We’re family men and women ourselves here at BestElectricBikes.com, so we know firsthand how many families eyeing an e-bike purchase are increasingly turning to cargo e-bikes so that they don’t have to grab their car keys every time they need to run to the daycare or school. The Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 and the […]
Aventon Aventure Vs Himiway Zebra
Welcome to our new series of posts where we compare and contrast two similar e-bikes. A common dilemma in purchasing an e-bike (or anything, really) occurs when someone has narrowed their choices down to two candidates and then they struggle to pick a winner. Our series will help people weigh their options. It’s worth noting […]
Zen Samurai E-Bike Review, 2024
Summary Zen Samurai Electric Bike
Pros
- Bosch Gen 4 mid-drive motor produces 250W and 85Nm of torque for terrific acceleration and powerful hill climbing
- The 500Wh Bosch Powertube battery is estimated to give riders a range of more than 50 mi. per charge
- The Enviolo internally geared hub offers a broad (380 percent) gear range and continuously variable gearing so that the rider can always find the right gear with a twist of the grip shifter
- Includes both an air spring fork and a suspension seatpost for rider comfort and superior control
- Comes in four different sizes to offer riders from 4 feet 11 inches up to 6 feet 5 inches a terrific fit
- Offers more customization than we see with most e-bikes
Cons
- Riders wanting a throttle will have to look elsewhere; this is a Class 1 e-bike
- Though knobby tires are an option for premium and custom version, the fenders don’t leave much room for bigger tires
- Due to the way the rear rack is mounted it can’t carry much weight
Intro We don’t often see e-bikes like the Zen Samurai. Zen is a consumer-direct brand that has gone decidedly upscale from the typical $1500-$2000 e-bike. Zen offers the Samurai in two different builds as well as significant opportunities to customize the Samurai. Until now, the great majority of e-bikes on the market that offered customization […]
Aventon Aventure 2 Review, 2024
Summary Aventon Aventure 2 Electric Bike
Pros
- Arguably the single biggest upgrade over the original Aventure is the addition of a torque sensor, which makes the motor’s application of power more immediate as well as proportional to rider’s pedaling effort
- 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 80Nm of torque, which gives the Aventure.2 terrific acceleration as well as consistent power when climbing hills
- Aventon’s smartphone app gives riders the ability to unlock the e-bike for Class 3 performance as well as track their rides by GPS, connect with other riders and more; it’s one of the best smartphone apps for an e-bike that we’ve seen
- The Tektro hydraulic brakes are an upgrade from those on the previous version of the Aventure, offering a bit more power as well as better overall performance on longer descents
- Thanks to the various upgrades found in the Aventure.2, the e-bike’s estimated range has increased by a third, from 45 mi. to 60 mi.
Cons
- Aventon eliminated the small size in both the traditional frame and the step-thru models, making it harder for smaller riders to fit on the Aventure.2 than on the original Aventure
Intro Aventon has updated its popular Aventure model, designating it the Aventure.2. The new Aventure.2 is largely the same e-bike. In our Aventon Aventure.2 we will look at how it’s spec’d with a 750W hub motor, a 720Wh battery, an 8-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, just like the original. And it looks the same […]
The Pros and Cons of a Throttle on an Electric Bike
Most e-bikes sold in the US come with a throttle, so judging the value of a throttle may seem irrelevant, but they deserve some consideration for a variety of reasons. They offer a handy feature for many riders, but they come with some potential liabilities. In our look at throttles, we will break down both […]
Hub-Drive Vs. Mid-Drive E-Bike Motors: Which Do You Need?
Once someone has decided that they want to purchase an e-bike, arguably no decision is more important than whether to go with a bike with a hub motor or one with a mid-drive motor. The performance differences are notable, but that’s not why this choice is so pivotal. E-bikes with mid-drive motors are notably more […]
Understanding E-Bike Drivetrains
Of mankind’s many inventions, the bicycle is one of the most significant. And the e-bike is the only way we topped the bicycle itself. Of all of man’s assorted conveyances—feet, horse, car, boat, plane—the bicycle is the single most efficient because it allows us to multiply our effort thanks to gearing. And of the many […]
How To Protect Your E-Bike From Theft
Having anything stolen is the worst. Trust us, we know. And having an e-bike stolen feels personal. Also, we know. So when we say it’s important to protect your e-bike from theft, we know from personal experience what is good enough to protect an e-bike and what steps are not good enough to make sure […]
The 4 Best Reasons To Switch To An Electric Bike
Is it really that great? The “it” here being riding an e-bike. It’s a common question for people contemplating—but not committed to—an e-bike purchase. It’s a reasonable consideration, especially as most of us can’t afford to drop $1000 or more just to try an alternative form of transportation. Whether people are contemplating an e-bike for […]
How Often Does My E-Bike Need Maintenance?
The answer might surprise some folks. The simple truth is, not very often. E-bikes are made to be used day-in-day-out by regular people who don’t know how to give an e-bike a tuneup. They need to be able to function faithfully or they aren’t very useful as a substitute for a car. As a result, […]
