Best Electric Bikes

eBike Reviews

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]