With expensive gas, scarce parking, and traffic, there are plenty of good reasons to ditch your car for a bike. But bikes have their downsides too — whether as commuters or weekend cruisers — leaving us sweaty, tired, and possibly late to our destination. Thankfully, there’s now a middle-ground: the best electric bikes
WITH EXPENSIVE GAS, scarce parking, and traffic, there are plenty of good reasons to ditch your car for a bike. But bikes have their downsides too — whether as commuters or weekend cruisers — leaving us sweaty, tired, and possibly late to our destination. Thankfully, there’s now a middle-ground: the best electric bikes.
After tremendous advancements over the past couple years, the best electric bikes (a.k.a. “e-bikes”) are now better than ever. They can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge and hit speeds of 28 miles per hour (all without us breaking a sweat), and their price tags are now more reasonable as well.
In other words, the best electric bikes are now a viable alternative to driving — especially for daily commuters. With the physical exertion of a light walk, e-bike riders are able to zip by traffic, park almost anywhere, and save a fortune on gas. Plus, the best electric bikes provide a lovely weekend activity to boot.
If you’re thinking of investing in an e-bike, read on. We’ve rounded up some of the best electric bikes to buy online, as well as a few key considerations to help you make the right purchase.
Electric Bike Buying Guide
Shopping for electric bikes isn’t quite the same as finding a regular bicycle. Below are some specs we looked at while choosing the best electric bikes for you.
Power: E-bike power is measured in watts, with motors ranging anywhere from 250 to 750 watts. Higher power is great (especially for heavier riders) and will provide more boost as you pedal.
If you already bike and just want minor help from a motor, a lower-wattage electric bike should be fine. Also, note that e-bikes cap their reported electric-powered speed at 28 miles per hour by law — any faster and they’d have to be classified as a moped or motorcycle. If you’re just riding a regular e-bike, you don’t need a special drivers license.
Battery: Longer battery life equals a longer range, which is always a plus. This is usually listed as a range because speed, rider weight, and terrain (i.e. uphill or downhill and street or trail) can affect a battery’s range. Typically, good e-bike batteries will get you 20 to 40 miles of range.
Style: Most customers purchase e-bikes for commuting — these kinds of bikes are described as hybrid or city models. But there are also some excellent sporty road bikes with motors, as well as electric mountain bikes. Those are bikes that take you from riding on the road to off-road adventures with ease.
Another term to keep in mind when it comes to style is “step-thru.” These kinds of bikes feature a top tube (the upper bar in the frame) that’s been lowered or removed completely for easy mounting and dismounting.
Brakes: Stopping power becomes more important with electric bikes. Look for high-quality brake systems, ideally using hydraulic technology instead of mechanical.
Size: Proper bike sizing is always key for power transfer and comfort. Be sure to check a bike’s size before buying (many bike listings will display the rider height range).
The Best Electric Bikes to Buy Right Now
Whether you’re commuting, cruising the park, or hitting the trails, electric bikes are now well worth considering. Below are some of the best electric bikes for all terrains and activities.
If you want to know more about Shuangye electric bikes or have any questions about our electric bikes/smart helmet and their components, please feel free to reach out to our customer service. We are always here to assist you.
1.HOTEBIE-A7AT26
You can tell just by looking at the HOTEBIKE that it’s not like other e-bikes. With beefy tires, a rugged, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame, and a long seat, the A7AT26 looks closer to a motorcycle than a bicycle. It feels more like a motorbike too, as you sit in a lower, more relaxed position. And once you’ve started up the bike, it moves with more power than others, easily hitting almost 30 miles per hour — even without the use of pedals. Lastly, 40 miles of range means you can enjoy the bike’s smooth, fun power for long rides or commutes.
In our testing, the HOTEBIKE beat out other electric bikes just by feeling noticeably more sturdy, rugged, and powerful (although on paper it doesn’t seem too different than others). In other words, the A7AT26 not only brings high-end power, but also the build quality to match that brawn. The bike does command a higher price for this unique sturdiness, but we think it’s worth it.
2、HOTEBIKE-A5AH20F
A5AH20F delivers a fantastic electric bike for a surprisingly low price, making it one of our top choices. For just under $1,600, this A5AH20F gets you a powerful 750-watt motor that can reach a top speed of 20 miles per hour without pedaling, or 28 miles per hour with pedal assist (we got it up to 31 miles per hour in testing). We could feel this power at low speeds too, when blasting across busy streets or accelerating from a stop.
Motor aside, the rest of the A5AH20F is equally well-designed. We rode the more laid-back step-thru model, which is made of lightweight alloy and features an integrated battery, adjustable front shocks, and a comfortable sitting position.
The A5AH20F range is also excellent. A5 says the bike will last 30 to 50 miles, and we found that to be right on the mark: Even with constant full-throttle acceleration, we clocked around 40 miles with one charge.
Overall, A5AH20F is one of the best electric bikes around. It’s easy to assemble and use, and plenty of fun — whether you’re commuting or enjoying a weekend cruise.
If you want to know more about Shuangye electric bikes or have any questions about our electric bikes/smart helmet and their components, please feel free to reach out to our customer service. We are always here to assist you.