Fancy carbon frames and sport-specific builds can often make them pricier than other categories of e-bikes. Our testing process varies depending on what style of e-bike we are testing, but some of the most important metrics include ride quality, range, user interface, and power output. We go into the finer details for specific categories, evaluating downhill and climbing performance for mountain bikes, carrying capacity for cargo bikes, and folded size for folding e-bikes. In addition to miles of methodical testing on and off the pavement, we load, fold, pop wheelies, and drop into steep lines on these bikes. We ride each one long enough to become familiar with it and find its best and worst attributes. Still, additional factors like rider weight, terrain, and the amount of pedal assistance or throttle used will also play a major role.
For a smooth ride, an easy-to-use 18-speed indexed derailleur is integrated with a Shimano rear derailleur. The shifting is smooth, and the beginner finds the right gear to ride in terrain with varying gradients without feeling like she’s pedaling too softly or too hardly. Other great performance features include the easy-to-use 18-speed index shifters integrated with the Shimano rear derailleur for a smooth performance ride. Front and rear alloy linear pull brakes provide consistent, dependable control. Pedal-assisted power delivery options include a torque sensor or a cadence sensor. Torque sensors measure how hard you pedal using a strain gauge and deliver the appropriate power for the rider’s chosen setting.
While a MAX frame might be overkill for a smaller rider like Andy, it is well suited for the heavier build of someone like myself—we can’t all be grand tour climbers! The robust tubes are shaped to allow for a modicum of flex over rough surfaces, which makes it a comfortable-yet-strong choice for riders wanting a durable frame for gravel or cobbled rides. It is easy to store, but the battery is smaller, giving it predictably less range. The shorter wheelbase and taller handlebar give it a nervous feeling at speed. The tight turning radius allows for good maneuverability, and the bike never felt unsafe.
20 years of bike enthusiasts,
using data and experience to teach you
how to choose the best bikes. This bike is the best alternative to each other, and when I saw the huffy nighthawk, I wondered if they had picked up the design of the Hyper 26″ Shocker Mountain Bike. Because the Schwinn High Timber is available in a variety of colors and has a sturdy aluminum frame, it can be used for an extended period of time with little maintenance.
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 Super73 may be the brand that defined the Moped-style class of eBikes, but other than perhaps being more stylish (debatable), the Super73 falls well short of the Revv1 in performance, range, and value. If you know what type of e-bike you’re looking for, we offer more in-depth information in our category-specific reviews. These bikes have a throttle and pedal assist, with the throttle limited to 20 mph and the pedal assist up to 28 mph. If your legs can push one of these heavy bikes faster than 28mph, kudos to you, but you won’t get any help from the motor after 28 mph. These electric bikes are commonly equipped with a speedometer and a throttle, although not always.
The Cafe Cruiser has a burlier rear rack with an optional kit to carry a kid (up to 130 lbs) and comes with more stylish and comfortable handlebars. As with traditional road bikes (and gravel bikes too), their motorized counterparts have sporty forward-leaning geometry, narrow tires, and lightweight frames, all with performance and efficiency in mind. Keeping that huffy trail runner in mind, many analog road bikes can exceed the 20mph power cutoff of e-bike motors when on flats and downhills. E-road bikes are inevitably heavier due to the battery and motor, so you may end up hauling dead weight through these sections of your ride. However, if you ride in an area with many hills, you’ll probably appreciate a little pedal assist occasionally.
One of the downsides to this style of e-bike is that they typically have smaller diameter wheels, tall handlebars, and geometries dictated by their folding designs that can result in slightly less stable handling. At 77 pounds, it is simply a big, bulky bike that isn’t very easy to transport. It is a little too heavy for most bike racks, and it can be challenging to load it into the back of a truck or move huffy cruiser up a flight of stairs. While the 4-inch wide knobby tires are great for tackling a wider range of surfaces, they feel sluggish on the pavement and make the handling response feel more delayed. Beyond those concerns, we feel it is a great option for riders who want fewer limitations on where their electric bike can take them. The key question is if you really need better suspension and bigger tires.