Best Electric Bikes

eBike Reviews

Trek FX+ 2 Review – 2023

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Summary Trek FX+ 2 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.6
Check Latest PriceTrek FX+ 2 Electric Bike

Pros

  • At just 40 lbs., this is an unusually light e-bike, which makes it easier for riders to handle, especially smaller riders, and its low weight mean it doesn’t need as big a battery or as powerful a hub motor
  • 250W brushless, geared hub motor produces 40Nm of torque, which seems modest, but delivers great acceleration and top speed in such a light e-bike
  • 250Wh battery can provide up to 35 mi. range for most riders, enough for most riders get get through several days of commuting
  • Comes in four sizes, which will be especially useful to small riders and tall riders
  • 700C x 40mm tires roll quickly and offer a very smooth ride
  • Riders can purchase a range-extending battery

Cons

  • Riders who want a throttle will be disappointed as this is a Class 1 e-bike
  • No display to inform the rider about speed, distance or PAS level; the battery level indicator on the selector needs more detail; 5 LED lights isn’t much info

Intro The Trek FX+2 is an unusual offering among city bikes. It’s priced a bit higher than most of the e-bikes we see and its parts pick is more sophisticated at every turn. It’s also half the weight of some e-bikes. In our Trek FX+2 review we will look at the many benefits buyers are […]

Xprit Shuttle Review, 2023

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Summary Xprit Shuttle Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

3.8
Check Latest PriceXprit Shuttle Electric Bike

Pros

  • Terrific motorcycle styling with front and rear suspension and a front cowl and large headlight to blend form with function
  • 4-in.-wide tires and cast aluminum wheels can handle off-road use
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor for great acceleration and a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph
  • 922Wh Samsung/LG battery offers substantial range whether pedaling or throttling
  • The LCD display is large, center-mounted and easy-to-read; we also like that a smartphone mount is included
  • Includes turn signals to alert drivers behind the rider

Cons

  • Taller riders will feel cramped due to the fact that the seat cannot be raised and as a result, most riders are likely to favor the throttle
  • The drivetrain would benefit from a wider range of gears to make climbing hills and hitting top speed easier

Intro E-bike companies include throttles on e-bikes for a very simple reason: Riders like them. Iif consumers didn’t want them, they wouldn’t be there. And while some riders never use the throttle, there are certainly riders who would rather use the throttle than pedal. If a manufacturer wants to design an e-bike for riders who […]

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 Review – 2023

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Summary Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.6
Check Latest PriceRad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 Electric Bike

Pros

  • Excellent for families who need to transport kids; it’s one of a handful of e-bikes that will allow a rider to carry two children
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 80Nm of torque, giving it the power necessary to get up to speed with passengers and still have the muscle to climb hills
  • Tektro Aries hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors have the stopping power necessary to control this cargo e-bike when loaded
  • Rad Power Bikes offers an extensive collection of accessories to customize the RadWagon 4 to a degree found almost exclusively in cargo e-bikes
  • Can carry a payload of up to 350 lbs., which means it can carry an adult, two kids and even a load of groceries (in a front basket)

Cons

  • Considering the way payload weight (including rider) can affect an e-bike’s range, we would welcome a battery with more charge than the 672Wh battery included here
  • 22-in. tires are an uncommon size; the smart buyer will buy several of these tires (and tubes) for spares when they order the e-bike

Intro The Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 is a long-tail cargo e-bike, which is to say, it is an errand-runner of substantial ability. Anyone who has tried to load up the rear rack on a commuter knows just how quickly its carrying capacity can be occupied. So what’s a person to do if they want […]

Pedego Avenue Review, 2023

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Summary Pedego Avenue Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.6
Check Latest PricePedego Avenue Electric Bike

Pros

  • 500W brushless, geared hub motor produces 54Nm of torque for solid Class 2 performance and its compact design helps contribute to the e-bike’s overall low weight
  • Buyers get a choice of either a 499Wh battery or upgrading to a 672Wh battery for more range
  • The 7-speed Microshift/Shimano drivetrain offers a wider range of gears than most e-bikes in this price range
  • At just 51 lbs., this is a relatively light e-bike due to Pedego’s proprietary hub motor and slim battery
  • 5-year “no excuses” warranty is arguably the best in the bike industry

Cons

  • We wish the step-thru frame wasn’t just smaller than the traditional frame vertically, but in reach as well; both bikes have the same reach, which could be a problem for smaller riders
  • The display is on the small side and we would prefer to see it mounted near the middle of the handlebar to make viewing easier while rolling

Intro How does an e-bike company create a sense of value? It can be a tough concept to consider. For most e-bike companies, their answer is to try to maximize the number of features and accessories they include in their e-bike. If they include lights, fenders and a rack, it must be a great value, […]

QuietKat Rubicon Review, 2023

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Summary QuietKat Rubicon Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.8
Check Latest PriceQuietKat Rubicon Electric Bike

Pros

  • 1000W mid-drive motor produces 160Nm of torque, making this one of the most powerful e-bikes we have encountered; it can handle Class 3 speeds, and more
  • 1008Wh battery is up to the task of powering this e-bike far into the backcountry and having enough charge to return home again
  • The Tektro 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors are some of the most powerful calipers we see
  • SRAM 9-speed drivetrain offers plenty of gears over a very wide range to ride most any terrain
  • 26 x 4.8-in. CST tires over amazing traction and a very comfortable ride when pumped to appropriately low pressures—tires this fat can be run at 8-10 psi
  • The mid-drive motor means power is immediate and the motor’s output is proportional to the rider’s effort

Cons

  • We would prefer to see more travel in the suspension fork than in the rear shock, in keeping with modern eMTB design
  • The three different sizes would be more helpful to riders if the differences in size were greater

Intro Lots of e-bikes claim they are made for off-road use. In truth, to function capably off-road, an e-bike needs more than just knobby tires. Suspension, a powerful motor and a sizable battery are all necessary. Suspension is important less for comfort than for control. A powerful motor is necessary in order to conquer steep […]

Lectric XP 3.0 Review | Amazing Value From A Folder

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Summary Lectric XP 3.0 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.8
Check Latest PriceLectric XP 3.0 Electric Bike

Pros

  • The XP 3.0 is an upgrade over the XP 2.0 in nearly every way
  • The new motor is still 500W nominally, but now peaks at 1000W instead of 850W and it produces 55Nm of torque rather than 35NM
  • Thanks to a new set of cogs in the rear, reaching 20 mph is much easier
  • A switch from 160mm rotors to 180mm rotors improves braking performance noticeably
  • The suspension fork’s travel increased by 25 percent, from 40mm to 50mm for greater comfort
  • The rear rack can now handle 150 lbs., enough to be able to support a passenger

Cons

  • We still wish the key didn’t need to be inserted in order to ride the bike
  • The new grips are better than the old ones, but not by much
  • We wish the display would give battery charge by percentage

Intro The Lectric XP 3.0 is the follow-up to the immensely popular XP 2.0, which changed how people see the folding e-bike. Rather than being viewed as a special-purpose e-bike intended for people short on storage space, the XP 2.0 found its niche as a great e-bike that is easier to put away than one […]

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Review, 2023

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Summary Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.8
Check Latest PriceRad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Electric Bike

Pros

  • Rear rack is integrated into the frame and is strong enough to carry a passenger, unlike most e-bikes
  • 750W brushless hub motor produces 80Nm of watts to give it plenty of acceleration and hill-climbing ability when loaded
  • Claimed range of up to 48 mi. on a single charge thanks to a 672Wh battery
  • The LCD display is now mounted on the handlebar, making if much easier to view than when it was integrated into the PAS selector
  • Includes a number of attachment points for accessories, making it easy to customize the RadRunner Plus to a specific rider’s needs
  • 7-speed Shimano drivetrain has a wide range of gears

Cons

  • The step-thru frames are actually larger in size (longer reach) than the traditional frames; we would prefer to see the step-thru frames have less reach and a shorter seat tube to better fit smaller riders
  • We would prefer a more traditional saddle, rather than the small one that is included; it’s small enough to be uncomfortable for some riders

Intro The promise of buying an e-bike—often, but not always—is the idea that we will be able to leave our car at home and go places (like work) and do things (like grocery shopping) and get home with ease afterward. And in our experience, e-bikes are terrific at exactly that. They serve up a trio […]

Mokwheel Basalt Review, 2023

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Summary Mokwheel Basalt Electric Bike

In this Mokwheel Basalt review we take a look at the value, build quality, features, performance and more on this popular electric bike.

Overall Rating:

4.6
Check Latest PriceMokwheel Basalt Electric Bike

Pros

  • 925Wh Samsung battery can do more than power the e-bike, it can also be used to power other things like a laptop computer or lights with the optional inverter
  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 90Nm of torque for powerful acceleration and determined climbing whether on road or off
  • Color LCD display is large and very easy to read, even on bumpy roads
  • Capable of a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph and includes a half-twist throttle to let tired legs rest
  • Comes with a good selection of accessories, including front and rear LED lights, front and rear fenders and a rear rack
  • Is great for bigger riders thanks to its 400-lb. weight limit

Cons

  • Comes in just one size and may not be comfortable for smaller riders
  • 7-speed Shimano drivetrain has a gear range that is rather narrow for the kind of riding the e-bike is meant to do; also, while they mention an internally geared hub on the web site, those gears are part of the motor and not ones that can be shifted with the shifter

Intro All-terrain e-bikes carry the promise of exploring places that can’t be reached by car and are too far to consider on a hike. They have fat tires for a cushy ride, big knobs for traction, plenty of gears for getting up and down hills, hydraulic disc brakes for confident control and very often a […]

Himiway Big Dog Review – 2023

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Summary Himiway Big Dog Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.5
Check Latest PriceHimiway Big Dog Electric Bike

Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor produces 86Nm of torque for terrific acceleration and plenty of power on the hills
  • 960Wh battery gives the Big Dog more range than would be found with similar e-bikes
  • Can handle up to 400 lbs., making it ideal for bigger riders
  • 16.5-in. standover height is terrific for people with range of motion or mobility issues
  • Suspension fork and 4-in. tires add up to a very comfortable ride whether on-road or off

Cons

  • Should the Big Dog be loaded with more than 300 lbs. of rider and/or stuff, we would prefer to see hydraulic disc brakes, or at least the 180mm rotors swapped for 203mm ones
  • Because of the sizable motor and battery, this is a fairly heavy bike for a step-thru design at 79 lbs.

Intro Buying an e-bike is a bit like buying a newfound freedom. It’s a way to escape the car, an excuse to enjoy the outdoors and a chance to exercise that doesn’t feel like, well, work. But e-bikes come in an incredible variety of styles and they all have different features that ultimate add up […]

Denago Commute Model 1 Step-Through Review – 2023

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Summary Denago Commute Model 1 Step-Thru Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.4
Check Latest PriceDenago Commute Model 1 Step-Thru Electric Bike

Pros

  • 500W brushless hub motor produces 50Nm of torque and easily accelerates a rider up to a Class 3 maximum assist speed of 28 mph
  • Zoom hydraulic brakes paired with 180mm rotors provide excellent control and quick stopping for speedy riders
  • The 8-speed Microshift drivetrain provides one more gear and a wider gear range than found on many comparable e-bikes to make it easier for riders to ascend hills and pedal at top speed
  • Comes in two frame styles—traditional and step-thru—as well as two sizes for each frame type—S/M and L/XL—to provide an excellent fit and comfort to a broad variety of riders
  • With a suspension fork, suspension seatpost and 27.5 x 2.6-in.-wide tires, this is made to be an comfortable e-bike that doesn’t sacrifice efficiency
  • The 653Wh battery provided 27 mi. of range in PAS 5—speeds above 20 mph

Cons

  • We aren’t big fans of the the layout and design of the Denago display, though we love the PIN security feature that will prevent unauthorized use
  • To be truly effective, fenders really need to be longer, both front and rear
  • We would love to see a rear light included

Intro Commuters dominate the e-bike market in the $1500 to $2000 range. The great majority of these come from manufacturers like Denago—direct-to-consumer and with few or no independent dealers—and a Class 2 rating; that is, they have a maximum speed of 20 mph and are equipped with a throttle. The Denago Commute Model 1 bucks […]