Aluminum bike frames often weigh less than steel frames, are less prone to oxidation (rust), and can create a firm and responsive ride. Steel, a tried and true material used in bicycle construction, is inexpensive, easy to work with, and may offer a more forgiving and compliant riding experience. Power up your adventure and turn your everyday ride into something extraordinary with an electric bike. With pedal assist and throttle, you can go farther, faster, and have more fun doing it. Our teams at GearJunkie have also tested the best electric cargo bikes and the best e-bikes for hunting. As new electric bikes hit the market, we’ll be sure to keep testing to ensure this list always includes the best of the best.
There are many styles of e-bikes — from cargo to gravel to commuter — and all of them must deal with the challenge of mounting a heavy battery onto a bike frame. Schwinn was founded in 1895 and quickly became an American icon for building some of the most iconic and popular bikes of all time. Schwinn makes bikes that allow riders of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of riding.
The manufacturer will claim a range of 80 or 90 miles, and though those numbers may be technically reachable under very specific conditions, you likely won’t manage them during real-world use. Unless indicated, all bikes were built up from the box (as delivered) as well as maintained by our team (a few of whom have some basic bike maintenance skills). Every bike that made our list was tested by at least four different people, and we took individual praise and/or criticisms into account in our final review. Overall, the Heybike Brawn is a really fun bike to ride on all surfaces, can withstand heavy off-road use, and likes to go fast.
It also features 26-inch pneumatic tires, front and rear disc brakes, and an LCD digital display that gives real-time readouts for speed, battery level, mileage, pedal assist level, ride time, and more. Next is the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike for $1,249 shipped, plus the free extra battery (just be sure to add both items to your cart so mongoose excursion the discount can be automatically applied). It has the same combination motor and battery to reach a 20 MPH speed for 45+ miles on a single charge, which can vary depending on your travelling conditions, but is also doubled with your extra battery. As the name suggests, its folding frame makes space saving far easier when not in use.
For the most part, electric bikes lean into the commuter, cargo, mountain, or performance categories. An electric bike’s range is the total distance it will go before the battery is depleted. Numerous factors affect range, including battery capacity, terrain, air temperature, and manual input from the rider’s pedaling. E-bike ranges have improved in recent years, but the spectrum still tops out at just over 100 miles.
Fat tire bikes have been popular in snowy places for years now, and fat electric bikes are following suit. In pedal assist mode, a drivetrain sensor monitors the revolution of the pedals and engages the motor accordingly. With battery-powered assistance, people are able to enjoy longer rides on more challenging terrain with less physical output.
The Hub Duo is the lowest price tier of the Juggernaut line, with the main difference between them being the motor. And while sometimes hub motors get a bad rap, we found the 80 Nm of torque delivered by the Bafang 750W to be totally adequate for all the riding we did. All in all, the L20 is the perfect ride for casual cyclists looking for an affordable grocery-getter or a joy rider. It comes with two well-built racks, which provide tons of storage space. Some of the drivetrain and gearing components are a little on the cheap side, but the overall build quality is reasonable relative to the bike’s purpose and price tag. This bike would make a great gift for a short-distance commuter or retired family member.