeds up to 20 mph ~ 32 km/h.
Regarding onboard technology, there is a hidden slot to include an AirTag, front and rear lights integrated into the frame with brake lights, a display equipped with a Bluetooth module linking the HELIO F's data to the HEYBIKE app, and an integrated USB charging port.
Aside from its Bluetooth connectivity, the color screen is fairly basic, perhaps even a little disappointing for such a pretty smart e-bike. It features the standard HMI functionalities:
Real-time speed, maximum speed, average speed
Real-time motor power
Battery capacity
Metric(km/h)/Imperial(MPH) switching
Total mileage, Trip mileage
Trip time
Brightness adjustment
Light indicator
Assist level
Error code
Calorie consumption
Auto power-off time
1 Headlight Status: Indicates if the bike's light is on.
2 Walk Mode: Indicates that the low-speed motor assist mode (for pushing the bike) is active.
3 Abnormal Warn: Displays warnings or system alerts (e.g., motor overheating, sensor failure).
4 Bluetooth: Indicates the status of the Bluetooth connection to a phone or app.
5 Power Level: Shows the current power output mode
6 Battery Capacity: Graphic indicator of the remaining battery charge.
7 Speed Unit: Displays the unit of speed (KM/H or MPH).
8 Current Speed: The real-time riding speed
9 Data Area: The main area for changeable data, often showing Trip Distance, Total Mileage (Odometer), or Trip Time
10 Power Bar: Real-time gauge showing the instantaneous power being drawn from the motor.
11 Assist Level: Numerical display of the active pedal-assist level
eBike on/off: Power your e-bike on and off.
eBike mileage: View your total e-bike mileage.
PAS level settings: Adjust the pedal-assist levels.
Battery level: Check the current battery charge.
Trip distance: Track the distance of your current ride.
Cycling data sharing: Share your ride data with others.
Heybike community: Connect and interact with the Heybike community.
Personalization settings: Customize various settings that are then saved to the LCD display.
Backlight setting: Configure the screen's backlight.
Bike tracking and anti-theft: Track your bike's location and receive anti-theft alerts.
Remote control: Control certain functions of your bike remotely.
Geofencing: Set up virtual boundaries and get alerts when your bike enters or leaves these areas.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates: Receive software updates wirelessly.
Movement and geofencing alarms: Get notifications if your bike is moved or crosses a geofence.
Bike diagnosis: Run a diagnostic check on your bike's system.
Release date : 2025
This HELIO F Vintage Edition is a real looker! I was initially hyped about this little retro gem packing all the tech essentials, but as I was writing this piece, a few details left me a bit puzzled.
There is a distinct lack of information in both the website and the user manual. The battery brand is unknown, the motor appears to be a custom or white-label unit, and the weight isn't exactly groundbreaking (fenders included). The "overly colorful" Bluetooth LCD display doesn't really mesh aesthetically with the smart e-bike's overall design. I would have preferred a circular display integrated into the stem, like the one found on the SMALO PX2 or the MUON FERMION PRO.
On the flip side, the 40Nm torque seems like a solid choice for commuting, outdoor use, or cruising through parks. However, at 18 kg (~40 lbs), I think hauling it up stairs is going to be a pain, especially given the lack of grip points on the frame—where are you supposed to grab it?
All in all, Heybike is presenting five HELIO F models, split between the Vintage Edition and the Artists Limited Edition. The collabs with street artists are really cool, especially since these creatives have already worked with major brands (fashion, furniture, etc.).
Whether regarding retro or contemporary design, Heybike has innovated here. Special attention was paid to the frame paint with those Racing Green and Anchor Red colors; you can sense the quality of the coating and the thoughtful choice of tones.
Mini-J
My thanks to HEYBIKE for their courtesy in allowing me to use their photos.
For more information, visit the EU official Heybike website US official Heybike website