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 2016 version of Emotion’s EVO City model offers a higher voltage battery pack (48 vs. 36), a more powerful zippy motor (500 watt vs. 360), an updated paint job and costs a bit more. This continues to be one of the best looking, most feature rich electric bike for tall people who want a […]
This review is for the 2015 Blix Stockholm, it’s similar to the 2016 version but differs in a few key ways… my favorite being that you do not have to leave the keys in the battery pack in order to operate the bike! This always bugged me because they can jingle around. While reviewing this […]
The Sondors Thin is a single speed urban style electric bike with an average sized motor and slightly below average sized battery priced very reasonably at $499… plus mandatory $194 shipping. It borrows from some of the earlier Sondors fat tire bikes sold through Indiegogo and Kickstarter in 2015. I purchased both of these prior […]
The EG Bali 500 EX is an electric bike that I want to love based on its low price and high specs on paper but have some real hangups with in practice. Yes, you get 28 mph capable speed pedelec with smooth torque sensing operation and a trigger throttle for instant power (up to 20 […]
The BULLS Cross Lite E is a well equipped commuter or even trekking electric bicycle platform. It’s powered by the massively popular Bosch drive system with a large easy to use display that’s removable, battery that can be charged on or off the frame and a mid-drive motor that measures wheel speed, pedal cadence and […]
The human powered Virtue Cycles Schoolbus was one of the first models created by founder William Mulyadi. It was designed to be stable for loading his kids, positioning them out front where he could keep an eye on them and have conversations during rides vs. behind in a trailer or rack mounted seat like the […]
The original Evo Snow launched in 2015 in the US delivering two-wheel-drive performance in a way that no other mainstream electric bike had. Not only did it provide better traction with two hub motors, it offered 30 gears so you could pedal efficiently at a wide range of speeds. For the 2016 model 10 gears […]
The Bulls E-Stream Enduro is a downhill oriented electric bike utilizing the highly-integrated Brose mid-drive motor system. While it’s positioned as top of the line, you might also consider the FS 3 which offers the same 27.5″ wheel size and 160 mm travel with less aggressive rake. This translates to cross country riding vs. enduro […]
All of the current gen Outrider electric recumbent trikes share the same basic componentry but differ with respect to the gear box, motor power output, ground clearance (ride height) and stock color. The Horizon is by far the most versatile, offering standard pedals, foot rests vs. pedals in combination with hand cranks, hand motion activation […]
The Haibike SDURO Full FatSix is one of the only full suspension, mid-drive, fat tire electric bikes that is being purpose-built by a leading ebike company… and it’s awesome. I do have a couple gripes here including the large clunky charger that Yamaha provides but the battery pack can be charged on or off the […]
