Unbiased, In-Depth Analysis of the Best Electric Bikes
This type of electric bike utilizes a motor system that is positioned at the middle of the frame, usually exerting force on the same chain that the rider is cycling as they pedal. They are known for their balanced weight distribution, unsprung weight advantage, battery use efficiency (because they benefit from gear shifting, just like the rider), and improved climbing power. Because they often require custom motor interfaces, mid-drive ebikes tend to cost more money. They exert more strain on the chain, belt, and drivetrain than hub motor and friction drive, and usually do not offer throttle on demand power. Most high-end and European ebikes utilize mid-drive motor systems.
Aventon dropped the Level 3 just about a year ago and it landed well. Good torque sensor, solid security tech, reasonable range, it checked most of the boxes for a commuter under two grand. But anyone who rode it regularly knew the hub motor was the one thing holding it back from being a truly […]
Written Review The first time I went to the Sea Otter Classic (USA’s premier cycling festival and trade-show), Aventon was being repped by a PR agency, didn’t have a dedicated booth, and unless you were an e-bike geek that focused on lifestyle commuter and cruiser ebikes, you didn’t even know Aventon was there. Every year […]
Velotric just dropped a refresh of their Discover lineup, and for the first time, you’ve got a choice between two motor configurations. The Discover 3 keeps the rear hub motor that made the original popular with commuters and casual riders, while the new Discover M, what we’re looking at here, is their first attempt at […]
When Tern unveiled the original GSD at Eurobike in 2017, they essentially created the compact longtail cargo e-bike category. The pitch was simple: deliver serious hauling capacity (440 lbs) in a package no longer than a standard bike. It worked. The GSD became the benchmark that spawned dozens of competitors. Fast forward through Gen 2’s […]
Seattle-based EVELO has been crafting premium direct-to-consumer electric bikes since 2011, setting themselves apart with innovative features and an industry-leading 4-year/20,000-mile warranty. With a knack for equipping their bikes with advanced drivetrains and mid-drive motors, EVELO appeals to consumers seeking performance and quality over budget-driven competitors. The Compass, EVELO’s only three-wheeled trike offering, breaks away […]
Aventon has firmly established itself as a dominant force in the direct-to-consumer e-bike market, consistently delivering bikes that punch above their weight class. From the tech-laden Aventon Level.3 commuter with its 4G connectivity to the trail-crushing Ramblas eMTB, the brand has built a reputation for innovation that actually works in the real world. At the […]
There’s something oddly satisfying about riding a bike that just works. No fiddling with derailleurs, no chain grease on your pants, no mental checklist of maintenance tasks creeping into your head mid-ride. Just you, the road, and a bike that handles the technical stuff while you focus on actually enjoying yourself. That’s the promise of […]
Mokwheel’s made a name for themselves in the fat tire e-bike space over the past couple years. Their Basalt and the full-suspension Obsidian both landed solid reviews from us, capable bikes packed with power, though they were built around hub motors. They proved Mokwheel knew how to engineer a fat tire e-bike that could actually […]
Look, most ebikes are built to get you from A to B with decent performance and as a consumer, we can only pray nothing breaks in the first 1-2 years of a standard warranty. The EVELO Atlas takes a different approach. At $4,149, this thing is EVELO’s statement bike, designed around low-maintenance components and real-world […]
Momentum’s been pretty quiet on the Vida E+ front since the last release in 2022, but they’re back with some big changes for 2025. And when I say big changes, I mean they’ve basically started from scratch, out goes the mid-drive and internal gear hub combo from 2022, and in comes a 500W rear hub […]
