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 Magnum Metro electric bike is essentially a souped up Magnum Ui5… It comes with 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes vs. mechanical, a 500 watt nominal motor vs. 350 watt, a 48 volt battery vs. 36 volt and a nicer drivetrain (gears, derailleur, and shifter). For just $300 more dollars, you get a boost in […]
Depending on your frame of reference, $2,800 may not sound like a bargain price, but considering the Bosch motor, upgraded 500 watt hour battery pack, advanced Intuvia display panel, and the many frame size and style options that this bike offers… I think it’s an incredible value. The Bulls Cross E is a city style […]
OHM is a Premiere BionX partner from Vancouver Canada that has been in the ebike business since 2005, using BionX electric drive systems exclusively during that time. I have reviewed eight of their prior year models here on EBR and always come away feeling impressed. In a world where fancy mid-drive systems are generating attention […]
The CUBE Reaction Hybrid HPA SL 500 is a hardtail electric trail bike that seems uniquely well suited to urban environments. With a 100 mm travel air suspension fork from RockShox, offering remote lockout, you’re not going to experience efficiency loss from bobbing or sluggish steering from a steep head tube angle as you would […]
Apparently in Japan there’s a type of bicycle called the Mamachari or “mom bike” that’s easy to approach, with a low stand over height, and very useful, because of its front and rear rack provisions. These bicycles are frequently used to transport children and goods around town and they inspired Kiyoshi Iwai, a Japanese transplant […]
The original Townie Go! has become one of the most popular mainstream electric bikes to hit the market since it first launched in 2012. Since that time, Electra has upgraded the motor from Bosch Active Cruise to Bosch Performance Cruise (going from 50 Nm to ~60 Newton meters of torque), adding color options, and refining […]
I reviewed the Trek Neko+ in Colorado with the help of a Trek rep named Stephanie Jones. We chatted about this model and the companion Trek Dual Sport+ and she referred to it as a “Colorado commuter” because it’s capable on road and light trail conditions. Howeso you might wonder? Well, the wheels are large […]
Riese & Müller makes some of the cleanest, sturdiest, and most comfortable electric bikes I have reviewed to date. They’re a German company with a rich history of designing and producing traditional bicycles but recently, transitioned almost completely to e-bikes. And all of their models use the trusted and highly efficient Bosch drive system and […]
Bulls offers an extensive line of electric mountain bikes and the E-Stream EVO FS 2 27.5 Plus is their cross country model with 120 mm air suspension from SR Suntour. Actually, to me this is something of a cross country / trail hybrid because I’m used to seeing 80 to 100 mm travel for pure […]
The CX E8D is Oyama’s first folding electric bike to reach America and it gets several important things right. The bike feels sturdy with a firm folding stem, thick 13 gauge spokes, and rigid Steel fork. It’s efficient and compliant, zipping forward energetically as you pedal in of three assist levels. And even without assist, […]
