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--- transportation:electric_bikes [2026/05/18 00:52] – [Carbon 1 Step] timb
+++ transportation:electric_bikes [2026/06/18 01:12] (current) – [Ariel Rider] timb
@@ Line 1847: / Line 1847: @@
 https://electrek.co/2026/05/14/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-pedaling-my-e-bike/
+== The real reason why e-bike throttles have gotten worse ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 8 2026 4:29 am PT
+I’m going to say something that may make me sound old, but I just don’t care. E-bike throttles used to be better in the old days.
+Not every e-bike throttle, of course. There have always been good ones and bad ones. But if you’ve been riding e-bikes for a decade or more, you’ve probably noticed the same trend I have.
+Over the last five to ten years or so, the industry has largely abandoned right-side half-twist throttles in favor of left-side thumb throttles. And that’s a meaningful downgrade, especially in North America, where the throttle reigns supreme in the e-bike world.
+I’m not talking about opinions. There are lots of opinions on many things regarding e-bikes, and they’re pretty much all valid. I respect everyone’s opinion. And if your opinion is that you prefer a left-side thumb throttle, then that’s fine – more power to you!
+But objectively speaking, biomechanically speaking, as a human being speaking, right-side half-twist throttles are simply, objectively, and undeniably the functionally better choice for an e-bike throttle.
+And the kicker here is that the shift away from them didn’t happen for reasons of malice or cost savings or really anything I can fault the e-bike companies for. Ultimately, the worst part of all of this is that the trend happened for mostly understandable reasons. I can’t fault them, but I can resent them nonetheless.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/08/the-real-reason-why-e-bike-throttles-have-gotten-worse/
+== Who killed the lightweight commuter e-bike? ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 16 2026 5:10 am PT
+There was a time, not all that long ago, when the electric bicycle industry seemed headed in a very different direction. The promise of the e-bike was elegantly simple: take a normal bicycle and make it easier. Easier to commute, easier to climb hills, easier to ride farther without arriving sweaty, and easier to replace car trips.
+And for a while, that’s exactly what much of the industry built.
+The typical commuter e-bike of the late 2010s in the US was moderately light, often around 45-50 lb (20-22 kg). It looked like a bicycle because it was a bicycle – just one with a somewhat discreet motor and battery added in (ok, maybe discreet packaging wasn’t the highlight of early e-bikes, to be fair). But generally speaking, these bikes had narrower urban tires, modest motors, and geometries that still prioritized pedaling.
+Then something changed. Today, the US e-bike market is dominated by machines that often weigh 70-90 pounds (30-40 kg), with some even surpassing 100 lb (45 kg). These are normal, not extreme examples. These are average e-bikes today. They wear fat tires, carry giant batteries, and boast oversized hub motors. Many feature motorcycle-style bench seats, dual crown suspension forks like motorcycles, and enough power to whiskey-throttle new riders right into a fence.
+And I’m not saying that lighter e-bikes don’t exist anymore, but they’re now the exception instead of the rule. The lightweight commuter e-bike didn’t exactly die. But it definitely got pushed out of the spotlight.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/16/who-killed-the-lightweight-commuter-e-bike/
@@ Line 1920: / Line 1953: @@
 https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/09/13/007205/e-bike-injuries-are-a-massive-burden-say-surgeons
+== America is panicking about e-bikes while ignoring the real problem ==
+Micah Toll - May 26 2026 8:58 am PT
+If you spend enough time reading local news headlines these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking electric bicycles are one of the greatest threats facing American streets. Teenagers on fat-tire e-bikes, viral videos of wheelies, stories about injuries complete with ER doctor interviews… the same themes are playing on repeat.
+And yes, these are real concerns worth discussing. Walk around just about any town in the US, and you’ll eventually see some issues yourself.
+Some riders behave irresponsibly. Some companies sell vehicles that blur the line between e-bikes and electric motorcycles. Some inexperienced riders are suddenly traveling at speeds they aren’t prepared to handle.
+But somewhere along the way, the conversation seems to have lost all sense of proportion.
+https://electrek.co/2026/05/26/america-is-panicking-about-e-bikes-while-ignoring-the-real-problem/
@@ Line 2697: / Line 2744: @@
+===== 2026 =====
+== Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in June 2026 ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 7 2026 1:33 am PT
+I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.
+Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of June 2026. With summer ready to hit us full force, it’s time to get back in the saddle! Check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike.
+This list is divided into several price ranges. We’ll start with the best e-bikes under $1,000, then move on to the under-$2,000 category, under-$3,000 category, etc. The goal is to highlight some of my favorite models in various budget ranges to help you make the right decision based on your needs and budget.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/07/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
@@ Line 2907: / Line 2967: @@
 https://electrek.co/2022/04/06/ariel-rider-kepler-launched-as-1800w-fat-tire-electric-bike-with-long-range-and-32-mph-speed/
+==== Kepler ====
+== Ariel Rider Kepler review: A big, safe, fat tire commuter e-bike with style ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 15 2026 7:07 am PT
+Ten years ago, if you had told me that I’d be riding what I would soon call an “excellent commuter e-bike” despite it weighing 118 pounds (53.5 kg) and rolling on 24×4.0-inch fat tires, I probably would have laughed. Today, though, I’m not so sure.
+The Ariel Rider Kepler occupies a category that doesn’t really exist on paper but makes a lot of sense in the real world: the fat tire commuter. Plenty of riders buy adventure-style e-bikes and end up using them almost exclusively for city riding anyway, enjoying the comfortable fat tires, upright riding position, and confidence-inspiring handling. Ariel Rider seems to have looked at that trend and decided to lean into it instead of fighting it.
+After spending a good amount of time riding the Kepler, I came away impressed.
+It’s powerful without being ridiculous, it has enough battery capacity to make range anxiety almost disappear, and at its current sale price of $1,999, it feels like a lot of e-bike for the money.
+To see the bike in action, check out my video review below. Or if you’re more of a reader, keep scrolling for the full article below.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/15/ariel-rider-kepler-review-a-big-safe-fat-tire-commuter-e-bike-with-style/
 ===== Aventon =====
@@ Line 4130: / Line 4214: @@
 https://electrek.co/2021/04/12/e-joe-onyx-sport-commuter-e-bike-review-mid-drive-looks-hub-motor-power/
+===== ECells =====
+==== Monarch ====
+== Electrek: Review: 32 mph Super Monarch AWD full suspension dual battery e-bike. ==
+https://electrek.co/2019/12/03/review-32-mph-super-monarch-awd-full-suspension-dual-battery-e-bike/
+== Electrek: Super Monarch e-bike hits 30 mph with 2 batteries, AWD, and full suspension ==
+https://electrek.co/2019/10/10/super-monarch-e-bike-dual-batteries-motors-awd/
@@ Line 4548: / Line 4648: @@
 https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/05/gazelle-medeo-t9-city-e-bike-review-steady-as-she-goes/
+==== Ultimate ====
+== Gazelle launches new 28 MPH e-bikes, bringing Dutch comfort to fast American riders ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 9 2026 6:00 am PT
+Gazelle has unveiled a completely redesigned Ultimate platform in North America, giving riders a faster take on the company’s signature Dutch-inspired comfort and refinement.
+The new Ultimate C380+ 2.0 and Ultimate T11+ are both Class 3 e-bikes capable of reaching speeds up to 28 mph (45 km/h), but Gazelle says the focus wasn’t simply on making a faster bike. Instead, the company aimed to create a platform that remains comfortable, stable, and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds.
+That philosophy feels very much in line with Gazelle’s reputation. While many Class 3 e-bikes chase speed through bigger motors and more aggressive geometry, Gazelle has built its name around premium commuter and trekking bikes that emphasize ride quality just as much as performance.
+When I had the chance to tour Gazelle’s factory in the Netherlands a couple of years ago, that focus on rider-first comfort and control was on display as key to the company’s ethos.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/09/gazelle-launches-new-28-mph-e-bikes-bringing-dutch-comfort-to-fast-american-riders/
@@ Line 4797: / Line 4914: @@
+==== Saturn ====
+== Heybike launches 40 MPH electric moped for an insanely low $999, but at what cost? ==
+Micah Toll - May 20 2026 10:55 pm PT
+The moped-style electric bike market continues to grow, and now Heybike is throwing its hat further into the ring with the launch of its new Saturn e-bike. And the company is coming out swinging with specs that jump right off the page and a price tag that will make you say, “wait, whaaat?”
+The new Heybike Saturn leans heavily into the increasingly popular retro-moped aesthetic that has become one of the hottest trends in the US e-bike market over the last several years. Featuring a long bench seat, fat tires, full suspension, and motorcycle-inspired styling, the Saturn looks designed to appeal to the same younger riders and urban commuters who have flocked to bikes like Super73, Ride1Up Revv1, Juiced Scrambler, and others.
+Underneath the styling, the Saturn packs fairly serious performance specs. The bike uses a 1,000W rear hub motor rated for up to 1,800W peak output, paired with a 52V electrical system and producing up to 95 Nm of torque.
+https://electrek.co/2026/05/20/heybike-launches-40-mph-electric-moped-for-an-insanely-low-999-but-at-what-cost/
@@ Line 5078: / Line 5207: @@
 ===== Lectric =====
+See also Monarc
 == Website ==
@@ Line 5232: / Line 5364: @@
+==== Company ====
+== As VC-backed e-bike startups went bankrupt, bootstrapped Lectric grew ==
+Kirsten Korosec - 10:38 AM PDT June 5, 2026
+Lectric eBikes, a Phoenix, Arizona-based company known for its practical and affordable XP series electric bikes, has launched three new brands so far this year — a Juiced Bikes relaunch, a new Juiced Powersports brand, and now a premium adventure brand called Monarc — an expansion strategy that runs counter to the wave of bankruptcies that have plagued the sector.
+Together, Lectric has put about $10 million toward these initiatives, CEO Levi Conlow told TechCrunch.
+“Others might be pulling back, or raising money, we’re actually deploying and investing into initiatives like this,” he said. “I actually don’t think the market is saturated right now; Lectric last month had its biggest sales month in our company’s existence and we sold almost 30,000 bikes. I’m not sure anybody has done that before, even at like peak COVID.”
+https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/05/as-vc-backed-e-bike-startups-went-bankrupt-bootstrapped-lectric-grew/
+==== XPress2 ====
+== Lectric XPress2 e-bike launched with major upgrades to a low-cost classic ==
+Micah Toll - May 19 2026 5:04 am PT
+Lectric eBikes has officially launched the new XPress2, a significantly updated version of its commuter-focused electric bike that adds a long list of premium upgrades while still aiming squarely at the value-focused market the company has become famous for.
+The new $1,399 XPress2 comes in two versions: the more performance-oriented high-step “Commuter” model and the comfort-focused step-thru “Cruiser” variant.
+While both share the same core platform and electronics, the geometry differs noticeably.
+The Commuter gets a more aggressive riding position with sporty “Hybrid Sprint” handlebars, while the Cruiser leans into upright comfort with swept-back bars, an adjustable stem, a step-through frame, and a relaxed fit for easy-going riding.
+https://electrek.co/2026/05/19/lectric-xpress2-e-bike-launched-with-major-upgrades-to-a-low-cost-classic/
@@ Line 5310: / Line 5474: @@
 https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/29/lime-is-piloting-two-new-e-bikes-to-attract-more-women-and-older-riders/
+== The electric scooter rental company Lime has filed for IPO ==
+Jackson Chen - May 9, 2026 3:33 pm EST
+Lime, the micromobility company known for its electric scooters and bicycles which are dumped across city streets, has filed for an initial public offering. The rental startup, which is officially known as Neutron Holdings, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, after teasing ambitions of going public back in 2021.
+The company that offers short-term rentals for its bright green scooters and bicycles was founded in 2017 and quickly won backing from major companies like Uber. In the SEC filing, Lime reported that it earned $521 million in revenue in 2023, growing to $686.6 million in 2024 and $886.7 million in 2025. As of the end of last year, Lime reported operating in approximately 230 cities across 29 countries. The company's CEO, Wayne Ting, even noted that Lime had surpassed one billion trips in 2025 in the letter from the CEO accompanying the IPO filing.
+However, the startup is still looking to get out of the red and the IPO filing may help with that. According to the filing, Lime saw net losses of $59.3 million in 2025 and has already recorded $61.3 million more in losses in the first quarter of 2026. The filing also indicated that buying Lime's common stock could open investors up to some risk factors, including its "history of net losses" and the potential for not being able to "achieve or maintain profitability in the future." Lime's competitors have tried and failed to achieve profitability, as seen with Bird going public but then filing for bankruptcy in 2023.
+Read More: https://www.engadget.com/2168669/the-electric-scooter-rental-company-lime-has-filed-for-ipo/
@@ Line 5495: / Line 5671: @@
-===== Monarch =====
+===== Monarc =====
-== Electrek: Review: 32 mph Super Monarch AWD full suspension dual battery e-bike. ==
+See also Lectric
-https://electrek.co/2019/12/03/review-32-mph-super-monarch-awd-full-suspension-dual-battery-e-bike/
+== Lectric just launched a new e-bike company, and it could shake up the premium market ==
+Micah Toll - Jun 2 2026 12:00 pm PT
+When a new e-bike company launches, it’s usually not a huge deal. The industry sees new brands appear all the time, many of them little more than a logo slapped onto an existing bike from a Chinese catalog.
+But Monarc isn’t just another startup hoping to make a splash – it’s all but guaranteed to set off a tsunami.
+The newly launched brand is backed by Lectric eBikes, the company that has become the largest electric bicycle manufacturer in North America by building a reputation around offering more value for less money.
+The company recently used its e-bike expertise and market positioning to relaunch the famed Juiced e-bike brand, and now Lectric appears ready to bring that same formula into a more premium segment of the market.
+The new company’s first model, the Monarc Marker, is an all-terrain adventure e-bike priced at $1,999. On paper, it looks like a direct shot across the bow of popular models such as the Aventon Aventure 3 and Velotric Nomad, which share the same MSRP but fall far behind the Monarc Marker’s specs and parts list.
+https://electrek.co/2026/06/02/lectric-just-launched-a-new-e-bike-company-and-it-could-shake-up-the-premium-market/
-== Electrek: Super Monarch e-bike hits 30 mph with 2 batteries, AWD, and full suspension ==
-https://electrek.co/2019/10/10/super-monarch-e-bike-dual-batteries-motors-awd/
@@ Line 6155: / Line 6343: @@
 https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottkramer/2025/08/06/why-cant-more-e-bikes-be-like-this-new-model/
+==== Vorsa FT ====
+==  The Ride1Up Vorsa FT Is a Full-Frame Fat Tire Ebike That Does It All ==
+Friday June 12, 2026 - Will Sileo
+Fat tires have a way of ruining you for anything else. Once you’ve ridden them on truly rough terrain, soft sand, or the kind of potholed San Francisco streets that’ll rattle your fillings out, going back to narrower rubber can feel like a compromise.
+I’ve been riding the base-level Ride1Up Vorsa for about a year now. It’s become my go-to for grocery runs, passenger duty, and getting around the city in general. Great bike. But there was always one thing nagging at me: I missed the fat tires from when I tested the (now discontinued) Ride1Up Rift back in 2023. The Vorsa’s 2.6-inch tires are perfectly capable in most conditions, but SF’s rougher streets – and the occasional beach or trail detour – have a way of reminding you when you’re running narrower rubber.
+Enter the Vorsa FT. Same DNA as the original, same integrated rear rack that lets you haul cargo or a full-sized adult passenger (a feature that’s genuinely rare on a full-frame fat tire ebike), but now with four-inch fat tires that open the door to a lot more terrain. At $1,695, and with meaningful tech upgrades like Apple FindMy and plenty of ways to tune the ride feel, it’s a hard value proposition to argue with.
+Bottom Line: With cargo-bike-esque carrying capacity thanks to the integrated rear rack, a full-size frame, and fat tires, the Vorsa FT is ready for anything from grocery runs to hauling a full-sized adult passenger and off-road adventures.
+https://www.theinertia.com/gear/ride1up-vorsa-ft-fat-tire-electric-bike-review/
@@ Line 6542: / Line 6749: @@
 https://electrek.co/2022/10/12/specialized-unveils-its-first-low-cost-electric-bicycle-model-under-new-globe-line/
+==== Vado 3 X ====
+== Specialized launches impressive full-suspension Vado 3 X commuter e-bike ==
+Micah Toll - May 22 2026 3:36 am PT
+Just a month after unveiling its new Vado 3 and Vado 3 EVO urban e-bike lineup, Specialized is already expanding the family with a new model that pushes even further into adventure-bike territory.
+Meet the new Vado 3 X.
+While the original Vado 3 was aimed squarely at urban commuting and the Vado 3 EVO added more all-terrain versatility, the new Vado 3 X essentially takes the EVO concept and dials it up another notch with the addition of full suspension.
+The headline change is obvious: the Vado 3 X now features 120 mm of rear suspension travel paired with a longer-travel 130 mm front suspension fork, compared to the hardtail setup and 120 mm fork found on the Vado 3 EVO. The result is a commuter e-bike that looks increasingly comfortable hopping curbs, smashing potholes, tackling gravel trails, or venturing onto rougher off-road routes that would normally push the limits of a traditional commuter.
+https://electrek.co/2026/05/22/specialized-launches-impressive-full-suspension-vado-3-x-commuter-e-bike/
@@ Line 7608: / Line 7832: @@
 https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a39589247/yamaha-e-bike-crosscore-wabash/
+===== Yozma =====
+==== IN10 Pro ====
+== Yozma IN10 Pro Review: $2,000 buys 50mph Sur Ron Light Bee killa ==
+Seth Weintraub - May 21 2026 6:51 pm PT
+The base $1200 IN10 made a compelling case for itself as a teen’s trail machine. The Pro makes a different argument entirely. Same fun Yozma DNA, same off-road-only positioning — but the numbers have jumped into territory that starts to make you ask harder questions. The IN10 Pro is rated at 5,500W peak with 220Nm of torque and a claimed 50mph top speed. For context: that’s not eMoto-for-kids territory anymore. That’s approaching light electric motorcycle territory, at a fraction of the price.
+The specs:
+,500W peak mid-drive brushless motor, 220Nm torque
+V 27Ah lithium battery (1.62 kWh)
+mph top speed, 55–60 mile claimed range (40+ realistic)
+    Inverted hydraulic front fork, nitrogen-charged rear shock
+    DOT thick hydraulic disc brakes front and rear
+″ front / 14″ rear off-road tires
+    Reverse gear, full LED lighting, now including rear brake light
+    Riders 4.7–6.3ft, up to 330 lbs
+    ~$1,999 at YozmaSport
+https://electrek.co/2026/05/21/yozma-in10-pro-review-2000-buys-50mph-sur-ron-light-bee-killa/