Honorable Mentions
For bikes, bikes, and more bikes, you can check out our roundups Best Electric Mountain Bikes and Best Electric Cargo Bikes.
Photo: Michael Venutolo-Mantovani
Retrospec Judd Rev 2 for $1,100: this style, cheap electric folding bike It is affordable, flexible, and convenient. The Lectric XP is more powerful and offers better value for the price.
Rad Power Bikes Radrunner Max for $2,299: Rad Power Bikes bicycle utility flag it’s fun, cute, and easy to assemble. However, the company was recently purchased after opening bankruptcy protectionso I’m keeping it as an honorable mention for now.
Radio Broadcaster Via Pro for $2,909: Editor Julian Chokkattu couldn’t have had a better use than this easy-to-use and easy-to-assemble Class 2 cargo bike. For more information, see our guide to Best Electric Cargo Bikes.
GoTrax Mustang for $2,199: We loved it MustangAmazing little bike at a reasonable price. However, it only comes in one size, so you should try it on if you can before you buy it.
Aventon Level 3 for $1,899: The Aventon Level 3 is easy to ride, with a clean, streamlined design and every feature you could want in a full-size commuter bike. There are built-in sensors and lights, and a large color display shows how much of the advertised range (up to 70 miles) is left. I’ve ridden it up to 25 miles at a time with my heavy 6’2″ frame, easily finishing my rides with 20 percent of the charge left. The frame feels nice and sturdy, thanks to the double-wall construction and improved Shimano gears and brakes. The front fork and semi-hidden suspension post add to the comfort that I compared the price of the test bike to other bikes. It lets you set up features like remote locking and geofencing, so be able to see your expensive bike from afar. The built-in turn signals, which use the bike’s rear lights, are another bonus when riding in cities at night. – Parker Hall
Tenways CGO800S for $1,799: This is a budget move through the city ebike. It boasts up to 50 miles of battery life, and I got over 30. The torque sensor is smooth and responsive for pedaling at various speeds. However, there is no sag, and because this bike is meant to fit riders of a wide range of sizes (they say 5’1” to 6’3”), the frame wasn’t as easy to pedal for me (5’11”) as the larger bikes. – Martin Cizmar
Bike All Day Friday for $5,800: Bike Friday pays off the small unstoppable All Day (7/10, WIRE Comment) as the world’s lightest bike powered by Bosch, and it’s true. You can customize all the colors and accessories of this folding electric bike, and it has a surprisingly powerful motor for its size. Bromptons are more widely available and easier to use, but I really like this little bike.
Aventon Ramblas for $2,899: Aventon did mountain bike! It’s a great bike for the price, but it’s a little heavy to carry for its intended use. It makes a good, tough traveler, however.
Linus eDutchi for $1,799: Need a comfortable cruiser? The Linus eDutchi is a Class 1 bike with beautiful colors and lots of accessories.
Priority Now Plus for $3,299: This is a sit-up cruiser utility version, more powerful of the Momentum Vida E+ above, with a low-maintenance carbon belt drive. The Electra Loft Go! (7/10, WIRED Recommends) it’s a cheaper version made by Trek, with a less powerful engine.
Xtracycle Stoker for $4,499: This is probably the bike I see most often in my neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. It has a durable, strong Chromoly steel frame and large 24-inch wheels, along with a Shimano mid-drive that makes it perfect for the toughest conditions. Unfortunately, you have to be over 5’6″ (which I’m not) to ride it.
Gazelle Eclipse C380+ for $6,399: If you want to know how good a high-end bike can be, give it a try Solar Eclipse (8/10, WIRED Recommends) on an affordable direct-to-consumer bike. The handles are the size of the frame, it has a nicer shifter, a neater motor—even the paint job is nicer. It’s just more expensive.
Gocycle G4I+ for $5,999: Gocycle’s luxury, fast folding bikes have been designed by a former McLaren engineer. This quieter and lighter iteration has better torque, a new carbon fiber front fork, and a more affordable price.
Bunch Original Electric Cargo Bike for $6,499: I didn’t really care Groupbut my family did. It is a classic bike, if a little expensive, as you can see in Europe. It will work well if you live in a flat area and you don’t have to go very fast.
We don’t like bicycles
Niu Electric Bike BQi-C3 Pro for $2,499: Business Director Martin Cizmar tested this bike and had many complaints. The riding position is very cramped, and the bike’s frame doesn’t fit standard features like its water bottle and pannier. The disc brakes weren’t enough to stop it from 28 mph.
Frequently Asked Questions
WIRED How Do You Buy Ebikes?
Bike companies reach out to me, and I ask for testers my size. Once I’m done testing, I return the bikes to the manufacturer, the shop that assembled them, or donate them to non-profit organizations.
How do you protect your Ebike?
Most ebikes have removable batteries, screens, or built-in wheel locks that make it easier to secure your bike. Other bikes, such as the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2, are also compatible with Apple Find My. Check out ours Best Ebike Locks guide for more options.
Should I Build My Own Bike?
Most affordable bikes now come direct to consumer—meaning they’re pre-conditioned or partially assembled in a box. Like Peter Flax noted in Riding a bike newspaperthese bikes don’t get nearly the testing or inspection that bikes from a major manufacturer get. Unless you ride a lot or for a lot of miles, or you have experience fixing your own bike, I recommend working with a manufacturer with a dealer network.
What Landscape Do You Live In?
If you live in a flat area, you are probably fine with a 250 watt motor, which is the European speed standard. However, if you live near the hills or haul a lot of stuff, you might want to consider a 500 or 750 watt motor with a few extras, like hydraulics. disc brakeswhich will help you avoid jumping into traffic.
How Do I Prevent a Bike Fire?
The thought of your garage suddenly catching fire is scary, but don’t worry—the batteries that manufacturers use today are much safer than the old ones. We only write about bikes that have been certified safe by a third party organization. Also, do a little mental exercise. Don’t leave your bike battery charging overnight in a hot garage. Do not use aftermarket accessories to charge your bike. And don’t plug in a battery that’s damaged or smells weird, or try to start a bike with a cracked screen or computer.
Follow Some Basic Safety Tips
Don’t know where to start? The bicycle advocacy group PeopleForBikes has a safety education program, E-Bike Smartwhich it created in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycle Colorado. Do not let your children ride your bike unsupervised. An 80-pound child should not be steering a 65-pound bike, even if the engine allows them to do so. And always wear a hat, but you already know that. Really?
Whenever I talk to anyone about a potential ebike purchase, the biggest deterrent is usually the price. I want to say here that these are cars, not toys. When I’m driving my kids to school or flying down a hill at 25 mph, I want the safest ride possible, and I think you should too.
Smart auto financing options are only because a $2,000 electric bike can feel expensive while a $6,000 gas-guzzling car has an easy monthly payment. Many states now offer incentive programs that offer rebates or tax credits for bicycle purchases. Some bike manufacturers and retailers offer financing through companies like Affirm or PayPal. Your bank may pay for the bike under its car loan program, and I also recommend it check eBay locallyCraigslist, or local Facebook groups. You probably have more options than you think.
Ebike Classification and Rules
Before you buy your electric bike, make sure you can use it! Many cities and states have laws that regulate when and where you can ride a bicycle. Check out ours a guide to the three classes of ebikes. At least 22 states are now active this three-tiered systemand they can place restrictions on when and where different types of bikes are used, depending on whether they are fast or can support more than 20 mph. Cities may also have rules about whether mountain bikes are allowed on single track trails. If your state classifies bicycles under the same laws governing motorcycles and mopeds, you may need a license to operate one.
Our team reviews over 50 new bikes a year by riding them on a variety of terrain for at least 50 miles over a period of at least two weeks. First, I test different types by riding the bike and checking to see how long each bike battery takes to charge. I test the electronic assist and shifters for climbing big hills and for loading panniers and bike baskets and gear. I bike errands on regular city streets, and park them near the movie theater or my grocery store. I also look at specifications such as who makes each component and what safety standards each manufacturer has followed.
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