Best Electirc Bikes Under $2,000
Navigating the world of electric bikes can often be an exercise in monk-like patience. How much should you spend? What makes one bike better than another? In our experience, the best electric bikes under $2000 are often where you want to begin. We’ve rounded up the best bikes in this category based on rigorous testing, specifications, and internal/electronic components to create a list that speaks to both novice and advanced riders.
Schwinn Marshall 27.5 Step-Thru
The Schwinn Marshall is a great electric bike that feels good on the road and mild off-road trails. It is an attractive-looking bike that doesn't cost too much and has the added bonus of a throttle.
PROS:
- As the battery is integrated into the frame, you can benefit from many advantages. For example, the bike looks pretty sleek, and the battery is protected from damage and the elements.
- With the Marshall being a class 2 electric bike, you can ride it using the throttle without pedaling.
- The Microshift 7-speed drivetrain is precise, smooth, and easy to use, so you can quickly move through the gears when you need to.
CONS:
- The Schwinn Marshall is a class 2 electric bike, which means its top speed is limited to 20mph, but you can ride it pretty much anywhere legally.
- As the motor is only 250W, the throttle struggles a little with steep hills but is fine for small hills and flat ground.
Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser
The Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is a well-priced and very capable electric bike. It looks great and will take you to your destination in comfort and style.
PROS:
- Impressively, the Café Cruiser is compatible with Ride1UP's passenger kit. This allows you to exploit all that power by riding with a passenger sitting on the rear of the bike. Alternatively, you can carry loads with the rear rack rated to 130lbs with pannier side mounts.
- Cafe Cruiser owners love that their bike comes with Zoom hydraulic disc brakes. This makes a change from other electric bikes in this price range, as most of them come with mechanical disc brakes. These hydraulic items are powerful and precise, helping you stay in control.
- In addition to its versatility, the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser is a super comfortable electric bike to ride. Its plush comfort cruiser saddle, adjustable seat post, and swept-back handlebars provide a relaxed riding position.
- Comfort is enhanced by the large volume tires and a suspension fork with 80mm of travel. These reduce the vibrations transferred from the road into your upper body, allowing you to ride for longer in comfort.
CONS:
- The main downside of the Cafe Cruiser is its weight. At 65lbs, this is not a lightweight electric bike; therefore, carrying it or loading it onto bike racks may prove challenging. However, you shouldn't notice the weight while riding.
Espin Nesta Folding Electric Bike
The Espin Nesta Folding Electric is the best option to enhance your riding experience. It is designed
to be solid, comfortable, and accessible for beginner and expert riders alike. This e-bike delivers
on speed, functionality, and convenience where many e-bikes can't compete. It's the perfect design
for people living in cities or small spaces that want to store it away out of sight.
PROS:
- The Espin Nesta is a very good value. You get quality components and performance for what you pay.
- The Nesta has solid battery life and you can’t run out of juice when you’re out.
- The Nesta has all-terrain capabilities.
- The Espin Nesta is easy to balance and has an easy-to-learn riding style.
- Compact, step-through frame for easy mounting
- The 21 Nesta is foldable to fit your lifestyle and easy for transportation.
- It is equally fast with a solid range and all of the contact points on this bike are comfortable.
- All-terrain riding for spontaneous adventures
CONS:
- The LCD display is a little bit dim and can be hard to see when it’s bright outside.
- The storage racks don’t have very high weight ratings — just 11 lbs on the front and shy of 40 lbs in the rear.
- It might be too heavy for some riders to port around.
- We would rather see Shimano components than S-Ride.
- The design might be too ebikey for some people.
RadRover 5 Electric Fat Bike
Fat tire ebikes are a special blend of durability and comfort. The RadRover is the perfect example of the best features these bikes have to offer.
For five years, the duo that formed Rad Power Bikes has been designing and manufacturing every ...
PROS:
- The battery has a long hold capacity which offers you up to 45 miles of charge
- The durable, spring-loaded fork is perfect for rough terrain
- The fat tires on this bike make the ride smooth and pleasant
CONS:
- This is a big bike, so smaller people might not get the benefits it offers
Ride1Up LMT’D
This type 3 ebike is a fantastic way to liven up your commute. With high speeds, a powerful motor and battery, and quality control, this bike is built for you.
The LMT'D is a quality bike made by a dependable company right out of their North ...
PROS:
- The KD218 Adjustable Speed Color Display keeps you involved in your ride
- A powerful, 1000W motor can reach incredible speeds
- Wide range of height options with the adjustable seat
CONS:
- Tightening the neck and forks can be difficult
QuietKat Voyager Folding
Colorado brand QuietKat is renowned for making quality all-terrain electric bikes that are as innovative as they are feature packed. Currently all QuietKat bikes are manufactured in China, but each hold a generous warranty and are backed by ...
PROS:
- Compact foldable design
- 300-lb weight capacity (more generous than most e-bikes)
- Powerful 750 Watt rear-hub motor
CONS:
- More expensive than similar folding bike designs
- At 70-lbs, the bike can be heavy to transport
Schwinn Mendocino 26in Step-Thru
The Schwinn Mendocino is an excellent entry-level electric bike. If you are looking for a comfortable and quality electric bike for commuting and running errands that doesn't break the bank, the Schwinn Mendocino is a good choice.
PROS:
- The Schwinn Mendocino has a lightweight aluminum 6061 frame with quality construction. You will find that the design gives you a smooth and comfortable ride with an upright riding position, but it is also very user-friendly. The low step-through frame makes mounting and dismounting effortless no matter who you are.
- Schwinn Mendocino riders love how well-equipped their bikes are, thanks to the included fenders and a rear rack.
CONS:
- However, some people may find that the small motor lacks torque. It only has 30Nm, so those who live in hilly areas may find it underpowered. However, if you ride somewhere where only class 1 ebikes are permitted, this is a problem you will encounter with any electric bike.
Schwinn Coston CE 27.5 Step-Thru
The Schwinn Coston CE is a superb electric bike for its price. Owners love its built quality and how well it rides, and its user-friendliness. If you are looking for a comfortable commuter suitable for paved roads and bumpy surfaces, you should seriously consider the Schwinn Coston CE electric bike.
PROS:
- The main pro of the Schwinn Coston CE is what you get for the price. It has an impressive specification and a surprising amount of usability in one package.
- For example, it comes fully loaded with fenders and bright lights, one of them integrated into the battery, which is a nice touch. Therefore, you could ride your Schwinn Coston in any weather conditions, whether commuting or riding for fun or fitness.
- The user-friendliness is enhanced by the step-thru frame design, making it easy to mount and dismount no matter what you are wearing.
CONS:
- The trigger throttle is variable speed, so the further you press it, the more power you get from the motor. However, the selected assistance level determines the maximum power and speed offered. This may disappoint some riders who prefer to use the throttle to give them a little boost while pedaling. So to get extra speed, you need to increase the assistance level before triggering the throttle.
Ecotric Tornado Full Suspension
Ecotric is a renowned San Francisco based electric bike brand that prides itself on offering accessible quality bikes that any cyclist can enjoy. The full range of Ecotric bikes, including full suspension bikes and fat folding bikes are made with ...
PROS:
- 45 miles on a single charge (similar bikes only get around 30)
- Pedal assist and on-demand throttle
- 265 lb weight capacity (other e-bikes can only support 240)
CONS:
- At 62 pounds the bike is quite heavy
- Fenders are not standard
Scrambler Electric Adventure Bike
Proud California bike brand Juiced Bikes is all about creating top-products at accessible prices. They seek to innovate, without isolating cycling enthusiasts who may not want to break the bank. Every bike is designed in San Diego and manufactured ...
PROS:
- Affordable price
- 52V option
- Hydraulic disc brakes
CONS:
- Low end motor choice
- Handlebar distance is not good for shorter riders
Rad Wagon 4
When Rad Bikes first formed in Seattle, their goal was to create affordable and innovative bikes anyone could enjoy. Nowadays, they’ve cornered the market in creating simple yet easy-to-ride bikes that won’t take your whole paycheck. Designed in ...
PROS:
- Reliable smooth maintenance free hub motor
- Pivot handlebars for those with shorter arms
- Generous cargo space
CONS:
- Shorter battery range than similar cargo bike models
- Going over bumps can feel unsteady
Addmotor MOTAN M-66 Moped
This retro appearing bike with strong 6061 aluminium frame is masculine and stylish. Equipped with 48 V 750-watt motor, it is powerful enough to reach 30 MPH and cover longer distances. Aluminium integral wheel helps it to run along every terrain, ...
PROS:
- Variable speed control ½ twist throttle
- Max speed of 30 MPH makes it one of the fastest
- Large 5-inch display on front tube
CONS:
- The battery is just 12.8 AH
- Looks old school and odd
Addmotor MOTAN Mountain Fat
This E-bike is exactly what it was promised. The ARC integrated frame is perfectly eligible for an aggressive ride. The pedalling is so smooth that you don’t have to walk your bike uphill. Its battery is aligned that it doesn’t disturb the drag and ...
PROS:
- Powerful 500-watt motor and 48-Volt lithium-ion Samsung battery
- Top speed of 23 mph
- Lightweight, stiff, and durable frame suitable for any sex
CONS:
- Accessories not available everywhere
- Frame incompatible with any existing accessories
Addmotor MOTAN M-450 Step-Trough
This unisex bike is best for riders who wish to go uphill faster. This is specifically designed for women and older people and thus makes it best for ladies who do not want to get deprived of the adventurous uphill experience. The rear rack adds to ...
PROS:
- Steady strong frame with a rear rack
- Lower frame designed for ladies and older people
CONS:
- Rear gears only
Addmotor Folding Step Trough M-140
Capable of negotiating with the environment, this e-bike is much powerful and extremely portable. This allows you to travel through sand, snow, uphill or along a straight flat road with ease and great power. The pedal assist features make it a ...
PROS:
- Ease of transport with a lightweight and portable frame
- Fast charging e-bike (3-4 hours for full charge)
CONS:
- Looks very little with a smaller size
The Perks Of A $1500-$2000 Electric Bike
In our experience, this price range is the bread and butter of electric bikes. Once you reach the $2000 threshold, you’re no longer going to contend with junky components or paltry frames. Instead, you’ll find that key parts such as shifters, frames, brakes, and suspension are above the mid-range level and come from well-known branded suppliers. Another key perk in this price point is that you’re going to see those recognizable mid-drive motors like Bosch and Shimano.
Mid-drive motors are a pretty obvious step up from the standard hub motors you’re going to find on cheaper e-bikes. Why do these motors matter? Essentially, they offer riders stepped-up peak performance, especially for those who want to enjoy electric power just to assist without pedaling. Overall, this is the price point in which you’ll start getting a lot of high-quality components and electronic extras like GPS and navigation.
With that said, cheaper bikes can still be an option on the table, but those are more recommended for novice riders or those with short commutes. If you’re a more experienced rider or want a bike that is going to last, opt for a bike at this price level as you’re going to get at least 5 years of use.
Do your research for all price ranges
Obviously bikes in this price range do tend to be of a higher quality. However, unlike cheaper electric bikes under $500, you’re going to want to do some thorough research before buying a more expensive model. Not only are you sinking a bigger chunk of dough into your purchase, but the price does not always indicate quality. Sure, most e-bikes hovering around $2000 are going to offer up a great riding experience, but sometimes these high priced bikes aren’t necessarily better in terms of quality, you’re just paying for the name. Some companies opt to charge higher prices than their bikes actually warrant. Often a bike can cost $2000 but the quality isn’t comparable to many e-bikes in this category. Many companies have a lot of marketing, overhead, and expenses, which means you end up paying more. Do your due diligence and make sure the bike you want actually falls under the category of one of the best electric bikes for $2000.
Best Electric Bikes Under $2000
One thing about this price point is that you’re literally going to have hundreds of options to choose from. Since this is technically more of a mid-range price point, many companies like to hover in this area to attract consumers who want a great bike but don’t want to spend $4000.
In this category, you can find electric bikes from companies such as Rad, Blix, E-MOJO, Nakto, and more. Each of these companies utilizes name-brand recognizable components and offer warranties that reflect their commitment to quality. While cheaper e-bikes may be more difficult to come by, bikes in this range are pretty abundant overall.
Final Thoughts
For a myriad of options and high-quality components, the $1500 to $2000 price range is truly a sweet spot. We rounded up the best electric bikes under $2000 to help you get a good start. We touch upon components, specifications, range, mph, and more to help you find the best bike for your riding needs.
