Are you looking for the best electric bikes to conquer the roads and trails? At usabikers.net, we understand the thrill of riding and the importance of having the right equipment. Discover the top electric bikes that combine power, efficiency, and style to elevate your riding experience. Find the perfect e-bike to match your adventures. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or simply enjoying the freedom of the open road.
1. Ride1Up LMT’D V2: Best Overall Electric Bike
The Ride1Up LMT’D V2 stands out as a superior hybrid-style commuter e-bike, offering performance that surpasses its price. With 100mm front suspension and 27.5″ wheels, the LMT’D delivers excellent ride quality and versatility.
Reasons to Buy:
- User-Friendly
- Spectacular Value
- Robust Assistance
- Torque Sensor
Reasons to Avoid:
- More Involved Assembly
- Rack Not Included
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 672Wh |
| Wheel Size | 27.5-inch |
| E-Bike Class | Class 2 (Configurable to Class 3) |
| Motor Power | 750W |
| Pedal Assist Settings | 5 |
ride1up lmt
The LMT’D V2 boasts a powerful 750W motor, quickly reaching 20 mph with the throttle or 28 mph using one of the five pedal assist settings. Available in step-over and step-through frame styles, it includes bright built-in lights, fenders, and rack mounts. The torque sensor and all-in-one display/controller enhance the user experience. Despite weighing just over 60 pounds, it’s compatible with many bike racks, and the removable 8-pound battery simplifies transport.
2. Aventon Abound: Best Overall Cargo Bike
The Aventon Abound is a Class 2 cargo e-bike with a 440-pound carrying capacity, offering smooth acceleration and ample power with its 750W hub motor and torque sensor.
Reasons to Buy:
- 440 lb Weight Capacity
- Large, Versatile Rack
- High-Quality, Low-Price
- Massive Range
Reasons to Avoid:
- Needs Accessories to Unlock its Utility
- Heavy
- Slow to Power On
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 720 Wh |
| Wheel Size | 20-inch |
| E-Bike Class | Class 2 |
| Motor Power | 750W |
| Sensor | Torque |
The Abound excels in range, outperforming competitors with 37.4 miles on a full charge. Features like turn signals and a dropper seatpost add unique functionality. The adjustable stem and upright seating position accommodate riders from 4′ 11″ to 6′ 3″. Impressive features include fenders, wheel guards, a storage box, and lights powered by the bike’s battery.
3. Lectric XPedition 2.0: Best Value Cargo Bike
The Lectric XPedition 2.0 is an outstanding cargo e-bike for its price, offering exceptional value and versatility with a potent 750W hub motor and options for up to 1680Wh battery capacity.
Reasons to Buy:
- Exceptional Value
- Potent Motor
- Available with up to 1680Wh Battery
- Large Hauling Capacity
Reasons to Avoid:
- Kickstand Can Be Hard to Use
- Unstable Pedals
- Sticky Suspension Seatpost
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 624 Wh (1248 Wh Dual) |
| Wheel Size | 20-inch |
| E-Bike Class | Class 1, 2, or 3 |
| Motor Power | 750W |
| Sensor | Torque |
Marketed as a bike that evolves with your family, the XPedition 2.0 features a tunable suspension fork, torque sensor, and a robust hauling capacity. Accessories play a crucial role in maximizing its potential, and Lectric offers a wide range of useful add-ons to customize it to your needs.
4. Specialized Globe Haul ST: Most Useful Electric Bike
The Specialized Haul ST offers versatility without quirkiness, featuring a short wheelbase for easy storage and agile handling, along with a robust frame ready for heavy-duty service.
Reasons to Buy:
- Great Ride Quality
- Easy to Store
- Exceptional Range
- Expansion Possibilities
Reasons to Avoid:
- Accessories Aren’t as Cool as the Bike
- Only Room for One Kid
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 772 Wh |
| Wheel Size | 20-inch |
| E-Bike Class | Class 2 or 3 |
| Motor Power | 700W |
| Sensor | Torque |
Testers noted the bike is fun, a word they didn’t use with other cargo bikes. The 3.5″ Carless Whisper tires absorb bumps and provide incredible stability. It’s not too much bike for commuting, and it’s enough bike to haul groceries or a single child. The 772Wh battery and 700W motor provide adequate power and a range of 31.9 miles.
5. Ride1Up Roadster V3: Best Simple Electric Bike
The Ride1Up Roadster V3 is an attractive, minimalist electric cafe-style bike with a clean design. Weighing under 42 pounds, it delivers a lively and responsive ride.
Reasons to Buy:
- Premium Feel
- Three Sizes Available
- Lightweight
Reasons to Avoid:
- Minimal Adjustability
- Narrow Tires Offer Little Cushion
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size (Wh) | 360 |
| Wheel Size | 700c |
| E-Bike Class | Class 1-3 |
| Motor Power | 250W |
| Pedal Assist Settings | 4 |
electric bike
The powerful 500W hub eliminates the need for gears in most riding conditions, and the Intui-drive torque sensor provides smooth and intuitive power modulation. It features Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, a Dayco belt drive system, and a Selle Royal Vivo saddle, all contributing to a premium feel.
6. Aventon Aventure.2 Step-Through: Best Fat Tire Electric Bike
The Aventon Aventure.2 Step-Through is a versatile e-bike that can handle various terrains, featuring massive 4-inch wide tires and comfortable front suspension.
Reasons to Buy:
- Potent Motor
- Comfortable Fat Tires are Great on Various Surfaces
- Large Battery with a Respectable Range
- Aventon Smartphone App
Reasons to Avoid:
- Large Tires Can Feel Sluggish on Pavement
- Heavy
The 750W motor easily reaches its top pedal-assisted speed of 28mph. The 720Wh battery provides 28.1 miles of range using only the throttle. Testers loved the quality of the centrally mounted, easy-to-read display with full-color graphics. Fenders, lights, a rear rack, and even turn signals are integrated into the frame.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 720 Wh |
| Wheel Size | N/A |
| E-Bike Class | N/A |
| Motor Power | 750W |
7. Blix Vika X: Best Overall Folding Electric Bike
The Blix Vika X is a full-feature folding e-bike that maintains convenience, offering features like electronic shifting, turn signals, a horn, and a MIK-compatible rack.
Reasons to Buy:
- Premium Ride Quality
- Quality Features
- Easy to Assemble
- Lightweight
- Adjustable Fit
Reasons to Avoid:
- Premium Price
- Minimal Vibration Dampening
With a sizable 614Wh battery, the Vika X boasts a throttle-only range of 24.7 miles. The 500-watt motor delivers torque and power, quickly accelerating to 20 mph and easily assisting to 28 mph. Additional features like fenders, lights, and hydraulic disc brakes prepare it for service rain or shine.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 614 Wh |
| Measured Weight | 55 lbs 9 oz |
blix vika x
8. Lectric XP 3.0 Step-Thru: Best Value Folding Electric Bike
The Lectric XP 3.0 is a folding e-bike that fits in the trunk of your car, next to your office desk, or in the hall closet for storage. The bike features loads of adjustability to suit riders between 4’10” and 6′ 3″.
Reasons to Buy:
- No Assembly Required
- Folding Frame
- Versatile Tires
- Excellent Value
- Dual-Battery Compatible
Reasons to Avoid:
- Shorter Wheelbase is Less Stable
- Average Range
Using a 500W hub motor, the XP 2.0 packs a lot of power in a small package and can speed up to 28 mph using pedal assist and 20 mph with the throttle. The bike’s 500Wh battery can travel 24.5 miles on a single charge in our range test.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|
9. Ride1Up Revv 1 FS: Best Moped Style Class 3 Electric Bike
The Ride1Up Revv 1 FS brings more to the table than just added suspension, impressing testers with its power, comfort, and convenience features.
Reasons to Buy:
- Incredibly Powerful
- Quick and Sporty
- Class-Leading Range
- High Performance-to-Cost Ratio
Reasons to Avoid:
- Almost 100 Pounds
- This Isn’t Exactly a “Bike”
A massive 1040 Wh battery provided enough juice to ride this bike 37.17 miles in our range test, besting every other model tested. The bike’s 52V electrical system and 1000W hub motor give it ample power and acceleration.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Size | 1040 Wh |
| Measured Weight | 97 lbs |
ride1up revv 1 fs
10. Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy: Best Electric Mountain Bike
The Turbo Levo Comp is a full-power all-mountain trail bike with 150mm of FSR rear travel and 160mm fork. The latest Turbo 2.2 motor system has a far more refined feeling than previous iterations.
Reasons to Buy:
- Large Battery Size and Long-Range
- Highly Adjustable Geometry
- Powerful Assist
- Natural Handling Feel
Reasons to Avoid:
- Basic User Interface
- No Longer the Leader in the Battery Size Wars
- Moderately Expensive
At 2.98 kg, it’s 180 grams heavier than Shimano’s EP801, but that weight feels inconsequential on this 51 lb, 3 oz bike. In range testing, we rode the Levo 33.1 miles on its fully charged 700Wh battery. Adjustable geometry and mixed wheels make the Levo Comp one of the most customizable options tested.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
11. Aventon Ramblas: Best Budget Electric Mountain Bike
A total newcomer in the electric mountain bike market, Aventon is making waves with this value proposition. The Ramblas rolls up to the trailhead with a surprisingly good build and an exciting price tag.
Reasons to Buy:
- Incredible Value
- Outstanding Range
- Class-Leading Power
Reasons to Avoid:
- Hefty
- Non-Adjustable Fork
- Headtube Cable Routing
In our range test, the 708Wh battery powered our tester aboard the Ramblas 30.1 miles with 5980 feet of vertical climbing on a single charge. Aventon’s own A100 motor provides 100 Nm of torque.
Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
Could Owning an Electric Bike be Free? While it’s hard to come across a free electric bike, if you replace your car trips with an eBike, it will likely save you more in gas, maintenance, and depreciation on your vehicle than the costs of an eBike over 1-2 years. Read more in our free electric bike article
How We Tested
We use a multi-faceted approach to testing e-bikes that takes into account the type of bike, its intended use, and what we feel matters the most in each category. Some of the most important metrics we include are ride quality, range, user interface, and power output.
The bikes get loaded, carried, and hauled around for months, from garages to bike racks to trailheads. We carefully evaluate the nuances of ride quality, measure their angles, and record their weights. We spend enough time with each bike to become familiar with it and identify its best and worst attributes.
Why Trust GearLab
Bike testing at GearLab started with mountain bikes in 2017, and we’ve since branched out to include over ten bike categories. We added increasingly popular electric bikes to our lineup in 2019.
Our team is led by Senior Bike Review Editor, Joshua Hutchens, a lifelong cyclist and bike wonk.
Tires, shocks, and frame geometry all factor into the downhill performance of any e-MBT.
The Core-5 isn’t really difficult to assemble, but having to install the fork and drive-side crankarm may seem a little daunting.
Features like headlights and taillights are nice to have.
Our multi-faceted hands-on testing process involves lots of real-world riding, handling tests, assembly, and an examination of each bike’s features.
How to Buy the Best Electric Bike for You
Deciding that you want an electric bike over an analog is the first step, and you may think it will be easy to choose a model from there. However, almost every bicycle out there has its e-bike equivalent these days.
Where Do You Want to Ride?
Your lifestyle, location, and budget are probably the three most influential factors when deciding which e-bike will suit you, so you have to ask yourself: Where do I want to ride?
E-bikes fall into three different classes. Class 2 bikes, like the one pictured here, have a throttle and pedal-assist with a top speed of 20 mph.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Classes of Electric Bikes
The 3-class system is becoming widely accepted as a way to regulate e-bike use, but laws and regulations vary by state and even by country. With some of the more powerful bikes riding the border between mopeds and e-bikes, a bike’s power and speed capabilities determine where you can legally ride them.
Class 1
Electric bikes that fall into Class 1 are pedal-assist only, which means that power is only delivered when the rider is moving the pedals; these bikes can use a torque or cadence sensor to detect pedaling movement.
Class 2
Class 2 e-bikes also have a top motor speed of 20mph (although it is possible to ride them faster if your legs are strong enough). The main difference between classes 1 and 2 is that class 2 bikes have a throttle.
Class 3
Class 3 electric bikes take it up a notch with a higher speed limit. These bikes can have a throttle (or not) and pedal assist, with the throttle limited to 20 mph and the pedal assist up to 28 mph.
A stellar bike that is easy to ride and easy on the wallet, the LMT’D would make a perfect, first e-bike.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Types of E-bikes
Whatever your preferred riding style, there is probably an e-bike version to fit; if you can’t find one, it’s probably in the making. As electric bikes become more popular, many people are adopting the terms “analog, Amish, or acoustic” bike to differentiate between motorized and traditional bicycles.
Cruiser Electric Bikes
Cruiser e-bikes prioritize comfort, convenience, and ease of use. They have a more relaxed and upright riding position and are made for long and slow outings down the neighborhood bike path or on the side street that leads to the beach.
Using these electric bikes for months helps us understand the nuances of their utility and durability.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
City/Commuter Electric Bikes
Commuter bikes are purpose-built and can potentially replace cars for some riders. They often have quick power output and may operate at higher speeds to keep up with city traffic.
Folding Electric Bikes
As the name suggests, these bikes are designed to fold down to minimize size and maximize portability.
As the name suggests, folding electric bikes can be folded to a more compact size for storage or transport.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electric Cargo Bikes
In our opinion, cargo ebikes are more likely to replace a car for most people than any other style of electric bike.
While not particularly agile, the RadWagon 4 is stable and comfortable.
Credit: Jason Peters
Fat Tire Electric Bikes
Fat tire electric bikes feature extra wide and often knobby tires, much like their analog counterparts.
Fat tire e-bikes have knobby tires that expand their surface…
Fat tire e-bikes have knobby tires that expand their surface versatility and put fewer limitations on where you can ride.
Credit: Laura Casner
Electric Mountain Bikes
E-mountain bikes are built for off-road use and are equipped to handle steep ups and downs, just like their analog mountain bike cousins.
We take every e-MBT out for laps on some of the gnarliest trails we…
We take every e-MBT out for laps on some of the gnarliest trails we can find to push them to their limits.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electric Road Bikes
As with traditional road bikes (and gravel bikes too), their motorized counterparts have sporty forward-leaning geometry, narrow tires, and lightweight frames, all with performance and efficiency in mind.
Electric Gravel Bikes
Striking a balance between road and off-road use, gravel bikes are the Swiss Army knives of versatility. Adding a motor only enhances this versatility and can expand your riding range.
The 700-Series comes with great features, and even small details…
The 700-Series comes with great features, and even small details like the bungee for the rear rack are covered.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Else to Consider
Now that we’ve covered the main groups of e-bikes, you’ve probably had a chance to narrow down your top picks. When it comes down to the finalists in your list, these features and specs can help you narrow your choices even further.
Motor and Battery Specs
Most e-bikes have a range that falls between 20-30 miles. Battery size and motor power will determine the approximate range.
The VanMoof app is an integral part of using the S3. here you can configure settings, track rides, and a whole lot more.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Features and Accessories
The last things to consider are ease of use features and included accessories vs. accessories that come as a separate purchase.
Testing cargo capacity of the Spicy Curry.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
FAQ
Q1: What are the key features to consider when choosing an electric bike?
When choosing an electric bike, consider the motor power, battery capacity, range, frame type, and intended use. Look for features like integrated lights, racks, and user-friendly displays.
Q2: How do I determine the right size of electric bike for my height?
To determine the right size of electric bike for your height, consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart. Generally, standover height and reach are crucial measurements.
Q3: What is the average range of an electric bike, and how can I maximize it?
The average range of an electric bike is between 20-50 miles. To maximize it, use lower assist levels, maintain proper tire inflation, and avoid carrying excessive weight.
Q4: Are electric bikes suitable for climbing hills, and what features help with this?
Yes, electric bikes are excellent for climbing hills. Features like mid-drive motors, high torque, and multiple assist levels make hill climbing easier.
Q5: How does the motor type (hub vs. mid-drive) affect the performance of an electric bike?
Hub motors are typically more affordable and easier to maintain, while mid-drive motors offer better balance and efficiency, making them ideal for varied terrain and hill climbing.
Q6: What are the common maintenance tasks for electric bikes, and how often should they be performed?
Common maintenance tasks include checking tire pressure, lubricating the chain, inspecting brakes, and monitoring battery health. Perform these tasks monthly or as needed.
Q7: Are there any specific safety precautions to take when riding an electric bike?
Wear a helmet, use lights and reflectors, follow traffic laws, and be aware of increased speed and weight. Consider taking a safety course to familiarize yourself with e-bike handling.
Q8: How long does it take to charge an electric bike battery, and what is the battery lifespan?
Charging times vary, but typically range from 3-6 hours. Battery lifespan is generally 500-1000 charge cycles, or 3-5 years, depending on usage and storage conditions.
Q9: Can I ride an electric bike in the rain, and what components should I protect?
Yes, most electric bikes can be ridden in the rain. Protect the battery and motor from excessive moisture, and consider using fenders to minimize water spray.
Q10: What are the different classes of electric bikes, and where are they allowed to be ridden?
Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist with a top speed of 20 mph and are allowed on most bike paths. Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle and pedal assist, also limited to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph with pedal assist and may have restrictions on bike paths. Check local regulations for specific rules.
Conclusion
With such a wide variety of electric bikes available, there is sure to be a perfect model for you, but the sheer number of options can be overwhelming if you are new to the market. It is essential first to evaluate your lifestyle and do your research so you can make an informed decision; luckily, we put in the hours of research to help lighten the load. Hopefully, we have brought you closer to your dream bike so that you can spend less time in front of a screen and enjoy your electric bike more.
Ready to explore the open road with the best electric bike? Visit usabikers.net today to discover more in-depth reviews, buying guides, and community forums where you can connect with fellow e-bike enthusiasts. Your next adventure starts here with usabikers.net!
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