5 Great Electric Rides For The E-Bike Curious

With its slew of smart features, automatic gearing, and a design that integrates battery, display, and lights into the frame itself, the VanMoof S3 is the best e-bike for most riders. With the companion app, you can track your bike via GPS if it gets stolen, remotely lock or unlock it, and set your pedal assist level. The bike also uses your phone to know when you’re approaching it and turns on automatically with lights and a noise that channels K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. (Yeah, it’s cool.) Outside the app, you can unlock and adjust the speed with a touch-sensitive display integrated into the bike frame, which also displays speed and assist level. There’s no throttle, which makes this a Class 1 bike, but there is a “Boost” button near the right-hand grip, which delivers a short burst of power when you need it.

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t under $800, the Lectric XP Lite is more than just an entry-level E-Bike, with some advantages over pricier alternatives. At 46 pounds, it is extremely light––perfect for anyone who frequently has to carry their bike up and down steps. The frame even has a handle welded to it, so it is incredibly easy to carry. It is also extremely nimble to ride, feeling more like the maneuverability of an analog bike due to its light weight. Very compact and portable when folded, it’s perfect for stowing on public transportation, in the trunk of your vehicle, on your boat, or in an RV. The 720-watt motor tops out at 20mph, with pedal assist and throttle options––making this a Class 2 E-Bike. The removable 48V battery is good for about 40 miles of range, depending on use.

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A retro-motorbike-styled E-Bike for sheer joy on and off the road. With dual batteries and a 1000-watt motor, it quickly reaches speeds nearing 30mph and offers up to 100 miles of range. All that power also makes it ideal for bigger riders. On the road, it feels like a silent version of riding a classic scrambler motorcycle. Like a motorcycle, there’s a twist throttle instead of a thumb button as is found on many E-Bikes and dual front and rear suspension, which makes for a very cushy ride. It has a loud horn that will ensure you’re noticed on city streets even without an engine grumbling at passing cars. Other safety features include a very large and bright headlight, front and rear turn signals, and side-view mirrors. There’s also a USB port on the handlebars to keep your phone charged if you’re using it for navigation, and it comes with a remote-controlled alarm that will chirp at anyone who nudges the bike and go off loudly if the bike is moved. The HyperScrambler2 is shipped as a Class 2 E-Bike but can be unlocked to Class 3 speed in ‘Race Mode.’

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Gazelle bikes have a long history and stellar reputation in their native Netherlands. This model reaches a top speed of 28mph, but it does not have a throttle, only pedal assist, making it a Class 3 bike. The unique mid-drive motor has the benefit of being able to adjust torque and power based on what gear you’re in. The C380+ has continuously variable gearing, meaning there are no numbered gears but a continuum of minute increments from low to high. The battery is integrated into the frame but can be removed for easy charging, and it uses a belt instead of a chain, which adds years of longevity. The mid-drive motor is louder than the hub motors, but the sound was easy to get used to. All in all, this is a fast bike for cyclists who want to use their legs, and not just sit on a bike with their thumb on the throttle.

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The RadWagon 4 is the minivan of the e-bike world and can be configured to carry kids or a variety of cargo weighing up to 350 lbs. The rear rack is integrated into the frame, which makes it very secure. Customization is the name of the game here, as you can add accessories like extra seats, running boards, passenger bars, or even a canopy top. Riding is great fun. The 750-watt motor quickly reaches the Class 2 top speed of 20mph, even when the bike is loaded with cargo or passengers. The frame has a low center of gravity for safe maneuverability when laden with cargo, and its low step-over height also makes it unisex. The custom fat tires compliment the bike's low ride and can handle various terrains, making this a great alternative to a second car for school pickups and drop-offs.

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Aventon’s Sinch folding e-bike stands out because you can take it both on and off-road, thanks to the fat tires and sturdy build. At 68 pounds, it’s on the heavy side, but foldability reduces its footprint when it comes to storage and transportation. It is unisex (or uni-height) because of the low stand-over height, so riders of different sizes could easily ride it. A Class 2 bike with both pedal assist and throttle, the bike sports a 500-watt motor that tops out at 20mph. The battery is nicely integrated into the frame but can be removed for charging, and all the components feel premium: From the display to the handlebar grips to the gear shifters and even the keys, everything you touch feels like it belongs to a more expensive e-bike.

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Abus is a longstanding Dutch bicycle accessories brand known mainly for its locks. But this helmet is a standout. The HUD-Y looks like something Boba Fett might cycle in. It’s cooler than a helmet needs to be, the slimmest-fitting helmet you’ll ever try on, and yet it’s engineered for maximum safety in the most harrowing urban environments. A magnetic rear light strip that charges via micro-USB and is integrated into the rear vent, so it doesn’t stick out at all. The visor is adjustable, and the magnetic chin buckle is extremely easy to use one-handed.

Electric bikes are pricey, which is why some of them come with GPS tracking to help you find them if they get stolen. If you don’t buy an e-bike with GPS tracking, an AirTag GPS tracker is a worthwhile investment. But you’ll still need a secure way to attach it to the bike. If you apply this durable AirTag keychain to your bike, it will stay on regardless of how hard you ride or how bad the weather gets.

Hands-free GPS navigation is critical if you’re on a bike, and not all handlebar phone mounts are created equal. Freebie mounts that come with some bikes are sub-par, but this mount from Peak Design is serious. Made of light and strong machined aluminum, it locks both magnetically and mechanically to whatever case you may have. It also flips up if you want to record your ride and use your phone as both a navigation tool and action cam.