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best ebikes 2022

We Road-Tested the Best Electric Bikes on the Market. Here Are Our 15 Favorites.

Over the past couple years, we’ve ridden dozens of ebikes to find the best in each category. Here are superb models for every kind of rider.

Recently, the global ebike market was forecasted to explode from $25 billion in 2020 to around $48 billion by 2028, doubling the value it was predicted to reach before the pandemic. People are looking to add more outdoor exercise to their lifestyle habits while also hopefully decreasing automobiles from their daily commute. Beyond the the clear health benefits, a recent study revealed the expense of owning an electric bike (e.g., charging, tune-ups, tires, etc.) to be just over $300 per year. Annual car maintenance costs more than eight times that amount.

But the range of ebike options is simply overwhelming, with a spectrum of different utilities, classes, price points and options to consider. Over the past couple years we’ve road-tested dozens to find the best in each category. Below are our eight favorite models. But first, a quick primer:

The Classes

There are four classes for ebikes in the US, and rules change per state. These four classes are generally accepted:

Class 1: Pedal Assist only: limited to 20 mph / All bike paths and bike lanes
Class 2: Throttle (with Pedal Assist): limited to 20 mph / Bike paths and lanes dependent upon state
Class 3: Throttle and Pedal Assist up to 28 mph (faster Throttle not allowed in CA) / Legal on fewer bike paths than Class 2
Class 4: Unlimited mph (Throttle) / No bike lanes or paths, essentially electric mopeds with pedals

To Throttle or Not to Throttle

One of the most fundamental questions you’ll need to answer is whether you want your ebike to be pedal assist only (class 1) or feature throttle-on-demand (class 2-4). Keep in mind that every throttle-on-demand bike has pedal assist, but not vice versa. We enjoy both for their unique advantages, but prefer pedal assist only when we want to force ourselves to actually exercise, as it removes the temptation to simply thumb the throttle down the street.

Of course, sometimes after a long ride, if it’s late, or if you live in a hilly neighborhood, the ability to simply engage a throttle is an alluring one. If you have prizefighter-level of discipline, a throttle bike is a no brainer, but be warned: You will most likely use it more than you’d like. Also, you should for those that plan to take their ebikes off the beaten path, most bike trails (especially off-road) only allow Class 1 pedal-assist ebikes.

Cadence and Torque Sensors

A cadence sensor reads pedaling rpm: As the rider’s pedaling rotation (cadence) increases the electric motor’s assistance decreases. A torque sensor reads the actual power being pushed into the pedals, and based on that will deliver more or less power assist (the more strain, the more electric assist). For instance, if you’re really struggling up a hill, a torque sensor not only shifts gears according to your cadence, it will also provide more power assist than if you’re just casually pedaling with the same cadence on a flat road. Long story short, having both is better; together they more intelligently decide when and how much power assist to offer.

Gears and Brakes

Gears maximize human efficiency. Almost all pedal assist-only ebikes will have gears. An ebike with throttle and gears allows for more power control and therefore you’re more likely to pedal; a single-gear throttle bike is essentially a light moped with pedals. As for brakes, the cheapest are calipers, which are mechanical and require the longest stopping distance. Cable-activated mechanical disc brakes are better, with hydraulic disks being the most powerful and easiest to modulate. Mechanical discs are easier and cheaper to work on than hydraulic disks since they have no oil or fluid in the cables (all hydraulics are in the cable; consider them power-assisted cables). Mechanical discs are normally adequate for an e-dike; however, the heavier the bike the more important the braking power. If you plan to hit serious speeds or climb hills, you’ll want to spring for hydraulic disks.


The Best Throttle Ebike

Vintage Electric Roadster

Vintage Electric’s Roadster is so next-level in materials, power, build and mass, it’s almost unfair to label it an ebike. It borders on an electric motorcycle. However, the San Francisco manufacturer was smart enough to bolt on some pedals so, presto: ebike. The first thing you’ll notice about the Roadster is its frame. The overall design is inspired by fin de siècle motorcycles—think early manufacturers like Harley-Davidson, Laurin & Klement and perhaps most fittingly, Curtiss. Sitting in the center of the frame is by far the most powerful battery in the market, coursing with 72 volts and 1,200 watt-hours. That’s double the voltage and quintuple the watt-hours of many capable ebikes. The Roadster recharges quicker than any ebike in the market, loading fully in three hours and automatically shutting off when full to save both your wallet and battery life. To hold such a substantial battery requires an expertly welded steel frame, laced out with beautiful leather saddle and wrapped grips, chrome handlebars, forged aluminum bits and a vintage-style round motorcycle headlamp. Expensive gold Ohlin front forks add world-class suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes offer the only built-in regenerative braking we’ve yet seen. Unsurprisingly all this tank-like construction adds up to the tune of 86 pounds, making the Roadster easily the heaviest ebike on this list.

What separates the Roadster from the rest of the pack is speed. Yes it’s “limited” to only 20 mph, as every ebike is on this list. But Vintage Electric included a CNC-machined aluminum Race mode key on the left side of the battery box that you can easily remove, annulling the limiter and unleashing the ebike’s full 40-mph Race mode. Kevlar-lined Schwalbe Fat Frank tires and the bike’s mass add solidity to the ride, and the insane torque from the 3,500w direct drive hub motor makes mountains disappear (it can take on 20 percent grade hills at full speed, much needed in its San Francisco birthplace). The Roadster is the Bentley GT of the category: burly, opulently refined, substantial and fast as all hell. If you’re looking for a single-speed throttle ebike with apex performance, build and style, you won’t beat the latest Vintage Electric. Just remember to wear a helmet.

Throttle: Yes
Range: 30-75 miles per charge
App: No
Security Features: None

Buy Now on Vintage Electric Bikes: $6,995


The Best Design

RSD x SUPER73-RX Malibu

SUPER73 has one of the most robust modder scenes in the entire electric bike landscape, with a booming community of tuners and celebrities (Bieber, Snoop, A$AP Rocky, etc.) customizing their rides with aftermarket goodies and homemade creations. But if you want a SUPER73 that shines straight out of the box, you can’t beat their collaboration with Roland Sands Design. The famed motorcycle customizer went all-in on his RX and SUPER73 is selling a limited run. The biggest tweak is Roland moving the 960 watt-hours battery to the downtube to make space for the old school 70’s moto-style saddle—which not only adds more seating room but also improves handling by lowering the basic RX’s center of gravity.

Like all SUPER73 options, the RSD x SUPER73-RX Malibu is a single-gear throttle bike, meaning it’s basically a light electric moped with pedals, bringing 28-plus mph when in Unlimited Mode. Sure, you’ll pedal a bit around the hood, but when you really want to cook, you’ll find yourself just laying on the throttle and letting the electric motor do the heavy lifting. That’s all the more impressive considering its relatively hefty 84 pound curb weight. The RSD improves from the base RX suspension by adding a Fox Racing Float 3 Evol shock to the rear, while retaining the RX’s stock adjustable inverted front air fork and fat (20” x 4.5” front, 20” x 5” rear) Grzly tires. This allows the SUPER73 to straight up swallow treacherous pot holes and obstacles that would spill most bikes. And the RX’s Hydraulic Magura brakes scrub speed quickly and smoothly. Add a custom ’70s paint job and the SUPER73 Roland Sands Design RX looks as good as it rides.

Throttle: Yes
Range: 40+ miles
App: Yes
Security Features: None

Buy Now on Super73: $4,800


The Best Folding Ebike

GoCycle G4

One afternoon former McLaren engineer Richard Thorpe stepped out of his London flat, saw the gridlock, winced and realized there has to be a better urban mobility solution than cars. So he set out to create GoCycle, delivering the G1 in 2009. Thirteen years and five generations later we have the G4, easily the best foldable bike we’ve ever experienced. Thanks to hypercar materials (carbon fiber fork and midframe; titanium, aluminum and magnesium throughout) it’s feather light (38 pounds), with greatly improved twin hinges that “fast-fold” the bike in literally 10 seconds, making this is the most carry-able and stow-able ebike on the market. It’s the type of design that makes engineers weak in the knees (we witnessed firsthand).

But don’t sleep on the actual bicycle: A more compact, flatter 500-watt motor in the front hub artificially powers the G4, while human energy motivates its “Clean Drive” single sided swing arm, fully enclosing the chain to protect work clothes from grease as you cycle to that critical meeting. It has both a throttle and 3-speed Shimano Nexus hub gear in the rear, so it excels with pedal assist while still offering delicious (and sloth-inducing) throttle. Add to that an internal 36V/300 Wh lithium ion battery (up to 40-mile range), hydraulic disk brakes, both torque and cadence sensors, USB port phone charger and easy-access PitstopWheels that allow flat tire fixing without removing the rim. The result is an ingeniously designed ebike from wheel to wheel. But because it’s so specialized—folding, compact, city-centric—it has its inevitable drawbacks. The G4’s smaller wheels and frame ride more like a BMX bike than a traditional road bike, inconvenient for super long rides and a bit more squirrelly on big downhills. But if you live in a city or apartment where space is at a premium, GoCycle’s G4 is tops.

Throttle: Yes
Range: 40 miles
App: Yes
Security Features: Anti-theft security screws, Bespoke Lock-Holster Kit and identify by location if stolen. However the best anti-theft for an ebike is having it with you, which GoGycle makes easier than any other option.

Buy Now on Gocycle: $3,199


The Best Utility Ebike

Flyer L885

The famous Radio Flyer that your granddaddy used to ride around in—yes, that 104-year old iconic red wagon—recently unveiled its first-ever product line for adults. Now re-branded Flyer, the line of ebikes and scooters harkens to its nostalgic past, aiming to be the ebike utility wagon of your garage. While its M880 is more standard, the longer rear L885 is designed from the ground-up for utility. The extended rear seat and chain stays make the L885 more stable and allows the Flyer to attach all sorts of accessories—everything from baskets to cargo carriers to a Thule Yepp Maxi child seat.

The ebike’s utility is genuinely impressive. Its 400 pound payload capacity allows for a wide range of function—you can pedal your kid to the farmer’s market and still have plenty of space and payload to haul your organic loot home. We took it to Home Depot and brought plants and heavy bags of soil no problem. The 48V/720Wh battery, 500W brushless hub motor and five levels of power assist will handle the heavy lifting if need be. That capacity for utility also makes the L885 less convenient than normal ebikes for everyday usage. We wouldn’t use this Flyer to commute on a daily basis; its longer wheelbase makes it heavy (73 pounds), and it has a wider turning radius than anything else on this list. But if you’ll be using your ebike for work or kid-sitting, this is the model to invest in.

Throttle: Yes
Range: 30–50+ miles
App: No
Security Features: Battery lock

Buy Now on Flyer: $1,999


The Best Gravel Ebike

Alchemy eRonin GRX DI2

Gravel bikes are one of the fastest growing ebike segments, allowing you to ride comfortably on asphalt while also granting you the option to hit the dirt. Enter the eRonin, Alchemy’s first electric gravel bike. The Colorado manufacturer is renowned for its hand-built quality, and the eRonin doesn’t disappoint, starting with the Evation integrated mid-mounted drive system (the lightest and most compact mid-mounted motor) and superb carbon fiber frame. The combo is absurdly light, making the eRonin by far the lightest ebike (29 pounds) we’ve ever tested. It’s also built for long adventures, coming stock with three water-bottle and bento-box mounts so you can stay nourished as you explore nature’s bounty with up to 50 miles of range. It’s pedal assist-only, but at purchase you can decide if you want your Alchemy eRonin GRX DI2 to be Class 1 (20 mph top speed) or Class 3 (28 mph top speed), opening up quite a bit of speed for off-road usage.

Overall, the eRonin rides incredibly smooth. It’s light and quiet and makes quick work of fire roads and reasonable dirt trails thanks to its fatter rubber. Most road bikes can fit tires up to 30mm wide, and gravel bikes usually fit up to about 42mm, but the eRonin can handle tires up to 45mm wide helping transform what looks like a sleek road bike into a surprisingly capable off-road champ. Featuring both torque and cadence sensors, hydraulic disc brakes and three levels of power assist, the first American-made carbon fiber gravel ebike shows why it was recently named the Best Electric Gravel Bike by Cycling News.

Throttle: No
Range: 40–50 miles
App: Yes
Security Features: None

Buy Now on Alchemy Bikes: $10,999


The Best Fat-Tire Ebike

Aventon Aventure

There are fat-tire ebikes and then there’s the Aventure. The most powerful and versatile ebike in the Aventon portfolio is built for all levels of terrain, all but the most challenging off-road craziness. With a burly fame, pliant Zoom front suspension (up to 80mm of fork travel), cushy Velo saddle and plump 4-inch wide rubber (101.6 mm)—more than twice as plump as those on the Alchemy eRonin gravel bike on this list—the aptly named Aventure is built for adventure. Its step-through design is easy to ride, with a tall, high visibility riding position.

The bike’s frame is made of expensive hydroformed aluminum, but that doesn’t save it from tipping the scales at 73 pounds. That level of heft isn’t ideal for apartment dwellers, but it’s also this ebike’s only knock. And the Aventure comes loaded with top components to overcome its weight issues: A 750W motor peaks with 1,130W, and its 8-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain offers plenty of options for the rider to modulate how much power they wan  to invest in pedaling. Yes, there’s a throttle (class 2) limited to 20 mph, but Aventon allows you to easily modify the Aventure to unlock a 28 mph top speed with pedal assist (class 3), which you can pretty easily attain once you get cooking. Bengal Ares 3 Hydraulic Disc brakes with 180mm rotors absorb both the Aventure’s weight and speeds. Other nice touches include fenders, integrated front and rear lamps (the front being especially bright), and a crisp color display. One of the more substantial and sturdy ebikes on this list, the handling is predictable and quite stable at speed. And if you want a little zip, the bike’s eight gears keep the Aventure from falling into a lazy throttle option.

Throttle: No
Range: 53 miles
App: Yes
Security Features: Removable Battery

Buy Now on Best Buy: $1,999


The Best Compact Ebike

Brompton Electric P Line Urban

There simply aren’t enough well-designed folding ebike options—or many are just too damn heavy or cumbersome to be truly carry-able or stow-able. While our favorite option goes to the GoCycle G4, Brompton’s Electric P Line Urban is a solid—and in some ways superior— alternative. Also, as the world’s most compact folding e-bike, and nearly five pounds lighter (34.4 lbs), its convenience closely matches the G4’s.

Just as GoCycle boasts Formula One engineering, so Brompton, with its powertrain custom developed by Williams Advanced Engineering. Its clever dual-locking seat post combined with the optional Brompton-engineered Roller Rack lets you roll the Electric P Line Urban (after a quick 20-second fold) around like a smaller suitcase, making maneuvering to your office, apartment, up elevators or escalators incredibly easy.

The titanium frame, smooth-shifting Superlight 4-speed gearing system and proprietary suspension block help overcome the challenges of very compact wheels. The 250-kWh hub motor offers three levels of smart pedal assist, and its one-click removable battery pack (6.4 lbs including bag) fully charges in 4 hours for 45 miles of range.

Throttle: No
Range: 20-45 miles
App: Brompton Electric iOS and Android app with phone quad lock mount and adaptor
Security Features: Quick three-part fold so you can always take your Brompton with you

Buy Now on Rei (Non Electric): $2,950


The Best Versatility

Econic One Bandit

If you can’t afford to drop five figures on your ebike, Econic One’s Bandit makes for a solid Goldilocks solution. The rapidly growing European manufacturer enters the American market with an ebike that puts versatility front and center. Boasting the stability of a gravel bike with the agility of a commuter, the Bandit functions capably on dirt paths, pavement and gravel roads. Features include an intuitive torque sensor, Shimano BR MT 201 hydraulic disc brakes, five levels of power assist (plus walking), a 250W/80Nm torque Bafang mid-drive motor and an integrated (but removable) 460Wh battery.

The lightweight (46 pounds) Bandit eschews a throttle—therefore keeping it squarely in the Class 1 category—but does feature a Boost button for short, happy spurts of unassisted electronic juice. Significant tech-forward features include app-based remote locking, GPS ride-tracking and bike-location, instant in-app notifications if someone tries to move or steal your bike and the ability to instantly unleash an ear-piercing 110 decibel alarm to both command attention and immediately deter thieves.

Throttle: No (but it does have short-term Boost button)
Range: 60 Miles App: Yes
Security Features: GPS tracking/bike-location, instant in-app notifications and anti-theft alarm

Buy Now on Econic: $3,199


The Best Security

Serial 1 RUSH/CTY Speed

Upstart Serial 1 leaned heavily on its Harley Davidson roots to develop their suite of ebikes, and why not? When you can absorb 120 years of two-wheeled knowledge, take it. The entire Serial 1 engineering lead migrated directly from Harley’s team who developed their LiveWire electric motorcycle, including the guy who oversaw powertrain and battery development for one of the best engineered EV motorcycles.

This pedigree shines most on the RUSH/CTY Speed’s battery: unlike most ebikes where the battery is stuffed into the down tube, Serial 1’s wraps around the mid-placed motor, keeping space compact and center-of-gravity low. The effect on vehicle dynamics is palpable, making the Rush City Speed a crisp, agile handling option with significant power.

Being Google’;s first partnership in the micro mobility space also benefits Serial 1 as it moves into its second generation of ebikes. Google IoTs connectivity boasts class-leading tech like OTA updates and superior theft protection. Because the RUSH/CTY Speed can communicate via cellular (through its own SIM card), you can locate it with a signal—unlike most competitors that require a Bluetooth connection. The IoT also uses its own separate battery, so even if a thief removes the main pack, it can run anywhere from two weeks to two months to remotely locate your ride.

Throttle: No
Range: 25-115 miles (mode and terrain dependent)
App: Serial 1 App, developed in partnership with Google Cloud
Security Features: Integrated Digital Security with Pinpoint Accuracy to precisely track, monitor and digitally lock the Serial 1 ebike no matter where it is. In the event that movement is detected while the bike is digitally locked, the rider receives a push notification with multiple security options that the owner can control via the Serial 1 app, including:

  • The lights on the ebike will flash a warning pattern
  • The electric pedal-assist functionality will be disabled
  • The owner will be able to view the bike’s current location

Buy Now on Serial 1: $5,599


Lightest Mountain Ebike

Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo SL

Widely respected as one of the best mountain bike makers in the world, it’s no surprise Specialized’s top-of-the-line S-Works Turbo Levo SL eMTB is in the spotlight. Note: Specialized also offers a halo downhill/enduro model dubbed the Kenevo SL, but the Levo SL’s ability in all-terrain single-track trail riding make it the more adaptable and accessible option. This is an eMTB superbly designed to conquer all sorts of off-road biking from flat trails to serious hill climbs. Its Fox Factory 36 fork and DPX2 rear shock absorbs up to 150mm of range, while its Eliminator Grid Trail rubber and frame geometry experience offer superior rider comfort (carbon frame available in four sizes). Count on Magura MT7 hydraulic disc brakes for stopping power.

What makes eMTBs awesome is their ability to allow even veteran mountain bikers to ride longer and deeper into virgin territory, conquering larger hills than they’d normally be able to without electric assistance. You don’t want your eMTB to do the work for you; it just boosts you when that hill’s incline becomes a little too gnarly. Specialized has this mission down, especially because they build their own motors—in the Levo SL’s case, the lightweight 240-watt SL 1.1 motor. (If you prefer more power, the Turbo Levo Pro offers category-leading 90 Nm of torque and 565 watts, powered by a 700Wh battery supplying up to five hours of landscape-squashing thrills). The smaller powertrain allows the Turbo Levo SL to claim being the lightest eMTB in its class.

Throttle: No
Range: Up to 5 hours. Smart Control enables riders to input ride duration or distance and manage support level to complete with available charge
App: Specialized Mission Control app
Security Features: Turbo System lock renders the ebike useless, because motor cannot be activated without personalized pin

Buy Now on Specialized: $14,500


The Best Do-It-All Ebike

The Ride Radiant Carbon

The Ride’s Radiant Carbon is what happens when a cycle design legend is allowed to build the best ebike he can, cost be damned. Holder of 14 patents and winner of the Popular Science Grandmaster Recreational Equipment Award, Tony Ellsworth created a bike with a fully carbon fiber asymmetrical frame for supreme lightness (under 50 pounds), while cutting no corners on performance. Add a signature single chainstay, seatstay and fork arm that allow the existing tubes to be larger in diameter, while also lending the bike a head-turning appeal. The larger tubes hold a larger battery (630Wh/36Volt) without jeopardizing the frame’s integrity or adding too much weight, permitting the Radiant Carbon to achieve over 130 miles on a single charge—triple the range of most ebikes.

Despite its innovation, the Radiant Carbon is incredibly easy to use—it’s so automated the tech works without effort. Utilizing both torque and cadence sensors the Ride’s dual computers continuously calculate your needs, seamlessly shifting gears and adjusting power on the go. When needed, you can adjust riding modes (Eco, Normal, High) via on-board buttons or within the app, but the Radiant Carbon is truly a “set it and forget it” bike. It also comes with top-shelf components such as Magura hydraulic brakes, carbon-Kevlar belt (more durable than a chain), mid-mounted Shimano motor and Enviolo Stepless internal transmission (an expensive but superior solution to standard external gears). With burly tires and carbon frame, the Radiant Carbon is designed to be more forgiving over rough terrain, absorbing bumps better than any other suspension-less bike. Meaning you can even tackle some light off-roading, making The Ride the ebike with the broadest use-case on this list.

Throttle: No
Range: 97 (Normal) / 60 (High) / 139 (Eco) miles
App: Yes (two)
Security Features: None

Buy Now on The Ride: $7,499


The Best Tech

VanMoof S3

Some 36 percent of people in the Netherlands commute daily on two wheels, making the flat nation one of the richest bicycle cultures on Earth. So, it’s only fitting that Dutch brothers Taco and Ties Carlier would design one of the best ebikes out there. Since launching in 2009, VanMoof has sold some 200,000 bikes to a devoted worldwide community by designing, manufacturing, selling and servicing everything in-house. Recently they boosted stores from 8 to 50 worldwide, raising over $180 million in less than two years to become the most funded ebike company in the world—a growth built on the strength of models like the S3. The Red Dot-winning design is simple yet unique, and loaded with every consideration. A clean matte black straight-frame geometry incorporates integrated lights, a unique 166 LED dot matrix “screen” on the top tube displaying basic info, hydraulic disc brakes, 504W integrated LG battery, a powerful (44 ft lbs of torque) front hub motor and automatic electronic gear shifting (an industry first) that smoothly selects between four speeds to tackle almost any landscape.

Perhaps the best aspect of the S3 is its elegant solution to the throttle vs pedal assist debate. While it doesn’t feature a throttle, the S3 has a unique Turbo button that boosts power when really needed (those strenuous hills, for instance), but it won’t allow you to be lazy for extended periods—and it makes it legal to ride it anywhere. A perfect compromise in our opinion. The S3 rides swift, light (46 pounds) and comfortable, with a forward-leaning riding position aimed for speed. The bike really separates itself with its tech, however. It automatically dings to life when you approach it (though you can turn this feature off), and once you master the app, you can do everything from booking maintenance appointments to customizing all the bells and whistles. The real upside, though, is a multi-pronged suite of Fort Knox-level security features, ranging from a kick lock to rider recognition capability. It even has built-in GSM and Bluetooth tracking so you can hunt your ebike down should anyone manage to steal it. The S3 is most definitely the optimal option here for early adopters who embrace VanMooth’s futurist—and ultra theft-protectionist—worldview.

Throttle: No (but features a Turbo Boost button)
Range: 37-93 miles
App: Yes
Security Features: Kick Lock, Touch Unlock, Rider Recognition, Integrated alarms, Manual disarm with personal code, Anti-theft nuts and bolts and GSM and Bluetooth theft tracking

Buy Now on VanMoof: $2,548


Best Mountain Ebike

Ducati TK-01RR Limited Edition eMTB

We should’ve known how next-level the Ducati TK-01RR Limited Edition was when we first rolled up to a group of experienced mountain bikers in the Santa Monica canyons and saw their collective jaws drop. Electrified mountain bikes are so popular they even have their own acronym, eMTBs, and they—like the Luddite non-electrified versions—are among the most expensive in the industry, loaded with carbon fiber and supercar-level components. Leave it to Ducati to take it to the extreme.

An even more exclusive and tricked out version of the existing TK-01RR, the Limited Edition TK-01RR comes loaded with bleeding-edge, cost-be-damned technology and components—like motorcycle-level Öhlins DH38 dual-plate air forks with a ludicrous 7 inches (180 mm) of travel complimented with an Öhlins TTX spring shock absorber with 6.7 inches (170 mm) of travel. The Swedish supplier has won over 300 motorcycle and car World Championship titles, and already makes the suspension for the Pike’s Peak conquering Ducati adventure/enduro Multistrada. Its Magura MT7 brakes are also derived from motorcycles, with huge discs both front (8.7 inch) and rear (8 inch), among the most powerful on any ebike anywhere.

Taking the Ducati out on the challenging canyons illuminates this ebike’s otherworldy performance. At first the Öhlins forks were too soft, so we easily adjusted them for more firmness. Its forged aluminum frame and carbon parts (Renthal handlebar, battery cover, skid plate, wheels, etc.) make it almost as lightweight as a normal MTB, while the Crankbrothers Synthesis rims, forks and Pirelli tires (yes, it boasts F1-quality rubber) ensures incredibly agile handling. Not to be forgotten is the pièce de résistance, the triple Shimano powertrain: the quick and precise 11-speed Di2 XT rear electronic shifter, integrated 630Wh battery and EP8 drive unit. Mated to the new Shimano E-tube Project App, this EP8 allows riders advanced degrees of customization—allowing one to modify maximum torque, acceleration and assistance timing in real time, wirelessly via smartphone.

Throttle: No
Range: NA
App:  Shimano E-tube Project App
Security Features: None

BUY NOW: $10,995


The Best No-Frills Commuter Ebike

Espin Aero

Apps and bleeding edge tech are great, but sometimes you want to keep it simple, throw your leg over a bike and not overthink things too much. And despite having a full stable of options, the ebike I found myself reaching for often was Espin’s Aero when I just wanted to get somewhere fast, without having to turn on apps or mess around. There’s something to be said for simplicity (not to mention affordability): press the power button and you’re ready to go. Its slim design, light weight (44 pounds) and thin wheels ride like a fixie. In fact, the Aero is the electrified option here that rides most like a traditional street bike with superb agility.

With an ample integrated battery (36v / 244.8wh), rear hub-mounted geared motor, small LCD screen, three levels of power assist, mechanical disc brakes and a strikingly clean, minimal design—everything is housed inside the powdered grey frame—the Aero checks all you need for a quality e-bike you can ride around town while gaining some ion support for distance and speed. You get 30 miles of range with a quick recharge time (just 3 hours for full charge).

Plus since it’s Class 1 you can legally ride the Espin Aero on any path, anywhere. When you get home its ultra-lightweight build makes it easy to lift and ideal for those living in upstairs apartments. That’s helpful, because taking an ebike with you and off the streets is the ultimate safety feature.

Throttle: No
Range: 30 miles
App: No
Security Features: None

BUY NOW: $999


The Best Celebrity-Endorsed Ebike

Lyric Cycles 305 Ghost

How did a boutique ebike maker out of Squamish, British Columbia (with all frames designed and manufactured in Alberta) connect with supermodel Tyson Beckford to create a bespoke Miami-themed Collins Boulevard super cruiser? No idea, but enjoy the ride. Lyric Cycles’s 305 Ghost takes the Canadian manufacturer’s Voodoo model and laces it to the brim with tech goodies and ridiculous class-leading power and velocity.

One can solidly slot the 305 Ghost in the quasi-moped category, much like other single-gear throttle ebikes, especially the Super73 on this list. In fact, Lyric boasts about it, dubbing the 305 Ghost an “electric shape-shifter” capable of toggling from ebike to moped to motorcycle. They beefed up the scrambler-style Voodoo with off-road suspension, hydraulic anodized Adelin motorcycle brakes with variable regeneration, dual sport tires and a dual-projector headlight.

The all-caps headline with Lyric’s flagship limited-edition ebike is its power; bristling with 18,000 peak watts, the 160-lb 305 Ghost can hit speeds up to 65 MPH—not only absurdly fast, but frankly also dangerous. With this considerable velocity and heft, the 305 Ghost is not an ebike to be played with, nor ridden without a helmet. Pay no heed to Beckford’s sexy promo shots.

Throttle: Yes
Range: 55-65 miles
App: No
Security Features: None

Buy Now on Lyric: $7,499


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