Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are bicycles equipped with an electric motor which can propel the vehicle. Their batteries can recharge, so there is little “fuel” consumption. They are great if you tire easily, need assistance climbing hills, or as an alternative to a motorcycle or car for your daily commute.
If you’re interested in purchasing one, then make sure to read this complete buying guide. It will explain the benefits of riding an electric bicycle, features to consider when purchasing one, and reviews to choose the best electric bike.
Top 10 Electric Bicycles Comparison Table
[table id=12 responsive=scroll]
Benefits of Electric Bikes
Electric bicycles offer a wide range of benefits, from commuting to health to lifestyle advantages. For more details on all the benefits of owning and riding one, read on.
1. Commuting
The great thing about e-bikes, as opposed to a traditional one, is that you won’t get to work out of breath and sweaty. You can pretty much park them anywhere, so you won’t spend time looking for a parking spot or paying for city parking. You can also speed by sitting traffic, and the expenses for your daily commute will cut down drastically.
2. Health
For those that aren’t on a regular exercise regimen, having an electric bike is a great stepping stone to becoming more active. This translates into burning calories and getting a good cardiovascular workout. You’ll spend more time outdoors breathing in the fresh air, and your commute will most likely be less stressful.
3. Lifestyle
Because an electric bicycle can be propelled by its motor, you don’t have to worry about being too tired to pedal to your end point. Spend the day exploring with ease. The e-bike can also climb hills with minimal effort on your part. They can also help you keep up with a loved one that likes to cycle.
Considerations
Convinced you need a new electric bike in your life? Before going online and grabbing the first one you see, read below for everything you need to consider when one. When you can get one that’s perfect for you, you can thank us later.
Types of Electric Bikes
- Pedelec bikes are very common and refer to the type of system that monitors the pedaling and adds a certain amount of motor assistance accordingly.
- Twist-n-go bikes engage the assistance when the rider manually triggers it to do so.
Types of Motor Assist
- A hub assist refers to one that is mounted on one of the wheels. They tend to be very quiet.
- A crank assist refers to one that is mounted on the crank and pedal areas. They climb steep hills better than the hub assist but are noisier.
Types of Batteries
- Batteries differ in type (lithium ion vs. nickel metal hydride). Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, but nickel metal hydride ones are cheaper and last longer.
Components
As with any bike, make sure to research if the components that come with the bike are suitable to your needs. These include gears, brakes, wheels, suspension forks, and accessories.
Top 10 Electric Bike Reviews
There are many companies that manufacture a wide range of new electric bicycles. With so much to choose from, finding one may seem like a nightmare. Lucky for you, we’ve picked out the top choices, scoured reviews, and put all the pertinent stuff in neat little paragraphs for your reading pleasure.
Cyclamatic Power Plus Bike
The Cyclamatic Power Plus is designed for riders from 5’2” to 6’2” tall. It features a 17” frame, an adjustable seat with a maximum height of 43” from the ground, 26” wheels with stainless steel spokes, a lithium-ion battery with a maximum range of 27 miles, Servo “anti-cling” safety brakes, Samson Champion tires, Shimano Tourney SIS-Index gears, 7 speed Shimano gears, front and rear mud guards, bell and reflectors. This bike is great for riders ages 14 and older and can carry a maximum weight of 310 lbs.
This bike offers an impressive range in terms of battery life and rider height. The seven-speed Shimano gears are also a bonus. However, this bike feels weak when it goes up steeper hills. The bike feels very heavy if the rider is pedaling manually. Lastly, the accompanying manual could have better instructions.
Watseka XP Cargo
The Watseka XP Cargo is designed for comfort and style. It features a 250W brushless rear drive motor with a 36V 9Ah energy pack, a telescopic front fork suspension, an easy-shift six-speed Shimano gear set, seat springs, a low step frame design, adjustable seat and handlebar, front basket and rear cargo rack, top speeds of 14 mph with a range of 18 miles, front and rear lights, horn and bell. This bike weighs in at 72.5 lbs.
The Watseka XP can reach impressive speeds, and the six-speed Shimano gear set can be easily engaged by the rider. However, owners report that changing the rear tire is difficult. The bike is also awkwardly big and is difficult to fit into some cars. Lastly, the assembly instructions are not easy to follow.
X-Treme Trail Maker XB-300Li
The X-Treme Trail Maker features a 300W rear hub motor, a 7 speed Shimano Tourney gear and shifter system, seven 3.6V lightweight lithium ion batteries, a 100% aluminum alloy frame, a fully adjustable seat, an RST Capa T7 hydraulic front fork, 26” tires. Its top speed using is 20 mph and has a range of 25 miles per charge. Maximum capacity weight is 350 lbs.
Most people would find the X-Treme Trail Maker XB-300Li attractive. It rides like a charm and the battery life is great. However, to remove it, the seat must be removed. Also, the brakes do not stop the bike as efficiently as other bikes on the market.
Yukon Trails Outback Navigator SF24
The Yukon Navigator SF24 was built as a way to go about the city and still enjoy a smooth ride. It features a 250W 24V brushless motor, a 24V 10AH lead acid battery, a capacity indicator on a display, top speeds of up to 15 mph, a range of 28 miles per charge, a single speed gear set, 24” tires, steel handlebar and stem, a rigid steel front fork, a step-through steel frame, and plastic pedals with reflectors. This bike weighs in at 78 lbs.
The Navigator SF24 has a very comfortable seat and has the basic components if you’re looking for an entry-level commuter electric bike. However, it’s got pretty small rims, so the bike will comfortably fit someone who is from 4’8” to 5’6” tall. Furthermore, the lead acid battery is not long-lasting, about a year and a half if you are using the Navigator for daily commuting.
Cyclamatic FoldAway
The Cyclamatic FoldAway was made with quality, portability, versatility, and strength in mind. It can be folded at a midpoint on the crossbar and the stem of the handlebar with a quick lock release system.
This bike features a tilt lock seat, a quick release front wheel, a 250W motor, top speeds of 15 mph with assistance, a range of 20 miles, a 24V 10AH lithium-ion juice, a twist-shift accelerator, a thumb shift 6-speed Shimano gear set, Shimano Tourney SIS-Index gears, a polished aluminum frame, a spring-loaded kickstand, a handy rack for luggage, front and rear fenders, a bell and reflectors.
The Cyclamatic FoldAway is great for traveling and for people that don’t have a lot of storage space at home. It easy folds extremely quickly and easily. Although great all-around, some owners have pointed out that it doesn’t ride well in loose sand. Shock absorbers are not included on this bike, which would make for a better ride.
Prodeco V3 Outlaw SS Speed
The Prodeco Outlaw SS features a 48V 750W motor, a thumb throttle, a 51.2V 12Ah LiFePO4 battery, a maximum range of 28 miles per charge, top speeds of 28 mph, a rigid aluminum 26” frame, AVID Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes, a double crown suspension fork, a SRAM XO Twist 8 speed shifter, a SRAM X9 8 speed mid derailleur, 26” Continental Trail King tires, a Gyes black leather saddle and Truvativ HUSS sealed bearing pedals. It weighs in at 62 lbs.
The Prodeco Outlaw SS is quite fun to ride with an impressive assisted speed of 28 mph. With 1200 watts of peak power, you’ll be climbing up hills without any issues. The brakes work impressively well, which is great if you’re going almost 30 mph. All components on this bike are of high-quality and are high-tech. However, the battery is positioned on the rear rack, which makes handling the bike a bit tougher. The suspension fork is also a bit hard to activate. Lastly, the motor on the Outlaw SS makes a bit more noise than its counterparts.
Prodeco Phantom X2 V3
The Prodeco Phantom X2 V3 is as stylish as it is powerful. It features a strong, high-end torque of 500W, a direct-drive motor mounted in the rear wheel and provides 720 watts at peak. This bike is chock full of high-end components with its SRAM X7 Twist 8 speed shifter, SRAM X7 8 speed mid derailleur, and an efficient 38V 12Ah advanced lithium-ion juice. The Phantom X2 V3 can go up to 38 miles per charge. It has a half twist throttle, a lightweight, foldable, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame, a shock-minimizing 120mm ZXR magnesium suspension fork, an Avid BB7 disc brake system, Avid 180mm, HS1 heat-shedding rotors and Continental Traffic 26” tires. This bike weighs in at 58 lbs.
The batteries on the Phantom X2 V3 are amazing. They have the ability to charge at higher amps which mean the batteries will last even at high temperatures. Owners love that the bike comes with quality components and it’s aesthetic. However, this bike is a bit heavier than others on the market and requires more than one charge to go full throttle. Because of the position of the engine, the back break is not easily aligned. There are no racks that can be installed for cargo. Also, the handlebar is too curved to hold comfortably.
Prodeco Outlaw EX V3
The Prodeco Outlaw EX V3 features a 750W, rear direct-drive hub motor which delivers 1200W at peak offering high performance and great torque which allows riders to go up inclines easily. It has premium components including a double-crown magnesium suspension fork, a SRAM 8 speed X0/XO drivetrain, a high-powered Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes and Avid 200mm HS1 heat-shedding rotors. This bike’s rigid frame is great for aggressive riding while the leather grips and Gyes leather saddle provide ultimate comfort. It tops out at 20mph, has a maximum range of 30 miles per charge and weighs in at 62 lbs.
The Prodeco Outlaw EX V3 is made of quality components. The disc brakes have great stopping power and the motor offers great torque although it makes very little noise. However, riders are unable to mount anything on the battery pack, keys must be left in the inside while riding, there is no pedal-assist mode, and the battery is quite heavy which adds to the overall weight of the bike.
Yukon Trails Xplorer Sport
The Yukon Xplorer Sport is economical, practical, stylish and versatile. It features a removable lithium-ion battery pack, a 250W 36 brushless alloy powered, a 36V 10Ah LiFEPo4 pack, Kenda 26” tires, alloy double wall rims and Tektro V-brakes.
The Yukon Xplorer Sport is a great, basic commuter bike. It works great on fairly flat routes. However, some owners complain that the front wheel bearing breaks easily and should be replaced by one of better quality.
Summary
If you’re looking to buy an electric bicycle, make sure you keep in mind the different types, motor assist, and batteries, as well as its components. After reading our electric bike reviews we’re sure you’re now confident in choosing the best electric bike for you and your lifestyle needs.
If electric bikes aren’t your thing make sure to check out our electric scooter, hoverboard, and self balancing scooter pages!
