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.
The Jarifa I29 Pro is a hardtail cross country style mountain bike with 29 inch wheels for smooth fast performance on trails. Driven by the new Impulse 3.0 mid-drive motor system, it operates efficiently (running off a 36 volt battery) and offers even more torque than some of the big competing brands like Bosch, Yamaha […]
The Sturmvogel has a name that I don’t quite understand but the design and performance are clear. It’s an electric bike that blends in because the motor and battery are integrated, it would look good under a man or woman… or anyone in between, and it comes in four sizes so mounting and dismounting doesn’t […]
Virtue Cycles produces a range of affordable bicycles with two electrified variants called the Gondoliere Plus and Schoolbus Plus. The Pedalist by contrast, only comes with electric power because it’s significantly larger and heavier than the two cargo bikes. This thing weighs in at ~175 lbs without the battery (which adds another 10 lbs or […]
KTM began as an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer with roots dating back to the 1930’s and an official formation in 1981. Over the past 30+ years it has built a solid reputation producing off-road motorcycles but recently branched off into road bikes and then electric bikes. Apparently they’ve been making standard bicycles since 1964? The Macina […]
UPDATE: The TWENTY9 E FS 3 RSI is still being sold by BULLS, even though this particular review was conducted several years ago. They have since updated the Bosch motor to Gen 3 and the battery to PowerPack 500! This means improved performance, power, and range. I’m leaving the review unchanged since the videos, photos, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
The 2016 eProdigy Whistler offers massive improvements in power and range with a 750 watt centerdrive motor that is compact and relatively quiet paired with a 48 volt 11.6 amp hour battery pack. The pack is removable which is great for indoor or in-office charging but requires an extra on step once attached to the […]
This was the second time I’ve been able to test ride a Specialized Turbo Levo model and thankfully I got some help from Garret at Rock N’ Road Cyclery in Laguna Niguel California. This shop has some demo models and in addition to the footage shown in the video review above, Garret has gone off-road […]
