Unbiased, In-Depth Analysis of the Best Electric Bikes
Electric bikes or ebikes combine human power from pedaling with electronic power from a hub motor, mid drive, or friction drive powered by a battery pack. They come in all shapes and sizes, including trikes, tandems, folding, cargo, and more. A traditional analog bicycle can usually be converted to electric through the use of kits. Ebikes fall into three classes including Class 1 pedal assist only up to a set speed (usually 25kmh or 32kmh), Class 2 throttle only or throttle with pedal assist up to a set speed (usually 25kmh or 32kmh), and high speed Class 3 up to a set level (usually 45kmh 28mph).
The EVO 27.5 is one of my favorite electric bike models from Easy Motion for 2015 because it’s versatile, beautiful and fairly affordable. It’s modest 350 watt hub motor can actually produce 548 watts of peak output for those steep sections of trail but isn’t as heavy as a larger offering and manages to blend […]
Hi-Power Cycles is known for building custom electric bike solutions that push the limits on power and speed. They all ship street-legal with 750 motor watt output and top speed of 20 mph. From here, the user can increase speed and power by increasing the voltage and amp settings using onboard controls. Even the Freedom, […]
The BM-Shadow is the most affordable offering from BMEBIKES, an electric bike company based in North Los Angeles that’s dedicated to off-road electric bikes. Their slogan is “electric mountain bike specialists” but to me, the Shadow is more of a trail bike because it uses the standard (larger) size front chainring that comes stock with […]
The Enterprise was the first electric bike model offered by EG in North America starting in 2008. While production of this model has slowed nearing 2015, it’s still one of the most affordable trail-ready ebikes I’ve seen retailing for ~$900. The suspension fork is very basic, lacking much adjustability or lockout, but the knobby tires […]
For that probably-very limited subset of downhill mountain bike riders that are interested in electric bikes, the Haibike XDURO Nduro RX is a dream come true. This is an electric bike that is quite capable of powering you up mountains and then delivering pro-level performance on the way down. The motor and battery weight are […]
UPDATE! It appears that Polaris is no longer working with the manufacturer who designed and built these electric bikes, but that company is now selling their own line as PIM (Power in Motion) and you can connect with them through their official website at www.pimbicycles.com to possibly get replacement batteries, chargers, and other hardware. The […]
The 2015 A2B Kuo+ is a much improved version of the 2013/2014 Kuo. While it does cost several hundred dollars more, you get a more powerful motor, more consistent pedal assist, longer crank arms for a more natural ride, a rear carry rack, better LED lights and nicer drivetrain components (Shimano Alivio vs. Tourney). It’s […]
The Monte Carlo 500 EX from EG (EverGreen Electric Bikes) is a unique chopper style cruiser that offers more than just style. The powerful geared motor is larger than average and paired with a smaller diameter rear wheel for improved torque and climbing ability. The battery pack is mounted low and fairly centered on the […]
At under $1,500 the Sand Viper is the most affordable electric fat bike I’ve ever tested… but that doesn’t mean it skimps on features, or even quality. I found out about this ebike while researching the Indiegogo Storm electric bike which is dubbed as being ultra affordable. I rushed to test the Sand Viper because […]
The Haibike XDURO Urban is a light weight, efficient road bike with a premium mid-drive motor system and battery from Bosch that together are capable of impressive range and climbing performance. It offers a 20 mph top speed, which is a bit lower than the other road-style Haibkes (the Race and Superrace), but can easily […]
