11 Best Step-Through Electric Bikes. Lightest step through ebike

Best Step-Through Electric Bikes

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• By Kate Halse
• Updated May 7, 2023 at 12:23pm

Step-through electric bikes are awesome for seniors, women and shorter riders. They’re also equally accessible for taller cyclists and men. These frames don’t have top tubes, which makes them much easier to mount and dismount. From fat tire bikes to beach cruisers, step-thru e-bikes come in many different styles

EDITOR’S CHOICE: RadCity 5 Plus Step-Thru

The RadCity 5 Plus Step-Thru is an upgraded version of the previous model, with improvements that offer a more pleasant and efficient ride for urban commuters. For example, a lower standover height makes it easier for cyclists between 4’8″ and 6′ to hop on and off. This is an especially appealing bike for shorter cyclists and seniors, which is why it’s our top choice for a motorized step-through bike.

This bike is 11 percent more efficient than the RadCity Step-Thru 3, so you can get over 50 miles per charge. Hills and obstacles are easier to overcome on the RadCity 5, which has a custom 750-watt motor. That extra boost makes the bike 40 percent faster on hill climbs than the previous model. Combined with puncture-resistant tires with a custom tread design, this Rad bike is especially economical on the pavement.

Although the semi-integrated battery is visible, it’s not as bulky as on earlier versions of this e-commuter bike. An LED display indicates how much juice is left. When it runs low, you can quickly remove the battery and bring it inside to charge. Side grips make it easier to grasp the battery. With a 48V 14h lithium battery that’s rated for 800 charge cycles, you don’t need to worry about replacing the battery any time soon.

If you’re cruising or need some extra speed to make it to your morning meeting on time, there are five pedal assist levels to help you find the most appropriate speed. A 12-magnet cadence sensor accurately measures your pedaling speed and sends a specific amount of power to the motor to keep up.

Urban riding can be unpredictable, but hydraulic disc brakes safely stop the bike with a light touch. This gives you more control over your riding, even when the roads are wet. Hydraulic disc brakes require less maintenance than mechanical disc brakes, which is another perk for busy professionals.

With a 275-pound payload capacity, running errands is easier than ever. You can fit a few bags of groceries and cargo on the integrated rear rack. Rad Power Bikes has several accessories to further customize your ride, including this front-mounted basket and the GUB PRO-3 Phone Mount.

RUNNER UP: Heybike Cityrun

If you’re looking for an affordable commuter ebike with a powerful motor for climbing hills, a generous range and a long-lasting battery, the Heybike Cityrun checks all those boxes and more. The 500-watt motor is plenty for rolling terrain and is fun on flat roads. It’s paired with a 48V 15Ah battery that delivers over 50 miles of range so you don’t have to worry about recharging with every stop.

Heybike sent me a Cityrun bike for a hands-on review. It’s worth noting that this bike is recommended for riders 5’4″ to 6’5″ with a minimum 32.3″ inseam. At 5’3″, this bike felt slightly too big, but I was able to successfully take it on several test rides. The sloped frame makes mounting, dismounting and stopping easier and safer.

Compared to the Heybike Brawn, which I also tested recently, the Cityrun is smaller, more agile and (arguably) more attractive. It comes in black, orange and green. My test bike was orange. Fun colors aside, Cityrun also looks more expensive than its 1,299 price tag. Premium features such as a leather seat, leather-wrapped handlebars, a rear rack and a bright front light help distinguish the Cityrun from similarly priced competitors.

The Cityrun ships in pieces. Some of the major steps include installing the front and rear wheels, handlebars, suspension fork and front headlight. A detailed guide with images helps guide you through each step. There’s also an assembly video.

One advantage of assembling most of the bike yourself is that you can customize it along the way. For example, you can install the rear rack or leave it off. There’s also an option to fine-tune the suspension. Turning the adjustment knob counterclockwise softens the ride, while turning it clockwise makes the ride stiffer.

Since my local roads are full of potholes, I kept the suspension soft for a smoother ride. The fork has 80mm of travel, which helps absorb bumps from potholes and other imperfections. It also evens out any roughness from the tires, which are relatively skinny for an electric bike. Compared to the Heybike Brawn and other ebikes with fat tires, the 26″x 2.5″ tires don’t dampen vibrations as much. But they’re also easier to maneuver, especially in tight places. That’s a huge plus for commuters and urban riders.

This Class 2 ebike tops out at 20MPH and has a thumb throttle for an extra burst of speed. The acceleration is gentle but effective and helped propel the bike over a 1.2-mile hill with an average 6% gradient. You also have five pedal-assist levels, ranging from zero to full assistance.

At the front of the handlebars is an LCD display that shows the battery level, riding time, pedal-assist level, trip distance and more. You can also switch the headlight on and off and turn the bike on and off.

Heybike also has their own app that’s compatible with most iOS and Android devices. If your Bluetooth is on and within range, the bike should automatically turn on when you’re close enough. It’s relatively basic but shows the Bluetooth and power status, and current battery level.

Rounding out this bike’s list of commuter-friendly features are a comfy cushioned seat and bright turn signals. Cityrun also comes with a water bottle cage, so you can stay well hydrated on your commute and adventure rides.

VELOWAVE Step-Thru eBike

The sharp-looking VELOWAVE Step-Thru eBike is a fun option if you’re craving speed and power. It’s a Class 3 eBike, which means it can reach speeds up to 28MPH and sustain them for some time. As a commuter, you might only need a burst of power to climb a steep hill or keep up with traffic when the light turns green. But if you’re looking for an adventurous bike for challenging conditions, this 750-watt bike should be at the top of your list.

To prevent the battery from running low too quickly, VELOWAVE uses a 48v 15Ah LG battery with a large capacity. It offers up to 50 miles on eco mode and over 30 miles on full-electric riding. You can remove the battery to bring it indoors to charge it on the bike.

There’s no shortage of gearing options, as this bike has three riding modes and five pedal-assist modes. If your legs get tired, you can let the motor do all the work. Alternatively, you can get light assistance when you need it most, which will also conserve the battery charge.

Available in pink champagne and navy blue, this all-terrain bike is versatile for riders of all levels. From snow to mud to sand to gravel, it confidently rips through obstacles with knobby 26×4-inch tires. There’s plenty of grip on slick pavement and trail surfaces, so you can ride in any weather.

When the road gets bumpy, whether it’s because of potholes or tricky terrain, the front hydraulic fork helps dampen vibrations. It even gives you better control over the bike. You’ll also find hydraulic disc brakes for safe stopping power, even when you need to brake quickly on sand, snow or gravel.

If you’re a shorter rider, it’s worth noting that the suggested rider height range is 5″6 to 6’2″.This bike also doesn’t have fenders or a rear light. You’ll need to supply those separately. However, it comes with a front headlight for your safety. The light is on the small side, so you may want to double up if you’re riding in the dark.

Schwinn Coston DX Step-Thru Electric Bike

A well-equipped cruiser for pavement and light trails, the Coston DX step-through from Schwinn is loaded with features for the price. It’s a practical investment for commuters and urban riders, with an economical 250-watt motor, throttle control and several pedal assist options. Plus, distinctive features such as LED lights on the battery and a seat with integrated storage help it stand out in this crowded segment.

I received a test Coston DX for review. However, it’s worth noting that my test bike was a size s/m, and I couldn’t safely or comfortably ride it at 5’3″. The good news is that Schwinn offers a more compact extra-small model for riders 5’4″ and up. I relied on feedback from taller friends and family members to complete this review.

The test riders ranged in height from 5’8″ to 6’2″ and could easily adjust the seat for a tailored fit. A quick-release seat post makes it easy to slide the seat up or down, which is really convenient for any mid-ride adjustments. Even the shortest cyclist had no problem reaching the handlebars.

One rider was new to eBikes but felt very comfortable and in control on the Coston DX. Whether you’re riding an electric bike for the first time or have prior experience, starting on level 1 or 2 lets you explore various pedal-assist levels and test the throttle power. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can switch it to a faster speed.

Designated a Class 2 eBike, this model features pedal-assist and throttle. Its motor powers up to 20MPH, which is plenty to cruise along flats and up most light and moderate inclines. The 250-watt brushless geared hub drive motor may not be enough for very steep hills, but it should be adequate for most commutes and urban adventures. If you need to hop off on a steep incline or want some extra assistance as you’re walking the Coston DX around town, just activate the walk assistance mode.

On a full charge you can cruise up to 45 miles, which is plenty for most commutes and adventure rides. A built-in indicator shows the remaining juice on a scale of 1 to 5 bars so you can plan accordingly. When there’s less than 20% battery life remaining, it drops to 1 bar. You can remove the battery or leave it on the bike. A bright light switches from red to green when the battery is sufficiently charged. Plan to set aside at least five hours for a full charge.

As this type of bike becomes more popular, it can get harder to distinguish between the different options. Schwinn outfitted the Coston DX with some unique features, like the illuminated battery mentioned earlier. It gives the bike an edgy look and makes you more visible in the dark. Test riders also appreciated the storage seat, with a top that opens so you can pack a smartphone, keys, snacks and other small items.

For your safety and convenience, there are LED lights on the front and back. They automatically turn on and off depending on the lighting conditions, which can be frustrating when you’d like more light to see as the sun is rising or setting. Both lights are bright, however, and the front light will illuminate your path in the dark.

Another handy feature is the rear rack. It’s sturdy enough to carry loads up to 55 lbs., which is ideal for grocery hauls and smaller errands. Fenders on the front and rear tires prevent road spray and grime from getting your work clothes dirty, even after a fresh rainfall.

sixthreezero Body Ease Women’s Comfort Bike

If you prioritize comfort and stability more than racing around town, the Body Ease could be a good fit. It’s easy to ride and is ideal for beginners and commuters. The mid-range specs ensure this is a bike you can grow into.

Equipped with hybrid tires, this women’s cruiser rides smoothly on sidewalks and rough surfaces. Seatpost suspension supports the back and hips for pain-free cycling. The dual-spring seat also dampens vibrations. You can even adjust the suspension depending on the terrain.

Ideal for trips to the beach and around town, the Body Ease is powered by a 48V battery and a 500-watt rear hub motor. The battery is tucked discreetly under the rack. Not only does this keep it away from splashes and dirt, it also makes it easy to charge. Complete with a 500 watt-hour capacity, the battery lasts up to 20 miles on full electric and 20 to 40 miles on pedal assist mode.

On the back of the bike is a 500-watt rear hub motor with ample power for cruising and urban riding. Unlike a front or mid-drive motor, a rear hub motor starts working instantly as soon as you begin pedaling. It also improves traction. However, tasks such as changing a flat can be more challenging.

Women from 5’3″ to 6′ tall should comfortably fit on this bike. The ultra-low frame requires little effort to swing your leg over, and is easy to straddle at lights. Although the 17-inch aluminum frame only comes in one size, it’s suitable for short, medium and long arms and legs. This bike supports riders up to 250 pounds.

SOHOO S115 Step-Thru E-Bike

This utilitarian SOHOO 26-inch e-bike is a practical choice for all-around riding. From its neat, sweeping lines to a padded and comfortable saddle, this electric beach cruiser works equally well for beach and trail excursions.

Performance-wise, this cruiser bike stands up to competitors with features such as a powerful 500W motor that peaks at 915 watts and five pedal assist levels to keep you cruising at a comfortable pace. Choose between walk mode, which allows you to walk your 66-pound bike home, pedal assist mode, regular bike mode without assistance, and full throttle mode without pedaling. The maximum speed is 25 miles per hour.

Whether you’re cruising on the lowest level or pushing this bike to its limits, a 48V lithium battery ensures you have enough juice for the task. Ranges vary based on rider weight, conditions and terrain, but the average cyclist can cruise up to 65 miles per hour at 8 miles per hour on a flat surface. That number is even higher in eco mode.

A 6061 aluminum-alloy step-through frame invites riders between 5’4″ and 6’4″ to hop on and enjoy the ride. You can easily mount and dismount as needed with the accessible 20.6-inch step-through height. Bumps and rough surfaces are easily absorbed by the front fork and seat shocks. If you’re using this SOHOO bike for commuting or grocery runs, the included rear cargo rack makes it easier to transport goods.

Even when the roads are slick, 180mm double disc brakes bring you to a safe stop. If you’re riding in the rain, it’s worth noting the water-resistant wiring harness and connectors. Bright LED front and rear lights make you more visible on the road and trails.

E-Joe XV EPIK Swan Folding Electric Bike

An accessible step-through folding frame makes the E-Joe XV EPIK Swan especially appealing for seniors, women and shorter riders. Don’t let its compact size fool you, as the Swan is ready for hours of fun on your favorite routes.

When the going gets tough, a powerful rear brushless geared hub motor has your back. Rated at 500 watts with a peak of 860 watts, the Swan packs more than enough power for the average rider. Paired with a 48V 11Ah Samsung lithium-ion battery, the bike runs strong for hours at a time. You can expect a range of up to 40 miles per charge, depending on your weight, riding conditions and other factors.

This Class 1 and Class 2 e-bike features a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour and offers five pedal assist levels with a cadence sensor. A convenient thumb throttle control quickly brings the bike up to speed at your command.

A seven-speed Shimano Tourney gearing system keeps gear changes smooth and precise. This bike also features 20 x 2.125-inch Kenda puncture-resistant tires and front and rear Tektro mechanical disc brakes.

As you ride, you can glance at the LCD display to monitor the most important details. Besides speed and distance, you’ll also find the riding time, battery indicator, pedal-assist level and more.

The aluminum alloy frame is a sturdy choice for rougher surfaces. Riders up to 300 pounds can comfortably ride this step-through electric bike. It’s also on the heavier side, with a total weight of 50 pounds (including the battery). The good news is that the frame folds to make transporting and storing the bike easier. Wellgo folding pedals save even more space.

With a seat height range from 30 to 37 inches, the e-JOE EPIK Swan suits a variety of bodies. You can even adjust the handlebar height between 41 and 47 inches for a more comfortable fit. A 21-inch standover height makes this folding electric bike an accessible choice for every rider.

EPIK Swan offers plenty of comfort and performance at a reasonable price. Some highlights include a Velo seat with shock absorption and pressure reduction, along with front and rear fenders for hauling goods and groceries. The integrated rear rack holds up to 33 pounds.

ANCHEER City Electric Bike

Cruise to work or run errands on the all-purpose ANCHEER City eBike. This lifestyle bike has a 250-watt motor and a large-capacity 12.5Ah lithium-ion battery, making it a sensible investment for urban riders.

In terms of battery life, you can expect up to 35 miles on a single charge. Remove the battery for indoor charging or leave it on the bike to juice up. Nestled inside the integrated rear shelf, the battery is protected against dust and other debris and easily slides out when needed.

This ebike’s top speed is 16 miles per hour. It’s not as fast as some bikes on our list, but you can still shave several minutes off of your commute time. With three riding modes available, you can use this bike on full electric mode, with electric assistance and as a traditional bike.

As with most other e-bikes, the City eBike features an LED display that shows your battery status and speed. You can easily switch between modes as desired.

This electric cruiser has 26-inch wheels that measure 1.95-inches wide. They’re relatively narrow, which means you can expect a more responsive and lively ride on paved surfaces.

A six-speed Shimano transmission with an aluminum alloy crankset offers plenty of gears for cruising around town. This bike has a front suspension fork to absorb bumps and jolts for a smoother ride. Dependable front and rear mechanical disc brakes safely stop the bike, even in the rain.

Bakcou Mule Step-Through Ultra Fat Tire Hunting Electric Bike

With a choice between 750- and 1,000-watt motors, the Bakcou Mule is one of the most powerful step-through e-bikes on the market. This 24-inch bike comes with 48V 14.5, 17.4 and 21Ah batteries for maximum performance.

An 18-inch step-through height makes this an accessible e-bike an accessible option for many riders. It’s built with a sturdy aluminum alloy 6061 frame that supports up to 300 pounds.

Take your Bakcou Mule hunting or off-roading. This step-through fat tire e-bike features CST BFT 24 x 4.0-inch tires for maximum off-road traction and performance.

Despite its performance-oriented Bafang Ultra M620 mid-drive motor, the Mule still rides up to 40 miles per charge. An intelligent torque sensor lends a premium riding experience. This mid-drive motor sits close to the ground for efficient weight distribution and handling. It’s also easier to change a flat compared to a bike with a hub motor.

The Bakcou Mule is an efficient hill climber, due to its Shimano Alivio cassette sprocket. This nine-speed gearing system and 11 x 36T cassette easily conquers even the steepest climbs.

When the going gets rough, the BCEB GT MRK AIR Fork with 100mm travel dampens bumps and jolts. Broad 740mm handlebars offer enhanced stability, along with skid-proof pedals with a wide stance.

Ecotric Lark Electric City Bike For Women

Step-through electric bikes are more accommodating for women, but Ecotric takes it a step further with its Lark electric city bike. Not only does this e-bike look sharp, it has many small details that women riders will appreciate.

Dresses, skirts and bikes rarely go hand-in-hand, but Ecotric addresses this issue with an innovative battery shield. The shield sports a wing-like design that prevents flowy materials from getting caught in the rear wheel. Many women also appreciate the functional and stylish front rattan basket. This bike basket is spacious enough for groceries and personal belongings.

The powerful 36V 500-watt rear hub motor is suitable for riding around town and commuting to work. It’s supplied by a 36V 10Ah battery that runs up to 35 miles per charge depending on rider weight, terrain and other factors. This battery recharges in six and eight hours and has an estimated lifespan between 400 and 600 cycles.

While this bike is recommended more for urban riding than off-road adventures, it’s designed for various challenges. A seven-speed Shimano derailleur offers smooth and precise shifting. You’ll also find on-demand pedal-assist throttle and throttle-only modes. Bumps and jolts are absorbed by the suspension comfort seatpost for a smoother ride.

This women’s step-through bike weighs 58 pounds, including the battery. Its sturdy aluminum alloy frame supports up to 200 pounds. The included rear rack is useful for transporting groceries and other goods.

What Is a Step-thru Electric Bike?

Step-through e-bikes have more accessible frames than traditional electric bikes. They’re still heavier and bulkier than most traditional bikes and require a special hitch rack for e-bikes or tailgate pads for trucks for safe transportation.

Many women, seniors and shorter riders appreciate this convenient design. Reduce leg fatigue and unnecessary straining with a low-step frame, which is also found on some of our favorite women’s mountain bikes.

Despite having smaller frames, most step-through electric bikes are quite powerful and built for paved and off-road use. Some step-thru e-bikes feature folding frames and pedals.

Which Is the Best Electric Bike for the Money?

The best electric step-through bike for your money is comfortable and well-equipped. We’re big fans of the Charge City Electric Bike, which is loaded with commuter-friendly features, including full fenders and LED lights. It’s also relatively light and has folding pedals and handlebars for easy storage.

Depending on your budget and riding habits, you might choose an all-around bike such as the RadCity Step-Thru 3 or go with a more specialized ride such as the Ecotric Lark Electric City Bike For Women.

Every e-bike has an electric motor and battery. Certain bikes, including electric mountain bikes, have larger motors and batteries and can cruise for longer stretches of time at higher speeds. Regardless of specifications, e-bikes are low impact and emissions-free, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This makes motorized bikes accessible for many types of riders.

Which Are the Best Step-through Electric Bikes for Seniors?

The best step-through electric bikes for seniors have low frames for easy on and off.

E-bikes are fun and can make it easier to get outside and exercise. Older adults who are no longer able to ride a traditional bike can benefit from the freedom a step-through e-bike provides. For seniors on a budget, a conversion kit for e-bikes can be a cost-effective alternative.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity for older adults each week.

Looking for indoor cycle options for older riders? Browse our top folding exercise bikes to find accessible bikes that are also easy to carry.

What Is the Most Comfortable eBike?

Comfort can be measured in many ways. For example, you might prefer a bike with a dual-spring saddle that absorbs bumps, while your partner might opt for a heavily padded seat.

Of course, comfort can also include how it feels to get on and off the bike. All of the bikes on our list have a low-step frame that’s easily accessible. Whether you struggle with a bad back or limited mobility, this feature can make a bicycle much more appealing.

Whether you’re a senior with limited mobility or an urban rider looking for a comfortable cruiser, here are the best step-through electric bikes for every rider.

Best electric bikes 2023 for every kind of rider

If you’re looking for the best electric bikes, there are a lot to choose from, with electric motors and batteries added to a wide range of bikes to add extra power.

Electric road bikes will come with dropped handlebars and favour low weight, whilst electric hybrid bikes will come with flat bars, wider tyres and accessories to aid commuters – such as mudguards and lights. Electric folding bikes are useful if part of your journey involves train travel or you’re short on space.

Here at Cycling Weekly, we’ve reviewed bikes from these three categories and there are links to our more detailed reviews for each bike in this guide. Our testing involves a range of routes and ride lengths and our highly experienced team of testers understands what makes a good bike and what to look for in the best electric bikes.

Electric bikes can be expensive, but there are options too if you’re looking to keep costs low with starting from around 1,000: check out the best budget electric bikes. If you’re into tinkering with your bike, you might also want to look at the best electric bike conversion kits as an alternative to buying a completely new electric bike.

Women may benefit from female specific components on the best women’s electric bikes, and if you’re venturing off-road, check out the best electric gravel bikes.

If you’re looking for the best electric mountain bike though, follow this link to head over to our sister publication MBR which specialises in mountain biking.

Top picks

Here’s a quick look at our top choices from the best electric bikes, including a folding option.

The Specialized Turbo Vado is designed for fast urban riding but with its suspension fork and wider tires it can also handle rougher roads.

There’s a lot of clever tech in the aviation-inspired Gocycle G4i, with a neat folding mechanism, lightweight frame and decent mileage from its internal battery.

The Giant Fastride’s neatly integrated battery and quality spec make it a great option for the commute, with wide gear range and hydraulic disc brakes.

If your e-bike riding heads off-road, the Neo Carbon Lefty has front and rear suspension and a powerful Bosch motor to help you up the hills.

The Cento1 Hybrid takes Wilier’s race bike pedigree and inserts a rear hub motor in a stealth package that keeps the bike’s performance and doesn’t add too much weight.

The classic Brompton with the same folding mechanism, but with a front hub motor and battery housed in a neat removeable bag.

Our pick of the best electric bikes

You can trust Cycling Weekly.

Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Best Electric Hybrid bikes

Electric hybrid bikes are the fastest selling style. Their flat bars, usually wide tyre, and commute friendly fittings. such as mudguard mounts and rack mounts. make them extremely practical machines.

The motor can be housed in the rear hub, or at the cranks, and the torque will vary. low torque models offer a natural pedalling assistance, but high torque versions will move off the lights more quickly.

Reasons to avoid

The Ribble Hybrid AL e is a road-going hybrid bike that’s equally at home on gravel paths and trails, with a comfortable and confidence-inspiring upright riding position, so great for returning or newbie riders.

For us, we think the bike is one of the best looking hybrids we’ve ever come across, with the design hiding away the motor incredibly well, although we were a little sad that adjusting the seat post left behind scratch marks. The fully loaded package includes fenders (mudguards), lights and a rear rack making it perfect as a daily commuter or for ditching the car when going to the store, although we did find these a little rattily on test.

The Ebikemotion motor delivers its power smoothly and efficiently and offers long-range in between charges, making the Ribble far more than just an A to B bike.

Understandably it doesn’t perform in the same way as the Canyon Grail:ON in terms of fast and tight torque, but tap along and it will tick over nicely, taking the top off any strenuous rides.

With all the added extras as standard and classy looks, the Ribble Hybrid AL e is a great electric bike for the money.

Reasons to avoid

A fun ride that’s great in urban environments but also provides a confidence-inspiring ride on rougher terrain is what the Specialized Turbo Vado is all about.

If you’re after a bike that is fully integrated with lights, fenders and rack (27kg capacity) as well as security (on the App removable battery using a key), then this represents a straight forward choice. Only the weight, and to a lesser degree cost, need consideration.

We found the 70Nm/250W custom-tuned motor applies power seamlessly and powerfully as soon as you push down on the pedals. Range is excellent too. 95-130km / 60-80 miles should be easily attainable using the default settings of “Sport’ and ‘50% power’. There is an Eco mode as well as Turbo, so if you’re careful you can expect much greater range.

It is a heavy machine at 60lbs/ 27kg, so not easy to lift, so anyone needing to navigate steps in or out of the bike’s storage place will need to take this into consideration, but aside from that we found the Specialized Vado Turbo to be a joy to ride.

Reasons to avoid

We absolutely loved zooming around on the speedy Ride1Up Roadster V2 with its five levels of power assist. If you’re anything like us and are more used to training and racing on standard road bikes it can easily become your guilty pleasure. it’s fantastic fun to ride.

The bike was so quiet, even on level 5, convincing onlookers that our tester had to be some kind of super Hero to ride so fast up 15 per cent climbs. The only downside. in common with other e-bikes that only assist when you’re pedalling. was where there was a requirement for a hill start, the cranks had to be turned over in order to get the motor to engage, creating a pregnant pause at the lights, before vavavooming off.

The claimed 24mph maximum assisted speed (in the US) needs input from the pedals to reach on the flats, but without a doubt it’s noticeable downhill, where other bikes, such as the Wilier Cento1Hy Ultegra Di2 e-bike auto assist would cut out and slow you down.

This extra speed also puts the bike into a class 3 e-bike, meaning that it doesn’t meet EAPC rules in the UK, but that’s by the by as US brand Ride1Up doesn’t currently ship there.

If you are in a country lucky enough to be shipped to: the US, Canada and Mexico, then it’s a great option and one that has a very high fun-to-dollar ratio.

Ride1Up is a direct-to-consumer brand. check out the Roadster V2 on its website here.

Reasons to avoid

The Canyon Precede:ON is an efficient automatic transmission city bike that performs well in multi-terrain settings whether for utility or for leisure purposes thanks to a powerful motor and control panel.

With built-in accessories such as lights, mudguards, rack and kickstand all the trappings are there to make for a comfortable ride with style straight out the box. All these add ons however do make it one of the heaviest e-bikes on the market, even heavier than the Specialized Turbo Vado.

We really loved the Canyon Grail: On and it’s great to see the Precede:ON also be kitted with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, although ideally we would love to see a little more juice in the battery to support the other impressive spec.

With everything you need straight out the box, including navigation system and lights, it’s the easiest way to swap driving/ public transport for a bike, but it is at the higher end price tag wise. There are a couple of models to choose from, which also takes the cost down a touch, but with a six year guarantee, it could be a savvy investment.

The only other point to note is that Canyon has a direct sales model, so you’ll have to buy directly from the brand here.

Reasons to avoid

The Giant Fastroad E Pro is another road-going hybrid bike with flat handlebars to promote a comfortable ride position for even the rustiest of riders, in fact we enjoyed riding this great electric hybrid road bike so much we gave it a Cycling Weekly Editor’s Choice Award.

The tyres provide plenty of squish and the ability to go lightly off-road. However on test we found the aluminium frame and fork quite stiff, which will suit those used to a traditional road bike’s feel and riders looking for a speedy commute, but worth bearing in mind if you’re used to a softer hybrid feel.

We really liked the bike’s integration of the battery, which can often be a design factor forgotten about on hybrid bikes. We were also really impressed to see the spec on the FastRoad, with hydraulic disc brakes and quality Shimano shifting, with a compact chainset and wide range cassette at the rear to provide plenty of gears for the hills all making an appearance.

A great electric hybrid bike for a fair price that will have a lot of appeal to lots of different riders.

Reasons to avoid

With its 36V battery, which should give around 70 miles of juice, hooked up to a mid-drive motor, we found that the Volt Infinity electric bike gave a nice balanced feel to the bike.

Shimano provides the power in the form of 8-speed Alfine Di2 hub Shimano Steps, the highly regarded motor and e-bike specific groupset.

Three different assistance modes will let you get the most out of that battery and the display mounted on the front will make it easy to keep track and we loved that the torque sensor picked up when we were flagging and gave us a little boost to help us along our way.

Previously similar to the Carrera Subway E, it’s had a bit of a make over and it’s now much more visually integrated than the previous model that we tested, although it’s still without a quick release rear wheel, making investing in the best puncture-proof tyres or inner tubes a shrewd investment.

The only real downside is the one size fits all. Great if it does fit you, not so much if it doesn’t.

Best Electric Folding Bikes

Folding electric bikes are practical if you have a train journey forming part of your trip or are low on space. Being small, the battery and motor can represent a large percentage of the weight, so the FOCUS is often on reducing this as much as possible.

Mileage on folding bikes is often low, since they’re typically used to ride to and from train stations, so battery range isn’t always a major consideration.

If you are considering going for a folder, you might find our buying guide page dedicated to helping you find the best folding bikes a useful read.

Reasons to avoid

We absolutely loved the Brompton Electric bike when we took it out for a spin, finding it to be the perfect bike for commuting in traffic and then stowing well out of the way post-ride.

The brand is considered by many as the gold standard of folding bikes, and the Brompton Electric is clearly cast from the same mould.

As typical with any Brompton bike, the brand has taken full control of the engineering, so everything from frame to motor has been designed in house. Brompton however has called upon the experiences of Williams Advanced Engineering when it comes to the motor, developing a bespoke lightweight removable battery and motor.

As you would expect when a team of Formula One engineers get under the bonnet of the Brompton Electric, the small, but perfectly formed motor has excelled, delivering power smoothly, safely and exactly when you need it.

The frame is the usual Brompton high standard, and while one size, keeps the ability to choose handlebars, seatpost heights and even saddle widths. There are six speeds, giving you plenty to play with when you hit a hill.

Whatever your final set up, you can rest assured as to the bike’s foldability, which is one of the reasons why Brompton stands out from the folding bike crowd. Its folded footprint is one of the smallest out there: 565mm high x 585mm wide x 270mm long (22.2″ x 23″ x 10.6″). This means it’s highly portable and capable of stowing in the smallest of spaces, although be warned, due to the independent motor and battery pack, you’ll find yourself with two hands full, so best to invest in a rucksack for your other belongings.

On test we felt this was an absolute dream of a bike, in fact, we went as far as calling it a transport gamechanger. If you’re worried by the 17kg-plus weight, there’s now the Brompton Electric P Line bike, which uses lighter frame materials to drop the claimed weight down to 15.6kg.

Reasons to avoid

The G4i is a solid choice for a commuter, with the option to add many accessories such as mudguards (fenders), a front and rear pannier rack, integrated lights, lock holster and a travel case.

The design folds in half, so that you can push it on its wheels rather than needing to carry it, or you can fully fold it into a compact package. There’s built-in rear suspension, concealed cabling and a fully enclosed drivetrain.

It features a discreetly integrated USB port on the handlebar, enabling owners to charge their phone or other small devices from the bike’s battery when not in use. although we found the quality of the integrated phone mount didn’t quite match that of the bike itself. The same goes for the LED display, which we found to be rather basic. although the information it provides is useful.

It’s also likely to be pretty low-maintenance given that the drivetrain is completely enclosed. This makes sense, given that commuting year round usually means cycling in the wet at some point. The G4i utilizes a Shimano Nexus 3 speed internally geared hub. With 1” of elastomer suspension and 2.35” wide tyres, it is one of the more comfortable small wheelers. Single-sided wheel attachment means you don’t even have to remove the wheel, should you puncture one of the 20” wheels.

The 500W (250W in the UK/EU) G4 electric motor and 375Wh Lithium-ion battery is claimed to provide a range of up to 80km (50mi), but the most we managed to get out of it was just 44km (27mi). To be fair, that was in one of the more ‘assisted’ modes and I always had the daytime running lights on. and the city of Bath is well known for its brutally steep hills.

The bike is available from 17.6kg / 38.8lbs. However, as the weight is centred low on the frame, this at least makes the ride more stable. The folding mechanism has been improved since previous versions and can be quickly collapsed into a small package. Gocycle says this can be done in as little as ten seconds; we found it was closer to 20.

Best Electric Bikes 2023

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Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

There’s never been more options to choose from in the world of e-bikes, but which are the best electric bikes of 2023?

The team at Electric Bike Report put our heads together and chose 16 e-bikes we’ve deemed the Best Electric Bikes of 2023. Some of these e-bikes are new for this year, but some are ol’ reliables that are tried, tested and still hold true as the best in their class.

As with every list of best e-bikes, ours has some nuance as to why a specific bike was picked — ranging from value and componentry to overall ride feel. We’ve also leaned heavily on e-bikes we’ve tested in-house, though there are a few e-bikes here that were picked based on merit and reputation alone.

Whether you’re looking for the best e-bike for older riders, the best electric commuter bike or the best electric beach cruiser, this list will point you towards what we think are the best in each category.

How we picked the best electric bikes

In a fast-growing sea of products, how did we make our picks for the best e-bikes? The answer to this question varies depending on the bike and category. But in every case, these e-bikes were picked through consensus among our team of expert e-bike testers.

Some bikes, such as the Aventon Aventure 2 electric fat bike, leapt out as obvious frontrunners during testing. While others, like the Blix Aveny Skyline and Ride1UP 700 Series, were sleeper contenders chosen for very specific reasons. But in all cases, we evaluated the bikes based on a few key criteria, mainly:

• Value: How much e-bike are you getting for your dollar? The e-bike market has grown flush with overpriced and under-spec’d electric bikes that don’t offer much value. Every bike on this list we’d call fairly priced.
• Components and extras: What else comes with the e-bike? Does it come with racks, bags, lights and fenders, and do those accessories make sense? Is there anything else that should be included but isn’t?
• Does it offer something unique?: In a market chock-full of options, what’s unique about this bike that sets it apart from the competition? There are many categories of e-bike — particularly at the more affordable end of the spectrum — that are flush with copycat brands and e-bikes that just aren’t that special. We’re looking for the ones that are.
• What does the manufacturer say it was built for?: What was this bike designed to do, and how well does it execute that purpose? Of course you can choose to use your bike however you’d like, but we want to make sure the e-bikes on this list function as advertised.
• How does it actually ride?: Last but not least, the most important question: Does the e-bike ride well? Most of these e-bikes we know intimately through rigorous testing.

Aventon Aventure 2

The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike, 2023

One of our favorite e-bikes since 2021, the newly-updated Aventon Aventure 2 electric fat bike truly is something to write home about.

It has all the typical accouterments you’d expect from a sub-2,000 electric fat bike: A 750W motor, a suspension fork and a solid component package — but where the Aventure sets itself apart are in its little details. Details like its full-color LCD display, metal fenders, hydraulic disk brakes and integrated tail lights that function as turn signals. Or the fact that this is one of the few e-bikes in this category and at this price point with a fully integrated battery that blends seamlessly into the frame, and sports a torque sensor for more responsive motor engagement.

All these small things add up into an e-bike that feels much more expensive than it is. It rides stable and inspires confidence in rougher terrain, and did we mention it’s really quick? Electric Bike Report has reviewed both the standard Aventure and the Aventure Step-Through and both put up some of the quickest times we’ve recorded on our test hill and our test circuit.

The Aventure series has retained the top billing on our list of the best electric bikes for over two years, and it’s continued to be one of our go-to e-bikes on filming days for hauling all gear and camera equipment. Its overall performance and utility has so far stood the test of time.

Aventon may not have reinvented the affordable electric fat bike, but they sure did raise the bar for what we expect from any sub-2,000 e-bike.

This bike can be anything you need it to be whether that’s your daily commuter, weekend plaything, or leisure ride. It’s mix of versatility and downright fun have kept it among the highest ranks of our choices for the best electric bikes of 2023.

Pro’s

• This is a surprisingly quick e-bike. The motor is powerful and smooth and likely to be a hit with new and experiend riders alike.
• The full-color LCD display features big numbers and a very helpful battery life indicator that gives the percentage of charge the battery has.
• Improved battery range on the newest model thanks to the efficiency / more responsive torque sensor that engages motor power as needed
• Metal fenders don’t wiggle as much as plastic ones and they have a quality look to them
• This is a distinctive e-bike with a stylish look and does a great job of integrating the battery

Con’s

• The Aventure 2 improved over the Aventure 1 in small and large ways, but the Shimano Altus it now uses is technically a downgrade from the previously equipped Shimano Acera (although we saw no performance issues in our 160 miles of testing).

The Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus

One of the most confidence inspiring affordable e-bikes on the market, with good power, good componentry and the backing of one of the most reputable e-bike brands.

Lectric XP 3.0

The Best Folding Electric Commuter Bike, 2023

It may not be the fanciest or highest-spec’d folding electric bike on the market, but by golly it’s hard to deny the popularity and value of the Lectric XP 3.0.

The Electric Bike Report staff is always watching for e-bike sightings out in the wild. We like to know what people are riding and why, and Lectric XP series is arguably our most frequent sighting. It’s popular for very good reasons: Not only is it remarkably cheap (in terms of price, not feel) at just about 1,000, it’s actually a terrifically fun e-bike.

This is Lectric’s third iteration of their XP folding fat tire e-bike. This new version, released in 2022, comes with a 500W motor, a suspension fork, mechanical disk brakes on 180mm rotors and a 48V, 10.4Ah battery that has a pretty decent range (for its size). Toss in recent editions like a rack that can support 150lbs (and a buddy with the right accessory package), revamped contact point’s that are softer and more.

That spec sheet on its own is quite value packed at this price, but we’re not recognizing this bike for its components — we like it for its ride. The XP 3.0 is a meaty little folding bike that reminds me of those old Honda three-wheelers popular back in the late 80’s. It’s not super fast or overly nimble, but it romps around like no other and feels like it won’t let you down.

The Lectric XP 3.0 stole our hearts for its sheer affordability and fun factor. To be clear: There are more premium folding bikes that cater to different needs, but this one seems like the people’s Champion for affordable folding e-bikes. Of all the e-bikes listed on this best electric bikes list, there may not be a more affordable and versatile one of the bunch.

Pro’s

• It’s hard to find as full-featured an e-bike at such an affordable price
• The XP 3.0 has a terrific motor that provides spirited acceleration and a very fun ride
• As folding bikes go, this shrinks to a very manageable package, making it easy to stow away once folded
• Having such a large LCD screen makes it easy to read and serves up all the helpful ride data
• Not only is this an affordable e-bike, it includes a number of features we think of as premium, like front suspension, rack, fenders and lights
• The 3-in. tires are knobby and give the XP 3.0 the ability to take in some off-road riding

Con’s

• Moving a 60-lb. e-bike isn’t easy, even when folded; we suggest removing the battery before picking it up
• We wish the key didn’t have to remain in the bike to operate it since it’s under the frame and easy to forget

The Aventon Sinch

With its low step-thru frame, big tires and suspension fork, this is a comfortable and easy to ride e-bike perfect for commuters or anyone short on storage space

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus

Best Utility Electric Bike, 2023

The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus exists somewhere between a small cargo e-bike and a peppy commuter, and frankly, we’re in love with it.

Its moped-style seat, small wheels, built-in rear rack and semi-ridiculous BMX handlebars give the Runner Plus a quirky style that takes a little getting used to. But when you’re on the bike, it all just makes sense. It handles quick despite its 74.3 lb heft, and its funky frame design is actually functional: Rad’s built booko accessory options that either attach to the rear pannier-style rack and they make a big tank-style box that fits between your legs.

It’s powered by a 750W rear hub motor and a 672Wh battery that’s situated below the seat, which offer plenty of oomph for carrying people, cargo or just quickly getting around town. There’s also a twist throttle and the Runner Plus comes with a bench seat mounted to the rear rack and foldable foot pegs that make it pretty comfortable to take a friend.

It’s not just one of our favorite e-bikes, but it feels hands down like one of the year’s best electric bikes. We think the RadRunner Plus is a spectacular option for anyone looking for one bike that can do a little of everything.

Pro’s

• This is an unusually adaptable e-bike that can serve well for commuting, errand running or just cruising for fun
• The number of accessories that can be used to customize the RadRunner is larger than we typically see
• The 750W hub motor provides the power necessary to carry loads (including kids) and get around quickly as well as conquer hills
• 20-in. wheels and a low-slung frame make this a very well-balanced bike that handles with easy
• Because this isn’t an especially heavy e-bike, the 672Wh battery provides plenty of range

Con’s

• We would prefer to see a more traditional saddle; the one included can rub the inside of the rider’s thighs
• Because this e-bike has 20-in. wheels, the mechanical disc brakes provide adequate stopping power, but hydraulic discs modulate better and would be more befitting of a “plus” model.

The Blix Dubbel

With the ability to carry up to 200 lbs. And a longer-than-usual rack, the Blix Dubbel is a utility bike that can double as a child carrier. Riders with long commutes will love that it can be ordered with two batteries.

Ride1UP 700 Series

The Best Class 3 Electric Commuter Bike, 2023

So Class 2 speeds aren’t your thing? Well, say hello to a top-notch Class 3 commuter that will keep pace with traffic without breaking the bank.

Ride1UP’s 700 series found its way to our best electric bikes list because we’re still scratching our heads how they packed this much value into an electric commuter bike.

Notice some of the names and numbers that jumped off the spec sheet to us: a 720Wh Samsung battery, 750W motor with 60 nm of torque, Tektro dual-piston hydraulic brakes, 100mm travel suspension fork, Schwalbe SUPER MOTO X 27.5×2.4” tires, and an 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain.

Not to mention they toss in all the typical trappings one hopes to find on a commuter with integrated lights, fenders, and a sturdy rear rack for your panniers.

The real kicker though? It feels like a bit of a steal considering that most affordable full-package commuters cost 200-300 more. The value here is off the charts as is the fun factor.

Pro’s

• It may not look like a commuter, but with its parts package, it offers all the features of a proper commuter at a great price
• This is a pretty speedy e-bike but never feels overly powerful
• The balloon tires have a great feel and roll easily
• The 720Wh battery offers enough range for multiple days of commuting without a rush to charge
• The 100mm suspension fork is more than many commuters offer making it a chushier ride

Con’s

• It has a little more assembly than some other DTC e-bikes, but the instructions are pretty detailed and easy to follow
• It’s a mighty fine hill climber on PAS, but throttle only power may struggle on steeper hills.

The Vvolt Proxima

A long-reigning favorite among our staff, the Level looks nice, is appropriately outfitted and is just plain fast. Featuring an Enviolo continuously variable gearing drivetrain, a Gates belt drive and a powerful MPF mid-drive motor, this is a very versatile e-bike.

Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus

The Best Class 2 Electric Commuter Bike, 2023

Rad Power Bikes really overhauled the latest iteration of their uber-popular commuter. The RadCity 5 Plus came equipped with a host of new parts on top of a freshly redesigned look. We were such fans of how the new RadCity came together that it easily sprang to our minds to be included on our list of best electric bikes.

The aesthetics upgrade is apparent: Rad swapped an exterior battery pack for a semi-integrated, frame-mounted battery. The modern paint job on a classic dutch-styled bike is a marriage that works quite well too. Rad also employed the use of a dual display set-up we rarely see which breaks up the information in a good way.

Powering the bike is a 672Wh battery and a 750W geared rear hub motor. Rad has dialed in the electronics to smoothly engage while riding and keep the rider comfortable and in control.

Not only does it roll well, but it stops well too. We tested both the step-through and high-step versions of the RadCity Plus’ frame and in both brake tests the RadCity was among the top performers in bikes we’ve ever tested. The NUTT hydraulic disk brakes with 180mm rotors perform very well and seem like the right spec choice.

Add in the 59.5 lbs capacity rear rack, 50 mm suspension fork, fenders and front and rear integrated lights and this e-bike will check nearly all the boxes on your commuter wishlist.

Pro’s

• 672Wh is plenty of battery for commutes, and it looks great on the bike.
• The handling is stable and predictable.
• It’s currently in the top-tier of our brake tests.
• The 750W motor will get the job done for you day in and day out.
• The Rad Power Bikes branded tires also performed well.

Con’s

• For as much as the looks were upgraded, we feel some tidier cable management would have been nice.
• We like the functionality of two displays, but the LEDs on the left-hand display are hard to read in sunlight.

The Aventon Level 2

This is a very full-featured commuter with great lines, a powerful motor, front suspension and includes a commute-ready package with fenders, lights and rear rack.

Himiway Cruiser

The Best Electric Bike for Big and Tall Riders, 2023

Most e-bike companies produce a wide array of models. They may have a cruiser, a commuter, an all-terrain model and may even have a cargo e-bike. Himiway has gone a little different direction. Every one of their e-bikes sports fat tires at least 4 in. wide, making the cushy ride of a fat bike a signature part of their appeal.

Himiway delivers in four key areas on nearly all of the bike in their lineup: the bikes are big, fast, provide all-day battery life, and they don’t break the bank. So what makes them so good for big and tall riders? Well, the heavier a bike’s payload (rider load) the more power is required to move the rider. Having an exceptionally sizable battery offers a rider some reassurance that they can do a full commute and not worry about running out of battery. And an 840Wh battery is uncommon on bikes going for less than 2000.

The hallmark of a Himiway bike is the motor hits the pavement fast and hard. The larger batteries enable the programming to hold little back as there is plenty of battery to draw from, so when the bike promises class three speeds it will get there regardless of how heavy a rider or payload on the bike is. It’s quicker than most on hills too.

With wider tires you find more stability and comfort, and the 26 X 4.0″ tires are plenty wide. As Griffin the 6′ 1″, 230 lbs. rider from our team puts it, “I’m a bigger dude and there’s just something I like about what a bigger tire does for me.”

We like that they include lights and a rear rack to make the Himiway Cruiser as versatile as possible. It makes for a pretty killer value on the bike all around.

You don’t have to be a bigger or taller rider to appreciate what the Himway Cruiser can do, but it definitely checks that particular box on our list of the best electric bikes.

Pro’s

• Very powerful e-bike – many e-bikes can get you to the same speeds, but this one has a lot of acceleration off the line.
• The bike feels pretty stable all around – it handles well especially for the higher speeds it produces.
• 840Wh battery makes for very long rides, even in higher PAS riding.
• 350lb rider weigh limit is much higher than we typically see bikes rated for – and the motor still seems to work well for larger riders too.

Con’s

• While speedy bikes can be fun, we wish we saw a little more dialed back speeds in lower PAS settings.
• It’s not the least responsive cadence sensor we’ve had, but it’s not the best either. It may take a couple of cranks on the pedals for PAS to kick in – especially after engaging the motor cutoff on the brakes.

The Mokwheel Basalt

400 lbs of payload capacity alone make it a compelling option, but the bike offers much, much more. The motor and battery life are inviting for all day fun on the Mokwheel Basalt.

Lectric XP Lite

The Best Affordable Electric Bike, 2023

Shopping for an e-bike that retails for less than 1000 can be a mixed bag. We understand people wanting to stretch a dollar as far as possible, especially with inflation being what it is. However, there’s a point of diminishing returns where the sacrifices made to reach the low price have eroded the e-bike’s quality to a point we don’t feel good recommending. The Lectric XP Lite bucks that trend by offering one of the most affordable e-bikes we’ve ever given a thumbs up.

Rather than design an e-bike from the ground up to be affordable, Lectric took the approach of putting their very successful XP 2.0 on a diet. Lectric eliminated the suspension fork, rack, fenders and multi-gear drivetrain to achieve a price anyone in the market for an e-bike can afford.

In removing those elements, the XP Lite lost weight and Lectric was able to capitalize on that by spec’ing a 300W motor and 374Wh battery, which gives it nearly the same range as the XP 2.0. Its 46-lb. weight makes it one of the easiest-to-fold e-bikes we’ve encountered.

When looking for the best blend of light weight and affordability, the XP Lite is tough to beat. A 70-lb. e-bike can be difficult for smaller riders to manage as well as elderly riders who may have lost strength; we appreciate an e-bike with such a broad appeal.

Pro’s

• We don’t often recommend e-bikes that retail for less than 1000, but this one gets a solid thumbs up
• With a weight of just 46 lbs., this e-bike has terrific handling
• By removing the battery before folding it, riders can cut the e-bike’s weight by 7 lbs., making it easier to manage
• To cut the chance for flats, the tubes come with Slime sealant installed
• The 20 x 3-in. tires feature knobs for unpaved surfaces
• Most sub-50-lb. e-bikes can’t carry as much weight as the XP Lite’s 275-lb. payload capacity
• There really isn’t much you could do differently with this bike without increasing cost. It fits the bill for being a fun, practical folder for riders on a budget
• The XP Lite strikes an amazing balance of features vs. affordability; any upgrades would increase its cost

Con’s

• We would prefer to be able to remove the key after turning the e-bike on
• The single-speed drivetrain was a key part of hitting this price, but it will make hills a bigger challenge and practically necessitates PAS 5 usage on steeper grades

The Ride1UP Core-5

We don’t often see Class 3 e-bikes that are unquestionably affordable, and even with the powerful Shengyi motor, the bike is spec’d with quality parts.

Blix Aveny Skyline

The Best Step-Through Electric Bike, 2023

The Blix Aveny Skyline isn’t the lowest step-over height of any bike we’ve tested. So why is it taking the crown on the step-through category of our best e-bikes list? Because it balances frame rigidity with ease of access. The top tube is low enough for most but the fact that it’s still there is important for the bike’s ride quality. You won’t notice the wallowy or flexy ride that so often plagues step-through e-bikes, which is confidence-inspiring in corners and when you’re looking to ride it for years to come.

Aside from being easily accessible, this e-bike it’s beautifully simplistic to ride too. It resides within the small category of e-bikes that feel remarkable to ride without any motor assistance.

But make no mistake, we’re fans of the electrical components too. The 500W motor and 614Wh battery pair nicely with the 7-speed drivetrain.

Thanks to it’s comfortable orientation, the Blix Aveny Skyline is inviting and approachable for those who may be concerned with throwing a leg over a traditional diamond frame.You’ll also turn a few heads with its classic car-esque paint job.

Pro’s

• Keeping the top tube while making it a step-through frame gives you the best of both worlds: easy access and good frame integrity.
• Regardless of the color you pick, they all seem to look great with classic car color choices.
• The 500W motor and seven gear range is a good combo for you to find your ideal cruising speed.
• Overall it’s a very poised-feeling ride. It handles predictably and comfortably.
• For a bike with no suspension (which always adds price), it felt notably smooth.

Con’s

• It’s a one-size-fits-all bike that should accommodate between 5’1” – 6’2”. Our main reviewer is 6’2” and felt a tiny bit cramped.
• There is some rattle noise in the metal fenders. It’s not a deal-breaker for us, but notable if you’re searching for a silent ride.

The Aventon Pace 500 ST

With its combination of affordability and super-low standover height, this is one e-bike that is always easy to recommend. It ships as a Class 2 e-bike, but can be unlocked to achieve a Class 3 max speed of 28 mph.

Aventon Pace 500.3 ST

The Best Electric Bike For Seniors, 2023

Seniors often have someone different priorities than younger folks when shopping for an e-bike. The concerns we hear repeatedly are: something that has a step-thru frame with low standover to make getting on and off the e-bike easy; an upright seated position that is easy on an old neck; and calm handling for reflexes that aren’t quite so quick as they used to be. Of course, it never hurts to find all this in an affordable package, which is why we named the Aventon Pace 500 in its step-thru design as our favorite e-bike for seniors.

Among the many things we appreciate about the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is the fact that this e-bike weighs less than many comparable models. Suspension forks, big tires, racks, baskets and fenders all add weight to a bike and at 52 lbs., the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST is an e-bike that’s easy to manage.

Its 500W brushless hub motor is surprisingly powerful and does a great job of delivering a rider up to 20 mph either with pedal assist or throttle. It can also be “unlocked” in the smartphone app to achieve Class 3 performance, something its 8-speed Shimano drivetrain can handle.

The Aventon Pace 500.3 comes in two different frame designs, both a traditional frame and a step-thru and both versions are available in two sizes. For seniors who have lost flexibility, finding a bike that is comfortable is important and with four choices, they are more likely to find a size that is comfortable. The adjustable stem is a great touch for dialing in the reach.

Few bikes we have reviewed has exceeded their range estimates as impressively as the Aventon Pace 500.3 ST. They claim a range of roughly 30-60 Mi., but in our test we achieved 68 Mi. in PAS 1 and 35 Mi. in PAS 5.

Pro’s

• The updates to the Pace 500.3 ST, like the reduced weight, torque sensor and integrated taillights (which function as turn signals), make a great e-bike even better.
• The battery is crazy efficient delivering up to 68 miles in our testing.
• The color display and accompanying app make for a rich experience
• Name-brand components from Shimano and Tektro reinforce the quality presentation
• The rider position is very comfortable, combining the upright position of a cruiser and the easy pedaling of a commuter
• At 52 lbs. it is relatively light for an e-bike, and works on most any hitch rack

Con’s

• Bigger riders may find the short reach to the handlebar to feel a bit cramped; although it can be adjusted

The Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus ST

This very practical bike comes in two frame designs and is outfitted to allow a rider to leave their car in the garage. Its upright position is very comfortable and it includes a throttle to save tired legs.

Ride1UP Revv 1

The Best Moped/Moto-Styled Electric Bike, 2023

Moped-style e-bikes are all the rage these days, and the market is packed full of models spanning every imaginable price point and power level. We’ve tested our fair share of them, and found the Ride1UP Revv 1 to be a cut above the rest!

This smash hit of an e-bike is freaky fast, ferociously fun, and fully functional as an electric vehicle. It’s a Class 2 e-bike with a 750W rear-hub motor and a throttle to carry you up to 20 miles per hour, but with some help from Ride1UP, it can be loosened up to Class 3 mode for faster pedal-assisted travel on the streets, and fully unlocked for even greater speeds on private property. On top of that, it comes equipped with lights, turn signals, fenders, and even an electronic horn.

We acknowledge that many riders will opt to near-exclusively use the bike’s throttle, but the Revv 1 surprised us by the (relative) ease with which it can be pedaled. Regardless of how much speed and motor input you desire, the bike uses a cadence sensor for a smooth and casual ride that just needs the pedals to be in motion for the motor to pump out its power. We loved how stable the bike felt when braking or traveling at high speeds!

To top it off, this bike comes in two trim packages with different price points to meet your needs and budget – both under 2,500. With so much packed into such an affordable e-bike, it’s no wonder the Ride1UP Revv 1 was our top choice for the best moped-style e-bike of the year!

Pro’s

• The Revv 1 nails the moto-inspired ethos: it looks cool, and is an absolute blast to ride
• Hallmark Ride1UP value. Great value in terms of the dollar you pay and the spec you receive
• The handling is superb. Few, if any, e-bikes we’ve tested feel so stable at speeds up to 28 mph
• Solid range going between 30-60 miles in our testing, and we hear a dual battery option is on the way too

Con’s

• The tires offer good puncture-resistance, but if the rear gets a flat it’s more labor-intensive than most to fix it

Electric Bike Company Model S

The Best Electric Bike for Customization, 2023

What feels permanently fixed on our wishlist for changes in the wider electric bike marketplace would be giving customers more options on the look and ride of their desired e-bike. Far too often you pick a step-thru or step-over frame, the frame size, the color, and…. that’s it. But one e-bike company stands alone in giving riders near-infinite possibilities to craft an e-bike of their liking.

The Electric Bike Company assembles classic beach cruiser-styled e-bikes out of Califonia where they are able to put together the custom cruiser of an e-bikers dreams. Let’s start with the looks: you can pick out the color of the frame, fork, chainguard, fenders, battery case, rims, basket and more. Choose one color. Choose two colors. Heck make everything different colors, it’s totally up to you. You can even get a bike helmet painted to match while you’re at it (yup, they do those too).

It’s not just about the pain job though, you get a lot of options in hardware too. You get to pick your option of grips, wheel size, tires, fork, drivetrain, throttle, size of battery you want and more. You can even throw on a security system as well.

Now all that customization is true for nearly all of Electric Bike Company’s models, so why did we pick the Model S? It had a rock-solid ride quality that perfectly captured the beach cruiser ethos: we felt like we were at the boardwalk even when we’re riding around our desert streets. It glides well about town, keeps the rider comfortable at all times, and helped convert even our most eMTB-inclined riders to find reasons to bust out the beach cruiser. It’s a fun ride that you can make exactly yours which is why it gets our nod for the best e-bike for customization.

Pro’s

• Staggering amount of customization options
• The quintessential beach cruiser experience. The Model S glides about town while keeping the rider very comfortable
• Weight capacity 420 lbs, welcomes most riders, regardless of weight.
• Since all the bikes are assembled in California, EBC has industry-leading warranties on the frame, motor, and battery.

Con’s

Blix Sol Eclipse

The Best Cruiser Electric Bike, 2023

The cruiser vibe has always been about a bike that is easy to ride, comfortable to sit on and relaxed enough in its handling that the rider can look around and see the sights. The Blix Sol Eclipse is a cruiser that respects all that and then adds some oomph. We hadn’t really ever asked the question, “How do you make a cruiser even easier to ride?” but that’s exactly what the Blix Sol Eclipse does for riders.

With a 750W hub motor, a 614Wh battery and a 7-speed drivetrain, the Blix Sol Eclipse makes the riding just as easy on hills as it does on a flat bike path. And while most people don’t go for long rides on a cruiser, with the speed it propels riders to, making use of its 45-Mi. range doesn’t seem like too much fun in the sun.

The LCD display is large and easy to read at a glance. And the scale for the battery charge looked like a ruler and offers a finer sense than something with four or five bars. Having the display mounted at the stem also helps its readability. The backswept cruiser bar is very comfortable and we love the twist shifter; we prefer it to many other shifters we encounter.

We often criticize e-bikes that fit tall riders, but not smaller riders. The Blix Sol Eclipse has a low (17-in.) standover height and an even shorter reach to the bar (15.5 in.), making this e-bike ideal for riders who might not fit on most other bikes.

This is a Class 2 e-bike with a throttle and a maximum assist speed of 20 mph. While we like hydraulic disc brakes for their feel and power, the Tektro mechanical discs with 160mm rotors do a great job of keeping the Blix Sol Eclipse under control. It’s easy to see why this is our favorite electric cruiser bike of 2023.

Pro’s

• With 7 speeds and a 750W motor, even a hill doesn’t disrupt this cruiser’s easy vibe
• The relaxed position of this cruiser made for more than 100 miles of comfortable riding for our testers
• Few things get our attention as quickly as an e-bike loaded with features that doesn’t break the bank and the Sol Eclipse has everything needed for a fun day out
• The appeal of a cruiser is rarely about speed, but we found the Blix Sol Eclipse to be a very capable climber that also has terrific acceleration
• Most e-bikes we review come a two, maybe three colors; we were pleased to see that Blix offers the Sol Eclipse in four different colors

Con’s

• PAS 1 and PAS 2 don’t assist the rider very much; we’d like to see the wattage increased on those to give riders an appreciable level of assist

The Electric Bike Co. Model S

This is a remarkable cruiser for its sheer customizability. Buyers have extraordinary ability to choose from a broad color palette, different batteries, suspension a GPS tracker and plenty more.

QuietKat Apex

The Best All-Terrain/Hunting Electric Bike, 2023

This fat bike takes the idea of a an all-terrain e-bike and bolts on a turbo unit. The QuietKat Apex is the company’s top-shelf all-terrain e-bike, featuring a Bafang mid-drive motor for a more responsive ride and better performance on hills. This e-bike has the power necessary to take riders into the backcountry and the range to bring them back out.

The QuietKat Apex sports an excellent parts pick including Tektro 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a SRAM 9-speed drivetrain and a 150mm-travel suspension fork. Add in fat 26 x 4.5-in. tires, and it’s ready to head into the forest.

Getting the most out of an e-bike offroad will be most likely if the e-bike fits the rider. To their credit, QuietKat offers the Apex in three sizes to fit a broad range of rider heights. QuietKat offers buyers a number of choices, including a motor upgrade and extended warranties, not to mention a vast selection of different accessories.

With a 325-lb. payload capacity, it is a terrific option for the hunter or angler who wants to bring home dinner, and with a 768Wh battery, it has the range to go where the game is.

Pro’s

• Choose between a 750W mid-drive Bafang motor (standard) or upgrade to a 1000W motor
• The 150mm suspension fork can handle the rigors of challenging terrain
• Tektro’s 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes are a Smart choice for riding in steep terrain, especially if pulling a load or if the rack is loaded
• Hunters and anglers will appreciate the forethought QuietKat put into its array of accessories

Con’s

• At 70 lbs., this e-bike may be dificult for smaller riders to manage
• Riders looking for an e-bike for super-technical terrain may not find the Apex suitable for their needs; we consider it more all-terrain than eMTB

The Himiway Cobra

This full-suspension all-terrain e-bike offers riders terrific control, a smooth ride and the ability to go a very long way, thanks to its 960Wh battery, which powers a very torquey 750W brushless hub motor.

Aventon Abound

The Best Electric Cargo Bike, 2023

Electric cargo bikes are undergoing a revolution in 2023, and the Aventon Abound is amongst the most impressive of the bunch.

Cargo e-bikes are all about utility. They offer a practical solution for those trying to ditch car dependence, or who want to get out and about more with the kids. So reliability is key for riders looking to tote gear or people along.

The Aventon Abound is one heck of a well spec’d machine, with uncommon good looks in the cargo e-bike style. It starts with an impressive 750W rear hub motor that functions with a torque sensor instead of a cadence one. The result is better motor control depending on how much of your own effort goes through the pedals.

The torque sensor also makes for great battery efficiency. The 720 Wh battery isn’t class leading, but it squeezes more mileage out of that battery than a cadence sensor could.

What we really appreciated with the Abound is it gives you more out of the box than most cargo e-bikes. When shopping in this frame style, one almost automatically expects a few ‘add item to cart’ accessories to fully take advantage of a cargo bike. It could be pannier bags, passenger cushions or more. But Aventon does equip the Abound with more than most with the standard runner boards, storage compartment, and quick-adjust seatpost that offers a little suspension for the rider.

With terrific ride quality, gorgeous and thoughtful design, and a few more usable accessories than most, the Abound found its way on our mentions of the best electric bikes of 2023

Pro’s

• Hills are no problem. While the Aventure 2 has the reputation for a powerful motor, but the Abound actually put up better hill test results!
• 440 lbs payload capacity means you can really stack a lot on the Abound from people to pets and a week’s worth of groceries
• It’s subjective, but most cargo bikes don’t have the style the Abound does.
• The torque sensor/hub motor combo gives a good pedal experience, but a good kick of acceleration in higher PAS.

Con’s

• The folding stem is designed to make storage and transport easier, but it adds a slight rattle to the ride at higher speed.

Lectric XPedition

The Best Affordable Electric Cargo Bike, 2023

Given that this is our list of the top overall e-bikes of 2023, it’s no surprise to say every e-bike listed here gave us lasting memories. However, possibly no other bike gave us a bigger “WOW” moment this year than Lectric did with the sheer value of their first-ever cargo bike.

The XPedition has one of the highest weight ratings of any cargo rack at 300 lbs (total payload of 450 lbs), and Lectric made sure you could tow all that weight around by making their 750W motor the torquiest one to date to match any hill you’d come across. Oh, and it has hydraulic brakes, a custom stem for quick adjusting and folding for storing in compact paces, pre-slimed 20″ x 3″ tires, lights, fenders, and wheel guards all included.

Sounds great, right? But here’s the brain-busting part of the XPedition: we typically see quality cargo e-bikes selling around the 2000 mark. Lectric debuted the XPedition more than 500 below that level while boasting all those features listed above. For another 300 you can run a dual battery setup that will get you up to 120 miles range (in our testing) and you’re still not bumping against that 2000 line where most cargo e-bikes start.

The “WOW” factor isn’t done yet though. Almost every cargo e-bike rider we’ve known has accessories for either kids or gear. Looking to replace your car on grocery trips? Need a space for your little one? You can add two XL cargo pannier bags, or seat cushions and grab bars to the dual-battery XPedition and STILL not cross the typical 2000 mark.

It’s not a bike without its warts. The cable management isn’t the best we’ve seen, and the LCD display is pretty dated, but you throw all those features on top of rock-solid ride quality and remember you’re a fully loaded model can be had for under the starting price of nearly all other cargo options, and the decision to name it te best affordable e-bike of 2023 seems pretty clear.

Pro’s

• Simply among the best values of any e-bike regardless of frame style. You get a ton for what you pay for, and you don’t pay much
• Among the highest weight capacity ratings we’ve seen. 300 lbs on the rear rack, and 450 total payload
• Thanks to a low setp-over height and a custom stem it can fit riders 4’11” – 6’5″
• Makes light work of most any hill even when hauling a lot of cargo

Con’s

• The folding stem can start to feel a bit wobbly when traveling at top speed
• We strongly recommend the dual battery model, but know you’ll have to buy a separate second charger to charge both at one time

The Blix Packa Genie

Hundreds of accessory combos, dual battery optional, quality design, and even a nice paint job help the Blix Packa Genie standout as an affordable cargo e-bike option.

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5

The Best E-Bike For Smaller Riders

When we consider the needs of smaller riders, we look at three factors, all of which the Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 addresses nicely. We want to see a step-thru frame for a low standover height, a short seat tube so that the saddle can be adjusted to the rider’s height and a reasonable reach to the handlebar with some amount of adjustability for the handlebar or stem in order to shorten that reach some.

Smaller riders, particularly those riders less than 5 feet 5 inches tall face a real challenge when shopping for an e-bike. Most e-bikes are built in a size well-suited to someone 5 feet 10 inches, but the quality of that fit drops the more someone deviates from that height. The high-rise handlebar of the RadExpand can be turned back toward the rider more than most, making the reach easier and its step-thru design not only makes it easy to fold, it’s easy to mount and get rolling.

The RadExpand 5’s versatility is part of what makes it so great. It’s a capable commuter, thanks to lights, fenders and a rear rack, and with its wide tires, it gives a smooth ride even on rough roads.

The 750W brushless hub motor is more powerful than we see on some folding e-bikes. For riders who have to deal with hills or consistently rough roads, having this much power will be welcome, especially for smaller riders who might not be as strong, which is why this is our favorite choice for small riders.

Pro’s

• The new handlebar setup is a game changer. The bars are wider, it feels less flexy and it still folds to boot.
• At over 62 lbs it’s still hefty, but the bike folds down to a convenient size for storing in an RV, a corner of the garage or in the trunk of most sedans.
• Rad’s rear hub motors have proven time and again to be some of the most reliable on the market.
• The spec sheet is solid for the price. A 7-speed drivetrain, nice working mechanical disk brakes and a sizeable battery for about 1,599 MSRP is a good deal.
• The handling is spot-on. Neutral, balanced, predictable — riding this will be intuitive even for e-bike newbies.
• Rad’s bikes have a distinct power profile that starts gentle and grows stronger as you pick up speed. Never once does it feel like it’ll jump out from under you.

Con’s

• I don’t mind the lack of front suspension fork, but some people will not like it. You can really feel some bumps in the road.
• It’s surprising to see Rad move away from the LCD display. Unlike its predecessor the RadMini 4, this bike has no screen.

The Aventon Pace 500 ST

A low standover height, adjustable stem and powerful 500W brushless motor make this a terrific option for smaller riders. It can be unlocked to reach a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph, which makes it a fun way to commute or just get around.

Specialized Turbo Vado

The Best High-Performance Electric Bike. 2023

For over three decades, Specialized has had the same mantra: “Innovate or Die.”

They opted for the former.

The Specialized Turbo Vado is the result of world-class engineering with a high level of detail. The specially tuned 250W mid-drive motor is as responsive as any we’ve ever pedaled, delivering the right amount of assistance needed from the moment your shoes turn the cranks.

Doubters of smaller wattage bikes should make no mistake here, this bike can absolutely move if it wants to. The Turbo Vado has three different assist levels in ECO, SPORT, and TURBO mode. Each one provides a distinctly different feel from the others and the bike handles well in all three.

The motor alone is something we could wax poetic on for pages, but the bike doesn’t stop there. High-level componentry is found throughout the bike from the SRAM hydraulic brakes, SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain, and the generous 710Wh battery powering the bike (on the 4.0 model we tested).

Typically when a bike is in the “high-performance” category that might mean it runs a little pricier than it needs to. We don’t actually feel that’s the case here. Considering the componentry package, engineering investment, performance, and top tier customer support you’re getting in this bike it feels like you get every penny of what you pay for.

Pro’s

• Simply put: it’s one of the best feeling motors we’ve ever experienced.
• The new looks of the Turbo Vado are great – it delivers a traditional bike feel.
• Specialized’s global network of dealers and nearly unparallelled customer service.
• This is a cruiser that could easily double as a commuter or city bike. It’s built to be very versatile

Con’s

• One of our only complaints is that the magnetic charger can be difficult to seat correctly when the battery is installed in the frame.

The Ride1UP Prodigy

E-bikes with mid-drive motors like the Brose in the Prodigy are rare in this price range. Its combination of Class 3 speed, step-thru and traditional frame designs as well as an off-road configuration makes it ideal for high performance on a budget.

Mokwheel Basalt

The Best Camping Electric Bike, 2023

Half the fun of camping is exploring the area visited. E-bikes offer campers the opportunity to go farther, see more and not be wiped out at the end of the day. The Mokwheel Basalt is unusual among e-bikes in that it is well-suited to not just to off-road exploring, but it can serve as a valuable resource thanks to some of its unusual accessories. As a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum speed of 28 mph, it is terrific for getting around most anywhere.

The Mokwheel Basalt may not look all that unusual at first glance. It features a 750W brushless hub motor that can turn 90Nm of torque, making it suitable to riding steep hills, whether paved or not. The 110mm-travel suspension fork improves control on bumpy terrain and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain helps both uphill and down. Hydraulic disc brakes offer terrific power even on steep downhills and Chaoyang 26 x 4-in. tires provide the necessary cushion and traction for exploring the backcountry.

What really sets the Mokwheel Basalt apart is its massive 940Wh battery that can power a 100W power inverter that has the ability to run such essentials as phone chargers, coffee makers, electric grills and laptops. Planning to be gone more than a day or two? Mokwheel also offers a solar charger to keep the juice running to those essentials.

Riders can also choose between a traditional frame and a step-thru design. Because it has a 450-lb. payload capacity, campers who want to go bag dinner can carry it back to camp as well. This is ideal for anyone planning to go camping but still wants electricity.

Pro’s

• 750W brushless hub motor has the power and torque necessary to climb hills and deliver riders to a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph for spirited riding
• Comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru to fit a broad range of riders
• Can power a number of electric appliances while camping with the help of the optional 1000W power inverter
• 4-in.-wide tires and a front suspension fork make for a very comfortable ride
• 450-lb. payload capacity makes it terrific for hunters wanting to bring home their game

Con’s

The Lectric XP 3.0

We love the Lectric XP 3.0 because it is versatile, easy to store and thanks to its 3-in.-wide, knobby tires, it can go places commuters and cruisers can’t reach.

Aventon Soltera

The Best City/Urban Electric Bike, 2023

One of the biggest challenges of e-bike design is that the bigger the motor, the more it weighs. The same goes for batteries. That creates a challenge for a bike designer; a more powerful motor gives up some of the value of its wattage by virtue of the fact that the increased weight negates it. Similarly, a more powerful battery weighs more and therefore cuts an e-bike’s range. Rather than beefing up both motor and battery, for the Aventon Soltera, the e-bike’s designer went in the other direction: Spec’d with a 350W brushless motor and a 360Wh battery, the Soltera tips the scales at just 41 lbs.

The Aventon Soltera is modeled on single-speed, flat-bar road bikes known as fixies. It features skinnier tires than we often see, which give the bike a more agile feeling, increases its efficiency, which makes it easier to accelerate and uses less energy at speed, and the 700C wheels roll over bumps more easily, not to mention offering a stable ride at speed.

Because seven speeds is often preferable to one, Aventon sells the Soltera in a 7-speed version for anyone who wants to make hills a bit easier. Single-speed e-bikes face a challenge in that if the gear is good at low speeds, like when starting, it won’t be great at 20 mph. And if it’s great at 20 mph, getting started won’t be easy. We suggest spending the extra dough to get six more speeds.

This is one of a vanishingly small number of e-bikes we’ve reviewed that feature traditional rim brakes. These brakes are plenty powerful for the kind of riding buyers will do on this bike; these rim brakes are nothing like the ones on the bikes we rode as kids. And while the tires on the Aventon Soltera are narrower than we often see on e-bikes, these aren’t as skinny as the tires we see on racing bikes; they will still offer a comfortable ride, even on rough roads.

Pro’s

• The riser bar, skinny tires and hidden battery gives the Soltera the look of a fixie
• At 41 lbs., the Soltera is a surprisingly light e-bike and as a result it has a zippy feel on the road that is refreshing
• Most similar e-bikes are spec’d with a battery smaller than the 360Wh battery found on the Soltera, which gives it a surprisingly long range
• The market for a single-speed e-bike is limited, but Aventon offers an optional 7-speed drivetrain that will increase its appeal to a much broader range of buyers
• Even though this is a budget-oriented model, Aventon doesn’t go cheap; the Soltera is equipped with the full-color LCD display, companion app and inset taillight

Con’s

• Riders looking for an e-bike with a powerful motor might not appreciate this bike’s balance of power vs. weight; this bike is meant to make use of a smaller motor in a lighter bike
• Given the fixie-like styling of the Soltera, it’s not surprising that it comes without fenders or a rear rack

The Ride1UP Roadster V2

This budget-minded flat-bar road e-bike also uses a smaller motor and battery for Class 3 performance, making it one of the most affordable e-bikes we’ve encountered with a 28 mph top speed.

GoCycle G4

The Best Lightweight Electric Folding Bike, 2023

It’s obvious the GoCycle G4 is the brainchild of a former supercar designer.

Nearly all of the bike is made of carbon fiber, including the super sexy one-piece spoked carbon wheels and the entirety of the sleek-looking folding frame. The bike almost has a minimalist design with smooth curves and few obvious frills, but beneath that carbon facade is one of the most feature-rich and smartly-integrated e-bikes we’ve ever tested.

The G4 family of GoCycles is the fourth iteration of the British fast folder. Not only does this bike have more carbon and a more integrated cockpit than its predecessor, GoCycle managed to double the torque produced by the front hub motor. Don’t let this bike’s small stature fool you; it’s remarkably quick and climbs hills with the best of them. The new G4i also has predictive electric shifting and a set of very nice hydraulic disk brakes that are unbranded but bear a striking resemblance to a high-end Magura design.

All in, the GoCycle G4 weighs in the ballpark of 36 lbs, making this one of the most lightweight folding e-bikes on the market today. Add in its quirky cool looks, beautiful folding mechanism and feature-rich build, and it’s undeniably one of the best lightweight folding e-bikes of 2023.

Pro’s

• The design is bar-none. It’s amazing how many features have been crammed into such a little frame.
• Folding the G4 is very easy and, with a little practice, can be done in just a few seconds.
• The carbon rims on the G4i may seem like overkill on a folding commuter, but man do they make a noticeable difference. Plus they’re just ultra cool.
• Electric shifting is ultra cool and works great. Did we mention it’s a system made special for GoCycle?
• The lightweight plus convenient folding make the G4 lineup very realistic for dedicated bike commuters who are low on space.

Con’s

• The predictive shifting is a nice touch, but it may take a little getting used to for experienced riders.

The Blix Vika Flex

Part of the challenge of making a great folding e-bike is keeping it light enough to be stowed. At 55 lbs., this folder is easy to manage, while still offering enough power to get up hills and enough range to get across town and back.

BULLS Alpine Hawk EVO

The Best Road Electric Bike, 2023

Road bikes are known for racing, and for lycra-clad cycling enthusiasts who aren’t afraid to use plenty of leg power when attempting a casual 30-60 miles on a weekend ride. Surely it doesn’t sound like the crowd that would see the appeal of having a motor-equipped bike doing some of the work for you.

So how do you get this crowd interested in e-bikes? By constructing a wonderfully subtle enhancement to the road biking experience.

The BULLS Alpine Hawk really captured the feel of a true road bike – so much so that we often forgot it was an e-bike. The 33.5 lb weight is a tad high for a performance road bike, but it’s a featherweight compared to most e-bikes. So with a small amount of assist, delivered beautifully from the Fazua motor I might add, you actually see modest speed increases that offset the weight of the bike and then some.

At no point does the bike take over for you, instead, it makes it so you get home a little quicker, manage headwinds better, and feel a little less of a sting when taking on a hill. If all of that subtlety isn’t enough, BULLS even made it so you can entirely remove the motor and battery out of the Alpine Hawk.

It’s a well-thought-out bike that is perfect for the e-bike curious road crowd.

Pro’s

• We’ve been very impressed with the Fazua drivepack. It’s relatively light, quiet and is incredibly responsive.
• This bike is incredibly compliant over rough roads; BULLS clearly had comfort in mind and built a bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for performance.
• The full Ultegra 11-speed groupset (plus the matching hydraulic disc brakes) works spectacularly well and compliments the do-it-all, ride-it-anywhere spirit of this bike.
• The Fazua drivepack (which includes the motor and battery) is removable and can be replaced with a blank cover, so you can ride this e-bike as a traditional road bike and shave over 10 lbs off the weight.

Con’s

• The Alpine Hawk is only available in two sizes — a 54 cm frame and 58 cm, which is pretty limited in the road bike world. It would be great to see more sizes so riders can more finely tune their fits.

Bottom line: The best electric bikes

They say the best e-bike is the one you’re most excited to ride, and we couldn’t agree more.

While we’re sure there’s going to be lots of opinions and questions about why this or that bike didn’t land on our list, these are the 14 e-bikes we’re most excited about right now. This is not a comprehensive list, nor were we able to consider each and every e-bike use case, but we do think all the bikes on this list are a good representation of what’s out there right now.

Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best electric bikes of 2023 page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.

Reader Interactions

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

I have to comment that so many of the bikes you picked have the WORST customer service when something goes wrong! Aventon has nothing but complaints in their Комментарии и мнения владельцев online. Rad isnt much better. AT least you picked a few bikes that are brands supported by actual bike shops.

This article and almost all product articles of late are missing the huge elephants in the room, 1) product availability. 2)parts interchangeability, supply chains that are a disaster and in no ones best interest. You keep writing articles on thebbn products and innovation. But meanwhile Ive had an ebike on order for a year, there is no word on when it will be available, and when it is finally ready no one can tell me if it will be a 2020, a 2021 or a 2022 model. That, is absurd and a disaster no one is talking about in these articles and reviews. Lastly, the dirty little secret… bike companies stop talking about new stuff, and start by fixing lack of parts and interchangeability in the bike designs. Ok when you had a 300 schwinn and you needed stuff for it, you maybe fixed it, or often. simply bought a new bikeNow? The bike is worth several grand. And the bike companies are laying back and running the same old sloppy business, taking our money but not giving us flexibility to extend life, reduce long term cost, ensured Parts avail, and fix the asset. Lastly related to the above, it took me 12 months to get a shimano part… really. Turns out they were playing favorites. This shits gotta change or the lower end of scooters, motorcycle mfgs, etc are going to eat your lunch, just watch… they can do it because they already do, only needs new products and we know bv now that product is the simple piece.

I think it all depends on what you are ordering and from who. I placed my order online with free delivery and had it at my doorstep 29 hours later.

I agree, Rich. These bikes sound great. I would buy a Specialized Turbo Vado this afternoon if I could. BUT I CAN’T. What about the part where few if any of these bikes can actually be purchased? And won’t be available this year, and maybe not even in 2023. It might be helpful if these lust-inducing reviews included helpful information like wait times.

• Griffin Hales says October 11, 2021 at 5:01 pm

Thank you so much, this is what I’m looking for! Now I need a ramp that I can use to get the trike onto a truck bed, any suggestions?

I do find it peculiar that you haven’t included the Priority Current in your reviews, or at least a “best belt drive” ebike category. Priority does not seem to need ongoing advertising to consistently sell all the Currents they can produce. It would appear that Ebikes with the capability of enabling a 28 mph top speed for the U.S. Market are hot sellers! Their lack of a front suspension in their design is somewhat offset by the combination of the low-maintenance Gates Carbon Belt drive and the Enviolo rear hub. The only thing lacking is a theft-proof system to lock the entire bike via phone, or perhaps, a key fob. I’m talking about a total locking of the bike so that it couldn’t even be walked away. With the high cost of replacement, ebikes may never be truly practical until such safeguards are part of the total package.

Some very nice ebikes for sure and the Aventon’s look very attractive compared to many of these pricey models. (my sister has the Aventon Level and I’m impressed with its quality and components). BUT, I just can’t see paying 4000 for ebikes with chain derailleur drivetrains unless it’s a mountain bike. Many casual riders (and those without any “10 speed” history) rarely shift gears on an ebike. So, if I’m going to pay the big bucks, I don’t want to explain to my wife that she has to gear down at every stop sign (and she’ll have to continue peddling to accomplish this). That is why we’ve sold all our previous ebikes and now own Evelo ebikes with Gates belt drive and the Enviolo automatic hub.

I also have to say that I wouldn’t consider any ebike without a throttle! You shouldn’t have to stand up on the peddles to get the motor to kick in. And if you’re stuck in a high gear (and have cadence sensors) this can be awkward if you want to make a quick get-away. This is certainly a common occurrence, but I don’t want to deal with it after spending thousands of dollars.

Your comment appears to be from someone who has never ridden a mid drive bike. Mid drives are superior in smoothness and get to actually use the mechanical advantage of gears on a hill. I’m guessing you dont know about downshifting when you come to a stop either.

To answer about other bike manufactures no being reviewed, the folks at EBR do not review any bikes that are not sent to them for review. EBR is cutting edge company but lacks true diversity. ITS apparent that sometimes you have to purchase a bike for review, one of the companies that I like is juiced bikes, they make their city bike in three colors (red my favorite) awesome battery duration more powerful 52 volt on top of that. I am a proud owner of a 2019 rad city with more than 10,000 miles, never a problem with getting parts in timely manner, but they are pushing me to buy a bit more expensive juiced bike over the model 5 rad city! WHY! 1ST. and biggest pev…the same old color in traditional bike style dull black, WANT ANOTHER RAD BUT NOT SAME COLOR. 2ND love the new 5 but now I have to buy a different battery, to use on my old rad city instead of swapping. so now I will have to buy 2 batteries at 550 each shipping not included, instead of 1. Do not get me wrong, the upgrade to motor and brakes is awesome and truly reliable bike company.

A couple of days ago, I found the Gazelle Easyflow. It enables the rider to place both feet on the ground when at rest, yet still ride with legs stretched out to save the knees. A very clever design, and not extortionate when you think of Riese and Mueller!

Wow a race to even less exercise and more accidents by a lot of persons who have no bike handling skills or desire to get their heart pumping over 85 bpm

Replying to counselors rude comment, not to Groucho. Groucho is cool and having a good time on his e-bike.

Unless you’ve spent your entire life riding bikes, and loving it, almost more than anything and then got lung damage from Covid and the only way to keep riding is an electric bike

I’m curious why the “E-Cells”Monarch 1500 LE AWD all train Fat tire bike isn’t mentioned? It has dual 750 Watt motors in front and rear wheels,dual batteries,dual suspension. Torque sensor, it has front,rear and all wheel options. It even has a USB charging port- both batteries are connected and work together and both charge the same time. Rock Shock moto style front and rear suspension – This really should have the Jeep logo on it. Lol- the Jeep Fat tire ebike is only rear wheel drive. That really makes no sense. I have this bike and it’s an amazing piece of machinery – it’s at 92lbs- but is a non issue with the power of the AWD- and it can handle up to 420lbs of load. Check it out!!

Hi, Hoping to get some feedback about two different bikes. First, we are only just trying them out for the first time, not investing for longevity yet. If our height matters in terms of your advice, my husband is 6’5″and I am a giant at 5′ 2″! Other things you may want to know is that we aren’t looking for high speed. Battery life would be of more interest to us if we are weighing specs. We also will not be using these bikes in the city – at all! We currently live in a small town and although we have vehicles most anywhere we go, traffic is not part of our life. We also have lots of trails intended for this type of activity and they would likely become our choice of destinations. Although we own a truck and car (and rails intended for my husband’s 4×4 and snowmobile), we’d like this hobby to be ‘easy’. The two bikes I’m looking at are as follows (Please don’t curse me out if you’re an avid rider who has invested thousands of dollars! We’re talking “baby steps” here): ~ Veltoric Discover 1 Class 2 Step-through ~ Heybike Ranger Step-through Any help/advice you would be willing to offer would be greatly appreciated! Linda

Really provide very deep information about best ebike with pro cons ,price ,features in 2022.very appreciate for your research and blog.Thanks for sharing great report.My favorite one is urban e bike.

To answer about other bike brands not being reviewed, my experience with Addmotor E-43 long-range ebike is excellent! It features thin tires and a 48V20Ah battery and 500W gear motor, which can reach 125miles on a single charge (PAS1), a perfect choice for city commuting.

Can’t get most of these bikes if you are in Canada. Aventon I can get locally but only a few models and none I like. I would have to travel 1,500 km to get to a bike shop to test anything out since locals don’t allow that. Buying a “pig in a poke” based on a review is something I won’t do. Or did you just go down to the car lot, pick out a car, pay your money and drive it right off the lot without a test drive? Nice reviews and gives me more info but as of today, that’s about all I have…

Have you ever evaluated the BeeCool bikes? I have an Adventurer and an Explorer. There are so many features I love about the bikes themselves. Like so many of the other brands above it sounds like most have customer service that’s less than desirable, but based on bike features and price they are worth looking at.

My hubster and I ride Espin Sports that we have had for about 18 months now and have over 2500 miles on them as of today. We love them and Espin’s service was great. Mine came with a slightly bent controller and it was replaced very quickly when it probably could have been easily fixed. The pedals also had a weird knock and they replaced those quickly as well. Both were very minor issues. We ride on paved and gravel roads that have some good hills. The tires could have been better than what they shipped with but bought Maxxis replacements and no flats since. The value for the money was why I bought them. Came with lights, brake and head, fenders and a rack when you had to pay extra for that stuff on an equal Aveton or Rad at the time. We have been very satisfied with the Espin bikes and I would buy another.

Is this a list of the best bikes you could get your hands on at the time? A lot of these are pretty low end and not powerful in the real world. And only 2 non-chinese motor systems? Seriously?

Ok enough about all the bikes mentioned is asomtom mountain e bikes worth 1700.00. Just bought one hoping on the first ride it’ll make me smile ear to ear. Any Комментарии и мнения владельцев from previous owners have a take about it.

Thank you for this content! I am currently waiting for the arrival of a “MagiCycle”. Having some issues getting it here it seems but would be interested in reading a review by you at some time in the future. All the videos I’ve seen of it are very positive. Thanks!

• Griffin Hales says August 5, 2022 at 12:27 pm

We haven’t tested very many and wanted to make a list comprised of things we’ve gotten to know well. We’re working on getting more eMTB coverage though!

Hi I would like to see your reviews of the asomtom mountain bike 26” 4” tires bangfang 1000w w hydronic brakes and tork front suspension It’s a head turner and a beast Fast and rock solid.

• Griffin Hales says August 8, 2022 at 12:24 pm

This appears to be a troll question about a bike that is not legal on public roads and paths. The description sounds like just another cheap fat tire bike with no redeeming value.

to reply to your comment that you’ve obviously have not looked into the reviews of this bike or anything about it says a lot. For a 1999.00 “troll” bike it in my opinion looks badass compare to others. And decided to get one anyway because it’s a new version 2022 asomtom Q7 mountain bike with A 6061 aluminum frame 1000 W brushless gear hub bafang motor up to 28mph 85nm of torque 48 v 15a lithium battery that’ll take you 45-60 miles per charge 7 speed shimano gear shift which is leagal to go on or off roads. snow. beach Tug a fat ass up to 400 lbs So I’m very happy I got it. The ride is awesome and pedal assist is great for hills which in its type 3 road rating it performs really great. So don’t be to judge mental on things you know little about.

This article represents all that is wrong with our industry. It very well could have been written in The 90’s! Nearly all the top recommended bikes sport dramatically outdated designs and components. Why are we still promoting heavy front suspensions as a comfort feature? All listed were poorly designed for off road control. They failed even at that in The 90’s. If tuned to absorb road irregularities they would dive dangerously and encourage squirm in handling. That’s dangerous! Look at any traditional touring bike, from the cheapest to the most expensive. They are designed for long hours in the saddle and for days on end. Not one has a suspension fork. Good geometry, materials and components make a bike comfy, reliable and efficient, not gimmicks. Today, not one of the hub drive models listed cannot be gotten with a mid-drive for the same or less money. Hub drives and cadence sensors are The 90’s. A best of list needs to at least be from the current century. I get it. Some can get by just fine with a hub drive. They have few and small hills or don’t care if they have to slow. They may not even need the additional range of a torque sensing mid-drive. They are still a huge pain on which to change a flat and heavy as heck to lift or handle in tight situations. It is time to change. What a shame that a quality product like The Aventon is still saddled with this antiquated technology. Every bike listed uses heavy, dull and buzzy straight gauge aluminum. That is even in the few that have better hydroformed tubes! Why, we have had more responsive, less buzzy, butted and hydroformed tubing on almost all traditional bikes since the turn of the century. Weight kills range. It makes a good bike hard for a smaller person to handle. Some even have square tubing. This takes a rough ride to a whole new level. What sense is there, for on-road riding, to having a comfort fork, bars and seat, with an extra stiff rear triangle? The same xan be said for the square tube necessary to accommodate the proprietary battery in the down tube. I don’t want to be negative. I want to promote great alternatives. Good enough just isn’t good enough anymore. These good enough bikes should be at least half their price and available only through places like department stores. We can do better and without breaking the bank. I do it daily in my tiny shop. I am no one special and am not particularly talented. I just have 50 years cycling experience. If I can do it, mfg’s can do it too. Let’s start demanding more for our money.

MARK!! You get it. This silly list popped up again in April 23, with what looks like the same old crap from the same old “heavy advertisers.” There is nothing in that list of bikes I would ever buy. None of them are the “best” in any way. I’m disappointed about what this publisher has become. It looks just like car ads and sories in the newspaper that has the unwritten…Dont talk bad about our product or we will cancel the advertising budget that keeps you afloat! I was hoping for better.

Absolutely out standing service from the company and from the bike itself It’s built extremely well and looks amazing.

e-JOE Epik Swan 500W 48V/11Ah Folding Step-Through Electric Bicycle with 5 Levels of Pedal Assist (PAS) and Thumb Throttle

We are excited to announce the launch of a completely new bike, EPIK Swan. The EPIK Swan is a refined version of a so popular EPIK SE (Sports Edition), which tops our best-selling product list every year.

Features of the e-JOE Epik Swan Folding Step-Through eBike

The Epik Swan is a great choice for seniors, or anyone, who wants to get on and off their bike with ease. thanks to its low step-thru foldable frame. Many people associate the step-through bicycle as being for women, however, they are convenient for any gender. The big advantage of step-through bikes is that they make it easier and much more comfortable to mount the bike. Your feet will be able to touch the ground and there are no worries about losing your balance and possibly falling while trying to get on it. This adds to the stability and safety of this eBike.

Fold up your Epik Swan nice and compact to fit in the trunk of most cars and take it with you to enjoy everywhere. I t’s perfect for someone with limited storage space options and for commuters. Slide it under your bed or keep it at the bottom of your wardrobe and you’d never know you had a fully-functioning bike in your home.

The lithium battery mounted inside the frame gives a more balanced ride.

The new smooth and quiet motor and its wider tires will take you effortlessly on many fun rides.

The Epik Swan i s ideal for crowded cities where you have to ride on the street safely, as it has a host of features like an integrated front light, a LED rear light, and reflective side stripes included for FREE, great for visibility and safety.

As the owner of an Epik Swan you will have a chance to enjoy the many features that make it great to ride all day. Use it for exercise, commuting, or just to take a leisurely ride. If you haven’t enjoyed riding e-JOE Bikes, get your eBike now and find out why people are so in love with them.

The minimum height required to ride the Epik Swan is around 5 feet. This is one of the few bikes on the market suitable for shorter riders.

Three ways to ride the e-JOE Epik Swan Folding Step-Through eBike

• Pedal only (with no help from the motor)
• Pedal Assist (with 5 levels of assistance to choose from)
• Throttle only (effortless like a motorcycle)

The E-Joe Epik Swan can be used as a normal bike where the rider provides all the power, or you can use just the throttle and let the bike do all of the work. There is also an in-between option, Pedal Assist, where the rider pedals and the motor provides a great boost at the same time. You can choose the level that is right for your type of riding. The Le vels of Pedal Assist allow for increased ride efficiency, resulting in less strain on your knees while riding. It makes riding fun and effortless.

Specifications of the E-Joe Epik Swan folding eBike

Motor: 500W Rated with 860W peak rear brushless geared hub motor Battery: 48V 11Ah Samsung 18650-cells lithium-ion Range: up to 40 miles (depending on terrain and rider’s weight) Recharging time: about 4 hours (at the low battery) LCD display: ON/OFF power, speedometer, tripmeter, battery indicator, Pedal Assist Level Throttle: Thumb throttle control Pedal Assist System: 5 Level Pedal Assist, thumb throttle control Frame: Aluminum alloy frame step-thru design Tires: 20” x 2.125” K-924 Kenda puncture-resistant tire Seat: Velo seat with pressure reduction and enhanced shock absorption Brakes: Front/Rear: TEKTRO 180 mm rotor disc brakes Gearing: 7-speed Shimano TourneyPedals: Wellgo folding pedals Accessories: Front rear fenders, rear rack (Max load 33 lbs), rear reflector Weight (with battery): 50 lbs. Load capacity: 300 lbs. Colors: Sky blue and frosty white

ComponentsTires: 20” x 2.125” K-924 Kenda puncture-resistant tireBrake: Front/Rear: Mechanical disc TEKTRO 180 mm rotor disc brakesCrank: Prowheel cranksetPedal: Wellgo folding pedalsSaddle: Velo seat with pressure reduction and enhanced shock absorptionMotor: 500W Rated with 860W peak rear brushless geared hub motorDerailleur: Shimano 7 speed derailleurChain: KMC chainFront suspension fork: High-quality damping effectBike frame: 6061 Aluminium frameSeat post: Diameter 30.4mm / Length 400 mmStem diameter: 31.8mmRear light: Independent brake tail lightSensor: Sensitive cadence sensor and speed sensorThrottle: On the left-hand side, thumb throttleFront light: 48V LED lightKickstand: Heavy-duty aluminumHandlebar diameter: Sides: 22.2mm / Middle: 31.8mm

e-JOE Epik Swan Folding Step-Through eBike manual click HERE

The best off-road step-through of 2020 – 10 eBikes in review

Don’t we all have a better half, family members, friends or acquaintances with whom we want to share awesome experiences or introduce to a new way of riding but can’t? New, knobbly-tired step-through eMTBs make getting on and off the bike a lot easier, instilling beginners with confidence and opening up new opportunities.

Modern off-road step-through bikes are revolutionary and sales figures are going through the roof, at least in German dealerships. Rightly so, because they unite generations like no other bike, are super versatile and true masterpieces of modern engineering. Handling like a hardtail without a top tube is no small feat. One thing we can say for sure is that only a handful of manufacturers have gotten it right, especially while keeping the weight to a minimum and the design looking good.

We invited our grandparents, friends (both with and without injuries, and with and without babies), daughters, fathers and mothers to test ten of the latest generation step-through eMTBs with us! We found out what it really comes down to with this type of bike and which model is best for which purpose.

It’s definitely worth taking a closer look at step-through eMTBs, because they can change lives or at the very least quality of life – either your own, that of your partner, your family or your acquaintances!

Step-through bikes help bridge the generational divide. Whether it’s a knobbly-tired city cruiser, pack mule for extensive tours or simply a machine to have fun on, you’ll find a suitable model for almost every application.

What does a good step-through eMTB have to be capable of?

Designing and engineering a good off-road step-through bike isn’t easy, whether it’s for touring, off-road or city use. After all, it should deliver similar stiffness and comfort levels as any other bike even with the rear rack loaded despite its lack of a top tube. At the same time, integrating the battery into the down tube, for a sleeker design and minimal weight takes some skilful engineering. If the frame isn’t stiff enough, it results in speed wobble and spongy handling. This means that even small bumps have the potential to upset the bike, making it a hazard to ride, which is only exacerbated if you load up the rear rack. The good news is that the best models can do all that a bike with a top tube can and more! They’re often more comfortable, easier to get on and off and they instil you with more confidence. Newcomers to the sport and less flexible riders benefit enormously from the upright riding position and the easy access step-through design. The riding position of most step-through eMTBs also ensures that you’ll never feel like you might go over the bars, even when you’re pushing the limit.

Forget the cliché that step-through bikes are only for grandmas! The latest generation of off-road step-through bikes can take on rides through the woods on moderate trails while also offering everyday practicality in the urban jungle. A good step-through eMTB will put a smile on the face of everyone who rides it, whether on moderate terrain, commuting or loaded up with panniers for long weekend tours. To do so, it has to be simultaneously composed and agile and be versatile enough to perform equally well on different kinds of terrain. Ideally, the handling has to be predictable and forgiving yet also precise, regardless of whether you’re riding uphill, on level terrain or down a steep descent. Powerful, reliable and easy to modulate brakes as well as good tires that provide grip on different surfaces weather conditions are essential. The quality of components such as lights, racks, mudguards and stands is extremely important and should match your intended use. Most step-through bikes offer a high maximum payload for the rider and their gear and are approved to pull a trailer. Ideally, they also come equipped with a GPS tracker to track and recover the eMTB in the event of a theft, for peace of mind when leaving it at the train station.

You think step-through bikes are ladies’ bikes, only for grandmas? We see it this way: a good step-through eMTB can tackle rides through the woods on moderate trails, offer everyday practicality in the urban jungle and instil you with confidence.

Far more than comfort bikes, step-through eMTBs have a huge target group: including you?

The days when step-through bikes were called women’s bikes are over! Newcomers of all ages can benefit from the upright riding position, the increased confidence and the easy mounting and dismounting. Step-through bikes simply make it possible to experience more together. If you’re injured, you’ve got limited physical flexibility, you’re ageing or suffering from some form of disability but don’t want to give up the best hobby in the world, a step-through eMTB is exactly what you need. Of course, you’re welcome to ride a step-through bike simply because you like the unconventional look or have fun trying out new things. Finally, for the lazy couch potatoes who don’t feel like lifting their leg over the top tube – what a chore – this new generation of eMTBs is great! If you’re looking for an easy handling bike for moderate terrain, extended tours and everyday life, then a good step-through eMTB is the answer you were looking for.

I want to carry my luggage, what should I look for?

Those who want to go on extensive tours and weekend trips, or commute to work or do their weekly shopping on their step-through eMTB will definitely need to use a rack. This brings us back to the subject of torsional stiffness. Stable and composed handling without dangerous speed wobble are a basic prerequisite when you’re hauling cargo. This comes down to the stiffness of the frame, balanced weight distribution, but also the system as a whole. A stiff frame is only as good as the components on it. With additional weight on a loaded rack, the centre of gravity is shifted backwards, putting handling to the test. Unfortunately, direct and precise steering isn’t the norm and the handling of the bike tends to suffer.

Stable and composed handling without encountering speed-wobbles are especially important when you’re carrying luggage. A torsionally stiff frame and an even weight distribution are a basic requirement.

What if you prefer using a front rack or a basket on the bars? This also influences the handling, though the payload is usually limited to a few kilograms, just enough to buy a few things at the market. This can be a sensible alternative to comfortably transport lightweight goods over short distances, but if you want to haul your luggage on a step-through eMTB without having to wear a backpack, then a rear rack makes the most sense. To find out how they handled, we filled two panniers to 11 kg, corresponding to 22 large beer cans, and tested the step-through eMTBs that came equipped with a rack. On some models, it felt like we were drunk, zigzagging along without any control (we promise we didn’t touch the beers). To hold your line, a lot of input was required at the bars to counter-steer against the weight of the bike. There’s still plenty of room for improvement here.

In contrast, CENTURION and Riese Müller show how it’s done. The handling of these bikes stays almost the same with a fully loaded rack. On the full-suspension Riese Müller, the weight on the rack even forms part of the sprung mass, which protects your cargo from sudden impacts and also improves the bike’s stability. Many bikes in the test field can’t keep up here though they’re able to cope with the demands of a little added weight. For example, the Corratec Life CX 6X Connect clearly can’t handle an 11 kg load and is overworked when you load it up.

The test field

There is a huge choice of step-through bikes on the market, but if you look closely, it soon becomes clear that not all have the potential to be a good step-through eMTB. Once you eliminate the bikes with a high centre of gravity due to the position of the battery, inadequate components, slick tires and vague handling, you’re left only with a handful of models to choose from. That said, there are some standout models among them, providing opportunities for newcomers to the sport to make the most of their first eMTB experience. From sporty models for light trail use such as the BULLS or the Moustache, to bikes such as the Riese Müller, which play to their strengths on extensive tours with luggage, to knobbly-tired city cruisers such as the Kalkhoff or HNF-NICOLAI, there are great step-through eMTBs on the market for every scenario. For us, one thing was clear from the start: we were looking for the best all-rounder that combines excellent handling with a good spec and can excel in moderate terrain, on extended tours with luggage and in everyday life. We found ten hot candidates in this burgeoning market. Unfortunately CUBE were unable to provide us with a suitable bike at the time of testing. Too bad, as we had been very excited to see how the FOX 34 fork performs on the CUBE Nuride Hybrid SL step-through eMTB.

Bike Price Weight Motor/Battery Everyday accessories

BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 WAVE 27,5 (Click for review)	€ 3,599	23.80 kg	Brose Drive S Mag 90 Nm750 Wh	no
CENTURION E-Fire Country F3500 (Click for review)	€ 3,999	23.70 kg	Shimano STEPS E8000 70 Nm504 Wh	yes
Corratec Life CX 6X Connect (Click for review)	€ 3,999	25.90 kg	Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm625 Wh	yes
FANTIC ISSIMO FUN (Click for review)	€ 2,995	33.40 kg	Bafang M500 80 Nm630 Wh	partially
HNF-NICOLAI UD 3 (Click for review)	€ 4,695	27.90 kg	Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm625 Wh	yes
INFRONT IF-4 Wave (Click for review)	€ 3,599	27.10 kg	Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm/625 Wh	yes
Kalkhoff Entice 5.B Excite (Click for review)	€ 3,799	24.80 kg	Bosch Performance Line 65 Nm625 Wh	yes
KETTLER QUADRIGA TOWN COUNTRY COMP (Click for review)	€ 3,799	28.70 kg	Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm500 Wh	yes
Moustache Samedi 27 Off 2 Open (Click for review)	€ 2,899	22.90 kg	Bosch Performance Line 65 Nm500 Wh	no
Riese Müller Homage GT (Click for review)	€ 6,499	29.70 kg	Bosch Performance Line CX 75 Nm500 Wh	yes
Ø € 3,868	Ø 26.80 kg

The test riders and what they expect from the latest generation of off-road step-through ebikes

Our test team is as diverse as the step-through eMTBs they tested. Pensioners, eMTB newcomers, commuters, connoisseurs, athletes and sceptics. The youngest test rider is 20, the oldest 83 years old. The testers and their demands on the bikes could hardly be more different, yet everyone had a lot of fun, especially when riding together. It’s true, step-through bikes bring people together – not just across generations, but also skill levels.

Which step-through eMTB has the longest range?

Most people will already know that there is no easy answer to this question. The range depends on many other variables besides the battery capacity. The tires, tire pressure, outside temperature, support level, route elevation profile and rider weight are just some of the factors that influence how far you can ride your step-through eMTB on a single charge. You can end up anywhere between 10 and 100 km, meaning that definitive claims are out of place and misleading. Besides, more isn’t always better. battery capacity inevitably leads to more weight, affecting weight distribution and usually creating a higher centre of gravity and thus compromising the bike’s handling and suitability for everyday use. Our motto is: as much as necessary, but as little as possible. Think carefully about how much battery capacity you really need. If you prefer long weekend tours, a dual-battery system is useful, which, in our test field, is only available as an option on the Riese Müller. Alternatively, you could use a quick charger during your lunch break. If you only commute short distances, 500 Wh is usually sufficient. Can you get your bike close to a power outlet? Or do you have to remove the battery to charge it? In that case, an easily removable battery is usually more important than a few additional watt-hours.

The tires, tire pressure, outside temperature, support level, route elevation profile and rider weight are just some of the factors that influence how far you can ride your step-through eMTB on a single charge.

What to look for in a step-through eMTB?

Componentry, accessories, workmanship and technical features are important factors but bear in mind that the usefulness of expensive high-tech equipment on an off-road step-through bike depends heavily on how you intend to use it. Before buying, you should think about what you want to get out of a step-through eMTB, what it should be capable of and where you’re usually going to ride it. Are you looking to replace your family van with a bike trailer for the kids, or maybe you want a commuter, or an electronically-assisted, knobbly-tired shopping cart, or a fair-weather fun machine for moderate terrain? Do you share the bike with the whole family? Which features make sense for you and which unnecessarily drive up the price? The following sections are intended to help guide you in choosing the right bike.

Everyday practicality

A step-through bike has to be versatile and mudguards, a side stand and pannier rack greatly improve its everyday practicality. Most brands deliver their models equipped with all these accessories as standard. Two bikes in the test field (BULLS and Moustache) come without mudguards, lights, a rack or a side stand, though you can retrofit them to make the bikes more practical for everyday use. Our tip: in most cases, the brands themselves have these accessories on offer, so you can get them in the same order with your bike. Besides ensuring that the accessories will fit, they’ll also match the look of the bike. The bike’s look and function often suffer if you resort to homemade and aftermarket accessories.

Battery removal and the position of the charging port

For those who can’t or don’t want to charge the battery in the bike, removing the battery out of the top of the frame is the most convenient. You can also charge the battery on the bike and the positioning of the charging port will be a matter of taste: if it is positioned low down, such as on the KETTLER, you have to bend down to reach it. With the Kalkhoff, for example, it is positioned high up but as a result you’ll have to find somewhere to rest the charger or let it dangle in the air.

Regarding quality, Bosch’s standard cover for the charging port looks cheap, breaks easily and gets lost. On the four bikes in our group test with this cover, it also tore off on all of them. This is problematic when you ride in bad weather and run the risk of clogging the charging port up with mud. Kalkhoff, KETTLER and Moustache have recognised the problem, all of them supplying their Bosch equipped bikes with their own in-house covers. The Brose Drive S Mag on the BULLS even features a fully functional magnetic cover – that’s how we like it!

Brakes

As with performance oriented eMTBs, we recommend reliable and powerful brakes. Although you won’t blast down the craziest trails and steepest gradients on a step-through eMTB, you still want to be able to stop reliably, quickly and safely in city traffic. Some brands have started to pay more attention to the maximum payload of the bikes but then forget to spec the appropriate brakes needed to cope with the additional weight. The best brakes in the test are easy to modulate with one or, in case you get a scare, two fingers, while still providing sufficient stopping power even after long descents. High-performance brakes such as the CODE RSC or MAGURA MT5 aren’t out of place on a step-through bike. On the contrary, they increase rider safety. With the exception of the INFRONT, the brakes in the test are too weak and they’re not reliable enough to take on long and steep descents while hauling luggage – most brands still have a lot of catching up to do here.

Ergonomics

Many brands claim to spec their bikes with the most ergonomic components. The problem here is that every person is different, with their own preferences and riding styles which only becomes more obvious given the bikes’ versatility. Contact points such as the saddle and grips of an eMTB should always be individually adjusted to suit the rider and the type of riding they do. If you plan on regularly hitting the trails on your step-through eMTB, a wide touring saddle won’t do! Besides looking a little silly, it severely restricts your freedom of movement, robbing you of confidence and fun. Contrary to what you might expect, a super wide and well-padded saddle isn’t always more comfortable than a narrow and firm saddle. It can only really be comfortable if it suits your anatomy, your riding position and your weight. A good dealership should have all the devices and expertise needed to help you find the right saddle for your needs. For example, INFRONT in Germany will help you find the correct width SQlab saddle and right thickness SQlab grips with their fitting kit. It’s always a good idea to discuss the contact points in person, whether it’s at the headquarters of the small bike brand in Germany or your local dealership.

Many trekking-oriented bikes in the test field come specced with an adjustable stem. Ideally, this allows you to finely adjust riding position anywhere between aggressive and upright. Almost everyone should find their preferred riding position. If you do adjust the stem, be sure to use the right torque settings when you tighten the bolts!

Suspension

Coil or air fork? We wholeheartedly recommend air forks here. Coil shocks usually require less maintenance, but they can’t be adjusted accurately enough to suit the weight of the rider – you’re either too light or too heavy, entirely voiding the benefits a fork would otherwise give you. But beware, even air forks are limited in their adjustability. Some manufacturers give their bikes a maximum payload rating that goes well beyond the sensible adjustment range of the fork. For example, the Corratec Life CX 6X Connect is approved for a maximum payload of 154 kg, but the suspension fork can only be adjusted up to 130 kg – a clear case of speccing a bike with inappropriate componentry.

There are marked differences regarding performance too. In moderate terrain, a bad fork will limit the capabilities of a step-through eMTB, which is the case with the BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 Wave 27.5. In future, we’re hoping to see high-end, high-performance forks on trail-oriented step-through eMTBs. The INFRONT is the only bike in the test field that came specced with a truly capable suspension fork. Another highlight is the Homage by Riese Müller, which is the only full-suspension step-through eMTB currently on the market – comfort bike 2.0!

The position of the bottle cage

If the bottle cage is positioned near the step-through section of the frame, it usually gets in the way and the concept of the step-through eMTB is rendered useless. It results in you having to lift your leg almost as high as you would with an eMTB that has a top tube. Unfortunately, this is the case with some models in the test. The best place for the bottle cage is high up the down tube, as close to the head tube as possible – Corratec and CENTURION are exemplary in this regard. Riese Müller also offer a clever position for many of their models on the side of the head tube. However, there are no bottle cage bosses on their step-through bike, the Homage. What a shame!

Speed sensor

Most bikes in the test field come with an external speed sensor and spoke magnet – old-school, unnecessary and extremely annoying. Although the risk of losing the spoke magnet on the trail is not as high as it is with more aggressive trail oriented eMTBs, it can happen and then you’ll have to pedal home unassisted. You also have to be careful not to disturb the magnet when locking up your bike, never mind the missed opportunity for clean and integrated looks. Besides the KETTLER, which features an integrated spoke magnet, most brands still have a lot of catching up to do here. Almost every manufacturer has integrated solutions on offer, so bike brands have no excuse.

Weight

It’s difficult to compare the weight of the bikes in this test field. Some come with mudguards, a rack, side stand, lights or a lock and one even has rear suspension yet another is pretty much bare. To make it as fair as possible, we removed the locks before weighing, though we left the remaining accessories in place. Nevertheless, with an average weight of 26.78 kg, you won’t want to be carrying any of these bikes around very much.

Motor

With the motor, it’s not the maximum torque or the maximum power output that counts, but the ride feel and software settings. Some motors feel very natural in their assistance and are easy to control, while others require you to tread carefully on the pedals and find the right cadence. Smart and progressive support modes, such as Bosch’s eMTB mode or Shimano’s Trail mode, automatically regulate the motor based on rider input, eliminating the need to switch between support modes to suit the terrain. As a result, you’re able to concentrate fully on the trail in front of you and even have to shift gears less often. Unfortunately, some brands that rely on Bosch motors have opted against the option of eMTB and Sport mode. We recommend having eMTB mode installed at your local dealership via a software update. This update has been available for the powerful Performance Line CX motor for a long time, but it will only work for the trekking-oriented Performance Line model from 2020 onwards. With Shimano and Brose, you can adjust the motor to suit your personal preference via their respective apps. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible with Bosch but thanks to their Smart eMTB mode, it isn’t really necessary either. For further information about the individual motors click here.

Tires

Knobbly tires alone don’t turn a step-through ebike into an eMTB. Nevertheless, tires are crucial in determining comfort, grip, range, safety and ride feel. Comfort mainly comes down to volume: we recommend tires between 2.35”-2.4” wide and the lowest tire pressure you can ride without risking punctures. On a step-through eMTB, it’s important to have tires with a rubber compound as well as a tread profile suitable for changing terrain and weather conditions and there are some huge disparities in our test. The Schwalbe Rock Razor, as found on the Riese Müller, would make some of the other step-through eMTBs on test a lot more capable, while the Continental Race King tires on the Corratec couldn’t deliver on damp asphalt due to the hard, rubber compound lacking grip. Everyone needs puncture protection and most tires in the test have a puncture protection layer to protect against nails and sharp objects.

Seat post

Whether on the trail or at a traffic light: almost everyone benefits from a dropper post. This isn’t one of those unnecessary, high-tech MTB gadgets but a sensible solution offering real gains in comfort. Not only does it give you increased freedom of movement on the descents but it also ensures that you can get your foot on the ground easily and quickly without having to get off the saddle. Besides that, it makes sharing the bike with several riders a lot easier, allowing the saddle height to be adjusted quickly and easily. While most seat posts in the group test feature integrated suspension, only a few come specced with a dropper post. The CENTURION and KETTLER lead the way with combined suspension/dropper posts, giving you comfort and safety in one.

Side stands

On some step-through eMTBs, the side stand produces a deafening rattle on the trail and also folds out of its own accord on moderate terrain – a definite no-go! This can be really dangerous. Fortunately, you can fit a stiffer spring or a new stand with little cost. HNF-NICOLAI position the side stand on their UD3 step-through eMTB close to the bottom bracket. Although this makes the bike stand very securely, it gets in the way of the pedal when you try to push the bike. This is annoying if you just quickly want to move it around.

Anti-theft protection and GPS trackers

Those who plan to use their step-through eMTB in an urban environment stand to benefit from anti-theft protection that goes beyond a classic lock and a secure parking space. A GPS tracker is easy to retrofit to almost any ebike and offers added peace of mind over a conventional lock. We can recommend the PowUnity BikeTrax for € 199.90. BULLS have the option of a factory-fitted GPS tracker in the 750 Wh version of their step-through eMTB, allowing you to track your eMTB in the event of a theft for an additional € 199.

Riese Müller probably offer the most comprehensive solution in the industry, the RX-Connect package, which consists of GPS tracker, eSIM and insurance. If your ebike gets stolen, you simply call the hotline or report the theft online, have your bike located and wait for it to be returned. Failing this, Riese Müller will provide you with a new bike, provided that you’ve opted for insurance cover. You also have the option of additional services such as automatic wireless updates, crash detection and displaying where the bike is parked. The RX chip has a one-off cost of € 99 and the RX service package including insurance cover starts at € 139.90 per year.

Lights

If you want to use your step-through eMTB all year round and frequently ride at night, you’ll want a good set of lights. The position of the lights is equally important. If the headlight is mounted centrally on the handlebar, mounting a basket will interfere with the light. If it is placed directly above the mudguard, it’ll cast a shadow right in front of the bike. If the light is mounted on the head tube, it doesn’t follow the direction that you’re turning. The good news is that all the lights we encountered in the test have more than enough output to be seen better at dusk. However, there are clear differences in how the light beam is shaped. The Supernova M99 Mini on the Riese Müller as well as the Supernova Mini 2 on the HNF-NICOLAI are unrivalled in the test field – both turn night into day and you’ll be able to spot a mouse crossing your path 50 m ahead. The Supernova M99 Mini even has a high beam function that can be operated via a remote on the handlebar. The lights on the CENTURION and Moustache are acceptable but all others will have you struggling to see everything in the dark.

Permissible total weight and maximum payload

Like with cars, eMTBs have a limited permissible total weight. This weight is specified by the brands themselves and ensures that all the components on the bike are able to withstand the quoted load. The permissible total weight is the maximum weight the bike can carry, including the weight of the bike itself. The maximum payload, describes the additional load, such as rider (including all gear) and trailers, without including the weight of the bike. Of course, the permissible total weight and maximum payload also depend on what the bike is approved for. Can you use it on woodland paths? Is jumping officially allowed? Does the manufacturer approve using the bike on flow trails? Some bikes in the test field still have a very low maximum payload, where most riders would technically have to ride the bike in their underwear – the HNF-NICOLAI UD3 is limited to just 92 kg! The 101 kg maximum payload of the BULLS E-STREAM EVO 1 Wave 27.5 isn’t all that much either but you’re officially allowed to hit jumps up to 61 cm – you can’t do this on any other bike in the test field. Many brands are currently working to increase weight limits, but beware, some manufacturers in the test field have lost touch with reality. Just because components are able to carry a certain load, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll still be able to perform as intended. The best example is the frame of the Corratec Life CX 6X Connect, which is certified to carry a load of up to 154 kg, corresponding to a permissible total weight of 180 kg. The bike already suffers vague handling with a rider weight of 85 kg. Load up the rack and it becomes hard to control and has a propensity for speed wobble. We’d like to see a permissible total weight of 150 kg being set as the new standard for the future, especially since many riders want to pull a trailer to take along their pets or children, which also get added to the payload. We advise heavier riders in particular to inform themselves about the maximum payload of a specific bike before buying. If you exceed the payload, this can have an impact on your safety, not to mention warranty claims.