Choosing the Best Electric Bikes in Canada. Slane ebike battery

Choosing the Best Electric Bikes in Canada

Electric Bikes (E-bikes) are a popular growing transportation trend as all Class 1 E-bikes are not required to be registered or need any licensing in Canada. There are three main types, Urban Electric bikes, Folding Electric Bikes and Mountain Electric bikes. One of the keys to deciding which E-bike to purchase is where the E-Bike will be used. Other considerations are what type of E-bike motor it has, petal-generated motors are better for steep inclines but generate more noise. Wheel motors are quieter but do not have sensors to know if extra assistance is needed. Batteries are another important consideration. Lithium batteries recharge quicker and hold a longer charge but E-bikeswith this type of option are more expensive.

Types of E-Bikes

All E-bikes still need to be pedaled and are not Electric Motorcycles. Urban E-bikes are considered the best for road only commutes. Making sure the E-bike is a comfortable ride and seat is important. Some E-Bike brands such the City E-bike are considered more comfortable for larger distances. This E-bike has a 48 V 13A battery for the 500W motor for a 60 to 100 km range, weighs 22 kg and has an 8 hour recharging time. The Bounder E-bike brand is a larger frame E-bike that is an all terrain and city E-bike. It has a 48V 10A battery for the 500W motor with an 8 hour charging time with a 60 to 100 km range.

Folding E-bikes are for commuters that need to cycle to the train or bus station, carry the E-bike on board, and then cycle to their destination. These E-bikes are also lighter so if weight lifting is a consideration, such as putting the E-bike into a Car for commuting or trips this is a better option. Folding E-bikes arealso a convenient option for commuting to work as they can be folded and put away at work.

Brands like the Aspen Folding E-bikes are for multiple terrains and can be put in the car or folded away for storage. It comes with a 48V 13A Samsung battery or 48 V 21A Samsung batteries for more power and takes 6 hours to recharge the 500W motor. This E-bike also has a 5 level petal assistance throttle, which is more than the 3 or 4 levels offered by other brands of E-bikes. It has a top speed of 32 km and weighs 23 kg and has a back rack for storage and has 120 kg load capacity.

The Comfort Plus E-bike brand is also a foldable E-bike but it is designed for hills and heavier loads. This E-bike weights 18 kg and has a 60 to 70 km travel range with the 36V 13A 500W motor. It also has a 6 hour charging time. The Touring E-bikebrand is for a heavier built commuter and for steep traveling conditions. This is E-bike is still foldable with a 48V 13A battery for the 500W motor and has a range between 60 to 120 km.

Slane E-bikes have two Mountain E-bikes, the Ajax, which is a fat tire mountain E-bike with a 48V 11 Ah Battery for the 500W motor and a thumb style three level power pedal assistance throttle. This E-bike weighs 60 lbs. The Santiago Fat tire E-bike has a five level power pedal assist with a thumb style throttle. The battery is 48V 12 Ah for the 500W motor. This E-bike also weighs 60 lbs.

The Review of the Best 10 E-bikes available in Canada number one E-bike is the Moscow Electric Bike available on Amazon. It has a 48 V 13A Lithium-Ion battery for the 500W motor and has 6 levels of power pedal assistance with a range of 75 miles. This E-bike also has a USB port to charge devices.

How to Ride an E-bike Safely

E-bike helmets are an important safety feature. Wavegel which is a collapsible cell structure and MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) are two types of Bontrage brand E-bike helmets safety features. This brand offers a 30 day money back guarantee and a crash impact withinone-year replacement.

Some other tips on E-bike safety tips include starting out small when riding an E-bike to get use to how the E-bike reacts. Braking needs to be done sooner than is needed with a regular bike to allow adequate time for the E-bike to stop. The disc brakes make stopping easier with gentle pressure on the two brake levers. Extra care is needed as well as E-bikes look like regular bikes so the speed, up to 32 km an hour, may be misjudged by other road travelers. Knowing the rules for the road or trail you are traveling is also important for safety.

Knowing the E-bike route is also a safety precaution. The site Bike Map is also available as an app and has special sections for Road bikes, Mountain bikes and for City Routes. For those touring E-bike cycling trips both City and Bike Path maps access is an important safety procedure to keep from getting lost.Meeting other E-bike users can provide safety in numbers and a nice way to socialize. Special touring trips a couple hours in the evening and weekends for E-bikes are also an option.

E-bike Maintenance

E-bikes require maintenance the same as a regular bike. There are many E-bike Smart Phone apps that can help with this maintenance. Another long term consideration when deciding which E-bike to get is how readily available are the Replacement E-bike batteries. Where to get replacement E-bike parts is another important factor needed to keep the E-bike maintained.

The E-bike gives a broader range of distance that can be travelled with less effort. There is an E-bike for City cycling, Commuting Cycling and off-road Mountain Cycling. Extra safety precautions are needed more for the other road travelers who are expecting the speed of a regular bicycle. Knowing the cycle route, being seen and wearing an appropriate safety helmet for safety makes the journey more enjoyable and safer.

E-Bike Batteries Are Causing Fires: Is Your E-Bike Safe?

Repeated fires have prompted the FDNY to release recommendations for the care and keeping of e-bike and other lithium-ion batteries.

A spate of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries throughout New York City on April 21 has prompted the FDNY to issue lithium-ion battery safety tips, including for e-bike batteries.
Similarly, a Florida bike shop burned down on April 9, after a refurbished e-bike battery was left on the charger overnight.
E-bike batteries can be fire hazards when used and stored incorrectly. Below, we discuss how to use an e-bike battery correctly.

Between New York City’s fire department (FDNY) issuing a warning about e-bike batteries and a Florida bike shop going up in flames after a battery was left unattended on a charger overnight, it’s been a worrisome week for e-bike owners. But don’t panic: Your e-bike is likely safe, but consider this a warning to check your e-bike battery charging and storage practices.

Because lithium ion batteries—commonly found in everything from cell phones and laptops, to e-bikes, scooters, and electric cars—can store a large amount of energy, improper care and keeping of the batteries can result in fires.

“If using a lithium-ion battery, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device. If a battery overheats, discontinue use immediately,” the FDNY tweeted earlier this week.

From Bicycling

New York Daily News reports that the FDNY was called to the scene of four different fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, all on April 21. The batteries were used in an array of vehicles ranging between electric motorbikes and scooters. The vehicles pictured in the fire department’s tweets are all motorbikes, rather than e-bikes—but e-bike batteries have caused fires in the past.

The largest of the four fires reportedly happened due to several batteries stored on a work shelf. While no deaths were reported, 12 people were injured in the fires. And the FDNY issued the grim reminder that four people were killed last year in fires caused by these batteries.

How do you prevent charging incidents like this from happening to your e-bike? Avoid aftermarket and off-brand or bargain batteries for your bike, first of all. Stick to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Furthermore, e-bike batteries that are charging should never be left unattended. If you’re charging your e-bike in the garage, set a timer to remind yourself to unplug it when it’s done, and if you’re leaving the house, unplug it and finish charging it when you return.

Bike shop owners should be just as careful. Unfortunately, earlier this month, Andante Bike Shop in Cutler Bay, Florida, learned this the hard way. The shop was destroyed on April 9 when a rebuilt battery was left on a charger overnight. While a normal e-bike battery from a reputable brand shouldn’t set itself ablaze when left too long on the charger, a malfunctioning battery is a serious fire hazard. Inexpensive lithium-ion batteries also present a serious risk of malfunctioning. Regardless, it’s important to never leave any e-bike battery charging overnight or without supervision.

Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide

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A good e-bike battery should last for hundreds of cycles. With average use, this means several years. Eventually, electric bike batteries need to be replaced as their life cycle comes to an end.

You can tell when a battery is nearing the end of its life when it does not provide you with much range. Some high-quality batteries that come on the top e-bikes such as a Bosch battery have a battery management system (BMS) integrated into the battery that actually tells you the current capacity and also how many charge cycles it has gone through.

But no matter what type of battery you have you’ll sooner or later be asking yourself the all-important question: how can I replace my e-bike battery?

Down below Electric Bike Report dives into this question and more in greater detail.

Are E-bike Batteries Interchangeable?

In general, the answer is no – you should only replace a battery with one that comes from the same manufacturer and is of exactly the same spec.

The reason is that the original e-bike or kit manufacturer has the responsibility to ensure that the battery pack, charger, and e-bike all work safely together, and using a ‘non-original’ replacement pack potentially introduces all sorts of uncontrolled risks.

It’s a little more complicated than this in some situations. For example, some Bosch batteries of different capacities are explicitly made to be interchangeable and there will be many instances where an original supplier and/or manufacturer of the e-bike cannot be traced or has gone out of business – in such cases we look at your options below.

As an important side note: you should always, if possible, use a charger that comes from the original manufacturer too. The one that comes with your battery should sync up well and not overload the battery. Pairing your battery with a different charger adds in risk of malfunction during charging.

Let’s first look at the basics of getting a replacement battery for your e-bike, then we will look at some of the major manufacturers of e-bike batteries and some of the main e-bike manufacturers to see which common battery types are still replaceable. Let’s consider the options for replacement in terms of desirability.

Where Should I Go to Get a Replacement E-Bike Battery?

On this last point it may help to note that there are a couple of manufacturing standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it may be that one of the standards is actually marked on the battery itself.

The standards are BS EN 50604‑1 and UN38.3, the latter required for lithium-ion battery transport by air, sea or land. Just because these standards are not marked on a battery doesn’t mean it does not comply with them – but it is a reassuring sign if a battery does bear one or both of these marks.

Note that using a replacement battery that does not come from the original manufacturer (whether a dealer is involved or not) may void the warranty of your electric bike or kit. Check with the e-bike or kit company to understand what their policy is regarding the use of aftermarket replacement batteries.

Replacement Batteries from Original Manufacturers

Bosch E-Bike Batteries

Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.

There have been four basic designs made by Bosch over the years (good online overview here):

Rack mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions which are all interchangeable with each other.
Down tube mounted batteries: PowerPack in 300, 400, and 500 Wh versions, current versions of which are all interchangeable with each other.
Frame integrated batteries: PowerTubes in 400, 500, and 625Wh versions, with the 400 and 500 units being interchangeable with each other. The 625Wh may be retrofittable but it needs a compatible frame with a big enough space to house it (400 and 500 units are the same physical dimensions but 625 is bigger). 500 and 625 Wh units are used on the Dual Battery system to give a capacity up to 1250Wh.
Frame Integrated ‘Smart’ Option batteries: This is a new 750Wh option for 2022 and will be only compatible with 2022 e-bikes that feature the Bosch ‘Smart’ system and will not be compatible with other Bosch e-bikes that are ‘non-Smart’. Similarly, other types of PowerTube batteries (400, 500, and 625Wh versions) will not be compatible with e-bikes featuring Bosch’s ‘Smart’ system.

Some third-party batteries compatible with Bosch systems are available as detailed in the section below.

There are some suppliers of batteries that will fit older models, in some cases dating back to 2011 when the Bosch e-bikes first entered the market, for example, The Holland Bike Shop in Europe sells some batteries compatible with much older Bosch-powered models.

Shimano E-Bike Batteries

Shimano produces its own brand batteries for use on their systems, but you may also find new e-bikes powered by Shimano motor systems with batteries manufactured by their licensed partners Darfon and SMP. These third party batteries are not interchangeable with any Shimano batteries.

Shimano’s current range includes rack-mounted, downtube-mounted and frame-integrated batteries from 418Wh to 630Wh. You can see a brief overview with detailed links to each battery on offer here.

It’s important to note that each battery model has a limited number of specific battery mounts it will work with, so it is important to replace an old battery with one that is compatible with the mount on your e-bike. You can check out detailed compatibility info here and here.

Shimano says that ‘the oldest current battery we have is the BT-E6000 and the corresponding battery mount BM-E6000. These are compatible with all five of our current drive units (DU-EP8/E8000/E7000/E6100/E5000), but not earlier systems. For reference, DU-E8000 is the oldest in that list – it was introduced in 2016.’

Brose E-Bike Batteries

The only battery listed on Brose’s own website is a 630Wh frame-integrated option.

However, Brose systems are widely used by other manufacturers who also spec own-brand or third-party batteries. These include the likes of the widely respected battery manufacturer BMZ and well-known brands like Scott and BULLS.

For example, Specialized’s ‘full power’ range use Brose-based mid drives and a range of their own brand frame-integrated batteries. Although information on interchangeability is scarce, a Specialized FAQ page, in response to the question ‘Can I increase range by using the 604Wh aftermarket battery in any Turbo Vado/Como?’ says yes, all Vado batteries are cross-compatible as long as you are running the latest firmware (by implication so are Como and Turbo full power batteries are cross-compatible too).

The above appears only to address compatibility on current Specialized models and battery availability for older models appears a bit more complex with lots of debate online over the matter.

The fact that the latest Specialized e-bike batteries contain a Bluetooth chip to communicate with the latest Mission Control App certainly suggest both backward compatibility and availability of third party batteries will be very limited. Current e-bike batteries available from Specialized can be found here.

Yamaha E-Bike Batteries

Yamaha has integrated, rack-mounted and frame-mounted options ranging between 400Wh and 600Wh but information on backward compatibility is rather hard to find. Their systems appear on Haibike models and in the US on their own brand models too.

Giant use Yamaha motor systems but apparently have their own brand of battery – the EnergyPak range. The standard EnergyPak comes in rack-mounted and frame-integrated options whilst the Smart Compact variant allows for faster charging.

Finally, there is the Giant EnergyPak Plus, for use with the Smart Compact – a range extender style battery that fits onto the frame and effectively increases the capacity of the main Plus battery.

Giant’s Service web page states that there are EnergyPaks with 300, 360, 400, 500 and 625Wh capacities and also states ‘Giant EnergyPaks are interchangeable’.

Fazua E-Bike Batteries

This lightweight German-made system uses a frame-integrated 250Wh design and there have been two types of battery, Battery 250 and Battery 250X, the latter having the ability to be switched on and off remotely.

The latest Fazua Evation 250X battery is compatible with all Fazua electric bikes from 2019-22.

GRIN and Cytronex E-bike Kit Batteries

Canada’s GRIN is a true expert in producing a wide variety of e-bike kits. Whilst they do several designs of batteries, one of their best options from a replaceability point of view is their own brand LiGo batteries.

LiGo batteries are very unusual in being modular so that you can easily connect together as many as you like to increase or decrease battery capacity at will. They are particularly suitable for lightweight and folding bikes (I use them on a GRIN Brompton kit) and also for those who want to air travel with e-bikes as the individual battery units are only 98Wh and so are generally allowed on passenger aircraft (disconnect them from each other for travel and reconnect them on landing to make a useful e-bike battery).

The design has been around for several years and is backward compatible.

The UK’s Cytronex produces both European and US spec lightweight kits which use a unique own-design of ‘bottle battery’.

Cytronex says all their lithium bottles are compatible forwards and backward from the first version in 2017. They have different firmware for the new Bluetooth variant but both this and the non-Bluetooth version allow you to use the new 2-way – 5 level Boost Button or the previous one-way 3 level button.

In fact, if you have old and new kits on two bikes you can switch the bottle between both and it will recognize the two different button types automatically.

E-bike Manufacturers Own Brand Batteries

There are hundreds of e-bike manufacturers in the more budget space so it’s way beyond the scope of this guide to cover the options for each one; rather we’ll take a look at a couple of the market leaders.

Rad Power Bikes E-Bike Batteries

Rad Power Bikes first started producing e-bikes for the North American market in 2015 and now claims to be the US market leader. Their website lists several replacement batteries and their current lineup of bikes uses one of two battery designs.

There is the External Battery Pack (with the option for the smaller pack specific to the RadMission) which is compatible with all 2018 and newer model ebikes except the RadRover 6 Plus and RadCity 5 Plus, which use the Semi-Integrated Battery Pack.

Rad Power Bikes does offer legacy options for bikes older than that 2018 ‘cutoff’ and although some of these legacy batteries are currently out of stock Rad says they have plans to restock them.

The battery packs are consistent across their main sales areas of Canada, US and Europe.

The Rad Power website has a great filter system so you can track down the compatibility of what batteries are in stock against all current and previous models, right back to the original 2015 RadRover. All e-bike manufacturers’ websites should provide this service!

Pedego E-Bike Batteries

A longstanding US manufacturer with a clear set of battery specs for current models here. However, there doesn’t appear to be any info about legacy batteries or backward compatibility.

Interestingly, and it seems uniquely amongst the mainstream manufacturers, Pedego have recently introduced a serviceable battery (pictured above) – designed to be easily maintained at the local Pedego store. It features a rear light, brake light and indicators to boot.

Batteries for Out-Dated Motor Systems

There are a number of older motor and battery systems that are either not used or little used these days but there are still some suppliers out there who may be able to help out and if you are in this position a bit of internet research might just turn something up. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.

BionX E-Bike Batteries

BionX operated between 1998 and 2018 and were once one of the leading e-bike system manufacturers in North America, with the likes of Trek and Kalkhoff using their systems.

There are still limited stocks of spare parts available here and there, including batteries, for example on this Ohm webpage.

Heinzmann E-Bike Batteries

German company Heinzmann had a great reputation for quality and produced the now obsolete Classic system and the newer Direct Power system. At various times both were available as kits or fitted to off-the-peg e-bikes.

In the UK Electric Vehicle Solutions are the main stockist of complete Direct Power kits and of spare parts for the Classic system.

What About Non-removable Frame Integrated Batteries?

A relatively small number of e-bike batteries are incorporated into the frame and not designed to be removed by the rider – they must be charged on the bike. Whilst perhaps inconvenient for some, the system has the benefit of a sleeker and simpler design and keeps the battery cells well-protected.

The Ebikemotion X35 system is one example of the most common lightweight systems out there to feature a frame-enclosed battery.

When it comes to replacing these batteries, to be clear, our official advice is that this is a job for the dealer, or expert shops to do only.

DIY in this area can get tricky in a hurry. Looking into service options to replace batteries in an integrated system is something to consider before purchasing the bike.

Third-Party Replacement E-Bike Batteries

For some older batteries – or even some current ones – there may be manufacturers other than the so-called OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who made the original batteries. These third-party companies are not recognized by the original e-bike manufacturers so if possible it is always best to go back to your dealer or the manufacturer directly to source an original battery.

However, third-party batteries may be a solution where no original batteries appear to be available.

There are a growing number of companies that provide third-party batteries and here we take a look at a couple of the bigger operations.

Please note that on e-bikes that are still in their warranty period, replacing the battery with one from a third-party manufacturer will most likely void the warranty.

FTH Power has a good amount of experience in the electronics business and has diagnostics and assembly capabilities. They look to have good stocks of popular far eastern battery brands such as Reention (used by the likes of Juiced and Surface 604) and Hailong. They also have this handy battery/model finder to see if they have batteries for your particular model of e-bike.

Third-party battery provision (and recelling services) appear to be bigger business in mainland northern Europe than in the U.S. It makes sense, this is where e-bikes have been around much longer and where the average value of e-bikes is higher. The need to keep older bikes going longer is greater. For example, Heskon is a major supplier of replacement batteries to dealers and Fiets Accu Revisie is the part of Heskon that sells direct to customers.

The UK’s Electric Transport Shop network offers battery diagnosis (refundable against a replacement battery or recell if required). The ETS says they also have stocks of Battery Management System chips that can be used on certain packs, usually on older e-bikes.

choosing, best, electric, bikes, canada, slane

The ETS also says ‘There are so many shapes of e-bike batteries now that we cannot guarantee that we have cell packs to fit them all and it is usually cheaper to buy a factory-built replacement than to hand-build a replacement pack in the UK so we usually recommend buying a battery from the original supplier if the diagnosis proves that’s what is needed. If their supplier is no longer available to supply a replacement pack in this instance we will help people find a suitable replacement or as a last resort we will offer to wire in an alternative pack which may be in a different position on the bike.’

What Should I Do With My Old E-bike Battery?

If at all possible the ideal solution is to take it back to the dealer you bought it from who will send it on for recycling.

In the US the industry is in the midst of setting up its own recycling scheme. It was organized by People for Bikes and will be directly coordinated under the auspices of Call2Recycle. There will be a network of battery drop-off locations from the nation’s roughly 3,000 independent bike shops. Manufacturers and retailers can sign up here.

The batteries will be sent on to ‘processing partners’, four of which are domestic and two of which are foreign—one in South Korea and one in Belgium.

The consortium brands are funding the recycling service, which will be free to riders; of course, consumers will still have to pay for replacement batteries. There are also plans for a consumer-direct mail-in recycling option in the summer – EBR will keep you posted on its development.

There are already such ready-made recycling networks in mainland Europe and the UK is just beginning to establish such a network.

This guide to replacement electric bike batteries hopefully covered the basics of what is out there for you. It’s certainly just the tip of the iceberg though. If there is anything else that wasn’t covered here, let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll update this guide with the info our readers are looking for!

The Best Electric Bikes: Upgrade Your Commute For A Sustainable Ride

At Luxe Digital, we independently research, review, and recommend products we love and that we think you will love, too. Learn more about how we curate the best products for you.

We’ve been lucky over the past four years to test and review some of the best electric bikes on the market. From the top electric commuter bike to fat tire e-bike, folding bikes, and eMBX — if you can name it, we’ve most probably tried it. When testing the most popular electric bike brands, we follow strict testing guidelines to make sure that we can compare e-bikes objectively (more on that below).

What does it mean for you?

Well, if you’re here, I’m guessing you want to understand the different ebike options available today and figure out which electric bike is best for your particular use case.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

This is the fourth year in a row that we update our ranking of the best electric bikes. We’ve organized our list by bike category (e.g., city bike, cruiser, mountain bike, etc.). We’ve also shortlisted the top three overall best ebikes that we think will be great options for most people.

In a rush? No problem! Here’s our shortlist of the absolute best options available right now:

Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We’ve been regularly updating our ranking of the best electric bikes since 2019. We started by testing only high-end ebikes. Those were expensive, premium options at the time. But since then, we’ve broadened our ranking to also include more affordable ebikes across multiple categories as the market itself has evolved.

We personally ride as many of the bikes in this ranking as possible to give you our unique point of view and hands-on experience. If we were unable to get our hands on a particular model but thought it was worth being included on our list for your consideration, we performed detailed online research to give you the best recommendations possible.

The 11 best electric bikes of this year

Here’s the full list of the best ebikes of the year. You can directly click on the category that you’re most interested in:

Overall best electric bike:Ride1Up-LMTD
Best premium ebike:LeMond Prolog
Best value electric bike:Ancheer Commuter
Best foldable ebike:Lectric XP 3.0
Best cargo utility ebike:Specialized Haul ST
Best city commuter electric bike:RadCity 5 Plus
Best electric cruiser bike:Flyer Cruiser
Best mountain bike:Specialized Turbo Levo Expert
Best fat tire electric bike:Ride1Up RIFT
Best road electric bike:Specialized Turbo Creo
Best electric trike:Lectric XP Trike

Methodology: Our approach to testing and ranking the best electric bikes

At Luxe Digital, we rate every product against the values that are important to us:

Craftsmanship: How is it made? Is the brand using high-quality materials and expertise?
Design: How does it look and feel? Is it aesthetic and timeless?
Function and purpose: How well does it perform? Does it achieve its stated claims?
Impact: Does the brand have a positive impact on your daily life and the planet?
Value for money: Is it worth its retail price? Is the price justifiable?

Things you should pay attention to when buying an electric bike

Let’s quickly go through the things you should take into consideration when shopping online for an electric bike.

There are really only two factors to consider when comparing electric bikes: What you’ll do with your ebike and how much you’re ready to spend on it.

We told you it would be quick

Okay, there’s a little bit more to it once you get into the details, but these are the two important questions you should start with to keep your search for the best ebike focused and relevant.

Once you’ve defined your use case and budget, you can start comparing technical specs and features for the different electric bikes that are most relevant to your needs.

We’ll do that in a second, but first, let’s briefly talk about the three different types of electric bikes available today. There are categorized into three classes.

The three legal classes of e-bikes

First thing first, you should understand the class of ebike you want. There are three legal classes of electric bikes on the market in the US:

Class 1 electric bikes: The easiest and safest to start with, class 1 ebikes use a pedal-assist motor to support your ride. You need to pedal in order to engage the electric motor. The motor will disengage as soon as you reach 20 mph.
Class 2 electric bikes: These ebikes are equipped with a throttle motor that you can engage without pedaling. The throttle is usually a grip-twist or a button. Type 2 ebikes are also limited to 20 mph.
Class 3 electric bikes: This is the fastest class of e-bikes with a pedal-assist motor that can reach a top speed of 28 mph. While you don’t need a license to ride them, it’s highly recommended.

Check our dedicated guide to electric bike classes to learn more about the system and see examples for each type. Check also your local rules and regulations to know where and how you can ride each class of ebike. For example, the city of New York enacted a law in 2023 prohibiting the sale, lease, or rental of electric bikes that fail the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2849.

Next, let’s see what you want to use the bike for.

The eight categories of electric bikes

Based on our experience riding electric bikes for several years, we’ve broken down this guide into eight categories of ebikes. These categories are based on different use cases and terrains. It’s important to choose a bike that suits how and where you want to ride to get the best experience possible.

Here are the eight different categories of electric bikes you should consider:

Folding electric bikes: They are designed for portability and can be stored in small spaces. Folding bikes are ideal for travelers, RVers, city dwellers, and office workers who want to easily store their bikes. Just keep in mind that their design usually makes for a less stable ride.
Utility cargo electric bikes: These bikes offer a large cargo capacity and can be customized to your needs, which makes them perfect to replace your car for most trips. Cargo ebikes are heavier, however, and thus best suited for riding out straight from your garage to school to drop your kids or to the store.
City commuter electric bikes: These are great if you primarily want to ride to and from work. Commuter bikes are designed for city use and can replace your car. They have quick power output, higher speeds, and features like brake lights to improve your visibility on the road.
Cruiser ebikes: This type of bike is built for comfort and ease of use. They are perfect for long slow rides on dedicated bike lanes or by the beach.
Mountain electric bikes: Purposefully built for off-road use with rugged suspension systems, light frames, strong tires, and frame geometry that make them well-suited to riding trails.
Fat tire electric bikes: Specially designed for off-road and rough terrain. They have wide tires that provide traction and stability, and a powerful motor that helps you to move quickly over different surfaces.
Road electric bikes: Ideal for riders who want to go faster and farther on well-paved roads. Road ebikes are lighter and come with narrow tires to improve traction and speed.
Electric trikes: These three-wheelers are a category on their own. They offer additional cargo space (ideal for children or groceries) with a comfortable and stable ride.

We’ve selected a winner for each category in our ranking below.

Now let’s look at the technical specifications to consider when comparing ebikes.

Technical specs to consider when comparing ebikes

You’ll see a lot of technical jargon on manufacturers’ websites when comparing electric bikes online. But really, we think you can narrow it down to only two essential elements:

Motor power output: The speed and electric assistance you need.

The electric motor determines how fast you can go and how much electrical assistance you will get while pedaling. Electric bike motors are measured in Watts and typically range from 250W to 750W—the higher the number, the most powerful the motor. Powerful electric motors will deliver more torque to carry heavier weights. They also accelerate faster and can reach higher speeds (although your top speed will be limited depending on your bike’s class).

Another thing to consider with the electric motor is its placement on the bike. There are two common options on the market: hub-drive motors, delivering power to one of the wheels, and mid-drive motors, delivering power to the pedal crank.

Hub-drive motors are cheaper and easier to maintain, but they’re less efficient and make tire replacement more complicated. On the other hand, mid-drive motors are more expensive but also more efficient and offer a more balanced weight distribution.

Battery capacity: The distance and duration of you ride.

Your ebike’s battery determines how far and how long you can ride. Batteries are measured in watts per hour (Wh)—the higher the Wh number, the more power storage. Higher Wh batteries are generally also heavier, however, so you’ll need to find the right balance between the overall bike’s weight, your own weight, and what you want to do with your bike.

Another thing to look out for is the option to remove (or not) your ebike’s battery. Some models offer a removable battery, which might be more convenient for you to recharge or store. Removable batteries are also easier to change if your battery gets old.

Now that you understand the two most important technical specifications related to electric bikes, let’s look at a few extra elements to consider:

Weight: the battery and motor can add significant weight to your bike. Understand how that might affect your ride quality, speed, and distance.
Tires: depending on your use case, you’ll want appropriate tires for the terrain.
Step-over vs step-through: this refers to the height of the bar in the middle of the frame. Step-over bikes have a high bar that provides more balance and rigidity to your ride. Step-through bikes have a lower bar that makes it easier to get on the bike. I generally recommend step-over for most scenarios, but a step-through is a good option short distance commuting.
Safety features: look for options such as integrated lights and capable breaks. Break lights are especially important if you want a city bike to ride in the traffic.
Warranty: we only recommend ebikes from reputable manufacturers, but you should always check what the warranty is like and the quality of the brand’s customer service.
Additional features: a few extra things to consider depending on your use case is the type of suspensions and the electric bike’s interface (for example, does it come with an app).
Payment plan: there are so many options available on the market this year that you’re bound to find an electric bike that suits your budget. Many states and brands offer attractive financing plans, vehicle loan programs, or cash incentives to help support your purchase. We’ll mention them in our review below whenever possible.

One more thing before we get to the main course: you should check our selection of the best electric motorcycles if you want more speed and comfort while riding. And if you’re looking for a cheaper and lighter alternative, we have a detailed guide to the best electric scooters too.

Now, let’s get to the most interesting part of this article: our ranking of the best electric bikes of the year!

Overall best electric bike: Ride1Up LMTD

Ebike category	Class 3
Motor	750W rear hub with 95Nm of torque
Battery	672Wh
Top Speed	28mph pedal assist and 20mph throttle
Range	Up to 50 miles
Weight	53 lbs

Top 10 Electric Motorcycle Brand Recommendation, high-performance long range, run long distance

In the past few years, the range of electric scooters available to consumers has proliferated, especially in western developed countries, where high-performance electric scooters have become another consumption trend. There are even special motor racing.

Today, we recommend the best TOP 10 high-performance electric motorcycle ranking in China, SmartPropel hope to help you buy electric motorcycles.

1.Yadea

Recommended series: Crown Energy, Classic, Power Exchange, VFLY

As the leader of the industry, Yadea is one of the earlier enterprises to obtain the electric motorcycle production qualification. R D strength, backed by two large CNAS national enterprise laboratories, to achieve from graphene to carbon fiber technology across. Carbon fiber battery performance is amazing, the latest 3s 9max crown energy carried TTFAR carbon fiber 2.0 lithium battery, breaking the 200 km range bottleneck.

There are crown energy, classic, power exchange and VFLY series. The coronal series focuses on the power and range core features of the TTFAR 7 range extension system, which is currently in its third generation. The classic series is suitable for urban commuting. The T3 bucket has a large storage space, which can put down the helmet and other sundries, deepen the front hopper and flip the front hook, and can be hung with daily necessities such as vegetable baskets.

Yadea has set up 45 power-exchange stations in Hangzhou, where riders can exchange motorcycle batteries, but because of the slow laying of the stations, most consumers buy an extra battery and use it interchangeably. The VFLY flying series is positioned at the high end, and the model designed by Porsche Design Studio in strategic cooperation is very sunny. Some of the seats are also made of the same material as the Porsche car, and the TTFAR carbon fiber lithium-ion battery is used. The range can be up to 100 km, support voice assistant.

2.Aima

Recommended series: Q, A, F, X

Aima Engine Max is Emma’s latest launch of the energy fusion system, including Bosch MAX polymer motor, anti-aging graphene batteries and other seven components. By improving energy density, reducing energy loss and optimizing energy recovery, the system can achieve a 100 km range on a single charge.

Currently there are Q, A, F and X series. Q series of fashionable and beautiful appearance, compact body, the target of female users, adequate storage space and hook design to meet the daily needs. The A500 from Series A was defined as the first car in the era of Aima’s car-making. In addition to its excellent range, the A500 also made some breakthroughs in industrial design, such as man-machine coordination, wind resistance system and so on, strive for a more comfortable ride.

The f-series has only one electric car, the Jumbo F692, which uses graphene batteries and has better battery life than ordinary lead-acid batteries. Super battery life is the biggest selling point of the car, officials claim that in ideal conditions the vehicle can go 500 miles without charging. The X-series also has only one car: the Polar Shadow X12, the color outstanding collocation and the mechanical feeling full modelling is the main highlight.

Tailg

Recommended Series: Super, Super Second Generation, Super Intelligence

Guangdong old-brand enterprises, always FOCUS on the middle-end and entry-level market, aiming at commuting, commuting and other travel needs, in consumers get a good reputation. Its main selling point is its long-range, Cloud-powered 4.0 system, which officials say can deliver about twice as many miles as a comparable electric car at the same nominal battery voltage.

Existing Super, super second generation and Super Intelligent series. Super version of the model from the Super Series, equipped with the self-developed Cloud power system, using graphene batteries and graphene Cloud controller, optimized range performance. The Super 2 range currently features a stylish beauty and the ultra-strong range of the 400, the best-performing, graphene-based battery, which ideally has a range of up to 400km.

Super Smart Series Super Smart N 9 is the flagship product, in the core configuration, using the development of the Bell’s second-generation graphene battery, 1200W motor and Cloud controller, range performance is not bad. Smart App can also provide simple car inspection, positioning, anti-theft and electricity detection functions, convenient daily maintenance.

4.SUNRA

Recommended: Miku Super, Huawei HiLink f 5, Supercar, long-distance dual-core

The domestic old brand electric vehicle enterprise, is also one of the enterprises which combine the vehicle and the APP early in the industry, promotes the intellectualization. The core patent technology is double-core and double-power system, the motor adopts double windings design to realize power superposition, the maximum climbing angle is more than 27 °. and the torque can reach 235N m.

The flagship Miku Super is a dual-core, dual-power sports motorcycle. It has a front and rear disc brake system, and intelligent functions such as fingerprint unlock and APP interconnect. The configuration and performance are excellent, but the price is high, need tens of thousands of yuan to start. For daily commutes, the Huawei HiLink F5 is a good option. It can be connected to a device via Huawei’s Smart life APP and can unlock a vehicle, open a seat cushion and check its battery capacity. It costs about RMB5,400.

The Supercar is made up of two electric motorcycles, the Phantom Plus and the elegant DQ3, both of which use lithium-ion batteries. The former carries a 1200W motor, has large storage capacity and can be unlocked by NFC, while the latter is compact, the ride is less comfortable. Dual-core series from the”Frequency” and”Energy-saving” two points, GF6 Eg2.0 frequency conversion system includes a single-wire high-energy-saving motor, intelligent frequency controller and other devices.

5.Luyuan

Recommended Series: S, Moda, polar shadow

Although not as well-known as Emma and Yadi, but with solid workmanship and excellent cost-effective, in the mid-range market around 5000 yuan to maintain a good competitiveness. In the motor, battery, tires, brakes and other aspects have their own research and development of technology, the most noteworthy of which is green source’s liquid-cooled motor technology, compared to traditional motor temperature is lower, operating efficiency is higher, use less electricity.

According to the speed of design is divided into electric light friction and electric friction, both types of motor with liquid-cooled. The S series is the Fist series, the S30 and S50 are the products of high concern, both carry 1200W motor and SOC intelligent endurance system, but the S50 uses 72V 30AH battery with higher energy density, the range is up to 120km and costs around 5,300 yuan.

The MODA series also carries Green Source’s state-of-the-art liquid-cooled motor technology, but the series is more focused on appearance, such as the MODA3 design retro, while at the same time taking into account the practical functions. The Polaris FOCUS on performance, with 1,200 W of liquid-cooled power providing a range of 120 km and a top speed of 52 km/h.

6.BYVIN

Recommended series: M 1, M 1plus, D 1, H 2plus

As early as 2016, BYVIN has been awarded motorcycle production qualification and 3C certification, is the industry’s second national electric motorcycle production qualification enterprises. The product features high cost-effectiveness and practicality, and its price is very friendly to low-budget consumers.

Long-distance navigation power system is the core technology of bidwin, which is mainly composed of battery, motor and controller. It adopts the technology of frequency conversion and speed regulation, the speed efficiency is increased by 20%. the speed is increased by 5KM/H without adding extra energy through intelligent speed matching, and it is a high-density capacitive battery with a capacity of 2300WH The controller adjusts the power output, reduces the risk of overheating, improves the utilization of electric energy, and further improves the endurance.

The new models on sale online include the M1, m1plus, D1 and h2plus, so there’s not much difference in battery life and performance, with ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 yuan. If the pursuit of performance, can start m 1plus and H 2plus, two models of motor power up to 1200W, before and after 110 hub brake brake brake braking device to meet the basic brake braking requirements.

SLANE

Recommended Series: DDFAR 2.0, DDFAR 3.0

SLANE has four R D and manufacturing bases in Wuxi, Tianjin and Guangdong. The annual sales of electric vehicles exceed 1 million units, and the sales growth rate ranks first in the industry. The core technology is the dual-mode self-charging 2.0 system, which consists of DDFAR 2.0 range-extended graphene battery and 215 high-efficiency large cell motor.

The DDFAR2.0 and DDFAR3.0 series are developed around the dual-mode DDFAR system. The two series are not outstanding in the range performance, the main push is the performance of power. The DDFAR3.0 series includes the N50, T5 and N90 models, all of which use the DDFAR3.0 system to provide traction power above kilowatts.

The DDFAR 2.0 series includes N70, N3, and G1. G 1 beautiful appearance, compact body, suitable for the vehicle appearance requirements of consumers. The N3 and N70 are not significantly different in configuration and performance, and both use DDFAR 2.0 systems. The difference in core performance is that the N70 motor powers 600W, while the N3 motor powers 1000W. If you want speed, you can choose N 3.

8.Cineco

Recommended Series: E-RT3, O2, E-RX1, B1 Blues, Es5

Cineco is a high-end new energy motorcycle brand of Zongshen locomotive, which advocates”Technology-driven fun” and makes use of its advantages to develop in the aspect of science and Technology, intelligence and lightweighting. The main high-end, intelligent, higher prices, suitable for the budget, the quality of vehicles have higher requirements for the purchase of the crowd.

Five electric motorcycles have been released in recent years: The E-RT3 with the big pedal, the O-2 with the technology pedal, the E-RX1 with the RV, the retro B-1 Blues, the ES5 and the 2023 ERT3. E-RT3 is the predecessor of Zong’s popular RT3 fuel pedal, which carries an intelligent control system-mori blue brain, the main function is responsible for intelligent driving, battery management, human-computer interaction.

The B1 bluesy exterior design is very distinctive, bright colors with 16-inch spokes wheels, circular rearview mirror and other designs, retro yet stylish, equipped with 60V 20AH lithium-ion battery and 1500W motor. The O 2 O 2 is compact and suitable for daily commuting. The front of the car has a event data recorder that can shoot 1080p video and comes with a 16GB capacity.

Niu

Recommended Series: NQI, MQi, UQI, RQI, TQI, Gova and YQi

NIU Technologies (NASDAQ: NIU). founded in 2014, is a global provider of Smart City Mobility Solutions. The company is committed to making Smart city mobility easier and greener for users around the world, make city life better. Maverick is the first lifestyle brand in China’s urban travel sector, spreading the brand concept of technology, style, freedom. In the past 20 years, MQI and UQI are the only two travel products that have won seven major grand slam design awards, including the German Red Dot, the German IF, the American IDEA, the Japanese g-Mark, the Chinese Red Star, the Taiwan Golden Pin and the Hong Kong DFA.

As a global intelligent lithium-electric two-wheel electric vehicle enterprise, Maverick Electric created the intelligent two-wheel electric vehicle this new category. NIU EnergyTM, the 7th generation of NIU EnergyTM AI power lithium-ion system technology independently developed by Mavis Electric, enables longer battery life, lighter weight, higher safety and stronger power, the NIU INSPIRE Smart technology and big data algorithm, which is powered by Mavericks, uses sensors all over the body to collect and analyze user data in multiple dimensions, mining user riding needs and constantly optimizing the distribution of the product line, enhance product experience and service.