The two biggest problems with electric bikes aren’t even about e-bikes
The rise of electric bicycles is leading to a critical shift in urban transportation, bringing with it the potential for cleaner cities, reduced traffic congestion, and a boost to riders’ physical and mental health. However, there are still two significant barriers preventing many from adopting this green mode of transportation. The strange thing though is that neither of the two biggest problems with e-bikes are even about e-bikes themselves.
The deadly risk of cycling on roads
Riding an e-bike is almost entirely a positive experience in and of itself – at least if you ignore outside factors. Riders get where they’re going faster, they save money, and they get healthy.
But if you ask those who are bike-curious why they haven’t made the switch from their car to a bike, the most common answer will be something to do with getting hit by a car.
And it’s not an irrational fear. While most cyclists are likely never to get hit, especially when employing safe riding tips and practices, there’s no getting around the fact that the rate of cycling injuries and deaths is increasing in the US.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for this problem. Part of it can be related to car bloat, where every year we see cars growing a little bit bigger and heavier, resulting in today’s massive SUVs and trucks. Part of it can be attributed to distracted drivers who are increasingly tied to their phones instead of looking out for other road users. But the biggest culprit of all – and the one thing that can help negate all of those other issues – is a distinct lack of widescale safe cycling infrastructure.
Every year, countless cyclists lose their lives in collisions with motor vehicles. The juxtaposition of lightweight bicycles and heavy, fast-moving vehicles, especially in areas without designated bike lanes, means that cyclists are always the losers regardless of who’s at fault in a crash.
Cities worldwide must recognize this urgent issue and invest in creating safer infrastructure for cyclists. This means constructing protected bike lanes, especially those separated from traffic by barriers or a safe distance.
But it also means more comprehensive road safety campaigns, focusing on educating drivers about sharing the road. And lastly, penalizing dangerous driving. Speed cameras are a simple and easy way to enforce the most common cause of accidents (and the largest risk that an accident leads to injury or death), speeding cars. Other methods should also be explored. There’s no reason to allow dangerous driving that threatens other road users to go unchecked.
The lurking threat of bike theft
Even if we suddenly solved the issue of dangerous car drivers killing cyclists, there’d still be one other major hurdle to promoting widespread e-bike adoption: bike theft. It’s one of the main concerns potential e-bike riders face, with rampant theft of bicycles in urban areas now increasingly focusing on electric bikes for their higher value and ability to part out the expensive components.
E-bikes are often pricier than their traditional counterparts due to their motors and battery systems, making them especially attractive targets for thieves. The anxiety of leaving a pricey investment locked in public has deterred many potential riders.
One solution to this problem lies in strengthening security infrastructure. Cities can invest in more secure bike parking stations, equipped with surveillance systems and secure locking structures. Property owners can also contribute by providing safe indoor storage spaces for residents and employees. I recently spoke with LeGrand Crewse, the CEO of California-based e-bike company SUPER73, who told me about a local project where the company partnered with high schools to help build secure locking rooms on campus to ensure students wouldn’t have to worry about an expensive bike being stolen during the day.
Focusing on locking education, especially on which locks are higher quality and how to use multiple locks in unison, can help riders feel more confident about protecting their rides. I’ve used a Foldylock Forever from Seatlylock for the last few months and found it to be one of the best, most secure locks I’ve ever tried.
Education is key, but the best and most effective option relies upon cities helping to create safer locking locations. You don’t have to go full-Amersterdam, though that’d be a good place to draw inspiration. Check out the impressive bike parking garages I saw on my last visit to The Netherlands.
A call to action
While e-bikes offer a promising solution to many urban transportation problems, their potential remains needlessly limited by theft concerns and safety issues. These are issues with solutions, and we should work to implement those solutions.
As cities look to a more sustainable future, it’s imperative to tackle these challenges head-on. Safe and secure bike parking and dedicated protected bike lanes are not luxuries; they are necessities in a world where we rely on smaller and more efficient alternatives to the cars and SUVs that have taken over our cities.
It’s time to fix these problems and reimagine our urban spaces to ensure that everyone, from e-bike riders to pedestrians, can move about safely and confidently.
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Environment
Time to say ‘the F-words’? A fossil fuel fight takes center stage at the COP28 climate summit
Sultan al-Jaber, president of the UNFCCC COP28 climate conference, speaks during day two of the summit on Dec. 2, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — A fight over the future of fossil fuels has been thrust into the global spotlight at the COP28 climate summit.
For nearly three decades, policymakers representing nearly 200 countries at the U.N.’s annual climate conference have failed to meaningfully address the chief driver of the climate crisis: the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Many gathering in Dubai for COP28 believe the talks can only be considered a success if they result in a deal to “phase out” all fossil fuels.
The language of the final agreement, expected by or around Dec. 12, will be closely monitored. A “phase out” commitment would likely require a shift away from fossil fuels until their use is eliminated, while a “phase down” could indicate a reduction in their use — but not an absolute end.
The outcome of COP28 must be that all the oil, gas and coal nations of the world see that now we are truly at the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era for the world economy.
Johan Rockstrom
Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
There’s also a debate about whether an agreement should center on “abated” fossil fuels, which are trapped and stocked with carbon capture and storage technologies. “Unabated” fossil fuels are largely understood to be produced and used without substantial reductions in the amount of emitted greenhouse gases.
Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and one of the world’s most influential Earth scientists, told CNBC that there is no doubt that COP28 “has to be the mitigation COP.”
“The outcome of COP28 must be that all the oil, gas and coal nations of the world see that now we are truly at the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era for the world economy. And that we are now starting to bend the curve, properly,” he said.
“It is only that that will count whether COP28 is a success,” he continued. “Everything else will follow. So, of course, it is good to make progress on loss and damage, Article 6, financing, adaptation, nature, agriculture and water, but it is all following from whether or not we make progress on the fossil fuel phase-out.”
A draft text published in the early hours of Friday appeared to raise the prospect that world leaders could sign off on a deal that would “phase out” all fossil fuels. Other scenarios, however, include the option to “phase down” hydrocarbons, to only focus on coal — or to make no mention of fossil fuels whatsoever.
In this aerial view water vapour and exhaust rise from the steel mill of Salzgitter AG, one Europe’s largest steel producers, on November 22, 2023 in Salzgitter, Germany.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Not everyone is on board with calls for a phase-out. Russia has said it would oppose this language being used in the final agreement, while COP28 host the United Arab Emirates has signaled its preference for a phase-down.
Big Oil, too, is pushing for a shift of focus away from calls to phase out fossil fuels. Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods told CNBC on Saturday that society should instead prioritize reducing emissions, which he described as the “true problem.”
‘This year is different’
In an unprecedented start to proceedings on Thursday, delegates at COP28 sealed the details of a landmark deal to help the world’s most vulnerable countries pay for the impacts of climate disasters.
The operationalization of the so-called loss and damage fund was hailed as a welcome breakthrough and helps to clear the way for policymakers to negotiate on other major issues.
“Now we don’t have an agenda fight [and] we don’t have a loss and damage fight, it opens up a space for us to have a big fossil fuel fight,” said Catherine Abreu, founder of the Destination Zero network of nonprofits working on climate issues. “[It is] important to say that more fossil fuels equal more loss and damage, so these two issues are actually quite intertwined.”
Abreu told CNBC that she previously wrote about the importance of finally “saying the F-words” at the U.N.’s annual climate conference, arguing that “just a few years ago talking about fossil fuels within the climate convention was invisible, basically.”
Notably, at last year’s COP27 conference in Egypt, more than 80 countries supported a fossil fuel phase-out commitment in the final agreement. The call ultimately failed to gain enough support, but it appeared to reflect growing momentum to recognize fossil fuels the largest contributor to climate change.
Abreu partly attributed the COP27 defeat to parties not being organized enough to win that particular battle.
“This year is different,” she said. “We’re actually seeing that parties are very organized on this front, coming into COP28. So, we have seen in almost every multilateral event that’s taken place in 2023 a huge conversation about the pace and scale of the energy transition.”
“Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be seeing parties negotiating this landing zone of how the energy transition package gets articulated in the final outcomes of COP28,” Abreu said.
‘A firehose of fossil fuels’
A flurry of COP28 announcements on Saturday sought to help decarbonize the energy sector, with nearly 120 governments pledging to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Other initiatives launched over the weekend included sizable blocs committing to expand nuclear power and slash methane emissions.
For the U.N. chief, however, preventing the worst effects of the climate crisis hinges on stopping the burning of fossil fuels outright.
“We cannot save a burning planet with a firehose of fossil fuels,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday, as he addressed world leaders in Dubai.
“The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate. Phase-out — with a clear timeframe aligned with 1.5 degrees.”
The 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature threshold is widely recognized as crucial because so-called tipping points become more likely beyond this level. Tipping points are thresholds at which small changes can lead to dramatic shifts in Earth’s entire life support system.
Honda recently unveiled a small, folding electric scooter known as the Motocompacto that is often referred to as a suitcase scooter. But now a rival Japanese electric scooter company has what could become a serious competitor. Meet Arma, the first lunchbox scooter.
The Arma scooter is both smaller and lighter than Honda’s Motocompacto, making it an even more portable design.
While the Motocompacto is designed to fit easily in the trunk of your car, the Arma electric scooter looks like you could just walk around with it tucked under your arm. Of course, it’s got a convenient little handle as well, so you could carry it like lunch box or briefcase. And at just 10 lb (4.5 kg), it looks quite easy to carry around.
The design is so compact that it is roughly the size of an A4 piece of paper when viewed from the side, approximately 8.5 x 11 inches (21 x 30 cm).
The scooter features many more folding joints than Honda’s now-famous Motocompacto and its minimalist design helps it fold into a tiny package the size of a bathroom scale.
The company claims that it folds and unfolds in just 30 seconds. Once ready to ride, users can get a supposed 9.3 miles (14.5 km) of range from the scooter. I’m guessing that’s measured with a tailwind.
The 14.9 mph (24 km/h) top speed isn’t very fast, but I’m not sure how fast I’d want to go on a 10-lb scooter. To be fair, they say it’s rated for 220 lb (100 kg), so it must be fairly decently designed. Or at least that’s the weight rating if it sees production. The company says they hope to build the scooter later next year, so I’ll withhold full judgment until I see one roll across the assembly line.
On the other hand, Honda’s Motocompacto scooter can’t fold as small and also weighs around 4x as much as the tiny Arma electric scooter. But it’s already in production and taking orders at Honda dealerships. In fact, I ordered one myself and hope to receive it later this year.
The Honda Motocompacto is priced at $999, but there’s no telling yet what the final cost of the Arma scooter can be. Technically, they’re trying to pre-sell them for around the same price via crowdfunding (which I am not recommending anyone contribute to on account of this still being a prototype product).
For those who want to experience the Arma from the comfort of their own home, check out the video below.
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Here at Electrek, we have spent countless hours undertaking detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through those thousands of miles of riding, we’ve gotten to know these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That dedication to real-world e-bike testing has helped us find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.
Below are some of the top e-bikes we’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of December 2023. Most e-bike companies in the US are currently running awesome holiday sales, and many still have their “Black Friday” prices active in a bid to keep moving inventory during an ultra-competitive e-bike selling year. So check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike.
Table of contents
The sub-$1,000 electric bike category is critical for a few reasons.
First, it’s pretty hard to produce a quality e-bike and sell it for under $1k. Most of the options in this price category make too many sacrifices in quality or longevity to earn a spot on this list as one of “the best”.
Second, many newcomers to the e-bike industry just aren’t prepared to drop several thousand dollars on a brand-new concept, making this price range critical for many first-time e-bike shoppers.
Fortunately, we’ve found some excellent options for cheap electric bikes that can still save you some serious dough.
Lectric XP LITE
The recently-unveiled Lectric XP LITE is likely the latest king of bang-for-your-buck electric bikes.
For years, the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 and its previous 1.0 predecessor reigned supreme in the budget electric bike category. That’s still a great bike, and we’ll discuss it next, but the recently-released and more affordable $799 Lectric XP LITE is an even more wallet-friendly electric bike.
That new e-bike offers some great riding at under 800 bucks.
It’s a throttle-enabled Class 2 folding electric bike with 20″ wheels, a max speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and a motor rated for 300W continuous and 720W peak.
It’s not going to be the strongest hill climber, but it does get going quickly on flat and modestly hilly terrain.
This is the only e-bike in this price range that I know of with a 48V electrical system. All the other budget e-bikes under $800 use a 36V system and thus suffer from weaker power.
There are some things that you give up with this model, such as that the fenders aren’t included free. But for just $799, you’re still getting built-in lights, a hidden battery, large LCD display and a lightweight folder. Plus it comes in four color options.
There’s a lot of value there!
Lectric XP LITE quick specs
- Motor: 300W (720W peak) geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 72 km (40 mi), but less on throttle only
- Battery: 48V 7.8 Ah (375 Wh)
- Weight: 21 kg (46 lb)
- Price: $799
Lectric XP 3.0
If you like the idea of a low-cost US-based company like Lectric eBikes but want something with more power than their XP LITE, consider the $999 Lectric XP 3.0. The XP 3.0 is the newest version of America’s best-selling electric bike, and now it’s even better with hydraulic disc brakes! In my opinion, this is the current king of bang-for-your-buck electric bikes right now. It’s clear why this is the best-selling electric bike in the US.
Between the fast 28 mph speed, comfortable ride with front suspension, nimble yet thick three-inch tires, and the powerful 1,000W peak-rated motor, the bike combines high performance with an awesome price. The new version comes with a higher power motor featuring more torque, a new rear rack that can support 150 pounds (and has a passenger package option for carrying a friend), has longer travel suspension, and several other key upgrades.
There are both step-over and step-through frames available. To be honest, the frame member is low on both of them and so they’re both easy to mount, but I actually prefer the step-through. Even though low-step bikes are often considered to be “women’s bikes,” the Lectric XP 3.0 looks badass enough that no one would ever think of calling the step-through option a ladies bike. It’s just a more comfortable way to hop on and off.
Plus, the Lectric XP 3.0’s folding frame means you can bring this high-value e-bike with you in a car or truck. I know several people that keep one in their RV, and I’ve even heard of folks traveling with it on their boat or light airplane.
The company also has longer range batteries for the XP 3.0 that add 45% more range. If you’re the kind of person that likes to ride fast, that battery will help you use that power for longer rides at higher speeds.
It’s hard to find a better combination of low cost and high performance anywhere in the e-bike market right now. That’s why this is the bike I used when I worked undercover as an e-bike delivery rider.
Check out my first ride experience on the Lectric XP 3.0 here.
Lectric XP 3.0 quick specs
- Motor: 500W (850W peak) geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi), but less if you’re heavy on the throttle
- Battery: 48V 9.6 Ah (460 Wh), or larger 14Ah battery available
- Weight: 29 kg (64 lb)
- Price: $999
Ride1Up Portola
When Ride1Up launched the Portola, it was pretty obvious what the game plan was: fire a shot across Lectric Ebike’s bow with a direct competitor to the Lectric XP 3.0. And by all accounts, Ride1Up nailed it with an impressive competitor the best-selling e-bike out there.
The Ride1Up Portola has a lot more going for it than just the awesome price of $995. The bike has great performance with a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and great components including hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension, built-in rear rack and a 750W motor.
There are two battery options available, either a 48V 10.4Ah or a 48V 13.4Ah, and the larger battery only costs an extra $100.
I love the sleek-looking frame and apparently I’m not alone. Those that are on the hunt for a good looking folding fat tire e-bike that doesn’t break the bank will likely find this to be one of the more fashionable options.
Ride1Up Portola quick specs
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi), but less if you’re heavy on the throttle
- Battery: 48V 10.4 Ah (504 Wh), or larger 48V 13.4 Ah battery available
- Weight: 27.2 kg (60 lb)
- Price: $99
Ride1Up Roadster V2
The Ride1Up Roadster V2 seems to hop back and forth in price from $995 to $1,095, depending on the time of year and current sale. Even when it falls just north of the $1k mark, the Roadster V2 is an awesome deal.
But you should know going in that this is very much a pedal-oriented e-bike. There’s no throttle and the motor is only moderately powerful, peaking at 500W. That means the Roadster V2 is best for someone who enjoys cycling and simply wants an assist motor to help them go faster and farther.
The belt-drive setup, low-weight design, and fast speed of up to 24 mph make this an incredible deal.
You can check out my full, in-depth review of the Ride1Up Roadster V2 here.
Ride1up Roadster V2 quick specs:
- Motor: 500W peak (350W continuous) rear hub motor
- Top speed: 24 mph (38 km/h)
- Range: 20-35 miles (32-56 km)
- Battery: 36V 7Ah (252Wh)
- Weight: 32 lb (14.5 kg)
- Price: $995-$1,095
Propella Mini
The $849 Propella Mini almost looks a bit odd at first glance, but the quirky proportions result in a super nimble and lightweight e-bike.
It’s not particularly fast at just 18 mph. And it’s also a pedal-assist e-bike, meaning you don’t have a throttle for the days when you feel lazy. But for anyone that doesn’t mind pedaling as long as you get a decent electric boost, the Propella Mini is a great option for you.
I love the bright blue rims, white chain, and slim black frame. The look is killer. And the bike rides both smoothly and efficiently. There’s no suspension to speak of, but the upside is there’s no suspension fork to break. The bike should last a long time with modest upkeep, and it’s a definite winner for anyone that’s low on space.
See my full review of the Propella Mini here.
Propella Mini quick specs
- Motor: 250 W (400 W peak) Bafang rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 30 km/h (18.5 mph)
- Range: 32-56 km (20-35 mi) depending on pedal assist level
- Battery: 36V 7Ah (250 Wh)
- Price: $849
- Weight: 14.9 kg (33 lb)
JackRabbit micro e-bike
The $999 JackRabbit OG is in one of these fuzzy areas between e-bikes and other e-rideables. In this case, it straddles the line between an electric bike and an electric scooter.
It more or less feels like an electric bike based on its ride geometry. However the lack of pedals means that it could also be classified as an electric scooter, albeit a large-wheeled e-scooter.
But with those 20-in wheels and bicycle seat, the JackRabbit rides much more like a small folding e-bike than an e-scooter. And its electronics match that of a light e-bike too.
The 300W motor gets the little runabout up to 20 mph (32 km/h). The small 158 Wh battery only offers around 10-12 miles (approximately 16-20 km) of range, but is also conveniently small enough to easily keep a spare battery in a cargo pocket or even a small purse.
The biggest benefit of the JackRabbit is that it is so simple that the lack of frills keeps the weight down to just 23 lb (10.5 kg)! For an e-bike, that’s almost so light that it floats.
The company also released a higher power and larger battery capacity version too, which might be good for riders that want to push harder and go farther.
See my full review of the JackRabbit here.
JackRabbit quick specs
- Motor: 300W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 20 km (12 mi)
- Bike weight: 10.5 kg (23 lb.)
- Brakes: Rear mechanical disc brake
- Price: $999
Once you bump up above the $1,000 limit, you start to see many more great options for e-bikes in a wide range of categories.
From electric cargo bikes to cruisers and even electric mopeds, there’s something for everyone in this price range.
Lectric XPedition
The $1,399 Lectric XPedition has turned the electric cargo bike market upside down, finally bringing a heavy-hitting cargo e-bike to market for an ultra-affordable price.
We were the first to review this new model and we called it a runaway hit right from the start. With heavy-hauling weight capacity, the option for one or two batteries for extra long range, hydraulic disc brakes and a watt-based more comfortable feeling pedal assist sensor, this e-bike is dragging electric cargo bikes into the future.
While it’s not the nicest cargo e-bike on the market, it’s definitely the best bang for your buck thanks to a combination of high value parts and reasonable pricing.
Lectric XPedition quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh) with the option for a second battery
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: up to 75 miles (120 km)
- Weight: 68 lb (31 kg)
- Price: $1,399
Aventon Soltera.2
The $1,399 Aventon Soltera.2 is the latest version of Aventon’s beautiful city bike that offers some of the best quality fabrication that I’ve seen in this price range – or even in higher price ranges. It is offered in either a single-speed or seven-speed format.
The bike rolls on narrow tires for that efficient city ride, while still packing in a 500W motor.
The battery is a bit smaller at 36V and 10Ah, but the bike makes up for a smaller battery by being able to integrate it into the frame in a sleek and attractive package.
The beautiful color display also adds to the bike’s charm, as do the powerful headlight and frame-integrated tail light. There’s even an awesome companion app that lets your phone track your bike’s important stats. Basically, you’re getting a lot for $1,199 here!
Check out my in-depth Aventon Soltera.2 review here.
Aventon Soltera.2 quick specs:
- Motor: 500W peak-rated rear hub motor
- Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 20-63 miles (32-101 km)
- Weight: 46 lb (21 kg)
- Price: $1,199
Ride1Up Turris
Ride1Up has proven itself as a high-value electric bike brand, focusing largely on efficient and speedy commuter e-bikes. While the company has many models in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, the $1,095 Ride1Up Turris (at it’s current sale price) is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options.
A powerful 750W continuous-rated motor gets the bike up to Class 3 speeds that will have you keeping up with traffic or even passing cars when they get bogged down in the city. That extra speed over most class 2 e-bikes can be quite useful when riding on the side of the road trying to reduce the number of times a car whizzes by you. Even when riding alone or in a protected path away from cars, the extra speed sure makes for a fun ride.
The sporty tires and two choices of frame style (step over or step through) give riders plenty of options to use this bike on the trails or the streets. I love that it includes full metal fenders as well so you don’t have to spend extra on those. I’d definitely recommend spending an extra $50 for the rear rack though if you plan to use the bike as a commuter, since you never know when you’ll need to toss something on the back.
If you want to upgrade to more power and a nicer set of components, the $1,695 700 Series is worth a look. But I think the Ride1Up Turris is sufficient for most riders.
Ride1Up Turris quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 32-64 km (20-40 mi) throttle vs. pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 12.8Ah (614 Wh) with genuine LG cells
- Weight: 25 kg (55 lb)
- Price: $1,095
Lectric XPeak
Lectric Ebikes recently expanded into larger territory with the launch of the new Lectric XPeak. It’s the company’s first e-bike with a larger than 20″ wheel size, bringing some chunky 26×4.0″ tires into the company’s inventory.
The XPeak takes the form of a typical adventure-style fat tire electric bike. It features a hardtail design with a suspension fork, high volume tires, hydraulic disc brakes and a relatively large battery that is certified by the Swiss testing agency SGS to meet UL 2849 standards.
The bike is also tested to higher standards for ruggedness of the frame and fork than most e-bikes in this price range, meaning it’s likely going to last longer too. As far as fat tire adventure-style e-bikes go, there’s no better bang for your buck than the Lectric XPeak.
Lectric XPeak quick specs:
Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser
The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is Ride1Up’s first non-purely commuter electric bike, and boy did they knock it out of the park on this one.
The Cafe Cruiser, as its name suggests, is part cruiser bike, part fast motorbike.
The cruiser bars, suspension fork, comfortable seat and pedal-forward geometry make it a pleasure to ride. The high performance 750W hub motor and 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed make it a blast for quick errand running and fun commutes.
High quality parts like hydraulic disc brakes complete the package, and the included fenders and rear rack increase the bike’s value.
One of the coolest features though is the passenger package that adds a rear bench seat, wheel skirt and foot pegs so you can carry a second rider on back. The second seat has a quick release so you can easily pop it on and off the bike whenever you need to swap back and forth between carrying your friends or a basket full of groceries home.
At just $1,595, the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is priced way below fair market value, which makes this an absolute steal of a deal.
Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 50-80 km (30-50 mi)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
- Weight: 29 kg (65 lb)
- Price: $1,595
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner
The RadRunner from Rad Power Bikes has been an industry favorite ever since it was first announced back in 2019. The company is actually on the RadRunner 2 now, but the update only made minor changes since the original was already so well designed.
The bike uses a step-through moped style frame to create a short utility bike or mini cargo e-bike. It’s quick up to the 20 mph top speed and offers a ton of uses. When outfitted with the Passenger Package, it has a seat and footpegs that let you carry kids or adults on the back, turning this into a multi-passenger e-bike.
The high-capacity battery and powerful motor also make for sprightly acceleration and longer than average rides, so you’ll have enough power to ride all day.
The RadRunner is truly one of those do-anything e-bikes because it has so many uses. The same bike can be used for fun recreational riding, city commuting, trail riding, or grocery shopping. There’s something for everyone.
There’s even an upgraded version known as the RadRunner Plus, which adds suspension, a seven-speed transmission, a more detailed display, and the passenger package, though the RadRunner Plus costs a bit more at $1,899.
Check out my complete review of the RadRunner 2 here.
RadRunner 2 quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on user input
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh)
- Weight: 29.5 kg (65 lb)
- Price: $1,499
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4
Cargo electric bikes are the workhorses of the e-bike world. They have higher weight capacities and more surface area for carrying all of your gear.
The $1,999 Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 is one of my favorite options thanks to the awesome build and wide range of compatible Rad accessories.
The bike’s 750W motor and large capacity battery make it easy to hit the top speed of 20 mph and ride farther than your errands will require.
Plus that long rear bench has tons of room for boxes, bags, or kiddos. I’ve had three riders on the bike plenty of times, and it can definitely do more. Plus, I love that double center kickstand for creating an ultra-stable parking platform.
Check out my full in-depth review of the RadWagon 4 e-cargo bike here.
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 quick specs:
- Motor: 750 W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on user input
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672Wh)
- Weight: 34.8 kg (76.7 lb)
- Price: $1,999
Electric Bike Company Model Y
Electric Bike Company is one of the only e-bike manufacturers that actually builds its electric bikes in the US from the ground up.
They start with bare frames and perform the entire build locally with highly trained e-bike technicians. That also allows them to offer more customization options than any other e-bike company out there.
The $1,949 Model Y is a step-through cruiser e-bike with a hidden battery in the front basket. It offers fast speeds up to 28 mph and high-quality parts like hydraulic disc brakes and top-end hardware. The color screen and leather accents on the seat and bar ends add to the classy look too!
The real treat though is getting to select the custom paint on every surface of the bike, plus your own rim colors, trim colors, and tire options. It’s incredibly customizable to the point where you’re virtually guaranteed to be able to create a truly one-of-a-kind electric bike if you wish.
Check out my full review of the Electric Bike Company Model Y here.
Electric Bike Company Model Y quick specs:
- Motor: 1,000W peak rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 80 km (50 mi) with moderate pedaling
- Battery: 48V with either 9Ah (432 Wh) or 18Ah (864 Wh) options
- Weight: 26 kg (58 lb)
- Price: $1,949
Velotric Nomad 1
Velotric has a number of interesting e-bikes in its lineup and I’m enjoying testing several of the companies new models. But one of my favorites so far — thanks to its excellent off-road abilities — has got to be the Velotric Nomad 1.
The e-bike isn’t just powerful or surprisingly comfortable for an off-road, it’s also quite safe. The punchy hydraulic disc brakes offer quick and controlled stops while the UL-certified battery and e-bike systems offer safe operations, removing the worry of dangerous thermal events.
For just $1,499 at its current sale price, this is an excellent bike for both asphalt commuting and dirt trail excursions, all on the same ride!
Check out my full review of the Velotric Nomad 1 here.
Velotric Nomad 1 quick specs:
- Motor: 1,200W peak rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: Up to 88km (55 mi) on pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 14.4Ah (691 Wh) frame-integrated, removable
- Weight: 33 kg (73 lb)
- Price: $1,499
Ride1Up Rift
Ride1Up’s first adventure-style electric bike was a smashing success, helping the San Diego-based electric bike maker enter an entirely new category with a bang.
This fat tire electric bike has a powerful motor, a massive 960Wh battery and an ultra rugged frame with built-in rear rack that can carry heavy cargo or even an adult passenger on back.
With fenders, built-in LED lights and cargo capabilities, the Ride1Up Rift would also make a surprisingly good commuter bike that will traverse pot holes and other rough street imperfections just as well as it handles off-road conditions.
Check out my full review of the Ride1Up Rift XR here.
Ride1Up Rift XR quick specs:
- Motor: 750W continuous-rated rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) on throttle, or 45 km/h (28 mph) on pedal assist
- Range: Up to 96 km (60 mi) on pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 20Ah (960 Wh) frame-integrated, removable
- Weight: 38 kg (84.5 lb)
- Price: $1,895
Velotric Packer electric cargo bike
There are a lot of electric cargo bikes on the market, but the Velotric Packer has recently become one of my go-to recommendations for several reasons. It’s fairly priced, has loads of cargo accessories, includes a UL-certified battery, comes in some eye-catching colors, and works well for transporting my three nieces and nephews around with me.
At its sale price of $1,899, this is definitely an electric cargo bike to have on your short list for it’s slick-looking design and great functionality.
Check out my full review of the Velotric Packer here.
- Motor: 750W (1,200W peak) rear-geared hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) or 25 mph (40 km/h) when unlocked
- Range: Up to 52 miles (84 km)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (692 Wh)
- Weight: 75 lb (34 kg)
- Price: $1,899
By the time you surpass the $2,000 dollar mark, you’re starting to get into serious e-bikes with serious performance or build quality.
If you’re spending this much, you’ll want to ensure you’re buying from a reputable company with top-notch products and service.
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 mid-drive e-bike
The $2,295 Ride1Up Prodigy V2 has brought new meaning to the phrase “low-cost mid-drive electric bike”, updating an already impressive e-bike with a new next-gen setup.
This e-bike sports a high-end German-manufactured Brose mid-drive motor and can hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), yet is price similarly to much cheaper hub motor-based electric bikes.
It’s a perfect commuter e-bike for someone that wants high quality parts like that German mid-drive motor with 90Nm of torque, hydraulic disc brakes, bright LED lights, included fenders, rear rack, and a very comfortable saddle. Plus there’s a choice between a nice 9-speed chain drive transmission or a fancier Gates Carbon Drive belt setup with an Enviolo continuously variable transmission.
This e-bike is easily worth another $500 more than the price tag, if not more. In fact, you’ll find many of these same components on e-bikes with $3,000-$4,000 price tags all over the place. So if you’re looking for a higher quality e-bike that doesn’t cost as much as a fancy bike shop e-bike, this is the one to consider.
Ride1Up Prodigy quick specs:
- Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km)
- Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh)
- Weight: 58 lb (26 kg)
- Price: $2,395
Juiced Scorpion X
The $2,199 Juiced Scorpion X has all the old-school charm of a vintage moped, but it adds back in a powerful electric drivetrain. It also has awesome-looking cast wheels that remove the issue of spoke maintenance, plus add to the cool stance.
The bench seat allows riders to scoot forward or backward to find the best seating position, and the tall bars give a fun cruiser/motorcycle feel to the bike. With full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and a built-in rear rack/fenders, there are a lot of nice parts on the Scorpion X
A powerful throttle lets you blast up to 20 mph, or engaging the pedal assist can take you even faster to 28 mph. And Juiced offers a larger battery than most competitors, letting you ride this moto-styled e-bike even further.
Check out my in-depth review of the Juiced Scorpion X here.
Juiced Scorpion X quick specs:
- Motor: 750W “nominal” (claimed 1.8 kW peak) RetroBlade rear hub motor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: Up to 55 miles (88 km) on pedal-assist or closer to half that on throttle
- Battery: 52V 15Ah 780Wh (removable and lockable)
- Weight: 100 lb (45 kg)
- Price: $2,199
Priority Current
I love the $3,299 Priority Current electric bike so much that it has become one of my daily riders. It’s the one I grab when I’m doing city riding and I know I want to be pedaling.
Becuase it doesn’t have a throttle, you’ll need to enjoy pedaling in order to enjoy this e-bike. But it makes it so much fun to pedal thanks to a torque sensor-based pedal assist that provides natural feeling assistance up to a fast 28 mph top speed.
The internally geared rear hub combined with a Gates belt drive system and powerful hydraulic disc brakes make this a very nice e-bike for the price. Plus that mid-drive motor offers tons of torque for climbing hills or accelerating quickly.
I’m also a fan of the built-in lights and included fenders, not to mention the integrated high-capacity battery that disappears in the frame.
Mid-drive electric bikes aren’t cheap, but the price is definitely a fair one for this e-bike.
Check out my full review of the Priority Current here. I also recently reviewed the Shimano 5-speed version of this e-bike, which you can find here.
Priority Current quick specs:
- Motor: 500W mid-drive motor with torque sensor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) or 20 mph (32 km/h) user-selectable
- Range: 30-60 miles (48-96 km)
- Battery: 500 Wh frame-integrated battery
- Weight: 24 kg (53 lb)
- Price: $3,299
Biktrix Moto
There’s a lot to like about the Biktrix Moto electric moped. Near the top of the list though has got to be the dual batteries. There’s a single battery option that starts at $2,299, but the dual battery option doubles the range up to a maximum of 100 miles.
Even with just one battery, the high capacity of 1,008 Wh makes these some of the biggest batteries in the e-bike industry. Combine that with a high power motor, tall handlebars, and a long bench seat, and you’ve got a seriously fun electric moped.
It doesn’t slouch on components either. The lighting is ultra bright and it features other nice parts like powerful hydraulic disc brakes and an included rack/fender setup.
See my full review of the Biktrix Moto e-bike here.
Biktrix Moto quick specs:
- Motor: Bafang 750W continuous hub motor (peak power not published)
- Top speed: 25 mph (40 km/h) but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
- Range: Up to 100 miles (160 km) with two batteries
- Battery: 48V 21Ah (1,008 Wh) in each battery (two possible)
- Weight: 90 lb (41 kg)
- Price: $2,299
Ride1Up REVV1 FS
This full-suspension electric moped-style e-bike is a masterclass in high performance electric bike design. Sure, it’s an obvious SUPER73 imitation, but it’s a really well done imitation.
It handles well, it’s got great rubber between you and the road, the suspension gives a comfortable ride, and it’s got plenty of extra power.
Despite the 750W label, the e-bike can be unlocked to make use of nearly 1,500W of peak power. I was able to reach a top speed of 37 mph (59.5 km/h) during my testing (not on public streets!).
But the bike ships in Class 2 mode with a 750W limit and 20 mph (32 km/h) maximum speed, meaning you’ll have to contact the company to request an unlock for the bike to be used above Class 2 speeds and power levels.
All in all, the $2,395 Ride1Up REVV1 FS is an amazing e-bike for anyone who wants a moped-style ride with full-suspension, high quality 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and a design that rides almost like a motorcycle, yet in a bike form factor.
Check out my complete Ride1Up REVV1 FS review here.
Ride1Up REVV1 quick specs:
- Motor: Bafang 750W continuous hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) out of the box, 37 mph (59.5 km/h) when unlocked
- Range: 30-60 miles (48-96 km)
- Battery: 52V 20Ah (1,040 Wh)
- Weight: 93 lb (42 kg)
- Price: $2,395
Tern Quick Haul
The Tern Quick Haul is an electric cargo bike from the famed cargo e-bike company Tern. It holds the distinction of being the most affordable model in Tern’s lineup.
That says a lot, because Tern is known for its high quality e-bikes that are built to be ridden every day for real world errands, carpool duty and more. These e-bikes are meant to replace cars, and they do just that for many riders. With a huge list of accessories, you can outfit a Quick Haul for just about any job.
The Tern Quick Haul features a mid-drive Bosch motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Tern’s vertical parking rack, and a relatively lightweight but high utility design that is meant to carry just about anything in your life.
We had the chance to test a pair of Quick Hauls at Eurobike in Frankfurt last year, which you can learn more about here.
Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor
Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) with pedal assist (no throttle)
Range: Up to 60 miles (96 km), less when riding in highest power
Battery: 400Wh, removable/lockable
Weight: 50 lb (22.8 kg)
Price: $2,999
Ariel Rider X-Class
When it comes to fast, powerful electric mopeds on a budget, it’s hard to compete with the $2,399 Ariel Rider X-Class. This is the e-bike I usually recommend when someone simply wants the most power and speed for the least amount of money.
The impressive performance comes from a powerful 1,000W motor that actually puts out closer to 2,000W of peak power. It can be limited to 20 mph if you’d like, but I got it up to 36 mph in unlimited mode.
The bike rolls on 20″ moto-style wheels and comes with nice parts including hydraulic disc brakes, a bench seat, dual suspension, and a big moto-style headlight.
You can see my full review of the Ariel Rider 52V X-Class here.
- Motor: 1,000W (2,000W peak) rear hub motor
- Top speed: 36 mph (58 km/h), but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
- Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km), less when riding at top speed
- Battery: 52V 18Ah (936 Wh), removable/lockable
- Weight: 80 lb (36 kg)
- Price: $2,399
Rad Power Bikes Rad Rover 6 Plus with accessories
Technically the Rad Rover 6 Plus is priced at $1,999. And with its free shipping, it comes in under the $2k mark. But I’m including it in the $2k-$3k category because you’re going to want to add a couple of important accessories to this one.
Rad Power Bikes has one of the widest arrays of e-bike accessories on the planet. In fact, it might have THE widest selection. And I’d highly recommend adding the rear rack ($79) to the RadRover 6 Plus, at the very least. It simply adds even more utility and turns an adventure bike into an adventure/hauling bike.
Accessories aside, the RadRover 6 Plus is an awesome ride and packs in some real value. It is the highest-spec e-bike in Rad’s lineup and includes hydraulic disc brakes, redesigned suspension fork, an upgraded frame with a new semi-integrated battery, new displays that are easier to read and use, and so much more.
This is absolutely an e-bike that is worth checking out for anyone that does adventure-style riding and needs big tires combined with high power, and who wants the support and comfort provided by going with North America’s largest e-bike company.
Check out my full RadRover 6 Plus review here.
RadRover 6 Plus quick specs:
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on throttle or pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh)
- Weight: 33.3 kg (73.4 lb)
- Price: $1,999
Above $3.5k, you’re entering some seriously dedicated e-bike territory.
These e-bikes either feature top-shelf components like drivetrain and brake parts, or pack in so much power that they couldn’t possibly be priced any lower.
Either way, you’re not in Kansas anymore. You’re heading down the e-bike rabbit hole.
Tern HSD
Tern is renowned for building high-quality electric bikes that double down on utility features. The newly updated Tern HSD is the company’s more affordable utility e-bike, offering many features you’ll find on its higher end GSD but at a price that more riders can stomach.
The HSD uses small 20″ wheels and includes a folding stem, making it nice and compact. But taking it one step further, Tern outfitted it with its innovative rack that lets you park the bike on its tail, meaning it takes up barely more space than a coat rack in the corner of a room.
The bike’s Bosch mid-drive and high capacity batteries provide a high-end e-bike drive, and they are matched with a variety of performance drivetrain options that you can select from, depending on how high you want to spec the bike.
Whether you’re ferrying around kids or buying a week’s worth of groceries, the HSD is a solid option.
Check out my detailed first ride experience on the Tern HSD here.
Tern HSD quick specs:
- Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) with electric assist
- Range: 42-110 km (26-69 mi) depending on pedal input
- Battery: Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh
- Weight: 25.4 kg (55.9 lb)
- Price: $4,299
CSC FT1000MD
The CSC FT1000MD sounds like a motorcycle name because it comes from a company with motorcycle heritage. CSC Ebikes was born out of CSC Motorcycles, a company with several decades of two-wheeler experience.
The FT1000MD is the company’s highest power option. The fat tire e-bike comes with a 1,000+ watt motor known as the Bafang M620 Ultra. It’s the most powerful and highest torque e-bike mid-drive motor on the retail market. CSC paired it with a big battery, quality suspension, hydraulic brakes, built-in lighting, and more to create a high performance and high-quality adventure e-bike.
I was able to hit speeds of around 34 mph with the motor in unlocked format, though you can limit it to 20 or 28 mph to fit into class 2 and class 3 designations.
Check out my full review of this incredibly powerful e-bike here.
CSC FT1000MD quick specs:
- Motor: 1,000W continuous Bafang M620 mid-drive
- Top speed: 54 km/h (34 mph) when unlocked
- Battery: 48V 16Ah (768Wh) with Samsung 35E cells
- Frame: 6061 aluminum
- Suspension: Front suspension fork with preload and damping adjustment, plus lockout
- Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors
- Weight: 34 kg (75 lb)
- Price: $3,299 or save $200 with discount code ELECTREK
Ariel Rider Grizzly
When it comes to all-wheel-drive electric bikes, the $3,299 Ariel Rider Grizzly is one of my favorites.
This incredible e-bike is really more of a small electric motorcycle. It uses two high-power motors – one in each wheel – to offer speeds in the mid 30’s and acceleration that will get you there in the blink of an eye.
Full suspension and hydraulic disc brakes make this an e-bike that handles well at any speed, and the bright red paint job looks as aggressive as the e-bike feels. It even comes with footpegs pre-installed so you can carry a passenger with you.
Plus it’s got double batteries to feed those two power-hungry motors, so you’ll be able to ride this e-bike pretty darn far too, as long as you aren’t too demanding from the throttle.
Check out my full in-depth review of the epic Ariel Rider Grizzly e-bike here.
Ariel Rider Grizzly quick specs:
- Motors: Dual 1,000W continuous hub motors (1,850W peak or 3.7 kW combined)
- Top speed: 36 mph (58 km/h) when unlocked, but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
- Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km), less when riding at top speed
- Battery: 52V 35Ah (1,820 Wh) between two removable/lockable batteries
- Weight: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Price: $3,299
Specialized Turbo Como SL
For more of a cruiser/city e-bike experience, the $4,800 Specialized Turbo Como SL is a great option. This e-bike offers a much more upright ride for a fun, relaxed vibe.
The e-bike features a high-quality mid-drive motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Gates carbon belt drive, and an eight-speed internally geared hub. Those are a lot of nice parts!
And don’t forget the slim fenders, front basket, and cruiser bars that all look super elegant, complimenting the nice lines of the Turbo Como SL.
This may not be a low-cost e-bike, but it definitely offers a ride that makes it worth it.
See my full review of the Specialized Turbo Como SL here.
Specialized Turbo Como SL quick specs:
- Motor: Custom Specialized SL1.1 mid-drive motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 100 km (62 mi), or 50% more with range extender
- Battery: Downtube-integrated 320 Wh battery
- Weight: 20.5 kg (45 lb.)
- Price: $4,800
Greyp T5
If you’ve been looking for a high-end trekking electric bike that was built with a combination of high-quality parts and the latest technology, look no further than the $4,550 Greyp T5.
There’s a reason why Porsche bought this e-bike company – it’s simply one of the best.
It uses Greyp’s own in-house developed 700 Wh battery combined with a mid-drive motor to offer a hardtail trekking e-bike. In addition to the awesome bike design, the built-in tech is what really opens people’s eyes. Integrated cameras at the front and rear of the bike can serve as dash cams or livestream your rides. Plus you can capture all of your ride footage on the bike instead of bringing along a Go-Pro camera.
There’s also an app that allows you to take full advantage of the built-in eSIM card, giving you connectivity to the bike and letting you check all your vital stats, find its location, and more – right from your phone.
The bike is truly a high-end offering by itself, but the embedded tech makes it a rarity in any category.
See my first ride review of the Greyp T5 e-bike here.
You just couldn’t stop, could you? I showed you plenty of awesome e-bikes that didn’t cost most of a paycheck. But you just haaaaad to keep going.
Fine, here they are. These are some of the most expensive e-bikes out there that we’ve tested and that I’d actually recommend someone buying, if you can pony up the cash.
Fuell Flluid-2 and Flluid-3
The $5,495 Fuell Flluid-2 and Flluid-3 are great examples of what happens when a motorcycle designer applies his tradecraft to a smaller platform, creating an e-bike built to a higher standard.
The Fuell Flluid’s smooth mid-drive motor with built-in gearbox and Gates carbon belt drive setup combine to make an ultra-responsive and polished electric powertrain. The two removable batteries built into special cutouts in the frame offer long-range riding without looking like a packhorse carrying massive batteries.
The e-bike is nearly maintenance-free thanks to the belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes. The duo removes the two most common maintenance issues with bikes: chain wear and brake adjustment.
Flying fast at 28 mph (45 km/h) is a blast, and doing it on a smooth-riding e-bike with Pirelli tires is even better. Then add in the ultra-bright lights, built-in fenders and rear rack, the suspension seat post, color LCD screen and other niceties, and now you’re left with a high-end e-bike that could serve you for years as a daily commuter e-bike designed for nearly maintenance-free high mileage riding. The only downside is that the bike is quite heavy at 36 kg (79 lb). But you can’t expect all these great parts and dual batteries on a featherweight bike!
Check out my full review of the Fuell Flluid here.
Fuell Flluid quick specs:
- Motor: 750-1,000W rated Valeo mid-drive motor with built-in gearbox
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 200 km (125 mi) with dual batteries (though Fuell-3 has just a single battery)
- Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
- Weight: 36 kg (79 lb)
- Price: $5,495
GoCycle G4i+
When it comes to ultra-premium folding electric bikes, there’s only one name that comes to my mind: GoCycle. These are the most impressive folding e-bikes I’ve ever seen. And they better be – they were designed by a former McLaren engineer.
Between the carbon fiber work, single-sided wheels, high-tech tires, trippy LED dot display, innovative rear suspension, and completely enclosed drivetrain, there’s a lot of high-end stuff going on here.
The speed will vary from 15-20 mph depending on which country you buy the bike in, but the performance is only part of the equation. The quick folding and light, compact design of the e-bike is the real winner here.
Check out my full review of the GoCycle G4i+ here.
GoCycle G4i+ quick specs:
- Motor: 500W front hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) in the US
- Range: up to 50 miles (80 km)
- Battery: 36V 10.4Ah (375 Wh)
- Weight: 37.2 lb (16.9 kg)
- Price: $6,999
Serial 1 RUSH/CTY SPEED
Serial 1, the electric bicycle company that spun out of Harley-Davidson, has several awesome electric bike models. While most fall under the $5,000 mark, I’m going to recommend their top of the line model: The $5,599 Serial 1 RUSH/CTY SPEED. If you’re in the market to buy a Serial 1 e-bike, you might as well go for the best.
Like all of Serial 1’s e-bikes, it’s got a great design and ridability. Serial 1 scored top e-bike designers from companies like Trek, so they know how to build an awesome bike with killer geometry. They also brought in the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle engineers to build the custom battery, so it’s top of the line too. Then they used pro parts like the Brose mid-drive and Gates carbon belt drive setup. Basically, it’s an incredible e-bike. And with a 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed plus a huge 706 Wh battery to ride all day, the performance matches the build.
Serial 1 even goes above and beyond with their own custom weight bearing fenders that also happen to be functional racks (both in the front and rear), their own custom designed lights that throw serious illumination up front and give you great rear visibility from dropout-mounted lights, and there’s even a glovebox in the bike!
Basically, there’s a lot to like here. Yes, it’s expensive. But you’re not just paying for the H-D name on the side. It’s actually a high quality, high performance electric bike regardless of the badging.
Check out my full first ride on the various Serial 1 e-bike models here.
Motor: High torque Brose TF MAG mid-drive motor
Top speed (tested): 45 km/h (28 mph)
Battery: 706 Wh Serial 1 custom battery
Range: 25-115 miles (40-185 km), likely more in the 30-50 miles range with normal riding
Weight: 26.7 kg (59 lb)
Price: $5,599
FREY EX Pro electric mountain bike
The FREY EX Pro is a high-end electric mountain bike with crazy high power. It uses the same motor as the CSC FT1000MD we featured above (the Bafang M620 mid-drive), but cranks up the current to provide closer to 1,500W of power.
It’s enough to destroy chains if you aren’t careful. We know. Several of us here at Electrek have done it.
The FREY EX Pro not only features high-end parts like a RockShox Lyric fork and Magura MT5e hydraulic brakes, but it even comes with dual batteries so you can ride farther and stay on the trails longer.
I’ve personally taken this e-bike back UP a downhill mountain bike course – that’s how powerful it is.
It may be expensive, but it saves you several thousand dollars compared to many European electric mountain bikes with similar components but a fraction of the power in the FREY.
See my full review of the FREY EX Pro here.
- Motor: 1 kW continuous, 1.5 kW peak-rated Bafang Ultra mid-drive motor
- Top speed (tested): 59 km/h (36 mph)
- Battery: Dual 48V 14Ah packs (1,344 Wh total)
- Range: Varies considerably by ride style/terrain, but 30-100 km (20-60 miles) is the ballpark
- Weight: 34 kg (75 lb)
- Price: $5,580
Tern GSD
The Tern GSD improves upon the Tern HSD with even more capability and even nicer components. There are multiple versions that can take you up to nearly $10k, but even the lower-tier versions are not “low tier,” if you know what I mean.
Parts like automatically engaging electric locks, 10-speed Shimano Deore transmissions, Magura MT5e quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and more set these e-bikes apart from the rest of the pack.
If you’re getting a Tern GSD, you’re getting a fully qualified car replacement. There are many people that use these instead of buying a second car. When you look at it like that, the price suddenly seems pretty reasonable.
Check out our full review of the Tern GSD here.
- Motor: Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) with electric assist
- Range: 42-85 km (26-53 mi) depending on pedal input
- Battery: Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh
- Weight: 33.6 kg (74 lb)
- Price: $5,399
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