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).
PUBLIC is a bicycle company that sells beautiful, classically designed bicycles mostly online. I was lucky enough to visit one of their storefronts in Santa Monica California where the M8 Electric was on display and take a test ride. I’m very familiar with the BionX ebike systems used on this bike and came away impressed […]
The eProdigy Banff is one of the most stylish electric bicycles I’ve ever reviewed… This is the second time I’ve gotten to ride it, the first time was a couple years back and the system wasn’t quite as refined or powerful as it has become. In addition to the colorful paint options, fun wicker baskets […]
The RadMini combines two bicycle concepts that at first seem a bit opposite but ultimately pair well… Namely, a “go anywhere” fat tire bike and the “take anywhere” folding bike. What you end up with is an electric bicycle that shorter riders can enjoy more comfortably, a fat bike that’s truly sand and snow capable […]
Plus sized tires are becoming increasingly popular for electric bikes. That’s because they improve comfort a bit, increase your contact patch size resulting in better traction and they disperse some of the added weight that a motor and battery produce on the frame. I suppose they would have become popular more quickly with traditional pedal-powered […]
Fat tire electric bikes offer a perfect blend of technology and adventure in my opinion… an unpowered fat bike is fun, sure, but the added weight and drag of larger wheels and tires means that most people are limited in how far and long they can actually enjoy the ride. Furthermore, if you actually do […]
The Kalkhoff Integrale S11 is a speed pedelec (capable of 28 mph top speeds, assisted) with an internally geared 11 speed hub. It runs a clean, quiet belt drive instead of a chain and comes outfitted with a sleek rear rack, plastic fenders and a bottle cage mounting point so it’s ready for commuting or […]
The 2017 eProdigy Logan offers more than double the motor power and nearly twice as much battery capacity of its predecessor while preserving the classic diamond frame and utilitarian accessories. The bike would make an excellent commuter thanks to fenders, a saddle designed to not absorb water and threaded bosses for mounting a rear rack. […]
The BULLS Lacuba EVO E45 is the kind of electric bicycle I’d choose in place of a car. It can go far, it can go fast (28 mph vs. 20 mph on most electric bikes) and it’s fairly comfortable. With full length integrated fenders, a slim chain guard, twenty gears to shift through and integrated […]
SmartMotion is a New Zealand brand that has been popular in Europe for several years, now making its way to America thanks to Lectric Cycles (the guys who do e-RAD Kits). I went into this review feeling very excited because the Catalyst (a hardtail, trail capable speed pedelec with assist and throttle) is exactly my […]
The latest Volton Alation electric bike builds on what has worked for Volton over the past several years (a mid-priced, powerful ebike with clean battery integration) but improves frame balance, efficiency and climbing power with a Bafang Max Drive mid-motor vs. a hub motor or older bolt-on BBS02 motor. The Max Drive looks a lot […]
