Electric Bike Reviews by Model
There are dozens of reasons why you might want an electric bike in your life. Whether you travel with lots of cargo or want some added power, electric bikes are problem solvers in everyday life. In the process or reviewing individual electric bikes, we seek to pinpoint the specifications and features that matter most to you.
How We Review Individual Electric Bikes
First we break down each bike into categories such as a mtb, road, commuter, folding, cruiser and other categories. Then we break each individual electric bike down into what makes it unique. We consider specifications such as motor, battery life, range, comfort, and even charge time. With those specifications in mind, we look at the bigger picture. How will the bike perform for each intended task? A fat tire electric mountain bike should offer a smooth ride on all terrain. A folding eBike should be compact yet durable. When reviewing individual bikes, we treat every test as a new rider would, seeking out pros and cons and deciding how a bike performs overall.
Latest Reviews
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.
ModWheel 1000w Direct Drive Electric Bike Kit
The ModWheel kit is a great way to turn your existing bike into a powerful ebike. It is not too expensive and easy to fit. Your bike will become a class 3 electric bike, so make sure it is legal to ride this bike category in your area.
PROS:
- This kit sees the motor mounted in the rear wheel hub, making it a direct drive motor. The advantages of this are that you get lots of traction, minimum maintenance, and an inexpensive conversion.
- For under $600, you can get a large amount of pedal assistance from this kit.
CONS:
- The disadvantage of the rear hub-mounted position is that you are limited to a single gear ratio. However, the high level of power will easily overcome the shortfall on hill climbs. Still, it will use more energy from the battery.
- You may notice that this rear-mounted kit is heavier than a mid-mounted kit, especially with 1,000W. Therefore, if your bike has suspension, you will need to adjust it to ensure that it is effective at absorbing bumps.
ModWheel Direct Mid Drive Electric Bike Kit
The ModWheel kit is a great way to electrify your bike. It is not too expensive and easy to fit. You also get the advantages that come with the mid-mounted setup. This is better than most hub-mounted kits as long as you are happy with the slightly more complex installation.
PROS:
- Both options are mid-mounted, which provides several advantages over hub-mounted motors. For example, you get more traction, better handling, balanced weight distribution, better off-road capability, and higher efficiency.
- The kit has been designed with simplicity in mind, both when installing and using it. To install the kit, you just need to replace your crank with the motor. Then connect the cables, and mount the display and throttle to your handlebars. Next, install the replacement brake levers with built-in motor cut-offs.
CONS:
- Even though the kit is easy to fit, you need to be confident and have the correct tools to remove your bike's bottom bracket.
Leeds Samsung 40K Electric Bike Kit 500 Watts
The Leeds ebike conversion kits are excellent. If you want to ride longer distances, the 500W version is the best choice. But if you only ride short distances and would like a little boost, the 250W kit is an excellent choice.
PROS:
- The 500W motor has lots of torque, so if you need to transport cargo or are a heavier rider, this version is a better option than the 250W kit. Due to the additional cable routing, it is a little more involved to fit than the 250W version, but it is still pretty easy.
CONS:
- The kit is compatible with many different bikes, but it is best suited to commuter bikes or for giving life to an old bike gathering dust in your garage.
- As good as this conversion kit is, you need to be realistic about its capabilities. Don't expect superior off-road performance and seamless integration. But as long as you are aware of these things, you can enjoy many miles of electrically assisted cycling.
Leeds Samsung 30K E-Bike Kit 24 Volts 250 Watts
Leeds has demonstrated that anyone can benefit from electrically-assisted cycling with this kit. It is super simple to fit and use and is ideal for urban riding or just getting around a little easier.
PROS:
- The primary advantage of this kit is that it only takes a matter of minutes to fit. All you need to do is replace the front wheel with the one provided and mount the battery, throttle, and computer.
CONS:
- This is not the kind of kit you would fit to your new mountain bike, but if you have an old bike in the garage, it could give it a new lease of life. It doesn't directly assist your pedaling, as it is activated with the throttle, but you can still pedal while getting a little boost from the motor.
- You need to be realistic about what you want to do with this kit. It is not the best option if you're carrying lots of weight. If this is what you need, you should go for the 500W version, but installation is a little more involved.
Preenex Hub Motor Conversion Kit 1000W 26 In.
This powerful conversion kit is a great way to get lots of power to your bike. It is ideal for those who live in hilly areas or are heavier riders. However, the extra weight may upset your bike's handling. If you need something more efficient but with less power, check out one of the conversion kits from Leeds.
PROS:
- People who have fitted this kit to their bike enjoy how easy installation is. You can fit the whole kit in under an hour, and you don't need any special tools to do it.
CONS:
- 1,000W is more than enough for most people, and the motor will drag you up steep hills with no problems at all. There is a lot of weight on the front wheel, so you will need to adapt your riding to suit the imbalanced weight distribution.
- The other negative of this kit is the lead-acid battery pack. This isn't as light or as efficient as a lithium-ion battery pack, but for under $200, you can't expect too much.
Bafang Mid Drive 750W
Bafang leads the market in providing e-mobility components and complete systems. The company employs over 1,000 people worldwide and sells to Europe, China, and the United States.
Their components are regarded as well-priced and of good quality. ...
PROS:
- When you ride in the highest assistance level, you can really feel the power from the 750W motor. It is speedy and lots of fun, but long-term users say that the system becomes unreliable under constant hard off-road use. But if you are sympathetic to it, you shouldn't have too many problems.
CONS:
- If you are not the most technical person, installing the kit may prove challenging. You get all the specialist tools included, but you should take your time if you plan on doing it yourself. Especially as you need to remove your bike's bottom bracket.
- The kit is priced between $423.00 and $947.00, so you need to make a decision. Do you convert your current bike or buy an entry-level ebike for a similar price? An entry-level ebike won't have the power of this kit, but you won't need to do any work, and you will have an additional bike.
Mobility4Less Electric Tandem
If you are looking for a fun way to get around with your partner or for a characterful electric bike for days out, this electric tandem from Mobiity4Less is an excellent option.
PROS:
- When you ride a tandem, you need to be prepared to cope with the extra attention. Luckily, this electric tandem looks pretty cool and is comfortable to ride.
- For under $3,000, you get a quirky way for you and your partner to get around. This can be more cost-effective than buying two electric bikes.
- The powerful motor options make riding this electric tandem pretty easy, and combining the pedal power of two people makes getting about effortless.
Nakto Skylark
If you want a comfortable and fun commuter bike that can be easily stored while spending under $1,000, the Nakto Skylark will give you value for money.
PROS:
- The Nakto Skylark is a great commuter bike for someone who doesn't have much space or wants to take it on public transport. You can fold the bike in seconds, making it compact enough to stash at home, work, or carry in your car.
- Nakto has looked into all aspects of creating a comfortable and safe bike at this price range. For example, the handlebars have a light rise, enhancing control, while the 16" tires provide agility and stability. The ergonomic saddle is adjustable for comfort too.
CONS:
- However, at 66lbs, it may not be lightweight enough for all riders, so if you are not particularly strong, portability may be an issue.
Himiway Big Dog Electric Cargo Bike
The Himiway Big Dog is a superb electric cargo bike that could easily replace the car in many circumstances. Make deliveries, commute, do the school run, or use it for weekend fun.
PROS:
- Considering the Himiway Big Dog's price, you get a versatile electric bike. The rear cargo rack is solid and can be altered with a selection of accessories. For example, you can fit a child seat or a number of panniers.
- If you are actively looking for an electric cargo bike, you will notice that some longtail versions from other brands are cheaper. However, you probably won't find one with such a refined design and specification as you would on the Big Dog.
- Himiway has thought of everything, from the quality of components to ride quality, while balancing power and efficiency.
- To ensure you have plenty of braking power, you get 180mm mechanical disc brakes. These are pretty strong, but hydraulic disc brakes would be better, considering the hefty payload you can carry.
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