Best Electric Bikes

eBike Reviews

NIU BQi-C3 Pro Review, 2024

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Summary NIU BQi-C3 Pro Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.1
Check Latest PriceNIU BQi-C3 Pro Electric Bike

Pros

  • Comes standard with two batteries for a total charge capacity of 920Wh, making this ideal for riders who want to go for longer rides or may not be able to charge it every day
  • Using a Gates Belt instead of a chain eliminates the need to lubricate it, makes it run more quietly and won’t leave black smudges behind if it touches something
  • Includes a large, color TFT LCD display mounted at the stem, making it easy to see on the move, and it includes dual battery charge readouts
  • With a standover height of just 12.6 in., it is ideal for riders with range-of-motion or flexibility issues who may have trouble mounting other e-bikes
  • They include all the tools necessary to assemble the e-bike

Cons

  • Having only one gear will make it very difficult for a rider to reach 20 mph, let alone go a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph
  • We’d rather see the extended warranty offer better coverage on the parts upgraded than a longer warranty on the batteries and motor; problems with those tend to show up rather quickly

Intro Range anxiety affects e-bike riders just as much as it affects people driving electric cars. Fortunately, should someone on an e-bike overextend a ride and run out of battery, they can still pedal home under their own steam, so-to-speak. The NIU BQi-C3 takes a novel approach to range by coming standard with two batteries. […]

HeyBike Brawn E-Bike Review, 2024

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Summary HeyBike Brawn Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

3.9
Check Latest PriceHeyBike Brawn Electric Bike

Pros

  • 750W brushless, geared hub motor delivers great acceleration up to Class 3 cruising speed and the muscle to get over big hills
  • 864Wh battery can give riders up to 65 mi. of riding on a single charge
  • Comes with a dropper post to make steep descents easier as well as allow for quicker changes in saddle height for different riders
  • Can carry a payload of up to 400 lbs., making it more able than most e-bikes to carry bigger riders
  • Uses a dual-crown fork for greater precision in handling and more travel than most suspension forks offer
  • HeyBike offers their own app for iPhones to map rides, track the e-bike’s location and more

Cons

  • Comes in just one size and is unlikely to fit anyone smaller than 5 feet 8 inches
  • Includes two different controllers on the handlebar, one for the horn and the light and the other for controlling the PAS levels and scrolling through the display

Intro All-terrain e-bikes are arguably the most popular style of e-bike being produced today, given how many companies produce them, as well as the fact that there are companies that produce nothing but all-terrain e-bikes. As we will see in our HeyBike Brawn review, there are reasons why this style of e-bike has become so […]

Rad Power Bikes RadTrike Review, 2024

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Summary Rad Power Bikes RadTrike Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.3
Check Latest PriceRad Power Bikes RadTrike Electric Bike

Pros

  • Unusually stable, thanks in part to 18-in. wheels which help keep the center of gravity low
  • Front wheel drive eliminates the need for a heavy differential and improves handling
  • Can be transported in many vehicles thanks to folding handlebar and removable saddle
  • Has reverse mode so that riders can back up
  • Maximum assist speed is 14 mph, which some riders might not like, but is an excellent safety function to prevent turning too quickly
  • Backrest offers terrific support to riders who may have back or neck issues

Cons

  • 18-in. wheels are an uncommon size; we would recommend ordering a couple of spare tires and tubes from Rad Power when ordering the RadTrike
  • 33-in. overall width is narrow enough for some doors, but not all

Intro If ever there was a way of moving people that deserved the addition of an electric motor, surely the adult tricycle must be it. They can be heavy, inefficient mechanically and are as aerodynamically sound as a fence. But there are dozens of reasons why they are awesome and Rad Power Bikes has joined […]

Zen Samurai E-Bike Review, 2024

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Summary Zen Samurai Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.7
Check Latest PriceZen 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

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Summary Aventon Aventure 2 Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.9
Check Latest PriceAventon 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 […]

Trek FX+ 2 Review – 2024

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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 […]

Cero One Electric Bike Review – 2024

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Summary CERO One Electric Bike

Overall Rating:

4.4
Check Latest PriceCERO One Electric Bike

Pros

  • A 250W motor that produces 60Nm of torque sounds modest, but because it is a mid-drive motor, it is plenty powerful for this cargo e-bike
  • 504Wh Shimano STEPS battery can provide more than 100 mi. of range on a single charge
  • Drivetrain features a 5-speed Shimano Nexus internally geared hub and Gates belt drive instead of a chain that can leave black marks on anything it touches—goodbye chain lube, too
  • Fitted with a child seat and front basket it can carry a rider, child and a couple of bags of groceries
  • Not having front suspension on this e-bike is a selling point—changes in weight aboard the bike would make the suspension fork’s handling unpredictable
  • The smaller front wheel makes the bike handling quite nimble for a cargo e-bike

Cons

  • It comes in only one size, and while it should be very comfortable for taller riders, anyone under 5 feet 6 may not find the reach from the saddle to the bar to be comfortable
  • We wish there was a way to carry kids who have outgrown the child seat

Intro Practicality is one of the qualities people buying e-bikes often rank at the top or near the top of their priorities. Given the popularity of commuter e-bikes, many riders don’t think much beyond getting to work and home again. In our CERO One review we will take a look at how this e-bike does […]

Xprit Shuttle Review, 2024

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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 – 2024

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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, 2024

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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, […]