The Hovsco Sync Max is a tiny folding e-bike, and I mean tiny. I tested it for several weeks for my video review (0:33 to 0:39), mostly with my nine year old daughter riding it, because at about 200 lb, I’m way too big for it (2:13 to 2:21, 3:28 to 3:31).
You can’t buy it new from Hovsco right now. As of Oct 27, 2026, Hovsco’s Sync Max page shows it at $349, down from $849.99, and sold out. The Hovsco link in my video description now opens a general collection page instead of this bike, and the Amazon link from that description returns an error page, so the link above goes to Hovsco’s own product page.
Everything I say about the ride comes from my video, with time stamps. Specs I didn’t measure come from Hovsco’s Sync Max product page as recorded on Oct 23, 2026.
Should you buy one?
My bottom line was that it’s a pretty decent e-bike, as long as you buy it for the right job. Don’t get it for a long commute. If you have a short trip, say from your house to public transit, the folding part works really well, and it’s perfect for kids around the neighborhood (6:01 to 6:16). It’s pretty inexpensive for what you get, and it’s also pretty limited in what you get (6:16 to 6:23).
Rider size decides it. If you’re an adult of normal height and weight, the motor has enough power, but the distance from the seat to the pedals just didn’t work for me. It will work for shorter adults or children (6:23 to 6:38).
Built for kids, with a speed you control
What’s nice, especially for parents, is the power setting. The display lets you switch between low, medium and high power output. I was in medium, and a double tap took me to high (1:11 to 1:23). Especially if younger kids will ride it, you can limit them to a very slow speed (1:23 to 1:33).
When my daughter uses it, I keep it on medium, and that’s about 9 mph. That’s plenty of speed for an 8 to 12 year old. Once they get older, you can move them up to the higher setting (1:33 to 1:50). Hovsco lists a top speed of up to 19 mph in its highest setting. I didn’t measure it.
It folds for trains, buses and trunks
The frame folds and collapses right in the center, so it’s great for getting on public transit like a train (0:44 to 0:56). It’s super lightweight, it folds down quickly, and then you can hop on the train or bus (3:06 to 3:13). Hovsco lists it at 42.3 lb, so “lightweight” here means for an e-bike.
I think in the US it’s great for kids. If you live in Asia, I think it would be great to ride to a train or other transit. It’s super easy to zip around somewhere like Tokyo and then fold it up and hop on a train (3:13 to 3:28).
Controls are simple
The controls are very simple. On the left you have the front brake, and they’re disc brakes. On the right you have the rear brake and the throttle, which works from zero (0:56 to 1:11). Hovsco also lists an electronic brake.
Lights and a clean build
There’s a front headlight built in on the other side of the screen (1:50 to 1:58). The cabling is mostly inside. It goes in and comes back out, but I’d say it’s pretty clean for an e-bike, especially at this price (1:58 to 2:13).
Out back there’s an integrated rear brake light. Hold the brake and it flashes, which definitely increases rider safety, especially in a more urban area (2:44 to 3:03).
The seat post is the problem
Look at the seat post and you’ll see just how short it is. There’s no height adjustment at all. You put it all the way in and clamp it down, with no way to raise the seat, which would make it a lot more comfortable. That comes from the curved tube the post goes into, which leaves no room for a taller post (2:21 to 2:43).
That’s why pedaling doesn’t work well. For me, and for my daughter who’s only nine, the pedals are pretty much useless except as a place to put your feet. It’s really uncomfortable to pedal, and I think it comes down to where the seat sits in relation to the pedals. You’d have to be really short to pedal it comfortably (3:28 to 3:49). It does need pedals so you can use the motor and it counts as a bike (3:49 to 3:58). It has no gears, so keep that in mind too (6:16 to 6:18).
Other than that, it’s super small, so know that going in. If you’re buying it for kids, or you’re shorter yourself, it might work for you (3:58 to 4:04).
What I didn’t test
I didn’t run a range test, a top speed test or a braking test, and I didn’t weigh it. Hovsco lists a 450W motor, a 36V 7.8Ah battery, a 30 mile range, 14 inch wheels, a 260 lb load limit, about 6 hours to charge and an IPX5 water rating. Those are Hovsco’s numbers. I’m too big to ride it the way it’s meant to be ridden, so most of what I saw came from my daughter riding on medium.
How it compares with small bikes I’ve filmed
The ONEBOT folding e-bike is the closest one I’ve reviewed. ONEBOT lists a 250W motor, a 36V 5.2Ah battery, 16 inch tires and 18.2 kg (about 40 lb), so it’s similar in weight with a smaller motor and battery. ONEBOT’s own store page for it doesn’t load anymore, as of Oct 22, 2026.
The Gyroor C5 Max goes the other way, with 20 by 4 inch fat tires, a 500W motor and 63 lb, at a 15.5 mph top speed. It’s much bigger than the Sync Max, and I couldn’t find it on Gyroor’s store as of Oct 22, 2026.
If you’re an adult who wants a folding e-bike that fits you, the Kingbull Literider is a full size folding fat tire bike I filmed. Kingbull now sells the Literider 2.0, which it listed at $979 when I checked on Oct 23, 2026. It’s 71 lb, so it’s a very different kind of bike.
For more kid and teen options, see my best e-bike for 10 to 12 year olds and my e-bike guide for parents.
FAQ
What age is the Sync Max good for?
I set it to medium, about 9 mph, for my nine year old, and I think that’s plenty for a child around 8 to 12 (1:33 to 1:46).
Can an adult ride it?
A short adult can. At about 200 lb and normal height, I’m too big for it. The motor has enough power for me, but the seat to pedal fit doesn’t work (2:13 to 2:21, 6:23 to 6:36).
Does it fold?
Yes, in the center of the frame (0:44 to 0:51).
Can I buy one now?
Not new from Hovsco. It shows as sold out at $349 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Pros and cons
Pros: you can cap the power for kids; it folds quickly for transit or a car; an integrated headlight and a flashing brake light; mostly internal cabling; a throttle that works from zero; inexpensive for what you get.
Cons: too small for an average adult; the seat post can’t be raised; pedaling is uncomfortable; no gears; sold out at Hovsco.
Price
Hovsco lists it at $349, down from $849.99, and sold out as of Oct 27, 2026. My video had code MTV for $50 off, which may have expired.
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 (ESV)
