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Table of Contents
Electric Bikes
Accessories
These e-bike accessories make riding more practical, safe, and fun
Story by Napier Lopez
Last year, I decided I would start getting around New York City on an e-bike instead of dealing with crowded public transportation and expensive cabs. It’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made.
Most of that time has been spent riding a Juiced Bikes CrossCurrent X, although many were tested on a litany of other e-bikes as well. Over time, I’ve adopted several accessories to improve the riding experience, livability, and practicality of these bikes – many upgrades which I now can’t imagine living without. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite accessories below.
The Lumos Matrix is the ideal urban bike helmet for a smarter, safer day trip
Darrell Etherington / 5:56 am PDT•September 21, 2020
Many of us are still more or less confined to our own homes and limited social spaces for the foreseeable future, and for a lot of you, that has led to a rediscovery of the joys of biking. Bike riding is a great way to spend time outdoors exploring your own town or city, and if you’re just getting into exploring this hobby, or if you’re a long-time bike rider looking for an upgrade, the Lumos Matrix smart helmet is a sensible piece of tech with a solid design that combines a number of connected features into one great package.
An Alternator Powered Electric Bicycle Gives Rotor Magnetic Field Insight
by: Jenny List - January 24, 2021
For anyone involved in the construction of small electric vehicles it has become a matter of great interest that a cheap high-power electric motor can be made from a humble car alternator. It’s a conversion made possible by the advent of affordable three-phase motor controllers, and it’s well showcased by [austiwawa]’s electric bicycle build video (embedded below).
The bike itself is a straightforward conversion in which the motor powers the rear wheel via an extra sprocket. He tried a centrifugal clutch with limited success, but removed it for the final version. Where the interest lies in this build is in his examination of Hall effect sensor placement.
Save $50 on a Garmin Edge 130 Plus GPS Cycling Computer
By Laura Tucker / Mar 15, 2021
We have some great GPS options for driving and walking, so we’ll always know how to get to our destination. But what if you’re riding a bike? Using your phone or a Smartwatch isn’t very safe, and bikes don’t have built-in GPS. A great solution is the Garmin Edge 130 Plus GPS Cycling Computer. Not only will it provide you with GPS functioning, it will also display health stats, incident detection, and trick stats.
The cycling computer has a rugged design with a 1.8″ display that can be easily read in sunlight and lowlight conditions. It uses multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) for the times o GPS alone isn’t enough. You’ll also get altitude stats with a built-in altimeter.
https://www.maketecheasier.com/deal/garmin-edge-130-plus-gps-cycling-computer/
This little e-bike hack can make electric bikes 50% faster instantly
Micah Toll - Sep. 3rd 2021 2:00 am PT
Electric bicycles are subject to various speed limits around the world, but the 25 km/h (15.5 mph) speed limit in places like the EU and Australia is particularly frustrating to riders who are in search of just a bit more “oomph” in their bikes. But a new device is making it easy to increase the top speed of electric bicycles without making any major modifications to the electric bike’s drive system.
Many electric bicycles use a magnetic speed sensor on the rear wheel to measure the traveling speed of the electric bike.
When the e-bike reaches a pre-programmed top speed – as low as 25 km/h or 15.5 mph in many countries – the motor power cuts out and riders can only reach higher speeds under their own leg power or with the help of gravity.
https://electrek.co/2021/09/03/this-little-e-bike-hack-can-make-electric-bikes-50-faster-instantly/
This $25 gadget decluttered my garage so well it feels twice as big
Jonathon Jachura - 10 September 2025
I couldn't open my car doors without hitting something in my garage. Two hybrid bikes took up most of the walking space, leaving me barely enough room to squeeze between my car and the wall. After months of getting frustrated every time I needed to grab tools or park, I found the RAD Cycle Products Bike Hoist for $25.
This ceiling-mounted pulley system has been running strong for two years now, and I liked it enough to buy another set for my road bikes. That cramped garage now feels like it doubled in size.
https://www.makeuseof.com/this-gadget-decluttered-my-garage/
Trailers
Trailerduck Is a Smart e-Bike Trailer That’s Bound to Make City Life Easier
26 Aug 2021, 03:16 UTC · by Elena Gorgan
DroidDrive is a German company currently working on such a trailer. It’s called Trailerduck and, for the time being, it still needs a tow vehicle, even though it’s not technically towed by it. Trailerduck is self-propelled, but it still takes cues from the vehicle in front, which can be anything from an e-bike to an actual car.
However, for it to make sense and, most importantly, to make an actual impact in the crowded urban environment, it works best as an e-bike trailer. The best e-bike trailer, if you will.
These past couple of years have reshaped life in the city in ways few could have anticipated. The international health crisis has forced many to consider alternatives to public transport, while heightened environmental concerns further chipped away into private ownership of cars. Electric two-wheelers, whether bicycles, scooters, or motorbikes, have started to become more present in the urban scenario as alternatives to these two other popular means of transport.
Applications
The Best Apps for Bicycle Directions, 2020
Last updated: July 30th, 2020.
Even though some cities have dedicated bicycle infrastructure, it's of no use if you don't know where it is. While Google Maps is excellent for car navigation (and the dominant market leader), it often has patchy cycle infrastructure coverage and tends to generate cycle routes on busy roads.
The best dataset of cycle infrastructure worldwide (and in Sydney) is OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap is like Wikipedia but a map; anybody can edit it, and the sheer number of contributors ensures accurate data. Many cyclists (including myself) contribute to this dataset.
https://jakecoppinger.blog/articles/the-best-apps-for-bicycle-directions-2020/
Cargo Bike
Study finds that once people use cargo bikes, they like their cars much less
Even some one-car households ditched vehicles in favor of cargo bike-sharing.
Kevin Purdy - 1/31/2024, 11:37 AM
Cargo bikes started as something you'd see in images from Europe—bakfiets loaded up with groceries or sometimes kids. Now they're getting more popular, and seemingly for good reason. A new study out of Germany suggests that once you let people try them, they tend to have a real impact on car use, and even car ownership.
The study, from Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, surveyed people using a cargo bike share (CBS) system from 58 different programs and initiatives in Germany, controlling a collective 751 cargo bikes. Out of the 2,386 active CBS users surveyed, 45.8 percent had one car in their home, and 54.2 percent lived without a car. As you might notice, this mix of cargo bike shares and car ownership is not representative of the US, but using a cargo bike, even one they didn't technically own, still impacted ownership decisions in even one-car households.
A bit more than 18 percent of survey respondents said they either got rid of their car or decided against buying a car, and 80 percent of those people said they did so for environmental reasons. Nearly 49 percent said they ditched a car for financial reasons, 42 percent because they had “no interest in driving a car,” and about 10 percent due to the safety risks of driving a car (with the survey allowing for multiple reasons).
The Ars cargo e-bike buying guide for the bike-curious (or serious)
Fun and functional transportation? See why these bikes are all the rage.
Chris Cona – Apr 9, 2025 3:00 AM
Are you a millennial parent who has made cycling your entire personality but have found it socially unacceptable to abandon your family for six hours on a Saturday? Or are you a bike-curious urban dweller who hasn’t owned a bicycle since middle school? Do you stare at the gridlock on your commute, longing for a bike-based alternative, but curse the errands you need to run on the way home?
I have a solution for you: invest in a cargo bike.
Cargo bikes aren't for everyone, but they're great if you enjoy biking and occasionally need to haul more than a bag or basket can carry (including kids and pets). In this guide, we'll give you some parameters for your search—and provide some good talking points to get a spouse on board.
Conversion
Unlimited Ebike Conversion Kit electrifies your existing bike in minutes
By Loz Blain - July 13, 2020
There have been some small silver linings to this whole COVID-19 business, and one of them has been a huge boost to bicycle and ebike sales, as millions of people on lockdown steer clear of public transport and gyms and seek ways to take exercise outdoors in a family-friendly way.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/unlimited-ebike-conversion-kit/
Electric bike conversion kits: your complete guide
By Rob Clymo - 24 July 2020
Power up your regular bike with a conversion kit
If you’re thinking about buying an electric bike then there’s no end of choice. From budget models that come with a basic specification and little in the way of frills, through to high-end two-wheelers with all the trimmings.
Models like the budget Gtech eBike City or soon to arrive Rad Power Bikes RadMission will do the job, but premium e-bikes including VanMoof’s S3 and Specialized’s Turbo Vado SL are dream machines. Unfortunately, they’re expensive, so remain just that for anyone with little in the way of budget to play with.
Therefore, many of us have to head back in the direction of a more budget solution. While cheaper e-bikes like the ones above will get the job done, another option is to transform your existing bicycle into an e-bike. Demand for affordable e-bike solutions has seen a growing range of electric bike conversion kits being developed by inventive companies who’ve spotted a potentially lucrative gap in the market.
https://www.techradar.com/news/electric-bike-conversion-kits
Valeo combines an ebike motor and an automatic gearbox in one unit
By Ben Coxworth - December 18, 2020
Electric bicycles may require less pedaling effort than regular bikes, but … their riders still have to shift gears. Paris-based electric mobility company Valeo is out to change that, by combining a motor with an automatic gearbox.
Officially called the Valeo Smart e-Bike System, the bottom bracket-located setup features one of the company's 48-volt electric motors, along with a 7-speed adaptive gearbox made by project partner Effigear. Electrical power is provided by a down-tube-mounted battery pack.
The motor produces up to 130 Nm (96 ft lb) of torque – according to Valeo, this multiplies the rider's pedaling effort by a factor of eight, whereas other systems top out at five. Additionally, even though the 48V motor is beefier than the more commonly seen 24V or 36V ebike motors, it's claimed to be more efficient.
And because no derailleurs are required, a smooth-running belt drive is used instead of a greasy chain.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/valeo-ebike-motor-automatic-gearbox/
Review: The Swytch electric bike conversion kit
Posted by Josh Ross (Contributor) on January 24th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
I’ve tested and ridden a lot of e-bikes. They aren’t my passion, but I love that they are a part of the discussion. Every single person deserves an opportunity to be on a bike and if an e-bike facilitates that, awesome. More people riding is a step towards ending the dependence on cars.
My preference is for the European style of electric bikes. Instead of a Class II bike with a throttle or a Class III that can reach 28 mph, what I enjoy most is a Class I electric bike. They top out at 20 mph making them a little different than a European bike, but the idea is the same: You have to pedal. And when you do, you get some help. It feels like riding a bike downhill with a tailwind.
When you look around for a bike like that, my favorite option is actually a conversion kit paired with a specific bike. I’ve ridden some fantastic high-end e-bikes that have a similar feel (the Lemond bikes for one), but the Swytch electric bike conversion kit paired with a Brilliant bikes Cooper or Carmen model are fantastic at a much lower price.
https://bikeportland.org/2022/01/24/review-the-swytch-electric-bike-conversion-kit-344177
How to Choose An E-Bike Conversion Kit: Everything You Need to Know
Want to convert your regular bike to an e-bike? Here's what you need to know.
Sean Mitchell - 1 December 2022
You love riding your bike but are frustrated by other riders who fly passed you as you struggle up the slightest incline. Or maybe you're just tired of showing up to work in a sweaty shirt.
Or maybe you're a DIY'er and already have a perfectly functioning bike and want to upgrade to something with a little (or a lot) more pep. In either case, you want to join the e-bike revolution.
You're in luck. E-bike conversion kits make it easy to keep your current bike while reaping the rewards of electric motors with minimal cost.
Swytch DIY e-bike conversion kits: A very, very long-term review
What it's like buying, installing, and riding an e-bike upgrade.
Kevin Purdy - 10/20/2023, 7:19 AM
Recommending the Swytch e-bike conversion kit feels like recommending a DIY desktop computer upgrade. You’re not evaluating or describing any one experience so much as telling somebody that it might save them money, that it could be a fun project, and that the end result can be a point of pride. Though it would be easier, you can’t replicate the upgrade experience by simply buying another bike. It all depends on what you want out of an e-bike—or a weekend project.
I’ve now converted two bikes with Swytch kits, I’ve walked my in-laws through upgrading their own cruiser-style bikes with them, and I’ve made tweaks and fixes to all of the bikes over two years. What I've learned is that there’s no single “Swytch kit experience” because every bike is a collection of components, and each component has dimensions and angles and quirks that play off the kit in different ways.
Some people will drop the front wheel off their bike, replace it with Swytch’s wheel, strap down a few cables with zip-ties, mount a battery, and feel the boost on their first ride a couple hours later. Some people will learn a lot more about rims, tires, and beads than they knew before or discover that their seemingly normal-looking front fork is quirky and find that the dropouts require some filing.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/10/swytch-diy-e-bike-conversion-kits-a-very-very-long-term-review/
Dhruv Vidyut
Welcome to Dhruv Vidyut, where we offer a revolutionary electric conversion kit for bicycles. Our kit can retrofit onto any cycle, giving you the opportunity to transform your bike into an electric vehicle. With our electric conversion kit, you can now enjoy a comfortable, efficient and eco-friendly cycling experience, regardless of the terrain.
Boost
Boost’s e-bike conversion kit offers elegant and discreet power
The battery looks like a water bottle, and everything else is hidden in the rear hub.
Daniel Coope - April 21, 2023 10:55 AM
There are a number of e-bike conversion kits on the market, all offering ways to electrify your existing wheels. Boost has emerged as an option with a more elegant and easier way of doing things than some of its rivals. Rather than wire in controllers, battery hardware and a hall effect sensor, almost all of the necessary gear is built into a custom-made rear-hub motor. Everything else, meanwhile, is included in a circular battery pack that sits inside a bottle cage, or something that looks a lot like it, which is mounted to your downtube.
Whereas with, say, Swytch, which sells you a custom front wheel for you to attach to your bike, Boost goes on the back. That means the initial installation is a little more intensive, since you’ll need to add your cassette, string-in the chain and get the analog stuff all set up nicely. Or, you know, ask the technicians at your local bike repair store to do it for you if you’re a ten-thumbed menace to engineering like me. But, after that point, all you’ll need to do is screw in the bottle cage and ziptie a wire that runs from the rear wheel the downtube and you’re pretty much set.
Articles
Here Come the Electrics. Could E-Bikes Be the Electric Revolution Cities Need?
By Gregor Macdonald | December 31, 2019
Electric bikes are poised to take off, even outpacing electric car adoption. But, as with all efforts to promote alternatives to driving, city leaders would need to make infrastructure changes.
Attempting to battle street congestion from a growing fleet of package delivery vans, New York City rolled out a trial program this December for e-bikes, granting sidewalk space to pedal-assisted cargo carriers across lower Manhattan. While the initiative is just a baby step, it could end up being an initial template for cities focused on climate change and reducing emissions, as they find themselves not just accommodating e-bikes, but actively promoting their use.
https://www.routefifty.com/infrastructure/2019/12/e-bikes-cities-infrastructure-changes/162151/
This solar electric bike/car is almost perfect, except for the price
Micah Toll- Jan. 11th 2020 9:33 am ET
The Wello Family solar-powered electric bike/car was just showcased at CES 2020, demonstrating how families might be able to transport kids or cargo with a much smaller carbon footprint than conventional transportation.
https://electrek.co/2020/01/11/wello-family-solar-electric-bike-velo/
Jeep's Super Bowl ad teases a powerful off-road electric bicycle
The Jeep e-Bike is designed for more extreme adventures.
Jon Fingas, 02 February 2020
Companies are tripping over themselves to hawk electric vehicles at the Super Bowl, but they aren't all cars. Jeep has posted a Super Bowl ad that's primarily meant to pitch the latest Gladiator, but also includes a brief glimpse of the company's first electric bicycle, simply called the e-Bike. You hardly see any of it (Bill Murray mainly uses it to take a groundhog on a ride), but don't worry. Jeep's partner on the e-Bike, QuietKat, has published a splash page shedding more light on what the two-wheeler will entail.
https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/02/jeep-e-bike-super-bowl-ad-teaser/
Moped-style electric bikes are in this year — these are the hottest ones
Micah Toll - Feb. 15th 2020 7:45 am ET
Moped-style electric bikes are everywhere this year as companies rush to launch fun-sized e-bikes reminiscent of the 1980s minibike craze. Most offer motorbike-sized wheels, a sporty ride stance, and even seating for two riders.
Major e-bike manufacturers have hopped on board to offer up new and interesting models for 2020. Here are the best options on the market now.
https://electrek.co/2020/02/15/moped-style-electric-minibikes-for-2020/
An Open Source Ebike
By Swapnil Bhartiya - February 25, 2020
In the ebike world, there are two paths. The first is a homemade kit bike with motors and controllers from China. The second is a prebuilt bike from a manufacturer like Giant, with motors and controllers from China, which will be half as fast and cost three times as much. The choice is obvious, and there are other benefits to taking the first path as well, such as using this equipment which now has an open source firmware option.
Top 5 reasons why electric mountain bikes actually make great commuter bikes
Micah Toll - Mar. 2nd 2020 8:15 am ET
Electric mountain bikes are usually designed for winding around dirt paths and climbing steep mountain trails. And they’re great at that, but they can do so much more. That they can make perfect commuter bikes too, and often perform better than your typical comfort or city bikes.
Here are my top 5 reasons why.
TORP’s new lightweight 15kW e-bike is a powerful electric motorbike
Micah Toll - Mar. 4th 2020 11:58 am ET
Croatia-based TORP has been hard at work developing a powerful electric motorbike that could combine speed and agility in a single vehicle. Now the company is ready to show off their creation, the TORP Bike.
I don’t know what’s in the water in Croatia, but it’s somehow helping them pump out high-performance, homegrown electric vehicles.
https://electrek.co/2020/03/04/torp-bike-15-kw-electric-motorcycle/
What If There Was An Electric Bike Inspired By Tesla’s Cybertruck? (Video)
March 2nd, 2020 by Guest Contributor
Originally published on EVANNEX blog By Denis Gurskiy
Cyber is in, folks. Even though Tesla’s Cybertruck unveil was considered controversial at the beginning, some grew to believe the idea was genius. And as time has passed, the design seems to have grown on more and more people. Last we heard, the Tesla Cybertruck has over half a million preorders.
Shimano’s smart tech gives Volt’s Infinity e-bike the edge
By Rob Clymo 7 march 2020
Intelligent power management, and a Sony battery too
Volt’s website gives you an indication of what to expect from its cool-looking new Infinity two-wheeler. “We don’t make e-bikes that look too electric” it says, as you pick over the fascinating history of this innovative British brand. It also gives you a great idea of what to expect from this latest addition to the growing range of Volt e-bikes.
The Infinity does indeed look like a proper bike, and the Volt designers have done a commendable job of making an aesthetically pleasing machine. This is despite the fact that it features the usual frame mounted battery pack and electric motor at the crank combination that defines many e-bike designs.
https://www.techradar.com/news/shimanos-smart-tech-gives-volts-infinity-e-bike-the-edge
The best electric bikes for the coming apocalypse
For the environmentally conscious doomsday prepper.
Evan Rodgers - 9 March 2020
If you’ve taken even a passing glance at the news today, you’ve seen non-stop headlines about the COVID-19 outbreak, plus, as an added bonus, the stock market is plunging because of fear of the virus and an economic tiff between Saudi Arabia and Russia. It certainly feels apocalyptic. And even though the best thing you can do is stay calm, wash your hands, and work from home if you can, it’s totally normal to panic buy stuff that you don’t need. I certainly did.
https://www.inputmag.com/guides/the-best-electric-bikes-for-the-coming-apocalypse
5,000W electric bike conversion motor: Yes, it’s real… and it’s spectacular
Mikey G - May. 19th 2020 2:35 pm ET
CYC, a small Hong Kong-based company, makes the X1-Pro, a small conversion motor that has an output of about 10 to 20 times that of a typical electric bicycle motor. 5,000W may sound intimidating, but riding with a rocket ship between your legs is actually pretty cool.
Surprisingly, the motor is easy enough to install, has a clean form factor, and encourages customization by design. This, combined with a fair price, is sure to make the X1-Pro a staple in the hot-rod e-bike world for years to come.
The story of how two guys built a $13M revenue e-bike company in a year
Micah Toll - May. 23rd 2020 3:37 am ET
If you’ve been browsing around for an affordable electric bike lately, you’ve almost certainly heard of the Lectric XP e-bike. One year ago the bike didn’t exist, and today they are so popular that it’s difficult to even get your hands on one. While there are plenty of e-bike companies out there doing well right now, few have achieved so much success so quickly.
Here’s the story of how it happened.
[Update 5/24: Ok, now it’s $14M. Things are moving fast over there!]
Lectric Ebike’s founders Levi Conlow and Robby Deziel met playing video games together in middle school.
Now both 24, the two set their sites on building a new e-bike company last year.
https://electrek.co/2020/05/23/the-story-lectric-ebikes-lectric-xp-founders/
14 Best Electric Bikes Money Can Buy
Nick Hall, 27 May 2020
Starting to feel like the 90s-era Huffy just isn’t cutting it anymore? Maybe you want something with a little more speed and pizzaz, but you aren’t willing to front up for the lycra-crew. Then you need to get your hands on one of the best electric bikes on the market. Over the last few years, sales for electric bikes or e-bikes have skyrocketed. In fact, since the UberEats movement took hold, we’ve seen heaps more people take the plunge into electric push bike ownership. You can hardly go anywhere without seeing someone flying down the sidewalk on a folding electric bike or electric mountain bike, particularly in our major cities. One would hate to count the number of electric bikes Melbourne has. Sure, we’re still a long way off Amsterdam numbers, but you can’t ignore a revolution (see what we did there?).
People are starting to get on the level when it comes to sustainability and environmental practices. The world won’t be around forever, so rather than fill her up with fumes and oil, why not strap on a helmet and settle onto the best electric bike you can find.
E-bikes are so hot, Amazon is selling out – these are the best ones left
Micah Toll - May. 26th 2020 2:35 am ET
It was an unexpected but ultimately positive outcome of the COVID19 pandemic: people everywhere are buying up e-bikes en masse. Whether for an affordable transportation alternative that gets commuters out of packed buses, or just for fun to ride around after spending weeks under lockdown, e-bike companies across the US are looking at empty warehouse shelves and frantically restocking as customers buy out the majority of their inventory.
And Amazon is no different; many popular e-bikes are conspicuously missing on the retail giant – but not all.
Some of our favorite Amazon e-bikes are MIA at the moment.
https://electrek.co/2020/05/26/amazon-electric-bikes-left-list-e-bikes/
Uber destroys thousands of bikes and scooters
28 May 2020
Uber is destroying thousands of electric bikes and scooters, after selling its Jump business to Lime.
Videos of its red bikes being crushed at a recycling centre were shared on social media, angering cycling advocates.
Uber said it had decided to destroy thousands of its older-model vehicles due to maintenance, liability and safety concerns.
In the UK, Uber continues to operate Jump and has not scrapped any bikes.
Uber's Junked JUMP Bikes Are Getting A Second Chance
Shoshana Wodinsky - 22 July 2020 3:08PM
When Uber sold off its e-transportation offshoot, Jump, earlier this year, the company was left with hundreds of employees that needed to be let go, and tens of thousands of electric bikes that, well, also needed to be let go… directly into the trash.
See, apparently when the e-scooter giant Lime took Jump off of Uber’s hands, the company wasn’t comfortable donating some of the “older-model” bikes to the new owners. And rather than repurposing the bikes for, I don’t know, essential workers who need new ways to get to the office, or teens looking to stay active during the summer, Uber, at the time, decided recycling was the way to go. But thankfully, at least one nonprofit found a better use for these worn out wheels.
https://gizmodo.com/ubers-junked-jump-bikes-are-getting-a-second-chance-1844467823
Electric bicycle sales soar as Giant projects 600,000 e-bike sales this year
Ubco 2x2 Electric Bike: From Kiwis With Love.
Electrek: This is why so many car companies are making electric scooters and e-bikes
RideApart: Stratos Electric Off-Road Concept Bike Unveiled
Here’s how electric bicycles are being used to teach new e-motorcycle riders
NineBot E-series e-bike unveiled with max speed of 100km/h & range of 200km
This electric bike uses ULTRACAPACITORS
Weekend WTF: Are Electric Bikes So Impractical?
Podride
PodRide, the 4 wheel all weather ebike that looks like a car.
Greyp Finally Brings Its Tech-Forward Supercharged E-bikes To The US
May 29th, 2020 by Kyle Field
Croatia-based Greyp Bikes has been building some of the world’s most technologically advanced e-bikes for years, and this afternoon in Croatia, the partnership officially launched its US operations. The launch in the US was announced via a special livestream from the company’s headquarters in Zagreb, Croatia.
Ecotric 500W fat tire e-bike review: The best $850 I ever spent on an e-bike
Micah Toll - Jun. 1st 2020 9:54 am ET
After spending a month or two locked up during the COVID-19 pandemic, people have turned to e-bikes en masse as a way to get out of the house and engage in social distancing fun. While many of the best electric bikes on Amazon have been sold out for weeks, one of the few remaining good options is still hanging in there: the Ecotric 500W fat tire electric bike.
Now I want to be clear from the start: This isn’t a high-end electric bike, though you probably guessed that from the $850 price tag.
But what surprised me was that it isn’t a low-quality e-bike either. While the Ecotric fat tire bike has its shortcomings, it actually offers a decent range of parts and specs that far exceed its modest price.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/01/ecotric-500w-fat-tire-electric-bike-review-850-dollars/
Batch unveils two new mid-drive electric bikes with semi-hidden batteries
Micah Toll - Jun. 3rd 2020 5:03 am ET
In the middle of a nationwide e-bike shortage in the US, Batch Bicycles has just launched two new e-bikes. The company is hoping their new Batch Step-Thru and Step-Thru Plus models will quench the public’s thirst for commuter-style electric bicycles.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/03/batch-bicycles-two-new-mid-drive-electric-bikes-step-thru/
What Is an E-bike?
James Frew June 5, 2020
Bicycles are one of the best ways to get around. They are more affordable than other private transport, and then there are also the health benefits of physical exercise to consider. The overall design of a bike is so effective that there have been few significant changes in over 200 years.
However, electric bikes, or e-bikes, use a small motor to help you on your way. This reduces the effort required to cycle, especially over long distances or up steep inclines and hills. It also makes cycling accessible to a broader range of people and encourages cycling as a means of transport rather than leisure.
Review: The Greyp G6.1 is a techno-warship of an ebike
By Loz Blain June 07, 2020
Croatian company Greyp (pronounced “grape”) is a “sister company” to Rimac Automobili, which you may know as an ultra-high performance electric hypercar manufacturer. Rimac makes some of the world's most extreme cars, and has leveraged its expertise into becoming a supplier to other car companies looking to make powerful, quick electrics.
Fast-folding ebike promises up to 100 km of pedal-assist range
By Paul Ridden - June 10, 2020
Chinese mobility firm Fiido is getting ready to launch a lightweight folding ebike on Indiegogo that offers up to 62 miles of pedal-assist range per charge and can get up to 15.5 mph in motor-only mode.
iido already sells folding ebikes, and even a funky electric sit-down scooter with a fold-down handlebar, but has opted to take the crowdfunding route to bring its latest electric folder into production.
The D11 is built around an aviation-grade aluminum alloy frame that contributes toward an overall weight of just 12.9 kg (28.4 lb). The 248 x 57 x 110-cm (97.6 x 22.4 x 43.3 in) ebike features a folding mechanism that collapses the ride down to 84 x 40 x 59 cm (33 x 15.7 x 23.2 in) in seconds for popping in the trunk or hauling on and off public transport between rides.
The truth: How far can an electric bicycle really go on a single charge?
Micah Toll - Jun. 12th 2020 5:02 am ET
One of the biggest benefits of electric bicycles is that they can help riders go farther with the same amount of leg power. But with manufacturers citing wildly different range ratings for seemingly similar e-bikes, how can you know what an e-bike’s true range is?
It’s actually easier than you’d think. And after spending more than a decade working in the electric bicycle industry, I’ve gotten decently good at it, if I may say so myself. Here are my tips to get a true, honest range rating out of an e-bike.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/12/how-far-can-an-electric-bicycle-really-go-on-a-charge/
Electric Bikes Are Blurring The Line Between Bicycles And Motorcycles
E-Bikes Riskier to Ride Than E-Scooters and Bikes, Study Suggests
Ed Cara - 12/26/19 5:00PM
People riding electric-powered bikes are more likely to risk serious injury than those on conventional bikes and motorized scooters, according to a recent study. But e-scooters have their own unique health risks, too.
The research, published this November in the journal Injury Prevention, looked at data on injuries caused by consumer products collected by the U.S. government from emergency rooms across the country. The authors compared patterns of injuries reported between 2000 and 2017 caused by e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-powered bikes to one another.
https://gizmodo.com/e-bikes-riskier-to-ride-than-e-scooters-and-bikes-stud-1840664132
E-bike riders pose far lower risk than non-assisted riders, new data shows
Micah Toll - Jul. 10th 2020 9:55 am ET
Electric bicycles have a lot going for them, helping riders commute faster and farther than pedal bikes and more efficiently than cars, all without needing ultra-toned quads and calves. But now we’re learning about one more big advantage: e-bikes are apparently safer than pedals bikes.
This new data comes from a specialized bicycle insurance provider, Bikmo.
By conducting a survey of over 3,000 of its riders across Europe, Bikmo found that riders of electric bikes accounted for 38% fewer insurance claims compared to pedal bike riders, on average.
https://electrek.co/2020/07/10/new-data-shows-e-bikes-are-safer-offer-less-risk/
Yes, electric bikes give you a workout (even the crazy 1,500W e-bikes)
Micah Toll - Jul. 11th 2020 10:03 am ET
Whether or not electric bicycles actually provide decent exercise is a hotly debated topic. But while we can argue back and forth all day, there’s no substitute for hard facts and real data. So I put my e-bike (and myself) to the test!
A few weeks ago, I bought an activity monitor and fell straight down the rabbit hole of analyzing how my different daily activities affect my heart rate and fitness.
And as an electric bicycle journalist slash junkie, I was just as fascinated to finally see how electric bicycle riding affected my daily exercise.
To be fair, heart rate alone doesn’t give a 100% complete picture regarding the impact of exercise. But when it comes to cardio health, it’s a pretty decent stand-in for comparing exercise when used as an indicator of exercise intensity.
https://electrek.co/2020/07/11/electric-bikes-give-you-a-workout-even-1500w-e-bikes/
Could this half-bike, half-scooter create a new form of urban transit?
The Oslo rides like a bike but has a throttle like a scooter, and is designed to get people who are skeptical of cycling out of their cars.
09-17-19 - By Adele Peters
As electric scooters proliferate in cities, a new transportation company is arguing that we need to rethink micromobility—and that a scooter-inspired electric bike might be more likely to get people out of cars for short trips.
“We borrow some of the thinking behind scooters,” says Hong Quan, founder of Karmic, a startup that launched its first electric bike in 2015 and is launching its new vehicle, called the Oslo, on Kickstarter today. “It’s a very friendly design, very easy to use. It’s not intimidating. It doesn’t look like a bike. Most people don’t even want to use bike share because they look at it like, ‘I’m not a cyclist.'”
The 15 Best Commuter Bikes, City Bikes, And E-Bikes You Can Ride In 2020
Take the guesswork out of buying new wheels.
By Laura Lajiness - Aug 1, 2020
Whether you're commuting to work or making a grocery store run, bicycling can be one of the quickest (and most enjoyable!) ways to get from point A to point B. And, of course, it just so happens to be a great workout and one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel in the game. Well, if you've got the right set of wheels, that is.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned cyclist or haven't ridden a bike (aside from the stationary bike) since middle school, biking around your town (or city) is easiest done with a commuter bike.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g33313575/best-commuter-bikes/
Best electric bikes: Assisted bikes for road, gravel, commuting and more
A roundup of the best electric bikes from all disciplines of pedal-powered cycling
By Colin Levitch - 4 August 2020
Since e-bikes or electric bikes have started to gain popularity across almost every riding platform, they have been more contentious than the great Laurel or Yanny controversy of 2018 or whether that dress was blue or gold.
Taking a gander at the comment section on just about any story or social media post about an e-bike, you are guaranteed to find a comment about how they are motorcycles or how riding an e-bike is cheating. Both of these assertions are, of course, incorrect, and we would contend that most of the people writing these have never actually ridden an e-bike.
The Dark Side of E-Bikes: ‘I’m Afraid They’ll Take Me Where I Don’t Belong’
The e-bike revolution is bringing with it many, many wonderful changes. But riders run the risk of trusting too much in their wondrous technology.
Winston Ross - Updated Aug. 17, 2020 5:04AM ET / Published Aug. 17, 2020 5:03AM ET
When Simon Cowell broke his back last week on what was first reported to be an “e-bike,” the news tore through not just the entertainment world but the booming e-bike industry.
Turns out, Cowell wasn't on an e-bike but an e-motorcycle. That’s an important distinction, because the “bike” Cowell was riding can hit top speeds of 60 miles per hour, which makes it patently more dangerous than e-bikes, most of which would be lucky to go half that fast. So, don't let Cowell's literal fall from grace keep you from picking up a sweet new battery powered cruiser, consuming public: E-bikes are perfectly safe, they want you to know.
E-bikes and weight loss: How this man lost over 100 pounds (and how you could be next!)
Micah Toll - Aug. 23rd 2020 9:08 am ET
While keyboard warriors have long debated whether or not electric bicycles provide a good workout, the science is conclusive: e-bikes can provide just as effective of a workout as pedal bicycles, and sometimes more.
But you don’t have to tell Jon Treffert, a medical devices software developer from Knoxville, Tennessee. He already knows it.
Jon had enjoyed cycling as a grad student 30 years ago, but gave it up after school. Fast forward 3 decades later and Jon was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Weighing 270 lb (122 kg) at the time, that diagnosis was the wake-up call he needed to change his lifestyle. Along with focusing on a healthier diet, Jon decided to get back into cycling. But hilly Knoxville was a tall order for someone who hadn’t cycled in three decades. So Jon opted for an accessible, comfortable e-bike from the company Day6 Bikes and began putting on the miles. As time went on, he began increasing his rides and pushing harder.
Want to cycle more and leave the car at home? Science says buy an e-bike
Micah Toll - Aug. 27th 2020 4:30 pm ET
Bicycles are perhaps one of the best all-around alternatives to car transport, especially in urban environments. And now a new study has shown that cyclists who switch to an e-bike can end up quadrupling their daily riding distance.
The new study, which was published in the latest edition of the journal Transportation Research, studied two groups of people to determine their cycling habits.
The first group of cyclists who had recently purchased an e-bike was compared to a second group of pedal bicycle riders who were interested in an e-bike but had not yet made the purchase.
A travel diary was used to study the cyclists’ riding behavior and the study was conducted over a six-month period.
https://electrek.co/2020/08/27/cycle-more-and-leave-the-car-at-home-buy-an-e-bike/
Is an e-bike worth it? Why an electric bike is perfect for commuting
An e-bike is the perfect mode of transport for commuting to work
Luke Friend - September 2, 2020 1:35 pm
Sales of electric bikes – or better known as e-bikes – have been soaring in the past few years and show no sign of letting up.
Since emerging onto the market in the 2010s, they have dropped in price and have gained in popularity among all types of cyclists: club riders, city commuters, recreational cyclists and among those who just want a bit of assistance as they go from A to B.
For those cycling to work, they are a valuable purchase. The motor assistance allows you to arrive on time but a bit less sweaty than you would if you arrived on a non-motored bike.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/ebike-worth-it-electric-bike-commuting-465184
Shimano unveils new higher torque electric bike motor with less ‘lurch’
Micah Toll - Sep. 1st 2020 5:31 pm ET
It’s lighter, it’s stronger, it’s better… It’s the new Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor system for electric mountain bikes.
The bicycle component giant has just released its latest electric bicycle drive unit with a number of performance upgrades.
Shimano releases new EP8 e-bike motor
The new Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor unit packs even more torque than Shimano’s previous drive units, up to 85 Nm.
While increasing the drive’s torque, Shimano was also able to simultaneously reduce the weight of the unit to just 2.6 kg (5.7 lb).
https://electrek.co/2020/09/01/shimano-ep8-new-higher-torque-electric-bike-motor/
Threat modelling case study: bicycles
How to avoid buying your bike again every 6-12 months and tips for how to apply the same reasoning to other things, like computers
August 2020
Some very commonly repeated advice on preventing someone from nicking your bike:
Buy a good [~10% of bicycle value] lock, ideally one with a high “SoldSecure” rating and lock your bicycle somewhere inside the rear triangle and the rear wheel.
I've seen this advice repeated in cycling magazines, in quality newspapers, sometimes even by the police and of course on internet forums.
The above would imply that if you own a £400 bicycle (a typical price in the UK) you'd buy a £40 lock and put it in the right place.
However, it is a cold fact that a cordless angle grinder can defeat any bicycle lock, no matter how expensive (see this video for a demonstration). You can buy a used cordless angle grinder on eBay for less than £100. Even U-locks - traditionally thought to be the strongest type of lock - are opened in seconds with a sub-£100 angle grinder.
With an e-bike, you can help keep city air clean after the pandemic
SUSTAINABILITY CYCLING
Tim Wenger - Jul 28, 2020
AN EPA STUDY found that air quality across the United States improved by about 20 percent after the March lockdown orders. People weren’t driving, and industry wasn’t spitting the same levels of toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Fewer cars on the streets had its silver lining, as major US cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Denver took the opportunity to open urban roads to pedestrians, cyclists, and, as lockdowns eased, even restaurants.
“There’s huge momentum to keep this in place for the foreseeable future,” Jill Locantore, who heads the Denver Streets Partnership, told Matador in May. In a survey of Denver residents, the partnership found that almost 90 percent were in favor of a better bicycle transportation network, and were willing to sacrifice road space previously dedicated to cars in order to make it happen.
Electric Bike Motors Will Be Shut Down When Entering Residential Areas of Amsterdam
Posted by BeauHD on Friday November 06, 2020 06:10PM
In an effort to cut road deaths, the Dutch government will be using a new digital system to automatically reduce electric bicycles' power in residential or built-up areas of Amsterdam. The Guardian reports:
The digital technology, which has been successfully trialled on a 4km stretch of bike lanes at Schiphol airport, was funded by the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and water management. The not-for-profit Townmaking Institute behind the concept is working with e-bike manufacturers and government authorities with the expectation that the speed-cutting technology and new regulations could be rolled out by 2022.
E-Bikes Are Getting Cool, These Are Four of Our Favorites
What's better than bicycles with powered pedals? These E-bikes cost more than your old Huffy, but they're also more fun.
By Chris Nelson - Nov 14, 2020
From the November 2020 issue of Car and Driver.
Once you take away the effort, the sweat, and the Lance Armstrong cosplay, riding a bike starts to feel a lot like riding a motorcycle or even driving a car. The thrill of speed, the sense of possibility, and the freedom to roam give you a fresh perspective on your surroundings. That's the experience riding an e-bike, which still has pedals but can sometimes also be propelled with the push of your thumb or twist of your wrist. Legally, e-bikes are restricted to 20 mph when the throttle is in use and 28 mph when the motor is assisting the rider's pedaling. Some companies are starting to test those boundaries, though, with high-speed modes intended for use on private property. These four e-bikes are a few of our favorites.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g34656745/our-favorite-e-bikes/
Electric bikes are all the rage. But are they good exercise and are they safe?
Two new studies suggest the answer to both questions is yes – albeit a qualified yes
Mon, Aug 24, 2020, 05:00 - Gretchen Reynolds
With interest in and sales of pedal-assisted electric bikes surging during the pandemic, those questions share a growing urgency. Two timely and soothing new studies of e-bike riders’ exertions and injuries suggest that the answer to both questions can be a qualified yes, though anyone riding an e-bike needs to remain aware that the experience is certainly cycling with a kick to it.
As most of us are likely aware, cycling has become extremely popular and aspirational this year, since so many of us are otherwise housebound. Cycling gets us outside, active and heading somewhere — anywhere — else. But it also involves distance, hills, wind and sometimes leaden legs, which can be daunting.
Enter e-bikes. Short for electric bikes, these are road or mountain bikes with an added battery-powered motor that gooses our pedaling power. Given their ability to help us cover multiple miles, e-bikes sales have risen since the pandemic began, according to industry statistics.
What Are the Best Electric Bike Forums?
February 7, 2019 - Epic Cycles
Electric bikes are gaining immensely in popularity. What was once a niche off-shoot of a timeless hobby has blossomed into a phenomenon of its own. That said, electric bikes are complicated—getting to know the ropes of the hardware is much easier said than done.
Thankfully, the internet can make learning about electric bikes a significantly more straightforward process. Internet forums can make learning the ins and outs a snap. I can say from personal experience that using the internet’s vast resources saved me countless hours of research, improper form, and needless tinkering.
I want your experience with electric bikes to be as simple and fun as mine was. That’s why I’ve put together a list of my favorite electric-bike forums. Each entry has some unique features and benefits to ensure that there’s a suitable forum for everyone reading. Let’s get started!
The Biggest Constraint On E-Scooter & E-Bike Growth?
December 7th, 2020 by Cynthia Shahan
As part of our increased coverage of electric scooters and bikes (“micromobility” or MM), we’re running a three-part deep dive into the main barrier to MM’s growth: Winning and keeping the permission of city officials to operate, known also as community engagement.
That coverage will be anchored by the first in-depth analysis of how MM companies pursue community engagement in the US, which has perhaps the world’s most complex national market. The US has a federal government system, with each state — and many cities within each state — having considerable latitude to set their own policies.
This analysis was conducted by the clean economy marketing and public affairs firm, Tigercomm. (Full disclosure: Tigercomm’s founder, Mike Casey, is an advisor to CleanTechnica.) It is based on a series of interviews with top executives at the biggest MM companies, as well as an analysis of a year’s worth of digital content from MM companies.
The analysis found that the biggest threat to MM’s growth was not marketing, because getting people to ride the scooters is easy. Riders of many ages find them to be a fun, convenient, and inexpensive option compared to wading through traffic in a car or walking the “last mile” to their destination.
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/12/07/the-biggest-constraint-on-e-scooter-e-bike-growth/
After reviewing hundreds of electric bikes, these are my favorites this year
Micah Toll - Dec. 13th 2020 5:56 am ET
Over the last few years, I’ve had the pleasure of throwing my leg over hundreds of electric bicycles. And with the skyrocketing popularity of e-bikes this year, 2020 saw me doing more electric bicycle reviews than ever before.
With so many unique advantages among the many different bikes, I’ve chosen my favorite models from several different categories of e-bikes below.
https://electrek.co/2020/12/13/these-are-my-favorite-electric-bicycles-e-bikes-2020/
'DEATH TRAP' Simon Cowell could SUE electric bike firm ‘for $13 million’ after breaking back in crash
Michael Hamilton - Dec 12 2020, 19:51 ET . Updated: Dec 12 2020, 20:46 ET
SIMON Cowell is considering a $13million legal action against the manufacturers of the electric bike on which he crashed and broke his back.
It comes after a whistleblower from the company claimed the mega-powerful $26,000 machine was a “death trap” and “an accident waiting to happen” because the mogul had no training.
Cowell, 61, was almost paralysed in August falling off his brand-new Swind EB-01, and the former employee said he had previously warned his bosses the TV mogul could “break his f'ing neck” on it.
He claimed the machine, which is 60 times more powerful than normal e-bikes, should not be used without specialist training and a full demonstration.
A New Way To Travel Across the US
Stretching an extraordinary 3,700 miles from Washington DC to the Pacific Ocean, an ambitious new bike trail is aiming to be “America’s Main Street”.
By Stephen Starr - 14 December 2020
Ryan Gardill used to love backpacking. Getting into the outdoors and covering ground was one of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native’s favourite things to do. But as the 29-year-old former US Marine’s joints and back began struggling to carry the weight of a backpack, he decided it was time to get on a bike.
That opened up a whole new world.
“I’d always dreamed of doing a thru-hike or bike,” he said. “A guy from work talked about a trail going from Pittsburgh to DC. I said: ‘That sounds awesome!’.”
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201213-a-new-way-to-travel-across-the-us
It was a massive year for electric bikes and scooters
Adoption has soared throughout the pandemic.
Nick Summers - December 18, 2020
People were buying electric bikes and scooters long before the pandemic. Some saw them as a cheap and reliable way to reach the office. Others wanted a vehicle that could take them to the nearest park, supermarket or brunch-time meet-up. The coronavirus outbreak has been a catalyst for the industry, though. At first, when so many countries were imposing strict lockdowns, people wanted a way to safely exercise outdoors. Then, as these restrictions began to ease, citizens sought new ways to move around — for work, pleasure, or completing errands — that would minimize their contact with other people. For many, the obvious answer was a small electric vehicle.
E-Bike myths debunked: 6 common misconceptions about electric assistance
We look at some frequent fallacies about e-bikes and put forward the facts
by Matt Lamy - UPDATED Sat, Feb 06, 2021 12:10
E-bikes are here to stay, and will play an increasingly important role when it comes to cycling uptake. While a bit of electric assistance is an obvious benefit to some riders, among UK cyclists there are still some misconceptions about what e-bikes offer, and the potential benefits they provide. So, let’s look at the facts behind half a dozen e-bike myths…
https://road.cc/content/feature/e-bike-myths-debunked-280571
New E-BIKE act introduces 30% US federal tax credit for electric bicycle purchases
Micah Toll - Feb. 9th 2021 1:35 pm ET
Federal legislation was introduced today to create a federal tax incentive for the purchase of electric bicycles in the US.
Electric cars and motorcycles already have their own federal tax incentives in the US, and now electric bicycles may be next.
That’s thanks to the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act, which has been spearheaded by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
The new legislation is designed to make electric bicycles more affordable to average Americans.
These are the top 5 affordable electric bicycles in the US we’ve tested for 2021
Micah Toll - Mar. 4th 2021 4:46 am ET
As electric bicycles continue to explode in popularity, 2021 is seeing a number of interesting and affordable designs. These e-bikes, all of which we have personally tested and reviewed, provide much of the same recreation and utility as more expensive e-bikes, yet at prices that most Americans can afford.
https://electrek.co/2021/03/04/top-5-affordable-electric-bicycles-in-the-us-for-2021/
Thanks To Community Choice Aggregation, Here’s A $1,000 E-Bike Voucher For You
If all goes according to plan, the community choice aggregation movement will juice the e-bike revolution.
Tina Casey - 11 March 2021
The community choice movement has been flexing its muscles of late, and a case in point is the community choice provider Sonoma Clean Power in California. As its name indicates, SCP hooks up ratepayers with more renewable energy than their regular utility provides. Now SCP is hooking up some of its ratepayers with a free $1,000 voucher for an e-bike. So, how come community choice is not available in every state all over the USA?
The country where half of all bicycles sold are electric bikes – and what it can tell us
Micah Toll - Mar. 18th 2021 9:24 am ET
Electric bicycle sales have shown exponential growth for several years now, but 2020 saw an unprecedented e-bike boom.
Electric bicycle demand skyrocketed all over the world in 2020, fueled largely by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Netherlands, e-bikes have become such a mainstay that they accounted for approximately half of all bicycle sales in 2020.
According to a new report by industry experts RAI Vereniging and Bovag, over half a million of the 1.1 million bicycles sold in the Netherlands in 2020 were electric bicycles.
While total volume of sales of bicycles in the country during 2020 only increased by 9% compared to 2019, the total sales figure increased by 31% to €1.65 billion. The larger share of electric bicycles contributed to the higher spending percentage because electric bicycles are typically more expensive than pedal bicycles.
France Is Giving Citizens $3,000 To Get Rid of Their Car and Get an Electric Bike
Posted by BeauHD on Thursday April 15, 2021 03:00AM
France is offering residents $2,975 to trade in their gas-powered vehicle for an electric bicycle. The Next Web reports:
Earlier this week, lawmakers in France approved the measure in a preliminary vote. The French Federation of Bicycle Users claims that if France does go ahead with the scheme, it would be the first nation in the world to give people money for old cars to put towards new electric bicycles, Reuters reports. However, the organization must be leaving out crucial details as to how it reached that conclusion as there have been other similar schemes.
NYC Gig Workers Are Organizing Against Rampant E-Bike Theft and Assault
Posted by BeauHD on Thursday April 22, 2021 03:40PM
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard:
A massive procession of gig workers riding e-bikes with food coolers strapped to their backs protested in streets of Manhattan on Wednesday with a growing set of grievances: wage theft, no access to bathrooms, arbitrary deactivations, rampant e-bike theft, and violent assault and murder while they're working. The mass demonstration was the second organized by Los Deliveristas Unidos, a growing grassroots campaign formed by immigrant Latinx delivery workers in New York City during the pandemic. The group formed last year to organize for better working conditions on food delivery apps, as New Yorkers laid off during the pandemic have turned to gig work. In recent weeks, workers have organized on Whatsapp and other apps to form self-defense groups. Organizers estimate more than 1,000 app-based delivery workers attended Wednesday's protest – which took over Times Square. Delivery workers honked horns, waved Mexican and Guatemalan flags, and raised banners in Spanish that said “Don't buy bikes on the street without a receipt” and “United we are stronger.”
Your ebike doesn’t need a ton of power to be worth the price
Power ratings aren't worth much on their own
Napier Lopez - May 7, 2021 - 3:06 am UTC
Whenever I read a review of a lightweight ebike, inevitably someone in the comments feels the need to point out: “you can get the Powertron Cyclenator with a 1,000,000W motor for this kind of money!” Or, you know, something like that.
I’ll admit, when I first started to ride and review ebikes, I thought much the same. I’m a big guy, after all, and back then I had pretty much no cycling experience beyond just knowing how to ride a bike. More power for the money always seemed like a good idea. How else was I going to get up that one nasty hill?
But after reviewing a couple of years of testing ebikes one thing has become obvious: the power specs tell you little about a bike’s performance. They tell you even less about how much you might actually enjoy riding and living with a bike.
https://thenextweb.com/news/your-ebike-doesnt-need-a-ton-of-power-to-be-worth-the-price
E-Bikes Can Provide a Good Workout
Posted by BeauHD on Thursday May 20, 2021 08:30PM
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The New York Times:
Does riding an electric bike to work count as exercise, and not just a mode of transportation? It can, if you ride right, according to a pragmatic new study comparing the physiological effects of e-bikes and standard road bicycles during a simulated commute. The study, which involved riders new to e-cycling, found that most could complete their commutes faster and with less effort on e-bikes than standard bicycles, while elevating their breathing and heart rates enough to get a meaningful workout. But the benefits varied and depended, to some extent, on how people's bikes were adjusted and how they adjusted to the bikes. The findings have particular relevance at the moment, as pandemic restrictions loosen and offices reopen, and many of us consider options other than packed trains to move ourselves from our homes to elsewhere.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/21/05/21/0012203/e-bikes-can-provide-a-good-workout
The Senate’s E-BIKE Act could make electric bikes a lot cheaper
Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) on the potential to democratize electric bikes
By Andrew J. Hawkins - Jul 24, 2021, 10:00am EDT
A bill that would offer Americans a refundable tax credit on the purchase of a new electric bicycle was just introduced in the Senate by Ed Markey (D-MA) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The bill is called the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment, or E-BIKE Act for short, and it’s the companion bill to one introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year.
E-bikes are more expensive than normal bikes, typically costing anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 for some of the more high-end models. But they also have the potential to replace car trips for a lot of people, with a recent study finding that if 15 percent of car trips were made by e-bike, carbon emissions would drop by 12 percent.
https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/24/22590792/ebike-act-senate-brian-schatz-tax-credit-infrastructure
As several popular electric bikes lower prices, is the e-bike market returning to normal?
Micah Toll - Sep. 8th 2021 10:02 am PT
Beginning early this year, electric bicycle prices crept up nearly across the board. Now we are starting to see reductions in prices from major US brands. Could this be the light at the end of the tunnel?
Indicators are starting to point in that direction.
In a surprise move, we’re now seeing prices drop on a handful of electric bicycles from popular electric bicycle brands.
After having raised prices on many models earlier this year, Rad Power Bikes is now lowering them again on several models.
The company’s most affordable model, the RadMission, had crept up to $1,099 but has since dropped back down to $999. Another of the brand’s popular models, the RadMini folding fat tire e-bike, had hovered at $1,499. But now the company has made the RadMini’s sale price of $1,299 permanent.
Reflections
2021-07-19 22:42 UTC - Neighbor Ryan
E-biking has made me rethink things about my city, cities in general, and mobility as a human need and right. Here are things that have struck me while learning to use (e)bikes for transportation.
Speed ⟹ Safety
It's counterintuitive, but having access to more speed (and acceleration) can make biking safer. Starting from a stop at lights, holding a lane on shared roads, minimizing the number of cars that close on and overtake you (and the speed they overtake you at)… you are much more in control of your relationship to traffic on an ebike. This is one of new e-bikers' biggest “💡”/“🤯” realizations.
It's also surprising how a little boost makes a big difference in your control and safety. Increasing your top speed from 15mph to 20mph means a car going 25mph passes you half as quickly and has twice as much time to “see you coming” as it comes up behind you.
In more typical urban settings where cars might be averaging 15mph (between 0 and 20mph due to mild congestion and lights), it means you can find one driver who: 1. sees you 2. is not telegraphing their desire to murder you and draft them for a while (until the next light, when you must bid them “🙏”, glide up to the front, and find a new host).
Previously, you had to be a serious cyclist to access this speed (and corresponding ability to simply exist on car-dominated roads), but now almost everyone can.
Long Range E-Bike
November 12, 2021
Electric cars are fantastic compared to ICE vehicles, but E-Bikes are even better. Much lower environmental impact and far more suited to medium range travel such as commuting. Here in NL they sell in huge numbers, far faster than electric cars. But they also have their limitations: a regular e-bike tops out at 25 Kph, and will do a very limited distance on a single charge. What powers your average e-bike are Lithium-Ion cells, usually of the 18650 variety, capacities vary but the very best cells you can get at the moment that are still affordable top out at about 3400 mAh per cell. A typical e-bike has about 40 to 50 of these, in a 10S4P or 10S5P arrangement.
My first e-bike, a pretty crappy one but enough to get my appetite whetted had a 500 Wh battery, enough for a 55 km trip one-way, and it would be dead on arrival, range anxiety to the max. After shopping around for a bit I bought a secondhand second battery to give me either more range or a way to get back home if the first one ran out. This works, after a fashion. But 25 kph isn’t a lot, on my (very) elderly 10 speed I would be way faster than that. The good bit about that e-bike for me wasn’t the speed but the fact that I didn’t need to exert as much force when starting up, which as the result of a previous bike accident is still hard for me (lots of steel and screws in one of my legs).
11 rules for buying an ebike, and the 11 ebikes to buy now
Ryan Johnson - Nov 24, 2021
Ebikes are about to change the world. They are already the best selling electric vehicles, and are selling as fast as factories can make them.
They will be a big driver of shifting more car trips to other modes. And shifting more families to owning fewer, or even no cars. When we need fewer cars, that means we can build less parking, which lowers prices at grocery stores, restaurants, and other places. It lets us build things closer together, allowing us to build what consumers want — walkable neighborhoods like Culdesac Tempe.
I own over 60 ebikes, so some have called me the Jay Leno of ebikes. I’m still working on the jokes.
Simon Cowell Broke His Back, Learned the Difference Between e-Bike and Electric Motorcycle
Live and learn, as the saying goes. For television personality and music mogul Simon Cowell, ride and learn also applies, especially after he broke his back last year, in what could have been a life-changing fall from an e-bike he’d just bought.
28 Nov 2021, 07:23 UTC · by Elena Gorgan
The accident, as you may have heard, occurred in Cowell’s back yard in Malibu, in August 2020. He’d seen the e-bike at a show in his home country, spoken to the makers and had one unit shipped from London to sunny California. He’d just unboxed it when, without reading the owner’s manual included, he jumped in the saddle and thought he’d take it for a spin around the property.
Not familiar with the controls, he hit torque, and it was enough to send the e-bike into a wheelie which, in turn, threw Cowell off, onto his back. He broke three vertebrae, and required extensive surgery and months of recovery therapy, as reports claimed he might never walk again. Thankfully, he is now back to normal.
Even better, he tells Terri Seymour of ExtraTV. Simon Cowell feels so much better and is in such an improved physical shape that he would even go through that ordeal again if he was presented the chance to go back in time. This, despite the fact that “if it had been another millimeter, then it would have been a different story,” and he’d be paralyzed.
Upway is building an online marketplace to buy and sell used electric bikes
Romain Dillet / 9:00 PM PST November 29, 2021
Meet Upway, a French startup that is building a marketplace for second-hand electric bikes. The startup just raised a $5.7 million (€5 million) seed round from Sequoia Capital and Global Founders Capital.
If you’re familiar with the world of online marketplaces for cars, Upway will sound familiar to you as well. The company buys electric bikes from both customers and companies. They check them and repair them in case something is broken. After that, Upway lists and sells the electric bikes on its website.
Right now, the startup has a warehouse in Gennevilliers near Paris. A team of five repairpersons check each bike that arrives with a list of 20 different tests. Upway can then ship the bike to customers in a cardboard package — the handlebar and pedals are detached from the frame.
Closing the loop: a deep dive on a Facebook reseller of bikes stolen in Colorado
Bryan Hance - Thu, December 16, 2021
In early 2021, several people tipped us off to a Facebook seller in Juarez, Mexico who appeared to be selling bikes stolen from Colorado. Our first examination noted that:
- * The seller's Facebook page was region locked, and could only be viewed from Mexico The seller's Facebook page was region locked, and could only be viewed from Mexico
- * The seller has been operating since at least 2019 (best est) The seller has been operating since at least 2019 (best est)
- * The seller's Facebook page has well established marketing and branding and utilizes multiple social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) - although Facebook is the primary sales channel The seller's Facebook page has well established marketing and branding and utilizes multiple social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) - although Facebook is the primary sales channel
- * The seller ships bikes to buyers all over Mexico - their ability to ship bikes to all parts of Mexico is highlighted in almost all their posts. The seller ships bikes to buyers all over Mexico - their ability to ship bikes to all parts of Mexico is highlighted in almost all their posts.
In short order we found enough red flags - and tactics we had seen with other suspect sellers - that it piqued our interest and we spun this off as a special project to look closer, compile data, and learn what we could about this market.
https://bikeindex.org/news/closing-the-loop-a-deep-dive-on-a-facebook-reseller-of-bikes-stolen-in
Electric bike buying guide: What your e-bike says about you
Dec 21, 2021 - CNET
There are many types of e-bikes for a variety of riders. CNET's Logan Moy goes over each one and talks about the features that make some better than others for certain riding styles.
Smarter, more powerful e-bikes and scooters take charge at CES 2022
Rebecca Bellan, Kirsten Korosec - 9:16 AM PST January 7, 2022
Even though we didn’t make it to CES 2022 in person this year, we certainly heard about the “eMobility Experience,” a test track for demo rides of all the e-scooters, e-bikes and whatever other micromobility vehicles came to play in Las Vegas.
A lot of products were shown, many of which weren’t actually new, like Bird’s new consumer suite of vehicles, the Bird Bike, Bird Flex and Birdie, Zoomo’s utility electric-assist bikes, Euphree’s City Robin step-through e-bike and Arevo and Superstrata’s 3D printed carbon fiber e-bikes. There were a handful of interesting companies showing off new versions of their electric scooters, bikes, motorcycles and connected tech.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/01/07/smarter-powerful-electric-scooters-bikes-ces-2022/
The Future of E-Bikes
2021 November 9 - Austin Vernon
E-Bike technology is amazing. How will it improve, and how will we use it? Thanks to Steve Anderson for his engineering tweets and for answering a tire question. Any mistakes are my own! Why People Love E-Bikes
The best feeling on a bike is cruising down a hill, barely pedaling, and taking in the surroundings. E-bikes are like that all the time. “How do you know if someone has an e-bike? They'll tell you!” goes the joke.
Best E-Bikes & Motorcycles You Can Buy in 2022
Here it is again, for the very first time — CleanTechnica’s list of the best e-bikes and electric motorcycles you can buy in 2022!
Jo Borrás - 18 February 2022
It’s 2022, and we want to help you make the third year of this global pandemic the best one yet with the help of a brand-new “best bikes” list that will help you find the right electric bicycle for you!
Once again, I’ll be introducing you to my personal picks for the best e-bikes and electric motorcycles you can buy in 2022, based on more than 25 years of riding, fixing, and building stuff that goes fast — as well as, you know, wild conjecture, since there’s a few bikes on this list that I haven’t yet had a chance to ride. I’ll make that clear enough in the article, though, and we’ll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my picks — and learn more about your picks! — in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Without further ado, then, here they are, in something that feels tantalizingly like a logical order: the 22 best e-bikes and electric motorcycles you can buy in 2022!
https://cleantechnica.com/2022/02/18/best-e-bikes-motorcycles-you-can-buy-in-2022/
Bicycle Recommendations
Apr 10, 2021 - Lincoln Quirk
For non-expert cyclists, I recommend steel road-ish bikes with wide tires. This post expands on this and also has tips for how to actually go about getting a bike.
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in March 2022
Micah Toll - Mar. 6th 2022 5:57 am PT
While some outlets just scrape the web to hawk random e-bikes, Electrek has spent countless hours performing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bicycles. That has helped us find the best electric bikes on the market for just about any budget.
Below you’ll see some of the top e-bikes we’ve tested for every price range, current as of March 2022.
https://electrek.co/2022/03/06/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
Are Electric Bikes Practical?
Cory Gunther - Mar 17, 2022, 4:57 pm EDT
Electric bikes are gaining popularity across the globe, and as a result, I’ve received a lot of questions about whether or not an e-bike is practical. Of course, if you’ve never ridden one, that’s a fair question, but you’ll quickly realize how much e-bikes have to offer once you hop on.
Take everything that makes a regular bicycle fun and practical, then make it better. That’s what you get from an e-bike. Electric bikes are super enjoyable and still offer plenty of exercise while delivering greater ride flexibility. It’s also worth mentioning some go really fast, while others are energy-efficient. Plus, an e-bike can potentially replace a car for certain commutes, saving you money.
An e-bike can quickly become more expensive than your typical 21-speed. But, at the same time, we’re seeing excellent options for as low as $600 hit the streets and trails. So, if you’re wondering how practical an e-bike is, here are a few thoughts.
https://www.reviewgeek.com/112628/are-electric-bikes-practical/
Defending From Criminal Attackers On An E-Bike
Jennifer Sensiba - 28 March 2022
There are a variety of reasons someone might attack you on your bike. They might hate cyclists or get road rage. They may also just think your bike is really cool, which is fine unless they get to thinking they’ll steal it from you while you’re on it. Or, you could ride right into the middle of some kind of a drug deal like I did once (I live near the border). Whatever the reason, there’s a few things you need to keep in mind for defending yourself.
https://cleantechnica.com/2022/03/28/defending-from-criminal-attackers-on-an-e-bike/
Europeans already love electric cargo bikes, and now Americans are embracing these low-cost car alternatives
Micah Toll - Apr. 21st 2022 6:48 am PT
Electric cargo bikes, which are essentially normal electric bicycles with stretched frames for carrying more gear or passengers, are becoming increasingly popular as car alternatives in the US.
The move follows a common trend in the electric bike industry that sees Americans tracking several years behind European e-bike industry currents.
The last time much of the Electrek team was in Germany, we couldn’t help but notice the sheer number of electric cargo bikes rolling around every city we visited. Whereas in the US you’re likely to see streets and parking lots lined with SUVs and minivans, many European cities instead host countless electric two- and three-wheelers toting around shopping bags and multiple children.
Not to be outdone (at least not for more than a decade or so), Americans are now embracing a wave of increasingly accessible electric cargo bikes for utility tasks.
PEDAL POWER I tried an e-Bike, the transport minister says it’s the future but he’s wrong
Matt Bendoris - 19:58, 21 May 2022 Updated: 9:21, 23 May 2022
STUNT cyclist Danny MacAskill recently confessed he has become an e-bike convert - clocking up an astonishing 10,000 miles with battery assistance.
The 36-year-old said: “I ride an e-bike a lot these days which has really opened up the Highlands for me in a totally new way. Somewhere like Edinburgh would benefit massively from more people commuting on e-bikes.”
So are e-bikes a possible solution to the cost of living crisis or just another drain on the overstretched national grid?
Scotland’s transport minister and cabinet secretary for Net Zero MICHAEL MATHESON states the case for battery powered bicycles while our own Lycra-clad Scottish Sun man MATT BENDORIS is firmly against them.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/8894520/transport-minister-says-e-bikes-are-the-future/
We Road-Tested the Best Electric Bikes on the Market. Here Are Our 8 Favorites.
Over the past couple years, we’ve ridden dozens e-bikes to find the best in each category. Here are eight superb models for every kind of rider.
Nicolas Stecher - June 25, 2022
Recently the global e-bike market was forecasted to explode from $25 billion in 2020 to around $48 billion by 2028, doubling the value it was predicted to reach before the pandemic. People are looking to add more outdoor exercise to their lifestyle habits while also hopefully decreasing automobiles from their daily commute. Beyond the the clear health benefits, a recent study revealed the expense of owning an electric bike (e.g., charging, tune-ups, tires, etc.) to be just over $300 per year. Annual car maintenance costs more than eight times that amount.
But the range of e-bike options is simply overwhelming, with a spectrum of different utilities, classes, price points and options to consider. Over the past couple years we’ve road-tested dozens to find the best in each category. Below are our eight favorite models. But first, a quick primer:
https://robbreport.com/motors/motorcycles/best-electric-bikes-1234689255/
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in July 2022
Micah Toll - Jul. 5th 2022 3:54 am PT
Here at Electrek, we have spent endless hours undertaking detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through the thousands of miles at this point, we’ve gotten to know these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That dedication to real world e-bike testing has helped us find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.
Below you’ll find some of the top e-bikes we’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of July 2022. With summer coming at us in full force, one of these electric bikes just might be your next set of wheels this riding season!
https://electrek.co/2022/07/05/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
The E-bike Is a Monstrosity
Neither bicycle nor motorbike, the two-wheeler’s future demands an identity of its own.
Ian Bogost - August 31, 2022
I’d like to drive less, exercise more, commune with nature, and hate myself with a lesser intensity because I am driving less, exercising more, and communing with nature. One way to accomplish all of these goals, I decided earlier this year, was to procure an e-bike. (That’s a bicycle with a motor, if you didn’t know.) I could use it for commuting, for errands, for putting my human body to work, and for reducing my environmental impact. A cyclist I have never been, but perhaps an e-biker I could become.
I wouldn’t be alone. The pandemic drove a 240 percent surge in e-bike sales from 2020 to 2021. The reasons are hard to pin down but easy to surmise. Typical bikes sold out everywhere. Solo riding outdoors seemed less risky than sitting with other people in an Uber, a bus, or a train. Gas prices got worse as quarantine lifted. E-bikes became the world’s best-selling electric vehicles in 2021: This could be the moment “micromobility” advocates have long anticipated, when more eco-friendly vehicles begin to change urban transit forever.
'The E-Bike Is a Monstrosity'
Posted by BeauHD on Friday September 02, 2022 05:02PM
In an article published by the Atlantic, writer and Director of Film and Media Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, Ian Bogost, claims e-bikes have an identity crisis and “represent not the fusion of two modes of transit, but a conflict between them.” Here's an excerpt from his report:
I'd like to drive less, exercise more, commune with nature, and hate myself with a lesser intensity because I am driving less, exercising more, and communing with nature. One way to accomplish all of these goals, I decided earlier this year, was to procure an e-bike. (That's a bicycle with a motor, if you didn't know.) I could use it for commuting, for errands, for putting my human body to work, and for reducing my environmental impact. A cyclist I have never been, but perhaps an e-biker I could become. […] But I've been trying to live with one, and brother, I've got some bad news. These things are freaks. Portraying e-bikes as a simple, obvious, and inevitable evolution of transportation (or even of bicycling) doesn't fully explain these strange contraptions. The same was said of Segways, and then of Bird scooters, and both flamed out spectacularly.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/22/09/02/2115230/the-e-bike-is-a-monstrosity
America Has An E-Bike Problem That Can’t Be Solved With More E-Bikes
The lack of appropriate infrastructure for electric mobility devices is making biking in cities worse.
Aaron Gordon - September 2, 2022, 6:00am
On Wednesday, The Atlantic published an article by Ian Bogost (a writer, game designer, and Director of Film and Media Studies at Washington University of St. Louis) about e-bikes. The gist of Bogost’s take is that he bought an e-bike, which is a bigger, heavier bicycle with a motor and battery, and feels weird about it. He says e-bikes have an “identity crisis” because they do not fit within any neatly defined buckets in American transportation and therefore don’t pass on any identity to their users.
The article was widely panned on Twitter, mostly by the usual pro-bike, pro-active streets, anti-car constituency. To be clear, I am a member of that constituency; I bike and walk and take public transportation everywhere (I do not tweet, though). However, I broadly agree with Bogost’s general point about e-bikes, but for entirely different reasons.
The best Labor Day electric bike deals to save hundreds of dollars on an e-bike
Micah Toll - Sep. 2nd 2022 11:58 pm PT
Electric bicycles are one of the most fun and effective alternative transportation methods in existence. And this Labor Day you can save big on a new electric bicycle from many of the leading manufacturers. Summer may be coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! Check out these awesome e-bike deals to get rolling on your own electric bicycle at a steep discount!
Be sure to keep checking back, too. We’ll be updating the list as more sales pop up over the holiday weekend!
https://electrek.co/2022/09/02/best-labor-day-electric-bike-deals/
5 Reasons to Consider Buying an E-Bike
There are all sorts of e-bikes, from downhill MTBs to regular city cruisers—and this is why you should consider one.
Alex Ramos - 9 September 2022
Just like electric cars are taking over our roads, electrification is also taking over other forms of transportation. Electric mobility is the next big thing, and this includes e-bikes. Electric bikes offer tons of benefits compared to traditional bikes, especially if you don't want to arrive sweaty at your destination.
The 5 Best Electric Bikes for Sale Now
It won't be long before most bikes sold are e-bikes, and we're here for that.
Alex Ramos - 10 September 2022
E-bikes are taking over your local trails. This is happening in the same manner that electric vehicles are taking over our roads. The electric future is upon us, and electric bikes offer great advantages over your typical human-powered bike. If you're ready to take the plunge and begin shopping for an e-bike, check out this list of the best e-bikes currently for sale.
https://www.makeuseof.com/the-best-electric-bikes-for-sale-now/
LeMond Prolog review: the urban ebike that doesn't look like an electric bike
Sleek, stealthy and dead sexy but who's this for?
Anne-Marije Rook - 9 September 2022
In 2020, three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond relaunched his eponymous bike brand and released two new models in 2021: the Prolog and the Dutch.
This was the first time we'd seen the LeMond name on a range of bikes since 2008, with quite a change in direction as well. Instead of the race-oriented LeMond bikes of the 1990s and early 2000s, the new LeMond range is commute-focused and electric.
LeMond started his foray into the bike manufacturing business in 1986, after he won the Tour de France on a carbon fiber frame. Initially, LeMond Bicycles developed race machines which LeMond would use in competition himself and which would then also be marketed and sold to the public. From 1995 onward, LeMond Bicycles licensed the brand name to Trek, who believed the name cachet and unique geometry of the LeMond bikes would increase business. The relationship went sour, however, and the two companion split ways.
How to Choose an eBike: 8 Key Features to Look For
If you're looking to buy an eBike, there are several things you must consider first.
Elliot Nesbo - 13 September 2022
Electric bikes are increasingly popular. They look and feel like traditional bikes, but they have a built-in motor that propels you forward as you peddle, making them a popular choice for both recreation and commuting.
Electric bikes come in a wide range of styles and configurations. Unfortunately, they are also not the easiest things to shop for. If you'd like to buy a new electric bike, here's what to look for.
https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-choose-an-ebike-key-features/
The Top 3 E-Bikes With the Longest Range
If you really want to ditch your car, an e-bike with incredible range is just what you need.
Alex Ramos - 14 September 2022
E-bikes are all the rage, especially if you're a city dweller wanting to reduce your carbon footprint. Many people consider an e-bike as their main form of transport but are still on the fence due to the range. If you're looking for an e-bike that will go the distance, check out this roundup of e-bikes with the longest range.
The Top 3 eBikes Built in the USA
Sometimes, the best bikes are built at home.
Alex Ramos - 15 September 2022
E-bikes are the next big thing when it comes to transportation. These electrified bikes can function in an urban environment as a primary form of transportation and in a more adventurous setting.
Whether you want to replace your traditional mountain bike for those weekend camping trips or you rely on your bike for everyday use, purchasing one made in the USA can be a great choice. So, check out this list of some of the best e-bikes built in the USA.
What Are the Different eBike Classes?
Did you know that there are several different e-bike classes?
Alex Ramos - 22 September 2022
E-bikes are slowly gaining popularity. Chances are, even if you're not a bike enthusiast, you've heard about e-bikes. These electrified bikes can function pretty much the same as a conventional bicycle, but they also do so much more.
E-bikes allow easier commutes, and you don't have to arrive at your destination drenched in sweat. Another e-bike fact most people aren't familiar with is that there are different classes of e-bikes—but what are these e-bikes classes, and what do they mean?
https://www.makeuseof.com/what-are-the-different-ebike-classes/
The 3 Fastest E-Bikes for Sale in 2022
They're not only fast, but have excellent range, too.
Alex Ramos - 25 September 2022
The e-bike craze is officially hitting the USA, and tons of performance e-bikes are swarming the market. Of course, these bikes have to abide by government regulations that limit their speed depending on the class classification of the e-bike.
So, if you're purchasing an e-bike, ensure it abides by your local laws and regulations. Many manufacturers ship your e-bike with a restricted top speed to abide by regulations. But they allow you to unlock the bike's full speed regardless. So, what are the fastest e-bikes for sale right now?
I rode an electric bike to work, and here's what I learned
What first felt like cheating is now a noble steed of steel.
October 1, 2022 - Adam Birney
After having a blast riding electric scooters all summer, I wanted to try my hand at riding an electric bike. Not only are e-bikes more sturdy and noticeable for riding in between traffic, but they can also carry more cargo. While I still have fun riding electric scooters, they are a leisurely activity that doesn’t require much physical effort. I figured an e-bike would bring a healthy balance to my riding with the benefit of exercise and rest when needed. Was it all it was cracked up to be? Here’s what I learned from riding an electric bike.
https://www.androidauthority.com/what-i-learned-from-riding-an-electric-bike-3202694/
5 Reasons to Buy an E-Bike Over a Regular Bicycle
About to buy a bike? Why not consider an e-bike instead?
Alex Ramos - 10 October 2022
E-bikes are taking over the biking scene and with good reason. There are many reasons to consider buying an e-bike, especially if your daily commute takes place in a city with great bike infrastructure. Replacing your car with a bicycle can be a great way to reduce your environmental impact, and replacing it with an e-bike is even more convenient. Riding an e-bike brings many advantages over a traditional bike, especially when it comes to practicality.
https://www.makeuseof.com/reasons-buy-ebikes-over-regular-bicycles/
The 3 Best Affordable E-Bikes for Sale Right Now
Want an e-bike but still want to afford the rent? You need one of these affordable e-bikes!
Alex Ramos - 8 October 2022
E-bikes are quickly taking over the urban transportation scene in the United States. This means affordable options are starting to hit the market, but not all e-bikes are created equal. There are tons of different e-bikes on the market around the same price range, but the features these include may differ dramatically. So if you're in the market for an e-bike that won't break the bank but are unsure which one to get, you've come to the right place.
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-affordable-ebikes-for-sale-right-now/
What do you get when you cross an e-bike with a supercar?
The Vintage Roadster offers a load of performance in a gorgeous package.
John Timmer - 10/19/2022, 4:39 AM
“You can let everyone know that people said it's a really nice-looking bike.”
I'd never received comments like that when testing previous e-bikes, but I got compliments several times when out on the Vintage Roadster, and it's easy to see why. The bike is gorgeous, evoking classic motorcycles of a century ago, straight down to a battery shaped like a two-cylinder engine.
For me, it constantly called to mind the opening scenes of Lawrence of Arabia, which show Lawrence speeding off on one of those classic machines. Those who have seen the film know that the scenes end with his death in a motorcycle crash. This brings me to my mixed feelings about Vintage's e-bike equivalent of a supercar. I was introduced to the Vintage after I reviewed a Super73 e-bike, about which I expressed some concern over how easy it was to accelerate the bike to a very illegal (and potentially dangerous) 50 km an hour. Vintage's sales pitch for the Roadster was basically “we have one that goes even faster.”
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/10/what-do-you-get-when-you-cross-an-e-bike-with-a-supercar/
What Is an eBike and How Far Can You Ride on One?
Want to cycle to work and not arrive as a sweaty mess? An eBike could be just what you need.
Denis Manyinsa - 26 October 2022
Ever wondered where those crazy cyclists get their energy? Well, they don't really pedal themselves; they ride eBikes.
Well, not all of them, but eBikes are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to get some exercise, and it's not hard to see why. They're environmentally friendly and allow you to go farther and faster with less effort than traditional bikes.
But what exactly is an eBike? How do they work? And how far can you ride on one?
https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-an-ebike-and-what-is-range/
Switching to an electric bike means getting more exercise, period. Here’s why
Micah Toll - Nov 22 2022 3:41 am PT
Here at Electrek we cover all sorts of electric vehicles, from cars and trucks to planes and trains. But one type of electric vehicle outsells all others combined many times over: the humble electric bicycle.
And yet, for some reason, electric bicycles have been plagued by a running misconception that switching to an e-bike means a slow decline into sedentary demise. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The simple fact is that switching to an e-bike is one of the best things you can do to get more exercise. Don’t believe me? See why, below.
https://electrek.co/2022/11/22/switching-to-an-electric-bike-exercise/
What Is E-Bike ABS Braking?
The braking technology that has saved countless lives is now available for your e-bike.
Sean Mitchell - Dec 23, 2022
If you've been e-biking for any length of time, you've probably had some sketchy braking situations. For instance, maybe you braked in a corner and washed out your front tire. Hopefully, you avoided any damage and learned a valuable lesson about speed and the dangers of emergency braking.
When riding an e-bike, braking at the right times and with the right modulation is critical, given how easy it is to lose traction.
So, what is ABS braking on e-bikes, and how does it enable riders to control their bicycles safely in emergencies?
What Is E-Bike Automatic Shifting and Do You Need It??
E-bikes make cycling easier than ever, and e-bike automatic gear shifting is another excellent option.
Sean Mitchell - Dec 22, 2022
Bikes keep evolving. New tech enters the marketplace every year that makes cycling easier, safer, and more enjoyable—from fully steel hardtails to e-bikes with front and rear suspension and ABS braking, the possibilities seem endless.
Shimano is one of the largest bicycle component manufacturers in the world and recently announced several products that they hope will revolutionize e-biking: automatic shifters. Are they worth it, and should you be using one? What's all the hype about? Let's dive in.
https://www.makeuseof.com/ebike-automatic-shifting-what-is-it/
6 Things You Should Know About How to Ride an EBike
Is riding an ebike any different from riding a regular bike? Here's what you need to know!
Karim Ahmad - 12 January 2023
Ebikes have become popular over the past few years as the technology has improved. They are now more affordable, offer greater range, and are generally a lot of fun to ride.
Ebikes make it easy for people to cover larger distances and climb steep hills without exerting too much. Most ebikes generally offer pedal assist, where the motor kicks in as you pedal. This means you use less energy while riding over challenging terrain. However, there are some important things that you need to know before you get on the saddle.
https://www.makeuseof.com/things-you-should-know-about-how-to-ride-an-ebike/
Why Fox News wants you to be afraid of electric bikes
Micah Toll - Mar 13 2023 12:41 pm PT
Fox News is no stranger to the tactic of fearmongering as a way to stir up its base. But the media network’s latest misdirection campaign attempts to use fear to attack a surprising new target: electric bicycles.
Electric bicycles are essentially normal bicycles but with the addition of a small electric helper motor and a lithium-ion battery for energy storage. They go faster than most pedal bikes while requiring less effort from the rider, which has made them a popular alternative vehicle in cities and suburbs. They’ve found favor as cheaper car replacements for many people. As a type of small EV, or electric vehicle, it’s not exactly a wonder that Fox News would put e-bikes somewhere on its enemies list.
But with a misleading story running last week entitled “How e-bikes are exploding and killing people,” the media giant leaves little room for doubt about just how far they’ll go with misdirection to try and scare people away from the fastest-growing form of low-cost, efficient, and effective transportation.
https://electrek.co/2023/03/13/why-fox-news-wants-you-to-be-afraid-of-electric-bikes/
How a proposed federal e-bike incentive could lead to fewer battery fires
Rebecca Bellan - 22 March 2023
As electric bikes grow in popularity, the number of deadly fires caused by faulty lithium-ion batteries has also risen. One of the main culprits? Cheap e-bikes delivered from non-reputable, overseas companies direct to consumers.
A reintroduced bill that would provide Americans with a federal rebate of up to $1,500 toward the purchase of an e-bike could help consumers afford higher-quality bikes. That could help reduce the growing number of e-bike fires that have plagued cities like New York.
U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) reintroduced this week the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act. If passed, the incentives will cover 30% of the cost of a new e-bike, up to a maximum credit of $1,500. Only bikes that are priced at less than $8,000 qualify. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Can an e-bike’s fat tires be offset by a fat battery?
A well-implemented electric boost handles some of the worst of ultra-fat tires.
John Timmer - 4/19/2023, 4:30 AM
For many years, talking about fat-tire bikes meant you were referring to mountain bikes. But a more recent generation of bikes has dared to ask, “You call that fat?” These bikes, equipped with comically wide tires, promised to retain traction on just about any surface imaginable and to soften bumps without requiring a suspension.
Earlier this year, I had the chance to try out my first ultra-fat tire electric bike. Unfortunately, it was also my first mountain bike frame and the first folding frame I had tested. There were so many new things about the experience that it was tough to evaluate which aspects of the ride (good and bad) were due to the product and which were due to my unfamiliarity with the bike's features.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/04/can-an-e-bikes-fat-tires-be-offset-by-a-fat-battery/
Yes, I ride my electric bike with the power off. Here’s why
Micah Toll - Apr 21 2023 4:57 am PT
It might sound strange since electric bikes are known for their ability to ride faster and farther with less exertion, but I often ride my e-bike with the power turned off.
I wasn’t always this way. Especially not in the beginning. I first got into electric bicycles back around 2009. That was before it was easy to buy one, so I built one instead.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/21/i-ride-my-electric-bike-with-the-power-off/
Here’s why you can’t trust electric bike companies when it comes to battery range
Micah Toll - May 4 2023 4:42 am PT
It’s a tale as old as time. Man sees electric bike advertisement touting 50-mile range. Man buys e-bike. Man’s first ride gets 25 miles before the battery’s charge dwindles. Man is justifiably disappointed.
So what gives? Why does it seem like you can never trust the range numbers that the electric bike makers tell us?
The short answer is that it seems that way because that’s the way it is. You simply can’t trust the range figure printed on an electric bicycle’s marketing material. At least not most of the time.
There are several good reasons for this, so let’s break them down.
https://electrek.co/2023/05/04/you-cant-trust-electric-bike-companies-battery-range/
I Review Ebikes for a Living. Here’s My Favorite One So Far
A solid option for first-time buyers and beyond.
Cory Gunther - May 12, 2023, 1:56 pm EDT
Electric bikes are everywhere these days, available in a slew of different sizes or styles, and most of them certainly don’t come cheap. But if you’re looking for a quality bike that can do a little of everything, here’s why the Velotric Nomad 1 is my favorite all-around choice so far.
Considering all the benefits of an ebike, it’s no surprise that they’re quickly rising in popularity. Of course, the type of bike you buy will depend on your wants or riding style. Road bikes and full-suspension eMTBs are more of a niche product and certainly have their place, but many people simply want a good ebike to enjoy on various rides.
https://www.reviewgeek.com/153404/i-review-ebikes-for-a-living-heres-my-favorite-one-so-far/
I review ebikes for a living — here's the 3 things I look for
The three things you should look for when buying an electric bike.
Dan Cavallari - 27 May 2023
When you buy a car, a test drive is a no-brainer. With bikes, it's a little different. These days, it’s harder to test-drive an e-bike before buying one. While your local bike shop may have some in stock, there are so many e-bikes on the market that it's difficult to test ride many.
I’m fortunate, however; I test them for a living and have thrown a leg over just about every type of e-bike you can imagine. As someone who has spent more time on e-bikes than the average consumer, I have been lucky enough to hone my shopping criteria to make it easy to choose the right e-bike.
Here are the most important features and considerations I look for when choosing the best e-bike.
https://www.tomsguide.com/features/i-review-ebikes-for-a-living-heres-the-3-things-i-look-for
A guide to the best 10 e-bikes you can buy right now
Looking to join the electric revolution and explore the world of e-bikes? Look no further. Here, we have curated a list of the best e-bikes to buy right now, offering you a comprehensive guide to some of the best models on the market. Whether you’re a commuter looking for a reliable urban companion, an adventure […]
Written by: Ron Johnson - May 23, 2023
Looking to join the electric revolution and explore the world of e-bikes? Look no further. Here, we have curated a list of the best e-bikes to buy right now, offering you a comprehensive guide to some of the best models on the market. Whether you’re a commuter looking for a reliable urban companion, an adventure seeker craving off-road thrills, or simply someone who wants to enhance their cycling experience, we’ve got you covered. From powerful motors and long-range batteries to sleek designs and advanced features, these e-bikes have it all. Join us as we delve into the world of e-bikes and help you find the perfect ride that suits your needs and preferences. Get ready to discover the freedom, convenience, and exhilaration that e-bikes have to offer. It’s time to embrace a new era of cycling and find your perfect electric companion.
https://momentummag.com/a-guide-to-the-best-10-e-bikes-your-can-buy-right-now/
Battle of the E-Cargo Bikes
Four popular cargo and kid-hauling e-bikes tested head-to-head
Dan Chabanov - Jun 5, 2023
I have failed to contain my excitement about e-cargo bikes for months. However, as excited as I am about this segment, I am late to the game. Riders in Europe embraced cargo bikes decades ago. The rise of e-bikes dramatically accelerated cargo bike adoption in the U.S., making it easier to use cargo bikes for daily errands such as groceries, kid transport, and daily commuting. This allows these bikes to be viable car substitutes for many everyday trips.
Cargo bikes benefit immensely from the addition of pedaling assistance, more so than most other styles of bikes in how they transform the platform’s potential. E-bike motors help cargo bikes overcome their added weight, size, and sometimes awkward handling traits compared to traditional bike options—removing most (though not all) barriers to cargo bike use.
Until very recently, electric cargo bikes were very expensive. Advocates often happily point out that even a $5,000 bike like the Momentum PakYak E+ Cargo is still far cheaper than a car— especially after considering the ongoing costs of gas, maintenance, insurance, parking, registration, etc. But while this is true, it also doesn’t make the upfront cost hurdle of an e-cargo bike any easier to clear.
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a44052572/e-cargo-bikes-review/
Best Electric Bikes: Top 5 E-Bikes Most Recommended By Experts
June 13, 2023 - Meaghan Babaker
Someone riding an electric bike Someone riding an electric bike (Photo by KBO Bike on Unsplash) Best Of The Best, Sports News Best Electric Bikes: Top 5 E-Bikes Most Recommended By Experts June 13, 20237 comments by Meaghan Babaker
Electric bikes are one of the fastest growing products in the world of transportation, with sales of battery-powered bikes more than tripling during the pandemic alone. While electric bikes used to get a bad rap for being unaffordable and difficult to operate, innovation in the industry is rapidly changing with their boom in popularity. The best electric bikes give a smooth ride, have long range, and offer competitive features.
And good news for all of us: just because they’re electric doesn’t mean that e-bikes aren’t a great workout. While battery-powered bikes will surely get you to your destination more quickly and without as much effort, research shows that the journey is still enough to elevate your heart rate and get your body moving. When it comes to biking in general, researchers from Concordia University found that commuting to work via bike helped lower stress levels for employees before they even arrive at the office. The authors of the study said that coming to work calm and collected can prove quite valuable in terms of productivity.
Using an electric bike offers numerous benefits that make it an increasingly popular mode of transportation and recreation. They provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, reducing air and noise pollution while promoting a cleaner environment. They also offer a cost-effective solution, as they require less maintenance and have lower operational costs compared to cars or motorcycles. Electric bikes promote physical fitness by allowing riders to choose the level of assistance they need, making them suitable for people of varying fitness levels and abilities. Additionally, they enable individuals to cover longer distances and conquer challenging terrains without exerting excessive physical effort. Plus, commuting with an electric bike can help reduce traffic congestion, as they can maneuver through crowded areas with ease and often have dedicated bike lanes. Hopping on one of these can contribute to personal well-being, providing a fun and enjoyable way to explore the outdoors, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life.
It’s Time To Subsidize E-bikes
We offer tax credits for electric cars — but ebikes are arguably even more transformative
Clive Thompson - 26 June 2023
Last year, Denver rolled out a program to subsidize ebikes. If you bought one, the city would pay $300 towards the cost — and kick in another $200 if you bought a cargo bike. (Qualified low-income residents could get $1,200 towards an ebike.) Better yet, you’d be issued the rebate in the store, at the point of sale. No waiting around for a refund!
Why subsidize electric bicycles? Well, from Denver’s perspective, having more people riding ebikes would help the city in several ways. It’d reduce tailpipe emissions, which a majority of Denver residents say hurts their quality of life. Riders would get more exercise in a gentle fashion; many people avoid regular bikes because they don’t like hills or getting sweaty, reasonable objections that ebikes reduce. Ebikes would also reduce traffic and traffic-related noise. And — not least of all — any time someone rode an ebike instead of driving their car, it would reduce CO2 emissions.
https://clivethompson.medium.com/its-time-to-subsidize-e-bikes-900a862b8e76
Electric Bike, Stupid Love of My Life
Reflections on eighteen months of electric bike ownership
Craig Mod - September 2022
My electric bike sings, emits a nearly imperceptible hum from its tiny motor. I love its song. A song of peace and magic. Has money ever bought as much delight as the delight of an electric bike?
The first time I rode one was nearly a decade ago, in Kyoto. The electric bike I rented was huge and unwieldy, but that tug of its motor never left my mind. I went to climb a hill and it felt as if a giant had gently placed his hand on my back and pushed me forward. That stupid smile has been on my face ever since.
Two years ago I rented another one. This one smaller, lighter, the motor more powerful. I was convinced. This is the way. Eighteen months ago, in the heart of the pandemic, I committed and bought my first electric bike and have never looked back.
After over 11,000 miles on an electric bike, here’s how much money one woman saved
Micah Toll - Aug 8 2023 11:52 pm PT
We’ve always known that electric bikes are great alternatives to cars for many reasons, one of which is that they save riders significant cash. But rarely do we get a chance like this to see just how much money someone has saved by regularly using an e-bike to replace many of their car trips.
That chance recently came when Colorado resident Bryn Grunwald broke down the costs associated with riding her 2018 Juiced CrossCurrent commuter e-bike over the last five years.
As she explained to CleanTechnica, she uses the electric bike to replace many trips that she would otherwise take in her 2010 Toyota Camry.
Why more high-end bike companies are making budget-level electric bikes
Micah Toll - Sep 18 2023 4:46 am PT
An increasing number of premium bicycle companies have thrown their hat in the budget-minded electric bike ring lately, resulting in lower prices than ever before from major bike shop brands. So what’s behind this move?
Several of the recent launches from major bicycle brands have included models that undercut their average e-bike prices by several thousand dollars.
While Cannondale has grabbed headlines for its roughly $5,000 Cargowagen electric cargo bike recently, who remembers the much more affordable $1,900 Cannondale Compact Neo urban e-bike? The inclusion of a simpler hub motor compared to pricier and more complicated mid-drive motors helped the company reach its lowest price point yet for an e-bike.
Trek’s electric bikes normally carry hefty price tags as well, but the company’s Dual Sport+ and FX+ also saw hub motors and lower-shelf components bring the prices down to around $2,400 at launch.
Is it a bike or motor vehicle? How the debate over e-bikes could end up costing consumers
Matt Gephardt and Cindy St. Clair, KSL-TV | Posted - Nov. 3, 2023 at 5:38 p.m.
SOUTH JORDAN — Electric bicycles are huge right now, as sales in the U.S. topped $1.3 billion in 2022, according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association.
E-bikes have also become huge targets for thieves.
When two e-bikes were stolen from a South Jordan man's garage, he figured his homeowner's insurance would have him covered, as it would with any other bike.
But he found himself caught in the middle of a debate between state regulators and the insurance industry over whether e-bikes are considered a motorized vehicle.
The world’s 280 million electric bikes and mopeds are cutting demand for oil far more than electric cars
November 16, 2023 5.38pm EST - Muhammad Rizwan Azhar & Waqas Uzair
We hop in the car to get groceries or drop kids at school. But while the car is convenient, these short trips add up in terms of emissions, pollution and petrol cost.
Close to half (44%) of all Australian commuter trips are by car – and under 10km. Of Perth’s 4.2 million daily car trips, 2.8 are for distances of less than 2km.
This is common in wealthier countries. In the United States, a staggering 60% of all car trips cover less than 10km.
So what’s the best solution? You might think switching to an electric vehicle is the natural step. In fact, for short trips, an electric bike or moped might be better for you – and for the planet. That’s because these forms of transport – collectively known as electric micromobility – are cheaper to buy and run.
But it’s more than that – they are actually displacing four times as much demand for oil as all the world’s electric cars at present, due to their staggering uptake in China and other nations where mopeds are a common form of transport.
I took my e-bike and went undercover as a food delivery rider. Here’s what I learned
Micah Toll - Nov 17 2023 3:19 am PT
In cities around the world, e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles make up the brunt of the food delivery industry. They serve as the critical backbone, connecting hungry customers ordering app-based food with the restaurants that serve up that savory delight. At least, that’s how it works almost everywhere except North America. So I took a trip to the US and spent a day as a food delivery rider to see what the big hangup is.
If you don’t know me, then hello! I’m an electric bike journalist and YouTuber, or at least that’s my normal day job. But this summer I hung up my keyboard for a day and hopped on an e-bike in South Beach, Miami to try Doordashing during a busy afternoon.
My ride for the day was a Lectric XP 3.0 folding e-bike, outfitted with a cargo package and food delivery bags. It’s a great bike for this type of use thanks to its low entry price (just $999!), its low frame, and its small diameter fat tires that make it easy to cruise rough city streets and hop curbs or potholes when necessary.
https://electrek.co/2023/11/17/food-delivery-e-bike-rider-what-i-learned/
Do the Black Friday e-bike deals change the price/performance equation?
Some of the bikes we've looked at over the last couple of years are now on sale.
John Timmer - 11/24/2023, 2:20 PM
Over the last couple of years, some of your intrepid Ars staff have been trying out a very broad range of e-bikes. Some of these we've quite liked, a few we weren't so sure about, and we suspected at least one of trying to kill us.
In nearly every case, we've gotten a sense of what the company's offerings were about—what they are trying to do, and how that's reflected in their hardware. Even if a bike wasn't the right one for us, it was often easy to understand out who it might work well for. So, as these companies have started sending us information about the holiday sales they have going, we thought it might be helpful to share our impressions in order to help people find a bike that can match their needs. Plus, some of these deals really are quite good.
So, in alphabetical order, here's a rundown on the bikes we looked at.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/11/end-of-year-e-bike-deals-what-can-you-now-get-for-less-cash/
If you’ve wanted an e-bike, now is basically the best time ever with all the current sales
Micah Toll - Nov 19 2023 8:30 am PT
November has always been a good time to snag a big discount on e-bikes in the US, as electric bike makers long ago gave up on shorter Black Friday sales in favor of simply giving out those huge discounts all month long. But this year is seeing especially massive price cuts due to extra pressure on the industry.
It’s no secret that e-bike companies have been hurting this year. After a couple of major boom years during the rise and fall of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone wanted to get outside on an e-bike, sales have largely slumped off this year.
The North American e-bike market is still growing, but not at the rate it had been. That has left manufacturers overstocked and trying to move more e-bikes off their high-stacked warehouse shelves.
That’s a headache for e-bike companies but great news for consumers since some of the most popular e-bikes are currently on sale for their best prices ever. In certain cases, several manufacturers have slashed prices across their entire lineup of bikes.
Take Rad Power Bikes, whose sitewide sale has knocked prices off every single e-bike. Some have modest discounts while others are massive. For instance, the RadTrike is nearly 50% off, while the RadRover 6 Plus is as low as $1,399. That’s lower than even the old RadRovers used to sell for pre-pandemic.
https://electrek.co/2023/11/19/now-is-the-best-time-ever-to-buy-electric-bike/
I review ebikes for a living — these are my three favorite ebikes for 2024
My favorite electric bikes of the year
Dan Cavallari - 28 December 2023
I’m fortunate that I get to play with all the new toys. Ebikes arrive at my doorstep frequently, and I get to thrash ‘em so you don’t have to. In the course of testing a bunch of models this year for the best electric bikes guide, three bikes stand out above all the rest.
The ones that make the cut for my three favorites of the year do so for largely the same reasons: powerful assist, a fun ride, and tons of functionality. That should be the measure of any good ebike, and while many bikes met the criteria this year, these three exceeded it.
Here are my three favorite ebikes I’ve tested this year that should top your list for 2024.
Why electric bikes actually give more exercise than pedal bikes
Micah Toll - Feb 20 2024 7:59 am PT
Believe it or not, electric bikes offer more exercise than pedal bikes on average. That fact might sound strange (and has been known to let the steam out of some fitness riders’ lycra outfits), but the science is clear. Now let’s talk about the “how” and “why”.
Study after study have shown that people who ride e-bikes get more exercise than those who ride pedal bikes.
That finding grinds the gears of traditional cyclists who seem to hold an “us vs them” attitude in cycling, but it’s a result that has been repeatedly demonstrated across many different countries and cultures.
When you actually break down the reasons for that surprising finding though, it actually makes a lot of sense.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/20/why-electric-bikes-give-more-exercise/
There’s one simple answer to just about everyone’s worries about electric bicycles
Micah Toll - Apr 10 2024 9:40 am PT
Electric bicycles continue to surge in popularity across the United States, bringing with them a host of benefits but also, inevitably, a few concerns. Despite e-bikes racking up points from new commuters across the country for being lower-cost car alternatives that turn commutes and errand running into joyrides, these powerful new transportation tools aren’t without their detractors, too.
Concerns among some members of the public have ranged from safety issues of sharing roads with cars to the risk of battery fires. However, there exists a straightforward solution that could alleviate nearly any worry anyone has about electric bikes: investing in better cycling infrastructure.
After Tesla, the surprising next best-selling electric vehicle in America is this electric bike
Micah Toll - Jun 5 2024 4:42 am PT
In a world where electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, it’s no surprise that the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are the best-selling EVs in the United States. But what if I told you that the third best-selling electric vehicle in America isn’t a car at all? It’s actually an electric bike!
Yes, you read that right. The Lectric XP 3.0 e-bike is the surprising champion that’s secured its place as the third best-selling EV in the nation.
And to be honest, it’s not even close. As the company explained, “In 2023, Lectric helped electrify more Americans than Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Rivian, Lucid, BMW, and Porsche combined.”
That might sound surprising, but those in the e-bike industry will likely already know that the Lectric XP 3.0 has been a runaway success. While the company doesn’t list exact sales figures, we know that its best-selling model, the XP 3.0, handily secured the spot of third best-selling EV in the US. And of course its significantly more affordable price of just $999 didn’t hurt its placement on the list, either.
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in June 2024
Micah Toll - Jun 6 2024 12:12 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 learned these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That dedication to 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 2024. Summer is upon us and it’s time to start thinking about how we can make the most of the warm weather! Just like the ultra-competitive e-bike selling year last year, 2024 has become the year of the e-bike sales. So check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike.
https://electrek.co/2024/06/06/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in December 2024
Micah Toll - Dec 8 2024 2:51 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 December 2024. It’s the last chance to grab some great holiday deals on a new e-bike! And just like the ultra-competitive e-bike selling year last year, 2024 has turned into a year of impressive e-bike sales not to be missed. So 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/2024/12/08/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
The real problem with high-power electric bikes on mountain bike trails
Micah Toll - Jan 20 2025 6:21 am PT
As electric trail bikes like Sur Rons and Talarias gain popularity among off-road enthusiasts, a growing conflict is emerging on mountain bike trails. These powerful machines, capable of speeds and torque far beyond that of a traditional mountain bike, are raising concerns among trail users, land managers, and environmental advocates.
First though, some semantical housekeeping. The term “e-bike” is often used to cast a pretty wide net, encompassing everything from cute little folder e-bikes to much more powerful electric motorbikes. Similar to the way motorcycle riders often talk about their “bikes”, the term “e-bike” in colloquial discussion is just that: colloquial.
The term “electric bicycle”, on the other hand, is an actual regulatory designation that lets most electric mountain bikes and other commuter-style e-bikes fit under the legal definition of bicycles. To oversimplify it, the e-bike that looks like a typical mountain bike is an electric bicycle. The one that looks like a motorcycle or dirt bike is probably not an electric bicycle.
That’s an important distinction because it’s becoming a major issue on mountain bike trails all over North America and in many other parts of the world.
https://electrek.co/2025/01/20/the-problem-with-high-power-electric-bikes-on-mountain-bike-trails/
If you think electric bikes are bad, there’s a much bigger menace hitting our roads
Micah Toll - Jul 20 2025 4:10 am PT
Electric bikes are a menace. They go almost as fast as a car (if the car is parking), they’re whisper quiet (which makes them impossible to hear over the podcast playing in your headphones), and worst of all, they’re increasingly ridden by teenagers.
By now, we’ve all seen the headlines. Cities are cracking down. Lawmakers are holding emergency hearings. Parents are demanding bans. “Something must be done,” they cry at local city council meetings before driving back home in 5,000 lb SUVs.
And it’s true – some e-bike riders don’t follow the rules. Some ride too fast. Some are inexperienced. These are real problems that deserve real solutions. But if you think electric bikes are the biggest threat on our roads, just wait until you hear about the slightly more common, slightly more deadly vehicle we’ve been quietly tolerating for the last hundred years.
They’re called cars. And unlike e-bikes, they actually kill people. A lot of people. Over 40,000 people die in car crashes in the US every year. Thousands more are permanently injured. Entire neighborhoods are carved up by high-speed traffic. Kids can’t walk to school safely. But don’t worry – someone saw a teenager run a stop sign on an e-bike, so the real crisis must be those darn batteries on two wheels.
Electric bikes might just be the healthiest thing to ever happen to teenagers
Micah Toll - Aug 5 2025 8:44 am PT
We’re long past the point where electric bikes were seen as just a trend. At this stage, they’re clearly transforming the way we get around. And perhaps nowhere is that transformation more impactful than among America’s youth. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that electric bikes might be the healthiest thing to happen to American teens in a generation.
No, this isn’t just about fitness or physical health (though we’ll definitely get to that). The benefits of e-bikes for high schoolers and young adults run far deeper – touching on independence, mental health, social behavior, and even environmental awareness. It’s a rare case where a single innovation manages to improve multiple aspects of life at once. And yet, that’s exactly what e-bikes are doing.
As a quick disclaimer: This isn’t to say that there aren’t risks or downsides associated with increased electric bike use among younger riders. Safe and responsible riding is important, as is the enforcement of rules broken by those who choose not to ride safely and responsibly. Fortunately though, the risks pale in comparison to the greater good for our society as more young riders take to two wheels, helping to improve not just their own lives, but in other measurable ways, those of everyone around them.
Stop Wasting Money on Cheap E-Bikes. Here’s Why Spending More Pays Off for Commuters.
Think all e-bikes are the same? Our expert breaks down the real differences—so you can invest wisely, ride happier, and get more out of every commute.
Tara Seplavy - Aug 15, 2025 5:08 PM EDT
Commuter bikes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from used, barebones fixies to electric cargo bikes capable of transporting multiple kids to school. However you want or need to get around town, there is a bike made for you. And now, many riders select e-bikes for their commuting duties.
For several years, I firmly held the belief that riders didn’t need to spend a ton (usually not more than about $2,000) on an electric commuter bike. I’ve given that advice to thousands of readers and dozens of friends, family, and colleagues. However, my mindset recently shifted.
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a65793031/premium-commuter-ebike-guide/
We Test 4 Top E-Bikes (Plus a Surprise Extra Wheel!)
The group includes a futuristic e-bike/scooter combo, a competitive all-arounder, a three-wheeler, and a folding model.
Jim Motavalli - Aug 25, 2025
Speculators who were selling e-bike manufacturers short were in for disappointment, as sales continue their rapid ascent. The market was $61.89 billion globally last year, and could reach $113.64 billion by 2030, says Grand View Research.
US e-bike revenue is projected at around $2.6 billion for this year. In 2024, 1.7 million units were sold (most of them imported) in the US, which was 72% year-over-year growth from 2023.
That result shows, among other things, that e-bikes caught on elsewhere (especially China, where there are now 300 million) before they did here, and there’s still plenty of room for growth.
E-bikes are easier to manufacture than cars, and all the components are readily available, so it’s not surprising that startup companies are proliferating. And the more established companies are expanding their offerings and getting more aggressive about selling them.
https://www.autoweek.com/news/g65864865/e-bikes-tested-including-a-3-wheeler/
Alternatives
“E-Bikes Are Over”: This Radical New Transportation Tech Just Dropped and It’s Set to Replace Electric Bikes Worldwide
As urban centers worldwide grapple with soaring pollution and congestion, a groundbreaking shift in transportation technology promises to redefine sustainability and efficiency in city commutes.
Rosemary Potter - June 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Urban mobility is undergoing a profound shift with the rise of new technologies that surpass traditional e-bikes. These innovations promise a more sustainable and efficient future for our daily commutes. With environmental concerns and technological advancements driving this change, cities across the globe are poised to embrace these emerging solutions, potentially transforming how we navigate urban landscapes. Let’s delve into the evolution of eco-friendly transportation and explore the technologies shaping its future.
Safety
Why You Should Wear Motorcycle Gear When Riding Powerful E-Bikes
With the kind of performance that some electrically assisted bicycles provide, you really should be wearing a lot more than a bike helmet.
David Rutland - 25 July 2023
E-bikes are an altogether new form of transport, usually featuring a lithium-ion battery and a powerful electric motor strapped to a conventional frame.
It's not unusual to see kids and adults whizzing around on e-bikes at high speed, wearing nothing more than shorts, a T-shirt, and sometimes not even a helmet. However, you should wear full motorcycle protective gear when riding an e-bike, especially a powerful one that can reach high speeds.
https://www.makeuseof.com/wear-motorcycle-riding-powerful-ebikes/
The ‘New York Times’ attacks e-bikes while ignoring the real danger all around us
Micah Toll - Jul 30 2023 9:02 am PT
The New York Times published a pair of articles this weekend highlighting the rising number of deaths of cyclists riding electric bikes. However, in one of the most impressive feats of victim-blaming I’ve seen from the publication in some time, the NYT lays the onus on e-bikes instead of on the things killing their law abiding riders: cars.
The first article lays out a number of recent tragic deaths of e-bike riders, including that of a 15-year-old boy in Encinitas, California.
The article even explicitly lists the biggest danger that played a role in that crash, explaining that the boy’s bike “had a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but his route took him on a busy road with a 55-mile-per-hour limit.” And yet the article seems to imply that the e-bike’s presence was the compounding issue, instead of reading into the author’s very own sentence to realize that the true problem was that the road didn’t have anywhere safe for cyclists to ride. There was no protected bike lane.
By all accounts, the e-bike rider was correctly and legally using the roadway in the only way he could. In fact, according to eye-witnesses of the car crash that killed the e-bike rider, he “did everything right,” including signaling his turn.
https://electrek.co/2023/07/30/the-new-york-times-attacks-e-bikes-while-ignoring-car-danger/
A cop nearly smeared me across the bike lane. Here’s what went wrong [Video]
Micah Toll - May 13 2025 5:42 am PT
As perhaps one of the most prolific electric bike reviewers on the internet, I spend a lot of time riding city streets and have occasionally wondered if this is the way I’ll go out one day. Yesterday, I nearly had the answer to that question as a police cruiser almost smeared me across three lanes of traffic.
It happened to occur while I was in the middle of filming a review of a Velotric Breeze 1 electric bike. With the rare opportunity of catching a moment like that on camera, it turned into a chance for me to take a second look at what I did right as well as what I might have done wrong to wind up in that situation.
And why keep that kind of analysis to myself? Come along with me while I Monday morning quarterback myself.
E-Bike Injuries Are a Massive Burden, Say Surgeons
Posted by BeauHD on Saturday September 13, 2025 @03:00AM
Surgeons in London report a surge in severe e-bike-related injuries, putting major strain on NHS trauma units. The BBC mentions a couple e-bike accidents overheard at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. “A 32-year-old, fit and well student… a couple of days ago he fell off an e-bike sustaining a closed left tibial plateau fracture.” Another case involved a little girl named Frida: “Six-year-old girl, she was hit by an electric bike, she has a closed tib/fib fracture.” From the report:
Surgeon Jaison Patel is seeing more and more cases like this. “It's a massive burden on our department and I'm sure it's the same across the whole of London,” he tells us. “If we can reduce the number of patients coming in with these sorts of injuries it would be great for the patients obviously, but also takes massive pressure off us in the NHS.”
Jaison deals with lower limb injuries. Just along the corridor his colleague Nick Aresti does the upper limbs. Nick explains that he is a cyclist himself, and it's something he encourages people to do for the benefit of their health. But, he has real concerns about e-bikes, and says: “What we've noticed with e-bikes is that the speed in which people are coming off is much higher and as a result, the injuries are much worse.” He shows us X-rays of someone who has broken their collarbone. He explains that with e-bikes, the injuries they're seeing are much more severe, and as such, people are “struggling to get back to normality.”
https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/09/13/007205/e-bike-injuries-are-a-massive-burden-say-surgeons
Bike Share / Bikeshare
Stockholm Thinks It Can Have an Electric Bikeshare Program So Cheap It's Practically Free
Posted by BeauHD on Monday October 24, 2022 07:02PM
Aaron Gordon writes via Motherboard:
This past June, Stockholm introduced a new shared bicycle service to replace Stockholm City Bikes, which operated from 2006 until 2018. Since that service shut down, the city was one of many around the world swamped by shared e-scooters that littered sidewalks and streets. As a result, the city wanted to reboot a bikeshare program with a more modern approach without succumbing to the trappings of the dockless scooter and bike craze. The new service, Stockholm eBikes, started relatively small, with just over a thousand bikes this past summer, but will grow to more than 5,000 for this coming summer. However, this is not just another bikeshare program. First, all of the bikes are electric. And second, it is ridiculously, ludicrously, almost impossibly cheap to use.
Citi Bike
Citi Bike Is Amazing. Citibank Should Pay For Every New Yorker’s Membership
If our beloved bike share program is going to double as wildly successful bank advertising, we should make that bank pay what it's actually worth.
12:13 PM EDT on April 26, 2023 - Amos Barshad
Early last year, after moving back to New York from London, I got a Citi Bike membership. It was supposed to be a temporary thing while I waited for my own bike to be shipped over with the rest of my stuff. Instead, I fell in love. The manner in which the Citi Bikes helped me stitch over the holes in my public transport commutes was revelatory. Their sturdy frames meant that rolling over semi-flattened rat carcasses was a breeze. And when I rode over the Manhattan Bridge at dusk on one of the powerful new gray e-bikes, I could almost imagine I was in a future, better New York.
I'm not alone. Citi Bike ridership spiked during the pandemic, making the world's most successful bike share program even more popular. The system saw 30.5 million rides in 2022, which Streetsblog pointed out is “more than the public transit systems of many American cities.” So far in 2023, per Curbed, the program has seen “a 33 percent year-over-year increase in ridership.”
Gaming Lyft’s Citi Bike algos was a lucrative side hustle for a while
Kirsten Korosec - 3:29 PM PDT September 19, 2024
A New York Times article Thursday highlighted a lucrative side hustle that is emblematic of the times we live in: gaming algorithms to earn money. In this case, folks figured out they could maximize the payout from Lyft’s Citi Bike “Bike Angels” program by taking advantage of a company algorithm used to meet its supply-and-demand needs.
The practice of “station flipping” — when one or more bike angels move docked Citi Bikes to a nearby empty station, waited 15 minutes and then moved them back — was quashed over the summer, according to Lyft. The company sent an email to the offenders reminding them that earning Bike Angel points through station flipping went against the spirit of the program. “Continued instances of station flipping could result in removal from the Bike Angels program,” the email read.
The practice lasted long enough, however, for some bike angels to earn thousands of dollars every month.
Costs
The hidden costs of using an electric bike
Micah Toll - Mar 10 2024 11:38 am PT
Whether you love them or hate them, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular on streets and trails around the US. First embraced across Asia before rolling their way across Europe for the last decade, e-bikes are now surging in popularity in North America.
But while you’ll see plenty of people espousing the supposed advantages of electric bikes, it’s important to keep in mind some of the hidden costs of owning and using these two-wheeled electric vehicles.
https://electrek.co/2024/03/10/the-hidden-costs-of-using-an-electric-bike/
Electric bikes: The truth about how much it costs to charge an e-bike
Micah Toll - Aug 14 2024 10:41 am PT
As electric bicycles continue to grow in popularity, one question often arises among potential buyers and intrigued newcomers: How much does it actually cost to charge an electric bicycle? The idea of an eco-friendly, efficient mode of transportation sounds enticing, but is that going to mean a jump in your electric bill?
The short answer is this: Electric bikes are surprisingly inexpensive to charge. Let’s break down the truth about the cost of charging e-bikes and see why they might be one of the most cost-effective transportation options available today.
The reason most people think charging an e-bike will be expensive comes down to two factors: 1) Most people don’t realize how energy-efficient e-bikes are, and 2) Most people don’t realize how cheap electricity is in the US.
On the first point, most e-bikes have a motor of 750 watts or less, which means they’re working with at most one horsepower. In Europe, where e-bike power levels are limited to a mere 250 watts, that’s a third of a horsepower.
https://electrek.co/2024/08/14/electric-bikes-the-truth-about-how-much-it-costs-to-charge-an-e-bike/
It took years, but electric mountain bikes are finally more affordable
Micah Toll - Jul 23 2025 10:25 am PT
Electric mountain biking has long been one of the most exciting – and most expensive – corners of the micromobility world. Riders get to explore rugged trails, climb hills that would leave most lungs gasping, and experience the rush of mountain biking with a little extra electric assist. But for many, the cost of entry has felt more like a brick wall than a welcome gate. Until now.
For years, if you wanted a capable, safe, and trail-ready electric mountain bike, you had to be ready to shell out $4,000 or more. And that’s just to get started. Some of the nicest electric mountain bikes I’ve ridden cost over $8,000. And to be fair, those prices weren’t just marketing fluff – real electric mountain bikes come with serious hardware: quality mid-drive motors for optimal weight distribution and torque delivery, high-end suspension systems to soak up the rough stuff, rugged shifters and derailleurs that can handle being pushed hard (or pushed into a tree), and hydraulic brakes that can stop you quickly and repeatedly, even on steep descents.
But the price tags have made the sport feel out of reach for a lot of riders who might otherwise love to hit the trails.
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in August 2025
Micah Toll - Aug 3 2025 3:48 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 July 2025. Summer is peaking, making this a great chance to enjoy this riding season with a fun and efficient electric bicycle! So 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/2025/08/03/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
Subsidy
Bigger E-Bike Subsidies And Tax Credits On The Horizon
With governments looking to make e-bike ownership easier than ever before, now may be the best time to make the two-wheeled shift.
Enrico Punsalang - Nov 6, 2023 at 2:52pm ET
If I were to ask you your thoughts about e-bikes, chances are I’d get a bunch of mixed reactions. On the one hand, a lot of people are extremely optimistic about the future of mobility, and see electric bikes and other personal mobility devices as essential in paving the way forward. On the other hand, there are skeptics who question the very essence of e-bikes, labeling them as pointless, gimmicky, and more of a problem than the solution.
Nevertheless, the numbers don’t lie, and it’s foreseen that the e-bike business will balloon into a $120 billion industry by 2030. Indeed, when properly regulated, electric bikes have proven to be an effective replacement for cars when it comes to urban mobility, providing multifaceted benefits to its users, as well as society as a whole. As such, it’s no surprise that governments are taking big steps in promoting e-bike adoption within their localities. Indeed, we need not look far, as in the US, we can soon expect bigger financial incentives for people looking to get into the e-bike fold.
https://insideevs.com/news/694799/ebike-discounts-subsidies-incoming/
Legal
A 12-Year-Old Died on an E-bike. Is the Manufacturer to Blame?
The bereaved Steinsapir family is suing Rad Power Bikes after a tragic accident
Will Taylor - Aug 19, 2022
On January 31, 2021, 12-year-old Molly Steinsapir climbed aboard a Rad Power RadRunner e-bike behind an 11-year-old friend, and together they rode up a hill in Pacific Palisades, California. Both wore helmets, and Steinsapir was riding on the rear rack. As they descended, Steinsapir’s friend lost control of the bike and they crashed. The wreck resulted in a few scrapes and bruises for her; she got up and tried to wake up Steinsapir, who lay unconscious in the street. Then, she ran for help. Steinsapir suffered a traumatic brain injury, and, after several surgeries, died on February 15.
On August 1, Molly’s parents, Kaye and Jonathan Steinsapir, filed a wrongful death suit in Los Angeles County against Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes, one of the country’s largest manufacturers of electric bicycles.
’70 MPH e-bikes’ prompt one US state to change its laws
Micah Toll - Jul 29 2025 3:52 am PT
Electric bikes are booming in popularity in just about every demographic in the US. From teens riding to school all the way to elderly folks getting back on a bicycle for the first time in years, electric bikes are becoming ubiquitous. But as speeds and power levels have increased, Connecticut is responding with new laws.
Westport Police Lt. Serenity Dobson recently spoke to CTInsider about the phenomenon of more teens riding their e-bikes to school instead of being driven by their parents. “The whole entire bike rack is filled with these bikes that look like electric dirt bikes.”
Moped-style e-bikes have become increasingly popular with teens, with companies like Super73 ushering in a new wave of electric bikes with design cues borrowed from classic mopeds of decades past.
But Dobson says that these e-bikes are too easily modifiable, increasing speed and motor power past acceptable limits.
“These bikes come stock at 30 mph, but you can cut the controller, and so then they can go 60, 70 mph, and the kids know how to do this,” Dobson said, adding that there has been a “huge increase in middle school-aged kids” riding e-bikes, particularly in the summer when school is out. “There are a lot of YouTube videos where it can show you how easy it is for someone to modify it.”
https://electrek.co/2025/07/29/70-mph-e-bikes-prompt-one-us-state-to-change-its-laws/
Illegal e-bikes
Cops on horseback in California are cracking down on illegal e-bikes
Micah Toll - Jul 29 2023 7:51 am PT
Police departments have begun paying more attention to electric bicycles and cracking down on models that are illegal for street use. Now another police department in California is demonstrating how they’re using old school transportation into the operation with horse-mounted police officers.
As electric bikes become even more popular options for alternative transportation, the number of e-bikes on the streets is greater than ever.
Most electric bikes are completely legal for street use, falling under the standard bicycle classification of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They’re a great way to get around without the cost (financial or environmental) of a car.
But higher power electric bikes, many that lack bike pedals and thus are effectively like small motorbikes, have become popular in the last few years. Teenagers and young adults have especially taken to such models, commonly produced by companies like Sur Ron and Talaria, among others.
https://electrek.co/2023/07/29/cops-on-horseback-in-california-cracking-down-on-illegal-e-bikes/
Videos
The Ultimate Electric Bike Buying Guide
Apr 4, 2022 - Newegg
This handy E-Bike Buying Guide will help you find the best electric bike for your needs and budget.
MZZKBIKE FLP02BK ‘Falcon'
Maintenance / Repair
Electric bike maintenance: how to keep your e-bike running like a dream
Expert advice from Shimano's head of training Julian Thrasher
By Cat Ellis - 1 August 2020
Maintaining an electric bike isn't difficult, but there are some important things to know if you're going to keep it in top condition and get the best performance every time you head out on a ride.
To find out exactly what you need to know to keep your e-bike in perfect shape, TechRadar spoke to Julian Thrasher, Head of Training at Shimano. Buy your Shimano products and support local bike shops at http://www.freewheel.co.uk.
It's Actually Possible To Covert a Regular Bike To an Electronic Bike
by Tegan Watsonon September 12, 2020
If you like the idea of an electronic bike but aren’t sure if you want to shell out the cash to purchase one, you might want to consider converting your regular bicycle instead. You’ll have quite a few different options for e-bike conversion kits, but while this process has its advantages, it can also be somewhat challenging. Here’s what you need to know to determine whether an e-bike conversion is the right choice for you.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/its-actually-possible-to-covert-a-regular-bike-to-an-electronic-bike/
Belt drives on electric bicycles – what are the pros and cons?
Micah Toll - Oct. 29th 2020 9:45 am ET
The number of electric bicycles with belt drives has been increasing seemingly overnight. What was once a rarity for just the “super nice e-bikes” is now finding its way onto a wider range of e-bike styles than ever before.
Belt drives are generally considered to be an upgrade over chains when it comes to bicycle drivetrains. Instead of greasy, archaic metal chains using several-hundred-year-old technology, belt drives use modern day, carbon fiber-reinforced rubber to transfer power to the rear wheel.
https://electrek.co/2020/10/29/belt-drives-on-electric-bicycles-what-are-the-pros-and-cons/
Radical new chain claims to be faster, more durable than anything available
by Ronan Mc Laughlin - November 28, 2020
With over a century of refinement behind them, the roller chains used on modern bicycles are incredibly efficient, remarkably strong and durable, and relatively inexpensive. There’s always room for improvement, though, and UK company New Motion Labs has introduced a completely different design that not only promises better efficiency, but also decreased wear throughout the entire drivetrain, and all without the need for laborious cleaning and lubrication procedures.
This isn’t just some lab experiment, either. They’re soon going to be used in top-tier UCI track races.
https://cyclingtips.com/2020/11/new-motion-labs-dual-engagement-chain/
Easy Maintenance Keeps Your Electric Bike or Scooter Battery in Top Shape
by HJ Pizarro on January 19, 2021
Many consumers have a general idea of how to take care of a car, truck, van, or SUV. Yet, electric bike or scooter maintenance is often bewildering to the same consumers. Keeping any vehicle operating in tip-top shape is important. Doing so prevents many unhappy surprises. So, here are a few easy tips to keep an electric bike or scooter battery in top shape.
Specialized partners with a Tesla co-founder to recycle e-bike batteries
A pilot program has sent 100% of recovered bike batteries to be recycled.
Chris Velazco - March 18th, 2021
By all accounts, e-bikes are having a bit of a moment: at one point during the pandemic, sales of powered bicycles outpaced all others by a considerable margin. The appealing of easy, socially distanced rides can be hard to ignore, but the resulting boom in sales has led to a pivotal moment for e-bike makers: What do they do with the batteries once they can’t power rides anymore?
For Specialized, the third-largest e-bike producer in the United States, the answer came in the form of a partnership with former Tesla co-founder Jeffrey Straubel — or more specifically, his firm Redwood Materials. According to a report from The Verge, Redwood — which currently recycles batteries for larger electric vehicles — will assess those depleted bike batteries and do two things. First, the company identifies components like connectors and brackets that could feasibly be reused. Then, the batteries themselves are processed so elements like nickel, cobalt, and copper can be extracted and used once again in the battery production process.
https://www.engadget.com/specialized-redwood-materials-e-bike-battery-recycling-170206073.html
Prices on the rise: More major US e-bike companies hike prices under cost squeeze
Micah Toll - Mar. 26th 2021 12:57 pm ET
The electric bicycle market in the US is being squeezed from multiple directions at once, forcing prices higher. That could threaten the increased rate of e-bike adoption at a time when e-bike sales have been soaring.
The latest major e-bike manufacturer to announce a price increase in the United States is Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes.
The largest e-bike company in North America is seeing a $100 increase in many of its most popular models.
Electric Bicycles Recalled Over Firmware Issue That Can Cause Unwanted Acceleration
Matt Novak - 22 April 2021 5:00AM
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled Brompton electric folding bicycles over a firmware problem that can cause unwanted acceleration even after users stop pedaling, according to a press release from the government agency.
Brompton’s electric bicycles are designed to give riders powered assistance while they pedal, but the company has received a complaint that the bikes can give “continued assistance” even after a user stopped pedaling. Brompton believes the issue is related to software and users can get a free upgrade if they bring in their bicycles to an authorized dealer.
“Consumers should stop using the recalled bicycles immediately and contact the nearest authorized Brompton Electric dealer for a free software upgrade to Version 1-2-10-2,” the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.
https://gizmodo.com/electric-bicycles-recalled-over-firmware-issue-that-can-1846737568
Maintaining your e-bike is about to get much, much easier
A vision of an effortless future from this year's Eurobike show
By Cat Ellis - 2 September 2021
Soon, you won’t have to worry about maintaining your e-bike’s belt or chain – or visiting a service center for software updates. New tech demonstrated at this year’s Eurobike show in Germany should make owning and running an electric bike even easier than a conventional one.
Some electric bikes (including our current top-rated model, the Cowboy 4) use a carbon fiber belt rather than a conventional chain, eliminating the need for tensioning and oiling, but what if you could eliminate the external drive system entirely?
https://www.techradar.com/news/maintaining-your-e-bike-is-about-to-get-much-much-easier
DIY
This impressive 1,500W DIY solar-powered car-replacing e-bike does kid carpool and grocery runs
Micah Toll - Jul 24 2022 5:42 am PT
Last month we featured an awesome DIY solar cargo trailer that an Electrek reader built for his electric bike. Just in case you needed any more proof that our readers are some of the handiest and most clever eco-DIYers on the planet, we’ve got another impressive solar-powered electric bike to show you. This time it does double duty as a school drop-off vehicle for the kids and a grocery getter.
This build comes to us from Electrek reader Luke, who built this project during the pandemic with the goal of replacing a family car with a high-utility electric bike instead. He did so by heavily modifying his Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 electric cargo bike.
While that bike is already an impressive cargo e-bike with plenty of utility, Luke made a number of upgrades to help the bike better perform the heavy-duty daily use he required of it.
Before we even get to the solar addition, here’s a list of all the upgrades that Luke performed.
https://electrek.co/2022/07/24/diy-solar-power-electric-bike-1500w/
Parts
MakeShift: Security Analysis of Shimano Di2 Wireless Gear Shifting in Bicycles
Maryam Motallebighomi, Northeastern University; Earlence Fernandes, UC San Diego; Aanjhan Ranganathan, Northeastern University - (Viewed 22 July 2025)
Abstract:
The bicycle industry is increasingly adopting wireless gear-shifting technology for its advantages in performance and design. In this paper, we explore the security of these systems, focusing on Shimano's Di2 technology, a market leader in the space. Through a blackbox analysis of Shimano's proprietary wireless protocol, we uncovered the following critical vulnerabilities: (1) A lack of mechanisms to prevent replay attacks that allows an attacker to capture and retransmit gear shifting commands; (2) Susceptibility to targeted jamming, that allows an attacker to disable shifting on a specific target bike; and (3) Information leakage resulting from the use of ANT+ communication, that allows an attacker to inspect telemetry from a target bike. Exploiting these, we conduct successful record and replay attacks that lead to unintended gear shifting that can be completely controlled by an attacker without the need for any cryptographic keys. Our experimental results show that we can perform replay attacks from up to 10 meters using software-defined radios without any amplifiers. The recorded packets can be used at any future time as long as the bike components remain paired. We also demonstrate the feasibility of targeted jamming attacks that disable gear shifting for a specific bike, meaning they are finely tuned to not affect neighboring systems. Finally, we propose countermeasures and discuss their broader implications with the goal of improving wireless communication security in cycling equipment.
https://www.usenix.org/conference/woot24/presentation/motallebighomi
Battery
Battery Fires
Fires from Exploding E-Bike Batteries Nearly Doubled This Year in New York City
Posted by EditorDavid on Sunday October 30, 2022 02:15PM
“Four times a week on average, an e-bike or e-scooter battery catches fire in New York City,” reports NPR:
Sometimes, it does so on the street, but more often, it happens when the owner is recharging the lithium ion battery. A mismatched charger won't always turn off automatically when the battery's fully charged, and keeps heating up. Or, the highly flammable electrolyte inside the battery's cells leaks out of its casing and ignites, setting off a chain reaction.
New York City Bill to Ban Reuse of Lithium Ion Batteries Is ‘Absolutely Crazy,’ Right-to-Repair Advocates Warn
The bill is part of an attempt to curb the mysterious but dangerous rise in electric mobility device fires, but there’s little evidence repurposed batteries are the problem.
Aaron Gordon - November 17, 2022, 2:00pm
In an attempt to do something about the horrific increase in battery fires from two-wheeled electric devices this year, the New York City Council has proposed a slate of legislation that would have the unintended consequence of hamstringing the right-to-repair industry for electronic devices, experts and advocates warn.
One bill in particular is causing angst within the right-to-repair industry because it would ban the sale of all used lithium-ion batteries that have been assembled or reconditioned from cells removed from other batteries for any type of electronic device, not just two-wheeled vehicles.
“Ugh,” said Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, when asked about the bill via email. “I think you see the danger of banning trade in used or refurbished products which happen to include batteries.”
7 Ways to Avoid an E-Bike Fire and Keep Your Ride Safe
An e-bike is great for getting around, but you should be careful with its battery.
James Dolan - 23 January 2023
Most delivery services nowadays are adopting electric bicycles for convenience. Besides that, micromobility makes it easier to evade traffic, especially in major cities. They're also cheaper to operate than gasoline two-wheelers.
However, there have been reported cases of e-bikes catching fire because of the battery. Because of such cases, it's important to know what causes an e-bike fire and how to avoid it. So let's take a closer look at different ways to avoid an e-bike fire.
Why There Are So Many E-Bike Battery Fires and What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
E-bikes are great, but make sure to take precautions while charging.
Jowi Morales - 28 January 2023
As e-Bikes, e-scooters, and other electric personal mobility devices become more popular, so do the number of large Li-ion or Li-Po battery packs in our homes.
And while these electric personal mobility devices have provided clean and green transportation for millions, they're also a new and worryingly growing source of house fires—exploding batteries.
So, why are these batteries catching fire, and how do you protect yourself and your home?
https://www.makeuseof.com/why-e-bike-battery-fires-how-protect-yourself/
NYC gig workers need help accessing safe e-bikes amid lithium battery fires
Are UberEats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Relay responsible to help find solutions?
Rebecca Bellan - 13 July 2023
The sight of bike delivery workers hustling through the streets of New York — oven mitts duct-taped to their handlebars, insulated pizza delivery bags strapped above the back tire — has been a staple long before the introduction of e-bikes and food delivery apps. Delivery workers are so integral to the landscape that it’s often easy to take them for granted. But New York wouldn’t be the city that never sleeps if its denizens couldn’t get an order of chicken wings and pork fried rice delivered at three in the morning.
As cost of living skyrockets and demand for food delivery via apps like Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Relay increase, delivery workers have to pick up and drop off orders at a much faster clip. This increased pressure comes as electric bikes, scooters and mopeds become more popular and accessible, making the jobs of delivery workers easier.
The downside? Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are tearing through the city. And deliveristas, the gig labor force largely made up of immigrant men from Spanish-speaking countries, are increasingly at risk of falling victim to such fires.
Everything you need to know about e-bike battery fires
Why e-bike lithium-ion battery fires happen, how to stay safe, and what policies will minimize risk
Rebecca Bellan - 11 July 2023
The e-bike revolution started with the pandemic and has been hailed as the answer to everything from traffic congestion to greenhouse gas emissions to fitness to depression. Indeed, it has the potential to spark real change, but there’s a deadlier side that is putting off some consumers.
We’ve all seen the headlines over the last couple of years. “Mom and two kids killed in fire caused by e-bike battery”; “4 dead, 2 critically injured in NYC e-bike store fire”; “FDNY says e-bike fires on pace to double this year.”
The prevalence of warnings about fires sparked by e-bikes and other light electric vehicles is in stark contrast to the current urban zeitgeist touting electric micromobility as the answer to creating safer streets, more efficient transportation and greener cities. So which is it? Are e-bikes and e-scooters going to kill us all in a lithium-induced blaze? Or will they save the world by converting would-be drivers to micromobility users?
https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-e-bike-battery-fires/
NYC Wants Unsafe Lithium-Ion E-Bike Batteries To Be Stopped At the Border
Posted by BeauHD on Thursday July 27, 2023 04:00PM
Following a rash of deadly fires, consumer advocates and fire departments, particularly in New York City, want the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to confiscate lithium-ion electric bikes that don't comply with regulations at the border. The ultimate goal is for unsafe e-bikes and poorly manufactured batteries to be taken off the streets and out of homes. The Associated Press reports:
“We've been sounding the alarm for months,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said a day after an exploding battery ignited the Chinatown e-bike shop fire last month. “We need real action, not only on the state level, but on the federal level.” With some 65,000 e-bikes zipping through its streets – more than any other place in the U.S. – New York City is the epicenter of battery-related fires. There have been 100 such blazes so far this year, resulting in 13 deaths, already more than double the six fatalities last year. Nationally, there were more than 200 battery-related fires reported to the commission – an obvious undercount – from 39 states over the past two years, including 19 deaths blamed on so-called micromobility devices that include battery-powered scooters, bicycles and hoverboards.
FDNY Makes First Ever Criminal Arrest of E-Bike Shop Owner for Unsafe Storage of Batteries
Fire marshals arrived at the Electric Bicycle Shop in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and arrested and handcuffed the store owner who had faced repeated civil summons.
Greg B. Smith - April 12, 2024, 5:32 p.m.
For the first time in their campaign to stamp out e-bike battery fires, the Fire Department Friday filed criminal charges against an e-bike shop owner who has repeatedly faced civil summons for allegedly selling illegal uncertified batteries and charging the potentially explosive batteries in an unsafe manner.
Just after noon Friday, fire marshals arrived at the Electric Bicycle Shop at 1239 Flatbush Ave. in Flatbush, Brooklyn, arresting and handcuffing the store owner, Tian Liang Liu. The charges, including reckless endangerment, relate to fire code violations due to the unsafe storage and charging of batteries.
This is the first time the department has used criminal charges against those violating laws related to e-bike batteries. Until now the FDNY and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection have strictly relied on hitting store owners with civil penalties. In most cases, those only carry minimal financial penalties.
The arrest indicates the FDNY’s increasing frustration in its efforts to end a disturbing trend that has skyrocketed since the number of micro-mobility devices mushroomed during the pandemic. More than 660 e-bike battery fires have erupted across the city since 2019, killing 28 New Yorkers and injuring 400 more.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/04/12/ebike-fire-department-arrest-battery-first/
Replacement Battery
Infinite Battery by Gouach
(Viewed 24 July 2024)
The Infinite Battery by Gouach is the ultimate solution for your e-bike needs. Replace cells quickly and safely, reduce waste, and enjoy seamless compatibility with 90% of bikes.
Tariffs
Biden’s new import rules will hit e-bike batteries too
The tariffs’ effects on the bike industry are still up in the air.
Aarian Marshall, WIRED.com - 5/24/2024, 10:40 AM
Last week, the Biden administration announced it would levy dramatic new tariffs on electric vehicles, electric vehicle batteries, and battery components imported into the United States from China. The move kicked off another round of global debate on how best to push the transportation industry toward an emissions-free future, and how global automotive manufacturers outside of China should compete with the Asian country’s well-engineered and low-cost car options.
But what is an electric vehicle exactly? China has dominated bicycle manufacturing, too; it was responsible for some 80 percent of US bicycle imports in 2021, according to one report. In cycling circles, the US’s new trade policies have raised questions about how much bicycle companies will have to pay to get Chinese-made bicycles and components into the US, and whether any new costs will get passed on to US customers.
On Wednesday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative—the US agency that creates trade policy—clarified that ebike batteries would be affected by the new policy, too.
In a written statement, Angela Perez, a spokesperson for the USTR, said that e-bike batteries imported from China on their own will be subject to new tariffs of 25 percent in 2026, up from 7.5 percent.
But it’s unclear whether imported complete e-bikes, as well as other cycling products including children’s bicycles and bicycle trailers, might be affected by new US trade policies. These products have technically been subject to 25 percent tariffs since the Trump administration. But US trade officials have consistently used exclusions to waive tariffs for many of those cycling products. The latest round of exclusions are set to expire at the end of this month.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/bidens-new-import-rules-will-hit-e-bike-batteries-too/
Clip
Clip ebike conversion kit powers up the front wheel
By Ben Coxworth - January 22, 2021
While there are now a number of kits that allow you to convert your existing bicycle into an ebike, many of them involve adding a lot of … “stuff” to your bike. Clip keeps things simple, consisting of just a front wheel drive unit and a wireless remote.
Developed by a Brooklyn-based group of entrepreneurs, Clip is the result of a successful crowdfunding campaign. It has now entered production, with US shipping of the first units planned to take place this Spring.
Turn almost any bike into an e-bike with the Clip
Dead simple to use, the Clip offers up to 12 miles of electric range for your bike.
Eric Bangeman - 5/31/2024, 3:11 PM
Shortly after World War II, a French manufacturer by the name of Solex started selling mopeds. These were not your “typical” moped that looks kind of like a motorcycle with pedals—the mopeds made by Solex were essentially bicycles with a small, two-stroke engine mounted over the front wheel that could propel the rider around 100 km on a single liter of gas mixture. The downside: Solex mopeds were loud and cumbersome to ride due to the weight distribution, and they never really caught on in North America.
Clip, a startup based in Brooklyn, New York, has come up with its own twist on the Solex. Its only product, the eponymously named Clip, is a friction drive unit that attaches to the front fork of any bicycle, turning it into an e-bike. At $499 for the Commuter model and $599 for the Explorer, it is a relatively inexpensive way to turn just about any bicycle into an e-bike for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/turn-almost-any-bike-into-an-e-bike-with-the-clip/
Brakes
Mechanical vs hydraulic disc brakes on electric bikes: The pros and cons of each
Micah Toll - Jun 1 2023 7:14 am PT
Electric bicycles are a popular means of transportation that combine the advantages of traditional bikes with the benefits of modern technology to provide a gentle (or sometimes powerful) boost to the rider. As e-bikes continue to gain traction and increase in popularity, one crucial element for new and experienced riders alike to consider is the braking system. It’s hard to imagine a more critical piece of safety equipment on a bicycle, and the need for reliable and efficient braking becomes even more important when dealing with the increased speeds and weights typical of e-bikes.
The two most common types of disc brakes on e-bikes are mechanical (also known as cable-actuated) and hydraulic. They both have a lever on the handlebars and a disc rotor on the wheel, but differ in the way they actually engage the brake pads on that disc rotor.
Both have their pros and cons, and the choice between them often boils down to personal preference, riding conditions, and budget. Let’s dive into the key differences between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes so that we can shed some light on the debate and guide you in making an informed decision.
https://electrek.co/2023/06/01/mechanical-vs-hydraulic-disc-brakes-on-electric-bikes/
E-Bike Tech: Could Digital Drive Be The End Of Chains And Sprockets?
Eliminating the physical connection between the wheel and pedals seems counterintuitive, but there are a few benefits.
Jul 17, 2023 at 8:13am ET - Enrico Punsalang
Electric bike technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent years, so much so that the very foundations of the bicycle as we know it are being overhauled. Sure, even the most sophisticated electric bikes still roll on wheels and have rubber tires, as we’re not in the era of flying bikes just yet. Nevertheless, the way power is sent to the ground has evolved quite a lot.
While most electric bicycles still have a physical connection between the pedals and the wheel – either though belt or chain – a few manufacturers are deviating from this traditional method of propulsion. Instead of using a chain, belt, or any physical connection from the pedals to the wheel, these bikes make use of a so-called Digital Drive system, which means that the pedal strokes of the rider operate a generator which then sends electric power to the wheel.
https://insideevs.com/news/677137/digital-drive-viable-replacement-for-chain-and-sprocket/
Look And Cixi Join Forces On New Digital Drive E-Bike Tech
The Pedaling Energy Recovery System (PERS) uses an algorithm that sends power to the back wheel.
Jul 20, 2023 at 9:55am ET - Enrico Punsalang
We recently talked about so-called Digital Drives in the world of electric bicycles, and how they could shape the future of two-wheeled mobility. Essentially, these types of electric drives eliminate the need for a physical connection between the pedals and the wheels, and make use of complex systems – sometimes even AI – to tailor power delivery to the wheel.
That said, one of the biggest names in the world of cycling has just introduced its own digital drive tech. Look Cycle, a prominent French brand in the world of cycling, has teamed up with French active mobility specialist Cixi, for what it’s calling the PERS system. The Pedaling Energy Recovery System (PERS) is designed to replace a traditional gear and chain/belt setup, and makes use of cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless and efficient ride. Here, a complex algorithm will analyze each and every pedal stroke, and send power to the electric motor while taking other variables (i.e., terrain, incline, and speed) into account.
https://insideevs.com/news/677785/look-cixi-digital-ebike-drive/
Motors
Electric bike motors explained: comparing Bosch, Shimano, Fazua, Yamaha, Specialized and ebikemotion systems
Do you know your Bosch from your Shimano Steps? Your Fazua from your Yahama?
Paul Norman - November 1, 2022 at 12:00 pm
An electric bike wouldn’t be an electric bike without its motor and battery.
There’s a range of different motor systems out there from different brands, all of which will help you enjoy the benefits of riding an electric bike.
While there are a few big-name electric bike motor brands that dominate the market, such as Bosch and Shimano, there are also a number of smaller emerging brands that are gaining traction and market share.
Many bike makers mix and match motors from different brands across their range. Canyon, for example, uses motors from Shimano Steps, Bosch and Fazua in its ebike line-up, depending on the demands of the bike.
Each motor tends to be selected for its performance characteristics and how well it fits with the intended use of each ebike model.
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/electric-bike-motors/
Tiny motor, massive power. New e-bike drive triples the torque
Micah Toll - Aug 8 2025 12:14 am PT
Small package, big impact: that’s the story behind Maxon’s new Air S mid‑drive motor. On the surface, it looks almost identical to the original Air: sleek, nearly invisible, and designed to disappear into your bike’s frame. But beneath this minimalist exterior is a dramatic leap in capability.
Now the torque has nearly tripled, soaring to 90 Nm, all while keeping total system weight to just 3.8 kg, (8.4 lb) including the motor and 400 Wh battery.
We’ve seen smaller motors popping up here and there lately, but not mid-drives quite like this.
Just 100 g (0.22 lb) heavier than the original Air yet tripling the performance, the Air S delivers up to 90 Nm of torque and 620 W of peak power, catapulting it into the realm of powerful mid‑drive motors built for demanding trail performance. That’s the same torque you’d expect from some of the strongest mid‑drive motors in modern electric mountain biking, yet in a package that’s still feather‑light.
https://electrek.co/2025/08/08/tiny-motor-massive-power-new-mini-e-bike-drive-triples-the-torque/
Bafang’s new automatic shifting hub motor could change urban e-biking
Micah Toll - Aug 13 2025 3:58 am PT
Forget fiddling with derailleurs and gear levers mid-commute. Instead, Bafang wants to make urban e‑biking smoother than ever with its all-new H730 hub motor, featuring its patented GVT (Gear Variable Transmission) technology. The idea is to combine the advantages of internally geared hubs with Bafang’s own hub motors to create an internally geared hub motor.
We covered Bafang’s GVT technology after seeing it first-hand on a tour of the company’s headquarters in China. Now we’re getting a look at a new 3-speed version, which takes the original 2-speed concept even further.
Launched this summer, this new hub motor packs a 3‑speed automatic gearbox that shifts gears seamlessly based solely on riding speed – no rider input needed. It even runs without any electrical power from the e-bike, since the shifting is performed inertially instead of using an input loop based on a speed sensor.
The benefits are immediate: durability, simplicity, and less maintenance. Without derailleurs, cables, or external shifters cluttering the setup, the H730 boasts a clean, minimalist rear-end design, not to mention the benefits of weatherproofing the transmission to handle rain, mud, and debris.
https://electrek.co/2025/08/13/bafangs-new-automatic-shifting-hub-motor-could-change-urban-e-biking/
Used E-Bikes
Is Buying a Used E-Bike Worth It?
As more people buy e-bikes, more second-hand models will appear on the market. But is buying a used e-bike worth the money?
Alex Ramos - 13 September 2022
E-bikes offer many advantages over traditional bikes. This is one of the main reasons that e-bikes are on many people's shopping lists. With an e-bike, you get the pros of a regular bike, plus the added benefit of electric propulsion to help you get to your destination easier and less sweaty.
The problem is new e-bikes can be quite pricey, especially compared to the bottom tier of regular bikes. So the solution might be to purchase a used e-bike. But is it worth it?
Manufacturers
Making a smart bike dumb work again
Francisco Presencia - 19 April 2025
The company that made my bike went bankrupt a few years ago. It isn't truly even my bike, it's my friend's, who bought it God-knows-where, in a country where this company never operated. This friend is no longer here —in this country—[1] so I'm holding it for him and can use it freely.
And it's a fine bike, mind you. But there's a teeny tiny problem:
The lights don't work without the App.
Did I mention the company went bankrupt? And the spotty history of the bike? And that Customer Support is in startup heaven? And how ridiculous it is anyway to need to login into an app to turn your light on?
https://francisco.io/blog/making-a-smart-bike-dumb-work-again/
2025
Here are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in May 2025
Micah Toll - May 11 2025 4:31 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 May 2025. Summer is so close we can feel it, making this a great chance to start the riding season off with a fun and efficient electric bicycle! So 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/2025/05/11/here-are-the-best-electric-bikes-you-can-buy-at-every-price-level/
These are the best electric bicycles I’ve tested for under $1,000
Micah Toll - Jun 26 2025 2:21 am PT
Electric bikes are getting better, safer, and more affordable every year. Even so, in the US, e-bikes are still relatively expensive despite being such an incredibly price-sensitive market. Whenever someone asks me to recommend an e-bike for them, one of their first requirements is invariably that it doesn’t cost a fortune. Though the tradeoffs for dropping the price can sometimes rear their ugly head with their own hidden costs.
And let’s be real: the sub-$1,000 category has always been a bit of a minefield. For every great deal, there are a dozen cheap frames with underpowered motors, sketchy brakes, or batteries that make me nervous just looking at them. But with a lot of digging (and a lot of riding), I’ve managed to find a few standout electric bikes that prove you can get a surprisingly good ride without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re looking for a lightweight city commuter, a folding e-bike for multi-modal travel, or just something simple and fun to cruise around the neighborhood, there’s now a solid mix of options under the thousand-dollar mark. These bikes aren’t perfect – they cut costs in places – but many of them offer far more value than you’d expect at this price point.
I’ve personally tested every one of these e-bikes, putting them through real-world use to see what works, what doesn’t, and who each model is best suited for. Some are stripped-down budget beasts that prioritize performance. Others go for comfort and practicality. And a few genuinely surprised me with features I’d expect to see on bikes twice the price.
Here are the best electric bikes I’ve tested for under $1,000.
https://electrek.co/2025/06/26/these-are-the-best-electric-bicycles-ive-tested-for-under-1000/
Acer
PC maker Acer aspires to get into e-bikes with the 35-pound “ebii”
There's no price or release date for Acer's utilitarian, lightweight e-bike.
Andrew Cunningham - 3/20/2023, 3:32 PM
When you think of Acer you probably think of PCs, whether they're cheap beater laptops and tablets, slightly nicer but still budget-focused ultrabooks and gaming laptops, or weird swing-and-a-miss experiments. But today the company announced something else entirely—the “ebii,” a lightweight e-bike that, aside from an associated smartphone app, has nothing to do with PCs or tablets.
We've reviewed e-bikes with stylish designs and appealing curvature, but the ebii looks decidedly more utilitarian. The chunky “ebii Box” in the middle houses the control box, battery pack, and headlight, and the seat and handlebars jut upward out of it. In a nod to its history as a PC and tablet maker, the ebii's 460 W battery can be removed and used as a portable charging station for USB-C devices.
At just over 35 pounds (16 kg), the ebii is lightweight—it saves weight partly by using a single-sided fork for the front tire. Acer says it can accommodate most riders between 4.75 and 6 feet tall (145 to 185 cm), meaning that especially tall riders probably won't find it comfortable. The bike also won't break any speed or distance records, with a top speed of around 15 mph and a 68-mile range.
PC Maker Acer Is Building a Fancy Electric Bike With Built-In AI
Posted by BeauHD on Monday March 20, 2023 @07:02PM from the why-not dept.
Computer component maker Acer built a lightweight electric bike called the Acer ebii. Electrek reports:
This lightweight 35 lb. (16 kg) e-bike features a number of gadgets and gizmos we have yet to spot in the industry, such as built-in AI designed to predictively control the transmission and make use of collision detection sensors for a safer ride. There's also proximity unlocking feature that the company says “automatically locks your bike when you leave and unlocks it again when you're nearby.” My Gogoro electric scooter has a similar function, though that's a highway-capable vehicle.
Acer pedals into e-cycle market with AI and big data in its basket
Still tumbleweed for PC industry right now, but maybe folks will buy computers-on-bikes?
Paul Kunert - Tue 21 Mar 2023 15:28 UTC
Acer is racing into virgin territory and – everybody look out – it's coming armed with AI: the Taiwanese PC maker is launching an E-bike that is apparently designed for urban commuting.
The ebii is a single motor two-wheeler that, according to Acer, can run for up to 110km and is fully charged after two and a half hours. It weighs 16kg and comes in a matte white finish.
The cycle uses an “intelligent vehicle control box” that is said to adapt to route conditions, pedaling power and “rider preference for a smooth journey”, because who wants to arrive at their destination with an aching posterior.
In making the e-bike, Acer leaned on work at subsidiaries including MPS Energy’s power system and Xplova’s cycling computing, said Jerry Kao, co-chief operating officer at Acer.
https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/21/acer_pedals_into_ecycle_market/
ADO
ADO D30 Ebike Review: Pure Pedal-Assisted Power
Ste Knight - 29 March 2022
The ADO D30 eBike takes the pain out of cycling, but doesn't do all the hard work for you, striking a balance between leisure and exercise.
The ADO D30 eBike offers a massive 90 km range, with a top speed of 25 km/h with assisted pedal power. The 250 W motor is enough to make any hill an absolute breeze, and the battery can store enough juice to ensure you can complete fairly lengthy commutes without losing too much juice. If you do, the battery is removable for easy charging and as an added security measure. An excellent ride for anyone seeking a pedal-assisted hybrid bike, that is great on roads, gravel, loose stone—and it eats hills for breakfast.
6 Reasons Your Next e-Bike Should Be an ADO e-Bike
Getting an ADO e-bike means you get extra freedom to go wherever you want with your bike.
Gabriela Vatu - 4 August 2022
Biking comes with such significant health benefits, but it's sometimes nice when you don't have to do all the work, right? So an e-bike may be the best solution for today's world.
The folks at ADO make quite a few superb models, so there's plenty of room to choose one to suit your needs, your preferences, as well as your budget.
If you're at your first e-bike purchase, there's a lot you need to learn about these devices. If you're a connoisseur of e-bikes, we'll just have to convince you that ADO's bikes deserve your attention.
Save Hundreds on ADO Ebikes and Spend More Time Outdoors
ADO Ebikes are now on sale so you can start working on those resolutions.
Gabriela Vatu - 4 January 2022
We know that Christmas has passed, but we can keep the holiday spirit alive with some cool discounts, right? Well, ADO Ebike, one of our favorite e-bike brands, still has its New Year sale up and running and we're more than ok with saving up some money.
If one of your New Year's resolutions was to spend more time outside, enjoying nature, then getting one of these e-bikes can certainly help them. While these may be electric bikes, you can use the motor only when you're going up a steep hill, for instance, so you still get some exercise when biking on regular trails.
AllWeatherBike (AWB)
The AllWeatherBike Is a Convertible e-Bike That Shelters You From the Rain, Cold
We can all agree that there is no point in reinventing the wheel, but no one said anything about everything that goes around it, right? One entrepreneur from Germany is doing just that in a bid to help cyclists keep on riding even when the weather turns bad.
4 Sep 2021, 07:36 UTC · by Elena Gorgan
In most parts of the globe, we’re already into early autumn and that means that, soon enough, only the bravest of riders will still be out on their bikes, not discouraged by pouring cold rain and sharp winds. Those who will continue riding will have to recheck and reinvest in their cold-weather gear, which means additional expenses.
City commuters, on the other hand, after enjoying a relatively stress- and care-free daily commute throughout spring and summer will probably be retiring their bikes until next spring. This, in turn, will translate into heavier vehicular traffic: either more passenger cars on the road or increased occupation on public transport.
A solution could be something like a convertible e-bike (hat tip to New Atlas), one that offers plenty of protection from the elements for yourself and your stuff, without it being an actual car. The goal is to not contribute to the already existing issues of city traffic, namely congestion and pollution, and every bad thing they bring along.
Ampler
Ampler releases two new sleek-looking urban e-bikes that you’d never know are electric
Micah Toll - Mar. 7th 2022 7:00 am PT
Stylish urban electric bicycle company Ampler has just unveiled two all-new city e-bike models that offer both work and play options for urban riders. The new Ampler Juna is a relaxed comfort bike for cruising the city, while the new Ampler Axel offers a sportier, more responsive ride that is more likely to strike a chord with daily city commuters.
Both bikes are pretty darn sleek looking, featuring hidden batteries and controls to offer a stealthy appearance.
The Estonian-based electric bicycle company Ampler is a direct-to-consumer manufacturer that has been building and delivering e-bikes since 2016. They offer some of the lightest and sleekest European-built electric city bikes on the market.
Now Ampler is stuffing their new e-bikes with even more features and built-in technology as they also expand their operations further across Europe.
Analog Motion
Analog Motion's AMX is a commuter e-bike that wants to go fast
The 250W rear-hub motor is surprisingly aggressive.
Nick Summers - 13 November 2020
I’m always on the hunt for cheap but high-quality e-bikes. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars, after all, on something by Gazelle or Riese & Müller. That’s why Analog Motion, a tiny company based in the UK, caught my eye back in 2019. The startup had already run a crowdfunding campaign for the AM1, a pedal-assist bicycle that could be snapped up for just £499 (roughly $665) early on. And, perhaps more importantly, it had followed through and delivered the product to backers. Now it was back with a new bike, the AMX, and some similarly jaw-dropping prices on Indiegogo. Unsurprisingly, I was interested to see if the company had struck a similar balance between price, performance and quality.
In October 2019, I met the team in London and rode an early version of the bike. I was impressed by the relatively lightweight and minimalist design but had some issues with the rear-hub motor, which stopped and started abruptly. I knew it was a prototype, though, and appreciated that the company would likely make some tweaks. Thirteen months later, Analog Motion has shipped the vast majority of AMX bikes to backers. The design has changed a little bit, so I was obviously keen to review the bike and find out whether my nitpicks had been addressed. And Whether other manufacturers should be scared of this fast-rising upstart.
https://www.engadget.com/analog-motion-le-amx-electric-bicycle-review-140040452.html
Angell
French e-bike startup Angell nears bankruptcy
Romain Dillet - 9:30 AM PST January 24, 2025
Angell, a French smart electric bike startup, has announced in an email to customers that the company is declaring insolvency and approaching a court to ask for judicial liquidation.
“It’s over for Angell,” said company co-founder and CEO Marc Simoncini on Instagram. (He also happens to be a judge on the French version of “Shark Tank.”) “A hardware problem has put an end to the adventure, despite all our efforts and the incredible work of all our employees.”
Originally founded in 2019, Angell set out to create an electric bike with several smart and connected features. Its original bike packed a small color touch screen in the middle of the handlebar to display relevant information and give turn-by-turn directions. It could also connect to your phone using Bluetooth.
With its integrated lock and alarm system and its built-in GPS chip and cellular modem, the Angell bike competed with other European smart bike manufacturers, such as Cowboy and VanMoof. It’s also worth noting that VanMoof itself had to file for bankruptcy in the Netherlands in 2023. A new owner is now trying to relaunch the brand.
With its all-in-one package, Angell suffered from reliability issues. In an email to customers, the company explained that its latest issue with its first-generation bike was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/24/french-e-bike-startup-angell-nears-bankruptcy/
Ariel Rider
Ariel Rider D-Class review: A 33 MPH scrambler electric bike with two motors!
Micah Toll - Jul. 14th 2020 8:53 am ET
The Ariel Rider D-Class Scrambler electric bike is one of the most powerful, thrilling e-bikes I’ve ridden in a long time. And the fact that it has a fresh mini-bike look only adds to the charm.
On the spectrum of e-bikes that spans from nearly-pedal bikes on one end to almost-motorcycles on the other, the Ariel Rider D-Class is definitely on the motorcycle end.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t capable of pedal-assist or even being reasonably comfortable while pedaling. Pedal-assist is absolutely doable on this monster of an e-bike.
To see the D-Class in action, check out my review video below.
https://electrek.co/2020/07/14/ariel-rider-d-class-review-33-mph-ebike-two-motors/
32 MPH Ariel Rider Kepler launched as 1,800W fat tire electric bike with giant battery
Micah Toll - Apr. 6th 2022 12:25 am PT
The brand-new Ariel Rider Kepler has just been unveiled as the e-bike manufacturer’s latest high-performance electric bike. Designed for adventure and recreational riding, this fat tire bike pushes speed and power specs to the max.
If you know anything about the e-bike company Ariel Rider, you’ll know that the new Kepler is true to the company’s ethos. If it wasn’t ridiculously fast and overpowered, it just wouldn’t be an Ariel Rider e-bike.
With the exception of the brand’s low-cost $899 Rideal city e-bike (which the team there assures me will finally be back in stock in a couple of weeks), Ariel Rider focuses almost exclusively on high-performance e-bikes.
And the Ariel Rider Kepler absolutely fits that bill.
Aventon
Aventon Soltera: This is the most beautiful low-cost electric bicycle I’ve tested yet
Micah Toll - Feb. 2nd 2022 6:38 am PT
I’ve always loved the way Aventon makes its electric bicycles. They exude a level of craftsmanship that far exceeds their modest prices. But the new Soltera offers a masterclass in building a lightweight, modestly powered e-bike for commuter use.
The Soltera, which I tested in the single-speed variety but also comes in a 7-speed option, is a beauty to behold.
I tested the Azure Blue model, which has some red and white accents that give it a real Frenchy vibe.
But beyond the paint job, the construction of the bike is exquisite. The welds are so smooth that the frame almost looks as if it was cast in one piece. The electrical wiring and brake lines are neatly routed inside the frame tubes. The tail lights are incorporated directly into the frame, hidden in the seat stay tubes and illuminating on either side of the rear wheel like true vehicle lights. The battery is nicely integrated to the point where you almost don’t even notice that the bike is electric.
Aventon Level.2 launches as 28 mph flagship commuter e-bike with torque sensor
Micah Toll - Sep. 13th 2022 6:32 am PT
Aventon has been updating all of the brand’s popular electric bicycles to include upgraded features like improved frames, built-in LED lighting, and full-color displays that feature Bluetooth connectivity. Now the Level is getting the upgrades with the release of the Aventon Level.2 commuter e-bike.
When I first reviewed the original Aventon Level nearly two years ago, my summary was basically “please, take my money!” Now that we have the new Aventon Level.2, the bike is even better and more commuter-ready than ever.
I have had the chance to spend the last few weeks testing out the new e-bike ahead of its launch. I’ve got a full review coming up shortly, complete with a video of my testing experience. Look for that in the next few days.
But first, let’s see what’s new with the updated Aventon Level.2.
https://electrek.co/2022/09/13/aventon-level-2-launches-commuter-electric-bike/
Aventon, a major e-bike maker, tries its hand with a hardtail
Aventon's entry into the mountain bike market is good, but not quite low-budget.
John Timmer - 7/18/2024, 9:33 AM
Full suspension mountain bikes are complicated beasts, with sections of the frame that pivot and a shock absorber to moderate that pivot. These parts help limit the bumps that reach your body and keep your rear tire in contact with the trail across all sorts of terrain and obstacles. The complexity and additional parts, however, boost the costs of full suspension bikes considerably, a situation that only gets worse when you electrify things.
As a result, some of the electric mountain bikes we've looked at are either very expensive or make a few too many compromises to bring the price down. Even aiming for middle-of-the-road compromise hardware costs in the area of $5,000.
But there's one easy way to lower the price considerably: lose the full suspension. The electric “hardtails” from major manufacturers typically cost considerably less than a full suspension bike with similar components. And because the engineering demands are considerably lower than in a full suspension bike, it's easier for some of the smaller e-bike companies to put together a solid offering.
So over the course of the spring and into the summer, I've been testing two hardtail mountain bikes that were recently introduced by e-bike specialists. First up is the Aventon Ramblas.
Major US electric bike brand announces response to tariffs
Micah Toll - May 3 2025 6:12 am PT
One of the largest electric bike brands in the US, Aventon, has recently shared several details about the company’s response to US tariffs on imported goods. The details reveal insight into how large e-bike makers are coping with the major disruption caused by the trade war launched by the Trump administration.
In a comprehensive post, Aventon covered the company’s response to several issues, from supply chain disruptions to manufacturing shifts to pricing policy.
https://electrek.co/2025/05/03/major-us-electric-bike-brand-announces-response-to-tariffs/
Adventure 3
All the Settings I Changed on My Adventure 3 E-Bike to Improve the Ride
How I tuned my new e-bike for speed, security, and maximum fun.
Stephen Johnson - June 11, 2025
Aventon's new Adventure 3 is an excellent e-bike, as you can see in my Adventure 3 review, and it's loaded with customization options. While it's great with the factory settings, I like to get in there and change my tech around, to turn an e-bike into my e-bike. Here's how I changed my top speed, tuned my assistance, and set-up the bike's security systems.
https://lifehacker.com/tech/how-to-change-settings-on-the-adventure-3-e-bike
The Fat-Tire Ebike That Outsmarts the Rest: Aventon Aventure 3 Review
Tuesday August 19, 2025 - Will Sileo
The Aventon Aventure series of ebikes has been a longstanding favorite of ours, and the entire industry when it comes to fat tire electric bicycles. Powerful, intuitive, user-friendly, well-made, innovative… the list goes on. In short, there are a lot of reasons why this bike has been at the top of most fat tire electric bikes lists for years.
Launched this spring, the Aventon Aventure 3 ($1,999) is the latest iteration of these well-loved bicycles. With four-inch fat tires, this is a “true” fat tire ebike, capable of soft conditions like sand or snow, and the powerful internals prove to be well up to just about any task you can throw its way. In 2025, we have seen some new and exciting features rolling out across the industry, and Aventon is no exception. The Aventure 3 has some cutting-edge new features that place this bike a step above most other ebikes when it comes to safety, security, and customizability.
https://www.theinertia.com/gear/aventon-aventure-3-fat-tire-ebike-review/
Bandit
Bandit X-Trail Pro new e-bike with dual motors and 120-mile range unveiled
The Bandit X-Trail Pro e-bike can assist you for up to 120 miles (~195 km) on a single charge. (Image source: Indiegogo)The Bandit X-Trail Pro e-bike can assist you for up to 120 miles (~195 km) on a single charge. (Image source: Indiegogo)
Polly Allcock - 06/23/2023
The Bandit X-Trail Pro e-bike is now crowdfunding on Indiegogo. The company claims that it is the fastest street-legal e-bike for North America, delivering top speeds of 42 mph (~68 kph). The AWD has a 750W front and 1,000W rear motor to help you to climb hills and a twist throttle. The e-bike has a seven-stage pedal assistance system and cadence sensor for intelligently adjusted assistance.
The X-Trail Pro is fitted with front and rear 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, and you can use a built-in color LCD to switch between front, rear or all-wheel drive. A 1,680 Wh battery allows you to travel up to 120 miles (~195 km) on a single charge. The Bandit e-bike has a dual suspension system that combines hydraulic adjustable front and rear spring suspension for a more comfortable ride over rougher terrain. Other features include LED headlights and rear lights and the ability to lock the bicycle to deter thieves, with NFC unlocking via the app.
You can also use the app to track the GPS location of your bike and unlock the throttle function. The lowest Indiegogo pledge level for the Bandit X-Trail Pro e-bike is US$1,999, 25% off the US$2,699 future retail price. It is worth noting that the company is only shipping to the US and Canada. You can choose from four colors: Military Green, White, Desert Beige and Gunmetal Grey.
Batch Bicyles
The E-Bike From Batch Bicycles Comes With the Most Bang for Buck Around
21 Mar 2021, 16:25 UTC · by Cristian Curmei
Ladies and gents, the e-bike you see here is known simply as The E-Bike from Batch Bicycles. Never heard of this team? Not a problem. One thing to know is they like to manufacture e-bikes with the most bang for their buck. Don’t believe me? Just continue getting to know The E-Bike.
Honestly, the name says it all. What do you get when you pay the $2,099 asking price? An E-Bike! Nothing more, nothing less. Simple, efficient, cost-effective. Regarding the third aspect, you’ll agree with it as you go along.
Like any bicycle, the frame is absolutely crucial. Here, Batch decided to use good ol’ 6061 aluminum to offer a slightly hardtail MTB geometry that looks aggressive enough to take on not just some perfect asphalt street in Holland, but a nasty pot-hole ridden cement slab highway from Eastern Europe too. Just make sure you have the appropriate tires.
Batch Bike: A Solid Commuter Cycle for $500
April 4, 2019 | By Julie Kailus
At under $500, this entry-level townie bike is a solid choice for commuters who don’t do it daily — or for the show.
Batch Bicycles isn’t pulling anyone’s chain. The Ohio-based brand, which started last year, makes basic bikes that balance quality and affordability. Based on the bikes’ specs, they aren’t for hardcore bikers or component geeks.
https://gearjunkie.com/biking/batch-bicycles-commuter-bike-review
Benno
Benno's RemiDemi Is A Compact E-Bike That's Big On Cargo
The robust frame has a payload capacity of up to 180 kilograms.
Jun 09, 2023 at 2:08pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
If you're adamant on commuting via bicycle, but you need to carry quite a lot of stuff on a daily basis, what do you do? You either get yourself a full-on cargo bike, but utilize only a fraction of its carrying capability; or you get a regular old commuter bike, but strap on all sorts of luggage to the back of it, or even resort to wearing a backpack.
That said, today's market is full of all sorts of in-betweeners – crosses between full-on cargo bikes and standard commuter bikes. A great example of which is the Benno RemiDemi. The brainchild of bike designed Benno Benzinger, the RemiDemi is a compact albeit capable all-rounder, that's small enough to commute with, but burly enough for you to carry all sorts of cargo with. Benno Benzinger is one of the co-founders of Electra Bikes back in 1993, and later on went on to start Benno Bikes in 2015, so it goes without saying he has the expertise to craft an impressive two-wheeler.
https://insideevs.com/news/671284/benno-remidemi-commuter-cargo-ebike/
Biktrix
Biktrix
We have high performance custom electric bikes and eBike accessories at the best prices.
There’s a Biktrix electric bike for every rider. From seniors getting out to exercise, to commuters on their way to work, to thrill seekers who need adventure, power, and speed, there's a Biktrix eBike that fits.
Biktrix ships direct to consumers and you can customize each of our electric bikes right here on our site.
Get started by taking a look at the Biktrix collection of Multi-purpose, Commuter, Cruiser, and Specialty eBikes
Ready for a 35 MPH dual-battery off-road electric bike? Biktrix just launched one
Micah Toll - Nov. 14th 2020 7:17 am ET
Canadian e-bike distributor Biktrix has never shied away from high power e-bikes. And that means the company’s newest electric bicycle, the Biktrix Juggernaut Duo, is true to form with up to 1,500W of power and blistering fast speeds.
The Juggernaut Duo is the latest evolution of Biktrix’s high-power Juggernaut line of e-bikes.
The bikes feature large tires, powerful motor options, front suspension, integrated lighting options and the ability to add a second battery for super-long-range riding.
The longest range version has a range rating of as much as 160 miles (257 km) from a combined 2,000 Wh of battery. That’s going to require some significant pedal assist, but even the throttle-only range should be pretty impressive with that much battery.
https://electrek.co/2020/11/14/biktrix-juggernaut-duo-35-mph-dual-battery-off-road-electric-bike/
One E-Bike To Rule Them All: Biktrix Juggernaut HD Duo Promises 100+ Mile Range & 35 MPH Top Speed
November 13th, 2020 - Derek Markham
With the choice between several powerful motors — available as either hub drive or mid-drive models — and the option for mounting dual battery packs to get more than 100 miles per charge, plus the fattest of the fat tires, a front suspension fork, and a top speed of 35 MPH, the new Biktrix Juggernaut HD Duo looks to be one hell of a contender for the title of top dog in the e-bike world.
Biktrix launches innovative ‘Moto’ electric moped-style e-bike with 100-mile range
Micah Toll - Apr. 15th 2021 9:00 am ET
Moped-style electric bikes have been popular for several years now, and many companies have stepped up to meet the growing demand. Now the popular e-bike brand Biktrix is entering the moped fray with the new Biktrix Moto electric bike.
And while you might be thinking that there isn’t much room left next to companies like Super73, Juiced Bikes, and others that have produced moped-style e-bikes with cult followings, the new Biktrix Moto actually provides some fresh features and options we haven’t seen in the industry.
Starting with the specs, the new Biktrix Moto boasts 750W of continuous power from a Bafang rear hub motor. Though like usual, the peak power is likely in the 1,000W+ range.
Riders can choose to have the motor limited to 500W and 20 mph (32 km/h), or can receive the bike with the motor de-limited, which opens it up to 45 km/h (28 mph).
Riders also have the option of outfitting the bike with either one or two 48V 21Ah batteries for either 1,008 Wh or 2,016 Wh of capacity. Fully loaded, that’s enough battery for over 100 miles (160 km) of range. And to put that in perspective, the 2 kWh version has around 3x the battery capacity of a typical electric bike.
Bird
Bird launches shared e-bikes and opens its app to local shared operators
Rebecca Bellan / 2:20 PM PDT•June 23, 2021
Bird has announced the launch of shared e-bikes to its fleet of e-scooters, which it says can be found in over 250 cities around the world. The shared micromobility provider is also launching a so-called ‘Smart Bikeshare’ platform that allows local shared bike and e-moped providers and transit apps to integrate with Bird’s app.
“Shared e-scooters catapulted shared micromobility to the center stage of eco-friendly transportation in cities by providing more than 150 million zero-emission trips globally,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird, in a statement. “We are launching our shared Bird Bike and Smart Bikeshare platform to meet fast-growing demand from cities and riders for more sustainable transportation options while expanding our serviceable addressable market by 5 billion trips per year.”
Bird reveals its own e-bike as it moves into bikesharing
Bird Bikes will arrive in several North American and European cities this year.
Kris Holt - June 23rd, 2021
Bird is moving beyond scooters and into the bikesharing market. The company has revealed its own e-bike, which it plans to roll out in several countries this year.
The Bird Bike's motor can help you glide up hills with up to a 20 percent grade. It can hit a top speed of 15.5 miles per hour and it has a range of up to 56 miles on a single charge. Other features include a storage basket on the front, an LED headlight and taillight, a digital display and voice prompts, a built-in cable lock and a step-through design.
https://www.engadget.com/bird-e-bike-bikesharing-120007080.html?src=rss_b2c
Bird unveils a $2,299 electric bike you can own
The Bird Bike is now available in limited quantities from the company's website.
Mariella Moon - August 19th, 2021
While Bird is mostly known for its rental scooters, it expanded its electric transportation offerings back in June when it introduced a bike-sharing service. Now, the company is giving those who want electric bikes of their own a new option to choose from: It has launched a new product called Bird Bike, which people can purchase right now for US$2,299. The electric bike has a Bafang rear hub motor with 50 miles of range and a 36-volt removable battery made of LG cells for easy charging.
In the UK and the European Union, owners will have access to 250 watts of continuous rated power in line with local regulations. Meanwhile, users in the US will have access to 500 watts of electric support. The bike has a pedal assist speed of 20 mph and has a thumb throttle, which can give riders an extra burst of acceleration to help them take on difficult inclines.
https://www.engadget.com/bird-electric-bike-you-can-buy-120047459.html
Shared micromobility company Bird launches a consumer electric bike for $2,299
Rebecca Bellan / 6:00 AM PDT•August 19, 2021
Shared micromobility company Bird has unveiled a new consumer e-bike. This is the first time the company is selling private vehicles rather than relying on the shared model.
It’s calling the bike the “Bird Bike,” which is the same name it’s using for the recently released shared e-bike the company launched in June. As with the shared model, the bike is designed in-house, but Bird did not identify the manufacturing partner. Limited quantities of the bike, in Stealth Black and Gravity Gray, are available starting Thursday for $2,299. Bird did not specify which markets it would deliver the initial order of the e-bike to, but it hopes to make the bike broadly available from U.S. retailers this fall.
The electric bike market is expected to hit nearly $68 billion by 2026, whereas the bike-share market is only expected to hit around $13.8 billion by the same year, which might point to the financial reasoning behind Bird’s announcement. Bird’s SPAC filing in May revealed massively unprofitable revenues and resulting net losses, so the company appears to be trying to diversify its business lines and leverage its position as a household name in micromobility so that it can stand a chance at profitability.
Bird's first e-bikes arrive in San Diego
The rollout comes as part of a partnership between the company and San Diego State University.
Igor Bonifacic - September 10th, 2021
Back in June, Bird announced its first-ever e-bike. At the time, the company said it planned to bring the EV to select cities in North America, Italy, Spain, Germany and France throughout 2021. On Friday, Bird announced the Bird Bike will first appear in San Diego. The company has partnered with San Diego State University to bring the e-bike, along with its Bird Two and Three scooters, to the school’s 280-acre campus. Students and faculty staff can ride the bicycle starting this month.
The pedal-assist e-bike features a top speed of 15.5 miles per and can travel up to 56 miles on a single charge. It also comes with Bird’s geofencing technology, which can automatically cap the speed of the bike in certain areas. As with the company’s electric scooters, a network of fleet managers will care for and manage the bikes. The company said SDSU students will have access to the Bird Bike at reduced prices. Bird has also put in place incentives to encourage safe riding and responsible parking.
https://www.engadget.com/bird-bike-rollout-san-diego-213100811.html?src=rss
Bird's app now shows rentable city bikes from public operators
The company has launched public bikeshare integration for its app.
Mariella Moon - September 22nd, 2021
Some Bird users in the US may notice a new option if they search for vehicles in its app: Nearby public bike stations not operated by the company itself. Bird has launched public bikeshare integration for its application, which connects commuters with local providers. In addition the showing locations of nearby stations, the integration will also show the number of bikes currently available in each one and link users to the operators' own apps.
According to the company, this move is part of its Smart Bikeshare Program announced in June. Bird also said that this allows the company to “strategically meet the multimodal mobility needs of cities without monopolizing transportation options or competing with local businesses.” At the moment, the integration is only live for iOS, though it will make its way to Android “in the near future.” Also, it will only show bikeshares operated by the cities of Oslo (Oslo City Bike), Austin (Metrobike Austin), Los Angeles (Metro Bike), San Antonio (SA Bikeshare) and Milwaukee (Bublr Bikes Milwaukee) in Europe and the US right now.
https://www.engadget.com/bird-app-pubic-bikeshare-integration-130047910.html
Blix
Blix Packa, the electric bike that wants to replace your car
Written by Lucy Wang - 12 March 2020
View Slideshow
Beautiful, modular and impressively high-performance, the Blix Packa is a full-feature cargo electric bicycle that’s designed to be “a natural car-replacer.” Engineered to tackle the steepest of hills, Packa boasts a range of up to 70 miles per charge and top speeds of 20 miles per hour. Packa also features a loading capacity of 400 pounds thanks to its unique multi-modular racking system that also makes it easy to bring your little ones along for the ride.
https://inhabitat.com/blix-packa-the-electric-bike-that-wants-to-replace-your-car/
Blix Ultra launched as 28 MPH fat tire electric bike, touts 1,350W motor and 80-mile range
Micah Toll - Apr. 19th 2022 2:40 pm PT
Santa Cruz-based electric bicycle company Blix has launched its new Blix Ultra as the brand’s first fat tire off-road adventure e-bike. But true to its roots, Blix’s new e-bike looks like it’d make a great commuter or urban assault e-bike as well.
The Blix Ultra sports a 750W continuous-rated rear hub motor wrapped in a four-inch wheel and tire, putting out 90Nm of torque. Despite the 750W sticker, the company says that the peak power rating of the motor is actually 1,350 watts.
That’s just shy of two horsepower. And with five levels of pedal assist, the bike can reach speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist, or 20 mph (32 km/h) with the included throttle.
Supplying that powerful motor is a single or dual battery setup of 48V 14.5Ah batteries. Riders that opt for two batteries will have a maximum of 80 miles (130 km) of range from 1,344 Wh of battery capacity. Even with a single battery though, this e-bike still packs in plenty of capacity for longer rides.
Blix unveils 80-mile-range ‘Dubbel’ electric bike to carry your friends, pets, and cargo
Micah Toll - Aug. 30th 2022 9:00 am PT
Blix has just launched a new cargo-friendly electric bicycle known as the Dubbel. It’s not just fun to say; it also looks like a fun ride with a long rear rack to carry your friends, kids, pets, or cargo on back.
Blix Dubbel e-bike launches
The Santa Cruz, California-based electric bicycle company is calling its Blix Dubbel a “motorcycle-inspired compact utility e-bike built for social adventures, family time, and practical utility use.”
It may be motorcycle-inspired in terms of utility, but it still seems to embody the Dutch bike-like charm for which Blix has become famous. Except this time it has both a front cargo mount and a long rear bench to carry just about anything.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/30/blix-dubbel-electric-bike-unveiled/
Bloom
Bloom is reinventing how e-bikes are made in the US
And helping save other startups in the process.
Sean O'Kane - 12:27 PM PDT May 7, 2024
The pandemic ushered in an e-bike boom. But like so many other pandemic trends, that boom didn’t last.
The last year has seen e-bike startups VanMoof and Cake file for bankruptcy amid a backdrop of micromobility doom and gloom. Tier and Dott merged. Superpedestrian closed up shop. Bird also had to go through a restructuring.
All of those startups might have had different goals, but their problems were fairly similar. Bloom, a new Detroit-based startup, thinks it has the answer: take on all the hard, behind-the-scenes work and let these startups focus on the exciting stuff, like product design and branding.
It’s an idea that founders Chris Nolte and Justin Kosmides are so passionate about that they packed up and moved to Detroit to build it — Nolte with his 1-year old child and spouse in tow, and Kosmides with his four-pawed companion Artie.
It’s proving popular, too; their customer list is as long as a CVS receipt.
“Everybody’s trying to reinvent the wheel,” Nolte tells TechCrunch in a recent interview. “But the reality is there are proven systems, and people waste a lot of money on making mistakes, making the wrong decisions.”
https://techcrunch.com/2024/05/07/bloom-is-reinventing-how-e-bikes-are-made-in-the-us/
Bolt / Bolt Mobility
Bolt Mobility abandoned electric bikes all over US cities. Here’s what’s happening to them
Micah Toll - Aug. 16th 2022 4:06 am PT
Earlier this month we covered the bizarre story of the sudden death of an e-bike rental company. The shared mobility brand Bolt Mobility apparently shuttered operations overnight, leaving thousands of e-bikes and e-scooters abandoned in cities across the US.
The move was all the more puzzling as these vehicles likely totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, if not into the millions.
It began with five US cities that reported an overnight exit from Bolt Mobility, leaving the deserted e-bikes and e-scooters in its wake.
Because the shared mobility vehicles are locked until a user pays to unlock them via Bolt’s smartphone application, they became essentially useless in their abandoned state.
The personal EVs may have been abandoned by Bolt Mobility, but its original manufacturer wasn’t about to let them go to waste that easily.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/16/bolt-mobility-abandoned-electric-bikes-element-lev/
Bosch
Bosch unveils futuristic electric bike with integrated ABS and on-board computer
Can e-bikes be stylish? Perhaps…
By Cat Ellis - 5 July 2020
Bosch has revealed a new electric bike design, showing what the e-bike of the future could look like.
The eBike Design Vision is a concept rather than a production model, so you won't be able to take it for a spin any time soon, but it does include many of the components and features that will be coming to Bosch's real lineup in the coming months.
Bosch eBike Systems presents its new eBike ABS
12.07.2022
Stuttgart/Reutlingen – A good braking technique is an important basis for riding safety on roads and trails. With the new ABS for the smart system, Bosch eBike Systems ensures better braking on any surface. Whether using eCargo to get around the city or eMTB on challenging trails: The new Bosch eBike ABS with brake components from MAGURA is designed to meet the requirements of different types of eBike and can therefore reduce accidents even more effectively.
Bosch just made its e-bike motors more powerful (among other upgrades)
Micah Toll - Jun 26 2025 5:56 am PT
Bosch eBike Systems, which is Europe’s leading e‑bike drive supplier and powers more than 100 major bike brands, just dropped an impressive suite of upgrades across its Smart System lineup. The stars of the show are enhanced versions of the mid-drive motors in the Cargo Line, Performance Line Speed, Performance Line, and the beefed-up Performance Line SX, all designed to deliver smoother, quieter, and more customizable support.
https://electrek.co/2025/06/26/bosch-just-made-its-e-bike-motors-more-powerful-among-other-upgrades/
BREKR
Electric moped maker BREKR unveils belt-drive electric bike with automatic shifting
Micah Toll - Dec 16 2022 6:54 am PT
Dutch-based electric mobility company BREKR has just unveiled it’s newest model, and the first two-wheeler in the company’s line to come with pedals. The BREKR Model F may be classified as an e-bike, but it comes with true moped styling.
That certainly fits within BREKR’s DNA, as the company is best known for its Model B electric moped.
It’s a ride that we first covered back in 2019 and have kept tabs on as the company raised funding and expanded further into international markets.
The new BREKR Model F is the latest big move from the company, demonstrating the brand’s design chops on an entirely new class of vehicle.
Unlike the BREKR Model B that is classified as a moped, the BREKR Model F can slide in under electric bicycle designations thanks to its functional pedals.
But these aren’t some slap-on vestigial pedals — they’re part of a nicely designed belt-enabled drivetrain.
https://electrek.co/2022/12/16/brekr-model-f-electric-bike-unveiled/
Buzz
Buzz E-bike review: The most affordable mid-drive electric bike on the market?
Micah Toll - Mar. 24th 2020 10:22 am ET
Mid-drive electric bicycles (e-bikes with a motor that powers the bike near the pedals in the center of the bike) have a number of advantages over typical hub motor e-bikes. However, price isn’t usually one of them. The more complicated motor and smoother operation of a mid-drive often jacks up the price. That is precisely the reason why I was excited to test out the Buzz E-bike, which is perhaps the most affordable mid-drive e-bike on the market today.
Buzz E-bike — a $1,499 mid-drive electric bicycle
Considering that a mid-drive electric bicycle below $2,000 is almost unheard of, there’s got to be a catch here, right? How can a mid-drive electric bike sell for $1,499?
https://electrek.co/2020/03/24/buzz-e-bike-review-affordable-mid-drive-electric-bike/
The Drone Aims To End Up in Your Garage With Comfort, Styling, and a Low Price
4 Jun 2024, 18:04 UTC - Cristian Curmei
E-bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but when a team like Buzz Bicycles - the same that's part of the group of brands such as Huffy and Vaast - spits out a new two-wheeler, you can expect a beast for as little cash as possible. Well, that seems to be precisely the cast with Buzz's newest addition to their ever-growing lineup, the Drone, a fat-tire e-bike with a “motorcycle-inspired frame.” I'm guessing the Honda Trail 50 was the inspiration. Then again, it also comes across like all those mopeds you see riding around various countries; it's an often-encountered look, especially these days; more on that later.
For now, allow me to point out that Buzz is selling the Drone for no more than $1,400 (€1,300 at current exchange rates). Since this EV was only recently unveiled, it's in the Presale stages, with the official launch set for mid-June. Yet, some people seem to have gotten theirs a tad sooner, as there are already reviews on the manufacturer's website, and all of them are 5/5 stars. It's time to find out why.
Kicking things off with the Drone, nothing other than good old aluminum brings this bike's frame to life. But it's all based on a comfortable step-through design, so it can be used by a wide range of riders. The specifications list does mention the phrase “step-over,” but I'm just not seeing it.
Drone
How to Change the Settings on a Buzz Drone E-bike
Get the most out of your new e-bike by tweaking these settings.
Stephen Johnson - 9 June 2025
If you've purchased a Buzz Drone e-bike and decided to tweak the settings, you've probably been met with a confusing surprise: the settings menu is all but incomprehensible. I've put together this explainer to get you up to speed on how to change the settings on a Buzz Drone e-bike.
https://lifehacker.com/tech/change-settings-buzz-drone-e-bike
C3STROM
C3STROM Astro combines e-bike design with motorcycle styling for a fast, new electric moped
Micah Toll - May. 6th 2022 5:13 am PT
Electric bicycles that blur the line with electric motorcycles and mopeds are an increasingly popular category of the e-bike industry. The latest new e-bike to take a full-throttle approach to this design philosophy is the C3STROM Astro.
Available in both the Astro and Astro Pro models, C3STROM is definitely packing both high-power looks and the high-power performance to match.
And that was by design, as C3STROM CEO Harry Chan explained in a statement provided to Electrek:
The Astro’s release marks a new level for the all-in-one electric bike. The story here was just us asking, ‘Why are riders supposed to choose between looks, comfort, speed, and adaptability?’ They shouldn’t have to.
So far, it seems like Chan’s statement rings true. The motor may be listed as a street-legal 750W power plant offering a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) to score the bike a legal Class 3 designation, but it can be unlocked to achieve 32 mph (52 km/h) in off-road mode. The front suspension fork should help with bumps to a degree, but the lack of rear suspension could make any decent-size potholes or obstacles quite a doozy at top speed.
C3STROM ASTRO PRO review: This fast electric motorbike is pretending to be an electric bicycle
Micah Toll - Jun. 27th 2022 10:12 am PT
Some electric bicycles are for leisurely rides in the park. Some are for dropping off the kids at school or picking up groceries. Some are for budget-friendly alternative methods of transportation. The C3STROM ASTRO PRO electric bike is none of those things, and I struggle to even call it an electric “bike.” This is a powerful, full-featured electric motorbike wearing an e-bike’s clothes.
C3STROM ASTRO PRO tech specs
- Motor: 750W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) or claimed 32 mph (51.5 km/h) in offroad mode
- Range: 31+ miles (50 km) on throttle, more on pedal assist
- Battery: 52V 20Ah 1,040 Wh (removable and lockable)
- Weight: 95 lb (43 kg)
- Wheels: 20-inch x 4.25-inch fat tires
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Large LED display, bright headlight and taillight with turn signals, included rack and fenders, 7-speed gearing, USB charging port in display
https://electrek.co/2022/06/27/c3strom-astro-pro-review-e-bike/
Ca Go
The Ca Go Cargo Bike Is the Most Attractive Alternative to a City Car. Safe, Too
11 Aug 2024, 07:27 UTC - Elena Gorgan
Our cities are getting more crowded, noisier and more polluted, and downright impossible to navigate during rush hours. One way to work around all these issues would be to ditch the car in favor of riding a bicycle.
The age-old debate of car vs. bike isn't going to find a solution today with this story, but only because there isn't a solution – and there shouldn't be a debate, to begin with. Many people depend on the car to move around and get their work done. Others can afford to ride a bike instead, whether on consideration of time, willingness and desire to work out, or their physical condition.
A product like the Ca Go Cargo Bike targets consumers at the intersection of these two niches, perhaps family types who already own a car and would like an alternative to a second daily driver. It's a cargo electric bike but one that stands out for its unique features, its massive size, and outstanding abilities as a workhorse. It also stands out for its rather unfortunate choice of a name, but only if you speak Spanish. IYKYK.
Jokes aside, the Ca Go Cargo Bike fashions itself as “the safest cargo bike there is” and “the most attractive alternative to a city car,” and it might just be both these things. With the recent boom on the market of electric bikes came a predictable spike in interest for pedal-assist cargo bikes, many of which have come to replace cars on school dropoffs, grocery runs, or even delivery fleets.
Cake
Here's What Happens When A CAKE Electric Bike Shows Up At Your Door
The unboxing process is straightforward, but you'll probably want a second pair of hands.
Aug 31, 2022 at 7:00pm ET - Janaki Jitchotvisut
If you’ve owned any kind of adult-sized motorbike before, chances are good that you picked it up in person. Buying it new usually means a dealership experience, while buying used usually means you’re meeting a private seller at an agreed-upon location, looking everything over, exchanging money and a title, and likely being on your way with your new machine.
That’s not the case with Swedish electric motorbike maker CAKE, which ships directly to customers. A freight company will show up with a palleted crate containing your bike inside, and they’ll deposit it where you ask them to. After you inspect the box to make sure there’s no damage, you’ll sign to indicate that you’ve received it, and then you can open the box and start getting ready to ride.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/607640/cake-osa-work-unboxing-process/
Canyon
Canyon’s four-wheeled electric pedal car could get push from over $900M investment
Micah Toll - Dec. 24th 2020 4:42 am ET
A few months ago, German cycling manufacturer Canyon unveiled an interesting new electric pedal car concept known as the Canyon Future Mobility Project. At the time it seemed like a far-off concept for the high-end bicycle manufacturer. But now a new investment round reported to be nearly $1 billion could breathe fresh life into the project.
Canyon is better known for the company’s high-end bicycles, but has expanded further into electric bicycles lately.
The move comes at a time when electric bicycle sales are skyrocketing due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://electrek.co/2020/12/24/canyons-four-wheeled-electric-pedal-car-investment/
Charge Bikes
Charge’s City is an e-bike for everyone
Gregory Manalo / 3:00 AM PST•November 20, 2020
Charge Bikes founder Nick Larsen and VP of product Peter Vallance wanted to reduce the pain points of buying and owning an electric bike to attract everyday folks and cycling enthusiasts alike.
The company offers three models: the Comfort for weekend leisure rides, the City for commuters and the XC for off-road enthusiasts. I got to spend some time with the City and took it on a quick grocery run to see what it could do.
The bike features a 250w geared hub motor with a max speed up to 20 MPH, pedal assist and throttle, front and rear lights, a locking removable battery that’s capable of 50 miles on a single charge, folding handlebar and pedals, puncture-resistant Goodyear tires, tire pressure sensors, an easy to read display with speed and power assist selector, disc brakes, Shimano Tourney 7 speed shifter, fenders, a rack and a handy dandy kickstand. All of that weighs in at just 45 pounds.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/20/the-charge-city-is-an-e-bike-made-for-everyone
CityQ
CityQ’s enclosed electric Car-eBike begins taking pre-orders
Micah Toll - Jun. 19th 2020 10:29 am ET
As e-bikes continue to explode in popularity and cause a nationwide shortage of the two-wheeled transports, waves of new riders are discovering the benefits of pedaling their way to work without breaking a sweat. And the ability to distance oneself from other commuters in crowded public transportation certainly sweetens the deal.
But many more are discovering a significant downside to bikes, which is that riders aren’t protected from the weather, be it heavy rain or the glaring sun. That’s a problem that CityQ is hoping to solve with its enclosed electric vehicle known as the CityQ Car-eBike.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/19/cityqs-enclosed-electric-car-ebike-begins-taking-pre-orders/
CityQ’s enclosed electric Car-eBike begins taking pre-orders
Micah Toll - Jun. 19th 2020 10:29 am ET
As e-bikes continue to explode in popularity and cause a nationwide shortage of the two-wheeled transports, waves of new riders are discovering the benefits of pedaling their way to work without breaking a sweat. And the ability to distance oneself from other commuters in crowded public transportation certainly sweetens the deal.
But many more are discovering a significant downside to bikes, which is that riders aren’t protected from the weather, be it heavy rain or the glaring sun. That’s a problem that CityQ is hoping to solve with its enclosed electric vehicle known as the CityQ Car-eBike.
And now the Oslo-based company has opened pre-orders for its Car-eBike as it prepares for 2021 deliveries.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/19/cityqs-enclosed-electric-car-ebike-begins-taking-pre-orders/
CityQ is like a four-wheeled electronic-drive ebike
By Ben Coxworth - January 08, 2021
Ebikes may indeed require less pedalling effort than regular bicycles, but most still offer little in the way of cargo capacity or protection from the elements. The CityQ is designed to provide both, along with four-wheeled stability.
Created by Norwegian company CityQ AS, the vehicle is pedalled like a bike, with a 250-watt motor augmenting the rider's pedalling power. However, the pedals aren't directly linked to the drivetrain. Instead, the CityQ features what is simply described as “a software-managed drivetrain – like you find in electric cars.”
https://newatlas.com/urban-transport/cityq-four-wheeled-electronic-drive-ebike/
Civilized Cycles
Civilized Cycles' Model 1 is a posh, surprisingly practical e-bike
Think of it as a more practical electric Vespa you can pedal.
Chris Velazco - June 9th, 2021
For many, e-bikes have become a fixture of life in New York City. Couriers use them to zip between apartments, bags of fragrant takeout in tow. Tourists grab them from CitiBike stands to lazily loop around parks. And more recently, an uptick in sales has proven residents are embracing these easy rides as they contend with streets that still aren’t quite as full as they used to be.
Point is, we’ve seen a lot of them cruising through the boroughs in the last year. But none of them look like the Civilized Cycles Model 1.
https://www.engadget.com/civilized-cycles-model-1-posh-e-bike-first-ride-hands-on-130159771.html
Getting what you pay for? A spin on the design-focused electric bike
What do you get from an electric bike that costs more than some scooters?
John Timmer - 7/4/2021, 6:30 AM
The pricing on bicycles has always been a bit insane. While it's easy to find deals on bikes for under $1,000, it's also possible to spend over $10,000 on a high-end road bike. Electric bikes, while not quite as extreme, have a broad spread. At the low end, they're pretty much commoditized, with lots of companies offering similar options that provide basic e-bike functionality. The differentiation really happens at the high end, where prices can easily clear $5,000.
We recently got a chance to test-ride a new offering from a new company called Civilized Cycles based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Its launch model, intended for availability late this year, aims squarely at the high end, with plenty of carefully thought-out features and a clear sense of design. You get quite a bit that's not available from commoditized alternatives, but the price for the extras is going to be $5,500.
Cowboy
Cowboy releases updated e-bike with new carbon belt
Romain Dillet / 8:23 am PDT•June 4, 2020
Electric-bike maker Cowboy has released a new iteration of its bike, the Cowboy 3. It’s a relatively small update that should make the experience better for newcomers. The first orders will be delivered at the end of July and the Cowboy 3 is now slightly more expensive at €2,290 or £1,990 ($2,500).
The bike still looks a lot like the Cowboy 2 that I reviewed last year. It has a triangle-shaped aluminum frame with integrated pill-shaped lights. The handlebar is still perfectly straight like on a mountain bike.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/04/cowboy-releases-updated-e-bike-with-new-carbon-belt/
Electric-bike maker Cowboy raises $26 million
Romain Dillet / 2:06 am PDT•July 23, 2020
Cowboy has raised a $26 million (€23 million) Series B funding round from Exor Seeds, HCVC, Isomer Capital, Future Positive Capital and Index Ventures. The startup has been manufacturing premium electric bikes and selling them directly to consumers around Europe.
The company recently released the third generation of its flagship bike, which is all about refinements and iterating on its existing offering. If you haven’t seen one in a European city, it features an iconic triangle-shaped aluminum frame with integrated pill-shaped lights.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/23/electric-bike-maker-cowboy-raises-26-million/
Cowboy is bringing free crash detection to its e-bikes
The feature is coming to Cowboy 2 and 3 this month.
Kris Holt - 21 September 2020
Cowboy is bringing crash detection smarts to its e-bikes by the end of this month. It has been beta testing the feature with a thousand users, but it’ll soon be available for free to all Cowboy 2 and Cowboy 3 owners.
The bike uses its sensors to watch out for potential falls. If it detects one, and you don’t confirm that everything’s okay within a minute, Cowboy can alert up to two emergency contacts. If you don’t have your phone with you or the bike can’t communicate with the Cowboy app, it can use its built-in SIM card to let your contacts know something might be wrong. It’ll also provide your location to them in real-time through GPS tracking.
https://www.engadget.com/cowboy-ebike-crash-detection-173051437.html
Cowboy 3 electric bike review: better safe than sporty
Whoa boy
By Thomas Ricker - Sep 25, 2020, 6:09am EDT
CowboyCowboy has returned with its third-generation e-bike. It’s still the best-looking pedal-assisted electric bike with a removable battery that I’ve ever seen having carried forward the same physical design as the original Cowboy. While the Cowboy 2 from last year was sporty, the Cowboy 3 is mature, focusing on safety rather than fun.
The Cowboy 3 is fitted with a variety of safety features including automatic crash detection, a slower top speed, and new puncture-resistant tires of Cowboy design. Version three, like the previous model, also has integrated lighting, with a rear light that flashes red when braking. And believe it or not, Cowboy’s finally making fenders.
It’s as if this Belgian startup wants to become the Volvo of e-bikes. Not that that’s a bad thing.
https://www.theverge.com/21454206/cowboy-3-electric-bike-review-price-features
Cowboy 4 electric bike launches with a step-through model
Both versions come with an integrated cockpit for your phone.
Mariella Moon - May 6th, 2021
Cowboy has launched its fourth generation urban electric bike, and this one comes in two different frames. While the standard Cowboy 4 looks like its predecessors, the C4 ST version is a step-through model that offers an upright riding position meant to attract a broader audience looking for a more comfortable ride. The ST version was optimized for riders 160 to 190cm (5'2“ to 6'2” in height), whereas the standard one works best for riders 170 to 195cm (5'6“ to 6'4”) tall.
Both models have 50 percent more torque, which powers the e—bikes' automatic transmission, than their predecessors. They both also come with a new integrated cockpit where you can easily mount your smartphone for access to the company's app or any other navigation app. Docking your phone on the cockpit will wirelessly recharge it using power from the bike's battery.
https://www.engadget.com/cowboy-4-electric-bike-launches-with-a-step-through-model-121513629.html
Cowboy launches the Cowboy 4 e-bike, with a step-through version and built-in phone charger
Mike Butcher / 7:07 AM PDT•May 8, 2021
E-bike startup Cowboy has launched the Cowboy 4, its newest generation of urban electric bikes. The bike will come in two different frames, a traditional frame, and a step-through.
The C4 is basically an upgrade on the previous version 3, while the ‘C4 ST’ is a step-through model which the company is predicting will appeal to young people used to city bikes.
The C4 and C4 ST are both priced at £2,290/€2,490 inclusive of mudguards and are available for pre-order with a €100/£100 deposit starting from today cowboy.com, with deliveries starting in September 2021.
E-bike maker Cowboy raises new funding round and launches AdaptivePower
Romain Dillet - 9 March 2023
Brussels-based startup Cowboy has been in the news lately for its cash burn rate. But the company wants to control its narrative again with some product and business news. Cowboy is launching a new feature called “AdaptivePower,” which automatically adjusts the power of the motor depending on the current slope and weather conditions.
Cowboy’s electric bikes are pretty straightforward — there are no gears and there are no + and – buttons to adjust the power of the motor. The company thinks riding a bike should be as easy as jumping on the saddle and putting a foot on the peddle.
But that minimalistic approach has some drawbacks. While the default power mode works fine in most cities, it’s not enough in hilly cities like San Francisco.
Cowboy’s ‘Adaptive Power’ update breathes new life into its flagship bike
It's a software update for both new and existing Cowboy 4 e-bikes.
Mat Smith - March 14, 2023 9:45 AM
When Cowboy, a premium European e-bike company, invited the media to an event in Paris, France, it faced some unexpected challenges. Along with torrential rain, there also were strikes and protests against changes to the country’s pension system. And then the big reveal was… not a new bike. Instead, the announcement was three springtime color options for the Cowboy 4's step-through (ST) model plus Adaptive Power, a software upgrade coming to Cowboy 4 bikes this month. So when I met the company’s execs, I already had my question: Where’s the new model?
But before I sat down to speak with them, I was able to try out Adaptive Power, touring a few blocks and dipping down and out of Parisian car parks. Would this smarter e-bike (with the same motor) translate to any tangible improvements? Fortunately, yes. Adaptive power works by tapping into the e-bike’s accelerometer and other sensors, based on the rider’s weight, momentum and other factors – even wind. The new feature adjusts the motor’s power without the need for gears or tapping a boost button. The sensors also seemingly detect inclines as soon as your front wheel hits them, increasing motor assistance. The update taps into the same sensors and tech already used for crash detection.
https://www.engadget.com/cowboy-4-ebike-adaptive-power-update-test-ride-134503675.html
First they worked in tandem, now they’re in an e-bike patent suit
A partnership gone sour between Cowboy and eBikeLabs highlights the tricky path ahead in the mobility space
Romain Dillet - 29 May 2023
Grenoble-based eBikeLabs, a French startup that has been working on embedded software for electric bikes, is suing Cowboy for patent infringement and, more generally, copying eBikeLabs’ technology in its latest feature, AdaptivePower. Cowboy, the Belgian electric bike manufacturer, has refuted all the allegations and even said that eBikeLabs is running a smear campaign.
There have been others tracking this saga. Now, TechCrunch has received some new information about a meeting that took place between the two companies on February 2022. In this meeting, executives from both companies discussed eBikeLabs’ intellectual property strategy and eBikeLabs’ implementation of its field adaptation algorithm.
This is a messy story about a business relationship that fell apart between a small startup that doesn’t have deep pockets and a popular consumer brand that wants to protect its reputation.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/30/cowboys-latest-e-bike-feature-leads-to-a-legal-showdown/
Cowboy e-bikes, now with built-in Google Maps
Your favorite maps are now baked into the Cowboy app. It’s a first step with more Google goodness to come.
Thomas Ricker - Jun 9, 2023, 1:54 AM PDT
E-bike maker Cowboy has swapped the navigation tool used in its app for Google Maps, which should improve the riding experience for many.
The mapping software included in many e-bike companion apps is often lacking, and Cowboy’s app was no exception. “Improved map navigation was the most requested update from within the Cowboy community,” Cowboy co-founder and CTO Tanguy Goretti told me on the sidelines of Micromobility Europe in Amsterdam yesterday.
The app, according to Goretti, is heavily used by Cowboy owners, 45 percent of whom regular mount their phones on the integrated wireless charging pad found on the company’s excellent 4-series e-bikes. With this new integration, riders no longer have to switch between their Cowboy dashboard and the standalone Google Maps app.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23755055/cowboy-google-maps-navigation-app-update
Cowboy Cruiser e-bike offers a more upright ride
The new model allows for a Dutch riding style and has a wider saddle.
Will Shanklin - July 2, 2023 8:00 PM
When premium e-bike maker Cowboy introduced its Adaptive Power update earlier this year, Engadget’s Mat Smith wondered when a new model would arrive. We have the answer today as the company announced the Cowboy Cruiser. The new variant encourages a more upright design for a relaxed Dutch riding position. It also includes a wider saddle — a feature that was at the top of our wish list for the Belgian company’s latest iteration.
The Cowboy Cruiser weighs 19.3 kg (42.5 lbs) and includes comfort grips and a “distinctive raised and curved handlebar to facilitate a natural hand position.” Its saddle is wider and has an increased gear ratio compared to previous models. The e-bike has a wireless charging phone mount, and, like with all of its models, its companion app integrates with Google Maps. In addition, it has a removable battery, carbon belt, mudguards and “puncture-resistant” 47mm tires. Of course, all of the company’s models have crash detection.
https://www.engadget.com/cowboy-cruiser-e-bike-offers-a-more-upright-ride-000010102.html
Cowboy's New Core E-Bike Offers No-Frills Mobility On A Budget
The Belgian manufacturer’s newest e-bike is the most affordable in its lineup to date.
Jul 19, 2023 at 9:16am ET - Enrico Punsalang
Belgian e-bike specialist Cowboy has an interesting and intuitive way of tailoring its bikes to suit a wide range of applications. By leveraging on a single frame design and tweaking ergonomics with varying handlebars and accessories Cowboy is able to come up with multiple models for all sorts of riders. Thanks to this simple yet effective approach, Cowboy has managed to sell more than 55,000 bikes in 2023 so far.
If the Classic, Cruiser, and Cruiser ST models sit on the more premium side of the spectrum, the brand’s new Core series makes its tech accessible to a wider audience. As you’d expect, the Cowboy Core series is aimed at price-conscious riders, and as the name suggests, focuses on the bare essentials when it comes to providing a modern e-cycling experience. It features the same frame design, with the battery mounted in the frame’s seat tube, as against the down tube in conventional e-bikes.
https://insideevs.com/news/677430/cowboy-core-configuration-launch-2023/
Cowboy owners in Europe can now book on-demand e-bike repairs and tune-ups
Taylor Hatmaker - 8 February 2024
Cowboy is rolling out a new repairs and service program designed to give its e-bike riders more ways to keep their wheels on the road.
The company just announced that it will begin offering a new on-demand service program for basic maintenance, customization and repairs, delivered at a rider’s home. The services, which include tire repairs, set-up, rear rack installs and the like, are now bookable through Cowboy’s existing app starting at €69/£69. The on-demand service option is available nationwide across Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and “capital regions” in France, the U.K., Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Italy.
Cowboy already offers repairs and tune-ups through a few brick and mortar stores in Berlin, Brussels and Paris, and via a series of partnered European bike shops trained to maintain its bikes. The company also lets riders in some markets buy a £20 monthly service subscription known as Cowboy Care, which covers 14 European cities including Amsterdam, Munich, Brussels, Paris and London.
Cowboy launches all-road electric bike to attract riders beyond European city centers
Romain Dillet - 19 March 2024
Cowboy is better known for its sleek electric bikes that you can see in many major cities across Europe. And if you look at the persons riding those Cowboy bikes, most of the time, you’ll see a young adult heading to an office with a laptop in a backpack.
That’s why the company is launching a brand-new bike called Cowboy Cross. It’s an all-road model that aims for comfort and long-distance trips.
I had the opportunity to see the new Cowboy Cross last week and take it for a test ride for a few minutes. When it comes to design, it definitely looks like a Cowboy bike with its pill-shaped front light, angular design and soft matte colors.
Similarly, Cowboy is betting on a fully integrated design with as little maintenance as possible. There’s no (physical) gear, braking cables are hidden as much as possible and the company uses carbon fiber belts.
What’s new with the Cowboy Cross are the tires. The wheels are slightly smaller (26.5 inches), but the custom-designed tires are much larger.
https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/19/cowboy-launches-all-road-electric-bike/
E-bike maker Cowboy raises a small funding round as it targets profitability next year
Romain Dillet - 3:00 PM PDT September 4, 2024
Cowboy, the Brussels-based company that has been designing and selling electric bikes that you can see in major cities across Europe, has closed a small, strategic funding round of €5 million (around $5.5 million at current exchange rates). That includes €1 million in debt facilities.
While the amount isn’t as impressive as some of Cowboy’s previous fundraises, the company has been looking for an investor outside of the traditional European VC firms that have already invested in the startup — an investor that could potentially open new doors. As a result, Cypress Capital is leading the round. The Hong Kong-based investment firm has strong ties with Taiwan, which is a key hub for the global bicycle industry.
“A lot of our Asian-based suppliers are Taiwanese for historical reasons. We are growing the portion of our European suppliers continuously as we have about half of our parts that come from European suppliers. But the other half comes from Asia and mostly from Taiwanese suppliers,” Cowboy co-founder and CEO Adrien Roose (pictured above right) told TechCrunch.
Cowboy e-bikes rescued from collapse thanks to rescue deal
The company struggled with post-COVID issues and a recall caused by a manufacturing defect.
Mariella Moon - Thu, August 14, 2025 at 5:30 AM PDT
E-bike company Cowboy has secured short-term financing that would allow its operations to go back to normal after a period it describes as the “most challenging in [its] history.” The company has revealed that it has signed a term sheet with a new partner, Rebirth, which it believes would pave the way for long-term stability. As The Verge notes, Rebirth is the parent of ReCycles, the prominent French manufacturer that took over bike assembly for Cowboy back in February.
For quite some time, the company's fate was up in the air. Cowboy explained that over the past couple of years, it has been hit by several problems that are plaguing the whole industry, including the post-COVID shifts in the demand for e-bikes and massive supply chain problems. On top of those, it had to launch a recall for some of its Cruiser ST bikes when their frames started to crack after 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles), which Cowboy said “added strain to an already difficult time.” It explained that the issue was caused by one of its suppliers making an unauthorized change to the bikes.
VanMoof
Cowboy rides to the rescue of VanMoof owners with app to unlock threatened bikes
Mike Butcher - 13 July 2023
Since struggling e-bike startup VanMoof confirmed it had gone into the Dutch version of administration, there has been a question hanging over the VanMoof bikes out there in the wild. These bikes relied heavily on a connected smartphone app made by the company. The app controlled a number of important settings and functions, not the least of which was actually allowing the bike to start (although there are two non-app options).
If VanMoof servers go offline during their administration, VanMoof riders will be left with a less than satisfactory e-bike, which barely works without its software “key.”
However, riding to the rescue is, somewhat improbably, Cowboy, their e-bike competitor over the border in Belgium.
CSC Motorcycles
CSC Motorcycles launches two new nicely outfitted electric bicycles in the US
Micah Toll - Mar. 10th 2021 10:25 am ET
CSC Motorcycles is perhaps better known for its affordable line of both gas-powered and electric motorcycles and scooters. But after entering the electric bicycle market last year with two impressive fat tire e-bikes, the company is now doubling down with two more e-bikes designed for a broader audience.
The two new e-bikes include the step-through fat tire e-bike dubbed the FT750ST as well as a dual-battery electric cargo bike known as the Vista Cruiser.
The FT750ST shares many components with CSC’s first two electric bicycles, the FT750-20 and FT750-26, yet updates the design with a step-through frame that many riders will find more accessible.
Cycrown
CycWagon
A cargo bike with a low price and pedals so low they scrape the ground
A budget offering with a torque sensor (good!) and a whole lot of issues (not good).
John Timmer - 9/6/2024, 6:20 AM
More so than most other forms of bicycle, cargo bikes are specifically designed to make ditching a car easier. Whether hauling groceries or kids, they can handle a lot more of the day-to-day errand running than most other forms of two-wheeled transport. The problem with some of the higher-end cargo bikes is that the upfront costs can be competitive with a decent used car (although operating costs will be dramatically lower) without offering quite the flexibility that a car might.
Fortunately, as Beth Mole discovered, you don't necessarily have to spend that much to get a decent riding experience, putting cars at a further disadvantage. That left me curious as to what the price floor for a decent cargo bike might be—how little can you pay and still get a satisfactory experience? I was also keen for a second try on my experiment of going a month without using a car, meant to happen during my earlier review but interrupted by wildfire smoke.
All of which explains why I took delivery of a $1,500 cargo bike called the CycWagon, from a company called Cycrown. It's currently well on its way toward getting me through a car-free month, but it has… well, a lot of issues.
Cyrusher
Cyrusher XF650 electric fat tire bike review: 1,000 W of power to Cyrush everything!
Micah Toll - Aug. 21st 2020 9:39 am ET
Despite its name not doing the bike any favors, the Cyrusher XF650 is a powerful fat tire e-bike that could be an excellent way to shred everything from bike lanes to off-road trails.
For those still scratching their heads, “Cyrusher” is a portmanteau of “cycling” and “rusher”, a name that Harry Xie chose when he founded the company in order to double down on his goal of pushing (or “rushing”) the e-bike industry forward.
From my testing of the Cyrusher XF650, I can definitely say that the bike provides quite a rush.
The combination of a powerful 48 V system and those joy-riding fat tires results in a fast e-bike with almost no limits to where you can ride.
And those bright colors sure are fun too!
https://electrek.co/2020/08/21/cyrusher-xf650-electric-fat-tire-bike-review-1000-watts/
New ‘motorcycle-inspired’ electric bicycle is fast, fat, and fully suspended
Micah Toll - Sep. 14th 2020 10:00 am ET
The Cyrusher Everest XF900, which was just launched today, claims to be a motorcycle-inspired e-bike that combines the best of both worlds. It offers high-speed riding, full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and other premium features, not to mention a price set conspicuously below its competitors.
Cyrusher Everest XF900 e-bike launched
Shenzhen-based Cyrusher isn’t new to e-bikes — they’ve been around the block several times.
But the company’s latest electric bike pushes the manufacturer into new territory with nicer components and at a better price point than the company has previously hit for such a bike.
Cyrusher XF650 electric fat tire bike review: 1,000 W of power to Cyrush everything!
Micah Toll - Aug. 21st 2020 9:39 am
Despite its name not doing the bike any favors, the Cyrusher XF650 is a powerful fat tire e-bike that could be an excellent way to shred everything from bike lanes to off-road trails.
For those still scratching their heads, “Cyrusher” is a portmanteau of “cycling” and “rusher”, a name that Harry Xie chose when he founded the company in order to double down on his goal of pushing (or “rushing”) the e-bike industry forward.
From my testing of the Cyrusher XF650, I can definitely say that the bike provides quite a rush.
The combination of a powerful 48 V system and those joy-riding fat tires results in a fast e-bike with almost no limits to where you can ride.
And those bright colors sure are fun too!
https://electrek.co/2020/08/21/cyrusher-xf650-electric-fat-tire-bike-review-1000-watts/amp/
Very fat tires, a battery, front and rear springs and… a hinge?
A little of everything or an awkward balancing act?
John Timmer - 1/18/2023, 12:31 PM
Cyrusher offers a wide range of e-bikes, from basic around-town frames to rugged all-terrain bikes, with the unifying theme being very, very fat tires. I'd seen a number of people cruising around on extra-fat tires (as in, much fatter than a mountain bike's) and was curious about them. Just how much did the huge surface area of these tires slow down your ride? And is the traction they offer worth paying that cost in performance?
So, I was excited about getting the chance to try one out to see for myself. But then I noticed the XF690 Maxs and got excited about a bunch of other stuff, too. It was a folding bike, and I'd been wanting to try one of those. I've spent almost no time on mountain bikes and was curious about taking one across some rough terrain. The XF690 Maxs seemed to offer the chance to scratch a number of itches at once.
It didn't quite work out as I hoped, in that some of the things I wanted to try weren't especially compatible with each other. So, while the XF690 Maxs is an interesting bike, it's somewhat less than the sum of its parts, in that designs dedicated to just one of these capabilities will probably get you a better experience.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/01/doing-it-all-a-foldable-mountain-e-bike-with-extra-fat-tires/
Dahon
Dahon launches first super-lightweight e-bike that is actually affordable
Micah Toll - Jul 2 2025 9:43 am PT
Every year, it seems like there’s a new headline about the world’s lightest electric bike. Each year, engineers manage to shave a few more grams off of an exotically designed frame built with even more exotic materials. And each year, the continuously lower weight is balanced by continuously higher prices – often exorbitantly high. But now Dahon has bucked that trend, offering us an incredibly lightweight electric bike at a price that normal e-bike riders can afford. Meet the Dahon K-Feather.
To put things in perspective, some of the previous lightest electric bicycles have included the 11.8 kg (26 lb) LeMond Prolog at US $4,500, the 11.75 kg (25.9 lb) Trek Domane+ SLR at US $8,999, and the 10 kg (22 lb) Hummingbird Flax folding e-bike at US $6,050.
So with that in mind, please allow me to introduce you to the new Dahon K-Feather. This is a 12 kg (26.5 lb) folding electric bike priced at an incredibly reasonable US $1,199 in North America or €1,499 in Europe.
Sure, it’s not the absolute lightest folding e-bike we’ve ever seen, but it’s 90% of the way there and at a quarter of the price. Plus, it comes from Dahon, which is one of the most respected names in the folding bike world and is largely credited with paving the way for the booming folding bike industry we see today. Since the 1980s, Dahon’s innovative designs have been imitated around the world, yet the folding bike maker has continued to innovate and stay several steps ahead of competing brands.
Dance
E-bike subscription service Dance adds new cities and mopeds
Romain Dillet - 11:00 PM PST March 8, 2022
After raising nearly $20 million a few months ago, Berlin-based startup Dance is expanding its electric bike subscription service to a handful of new cities. In addition to Berlin, people living in Hamburg, Munich, Vienna and Paris will be able to rent an e-bike for a fixed monthly price.
Dance isn’t just another e-bike manufacturer; the company designed e-bikes specifically to rent to customers. The Dance One has integrated lights, a carbon belt, hydraulic discs and a smartphone mount on the handlebar. You can unlock the battery to charge it at home without having to bring your bike inside.
Customers can reserve their own Dance bike for €79 per month, which includes both theft protection and repairs. When there’s something wrong with your bike, you can schedule a repair over the next 24 hours. That’s part of the reason why Dance is limited to a handful of cities.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/08/e-bike-subscription-service-dance-adds-new-cities-and-mopeds/
Decathalon
Decathlon Stilus E-Touring e-bike with 130 km range now available
The Decathlon Stilus E-Touring e-bike has arrived in EU countries, including the Netherlands, France and Germany. The model has an 85Nm motor with a torque sensor and up to 130 km (~81 miles) range from a Bosch PowerTube battery. Plus, the bike has a Bosch Kiox display and is compatible with the eBike Flow app.
Polly Allcock - 07/26/2023
Decathlon has launched the Stilus E-Touring e-bike in the EU. The new model has a mid-mounted Bosch Performance Line CX motor, assisting you at speeds up to 25 kph (~16 mph) and delivering up to 85Nm of torque. A torque sensor helps to ensure pedalling feels natural despite the additional power, and a 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery allows you to travel for up to 130 km (~81 miles) on a single charge.
The electric bicycle also has Schwalbe AL Grounder 29×2.35-in tires, a 10-speed Microshift Advent X rear derailleur and 180mm Clarks M2 hydraulic disc brakes. Other features include Spanninga Axendo 40 front and rear lights and a Bosch Kiox display to show directions and journey information. You can view further details in the accompanying eBike Flow app, where you can also trigger the eBike Lock. You can choose from three sizes, S, M and L, suiting riders who are 1.05 to 1.89m (~4 ft 11-in to 6ft 2-in) tall. The Stilus E-Touring has an Aluminum 6061 frame, with the medium model weighing 26.2 kg (~57.8 lbs)
Delfast
This 50 MPH police-edition electric bicycle could replace cop e-motorcycles
Delfast rolls out two new powerful e-bikes, touts 245 mile range
Micah Toll - Apr. 3rd 2020 8:19 am ET
If you’ve been looking for a high power, long range electric bicycle with an emphasis on the “e” and only a passing reference to the “bicycle”, then this could be right up your alley. The Ukrainian e-bike company Delfast has just announced all-new versions of their high power and long range electric bikes known as the Delfast Prime 2.0 and Partner 2.0.
Look up “ridiculous e-bikes” in the encyclopedia and you’ll find a reference to Delfast. And I mean that in a good way.
https://electrek.co/2020/04/03/delfast-prime-2-0-partner-electric-bicycle-245-mile-range/
Delfast launches new 50 mph Top 3.0 electric bike with 200-mile range
Micah Toll - Jun. 11th 2020 3:31 am ET
Delfast has just announced a new version of their high-power electric bike, the Delfast Top 3.0. The bike comes with some impressive and perhaps even ridiculous specs.
Whenever we talk about Delfast and the company’s extreme electric bikes, we have to play a little bit fast and loose with the term “bike.”
So when they reached out with news of their latest e-bike, I had to mentally prepare myself once again.
Delfast’s Top 3.0 is technically an electric bike. It has functional pedals, a bike seat, standard mountain bike handlebars, and even a new Gates carbon belt drive transmission.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/11/delfast-launches-new-50-mph-top-3-0-electric-bike-belt-drive/
Delfast launches new Cross Dirt electric bike with crazy specs, trying to challenge Sur Ron
Micah Toll - Aug. 15th 2020 4:53 am ET
Delfast’s bikes are normally known for their excessively large batteries and equally excessively high speeds. But now the Kyiv-based company is heading into decidedly dirtier territory with their new Delfast Cross Dirt electric bike.
https://electrek.co/2020/08/15/delfast-launches-new-cross-dirt-electric-bike-with-crazy-specs/
California
Delfast motors into new territory with 100-mile mid-drive California ebike
Paul Ridden - October 03, 2022
Back in 2017, the Ukraine's Delfast hit Kickstarter with a high-performance ebike/e-moped called the Prime. The company has now announced its return to crowdfunding later this month for a new Class 3 ebike called the California, which offers a hundred-mile range, pedal-assist up to 28 mph and a tasty 160 Nm of torque.
Following the successful Kickstarter, the Prime model went on to secure a Guinness World Record for the “greatest distance by electric bicycle, single charge” of 228.066 miles (367.037 km). Delfast has released a number of models since, including a special Police ebike, a race-ready dirt bike and a delivery trike.
To date, most models in the now US/Ukraine-based outfit's lineup have rocked distinctly motorcycle-inspired looks, but the California is a little different. Built around a U-shaped tubular steel frame for “unsurpassed strength and balance,” the Class 3 single-speed ebike comes with a 750-W (1,000-W peak) mid-mount Bafang M620 motor – instead of a rear-hub drive – for five levels of pedal-assist up to 28 mph (45 km/h) and a very healthy 160 Nm (118 lb.ft) of torque.
Delfast’s new ‘100-mile range’ electric moped officially launches with 50% off promotion
Micah Toll - Oct. 19th 2022 5:01 am PT
Last month we covered the unveiling of a new Ukrainian light electric motorbike known as the Delfast California. Now the bike has officially launched for pre-order.
Calling an e-bike “California” might seem like a strange move for a Ukrainian-based company like Delfast, but it comes with an interesting origin story.
One of Delfast’s designers was touring the company’s new California headquarters earlier this year when Russia began its brutal invasion of Ukraine’s territory.
Unable to immediately return home, the designer was stuck on the US West Coast with nothing to do but observe the local micromobility culture.
He immediately began drawing up a new electric moped that relied on influence from the local two-wheeler scene. He then worked with dozens of his colleagues back in Ukraine to quickly develop the company’s newest model, the Delfast California.
https://electrek.co/2022/10/19/delfast-california-electric-moped-launch/
Detroit
Ebikes No Longer Look Like Ebikes
The electric Detroit Bikes DB-E weighs just 32-pounds thanks to its thin tube frame.
Andrew Liszewski - 11 January 2023
Like the earliest electric cars, which were easy to spot thanks to their over-emphasis on aerodynamics, e-bikes tend to stand out with thick frames designed to hold bulky batteries. But as the DB-E from Detroit Bikes whizzes past you on the bike lane, you’d have to really look close to tell it’s got an electric motor helping its rider pedal.
Although some cyclists may look down on electric bikes and wonder what’s the point of going for a ride when the bike does most of the work for you, a pedal-assist electric motor can make a bicycle a more viable alternative to a car for daily commutes. Not everyone wants to get to work in the morning drenched in sweat.
https://gizmodo.com/detroit-db-e-ebike-electronic-bicycle-skinny-small-pric-1849975938
Diamondback
Diamondback goes electric, launches four mid-drive electric bikes for the street
Micah Toll - Apr. 6th 2021 7:49 am ET
Diamondback has just announced the launch of its first-ever electric bikes as part of the company’s spring 2021 lineup.
Diamondback is owned by parent company Alta Cycling, which has already offered electric bicycles through its other brands including Haibike, Raleigh, and IZIP.
Now Diamondback is going electric and getting its first four battery-assisted models.
The new e-bikes are designed for the pavement and cover a range of commuter and road bike roles.
DJI
Amflow
Drone Company DJI Is Making the ‘Natural Move’ to E-Bikes
The Amflow PL electric mountain bike has two battery options and only weighs 42 lbs.
Dua Rashid - Updated July 3, 2024
Popular drone maker DJI is taking a shot at making e-bikes now. The company announced its new Amflow PL electric mountain bike, or eMTB, is coming soon to a bike trail near you. One of the key features of DJI’s new bike is the new Avinox Drive System. It is as big as your palm and weighs just 5.5 lbs, but it is powerful enough to handle any terrain.
DJI seems focused on maintaining the Amflow PL’s low weight, as the bike is only around 42 lbs. Along with a lightweight drive unit, it will also sport light batteries. There will be two battery options—600Wh and 800Wh—to choose from.
DJI Revolutionizes Electric Mountain Bike Performance with Launch of Avinox Drive System at Eurobike 2024
Unleashing Unparalleled Power and Intelligence with new bike Brand Amflow
DJI - 2024-07-03
July 3, 2024 – DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology, today unveiled the Avinox Drive System, a groundbreaking e-bike drive system poised to redefine the electric mountain bike (eMTB) experience. The Avinox system, making its debut at Eurobike 2024, is another milestone of DJI's renowned technological advancement, offering riders unparalleled power, endurance and intelligent features.
“DJI's legacy of passion for innovation, as well as our expertise in battery and motor technology accumulated in drones and camera stabilization systems, have led us to the creation of Avinox. It is a natural move for DJI to expand into this field as we have been mastering the technologies essential to an electric bike system, in terms of reliable motor development, battery management, mechanical design and engineering. This powerful and compact e-bike drive system embodies our pursuit of technological excellence and opens up exciting new possibilities for DJI as a leading tech brand in the outdoor realm. We are thrilled to come with a new proposition where we expect our expertise can bring enhanced experience to the users.” said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI.
https://www.dji.com/sg/newsroom/news/dji-launch-avinox-drive-system-en
DJI's Amflow e-bikes are available to order in the US, but they don't come cheap
The company is branching away from drones.
Lawrence Bonk - Wed, Jul 30, 2025, 10:45 AM PDT
DJI's Amflow electric mountain bikes are now available to buy in the US, one full year after they made their way to European customers. These bikes include the company's proprietary and impressive Avinox drive system, which is built around a 1000W motor capable of producing 120Nm of max torque.
This system is also light and compact, allowing for efficiently-designed bikes like the Amflow line. The Amflow PL e-bike weighs just over 40 pounds and includes a four-bar linkage structure, a rear shock co-tuned with FOX and an SRAM rear derailleur. The specs fluctuate depending on if you choose the standard model or the Pro.
The Avinox system uses GaN 3x fast-charging tech, so the batteries on these bikes can go from empty to 75 percent in around 90 minutes. The system also integrates with a full-color touchscreen for control over the assist modes and to display pertinent information. Like most modern e-bikes, this system can connect to a smartphone for even more data.
These bikes have the usual assortment of riding assist modes, but the Auto mode uses “multi-sensor fusion” to continuously adjust the assistance level based on real-world riding resistance. The powerful motor of the Amflow PL is great for standard riding, but excels in off-road areas.
e-Joe
e-JOE ONYX sport commuter e-bike review: mid-drive looks, hub motor power
Micah Toll - Apr. 12th 2021 12:18 pm E
One of the most common uses for electric bicycles is as an alternative urban transport vehicle. Why drive a 3,000 lb car when a 60 lb electric bike can move you through the city quicker and cheaper? But unlike typical metro e-bikes, urban e-mountain bikes like the e-JOE ONYX add a bit of sportiness to the mix.
We’ve covered the concept of urban electric mountain bikes before.
They aren’t truly mountain bikes, they just borrow some of the geometry and ruggedness to better take on the urban jungle.
The e-JOE ONYX is a great example, as it combines a sporty mountain bike-style frame with utility features needed for a proper urban commuter e-bike, and then throws in a bit of comfort as well.
Electric Bike Company
Electric Bike Company launches US-built 25 MPH folding electric bike
Micah Toll - Aug. 21st 2022 4:38 am PT
Newport Beach, California-based Electric Bike Company has just launched its long-awaited folding e-bike model, known as the Model F. The folder embodies much of the same cruiser vibes and design ethos of the company’s larger e-bikes but in a smaller and more portable package.
And just like the rest of the company’s e-bikes, it is built right in Southern California before being shipped fully assembled to customers.
The Model F features a low step-through frame and 24″ wheels, which strike a compromise between larger 26″ cruiser wheels and the smaller 20″ wheels we often see on most folding electric bikes.
The 3″ wide tires are also a compromise between cushier fat tires and narrower street tires, falling more in the balloon tire category than true fat tires. The smaller diameter tires make the bike a bit more compact when folded but are still large enough to give a more typical cruiser-like ride.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/21/electric-bike-company-launches-us-built-25-mph-folding-electric-bike/
Engwe
Engwe Engine Pro 750 Review: Does This Fat-Tired Thicc Boy Belong in Your Garage?
We rode the Engwe Engine Pro 750 over 100 miles just for this review. But, was it worth it?
By Matt Hall - 3 November 2021
if you’re looking for a serious fat-tire e-Bike, then the Engine Pro 750 should be on the shortlist of bikes to consider. I’d admit, it is a bigger bike, but the fundamental question is: Will it serve you well when out on the road, out on the trail, or just running errands around town? For the Engwe Engine Pro 750, the answer to that question is an enthusiastic “Yes!” with the best part being how much fun you’ll have in the process.
Engine Pro E-Bike Plows Through Snow for Low Bucks: Can Fold To Easily Fit in Your Car
13 Oct 2022, 15:13 UTC · Cristian Curmei
Folks, the story of Engwe is one that started from a need, much like anything else, really. After all, necessity is the mother of invention, and in Engwe's case, that need is centered around riding far, riding hard, and doing it no matter the weather. To understand precisely what I mean, we can look at the Engine Pro, a fat tire e-bike ready for just about anything your adventures throw at you. Best of all, we're being asked to drop no more than €1,420 ($1,375 at current exchange rates) on a standard two-wheeler and just a couple hundred more on that limited edition model, the “Aurora” colored frame. That alone should be reason enough to read up for the next few minutes.
Now, anytime we take a look at a bicycle, no matter if it's electric or not, we have to consider the sort of terrain it's destined for. In the Pro's case, this bugger isn't just ready to tackle frozen wonderlands but is also designed to be an urban companion, and that's precisely what we'll explore today.
Engwe Engine Pro 750W review
Distinct-looking electric folding bike that's small on price and big on power
Warren Rossiter - October 29, 2022 at 9:00 am
Engwe’s Engine Pro electric bike certainly looks very different from your average folding electric bike.
It’s quite frankly gigantic, with the 20in wheels wrapped in 4in-wide studded off-road tyres that look as if they belong on a motorbike. The Engwe has a certain ‘monster truck’ appeal to it.
It’s one seriously heavy bike too. At 34kg with all the accessories in place, the idea of this being a portable folding bike is somewhat fanciful.
However, I appreciate being able to reduce the bike’s footprint from its 114cm wheelbase (174cm end to end) to half that for storage.
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/electric-bikes/engwe-engine-pro-750w-review/
ENGWE L20 new e-bike with 90-mile range arrives
ENGWE has launched the L20 e-bike in the US and Europe. The US model has a 750W motor and a top assistance speed of 25 mph (~40 kph), while the UK/EU model has a 250W motor for a 25 kph (~16 mph) top speed. Both models can travel up to 90 miles (~140 km) between charges.
Polly Allcock - 05/10/2023
The ENGWE L20 e-bike has launched in the US and can be pre-ordered in Europe. The US model has a 750W brushless motor providing 960W peak power and a top speed of 25 mph (~40 kph). The UK/EU model has a 250W motor with 50 Nm torque, assisting you at speeds up to 25 kph (~16 mph).
Both versions of the L20 have a 48V 13Ah lithium-ion battery, providing up to 90 miles (~140 km) of range; the power pack takes around 6.5 hours to charge fully. The e-bikes have seven-speed Shimano gears and 160mm front and rear disc brakes. A front suspension system and 20 x 4-in all-terrain fat tires help to make your ride more comfortable. The L20 has an aluminum alloy step-through frame, supporting a 264 lbs (~120 kg) payload and is suitable for riders 5 ft to 6.8 ft (~155 to 210 cm) in height.
Accessories on the electric bicycle include a front basket, rear rack and headlight. The bike comes in four colors: Flamingo Pink, Avocado Green, Snow White and Onyx Black. You can buy the ENGWE L20 e-bike in the US for US$1,199.99, with a US$150 coupon for early birds currently reducing the price to US$1,049.99. Customers in the UK and EU can pre-order the bicycle for £1,199 or €1,199, with £150 or €150 coupons also offered, with the model due to be available from May 20.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/ENGWE-L20-new-e-bike-with-90-mile-range-arrives.716339.0.html
Engwe M20 Fat Tire "eBike" Review: A Superb Budget Version of a Super73
A robust and stylish fat tire ebike, with dual battery option for extended range, superior power, and gorgeous design, at an affordable price point
James Bruce - 15 June 2023
The Engwe M20 is a stunningly good-looking fat-tire, moped-style ebike. It can accommodate dual batteries, with a powerful 750W motor, and a rugged frame suitable for rough terrain. It's essentially a budget Super73, and it's a lot of fun to ride. It's available now from GeekBuying.com from $1300 at the time of review.
There are two models available, with a single 624Wh battery, as reviewed, and a dual battery option, which will double your range. They claim up to 150km on dual batteries, or 75km with just the one.
Engwe M20 review: A beautiful e-bike with incredible range
The Engwe M20 is a go anywhere café racer-style urban dream with amazing specs
Paul Hatton - 14 January 2024
The Engwe M20 is a gorgeous electric bike with a café racer-style look that is very similar to the Super73, albeit a lot less utilitarian. The green aluminum frame with the offset mustard seat makes this a real looker and the spec doesn't let it down either. With a dual battery option, the range is ideal for all-day rides and those needing significant assistance. The disc brakes are adequate but could really have benefited from hydraulic options. For the price, it's hard to find anything that looks this good with the cycle range it boasts.
eSkute
eSkute Voyager: Powerful Budget e-Mountain Bike Goes Anywhere
The eSkute Voyager is a great value eMTB for beginners, with plenty of power and a relatively smooth ride.
James Bruce - 22 December 2021
If your idea of an affordable e-bike is some dainty foldable thing suitable only for flat city terrain, then think again. The eSkute Voyager mountain e-bike (EMTB) will take you anywhere, with all the power you need for rough terrain. I took it out to the rugged Cornish countryside to find out if this very reasonably priced £1000 mountain e-bike is worth it. It's available in the UK and Europe now, and should be launching in the US in early 2022.
https://www.makeuseof.com/eskute-voyager-review-emtb-mountain-bike/
Eskute's Netuno E-MTB May Be the Affordable Two-Wheeler That Your Doctor Ordered
5 Sep 2022, 20:04 UTC - Cristian Curmei
Folks, the name Eskute may have absolutely no meaning for you. Yet, by the time we look at what they offer the e-biking industry, you may find yourself picking up the phone and calling this Chinese manufacturer.
Based in Shenzhen, China, Eskute doesn't seem to come across as standing apart from other manufacturers. But, with machines distributed in just about every corner of the Earth, it should help to pay attention for the next few minutes; the Netuno E-MTB may be just the trinket you've been searching for.
Now, whenever we take a look at a bicycle, it helps to consider the sort of terrain it's been designed for, and the Netuno isn't the sort of trinket you should use to compete in downhill races, but it is precisely the sort of bicycle your can rely on for a wide range of other activities. From taking a Saturday morning ride to going to work and even riding out into the sunset, this bugger has been geared to be your go-to machine. One way you're being enticed is with a rather attractive price of $1,460 (€1,470 at current exchange rates).
Evari
Minimalist mid-drive city ebike rolls with carbon fiber and Bosch power
Paul Ridden - July 01, 2022
UK mobility startup Evari is heading to Eurobike in Frankfurt, Germany, later this month with a smooth-looking premium ride called the 856, an ebike rocking a monocoque carbon fiber frame, a Bosch Performance Line drive and titanium components.
The Evari 856 has been nominated for a 2022 Eurobike Innovation Award, with the company describing it as a “high-end electric bike featuring a monocoque carbon frame, total electronic integration and titanium components” and has been produced using “the finest materials and components, which are easy to service and should last longer for the owner.”
The leisure/commuter ebike boasts lots of carbon fiber and titanium to keep the weight down, tipping the scales at a relatively lightweight – for an ebike – 17.8 kg (39 lb). The frame, fork, seatpost, drop-outs, wheel rims, motor cover, top tube cover, handlebar and stem are all fashioned from carbon fiber, and the 856 also comes with Praxis Carbon crank arms. Titanium is the material of choice for the bolts and drive system (which includes the belt tensioner and snubber).
Fiido
Fiido D11 folding electric bike review: $999 and worth it
You get what you pay for
By Thomas Ricker - Oct 10, 2020, 6:32am EDT
NotNot everyone can afford a premium electric bike with prices that usually start at $2,000. But what if you could spend half that and still grab yourself a good-enough e-bike that’s suitable for long urban commutes and flexible enough to toss into the trunk of your car, roll onto a train, or carry home to your fifth-floor walkup? That’s what I hoped to find with the newest folding e-bike from the Chinese brand Fiido, which recently started selling directly into the European and North American markets.
The Fiido D11 ticks all the boxes: it’s available for as little as $999.99, has a claimed range of up to 100km, and folds into a tiny transportable package. It also looks nice.
https://www.theverge.com/21507889/fiido-d11-chinese-e-bike-review-price-us-europe-250w
Fiido D11 E-Bike Review: Fast, Foldable, Fun, and Less Than $1000
The Fiido D11 beckons to the budget-conscious rider who lusts after an engaging e-bike experience without the high price tag.
By Matt Hall - 8 July 2021
Folding electric bikes are a growing niche within the cycling industry. Once thought of as tools only used by older riders, e-bikes have gone relatively mainstream. Now, you can find riders from all walks of life using their battery-powered bicycle for different types of transportation. Recreational e-bike riders populate cycle paths on the weekends, hoping to enjoy the sunshine. Meanwhile, daily commuters zip through bustling city streets juiced on caffeine and battery power.
New Fiido T1 electric cargo bike channels a famous e-bike, yet adds several key upgrades
Micah Toll - Jan. 24th 2022 4:50 am PT
Fiido has just quietly launched the brand’s latest electric bicycle, known as the Fiido T1 electric cargo bike. And for anyone paying attention to the electric bike industry, you’ll likely know exactly which e-bike it is based on.
There’s a fairly obvious visual connection between the Fiido T1 and the RadRunner from Rad Power Bikes. It’s not so similar to be a blatant ripoff, but there’s some serious homage being paid here (unlike any royalties that are surely not being paid).
The step-through utility bike wasn’t invented by Rad Power Bikes, but the Seattle-based company propelled it to fame when it launched the low-cost RadRunner e-bike in 2019.
The Fiido T1 takes a very similar design (and color), yet seems to include a number of interesting features and add-ons not found on the original RadRunner.
T2 Longtail
$1499 longtail cargo ebike hauls gear (and pooch) for miles
Paul Ridden - April 10, 2024
Two years after entering the utility ebike space with the T1 Cargo, Fiido has added a longtail model to its gear-hauling family. The T2 ships with a 68-mile UL-certified battery, front squish and chunky fat tires, and offers pedal-assist up to 28 mph.
Shenzhen-based Fiido was founded in 2017, and subsequently cut its international teeth on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, with eye-catching folding commuters like the D11 and the somewhat troubled X. For the T2 Longtail Cargo, the company has gone straight to webstore availability via a direct-to-customer sales model.
Cargo-hauling ebikes are often pitched as family car replacements, and so long as the weather is kind and relatively safe bike lanes are available, they could indeed offer a clean alternative for such things as getting young kids to school or doing the weekly shop in town.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/fiido-t2-longtail-cargo-ebike/
FLX
FLX unveils new electric bicycle based on the timelessly cool Schwinn Stingray
Micah Toll | Nov 17 2022 — 9:07 am PT
A new electric bike has just been unveiled that is sure to turn nostalgic riders into the coolest big kid on the block. Meet the FLX Menace, which has an unmistakeable resemblance to a certain classic bicycle from the 1960s.
The company surely can’t come out and say it, but there’s no mistaking that the FLX Menace is based on the timeless Schwinn Stingray bicycle.
First debuted in 1963 and produced through the mid 1980s, the Schwinn Stingray brought motorcycle coolness to grade school kids all over the country.
The FLX Menace carries over many of the same design stylings such as the swooping frame, banana seat with sissy bar, and the tall ape hanger handle bars.
Frey
FREY AM1000 e-bike review: 1.5kW and almost 40 mph, what else can I say?
Micah Toll - May. 14th 2020 9:16 am ET
The FREY AM1000 electric mountain bike is something of an enigma. You might not know it by looking at it, but the unassuming electric mountain bike is packing more power than almost any other e-bike and has the suspension required to elegantly navigate even the most technical terrain.
If the AM1000 was an olympic athlete, it’d be both a powerlifter and a figure skater. And it’d medal in both.
I had the chance to ride one over several days last fall when I was hosted by FREY as part of an exchange trip to Jinhua, China and the surrounding area.
https://electrek.co/2020/05/14/frey-am1000-e-bike-review-1-5-kw-almost-40-mph/
FREY unveils pricing and takes orders for its 31 MPH and 1,500W electric bikes
Fucare
Fucare launches wild-looking new 28 MPH Gemini electric bikes with dual batteries for long range
Micah Toll - May. 7th 2022 10:43 am PT
Fucare’s new Gemini X electric bike pairs a novel looking trellis-style frame with some high performance electric bike parts to create a fast Class 3 e-bike that looks at home on both the streets and the trails.
The frame is rated for 400 lb (181 kg) of load and gives the Gemini X a look all its own, at least for now. We rarely see e-bikes rated for such heavy loads, though we also rarely see e-bikes with this frame design.
Part truss bridge, part Erector Set, the frame uses narrow diameter tubes that wrap around the forward-mounted 48V battery while still leaving an open area on top to allow for battery removal.
A second battery is housed just behind the seat tube, resulting in a combined 20.8 Ah. With 998 Wh of total battery capacity, Fucare claims a lofty 55 miles (88 km) of range on throttle-only riding, or an even further 80 miles (130 km) under pedal assist.
Fucare Gemini X review: Super cool 28 MPH electric bike with a super weird frame and two batteries
Micah Toll - Jul. 8th 2022 6:17 am PM
With so many electric bike options on the market these days, it can be difficult for companies to stand out and show us something different. You’ve got to start thinking outside of the box, which is exactly what the Fucare Gemini X does. It’s an electric bike with a trellis-style frame. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, but it definitely works well.
https://electrek.co/2022/07/08/fucare-gemini-x-review-electric-bike/
Fucare Libra review: Is this 30 MPH budget-level full-suspension electric moped worth it?
Micah Toll - Dec 8 2022 9:40 am PT
Prices for full-suspension electric moped-style e-bikes have been dropping over the last few years, but the Fucare Libra is now pushing them to all-time lows. At just $1,199, does this full-suspension e-bike have what it takes?
That’s exactly what I wanted to find out, so I tested one myself.
The Fucare Libra falls somewhere between a typical step-through electric bike and a moped-style electric bike. We often consider moped-style e-bikes to have small diameter yet wide tires, long bench seats, higher top speeds and less-than-optimal pedaling geometries.
The Fucare Libra checks the boxes for moped-style wheels, rear bench seat, coilover rear suspension and high speed. But it still has a traditional bike seat and actually feels decent for pedaling.
https://electrek.co/2022/12/08/fucare-libra-electric-bicycle-review-moped/
Fuell
Erik Buell’s FUELL reveals electric bike and moped prototypes, discusses future
Micah Toll - Jul. 1st 2020 11:51 am ET
Erik Buell has a storied history in the motorcycle industry, with the latest chapter written at his electric bicycle and e-motorcycle startup FUELL. Now Erik is sharing his insight on the future of the electric two-wheeled industry and also showing us some brand new prototype designs that FUELL has been working on.
Just over a year ago FUELL went live with sales of its first long-range electric bicycle, a dual battery and belt-drive model known as the FUELL Flluid.
https://electrek.co/2020/07/01/erik-buell-fuell-reveals-electric-bike-moped-prototypes/
Is the FUELL Flluid the ultimate commuter ebike?
May. 28th 2021 5:44 pm ET
Electric bicycles have exploded in popularity in the US and around the world.
They provide the same personal mobility convenience as a bicycle, yet use an electric motor to help riders travel faster, farther, up steep hills and without the same level of exhaustion.
While some low-cost electric bikes have sacrificed quality and longevity for affordability, FUELL has focused instead on creating a premium offering designed for longevity. The higher build quality and more rugged components have a significant impact on the riding experience as well.
FUELL put serious time and effort into designing an e-bike that is both fun to ride and built to last. The FUELL Flluid uses a combination of high end components like a custom mid-drive motor, a Gates carbon belt drive and a Shimano Alfine 8 internally geared hub.
https://electrek.co/2021/05/28/is-the-fuell-flluid-the-ultimate-commuter-ebike/
‘World’s longest range e-bikes’ launched by Erik Buell’s electric bicycle company
Micah Toll - Apr 5 2023 2:25 pm PT
World-renowned motorcycle designer Erik Buell’s electric bike company FUELL has just launched two new models of e-bikes, known as the Flluid-2 and Flluid-3. These US-assembled electric bikes aren’t just claiming to be the longest range options on the market but are also said to offer “a unique riding experience setting them clearly ahead in the crowded e-bike industry.”
The new e-bikes are designed to be true car replacers for many riders, as CTO Erik Buell explained:
“We used the knowledge gained from our initial foray into the electric bike market with Flluid-1 to develop a superior urban transportation solution, making sure that Flluid-2 & 3 are true and viable alternatives to cars.”
That first electric bike was already an impressive model in its own right, but the FUELL Flluid-2 and Flluid-3 look to be raising the bar even further.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/05/fuell-flluid-2-unveiled-as-worlds-longest-range-ebikes/
G-Force
An electric bike that looks (and rides) like an electric motorcycle: G-FORCE ZM review
Micah Toll - Oct. 30th 2022 8:50 am PT
The G-FORCE ZM electric bike is one of those e-bikes that borrows heavily from motorcycle styling while maintaining its street-legal status as an electric bicycle. But the motorcycle influence doesn’t just run skin deep; it’s also got a powerful ride to match.
G-FORCE ZM tech specs
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: Claimed 60-80 miles (96-128 km)
- Battery: 48V 20Ah (960 Wh)
- Weight: 85 pounds (38.5 kg)
- Max load: 400 pounds (181 kg)
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
- Extras: 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, large color LCD, LED headlight and tail light, half-twist throttle, removable battery, padded bench seat with space for second passenger, fenders, kickstand, mag wheels
https://electrek.co/2022/10/30/g-force-zm-electric-bike-review/
Gazelle
Gazelle announces new electric bicycles with first belt drives for US market
Micah Toll - Oct. 21st 2020 12:47 pm ET
Gazelle is one of the major players in the Dutch e-bike market, building comfortable city bikes with electric assist. Now the company is adding two new models to its Ultimate line for the North American market, the Gazelle Ultimate C8 and Ultimate C380.
Gazelle’s bikes aren’t just Dutch-style, they’re actually Dutch bikes, as in they’re built in the company’s factory in Dieren, the Netherlands.
And with a 10-year frame warranty and an excellent reputation for quality, Gazelle has earned its street cred for building bomber electric Dutch bikes, even if they come with prices fairly north of today’s leading budget brands.
https://electrek.co/2020/10/21/gazelle-announces-new-electric-bicycles-ultimate-c380-belt-drive/
Eclipse C380+
Gazelle Eclipse C380+ e-bike review: A smart, smooth ride at a halting price
It's a powerful, comfortable, fun, and very smart ride. Is that enough?
Kevin Purdy - 7/19/2024, 4:00 AM
Let me get three negative points about the Gazelle Eclipse out of the way first. First, it’s a 62-pound e-bike, so it’s tough to get moving without its battery. Second, its rack is a thick, non-standard size, so you might need new bags for it. Third—and this is the big one—with its $6,000 suggested retail price, it's expensive, and you will probably feel nervous about locking it anywhere you don’t completely trust.
Apart from those issues, though, this e-bike is great fun. When I rode the Eclipse (the C380+ HMB version of it), I felt like Batman on a day off, or maybe Bruce Wayne doing reconnaissance as a bike enthusiast. The matte gray color, the black hardware, and the understated but impressively advanced tech certainly helped. But I felt prepared to handle anything that was thrown at me without having to think about it much. Brutally steep hills, poorly maintained gravel paths, curbs, stop lights, or friends trying to outrun me on their light road bikes—the Eclipse was ready.
It assists up to 28 miles per hour (i.e., Class 3) and provides up to 85 Nm of torque, and the front suspension absorbs shocks without shaking your grip confidence. It has integrated lights, the display can show you navigation while your phone is tucked away, and the automatic assist changing option balances your mechanical and battery levels, leaving you to just pedal and look.
Medeo T9
Gazelle Medeo T9 City e-bike review: A steady Dutch ride in lots of sizes
It's not a speed demon or hill melter, but Gazelle's entry e-bike rides easy.
Kevin Purdy – May 22, 2025 10:29 AM
I initially felt bad for the Medeo T9 City e-bike that Gazelle sent me for review. Not through any fault of its own but because I had just recently ridden Gazelle's Eclipse C380+, an all-inclusive beast that retailed for roughly 2.5 times the price of the Medeo T9 City. Would the lower-priced bike, with different versions of some of the same hardware, suffer compared to its beefier brethren?
Short answer: not really. The Medeo T9 City isn't trying to dominate the road; it just wants to get you where you're going. It has the same kind of automatic electric assist level shifting, just packed into a smaller handlebar display instead of a center console. It has chain and gear cogs instead of the Eclipse's belt drive and stepless shifting, an external battery instead of an inline, and a 250-watt Bosch Active Line motor instead of a 350-watt Performance Line Speed.
I think the Medeo T9 City likely makes for a good first or second e-bike, or perhaps a nice upgrade if you're prioritizing comfort and transport. Given its hill-smoothing motor, wide range of sizes, stable ride feel, and the backing of known bike brands, you could do much worse than a Gazelle with a Bosch motor.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/05/gazelle-medeo-t9-city-e-bike-review-steady-as-she-goes/
Geo
Lightweight Geo ebike takes just a second to fold up and in
Paul Ridden - November 04, 2022
A commute to work by ebike that involves hopping on and off trains or buses during the journey can be a whole lot easier if you can fold your ride. Madrid-based mobility company Ossby has introduced what's sure to be an attention-grabbing pedal-assist ride that does so in a second.
Founded in 2011 and makers of the equally odd-looking Curve Eco and Curve Electric bikes, Ossby is launching the new Geo folding ebike on Kickstarter.
Where earlier Ossby bikes feature aluminum tubing, the Geo's boxy frame is made from a composite of recycled fibers and plant-based resins, which is reckoned to be more eco-friendly and stronger. With the addition of carbon fiber forks, it also makes for a lightweight ride at just 11 kg (24 lb), while being able to support a rider weighing up to 110 kg (242.5 lb).
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/ossby-geo-folding-ebike-lightweight/
GoCycle
Gocycle’s GXi is a folding e-bike with few equals
Expensive, but almost perfect.
Nick Summers, May 7, 2020
Gocycle doesn't have the history to match cycling giants like Trek, Raleigh and Bianchi. In the folding e-bike space, however, it's one of the oldest contenders. Karbon Kinetics, the company behind the brand, was founded in 2002 and launched its first electric bicycle, the G1, in 2009. While not the first electric folder, its distinctive looks and quick-release wheels earned plenty of praise. Over the last decade, the company has slowly improved the design and introduced new models with different but always pretty expensive price points.
Gocycle's latest effort, the GXi, is arguably its best model yet. The £3,699 (roughly $4,647) bicycle sits above the entry-level GS, which costs £1,999 (roughly $2,510) and the GX, its fast-folding predecessor. The company makes a more expensive bike — the £4,499 (roughly $5,649) carbon fibre G3C — but like the GS, it has a slower folding process, aimed at people who want to save space in their home or office, rather than multimodal commuters. The GXi, therefore, is a more complete flagship, which stands out against rivals produced by Brompton, Hummingbird, Tern, Raleigh Rad Power Bikes and others.
https://www.engadget.com/gocycle-gxi-folding-electric-bicycle-review-133000611.html
Gocycle's G4 e-bikes come with more powerful motors and wider tires
The entry-level G4 model starts at $4,000.
Igor Bonifacic - March 30th, 2021
At nearly 20-years-old, Gocycle is one of the oldest players in the folding e-bike space. Since 2009, with the release of the G1, the brand has been iterating on its own distinctive take on what an electric bicycle can look like. Today, Gocycle announced its G4 lineup of e-bikes, bringing a couple of notable enhancements to a design that's now more than a decade old.
Those enhancements start with a new “G4drive” electric motor that outputs more power and torque. Taking a page from bikes like the Cannondale Topstone Lefty, the entire G4 lineup features a single-sided carbon fork. According to Gocycle, the design increases vertical compliance, which is a technical way of saying the carbon is better at absorbing bumps on the road, leading to a more comfortable ride. On the handlebar, Gocycle has added a USB port you can use to charge your phone when the G4's battery isn't powering the e-bike.
https://www.engadget.com/gocycle-g4-annoucement-110105382.html
“Ultimate e-Bike” GoCycle G4 Is Now Cheaper, Still Awesome
It takes guts to call your product “the ultimate e-bike” and “the best e-bike in the world,” but GoCycle is determined to prove that this isn’t just empty talk. Here is one way to getting more people to try out the G4.
9 Oct 2022, 04:26 UTC - Elena Gorgan
The G4 is one of the entries in the fourth-gen lineup launched by GoCycle in the spring of 2021, alongside the G4i and the top-of-the-line, limited-edition G4i+. While the G4 is the entry-level option, it is still a premium product, designed and built with a focus on quality, performance and perfect adaptability to city riding.
The G4 is called the “ultimate e-bike” and the “best e-bike in the world” in marketing materials for a very good reason: it aims to and, according to numerous industry accolades and a lot of satisfied customers, succeeds in delivering the perfect city bike. That would be an e-bike that is lightweight but reliable, powerful but intuitive to use and easy to maintain, sleek and beautiful but still very practical.
Gogoro
Gogoro’s new e-bike brand Eeyo will launch in the U.S. first
Catherine Shu / 8:27 pm PDT • April 23, 2020
Gogoro, the Taiwanese company known for its electric scooters, announced a new ebike brand that will go on sale in the United States first. Details about the ebike, called Eeyo, haven’t been released yet, but it is noteworthy because it marks Gogoro’s first product launch in the U.S.
Eeyo be available for purchase in the U.S. in May, before launching in Europe and Taiwan this summer.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/23/gogoros-new-e-bike-brand-eeyo-will-launch-in-the-u-s-first/
Gogoro’s Eeyo 1 is a lightweight e-bike designed for the city
At last, the company is tackling the US market.
Nick Summers, 28 May 2020
If you fancy a bicycle with a pedal-assist motor, there are plenty of options. Traditional bike brands including Specialized, Trek and Cannondale compete in the space alongside younger, more design and technology-focused brands such as VanMoof, Cowboy and Gocycle. Is the market oversaturated? Gogoro doesn’t think so. The Taiwanese company, best known for its colourful electric scooters, is unveiling its first e-bike today. It’s called the Eeyo 1 and, unsurprisingly, is part of a new Eeyo sub-brand that will be used for all of its future pedal-powered efforts.
Gogoro says its designers have prioritized “agility over utility.” That’s a fancy way of saying that the riding experience — and putting a smile on your face — is a higher priority than range or allowing you to transport your children or weekly groceries.
https://www.engadget.com/gogoro-eeyo-1-s-electric-bike-us-europe-taiwan-110048281.html
Gogoro's Eeyo 1s is so light you almost forget it's an e-bike
A practical but expensive solution for city dwellers.
Nick Summers - 28 July 2020
Most commuter e-bikes are heavy. The vast majority have steel or aluminum frames which require a powerful motor and large battery to move. They're great to ride – the electric assistance more than makes up for the weight – but difficult to carry up a flight of stairs or lift onto a wall stand at home. Gogoro, however, is taking a different approach. The Taiwanese company, best known for its plethora of hip electric scooters, has built its first e-bikes with lighter carbon fiber instead. In theory, they shouldn't require as much power to move and, by extension, such a large battery pack.
That weight reduction comes at a cost, though. The regular Eeyo 1, which complements its carbon frame and fork with an alloy seatpost, handlebars and rims, costs $3,899. The lighter Eeyo 1s, which is almost completely carbon, will set you back $4,599. That’s not absurd for a carbon fiber bicycle, but it’s far more than what you would pay for a heavier e-bike option by VanMoof, Cowboy, Coboc and countless other manufacturers.
https://www.engadget.com/gogoro-eeyo-1s-electric-bicycle-smartwheel-review-130016989.html
Gogoro’s Eeyo 1s e-bike goes on sale in France, its first European market
Catherine Shu / 10:11 pm PDT•October 14, 2020
Gogoro announced today that its Eeyo 1s is now available for sale in France, the smart electric bike’s first European market. Another model, the Eeyo 1, will launch over the next few months in France, Belgium, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic.
In France, the Eeyo 1s can be purchased through Fnac, Darty or, in Paris, Les Cyclistes Branchés. The Eeyo 1s is priced at €4699 including VAT, while the the Eeyo 1 will be priced at €4599, also including VAT.
Gogoro launches battery swapping stations in China
Catherine Shu / 7:30 PM PDT•October 10, 2021
Five months after announcing a deal with two of China’s biggest two-wheel vehicle makers, Gogoro officially launched there today, opening 45 battery swapping stations in Hangzhou. The company’s co-founder and chief executive officer Horace Luke told TechCrunch that it targets 80 stations by the end of the year, before expanding into other major cities with its partners, Yadea and Dachangjiang Group (DCJ).
In China, Gogoro’s battery swapping technology will operate under the Huan Huan brand, a partnership between Gogoro, Yadea and DCJ.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/10/gogoro-launches-battery-swapping-stations-in-china/
Power
Gogoro’s battery-swapping stations in Taiwan are now virtual power plants
Rebecca Bellan - 18 April 2023
Taiwanese two-wheeler battery swapping company Gogoro has a plan to give energy back to Taiwan’s electrical grid and make money while doing it.
The company is partnering with Enel X, an energy services provider, to integrate 2,500 of its GoStations in Taiwan into Enel X’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
A VPP is a collection of small-scale energy resources that have been joined together and coordinated with grid operations in order to provide the grid with reliable and affordable sources of energy.
In this case, Enel X is providing power back to Taiwan Power Company, Taiwan’s public electric utility. The state is supporting Enel X’s VPP as it works to reach net-zero emissions in 2050. One way Taiwan hopes to implement its energy transition is through improving energy system resilience.
Heybike
Heybike Ranger, Value Packed Folding eBike [Video]
Sponsored Post - May. 19th 2022 12:05 pm PT
Heybike, makers of eBikes small and large, has set a new standard for a feature rich electric folding bike. With so many ways to enjoy electric bikes, the Ranger model can make short work of any commute, off-road short-cut or an otherwise hum-drum day.
In the past we took a look at the Heybike Mars, another folding bike, but with a different direction. The Mars is more on the affordable end, an electric bike that removes the pricing excuse for new riders.
For the extra money, the Ranger is definitely worth another look, as you get a load of upgrades, added in the appendix below.
https://electrek.co/2022/05/19/heybike-ranger-value-packed-folding-ebike-video/
Heybike unveils 750W folding e-bike made from a single piece of magnesium alloy
Micah Toll - Jan 1 2023 5:50 am PT
Single-piece bike frames aren’t new, but it’s rare to see a full-suspension folding e-bike built on a one-piece magnesium alloy frame. That didn’t stop Heybike from chasing that dream and coming up with the Heybike Tyson folding electric bike.
The new e-bike was just unveiled ahead of its first public showing at CES 2023. It joins a number of other Heybike electric bicycles that the company has debuted over the last few years.
Unlike the other models in its family tree, the Heybike Tyson has a completely new design and structure.
The unibody construction of the bike is claimed to be a first in its category, but this isn’t just about setting records. The design is also said to help reduce weight while increasing the durability of the e-bike. Based on recent reports of e-bikes suffering in the durability department, anything that can be done to increase longevity is likely a prudent investment.
https://electrek.co/2023/01/01/heybike-tyson-electric-bike-unveiled/
Heybike unveils new folding fat tire electric bike that targets bang for your buck
Micah Toll - Apr 27 2023 1:57 pm PT
Heybike, one of the friendlier sounding Asian e-bike companies that have sprung up over the last few years, has just launched a new folding fat tire electric bike that attempts to compete on value. The new Heybike Ranger S offers higher performance at a price that few companies have been able to match.
Described in the company’s own words, the Heybike Ranger S “has a cool, chunky, step-through frame for easier mounting. Made using a one-piece, magnesium alloy frame, this premium material fully foldable e-bike, with hydraulic front fork suspension, is one of the most robust yet affordable folding models on the market.”
Its robustness is hard to judge at this point until we can get one in hand, but the value certainly seems there.
With an introductory price of just $1,499, the Ranger S is punching above its weight class.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/27/heybike-unveils-new-folding-fat-tire-electric-bike-heybike-ranger-s/
Fast times and loose steering: The Heybike Tyson e-bike reviewed
This foldable e-bike looks the part but is tough to recommend.
Eric Bangeman - 10/6/2023, 11:28 AM
This time, I'll lead with the conclusion. The Heybike Tyson is loaded with all of the e-bike features I could ever want, is a blast to ride, and can become unsafe to operate at a moment's notice. The unit I reviewed had more than one build-quality issue that cannot be overlooked, which is a shame, because this is also one of the most fun electric bikes I've ever ridden. If you just wanted to know if the Heybike Tyson is worth buying, you've got your answer and can close this tab. If you want the details, read on.
Priced at $1,699, the Class 3 Tyson is Heybike's folding e-bike. Built with a magnesium frame and painted bright green, the Tyson's scooter-like handlebars, mountain-bike-like suspension, and fat knobby tires result in a ride that looks equal parts goofy, charming, and rugged. Capable of carrying up to 400 lbs (163 kg) of rider and cargo, the Tyson sports a dual hydraulic suspension to smooth out the rough spots on the pavement. It has the same Shimano seven-speed groupset and hydraulic disc brakes you'll see on most e-bikes.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/10/the-heybike-tyson-e-bike-is-janky-fun-and-sometimes-dangerous/
Heybike launches two new full-suspension e-bikes at crazy low prices
Micah Toll - Aug 6 2025 6:20 am PT
Heybike just dropped two new flagship fat tire e-bikes in its brand-new X Series – the Mars 3.0 and Ranger 3.0 Pro – and they’re bringing some serious upgrades in power, comfort, and tech. Whether you’re looking for raw speed or plush long-range cruising, these two models seem designed to check both boxes.
The Mars 3.0 is clearly the thrill-seeker of the duo. It’s built around Heybike’s new Galaxy Perform eDrive System, which pairs a 750W nominal motor with a stout 95 Nm of torque. That’s already plenty for most riders, but peak output jumps to 1,400W when you really lean into that throttle or the highest level pedal assist.
The result of that power? A claimed 0 to 20 mph (32 km/h) in just six seconds. If you’ve got the need for speed, the Mars 3.0 can be unlocked from its default Class 2 limit to a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph via the Heybike app or the display. And if you really want to push it, you can open it up to over 30 mph using the bike’s display.
I got an early look at the Mars 3.0, with that review coming tomorrow (so be on the lookout for it!). And I can tell you that the display limit technically goes up to 99 km/h (60 mph), though 30 mph seems to be the real limit when the bike’s power meets the immutable laws of real-world physics.
https://electrek.co/2025/08/06/heybike-launches-two-new-full-suspension-e-bikes-at-crazy-low-prices/
Alpha
Heybike’s Alpha step-through e-bike is an affordable, all-terrain dreamboat
Rebecca Bellan - 8:00 AM PDT May 18, 2025
I’ve tested a number of e-bikes in my time here at TechCrunch. And I’ve never been so tempted to hang onto one as I have with Heybike’s new Alpha.
This sturdy, fat-tire, all-terrain e-bike is worth the $1,699 price tag. The Alpha ticked a whole lot of my boxes, including ones I didn’t even know I had. For instance, I knew I’d like an e-bike with pedal assist and a throttle, but I didn’t know that I would love an e-bike with pedal assist, a throttle, and a manual shifter. Perhaps the dreamiest part of riding the Alpha was the mid-drive motor with torque sensor, which led to a more natural riding feel. That, and the battery life that seemed to last forever.
It wasn’t all roses and rainbows. I have a few complaints about the app, setting up the bike, and the outsized horn. But generally, this is an excellent all-around e-bike, whether you want to take it on off-road adventures or use it in the city to do your weekly Trader Joe’s shopping.
And then there is the question of how long this bike will remain affordable. Heybike is a Chinese manufacturer and its bikes are made in China. With tariffs, even at the recently lowered rate, these bikes are likely to get more expensive for U.S. consumers.
Ranger S
With the Heybike Ranger S, the S stands for scooter
A very fast and foldable e-bike with brake lights, directionals, and a horn.
John Timmer - 12/15/2023, 9:28 AM
The arrival of e-bikes has blurred the lines between bicycles, mopeds, and scooters. Depending on what country or state you're in, some e-bikes can legally hit 45 km/hour (28 mph), yet they don't require a license, registration, or insurance, unlike their competitors. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on whether the bike riders in your area ride like lunatics or not.
Regardless of how you feel about the state of things, it's definitely true that most e-bikes are relatively bike-like compared to mopeds and scooters, lacking things like brake lights, directionals, and other components that make navigating in urban environments a bit safer. Most, but not all. Heybike offers a number of scooter-substitute e-bikes that come with a powered horn, brake lights, directionals, and a zippy motor. As a bonus, they're foldable. We checked out its latest model, the $1,499 Ranger S.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/12/with-the-heybike-ranger-s-the-s-stands-for-scooter/
Himiway
High-power e-bike review: The 1,000W Himiway Cobra Pro full-suspension powerhouse
Micah Toll - Apr 18 2023 6:18 am PT
When it comes to powerful mid-drive electric bicycles, there’s basically one motor that rules them all. It’s the Bafang M620, and that’s precisely the motor that gives the Himiway Cobra Pro such impressive performance. But as usual, there’s so much more to an e-bike than just the drivetrain. So let’s dig in to see what makes the Himiway Cobra Pro such a capable machine.
As a full-suspension fat tire electric bike, the Himiway Cobra Pro is designed to handle some of the roughest and toughest terrain out there.
Many fat tire e-bikes rely on their massive wheels and large air volume to soak up the rocks, ruts, and other obstacles in their way. But Himiway adds in full suspension to make the ride as smooth as possible, even on rough surfaces.
When combined with everything else that the company included in this over-the-top electric bike, it’s easy to see why the Cobra Pro is intended to pick up right where the beaten path ends.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/18/himiway-cobra-pro-electric-bike-review-full-suspension/
HittRoad
HittRoad electric bike review: I took this ultra-affordable e-bike off-roading
Micah Toll - Aug. 12th 2022 3:00 am PT
HittRoad is one of several low-cost electric bicycles currently racking up sales on Amazon. The good thing about these $600-$700 e-bikes is that they help bring the fun and fitness aspects of electric bikes to customers who can’t afford models costing several times these prices. But keeping the universe in balance is the bad side, which is that the bikes’ quality usually suffers at that price point.
So I took HittRoad’s Safari mountain bike-ish e-bike to my local trails to give it a test on the single track. Here’s how it did.
Let’s be honest, for $760 (or $609 when clipping the on-page Amazon coupon), the HittRoad is never going to compare to a higher-dollar electric bike.
But odd name aside, it actually has some decent specs for the price, at least if your intention is to use it as a recreational e-bike.
This of course is not going to handle jumps or the forces exerted on a typical downhill mountain bike course. This is for leisurely rides on your local nature trails or parks. Think beach path, not black diamond (or black trail, as the case may be in downhill riding).
https://electrek.co/2022/08/12/hittroad-safari-electric-bike-review/
HOVSCO
HOVSCO launches two new fat tire e-bikes that both pack a punch
Micah Toll - Mar 14 2023 11:29 am PT
Not familiar with HOVSCO? Eh, it’s not really your fault. Even if you spend all day wrist-deep in the e-bike industry like me, there’s a thousand and one e-bike companies out there. I’ve only followed HOVSCO for a few months now through some rather run-of-the-mill e-bike launches, but the company’s latest two models have actually gotten me interested. Meet the new HOVSCO HovWagon and HovScout.
If the HovWagon sounds like the RadWagon from Rad Power Bikes, that’s probably not an accident. Rad has been copied up and down the e-bike block for years, from its designs to its product names.
But the HovWagon, despite borrowing the same naming and coloring scheme, brings some interesting bits and pieces to the table.
It’s a smaller format cargo bike, bordering on utility bike territory, and uses 20″ fat tires to keep the ride fairly low on a compact cargo bike. The wheels are small enough in diameter to prevent the bike’s center of gravity from climbing higher, yet still offers a nicer ride on big fat air-cushion tires. For anyone who takes occasional detours off-road, it will likely make a big difference.
https://electrek.co/2023/03/14/hovsco-launches-new-fat-tire-e-bikes-hovwagon-hovscout/
HJM
HJM’s dual-battery Transer Electric Cargo Bike is built to ride longer and haul more
Posted on May 6, 2022 by Mark Wilson
HJM Bike’s latest fat-tire e-bike is a testament to what well-designed bikes are capable of in a world that always seems so laser-focused on cars.
HJM Bike is a startup that aims to design and create professional electric bikes that suit all types of riders at affordable price points.
Their first two models, the Toury and Toury Step-Thru, feature front suspension and 26×4.0 all-terrain tires ideal for riding on a wide variety of surfaces.
The company’s latest model, the Transer Cargo E-Bike, takes a good deal of the tech and versatility of the Toury lineup, but tacks on features that make it a highly functional electric bike with a passenger seat, or a go-anywhere gear hauler capable of traversing serious distance.
Honbike
The new belt-drive Honbike U4 electric bike looks so good, you’d think it was a purely pedal bike
Micah Toll - Jul. 8th 2022 12:19 pm PT
Electric bikes are great for a lot of things. They get you where you’re going faster than a traditional bike, cut through traffic faster than a car, and are more fun than both. But the downside is that they can often be rather chunky looking. Some are even downright chonks. But not the Honbike U4, as this is one new e-bike that looks so sleek and elegant that you’d never guess it had an electric motor or battery on board.
Honbike’s e-bike of the future is perfect for cities
Just don’t take it out of its comfort zone.
Daniel Cooper, Senior Editor - Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 6:30 AM PDT
I am a proud townie. I don’t mind the odd nature walk, but I’m far happier striding for hours at a time through cities, coffee in hand. I loved walking from law school in the center of London back to my apartment, six miles away, through the hustle and bustle. That’s possibly why I feel such a kinship with Honbike’s Uni4. It’s an elegant, efficient and beautifully-designed city e-bike of the future that is a joy to ride, just so long as you never think about taking it out of its comfort zone.
https://www.engadget.com/honbikes-e-bike-of-the-future-is-perfect-for-cities-133014272.html
Honda
MS 01
MUJI Honda MS 01 electric bike is a no-nonsense urban commuter for minimalists
Gaurav Sood - 07/07/2022
While one would consider retail company MUJI, and automotive giant Honda to be polar opposites – apparently, they still have a common ground. The two brands have joined forces to create an ergonomic and highly practical daily commuting electric bike that many will fancy for their daily riding needs.
Meet the Muji Honda MS01 electric bike inspired by the MUJI H-Type bicycle. The black and white theme on this one is a testament to the MUJI’s mellowed-down styling – in fact, the company’s artistic director Kenya Hara did most of the design bit of the bike himself. All the equipment and power of the MS01 come from the house of Honda. It is a very balanced collaboration, resulting in this minimalist two-wheeler ideal for city rides and beyond. MUJI has experience in developing automotive products, as in 2019 they launched the self-driving GACHA shuttle bus in collaboration with the Finnish tech company Sensible 4.
Honda Teams Up With Muji For Minimalist MS01 Electric Scooter
The new MS01 incorporates classic design elements associated with the Japanese retail company.
Jul 11, 2022 at 1:22pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
The new MS01 electric scooter was created in partnership with Honda by the Japanese retail giant MUJI. The bike's modern, black-and-white appearance reflects the quiet, minimalist aesthetic of MUJI, while Honda technology provides the bike's equipment and power. The bike's design was taken up by Kenya Hara, artistic director of MUJI, who drew inspiration from the company's H-type bicycle and other minimalist-style innovations.
It's a pedal-assisted, sit-down scooter with the name of MS01, and it's surprisingly straightforward. To begin with, the U-shaped body of the scooter and the small bike pedals provide easy access for riders of all sizes. Additionally, the scooter has traditional handlebars with basic features designed to keep prices low and operation straightforward. As a result, the electric scooter has no additional functionality beyond a standard electric bike.
https://insideevs.com/news/597322/honda-muju-ms01-electric-scooter/
Huck
US Special Operations tests American-made electric motorbikes for military use
Micah Toll - Oct. 27th 2022 12:20 am PT
Light electric vehicles have seen growing interest from militaries all over the world. Now the latest electric motorbike receiving its draft card comes from North Carolina-based electric moped builder Huck Cycles.
Huck Overland enlists
The company recently shared news that its Huck Overland model is currently being evaluated by the US Military as well as various government and private agencies.
It’s something of a return to form for Huck’s founder and owner Brett McCoy, an Army veteran who served in the airborne infantry.
According to the company, two Huck Overlands models have recently been trialed in various live fire exercises and tested for uses in search and rescue, border and perimeter patrol, air deployment, medical evacuations with rolling gurneys, covert operations, remote deployment, and mobility caching.
https://electrek.co/2022/10/27/us-special-operations-military-electric-moped-huck-cycles-overland/
Infinite Machine
Olto
The Olto is a future-forward e-bike that can accommodate two passengers
It boasts robust security features and a battery that's easily removed.
Lawrence Bonk - Thu, Jun 12, 2025, 7:00 AM PDT
Infinite Machine made waves with its retro-futuristic P1 electric bike. That one was built for speed, but the company is back with something that's more for urbanites commuting to and from work. The Olto boasts 40 miles of range and a top speed of 33 MPH, with a 20 MPH limit while riding in the bike lane.
Just like the P1, the Olto e-bike looks both futuristic and retro, with a design that can only be described as “Cybertruck meets a scooter from Tron.” This bike could be a boon for commuters, as it can accommodate two riders at the same time. The design is also fairly modular, so riders can add accessories like child carriers, rear racks and baskets, among other items.
The battery is easily removed with one hand, for nighttime charging, and can reach 50 percent in just an hour at the outlet. This removable battery also helps with security, as the battery is typically one of the most expensive components of an e-bike.
JackRabbit
JackRabbit review: If a scooter and an e-bike had a baby
Sit-down comfort without the pedaling
James Trew - April 1st, 2022
In a world where most e-bikes are trying to blend in, JackRabbit, well… stands out. In fact, it’s unique enough that you’re either going to love it or at the very least be curious. As a pedal-free e-bike, it’s aimed at those in the market for a scooter rather than an electrified road bike. But, unlike a scooter, the JackRabbit can handle more than just paved sidewalk while remaining about as portable. All this to say, the JackRabbit bike is a curious proposition, but don’t let its quirky looks deceive you.
https://www.engadget.com/jack-rabbit-ebike-scooter-review-144537677.html
This is the funky electric bike that got Himiway sued for copying its design
Micah Toll - May 11 2023 7:00 am PT
In the highly-competitive world of electric bike design, there are often originators and follow-on imitators. But when Himiway rolled out its new Pony micro e-bike a few months ago, the blurry line between imitation and inspiration seemed quite clear to JackRabbit, who alleges that Himiway ripped off the design of its popular electric micro e-bike.
JackRabbit landed on the micromobility scene around five years ago when it debuted a novel electric two-wheeler design.
Technically more of a “seated scooter” than a traditional e-bike due to the lack of pedals, the JackRabbit sports a bike-like seating posture on a shortened wheel-base and with a much more compact design.
The 24 lb (10.9 kg) weight and high maneuverability of the $999 micro e-bike rivals scooters, but the ride posture offers the comfort and stability of most e-bikes. And with a throttle-operated top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and an airline-approved battery allowing riders to fly with the bike, the JackRabbit quickly began racking up fans around North America.
https://electrek.co/2023/05/11/jackrabbit-micro-electric-bike-himiway-lawsuit/
Juiced
See Juiced
KBO
KBO's Ranger E-Bike Is Like the Matryoshka Doll of Cargo Bicycles: Cheap as Peanuts Too
11 Jul 2022, 15:18 UTC - Cristian Curmei
Folks, the name KBO Bike probably doesn't ring a bell. That's because they appear to be a relatively fresh team on the cycling scene. Still, with their eyes set on industry domination, their approach to supplying you with an e-bike may come off a tad uncanny because who in their right mind would offer up a beast like the Ranger e-bike for a mere fraction of what other cycles in this class can achieve.
That price initially attracted me to the Ranger, which could be the same for you. Nonetheless, I've decided to bring to light all other features so that you can understand what to expect from this machine in case you have some cash lying around the house.
First, you need to know that KBO is an e-bike manufacturer that already offers several EV fleet solutions based on the eternal bicycle. Well, all that knowledge is wrapped up in the Ranger, and that alone is good reason to pay attention; there's proven R&D in this bugger.
Kimoa
Formula 1’s Fernando Alonso launches first e-bike at Miami Grand Prix
Rebecca Bellan - 2:30 PM PDT May 4, 2022
Kimoa, the sustainable lifestyle brand created by two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, is launching an electric bike during the Formula One Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2022.
It’s not uncommon for F1 drivers to endorse products from sponsors, but this might be the first e-bike introduced by one.
The Kimoa E-Bike is made-to-measure for each rider, due to its custom 3D-printed carbon fiber frame, which is built by Arevo, an additive manufacturing company. In 2020, Arevo launched its own 3D-printed e-bike company, Superstrata.
Arevo’s lineup of 3D-printed bikes grants customers a bespoke fit that takes into account the rider’s height, leg length, arm length and riding position preference, allowing for up to 500,000 combinations, according to Kimoa.
King
King E-Cheetah "Super Bike" Delivers a Whopping Top Speed of 87 MPH and an 80-Mile Range
Let's face it, e-bikes are here to stay. However, most of these trinkets seem to be limited in terms of speed and power. Well, one crew shifting our view of e-bikes is UltraTRX, and the machine they're doing it with is the King E-Cheetah “Super Bike.”
4 Sep 2022, 10:58 UTC - Cristian Curmei
Folks, the name UltraTRX has been active in the cycling industry since 2008. While they initially saw their beginnings as a fat-tire bicycle manufacturer, in 2013, they shifted to focusing their attention on e-biking. However, since old habits die hard, this crew continued to create machines designed for AT domination, and yes, the perfect example of how this team like to roll is the King E-Cheetah, a full suspension e-bike with stats that are sure to leave you wanting more.
Okay, just to cut to the chase here, let me point out why this machine is so amazing. This bugger is tuned to crunch out a whopping 15,000 watts of power, with peak output at 18,000 watts. What does this mean for future owners or avid off-roaders? It means a top speed of 87 friggin mph (140 kph)!
And no, that is not road legal! Come to think of it, because it's an e-bike, the only place you can legally ride this bugger is on a closed course or in the wild, where local authorities can't find you. Heck, even if they do, it looks like they'll need a helicopter to keep up with you. If speed isn't your thing, and you're all about that torque, 190 Nm (140 ft-lb) is what you can access.
KKBike
KKBike’s new fat-tire full-suspension electric bike hits over 30 mph for under $2K
Micah Toll - Sep. 7th 2022 3:39 am PT
A new full-suspension fat-tire electric bike is promising high performance for a relatively low price. The newly released model is known as the KKBike K26 S.
Despite the company’s name putting three K’s uncomfortably close together, the K26 S has some quite intriguing specs.
First of all, the bike touts full-suspension with an adjustable front fork and rear shock.
The bike is heavy at 73 pounds (33 kg), but the fat tires combined with the full-suspension frame should give a fairly cushy ride.
Next, it appears that the KKBike K26 S packs some decent power to move its hefty weight. A Bafang 750W continuous-rated motor sits in the rear wheel. With a claimed peak power rating of 1,200 watts and a torque rating of 85 Nm, that motor should be plenty powerful for the big bike.
https://electrek.co/2022/09/07/kkbike-k26-s-full-suspension-fat-tire-electric-bike/
Lectric
Website
Product Description
Step into a new adventure with the Lectric XP Step-Thru! We took all the parts from the award winning Lectric XP and brought them on over to the XP Step-Thru. The 500W motor allows you to reach class 3 speeds and the bike is powered by a high-performance LG battery that will reach ranges of up to 45+ miles. Comes standard with a rack and fenders for all your adventuring. Front and rear lights come integrated into the bike's control system. A LCD computer display shows battery level, current speed, pedal assist level, and trip distance. The plush seat, adjustable handlebars, 4“ tires, and ergonomic grips make for a comfortable ride all day long!
Lectric XP Is the Cinderella Story of Electronic Bikes
by Savannah Keatonon - September 11, 2020
These days, it seems like everyone is looking for the next ‘big thing’ and right now, that’s e-Bikes. The only problem is that these bikes are costly. Most consumers might drool when they see someone riding down the street on an electric bike, but can’t afford to buy one. That’s where Lectric e-Bikes comes in.
The fledgling company which was started in a garage is now quickly becoming one of the fastest growing companies in America because it makes electric bikes that are affordable. So what’s the story behind Lectric e-Bikes? Electrek has all the details.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/lectric-xp-is-the-cinderella-story-of-electronic-bikes/
Lectric XP 2.0 Step-Through review: The best bang-for-your-buck electric bike gets even better!
Micah Toll - Feb. 9th 2022 9:15 am PT
I’ve long called the Lectric XP 2.0 the best bang-for-your-buck electric bicycle because it offers so much utility and performance for its modest $999 price. And with the step-through version of the e-bike, Phoenix-based Lectric eBikes has made the popular two-wheeler more accessible than ever before.
The Lectric XP 2.0 is the follow-up to one of the most well-known budget electric bikes of the last few years, the Lectric XP.
The team behind the e-bike started as a three-man garage company in 2018 but quickly shot to fame, selling over a hundred thousand e-bikes amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
And that shouldn’t come as a surprise. With many e-bikes costing several thousand dollars while offering mid-level performance, the Lectric XP 2.0 lets riders hit the highest speeds allowed by law while maintaining an extremely fair $999 price.
Ultra-affordable $799 Lectric XP LITE electric bike launched, and we got the first test ride
Micah Toll - Apr. 11th 2022 11:00 pm PT
The team over at Phoenix, Arizona-based Lectric eBikes has just launched their newest and most affordable electric bicycle yet: the Lectric XP LITE. At just $799, it packs in much of what riders already loved about the brand’s flagship Lectric XP 2.0 folding e-bike, yet shaves off some serious dollars and poundage.
The Lectric XP 2.0 has spent years as the leading affordable electric bike in the United States. Riders have long praised its balance of performance and comfort at a super-reasonable $999 price.
When the original XP was launched and then followed by the XP 2.0, Lectric eBike co-founder Levi Conlow told me that he was convinced that it would soon face competition from the other US-based major e-bike companies. “I was sure that Rad and the other big guys were going to immediately come out with a bike that was priced low enough to compete with us. So I pretty quickly worked up this design for an even more affordable e-bike to top them.”
But as years went by and no low-cost challengers arose, Levi finally decided that they shouldn’t just sit on the design anymore. If no one else would compete with Lectric to push prices even lower, they’d just do it themselves. And thus, the Lectric XP LITE was born, coming in at just $799.
https://electrek.co/2022/04/11/lectric-xp-lite-electric-bike-launched-first-test-ride/
Lectric eBikes unveils XPremium low-cost mid-drive folding electric bike with torque sensor
Micah Toll - Apr. 22nd 2022 12:00 pm PT
Right after unveiling a new lower-cost folding e-bike two weeks ago, Phoenix-based Lectric eBikes is back with a new higher-end mid-drive electric bike known as the Lectric XPremium. The new folder is the brand’s first mid-drive e-bike and applies Lectric’s signature low-cost pricing to a much higher end electric bike than we’ve previously seen from the company.
Coming in at a reasonable $1,799 introductory price, the Lectric XPremium has parts and performance that we’ve previously seen on $3,000+ electric bikes.
For starters, the XPremium rocks a mid-drive motor that can reach speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h) thanks to its 500W continuous power rating and 800W peak rating. The included throttle allows the bike to operate in Class 1, 2 or 3 depending on the user-adjustable setting.
The bike comes with two battery packs for double the range, letting riders travel longer distances, even at higher speeds (more on that in a moment).
Updated gadget review: 100 miles with my Lectric eBike. Do I still love it?
Nanci Dixon - June 24, 2022
I just hit the 100-mile mark on my Lectric Step Thru eBike. As some of you may remember, I reviewed the Lectric eBike last fall and finally got to the first 100 miles this summer. I wanted to be able to thoroughly test it before I reviewed it again.
Yes, I loved it before, but now I am ready for marriage! It has been a long courtship getting to know each other. The first time I took it out of the box, I stood next to it and inadvertently turned the throttle on, hung on and down I went. Both my knee and pride were hurt. It was not love at first sight then. Later, I read the directions…
https://www.rvtravel.com/hit-100-mile-mark-lectric-ebike-1058/
Lectric eBikes launches new 45% larger battery for popular low-cost Lectric XP 2.0 and 1.0 e-bikes
Micah Toll - Aug. 2nd 2022 1:11 am PT
Faster and farther – those are two of the most common requests from many e-bike riders who rely on their bikes for daily trips. The Lectric XP e-bike is already quite fast at 28 mph (45 km/h), but now it is going farther than ever thanks to a big battery upgrade launched today by the manufacturer.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/02/lectric-ebikes-launches-larger-battery-lectric-xp/
Lectric eBikes announces major electric bike update that will stop you in your tracks
Micah Toll - May 16 2023 9:00 am PT
The Lectric XP 3.0 is the best-selling electric bike model in the US for one simple reason: value. The $999 e-bike has been the go-to electric bike for bang-for-your-buck riders since it launched last year. And now it is getting better than ever with the inclusion of hydraulic disc brakes.
I’m a huge fan of the Lectric XP 3.0. I ride one myself and have long espoused its high-value offering, getting new e-bike riders out the door with a fast, powerful e-bike for under $1,000.
But I’ll be the first to say it’s not an amazing-quality bike. It’s what I call “good, not great.” And that makes sense, since most e-bikes cost considerably more than the XP 3.0. The bike is good enough for most riders, and that is what counts for most people. It’s not going to unseat a Tern, but it’s also not meant to. It has made a few compromises to offer incredible pricing and get more folks on e-bikes than ever before.
https://electrek.co/2023/05/16/lectric-xp-3-0-hydraulic-brake-upgrade-electric-bike/
Lectric ONE shockingly unveiled as low-cost premium e-bike with auto-shifting gearbox
Micah Toll - Mar 12 2024 5:26 am PT
In what is likely to the biggest shock unveiling in the e-bike industry so far this year, leading electric bike maker Lectric Ebikes has just rolled out the new Lectric ONE. Positioned as a premium commuter e-bike in the budget space, the new model marks equally new territory for the low-cost e-bike company turned premium space competitor.
To understand how industry-shaking this e-bike launch is, you have to understand the company behind it. Lectric Ebikes’ entire MO has been to find highly-demanded niches in the US e-bike market and then roll out new models at a fraction of the cost of competitors. That’s how we got crowd favorites like the $799 Lectric XP Lite and the $999 Lectric XP 3.0, known as the best-selling e-bike in the country.
Now the company is doing it again, but targeting a much… much fancier type of e-bike segment. That means that the traditional budget-level derailleurs and chains are now being replaced by top-tier European transmissions and carbon fiber-reinforced drive belts.
Lectric’s CEO answers the most common questions about its shock electric bike launch
Micah Toll - Mar 15 2024 11:25 am PT
Earlier this week, Phoenix-based e-bike maker Lectric Ebikes surprised the industry with the unveiling of a high-end yet low-cost electric bike. The $1,999 Lectric ONE e-bike, which includes components like a Pinion automatic shifting gearbox normally found on models approaching five figures, resulted in a flood of questions. To get to the bottom of the most pressing concerns, we sat down with Lectric’s CEO Levi Conlow to discuss the decisions made in designing and producing the new e-bike.
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 unveiled as new $799 best-bang-for-your-buck folding electric bike
Micah Toll - Jun 4 2024 4:27 am PT
In what should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody, Lectric Ebikes has done it again. North America’s leading value e-bike brand has just unveiled another doozy, this time upgrading the popular XP Lite model with some serious value-added features. Meet the new Lectric XP Lite 2.0, complete with Gates carbon belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes.
And believe it or not, the company managed to keep the price at the original model’s famous $799 pricetag, despite all of the new additions and features.
It’s par for the course at Lectric, with the company routinely rolling out new or updated e-bikes at prices several hundred dollars lower than the competition.
“As the lightest e-bike in Lectric’s lineup and a low starting price of $799, the foldable XP Lite has become beloved by riders across the country, from college students to RV enthusiasts,” explained the company.
Game-changing Lectric XP4 next-gen electric bike launched, shocking industry once again
Micah Toll - May 6 2025 10:30 am PT
In true Lectric style, North America’s largest e-bike company just unveiled the latest generation of its best-selling electric bike in a high-energy, adrenaline-fueled product launch this morning. The Lectric XP4 is the newest generation of the ultra-popular e-bike line, and once again brings a shocking level of upgrades at price points never before seen in the industry.
To put it simply, Lectric has done it again; they’ve absolutely crushed it and set a new high watermark for value in the US folding e-bike market.
The XP line is the best-selling electric bike in the US, so this was bound to be a hotly-anticipated launch. With roughly 1 out of every 10 electric bikes sold in the US being a Lectric XP (out of many hundreds of models available in the market), any new launch in the product line was set to grab eyeballs. And despite the extremely high expectations, Lectric appears to have risen to not only meet them but likely exceed what most could have expected at this price point.
The launch of the new XP4 actually includes a pair of launches, with the base 500W model offering the same $999 price tag we’ve come to know ever since the XP 2.0 days. A new long-range XP4, which swaps the 10.4Ah battery for a massive 17.5Ah battery and upgrades the motor to 750W, bares only a slightly higher $1,299 price tag.
Lime
Lime's latest e-bike can borrow batteries from scooters
It's more powerful, too.
Jon Fingas - 03.01.21
Lime might have another way to make e-bikes more practical: have them use the same batteries as its scooters. The mobility service is rolling out a new e-bike whose battery is interchangeable with the one in Gen4 scooter models. That saves the company money, of course, but will also help with expansion plans that (with a $50 million investment) will help Lime double its bike coverage to 50 cities in 2021. The swappable battery should be better for the environment, too, if just because Lime's charging vans won't head out quite so often.
There are functional improvements you'll notice on trips. A more powerful motor should help you climb steeper hills, and a phone holder saves you from having to stop whenever you need to check directions. An electric lock reduces the bike's weight, and the two-speed automatic transmission should lead to a smoother ride. You'll also see an updated handlebar display that matches what you find on Lime scooters.
https://www.engadget.com/lime-e-bike-2021-swappable-battery-050109252.html
Lime unveils new e-bike as part of $50 million investment to add 25 cities
Kirsten Korosec / 9:00 PM PST•February 28, 2021
Lime said Monday it has allocated $50 million toward its bike-share operation, an investment that has been used to develop a new e-bike and will fund its expansion this year to another 25 cities in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
If the company hits its goal, Lime’s bike-share service will be operational in 50 cities globally by the end of 2021.
The latest generation e-bike, known internally as 6.0, has a swappable battery that is interchangeable with Lime’s newest scooter. Additional upgrades to the e-bike include increased motor power, a phone holder, a new handlebar display, an electric lock that replaces the former generation’s cable lock and an automatic two-speed transmission. The new bikes are expected to launch and scale this summer.
Lime’s scooters and e-bikes will soon offer double the battery life
Coming to a Lime vehicle near you this summer and beyond.
Igor Bonifacic - June 15th, 2022
Mobility startup Lime has begun rolling out a new swappable battery to its fleet of electric bikes and scooters. According to the company, the component is a significant upgrade over the one it uses currently. The nearly 1 kWh battery features twice the capacity of Lime’s previous .46 kWh design. Best of all, the battery is compatible with the company’s existing Gen4 and Citra e-bikes and scooters, allowing Lime to enhance the capabilities of those vehicles without replacing them.
Lime says it plans to deploy the battery in a handful of cities this summer, including Paris and Long Beach, before rolling it out more widely. A higher capacity power source brings with it a few advantages. The most obvious of all is that Lime’s vehicles can travel further. In turn, that allows the company to save on operating costs since its charging vans no longer need to make as many trips to support its fleet.
https://www.engadget.com/lime-1-kwh-battery-announced-162556009.html
Lime co-founder rides out Nomad 1 fat-tire adventure ebike
Paul Ridden - October 17, 2022
About a year ago, Velotric launched a successful Indiegogo campaign to fund an urban step-through ebike capable of rolling for up to 80 miles. Now the startup is back with a fat-tire adventure model called the Nomad 1.
Velotric was launched in July 2021 by the co-founder of Lime, Adam Zhang, and has folks from Lime, Giant, Specialized and Decathlon in its employee ranks. Following Indiegogo success, the company's first ride – the Discover 1 – had its retail launch in March.
Where that urban/city roller is a step-through-only model, the Nomad 1 comes with the option of a step-through or step-over aluminum alloy frame to accommodate riders ranging from 5.08 to 6.75 ft (1.55 - 2.05 m). Cabling is routed internally to keep the look clean, front and rear fenders are included, and optional front/rear racks can be had for hauling up to 88 lb (40 kg) of gear or shopping – with the ebike rated for a total load of 440 lb (200 kg).
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/velotric-nomad-1-fat-tire-ebike/
Scooter Startup Lime Sues Hertz For Poaching Engineers
Posted by BeauHD on Friday March 03, 2023 04:45PM
Urban scooter company Lime sued Hertz Corp on Thursday alleging unfair competition and accusing the rental car giant of improperly hiring the startup's senior engineers. Reuters reports:
San Francisco-based Neutron Holdings Inc, which does business as Lime, filed the lawsuit (PDF) in California federal court seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction “to recover and protect its trade secrets.” It also named Charlie Fang, who previously was Lime's head of engineering, and another engineer as defendants. Lime claimed that Fang, who joined Hertz last year as a senior vice president, violated his employment agreement to not solicit former colleagues after leaving the company.
Lime is piloting two new e-bikes to attract more women and older riders
Rebecca Bellan - 9:00 PM PDT July 29, 2024
Shared micromobility giant Lime is piloting two new vehicles designed to appeal to women and older folks who might appreciate a lower step-through frame, smaller wheels and an upgrade from pedal-assist.
Lime has experimented with several new form factors over the years in a bid to capture customers and adapt to changing tastes and trends. Its efforts have paid off in some important ways. The company managed to become profitable at times in an industry where most others – like Tier, Bird and Spin – have struggled to stay afloat. In 2023, Lime pulled in more than $90 million in adjusted EBITDA, which the company says is more than a 500% increase over the previous year.
To maintain its dominant position, Lime needs to win over even more riders. And being more inclusive doesn’t hurt the company’s chances at winning city contracts.
Both of Lime’s new vehicles – the LimeBike and the LimeGlider – are based on the same platform, but with a few tweaks. The LimeBike is Lime’s next generation e-bike, following the company’s Gen4 bike that it debuted in 2022. The LimeGlider has the performance and weight of a motorbike, but with a moped feel.
Look
Look reveals new urban e-bike
The carbon E-765 Gotham electric bike is designed to be lightweight and ride ready out the box.
Hannah Bussey - August 27, 2020 9:21 am
Look’s new carbon E-765 Gotham electric bike is designed to be lightweight and ride ready out the box and comes with added safety features.
The new hybrid e-bike from French brand Look comes with a completely carbon frame and fork and claims to tip the scales at a impressively low weight of just 15.8kg for a size medium.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/look-reveal-urban-e-bike-464758
Lyft
Lyft's first in-house ebike reflects light like a street sign
Bay Area residents will get to ride it first.
Igor Bonifacic - June 2nd, 2021
Since 2018 when it bought CitiBike parent company Motivate, Lyft has operated bike-share networks throughout the US. And while its fleet has included both traditional bicycles and those with electric pedal-assist drivetrains, it's now introducing an ebike of its own design.
In development for the better part of three years, the EV features a single gear drivetrain and a more powerful 500-watt electric motor. That should make the bike easy to operate and maintain since there's no front or rear derailleur. Complementing those parts is a battery Lyft claims can go up to 60 miles on a single charge. Lyft built the power cell and the cables that connect all different components into the frame of the bike, which should help protect them from the elements and vandals.
https://www.engadget.com/lyft-ebike-185325881.html?src=rss_b2c
Taking Lyft’s new e-bike for a spin
Brian Heater / 7:00 AM PDT•June 2, 2021
The bike had none of the usual signage when I took it for a spin around the chaotic and construction-filled streets of Manhattan. It very much looked like a prototype, with visible soldering on the joints and a not-quite-complete AV system. But it handled well, when merging in and out of traffic — and at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.
Pilots for Lyft’s new e-bike begin this month. The ride-hailing service will begin offering units in cities where it operates, starting with San Francisco, then Chicago and New York. The locations will be somewhat randomized, as a kind of “Easter egg” system where users will randomly stumble on the shiny new electric bicycles. If you’re lucky enough to experience one in the wild, Lyft will shoot you an email, asking how your experience was.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/02/taking-lyfts-new-e-bike-for-a-spin/
Lyft Says It Will Start Recycling E-Bike and Scooter Batteries
The company announced a new partnership with Redwood Materials, the same startup that's promised to supply Tesla and Panasonic with recycled materials.
Lauren Leffer - 23 November 2022 5:45PM
Lyft plans to start recycling its e-bike and scooter batters through a newly announced partnership with Redwood Materials, as first reported by The Verge. Lyft owns 12 different municipal bike share programs—like New York City’s Citi Bike and San Francisco’s Bay Wheels—in addition to its scooter program in four cities.
As Lyft’s largest microtransport share, Citi Bike alone has 5,000 electric bicycles, according to a report from Bloomberg. Which is a lot of batteries. E-Bike batteries only last a few years, and after that generally just become part of the growing pile of e-waste that threatens to eventually engulf us. So it makes sense that the rideshare company is aiming to do something different.
https://gizmodo.com/lyft-e-bike-recycling-redwood-materials-1849818045
Macwheel
Macwheel Wrangler 600 e-bike review: Can you get a good electric mountain bike for $850?
Micah Toll - Dec. 29th 2020 6:10 am ET
The Macwheel Wrangler 600 is an electric bike from an up-and-coming budget brand found on Amazon. Today we’re going to find out if you can get a decent ride out of a budget electric mountain bike.
Magicyle
Magicyle's Fresh Commuter E-Bike Could Be the Very Best That You Can Buy for $1,300
7 Aug 2022, 18:03 UTC - Cristian Curmei
If you've heard of Magicycle, you could be one of the few who have. This Chinese manufacturer has been around since late 2020, and as if to celebrate two years on the worldwide market, this team is now displaying the Commuter e-bike, a little budget-friendly trinket that shows just how far this industry has come and what you can get yourself for a mere $1,300 (€1,275 at current exchange rates).
If you thrust your memories back to a few years ago when the e-bike industry was barely starting to take shape, you can remember that sort of clunkers available, sometimes at nearly double the price I've just specified. Luckily for us, relentless R&D by countless companies has led to wonders like the Commuter.
I've already specified the price for this sucker, but what are we getting for this rate? The best way to do that is to imagine that you just bought this bugger, and with a full battery, you decide to give it all you've got on your way home.
Maven
The Maven: A user-friendly, $2K Cargo e-bike perfect for families on the go
The $2K bike is aimed at smaller riders who want a manageable cargo e-bike. It delivers.
Beth Mole - 4/5/2024, 4:30 AM
The first thing I should say in this bike review is that I am not a bike enthusiast.
My preferred form of exercise is running, where no mechanical components are necessary. But I'm acting as reviewer here because what I lack in longstanding opinions on brand-name bike gearing and motor hubs, I make up for by being the exact target audience for the bike under review: the Maven Cargo E-bike by Integral Electrics. This is a cargo bike designed not for hardcore cyclists but for smaller riders, women specifically, who would happily swap out their family's second car for a simpler e-bike—as long as it can handle the needs of family life: toting children, running errands, and making short commutes.
This is exactly what Integral CEO and co-founder Laura Belmar and her family were looking for amid the pandemic, she told me in an interview. But while her husband picked out e-bikes that were comfortably designed for him, who is taller than her, she consistently found herself top-heavy and struggling as soon as her two kids were loaded onto the bikes. “They were scared to ride with me,” she said of her kids. “One time, we were literally going down in the park and a jogger came by and grabbed the rack and pulled us back up.”
Belmar said she knew other families in the same situation. So she set out to design a bike that would essentially be a family station wagon on two wheels, one that would be easy to maneuver and control by smaller riders but still adjustable for taller cyclists—the Maven claims a size range of 5 feet, 0 inches to 6-foot-7. And, aside from ease of use, she sought ideal family-car features: comfort, safety, and affordability.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/04/a-cycling-newb-tries-a-cargo-e-bike-the-user-friendly-maven/
Metakoo
Metakoo’s e-bike with 37-mile range per charge now $545 (New low), more in New Green Deals
Patrick Campanale - Mar. 4th 2022 11:15 am PT
If you’re tired of dealing with traffic, gas, and oil when going to or from work, then it’s time to change things up. Right now, Metakoo’s Cybertrack 100 e-bike is on sale for $545, which marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked. Ready to ride up to 37 miles on a single charge as fast at 20 MPH, this e-bike makes taking short to medium trips around the city a breeze, while also letting you enjoy fresh air while traveling. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today, more on why going electric for your yard tools like the mower on sale is important, and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
https://electrek.co/2022/03/04/new-green-deals-metakoo-100-e-bike-woot-more/
Metro
Metro CX step-through ebike designed for exploring the city
Paul Ridden - November 15, 2022
Whether folks are looking for a greener, cheaper last-mile trip to work or just want to get around without being punished by hills, ebikes are proving a popular choice. The latest Class 2 model from Canada's iGo is a step-through commuter called the Metro CX.
The Metro CX is built around a durable 6061 aluminum step-through frame in one size and one color option (black), with cables routed internally, a handy rear rack for hauling gear in optional panniers or strapped on with included bungees, and mounts on the seat tube for a water bottle cage.
The ebike is powered by a thin and quiet 500-W geared rear-hub motor (900 watts peak) for up to 48 Nm (35.4 lb.ft) of torque. Nine levels of pedal assist allow riders to choose exactly how much effort they want to put in to get where they need to be – opting for minimal assistance to get a better workout or maximum assist to arrive at the office sweat-free. There's also a thumb throttle included for an effortless push up inclines and an 8-speed Shimano Altus gearset for flexible ride options.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/igo-metro-cx-step-through-ebike/
Mod
The MOD City+ 3 Is the Most Practical Foldable E-Bike I've Ridden
The MOD City+ 3 excels at all the basics and makes it very easy to snap on accessories to customize your ride in a hurry.
Daniel Oropeza - August 19, 2024
“Don't put the cart before the horse” is an idiom that MOD seemed to have taken very seriously when designing the MOD City+ 3. All of the basics that I expect from a foldable e-bike are there and done well. Because the foundational elements were all done properly, it had time to focus on final details that make this e-bike the most practical one I have ever ridden.
As a shopping writer, I've been introduced to many products with fancy bells and whistles that catch my attention, but end up disappointing when their main function is faulty. Testing the MOD's latest foldable e-bike rekindled my hope that there are still companies who don't jump the gun at the expense of flashiness.
I received the MOD City+ 3 as a review unit. The e-bike came pre-assembled, and I only needed to install the front wheel, headlight, and some other minor parts, which was fast and easy to do. MOD says all of its MOD City+ 3 e-bikes come pre-assembled, so it should be an easy setup. As an early reviewer, I got access to a pre-production model of the MOD City+ 3. I experienced some issues with the display showing some errors and the throttle not kicking on sometimes (usually on hills), but MOD later sent me an updated display and controller with a software update. After installing them, I didn't encounter those initial issues anymore.
Monarch
Electrek: 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
Morfuns
Morfuns Eole X folding e-bike review: A throttle-enabled electric bike with psuedo-suspension
Micah Toll - Nov. 4th 2022 12:14 am PT
The Morfuns Eole X is a folding e-bike that offers a bit more than you’d expect from most barebones options. Instead, the Eole X has better parts like hydraulic disc brakes, throttle-enabled riding, and even rear suspension. Actually, make that psuedo-suspension.
You might expect a rear suspension electric bike to have a spring shock in the rear, or perhaps even nicer oil-damped rear suspension.
Instead, the Eole X comes with what I’d describe as a more passive form of rear suspension. There’s an elastomer stopper like you’d find on the end of a pinball plunger, though in this case it’s designed to absorb a shock instead of transferring one.
That bright red rubber bumper may not provide the cushiest ride compared to true rear suspension, but it does help reduce the shock of hitting a pot hole edge.
https://electrek.co/2022/11/04/morfuns-eole-x-folding-e-bike-review/
Mycle
Mycle Cargo is almost the longtail of the people I’ve been waiting for
Perfect for hauling cargo, and great for experienced cyclists.
Daniel Cooper - July 27, 2023 10:00 AM
Last year, I asked if we’d ever see an e-cargo bike “for the people,” with powerful electric assist, generous cargo capacity and an affordable price. Soon after, Mycle got in touch to say its own offering, the Mycle Cargo, was exactly the bike I was looking for. It added that the struggles I’d had with heavy loads and steep hills wouldn’t be a problem for its affordable cargo longtail. After spending the better part of three months riding this thing around, I can heartily agree that it ticks many of the boxes I was hoping for. I may not have fallen head-over-heels in love with it in the way I had hoped, or expected to, but I’m sure it could find a place in the homes of many cyclists.
Mycle is a British-built e-bike which fits into the same category as Tern’s GSD, with a step through frame and beefy longtail. Support struts and plastic panels enclose the thick rear wheel, which houses the surprisingly-powerful 250W hub motor. Now, I won’t bang this drum too much, but this thing is less than half the price of some of its competitors in the cargo longtail space. Here in the UK, a Tern GSD or Yuba’s Spicy Curry will set you back around £5,000 before you start picking optional extras. By comparison, the Cargo’s retail price is £1,999, which will get you the standard setup, including integrated front and rear lights.
Nakamura
New Nakamura E-Gravel Bike Impresses With Low Price, Premium Parts
It’s packing Shimano GRX components and a mid-drive motor with 80 newton-meters of torque.
Nov 07, 2023 at 2:56pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
Popular European sports outlet Intersport has dabbled into the electric bicycle market with its own brand, Nakamura. We’ve talked about some of Nakamura’s e-bikes before, and the common denominator among them is that they blend performance and affordability. Its newest model is no different, but it leans towards the premium side of the spectrum.
Gravel bikes have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and are hailed as versatile all-rounders that excel in city, light trails, and across long distances – much like the early mountain bikes of the 1990s. In electric form, gravel bikes are proving to be quite a hit as well, and the new Nakamura E-Gravel presents itself with some seriously impressive components. Now, seeing the Nakamura brand emblazoned on the side of a frame may have you thinking that it’s a budget bike, however, the company wants to change this with the E-Gravel.
https://insideevs.com/news/694991/nakamura-egravel-bike-launch-france/
Nireeka
Review: Nireeka's powerful, carbon-framed Prime e-fatbike is a beauty
By Loz Blain - October 12, 2020
There's really nobody in the ebike world I can think of that makes bikes like Nireeka. These guys aren't interested in stealth, or retro, or making bikes that look like anyone else's. They work exclusively with their own carbon-fiber frames, which feature strangely flowing sci-fi designs with twisting edges and curves and angles in a style of their very own.
This Dubai-based company stormed onto the scene with a killer deal on its first bike, the dual-suspension, hub-drive Homie, back in 2018, and backed it up this year with a mid-drive, hardtail, fat-tired cruiser called the Prime. And Prime's the name for it alright, I can't think of any other bicycle that looks so much like it could suddenly stand up and start commanding the Autobots.
Spectrx
I’ve Never Seen an E-Bike This Fast at This Price
Packing a 6-kW motor and mind-blowing torque, this insanely overbuilt beast looks equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.
Steve Mazzucchi - June 26, 2025 / Updated June 27, 2025
Regardless of how you feel about e-bikes, the past few years have pretty clearly indicated that high-powered cycles are here to stay. Or, more appropriately, move.
As a New York City cyclist who prefers to pedal, I often avoid the bike lanes. There are so many electrified rigs absolutely hauling ass through them, I feel safer out amongst the cars.
Yet, as many wild bikes as I have seen, I’m not sure how I’d react if I saw Nireeka’s latest two-wheeler come ripping up the street.
Going by the name Spectrx, it promises a staggering amount of speed and torque at a surprising price.
Niu
Niu BQi-C3 Pro ebike packs two batteries for extended range
Ben Coxworth - November 07, 2022
In the past couple of years, Chinese urban mobility company Niu has brought us both an electric scooter and an electric motorcycle. Now, completing the two-wheeler EV trinity, the manufacturer has unveiled its dual-battery BQi-C3 Pro commuter ebike.
Announced this Monday (Nov. 7), the BQi-C3 Pro is powered by two removable 48V/19.2-Ah lithium batteries located in the seat tube and down tube of its step-through aluminum alloy frame. These are claimed to deliver a combined range of 49 to 62 miles (79 to 100 km), depending on factors such as terrain and amount of electrical assistance selected.
The rider's pedaling power is augmented by a 500-watt planetary gear reduction rear-hub motor, up to a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) – there is also a thumb throttle, for pedal-free motor-only cruising. A Gates Carbon belt-drive drivetrain keeps things smooth and simple, while mechanical disc brakes provide stopping power. The house brand 27.5 x 2.4-inch tires are reinforced with Kevlar aramid fibers, to reduce the likelihood of punctures.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/niu-bqi-c3-pro-dual-battery-ebike/
NIU BQi-C3 Pro review: A funny-shaped yet awesome electric bike
Micah Toll - May 29 2023 10:15 am PT
I fell in love with the NIU BQi-C3 Pro electric bicycle the first time I laid eyes on it. The U-shaped frame and the vibrantly contrasting red and white color scheme created a comfortable-looking yet playful design that I knew I would have to test out myself.
It took longer than I had hoped – I continued to drool over it at more than one industry show after its debut – but the day finally came when I got to test it. And now that I’ve put several good weeks on the BQi-C3 Pro, I can finally share my thoughts on this unique e-bike.
This isn’t NIU’s first e-bike model, but it’s also not the brand’s main claim to fame. You’re probably more familiar with the company’s seated electric scooters that have helped propel NIU into a global leader in the electric scooter market.
You may have even seen the brand’s electric kick scooter line that has proven over the last couple years to be a growing segment of NIU’s diverse transportation lineup.
But the BQi-C3 Pro is new territory for NIU, both in terms of design and components. Check out what it’s like to ride such an interesting e-bike in my video review below. Then keep reading for my complete written review after the video.
https://electrek.co/2023/05/29/niu-bqi-c3-pro-review-electric-bike/
NuBike
The NuBike Is a Chain-Less Bicycle That Set Out To Reimagine Pedaling, to No Avail
24 Sep 2022, 23:10 UTC - Mircea Mazuru
But Rodger Parker, an inventor from Los Angeles, thought otherwise. Rodger had worked all his life in production and postproduction. Selling his company 26 years after its inception, he decided to follow his inventing passion, and he started building underwater camera housings, several experimental aircraft, and products for airplanes. One of his inventions was the NuBike, a chain-less bicycle using aircraft techniques and materials.
So, what were the reasons that drove him to invent such a thing? First, Rodger says he saw riders struggling to fix a flat, especially since they had to deal with greasy chains. He saw riders walking out of hills with ripped clothing and broken chains. And the problem closest to his heart was his wife's knee injury caused by continued riding and pedaling throughout the years. Rodger was astonished to think that nobody had tried to find a better solution that would deal with these issues. That's why he sought to revolutionize cycling by creating a new machine.
OKAI
OKAI, maker of all those sharing electric bikes, launches its first consumer e-bike with a bang
Micah Toll - Apr. 11th 2022 3:29 am PT
Massive electric two-wheeler manufacturer OKAI has just launched its first consumer-oriented electric bicycle, the OKAI Stride. And for a first consumer e-bike, it comes with surprisingly nice performance specs like an industry-leading speed of 28 mph (45 km/h).
If you’ve ever ridden a shared electric scooter or e-bike like those from Lime, Bird, or countless other manufacturers, you’ve probably ridden an OKAI-manufactured product without even knowing about it.
The company has recently branched out from only producing light electric vehicles for other brands to actually producing under its own label as well.
That means it is combining its massive manufacturing prowess with its experience building ruggedized personal EVs designed to withstand serious abuse.
E-bike company releases over-the-air update boosting its electric bike speed over 50%
Micah Toll - Oct. 4th 2022 2:37 am PT
As if we needed any more evidence proving how tech-integrated the latest generation of e-bikes are, look no further than the OKAI EB50. The company has just released an over-the-air (OTA) update that lets users significantly increase the top speed limit of the bike.
Originally launched earlier this summer as the OKAI Ranger, the 1,000W fat tire OKAI EB50 electric bike arrived with a rather mundane top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).
That kept the bike legally designated as a Class 2 e-bike in the US, meaning it had a throttle-operated top speed of no more than 20 mph, and could masquerade its 1,000W motor as a 750W continuous-rated motor to comply with the Class 2 e-bike limits.
But a recently released update to the OKAI smartphone app that pairs with the bike has given owners more than just a fancy new skin or rounder icons. This time the update came with serious performance increases.
The app provides the option to unlock the top speed to a higher 28 mph (45 km/h).
https://electrek.co/2022/10/04/okai-eb50-electric-bike-boost-speed-update/
Onyx
ONYX RCR 60 MPH e-bike with 75-mile range hits $3,999, more in New Green Deals [Exclusive]
Patrick Campanale - Jun. 13th 2022 11:30 am PT
The ONYX RCR e-bike sets itself apart from the competition by delivering up to 75 miles of range on a single charge as well as a 60 MPH top speed. That’s right, this e-bike (or electric motorbike, really) can top out at highway speeds and travel quite a ways on a single charge. Normally up to $4,549, it’s down to $3,999 with various models on sale today, marking a new all-time low that we’ve tracked so far. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
https://electrek.co/2022/06/13/onyx-rcr-e-bike-exclusive-new-green-deals-more/
The Onyx RCR Is a Scrambler-Style E-Bike With an Eye-Catching Simple Design
25 Sep 2022, 20:50 UTC - Mircea Mazuru
What can we say about Onyx Motorbikes? The company is pretty new on the market, founded in 2018. It’s based in Los Angeles, California, where it builds each bike by hand. It estimates that delivery will take place within 3-4 weeks from the order date; that’s pretty fast! Onyx currently offers two models for sale: the CTY2, designed for the city dweller, and the RCR, with two configurations - Street and Dirt.
The RCR’s design is sleek and fun, with the wood and metal panels creating a simple and aesthetically pleasing centerpiece for the bike. The scrambler-style LED light, the flat saddle, and the on-display coil-overs give it a retro café-racer look with minor futuristic details and angles. If you’re going to use it mostly in traffic, it might be helpful to also opt for some indicators, which are extra.
Onyx Motorbikes was in trouble — and then its 37-year-old owner died
A battle for control now has Onyx in legal limbo.
Rebecca Bellan - 8:02 AM PDT May 27, 2024
James Khatiblou, the owner and CEO of Onyx Motorbikes, was watching his e-bike startup fall apart.
Onyx was being evicted from its warehouse in El Segundo, Los Angeles. The company’s unpaid bills were stacking up. His chief operating officer had abruptly resigned. A shipment of around 100 CTY2 dirt bikes from Chinese supplier Suzhou Jindao was delayed, and customers were starting to demand refunds – a major problem considering Khatiblou already owed both lenders and shareholders a lot of money.
Khatiblou, known for his warm and outgoing personality, was fearful and stressed, according to interviews with people who worked alongside him. In the waning months of 2023, he was so distracted by the startup’s increasing debt and legal problems, he was unable to follow through on basic tasks. At the same time, his health was deteriorating, according to his mother, Diane Khatiblou. The vibrant and active man with the toothy smile was having trouble breathing and even walking, she said.
Then Onyx’s problems escalated in a way nobody expected.
RCR 80V
This Sneaky Fast, Affordable New Motorbike Is a City Dweller’s Dream
The Onyx RCR 80V steps up from the brand’s original model with full-throttle features that tick lots of boxes.
Steve Mazzucchi - Published July 15, 2025 / Updated July 15, 2025
As much as I love riding my Triumph Bonneville T100 around New York City, I can’t help feeling a twinge of jealousy every time I see a zippy little Vespa dart through thick traffic with ease.
While scooters really don’t butter my bread, I do love bicycles as much as I do motorcycles. onyx rcr 80v hero
If only there were a two-wheeled option offering the gridlock-beating nimbleness of the former and the stylish speed of the latter — and didn’t totally break the bank in the process.
The good news is, in 2025 such a thing absolutely exists in the form of Onyx’s new RCR 80V, an electric motorbike that just might be the perfect urban solution.
https://www.gearpatrol.com/motorcycles/onyx-rcr-80v-electric-motorbike/
Pave
Pave BK E-Bike Boasts Minimalist Design for Effortless, Breezy Commutes
For environmentally-conscious people who need to navigate their way around crowded cities, using an e-bike or electric moped as their personal transportation means for daily trips is a great way to stop using fossil fuels. Two-wheeled EVs bring much-needed variety to riders looking for easy commuting solutions without carbon emissions.
10 Jun 2023, 10:50 UTC - Ancuta Iosub
And if you can't decide between electric bicycles and motorcycles, the good news is that, lately, many EV manufacturers have introduced power-assisted commuters that blur the line between these types of two-wheelers, offering the best of both worlds. One of them is Pave Motors, a Brooklyn, NY-based startup founded in 2019 by German-born brothers Nico and Caspar Nagel, which has just introduced the all-new Pave BK E-Bike (also known as Pave 1).
The innovative electric motorbike was initially unveiled in 2021, but it's only now that the company announced it would finally enter production. Pave Motors has spent the last two years further developing and refining the design to create a reliable two-wheeler meant to be used in congested cities.
“Whether you’re commuting or exploring your neighborhood, Pave is reliable, low maintenance, and always a thrilling experience. We strive to help avoid a climate disaster, create a community of riders, and bring freedom of movement to riders of all walks of life,” the company has said.
It only weighs 101 pounds (45.8 kg) and is powered by a brushless 3,000-watt (4 hp) in-hub DC motor that delivers 110 ft-lbs of torque and allows the e-bike to reach a maximum speed of 30 mph (48 kph) in just 3.7 seconds. It is certified as a moped in both USA and Europe (L1e).
Pedego
Pedego launches its lowest-priced electric bicycle ever
Micah Toll - Sep. 30th 2020 2:41 pm ET
Pedego’s most popular electric bicycle models usually fall in the $3,000+ range, but the company’s newest e-bike is priced at just half of those figures. Rolling into bike shops today, the Pedego Element is a shot across the bow of the major value-oriented e-bike companies.
https://electrek.co/2020/09/30/pedego-element-launched-lowest-priced-electric-bicycle/
Pedego Moto review: Fast and furious fun for $4,000
Pedego's newest e-bike is quality even if a little bit impractical.
Eric Bangeman - 5/16/2024, 11:39 AM
I'm not a fat-tire bike guy. My tire tastes run toward the thinner end of the spectrum: 28s on my road bike and 35s on my gravel bike. And I must confess to some distaste for fat-tire e-bikes, which I mostly encounter being ridden (and occasionally even pedaled) on local bike trails. But the $3,995 Pedego Moto caught my eye. The specs were impressive, but more importantly, it looked like it would be a blast to ride.
Unlike most of the other e-bikes I've reviewed, the Pedego Moto requires little assembly. The Moto arrived in a massive box strapped to a pallet, but once the box was cut away and the bike exposed, all I had to do was adjust the handlebars with a hex key and the Moto was good to go.
From the headlight to the bench seat, Moto sports a rugged moped vibe. There's a bright color display attached to the handlebars with four control buttons. The two on the front tweak the assist level and navigate setup screens, while the ones on the top and bottom handle power and confirm setup options. There's another controller just below and to the left of the display that handles the turn signals and headlights.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/pedego-moto-review-fast-and-furious-fun-for-4000/
Pedego’s Cargo e-bike: Sporty, stylish and powerful for $4,000
Rebecca Bellan - 9:00 AM PDT September 22, 2024
The Pedego’s Cargo e-bike is marketed as a powerful and sporty ride that’s geared towards parents toting kids around town and anyone who needs to schlep heavy gear.
I spent the summer testing out this cargo e-bike to find out if it met that mission. My take: It’s a stylish ride that can hold plenty of cargo in many shapes and forms. But some tech issues, as well as its heaviness, might give some (including me) pause on shelling out $4,000. That said, Pedego’s five-year warranty with optional anti-theft protection might just make it all worth it.
Pedego, a California-based company, has been around since 2009, so customers can benefit from a robust network of more than 200 stores throughout the country. This may be particularly valuable for e-bike newcomers who want to try before they buy or want a reliable service network — a problem that startups, like VC darling VanMoof, faced by pursuing mainly a direct-to-consumer model with bespoke parts.
https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/22/pedegos-cargo-e-bike-sporty-stylish-and-powerful-for-4000/
Peugeot
Peugeot eC01 Crossover electric bicycle launched as company’s latest urban e-bike
Micah Toll - Jan. 23rd 2021 11:16 am ET
Peugeot has just launched its latest electric bicycle model, known as the Peugeot eC01 Crossover.
The company has made impressive strides in the electric bicycle market lately, with a half dozen crossover-style models launched late last year.
Now the Peugeot eC01 Crossover adds a new Bosch-powered step-through frame to the list.
Designed and manufactured in France, the bike features a classic upright seating position to give riders a lofty vantage point of the road ahead.
https://electrek.co/2021/01/23/peugeot-ec01-crossover-electric-bicycle-launched-urban-e-bike/
Pi-Pop
Meet the Pi-Pop, the electric bike you never need to charge (because it has no battery)
It's like a regular bike, but better
Bruce Brown - December 4, 2023
Electric bikes are hot and getting hotter in the U.S. In response, e-bike manufacturers frequently introduce new models, all powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. French manufacturer Pi-Pop breaks from traditional electric bike design by using a power source you never need to recharge.
The eponymous Pi-Pop electric bicycle, now in the third generation, gets riding power assistance from a supercapacitor that charges while you ride. Like most electric cars, e-bikes with geared or direct drive hubs can regain energy on the go from regeneration while braking. An electric motor reverses energy flow during regeneration, directing the flow back into a battery.
With Pi-Pop e-bikes, which do not have batteries, regeneration is the only way the onboard supercapacitor gains energy. According to the company, a rider pedaling a Pi-Pop e-bike on flat ground regenerates moderate energy by using a small portion of the rider’s pedaling power to recharge the supercapacitor. Riding the bike downhill when the rider doesn’t need to pedal as hard to maintain speed regenerates more energy than flat ground travel. Applying the Pi-Pop’s brakes restores the greatest energy to the supercapacitor.
https://www.themanual.com/outdoors/pi-pop-e-bike-no-battery/
Priority
Skyline
Priority launches Skyline e-bike with high-end Pinion gearbox, Gates belt drive, and surprising price
Micah Toll - Aug 7 2025 7:56 am PT
Priority Bicycles just pulled the wraps off its most advanced electric bike yet, and it’s got some serious hardware under the hood – or rather, in the bottom bracket. Say hello to the absurdly high-end for a direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-bike, the Priority Skyline.
The newly launched Skyline combines the company’s signature low-maintenance design philosophy with one of the most sophisticated drivetrains in the bike world: a Pinion C1.12i Smart.Shift gearbox, paired with a Gates Carbon Drive belt and 750W torque-sensing rear hub motor.
And if you’re thinking that sounds like a US $6,000+ setup, you wouldn’t be wrong. That Pinion gearbox alone probably costs half the price of the bike or more when sold as a standalone unit. But somehow, Priority has managed to bundle it all together, even including integrated lighting, hydraulic disc brakes, a 720Wh battery, throttle, front suspension, and commuter-ready accessories. And all of that for just $3,999 (or $3,699 with a limited-time launch discount).
Priority Skyline review: A 12-speed automatic shifting throttle e-bike for a song
Micah Toll - Aug 18 2025 9:15 am PT
When I first hopped on the new Priority Skyline Smart‑Shift e-bike, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I’ve ridden dozens and dozens of commuter e-bikes, some fancier than others, but it’s rare to see something that feels this refined and has components like these, especially from a direct-to-consumer company that focuses on quality builds at affordable prices.
Just unveiled this month, Priority Bicycles calls it their most advanced e-bike ever, and after a few days riding it around the city, I can say they’re not just hyping it up. This thing is a seriously capable commuter machine packed with impressive tech, high-end components, and thoughtful design choices that blend into a surprisingly seamless ride.
Propella
Propella 7S electric bike review: Simplicity and slick looks combine in this affordable e-bike
Micah Toll - Jul. 18th 2022 11:08 am PT
The Propella 7S electric bike is many things. It’s lightweight. It’s good looking. It’s affordable. The one thing it isn’t, is overly complicated. This e-bike is as simple as it gets and that is part of what makes it so attractive as a commuter e-bike.
If you remember our review of the Propella SS 4.0 last summer, you’ll already be familiar with the most important aspects of the Propella 7S.
The SS is simply the single-speed version of this bike, and otherwise is mostly identical.
While I enjoyed the SS as a great urban e-bike for flat cities, the 7S model adds a 7-speed transmission that is sure to be praised by commuters living in hillier areas and that want the ability to downshift for hill climbing or upshift for flat land speed.
You can check out my test riding of the Propella 7S in my succinct video review below. For an even more detailed analysis, though, keep reading afterwards for all of the details.
https://electrek.co/2022/07/18/propella-7s-electric-bike-review/
Puckipuppy
Rottweiler
New e-trike boasts 960W motor, full-suspension and 500 lb capacity
Micah Toll - Aug 25 2025 9:00 am PT
The electric trike world just got a new heavyweight contender. Puckipuppy’s latest release, the Rottweiler, looks like it was built to haul, climb, and cruise with equal confidence. And with full suspension as well as specs like these, it’s hard not to take notice.
At the heart of the Rottweiler e-trike is a 960W peak motor (750W “nominal”) paired with a torque sensor. That means smooth starts, steady hill climbs, and pedal assistance that feels like it’s working with you instead of for you. Of course, the included throttle allows riders to whip it around without pedaling if they prefer, but the torque sensor will hopefully remind owners that pedaling can be fun and a natural feeling too, especially when you’ve got an extra 960 watts of power helping you out.
The trike tops out at a modest 15 mph (25 km/h), keeping it relatively muted to avoid those high-speed tippy turns that trikes are notorious for. But even with the capped speed, it looks like the Rottweiler has plenty of raw hauling power to keep things fun.
https://electrek.co/2025/08/25/new-e-trike-boasts-960w-motor-full-suspension-and-500-lb-capacity/
PXCycle
Review: Soon-to-be-released 28 mph urban electric mountain bike PXCycle E-XC+
Micah Toll - Feb. 9th 2021 10:28 am ET
Portland-based PXCycle’s E-XC series of urban electric mountain bikes was already popular with its rider base. But now the bike shop is launching a new version of the e-bike that takes it another step further.
With a new mid-drive motor and the same rugged utility-oriented design, this is an e-bike you’ll definitely want to check out.
https://electrek.co/2021/02/09/pxcycle-e-xc-review-urban-electric-mountain-bike-pxcycle-e-xc/
PXcycle e-bike launched with throttle-enabled 850W mid-drive motor at a hub motor price
Micah Toll - Mar. 5th 2021 2:40 am E
Portland-based pXcycle has just launched the latest version of its urban electric mountain bike. They call the new pXcycle EX-C+ the “world’s most versatile e-bike,” and the bike is available for 50% off during the current launch promotion and ships worldwide.
The pXCycle is available in a few different models with varying specs and accessory loadouts.
They all include an urban mountain bike frame with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and a mid-drive motor with a torque sensor for engaging pedal assist.
The major differences between the models are the speed and power specs.
The entry-level pXcycle EX-C 250 has the lowest power limit pre-programmed into the motor, limiting it to 250W of power. The bike can reach a top speed of 20 mph in the US or 25 km/h in Europe. There’s no throttle, which keeps the bike classified as a Class 1 e-bike in the US and a street-legal e-bike in Europe.
https://electrek.co/2021/03/05/pxcycle-ex-c-e-bike-launched-throttle-enabled-600w-mid-drive-motor/
Raleigh
Raleigh's expanded Motus e-bike line offers more power and range
The wider selection comes alongside a price hike.
Jon Fingas - February 21st, 2022
How does a veteran bicycle maker like Raleigh survive an increasingly crowded e-bike market? By promising more oomph, apparently. The company has revamped its strong-selling Motus hybrid e-bike line with more power and range. The base Motus now starts with a 400WH Bosch Active Line motor (up from 300WH) and, accordingly, a bump from 60 miles to 80 miles of range. You shouldn't have as much trouble blasting up a hill or completing a lengthy commute. You can also expect four levels of electric assistance, a seven-speed gear system and hydraulic disc brakes.
More demanding riders have more options, of course. The Motus Tour and Motus Grand Tour both have the choice of either a derailleur or hub gearing, and they pack integrated front and rear lights as well as a wheel lock. The Tour and Grand Tour both pack sleeker, easily removable Bosch PowerTube batteries, while the top-end Grand Tour includes both a larger 500WH battery and a brawnier Active Line Plus motor. Raleigh claims up to 100 miles of range.
https://www.engadget.com/raleigh-motus-e-bike-2022-150012555.html
Rayvolt
Closer look at Rayvolt’s stunning electric bikes, e-motorcycle, and high-tech new brand eXXite
Micah Toll - May. 9th 2022 7:52 am PT
Barcelona-based Rayvolt not only has some of the most beautiful electric bikes I’ve ever seen, but also designs its own technology to ensure that those e-bikes offer industry-leading performance and user-experiences. That kind of combination of beauty and brains is rarely seen outside of a Hollywood blockbuster, which is why I just had to stop by Barcelona in person to check out the latest from Rayvolt.
The company kindly invited me out to its yearly press and dealer meeting, which returned after a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19.
Back with a bang, the event showcased Rayvolt’s newest developments and exciting news about the future direction of the company. On display in the brand’s showroom were many of the stunning electric bicycles we’ve come to know and love, but also several new models with a new twist.
Check out my brief video below to see what Rayvolt had on hand, or keep scrolling to read even more about these head-turning electric bikes.
RCA
RCA (yes, the VCR brand) just unveiled a 34 mph electric bike
Micah Toll - Jan 12 2023 5:30 am PT
RCA, the century-old electronics brand that may be most famous for its consumer products like the VCR, has launched a series of electric bicycles with the unveiling of three new models. Two of the e-bikes are fairly ordinary models, but the third is a more aggressive and higher-power e-bike with a striking design.
The shift to e-bikes might sound strange for a brand known for radios, VCRs and other home entertainment products. However, the RCA brand was purchased by a parent company that brings new products to market using licensing deals with the brands under its umbrella.
In this case, the brand’s new e-bikes are designed “to accommodate a range of rider preferences from outdoor fitness enthusiasts to two-wheeled commuters.”
https://electrek.co/2023/01/12/rca-yes-the-vcr-brand-just-unveiled-a-34-mph-electric-bike/
Richmond
Thunder X-Treme Custom E-Bike Is an All-Terrain Beast That Boasts 200 Miles per Charge
27 Apr 2022, 14:09 UTC - Cristina Mircea
If you’re unfamiliar with Richmond E-Bike, you might be pleased to find out it’s a Canadian shop that makes a wide range of micromobility vehicles, from electric bikes to trikes and scooters. Its Thunder bikes come in a variety of sizes and designs, for various types of applications. One of them is the Thunder X-Treme Custom E-Bike, a tough, powerful eMTB with a design to match.
Richmond E-Bike’s Thunder electric bikes are all designed in Canada and there’s a wide selection to choose from. From the most budget-friendly small folding bike priced at $954 to a 26” folding mountain e-bike and a fat tire, moped-style Thunder, there’s an option for every taste and need. The Canadian shop even announced a fat tire cruiser but for now it’s just a “coming soon” model.
But the Thunder X-Treme e-bike is a different kind of beast, a high-power, all-terrain electric mountain bike that promises long-distance rides and is equipped for the roughest trails. The bike is available in different battery and tire sizes and it also comes in a Special Edition, although only a few specs are revealed on the official website.
Ride1Up
Ride1Up’s new 27 mph flagship e-bike is now hitting the road in the US
Micah Toll - Jan. 10th 2020 8:25 am ET
As electric bicycle manufacturers continue to compete in the rapidly expanding electric bicycle market, companies are offering higher-end electric bikes with increasingly affordable prices. San Diego-based Ride1Up’s new flagship e-bike, the 700 Series, is a prime example of the next generation of high-value electric bicycles. And unlike a lot of the vaporware we see, this bike is already making deliveries.
Popular affordable electric bike Ride1Up 500 Series released with new version
Micah Toll - Jun. 27th 2020 8:05 am ET
The Ride1Up 500 series, which has been one of our favorite budget-minded commuter e-bikes, has just received a new frame design.
Following a recent trend among value-oriented e-bike companies, the Ride1Up 500 Series is getting a second frame design – this time a low-step frame.
The Ride1Up 500 Series Step-Thru model was just unveiled and has opened for pre-orders at $1,195, with shipping expected to begin in approximately 6 weeks.
https://electrek.co/2020/06/27/popular-affordable-electric-bike-ride1up-500-series-step-thru/
Ride1UP LMT’D e-bike review: High-quality e-bike prices are coming down!
Micah Toll - Dec. 17th 2020 4:33 am ET
The Ride1Up LMT’D electric bicycle is a great example of a recent trend we’re seeing in the e-bike industry. Companies are starting to outfit their e-bikes with higher-spec parts while keeping prices reasonable. And that makes the Ride1Up LMT’D an easy e-bike to recommend.
In my testing of the bike I found it to be an excellent candidate for anyone that needs a comfortable, well-built e-bike for urban riding, and who wants a bike with slightly better and more rugged components than a typical value e-bike.
At $1,195, The Ride1Up Core-5 Commuter E-Bike Is An Insane Value (CleanTechnica Review)
Kyle Field - 22 April 2021
Ride1Up disrupted the value e-bike scene with a range of intelligently engineered, beautifully designed e-bikes packing surprisingly premium features. After reviewing the Ride1Up 700 Series Step Through earlier this year, we were excited to take the more affordable Core-5 for a spin.
The Ride1Up Core-5 pairs a slick step-through or high-step frame design with an integrated battery to the table at markedly lower price points than the competition. At just $1,195 (currently on sale for $1,145), the Core-5 offers unparalleled value with an impressive array of features.
Ride1Up Core-5 updated as low-cost 28 MPH commuter electric bike with longer range
Micah Toll - Aug. 5th 2022 5:18 am PT
Ride1Up’s Core-5 electric bike has received an upgrade to improve its already popular position as a cost-effective $1,195 commuter electric bike.
The first major update to the Ride1Up Core-5 appears to be increasing the battery capacity to achieve longer range.
Boosting battery size has been a popular move lately, with e-bike companies taking advantage of the wide range of battery cells on the market to opt for more energy dense options; that results in an e-bike battery that is the same physical size and shape, yet manages to stuff in more capacity for longer range.
In the Ride1Up Core-5’s case, the 48V and 10.4Ah battery got a boost to 12.8Ah, adding nearly 25% more capacity, and thus, nearly 25% more range. The new 614 Wh battery is still a recessed battery that hides in the frame’s downtube. It is lockable yet removable for charging either on or off of the e-bike.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/05/ride1up-core-5-updated-battery/
Now with VC backing, Ride1Up is producing affordable mid-drive ebikes, like the Prodigy
Mike Butcher - 9:47 AM PDT September 29, 2022
Since E-bike manufacturer Ride1Up closed a $6.5 million Series A led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund, the San Diego-based company has seen steady sales growth since its launch in 2018, especially as consumers switched to ebikes during the pandemic over public transit. Indeeed, last year ebikes reportedly outsold EV and plug-in hybrid automobiles.
So it was high time we tried out one of their bikes.
While the Ride1Up Prodigy is a mid-drive electric bike at an affordable price, this belies its quality as an electric bike, even at this price point.
Most hub motor electric bikes (these have the motor in the center of a wheel) can be slightly awkward to ride because of this drive positioning. Not so with the Ride1Up, which I found had a very natural feel when riding.
High class: A strong electric assist transforms a classic cruiser
Mixed messages from a casual cruising machine with a powerful motor.
John Timmer - 12/14/2022, 3:53 PM
If your complete list of bicycle formats consists of road and mountain, then you may struggle to remember what a cruiser is. Think of a long, heavy frame with handlebars that sweep back in a wide curve, allowing the rider to perch nearly upright on a wide, comfy seat. Fat tires make for a cushy ride, often down a road that runs alongside a beach in a warm, sunny climate.
Based on its name and aesthetics, the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is meant to evoke those bikes. And it does a passable job with fat tires, sweeping handlebars, and an upright riding stance. But it also provides the pedal assist of a Class 3 e-bike, meaning it'll keep providing power until the bike hits 28 mph (45 km/hr). And that makes for a ride that's decidedly not a casual cruise.
Exclusive: Ride1Up Revv1 launched as affordable moped-style e-bike missing in the market
Micah Toll - Jan 18 2023 9:26 am PT
The Ride1Up Revv1 e-bike was just unveiled this morning, rolling out in all of its moped-style electric bike glory. And in doing so, the new e-bike proved once again that Ride1Up is not content to rest on its laurels in the commuter e-bike category, but rather is serious about expanding its reputation for building high-value e-bikes in other market segments as well.
When Ride1Up CEO Daniel Urbino first showed me the Revv1 concept, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The bike was such a stark departure from the typical electric commuters we’ve come to know and love from the San Diego-based electric bike maker that it blew my mind.
Urbino explained to me that the goal of the Revv1 was to reach more riders than just its existing base that were interested in commuter e-bikes, such as those that wanted more adrenaline-pumping types of electric bikes. And I get it, but it’s just such a departure for the brand.
https://electrek.co/2023/01/18/exclusive-ride1up-revv1-launched-electric-moped-e-bike/
The Ride1Up Revv 1 e-bike gives you motorcycle looks and fun at a reasonable price
Mark Knapp, CNN Underscored - Updated 3:06 PM EDT, Thu May 11, 2023
The new Ride1Up Revv 1 looks more like a motorcycle or minibike than a bicycle, but while it offers moto style, it plays by the rules necessary to be classified as a bicycle and ridden without a special license, registration or insurance in many states. With a quality Bafang motor and a large battery, the Revv 1 stands out in the increasingly crowded moto-style e-bike field by offering a parts package competitive with pricier models from Super73 and Juiced at a significantly lower price.
We checked out the full-suspension version of the Revv 1 (a hardtail version, with a smaller battery, is available for $500 less), using it for daily rides and urban adventures to see how it stacked up against standard e-bikes and its motorcycle-inspired direct competitors.
Ride1Up Portola review: Is this the new go-to low-cost electric bike?
Micah Toll - Dec 7 2023 8:19 am PT
When Ride1Up unveiled the Portola folding electric bike, it was obviously a major play to snatch the title for the leading low-cost electric bike. Now that we’ve had sufficient time in the saddle, it’s high time to see how this budget electric bike stacks up.
When it comes to low-cost e-bikes, there are essentially two groups. Sure, that’s oversimplifying it, but stick with me here.
There are the ultra-budget mega-retailer bikes, like those found on Amazon, Walmart, etc. You can often find those e-bikes in the $500-$800 range. Then there are the actual e-bike companies that sell really low-cost e-bikes, such as those from Lectric Ebikes, Rad Power Bikes, Aventon, and today’s review, Ride1Up. These budget e-bikes are usually a bit more expensive, often starting at between $800-$1,200 (and increasing from there), but they have more reliable service and support because they come directly from an electric bicycle maker that deals only in e-bikes, not also in toasters and air mattresses.
https://electrek.co/2023/12/07/ride1up-portola-review-is-this-the-new-go-to-low-cost-electric-bike/
Vorsa
Why Can’t More E-Bikes Be Like This New Model?
Scott Kramer - Aug 06, 2025, 08:45am EDT / Updated Aug 08, 2025, 12:57am EDT
For a few years now, a friend has asked me why more e-bike companies haven’t come out with a commuter model bearing slightly wider tires for extra comfort. So he was thrilled when I arrived at his home during a test ride last week with one such new model. Ride1Up is billing its Vorsa as the SUV of e-bikes, and with good reason: The bike features a powerful 750W hub motor with 95nm torque, dual-sensor system (torque and cadence), quality components, smart and bright color display, 100mm front shock, integrated lighting system, Apple AirTag integration and Schwalbe Smart Sam 27.5×2.6” touring tires. It even includes a rear rack and durable bungee cord that clips into place.
Vorsa arrives unassembled. Not gonna lie, assembly on this one was more extensive than I’ve had with any Ride1Up model in the past. By myself, it took nearly three hours to put together and made me tap all of my limited knowhow. I’ve probably assembled 30 or 40 e-bikes to some extent in the past, but this assembly process needed my attention for the fork, handlebars, light, front brake, tires, seat, pedals and rack. It wasn’t difficult, it just required me to think and orient parts properly. And a few minutes after I began riding it, all of that was a distant memory.
I initially took it for a 10-mile spin in my area—and it easily passed all of my usual tests regarding acceleration up hills and into the wind, braking, comfort, suspension, throttle responsiveness, range, cadence, gear shifting and manual effort. And that’s while it was set as a Class 2 bike that only reached 20 mph by pedal assist. So I went into the settings and upgraded it to a Class 3 bike that travels up to 28 mph…and the ride got even better. By the way, I think it’s important to let bikes travel faster when you need them to, in the case that you’re riding in car traffic and need to keep up. Otherwise, you are a road hazard. Besides, you can always ride more slowly whenever you want. On this bike, there’s an off-road option in the settings that allows the bike to move even faster—it’s intended for riding on private roads.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottkramer/2025/08/06/why-cant-more-e-bikes-be-like-this-new-model/
RidePanda
Ridepanda’s shift from D2C micromobility platform to corporate e-bike supplier
Rebecca Bellan - 8 November 2023
Ridepanda launched in 2020 as a direct-to-consumer micromobility platform, a marketplace for high-quality e-scooters and e-bikes. The founders, alumni at shared micromobility companies Lime, Bird and Scoot, sensed the shift away from shared and toward small electric vehicle ownership and wanted to capitalize on it.
Within a couple of years of managing supply chains, providing maintenance to customers across a range of brands and dealing with customer service nationwide, the founders realized D2C was actually a hard business to be in.
Today, Ridepanda has completely rebranded, shifting its focus toward helping enterprise customers like Amazon offer e-bikes and e-scooters to their employees.
“We’re venture-backed, so we are aiming for high growth, predictable, recurring revenue,” Chinmay Malaviya, co-founder and co-CEO of Ridepanda, told TechCrunch. “That’s why for us subscription and leasing were very interesting concepts to go and dabble in.”
Ride Scoozy
The new Torque 1 e-bike may be the most affordable torque sensor-based electric bike yet
Micah Toll - May. 23rd 2021 5:32 am ET
The Torque 1 electric commuter bike from St Petersberg, Florida-based Ride Scoozy may just be one of the most affordable electric bicycles out there with a torque sensor.
For those that don’t nerd out about e-bikes as much as the rest of us, a torque sensor is just a more elegant way of controlling power on an electric bike.
E-bikes that lack throttles are powered by a Pedal Assist System (PAS) that engages the e-bike’s motor when it detects that the rider is pedaling.
The most simple form of PAS uses a cadence sensor that measures roughly how fast the pedals are turning. The faster the rider pedals, the more power is sent to the motor. It works, but it has a few drawbacks. For example, cadence sensors tend to exhibit power lag while the system is counting the first few pedal rotations to determine speed. When the user starts to pedal, it takes a second or two for the power to kick in.
Review: $1,199 Torque 1 electric bike just may be the most affordable torque-sensor e-bike out there
Micah Toll - Jun. 22nd 2021 9:30 am PT
The Torque 1 electric bike from Florida-based RideScoozy is a commuter style e-bike that combines two features rarely seen together: a torque sensor and an affordable price tag.
As we’ve discussed in the past, torque sensors are a more elegant way to engage the pedal assist on electric bicycles.
Instead of just starting up power when the bike sees that the pedals are moving, which is how simplistic cadence sensors work, a torque sensor allows the bike to calculate the necessary power based on how hard the rider is pedaling.
It’s a more comfortable and more effective way to apply pedal assist on an e-bike, but it’s usually found on much more expensive models.
Rivian
Electric truck maker Rivian is reportedly developing an e-bike
The company cut six percent of its workforce earlier this week.
Igor Bonifacic - February 5, 2023 6:25 PM
Electric vehicle startup Rivian is reportedly working on an e-bike. According to Bloomberg, CEO RJ Scaringe told Rivian employees of the project during a company-wide meeting the automaker held on Friday. He said the startup had a “small group” of engineers working on a bike.
Bloomberg couldn’t confirm if Scaringe was referring to an electric motorcycle or bicycle, but the outlet notes Rivian has patents for cycling components and designs. In the past, Scaringe has said Rivian wants to expand into the micromobility market eventually. Rivian did not immediately respond to Engadget’s comment request.
The news that Rivian could be working on an e-bike comes in the same week that the company announced layoffs that would affect six percent of its workforce. The cuts represent the second major restructuring Rivian has undertaken in less than a year. The company said the move was an effort to refocus itself on scaling production of its R1T and R1S EVs and, in turn, put Rivian on the path to long-term profitability. On Friday, Scaringe reportedly told employees Rivian had spread itself thin by trying to do too much at once.
https://www.engadget.com/rivian-is-reportedly-developing-an-e-bike-232511970.html
Roetz Life
Meet Roetz Life - the e-bike that's designed to last forever
Amsterdam brand's modular system aims to reduce electronic waste and claims to be 'the only and last e-bike you need'
Luke Friend - 15 September 2022
While the best electric bikes (opens in new tab) are part of a sustainable transport solution, they’re also part of a significant problem. Electronic waste.
The growth in popularity of e-bikes means they will soon join broken and discarded computers, tablets and phones in refuse sites around the world. E-bikes are especially problematic given the relatively short life of their batteries as well as the cost of replacing them. But Roetz Bikes believes it has the answer.
The Amsterdam-based bike brand has created Roetz Life, a modular e-bike that’s designed to last forever and described by founder Tiemen ter Hoeven as “the only and last e-bike our customers will ever choose”.
In development for three years, the Life e-bike is designed to be futureproof thanks to a modular concept that allows separate modules to be replaced and repaired when necessary; the idea being that the bike can evolve with the owner rather than the breakdown of a single component resulting in the entire bike becoming obsolete.
Rotax
Life after two-stroke: Rotax electrifies its bike and kart powertrains
A new EV is expected to be announced in August.
Roberto Baldwin – Jul 10, 2025 12:38 PM
“There was always a passion about motorbikes. But it's not only passion, it also needs to be a sustainable business model,” Mario Gebetshuber, BRP-Rotax vice president of global sourcing and operations powertrain, told Ars Technica during a tour of the company's museum of motors over the decades.
Gebetshuber says the company wanted to return to the motorcycle market but knew that it was a highly competitive and extremely crowded market. The COVID-related motorcycle sales bump didn't last, and Rotax wasn't interested in what it anticipated would be a 5 percent market share battling against traditional companies like Kawasaki, Honda, Harley, BMW, and others. It's going electric with its bikes and something else—it's not saying what—in August.
“If we want to enter, we want to enter to be a player,” Gebetshuber said. Electrification was where the company saw itself as able to move quickly. It could be Rotax's anchor and a way to jump ahead of the competition and grow.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/07/rotax-eyes-an-ev-future-beyond-can-am-motorcycles/
Rotwild
Rotwild R.X1000 and R.C1000: E-MTB and e-crossover with huge battery and revolutionary motor-gearbox unit
Marcus Schwarten (translated by Jacob Fisher) - 11/05/2023
Rotwild has already made a name for itself with mountain bikes, both with and without an electric drive. The manufacturer has now announced two new e-bikes on its own website, which will be officially presented shortly. The manufacturer has already provided initial details on the exciting features of the Rotwild R.X1000 e-MTB and the Rotwild R.C1000 e-crossover.
The Rotwild R.X1000 is an electric all-terrain mountain bike with the usual full suspension. The Rotwild R.C1000 also offers the same, but as an e-crossover with its features, it is not only designed for pure off-road riding, but also for everyday commuting to work or sports. The frame with its cross-country structure also offers the option of transporting luggage.
Schwinn
After 125 Years, Schwinn Is Still in the Bicycle Game and Taking Control of E-Bike Culture
28 Jul 2022, 17:23 UTC - Cristian Curmei
Folks, Schwinn is a brand that most of us have seen while growing up. Considering this Chicago-based crew has been around since 1895, you can bet most Americans are acquainted with Schwinn bikes. Well, it would seem like this manufacturer is just as busy today as they were over 125 years ago and keeping up with moving cycling trends by producing their own e-bikes. After all, the ability to adapt is crucial to the survival of a species but also a business.
Now, there's one thing I want to point out before we take a look at the Mendocino 2 Step-Thru e-bike. Schwinn has always been known for producing affordable bikes for the common folk, and this notion is also valid for the Mendocino, coming in with a starting price of $1,600 (€1,575 at current exchange rates). Time to see what Schwinn's been up to.
Aside from the electrical components, which I'll get to shortly, let's see what frame tech this manufacturer may be employing. Overall, the tubes are built out of 6061 aluminum, nothing fancy, but the important thing is how this frame is shaped. Yes, it does come off as a beach cruiser, but this style has its benefits, two of which are comfort and safety, made possible by that dropped top tube.
Segway
Segway unveils futuristic new electric bike and arguably electric motorcycle
Micah Toll - Jan 10 2024 3:23 am PT
Segway has taken to the Consumer Electronics Expo (CES) in Las Vegas to unveil a pair of new electric two-wheelers. The first is an electric bicycle called the Xafari, while the latter is a borderline electric motorcycle known as the Xyber.
Both bikes are ostensibly categorized as electric bicycles in the US, fitting within the legal definition of the category. The Xafari even feels like it fits nicely under the e-bike classification, though the Xyber seems to carry a bit more Sur Ron vibes than Schwinn vibes, if you get the idea.
Any way you slice them, both bikes mark a major push deeper into the industry for Segway as the company continues to expand in the micromobility category.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the launch of our Segway Xafari and Segway Xyber, representing a significant leap forward in electric bike innovation,” said Alan Zhao, Segway E-Bike Division General Manager. “These e-bikes embody Segway’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology and unparalleled performance to our riders. With adjustable features, remarkable stability and advanced connectivity, these bikes redefine what’s possible for off-road adventures.”
Segway launching wild-looking 100 mile smart e-bikes & new US bike division
Micah Toll - Dec 5 2024 6:00 am PT
Segway is planting its e-bike flag in the US with a new dedicated electric bike team ahead of the upcoming launch of its two hotly anticipated long-range electric bicycle models, the Segway Xafari and Xyber.
The two impressive (and perhaps slightly imposing) e-bike models were first unveiled earlier this year and are still slated for a launch in Q1 2025, which is now fast approaching.
While Segway hasn’t spilled all the beans yet (that’s likely coming ahead of the January 7 pre-order launch), we do know that the more commuter-looking Xafari is rated for 88 miles (141 km) of range while the moto-styled Xyber will apparently be capable of up to 100 miles (160 km) per charge in its dual battery format.
Despite the radically different designs of the two bikes, they’re both technically classified as electric bikes, sporting all the necessary gear (mainly the fully functional pedals) and presumably operating within the current US three-class e-bike regulations.
Segway dropped two e-bikes at CES that are stylish and packed with tech for under $3000
Rebecca Bellan - 5:00 AM PST January 7, 2025
Micromobility giant Segway launched two new e-bikes at CES 2025 that are designed to make the experience of riding a bike easier, safer, more convenient, and more accessible.
The new bikes – the Xyber that’s giving dirt bike energy, and the classic-looking Xafari – are available for pre-order now, with expected delivery in February, according to Segway.
And while both bikes are different in vibe and aesthetic, they both share Segway’s Intelligent Ride System, the company’s suite of smart tech and features, including: AirLock, which automatically shuts out the bike to unauthorized users and sounds the alarm if someone tries to mess with the bike; Apple Find My and Segway GPS; adaptive pedal assist; intelligent lighting system; health and fitness data syncing; IOT for over-the-air updates and remote control via the app; and a smart TFT display that automatically adjusts brightness for maximum visibility.
Segway is finally launching e-bikes at CES 2025
The Xyber and Xafari e-bikes are now available to pre-order.
Sarah Fielding - Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 5:00 AM PST
Segway, known of course for the Segway, is now offering another motorized form of transportation. The company has announced its first two e-bikes at CES 2025. Pre-orders for the Xyber and Xafari are now available through Segway and select dealers.
The Xyber seems to be all about speed and distance. Twisting the throttle in Race Mode makes the bike go from zero to 20 miles per hour in just 2.7 seconds thanks to its direct-drive motor. It can go up to 112 miles on a dual battery or 56 miles on a single battery. Plus, it has 20-inch by three-inch tires and 110mm front and 100mm rear suspension.
Meanwhile, the Xafari is more for the everyday user. It goes from zero to 20 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds and can travel up to 88 miles between charges. It weighs 85 pounds, takes six hours to charge and has 26-inch by three-inch tires. Plus, it has a front suspension of 80mm and a rear suspension of 70mm.
This Segway e-bike is unlike anything I’ve ridden before – and I love it
I tried my first ever e-bikes and e-scooters and can’t wait to try more
Hamish Hector - 9 January 2025
At CES 2025, Segway unveiled seven new e-scooters and two new e-bikes – and I’ve had the chance to try them. Specifically, I rode the new Segway Xyber and Xafari e-bikes, as well as the Max G3 and F3 Pro e-scooters, as part of an hour-long demo event at the Las Vegas tech show.
Now readers, I’ve never ridden an e-bike nor an e-scooter before (my experience is limited to your classic non-e-varieties), so the demo’s track – complete with faux-cobblestones to test the suspension and small ramps for me to conquer – was a little daunting. After an hour with the vehicles, however, I fell in love with the assisted riding experience, and I’m excited to ride them more.
My favorite was the Xafari – the smooth city rider with a more classic bike shape. It was light enough that I could ride it fairly easily around the flat space with minimal help, but when I did ratchet up the assistance from the motor, I felt I still had plenty of control of the bike, so I could swerve through the marked course’s curves with ease.
But most importantly, I loved how comfy it was, with the suspension making the fake cobbles feel almost unnoticeable – an experience that was noticeably smoother than the Xyber or the e-scooters.
Segway’s first U.S. e-bikes are unlike anything I’ve ridden before
Xafari and Xyber take Segway into bold new e-bike territory
Bruce Brown - August 16, 2025 3:00 AM
Segway’s first U.S. e-bikes couldn’t be more different. The Xafari is a Class 2 step-through with a unique look and all-terrain capability. The Xyber, on the other hand, is a beast—an off-road-only powerhouse that looks like a full-blown motorcycle. Both are premium builds with high-end tech, including navigation, security features, and digital connectivity.
These are Segway’s first e-bikes for the U.S., but probably not the last. Segway-Ninebot is already a giant in micromobility—everything from scooters and go-karts to ATVs and those classic self-balancing rides.
https://www.themanual.com/outdoors/segway-xafari-xyber-ebike-test-ride/
Serial 1
Review: Serial 1 Mosh CTY e-bike is an urban commuter dream
Seth Weintraub - Nov. 23rd 2021 5:03 pm PT
Serial 1 provided a Mosh CTY review bike to me so I could commute from my hotel in downtown Los Angeles a mile or so south to the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.
But I used it to attend the USC Football game a few miles to the south, dinners/events in various parts of the city, and just generally get around instead of Uber or renting a car.
So, how’d it perform?
https://electrek.co/2021/11/23/serial-1-mosh-cty-e-bike-is-an-urban-commuter-dream/
Sillykids
Fun-lovin' fat-tire cargo ebike can haul 330 lb, tow 220 lb more
Paul Ridden - October 20, 2024
We've been roaming the halls at InnoTech Taipei this past week, which is where we spotted the award-winning Sillykids Bug ebike. This moto-inspired fat-tire cargo hauler can be had with a rack and basket, plus a two-wheel trailer.
As you have probably guessed already, Sillykids was set up with fun in mind – as evidenced by the company mantra “be the funnest people, make the funnest things.” The Bug appears to be the Taipei startup's first release, and is reported to have drawn inspiration from 1950s Asian mopeds.
The ebike is built around a 6061 alloy frame with a low step-over height to accommodate a broad range of rider heights – from 1.55 to 1.85 m (5 - 6 ft). It tips the scales at 27 kg (59 lb), minus the battery, and has a maximum load capacity of 150 kg (330 lb). Hitching a trailer to the rear adds an extra 100 kg (220 lb) of cargo capacity to your haul.
https://newatlas.com/bicycles/sillykids-bug-fat-tire-cargo-ebike/
Snapcycle
E-Bike Review: CleanTechnica Rides The Snapcycle R1
Jennifer Sensiba - 15 March 2022
Recently, Snapcycle sent us a new w-bike to review: the Snapcycle R1. At first glance, it might not appear to be anything special in its price range. After spending some time with the bike, I’ve realized that it’s not only a great deal compared to the competition, but that it’s my new favorite fat tire e-bike. Let’s look at some of the reasons why.
https://cleantechnica.com/2022/03/15/e-bike-review-the-snapcycle-r1/
Sondors
Signs point to e-bike company SONDORS in peril, leaving riders stranded
Micah Toll - Aug 22 2023 10:44 am PT
A number of troubling developments point to serious financial troubles for SONDORS, the company behind a wide range of electric bicycles as well as the Metacycle electric motorcycle (and an ill-fated three-wheeled electric car, but that’s another story).
This isn’t the first time that SONDORS has raised eyebrows. The company burst onto the scene in 2015 with a controversial new e-bike for the rock-bottom price of $500. At the time, many questioned whether it was a scam. SONDORS ultimately delivered the bikes, though rolled in late and landed short on the published specs. And that became a hallmark of the company over the years with multiple new product launches: delivered late and under-specced but always getting there. Mostly.
This time, though, may be different. Now the company seems to be facing a number of financial troubles that have resulted in worrying signs of potential collapse.
Specialized
Specialized's latest e-bike is a super-light all-rounder
It's a beaut, but it'll cost you.
Chris Velazco, May 12, 2020
Specialized has been churning out road and mountain bikes since the 70s, and developed its first electric model in 2012. Since then we've seen the company's chops in action as it electrified many of its models, and the new Turbo Vado SL, in particular, seems like it could become a fan-favorite.
Fair warning to fans of e-bikes with throttles: This thing isn't going to do it for you. It's pedal-assist all the way here, and Specialized says that at full tilt, the ten-speed Turbo Vado SL’s custom motor provides enough power to essentially double a rider's effort at speeds up to 28mph. (You can control just how much of an assist you want from a button on the bike's top tube, or a set of handy thumb controls on the left handlebar.) And, if a rider exerts enough energy to outpace the bike itself, the motor just gracefully fades away. Powering everything is a 320Wh battery is wedged into the Turbo Vado's magnesium down tube – Specialized says it'll pack enough juice after a full charge to provide 80 miles of range. If this sounds familiar, well, you’d be right — the Vado SL leans on the same lightweight, updated motor the company used in its popular Creo SL mountain bike.
https://www.engadget.com/specialized-turbo-vado-sl-3350-dollars-160207435.html
Specialized's latest e-bike is a lighter, easier-to-ride city cruiser
The Como SL is meant to be maneuverable and require little effort.
Jon Fingas - April 1st, 2021
E-bikes can be cumbersome compared to their exclusively human-powered counterparts, and that can be a pain when you're navigating around the city. Specialized might just make them more viable, though. It's launching the Como SL, a super light version of the Como that promises to make urban commuting easier. It's about 8.8lbs lighter than the regular model and roughly 40 percent lighter than a “typical” e-bike, Specialized claims. We wouldn't call its 47lbs starting weight modest, but it should be more maneuverable on city streets.
It should be more powerful, too. The SL1.1 system reportedly doubles your cycling effort. And while the 62 miles of standard range doesn't compare as well to the regular Como's 80 miles, you can boost it to 93 miles with a range extender. The Como SL is also supposed to be a comparatively low-maintenance e-bike with an optional belt drive, an internal gear hub and integrated cables. In theory, the biggest challenge will be waiting the two hours and 35 minutes it takes to charge from three percent to full.
https://www.engadget.com/specialized-turbo-como-sl-e-bike-141723086.html
I Rode Specialized’s Fancy New E-Bike, and Now I See the Light
I'm scared of going fast, but Specialized's new e-bikes won me over.
Molly Taft - September 2021 1:20PM
It’s clear e-bikes are having a moment. Sales in the U.S. grew by an astounding 145% last year, thanks, in large part, to the pandemic. But as e-bike models expand, it seems that more and more people are getting interested in their possibilities even as life—and work commutes—slowly return to some semblance of normal.
When I got the invite to test out some new e-bike models from Specialized, I jumped at the chance. I’d never ridden an e-bike, and the first thing that I thought of was how fast the engine could let me go. Curious about the possibilities, even as I was just a few weeks removed from a bike accident that left me with a few (baby) stitches and one (very baby) fracture, I agreed to go.
My Specialized guides for the day put me on a mint green version of their new Como model, a sturdy bike with a step-through body, wide seat, and a taller handlebar for upright, easy riding. It reminded me of a sleek beach cruiser. They explained that we were headed to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where we could really test out the speed capacities of the bike—the motor can assist each bike in going up to 28 mph (45 kph). To get to the park, we had to bike a mile or two from the Specialized showroom through busy city streets, navigating the kind of stop-and-go, keep-checking-over-your-shoulder New York bike experience that I’m pretty used to at this point.
https://gizmodo.com/i-rode-specialized-s-fancy-new-e-bike-and-now-i-see-th-1847715956
Specialized unveils its first low-cost electric bicycle model under new Globe line
Micah Toll - Oct. 12th 2022 10:56 am PT
Earlier this year, we first reported on the Specialized Globe line of electric bicycles, which the company announced would see the high-end bicycle manufacturer launch a new series of more affordable electric utility bikes. Now, we’re getting our first look at the premier model known as the Globe Haul ST.
Specialized’s Globe Haul ST was teased earlier this year with a heavily obscured photo showing the e-bike carrying a pile of cactuses. At the time we could tell that it would be a step-through utility e-bike, but that was about it.
Now we’re getting two new photos that finally show off the bike without teaser cactuses covering all of the best parts.
Check out the first image below to see the first glimpse of the upcoming Globe Haul ST.
Specter
Specter 1 s-pedelec arrives with 45 kph top speed and up to 160 km range
The Specter 1 s-pedelec is available to pre-order. The e-bike has a top speed of 45 kph (~28 mph) in Europe and is road legal; the limiter can be removed in other markets, though the vehicle is not yet certified for non-European routes.
The longer-range version provides up to 160 km (~99 miles), with an average range of 60 km (~37 miles) across the various models.
Polly Allcock - 07/01/2022
The Specter 1 s-pedelec has launched with a top assistance speed of 45 kph (~28 mph). Specter 1 is road legal in Europe; the company is working on certification of the s-pedelec in other countries and offers a custom version without a limiter to non-European markets. The speed pedelec comes with a 700 W or 730 W mid-mounted motor, which delivers up to 100 Nm or 112 Nm of torque, respectively.
The Comfort model has a fully automated gear system, while the Performance version has a 7-speed manual hub gearbox. There are several power modes, such as Boost, Chill and Range. The removable 750 Wh battery provides an average range of 60 km (~37 miles); the longer-range model can achieve up to 160 km (~99 miles). You can fully recharge the battery via a 220 V outlet in 3.2 hours. A display is built into the bike's handlebars, with 4G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity; you can use the display to control your ride mode and other vehicle settings, plus it can also provide turn-by-turn navigation.
Stromer
Ultra high-end (and ultra expensive) Stromer releases more affordable Stromer ST2 e-bike
Micah Toll - Apr. 26th 2021 8:00 am ET
Swiss electric bicycle company Stromer has just announced an update to the company’s ST2 line of electric bikes, making the Stromer ST2 better than ever.
The Stromer ST2 is the first bike in the company’s lineup to offer a Gates carbon belt drive.
These drive systems are prized for their low maintenance, clean operation, silent pedaling, and incredibly long lifespans.
The belt drive system is paired with a 5-speed internally geared hub that allows riders to shift from rest.
Stromer is one of the few high-end electric bicycle brands to employ a hub motor, or a motor housed in the center of a wheel. The Stromer ST2 features a 750W CYRO hub motor in the rear wheel that powers the bike up to a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h).
Super73
Super73 R-Series 2kW full suspension electric bikes begin deliveries
Micah Toll - Jun. 6th 2020 5:33 am ET
Earlier this year Super73 unveiled the new 2,000W Super73 R-Series electric bikes. Now the powerful and long-range mini-bikes are making deliveries, and you’ll want to check out these impressive rides.
Electrek was front and center at Super73’s January unveiling of the company’s new flagship e-bike, the Super73 R-Series.
Super73 is the latest e-bike company to land a huge investment
The SoCal company raised $20 million to help fuel its expansion
By Andrew J. Hawkins - Feb 17, 2021, 8:00am EST
Super73, the Southern California e-bike company popular among YouTubers and film celebrities, announced that it has raised an impressive $20 million from investors, making it the latest company to benefit from growing venture capital interest after a record year of e-bike sales.
The funding round is Super73’s first and was led by equity firm Volition Capital, which was an early investor in Chewy before its acquisition by PetSmart for $3.35 billion in 2017. With these new funds, the direct-to-consumer e-bike company plans on growing its 75-person staff, improving its customer service operation, and expanding its product lineup, said Super73 co-founder and CEO LeGrand Crewse.
“It was never about bikes, it was never about transportation, it was really about building a lifestyle, a true lifestyle brand,” Crewse said, “and one that stood for the values that we had.”
https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22278760/super73-ebike-moped-minibike-investment-amount
Super73 launches big update to its lowest-cost electric bike with Super73-ZX
Micah Toll - Jun. 18th 2021 1:14 am P
Super73 rolled out a pile of new electric bike models last year with several new high-end models. Now the company is focusing on the other end of its lineup with a big new update to the brand’s popular entry-level model. The result: the brand-new Super73-ZX electric bike.
The Super73-ZX updates the original Super73-Z1 with several key features.
The frame is now both larger and lighter, accommodating taller riders while increasing the bike’s efficiency.
The frame also sports a longer seat, which should give more seating options for the rider or make it more comfortable to carry a friend on back.
https://electrek.co/2021/06/18/super73-zx-update-lowest-cost-electric-bike/
SUPER73 teases big unveiling; could be the e-bike brand’s highly anticipated electric motorcycle
Micah Toll - Mar. 9th 2022 10:18 pm PT
SUPER73 definitely has something coming next week; we just don’t know what. But a new teaser released by the lifestyle electric bike brand sets the date for March 15 and hints that it could be the company’s highly anticipated (and yet unconfirmed) electric motorcycle.
While we haven’t been able to confirm that SUPER73 has an electric motorcycle in the works, signs point to it being a pretty good bet.
The SoCal e-bike company originally teased a big announcement to take place at CES 2022 in early January, but that unveiling was canceled amid the surging Omicron variant and a considerably toned-down CES convention.
The original teaser ahead of CES showed off what appeared to be an electric motorcycle formed into a neon light sign, fueling speculation that SUPER73 was headed in a larger direction.
Super73 Upgrades Its Iconic Z1, Turns It Into a Fun Neighborhood Explorer
Just in time for the warmer season, California-based Super73 has announced its new “neighborhood explorer.” Called the Z-Miami, this e-bike features an improved motor, a new aluminum alloy frame, a durable battery, and it comes with a whole new color palette to fit everyone's taste.
28 Mar 2022, 20:51 UTC - Florina Spînu
The team from Super73 upgraded its classic Z1 and turned it into a fun commuter. The new Z-Miami weighs 59 lbs (27 kg), and it comes with an all-new lightweight aluminum frame with improved ergonomics. The bike now rides on 20×4“ Trooper street tires and has significantly more power than its predecessor.
It's equipped with a brushless DC hub motor that is capable of delivering 1200W of peak power. That's enough to take the machine to a top speed of 28 mph (45 mph). The Z-Miami also features a new 615Wh battery that gives it more than 30 miles (48 km) of range at 20 mph (32 kph) under throttle-only operation.
When you run out of e-juice, you can easily charge the battery with any standard 110V outlet. Super73 adds that this model has a removable battery, which makes it easier to recharge between rides.
Super73’s R electric motorbike with 75-mile range sees first sale at $3,120, more in New Green Deals
Patrick Campanale - Apr. 22nd 2022 11:13 am PT
If you’ve been waiting on the perfect time to pick up a new e-bike or electric scooter, today’s the day. Best Buy is offering several models on sale at up to $800 off, including the premium Super73 R-series electric motorbike. It’s down to $3,120, which is $175 below its normal going rate. With 75 miles of range on a single charge and a top speed of 28 MPH, this e-bike offers quite a bit for its high price point. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
https://electrek.co/2022/04/22/new-green-deals-super73-r-series-e-bike-more/
Super73-ZX e-bike review: love and hate can be so much fun
Van’s best friend
Thomas Ricker - Aug 22, 2022, 9:06am EDT
OneOne major draw of #vanlife is the pursuit of unbridled exploration. But custom vans and RVs suitable for extended off-grid living tend to be hulking monstrosities that can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. That means bringing along an alternative mode of transportation like an e-bike to scout the viability of unpaved roads and to explore nearby towns unsuitable for large vehicles.
I recently took a new $2,195 / €2,699 (a price that includes the tax) “Agave Green” Super73-ZX home for review from the company’s European HQ in Amsterdam. I tested the e-bike as both a city bike and scout for the Fiat Ducato campervan I had rented for a three-week kitesurfing adventure with my family through northern Europe. The Ducato is small by RV standards but still measures 6 meters (almost 20 feet) long and weighs nearly three tons. Since most of my destinations required travel down poorly mapped dirt roads, I had plenty of opportunities to test the Super73-ZX on a variety of terrain.
https://www.theverge.com/23311184/super73-zx-camper-van-scout-bike-review-unlock-unlimited-off-rad
The days of superfast SUPER73 e-bikes are over… sort of
Micah Toll - Jan 12 2025 6:54 am PT
Even if you’re not knee-deep into electric bikes like many of us, you very likely may have heard of the e-bike brand SUPER73. The company’s motorcycle culture-inspired electric bikes have proven incredibly popular among teens and young adults, but the heyday of fast and questionably (or clearly) illegal e-bike modes seems to be coming to an end for the brand.
SUPER73 didn’t invent the moped-style electric bike, but it is often credited for kickstarting the boom. The name has become so ubiquitous that even other brands of moto-inspired electric bikes are often erroneously referred to as SUPER73 e-bikes.
Technically, SUPER73s were always intended to be perfectly street-legal electric bikes, and they always shipped in what was known as “Class 2 Mode”. That meant the bikes could top out at 20 mph (32 km/h) and largely met most electric bicycle regulations around the US for the last few years.
However, SUPER73 e-bikes could be quickly and easily unlocked via the company’s own smartphone app, letting riders access Class 3 mode of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist, or even an Off-Road Mode that basically removed all restrictions and allowed faster speeds on throttle-only riding as well. Despite the name, Off-Road Mode was largely used for street riding and turned the bike into something of a mini-motorcycle.
https://electrek.co/2025/01/12/the-days-of-superfast-super73-e-bikes-are-over-sort-of/
Super Monarch
Overpowered e-bike review: The E-cells Super Monarch AWD 1500 Dual Crown
Micah Toll - Feb 13 2023 8:32 am PT
I call this e-bike “overpowered,” but I should really call it “amazingly-powered.” Yes, it’s got more power than nearly anyone really needs – but then again, so does most every performance vehicle out there, whether we’re talking about cars, motorcycles, boats, or any other type of recreational runabout.
And so the Super Monarch AWD 1500 Dual Crown is perhaps the textbook definition of excess, but that’s exactly what makes it so much fun, and such a capable off-roader.
Now before we go too far, let’s address the elephant in the room. With 1,500W of stated power — which is even less than the true 2,200W peak power — this e-bike easily falls outside of the 750W legal limit for on-road e-bikes in many areas.
In fact, it possesses two 750W continuous-rated motors, which is what gives it such impressive power and performance. But while it may not fit within street-legal e-bike classes when fully unlocked (though it can be electronically limited to legal power and speed limits), using this e-bike on the streets is almost of a waste of its awesome abilities.
https://electrek.co/2023/02/13/review-e-cells-super-monarch-awd-1500-dual-crown-electric-bike/
Superstrata
Superstrata e-bike review: Rebel without a cause
Custom carbon fiber is what this 3D-printed e-bike is all about
Taylor Hatmaker - 6:11 PM PST•January 31, 2023
Superstrata’s e-bike is a strange specimen — there’s no two ways about it. The bike’s concept, borne out in seamless 3D-printed carbon fiber, springs from an equally strange premise. We’ll get into that.
Talking to Sonny Vu, CEO of Superstrata’s parent company Arevo, Superstrata’s bike was crafted not out of a love of cycling, the hunt for a climate-friendly urban transportation solution or any traditional justification for going to all the trouble of making an e-bike.
Instead, Vu created the Superstrata e-bike (and its non-electrified counterpart) as a proof-of-concept for Arevo’s carbon fiber manufacturing process. In that light, how the bike wound up makes perfect sense — even if buying one probably doesn’t.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/31/superstrata-e-bike-review-rebel-without-a-cause/
Surface604
Review: Surface604 Rook e-bike — the trusty steed
Mikey G - May. 25th 2020 12:46 pm ET
Surface604 has made the Rook and the Colt, which are wonderfully balanced electric bikes. They’re reliable and stable, and you can count on them for everyday use.
The Rook has a step-through frame, and the Colt has a step-over frame. Other than that, they’re virtually identical. Both bikes come in two sizes and have two color schemes: black with white, or white with black.
Vancouver, Canada-based Surface604 (604 is Vancouver’s area code) got their start making the Boar model, and their next feat was to make the value-oriented commuter, the Rook, that we’re reviewing today.
Unlimited e-bike conversion kit might be the simplest DIY e-bike kit yet
Micah Toll - May. 27th 2020 9:54 am ET
We’ve seen some pretty snazzy electric bicycle conversion kits lately, but this one might take the cake. Known as the “Unlimited eBike Kit”, it was developed over the last two years by the team of engineers at Unlimited and draws on their experience building electric skateboard kits to create a powerful yet minimalist e-bike conversion kit.
https://electrek.co/2020/05/27/unlimited-e-bike-kit-diy-ebike-conversion-simple/
Surly
The Surly Skid Loader is a compact electric cargo bike for mountain bike shredders
Rear rack and 85Nm torque motor are combined with dropper seatpost, shorter wheelbase and 27.5×2.5in tyres for load-carrying shred-ability
Jack Evans - October 26, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Surly has unveiled the Skid Loader, a compact electric cargo bike you can also tear through the woods on.
The brand says the Skid Loader has sufficient carrying capacity to replace a car on urban trips.
However, Surly claims the bike is more manoeuvrable than a typical cargo bike, which are up to twice as long.
The shorter wheelbase and 27.5in wheels are also said to provide superior handling and ride experience for “everyday deviant riding”, according to Surly.
The Skid Loader’s dropper seatpost, with 120mm of travel, and mountain bike tyres suggest off-road potential.
Surly specs the electric bike with the Bosch Cargo Line motor. The ebike system’s highest support mode is 400 per cent of your pedal power, according to Bosch.
Swft
E-mobility startup Swft raises $10M seed round to expand light-duty vehicle lineup
Rebecca Bellan / 5:00 AM PDT•October 13, 2021
Electric mobility startup Swft has raised $10 million in seed funding that it will use to expand its light-duty vehicle offerings, grow its team and scale its inventory management and supply chain systems. The company, which already has a deal to offer its three new e-bikes and new e-moped with Best Buy, is also on the lookout for more retail partnerships.
Swft officially launched in February 2020 as a direct-to-consumer business and developed over the past year within NYC-based venture advisory firm On Spec. It first brought electric hoverboards to market in December, followed by e-bikes and an e-moped in August. Now, as the company establishes itself as a brand, it’s making quick moves to build out a complete line of personal EVs over the next 18 months, according to David Liniado, co-founder and CEO of Swft and co-founder of On Spec.
The SWFT VOLT: A minimalist e-bike with a price to match
John Timmer - 11/26/2021 8:00 am
So far, the two e-bikes I've looked at on Ars have been targeting the high end: expensive components and a carefully thought-through riding experience. I looked at them because I thought their creators were trying to do interesting things with the e-bike format, especially compared to the commoditized bikes being offered on the low end.
But I realized that this was only giving me a partial perspective on the e-bike landscape; all I could really compare them with was high-end traditional bikes. So, I was intrigued when a company called SWFT got in touch about two models it was introducing, both at extremely competitive prices. I chose one in a hybrid format that should make it a great gravel bike, since there are a growing number of long-distance trails that require time on gravel.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/11/the-swft-volt-a-minimalist-e-bike-with-a-price-to-match/
SWFT ZIP e-bike with 37-mile range arrives in time for fall at $1,200 ($200 off) in New Green Deals
Patrick Campanale - Aug. 17th 2022 10:44 am PT
With cooler weather on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about getting back outside to ride to and from work. That’s where the SWFT ZIP e-bike comes to play, thanks to its built-in battery that lets you travel 37 miles on a single charge. WIth a top speed of nearly 20 MPH, you’ll be able to cruise around town without a drop of gas or oil, allowing for more economical transportation while also enjoying some sunshine at the same time. On sale for $200 off, this e-bike is now down to $1,200 with Best Buy’s deal here, making now a great time to pick it up. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/17/swft-zip-e-bike-best-buy-sale-more-new-green-deals/
Tenways
Tenways’ e-bike debut blends value with style
A stealthy electric ride that won't break the bank.
James Trew - September 21st, 2021
In the age of electric mobility, the trusty bicycle has played a surprisingly low-key role; scooters seem to grab all the headlines (and app rental dollars). Instead, the e-bike has become the preserve of those that can afford one. A decent conventional bike already costs a bit, so adding a motor understandably only adds to that cost. Enter Tenways, a new player in the e-bike world that’s trying to buck that trend. Its debut model, the CGO 600, is currently available on Indiegogo for around $1,400 and despite its relative affordability, it doesn’t scrimp on features.
Now, the usual disclaimer: With Indiegogo and other crowdfunding platforms, there’s always an inherent risk. But Tenways states its production is already underway and given that the review model they sent appears to be full and final hardware we were somewhat assured that things are ready to go.
https://www.engadget.com/tenways-cgo600-preview-143051234.html
The Tenways CGO 600 is a very serviceable, urban, belt-drive e-bike, great for commutes
Mike Butcher - 11:17 AM PDT October 28, 2021
Tenways is an e-bike maker which has launched its first model, the CGO 600, on Indiegogo. Priced at around $1,400 this is a relatively affordable e-bike in the scheme of things, and has plenty of features to satisfy even the most discerning of customers.
Now before we get into it, it behooves me to say that there is always an inherent risk when buying into new products promoted on crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo, where the CGO 600 is listed.
However, the good news is that Tenways is adamant that its bikes are already rolling off production, and this, evidently, appears to be the case. Certainly, the review model I was sent attested to this claim, as it came with all the full and final hardware listed on the site. Furthermore, Tenways is an established company that uses Indiegogo in a marketing manner, largely to advertise its bike, rather than raise money to develop and build it.
Tenways CGO800S belt-drive commuter electric bike review: A lot to like!
Micah Toll - Sep. 26th 2022 7:44 am PT
After having previously tested out Tenways’ first single-speed electric bicycle last year, I was excited to give the brand’s newest model a try. Now that I’ve spent some good saddle time on the Tenways CGO800S, here’s what I think about this new ride.
First of all, there’s definitely a lot to like in the Tenways CGO800S. It’s not all perfect, and there were a few misses, but it’s largely a very nice offering.
This is absolutely an urban-oriented e-bike though, so don’t expect to turn this into your hybrid trail rider or anything like that.
It’s also a pedal-assist e-bike fitting in the Class 1 designation in the US, so you’ve got to go into this review knowing that this is an e-bike made for cyclists. This is not a motorcycle with pedals.
https://electrek.co/2022/09/26/tenways-cgo800s-belt-drive-commuter-electric-bike-review/
CGO600 Pro
This Tenways Pro E-Bike Is So Practical, It's Almost Sexy
Dutch people are really good at bicycles.
Stephen Johnson - November 8, 2024
With its stylishly minimalist look and low-maintenance style, the Tenways CGO600 Pro is an e-bike you could fall in love with. It’s a city bike; the kind of bike you use—for popping down to the store or commuting to work at a non-profit—not the kind of bike that becomes your lifestyle. It's not for off-road adventure, but if you need to get from point A to point B, and you want to do it on a smooth-riding, stylish e-bike with as little maintenance as possible, the CGO600 Pro hits the bullseye. This thing is so practical it's downright sexy.
https://lifehacker.com/tech/tenways-cgo600-pro-e-bike-review
Tenways C GO 600Pro commuter e-bike is as smooth as it gets
Seth Weintraub - Jan 11 2025 12:18 pm PT
The e-bike industry has stalled a little bit in terms of features, and with harsh new legislation coming in from places like California, maybe it is time to start looking at e-bikes that are light, efficient, and smooth rather than how much wattage they can output. The Tenways CGO 600Pro, which comes in at just 37 pounds, is a model e-bike you should keep an eye on…
The CGO 600Pro comes in 2 flavors: a carbon belt single-speed version that Micah reviewed and this one, which is a chain and 8-speed Shimano gears. The belt drive is going to win out on simplicity and weight but if you are expecting to get close to the ‘class 1’ top speed of 20mph or need to go up some significant hills, you’ll want to opt for the chain/gear version here.
https://electrek.co/2025/01/11/tenways-c-go-600pro-commuter-e-bike-is-as-smooth-as-it-gets/
Tern
Tern launches new Quick Haul e-bike, its most affordable Bosch mid-drive cargo electric bike yet
Micah Toll - Mar. 8th 2022 10:00 pm PT
When I think of Tern and its popular electric cargo e-bikes, I think of two things: Incredible quality and incredibly expensive. But with the launch of its latest model today, the Tern Quick Haul, one of those things is fading away, and it’s not the quality.
The new Tern Quick Haul electric bike is the brand’s latest entry into the growing electric cargo and electric utility bike market.
The e-bike combines impressive cargo-hauling abilities with a small format to provide a serious car replacement candidate for urban riders.
Rolling on 20″ wheels, it has a smaller footprint than a typical full-size bike, yet it can carry more gear or passengers.
And it’s not only smaller in its typical footprint, but it can actually be parked standing on its tail thanks to Tern’s innovative rear rack. That can help it fit in a tiny elevator (think: Paris apartment) or in the corner of a small room or office.
Trek
Trek Introduces Two Affordable Commuter-Focused Electric Bicycles
The new Trek Dual Sport+ and FX+ retail for under $2,500.
Jul 28, 2022 at 8:00am ET - Enrico Punsalang
Trek isn't exactly a bicycle manufacturer known for its budget-friendly offerings. The brand has cemented its name as one of the icons of the cycling world, across all categories—be it for sport or leisure. In the e-bke world, Trek has also made a name for itself with some thoroughly high-end eMTB and road bikes, some of which cost upwards of $7,000 USD.
Indeed, a price tag like that is enough to scare off beginners in the e-bike world. Thankfully, Trek is shifting its attention to the entry-level market, more specifically, the commuter-focused market. In doing so, it has released two new models in the form of the Dual Sport+ and the FX+. To keep the prices down, Trek has done away with fancy motors and components, instead, both models feature a 250W hub motor, no suspension, and basic Shimano components. Let's take a closer look, shall we?
https://insideevs.com/news/600644/trek-commuter-electric-bikes-launched/
It feels like cheating: The Trek Domane+ SLR9 AXS gravel bike, reviewed
At $12,999, the Trek Domane+ SLR9 gravel e-bike is a dream to ride.
Eric Bangeman - 5/22/2023, 4:00 AM
One of the things I love most about working at Ars Technica is the lunchtime bike rides. My home in the northwest suburbs of Chicago lies two miles from the Des Plaines River Trail and about three miles from the North Branch Trail. When the weather cooperates, I'm generally furiously pedaling through the woods on my Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike.
So when Trek offered me the chance to ride its top-of-the-line Domane+ SLR 9 AXS e-bike, I jumped at the opportunity. Yes, the weather can be dodgy during seasonal transitions, but I'd be facing the changing temps and gusting winds astride a carbon-frame gravel bike with carbon wheels… and a 50 Nm electric motor paired with a 360 Wh battery in the downtube.
But even as I picked up the Domane+ from a local bike shop, one question kept popping up. Why would I want to ride an electric road bike?
I ride for a number of reasons. I enjoy it, I like being out in nature, I like riding with friends, and it's fantastic exercise. The Domane+ would hopefully make the riding experience better, but I wouldn't be getting the full aerobic benefit from my rides with a motor doing some of the work. Electrified commuter bikes, cargo bikes, beach bikes, and even mountain bikes have built-in use cases. But for a guy who loves burning calories on a bicycle, the existence of this $13,000 e-bike is something of a head-scratcher.
Trek launches its first throttle-controlled electric moped, fits two riders
Micah Toll - Aug 11 2023 4:55 am PT
It’s a big day for Trek, who is announcing its first electric moped-style utility bike. Unveiled under its Electra sub-brand, the new e-bike is known as the Electra Ponto Go! model.
The Electra Ponto Go! marks new territory for Trek and its Electra brand, as the bicycle manufacturer hops on the utility bike bandwagon. It’s a move we’ve seen taken by other bike shop brands such as Specialized lately and usually involves using a sub-brand to help distinguish the new model from their main product line (and not alienate their lycra-clad big spenders in the process).
The Electra Ponto Go! carries many of the utility e-bike hallmarks such as a long rear rack, extended bench seat with foot pegs for a second rider, pedal forward geometry for flat footed stops, and high rise handlebars for an upright riding geometry.
Trek says that the bike can support riders in the height range of 4’10” to 6’2″ (147 to 188 cm) and has a payload capacity of 360 lb (163 kg).
The 78 lb (35 kg) Class 3 e-bike can hit speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only control, or even higher speeds of up to 26 mph (42 km) in pedal assist. That’s thanks to a powerful 750W hub motor in the rear, maxing out the legal limit for e-bike power in the US.
The bike also carries a rather large battery at 650Wh, which the company claims offers a maximum range of 60 miles (96 km). Keep in mind that using the throttle and riding at faster speeds will reduce that maximum range.
A partial car substitute? Trek’s new cargo bike, reviewed
A pricey but feature-rich offering from Trek had me pedaling for my groceries.
John Timmer - 9/25/2023, 4:30 AM
As I watched a few berries I had just carted home roll gently down my driveway and into the road, it was hard to escape the sense that my plan to use nothing but a cargo bike for two weeks might have been overly ambitious. Several weeks filled with Canadian wildfire smoke and tornado warnings later, it was pretty clear that I had greatly underestimated the complexities involved.
The e-bike I used for my testing, the newly introduced Trek Fetch+ 2, is very good, and it readily hauled whatever I asked of it. But using a cargo bike is very different from any other biking experience I've had—and that's saying something, given the large range of bike styles I've now had the pleasure of sampling.
So this review will be divided into two parts. In the first, I'll talk a bit about the cargo bike experience; if you already know what that's like, you can skip ahead to the second half, where we'll go in-depth on the Fetch+ 2.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/09/haul-it-all-treks-latest-e-bike-offering-is-a-cargo-bike/
Trek's Allant+ 7 Gen 2 Is Here To Be the Last Urban E-Bike You Buy: Goes Above and Beyond
31 May 2024, 18:22 UTC - Cristian Curmei
One of my favorite cycling brands this world has to offer is and always will be Trek. That said, I checked in with this cycling crew to see what they've been up to, and this time around, it's for the city dwellers among us, or so we think; this one's capable of a whole lot more than just asphalt.
Let's face it: it's extremely difficult to create a bicycle or e-bike that can handle whatever your world throws at it. However, manufacturers have been making great strides in creating such a machine, and two of them may be Trek's Allant+ 7 Gen 2 and its Lowstep counterpart, the newest buggers to be spotted on Trek's website.
Now, if you're familiar with this lineup, then you have some idea of what's in store. But if you don't, you'd better ready those checkbooks because this may be the last e-bike you ever buy. That has something to do with Trek's lifetime warranty, but I'll let you look into that on your own.
As for the Gen 2 Allant, these babies are all about giving riders a solid and capable urban solution that stands a decent chance at replacing your car for an array of activities. Sure, you won't be picking up the kids from school unless you add a towed cargo hold along behind you, but the on-going collaboration with Bosch means that this thing has power, speed, and range.
For example, that aluminum and hydroformed frame is rocking a mid-mounted Performance Line CX motor with 85 Nm (63 lb-ft) of torque and a top speed cap at no more than 20 mph (32 kph). This speed cap can be modified, but you'll need some extra bits and know-how to do so.
Triumph
Triumph releases e-bicycle but no word on e-motorcycle debut
Jake Bright / 3:49 pm PDT•June 16, 2020
U.K. motorcycle manufacturer Triumph released an e-bicycle today, the Trekker GT — with 90 miles of riding range, a 250 watt motor and a 504 watt hour battery.
With a five-hour charge time, the bike weighs 52 pounds (24 kilograms) and can produce up to 60 Nm (or 29 ft-lbs) of torque. Triumph’s Trekker GT will be available for $3,750 at Triumph dealerships in the U.S. and abroad.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/16/triumph-releases-e-bicycle-but-no-word-on-e-motorcycle-debut/
The Trekker GT is Triumph's first electric bicycle
The historic motorcycle company is branching out to e-bikes.
Ann Smajstrla - June 16, 2020
Triumph has launched its first e-bike, the Trekker GT – meaning the UK motorcycle manufacturer has begun a foray into bicycles. The e-bike can be used for “commuting, fitness and everyday riding fun,” Triumph says. With the launch, Triumph joins other motorcycle companies, notably Harley Davidson, who’ve already rolled out e-bikes or plan to soon.
The Trekker GT features a lockable lithium-ion battery integrated into its aluminum frame, a far cry from the bulky, bolted-on batteries standard to e-bikes. Triumph says the battery, a Shimano E8035 with 504Wh capacity, combines with a Shimano Steps E6100 250w motor to deliver 60Nm torque. The e-bike has an approximate riding range of 150km (about 93 miles).
https://www.engadget.com/ttrekker-gt-triumphs-first-electric-bicycle-164033898.html
Urban Arrow
Urban Arrow’s front-loader is a stylish, functional cargo/kid hauler
With either cargo or kids, the Family is impeccably designed and a smooth ride.
John Timmer - Nov 18, 2024 7:06 AM
So far, all of the cargo bikes we've tested have been what are called “long tails,” which means the frame is extended out past the seat, moving the rear wheel back and creating a space for cargo or extra passengers. Based on my experience, they're the most common form of cargo bike on US roads. But they're not the only game in town. Bakfiets, or front-loaders, extend the other end, moving the front wheel forward to create space for a substantial cargo area.
For the last few weeks, we've been testing a front-loader called the Family from Urban Arrow, a Dutch manufacturer that's a sister company to Gazelle. Everything Ars' Kevin Purdy wrote about the Gazelle bike he tested applies here. The Urban Arrow is stylish and incredibly well thought out, and it uses some interesting tech extremely effectively. And it has the added bonus of being able to haul a surprising amount of cargo. If you can get used to the price (starting at $6,000) and the small front wheel being an appreciable distance from the handlebars you use to steer it, it's a fantastic choice.
Urtopia
Urtopia e-bike is basically a computer on wheels
They should have called it Light Rider.
James Trew - December 1st, 2021
The electrification of the bicycle has historically meant just that: A bike, but with an electric motor. You might find some other smart conveniences on higher-end models, but “less is more” has usually been the way. Urtopia, the latest e-bike brand from China, has other ideas. Its debut ride is, on paper, one of the most tech-heavy bikes we’ve seen. The spec sheet reads more like a phone’s than a next-gen fixie.
For example, beyond the 250W hub motor with three levels of riding assist (and an estimated 30-80 mile range), there’s an integrated dot-matrix display, a fingerprint reader, GPS, 4G (via eSIM), mmWave sensors for vehicle detection, an integrated alarm and, well… the list goes on.
The bike itself has a striking aesthetic that doesn’t bother to hide the fact that this is possibly the most technologically advanced model you’ll see this year. The frame was designed by Mathis Heller who has experience with BMW and IKEA among others, and it’s pure curves and racing lines. The stealth bomber look is further enhanced with all the cables hidden from view inside the frame. The Urtopia is pitched as a city bike and while the (removable) battery isn’t overly obvious, there’s no doubt to even the most casual of glances that you’re not wielding a regular analog pedaller.
https://www.engadget.com/urtopia-ebike-is-the-most-tech-heavy-weve-seen-140046298.html
Urtopia e-bike is basically a computer on wheels
James Trew - 7:22 AM PST December 1, 2021
The electrification of the bicycle has historically meant just that: A bike, but with an electric motor. You might find some other smart conveniences on higher-end models, but “less is more” has usually been the way. Urtopia, the latest e-bike brand from China, has other ideas. Its debut ride is, on paper, one of the most tech-heavy bikes we’ve seen. The spec sheet reads more like a phone’s than a next-gen fixie.
For example, beyond the 250W hub motor with three levels of riding assist (and an estimated 30-80 mile range), there’s an integrated dot-matrix display, a fingerprint reader, GPS, 4G (via eSIM), mmWave sensors for vehicle detection, an integrated alarm and, well… the list goes on.
https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/01/urtopia-e-bike-is-basically-a-computer-on-wheels/
Urtopia: The Ultra-Lightweight Carbon Fiber Smart E-Bike of the Future
Packed full of advanced tech and smart features, the Urtopia is lightweight, fast, powerful, and fun. It's also a steal during the preorder.
Paul Antill - 3 January 2022
Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-1 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike 9.50 / 10 Read Reviews Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-3 Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Read More Reviews Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-3 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-6 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-7 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-8 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-11 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-14 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-15 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-20 See on Other
The Urtopia is a $4000 carbon fiber e-bike loaded with fancy tech. It is currently on its final days of its Indiegogo campaign for 50% off at “just” $1999. For its specs and features, that's a pretty steep discount while it lasts. Key Features
Front Light (20-25 lux) mmWave radar alerting riders of incoming vehicles Smartbar to see bike's speed, modes and notifications Internally routed cabling Hydraulic brakes No-drag, pedal mode Removable battery Voice control Find your bike via GPS and 4G
Specifications
Brand: Urtopia Battery: 360Wh, LG li-ion removable Weight: 30lb (13kg) Maximum Speed: 20mph/32km (US), 16mph (25km) Brake Style: Front & Rear Dual-Piston Hydraulic Frame Material: Carbon Fiber (Frame, Fork, Handlebar, Seatpost) Wheel Size: 700c 35mm Motor (W): 250W Rear Hub Range: 30-80 miles (50-130km) Electronic Power Assist: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Turbo Charging: 2.5 hr Quick Charge @ 36V 4A Connectivity: GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G
Pros
Excellent value for the specs and features Safety features Anti-theft features OTA updates brings new features Battery is flush with frame Extremely lightweight Modern design
Cons
Turn indicators aren't visible in bright light Bell is clunky
Buy This Product Urtopia Carbon E-Bike-3 Urtopia Carbon E-Bike Shop at Other
Urtopia, whose name is a combination of Utopia+Urban, is looking to shake up the e-bike market with innovative smart features that are either completely new to consumer bikes, or previously only found on higher-priced models. The core specs include a 250W hub motor with a Gates Carbon Drive that offers with four levels of pedal assist and 30-80 miles of range.
When you factor in all of the built-in tech like a smart voice activated handlebar display that controls your settings and offers GPS navigation, a fingerprint reader and gyroscope activated alarm to prevent theft, 4G (via eSIM) to monitor the bike remotely, mmWave sensors to detect vehicles, and more, this e-bike is already in a class of its own. Whether you're looking for a sleek, fast and reliable bike for easy commuting or you're considering your first e-bike, the Urtopia has something for everyone. It's currently available for preorder until the 6th January 2022 through its Indiegogo campaign with a 50% discount at $1999.
https://www.makeuseof.com/urtopia-carbon-fiber-ebike-review/
What do you get when you combine an iPad and an e-bike?
The Urtopia Carbon is a decent bike that tries to do a lot with its software.
John Timmer - 9/8/2022, 6:45 AM
As I was trying to figure out how to position the Urtopia Carbon e-bike so it could get enough signal to join my Wi-Fi network and download new firmware, I took a moment to ponder what would have happened if Apple had taken a tiny fraction of the money it has reportedly spent on its rumored electric car project and diverted it into making an e-bike instead. What would years of experience with mobile computing, hardware/software integration, maps and voice commands, and more mean for a bike?
Urtopia is clearly trying to make software one of the Carbon's differentiating features, but the company is still in the learning stages. There are some interesting ideas in the software, and it's hosted on a pretty solid e-bike platform. But the package needs a bit more refinement and integration.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/09/what-do-you-get-when-you-combine-an-ipad-and-an-e-bike/
This E-Bike With Built-In ChatGPT Is the Epitome of Overblown AI Hype
The new tech hype ‘cycle’ becomes literal as Urtopia shoves a chatbot onto a bike for no good reason. Other vehicle companies are already considering the same.
Kyle Barr - 27 June 2023
AI hype has officially reached “Metaverse” levels of incomprehensibility. Large language models are a wormhole sucking in any and all tech companies looking to promote long-existing products, and now e-bike maker Urtopia is one of the first companies trying to force chatbots on users who are simply trying to travel from A to B.
In a press release, Urtopia shared scant details for its latest smart e-bike features other than that its products were getting access to ChatGPT. This feature would apparently sit alongside existing built-in navigation capabilities and connections to apps like Apple Health and Strava. Gizmodo reached out to the company for clarification, but we did not immediately hear back. Instead, we’re left with many, small questions but only one that actually matters: why?
The company already has released two e-bikes, the Carbon 1 and the more recent Chord. Both bikes also include navigation features and other safety capabilities like GPS tracking. The more expensive Carbon 1 includes “game pad” as well as voice controls, while the Chord only includes the latter.
https://gizmodo.com/urtopia-e-bike-chatgpt-ai-hype-1850582746
Carbon 1 Step
Urtopia Carbon 1 Step-Thru Review | A Tech-Savvy, Lightweight Ride
Aug 30, 2025 - Griffin Hales
Lightweight carbon fiber keeps this cruiser nimble, while integrated tech and security features make it one of the most modern e-bikes around.
Who says e-bikes have to be heavy? At just 41 lbs, the Urtopia Carbon 1 Step-Thru is refreshingly easy to lift, carry, and ride. Urtopia has been carving out a niche as the go-to brand for carbon fiber frames without sky-high prices. Now they’re bringing the material’s lightweight, performance-oriented benefits into the city cruiser category.
This isn’t your grandparents’ cruiser (though they might still love it). The Carbon 1 ST is loaded with forward-thinking features like 4G connectivity for security (movement alarms, geo-fencing, GPS tracking) and ride enhancements (AI route planning). With an LED dot-matrix display, built-in speakers, and even voice control, it feels more like a connected smart device than a traditional bike.
But those headliners shouldn’t detract from the real standout: the ride itself is light, quiet, and surprisingly smooth for a non-suspension frame. It’s a pleasant e-bike experience that just happens to be loaded with tech. The step-thru design and generous handlebar sweep make it approachable, while its motor offers enough power for lively city cruising and an easy time on small to medium-sized hills (and even some steeper ones, too).
https://electricbikereport.com/urtopia-carbon-1-step-thru-review/
Chord
Urtopia's Chord e-bike is a little overkill for a city ride and that's okay
The company's second bike has a lot more curb appeal but all the same connectivity.
James Trew - June 26, 2023 11:15 AM
Urtopia may be a relatively new name in the e-bike world, but it makes a strong first impression. With its 4G, GPS, mmWave sensors and even light projection turn indicators, the Carbon 1 felt like the Inspector Gadget of two-wheeled travel, but its exotic design and road-bike leanings meant it wasn’t for everyone. The company’s second bike, the Chord ($1,799), has a much less divisive aesthetic and – unlike its sibling – practicalities like gears and a more upright (and city-friendly) ride. Importantly, the Chord contains all the wireless connectivity of the Carbon 1 at a cheaper price, possibly making it a more compelling package overall.
The Chord feels like Urtopia’s attempt at a stylish city bike in the vague style of Cowboy or VanMoof. The Chord is apparently inspired by pianos, with its black and white colorway and the melodic notes that play when you cycle through the power modes. At 46 pounds (21 kilograms), it’s noticeably heavier than the Carbon 1 (33 pounds/15 kg), but it’s on par with other models in the same category.
https://www.engadget.com/urtopia-chord-e-bike-151547121.html?src=rss
Vanpowers
Vanpowers Is About To Drop One of the Most Disruptive E-Bikes Ever, and It's Super Cheap
20 May 2022, 12:08 UTC - Cristian Curmei
Folks, Vanpowers seems to be a company formed this year, 2022. However, the two crews behind the new brand, Sailvan Times Technology and Juln Electric Vehicle, are teams that have been active in the micro-mobility industry for years now.
As a result of this collaboration, we've been awarded an e-bike like none I've seen so far. It's been dubbed the City Vanture, and what makes this bike so dang special is the way it's built. Oh, it's also a capable machine with a range that I didn't expect, considering that the lowest-priced option is currently being advertised as selling for $2,400 (€2,260 at current exchange rates). However, on May 24, Vanpowers is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund these new machines. As we all know, these sorts of campaigns often result in better prices for future owners, so keep your eyes open if you like what we talk about today.
Now, the main discerning feature of the new Vanture is that the frame is built unlike other bikes on the market. Instead of creating a bike from several continuous tubes welded together in specific areas, the Vantures are composed the way you'd put together LEGO. Sure, there are top tubes, seat tubes, down tubes, and seat stays too, but the magic is that tubes are joined by simply inserting them into receivers that shape the bike into what it is.
Van Raam
This funky-looking electric bike claims to be the safest e-bike in the world
Micah Toll - Oct. 25th 2022 2:16 am PT
The Van Raam Balance may not look that different from afar, but upon closer inspection you’ll see a novel-looking frame that, among other features, helps the Netherlands-based company tout it as the safest two-wheeled electric bike in the world.
The biggest difference between the Van Raam Balance’s frame and that of any other step-through bike is the depth that the frame plunges to and the steep seat angle allowed by the design.
The idea is that not only can riders easily step through the bike to mount it with two feet flat on the ground, but they can still keep their feet flat on terra firma even while seated.
Many riders with limited range of motion in their legs and hips find it difficult to swing their leg up and over a tall bike’s rear wheel. Others with balance issues can have trouble coming to stop while trying to tip-toe on one side of the bike.
The Van Raam Balance tries to solve both problems at once with its unique frame design.
https://electrek.co/2022/10/25/van-raam-balance-electric-bike-safest/
Velotric
No gimmicks, no problems: The low-fuss, reasonably priced e-bike
The Velotric Discovery 1 isn't about looks or performance, but it's a fine e-bike.
John Timmer - 8/31/2022, 9:03 AM
As someone who's not a car person, being told that a new offering is “the Honda Accord of e-bikes” doesn't have a lot of resonance. As near as I can tell, the implication here is that the bike is just a bit more expensive than low-end offerings yet provides something a lot closer to a high-end experience.
Even if that wasn't the intended message, it does seem to be what the bike—the $1,299 Velotric Discover 1—delivers. There's nothing especially exciting about the ride, and the bike won't turn heads or invite questions. But in terms of the overall experience, it delivers something a bit closer to a high-end e-bike at a cost that's much closer to a no-frills budget option.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/08/no-gimmicks-no-problems-the-low-fuss-reasonably-priced-e-bike/
Velotric Nomad 1: The Fat Tire, Go-Anywhere, Class 2 Ebike
While the large and heavier design won't suit commuter, the Nomad 1 shines for its ability to adventure off the beaten path.
Paul Antill - 28 November 2022
While Velotric is a relatively new company, it's had lots of success and positive reception with its debut Discover 1 model in 2021. The company is led by Adam Zhang, one of the co-founders of Lime scooters. Building off of this, Velotric is expanding its lineup and looks to deliver a reliable, high-quality ebike that can handle your next off-road adventure.
The Nomad 1 features a 750-watt (peak 1,200W) rear hub motor with a 48-volt, 691.2Wh battery that charges in 6 hours and provides up to 55 miles of range.
Velotric T1 e-bike review: Slick, barely-an-ebike look hides some real power
A winning combination of a hidden battery, smooth ride, and slick look.
Kevin Purdy - 8/4/2023, 6:32 AM
I can't get over how good the T1 looks. It's a beautiful bike, especially in the two-tone frosted blue color of my test ride. It's so smoothly contoured, devoid of wires and generally eye-catching that, for once, I'm more afraid of it getting stolen for its looks than for the powerful motor and battery that are well-hidden inside it. So it's a good thing the Thunder 1 comes with a number of anti-theft features installed.
Over weeks of testing, the $1,800 T1 (initially the “Thunder 1” at launch, since renamed by Velotric) has been a fun ride. The bike has a responsive torque-sensing motor and a wide range of power options paired with actual gears. The app is about as reliable as any other Bluetooth-based single-device app (i.e., not wholly), but it provides useful data, configuration, and anti-theft options. Most of the cables, settings, and other obvious parts of an e-bike can't be seen. You just ride and notch the assist up or down when you want.
You can't entirely forget the T1 is an e-bike, as every time you look down while riding, you see a thumbprint sensor. But riding it around on a steady power level and shifting gears—with it looking for all the world like a standard flat-bar bike—you can get most of the benefits of electric assist with very few of its signifiers. It quietly flattens hills and shortens miles.
Velotric launches its first full-suspension fat tire electric bike
Micah Toll - May 22 2025 5:13 am PT
Velotric is breaking new ground – and blazing new trails – with the launch of its newest electric bike model, the Nomad 2X. Based on the popular all-terrain Nomad platform, Velotric has ratcheted up the action with a full-suspension version that doesn’t skimp on the features.
The Velotric Nomad 2X doesn’t just offer full suspension, the holy grail of e-bike riders hoping for the most comfortable ride, but it opts for air suspension, one of the higher quality options for achieving the feat.
Sure, some might question the logic of opting for weight-saving air suspension on an already hefty 80 lb (36 kg) electric bike. But there’s no doubt that the ride is going to feel extra epic on even the harshest terrain. The 120mm travel air fork is matched with 80mm of travel in the rear suspension, all riding on gloriously fat 26×4″ Kenda tires.
The drivetrain consists of a 48T chainring feeding an 8-speed Shimano Acera derailleur, all paired with a combined torque/cadence sensor setup that allows riders to swap back and forth between the two different styles of pedal assist sensors at will. Let’s be honest though – most people aren’t going to be pedaling this massive e-bike very much, and so the thumb throttle powering a 48V 750W rear hub motor with 105 Nm of torque is going to come in pretty darn handy.
https://electrek.co/2025/05/22/velotric-launches-its-first-full-suspension-fat-tire-electric-bike/
Vintage Electric Bikes
Road Test: Vintage’s Newest E-Bikes Blend SoCal Retro Cool With Lightning-Quick Speeds
Basem Wasef - Wed, July 27, 2022 at 6:30 AM
Retro-styled machines have a way of inspiring warm fuzzies, and the latest from Vintage Electric Bikes is no exception.
With a slim profile and board track racer-inspired lines, these premium e-bikes trigger knee-jerk nostalgia. But the top models from the Santa Clara, California-based brand also harbor a wicked secret: They pack a monstrous 72-volt battery capable of hurtling the bikes at speeds up to 40 mph—just one reason why we named the Vintage Electric Roadster one of the eight best e-bikes on the market.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/first-ride-vintage-newest-e-133000198.html
Volcon
Did Texas-based electric powersports company Volcon just quietly unveil its first e-bike?
Micah Toll - Aug. 23rd 2022 11:43 pm PT
It sure looks that way, thanks to several new photos posted on the brand’s social media accounts showing what appears to be a Volcon-branded electric bike called the Volcon Brat.
The electric bike seen in the images takes on what we often refer to as “Super73 styling,” named after the electric bike company that helped launch the iconic moped-style electric bike several years ago.
Major design aspects that are common across these types of moped-style electric bicycles are 20″ fat tires, long bench seats, big headlights, relaxed riding positions, and motorcycle-inspired design cues such as batteries or compartments disguised as gas tanks.
The bike shown off in Volcon’s images appears to check all of these boxes and more, as you can see in the image below.
https://electrek.co/2022/08/23/volcon-electric-powersports-brat-e-bike/
Vvolt
Centauri II
The Vvolt Centauri II Just Became My New Favorite E-Bike
The Centauri II raises the bar for commuter-style bikes.
Stephen Johnson - January 13, 2025
I’ve tested a ton of bikes since I started doing reviews on Lifehacker in 2023—from low frills affairs like the Propella 7S to higher end e-Mountain Bikes like Canyon’s Spectral—and while no e-bike is right for every type of rider and every taste, the Centauri II is my overall favorite. I like the Vvolt Centauri II so much that I feel the need to open with a disclaimer: I am not getting paid by Vvolt, and Lifehacker has no relationship with the company.
For general urban riding—commuting, shorter trips on paved roads—the Centauri II is close to perfect. The weight, power, comfort, and handling is balanced for everyday riding, and its features performed better than I expected, including the belt drive with automatic transmission and mid-drive motor. Overall, The Centauri II raises the bar for commuter-style bikes.
https://lifehacker.com/tech/vvolt-centauri-ii-e-bike-review?utm_medium=RSS
Volt
Volt's New Lite Folding E-Bike Packs A Surprising Amount Of Tech
It packs an intuitive folding mechanism and a fancy Gates CDX drivetrain.
May 03, 2023 at 1:44pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
Volt, a UK-based e-bike specialist, has released its newest model, the Lite. As its name suggests, this e-bike is a lightweight, no-frills, easy-access commuter. Assembled in the UK, this electric folding bike carries a price tag of £2,199, or about $2,747 USD. Let's take a closer look at this interesting, tech-laden folding e-bike.
For starters, the Volt Lite packs a frame design that features a unique hinge mechanism. The bike folds in three places – the middle of the frame, the headtube, and at the level of the handlebars. This results in an extremely compact package, making it convenient to store in small places such as under your work desk, in the back of your car, or in a small corner of your garage. Best of all, the bike itself weighs no more than 16 kilograms, so hauling it around by hand should prove to be a walk in the park.
Wallke
Wallke H6 review: The fastest, most massive folding electric bike I’ve ever tested
Micah Toll - Sep. 19th 2022 6:13 am PT
Generally speaking, folding electric bikes are usually on the smaller and lighter end of the spectrum. They tend to prioritize compactness over performance, which makes sense for a folder. At least that was until the Wallke H6 came around and flipped the script, saying “Screw your compactness. We’re a crazy fast e-bike that just happens to fold in half!”
The Wallke H6 doesn’t pull any punches. It may have smaller diameter 20″ wheels, but this is still 90 pounds (41 kg) of e-bike coming at you fast.
And that’s not hyperbole. This thing gets up to a claimed 32 mph (51.5 km/h) – though I clocked it with GPS at 31 mph (50 km/h). Either way you slice you slice it though, that’s pretty darn fast. And it doesn’t take very long to hit those speeds either.
It’s a big bike with a lot of attitude. But it’s also got a lot of interesting parts on it too, from a powerful motor to a pair of long-range batteries.
https://electrek.co/2022/09/19/wallke-h6-review-fast-electric-bike/
Walmart
Ball On A Budget: Walmart’s New Hyper E-Ride Electric Bike
Will $1,500 get you a decent electric mountain bike?
Jul 04, 2022 at 1:33pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
Department store bikes have provided affordable and easily accessible mobility for decades now. Available in all shapes and sizes, Walmart bikes certainly get the job done, so long as that job is simply getting you from point A to B. Sure, more performance-oriented options are available, but they’ll set you back a pretty penny. In recent years, the retail megachain has dipped its toes into the electric bike market, with some super cheap models selling for less than $500.
This time around, it’s upping its game with a full-suspension electric mountain bike called the Hyper E-Ride. With a price tag of $1,498, it’s certainly an attractive option for the casual e-biker looking for a rugged two-wheeler to go exploring on. That said, just because it’s equipped with a full-sus frame doesn’t mean it’s capable of tackling super technical trails like the bikes from more established manufacturers. Sure, it’ll likely make it out unscathed a few times, but wear and tear will likely set in much sooner. In the product’s listing on Walmart’s official website, it says that the Hyper E-Ride “excels at climbing steep hills.”
https://insideevs.com/news/595925/walmart-hyper-eride-electric-bike/
Watt Wagons
This off-roading electric bike can go 200 miles and uses an electric car charger
Micah Toll - Apr 10 2023 5:46 am PT
Watt Wagons, a US-based manufacturer of high-power and high-end electric bicycles, has a new model designed for serious off-roaders and adventurers. In fact, the Watt Wagon HOUND has several keys specs that sound almost foreign in the electric bicycle industry, such as a 200-mile range and built-in chargers compatible with electric car charging stations.
The Watt Wagon HOUND is actually available in two models, the base model and the “Supercharged” model.
They share the same custom-developed frame that looks to be optimized for utility riding with an extra-long rear rack and features a fairly upright seating posture. The frame mounts a powerful mid-drive motor, a big battery, ultra-fat tires in 26″ x 4.7″ size, and quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes.
https://electrek.co/2023/04/10/watt-wagon-hound-200-mile-electric-bike/
WAU Bikes
WAU Project Cyber teased as ‘revolutionary’ high performance electric bike
Micah Toll - May 28 2023 2:26 am PT
We see new e-bike launches practically every week here at Electrek, but we rarely seem something quite so… futuristic looking as the upcoming WAU model currently being teased. The UK-based electric bike company is dripping out imagines of its upcoming Project Cyber, which looks like something between a high performance electric bicycle and a light electric motorcycle.
It’s not uncommon for e-bike companies to expand into the moped or light motorbike space. We watched it happen with SONDORS when the company unveiled the Metacycle, SUPER73 with the C1X, and several other smaller e-bike companies.
And while we don’t yet know how the Project Cyber e-bike will be classified, it’s certainly looking like it could be headed in a similarly aggressive direction.
WildeWay Bikes
This new 30 mph folding e-bike has one of the largest batteries in the industry
Micah Toll - Feb 10 2023 4:53 am PT
The new FW11 electric bike has a lot going for it. It’s fast. It’s a two-seater. But perhaps the most remarkable part is just how massive the battery is, offering more range than almost any other retail e-bike.
The battery on most e-bikes is somewhere in the 500-700Wh range. Something along the lines of a 48V and 14Ah battery is quite standard these days. You’ll see them on everything from popular e-bikes to e-trikes.
But the WildeWay FW11 folding e-bike more than doubles it with a 48V 32Ah battery. For those keeping score at home, that’s a 1,536 Wh battery. It’s also removable, though the 20 lb (9 kg) battery won’t be easy to lug around by hand very far.
According to the company, that’s enough battery for a 60 mile (96 km) range on throttle only, and well over 100 miles (160 km) on pedal assist.
Throttle-only ranges are usually calculated around the Class 2 top speed limit of 20 mph (32 km/h), and that would be fitting for the FW11 as well. The only problem is that the FW11 doesn’t stop at just 20 mph; it can actually reach 30 mph (48 km/h) on both pedal assist and throttle.
Wing Bikes
Wing Bikes Offers Affordable Freedom ST Urban Commuter E-Bike
It employs a simple, no-frills design that's perfect for the urban jungle
Aug 16, 2022 at 1:14pm ET - Enrico Punsalang
The Freedom ST, a new step-through e-bike from Wing Bikes, has just been introduced, and has the e-bike commuter market in its crosshairs. It is intended to bring performance similar to what we've come to expect from Wing Bikes, but with a much more user-friendly frame design. As you can see, it has a step-through frame, which is a feature that has grown in popularity, especially among commuter bikes made for urban environments.
In the world of standard, non-electric bikes, step-through frames are a favorite of lady riders, as well as those advanced in age, lacking the loose and limber mobility they once had when they were younger. These days, however, the step-through frame design has pretty much become a universally accepted frame configuration for commuter-focused electric bicycles. Not only does this save costs for manufacturers, and thereby allowing for much more affordable go-to-market pricing, it also makes e-bikes in general much more accessible to a wider range of riders.
https://insideevs.com/news/604510/wing-freedom-st-electric-commuter-bicycle/
Xion
Xion CyberX Is The 50 MPH E-Bike That Tron Would Ride
Jo Borrás - 15 April 2021
We’ve talked about a lot of e-bikes and electric mopeds here at CleanTechnica (especially in the last 12 months), but none of those have really prepared us for the XION CyberX. One look at the bike will tell you just about everything you need to know, and that’s this: this is not an ordinary e-bike.
Let’s be clear. The XION CyberX is not in production. At this point, it’s just an IndieGogo project — but maybe “just” isn’t the right word. That’s because, as I type this, XION has blown past its initial $25,000 goal by more than 4000% (yes, four thousand percent), racking up over a million dollars in pre-sales for its $3699 e-moped. But what they say you’re going to get for that $3699 is astonishing.
I’ll start with the most obvious aspect of the XION: its looks. The CyberX looks like nothing else on the road, and has more visual DNA in common with high-end gaming PCs than it does with an old Tomos or Puch. The triangular bodywork is translucent, showing off the LEDs within and creating striking, color-changing visuals on the road. The spoked wheels are also illuminated, creating a unique rolling effect and giving the entire thing a surreal, cyberpunk sort of quality. What occurred to me when I saw it was, “This is the kind of bike the users/programs in Tron would ride, if that movie had been set in the 80s, not just made in the 80s.”
https://cleantechnica.com/2021/04/15/xion-cyberx-is-the-50-mph-e-bike-that-tron-would-ride/
Yadea
YADEA Trooper 01 Review: Is This a Motorcycle or an Ebike?
It looks like a motorcycle, and rides like one too—in that pedaling the thing is a nigh impossible.
Paul Antill - 17 November 2023
Sporting a large headlight and a bench-style seat, the Yadea Trooper 01 looks less like an ebike and more like a mini Triumph Street Twin motorcycle. This is one of those bikes that's sure to turn heads, and it might have people take a double look when they think, “Why is this motorcycle riding in the bike lane?”
With its 750W motor, the Yadea Trooper 01 offers excellent power and smooth delivery, making even these steepest hills feel effortless. Despite its more sophisticated looks, this is a straightforward bike with its share of limitations. It is ultimately fun to ride—assuming you're a shorter rider or don't mind forgoing the pedaling.
Yamaha
Still Skeptical About E-Bikes? Yamaha's New Electric Bicycles May Change Your Mind
Sure, hard-core bike enthusiasts decry e-bikes until they're out of breath. But no one can deny one simple truth: e-bikes are fun.
Hayley Helms - Apr 1, 2022
There are a common few reactions electric bike riders get when they're taking a ride: disdain and outright anger from the traditional cyclists who are struggling their way up hills as you breeze past; quizzical looks from car passengers who see you keeping pace with them in traffic; and joy from fellow e-bike riders, who will stop to wax eloquent about their chosen model, ask questions about yours, and commiserate in the benefits of slapping a motor on a bicycle.
It seems everyone's got a strong opinion on electric bikes, whether or not they've taken one for a spin. But if you have decided to try one out, there's an undeniable fact that can't be ignored: electric bikes are fun. They open up the sport to more participants, and provide access to longer rides for those that haven't built up their endurance, but want to see the world on two wheels.
https://www.gearpatrol.com/outdoors/a39589247/yamaha-e-bike-crosscore-wabash/
Zectron
Two-step folding ebike powers through 150 miles of easy riding
Paul Ridden - October 28, 2022
With a mission to create a “dream electric bike that ensure good looks, functionality and safety,” Hong Kong's Zectron Bikes has launched a funky looking folding ride that can be had with dual batteries for up to 150 miles of pedal-assist riding, or around half the range on throttle only, and folds down for between-ride transport in two quick steps.
Currently the subject of an Indiegogo funding campaign, the Zectron folding ebike is available with an IPX5-rated speed-sensing 350-W motor for up to 20 mph of pedal assist over five power levels plus throttle in the US, or a 250-W motor for 25 km/h in Europe.
Either way, there's a 7-speed Shimano gearset for ride flexibility, and a cruise control feature can also be engaged that will lock in the speed if the tech determines that the ebike has been moving at the same pace for five seconds.
With the integrated 417.6-Wh battery, riders could get up to 70 miles (120 km) of per-charge range with pedal assist at level one or 35 miles (60 km) using just the throttle. But a second (removable) battery wedged neatly under the frame in front of the pedals bumps the capacity up to 835 Wh for a per-charge ride of up to 150 miles (250 km) at the lowest power level or 70 miles (120 km) of throttling. This second battery also hosts a USB charge port for topping up a smartphone while out and about.
Zoomo
With $11 million in fresh capital, Bolt Bikes rebrands to Zoomo
Kirsten Korosec / 12:17 pm PDT•August 24, 2020
Bolt Bikes, the electric bike platform marketed to gig economy delivery workers, has a new name and a fresh injection of $11 million in capital from a Series A funding round led by Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
The round also included equity from Hana Ventures and existing investors Maniv Mobility and Contrarian Ventures, together with venture debt from OneVentures and Viola Credit.
https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/24/with-11-million-in-fresh-capital-bolt-bikes-rebrands-to-zoomo/
Last mile delivery e-bike supplier Zoomo tacks on $20M to Series B
Rebecca Bellan - 8:00 PM PST February 21, 2022
Zoomo, an Australian startup that builds utility e-bikes for delivery workers, has raised an additional $20 million in equity to close out its Series B round.
In November, the company raised $60 million in equity and debt for its Series B, which it used to fund further software development and more vehicles to expand. The additional funds, which bring Zoomo’s total funding up to $101.5 million, will be used for much of the same purpose, specifically hiring more team members globally and investing into further fleet and vehicle management offerings for both mechanics and customers, as well as developing an end rider app, Mina Nada, co-founder and CEO at Zoomo, told TechCrunch.
The startup is also continuing development and rollout of its new high performance utility e-bike, the Zoomo One, and is investing in new vehicle form-factors and accessories.
https://techcrunch.com/2022/02/21/last-mile-delivery-e-bike-supplier-zoomo-tacks-on-20m-to-series-b/
