Best Electric Bikes

Michael Clark

Mokwheel Basalt ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.5
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Pros

  • 750W, brushless, geared hub motor produces 90Nm of torque to give this e-bike terrific power on difficult terrain
  • 948Wh (19.6Ah) battery is estimated to give riders 60-80 miles of range, depending on terrain and other factors, making it a long-range champ among all-terrain e-bikes
  • Tektro hydraulic brakes paired with 180mm rotors gives the Basalt ST the braking power necessary to scrub speed for turns as well as make speedy, controlled stops.
  • Comes with a full package of accessories including fenders, front and rear lights, a rear rack with wood inlay and a kickstand
  • 2-year warranty is more generous than we often see and features fewer restrictions than some as well, making it more user-friendly, should there be an issue
  • The inclusion of a torque sensor makes the motor more responsive and helps to extend the battery’s range

Cons

  • Considering this e-bike’s purpose and cost, we would love to see the drivetrain upgraded to one with eight speeds in order to give riders a broader range of gears for riding up and down hills
  • The display is a bit on the small side and numbers other than current speed can be hard to read for glasses wearers

Intro All-terrain e-bikes aim to be the Swiss Army knives of the e-bike world. They feature big tires that allow them to roll on-road or off; a comfortable, upright position; and the power necessary to serve as a commuter or utility e-bike. And, increasingly, they come in both traditional frames and in step-thru versions. We […]

Ariel Rider Grizzly 52V Dual Motor Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.5
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Pros

  • Twin 1000W brushless, geared Bafang hub motors producing 95Nm of torque—each—make this one of the most powerful e-bikes we’ve encountered
  • Twin batteries give the Grizzly 1820Wh of capacity for a range of up to 75 mi. per charge
  • Front and rear suspension give the Grizzly a smooth ride over even the roughest roads
  • Includes a full accessory package: front and rear lights, fenders, rear rack, kickstand and passenger foot pegs
  • 20-in. wheels with 20 x 4-in. tires will offer great maneuverability and a comfortable ride
  • High-rise handlebar gives riders an upright position, making it easy to see what is around them

Cons

  • Considering how powerful this e-bike is, we would like to see either 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes or larger (203mm) rotors, if not both, in order to give such a fast e-bike more stopping ability
  • With only one charger, fully charging two batteries will take quite a while; a second charger would speed the charging cycle
  • They included foot pegs for a passenger, but not a seat long enough to accommodate a second person; it’s an added accessory

Intro The growing moped category in e-bikes has resulted in a number of manufacturers rethinking just what an e-bike is. Like their two-stroke forebears, moped e-bikes can be pedaled, but that’s more backup tech than primary tech. These are e-bikes that most riders will ride by twisting the throttle rather than turning their legs. We’ve […]

Ariel Rider X-Class 52V Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.6
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Pros

  • 1000W brushless, geared Bafang hub motor produces 95Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful e-bike hub motors we have reviewed
  • 52V, 1040Wh lithium-ion battery is estimated to give riders between 40 and 80 mi. of range per charge, enough to keep most riders on the road for a couple of days
  • Wide motorcycle-style bench seat gives a rider plenty to sit on for better-than-usual comfort
  • With both a suspension fork and a rear shock, this full-suspension design will be more comfortable than most similar e-bikes
  • Short wheelbase and small wheels will make for terrific maneuverability
  • Can sit on saddle with both feet on the ground

Cons

  • We would be more enthusiastic about this e-bike were it not unrestricted
  • We would prefer to see the display mounted at the stem and not near the grip; mounting it in the middle of the bar makes it easier to see

Intro The ways in which people use e-bikes are as diverse as people themselves. Proving this point is the simple fact that we are seeing an ever-increasing diversity in e-bike designs. There’s an e-bike for anyone who wants to ride. What a delight to write that last sentence. With our Ariel Rider X-Class review we’re […]

Denago EXC2 EMTB Review, 2024

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Summary Denago EXC2 EMTB

Overall Rating:

4.5
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Pros

  • 250W brushless, geared mid-drive motor gives immediate and powerful acceleration as well as muscle for climbing steep trails
  • Torque sensor means no waiting for the motor to kick in; power is instantaneous
  • Dropper post that allows the rider to lower the seat will make steep descents much easier
  • Comes in three distinct sizes to fit a broad range of riders
  • 9-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain offers a wide range of gears for tackling varied terrain
  • As a Class 1 eMTB, it is legal to ride anywhere e-bikes are allowed

Cons

  • We’d prefer to see an air-spring fork with some rebound damping for better suspension; coil-spring forks can kinda be like a pogo stick
  • While it would drive the cost up a bit, it would be great to spec wheels with tubeless-compatible rims

Intro An eMTB is a particular sort of e-bike. Whereas it’s possible to find a fat tire e-bike that is great for offroad riding, commuting and even running errands, the better an eMTB is at taking on rough terrain, the worse it is at everything else. Compounding this is the fact that, as a category, […]

Ariel Rider Kepler 52V Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.5
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Pros

  • 1000W brushless, geared Bafang hub motor produces 85Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful hub motors we have reviewed
  • 1040Wh battery has the capacity to power the Kepler for as much as 75 mi. according to Ariel Rider estimates, giving it the sort of range to make it useful for commuting and running errands
  • The stout rear rack can hold two baskets and a third can be mounted to the head tube, giving it carrying capacity that rivals some compact cargo e-bikes
  • Thanks to an 80mm-travel suspension fork and 4-in.-wide tires the Kepler offers a very comfortable ride
  • Going with a 52V electrical system, rather than the more typical 48V will help the Kepler make the most of its powerful motor

Cons

  • We would love to see either larger rotors or 4-piston brake calipers to give it more stopping power from speed
  • We wish that the reach from the seat to the handlebar was a bit shorter on the step-thru model
  • An integrated battery would give riders more standover height on the step-thru model

Intro One of the most enjoyable aspects of riding an e-bike is the sense of zoom that comes with moving through the world, without the interference of a car windshield. From the unimpeded view to the feeling of the wind rushing over our bodies, it is pure fun. And for many of us, more speed […]

Electra Ponto Go! Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.2
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Pros

  • Motorcycle styling gives the Ponto Go! a low-slung look and feel that makes for nimble handling in a head-turning package
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor presents the power necessary to reach 20 mph on throttle alone, and with the torque (60Nm) to accelerate with some spunk
  • 8-speed Microshift drivetrain includes a wide-range gear cluster (11-34t) to help out on hills
  • Thanks to the long bench seat, most riders can sit comfortably and enjoy an easy reach to the high-rise handlebar
  • Electra estimates a 60-mi. range, which is terrific, provided the rider is willing to pedal in PAS 1
  • Total weight capacity is 360 lbs., making it strong enough for two adults

Cons

  • We would love to see the display mounted at the stem, not out at the grip, where it is harder to read while riding
  • Electra’s sizing recommendations—4 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 10 inches—is unrealistically broad; even the consumer-direct companies don’t make such broad claims
  • No ability to add a rear rack

Intro As e-bike motors have grown in power, that extra muscle has created opportunities for e-bike makers and riders alike. One outcome is that people who might not have considered an e-bike before because they didn’t want to suffer through pedaling. Equipped with a 750W motor, e-bikes like the Electra Ponto Go! give riders a […]

Aventon Level 2 vs Aventon Pace 500.3

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Intro Sometimes, the toughest choices aren’t between brands, but within a brand. Take our comparison of the Aventon Level.2 vs. the Aventon Pace 500.3. Aventon has proven to be one of the most popular brands with our readers, but they make six different (not counting the different numbered editions) models and many of them overlap […]

Lectrix XP 3.0 vs Aventon Sinch 2

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Intro The folding e-bike category has exploded with numerous different models that meet a variety of rider needs, often simultaneously. Easy to stow? Check. Affordable? Check. Good for commuting or running errands? Check. Most are versatile and provide users with the ability to park their car and get around in a more cost-conscious and environmentally […]

Lectric XP Trike Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.7
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Pros

  • 500W brushless, geared hub motor, produces 65Nm of torque
  • With its 13.8-in. standover height, riders will find the XP Trike to be easy to mount
  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors make the XP Trike easy to control
  • Large, center-mounted LCD display won’t require reading glasses
  • Lectric estimates a range of up to 60 mi. for the 672Wh battery, an impressive result for an e-trike

Cons

  • At 30.5 in. wide, it might not fit through all commercial doors
  • We would prefer to see the optional saddle with back support to be standard equipment, not an option

Intro Adult trikes have been around for ages; what’s relatively new is the creation of adult e-trikes. Adding a motor to a trike is a genius application of e-bike technology. While anyone may choose to buy an e-trike, these new models being introduced by companies like Lectric and Rad Power are especially well-suited to some […]