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 W-Class electric bike models from Ariel Rider are my personal favorite because they strike a balance between cost and aesthetic. First… let’s talk about the limitations, these aren’t cargo bikes and they don’t have racks or mounting options (not even bottle cage bosses) but that doesn’t matter as much when you’re cruising around the […]
With the ST2 S (which stands for Sport) Stromer took an already amazing looking, technologically advanced, super-fast electric bike that felt cost prohibitive at $7k and said… let’s take it further guys!!! And so, priced at nearly $10k the S model is an ebike I probably wouldn’t be allowed to test ride were it not […]
The VoltBike Urban is one of the most affordable folding electric bikes I’ve tested, even with the ~$70 shipping fee from Canada to the US it’s priced well below some of the similar models I’ve covered including the e-Joe Epik, Enzo Ebike and EZ Pedaler X350 which all rely on a very similar frame. You […]
Compared with the ST1 T, the S (which stands for sport) has a more aggressive geometry due to its flat bars vs. the low-rise bars, it has thinner ergonomic grips and no extra racks. The two models are very similar electric bikes and aside from color differences, could be easy to confuse. Both deliver impressive […]
Compared with the ST1 S, the T (which stands for touring) has a more upright geometry due to low-riser bars vs. the flat bars, it has thicker ergonomic grips and an integrated Racktime carry rack at the rear. The two are very similar electric bikes and aside from color differences, could be easy to confuse. […]
Flux (renamed to FLX Bike) is a brand new electric bike company that launched its first three models on Indiegogo in Q1 2016 at discounted rates… after just three days of funding they raised over $150k (more than 2x their funding goal) and I was given an opportunity to test ride the final prototype model […]
The Torker Tristar Hybrid is an electric trike that’s perfect for neighborhood riding at low speed and possibly running short errands thanks to its steel-mesh cargo bin. Unlike most ebikes I test and review in the US, the Tristar maxes out between 13 and 15 miles per hour depending on how much you’re contributing as […]
The ALLMTN group is one of my favorite SDURO (Yamaha powered) electric bike lines from Haibike. It comes in four trim levels with varying levels of component groupsets and I tested the RC which is one step up from the bottom, priced at $4,299. That’s $600 more than the entry level SL model and the […]
The Haibike XDURO Dwnhll Pro was one of the only production downhill electric bikes available at the time of this review… meaning you could get a truly capable platform in a range of sizes with a solid two year warranty and not have to customize anything for it to hold its weight on rigorous terrain. […]
The FullLife is an amazing full suspension electric mountain bike… that has been slightly modified to better suit women. As a guy, I had a blast riding this thing and didn’t notice much of a difference in the frame (shorter top tube) or saddle (shorter with a wider rear pelvic support area) but definitely appreciated […]
