Smart tech electric bike
Electric pedal-assisted bikes, also known as E-bikes or electric bikes, offer a spectrum of benefits for different kinds of rides and riders, and aim to break down barriers that prevent us from taking longer, faster rides. Each E-bike in our lineup has a pedal assist motor that runs on a frame-integrated, rechargeable battery. One question we get all the time is: how long will my E-bike battery last on one charge? The not-so simple answer: It depends. We know, WE KNOW: that’s not that helpful, but hear us out. There are a lot of factors that affect just how far your battery will last, and once you understand them, you’ll be better at estimating how many miles you have before you need to recharge.
But, before you can get a clear picture of how to maximize your E-bike battery life, you’ll need a quick run-down of the technology that goes into making your E-bike… well… go. For everyone’s sanity, we tried to put our tech jargon into simple terms here. Read on for detailed descriptions of each model of battery and motor, and how they interact on your bike.
Liv’s Four Battery Options
Our E-bikes are built with one of three batteries that power the motor: the EnergyPak Smart, the EnergyPak Smart Compact, or the EnergyPak Side Release. Also available is the EnergyPak Plus, a small backup battery. All four rechargeable batteries detach from the frame and can be plugged in either on or off the bike, depending on how accessible your outlet is.
The strength of each battery is measured in watt hours (Wh)—a unit totally different from watts, which many cyclists use to measure their own power output at any given moment as they ride. But mainly: The higher the watt hour of your bike’s battery, the more power it can hold.
The EnergyPak Smart is the highest-capacity battery available for our E-bikes, ideal for long, intense rides where you’ll be using a large amount of pedal assistance or encountering a lot of loose gravel, snow, mud, or other unpaved terrain. The slim, streamlined battery is integrated right into the frame of the bike for a clean look and feel. It comes in three different watt hour (Wh) versions: 625, 500, and 400 (if the bike you buy comes with the 400 or 500 Wh battery, it’s compatible for an upgrade). All three Wh levels of the battery charge from dead to 80 percent in under three hours.
The EnergyPak Smart Compact is our 500 Wh electric road bike battery, which has the sleekest profile designed to help your E-bike blend in with a fleet of non-electric road bikes. Both the EnergyPak Smart and EnergyPak Smart Compact have aluminum casing to help prevent overheating, for both safety and battery-life extension purposes.
The EnergyPak Side Release comes on many of our commuter E-bikes and entry-level electric mountain bikes, shaped specifically to fit into step-through models. It’s available in 500 Wh and 400 Wh and slides into the side of the downtube, rather than removing from the bottom the previous two batteries listed. EnergyPak side release’s waterproof rating is IPX5, slightly less than the rest of Liv’s batteries (IPX6, which can withstand a bit more pressure).
If you’re taking an extra-long trip where you might need extra battery life before you reach a place you can recharge, the EnergyPak Plus, a 250 Wh backup battery, is available. It’s small, lightweight, and can be mounted directly to your downtube to add more miles to your ride. It charges relatively quickly, up to about 80 percent capacity in just two hours, so you can change up your main battery and this one in a single evening.
Liv’s Three Motor Options
Our E-bikes have a motor located near the bottom-bracket that gives you assistance in turning the pedals, also called pedal assist. The three motors were developed in cooperation with Yamaha, and includes the SyncDrive Pro, the SyncDrive Sport, and the SyncDrive Core. All three motors are equipped with multiple sensors that detect even the slightest change in your cadence, power input, and speed. This allows the motor to blend the assistance it’s giving you into your pedal stroke in the most natural way possible; it engages smoothly and gradually, increasing input to match yours. Our E-bikes are designed to emphasize and support your own power and fitness, so there is no throttle you can push to make it go. You have to pedal—but how hard you pedal is up to you.
Our top-end E-bike come with the SyncDrive Pro. It’s the most powerful motor with the fastest engagement, meaning it feels the most touchy of the three, so it’s great for intense bursts of power to get through tricky uphill sections or steep punchy climbs on a mountain bike. The highly sensitive motor engages even if you’re pedaling super lightly and quickly (up to 170 rpm).
The SyncDrive Sport motor comes on most of our mid-priced bikes, and offers a less-punchy engagement than the Pro. Since it’s more conservative with its power, it tends to use less battery over time than the high-powered Pro as well.
The SyncDrive Core is the lightest-duty motor that comes on many of our E-commuter, and entry-level E-mountain bikes. It offers the smoothest engagement with the most gradual increase of assistance, so it is the most battery-conserving option of the three. And—bonus—it’s also the quietest.
Best electric hybrid bikes
Like a non-assisted hybrid bike, electric hybrid bikes feature an upright riding position, flat bars and stable handling. They’re often the least expensive entry point into ebikes.
With lots of mounting points for accessories such as pannier bags and mudguards, electric hybrids are great if you’re planning to commute to work by bike, ride around town or want to go for leisurely rides on bike trails or through parks.
Electric hybrid bikes can be quite heavy because they tend to use less sophisticated motor systems and the bikes are built for robustness. This is worth bearing in mind if you need to carry them up stairs.
Below is a selection of four of the very best electric hybrid bikes as tested by our senior road technical editor, Warren Rossiter. For more recommendations, check out our full round-up of the best electric hybrid bikes.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0
- £2,600 / €2,999 / 3,500 as tested
- Pros: Well-tuned power delivery; low weight
- Cons: Lower-torque motor means you have to put in more work
Specialized makes two electric hybrid bike ranges. Whereas the standard Turbo Vado is a heavy-duty ebike, the Vado SL uses a less powerful motor with 35Nm of torque. This reduces the weight to under 15kg, but the flip side is that you have less assistance than with the Turbo Vado, which could be a problem on hills.
The other advantage of the lower output is clean looks, with the concealed battery giving a sporty appearance. Specialized fits lights to all models and includes mudguards and a luggage rack on pricier models.
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Canyon Pathlite:ON 5
- £2,499 / €2,699, as tested
- Pros: Great handling and confident off-road
- Cons: Heavy versus its rivals
The Canyon Pathlite:ON 5 is a powerful electric hybrid bike that handles and rides commendably. Our testing found the Canyon’s 100km claimed range to be true, but there’s no denying the bike is heavy at 23.5kg.
Where the Pathlite:ON 5 truly stands out is off the tarmac, where it rivals electric mountain bikes with confidence-inspiring chunky tyres and a shock-absorbing suspension fork.
Tern Quick Haul P9
- £3,100 / 3,299 / AU4995 as tested
- Pros: Great fun to ride and versatile
- Cons: Official add-ons are fairly pricey
The Tern Quick Haul P9 looks like a cargo bike at first glance, but its compact design means it isn’t much longer than a typical electric hybrid.
With the option to fit a huge array of useful add-on accessories both front and back, our tester described the Quick Haul P9 as a “genuinely viable car replacement”.
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Best electric folding bikes
Commuters who travel by public transport or are short on space are catered for too. Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media
If you want to cycle to work or are just pressed for space to store your ride, a compact electric folding bike could be the answer.
Folding ebikes often have the battery hidden in their frames, or they may come with a removable battery to make carrying them on and off public transport a bit easier.
A removable battery also means you can take it somewhere where it’s easier to charge (at your desk, for example, if you use the bike to ride to work).
But the extra weight of the motor and battery means carrying a folding ebike on and off public transport, and up and down stairs, will be harder. The available range can be quite limited in some models too.
For more product recommendations, check out our round-up of the best folding electric bikes.
Brompton Electric
The Brompton Electric adds a front-hub motor to the iconic folder. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
- £2,725 as tested
- Pros: Very compact fold; smooth power delivery
- Cons: Quite heavy; two pieces to carry
A front-hub motor adds electric power to the classic Brompton folding bike, giving you a range of around 40km. The battery sits in a separate pack, which can be removed from the bike for carrying.
Since we tested the Brompton Electric, the standard bike has been redesignated the C Line Explore. It’s been joined by the P Line, which uses lighter frame materials and components to chop almost 2kg off the C Line’s 17.4kg claimed weight.
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GoCycle G4
- £3,999 as tested
- Pros: Larger wheels ride more smoothly; stylish design
- Cons: Expensive; doesn’t fold as small as some ebikes
While pricey, the GoCycle G4 is a folder, commuter and electric bike in one. The ride and handling are far more assured than most folding bikes on- and off-road, thanks to the meaty tyres and larger wheels.
The bike folds in half at its centre, making it easier to roll than to carry and the removable battery in the front of the frame is accessed via the fold. At over 17kg, it’s quite heavy though.
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MiRider One GB3
The GB3 is an upgrade on the original MiRider One, with an accompanying price rise. David Caudery / Our Media
- £2,495 as tested
- Pros: Very compact
- Cons: Price has increased significantly from the original bike
The MiRider One GB3 is an upgrade from the original model we tested a few years ago. Unfortunately, that’s resulted in a significant price hike, but the ebike is still a compact, nippy city commuter.
The belt drive is cleaner and lower-maintenance than a chain, there’s good adjustability, and built-in rear suspension and wide tyres add comfort.
The GB3 design has three speeds, adding flexibility over the singlespeed predecessor, and you can change gear while stationary. We achieved a range of up to 50km.
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Best electric mountain bikes
Electric mountain bikes can be great on the climbs, but handling on the descents can take a bit of getting used to. Ian Linton
An electric mountain bike will get you to the top quicker, particularly on technical, steeper climbs, and with more energy to enjoy the descents. Plus, getting up the ups more easily will give you extra range to explore further.
Recent improvements in eMTB performance mean handling is approaching that of the best mountain bikes without a motor, providing heaps of flat-out riding fun.
But, nevertheless, the extra weight can make handling more tricky on particularly technical sections, so it’s a good idea to ease off a bit until you’ve got the feel of the bike
This is a small selection of the best electric mountain bikes we have tested, as selected by our expert team of mountain bike tech editors, Alex Evans, Robin Weaver and Tom Marvin.
Focus JAM2 SL 9.9
- £7,499/€8,499/AU14,499 as tested
- Pros: Powerful and efficient motor; high levels of performance
- Cons: Inadequate tyres specced; ride remote feels cheap
The Focus JAM2 SL 9.9 is on the lightweight end of the electric bike spectrum, using Fazua’s Ride 60 motor, which provides the bike with 60Nm of torque.
The motor is very frugal, being one of the best for power consumption, with the 430Wh battery lasting longer than other bikes we’ve tested.
Focus has given the JAM2 SL an adjustable geometry, with the frame featuring two flip chips in the linkage and the chainstays enabling the bike to be set up longer, lower and slacker.
While the bike only features 150mm of rear travel, we found it spanned both trail and enduro riding well, which added to enjoyment on gnarlier trails.
The only let down was the slightly cheap-feeling Fazua remote and underwhelming lightweight tyre choice.
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Orbea Wild M-Team
The Orbea Wild M-Team impressed us with its modern geometry and powertrain. Olly Bowman / Our Media
- £9,207/9,844/€9,727/AU17,429 as tested
- Pros: Bosch motor and battery combo performs well; feels capable on all trails
- Cons: Priced at the top end of the market
Winning our Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award for 2023, the Orbea Wild M-Team impresses with a balanced geometry that feels dominant whether the trail is going up or down.
The Fox Factory 38 fork features 170mm of travel, while the 160mm of rear travel is controlled by a Fox X2 Factory shock that does a great job of gobbling up rough terrain and finding grip on technical sections.
The punchy nature of Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor gives the bike great climbing ability, with assistance feeling constant up until the cut-off speed.
Alongside the great spec list, Orbea has fitted the bike with downhill casing tyres, which means you can push the Wild M-Team to the extremes of it’s geometry with little worry.
Best electric folding bikes
Commuters who travel by public transport or are short on space are catered for too. Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media
If you want to cycle to work or are just pressed for space to store your ride, a compact electric folding bike could be the answer.
Folding ebikes often have the battery hidden in their frames, or they may come with a removable battery to make carrying them on and off public transport a bit easier.
A removable battery also means you can take it somewhere where it’s easier to charge (at your desk, for example, if you use the bike to ride to work).
But the extra weight of the motor and battery means carrying a folding ebike on and off public transport, and up and down stairs, will be harder. The available range can be quite limited in some models too.
For more product recommendations, check out our round-up of the best folding electric bikes.
Brompton Electric
The Brompton Electric adds a front-hub motor to the iconic folder. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
- £2,725 as tested
- Pros: Very compact fold; smooth power delivery
- Cons: Quite heavy; two pieces to carry
A front-hub motor adds electric power to the classic Brompton folding bike, giving you a range of around 40km. The battery sits in a separate pack, which can be removed from the bike for carrying.
Since we tested the Brompton Electric, the standard bike has been redesignated the C Line Explore. It’s been joined by the P Line, which uses lighter frame materials and components to chop almost 2kg off the C Line’s 17.4kg claimed weight.
Latest deals
GoCycle G4
- £3,999 as tested
- Pros: Larger wheels ride more smoothly; stylish design
- Cons: Expensive; doesn’t fold as small as some ebikes
While pricey, the GoCycle G4 is a folder, commuter and electric bike in one. The ride and handling are far more assured than most folding bikes on- and off-road, thanks to the meaty tyres and larger wheels.
The bike folds in half at its centre, making it easier to roll than to carry and the removable battery in the front of the frame is accessed via the fold. At over 17kg, it’s quite heavy though.
Latest deals
MiRider One GB3
The GB3 is an upgrade on the original MiRider One, with an accompanying price rise. David Caudery / Our Media
- £2,495 as tested
- Pros: Very compact
- Cons: Price has increased significantly from the original bike
The MiRider One GB3 is an upgrade from the original model we tested a few years ago. Unfortunately, that’s resulted in a significant price hike, but the ebike is still a compact, nippy city commuter.
The belt drive is cleaner and lower-maintenance than a chain, there’s good adjustability, and built-in rear suspension and wide tyres add comfort.
The GB3 design has three speeds, adding flexibility over the singlespeed predecessor, and you can change gear while stationary. We achieved a range of up to 50km.
Latest deals
Best electric mountain bikes
Electric mountain bikes can be great on the climbs, but handling on the descents can take a bit of getting used to. Ian Linton
An electric mountain bike will get you to the top quicker, particularly on technical, steeper climbs, and with more energy to enjoy the descents. Plus, getting up the ups more easily will give you extra range to explore further.
Recent improvements in eMTB performance mean handling is approaching that of the best mountain bikes without a motor, providing heaps of flat-out riding fun.
But, nevertheless, the extra weight can make handling more tricky on particularly technical sections, so it’s a good idea to ease off a bit until you’ve got the feel of the bike
This is a small selection of the best electric mountain bikes we have tested, as selected by our expert team of mountain bike tech editors, Alex Evans, Robin Weaver and Tom Marvin.
Focus JAM2 SL 9.9
- £7,499/€8,499/AU14,499 as tested
- Pros: Powerful and efficient motor; high levels of performance
- Cons: Inadequate tyres specced; ride remote feels cheap
The Focus JAM2 SL 9.9 is on the lightweight end of the electric bike spectrum, using Fazua’s Ride 60 motor, which provides the bike with 60Nm of torque.
The motor is very frugal, being one of the best for power consumption, with the 430Wh battery lasting longer than other bikes we’ve tested.
Focus has given the JAM2 SL an adjustable geometry, with the frame featuring two flip chips in the linkage and the chainstays enabling the bike to be set up longer, lower and slacker.
While the bike only features 150mm of rear travel, we found it spanned both trail and enduro riding well, which added to enjoyment on gnarlier trails.
The only let down was the slightly cheap-feeling Fazua remote and underwhelming lightweight tyre choice.
Latest deals
Orbea Wild M-Team
The Orbea Wild M-Team impressed us with its modern geometry and powertrain. Olly Bowman / Our Media
- £9,207/9,844/€9,727/AU17,429 as tested
- Pros: Bosch motor and battery combo performs well; feels capable on all trails
- Cons: Priced at the top end of the market
Winning our Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award for 2023, the Orbea Wild M-Team impresses with a balanced geometry that feels dominant whether the trail is going up or down.
The Fox Factory 38 fork features 170mm of travel, while the 160mm of rear travel is controlled by a Fox X2 Factory shock that does a great job of gobbling up rough terrain and finding grip on technical sections.
The punchy nature of Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor gives the bike great climbing ability, with assistance feeling constant up until the cut-off speed.
Alongside the great spec list, Orbea has fitted the bike with downhill casing tyres, which means you can push the Wild M-Team to the extremes of it’s geometry with little worry.
information about VanMoof’s electric bikes
Are you in for the ride? Decision well made. Now let’s seal the deal. We offer multiple payment options so you can get your hands on your bike in a way that’s best for you. Aside from purchasing the bike directly we also offer the following:
Payment through local payment plans: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France offer local payment plans for buying an e-bike. VanMoof is participating in the Cycle to Work scheme in the UK, Fietsplan in the Netherlands, and Prime Velo in France.
Payment via lease: we offer lease services in most markets, including a business lease service and a private lease service (the latter is only available in the Netherlands).
What are the advantages of VanMoof’s e-bikes?
Our e-bikes are the result of over 10 years of continuous innovation. They’re jam-packed with our custom-developed tech, and offer industry-leading features all geared towards making our riders’ lives a little easier.
Bike theft is still the main barrier preventing people from riding high-quality bikes. The E-bikes further VanMoof’s anti-theft pedigree with a host of features designed to give thieves nightmares – and make it easier for our Bike Hunters to recover stolen bikes.
Our responsive multi-phase alarms enable remote lockdown, location tracking, and disabling of all systems. Peace of Mind guarantees that we’ll recover or replace your bike if it’s stolen.
Our Rider Recognition enables a secure, encrypted connection with your smartphone – it’ll automatically activate when you approach your bike. If someone tries to steal your bike, the alarm will be triggered and you’ll receive an alert to your mobile via the VanMoof app. And, if the thief still isn’t deterred, our Bike Hunters will be on their way to return your beloved bike faster than you can say “stolen. Our theft defense measures reduce the chance of bike theft as much as possible, and provide you with Peace of Mind. Still curious? Find all you need to know about our Theft Defense.
No feature sets VanMoof e-bikes apart more than the Turbo Boost. The Turbo Boost gives you a blast of instant acceleration by maxing out the motor torque. Designed for when you need a blast of instant acceleration most, you can easily race away from traffic lights, up steep hills, and across tricky intersections.
With our automatic E-shifter, you’ll no longer have to think about changing gears. The E-shifter works in tandem with the integrated Smart Cartridge to switch gears at the perfect moment each and every time. Whether you’re climbing a steep slope, cruising a flat, or racing downhill, the E-shifter makes sure you’re in the right gear in a flash.
We think just as hard about how you’ll slow down. Our rides are the first e-bikes on the market with a fully integrated handlebar and brake assembly – making them just as beautiful to use as it is to look at. Our hydraulic brakes deliver much greater stopping power with very little effort. Now you have precise and powerful braking power in all conditions, with the pull of a single finger.
Compare the specs of all our models
Get to know the ins and outs of the VanMoof S5 A5 and VanMoof S3 X3. Download the comparison specs sheet.
Do All Electric Bikes Have A Throttle?
No, a throttle is not mandatory for ebikes—it depends on what class the bike belongs to. Class 2 ebikes and some Class 3 ebikes have a throttle that you can use to accelerate without pedaling at all. Class 1 ebikes do not have a throttle.
The real question, though, is whether you need a throttle. A throttle can be helpful, especially if you ride on steep or hilly terrain. A throttle can also be convenient if you want to recover from hard pedaling and let the bike do all the work. But consider a throttle a convenience that most riders can easily do without.
What’s The Difference Between The Various Ebike Classes?
Ebikes fall into three classes:
- Class 1 ebikes have a top speed of 20 mph using pedal assistance (PAS). The motor is designed to cut off if you exceed 20 mph, and no Class 1 bikes include a throttle.
- Class 2 models have a throttle that can propel the bike up to 20 mph even when you’re not pedaling—and can go up to the same maximum speed with pedal assist.
- Class 3 bikes can be a little confusing. They all have a top speed of 28 mph when using pedal assistance, and Class 3 bikes may optionally include a throttle. The throttle (if there is one) can be used to accelerate the bike without pedaling, but it’s limited to a maximum of 20 mph. To reach the top speed of 28 mph, you need to use pedal assist.
Be aware that some cities and municipalities have banned Class 3 bikes on trails and bike paths, categorizing them not as “bikes” but as powered vehicles, like mopeds or motorcycles.
What’s The Difference Between A Cadence Sensor And A Torque Sensor?
This can confuse many first-time ebike shoppers. Every electric bike has some sort of sensor that tells the motor when and how to assist you as you pedal.
Arguably the most common kind of sensor is a cadence sensor. This measures whether or not you are actively pedaling, and it’s either on or off. As you start to pedal, you’ll feel a kick when the motor engages and adds power to the wheels in proportion to the PAS level you have selected.
In contrast, a torque sensor adds power based on how hard you pedal. Pedal lightly, and the motor adds a little powered assistance. The harder you pedal, the more electric power that the torque sensor requests from the motor.
In general, cadence sensors can feel a little jerky as they cut in and out while you pedal, but they’re usually built into bikes with hub motors and are the least expensive form of ebike. Some cyclists like to mash the throttle (on Class 2 and 3 bikes) to get rolling from a cold start, such as at a traffic light, because some bikes need a full rotation of the pedals for the pedal assist to kick in. Torque sensors, on the other hand, are typically found in bikes with mid-motors and smoothly match the power of your pedaling, so the motor doesn’t start or stop abruptly.
What Is The Top Speed Of Most Electric Bikes?
Most electric bikes reach a top speed of 20 mph, though Class 3 electric bikes can reach a top speed of 28 mph when you combine the top throttle speed with the bike’s pedal assist feature. The 20 mph throttle limit is imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which restricts the top speed of electric bikes to ensure they’re not misused for racing, joyriding or other illegal activities.
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