While usually more expensive, torque sensors can feel more intuitive and natural because they adjust quickly to the rider’s movements, providing more power when you pedal harder and less power when the pedals slow down. Deciding that you want an electric bike over an analog is the first step, and you may think it will be easy to choose a model from there. However, almost every bicycle out there has its e-bike equivalent these days. With so many options, it can be difficult to make a wise decision, but it is possible! Some questions can help to narrow down the categories so that, in the end, you are riding the bike that fits your needs best. In North Seattle, Andy Hampsten’s brother Steve runs Hampsten Cycles out of a home office and workshop.
The Aventure.2 boasts an excellent display and controls, front and rear fenders and lights, a rear rack, and even turn signals. So, whether you’re on an adventure or just huffy cruiser commuting, this bike is perfect for exploring. This small yet powerful bike has a robust 500W motor, allowing for quick acceleration and a top throttle speed of 20 mph.
However, it is ultimately up to the discretion of the local government, so be sure to check regulations before heading out. Bike testers at GearLab started with mountain bikes in 2017 and have since branched out to include over ten bike categories. In that time, we’ve purchased and extensively tested more than 80 e-bike models across various categories, and we’re constantly on the lookout for the latest and greatest e-bikes to test and compare. With more than 1,000 bikes and bike-related products, we’ve had a little taste of it all. We found the Vika+ Flex to be our test group’s most well-rounded folding model, but it still has some minor drawbacks.
Specialized found the perfect balance of power vs. natural handling in the Turbo Levo Comp e-mountain bike. However, the Levo has smooth power delivery (an improvement over the abrupt power cutoff of older versions), is well-balanced, and handles the most like a “regular trail bike” out of any of the models we tested. The latest Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor system huffy cruiser is well refined and boasts a whopping 90Nm of torque, more than enough power to propel you up hills that would be unconquerable on a standard bike. We felt confident going on longer rides without the risk of being stuck miles from the trailhead with a 50lb bike and no power. Maybe want to explore trails that are just out of reach on a standard mountain bike.
The last things to consider are ease of use features and included accessories vs. accessories that come as a separate purchase. The user interface varies from bike to bike; some show minimal information like battery level and power setting, while others include speed and other stats about your ride. Some models have an app to track your ride and adjust settings on your smartphone. The 3-class system is becoming widely accepted as a way to regulate e-bike use, but laws and regulations vary by state and even by country.
The Lectric XP 3.0 is a folding electric bike that will fit in the trunk of your car, next to your office desk, or in the hall closet for storage. Despite its compact foldable design, the bike features loads of adjustability to suit a wide range of user heights. It has user-friendly features like a cargo rack, fenders, lights, a comfortable seat, and ergonomic grips. Lectric sells additional accessories, even a passenger seat, if you want additional conveniences.
Most brands that produce cargo bikes also sell various accessories to tailor the storage/cargo space to your needs. Items like front/rear baskets, bike trailer attachments, child seats, and mounts for pannier bags can add space and customize cargo-carrying capability. This larger hauling capacity and extended length can mean trickier handling and a much heavier bike. These models are not very portable and they’re best suited to those who can ride them straight out of the garage.