What Are The Best E-Bikes To Buy?

With the rise in popularity of electric bicycles, there are plenty of reasons to own one. Suppose you are looking for cheaper transportation than a car that will take you from point A to point B quickly, look no further than an electric bicycle. Electric bicycles are perfect for those who live close to work or those who don’t want to stop for gas every few days. They are inexpensive, stylish, and run entirely off of electricity! But what are some of the best electric bicycles that you can buy today?

When it comes to shopping for electric bicycles, there are thousands of different models to choose from. Luckily for you, we have gathered a list of 7 electric bicycles that we believe offer the best bang for your buck. Each of the electric bicycles below serves different needs, from commuter bicycles to cargo and mountain bicycles.

Commuter Electric Bicycles

• Pace 350
• Electric Bike Co. Model X
• Propella 7-Speed V3.4

Cargo Electric Bicycles

• Rad Power Bikes RadWagon
• Benno Boost E 10D Speed

Electric Mountain Bikes

• Ride1Up Prodigy XC
• Moterra Neo Carbon 2

As you continue to read this article, we will go in-depth about each of the electric bicycles listed above. Furthermore, we will also tell you a few things you need to know when purchasing an electric bicycle.

Things You Should Know Before Buying An Electric Bicycle

For those purchasing their first electric bicycle, there are quite a few things you should know before choosing the e-bike you want. First, it is always important to research before making big purchases. Nothing can be worse than spending around $2,000 to get something you thought was perfect.

1. Electric Bicycles Can Be Expensive

One major thing you need to remember is that electric bicycles can seem pricey, but like most things, their quality goes up the more you pay. While there are some cheap electric bicycles, they are still more expensive than most of the cheaper regular bicycles. For example, some traditional pedal bicycles will only cost you around $200. However, most of the cheapest electric bicycles are around $500 to $600. 

The main downside to buying cheap electric bicycles is their battery life and durability take a big hit. If you spend around $600 for an e-bike, the bicycle you purchase will probably not last as long as you hope. It will have less mileage per charge, and its lifespan will be shorter than that of a more expensive bicycle. 

For the best bang for your buck, look to spend around $1,000 to $1,500. These bicycles will not have the same issues as their cheaper alternatives. However, do know that some electric bicycles can cost up to $10,000. While these electric bicycles are made of top-of-the-line materials, these electric bicycles are made for people who are already in the hobby and looking for something better.

2. Know What You Will Use Your Electric Bicycle For

If you plan on having an electric bicycle that you can use to commute to work or visit your friends and family, then stay away from the more expensive mountain bikes. Instead, opt for a cheaper commuter bicycle that was made for traveling on roads. While you can just as easily use an electric mountain bike to ride on trails and commute to work, only buy one if you are interested in riding your electric bike on trails. 

If you are running some sort of delivery service, you can also choose to buy a cargo e-bike. These bicycles are made to have more power output allowing them to carry extra weight on the back. 

If you want a fantastic all-around electric bicycle, go for a fat tire e-bike. Fat tire bikes are highly stable, making them great for off-road. Not only that, but they are also perfect for commuting long distances because they are also very comfortable.

3. Electric Bicycles Are A Lot Heavier Than You’d Expect

Most people are used to the lightweight of traditional pedal bicycles. However, while most non-electric bicycles can weigh around 20 pounds, electric bicycles can weigh more than twice that amount. Most electric bicycles weigh around 45 to 50 pounds. That extra weight can throw off new riders, making it more difficult and dangerous to get on. 

4. Buy an additional Battery

Purchasing an additional battery for your electric bicycle can be a brilliant idea for a few reasons. First, if you plan to take your electric bicycle for a very long ride, you will need another battery. Most electric bicycles that are worth their cost have an average mileage of around 30 to 40 miles. This can be troublesome for some people who need to ride a long distance to work or plan on going for a trip on their bicycle. 

This is where the extra battery comes in. Once your battery is running low, all you will need to do is take the dead one-off and put the new one on, and you’re good to go. 

5. Electric Bicycle Laws Can Be Confusing

In the United States, electric bicycles are classified into 3 separate classes. Each of these 3 classes has different laws that can vary from state to state. 

For instance, in Alabama, you need to be at least 14 years old and wear a helmet if you are under 17 to ride an electric bicycle legally. Furthermore, you will also need to purchase a special license and insurance. However, in Arizona, no age restrictions or helmet laws are surrounding the use of electric bicycles.

The three classifications for electric bicycles are as follows:

• Class 1: Class 1 electric bicycles are electric bicycles with an electric motor that assists the rider as long as they are pedaling. The assistance from the electric motor ceases once the rider stops pedaling or when the bicycle reaches its maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.

• Class 2: Class 2 electric bicycles are electric bicycles that have a throttle that will engage the electric motor. The rider controls the throttle and will engage the motor to propel the bicycle forward until the rider releases the throttle or until the bicycle reaches its maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. 

Class 2 electric bicycles can also have pedal assistance, which will assist the rider as long as they are pedaling or until the bicycle reaches its maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.

• Class 3: Class 3 electric bicycles are electric bicycles that have a speedometer attached to them. Furthermore, class 3 electric bicycles will have pedal assistance from the motor that will provide assistance to the rider as long as they are pedaling. The assistance from the motor will cease once the rider stops pedaling or when the bicycle reaches its maximum speed of 28 miles per hour. 

Class 3 electric bicycles can also have a throttle that is controlled by the rider and will propel the bicycle forward until the rider releases the throttle or until the bicycle reaches its maximum speed of 28 miles per hour. 

Be sure to research and know the electric bicycle laws and the classification of your electric bicycle before you take it out on the road.

Here Are Our Top Picks For Electric Bicycles

Now that we have covered some of the important things you should know before purchasing your first electric bicycle, it is time for us to give you our list of the best electric bicycles on the market today. We will be separating our list into 4 main sections. Each section will have a few electric bicycles that will give you an example of the perfect electric bicycle for that class. 

Each of the electric bicycles on this list is all over $1,000. We usually recommend spending at least $1,000 because the more expensive electric bicycles are of much higher quality. If you are looking to spend under $1,000, know that the electric bicycles you are looking at will be a little sketchy. 

Furthermore, most of the electric bicycles on this list share a lot in common. For example, most will use lithium-ion batteries, which have a long life span, charge fast, and give great mileage. Most of the electric bicycles on this list also have multiple gear settings and multiple levels of assist.

Commuter Electric Bicycles

The bicycles in this section are the best choice for those who only want to use their bike to travel on the road. These bicycles are perfect for riding to work, visiting your friends and family, and riding around in general. 

• Pace 350 – $1,299

The Pace 350 is the first electric bicycle that we will be talking about today. The Pace 350 is a class 2 electric bicycle, so it comes with a throttle. This class 2 electric bicycle has a top speed of 20 miles per hour. It comes with a 7-speed drivetrain while also having five levels of assistance that come from the motor. 

The Pace 350 sets our golden standard for cheaper commuter bicycles. It is comfortable to ride and has a range of 25 to 45 miles per full battery, depending on the level of assistance you use while riding it.

• Electric Bike Co. Model X – $1,949

The Model X is a very high-quality electric bicycle, so much so that it feels like it should cost a lot more than it does. This retro-looking electric bicycle is very comfortable to ride and easy to handle with its raised handlebars. The Model X is a class 3 electric bicycle that has a throttle, so you can reach 28 miles per hour by pedaling or using the throttle. The Model X sports a very long mileage per full battery of 65 miles. You can extend it much further, up to 160 miles, with their largest battery.

The Model X is highly customizable. Electric Bike Company provides a wide array of addons like a front basket, rear rack, suspension seat posts, custom frame colors, GPS tracker, and way more. Once you have chosen the addons you want on the Model X, it will show up at your door fully built. 

• Propella 7-Speed V4.0 – $1,399

The last commuter electric bicycle on our list is the 7-Speed V4.0 by Propella. This e-bike is in a class all on its own. Most electric bicycles have a distinct feel that is much different than your average non-electric bicycle. In contrast, the Propella 7-speed feels very similar. This makes the 7-speed V4.0 a fantastic choice for people who are new to electric bicycles. 

The Propella 7-speed v4.0 has a lot of other similarities to traditional pedal bicycles. For one, this electric bicycle is exceptionally lightweight, weighing only 37 pounds. Its lightweight is due to its small battery. However, this does come with a few drawbacks. Its battery is not as powerful as others on this list, and because of that, it has a much shorter range.

Do not let that dissuade you from this bike. The Propella 7-speed is one of the most stylized bicycles we have ever tested. It comes with electric blue rims and a sleek white chain. Not to mention the 7-speed on this bicycle is fast and highly effective. 

Cargo Electric Bicycles

Electric cargo bikes are an oddity of sorts. They are very similar to all of the other electric bicycles on this list, except they come with a little extra horsepower. Electric cargo bikes are like the heavy-duty equivalent to regular electric bicycles. They all come with a sturdier frame and an integrated rear rack. 

Cargo bikes are able to carry more weight and even pull along a small trailer. This makes cargo bikes exceptionally useful for people who deliver goods or for hauling groceries and other items.

• Rad Power Bikes RadWagon – $1,899

The Radwagon is possibly the best electric cargo bike for its price. While there are more powerful cargo bikes that you can purchase, they cost thousands more than the RadWagon. The RadWagon sports a powerful 750-watt motor that comes with pedal assist. The RadWagon also comes with a throttle so that it can be ridden like a scooter as well. 

The RadWagon has a 7-speed gear system that is fast and practical and has powerful mechanical disc brakes. The only downside of the RadWagon is that it lacks the power to drive up steep hills when it is fully loaded. All in all, the RadWagon is a perfect example of a powerful cargo bike that does not cost thousands of dollars. 

• Benno Boost E 10D Speed – $4,999

This cargo bike by Benno is the perfect contrast to the RadWagon. It costs more than double the RadWagon, and rightfully so. While the RadWagon has its shortcomings in hilly areas, Benno’s cargo bike does not. The Boost E is a top-of-the-line cargo bike and is well worth its price tag. It can carry up to 175 pounds of weight split between the front and rear rack. Not to mention it is a class 3 electric bicycle and can carry the rider and its maximum load while reaching its 28 miles per hour maximum easily. 

Electric Mountain Bikes

Electric mountain bikes are made of the most durable parts you can find for bicycles. This is needed as mountain bikes are made for challenging trails with steep inclines, declines, and tons of bumps along the way. 

Electric mountain bikes will usually be the most expensive out of the different types of electric bicycles (except for some cargo bikes). So with that out of the way, let’s get into our top picks for electric mountain bikes.

• Ride1Up Prodigy XC – $2,295

The Prodigy XC by Ride1Up is an excellent example of the price range for electric mountain bikes. While it is one of the cheaper electric mountain bikes, it is still made of good-quality parts. This electric bicycle is a class 3 and can go up to 28 miles per hour.

The Prodigy XC has a 9-speed gear shift and an advanced motor that will automatically adjust the assist level on the fly. This adjustment will allow the rider to focus on steering and braking while traversing challenging trails while remaining safe. 

• Moterra Neo Carbon 2 – $7,750

The Monterra Neo Carbon 2 by Cannondale is built to take on all kinds of trails and mountainous terrain. This electric mountain bike is built for speed and safety, built with some of the most sturdy and expensive parts money can buy. 

The Monterra Neo Carbon is also equipped with state of the art suspension fork and rear shock system to ensure a comfy ride on those rocky trails. It comes with a ballistic carbon frame with full suspension, add on a powerful motor and a long-range battery and you have an electric e-bike that is built to last.

Final Thoughts

Electric bicycles are getting more popular every year. With that said, if you are planning on getting an electric bicycle of your own, hopefully, we have provided you with the information that will help you choose the perfect electric bicycle for you. Maybe you will pick one of our top picks!