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.
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 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 […]
The E3 ProTour is one of the coolest looking ebikes in the entire 2016 lineup from IZIP because the battery is integrated, the circular motor hides behind the chainring and you get every sort of accessory you could ever want to make it the perfect commuting platform. From integrated LED lights that run off the […]
The Raleigh Sprint iE is one of the sleekest, most unassuming electric bikes in the lineup for 2016 because the battery is integrated directly into the downtube and the motor is compact and circular… mirroring the chainring sprocket. It’s fast, capable of hitting 28 mph in the highest level of assist when pedaling with the […]
This is a review for the 2016 IZIP E3 Sumo electric fat bike. You can see the latest model here which uses a Bosch CX mid-drive and is available in two frame sizes. The price jumped up $100 but the brakes and drivetrain are significantly upgraded. Electric powered fat bikes have become super popular since […]
The Raleigh Tekoa iE is a powerful hardtail electric mountain bike that feels sturdy, well balanced and light weight thanks to its air fork and custom frame. I like the dark silver color scheme… and that’s good because it’s only available in one color and frame style (traditional diamond high-step). With three frame sizes to […]
The 2016 IZIP E3 Peak is one of the most powerful mid-drive electric bikes I’ve tested for trail and mountain style riding. The M07 motor by TranzX delivers 73 Newton meters of torque and is surprisingly quiet. With a 27.5″ wheelset the bike feels nimble but also stable and comfortable going over bumps. The air […]
The 2016 IZIP E3 Dash features a high torque mid-drive motor while the previous two iterations used gearless direct drive hub motors. This improves balance and frame stiffness while making quick-release on both wheels possible (and easier). You get thru-axles for improved stiffness (12 mm rear and 15 mm front) and hydraulic Shimano disc brakes […]
