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