• New Jersey just introduced tighter e-bike rules
• Other states are considering similar restrictions, too
• Many e-bike advocates are frustrated by the new law

New Jersey is imposing new e-bike legislation that will seriously impact riders in the state – and could be a sign of tighter restrictions rolling out more widely in the US and beyond, which could have serious ramifications for the adoption of e-bikes and similar technologies like e-scooters.

Under the new law, all classifications of e-bike ridden in New Jersey will require the rider to get a license, get insurance, and register their vehicle – a lot like you would for a car or motorbike. You must also be aged at least 15 and have a motorized bicycle license or be at least 17 years old with a valid driver’s license to own and operate an e-bike.

The state has also banned conversion kits that would allow riders to convert their lower-powered e-bikes to higher-powered ones, and for the next year, it has banned the sale of electric motorized bikes online (the fastest tier of bikes, which can go at speeds over 28mph).

Lawmakers who proposed the bill, and supporters, have heralded this as a major win for e-bike safety, with bill sponsor Senate President Nick Scutari declaring, “We are in a new era of e-bike use” – showcasing the local government’s action to help prevent e-bike-related injury and deaths following some high-profile incidents late last year.

E-bike enthusiasts are a lot less positive about New Jersey’s actions, however. You’ll find various articles and social media posts like this one from Chris Crossed, calling this “the dumbest ebike law ever,” as they point out issues like the lack of insurance options in the current market, as well as the conflict the law has with efforts to cut carbon emissions and reduce traffic congestion.

Though these voices are not entirely opposed to all of the actions being taken. Instead, they’re concerned that the broad, rather than targeted, measures could harm interest in e-bikes, which offer a solid alternative travel method for many. Especially as they fear New Jersey won’t be the last to impose restrictions – case in point, New York State has a similar senate bill in the works.

As e-bike fans would themselves be quick to point out, e-bikes are not a well-defined category. The term can be used to refer to pedal bikes that offer minimal assistance (topping out at speeds below 20mph) as well as effective e-motorbikes that can go at speeds over 28mph and aren’t really intended to be pedalled.

Clearly, there’s a major difference between these kinds of vehicles, but the very generalized category name combined with low understanding of the specific differences between subcategories means it’s easy for folks to buy e-bikes with a lot more oomph than they realize (leading to accidents) and lawmakers being overly broad with their rules.

Unfortunately, there’s also clearly a need for tighter rules to be brought in, because e-bike injuries are on the rise (via Velo and the BBC). Part of this comes from increased ridership, but that alone doesn’t account for the increase – factors including increased power and weight for e-bikes are also seemingly playing a part.

Is there a happy middle ground?

I’ve written about being a major fan of e-scooters, and e-bikes to some extent too, as they offer commuters a great alternative to driving that’s more environmentally friendly, fairly convenient, and not as physically taxing as riding a non-e-bike. So I’m not keen on overly restricting access.

Instead, I’d follow the example set by various countries’ drone rules. E-bike manufacturers would start by getting their bikes approved for use on public roads, and they would be assigned a category based on their top engine speed and weight.

The lightest, slowest speed e-bikes would be accessible to younger riders given they’re comparable to a pedal bike with just a little assistance; medium-weight and speed bikes would be restricted to older riders and require some kind of online test that checks their understanding of road and rider safety; and then those heaviest and fastest ‘e-motorbikes,’ as they’re called, would require some kind of license akin to a driver’s license.

All bike types, however, would need to be registered by an adult and be tagged with their registration number. Registration could be done online, and would be similar to how UK drones need to have your Operator ID on them.

This is just one idea, and I’m keen to hear your alternative suggestions in the comments, but I feel it strikes a better balance between improved safety and keeping e-bikes relatively accessible than do the New Jersey rules.

We’ll have to wait and see how other jurisdictions tackle e-bike rules, but as I sit here hoping for looser e-scooter laws in the UK, I have a suspicion we might, in fact, see tighter restrictions in various places. Hopefully, my hunch is wrong.

It is not easy to stay “bike-fit”, especially as the ravages of time take hold and the weather turns sour. I know, excuses, excuses, but unless you have the time or motivation to get out for a couple of hours each day (whatever the forecast) or have access to one of the best exercise bikes or turbo trainers, it’s very easy to be spat out of the back of the peloton, so to speak.

That’s exactly what has happened to me, and despite my best intentions, including jumping on the Wattbike Atom at my local gym, I’ve found my bike fitness has suffered over the years.

Not only does this erode confidence, it also means that my cycling-mad friends have to put up with me huffing and puffing my way around our local routes, often slowing their pace so I don’t end up riding solo.

The Ribble CGR E AL has apparently been engineered precisely for folk like me, with a discreet electric motor stashed in the rear hub to offer the gentlest of boosts whenever the climbs become too steep or the gravel terrain too tough to maintain and respectable constant speed.

“But that’s cheating!” often come the cries from the cycling diehard. Well yes, it is if you want to start entering professional competitions, but that’s not what this is designed for.

The CGR E AL exists to act like a high-end gravel bike most of the time, simply offering a helping hand when the need arises.

Best of the specs

A quick recap on Ribble Cycles: the British business has been making bikes for over 100 years, offering cheaper bikes but very competitive quality. That brings me on neatly to the Ribble CGR E AL — a machine that in its top specification packs Shimano’s reliable 105 mechanical groupset, Mavic rims, a lightweight aluminum frame and a Mahle X30 electric motor discreetly housed in the rear wheel.

It's not to be confused with the Ribble CGR AL e, as that is the older model that is no longer sold, despite packing an annoyingly familiar name.

Ribble sells worldwide, but not all models are available to all markets. In the UK, the CGR E AL costs £3,199 in its Shimano 105 layout (it is cheaper if you go for Tiagra or Sram Apex gearing). The company says it unfortunately can’t ship the product to the USA, despite listing a price of 'from $4,300'. It's the same story in Australia, where it has a sticker price of $6,310 but cannot be shipped to the region.

If you live in Europe, you’re largely covered. International users are missing out on one of the best subtly electric gravel bikes of recent years.

A platform to perform

Ribble’s machines come packaged and almost fully-built. All you need to do is get the handlebars in place and tightened up, add some pedals of your choosing and then tackled the carbon fibre seat post.

It doesn’t take long, but I have to admit, setting up the cockpit isn’t the easiest procedure. There are a number of tightly packed cables that have to run through the aero-enhanced handlebars and it takes a bit of fiddling. The same can be said for the seat post, as Ribble opts for an integrated seat wedge that’s a real pain to get into place without scratching anything.

Aside from this, the bike is a handsome thing to behold, with that 7005 hydroformed alloy frame bending aero aesthetics with a really purposeful stance. It is also paired with a contrasting carbon fork that really pops.

Look a little closer and there’s a discreet button on the top tube that activates the rear mode, another press of the same button cycles through the various assistance modes, while an illuminated LED strip gives a reliable indication of charge levels. The light also cycles through various hues depending on the riding mode.

Shimano’s reliable 105 mechanical 12-speed gearing takes care of cog swapping, which is razor sharp to cycle through the gears and easy enough to maintain. Finally, a set of Mavic Allroad wheels shod in 40mm Schwalbe G-One tires provide smooth rolling over a variety of surfaces.

A stealthy operator

As previously alluded to, it’s very difficult to tell that the CGR E AL packs any sort of electrical assistance at all. The rear hub motor is compact and hidden behind the rear cogs and disc brakes, while the tubes haven’t been oversized to cram in mammoth battery packs.

It’s also impressively lightweight, with Ribble claiming it tips the scales at around 10kg. Honestly, it feels even lighter than that and is really easy to shoulder should you have to traverse the odd fallen tree trunk or locked gate.

But the most impressive aspect is the Mahle X30 e-drive system, which delivers power in a way that it is barely noticeable — like a gentle helping hand as the gradients start to ramp up. There’s no surge of power as you turn the cranks, nor is there a telltale whining of the electric motor to give the game away.

During a few early rides, I cycled between activating the motor and switching it off entirely. The electrical assistance was so good, it almost made the trails I was tackling slightly too easy, even in its most gentle setting.

It was a similar story out on the road; where if it was nice and flat, I didn’t really have to rely on the system. But as soon as things turned hilly, I could stealthily switch it on and enjoy the mild boost up hills.

Those wanting to merely spin the cranks and not put in any effort should probably look elsewhere, as this isn’t that sort of electric bike. Instead, it rewards some effort and makes it much easier to spend hours in the saddle.

All day riding

Ribble says the discreet battery pack is good for 90km of riding, which is the equivalent of around 56 miles. That’s a massive day in the saddle for anyone, but also plenty enough when tackling a mix of on and off-road terrain.

Obviously, if you head straight for the hills and opt for maximum assistance, the battery is going to drain much faster, but I found it lasted for a couple of decent ride-outs a week. The Mahle smart charger is also neat, offering a charge indicator on the bottom, as well as portraying it on the top tube.

Ribble offers space for two bottle cages and will sell you a pannier rack kit that can hold up to 15kg of stuff for proper bike exploration. I own a set of soft bags and managed to attach these with ease when heading off for a bit of mild bike-packing.

Having the electrical assistance is a boon when you are fully laden with waterproof kit, a tarpaulin and a little grill for some impromptu winter barbecuing.

One thing to keep in mind is the potential lead times with Ribble product, as stock and availability can fluctuate drastically. I waited an absolute age for mine, although Ribble emailed and explained it was an issue “linked to media allocation rather than anything in the customer pipeline”.

“For anyone ordering through the website, bikes are currently being built and shipped within our usual turnaround times, depending on the model and spec,” a Ribble spokesperson said.

Still, it’s worth noting, as the downside of direct-to-consumer business is that there are only four showrooms in the UK to physically see the bike, test it out, try it on and then grab the salesperson’s details to berate when it doesn’t arrive on time.

Regardless, the bike was well worth the wait, not least because it is a good-looking, versatile gravel bike that can handle everything from the daily commute to all-day bike-packing adventures, but chiefly because it saved me from embarking on a six-week training plan just to get out cycling with my mates.

2025 has been a wild ride for the whole e-bike industry. We've seen new products from Brompton, Specialized, Engwe, Quella, and others, with every new release pushing the boundaries of what was previously available on an e-bike. As a result, we’re seeing more (and better) e-bikes on the roads than ever before.

It's not just been about ever-improving performance; e-bikes are now being stuffed with smart connectivity, creating intelligent rides. One of my most-loved features in 2025 was the proliferation and democratization of GPS anti-theft systems that we've previously seen on the likes of the Cowboy 4, that help protect our precious e-bikes from thieves.

All of this e-bike activity has got me thinking about the best e-bikes I reviewed in 2025, so I've shared my top picks below. You might not agree with my list, and that's fine! Use the comments section below to let us know what your favorites have been. And, if you’re looking to make an e-bike investment, check out our comprehensive guide to the best electric bikes.

1. Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon

The e-bike that I said was potentially "the greatest e-bike of all time" takes pride of place in my 2025 roundup. Having had the privilege of riding it around for the best part of a month, I can safely say that it provided the best performance and comfort of any e-bike I’ve ever used.

The heart of the Vado SL2 Carbon is a 320-watt motor that delivers outstanding power that makes riding on all types of flats and inclines an absolute breeze. It’s also breathtakingly smooth and pleasantly quiet, two things that are not guaranteed when it comes to e-bikes.

Every part of the frame and associated components is made from premium materials, which makes this an e-bike that is sure to last. That doesn’t mean it’s frustratingly heavy though. Thanks to a seriously lightweight carbon frame, I had no issues lifting it with just one hand.

Both of the e-bike’s weaknesses are related to its battery. The first is that it's not removable, which means you’ve got to have a means to charge it near to where you store it. The second is that the battery range tops out at around 56km. While that’s fine if you’re happy charging it every day or two, it's not great if you’re wanting to go out on a particularly long ride.

This is a premium e-bike with a high price tag. It won't be for everyone, but if money is no object and you don't need a foldable, the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon would be my absolute top pick.

Read our full Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon review

2. ENGWE N1 Air

The N1 Air represented a significant departure for popular e-bike brand ENGWE. Not only did they jettison the bulky frame that they are known for, but there's also not a chunky tire in sight. As a result, we're left with a beautifully refined design that is perfect for commuters.

The e-bike is equipped with a 36V 10Ah high-capacity Samsung battery, which ENGWE claims delivers up to 100km. In testing, I found that a more accurate real-world range was nearer to 55km. This is almost identical to the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon. Where the battery differs, in a good way, is that it's 100% removable. That means you can charge it wherever you want, which is a big win for convenience.

In terms of design and materials, the frame is made of carbon, which makes it one of the lightest e-bikes of this size. A comparable e-bike would be the Tenways CG600 Pro. I wasn't a massive fan of the low-performing disc brakes, but this is only a small area of compromise.

The N1 Air could be considered a budget-friendly alternative to the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon. I used it as my commuter bike for several months and have very fond memories of my time with it.

Read our full ENGWE N1 Air review

3. Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle

One of the highlights of my year was riding the Quella Imperial Electric Courier bike. Not only did it look absolutely fantastic, but it also served up one of the smoothest power deliveries I’ve ever felt on an electric bike.

The design is so clean and minimalist that most people would be forgiven for thinking it was just a traditional push bike. The bullhorn handlebars are also rarely seen on e-bikes, which makes for another stylish touch. The only downsides of the design are the rear hub, which limits the e-bike’s power, and the non-removable battery, which affects charging convenience like the Specialized.

The Quella Imperial Electric Courier contains a number of innovative features that set it apart from the competition. One of my favorite is the regenerative braking feature that charges the battery every time you brake. There’s also a Kinetic Energy Recovery System that recharges the battery as you pedal backward.

In my review I said, “If I were buying an e-bike right now, with no budget constraints, I would go for the Imperial every day of the week.” Now we've reached the end of 2025, I stand by that statement.

Read our full Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle review

Specifications compared

The best electric bikes are fantastic at providing that extra boost up hills or on difficult terrain. They’re also ideal for people who are physically limited and therefore not able to ride a traditional bike. The problem is that even the best cheap e-bikes can be prohibitively expensive. There’s also the reality that you’re buying a whole new bike, even though there might be nothing wrong with your existing pushbike.

It is for these reasons that e-bike conversion kits exist. I tried an experimental electric bike converter kit earlier this year and was blown away by how easy it was to install and the performance that it delivered. They’re not for everyone, but they are a viable alternative for many.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the three main types of conversion kits as well as the benefits and drawbacks of opting for a converter instead of a full-on e-bike.

Types of conversion kit

E-bike conversion kits can be separated into three main types: front wheel, rear wheel, and mid-drive. The one that will suit you and your bike will depend on the type of bike you have, what type of handling you prefer, and how efficient an installation you want. Let’s look at each in turn.

Front wheel kit

These kits replace the front wheel of your bike with a motorized wheel. The motor is integrated directly into the wheel hub, with the battery being mounted onto the frame. This is the easiest of all three types to install, but front-wheel drive is not ideal for all terrain types, and the extra weight at the front of the bike can adversely affect handling.

Rear wheel kit

This type of kit is more often than not identical to the front wheel kit type, although it is the rear wheel that is replaced rather than the front. The battery will need to be mounted onto the frame. Having the motor at the back provides a more balanced weight distribution and results in better handling. There is also a rear-wheel-type conversion kit that connects directly to a custom-made disc brake. The motor and battery are contained within one unit, which means the rest of the bike is left untouched.

Mid-drive kit

The third type involves replacing the standard chainset with a motorized crankset, which then drives the bike's rear wheel. The motor is usually located within the crank and the battery mounted on the frame. Out of all three options, this one provides the best balance, although installation is more complex than the two above.

The benefits of an e-bike conversion kit

Cost effective

Maybe the most obvious is that they are generally more cost-effective. Many kits can be picked up for only a few hundred dollars or pounds, which undercuts even the cheapest of e-bikes. It’s worth noting that there are more expensive kits, such as the Skarper, which deliver superior performance and usability for the extra cash.

Sustainable

Conversion kits are also more sustainable, because you’re augmenting something you already own rather than buying a whole new machine. By converting that bike you love, you’re reducing your environmental impact and contributing to a circular economy.

Lightweight

E-bikes are often heavy and cumbersome. Having ridden a number of different models (and fallen underneath a couple), I can tell you that they leave their mark. Even the best folding ebikes can be heavy and difficult to transport around. Conversion kits add a minimal amount of weight to a bike and oftentimes help aid balance and handling.

Flexibility

With conversion kits you can choose whether you want to ride with assistance or not. E-bikes often have so much resistance, even when turned off, that they’re nigh-on impossible to ride without assistance. Most conversion kits can be ridden in a conventional manner.

Customization

There are, of course, a lot of different types of e-bikes to choose from, but conversion kits provide more choice when it comes to motor types, battery sizes, and placement. When you buy an e-bike, it can be difficult to know exactly how it’s going to handle or perform. This is much more predictable for conversion kits, as you know exactly where you’re adding weight.

The drawbacks of an e-bike conversion kit

Buying an e-bike conversion kit is not without its drawbacks. As a result, some might consider that they’re better off buying an electric bike or just keeping their standard push bike. Let’s take a look at some of the most common downsides to ebike conversion kits.

Not as powerful as most e-bikes

This is not universally the case, but conversion kits often lack the power common even in the cheapest of e-bikes. This isn’t to say that they don’t provide an additional level of assistance, but if you need serious power, then you’ll be better off buying a dedicated e-bike.

Compatibility

Another drawback is that it can take a lot of research before buying a conversion kit that will fit your bike. Even so-called universal kits aren’t guaranteed to work, and it can be very frustrating to buy a kit only to find that it isn’t compatible. Some kits require significant bike modification, which can also limit compatibility.

Can require expert installation

Anyone is theoretically able to install a conversion kit, but without adequate knowledge and experience, the process can lead to problems. I’ve seenreports of people damaging components of the kit, which has led to frustration and disappointment. Many would therefore recommend seeking a professional installer, although these are nowhere near as readily available as standard bike mechanics.

More complex maintenance

As well as installation concerns, e-bike conversion kits require expert maintenance. The addition of electrical components means that if anything goes wrong, it’s not as simple as taking the bike into a standard bike shop. If the kit is outside of its warranty, then you’ll need to find a specialist e-bike mechanic.

More easily stolen

E-bike conversion kits can be very difficult to protect them from determined thieves: you can lock up the frame, but you’re leaving the motor exposed. Single unit e-bikes, on the other hand, can be locked up using heavy-duty locks. Some e-bikes such as the Cowboy 4 also include tracking features and the ability to shut them down should they leave a ‘safe’ area. The Skarper conversion kit is easily detachable and can be taken with you once you leave your bike, but this isn’t common across all kits.

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So the rumors were true – DJI has revealed that it's officially getting into e-bikes by supplying what it calls a "ground-breaking e-bike drive system" for a new electric mountain bike brand called Amflow.

The maker of the world's best drones says that moving into e-bikes is a "natural move" because of the battery and motor tech in its drones and gimbals. DJI's powerful Avinox Drive System will debut in the new Amflow PL, an e-MTB (electric mountain bike) that will be available later this year.

So, what's special about this new Avinox system? It packs in tech typically found on drones and smartphones. For starters, the frame has a 2-inch color OLED touchscreen that delivers real-time riding data, the bike's estimated range (which is a max of 117km for the 600Wh version or 157km for the 800Wh model), plus setup options.

You can also connect to the bike via the Avinox app, which lets you set up an anti-theft mode and check its real-time location. Here, you can also tweak settings like power, torque, and cadence to suit your riding style. Naturally, the bike can give your phone some emergency juice, too.

But there is also some nifty software on board to help with the riding experience. DJI says its Smart-Assist Algorithm taps into various sensors to automatically adjust the amount of electric riding assistance it provides, based on your current riding resistance. 

There are four riding modes – Auto, Eco, Trail, and Turbo – plus a Boost mode for an emergency boost of power. Like a drone or smartphone, the two battery options (600Wh or 800Wh) have the latest fast-charging tech, which means the 800Wh battery can apparently be charged from flat to 75% in about 90 minutes.

The Amflow PL itself is also shaping up to be a fairly high-end electric mountain bike, although we don't yet have any idea of pricing. The carbon fibre bike weighs 19.2kg – that's impressive if not quite as light as the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon (our current top pick for the title of best e-MTB).

Still, the Amsive PL's power-to-size ratio is right up there with the best. It serves up 105Nm of torque with a peak power output of 850W, a pretty monstrous combo that will help riders carve up the toughest trails. The frame is also compatible with both 27.5-inch and 29-inch rear wheels.

Amflow and DJI say the three versions of the bike – the PL Carbon (800Wh), PL Carbon Pro (600Wh), and PL Carbon Pro (800Wh) – will be available by Q4 2024 from dealers in Germany, the UK, and Australia. 

DJI says the pricing will be somewhere between €7,000-€12,000 for all three models (which converts to around £6,000-£10,000 / AU$11,000-AU$19,000) although there's no news on US availability yet.

What's the deal with DJI and Amflow?

We asked DJI if it owns the new Amflow electric mountain bike brand – a spokesperson told us that Amflow is "incubated by DJI" and the team is "a combination of ex-DJI tech experts and bike industry experts joining together."

While DJI is helping Amflow get off the ground, the drone giant says that as it grows, the brand "will become increasingly more independent." DJI isn't new to supplying its tech to new startups – its drone tech is inside the Ryze Tello, one of the best beginner drones around, while the new Anzu Robotics brand also licenses DJI drone tech. 

This could become an increasingly common approach for DJI, as the Chinese brand faces the very real threat of a US ban – a move that DJI has branded "a dangerous precedent for allowing baseless allegations and xenophobic fears."

Still, that US bill is called the Countering CCP Drones Act, so it's unclear if it'd impact Amflow selling an electric mountain bike containing DJI tech in the US. The move into electric mountain bikes is a refreshing one considering DJI's woes with drones, and one that makes a lot of sense considering its impressive motor and battery tech.

DJI is no stranger to leaping into new tech spaces. It has dominated camera gimbals, launched the impressive DJI Mic 2, and taken on GoPro in the battle to make the best action cameras. The combination of its new Avinox system with Amflow's debut bike looks exciting for riders and is one we'll be very keen to take for a spin when it lands later this year.

Update July 3: This story was updated to include the estimated range and pricing for the Amflow PL.

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Well, we didn't see that one coming. The world's biggest drone maker, DJI, may be facing a US ban, but it's certainly not feeling sorry for itself – instead, a new official teaser and leaks suggest it's about to make a surprise move into challenging to the best e-bikes.

A new DJI teaser called 'Power Your Ride' has just landed on its official Instagram page, revealing that an official launch will take place on July 3 at 9am CEST (which is 12am PT / 8am BST / 5pm AEST). The promo also introduces a new brand called Amflow Bikes.

The teaser suggests DJI will be supplying the e-bike's powertrain with an electric unit called Avinox, and some leaks elsewhere have filled in some of the blanks. A thread from regular DJI leaker @Quadro_News has revealed what appear to be marketing slides for the e-bike, suggesting it'll be a high-end e-MTB (electric mountain bike) designed for tackling steep slopes and downhill trails.

An additional post showing a DJI Avinox charger topping up the bike's battery states that the e-bike is "not just a means of transportation, but a high-tech tool for exploring and conquering mountain peaks."

In a separate leak on X (formerly Twitter), @OsitaLV has posted some rumored specs for the DJI-powered e-bike. These suggest that the motor could be very powerful indeed, being a 250W unit capable of 105Nm of torque and providing a boost of up to 20mph / 25 km/h. 

That would make it a higher-end option than our current pick for the title of best electric mountain bike, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon eMTB. But we fortunately won't have to wait long to hear all of the official specs and details about this fascinating move from DJI.

DJI spreads its wings?

It's unclear whether DJI has had long-term plans to push into e-bikes, or if this is a response to the US bill that threatens to ground its drones in the US. Either way, it's an interesting move – and an exciting one for e-bike fans considering the tech DJI could bring to the party.

The DJI Avinox part of the equation appears to be the e-bike's whole powertrain rather than simply an electric motor, which means it includes the battery and potentially some software integration. The timing of the launch coincides with the Eurobike 2024 show in Frankfurt, Germany where the Amflow brand will be present.

The Amflow profile page on the Eurobike exihibitor list says it will offer "the next-gen e-MTB experience for all" that will "integrate one of the smartest and most powerful e-Drive systems on the market". The e-bike will also apparently combine "peak power with lightweight materials, high-end technology with focus on the essential, natural riding feel with seamless connectivity".

With this kind of DJI-powered tech on board and those leaked powertrain specs, it likely won't be a cheap e-MTB. But the hope for many will be that the tech on show in this high-end flagship model could filter down into more affordable, and more approachable, e-bikes. Even if we don't ultimately get a flying e-bike to help us live out our E.T dreams.

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Swytch Technology has revealed its latest DIY eBike kit that is compatible with most pedal bicycles on sale today and offers up to 60 miles of electric assistance at speeds of up to 15mph in most markets.

The idea is that anyone can benefit from the extra shove provided by an electric motor, with the latest Swytch GO kit containing a new frame-mounted 187Wh to 378Wh capacity battery pack, a box-fresh front wheel with a built-in 250W motor, clip-on pedal sensor and an optional LED display that can easily be mounted to your handlebars.

Most folk proficient with a little bicycle maintenance should be able to handle the simple install, while this latest bundle is aimed at getting the masses out on two wheels, with a budget-friendly pre-order price of just $349 / £299 (around AU$525 in Australia). If you don’t want to join the pre-order queue, the kit costs $799 / £599 (around AU$1,200) to purchase immediately.

Alternatively, Swytch is also offering a monthly payment package that is pegged at £28 per month for UK customers. Currently, there is no word on whether the subscription option will be available to other markets. 

What’s more, buyers get the choice of three battery sizes, which increase in output and price as you walk up the range. GO, GO+, and GO++ offer between 15 to 60 miles of electric assistance, depending on riding style and terrain.

Red Dot Design Award winner Swytch has worked hard to decrease the size of its GO battery packs, which used to attach to your handlebars and looked a bit cumbersome dangling out front, especially on sleek hybrid or urban commuter machines.

Now, the IPX6 waterproof-rated battery pack neatly straps to the top tube and seat tube on most bicycles, keeping neatly out of the way by sitting flush within the frame. 

According to the company, it has already sold 85,000 kits worldwide, but hopes that this lighter, cheaper and more versatile package will encourage more pedal bike users to make the switch to electric.

Analysis: motors for the masses

Considering most of the best ebikes cost at least $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,500), the new Swytch GO kit is one of the most affordable ways to transform any old bike into something that assists on the daily commute.

Despite the work carried out in redesigning the overall package, some will still find it a little clunky, with the need to remove and store the battery pack when parked up in order to prevent thieves from running off with your power source.

But the company has successfully managed to simplify the install process, improve the performance of its batteries and motors, as well as bring the cost of its overall package down considerably.

What’s more, transforming your existing pushbike into an eBike also means there’s no need to buy new, saving the customer money and reducing the amount of natural resource-sapping product that factories around the world are busy pumping out. 

If this breaks down the fitness barriers associated with pedal bike, gets more people out on two wheels and reduces journeys made by car, that can only be a good thing.

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• Honda's first eMTB has a portable charging station for more fun on the trails
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During the melee of last month's Japan Mobility Show, where some of the biggest automotive names unleashed a barrage of new vehicles, it was very easy to miss some of the smaller, less shouty gems that nestled in amongst some of those eye-popping concepts.

One such find is Honda's first attempt at an electric mountain bike - or e-MTB concept, as Honda calls it. According to the brand it "combines the fun of motorcycles and the fun of a mountain bike", which is fairly obvious but exciting all the same.

The solid facts remain fairly scarce, despite us reaching out to our friends at Honda Europe for more information. But we do know the frame and swingarm have been built using thin-wall aluminum casting technology, which is typically the reserve of some of Honda’s high-performance motorcycles.

Anyone who knows their bikes can spot the off-the-shelf components the Japanese marque has turned to in order to finish the project, including a SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain and Shimano disc brakes, as well as front and rear suspension from Fox and a dropper seat post.

Despite a lack of info in the battery and motor set-up, it looks like a reasonably potent off-road machine, if not quite as bombproof as some of the more downhill-orientated eMTBs that are currently on sale. But the thing that caught our eye was the portable charging pack that was plugged into the bike at the JMS 2023 show.

Looking a bit like wheelie suitcase crossed with Wall-E, the portable power bank features wheels for easy maneuvering and a built-in tray of tools at the top for impromptu mechanical tweaks on the trail.

Portable power for extended fun

Portable power is a canny move from Honda, and not something we’ve seen replicated so far by existing eMTB manufacturers. 

Granted, riders could either bring a spare battery, purchase a range-extender or rig up their own system by investing in an existing portable power station and topping up the eBike’s batteries that way. 

But it's cool that Honda has created its own unique ecosystem. Plus, a power bank of that stature should be able to store enough juice inside to charge multiple eBikes, multiple times. 

That said, the portable power station could be on show purely because Honda doesn't currently offer an electric vehicle with bi-directional or vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities. If it did, users could charge their eBikes directly from the EV’s batteries and leave the big wheelie suitcase thing at home.

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Virtual cycling program Zwift is further gamifying its fitness platform by launching its first dedicated controller called the Zwift Play.

It functions similarly to the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons. The Zwift Play is comprised of two separate pieces each with its own set of buttons. The left half comes with a direction pad for navigating on-screen menus and for making select turns inside the company’s virtual world. On the right half are the face buttons for selecting menu options or activating certain in-game abilities like teleporting “to Pace Groups,” among other things. At the back of both halves are a couple of paddles. Pushing them in brakes your on-screen bike while pulling them helps you steer.

Features

As for other important details, the Zwift Play “requires two Bluetooth connections”, one for each half. Battery life for both pieces is a claimed 20 hours of ride time. The overall package does come with a split-end USB cable so you can charge the two at the same time without any issue. The controller can connect to any exercise bike via silicone straps. However, the machine must sport drop handlebars and not have any sort of unique configurations. As an example, the company states the Zwift Play doesn’t work on the Garmin Tacx Neo bike since it won’t “allow proper placement due to shifter shape.”

Alongside the controller, the company also launched its new Beta Zwift Play Game Experience, a virtual environment where users can test drive the device’s functionality. It features a cycling course where people can try out the rear braking paddles and the ability shortcuts on the face buttons. 

Availability

For a limited time, you can purchase the Zwift Play controller from the company's website for $99/£99/€99. This lower price tag will stick around until the Zwift Play Game Experience leaves beta. Once it does, the price tag will go up to $149/£149/€149 moving forward.

We asked Zwift when the virtual world will officially launch. A representative told us they don’t have a confirmed date yet for the release. In the meantime, the company will focus on improving exercise modes and taking user feedback on how to improve the experience.

We also asked the representative if there are plans to roll out the Zwift Play to other global regions – namely Australia. They told us the company is looking into it, but currently doesn’t have plans to expand outside the US, UK, and EU.

• TechRadar's list of the best fitness trackers for 2023

Cyrusher ranger: Two-minute review

The Cyrusher Ranger is a full-package, premium electric bike that’s shares genes with a mountain bike about as much as it does with a dual-purpose motorcycle. It’s not a cheap e-bike, but it’s making sure you get a lot for your money.

Many of the best electric bikes simply embed a little bit of motor power in an otherwise standard bicycle, like the Ribble Hyrbid AL e or Marin Sausalito E1. Some take a different tack. With front and rear suspension and fat tires, the Cyrusher ranger provides a supremely smooth ride, which is great given the 28mph top speed you can find yourself cruising along at with ease using the 750W motor. Even when you’re flying, the bike offers plenty of range from its 52V20Ah battery. With a half-twist throttle that can pull the bike along at 20mph, it really is much like a motorcycle.

The Cyrusher Ranger might be a bit over-the-top for some. If you live somewhere that doesn’t allow Class 2 or Class 3 ebikes, you’d be spending a lot for tech you can’t tap into. If you just want a casual commuter and are largely riding on smooth pavement, the Ranger suspension and big tires will be less useful while playing a large part in the pricing. 

But, if you want an e-bike that’s happy to zoom down city streets, hop up and down curbs, and then hit trails all while enjoying plenty of motor assistance and range, the Cyrusher Ranger makes a competent option that’s not a bad value. 

Cyrusher Ranger: Specifications

Cyrusher Ranger: Price and availability

• $2,799 in US
• £2,799 in UK
• Unavailable in AU

The Cyrusher Ranger is available now directly from Cyrusher for $2,799 in the continental United States or Alaska and Hawaii with extra shipping charges. It is also available in the UK for £2,799. Discounts are often available on the site, and it’s as-yet-unavailable in Australia. 

Cyrusher Ranger: Design

• Big, bulky and robust
• Heavy-duty off-roading wheels
• Removable battery

Electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but the Cyrusher Ranger’s shape and size are both decidedly big. From its monstrous wheels and motorcycle-esque dual-crown fork to its giant battery compartment and expanded bottom bracket, everything goes big on this bike. That goes especially for the weight. While Cyrusher rates the bike as weighing 66 pounds before jumping to 74 pounds with its battery installed, we weighed our test unit at 78.2 pounds before finally hitting a total of 90.4 pounds with the battery installed and all included accessories accounted for — a confusing discrepancy.

The Cyrusher Ranger makes sense of all that size with the gear it’s packing on. It squeezes in supple, grippy 26” x 4” offroading wheels, which are held on with a curious axle that connects with a bolt threaded onto each side — not your typical thru-axle or skewer. It has a deep Cyrusher-branded spring suspension fork in front (we’re told it’s a YISHUO Kunshan Yishuo Strong-DH/P171-26 suspension fork, but can find no details on this model online) with preload and compression adjustment dials, and a comfy soft tail with air suspension in the back that can also lock out. 

The rear suspension is also Cyrusher branded but we’re told shares much in common with this DNM shock system. The bike uses Logan dual-caliper hydraulic disc brakes and includes motor cut-off circuitry with the brake levers. It’s even tacked on a 9-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain It fits a large LCD display with a USB port for charging extra gadgets onto the handlebars, though sadly most of the screen is taken up by a large green and gray arc that doesn’t actually indicate anything. 

Even the controls are stacked. There’s a two-button controller for the headlight-horn combo unit, which has a decent headlight but seriously lackluster beeping noise that’s neither loud nor attention-getting. Next to that is the control unit for the bike’s assist modes and power. Meanwhile, the right handle has a half-twist throttle. This does result in quite a bit of cable mess at the front end of the bike, but it’s well-grouped with cable ties.

The beefy downtube is housing the bike’s 52V 20Ah battery, which is about as large as you’ll find on standard e-bikes before breaking into the sort that is really not even pretending they're not motorcycles anymore. The battery has a latch to keep it from falling out and has a keyed locking pin. 

Unfortunately, the battery comes out the bottom of the frame, which can see make it tricky to remove around the front tire, and it doesn’t provide any easy spots to get a grip and pull it out. Still, it’s good the battery is removable because the bike is incredibly unwieldy to carry as large as it is and at XX pounds, so anyone who can’t plug it in to charge in a garage will desperately want to just take the battery alone in for charging.

The Ranger comes in a few different colors, all of which use a different color for the rear triangle. Cyrusher goes a little overboard with accents on the bike, giving a bit of a gaudy appearance to a bike that already has a loud presence due to its size.

Despite all that the bike has going on, it’s fairly easy to put together. The handlebar needs attaching, and the front wheel needs to be seated in the fork (a job best for two people), the pedals need attaching, and then a few accessories need to be connected. But it’s a quick job and Cyrusher includes the necessary tools.

One problem with the bike’s size that we don’t want to overlook is how hard this can make it to safely lock up. A U-lock can really only effectively go around the top tube, and it will take a long tether to get around both wheels. Locking through the fork is possible, but less secure. You’ll likely want a long, robust chain lock for this bike, which is going to add considerably to the amount of weight you’re already dealing with.

• Design score: 4/5

Cyrusher Ranger: Performance

• Frame and seat awkwardly sized
• Powerful motor and throttle
• Holds charge well

As a bike that’s tuned for offroad riding, the Cyrusher Ranger is supremely comfortable on pavement. There’s a major confluence of comfort from the bikes various components. The front and rear air suspension combine to soak up substantial amounts of shock. That’s on top of the exceptional absorption offered by the bike’s enormous tires. 

In comparison, the saddle and handlebars feel like weak links. Part of this comes from the available riding positions. The Ranger comes with an exceedingly short seatpost, so even though the bike is advertised as fitting riders up to 6’6”, taller riders will be stuck with a very low seated position that puts more weight into the saddle and will have to stand to pedal comfortably. The handlebars have basic, cylindrical grips that feel surprisingly comfortable, but that may simply be because we don’t get to put a lot of weight into our hands given the riding position.

For those who want a more natural riding experience, a new seatpost is an inexpensive upgrade. Though Ranger is styled like a mountain bike, it’s more of an urban all-terrain vehicle, so the out-of-saddle riding that’s common for mountain biking doesn’t seem all that appropriate for the Ranger. No less because the Ranger’s hub motor doesn’t have the same smooth response of a mid-drive, which would be preferable for trail riding where a jerky motor could be hazardous.

That’s not to discount the motor on the Cyrusher Ranger. The 750W Bafang hub drive is a blast. On throttle alone, it takes little time to cruise up to the bike’s 20mph cap. Even at that speed, the motor hums along quietly while the large wheels are responsible for the bulk of the noise coming from the bike. Even more speed is available by pedaling. The bike will zoom up to 28mph with ease. The system uses a torque sensor, responding to the force we put into the pedals to ramp up the motor. 

The result is far more natural than a cadence sensor, which just measures how fast the pedals are spinning. The sensor may be a little oversensitive, though, as we often find it kicking in when we’re making small maneuvers at stoplights.  That can be a concern since there’s a lot of motor power to wrangle after it unexpectedly kicks on. 

Thankfully, the bike has motor cut-offs built into the brake levers. The 180mm hydraulic disc brakes are also predictably effective. Our ability to come to a quick stop has never been a concern even with a payload of around 330 pounds between our weight and the bike’s.

Between its speed and super-smooth ride, the Cyrusher Ranger has more appeal as a low-cost motorcycle alternative. While the Super73-R Brooklyn was more overt in its attempt to make a “bike” that was as close to a motorcycle as possible, the Cyrusher Ranger stays closer to a true pedal bicycle while still being able to bleed over into that motorcycle-like category. Part of that comes from the 9-speed gearing, which makes it possible to easily find a gear where pedaling is actually useful, unlike the aforementioned single-speed Super73.

For those looking to tool around on a motorcycle, the roughly 1kWh battery provides plenty of juice for doing just that. Cruising around on the Ranger largely using the throttle and set to its highest assist level, we’re able to go over 33 miles before the battery is on its last legs and giving too little support to continue providing an enjoyable, electrified ride. As fun as e-bikes are to ride while they’re powered, they’re nearly equally un-fun to ride when that power runs out because of all their added weight.

Gearing on the Ranger makes it fairly easy to continue riding at low speeds, getting up to 12mph casually even when the battery gives up. It’s worth noting that we tested the Cyrusher Ranger in winter conditions, including some freezing days, which negatively impacts the battery performance. The 33.8-mile range we got is all the more impressive as it's effectively a worst-case range. Lighter riders, better weather conditions, and less stop-go city traffic should all make for an even longer range.

• Performance score: 4/5

Cyrusher Ranger: Buy it if...

Cyrusher Ranger: Don't buy it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: March 2023

Superstrata E: Two-minute review

I’ve been riding the Superstrata E, which is an electric road bike based on an intriguing frame design. It’s built by Arevo, a company that produces carbon components for the aerospace industry, so if you’re into geeky two-wheelers this is an exciting prospect. Lots of other people seem to think so too, as the Superstrata project raised over $5 million on Indiegogo to get the project to the start line. 

As well as being notable for its distinctive frame, which comes without a tube under the saddle, Superstrata E features eco-friendly materials in its construction. The frames can be customized to suit owners, which could make the Superstrata E a good option if you find it hard to get a bike to match your size. 

The assistant on the website can tailor a bike specifically to your size and form a package of components, building your bike to these custom specifications. Your Superstrata E is then made to order. That makes it an expensive proposition, with gears and your choice of frame color adding extra cost to this premium bike. 

Things then start to go downhill when you find it isn’t possible to purchase better-quality component parts to complete the bike. Standard kit, as supplied, proves less than satisfactory for anyone who’s keen on cycling and expects hardware that can meet their needs, especially when it comes to gearing, pedals, wheels, tyres and so on. Unfortunately, this lack of value prevents it from joining the ranks of our best electric bikes right now.

Superstrata E: Specifications

Superstrata E: Price and availability

• Expensive due to custom build
• Can only be ordered from the US
• Starts at $3500 / £2840 / AU$5215

Superstrata E is available directly from the company's US website, mainly because it’s a bespoke setup that requires bikes to be tailored to individual customers. 

The Superstrata E electric bike example featured in this review costs $3500 (£2840 / AU$5215) plus $1250 (£1015 / AU$1860) for the Luxe custom frame finish, and $850 (£700 / AU$1270 for the geared edition, giving a total of $5600. That's before shipping.  

Supertrata bikes are available to order now, though note that shipping is extra, starting from $300 / £243 / AU$445. 

Superstrata E: Design

• No seat tube makes the bike look distinctive
• Wild Starry Night color scheme is hard to miss
• Drop handlebar Sport or flat handlebar Urban options

The Superstrata E example I got sent to try arrived resplendent in Starry Night, a wild multi-color design that forms part of the Stardust color palette. Bikes can be ordered in an array of different colors, from a diverse palette ranging from Essential to Premium and, finally, Luxe, which my example came from. 

Costs for Essential frames are included in the bike price, but colors from the Premium range cost $500 / £405 / AU$745 extra and the Luxe palette adds a hefty $1250 / £1015 / AU$1860 addition to the overall price.

Of course, the most distinctive thing you notice about this bike as you pull it out of the box is its frame. Aside from the wild color scheme, there’s no seat tube, just a void from under the saddle down to the crank. Although it makes a design statement, this omission doesn’t come with much in the way of weight loss. The Classic model weighs in at around 7.5 kg or 16.5 lbs and my bike, as a whole, was just under 11kg or 24.2 lbs.

I also got the Sport edition of the bike, which comes with drop handlebars and a racing saddle, which is fine if you’re keen on doing road cycling. If you’re more of a casual biker though, the Urban model might make sense thanks to its flat handlebars. There’s a single-speed option, as opposed to the geared edition you see here, which might work if you tend to pedal around town and don’t want to work your body with the 11-speed geared setup. The Superstrata ethos seems to be all about being able to choose what suits you best.

It feels hard to recommend the Superstrata E in its current setup, simply because the sizeable cost of the basic bike is high enough, let alone adding in a geared option and choosing a customized frame color. The fundamental flaw with this bike is the way the innovative design lacks a great set of component parts. If you add everything up, this version of the bike was very expensive and not good value when put alongside other bikes in the same price range. 

•  Design score: 3/5 

Superstrata E: Performance

• Workmanlike power delivery from motor
• Lackluster mechanical gear changes
• Brakes feel underwhelming

Curiously, I got an ‘Error 46’ notification on the LCD screen prior to my first foray on the Superstrata E, although this did only happen once. I couldn't find anything in the documentation to explain what this meant, though it didn't seem to have any detrimental effect and was resolved using the age-old tech trick of turning it off and on again. 

Setting off down the road, the Superstrata E doesn’t feel like a high-end bike either. The tyres look and feel downgrade, the gear changes are lacklustre and the power delivery from the hub motor is workmanlike rather than exhilarating. It’s definitely a disappointing ride, which didn’t improve on successive trips.

I think one of the main issues with the Superstrata E is that anyone spending a lot of money on a bike will probably already be a keen cyclist. In that respect, the bike’s performance suffers as a result of the patchy compendium of components. The wheels, tyres, pedals, gears and brakes on my example all look quite cheap and certainly feel that way when you’re riding the Superstrata E. I think if buyers could opt for a better quality of these components when they spec their bike, fortunes for the Superstrata E could be improved.

It’s a similar story with the Bafang handlebar-mounted computer that allows you control over the power delivery. This looks and feels very cheap, with a low-resolution view of the different speed settings. 

The buttons are poor quality too and although they work well enough, it's hard to imagine anyone thinking they’ve bought a premium bike feeling particularly happy with the arrangement. That’s the overall feeling I get from this bike. It’s a nice idea, but lacks the quality components to finish the job and performance suffers as a result. If you’re a keen cyclist I’d say you’ll want to get a lot more from this bike than a ‘wow’ factor.

• Performance score: 3/5 

Superstrata E: Battery life

• Dependable enough supply
• Proven Bafang powertrain
• Not particularly smooth delivery

If you’ve had any encounters with an electric bike before you’ll doubtless have seen the Bafang name as it’s found on so many models, especially those at the more affordable end of the spectrum. I didn’t find anything to complain about with this aspect of the Superstrata E, with the official figure of 60 miles seeming achievable on the most modest power consumption setting. 

As is the case with any electric bike though, range figures depend on how you ride the bike, the conditions, and the surfaces you’re on too. Nevertheless, the Bafang powertrain used here is more than adequate, though the power delivery is a little bit clinical rather than organic. 

Controls for the speed settings are basic too, but in terms of getting electric assistance, you can certainly feel the benefits. I found an overnight charge to be the best way to get the battery topped back up.

• Battery life score: 4/5

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How we tested the Superstrata E

• I spent two weeks testing the Superstrata E
• I rode it on a variety of road surfaces and in different weather conditions
• I tested for ease of use, performance, handling, comfort and battery longevity

I tried the Superstrata E on a mix of local roads, cycle paths and gravel trails over the course of two weeks. The testing took place in wintry conditions, with road surfaces that had on occasions been treated. The bike is easy enough to ride, though lacks comfort in both the saddle and handlebar departments. Riders who prefer an upright-style bike should head for the Urban edition of the bike, with flat handlebars.

I found the power delivery to be everything you’d expect from the Bafang brand, which is a name well-known for its hub motors. While the power is fine, the controls via the computer are less satisfactory, with a digital screen and rubberised buttons that leave a little bit to be desired in the quality department.

The Superstrata E delivered a rather uninspiring ride during testing, with the component selection taking the edge off things. It also feels heavier in the back than in the front, probably due to the hub motor, which leaves the overall cycling experience feeling a little disjointed.

First reviewed: March 2023

Acer, a tech company best known for its PCs and laptops, is branching out into new territory with an e-bike called the ebii.

What's unusual about this bicycle is it uses an AI called ebiiAssist, which, according to Acer, adds the ability to “learn” a person's riding style in order to offer “a more personalized experience”.

By learning, the feature can tweak the “motor output to provide effortless riding based on” your pedaling power and current road conditions. All that information is collected as user insights that can be viewed through the ebiiGo companion app. In it, riders will be able to “check recommended routes, [ebii’s] battery life, [their] riding speed,” among other things. There’s also the ebiiRide app housing three different ride modes. You have the energy-efficient Eco Mode, Boost Mode for adjusting the motor to go faster, and My ebii Mode for a “smart balance” between the two. 

As for the hardware, it has a sturdy, lightweight aluminum frame with an “intelligent vehicle control box”. In total, the ebii weighs around 35 lbs (16 kg exactly) making it one of the lighter e-bikes around. It sports a single “250/350 W motor with 48 V CANbus [battery]” and 40 Nm of torque allowing the bicycle to hit speeds of about 15 mph (25 km/h). Acer claims you can ride on the ebii up to 68 miles (110 km) on a single charge give or take, and the bike can fully recharge in about 2.5 hours. Interestingly enough, the battery pack can also be removed to serve as a portable charger for other devices.  

Safety first

Acer will also include numerous bike safety features. You have your standard headlight and taillight which “automatically illuminate” at night. Another set of LED lights is present underneath the control box to improve visibility in the dark. A Rear Collision Warning radar is “mounted under the seat to alert the rider” of cars or objects getting a little too close from behind. Additionally, ebiiGo allows users to enable an eLock to prevent theft, but in the unfortunate case it does get stolen, the app has theft alerts and Find My Bike to help you locate the e-bike. 

The launch date, price point, and region availability are all currently unknown. You can, however, sign up for email alerts from Acer on the ebii webpage. Considering everything coming with the ebii, namely the AI, we don’t expect this e-bike to be cheap.

If you're looking for an affordable way to get around town, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best cheap e-bikes for 2023. 

Two minute review

Wahoo Kickr: Two minute review

This is our full review of the Wahoo Kickr Bike. This is a fixed exercise bike designed to be ridden at home yet features so many adjustable positions, it's also akin to riding your road bike. 

There's a reason Team GB has trained on Wahoo tech for years and it's apparent in the quality of this fixed-only version of the turbo trainer tech that this company specializes in. Even the best treadmill doesn't offer this level of personalization.

This is more expensive than a turbo trainer but means you don't have to faff about with your bike, attaching it to this to train – one less excuse to avoid a ride when it's raining out. Of course, there is more to it, and our guide on turbo trainers vs exercise bikes is worth a read if you're unsure which cycling solution to buy. This bike is also backed by a host of apps that allow you to ride in virtual worlds with other riders or to train to a specific goal with a training plan generated for you.

There are more options than ever and with some great exercise bike deals out there, this model is certainly sitting at the higher end of the price range – yup, even when compared to Peloton. Unlike Peloton, this doesn't come with a display, or even a mount, but rather puts all that investment into the bike itself. As such you're getting a reassuring heavy and solid bike that will keep up with any level of training you need.

Unlike a lot of the competition, the Wahoo Kickr Bike sets itself apart by offering super levels of personalization. That means a whole host of adjustable options that let you get the perfect fit to match your other bike. It also offers hydraulic moving adaption to incline and decline which gives the feeling that you're really riding up or down a hill. Couple that with shifters that can be adjusted to match your bike and this is a really complete package for training at home without going out the door or sacrificing very much at all.

So is the Wahoo Kickr Bike worth its top-end price?

Wahoo Kickr Bike: Price and availability

The Wahoo Kickr Bike is out now in the US, UK and Australia. The retail price sits at a premium $3,999.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$6,499.95. 

It's also worth thinking about adding a Wahoo Tickr X chest strap heart rate monitor, Kickr Cycling Desk, and even the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, a cycling computer which can enhance your on-road work.

Wahoo Kickr Bike: Design

• Five point adjustment system
• Electromagnetic motor
• Two-year warranty

The Wahoo Kickr Bike is solid. The second it comes to removing this from the box its 42kg weight becomes very apparent. Despite coming in a relatively compact form, this folds out pretty easily. Once you have the legs added to the rear, which slot right in with ease, all you have to do is add the saddle and handlebars. 

Crucially, the whole setup process can be followed on the app which guides you through with words and images. You can do this as you feel or use a guided setup to match this to your road bike. Take a photo of your road bike against a white wall, highlight some key points on the bike and input some data and this will give you the settings to have the Kickr Bike match that exactly. Or if you've had a professional bike fit you can simply import the data from Guru, Trek or Retul.

All that is great if you ride and want to match this up, but if you're new to setup then it just means you have a whole host of options to play with before you can start. There's stack, reach, setback, saddle height and frame height. And if you don't really know what you're doing there isn't a whole lot of guidance on how to find the right position for you to get the most power out of your legs. Even the pedals have five attachment point options.

The bike itself is finished in a premium metallic paint and all the twist out handles to make adjustments are very easy to use. There is minimal tool requirements to get this setup and to make adjustments you need none at all. Plug in the power cable and the bike is ready to go – just get WiFi setup and then you're set to start working with an app.

On the bike itself there is a small LED display that shows your gearing and allows you to double-tap a large button to make sure the bike is self-levelled to be flat. All of which usefully lets you get riding even without an app, if you wanted. What's lacking is a mount for your phone or laptop, which you will most likely be training with. Wahoo charges you for a table that sits in front of the bike but with a price tag in the hundreds I just used the box the bike arrived in to prop up my laptop.

• Design score: 4/5

Wahoo Kickr Bike: Features

• Hydraulic height adjustments
• Personalizable shifters
• Multi-app support

The Wahoo Kickr Bike features a hydraulic adjuster that allows the bike to move between incline and decline from 20% to -15%. When this is used in combination with virtual and automatic resistance variations, it can create a super life-like riding experience for a fixed bike setup. Theoretically this should mean your muscle groups will respond more like riding up or down a hill to give the best possible training experience.

The shifters are a brilliant addition to this bike as they are fully digitally adapted. So while you move the armature left and right, as you would on any bike, the way they work can be changed. Using the app you have the choice of shifter so this will work like your bike with options including Campagnolo, SRAM and Shimano.

There are also two inner buttons and two upper buttons. The upper ones are fun in apps where they allow you to look behind or signal to another rider. But the inner buttons have been used well to allow you steer your bike in apps like Wahoo RGT or Zwift. While these could be seen as unnecessary, for serious riders that want to follow a specific line and don't want to leave it up to the auto-steer, this is a useful option to have.

The addition of rear wheels makes moving this bike, despite its considerable weight, a doddle. Hold the front, tilt the bike up and move about as needed – much like a bench at the gym. Then double tap the auto level button and you know you're riding flat no matter what surface you need to place the bike on.

• Features score: 4/5

Wahoo Kickr Bike: Performance

• Wahoo RGT app offers virtual rides
• Up to 2200W output
• Super stable electromagnetic ride

The Wahoo Kickr Bike is built to such a high standard that it is capable of handling up to 2200W (with the V2 model hitting 2500W). To give that some context, most basic riders have an FTP (functional threshold power) score of about 150W – this is the amount of output power you can maintain for an hour. Better riders are at 300W and some can even hit over 1,000 but in most cases that is a peak power output, not something that is maintained. Get up to Olympic level and riders can hit 2,200W and even maintain that for a short while, but not long.

Here is a good example of an Olympic cyclist powering a toaster at 700W:

So all that means this bike is built to be used by the very best possible riders in the world. That should mean (unless you're reading this as one of those) this bike will be able to handle anything you can put out. That's important as riding at power, or high cadence can have you bumping off your saddle and rocking the bike. In the case of this bike, there is no rocking at all. It's super solid leaving you feeling safe enough to ride to your limits.

The electromagnetic motor is very quiet, runs smoothly, and adjusts quickly to gear changes, all of which leave you feeling like you're riding a bike out on the road. Add in the immersive Wahoo RGT app and that is taken even further. This is akin to Zwift, where you can set up your rider profile, select a place to ride and go join others on those roads in real-time. The app shows you your power output, your cadence, and your heart rate all at a glance.

Crucially the app allows you lots of ways to ride from simply picking a spot and riding as you please to selecting a workout and following training guidance as you go. You can even enter events that happen in real-time, ideal for meeting up with others virtually or racing against other riders.

The saddle, like everything else on this bike, is like a real road bike, which means it is not comfortable. You'll need bib shorts with padding, or a gel seat cover if you're new to this and plan to put in any amount of miles. As mentioned before, there are lots of adjustments to make on this bike so getting more comfortable should be possible but ultimately it's just part of riding that means toughening up a little. Or taking a break. The Wahoo Systm app also offers yoga, strength training and more to give you a well-rounded training experience. 

• Performance score: 5/5

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Also consider

First reviewed February 2023

Many of us are trying to set a new goal for 2023 around getting fit or staying active. But the activities we choose to help us meet these goals can be the very thing that sees them unravel. Suddenly diving right into a high-impact activity you're not used to, like running, can quickly lead to burnout or even injuries. It's one of the reasons you shouldn't exercise too hard in 2023, or you could risk quitting your new routine.

Cycling, whether with the best electric bike or a conventional push-bike, offers a uniquely low-impact way to exercise and stay active, and its ability to tackle commutes even makes it convenient to work into more parts of your life.

Lots of conventional sporting exercises that involve running or jumping are high-impact. Your legs will get worked, certainly, but the joints will also absorb a lot of shocks. In contact, cycling sees your feet and joints work smoothly, spinning away at the cranks. The only jolts you’ll get are from bumps in the road, and even those can be reduced with suspension or cushioning on the bike.

Of course, any good exercise needs effort. Cycling can be about as hard or as easy as you want to make it, though. Part of the equation will be how heavy you are, but then how much work you do riding will be largely a matter of how far and how fast you go (and then some if you’re dealing with wind or hills). You can modulate your effort by simply pedaling faster or slower, or you can use your bike’s gears to adjust your difficulty.

Benefits of cycling for first-timers

Once you’re out of the house and hitting the open road, you can start seeing the burned calories mount quickly. Healthline estimates a 155-pound rider will burn 298 calories in 30 minutes of moderate riding at 12-13.9mph. That figure can jump up if you weigh more or go faster, too. To get a clearer picture of how many calories you might burn on a ride, you can use this calculator at Calories Burned HQ.

Part of the beauty of cycling is that it can almost be a passive exercise. While you may be picturing hardcore cyclists sporting lycra outfits and hunched over an ultra-light road bike, cycling doesn’t have to be anything like that to get you a good workout. In fact, it can blend seamlessly into your day if you use your bike as a way to get around.

Say you want to visit some friends who live five miles away on the weekend. Instead of driving over, you can simply hop on your bike and burn a few hundred calories along the way. While you might worry about showing up drenched in sweat if you tried running to commute, the ability to modulate your effort cycling, especially if you used the assistance of an electric motor, makes it easier to get from A to B without breaking the same sweat. 

If you start working those little bike rides into other things, like your commute to and from work, the calories you’re burning will really start to stack up. I’ll use myself as an example: I weigh 230 pounds and ride casually between 14 and 16mph. I’ll take my bike to a rock climbing gym and back a couple of times a week, and I’ll visit people twice a week, riding my bike to get there and back. 

Most of these rides are about 5 miles away. None of that riding feels like I’m going for a workout, but I’ll have burned nearly 3,000 calories by the end of the week.

While some of us might be able to just hop onto a bike in the new year and work cycling into our everyday life with ease, those of us feeling especially out of athletic shape can still get started with a little extra help. There’s no shortage of cheap e-bikes geared up for beginner cyclists. 

With a bit of motor power to tap into, you’ll have even more flexibility for deciding how much effort you put into each ride, so you can always work at a comfortable level. If you tire out before the end of a ride, some e-bikes will allow you to ride with a throttle so you can still reach your destination. And, as you get stronger and are able to push harder, you have the option to lean less on the motor for support or you can continue to use the motor to simply ride that much faster. 

E-bike conversion kits can even let you electrify a bike you already own, so you don’t need to get an entirely new ride if you already have a great bike you’d like to keep. The best folding e-bikes, or folding push-bikes come to that, can overcome the challenge of small storage spaces.

In the new year, you might find cycling is just what you need to bring your fitness goals within reach. You might also find all the joy there is in cycling, as you get to cruise around, feel the breeze, and explore your surroundings in ways a regular trip to the gym would never allow.

• This article is part of TechRadar's Get Fit For '23 week

Workout app Fiit has launched new workouts that can be completed on indoor bikes including the Concept2 BikeErg and indoor Keiser M3i bike. This comes after interactive rowing and treadmill workouts were added to the app earlier this year.

The best fitness apps have variety - and this is what both Fiit and Peloton are offering, but with the addition of these hybrid workouts, which can be done at home or in the gym, means Fiit could be giving Peloton a run for its money – with Fiit’s subscription set at £9.99 a month, it’s £30 ($33) a month cheaper than Peloton's. The best fitness apps have variety - and this is what both Fiit and Peloton are offering, but with

Fiit subscribers can use any stationary bike for these workouts, but if you want to record your workout, connecting to the Concept2 BikeErg or indoor Keiser M3i bike, whether you’re at home or in the gym, means you’ll be able to enjoy a more interactive workout and record stats like RPM, calories, and distance traveled. However, one of the best fitness trackers can also give you these stats.

Hybrid working out is becoming more popular as people have realized they don’t need to be limited to just working out at home or in the gym. Fiit's 11 bike workouts allow its members to take their workouts to the gym too when they want to change up their fitness routine. 

Fiit will also launch numerous other bike workouts on December 12th, alongside its Bike Academy – a two-week indoor cycling masterclass that will give cycling novices a chance to speed ahead of their competitors.

In March the company launched Fiit Tread, again competing with Peloton’s treadmill offerings – and just like the bike workouts, the interactive classes can be taken on any manual or electric tread, although members will need to run on an AssaultRunner to experience the fully connected experience with the Fiit Tracker.

Fiit demonstrated its commitment to hybrid workouts by partnering with the Gym Group in 2020 and now offers its members access to Fiit Pods in the company’s gyms, allowing them to do these workouts on a big screen.

Could this be a big step for Fiit?

Let's be realistic: Peloton’s app is expensive – especially when you’ve already paid for an expensive bike or treadmill, and then you have to pay another £39.99 / $44 / AU$59 for their workouts every month. I love my Peloton bike, and its on-demand workouts keep me motivated, but that comes at a cost of nearly £500 a year – and I haven’t even stepped outside my flat. 

That’s why I’ve always loved the Fiit app, it’s cheap, it has great workouts, and the company keeps innovating – it knows that not everyone wants to only work out in the confines of their home. And with the fitness industry moving as quickly as it does, companies that can stay two steps ahead of their competitors and spot future trends first will keep on succeeding. 

Fiit isn't new to the industry – it launched in 2017 with hundreds of live and on-demand workouts, which mainly consisted of HIIT, strength, and yoga-based workouts. With gyms closing in lockdown and working out at home becoming the norm, the app became a firm favorite with fitness enthusiasts. 

Many of us have adapted to a hybrid way of working, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same with our workouts. I love working from home, but it’s also nice to get out of the house and interact with people – it shouldn’t have to be one or the other, and it’s good to see Fiit embracing that philosophy. 

If you’ve been riding bikes for any amount of time, one of the things you may remember is how much smaller cycling lights have become over time compared to older models. Have a look at the best bike lights you can buy right now and they’re all pretty compact. 

Thanks to space-saving designs, lighter materials and the ability to work using power from smaller batteries, modern bike lights are a fraction of the size of their predecessors. That’s obviously a good thing though, especially if you’re into road biking where keeping weight down is everything. 

This pair, the CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 is another duo that can be added to the ‘compact and bijou’ bike light list. They combine svelte design lines with plenty of power and come from the CatEye stable, which is a brand well-known for producing dependable cycling accessories. Are they as good as they look though? Short answer: yes. 

CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5: Price and availability

The CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 are available as a combination set and can be had in one box if you want to kill two birds with one stone. This is also the more cost effective way to go in terms of value for money.  

Both lights can also be bought individually, if you only need one or the other rather than both. They’re available now from Amazon in the US for $31.75, Amazon in Australia for AU$54.92 and other cycle accessory retailers in the UK such as Wiggle for £21.79. 

Considering their performance credentials and general usability they’re super value, compared to other rivals in the current best bike lights guide.

CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5: Design

• Flextight mounting brackets are easy & quick to use
• Can be mounted to a bag
• Battery insertion can get tricky

One of the most appealing things about a decent bike light, aside from its ability to let you see and be seen, is being able to get it on and off your bike. This is especially so if you have, or ride, more than one cycle. 

Both the CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 come with clever FlexTight mounting brackets, or rather, strap-like creations that allow quick and easy fixing to just about any type of frame or handlebar configuration. Alternatively, the lights can be fixed to a cycle bag, your clothing or a helmet depending on preference. Flexibility is the watchword here.

Elsewhere, although the bulk of the construction is plastic, both lights feel sturdy and able to fend of being dropped or knocked about a bit. The body of both lights is slender, with removable covers where the batteries need to be inserted. These can be quite tricky to get off and on again, and care is needed to ensure you don't split the plastic. However, in terms of keeping moisture out, this is a real bonus.

• Design score: 4/5

CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5: Features

• Simplicity and low price means lack of features
• Intermittent flashing and strobe settings
• IPX4 waterproofing

Alongside the FlexTight mounting brackets, another big part of the appeal of the CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 lights is their simplicity. That means less in the way of features, but they do just work and require very little in the way of fixing and even less effort to turn on and off. 

The front unit is certainly bright, with 150 Lumens and three LEDs. Meanwhile, the Omni 5 rear-facing light offers up five LEDs and delivers 360-degree visibility. Both lights have settings that can be changed to suit the cycling scenario or rider preferences such as always on, flashing intermittently, or a strobe effect in the case of the rear-facing one.

You also get the benefit of IPX4 waterproofing and, as previously mentioned, the tight fit of the battery casing cover is reassuringly sealed on both models. They seem more than capable of fending off the worst of any winter, which is fine as IPX4 offers protection against splashes of water and wet weather. 

The lights will work for rainy commutes, but we wouldn’t recommend submerging the lights or subjugating them to jets of water for any reason, as you’ll need IPX5 or higher for that. If you’re going to wash dirt off the frame and wheels of your bike,  best remove the lights and clean them separately.

• Features score: 3/5 

CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5: Battery life

• Both front and rear use replacement batteries
• No recharge option
• Efficient, with up to 320 hours of use

There’s nothing wrong with insertable batteries if you only tend to use your cycle lights occasionally, which makes the CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 combination okay. However, the front uses two AA batteries and the rear three AAA, which do obviously run down over time or after frequent use. There’s no option to recharge with this bundle either, so that might not appeal if you’re going to be using them every day. 

For the HL-EL135, you will get around 320 hours of use from the batteries if set to flash. Always on provides around 80 hours on tap from the twin batteries. The rear light works in rapid mode if you want it, which delivers 120 hours of illumination. Alternatively, the flashing option will give you up to 90 hours of light. Keep it on constantly though and this goes down to around 60 hours.

• Battery life score: 3/5 

CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5: Performance

• Bright and clear, up to 150 Lumens
• Viewable from multiple angles
• Great for the price

The CatEye HL-EL135 turns out to be pretty bright, considering its diminutive status, with a decent beam reach that makes it good for cycling around town. If you’re after higher performance you’ll probably want to head in the direction of something more potent, but this is perfect for everyday cycling activities. The same can be said for the rear light too and it’s very viewable from multiple angles, which is a definite plus.

Curiously, the Lumens rating for the rear light is nowhere to be found, either on the packaging or when visiting the CatEye website, but that doesn't turn out to be too much of a worry. Simply pressing the on button underlines the brightness credentials of the Omni 5, with the different modes ideally suited to a variety of cycling scenarios. Both lights really win you over with their easyfix mounting options though.

If you’re keeping a keen eye on how much you spend currently the CatEye HL-EL135 and Omni 5 bundle makes a lot of sense. This is a very affordable duo of cycle lights, with the added benefit of coming from a tried and trusted brand. Get them as a pair and you’re talking solid value. It’s a cost-effective, practical solution you’re after, this CatEye combination is a sensible middle-ground option.

• Performance score: 4/5

Buy it if...

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The Knog Blinder bike lights have a little more charm than your standard bike lights. Knog, an Australian brand,  offers a neat twist on the best bike lights, in much the same way as quirky US manufacturer Thousand do with the Thousand Traveller.

Two of their latest products are the Knog Blinder Road 400 and, even more recently, the Knog Blinder R-150 Road Rear. What you get with these two is plenty of illumination, with 400 Lumens on the front and 150 Lumens from the rear. On top of that, you get a slick, stylish, and undeniably practical design and build, which should stand the test of time.

Bike lights can be a mixed bag, but pick the right pairing and you’ll not only be able to see where you’re going, but you’ll also be seen and hopefully stay safe too. While the Knog Blinder Road 400 turns out to offer pretty substantial illumination, anyone wanting more light on the road can also opt to head for the Knog Blinder in a 600 Lumen incarnation. That’s even brighter. So then, are they any good?

Knog Blinder Road: Price and availability

The Knog Blinder range is widely available right now, with the Blinder Road listed on Amazon and its own site. The 400 lumen model costs $69.99 in the US, £75.99 in the UK from third-party retailer Wiggle, and AU$99.99 in Australia. The whole selection of bike accessories from this brand can be found on the Knog website, although UK shoppers need to look elsewhere.

The Knog Blinder 400 and R-150 combo are available separately, so they can easily be purchased as a pair or individually. We’ve not seen any obvious savings from purchasing them as a pair either, compared to some manufacturers like Lezyne or Cateye who offer bundle boxes with the front and rear lights in one package. This can often shave a little off the asking price. 

Knog Blinder Road: Design

• Compact
• Lightweight
• Aero compatible

Knog has done a great job with the design of the Blinder 400. It’s compact and reasonably lightweight at just 70 grams, but it’s also been created with practicality in mind. It’s aero compatible, so can be fitted to both standard and aero bars. Better still, the Blinder is 100% waterproof, which is always a bonus if you tend to end up cycling in the rain a lot.

The main body of the light looks and feels solid enough and it’s definitely well made, with the twin LED beams being the most prominent feature. There are mode buttons on the rear of the unit, just above the strap that’s used to mount the light. This also seems nicely constructed, although there is always the worry with flexible components as to just how good they’re going to be over time. So far, so good though.

The Blinder R-150 rear light is a long, thing rectangular design that weighs just 40 grams and is 100% waterproof. It features a USB charging port, as does the front light, while a charge indicator helps to keep you up to date with how the battery life is faring. 

• Design score: 4/5

Knog Blinder Road: Features

• Four different light modes on front light
• 150 lumens rear light
• 1.5 times brighter than older variants

The benefit of the Knog Blinder 400 front light is that it features four different light modes. You can choose from Flash, with a three to eight0hour runtime, Dual Beam with a one to 2.5-hour runtime, Wide Beam, with a one to two hour runtime and Narrow Beam with a 1.2 to 2-hour runtime. 

More importantly, the latest design is 1.5 times brighter than older variants according to Knog. It’s certainly bright, with the range of beam options proving ideally suited to riding on roads at night.

Meanwhile, the Blinder R-150 is just that, a 150 Lumens taillight, fitted with LED technology for a super bright appearance. You get eight modes with this unit, with a raft of options to suit all types of cycling scenarios. 

These range from always on through to a strobe effect. Knog has done a great job at getting the lighting angles right when the unit is working too. It’s easily visible, but doesn’t dazzle others, which is the perfect compromise.

• Features score: 4/5

Knog Blinder Road: Battery life

• Battery life listings are accurate
• Temperature doesn’t impact performance
• Low battery indicator so you’re not caught off guard

We’ve used the Knog Blinder 400 for a while now and it returns very respectable battery life, with close similarities to the figures above. That includes periods of having a bike with the lights attached stored in a cooler outdoor environment, which didn't seem to be too detrimental to performance. 

What is also good about the Blinder 400 is its low battery indicator, which stays on for 2 seconds once you’ve turned off. It’s a handy visual clue to the state of the battery, just so you know for next time. You get that same warning on the R-150 rear unit too and both can be recharged via USB. Usefully, there’s a cable included in the box for getting the job done.

• Battery life score: 4/5

Knog Blinder Road: Performance

• Blinder 400 front light performs well
• Back light a little weak
• Battery life is shorter than it could be

If you’re going to buy these two cycle lights together then pairing them up makes a lot of sense as they share similar characteristics, runtime and also brightness. Granted, the rear R-150 is the less bright of the two, but the forward facing Blinder 400 is hugely commendable for its twin beam LEDs. 

Battery life does suffer a little due to the sheer brightness of these lights however, especially the front one. Careful use of the different modes can help to balance that out though. 

Overall, this dynamic duo is well suited to everyday cyclists who might bike to work, or anyone who likes to enjoy a day out cycling and isn't always back before dark. Premium lights generally stand the test of time, so if you cycle regularly it really is the way to go.

• Performance score: 3/5

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

 First reviewed October 2022 

Thousand is a cool US brand that’s already well known for its retro-style cycle helmets. The innovative company has now branched into bike lights, including the Thousand Traveller Light, which is available in both front and rear editions. You can buy them as a pair, or individually, depending on your needs and what you’ve got already. 

However, if you’re looking for a consistent theme they do look quite cool when matched together as a pair. They certainly stack up well alongside the best bike lights you can buy right now.

These two lights might look a little retro, but they also perform with the front one offering 250 peak Lumen performance. The rear one, meanwhile, offers up a peak Lumen of 80. Both come complete with everything you need to get started, with rechargeable batteries and a USB cable that can get each light back up to 100% in just two hours.

Thousand Traveller: Price and availability

The Thousand Traveller Light combination is available to buy right now on the Thousand website. Each light is sold as a separate entity, with its own stylish packaging and everything included to get you illuminated. You’ll be looking to pay around £32/$35/AU$55 for each, so a pair for approximately £64/$70/AU$110 makes the duo of cycle lights seems like an attractive proposition.

Thousand Traveller: Design

• Stylish, quirky design
• Compact
• Slightly fiddly magnetic release

Both Thousand Traveller Lights come in stylish, recyclable packaging, which immediately gives you an indication of the quality you can expect. The design could be seen as quirky by some, but the almost retro-styling fits in perfectly with the vibe given over by the brand. If you’re a fan of their cycle helmets, it’s safe to say you’ll be on-board with this brace of bike lights.

Bike lights used to be boring cycling accessories with little in the way of appeal, other than showing you the way to go home, as well as letting you be seen. Now though, quirky new brands like Thousand are revitalising the bike light marketplace, with a range of lights that look cool and perform too. 

Our examples arrived in Speedway Crème, with a red/brown flexible rubber mounting strap, but you can also get them in Stealth Black or Thousand Navy. The lights are really quite compact, with the actual lighting area proving to be the biggest part of the design. 

The feel is one of quality though, with a really solid twist action allowing you to select on/off or the other light modes that are on offer. There’s a magnet inside each design too, allowing for quick and easy attachment, although this can be fiddly at times to release.

• Design score: 4/5

Thousand Traveller: Features

• Three light settings (Solid, Flash, Eco-Flash)
• Up to 250 lumens for front light
• IPX4 waterproofing

Either of the Thousand Traveller Light models come with an attractive range of features and functions, making either or both a great choice for lighting your way. The front light features three light settings, including Solid, a Daylight Flash option and finally, Eco Flash, which is much more frugal.

Meanwhile, the rear-facing Thousand Traveller Light has the same three settings. Switching between these modes is easily done, simply by twisting the mode dial on the body of the light itself.

Charging the Thousand Traveller Light takes 2 hours and this can be done with a supplied USB cable. The light itself weighs in at 40 grams while the mounting bracket is 20 grams. The way the latter is rubberised means, during our tests, we found fitting the lights an incredibly simple process. 

It’s worth noting the light will work with handlebar thicknesses between 22.5 and 35mm, covering the vast majority of frames, but exceptionally slender roadsters or chunky e-bikes might be out of luck. The lights are IPX4 waterproof rated, so they’ll withstand the worst slashing rain, but we wouldn’t submerge them for any reason (as if you were planning to).

• Features score: 4/5

Thousand Traveller: Battery life

• Two-hour charge time
• Eco-Flash extends battery life significantly
• Rear light not as efficient as front light

Both front and rear lights come complete with everything you need to get started, with rechargeable batteries and a USB cable that can get each light back up to 100% in just two hours. There’s a neat dial switch on the body of each light, and turning this allows you to switch between the three different modes, which means you can milk the battery life for all its worth. 

On the front light, Solid mode offers 100LM for eight hours, Daylight Flash means you get 250LM for six hours and Eco-Flash gives you 30LM or 36 hours of on-time. On the rear light, things seem to be a little different: Solid offers up 35LM or 4.5 hours of illumination, Daylight Flash gives 80LM or 3.75 hours of shine and the Eco Flash option taking the up-time to 10LM or 22 hours. 

The performance figures outlined above also seem to be pretty much on the money, with a decent return on tap from the internal battery. If charge is an issue, you can switch back to eco-flash to give you enough juice to complete a journey home The other bonus with either of these bike lights is the ease with which you can recharge them. That two-hour recharge time is accurate according to our tests, although because the rear light fails faster than the front light, you could end up in a position where your rear light runs out of charge before you notice. 

• Battery life score: 3.5/5

Thousand Traveller: Performance

• Dependable
• Looks good
• Easily taken off the bike once parked

Whichever of the Thousand Traveller Light options you choose, you’ll find them both solid and dependable performers. The neat styling makes them very unique and quite quirky to look. However, they are also hugely practical, with three no-nonsense lighting modes to choose from, ease of operation and a mounting system that combines a magnet and rubberised strap system. 

Ultimately, that means you’ve can get the lights on and off your bike in minimal time and take them with you for security. They're also small enough so fit easily into a bag or coat pocket too, which adds real value to the package.

Thousand Traveller: Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed October 2022

TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery: One-minute review

The TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery is unique in the world of e-scooters. It’s not a light, portable mode of transportation that you can carry up a flight of stairs when you’ve arrived at your home or office. And, you won’t find 20 other variations of it abandoned on the sidewalk from rental companies like Bird.

That’s not what this is for. If you’re looking for an e-scooter just to take you around the block for a cup of coffee, something like the much more affordable TurboAnt M10 will suit you just fine.

Instead, the TurboAnt V8 is a heavy and heavy-duty beast that comes with two batteries – hence the name – and a 450-watt motor that’s meant to see you through long commutes. So, for those looking for something that can go the distance, this might just be that more eco-friendly car replacement to get you to the office. But, as we’ll see, it depends on what kind of commute you have on whether this is the best electric scooter for you.

TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $799 (about £707 / AU$1253) 
• Where is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Currently only available in the US

While you can get an e-scooter for around $400 / £400, it will set you back a lot more to get a quality model. With that in mind, the Turbo Ant V8’s price of $799 (about £707 / AU$1253) shouldn’t give you too much sticker shock. Sure, it’s among the more expensive options. But, you can definitely spend more. 

For instance, the Unagi Model One E500 will cost you a couple of hundred dollars/quid more. And, though it’s sleek and very lightweight, it’s not very good for use on poorly maintained roads.

Considering the TurboAnt V8’s power, dual batteries and sturdy build then, it offers a lot of value for the right kind of rider. Of course, that doesn’t really matter for those in the UK or Australia. At the time of writing, the TurboAnt V8 is not available in either region. However, the company does have a few other models available there so it’s probably just a matter of time before this becomes available outside of North America.

• Value: 4 / 5

TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery: Design

• The TurboAnt V8 is very heavy partially thanks to its two batteries
• LED Display is not very bright

The first thing you’ll notice with the TurboAnt V8 is how big it is. It’s not necessarily taller than other e-scooters, reaching a height of 45.5 inches (1155 mm) when unfolded. But, it has a much thicker stem than you’ll typically find on most e-scooters and a wider deck as well (which we’ll get back to).

It makes sense then that it’s heavy, heavy enough to dissuade those who need a scooter they can regularly pick up to cart up a flight of stairs from getting the V8. With a weight of 47.62 lbs (21.6 kg), it is not an easy e-scooter to lift for long periods of time after all.

There are a few reasons that it’s so heavy. The most obvious is that the TurboAnt V8 has two batteries. One of them is a removable battery in the stem and the other is in that wider deck. Since the V8 comes with two chargers, one of them a charging port for the removable battery, you can charge both at the same time. Charging both will take about four hours to reach full capacity.

Also contributing to the weight is that wide deck, measuring 19.9 in (505 mm) by 6.9 inches (175 mm) which gives you plenty of space to place your feet no matter how you stand on it. We found it easy to shift our footing repeatedly while in motion. It also helps that the deck has a nice rubberized textured top for easy gripping.

Besides being on the heavier side, the TurboAnt V8 is also a bit simpler in functionality than most e-scooters. Instead, it comes with a bell and brake lever on the right handlebar as well as the throttle and power button that sits on top of it on the right handlebar. 

Since there is no app, an LED display situated between the handlebars shows any pertinent information. A meter on the left side will display how hard you’re pressing the brake lever. A meter on the right will do the same for the throttle. It also displays which of the three riding modes you’re on, the speed, and how much battery is left. Unfortunately, the LED display is dim enough that it’s hard to see outdoors.

To change any settings, you have to do a particular amount of presses on that power button. Long presses turn the V8 on and off. A single press turns on all the lights. And, a double press will switch between its three riding modes.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery: Performance

• The V8 is a fairly smooth ride
• Dual braking system is responsive

While the TurboAnt V8 might not be small, its 450-watt motor is powerful enough to give a fairly smooth and zippy ride. Just a kick or two to get going and a push of the throttle and it picks up immediately.

There are three riding modes: Eco Mode which tops out at 6 mph, Comfort Mode which tops out at 9 mph, and Sports Mode which tops out at 20 mph. Riding around in Eco Mode is fine when you’re on flatter streets and trying to conserve battery. But, we preferred using the faster settings. Though it’s the biggest energy hog of all the modes, we preferred keeping the V8 in Sports Mode and riding the throttle to stay at the speed we wanted.

We tested the TurboAnt V8 in a hilly neighborhood that includes a 15-degree hill and one that reaches 25 degrees of incline. Not only was it powerful enough, especially when used on that Sports Mode, for a smooth, easy ride but it was able to keep a speed of 5 MPH when going up 15-degree hills. Of course, as soon as a hill inclined more, the V8 had to be walked. However, we’ve yet to see an e-scooter handle sharper inclines.

We also tested it on some poorly maintained roads that contained plenty of potholes, a lot of cracks, and sections covered by sand and dirt. While it struggled a little over sand and dirt – this is not meant for the wilderness – it was able to handle cracks and (small) potholes well. We could feel each crack as we rode but there was enough shock absorption from the 9.5-inch pneumatic inner-tube tires that it didn’t make for an uncomfortable ride.

The dual brake system, which is only activated via the brake lever, is fairly robust. When riding around, a light press was all that was needed to give some braking resistance to the tires. Of course, you have to be careful when riding at higher speeds to only press a little at a time to slow down, but we appreciate a brake that’s more sensitive than not.

Lastly, thanks to those dual batteries, the TurboAnt V8 can provide up to a 50-mile range. That’s much longer than most electric scooters and makes this ideal for those that need something that can go longer distances. Of course, that 50-mile range depends on factors like riding modes and inclines you need to navigate. Still, that’s an impressive range. Or, if you don’t have the longest range, the dual batteries mean you can use it for an extended period of time before having to recharge.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

TurboAnt V8 Dual-Battery: Report card

• First reviewed October 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

A little over a month ago, I was hard at work on the Peloton Tread. Peloton had just opened a brand new London branch of its Peloton Studios, a unique combination of content production house, a gym that hosts spin and treadmill classes, and a showroom for its latest tech. The music was pumping hard, with running instructor Susie Chan yelling encouragement over the pounding bass.

“These guys came all the way here from Virginia to be here!” she roared, despite galloping along at a pace that would have easily winded me. The couple from Virginia threw their fists in the air and ran harder. On my Peloton Tread’s screen, I saw one of them overtake me on the class leaderboard, so I gritted my teeth and turned up the speed on my machine. I wasn’t having that. 

Such is the devotion Peloton inspires in its members. Everything about the experience is designed to keep you running faster, competing against others, chasing those badges and points as you work your way to the top of the leaderboard, and crucially, coming back for more. A way to get you addicted to exercise? It’s enough to make you want to hover over the “buy” button and make that investment in your health for 2023. 

But despite fanatical devotion from its members, Peloton has been getting a very bad rap in recent years, from being accused of hawking potentially dangerous equipment, to being a magnet for hackers, to the company itself acting unethically and axing thousands of jobs at a stroke. We’re getting to the time of year in which everyone starts thinking about the big purchases they want to make in the Black Friday deals, so the only question that really matters for potential Peloton buyers is this: Is a Peloton Bike, Peloton Tread, Guide (or very soon, the new Peloton Row rowing machine), going to be worth your money as we approach 2023? 

How Peloton keeps its users coming back

For a major purchase like a piece of Peloton equipment to be worthwhile, you’re going to need to use it an awful lot. Fortunately, Peloton is very good at making you want to use it a lot, and it all comes down to the content it produces. 

Pete Flamman, Peloton’s VP of Content International, spoke to us in an exclusive interview. 

“Every aspect of Peloton is around trying to take away those reasons saying no and give people a reason to say yes.”

Flamman said Peloton produces around 1,000 hours of new content each month in a variety of disciplines, from the obvious Bike and Tread sessions to yoga, HIIT and meditation classes. But it’s the live aspect many people respond to, as instructors can talk to users directly during the live stream. “A handful of classes are pre-recorded, because they show some complexity to them. But the vast majority, it's all done live. And then of course, you can then take them on demand.”

After the classes are delivered live, they enter Peloton’s content library. In addition to live classes, these pre-recorded sessions are served up to you in blocks like any streaming service, based on your history.

“Our platform means that you will very quickly get to the stuff that you're looking for. You can filter, you can search, we will serve up the types of content that are your favorites and make new suggestions,” says Flamman. “We've got lots of fitness activities; we're in connected platforms and the big technology companies, so we've got lots of information on what people are doing.”

At first, the price of a Peloton Bike (the basic Bike is $1,495 in the US, £1,345 in the UK and AU$2,145 in Australia), plus the hefty subscription cost ($44 per month in the US, £40 per month in the UK and AU$78 in Australia) seems like a lot for a piece of fitness equipment, and that high buy-in is very off-putting. But in some ways, that high investment drives users to get the most out of the machine. 

It’s probably worth thinking of Peloton less like a piece of equipment and more like a streaming service. The Bike, Tread or Guide is like the initial investment you make by buying a TV, and the monthly subscription to Peloton’s library of content is the equivalent of subscribing to Netflix or Amazon Prime. And by combining the strategies of streaming services and community-based social networks like Facebook, Peloton battles for your attention hard. 

“What we do with that data is gamification,” says Flamman. “So you can collect badges on streaks, you can get personal bests, you can get feedback around it, you'll get shoutouts from instructors, or actually from the community. So, you know, a huge part of what keeps people coming back is the community.”

This social-media style 'gamifying' strategy is part of what keeps Peloton users coming back for more, and the most dedicated super-fans traveling hundreds of miles to attend launch events. A 2019 paper from University of Vienna researchers on social media’s gamification said: “previous research finds a wide variety of game-like elements in a social media context acting as ‘microsuasion’ elements, persuading users to spend more time on a [social network] or otherwise adapt human behaviors to the needs of company business models.” 

It sounds insidious, but that’s the world we live in. Make no mistake, Peloton’s content and framework is equal parts social network and streaming service 'microsuading' you to keep using its kit. Combine the natural endorphin high you get after a sweat session, the company's gamification strategy, and the high cost that encourages users to get more out of their major purchase, and it’s no wonder Peloton has a reputation for getting its user base addicted to exercise. It’s a bona fide recipe for success. Right?

Peloton's post-pandemic struggles 

Unfortunately, Peloton’s suffered a string of terrible headlines and poor business decisions over the last few years that have affected the company’s earnings and made potential customers think twice about pulling the trigger and buying in. The company saw a massive boom during the pandemic, as we were all stuck at home with gyms closed for months — the ideal situation for a home fitness brand. Peloton order times stretched into the weeks and months as the company struggled to cope with the surge. Sales were up 66% by May 2020. 

Flamman said: “We had a huge surge in demand. Of course, a lot of people couldn't get to the gym; or, spending more time at home [people] suddenly realized there were lots of things that they could start doing, going from working at home to also working out at home. And so that happened, but that just tapped into the range of what we [were] already doing.”

While the rest of us were doing yoga in front of YouTube, Peloton users were enjoying live-streamed, high-quality connected classes and racking up points and badges. I strongly believe this unprecedented demand for home fitness spawned the Peloton Guide, a camera that tracks your movement during HIIT and strength classes, which unfortunately wouldn’t arrive until 2022 when everyone got back in the gym. 

Inevitably, this unexpected, temporary surge put Peloton on the back foot, and a string of disasters followed. A total of 335 reports of faulty units, and 87 injuries, culminated in the tragic death of a child who got too close to an active Tread+. Peloton acted quickly and recalled 125,000 Tread+ units, but people were scared. Only recently, mere days ago at the time of writing, Peloton announced it will extend the recall period, during which users will be able to get a full refund, into 2023.  

In June of 2021, Peloton disabled the Just Run feature on its Treads, forcing users who didn’t pay the $39 subscription fee to shell out or be stuck with an unusable machine. They later walked this decision back after a public outcry. More headlines occurred when fictional characters on TV shows And Just Like That and Billions physically suffered or died after riding their Pelotons.

Fortunately, it remains very unlikely your Bike, Tread or Row will lead to injury if it’s properly used, but another consideration reared its head when Joe Biden entered the White House and attempted to bring his Peloton with him: security. Connected devices with cameras and microphones are always at risk of hackers, and questions were asked about Peloton’s native security software. 

Although the risk is no greater than other connected devices such as smart speakers or TVs, the resulting bad press did Peloton no favors. In February 2022, Peloton cut 2,800 jobs, and CEO John Foley were among those who left. Three more rounds of layoffs followed. Some outlets are reporting Peloton has a year to save itself or risk being acquired by a bigger tech firm — or worse, go under entirely.

Is Peloton kit still worth buying?

So, what does this all mean for current Peloton users and potential new joiners? For new customers, it might actually be beneficial, with easier, cheaper ways to access Peloton’s full suite of content than ever before. In a very revealing shareholder memo, new CEO Barry McCarthy dished on his continuing plans to roll out fitness-as-a-service, a plan to include a Peloton Bike and membership in a single monthly subscription fee — which can be canceled at any time, resulting in the bike being collected and returned to Peloton. An anonymous source I spoke to within the company intimated this was on the way sooner than we might think.

However, other than these new initiatives, Peloton’s troubles mean very little to its users right now. Peloton is still churning out its monthly content quotas, still bringing out new products (the Peloton Row is hitting shelves now, necessitating a whole new genre of rowing content) and it’s even opening glossy studios in central London, where it hosts its live classes. If you get an opportunity to go, either to the London studios or the New York one, I highly recommend the experience. Despite my skepticism, the infectious energy of the class ended up winning me over, and I fought hard on that leaderboard to finish a respectable fourth. 

I was pumped after my first Peloton experience, and I could see how it gets addictive, but as I wandered around the studio, I had to wonder if it was all a house of cards. The luxurious showers with underfloor heating, the bougie upstairs cafe slinging pastries and smoothies, the big entrance hall which felt like a Tesla showroom… the whole place seemed at odds with the company’s apparent dire straits. 

I keep thinking back to the couple who came over from the US to be there. They weren’t the only superfans present: there were other Peloton members on the leaderboard of the class that day, both in their own homes and in the room with me, with over 1,000 hours logged on their Peloton accounts, demonstrated by the badges winking next to their names. And regardless of how many units Peloton sells in the future, as long as it can continue producing the content its users crave, then it’s hard to say these people haven’t made a worthwhile purchase.

If you’re looking to spend hundreds of hours on a piece of fitness equipment, and if that equipment and included membership can get you exercising and moving towards a healthier lifestyle, I would say yes, Peloton still holds a lot of value despite its current high price. 

It’s like any other streaming service subscription such as Netflix, Amazon or Disney Plus; if you like the content and watch the content, it’s worth continuing to subscribe to that service. You just have to buy the equivalent tech that goes with it, whether it's a 4K TV or a premium-priced exercise bike, to get the most out of it.

Peloton might cost far more than your average piece of exercise equipment, but if you believe you’re going to love Peloton’s content, and get involved in that community, it’s probably worth the investment. Just keep an eye on the deals to shave a few hundred dollars or pounds off the asking price, to squeeze all the value you can out of the kit.

Mycle Cargo: One-minute review

The Mycle Cargo is a big and beefy electric cargo bike, which can be used with pedal power and 7-speed Shimano derailleur gearing, or using battery power or, indeed, a combination of the two options. It’s built in the UK, arrives almost completely assembled and features a removable battery (or two as a payable option) for ease of charging and security. It's one of the best electric bikes for carrying cargo, at this price, we've seen so far. 

It’s possible to get around 60km of range from one battery, but the Mycle Cargo also has the option of adding another one, which effectively doubles its range. The bike can carry loads up to 125kg for the rack and has a combined rider and maximum load rating of 210kg. Thanks to small but chunky 20-inch tires and wheels the Mycle Cargo is simple to ride, with controls that are just as easy to master. 

If you’re aiming to carry lots of stuff, Mycle offers the bike with a host of accessories, from bags and panniers to seating for up to three children. The resulting package means the Mycle Cargo makes a realistic alternative to taking the car, which soon starts to make its asking price seem very reasonable indeed. 

Mycle Cargo: Price and availability

The Mycle Cargo bike is available now and can be ordered direct from the manufacturers, who are based in the UK. It comes in a choice of two colours, with a black frame or, in the case of our example, Speckled White. 

The base price is £1,999 (around $2,260 in the USA or AU$3,575 in Australia), although there are several optional extras that could easily take the price above that. Of particular interest, if you’re looking to carry lots of things are the various basket and bag accessories that can be attached to the bike. 

While there are plenty of choices when it comes to choosing one of the best electric bikes, the range of cargo options is slightly less expansive.  What’s more, cargo bikes are expensive things to build, especially when you factor in the extra design and engineering that goes into constructing one. Considering that fact, the Mycle Cargo, which retails at just under £2K seems like very good value. 

The range of components that have been used are generally very good, with for example, a respected brand like Shimano entrusted with gear-changing duties. Add it all together and the Mycle Cargo seems like very good value, especially when put alongside some rival brands that offer their cargo bikes at double the price. That said, one alternative has to be the RadPower Bikes RadWagon, which is very comparable as a bike and the price is in the region of £2,000, depending on the specification.

Mycle Cargo: Design

• Very big and heavy
• Takes up lots of storage space
• Great to use, well-designed

The Mycle Cargo weighs 33kg, which rises to 36.6kg if you want to double to battery and range of the bike. That’s still a lot of weight to lug around, despite the 6061 aluminum that’s been used in the frame. This being a cargo bike means the frame design is quite involved, allowing for extra strength, which is part of the compromise you have to put up with for a bike that can carry lots of payloads. 

The other thing to take into consideration is the sheer size of the Mycle Cargo. It measures 1.87 meters long, so storing it could prove challenging if you’re not blessed with much in the way of space. This length also needs to be taken into consideration when you’re riding it, especially with the footrests that are attached to the rear sides of the bike. These can tend to catch you out if you’re picking your way through tight spots, either riding or pushing it – this is another slight downside to cargo bikes in general.

However, the Mycle Cargo is actually a joy to use on a daily basis and it’s been nicely designed to deliver a genuinely comfy rider experience. The saddle is excellent, as is the riding position, with easy access to the Shimano gearing, handlebar-mounted power controls and the Tektra disc brake levers. Shimano’s 7-speed Altus drivetrain can frequently be found on other bikes of this ilk and here, it works to great effect.

Mycle includes front and rear lighting too, with a headlight that delivers a strong LED beam and elongated rear illumination that doubles as a brake light. Another key aspect of the Mycle Cargo design is the double-legged, flip-down stand that keeps the bike securely stabilized when you’re parked up. This is also vital if you’re loading offspring into any attached cycle seats. Top marks also go to the fit and finish of this bike, with a good selection of components and a paint finish that is spot-on too.

• Design score: 3/5

Mycle Cargo: Battery life

• Five-hour charging time
• Enough juice to get you through the day
• 120km range

Mycle reckons that you can recharge the battery in five hours and, based on our time with it, that seems to be about right, give or take. The great thing about the bike is that there’s a big enough battery to let you go about your chores for a day, without hassle. Mycle reckons you can get 120km out of the two batteries per day. 

Then, when you get back to base, plug in and charge it overnight. Charging can be done using a standard three-pin plug and the supplied cables and adapter.

• Battery life score: 4/5

Mycle Cargo: Performance

• Plenty of power in the 250W motor and 720Wh battery
• Chunky 20-inch wheels provide stability
• Three separate power settings

Make no mistake, if you buy yourself an electric bike like the Mycle Cargo you’re going to get a lot weight as part of the package. Thankfully, this model comes armed with plenty of muscle to help you on your way. There’s a 250W, 48V brushless motor, integrated into the hub of the rear wheel, which provides plenty of push as you head on down the road. Combined with the on-board 720Wh battery pack, or packs, the Mycle Cargo certainly feels up for anything, especially thanks to those chunky 20-inch wheels and puncture resistant tyres.

There’s a power setting for any occasion or scenario too, so you can switch through the three different options to help with electronic assist as you see fit. In fact, if you’re keen to get in shape, another benefit is to choose a setting that offers slightly less assist and do a bit more pedalling instead. However, you wouldn't really want to pedal the Mycle Cargo too far without any assistance, especially on rough or hilly terrain. It can be done, and the 7-speed gearing helps, but this is a big and bulky machine.

 The Mycle Cargo bike is a very likeable thing, with lots of features and functionality that make it a well-rounded, great value machine. You’ll need to have space to spare in order to store it, and also be prepared for riding a long and heavy bike around. However, you also get the ability to carry lots of stuff, including up to three children if needed using proper safety seats, and get your journey done with ease thanks to a chunky battery and electric motor combination. Given what you get, the Mycle Cargo, therefore, seems like a very solid bet. 

• Performance score: 4/5

Mycle Cargo: Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

The best cheap e-bikes can provide the powered commuting of an electric bike at a lower cost than you might expect. They are also a great option for anyone who has thus far been nervous about buying their first e-bike, as it's a lower barrier to entry.

Our experts have tested countless e-bikes from the major manufacturers, including Engwe, Tenways, Brompton, E-Trends, and more. We've used our collective informed experience to pick out our top five favorite models.

The Tenways CGO600 Pro is our overall winner thanks to its lightweight, excellent performance, and attractive design, but every entry has its own unique characteristics that make it worthy of inclusion. Some cheap e-bikes are best avoided, but stick to this list (as we've personally tested every bike on it) and you can't go far wrong.

If you'd like to explore more options, including pricier models, we have a dedicated guide to all the best electric bikes as well. If you're sold on owning a cheaper electric bike, then here are all the best cheap e-bikes you can buy in 2025.

The quick list

Use our full guide to help you find the best budget e-bike for you. We've rounded up our best options and identified what makes each stand out and why. Use the jump links or scroll down to see our more comprehensive overview of the e-bikes and click through to a full review.

The best budget electric bikes in 2026

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best budget electric bikes in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best budget electric bike for commuters

The Tenways CGO600 Pro would win the best prize across a lot of different categories. Above all, though, it is an absolute pleasure to ride. The magnetic torque sensor and carbon belt drive make the whole riding process as effortless as it can be. With no lag between pedaling and the motor kicking in, there's no point when you're doubting whether it's going to work.

The carbon belt drive is increasingly common on bikes and provides a long-lasting and low-maintenance alternative to chain. Not having any grease to deal with is good news for commuters who need to stay clean.

The battery is beautifully concealed within the main frame and all cables are hidden. It's therefore very difficult to tell that this is actually an e-bike. The 36V, 10Ah Lithium-ion battery with LG Cells has a maximum range of 100 km / 62 miles. This is not the longest the best electric bikes have to offer but it is more than adequate for any commute.

The CGO600 Pro is the ideal bike for commuters. It's an effortless riding experience, offers great range, and medium-to-thin tires give riders everything they need to get to and from the office.

Read our full Tenways CGO600 Pro review

The best compact budget electric bike

Foldable bikes are everywhere at the moment, but there's nothing more compact than the Brompton C Line Explore. The beautifully engineered 3-part fold makes it perfect for taking on trains, throwing in the back of a car, or zipping around city streets.

The C Line Explore sets itself apart from other Brompton models by being the first of its kind to offer a 12-speed gear system. Even though all 12 gears are rarely needed, having the extra range is ideal for going up hills. The unique system is composed of a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub and a 4-speed derailleur.

A 300Wh lithium-ion battery pack and 250-watt brushless motor make it road-legal across Europe and are enough to travel up to 40 miles. The build quality is unbelievable, guaranteeing it's going to last a lifetime.

This Brompton bike gives riders the best of everything: all the gears for various different inclines and the convenience of the compact Brompton package: lightweight, portable, and folding.

Read our full Brompton C Line Explore review

The best budget electric bike for range

The highlight of the Engwe Engine X is the 13Ah battery, which provides an advertised range of 120km. Even though this is only possible at the lowest level of pedal assist, this e-bike provides a range that will be more than enough for commuting or leisurely riding through the countryside. A charging time of five hours is reasonable, given the size of the battery.

The brutalist design won't be to everyone's liking but it certainly stands out in a crowd. The imposing design is bolstered by the 20-by-4-in wheels, which provide a high level of absorption when traveling over uneven surfaces.

The Engine X is a foldable bike which is hard to imagine at this weight and size. In reality, you're only going to want to fold this every so often for occasions such as going on holiday or taking it out on a track. This is not an everyday type of foldable bike, like the Brompton.

if you're looking for a budget bike that has a fantastic range, then there's nothing much better than the Engine X. More refined folding bikes, like the Brompton or the Estarli e20.7, are available but have the downside of being more expensive.

Read our full Engwe Engine X review

The best budget electric bike for style

Pure Electric is one of the biggest retailers of electric bikes and scooters in the UK, but the Flux One is its first foray into bike-building. It's an impressive debut, and the result is a stylish bike that looks much more expensive than its modest price tag of £999 (about $1,400 / AU$1,900) would suggest.

In fact, its design is reminiscent of the Cowboy 4, our current top-rated electric bike, with smooth lines and a carbon belt drive system that helps keep maintenance to a minimum (no need to spend time oiling or tensioning a chain). It's fun to ride as well, with a comfortable, relatively upright riding position, dependable brakes, and easily operated power controls. It's light and well-balanced enough to carry on your shoulder as well, which is a rare bonus.

The downside is its range, which at just 25 miles in ideal conditions means it's more a bike for short city hops than weekend riding. We also found switching between power modes a little jarring at times, but this was a minor grumble. It's still a very good e-bike for the price, but given the choice we'd opt for the Rad Power RadMission 1 instead.

Read our full Pure Flux One review

• ^ Back to the top

The best cheap budget electric bike

If you're on a tight budget, the E-Trends Fly is an excellent option, available for around £699 in the UK, although I've seen it go as low as £449 on sale in the UK. That's around $550 in the US and AU$900 in Australia.

The ride is comfortable, and the throttle is easily accessible with just a touch of your thumb. There's also a pushing mode, which gives you a little help from the battery when you need to hop off and wheel it along the sidewalk for a stretch.

The design is a little out of sync with its contemporaries and it uses V-brakes rather than discs, which don't have as much stopping power due to the smaller surface area, although our reviewer didn't have a problem during testing. It's also undeniably heavy, which could be an issue if you need a folding e-bike you can carry onto trains and upstairs easily.

Nevertheless, a great budget buy if you're looking for a folding commuter.

Read our full E-Trends Fly review

• ^ Back to the top

How to choose the best budget electric bike for you

Choosing the best budget e-bike might be a little trickier than simply going with the best e-bike money can buy or the cheapest e-bike overall. After all, you're looking at the cheap options because you're on a budget, and e-bikes aren't cheap as a rule.

You shouldn't compromise on what you need on the road just to save a lot of money, especially if you're planning on utilizing that e-bike for your daily commutes or your weekend trips down rugged roads. Quality, performance, and features are still top priority.

Things like the motor for power, battery for range, and torque for hill-climbing are important considerations. If you're spending money on a budget e-bike that won't give you the power and range you need, you're throwing money away. You're better off holding off on that purchase until you can afford a better-performing e-bike.

Take a look at the motor placement and its level of pedal assist, as well as the weight and, if you're short on space, whether it's foldable. Of course, the type of e-bike and the design matter as well.

How we test budget electric bikes

To give you a full rundown of how each budget e-bike we test rides on the road, we always use it in real-world conditions. That's the best way to find out how it performs in day-to-day life.

By that, we mean putting them through their paces on a range of terrains and gradients. During this process, we test everything, from its full range of power settings to its extra features and custom settings.

We compare its performance, features, and everything else with its price. A budget e-bike won't necessarily mean bargain-basement. After all, e-bikes at this point are never going to be dirt cheap. What we're looking for instead are those that are not just affordably priced but also great value for your money.

Of course, we recommend that you test-ride any e-bike you're considering before you commit. But our buying guide on the best budget e-bikes should get you off to a good start.

Not all e-bikes are created equal. While the guarantee of an e-bike is that you’ll get some sort of electrical system and motor to put a little extra power into the ride so you can go faster or further with less effort, there are a ton of variables that can affect the ride. Hardware aside, one of the quickest ways to get some sense of an e-bikes capabilities (or limitations) is to understand how it fits into the e-bike class system. 

The e-bike class system provides details on the speeds and driving method of an ebike, and has been adopted as a means of regulating e-bikes and folding e-bikes that share roads and trails with other automobiles and pedestrians. 

Class 1: 20mph, pedal-assist only

Class 1 e-bikes are the simplest of the bunch. These bikes use only pedal-assist, so the motor only activates when the rider is actively pedaling. There is no throttle to run the motor. Importantly, Class 1 e-bikes also have a top speed of 20mph on motor power. 

As these classifications only set an upper limit, it’s possible to find Class 1 e-bikes that don’t actually achieve a 20mph top speed. It’s also worth noting that this e-bike classification system doesn’t relate to the motor’s power rating, so both a 250W and a 750W e-bike could be Class 1 e-bikes, but the latter would likely offer significantly faster acceleration. 

A great many e-bikes you’ll find will be Class 1. As many regions have e-bike regulations on the books, the surest way to have a bike that can sell everywhere without running afoul of the law is to meet the lowest common denominator. That’s not to say there aren’t excellent Class 1 e-bikes. The Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 is an exceptional ride, but it won’t run the motor beyond 20mph. 

If you want to go faster, e-bikes will allow you to pedal faster than 20mph, as we experienced with the Marin Sausalito E1, but they will not provide any motor assistance at that point. The sudden drop off of motor power can feel like getting hit with a headwind that makes it an extra struggle to accelerate beyond that speed cap. 

Class 2: 20mph, pedal-assist and throttle

Class 2 e-bikes aren’t so different from their Class 1 siblings. The only difference is that these e-bikes can operate using either pedal assist or a throttle. Whether pedaling or using the throttle, the bike will still limit its speed to 20mph using the motor. 

The availability of a throttle can be handy for cyclists who may have trouble getting an e-bike started from a standstill or struggle to climb a hill. As many e-bikes use cadence sensors that only engage the motor after the pedals have spun around some and base that assistance on how fast the pedals are spinning, this can mean that the motor is slow to come on from a standstill and will provide less assistance when going slowly (as up a hill). By having the throttle handy, you can tell the bike to maximize the assistance as needed. The throttle can also make for a leisurely ride or even allow a cyclist to ride on a bike with a broken chain if their bike uses a hub drive. 

Not all throttles work the same, though. The MiRider One, for instance, has a throttle that provides a burst of speed or can maximize boost while pedaling, meanwhile something like the Detroit Bike E-Sparrow has a throttle that can run constantly. The former’s throttle system blurs the line between Class 1 and Class 2 while the latters throttle clearly lands it in Class 2 territory. 

Class 3: 28mph, pedal-assist only

Class 3 steps up the speed limit to 28mph, however it only allows the bike to exceed 20mph running in pedal-assist. Many e-bikes the meet the Class 3 specification won’t include a throttle, but a good many of the e-bikes that blur the line between e-bike and moped, like the Super73-R Brooklyn and Juiced HyperScrambler 2, still have a throttle. 

By having both a throttle and pedal assist function, these e-bikes have the potential to switch between classifications. After all, there’s no reason a bike that’s capable of going 28mph shouldn’t also be able to limit itself to 20mph to meet a different region’s regulations.

Once again, its worth noting a Class 3 designation doesn’t mean an e-bike will achieve 28mph. For instance, the excellent Ride1Up Roadster V2 is a Class 3 ride that has a 24mph top speed. Because it exceeds 20mph, it bumps up into this higher classification. 

Outside of specification

Not all e-bikes stay within this e-bike classification system, which also has a hard cap of 750 watts from the motor. These e-bikes may stay entirely outside of the system or could blur the lines, as with the Super73-R Brooklyn, which can operate within any of the three classes or switch to an off-road mode that removes the speed limits for both pedal-assist and throttle use. 

Bikes that go faster than 28mph run the risk of running against law if they’re operated on public roadways or trails. While state rules on e-bikes vary, they generally operate within the three-class system or are more restrictive. People for Bikes provides guidance on the rules regarding e-bikes for each state.

Rules in other countries

While the e-bike classification system is gaining popularity in the United States, it doesn’t have as much relevance worldwide. The EU and UK don’t need more classes because they’re more strict about e-bikes. In the UK, e-bikes can’t have more than 250-watt motors (basically the lowest power you’ll find in the US) and can’t exceed 15.5mph on motor power. Anything above that is classified as a motorcycle or moped and must follow those rules and regulations. 

The EU imposes that same 15.5mph cap. This isn’t to say you can’t get a faster e-bike in the UK or EU, but you’ll have to treat it more like a moped or motorcycle, and that’ll come with its own set of extra costs on top of the premium e-bikes command over their analog counterparts.

In Australia, an e-bike may not generate over 200 watts of 'ungoverned' power (i.e. without pedaling) or 250 watts of pedal-assisted power. 

Two-minute review

The Priority Current is a special set of wheels that rubs elbows with the best electric bikes around. Although it doesn’t come cheap, starting at over $3000 in the US (it's not yet available in the UK and Australia, but we hope it arrives soon), it still manages to undercut many of its direct competitors to make for a strong value offering—a value that gets even stronger with an absurd discount available to Costco members.

You’ll find some serious hardware under the ‘hood’ of the Priority Current. It runs on a 500W mid-drive motor with a peak torque of 140Nm for some considerable get-up-and-go. It puts transfers that power over a silent and dependable Gates carbon belt drive and runs it through an internally geared hub, either a Shimano Inter-5 or an Enviolo Sportive CVT for $200 more. 

This all makes for smooth, easy shifting and riding whether going up a hill, starting from a standstill, or flying along at the user-programmable top speed, which can be cranked up to 28mph if your state allows Class 3 bikes.

The bike is also built and equipped well, with a solid frame that doesn’t creak or groan even as we push it to the limit. It sits on thick, quality wheels that help smooth out the ride some, and it packs a ton of reliable stopping power with hydraulic dual-piston brakes.

While there are no shortage of cheaper e-bikes on the market, most don’t match the quality of this bike, and almost all will rely on a hub-drive that, while speedy, can’t match the natural riding feel of a mid-drive motor. While there are a few cheaper options on the market, the only one that feels like a comparable alternative is the Ride1Up Prodigy we recently tested, and Current offers a number of upgrades that help justify the increased price.

Priority Current: Price and availability

The Priority Current is available for $3299 with the Shimano hub or $3499 with the Enviolio CVT hub. It comes in White or Charcoal colors. While the  Priority Current is sold direct, the brand is also part of the Costco Next program; as such, Costco members can order the bike for an almost ridiculous $700 off.

Priority Current: Design

• Not too aggressive, not too laid back
• Middling weight
• Stealthy design bogged down by cables

The Priority Current is understated in design. It puts off a casual vibe like it’s not made for hauling down roads and keeping pace with traffic. Part of that comes from the low, curving top tube that makes the Current almost a step-through while still providing some clearance in the frame geometry for bolting a water bottle or lock into the included braze-on derailleur adaptor. 

A big part of what drives home the Priority Current’s subtlety is the bike's penchant for hiding things. It looks like a single-speed until you discover it uses an internally geared hub—either an Enviolo Sportive CVT or Shimano Inter-5. It hides its battery into a locking slot in the downtube, which is just a bit thicker than you’d find on non-electric bikes. The mid-drive motor is the best hint this is an electric bike, but even that feels hidden as the black belt of the Gates Carbon Drive doesn’t draw the eye quite the same way that a shiny, silver chain does. 

Unfortunately, Priority couldn’t go as far hiding all the cables this bike uses. Even though many are internally routed, there are just so many cables coming out of the handlebar that they make the front look messy. Given all the cables already going on, it’s a blessing and curse that Priority left out motor cut-off cables for the brakes, which would have added another set of wires but can improve safety. 

The leisurely cruiser vibe of the Priority Current is furthered along by the bike’s inclusion of lengthy fenders, a plump saddle, beefy Goodyear Transit Tour 650b tires (that alone add over 3 pounds to the bike on), a sturdy kickstand, and the slightly upright position of the handlebars. Though don’t confuse it for the truly laid-back beach cruiser-style bike.

Priority has done an exceptional job kitting this bike out for the price. Though branding is obscured in a few places (the brakes and the motor, for instance), they prove themselves in practice. Many of the parts step above the basics in a way that helps justify the price of the bike. The disc brakes use a dual-piston, hydraulic system that’s a substantial improvement over the single-piston mechanical type.

The motor 500-watt motor boasts 140Nm of torque, well exceeding what most of its competition offers. And the use of a belt drive and internally geared hub not only promises to save on maintenance but also simplifies setup—the gearing just works out of the box with no tedious indexing. The large display for viewing speed, battery, settings and such is also an elegant option. There’s also a tail light built into the rear fender and a headlight on the handlebars.

The grips on the handlebar are ergonomic, though made of a rubber that doesn't feel as high-quality as other aspects of the bike. Similarly, the pedals themselves are rather basic, plastic ones.

All of these extras come with some added weight though. The bike comes in at 53.4 pounds for the large model. While that’s weighty for a bike, it’s by no means unprecedented for a bike, and still reasonably light next to many e-bikes. The low top-tube doesn’t help make its weight easier to carry, though a flattened section helps some.

• Design score: 4/5

Priority Current: Performance

• Responsive, natural ride
• Engaging drivetrain
• Active, but near effortless cruising

The Priority Current is a very capable e-bike. The motor doesn’t struggle to provide enough power for speedy riding, and being a mid-drive motor, it gets to put that power through a wide gear range. 

We tested the Current with the Enviolo Sportive hub. This provides substantial range, making it easy to take off from a standstill, push through wind and hills, or fly along flat terrain. The wide 650b tires offer a nimble feel and fairly low rolling resistance for solid coasting. The Enviolo hub takes a bit of getting used to, requiring us to stop pedaling and wait to hear the motor stop a moment before we can smoothly shift.

After getting the hang of it, the Priority offers an incredibly quick and smooth system that also proves incredibly handy for commuting, since we can shift gears even when we’re stopped, so slamming on the brakes for a red light doesn’t leave us stuck in a high gear that’s hard to pedal out of.

The bike does a great job responding to our pedaling. While it’s clear the motor is working (especially because we can hear it), it feels incredibly natural to pedal. Thanks to the wide gear range, it’s also easy to find a comfortable cadence.

The Priority Current can operate as a Class 1 e-bike with a 20mph cap or bump up to Class 3 with a 28mph. It just takes a quick settings change to alter the top speed up to 28mph, and the motor and gears are more than up to the task of getting there. While it still feels like we’re putting in some effort when we bike, the ease with which we can get up to speed and maintain is undeniably enabled by the motor.

Unfortunately, if the motor isn’t running, the Current proves as tough to ride as most other e-bikes. We’re able to get going along at 12-13mph with a bit of effort, but the same effort on an analog bike would have us going much, much faster, rendering it very difficult to use on an empty battery.

The bike is on the stiffer side, using an aluminum frame and lacking any suspension. The big tires help it feel plenty supple for smooth road riding, but it’s not immune to potholes and small divots in the road. The use of a thru-axle for the front fork should at least keep the wheel in place over those potholes.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Priority Current: Battery Life

• Easy to go through the battery
• No range estimates

It would be a thing of beauty if the Priority Current could just go further on a charge. It’s not coming up short, hitting an average of 25.7 miles in our testing, which included plenty of stop-and-go riding, high speeds in Class 3 mode, and a 235-pound rider. 

While 24.5 miles isn’t bad, it’s not exceptional. We’ve found similar range from cheaper bikes, and no matter how much value it’s delivering, the Priority Current can’t be called cheap. It would matter less if the Current was easier to continue riding after the battery died. 

Despite having a useful display for riding details, one that’s lacking is a range estimate for the battery. The cheaper Ride1Up Prodigy offered range estimates that did a great job keeping us from getting stuck with a dead battery.

• Battery life score: 3.5/5

Priority Current: Value for money

• A value for all it’s packing
• Not cheap for casual riders

While the Priority Current isn’t a cheap bike by any means, it marks a clear value with the quality and equipment it offers at its price. Even at its full price of $3299, it doesn't have much competition from other mid-drive e-bikes, let alone ones that offer the refinement of a carbon drive or internally geared hub. 

Rounding out its package with quality brakes, fenders, and lights helps push the value even further. The fact it’s so easy to customize top speeds also means users in different regions can get the most out of the bike based on their local laws. 

If we factor in the $700 discount Costco members can get (a membership that costs only $60, and a purchase that doesn’t require actually setting foot in a Costco), the value of the Current is near unbeatable. All of its refinements and price do put it in a different tier of e-bike though, and that leaves it vulnerable to competition from many cheaper hub-drive e-bikes, which can still provide a satisfying ride and competitive range.

• Value for money score: 4/5

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

Also consider:

Raleigh has announced its new lightweight Trace electric bike today, a super-light e-bike with a hidden motor and slimline design, weighing just 16.5kgs. 

This slender urban cycle is Raleigh’s lightest and one of its best electric bike models to date, with a 250W Ebikemotion X35 battery allowing for approximately 50 miles of riding on a single four-hour charge. All electrical assistance is hidden inside the frame using the Ebikemotion iWoc controller hidden at the top of the frame, just like other electric bike manufacturers like Ribble use. 

However, the slim frame design makes the Trace look to the untrained eye almost exactly like a traditional analog bike. It’s got a nine-speed derailleur system for a drivetrain and almost no, er, trace of the usual thick battery bulges other electric bikes are saddled with. In fact wouldn’t even register as a powered vehicle if someone didn’t know to look for the iWoc controller. 

At 16.5kgs, it’s easy to carry up a flight of stairs and store in an apartment hallway or balcony, or on and off a train, which is remarkable for a frame which incorporates electronics. Although in-frame electronics and lightweight e-bikes are nothing new, an impressive 50-mile range at under 17kgs, in a frame which doesn’t even look like an electric bike, is a neat little package. 

It retails at £2,199.00 in the UK from today, and although there are currently no details on future US and Australian prices, we want to see more e-bikes from those regions embracing this minimalist design philosophy.

Why? Because, even though it’s on the lower end of the power scale, a slender, lightweight electric bike at a reasonable price opens the door for more people to buy and use one. Electric bikes are set to become far more popular commuting tools as people turn away from fossil fuels and expensive cars, but they’re still in the ‘early adopters’ stages in many places. 

Most e-bikes either sacrifice range and power for weight or opt for a bulky, powerful build that looks like the powered vehicles they are – which can often end up looking pretty unsightly. 

A slender e-commuter model with a 50-mile range is a good starting point for minimizing the technology: after all, the dream is something with a 100-mile range that still looks indistinguishable from a push-bike. Is it really so far-fetched, when you consider how fast smartphones evolved in the mid-2000s?

Creating cheaper, lighter, more attractive versions of e-bikes will increase the rate of adoption everywhere, leading to more infrastructure and better bikes being produced at more accessible prices. If you’re looking for an alternative commuter to this light Raleigh right now, you can always check out the best folding e-bikes.   

Are you concerned about your bicycle being stolen? Understandably, especially if your bike is expensive or your main mode of transport, proper security needs to be taken into account. 

As well as our guide to the best bike locks, we put together this handy checklist to help new and seasoned cyclists feel safe when they lock their bikes out in the public. Don’t get us wrong: thieves are crafty and sometimes find a way to nick your property, even if you weld the bike to a lamp post every time you have to leave it behind. But you can make your bicycle a less desirable target by putting some effort into it – here is how to do it.

1. Get a sturdy lock

This is a no-brainer: a quality bike lock is less likely to give in if someone tries to break it off. The thicker/more robust the lock, the better. D-locks are probably your sturdiest option, followed by heavy-duty chain locks and solid-core cable locks. Make sure you follow the 10% rule: the price of the lock should be around 10% of the value of the bike. 

2. Find a solid anchor point

Another obvious thing to check: is the anchor point, the object you’re going to chain your bike against, sturdy enough, or is it just a 3-feet tall bollard thieves can literally lift the bike off and walk away? Most dedicated bike locking points in cities are solid enough, as long as you can find a space. Also, make sure you check if the bike can be chained to your desired object: some property owners don’t take it well when they find 10+ bicycles chained to their metal gates.

3. Leave the quick-release axles to road racers

Quick-release axles are amazing when you get a flat in the middle of your 100-mile bender with the squad, and you need to pop that wheel off quickly to change the tyre. It’s not so great when you want to make sure the wheels stay on the bike while you’re at work. If you buy a bike with a quick-release axle that you want to use for commuting, we’d recommend swapping that axle out to a more traditional one with nuts and washers.

4. Take the saddle with you

Similar to the point above, if you have a decent saddle, it’s best to take it with you when you aren’t riding the bike. In this case, we’d actually recommend using a quick-release solution: it’ll make it easier to remove and put the seat post/saddle back on.

5. Lock the three critical points of the bike

To ensure all the parts of your bike stays put when locked, you’ll need two bike locks. One to lock the rear wheel and the frame, and another one to secure the front wheel. Some people will go as far as removing the front wheel and taking it with them to work, but if that’s not an option for you (or it’s too much of a hassle to remove the wheel), it’s best to secure it with a second lock.

6. Be unpredictable

Do you always catch the same train at the same time, leaving the bike at the same place? Thieves who monitor the area will learn your behaviours quickly and nick your bike not long after. If possible, mix things up and leave the bike at different locations and at different times, making it harder to learn your routine.

7. Check for CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras aren’t always the most useful thing to rely on – you only need a put a hood and shades on to make you less recognizable – but they provide a bit of extra security by deterring some people from fiddling around with bikes. It’s worth locking the bike in an area where there are loads of CCTV cameras, not just pointed at the bike but also elsewhere. You never know; it might pick up something identifiable about the thieves.

8. Remove all accessories

The best cycling tech such as bike lights, pannier bags, and tool boxes are easy to remove and take both by you and light-fingered thieves, so taking these with you isn’t the worst idea.

9. Be safe – everywhere

It goes without saying that bikes need to be secured when left in public areas; however, it’s a good idea to keep them securely locked at home, too. Many bicycles get stolen from back gardens and sheds, so make sure they are chained to something sturdy, no matter where they are.

10. Make your mark

Most people will recommend not having a flashy, distinctive bike as it attracts unwanted attention. However, a metal plate with your name on the frame in a visible position might make it less appealing to thieves. Whatever detail you can add to the bike that makes it easier identifiable will help not lose it, or at least easier to find.

+1. Avoid buying cheap second-hand bikes from shady sellers

The best thing to do to reduce the number of bike thefts is to avoid buying second-hand bicycles from sellers that look like they just nicked the bike they’re trying to sell under market price. If there is no demand for cheap bikes without provenance, it’ll eventually stop people from taking them illegally. 

If you see a deal on eBay or Craigslist that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to buying bikes from respectable sources and help reduce crime rates in your area!

The cycling scene is ever-changing, with more innovation entering the market every year. One thing is constant, though: thieves taking bikes that aren’t theirs, souring the biking experience for everyone else. If you’re concerned about your new bike getting nicked – and based on data from all major metropolitan areas, you should be – we recommend investing in the best bike locks, and not just one, but at least two, to make sure your bike stays where you left it.

Bike theft is the worst. In 2020-21, over 77,000 bikes were stolen in the UK, and that was peak lockdown when people didn’t even have to commute to work, leaving their bikes vulnerable, chained up outside train stations and office buildings. 

Things are even worse in the US: according to Cycling Industry News, over 2 million bicycles are stolen every year, which is believed to be “costing American communities around $1 billion annually.” Ouch!

How can you prevent your trusty pedal vehicle from being abducted and sold on the black market? Getting a sturdy bike lock is a no-brainer option. Opting for a folding e-bike that you can more easily stow in safer spaces is an alternative. But, you must also ensure you don’t leave your bike unattended for too long, especially in areas with no CCTV cameras. Which bike lock to get to minimize the possibility of theft? We laid out the facts below.

D-locks: The sturdiest and heaviest option

Pros: hard to cut open with smaller tools, sturdy, usually acid-resistant construction

Cons: heavy and bulky to carry around

You can tell when someone who uses a D-lock is approaching on a bike; the lock rattling around the handlebar makes a distinct sound. D-locks are generally considered your best option to prevent bike theft: they are made of thick metal bars and have chunky head units, making it harder to pry the lock open using hand tools.

For the same reason, D-locks are a pain in the neck to carry around, especially if you haven’t got a holder you can mount on the bike. You can shove them in your backpack, but unless you have a dedicated compartment for your dirty, heavy lock, it’ll stain all over your laptop and phone in the bag.

The ‘mini’ versions of D-locks are a decent compromise. However, it’s worth noting that these are made of metal with a smaller circumference, so you sacrifice some of the security for convenience. Combining mini D-locks with a wire cable can somewhat alleviate this issue.

Cable locks: Not as flimsy as you’d think

Pros: Convenient to carry around, some of them don’t require a key to open, allow for more freedom when chaining the bike

Cons: not as sturdy as D-locks

Cable locks have a bad reputation, but that’s mainly because most companies that sell bikes and scooters provide flimsy cable locks as part of the bundle, which are usually terrible quality. Cable locks you have to pay with actual money are a whole different ball game; we aren’t saying they are as safe as D-locks, but they are a good alternative for those who live in areas less riddled with bike theft.

Cable locks have a big advantage over D-locks: they are less hassle to carry around as they aren’t only lighter but also less bulky. Of course, bike thieves will also be able to access your bike more easily! Thankfully, modern cable locks often have a durable steel core, so you can rest assured that smaller hand tools won’t be able to slice through the cable like a knife in hot butter.

Another positive aspect of cable locks is that they sometimes feature a four-five-six-digit combination lock mechanism, so you’ll be able to unlock your bike, even if you lost your keys somewhere. Plus, cable locks allow for more locking options as it’s flexible and longer than D-locks.

Wearable bike locks: The fashionable option

Pros: can wear them around your waist; will keep your trousers up; chains are often sturdier than cable locks

Cons: often not cheaper than cable locks; shorter than cable locks, which limits locking options

The author of this article is a proud owner of a Hiplok LITE Lock (retailer link), and he wouldn’t change it for the world. Well, he also has a Kryptonite New York Lock Standard (also retailer link), but then again, he’s a bit of a worrier regarding bike security and locks both wheels when he leaves his bike unattended.

Wearable locks are an excellent option for those who can’t be seen with mini Dl-locks hanging out from their trousers as they ride. Belt-like locks can be wrapped around the waist and hidden under the T-shirt, which makes them practically invisible when you ride the bike, but it also limits the length of the chain, which is a bit of a pain.

On the other hand, this short chain is at least sturdy; the Hiplok LITE Lock mentioned above has Sold Secure Bronze and SBSC security ratings. Plus, it also looks ‘hip’, for what it’s worth. 

Which bike lock should you get?

It might sound generic, but it’s up to you what’s the most important feature you look for in a bike lock. We recommend a setup where both the front and back wheel and the frame are somewhat secured, which means you need at least a couple of locks and maybe a cable that can loop around different parts of the bike.

A general rule of thumb is to spend at least 10 percent of your bike’s value on locks; you wouldn’t leave your Pinarello Dogma F12 out on the high street, chained to a sapling with a wire cable, would you? Similarly, if the price of your bike is in the thousands, you need appropriately-priced locks to keep it secure. Do your math and stay safe when out there!

Two-minute review

The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon electric mountain bike will make an awful lot of sense if you’re looking to get off the beaten track in serious fashion. As you’ll see from looking at any of the other best e-bike models on the market, there’s something to suit any kind of cycling interest. 

But if you’re dead set on getting out in the sticks, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon ticks all the right boxes.

This is an electric mountain bike that is lightweight but strong. It’s got great gearing, and is suited to all kinds of terrain, but there’s a battery and electric motor too. The design is striking but practical. 

Above all though, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is a great bike to ride. While it's primarily designed for taking on mountain bike trails and all that comes with off-road fun, this is a bike that also works for the road too.

Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon: Price and release date

The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is available now and is just one of several variations on the theme available directly from Specialized. The company has been quite clever in designing a range of electric mountain bikes that can be tailored to different kinds of users, as well as specific budgets. 

At the time of writing, the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is on offer too, and this bike maker regularly runs similar discount deals for different markets. For example, check out the likes of the S-Works Turbo Levo SL or the Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon if you’re in the US.

Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon: Design

• Lightweight at 18kgs
• Comfortable to ride
• Great frame and wheel engineering

Design score: 4/5

 Specialized bills the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon as a new, lightweight breed of e-MTB and it is certainly distinctive. It’s also really light, just under 18kg/40lbs in fact, as you soon discover if you need to lift it up at all. Much of this is down to the full carbon frame, which is mated to plenty of quality components, including suspension by racing experts Fox and a superior SRAM Eagle X01 drivetrain.

In fact, SRAM components appear elsewhere too, with the hydraulic brake disks not only looking fantastic but working to great effect, just as you’d expect. Wheels are another highlight, which has clearly been beautifully put together and feels robust enough to survive the rigors of everyday ruts, potholes, tree trunks, or rocks. The Butcher front tire and Eliminator rubber at the rear deliver substantial dollops of grip on loose ground, though fair less well on hard, wet surfaces.

The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is designed to perform, but it’s also comfortable to ride, especially for long days out. Those Specialized Trail alloy handlebars feature an 8-degree backsweep with a 6-degree upsweep. The grips are fab on your hands, while the Bridge Comp saddle is deceptively comfy even if you don't spend much time sitting on it.

Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon: Performance

• Low weight makes a real difference
• Excellent gear-shifting thanks to the drivetrain
• Motor incorporated well into the experience

Performance score: 4/5

The Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon is a bike that’s more than ready to be put through its paces. Central to the appeal for many will be the capability of the 150mm suspension front and rear, which is made all the more effective courtesy of Fox’s 36 Performance Elite fork and DPX2 shock combination. Specialized reckons the bike is easily comparable to Stumpjumper models and it is incredibly agile.

This takes us back to the low weight aspect too. Even though you’ve got the SL 1.1 motor and a battery on-board, the e-MTB doesn’t feel at all cumbersome. It’s actually better off-road than on the Tarmac. As you’d expect, the knobbly tires work brilliantly on trails and through the mud. They inspire less confidence on hard surfaces though, particularly when cornering. Best stay on the mud then!

We also got on famously with the SRAM Eagle X01 12-speed drivetrain. The setup is excellent and offers a well-rounded range of gearing options, especially when the going gets tough. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this, and the bike as a whole, is that purists who don’t feel immediately drawn to using electric power can enjoy their time on this bike by riding it without assistance.

Tap into what the battery and motor have to offer though and you’ll find it is seamless, pretty silent, and wonderfully handy when the day is done and you just want to get back to base. It offers assistance up to 20mph.

Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon: Battery life

• Offers a full day of riding
• Battery life can be extended via in-app economic riding info
• Range extender option available

Battery life score: 4/5

The battery on the bike we tested featured the Specialized SL1-320, 320Wh power pack, which proved more than capable of coping with a full day’s mayhem out in the sticks. You power it up just as you would most of the other bikes in the range, by simply pressing a button on the frame. 

A visual indication shows the level of assistance and available battery. Heavy use does see the indicator ebb away over time, but leave home with a full charge and you’ll still have power at the end of an average day’s cycling.

Specialized does also offer a range extender option for the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon, which is worth considering if you're a hardcore biker who’s likely to be out for longer days than some. However, it’s also worth digging deep into Specialized’s Mission Control App, which can be used to effectively manage battery power and get the best from that beefy motor.

Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon: Value for money

• High price tag represents performance
• Built with top-notch parts

 Value for money score: 4/5 

When it comes to the best electric bikes, premium models like the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon model are always going to be big-ticket items. However, this is a well-respected brand, and for good reason. Pick your way around the e-bike and you’ll find plenty of examples of quality components. 

Adding to that is the design, which is clearly the end product of a seasoned team who’ve developed bikes for a long time. Even if you’re not a fan of premium price tags, it’s hard not to concede that the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon model does represent good value for money. It should deliver plenty of years of service too.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed July 2022

Trek's awesome-looking new electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) offer assisted riding with a slim frame that looks just like a regular bike – but if you want one of these sleek rides, you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg.

The new Fuel EXe lineup is designed around the brand new HPR50 mid-mount motor, which has been developed in collaboration with TQ – a German robotic company (via New Atlas). The HPR part stands for Harmonic Pin Ring transmission and means the motor functions similarly to a more typical rotary motor, but in a smaller package. Case in point, it weighs just 3.9lbs (1.8Kg).

Plus, Trek says that it should be quieter than a regular eMTB motor with a sound that’s “5x more pleasant and 1.8x quieter.” We’d have to try this bike out for ourselves to determine if it really is more pleasant to listen to, but a quieter motor would certainly be appreciated – letting you take in more of the sound of nature while you trek across wilderness trails.

As for the battery, you’ll get 360Wh by default, with an optional add-on of a 160Wh range extender. The regular battery will give you between two and five hours of power-assisted ride – with the length of time depending on the level of boost you use – and the battery pack reportedly adds up to two and a half hours of extra juice to your tank.

With the assistance turned on you’re able to get up to 20mph (32Kmh) across three different modes than can be controlled using a 2-inch OLED screen on the top tube and a handlebar remote. 

All of this is clad in a carbon frame with internal cabling, with solid 29-inch wheels featuring 2.5-inch wide tires that are brought to a halt by SRAM hydraulic disc brakes. Each model comes with different suspension fork options too, so you can ensure it’s the best eMTB for your needs.

Certainly not dirt cheap

The catch? Well, as we mentioned earlier, buying one of these impressive e-bikes will set you back at least $6,500 (around £5,400 / AU$9,400). For comparison, the best e-bike in the world right now –the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.00 – starts at just $4,000 / £3,900 / AU$5,000.

The Turbo Vado 4.0 does come with some downgrades over the Fuel EXe  – chief among them is it’s not a specialized mountain bike – but it also comes with some upgrades like a larger (albeit heavier) 710Wh battery that allows you to ride with power-assistance for longer.

For those of you after an e-bike for day-to-day travel such as commuting and riding to the shops, the Turbo Vado 4.0 will be perfect if you can afford it. As for off-road riding, while the price is certainly a turn-off, Trek’s Fuel EXe is certainly an impressive beast based on what we’ve seen. But unless you’re regularly heading out on wild rides, it might be better to look for a more budget-friendly option.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly e-bike, why don’t you check out our picks for the best cheap e-bikes out there?

If you're a daily commuter on one of the best folding e-bikes, you know how much heavier they can be than a conventional folding bike. While great tools to take the sweat out of cycling, you might end up breaking that sweat after lugging it onto trains and up stairs. 

Brompton's new Electric P-Line announced this week its billed as a lightweight e-bike perfect for commuting. Not only can you arrive at work looking fresh as a daisy after the motor takes the effort out of cycling, but at 12.7kgs without the detachable battery pack and 15.6kgs with it, it's incredibly easy to ferry around town.

The Electric P-Line has the same four-speed single-level gear system previously seen on Brompton's analog T-Line and P-Line models, and Brompton's typical Advanced Suspension block. However, what's new is the "refined geometry" frame design which helps to reduce weight and the smart torque sensor in the bottom bracket.

The bike is said to fold up in 20 seconds flat, and the detachable battery pack can be charged from any conventional plug. The 250-kWh hub motor offers speeds of 25km per hour, and that detachable battery offers a range of up to 70km on a single charge. 

If you're running low on power, you can simply roll into work, remove the battery, and plug it in at a nearby mains socket. You'll then be able to return home on a full charge. 

The only drawback? Prices start at £3,695 in Brompton's native UK, on the pricier end for a commuter e-bike. The bike will soon be able to pre-order in the US, starting at $4,700.

Analysis: Brompton's beautiful bikes

The Electric P-Line doesn't reinvent the wheel for Brompton: it's a continuation of the company's design philosophy in a slightly lighter package. When the battery's loaded in only around two kilos lighter than the Electric C-Line, with the same top speed.

However, the lighter, more efficient bike frame alone would be a nice selling point, but it's all wrapped up in Brompton's signature attractive package. Brompton makes lovely, high-quality-looking-and-feeling bikes, and the Electric P-Line isn't the one to break the mold. We look forward to giving it a test drive - just remember to insure your e-bike before taking it on the roads.

Amazon's attempts to show the world that it isn't guzzling all the resources around with thousands of vans on the world are moving up a gear - well, sort of.

If you pick up some bargains during this year’s Prime Day sale your package could arrive on the back of a new e-cargo bike comprising a custom four-wheel chassis and an enclosed trailer, as part of a new trial that's beginning in the UK.

And if you don't see that, as part of the fuel-saving effort your Amazon delivery might appear from someone on foot (via The Guardian).

These new options are being trialed by an Amazon delivery hub in the east-London borough of Hackney. They're joining Amazon’s steadily growing fleet of electric vans as Amazon works towards its goal of being carbon-neutral by 2040.

An ecological future?

Amazon’s new delivery options should also help it reduce the cost of bringing parcels to London residents. The new vans and e-bikes will be exempt from London’s congestion charge – a fee paid by drivers unless their vehicle meets certain low-emissions standards. 

Amazon has made multiple pledges towards becoming less of an impact on the environment - it was estimated that a 20% increase in cardboard over the 2010s was fuelled by brands such as Amazon sending out multiple packages to consumers worldwide.

While the trial has only just begun, Amazon isn’t hanging around. It already has plans to open additional e-bike delivery hubs in the near future, and should be rolling out new Rivian-made electric vans in the US before the end of 2022.

Electric bikes aren't just a sustainable option for deliveries; they're perfect for the environmentally conscious commuter too, helping you reduce your carbon output while also giving your ride a bit of juice so you can get to your destination faster. If you want to see what's out there, check out our picks for the best e-bikes you can ride today.

LG has recently announced its intention to move into the home workout space, with a new app called Fitness Candy to run on LG TVs. Backed by K-Pop stars and set to feature companion equipment such as an AI camera and exercise bike (just like Peloton with its Peloton Guide camera hardware) The South Korean company plans on disrupting the home fitness space. Which, in my opinion, would have been great… two years ago. 

The Peloton Guide, which launched earlier this year, was an excellent piece of fitness kit. With a Peloton subscription, its AI camera tracked your attempts to copy the movements shown onscreen, and if you completed the reps properly, it filled a little progress gauge. The workouts challenged you to fill the gauge in time with the instructor, and provided you a completion rate at the end, like a video game. 

It’s heinously addictive stuff, and I firmly believe if it had been launched during the height of the pandemic, it would have sold like proverbial hot cakes.

Instead, it launched as the global pandemic receded from a world-shaking event into something we now live with day-to-day. Some people have already invested in home exercise equipment like connected Peloton bikes, rowing machines, or their own weights, and won’t want to spend upwards of $300 or £280 on a smart camera to stick on their TVs. Others are sick of working out in front of a screen and have returned to the gym, where you can get access a wide range of equipment, often for less than the price of an expensive Peloton subscription.

It feels as though Peloton, and now LG, saw the home fitness boom during the pandemic and reacted rather than strategized, sinking money into developing these products and betting big home exercise in front of your TV is here to stay. And I believe connected HIIT will carve out its own niche as a fitness product, but YouTube-style workouts will never enjoy the captive audience they once held. The narrow window to make these products an enormous success has well and truly been missed.

The exception could be Apple Fitness Plus, which at least has the advantage of an in-built userbase. Apple also offers a more complete experience with Fitness Plus by centering it around the Apple Watch rather than a TV screen: doing HIIT in your front room is one way to exercise, and it’s great to see the stats from your Watch on-screen, but you can also choose to try guided audio workouts, or copy the movements shown on your Watch to fill your rings. You can even (gasp!) exercise outside.

However, when it comes to success, Apple is very coy on numbers for its paid Fitness subscribers. It shared its impressive total of 750 million paid subscribers in January, but that figure is across all its services such as Apple TV, Apple Fitness, Wallet, Arcade and more, keeping tight-lipped about how that number is spread out in any more detail. 

Perhaps I'm biased, or maybe I'm underestimating the amount of LG TV owners that will want this new subscription service. But for me, at least, I don’t think any connected HIIT workout will ever replace a set of the best workout headphones and the lure of the open road.

Ride1Up Prodigy: Two minute review

This is TechRadar's Ride1Up Prodigy full review, with its XR frame. As a mid-range bike, we were surprised to find the Ride1Up Prodigy truly fronts with quality components and some serious power. 

The best electric bikes make getting from A to B a breeze, whether it’s a straight shot, a hilly journey, a considerable trek, or a jaunt through the meanderings of a city. The Ride1Up Prodigy aims to go a long way in delivering that versatile experience at a shocking value. It’s packing in a lot of goodies for an electric bike at just $2,295. While there are plenty of cheaper options out there (just check out our list of the best cheap e-bikes for a few examples), some of them tend to skimp on features to bring that price down, or even in some cases opt for cheaper parts or weaker components. 

Not so here. Allow us to get technical for a moment: you’ll find a drivetrain using a 9-speed Shimano Alivio derailleur and cassette to provide lots of options and a comfortable ride for flat speed and leverage on hills. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are a step above the single-piston mechanical disc brakes found on a lot of cheaper e-bikes. Ride1Up also throws lights, a rear rack, and front and rear fenders onto the bike to deck it out. 

The star of the show in the Prodigy is of course its electric system, which combines a deliciously powerful Brose TF mid-drive motor offering 90Nm of torque with a roughly 500Wh battery. The combo provides plenty of speed, topping out at 28mph, and gets good range out of the battery. At this price, it’s rare enough to find a mid-drive motor that benefits from being able to apply its power to the multi-speed drivetrain, let alone to find such a powerful one.

The bike is pretty hefty given all its packing in, plus the added weight that tends to come with electric bikes. It weighs in at 56.6 pounds, enough to make it a pain to get up or down stairs, and a bit of a nuisance to ride without motor power. 

But, with the motor, it’s an enjoyable ride. It offers an upright riding position that’s comfortable, though can put a bit too much weight into the sit bones for extended riding. The torque sensor does a good job responding to input, making for natural pedaling that doesn’t get jerky with the motor kicking in.

Whether casually cruising at a low assist setting or flying down the road in its "Turbo" setting, the Ride1Up Prodigy puts its power to good use. And even when using the bike fairly egregiously (a lot of high-speed riding with a heavy payload), it can muster a respectable range – going over 26 miles on a single charge during our testing all while providing conservative estimates on the range, which helped us avoid getting stuck partway through a ride with a dead battery.

There are better bikes out there, like the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0, but they tend to cost considerably more — $4,000 / £3,900 / AU$5,000 in the case of the Specialized. Meanwhile, Ride1Up shows its admirable value against a bike like the $4,000 (about £3,000 / AU$5,500) Bluejay Sport, which it closely matches in riding experience while even edging it out in design thanks to a hidden battery pack. 

For $2,295, mid-drive e-bikes aren’t really coming any better than this. The Marin Sausalito E1 comes close, but it’s trailing far behind in performance as a Class 1 e-bike topping out at 20mph and still costs a little more. 

 Ride1Up Prodigy: Price and availability 

The Ride1Up Prodigy with the XR frame we tested or with a step-through frame is available now for $2,295 in the United States. There’s also an XC model available for $100 more, which opts for more mountain bike components, like hydraulic shocks on the fork, and ditches the cargo racks.  

Ride1Up Prodigy: Design

• Decked out
• Heavyweight at 56.6 pounds
• Semi-stealthy

The Ride1Up Prodigy is about as decked out as you can ask a bike to be. Fenders? Yep, it’s got metal ones. A carrier rack? There’s a hefty one in the back that can haul up to 40 pounds, though it’s worth noting that it’s integrated with the rear fender. There’s an adjustable headlight and a tail light, both powered off the bike’s battery, though these kinds of included lights are rarely as bright as we’d like them to be. There’s also a kickstand attached far enough back that it never gets in the way of the pedals. The bike also has two sets of water bottle cage bosses in the frame. It feels like the one thing the bike is missing is a bell.

Then there’s the hardware the bike is kitted out with. Ride1Up has opted for Tektro hydraulic brakes with 180mm discs. The calipers have dual pistons, helping make adjustments to the brakes easier. There’s a 9-speed Shimano Alivio transmission all managed by a rear derailleur and an integrated shift sensor. 

The bike has some bulk as a result of all this gear as well as the electrical components. We weighed it at 56.6 pounds, so it’s a good thing it’s packing in a Brose mid-drive motor with up to 90Nm of torque. That motor’s activated with an integrated torque sensor and powered by a roughly 500Wh battery hidden away inside the downtube. You can remove the battery with a key, though it takes some finagling to undo a latch that keeps that battery from simply falling out when you turn the key. You can recharge the battery while it’s in the bike or when it’s outside the bike. 

While the battery doesn’t have a visible charge meter when it’s slotted into the bike, battery levels can be monitored on the 1.5-inch color LCD display, which also provides plenty of other metrics. Given all the various components connected to the bike and the added complexity that comes with electronics, the Ride1Up loses a bit of its elegance to all the cables running to and fro. It’s a proper mess in front of the handlebars.

The size and weight of the Prodigy make it a bit of a drag to deal with in an upper-floor apartment, but those with garages won’t regularly have to contend with its bulk. 

Ride1Up has thrown on comfortable, ergo hand grips and a slightly plush seat. The upright riding position of this bike especially benefits from that seat padding. We’re riding with the seat just about as high as it can go, and we’re still not leaning forward enough to put much weight into our hands. 

The bike rides on 27.5 x 2.0-inch Maxxis Refuse wheels that, though large, are actually slicker than the mountain bike-style tires we’d expect. However, since this bike is meant for the roads, it makes sense. 

Given the complexity of this bike, the pain of it being  a direct-to-consumer bike is all the easier to feel. While assembly isn’t all that involved — attaching the handlebars, bolting on the front fender, screwing on the pedals, and slotting in the front wheel — there’s just that much more that can be not quite right from the get go. Our brakes needed adjustment to keep from rubbing and our rear derailleur was skipping one of the larger cogs every time until we re-indexed it. 

The front fender also has a very narrow tolerance between its side supports and the front wheel, making rubbing a constant risk. These adjustments can take some time if you do them yourself, especially if you’re new to bike maintenance, or they can add a little extra to your cost at a bike shop (probably not more than $50 for the adjustments mentioned).

Design Score: 3.5/5

 Ride1Up Prodigy: Performance 

• Class 3 speed
• Stiffer than expected
• Natural feeling

The Ride1Up Prodigy puts on a strong show when it’s out on the road. Almost all the mid-drive e-bikes we can find that come anywhere close to this price are Class 1 with a top speed of 20mph, but the Brose TF motor on the Prodigy is more than up to the task of going faster. In its second-highest mode, Sport, it’s ready to help push past 20mph with ease and can do a lot of comfortable riding just setting in fifth gear. 28mph actually proved more difficult to get to, but 27.5mph wasn’t so tough with the bike in its most powerful setting. 

At those faster speeds, there is the matter of comfort. The bike rides plenty steady, but the upright riding position puts a lot of weight right into the seat and that leads to all the shocks and bumps of the road going right into the sit bones. This is a bike you’ll absolutely want to raise up slightly on when you see a bump coming up.

Despite the perceived stiffness of the ride, the bike shows some clear flexibility when we’re riding, with the frame bending slightly with firm pedalling. This isn’t unusual for a bike, but after about a 100 miles of riding, the motor/bottom bracket started groaning whenever we pedal with much pressure. It’s unclear whether this is an issue with the frame or motor not holding up to the pressure we’d applied or simply a production fault, but something like this may be covered under the one-year warranty Ride1Up includes. Annoying as the sound is, it doesn’t slow down our rides noticeably.

Creaking aside, the bike has enough gear range and enough assist settings to make for some smooth riding. Pedalling feels natural thanks to the torque sensor, and the motor never feels like it’s doing all the work for us. Some riders might prefer a motor that’s going to do all the work, but the Brose motor here will do a ton of work, making a steady 20-25mph as easy as a casual 10mph would be on an non-electric bike.

On the flipside of speeding up there’s slowing down. The hydraulic disc brakes don’t always feel that powerful, with a gentle pull slowing the bike down rather gradually. But with a forceful squeeze, the brakes can really bike into the disc and bring the bike to a screeching halt. On one of our rides, we were hauling along near the bike’s top speed when a rat ran out in front of us, and the brakes where strong enough to slow us down in a hurry, though the tires skidded a bit.  

Performance score: 4.5/5

Ride1Up Prodigy: Battery Life

• 504Wh put to good use
• Useful range estimates

The Ride1Up Prodigy isn’t decked out to have the longest range. A roughly 500Wh battery isn’t there to break records. But the Prodigy uses its power well. We largely ride with e-bikes in their higher assist settings, and with a combo of its "Sport" and "Turbo" modes, we took a solid 27.6-mile adventure. 

Near the end of the ride, the bike was suggesting only another mile of range, but we kept on winding around the neighborhood and it just wouldn’t give out, proving it offers somewhat conservative estimates that help avoid finishing up rides on a dead battery. 

Across our testing, the battery maintained this level of performance, so Ride1Up’s estimate of 30-50 miles of range ring true, as the lightest assist level and lighter riders would very likely eke out  considerably more range than we did operating at high assist levels and carrying upward of 240 pounds on the bike.

Battery life score: 4/5

Ride1Up Prodigy:  Value for money 

• Affordable for a mid-drive
• Very affordable for a Class 3 mid-drive

The question of value comes down largely to what you’re hoping to get for your money. You can get some excellent road bikes for $1,000, but you’ll be pedalling entirely under your own power. There are also some solid electric bikes that offer a fun and easier riding experience for under $1,500, including Ride1Up’s Roadster V2. 

But, if you’re looking for a relaxed ride that feels natural while having all the extra power available from a mid-drive e-bike, you’re not going to find much that can compete in value against the Prodigy. The only Class 3 mid-drive e-bike we could find that cost anywhere close to it was the cheaper, Lectric XPremium folding e-bike, which would offer a significantly different ride.

Value for money score: 4/5

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider:

Whether the Prodigy is too much bike or too much money, we’ve know of a few alternative options that might be a better fit. 

First reviewed June 2022

Apple Maps – the iPhone manufacturer’s version of Google Maps – wants to get you out of your car and onto an electric bike - or e-bike - at least one day.

While looking through the app’s code Steve Moser discovered that several lines reference an “E-Bike” and finding optimized routes for these kinds of vehicles. 

It’s not yet clear how these routes would be chosen exactly but we expect that the routes will be similar to those optimized for regular bikes – albeit with a few more inclines and a preference for following roads than more rugged cycle paths.

The feature’s code still needs to be finished off indicating that it's still in the earlier testing phases and isn’t ready for launch quite yet. 

But the code's existence strongly suggests Apple is getting ready for e-bikes to become increasingly popular as people ditch their cars for cheaper and more environmentally friendly options.

The goal for Apple here could be to integrate the e-bike routing with Apple Watch e-bike detection, meaning any journey begun could initiate an electric bike workout, or vice versa.

An electrifying future

The best electric bikes or e-bikes are awesome for commuting – and they’re great for getting more enjoyment out of your ride in general. They look like a fairly normal bike but are equipped with an electric battery that can propel you forward when you don’t want to put much effort in. 

This motor is especially helpful when paired with a foldable e-bike; the typically smaller wheels on a folding bike mean you have to put a bit more work into travel as far, but that isn’t as much the case with a powered electric bike.

As great as e-bikes are though – they’re much more compact and environmentally friendly than a car – they also cost a fair amount more than a standard two-wheeler. 

Our pick for the best e-bike right now, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0, will set you back $4,000 / £3,900 / AU$5,000 – but there are cheaper alternatives out there too.

That being said, with the price of gas as high as it is right now, then it might not take too long before an e-bike would end up saving you money on your daily commute.

(via AutoEvolution)

Harley Davidson’s latest bike isn’t its signature chopper, but an all-terrain single-speed electric bike. The BASH/MTN, part of Harley Davidson’s Serial 1 line of ebikes, is said to be inspired by one of their engineer’s custom MTB build, and it looks like a seriously good fixie. 

The bike has a 529Wh lithium-ion battery integrated into the frame, with all wiring threaded internally through the frame as well, for a clean look. There’s no thumb button or twist throttle required here.

Instead, the mid-mounted Brose S Mag motor packs an electronic torque sensor, which is said to "automatically register the pressure the rider applies to the pedals and instantly provide a commensurate amount of electric assistance" to help the rider surge forwards. 

This is done in one of four modes: Eco mode for light assistance on flat ground, Tour mode for mixed riding such as variable trails, Sport mode for cornering and tackling hills, and Boost mode for steep climbs. You change modes with the handlebar control unit, positioned between your thumb and forefinger for ease of access. 

The single-speed and locked frame should provide enormous amounts of feedback, so to offset all those trail bumps and bruises, Harley Davidson has incorporated a suspension seat with a travel distance of 50mm (about 2 inches), allowing you to weather even the roughest trails with impunity. You’ll even get a summary of each ride by connecting your bike to the Serial 1 app, providing detailed metrics on speed, ride duration, range, power output, battery efficiency and loads more.

Priced at $3,999 in the US, it’s a limited-edition bike, with 525 made for the US and 525 made for Europe. There’s no word just yet on UK or European price, but Australian riders and other countries are unfortunately out of luck.

Analysis: The new American Chopper

Serial 1’s latest effort looks, frankly, incredible. The price is steeper than some of the hills you’ll be tackling (and this is at the cheaper end of Serial 1’s offerings), but this single-speed, high-performance fixie is going to find a home with 1,050 dedicated off-roaders with cash to splash. 

We’re especially excited about the Serial 1 529W battery, cleverly incorporated into the frame, providing instance assistance on the toughest hills with no throttle required. It’s not the most powerful battery we’ve ever seen in an off-roader, but the intuitive-sounding mechanisms are exciting, especially on such a specialized bike.

The BASH/MTN’s limited-edition status and steep price means only a select few will be able to get ahold of Harley Davidson’s latest foray into e-bikes. However, if you’re after something cheaper for your commute, our list of the best folding e-bikes has a few budget-friendly entries.  

•  Could e-scooters be safer for commuting than bikes? 

Two-minute review

Anyone who hankers after a Brompton will love the lighter, leaner P-Line, which at just 9.65kg is something that can be carried with relative ease when needed. Unfolded, the bike delivers an unsurprising ride, which is compromised a little by small wheels and tyres, plus a saddle that’s not made for hours of sitting on. 

There are four gears, controlled by a handlebar shifter and decent caliper-style brakes. Folded, the Brompton P-Line can be hidden out of harm’s way in all sorts of locations from train baggage holds to car trunks, or even a cupboard under the stairs. Brompton bikes are expensive though and if you’re not worried about a little more weight you’d do just as well to head in the direction of the standard-issue models in the Brompton range.

The Brompton P-Line is a lighter version of its classic folding bike, which the British manufacturer has been tweaking and fine-tuning over the 45 or so years it’s been in production. You get the usual quirky design lines and an expensive price tag, but with the bonus of being able to ride on down the road with a little less weight to lug around. 

In fact, there are nearly two kilos shaved off the overall weight compared to a standard Brompton C-Line model, thanks to lighter components and some engineering tweaks. All told, the Brompton P-Line weighs in at 9.65kg, which gets it off to a great start.

Price and release date

The Brompton P-Line Urban is available now and costs from £2,264 in the UK ($2793 approx. in the US). However, there is also the Brompton P-Line Urban with Roller Frame, which costs from £2,344 ($2,892 approx. in the US), but adds on larger trolley-style wheels for easier rolling of the bike when required. 

Brompton also does a nice line in numerous cycling accessories, created specifically for the range, all of which can be specced for additional cost.

Design

Brompton is quick to underline the appeal of the newer P-Line (as in P for Performance) model, mainly because of its weight loss, which is 1.85kg less than the regular edition of this folding classic. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but you do notice it if you have the carry the bike any kind of distance. Some 700g of weight alone has been shaved off by replacing the steel-framed original with a titanium rear frame section and forks, along with a plethora of weight-loss tweaks to other components. 

To look at, however, this is classic Brompton and the folding mechanism is just as it is on other bikes in the range. Now, it seems you’ve either got the knack for unfolding and folding a Brompton bike, or you haven’t. I’ve always found them awkward, especially when compared to other folding bikes, like the Axon Pro Lite or the chunkier but really good GoCycle G4 we looked at recently, for example. There’s no denying Brompton has created a very clever design, but I’m still not sure it’s as intuitive as they make out. Maybe it’s just me.

The Brompton P-Line proved no different, with a good degree of faff involved to get it up. Two people, a YouTube video plus an oily chain coming off were all part of the procedure. The saddle also proved problematical to get on. Maybe it wasn’t helped by this being a ‘refreshed’ bike that had been reviewed elsewhere. Perhaps this was the same reason there was no toolkit present, or much else for that matter. But after about 30 minutes the Brompton P-Line came together, looking quite good in the metallic black too.

The great thing about the design is the way it integrates a four-speed derailleur gear set, which proves even more useful as you can hinge the lower arm upwards and thread a chain back on easily enough. The changing mechanism on the left-hand side of the handlebars is fine and functional. There are also the two little wheels on the back of the bike which allow you to wheel it along half-folded when and if you have to. A suspension block in the frame design offers a little relief if you get caught out by an unexpected rut in the road.

In addition, there’s a bracket on the front of the bike for a carry bag attachment, an example of which was included in the box with our model. Traditional 16-inch wheels with Schwalbe tires and standard caliper/rim brakes round things out in old-school cycling style. We also appreciated the full mudguards too, which soon become an essential part of the package if you’re commuting to work in the wet and want to minimize dirt and mud flecks on your suit. 

This bike came with reflectors, but no lights as standard. We’d also like to see a kickstand, even if it’s only a flimsy plastic effort just for the sake of convenience. You'll have to factor the lights into your budget, especially if you're buying for commuting home in the dark. 

Performance

Heading off down the road on the Brompton P-Line and the experience feels much like the cheaper counterparts in the product portfolio. If you’re lucky enough to have access to smooth purpose-built cycle lanes the bike is great on the flat, even with those dinky little wheels. There is, of course, that slightly weird feeling of holding on to handlebars that you know you’ve folded up earlier, but the reassurance that the solid bracket isn’t going to fail you. Hit less than great British road surfaces though and it all feels a little more precarious.

That’s nothing to do with the Brompton P-Line, as it does contend with less smooth surfaces surprisingly well. You’ll want to lift your behind off the saddle over dreaded potholes or zipping up over low kerbs, but that’s par for the course with any cycling experience in the UK. 

Meanwhile, putting the Brompton P-Line through its paces in hilly areas requires deft use of the gears though as, despite the lighter weight, this is a bike that isn’t great for too many steep inclines. Coming down the other side is lots of fun however, and those brakes work well enough, but do lack the more refined muscle of discs and rotors.

We tried the Brompton P-Line on a variety of surfaces too, including gravel paths, where it performed well enough. The narrow tyres can catch you out if you’re not careful though, but this is a bike that’s designed with city streets in mind anyway. Nevertheless, it’s good to know the Brompton can assist you with any cross-country shortcuts, if you’re very late for a meeting at the office. 

Quite how many P-Line models will end up being used as genuine commuter bikes remains to be seen, given the trend for home and hybrid working. Good as it is, this is an expensive bike to buy for casual use.

Buy it if:

• You’re still commuting. The Brompton P-Line is tailor-made for the task, but comes with a high price tag.
• Space is at a premium. Storing this bike is quick easy and it’ll fit almost anywhere, especially compared to standard cycles.
• You’ve always dreamt of owning a Brompton. The design is iconic and, if you can master its folding charms you’ll love the thing.

Don't buy it if:

• Small wheels are a turn-off. There are compromises to be had with the P-Line, so it’s less great for longer journeys.
• You’ve given up on the commute. Even hybrid working, with perhaps 3 days a week in the office, will make this Brompton hard to justify.
• You’d like a cheaper alternative. Buy the standard Brompton instead, especially if your budget is limited.

First reviewed: May 2022

Two-minute review

The Super73-R Brooklyn isn’t your typical ride. This e-bike is more electric moped, or motorcycle even, than it is bicycle. It falls in the upper end of the price spectrum for e-bikes at $3,495 (about £2,800 / AU$5,000) before you start getting into truly premium bikes, but it comes fully loaded for riding pleasure. 

This cafe-racer style e-bike rides fast on a rear hub motor that can output a peak 2,000W, and it runs on a nearly 1,000Wh battery. The combination lets it go over 30mph and achieve over 20 miles of range on throttle alone.

E-bike aficionados will recognize that the speed is at odds with some e-bike class regulations. The Super73-R Brooklyn is capable of going beyond Class 3 capabilities, so riders will have to dial in the speed and control mode that fits the laws in their region – something that could reduce the value of the bike for those in Class 1 or Class 2 regions.

With full suspension on the front and rear of the bike, as well as a plush seat, the Super73-R Brooklyn is a brilliant ride on streets even with the occasional bump – though not so pleasant on gravel and loose terrain.

Of course, it’s meant for the street. It picks up casually without the kind of acceleration that might throw a novice ride, and it cruises up to speed without fuss even for heavier riders. The speeds make it easy to keep up with the flow of traffic on city streets. The included motorcycle-style headlight and brake light helps with visibility and safety, as does the wonderfully loud horn — no bell on this baby.

The whole package comes together wonderfully. It’s basically a moped with a modest top speed and enough range to pop around town with a battery you can recharge overnight for a few cents.

It’s absurdly heavy for a bike, so not ideal if you don’t have a ground-floor space to park, but the battery can come off to charge. That said, it’s much lighter than a typical moped.

It’s also pricey for an e-bike, though there are Class 3 e-bikes that cost more without adding range, like the Bluejay Sport. It’s real competition may be scooters and motorcycles, which it generally proves cheaper, lighter, and more accessible than (given it doesn’t require a license, insurance, or registration to ride), making it an excellent option for the urban commuter looking for electric mobility that’s equal parts comfortable, stylish, and fun.

Price and availability

The Super73-R Brooklyn is available now for $3,495 (about £2,800 / AU$5,000) in the continental United States and Hawaii, with limited availability elsewhere through regional and international dealers as well as in the EU through a headquarters in Amsterdam. 

That's towards the higher end for an e-bike, though not as costly as our current top-rated model, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 (2022).

Design

The Super73-R Brooklyn isn’t what you might think of first when you think of an electric bicycle. It’s styled more after a cafe racer motorcycle. While the Super73-R Brooklyn has pedals, they’re easy to overlook. The bike has a robust aluminum alloy frame with mirrored tubes, not the single top, bottom, and seat tubes we’re used to. The seating extends directly from the top tube, making for a low riding position that’s also more like a motorcycle than a bike. Even that battery pack is situated right in front of the seat, where you’d expect a fuel tank on a motorcycle.

The Super73-R Brooklyn features front and adjustable rear suspension that dampens vibration while riding. It rolls along smoothly on Super73’s thick custom LZRD street tires, which are far closer to motorcycle tires than they are bicycle tires.

Adding to the comfort is a well-cushioned seat. The thickest part of the seat is curiously at the back, where it might help prevent the rider from sliding backwards, but it’s too far back for sitting comfortably and Super73 doesn’t recommend having passengers. We found it mostly satisfying, but got a little saddle sore at the end of longer rides and wouldn’t be upset with some extra cushion. Lighter riders under 200 pounds will probably be better off.

Neatly hidden away in the back wheel is a hub motor that can output 2,000 watts of peak power. It has a single-speed cassette for pedalling, but it can get powered by a responsive cadence sensor or a thumb throttle, letting it deliver the bike’s top speeds without user effort. That’s great news, because the riding position is simply awful for pedaling. It’s hard to put much force into the pedal while seated, and incredibly awkward to try pedaling standing up because of the low handlebars that are only a little in front of the pedals.

The gearing makes pedalling only really viable at low speeds anyway, as once the bike’s cruising at over 20mph, only a very fast cadence will actually get the gears engaged. Slowing down is a different matter, as braking is managed with dual-piston, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that are up to the task and cut off the motor when the levers are pulled.

Super73 rounds out the package with a big, 1,100-lumen headlight and a powerful tail light that responds to the brakes being pulled. There’s also a loud horn built into the center of the frame and activated with a thumb button. Given how much this bike may be in traffic, it’s good to see these considerations. The company is planning to introduce optional turn signals in the near future. The bike supports some app control for changing operating modes, viewing battery charge, and setting up turn by turn navigation. Meanwhile a control pad on the left handlebar can handle most things, displaying speed, range, odometer data, and directions. It also provides a constant battery reading with a ring around its circumference, and offers controls for pedal assist levels and lights.

All of this hardware comes at the cost of weight. The bike tips the scales at 82.4lb – a rare occasion where a bike is lighter than a manufacturer claims. The weight and bulk make it a true pain to carry up and down any stairs, especially winding stairways.

Thankfully the battery is removable, so it’s possible to store the bike at ground level and haul the battery to wherever you need to charge. It slots into place with a key lock for security, though anyone who comes across the bike would be able to power it up if the battery is in place. The 960Wh battery is hefty, and takes a long time to fill on the 163.8W charger, easily upwards of six hours. A 5A charger to speed up charging is available as an optional extra. 

s it’s a serious battery holding a lot of potential energy and fire risk is always a possibility, we checked with Super73 about Underwriter Labs certification. While the battery isn’t presently UL certified, we’re told the company is in the process of seeking certification and hopes to have it in a couple months.

Super73 has made this bike water resistant so it can hold up in the rain, though this model doesn’t include the same fenders some of the other models do. 

Performance

 The Super73-R Brooklyn is built for performance. It’s made for a fast and smooth ride that might have you forget you’re technically riding a bicycle. The peak 2000W output of the motor is well managed. It doesn’t jolt off the starting line, but accelerates comfortably up to the top speed. It’s quick enough to not annoy drivers who might be waiting behind us, though for a quicker start we often push off to get a little boost.

The motor is certainly mighty. We’re riding the Super73-R Brooklyn with a combined payload of us and the bike that’s easily over 300 pounds, yet the bike is still able to edge over 30mph in its offroad, derestricted mode. So it’s no surprise that the Super73-R Brooklyn doesn’t struggle to keep cruising along at up to 28mph in its road-legal mode. 

The speed is that much easier to enjoy thanks to the construction of the bike. Speedbumps, small divots, and little lumps in the road all get smoothed out by the suspension and the padded seat. Since the riding position doesn’t put any weight into our hands, they remain comfortable throughout the ride.

Thanks to its speed, we often felt comfortable when we had to merge with cars, since the city streets often had us going the same speed, but we had the freedom to pop over into bike lanes, making our commute as easy as ever. In a pinch, the Super73-R Brooklyn can also brake like champ, readily going from 20mph to a stop in a single car length with little to no skidding (again with a 300lb payload).

Super73’s water protections proved worthy in our testing, as we got caught in the middle of a considerable rainstorm on one ride, and made the eight-mile journey back soaked to the bone while the bike didn’t so much as sputter. The lack of fenders and the speed of the wheels does have the unfortunate effect of launching a ton of water up from the street directly in front of our face, so if avoiding rain isn’t an option, goggles or a front fender are just about a necessity.

All this performance stems from the motor doing its thing. We can get over 24 miles of the motor working like a beast, largely just the throttle with a little pedal assist at lower speeds, and lighter riders can see even more range, but the second the battery starts getting low, the tune changes. Once the battery gets below 25% charge, it’s time to think about a refill.

Even with the meter showing four miles of range left, the performance dropped off a cliff. We nearly got caught up in an intersection as we tried to throttle through it and suddenly had almost no power. At that point, the throttle can barely sustain 10mph and accelerates like a snail. Pedalling feels like a constant hill climb and the most the motor could do was help us sustain about 12-13mph. Super73 has an optional 10-speed setup, but pedalling feels like a last resort on this bike.

Given that performance cliff, it’s basically essential to make sure you’ve got a buffer of range for the ride. While it’s possible to bring a charger along on a trip and add some extra juice during a stop, the slow charging speed may leave you stopped longer than you’d like. That said, there’s plenty of room on the frame to install a bracket to hold a backup battery pack for extra range.

The performance of the Super73-R Brooklyn puts it in a unique spot. Typical e-bikes are much easier to keep pedalling on once the battery is drained, though still an added challenge next to analog bikes, so they can still be a smart option for riders who might not always remember to recharge.

The positioning has the Super73-R Brooklyn compete more with mopeds and even motorcycles as a fairly affordable electric alternative. In that matchup, it does have the advantage of legally being an electric bicycle and not requiring expensive insurance, registration, or a license, further helping riders save money. But, for folks with serious commuting needs who can’t be caught off when they forget to charge, actual small-engine mopeds like the Yamaha S-Max or motorcycles like the V Star 250 are only about $1,000 more.

The bigger threat Super73 faces is something like the similarly priced Juiced HyperScrambler 2, which may not be as stylish, but is iconic in its own way, promises similar performance and comfort, boosts safety features, has a multi-speed transmission by default, and comes with dual battery packs for nearly 2,000Wh of power.

First reviewed April 2022

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• Keep your ride running like new with our complete guide to e-bike maintenance

Cycling is having a moment. Interest in road cycles and mountain bikes is higher than ever, and even though the waiting lists for bikes that built up at the height of the coronavirus pandemic are starting to shorten, there's still huge interest in both conventional, electric bikes, and folding e-bikes. 

E-bikes are essentially traditional bicycles with electric motors. The e-bike trend is a few years behind the electric car trend, which truly took off with Tesla's introduction into the consumer car market around 2013.

Since then, more and more consumers have decided eco-friendly travel is a priority, opting for e-bikes for commuting and errands. In the mountains, buyers are realizing that e-bikes can take the pain out of uphill mountain bike climbs and make the rides more fun.

But athletes who cycle for the cardio or workout benefits are still likely to sneer their noses at e-bikes, often seen as 'cheating' in the minds of traditional cyclists and mountain bikers. Unfortunately for those old-guard cyclists, that ableist mindset is anything but correct. With the proper knowledge and technique, nearly anyone can get a fantastic workout on an e-bike at any ability level. Here's how.

How do e-bikes work?

Unlike a regular road or mountain bike, an e-bike has an electric motor to help riders propel themselves. Depending on the bike, the rider can choose to avoid pedaling entirely or use the motor to adjust the level of assistance on uphill climbs or long roads. With a non-motorized bike, uphill pedaling can be extremely tiring, and it can feel like you're pushing extremely hard to keep the wheels spinning, even in the lowest (easiest) gear.

According to Lauren Butler, the city and kids product marketing manager for Trek Bikes, riding an e-bike generally feels similar to a traditional cycle. "Your riding experience feels like the same natural experience of riding any other bike, except with extra power, you can ride farther and faster."

E-bikes have an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. Depending on the battery's size, it could take anywhere between two and six hours for a full charge. While riding, a handlebar display lets the rider see and adjust the motor's level of assistance.

For pedal-assisted bikes, the rider must pedal for the motor to work. On an e-bike with a throttle, the rider doesn't need to pedal (similar to a scooter). Some bikes offer both options, but many countries class those with a throttle as mopeds or motorbikes rather than bicycles.

What are the benefits of biking?

Biking is one of the best cardio workout options for the average person. With low-to-no impact (save for crashes,) biking uses all your major muscle groups, improves joint mobility, and, of course, gets your heart rate up and your lungs pumping, especially when climbing uphill or navigating obstacle-ridden terrain.

According to Dylan Renn, a full-time mountain bike coach and former professional mountain bike racer in Northern California, mountain biking is generally more difficult: "A mountain bike is more demanding and requires more strength, whereas on an e-bike, the motor assists with the strength."

Renn says his requests for one-on-one and group e-bike coaching this year have skyrocketed, paralleling sales reports from e-bike retailers. He thinks traditional bikes and e-bikes can work in parallel with one another, ideal for riders trying both.

"The e-bike lets you operate on a level higher than your own ability because of the power input. So if you can master the skills on an e-bike, your overall mountain bike skills will improve."

Why are people choosing e-bikes?

In a word, ease. In three words, ease, simplicity, and recovery. Riding an e-bike is almost always going to be easier than riding a bike that requires 100 percent human-power. It puts longer and more challenging trails within the rider's wheelhouse and can make riders feel more confident knowing backup power is available if their muscles or lungs hit a metaphorical wall halfway into their rides. But according to Devin Riley, US director of marketing for Canyon Bicycles, it's not just out-of-shape riders who are choosing e-bikes.

"While we've seen strong e-bike demand from adult riders seeking to either replace a car or keep doing strenuous Saturday trail rides, there also is a generation of younger mountain bike riders who are interested in the extra range and power of an e-bike," he says.

As a former competitive cyclist, Riley says he's used his e-bike to compliment his now-hobby, taking his e-bike out on muscle recovery days, or when he wants to do a third lap but his body only has the energy for two.

According to Trek Bikes' Butler, riders often choose e-bikes to explore new areas they couldn't reach on their own, covering more distance in the same amount of time. E-bikes also allow riders with physical limitations to access otherwise unreachable terrain, and allow riders recovering from injuries to bike earlier in their recovery.

"If you can't ride like you use to, e-bikes are an awesome solution," says Butler. "You're still getting plenty of exercise and enjoying being outside, but the assist makes it more possible and relieves pressure on your joints and back."

E-bikes can also make it easier for people of different ability levels to ride during cycling trips. And, of course, e-bikes are better for the environment than cars. According to the League of American Bicyclists, 60 percent of trips less than one mile long are made in vehicles. E-bike assists may allow some of those drivers to make those trips by cycle instead, helping to reduce their overall CO2 emissions.

So how do you stay fit on an e-bike?

So if traditional mountain bikes require more effort and power, should people looking for a better cardio workout opt to forgo the motor? Not necessarily, says Riley. "You can get the same cardio workout on either," he says. "It all depends how fast you turn the pedals and how much you're asking the e-bike to assist your efforts."

Renn says that e-bike riders should be aware of their heart rate while riding. "One does gain the cardiovascular benefits from an e-bike, but it doesn't feel as taxing. Your heart rate is 9-10 heartbeats per minute lower on an e-bike versus mountain bike when riding at your high-intensity zone. So it's the same effort, but lower heart rate zones in an e-bike."

While a lower heart rate can slightly decrease the number of calories burned in a period of time, it can also give riders the energy they need to ride for longer, which ultimately burns more calories than a shorter ride.

Riley suggests riders use the e-bike to complement a traditional ride, rather than entirely replacing it. E-bikes, he says, can help riders access new trails; for example, an urban rider could use the e-assist to ride outside their city limits, then turn the level of assist down once they start their workout-focused ride.

He also points to the ability to customize workouts with an e-bike: if you need a rest day for your quads, turn up the assistance level. And if it's really a core workout you want, use the e-assist to shuttle up the trail before getting in a core workout during the ride down (most technical riders stand while downhilling.)

Ultimately, the degree to which any e-biker, road cyclist, or mountain biker can train and work out depends entirely on the user. Mountain bikers can take it easy by walking up steep terrain, and putting an e-bike on full assist mode is unlikely to get most people's heart rates into fat-burning mode.

But the idea that e-bikes are 'easier' is a misconception – when properly used, they can both extend your workout and enable you to spend more time on your bike, even on recovery days. And with travel likely suspended for at least another few months, it's an excellent time to strap on a helmet and get in a few miles on two wheels.

• Why your electric bike really needs insurance

The company that designed the original Mini Cooper has released four new e-bikes with tiny hub-mounted batteries that deliver a super-long range thanks to regenerative braking.

As BikeRadar reports, Cooper Bikes (the cycling arm of the Cooper Car Company) has implemented the same type of kinetic energy recovery system that's used in motor racing. Pedal backwards, and the Zehus Gen 2 drive system activates the motor brake while also recharging the battery. You only need to rotate the pedals backwards three times to initiate the process, but it sounds like there'll be something of a learning curve.

The four models in the line aren't as expensive as you might expect either, ranging in price from £2,099 (about $2,700 / AU$3,700) to £2,499 (about $3,200 / AU$4,400). To put that into context, our current top-rated e-bike, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0, starts at $4,000 / £3,900 / AU$5,000.

Going the distance

The entry-level model in Cooper Bikes' new lineup is the Classic Singlespeed Cooper CS-IE – a stealthy singlespeed made for city riding. 

This is followed by the Classic Ladies' Cooper CL-7E (which has a step-through frame, seven-speed gears, and hydraulic disc brakes) and the step-over Classic Gents' Cooper CG-7E. Finally, the Classic Randonneur Cooper CR-7E, has sportier road styling with drop handlebars, and the same steel frame as the rest of the range.

Each bike's battery is housed within the rear hub motor and can deliver range of up to 60km on a single charge. That's not as far as many bikes with heavy full-sized power packs, but is remarkable for a tiny hub-mounted battery.

Unlike most of the models in our roundup of the best electric bikes, none of the new Cooper e-bikes have a head unit display either, reducing the need for additional cabling. Instead, the drive system connects to a mobile app, which you can use to customize your bike's settings.

• Find out how to upgrade your old bike with an e-bike conversion kit

Any new or evolving technology comes with some degree of vagueness, especially when it concerns legislation. That's definitely been the case with e-bikes, which have often fallen into the law-making middle ground; not being classed as proper bicycles, but not judged as a real motor vehicles either. It’s all been a little bit fuzzy. The same can be said about where e-bikes should, or shouldn’t, be ridden because of having a battery and electric motor.

The situation is improving though, because most electric bikes now fall into one of three different classes. Back in 2020 the e-bike industry decided to get together and come up with a plan, which has resulted in the creation of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 categories.

Simple, right? Well, not quite because although the class system is now recognised by over half the US states, it’s still not a truly definitive classification system.

Adding to the confusion is the continued growth of the electric bike marketplace. With more manufacturers building e-bikes, and additional bike retailers stocking them, the potential for continued confusion seems to be ever-present. It is a step forwards though, but shouldn’t be taken as the final word. If you’re not sure if the e-bike you’re interested in falls into one of the three classes outlined below, you might want to do a little more homework before purchasing it.

Falling foul of the authorities and facing legal issues if you happen to ride in the wrong place, or worse still, have an accident, should all be kept in mind no matter how cool that e-bike you’re keen on looks.

E-bike Class 1

Class 1 electric bikes have a speed limitation of 20 miles per hour, and the classification is made simpler by the fact that the electric motor only assists the rider when they’re pedalling. You may find that the e-bike has a throttle, usually mounted on the handlebars, but this will only provide a boost. The basic setup can obviously vary depending on the make and model of electric bike.

As a result, Class 1 e-bikes usually get to enjoy all the privileges afforded to regular pedal cycles, which means general access to bike paths and designated lanes. This is also the only type of e-bike that's not classified as a moped in the UK and EU.

The VanMoof S3/X3 models are good examples of this class, along with the rather good Cannondale Quick Neo SL.

E-bike Class 2

Class 2 bikes come with the same 20mph speed limitation, but can deliver power from the battery and motor combination using a throttle, even if you’re not pedalling. Some electric bikes in this class can do a mix of both, with the motor doing all the work, a combination of motor and pedal assistance.

Much like the Class 1 category, many countries allow you to ride a Class 2 e-bike on bike paths and lanes. Look out for the likes of the Aventon Pace 350 or the Wing Freedom 2 as a pair of prime examples.

E-bike Class 3

Class 3 e-bikes make things rather more complicated. Class 3 e-bikes are likely to have a throttle setup as part of the design, their speed allowance is a higher 28 miles per hour, and their motor limit is 750 Watts, but it's not so clear-cut where you can ride them.

The exact rules will depend on the country and city you're in. For example, you don’t need a license to ride one of these bikes in the US, but you should exercise caution about where you ride the two-wheeler, such as on regular roads and designated bike lanes. They’re not usually allowed on multiuse paths or bike trails though. 

It’s really worth checking city and state rules before you buy a Class 3 bike, to make sure it’ll fall in line with local regulations. Remember this point if you’re taking your e-bike out of state too. The excellent Specialized Turbo Vado SL Equipped is a great e-bike in this class, but the Trek Domane+ HP is a very worthy alternative too.

Buyer beware

If you take a look at our guide to the best e-bikes you’ll find those included should fit the bill in at least one of our categories. Anyone purchasing an electric bike should be mindful of variations on the theme though. Specifications can change, models can be updated and some manufacturers throw caution to the wind and release bikes with more power than they might actually need.

In fact, some vehicles sold as electric bikes are effectively electric scooters or mopeds, rather than e-bikes. This can mean that although they may have pedals, they’re able to go much faster. There are lots of imported bikes that have more power than is wise for something that looks like it can be ridden on a cycle path. What’s more, while this guide is aimed at potential e-bike buyers in the US, rules are different overseas. 

Things are getting better, but it’s an evolving situation that is perhaps not as clear cut as we’d like. If you’re new to the world of electric bikes then playing it safe might be the best way forward, with a Class 1 or Class 2 bike much less likely to cause you headaches than those found in the currently rather murky world of Class 3.

• Find out how to keep your e-bike running like new

If you’re thinking about buying an electric bike then there’s no end of choice. From budget models that come with a basic specification and little in the way of frills, through to high-end two-wheelers with all the trimmings.

Models like the budget Ampler Curt will do the job, but premium e-bikes including the Cowboy 4 and Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 are dream machines. Unfortunately, they’re expensive, so remain just that for anyone with little in the way of budget to play with.

Therefore, many of us have to head back in the direction of a more budget solution. While cheaper e-bikes like the ones above will get the job done, another option is to transform your existing bicycle into an e-bike. Demand for affordable e-bike solutions has seen a growing range of electric bike conversion kits being developed by inventive companies who’ve spotted a potentially lucrative gap in the market.

Throughout the land there are thousands of bikes laying unused in sheds, garages, hallways and spare bedrooms. We’re now being actively encouraged to resurrect these where possible. In fact, the UK has announced a Fix your Bike Voucher Scheme, which can bag you a £50 voucher towards the cost of getting your tired old two-wheeler roadworthy again.

However, behind the attractive headline, the rigmarole involved in getting the money-off deal might mean bypassing that and simply doing it yourself. So why not go the whole hog and make your bike electric. Turning your old pedal-powered bike into an e-machine might not necessarily be easy or cheap, but it is doable. Converting a conventional bike into an electric one can be done in a few different ways, depending on the type of bicycle you’ve got to work with and your budget.

Types of conversion kit

There’s the powered wheel route, which switches out a front or rear wheel for one with a motor in it, usually in the hub. Alternatively, in some cases it's possible to add a drive unit or motor to the bottom of the frame.

A variation on that theme is to mount a motor over the rear wheel to propel the bike and yourself along. You can even get kits that mount inside the frame for a more inconspicuous though expensive option.

For a relatively painless transition, Swytch is a good place to start. This is an e-bike conversion kit that its creators say will fit any bike, and there's a special version for Brompton folding bikes, which makes it a favourite option for commuters. Whether you own a hybrid or conventional-style cycle, a folding number, a road bike or MTB, all bases are seemingly covered. You can even convert a trike.

Swytch is a combination of a replacement front wheel with hub-mounted motor and a removable power pack. There’s even a pedal sensor that delivers a dynamic level of assistance based on the level of cadence. The design is compatible with both rim and disc brakes, will get you up to the legal speed limit of 15mph UK / 20mph US and offers up to 50km of range. The only thing is that stock levels seem to fluctuate although pre-order from the fresh products they’re expecting and get 50% off.

There are others though. In fact, you’ll find many variations on the theme from a wide variety of unknown brands online, with prices that start from about $130 / £100 / AU$180.

Don't make the mistake of turning your bike into a twist-and-go model though as there are kits that let you do this, but you subsequently enter into a world where tax and insurance comes into the equation in many territories. If you’re new to the world of e-bike conversions, it's best keep it simple.

Cytronex is another good example that offers compatibility with many cycle types, though as always it’s vital that you check its C1 system will work with your model. Their wheel conversion kits come with about 25 miles of range although the price is just under a grand, so if you’re looking for a budget solution then this may be an issue.

Really, this underlines why you need to choose between converting an existing bike or selling that (if it’s worth anything) and heading straight for the best budget e-bikes, which start at under a grand.

However, all is not lost as Conv-e and Cyclotricity are two brands worth exploring if you want lower cost e-biking. As an example the former has a hub and battery combo kit that costs around $950 / £750 / AU$1,300. Meanwhile, Cyclotricity has a similar option that lets you convert for about $570 / £450 / AU$800.

Taking a different tack might be another option. Rubbee has a couple of options that use a motor mounted behind your saddle to push the rear wheel along. It’s a bit quirky but comes with modular batteries that deliver different levels of range. Rubbee prides itself on the easy-to-install and use design, with a base-level model starting at €499 (about $570 / £450 / AU$800).

The appropriately named ONwheel is an alternative on the friction wheel idea, and it too has a retrofit kit that works on the same principle. ONwheel can be configured to work using more power in areas where this is legal, but getting that flexibility means the price starts heading northwards again. Kits start from €749 (about $860 / £670 / AU$1,200).

Finally, another route worth considering, if you’re still up for a weekend spent tinkering with an old bike, is to opt for a mid-drive conversion kit.

Bafang is a name that’s been around for a while and offers several products for converting your two-wheeler into an e-bike using a motor mounted to the bottom bracket where the pedals are situated. Expect to pay at least £350 (about $440 / AU$630) for this option, but there are numerous variants of the idea available online. TongSheng, for example, offers similar kits for around $380 / £300 / AU$540.

If you like the idea but want a premium example, then something from the Pendix eDrive range will be good, but pricey at over €1,000 (about $1,100 / £900 / AU$1,600). All these bottom bracket motor kits certainly have potential, but being so low means they're also prone to damage, and can be costly to repair if they get water inside them from being in such a vulnerable position.

Things to bear in mind

Remember too though that all of these options for turning a conventional bicycle into an e-bike will add weight. Batteries are heavy, as are motors, so by adding extra kit to a bike that wasn’t designed that way will change its characteristics.

You’ll probably get a bike that handles differently, depending on where the accessories have been added. In fact, the range and speed of all these options is a little bit academic. The main consideration is to be on a bike that feels safe to ride.

The only trouble with that is you’ll need to carry out the conversion in order to check. Which really rather brings us full circle, because with an off-the-shelf e-bike that’s been designed and built to be just that, you know exactly what you’re getting. A decent bike shop will also let you try it out first, which is one of the possible downsides of buying online. There’s quite a lot to consider and it’s not just about saving cash.

Ultimately, converting a standard bicycle into an electric one can be done, but it’s not without hurdles. The price might be the most off-putting aspect as some of the kits we’ve looked at negate the point of doing it yourself. If you don't mind a bit of tinkering and aren’t fazed by a weekend of fettling then an e-bike conversion kit could make sense. But if you fancy a fuss-free e-bike experience then you might be better off heading straight for the best e-bikes you can buy right now.

• Keep your e-bike in great condition with our guide to e-bike maintenance

Mycle, the company behind one of TechRadar's top-rated folding e-bikes, has released a new electric cargo bike with an astonishingly low price tag. The Mycle Cargo, revealed at this year's London e-bike festival, has serious carrying capacity, but costs a mere £1,899 (about $2,500 / AU$2,200) – a fraction of the price of its rivals.

Normally I'd be skeptical of any electric bike with such a modest price tag, but Mycle has impressed me before. Last year, our writer Sarah Finley had the opportunity to review the Mycle Compact, and its performance far surpassed what we'd expected for an electric bike starting at just £799 (about $1,000 / AU$1,500).

Sure, its range wasn't as impressive as that of the MiRider One or Gocycle G4, but 18.6 miles is still more than enough for most commutes and shopping trips, and the bike's drive system delivers a surprisingly smooth boost of power when you begin pedalling. Some budget e-bikes have a tendency to lurch forward as the motor kicks in or you switch between modes, but not this one.

Keep rolling, rolling, rolling

The Mycle Cargo seems to be similarly well built, and can be fitted with a cargo basket for shopping and chores, seat pads for doing the school run with the kids, or child seats. It comes with a 15Wh battery that can keep you rolling for roughly 37 miles (depending how how you load it up), and if you don't mind spending a little extra, you can pick up a second battery that'll boost the maximum range to around 74 miles.

It's kitted out with a 250W rear hub motor, which (as Ebiketips notes) is something of a compromise. Most cargo e-bikes have mid-drive systems that are better suited to hauling heavy loads uphill, but the rear hub drive is cheaper and has the advantage of being easier to maintain.

Of course, the Mycle Cargo is still a serious investment, but as bikes like the Raleigh Stride 2 or Specialized Como SL cost almost twice as much, it's well worth considering if you're looking for a greener alternative to owning a second car – and there's no gasoline required.

• Find out how to maintain your e-bike and keep it running like new

Two-minute review

The Marin Sausalito E1 is an impressively affordable mid-drive e-bike, costing just $2,499 / £2,245 / AU$3,199 and stacked with premium components.

The Sausalito E1 fits somewhere in between a mountain bike and commuter bike with wide handlebars and smooth tires (not quite slick) that come thick at 650Bx47. The system rides well on the road, with comfort coming from both those thicker, lower pressure tires and a steel fork. The rest of the frame uses aluminum to help keep the weight down, but the bike still hits 44lb (20kg).

A good deal of the Sausalito E1's bulk comes from the Shimano Steps E5000 system and 418Wh battery pack. Together, these help you forget about the weight they add by providing up to 250W of power and potentially adding 200% more power to your pedalling. The system uses a fairly conservative torque sensor, so it never feels like the motor is doing all the work, but it’s clear when the bike is helping take some of the load off, especially when faced with a hill or headwind.

That said, the system insists you work alongside it, so you might go faster into a headwind or hill, but you'll still have to put in some effort. 

The Marin Sausalito E1 lets you feel like you’re riding a bike, and not an electric moped. You can get a good exercise while you’re cruising along, and you can dial in the assistance setting to effectively decide how much cardio you want to get.

Even with the system maxed out, it’s possible to get exceptional range from the bike; we were able to go over 30 miles on a charge with a high level of assistance and still have a bit of charge left. With a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, you won’t get stranded with a bike that’s too hard to pedal if the battery does give up partway through a ride, either. 

There are better options for speed demons, such as the $4,000 (about £3,000 / AU$5,500)  Bluejay Sport or $3,750 / £3,000 / AU$6,000 Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0, but they command heftier price tags.

Meanwhile city riders who want a simple A-to-B ride have extra cheap options like the $1,049 (about £800 / AU$1,400) Ride1Up Roadster V2, but between the effective mid-drive system and the quality build of the bike, the Sausalito E1’s price still feels well justified.

The bike also manages to fit into a special niche. It’s good for the longer-range, sustained rides, possibly between neighboring towns. It may have some serious competition with the new Ride1Up Prodigy – a class 3 mid-drive e-bike that comes in $200 below the Sausalito E1. 

Price and release date

The Marin Sausalito E1 received a 2022 model-year update, and it’s available worldwide for $2,499 / £2,245 / AU$3,199 for all four sizes.

Design

The Sausalito E1 puts some of Marin's mountain biking roots on display with a sloping top tube that makes almost a straight line with the seat stays, plus extra-wide handlebars. Its color scheme is composed of earthy tones too, but this is still a bike geared up for urban commuting.

On the tech side, you’ll find a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain ready to provide a wide range of gears for climbing and cruising. That drivetrain is built around the Shimano Steps E5000 mid-drive system that uses torque sensing to amplify the effort coming in from the rider up to 200%. Shimano’s system is limited to 20mph pedal assist, making this a class one e-bike, and an expensive one at that.

Marin has built the frame especially for this system. The bottom bracket is to fit the Steps 5000 motor and the downtube is slotted for the Shimano BT6010 418Wh battery, which can snap into place with a key lock. The specificity of the design may limit after-market upgrades down the line, but it comes with some fairly tidy internal cable routing through the downtube.

The display for controlling and monitoring the electronics is a tad basic, with a somewhat chunky plastic housing and simple monochrome LCD display that’s thankfully backlit.

The bike frame feels sturdy. It has a somewhat flexible aluminum construction, but it never feels like it’s bending out of shape. The front fork is steel for better shock absorption, but as the expense of a little extra weight. Overall, the bike feels a little on the tankier side, and that’s matched by its heavier weight at 44lb / 20kg for the XL model. The bike comes in four sizes to accommodate riders from 5’2” to 6’4”, and there’s a step-through model as well. 

Marin has fitted the Sausalito E1 with wide, bump-flattening 650Bx47 WTB Horizon tires that continue to give the bike its hybrid mountain-bike feel, though they’re slicker than anyone going off-road is likely to want. The wheels come to a stop with capable Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

Comfort is nailed home with Marin’s custom saddle, which isn’t overly plush or wide but provides a nice cushion ready for long rides in casual clothing. The Marin Adventure handlebar grips leave a little to be desired though, as their lack of ergonomics can wear on the wrist.  

For those who like a fully-loaded bike, the Sausalito E1 comes prepared for plenty of aftermarket add-ons with eyelets and braze-ons galore ready to handle rear and front racks, fenders, and a seat-tube-mounted water bottle cage. None of these items are included, though the bike comes with a kickstand for those who like them. 

Performance

Whereas many e-bikes are designed to sprint, the Marin Sausalito E1 is more of a long-distance runner. We suspect the 250W Shimano mid-drive motor and its 40Nm of torque should be more than enough muscle to provide more assistance or hit greater speeds, the system is limited to support riding up to 20mph. Rather than being about providing free speed for the riding, this system is about amplifying the input.

Pushing hard on the pedals sees the motor provide more assistance while light pedaling isn’t going to have the motor take over the show and cruise the bike along. The Steps 5000 system is built to provide a 200% boost to the rider at a maximum. We certainly felt the system taking a load off our legs when it was active, though we didn't notice it as plainly when in the lower power settings. 

Given some of the subtlety of the power coming out of this motor, it really ends up feeling just like riding an analog bike. It behoves us to shift down (snappily achieved with the Deore system) into a lower gear when we’ve got a stop coming up, as the motor isn’t simply going to pull us out of a stop light in a high gear without plenty of effort on our part as well. Meanwhile, we have to shift into higher gears when we want to get going fast, as the system doesn’t provide a ton of support if we’re pedalling at a high cadence without actually applying a lot of pressure.

Because the system is only amplifying our output and not truly doing a ton of work for us, the bike ride ends up being more of a workout. This has its ups and downs. When we’re facing a steady headwind for five miles straight, we’ve still got to put our share of the effort in. Maybe we get to go 15mph instead of 10mph, but the Sausalito E1 isn’t going to just let us cruise into that wind at 20mph without asking us to break a sweat, too. Riders who enjoy getting a workout during their commute or two-wheeled adventures will be pleased to find they can still get it here, though enjoying either a slightly easier workout, a softening of little challenges (hills/wind), or just faster speed throughout it all. 

There’s nothing for the speed demons here, though. The bike can go above 20mph, but once you break that barrier, the motor cuts out and it's all down to you. We managed it a few times on our rides, but after enjoying comfortable assist up to 20mph, the sudden drop off felt a little like getting caught by a headwind. Once we’re pushing into those higher speeds, the motor wasn't seemingly working against us in the way we’ve felt a lot of rear-drive systems do, but the weight of the bike wasn't doing us any favors either.

So it’s back to 16-20mph, which the bike is happy to maintain for a long way. Since we’re required to do some work consistently, the bike’s never just sucking juice out of the battery to do all the work, and that gives the system some great range. After 30 miles of riding at mostly higher assistance levels, the bike suggested it could run for five more miles in its highest mode, and that stretches even further at lower assist settings. It’s a respectable range from a 418Wh battery, and could likely be pushed much further with lower levels of assistance.

All that cruising is brought to an easy stop with plenty of power from the brakes to stop in a single car length and enough traction in the wheels to do so without dramatic skidding even for a 220lb rider. 

First reviewed April 2022

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• Find out how to maintain your e-bike and keep it running like new

Peloton is raising the price of its All-Access membership for the first time, while also applying significant cuts to the cost of its Bike and Tread fitness equipment. For now the price changes affect only customers in North America.

From June 1, membership will cost $44 (rather than $39) for Peloton subscribers in the US, and CA$55 (rather than CA$49) for those in Canada, Peloton announced in a blog post  and emailed its subscribers. The digital-only subscription prices are remaining the same.

Now the good news: the up-front cost of the Peloton Bike goes down $300 from $1,745 to $1,445, the Bike+ drops $500 from $2,495 to $1,995, and the Tread is getting cut by $150, going down from $2,845 to $2,695.

Value for money

Peloton is at pains to point out how much more a subscription includes today than when the prices were first set in 2014: many more class types, many more instructors, more fitness programs, more supported languages, and so on.

"There's a cost to creating exceptional content and an engaging platform, and this price increase will help us continue to deliver for our Members," says Peloton. "The price of hardware relative to the subscription is one of many levers by which we are looking to reduce barriers to entry."

Peloton recently introduced a One Peloton Club scheme in certain parts of the US, where the cost of the equipment is bundled in with a higher subscription fee. Earlier this month we also saw the Peloton Guide launch, which tracks your home workouts.

Analysis: tough times for Peloton

It's no secret that it's been a tough year or two for Peloton, with pauses in bike and treadmill production in response to slower demand, issues with faulty equipment, leadership changes, and even some unfavorable cameos in television shows.

With so many exercise and fitness options now available, including fitness subscription services from the likes of Apple and Fitbit, it would seem that there's a dwindling number of people willing to pay thousands of dollars for their at-home equipment.

By reducing the cost of its bikes and treadmills, Peloton is making it cheaper for new users to get started with the service – while the modest increase in monthly subscription fees balances out the income stream from those users over the longer term.

We'll have to wait and see if it works. According to Peloton, the changes are "part of our new CEO Barry McCarthy's vision to grow our community as we continue to deliver for our Members and shareholders as the leading global connected fitness platform".

• No, Apple isn't gearing up to buy Peloton

Looking for an e-bike to replace your car? French bike builder Calendar might have just the thing: an electric cargo bike that can carry up to 200kg, folds down in a few seconds, and glows in the dark to keep you safe at night.

Electric cargo bikes were once the domain of stores and couriers, but there's increasing demand for them as a practical, green replacement for a second car. Last year, Raleigh launched the Stride range (an electric bicycle and tricycle that can lug loads of 80kg and 100kg respectively), and BMW's design for a weird tilting cargo e-bike became a reality.

The biggest disadvantage of these electric workhorses is their weight and sheer size. The Raleigh Stride 2 tips the scale at a mighty 60kg, while the Stride 3 is 75kg, and by their very nature, both are much longer than a typical bicycle. That's not a problem when you're riding, but if you need to store them, it could be a real issue.

As ebiketips reports, the Calendar Longtail Max solves that problem with an aluminum frame that folds down small enough to be wheeled along single-handed. Unlike many folding e-bikes, it's not intended to be carried any distance, but the ability to compress it down means it's much easier to fit into a corner out of the way.

The frame folds in half, while the handlebar and pedals compress down to reduce the bike's width. Like the excellent MiRider One, it's equipped with small caster-style wheels that allow you to drag it along while compacted, and it appears to clamp together securely rather than being held closed with a flimsy strap (a problem we've encountered with some other folding electric bikes).

Glow for it

On the tech side of things, the bike comes with a 250W motor, 260Wh battery for a maximum range of about 30 miles, hydraulic front and rear brakes (critical when you're carrying heavy loads), and a color LCD display. Calendar doesn't specify, but since the Longtail Max is built for riding in the EU, it seems safe to say it's a class one e-bike with a top speed of 9.6kmph. 

The bike is equipped with front and rear fenders as standard, and you can pick extras like backlit pedals for an additional fee. Unlike many e-bikes, the Longtail Max lacks built-in front and rear lights, but Calendar has made sure you'll be visible when riding at night by spraying the aluminum frame with a coat of photoluminescent paint. Chic? Perhaps not. Practical? Absolutely.

The Longtail Max is available now direct from Calendar Bikes for €3,990 (about $4,400 / £3,300 / AU$5,800), or you can upgrade to the Longtail Max Plus with extras like a padded seat for passengers and suspension seat post for €4,590 (about $5,000 / £3,800 / AU$6,700). 

• Keep your ride running like new with our complete guide to e-bike maintenance

When Peloton announced its new strength training tool, Peloton Guide, in November last year, skeptics were quick to criticize its surprising lack of innovation and (less surprising) high price. 

A motion-tracking camera that costs more than a PS5? From the company whose bikes and treadmills have revolutionized the way we think about home fitness, the negative reception was understandable. 

But the brand’s first foray into dedicated strength training employs this admittedly simple technology to genuinely useful effect, where similar AI-enabled workouts have not. That refreshing competence, coupled with a dramatic (and welcome) price cut, means Peloton Guide could become the gateway product the company clearly hopes it will, after all. 

So, what does Peloton Guide actually do? Well, for $295 / £275 / AU$445 plus a monthly subscription fee (which we’ll detail below), users get a webcam-sized unit that, after being hooked up to a TV via HDMI, provides interactive on-screen workouts dedicated to non-cardio activity. 

A movement tracker adds some much-needed self-discipline to the Guide’s library of strength-based activities, a body activity monitor recommends the best route to a well-rounded routine schedule, and Peloton’s near-celebrity-level trainers make the whole experience extremely, well, Peloton. 

As with every Peloton product, you’ll need to fork out a monthly fee – $24 / £24 / AU$35 for the brand’s All-Access Membership (an introductory offer running until the end of the year, before prices increase to £39 / $39 / AU$59 in January) – but these figures have become much more digestible (even if not quite affordable) after the brand slashed $200 / £175 / AU$305 off the price of the main camera unit just days before release.

Peloton Guide ships with a remote control to navigate its menus, though the company is currently beta testing voice-activated commands for selecting, skipping, and pausing mid-workout. The camera also has both a physical mute switch and a lens cover to ensure privacy when not in use.

That’s the basic information out of the way – but is Peloton’s latest invention any good? In our short time spent with the device, we can confidently say that, yes, Peloton Guide offers users a well-rounded and genuinely enjoyable workout experience, even if it isn’t anywhere near as revolutionary as the brand’s existing hardware-software combinations. 

All things to all people

For starters, Peloton Guide is suitable for all experience levels. There are no parameters built into its strength workouts regarding specific dumbbell weights (beyond small, medium, and large), so users are encouraged to self-select weights as part of universal workout plans.

That, in itself, is a virtue given how difficult it can be to wade into strength training for the first time. Those unfamiliar with the correct technique for lunges, squats, bicep curls, and the like will find plenty of guidance here from Peloton’s award-winning instructors – who also drop regular nuggets of wisdom for more advanced users – and as that familiarity grows, you're free to adjust the weights you’re using to make progress at your own pace. 

What's more, those imagining Peloton Guide’s movement tracker to be a glorified Xbox Kinect sensor or Wii Fit remote should rest assured: this is a camera that works consistently. During our brief time spent testing the small TV unit, the camera (a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens streaming 4K video at up to 60fps) never once lost track of our movements nor reacted angrily to our deliberate attempts to disorientate it. Again, this is a supposedly simple technology, but it’s one Peloton has fine-tuned to work effectively as the centerpiece of its latest offering.

Find your own form

There is room for improvement. As effective as self-correction can be when you see yourself performing a move differently from the on-screen instructor, Peloton Guide doesn’t offer specific form feedback – it really is up to the individual to better their own technique. You'll get calorie and heart rate metrics in real-time (if you opt to use the brand's associated heart rate monitor), but nothing to tell you whether you're actually stretching in the right places (beyond coincidental trainer remarks). 

That being said, as with every other Peloton product out there, there’s already a lot of data on-screen at any given time. Sure, you’re entirely at liberty to ignore the myriad stats and partially-colored illustrations of your anatomy – there’s even an optional HUD-free mode to exercise in peace – but having all this information at your disposal can be overwhelming. We can imagine it being hard for the uninitiated user, for instance, to know where to look and what data to consider important before, during, and after a workout. 

But such is the nature of fitness technology in 2022. It’s not really fair to criticize Peloton’s latest offering for giving its users too much information. Everything is, as always, presented smartly – though there’s a learning curve to be experienced here for anyone new to the service, even if the process of performing the workouts themselves is a simple one. 

All in all, then, Peloton Guide does what it says on the box – and that’s a good thing. Before testing the device and software, we expected the brand’s newest product to be a largely inessential entry into the established Peloton canon. But, to our surprise, it provided a challenging, enjoyable, and ultimately seamless workout experience. 

Peloton Guide’s still-expensive price tag will, of course, be a determining factor in whether new and existing customers flock to yet another fitness-based subscription service. Even so, we think it’s a great option for those keen to integrate quick and engaging at-home strength workouts into their lifestyle routine. 

• Are you a keen runner? We've tested and ranked the best fitness trackers

Our top-rated folding e-bike, the excellent Gocycle G4, is getting even better with some smart design tweaks and (perhaps most excitingly) a tempting price cut.

A folding electric bike is the perfect alternative to a car for commutes that are too long to walk easily, but don't involve major highways. The motor takes the strain out of hills, and allows you to move off quickly and safely at road junctions – and when you reach your destination, it folds down in seconds. If you've been stung by the spiralling cost of fuel, it's well worth considering.

When we tested the 2022 Gocycle G4, we were particularly impressed by its slick design that keeps maintenance to a minimum, updated motor that delivers smooth power assistance when you need it most, and its clever use of different materials to keep the frame strong while minimizing weight.

Now, Gocycle has taken things a step further. As Electrek reports, the handmade carbon fiber midframe (which connects the aluminum front frame to the magnesium Cleandrive drivetrain) is being replaced by an injection-molded composite design.

The new midframe is made using a mix of polymers and fibers that are less environmentally damaging than carbon fiber, which is notoriously energy intensive to produce. It's also cheaper, which is another big advantage.

Less carbon, less cash

The original Gocycle G4 wasn't perfect (we found that the strap that holds the folded frame closed feels less secure than the clamps on bikes like the MiRider One), but its biggest drawback was its price. At $4,999 / £3,999 (about AU$7,000), it was firmly at the upper end of the market when we tested it back in February.

The premium G4i and G4i+ models are keeping their original carbon midframes and price tags, but the change to the standard G4 has allowed Gocycle to shave $200 / £200 off the production cost – and pass that saving along. Although still not cheap, at $4,799 / £3,799 (about AU$6,400), it's now a little more accessible, giving more people the opportunity to trade their second car for something a bit greener.

• Keep your bike in top condition with our complete guide to e-bike maintenance

If you like the idea of riding an e-bike, but don't want to admit you're getting a little motorized help, German bike builder Rose has the solution: a single-speed electric bike with a drive system so well hidden, you'll have to be really looking hard to spot it.

As BikeRumor reports, the delightfully named Rose Sneak+ looks almost exactly like a regular single-speed, with the exception of a tiny power button on the top tube and super discrete rear hub motor. The battery is hidden completely – fully integrated into a downtube that looks no thicker than a conventional one. 

Sneaky e-bikes aren't a complete novelty; in fact, race organizers at events like the Tour de France use methods like thermal imaging cameras to detect signs of 'mechanical doping' (ie using a motor). Even though it'll add precious grams to the weight of a racing bike, a tiny hidden battery pack can give unscrupulous riders a secret hidden advantage on tough stages.

Out in the real world, e-bikes generally seem to be splitting into two camps. Some wear their batteries with pride, sporting minimalist branding, built-in lights and ride computers, and noticeably thicker frames (the Cowboy 4 and WAU Bike are good examples).

Then there are 'stealthy' e-bikes like the Ribble GCR AL e and Ampler Curt that could quite easily pass as purely pedal-powered at a glance. Few consumer bike builders are taking  things quite as far as Rose, though. 

Sneakily does it

The Sneak+ doesn't weigh as much as a typical e-bike, either. Tipping the scales at a mere 14.5kg, it's almost as light as the Ribble Hybrid AL e. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, Rose has managed all of this without sacrificing range. The Sneak+ is packing a 250Wh battery, and can run for up to 62 miles between charges, which is very respectable.

It's designed for use in the EU, so it won't exceed 12.5pmph with the motor engaged, and the power will only kick in when you're pedalling yourself, but that just adds to the illusion that you're doing all the work yourself. If anyone asks, you can put it down to a new training plan.

The Rose Sneak+ starts at €2,350 (about $2,600 / £2,000 / AU$3,500), or you can upgrade to a version with a Gates carbon belt drive for €2,600 (about $2,900 / £2,200 / AU$3,800).

• Find out why e-bike fires happen, and how to prevent them

DirtySixer, a bike builder that specializes in rides for taller cyclists, has released its first e-bike, letting vertically gifted riders enjoy the feeling of breezing along at 20mph with minimal effort.

Even the best electric bikes usually come in a pretty limited selection of frame sizes, but as science and tech site New Atlas reports, the eDirtySixer is filling the gap for riders significantly taller than average. 

At 6'6", the company's founder David Folch knows all too well the struggles of finding a bike when you're much taller than the typical cyclist, and although the eDirtySixer is his first e-bike, he hasn't skimped on the components. The bike The boasts 36in wheels with Nextie carbon fiber rims, and an aluminum alloy frame to keep weight down. 

A Gates carbon belt drive helps reduce maintenance, cables are internally routed to prevent damage and corrosion, and there'll be a choice of either an inverted suspension fork or a rigid fork, so you can choose a setup to suit your preferred riding routes. 

Size matters

The bike is powered by a 250-watt Shimano STEPS e8000 bottom bracket motor, and a battery pack integrated into the downtube. It has a quoted top speed of 20mph with pedal assistance (which is legal in most of the US, but riders elsewhere will need to check their local laws), and a very respectable maximum range of 60 miles (the same as the versatile Ribble Hybrid AL e).

The eDirtySixer is currently a prototype, but Folch is planning to put it into production soon, with pre-orders opening in the next few weeks on DirtySixer's website and delivery expected next year. We don't have exact prices yet, but the model with suspension is expected to cost a little over $8,000 (about £6,000 / AU$10,000), while the version without will be slightly less.

That's definitely at the higher end of the price scale for an e-bike, but understandable considering the specialized engineering involved, the quality of the components, and the likely small production run.

Opinion: it's about time

Many bike-builders are now offering at least a couple of frame sizes, and we're starting to see more companies offering a choice of step-over or step-through frames, but the world of e-bikes still isn't particularly inclusive when it comes to height. 

Many excellent e-bikes like the Cowboy 4 are optimized for riders between 5'5" and 6'3". That's fine for someone of my height, but it'd be totally unsuitable for my brother, who stands 6'6" in his sock feet, or most of my female friends (according to Cleveland Clinic, the average height for a woman in the US is 5'4").

E-bikes are fantastic for accessibility, opening up cycleways and roads, and freeing people from cars. However, we really need a much wider choice of frame sizes. It's possible to fit a regular push-bike with an e-bike conversion kit, but it's great to see companies like DirtySixer creating purpose-built electric bikes for those outside the standard height range. Hopefully both shorter and taller riders will find themselves with much more choice soon.

• Want your bike to last longer? Check out our guide to e-bike maintenance

US company Aventon has upgraded two of its most popular city e-bikes with improved batteries and new features – without a huge price hike. 

Not so long ago, you'd be hard pressed to find a good quality electric bike for under $1,500 / £1,000 / AU$2,000, but that's changing quickly as components prices drop and manufacturing processes become streamlined. If you're in the market for an e-bike and don't have several grand burning a hole in your pocket, you've now got plenty of options to choose from – including the new Aventon Pace 350 and Pace 500.

As Electrek reports, both new bikes have redesigned frames, with an integrated battery that locks into the downtube, but can be removed for easy charging. There are also new head and tail lights (the latter of which is built directly into the bike's frame), and a new LCD ride computer on the handlebar. This can be connected to Aventon's smartphone app, allowing you to customize your bike's settings, plot routes, and track your rides.

These are class two e-bikes, meaning they can be ridden without pedalling, and have a swift maximum speed of 20mph with the motor engaged. Aventon cites a typical range of 24 miles for the Pace 350 if you ride using the motor alone, and 30 miles of the Pace 500.

The biggest drawback of these two new bikes is the weight, as is often the case with road e-bikes; the new Pace 350 is 49lb (22.1kg), while the Pace 500 is 52lb (23.6kg). That's slightly lighter than our current top-rated e-bike, the Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0, but definitely too hefty for many riders to shoulder easily and carry up a flight of stairs.

More cheap e-bikes to consider

The 2022 Aventon Pace 350 is on sale now for $1,399 (about £1,000 / AU$1,900), while the updated Pace 500 is $1,699 (about £1,300 / AU$2,300) – both of which are very reasonable for e-bikes with these specs. They aren't the only options in that price bracket though, and there are plenty of other choice if these powerful but chunky road bikes don't quite fit the bill.

For example, if you want something that's easier to carry and store, the Mycle Compact is an excellent class one folding e-bike that packs down small and can be yours for a remarkably affordable £799 (about $1,000 / AU$1,500).

Looking for a city e-bike, but need something lighter and sleeker than the Aventons? The Halfords Carrera Impel starts at £1,099 (about $1,500 / AU$2,000), though only in the UK. Riders elsewhere in the world should take a look at the Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1, which sells for $1,199 (about £910 / AU$1,600).

• The best cheap e-bikes