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 Trek FX+ is one of the higher end electric bikes I’ve tested from the earlier years for ebike technology in the US. It was introduced in 2010 and sold through 2012 with some units still available in shops but most now being offered second hand as used. Trek introduced a similar ebike in Europe […]
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 Venture iE is a comfort hybrid from Raleigh that offers a powerful (but quiet) motor system designed by Currie Technologies, produced by TranzX. What you get here is a proven frame that comes in either high-step or step-thru configuration as well as multiple sizes for a perfect fit. This is probably my favorite ebike […]
The eProdigy Jasper is a well rounded, efficient and relatively affordable city style electric bike. This thing would work well for commuting or just cruising around the neighborhood thanks to the rear carry rack, fenders and suspension. It’s comfortable to ride and puts your back and neck in a more upright position which reduces fatigue […]
The Transport+ is one of the first electric bikes introduced by Trek in 2011. While it’s no longer being produced, this was an advanced ebike at the time with drive systems from BionX which included regenerative braking. The Transport+ came stock with lights, a front fender, folding running boards and an extra-large Bontrager cargo bag. […]
The Jetson Electric Mountain bike is the first bicycle-style ebike I’ve seen from the company which is traditionally known for scooter-style designs. This new model offers plenty of power, decent weight distribution and both pedal assist and throttle mode for a relatively low $2K but skimps on component quality and pushes the legal limit of […]
The Raleigh Detour iE was updated for 2016 to use a mid-drive motor instead of the gearless direct drive hub, this improved balance and reduced weight by ~5 pounds. Check out the latest Raleigh Detour ebike review here. The Detour iE is an urban style electric bike build around the time-tested non-electric Raleigh Detour bicycle […]
The Felt DUAL-e (dual suspension) electric bike reaches the pinnacle of performance for off road eMountain riding. It’s incredibly stiff and light weight for an electric bike and with four frame sizes it delivers an excellent fit for a broad range of rider body types. The Bosch centerdrive is incredibly effective when climbing even the […]
The Tern Node D8 with BionX is a mid-sized folding electric bike with larger 24″ wheels meant to smooth out the ride and improve handling. It features a higher end drive system from BionX that’s durable, powerful and quiet to operate in a range of modes including pedal assist and throttle. Even with the battery […]
The Recreational e102 electric bike is an entry level build from GenZe, an ebike subsidiary of the Mahindra Group (an Indian multinational automobile manufacturing corporation headquartered in Mumbai). This thing offers a nice purpose built frame with good weight distribution, removable battery pack for convenient charging and easy transportation, pedal assist and throttle mode and […]
