Best Electric Bikes

Michael Clark

Ride1UP 700 ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 60Nm of torque, giving it good acceleration and hill-climbing ability as well as the ability to cruise at Class 3 speeds
  • 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain provides a nearly 300 percent gear range and has the high gear to allow a rider Class 3 speeds
  • Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors and levers with electronic cutoff switches provide terrific stopping power and overall control
  • Includes a commute-ready package of accessories: fenders, front and rear lights, a rear rack and kickstand
  • 27.5 x 2.4-in. tires feature a low-profile tread to give riders a great balance of comfort and efficiency

Cons

  • We’d like to see Ride1UP secure UL-certification for their batteries at minimum, but preferably for the entire electronics system
  • A larger display mounted near the stem would be easier for riders to see when zipping along

Intro Commuters come in more flavors than Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, making it the largest category of e-bikes on the market. Choice is great, but too much choice can be overwhelming, so it’s nice when we run across a model that makes the choice easy. The Ride1UP 700 Series is just such an e-bike. […]

Ride1UP Prodigy v2 LX Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.9
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Pros

  • 250W Brose mid-drive motor has the muscle necessary to assist the rider to Class 3 cruising speeds as well as climb all the steepest hills
  • 504Wh battery will provide the range necessary for days of riding
  • We love the choice of two different drivetrains and as much as we like 9-speed Shimano, the Enviolo CVT internally geared hub is the better option and worth the extra investment
  • Those who choose the Enviolo CVT get the added benefit of a Gates belt that eliminates black stains on clothing and the need for chain lube and it’s quieter too
  • 4-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes have the power necessary to stop in wet conditions and on steep downhills
  • Thanks to 27.5-in. wheels, it handles great at Class 3 speeds
  • Air-spring forks offer a much better ride than suspension forks with a steel coil spring

Cons

  • What really separates this e-bike from those by companies like Trek and Specialized is that it comes in just one size, not three or four; we wish the step-thru version was actually smaller than the traditional frame
  • It would be nice if the rear rack could hold more than 40 lbs., but that may be enough for most folks
  • We prefer displays that are mounted near the stem, where they are easier to view while moving

Intro The Ride1UP Prodigy V2 is a premium commuter that lands in a somewhat more expensive price range. This owes to a number of more upscale features that we don’t often see on e-bikes that retail for less than $2000. In our Ride1UP Prodigy V2 review we will look at what makes this e-bike not […]

Aventon Sinch 2 ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.7
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Pros

  • 500W brushless, geared hub motor offers a great balance of power and weight so that it has the muscle necessary to climb hills and accelerate without making it too heavy to lift
  • 672Wh lithium-ion battery was tested by Aventon and gave a 160-lb. rider 55 mi. of range in Eco mode on flat ground
  • 8-speed Shimano drivetrain includes an easy-to-use trigger shifter and a wide range of gears thanks to its 12-32t gear cluster
  • Features a foolproof latch that is easy to operate; the entire e-bike folds up in just seconds and it can be made small enough to fit in a car trunk
  • Aventon’s smartphone app gives owners additional controls over their e-bike and includes security functions and can even track rides by GPS

Cons

  • At 68 lbs. this isn’t exactly light for an e-bike, though we accept that being lighter would almost certainly mean being more expensive
  • Riders wanting to take the Sinch off-road may find the tires short on traction due to their low-profile tread

Intro Some products sport benefits that need a marketing plan and advertising. Organic foods. Would any of us drop the extra cash had we not been told all the ways they are better for us? Folding bikes like the Aventon Sinch.2 don’t need the same kind of help. A bike with a motor that stores […]

Aventon Soltera 2 Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • 46 lbs. is light for an e-bike by any standard; an eMTB with a comparable weight can run more than $5000
  • Thanks to its low weight, narrow tires and aluminum fork, the Soltera.2 HS offers riders a very sporty and engaged experience
  • 7-speed Shimano drivetrain features a nicer-than-expected trigger shifter
  • Tektro mechanical disc brakes keep weight down while still offering terrific braking power
  • Comes in two sizes to fit a broad range of riders heights, as well as a step-thru version
  • Thanks to its light weight, its 350W motor and 346Wh battery the Soltera.2 enjoys better acceleration and more range than we might expect

Cons

  • Doesn’t have enough power to throttle its way up hills; the rider needs to pedal
  • Some riders will be disappointed they didn’t include fenders or a rack, but it’s understandable considering its price

Intro Commuters are arguably the biggest category in the world of e-bikes. It’s a diverse segment and can include some very thoughtful designs. For instance, the Aventon Soltera.2 HS is a commuter that deviates from the usual commuter script. In our Aventon Soltera.2 HS review, we will show what makes this affordable e-bike such a […]

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.6
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Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 80Nm of torque, making it powerful enough for riders running errands or ferrying kids
  • 672Wh lithium-ion battery is estimated to offer riders 25-45 mi. of range per charge
  • 7-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain includes a wide-range 11-34t gear cluster for better gearing on hills
  • Revised frame design is stronger and stiffer, providing a better ride
  • Hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors give the stopping power necessary for someone toting a passenger
  • Rad Power Bikes offers a broad array of accessories to mount on the rear rack or to add a front rack mounted on the head tube
  • Not only is the rear rack integrated into the frame for greater stiffness and strength, but the RadRunner 3 Plus includes fenders, front and rear lights and a kickstand

Cons

  • We’d really like to see Rad Power Bikes offer a more comprehensive warranty; a better warranty would help build well-deserved confidence in the quality of their e-bikes
  • The saddle included is better than what we experienced with the RadRunner 2, but still lacks some of the comfort found in many other saddles

Intro One of the things we love about Rad Power Bikes is how they constantly update their designs. While we liked the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2, there were elements of the e-bike that could have been improved. In our review of the Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 3 Plus we will dig into the many […]

Aventon Abound Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • As a compact cargo e-bike, it features great handling at speed and still offers good maneuverability at low speeds
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor has the power necessary to get the Abound up hills and accelerated to cruising speed, even when loaded with a passenger and groceries
  • Hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors give the braking power necessary to keep rider and passenger(s) safe in any conditions
  • Aventon produces a number of excellent accessories to allow someone to set up the Abound exactly to their needs; options include a seat for kid(s), a handrail to keep them corralled, a rear basket, panniers and more
  • Thanks to the presence of a torque sensor, riders have power from the moment they push down on the pedals, which will make starting with a load much easier
  • The combination of a dropper post and folding handlebar mast make this an e-bike that is easy to load in an SUV or minivan

Cons

  • We would love to see an 8 or 9-speed drivetrain to make hills easier
  • It’s not big enough to carry two elementary school-aged kids

Intro In our Aventon Abound review we will look at the frame design’s versatility as well as how well-suited the motor and battery are to its intended use. And then there’s the question of just how much a rider can hope to carry on this e-bike. It features Aventon 750W brushless, geared hub motor found […]

Aventon Soltera 2 ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

4.8
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Pros

  • At just 46 lbs., this is one of the lightest e-bikes available in this price range
  • Aventon upgraded the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain from the usual thumb shifter to a smoother and easier-to-use trigger shifter
  • 350W brushless, geared hub motor offers great power thanks to the Soltera.2 ST’s low weight
  • 346Wh lithium-ion battery punches above its weight and can provide up to 46 mi. per charge (estimated)
  • Mechanical disc brakes help keep the Soltera.2 ST’s weight down while keeping braking power high
  • Comes in two sizes and both sizes feature relatively short saddle-to-handlebar reach, making them ideal for shorter riders

Cons

  • This isn’t a true step-thru frame; it’s what’s called mixte (say mixty) and a true step-thru frame would offer a lower standover height for riders with stiff knees and/or hips
  • Isn’t a great performer on hills on throttle-only

Intro Lightweight e-bikes like the Aventon Soltera.2 ST don’t seem to draw as much attention as other e-bikes. There hasn’t been a big push to make e-bikes that are both lightweight and affordable. At 46 lbs., the Soltera.2 ST is one of the lightest e-bikes we’ve reviewed; the majority of what’s out there for less […]

Ride1UP Portola Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

5
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Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 65Nm of torque, making it more powerful than the majority of folding e-bikes on the market
  • 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain features a trigger shifter and a nearly 300 percent gear range, which is unheard-of in this price range
  • Hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors are the gold standard for value-oriented e-bikes, but uncommon on e-bikes in this price range
  • Rear rack is integrated into the frame, giving it a higher weight capacity than can be achieved with bolt-on racks
  • Comes with a full complement of accessories; in addition to the rack, buyers get fenders, front and rear lights and a kickstand
  • Folds up in seconds, making it easier to store than most e-bikes

Cons

  • We would prefer a display that mounts at the stem where it would be easier to view while moving
  • We love the passenger package but wish there was a child-seat solution for smaller kids

Intro New e-bikes are introduced like phases of the moon. We see something new announced about once week. Generally, what we see is exciting. Every now and then we run across something that grabs our interest, and once or twice a year a company introduces an e-bike that causes a shift in what we believe […]

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review 2024

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Overall Rating:

5
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Pros

  • 700W brushless, geared hub motor performs better than most 750W hub motors, giving it terrific acceleration and terrific power on hills
  • 772Wh battery fits all the battery that can fit in the available space and it serves up solid range for an e-bike that is likely to be carrying a load
  • Comes equipped with a torque sensor, which makes the motor’s operation integrate seamlessly with the rider’s pedaling, making it both more enjoyable and easier to control
  • Despite coming in only one size, this e-bike is more adjustable to different rider statures than most e-bikes on the market; it is an intelligent approach to making a one-size e-bike
  • Even among cargo e-bikes, the Globe Haul ST may include more mounts for accessories than any other e-bike we’ve seen
  • 4-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes paired with 203mm rotors on 20-in. wheels may be the most powerful brake system we’ve ever seen

Cons

  • We would prefer to see the display separate from the PAS selector; mounted at the bar it is easier and safer to look at
  • If there were a way to create short running boards for a kid passenger, rather than pegs, that would improve the experience for little riders

Intro Specialized is one of the largest bike companies in the world. Their heritage runs as wide as it is deep. Name a race and someone has won it aboard one of their bikes. As a source of innovation they have often left competitors struggling to distinguish themselves. Specialized was one of the first of […]

Aventon Level 2 Review – 2024

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Summary Aventon Level 2 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.6
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Pros

  • 500W brushless hub motor has the power necessary to perform as a Class 3 motor with a max assist speed of 28 mph
  • 672Wh battery can provide as much as 60 mi. of range on a single charge
  • 8-speed Shimano drivetrain for more gear choice and a lower gear for climbing
  • Comes in two sizes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru frame to fit a broad range of riders
  • Large LCD display that is easy to read on bumpy roads

Cons

  • An air/oil suspension fork gives a smoother ride than the coil spring
  • A shorter reach on the S/M step-thru bike would allow it to fit even more riders

Aventon Level 2 Review: Intro This Aventon Level 2 review revealed a significantly different bike in its second iteration. Since their launch, Aventon has introduced a collection of bikes that have caused us to reassess our ideas about value at a given price point. They are making the case that they are setting the bar […]