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Griffin Hales

Senior Writer | Edtior

Like most of you, I turned 16, got a driver’s license, and spent more time on four wheels than two. I got into e-bikes shortly before their boom years back in 2019. From my first ride - when I really saw what an electric motor could do for bikes - I was happily back on two wheels as often as possible! Since joining Electric Bike Report I’ve tested and ridden over 300 different e-bike models, logged thousands of miles of riding, and have had the privilege of riding and working with people from all over the industry. I’ve traveled to tradeshows and expos, corporate headquarters, and local bike shops talking with and learning from passionate people in all corners of the industry. My favorite part of working for EBR is being known as “the e-bike guy” by my neighbors, family, and friends and geeking out and talking about all the cool things in the e-bike world with them!

Get to Know Griffin Hales

Certifications

  • B.S. Business Administration; Emphasis in Marketing

Favorite Style of E-Bike

Fat Tire, Commuter/Touring, Moped/Moto

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Aventon Aventure.2 ST, Evelo Atlas, Ride1UP Prodigy V2

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

Trek Rain 9.8, Ride1UP Prodigy V2, Aventon Pace 500.3, Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 IGH, Globe Haul ST

Favorite New E-bike Tested

Ride1Up Roadster V3

Hobbies

Watching trash TV with my wife (the secret to a strong marriage), doing anything and everything with my kids and dogs, playing basketball, watching the NBA and NFL, learning all I can about tech, learning to cook new recipes, and scoping out the best new food places.

Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.

Griffin Hales

Aventon Ramblas vs Trek Marlin+ | Power vs Precision

An affordable brand’s most premium e-bike against a premium brand’s most affordable one. The intersection point of great bikes at great prices, but which is best for you?

Aventon Ramblas VS Trek Marlin+ Comparison
I’m a fairly responsible adult (in most things). For example, I can set realistic budgets based on my income and expenses.

I’m also fairly knowledgeable about my passions and hobbies. I can identify and appreciate the differences between entry-level products, mid-tier ones, and premium ones. I tend to prefer the premium ones (go figure).

Sadly, it’s rare that my budget sees eye-to-eye with my tastes in the products I want. I know it’s a bit of an unrealistic ask, but I want top-tier products at rock-bottom prices. Since waiting on that seems foolish, I instead aim at getting the best of the middle tier with a price closer to the entry-level one.

Happily, that description applies well to two hardtail eMTBS: the Aventon Ramblas and the Trek Marlin+. Both are exceptional rides flush with desirable components and features, with a few standout ones that make the ride feel more premium. Either is great for hitting your local trails, and both work nicely as your one and only e-bike if you want to ride around town, too.

They look similar stacked next to each other, and there is plenty of overlap between them when it comes to their use cases and spec sheets. So… which should you choose?

I’ve extensively tested and reviewed them both, logging over a hundred miles apiece. I like both of them for very different reasons. So, if you’re stuck trying to figure out which one is best for you, keep reading below, and I’ll lay out all their key differences section by section.

*Note, we tested the Marlin+ 8, but there is the Marlin+ 6 as well.

Aventon Ramblas

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Trek Marlin+

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[Read more…] about Aventon Ramblas vs Trek Marlin+ | Power vs Precision

Küat Piston Pro X Review | The Rack I’m Not Giving Back

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Review 2024

As a professional e-bike tester, I’ve used numerous hitch racks over the years. It’s not a claim I make lightly, but the Küat Piston Pro X is the closest any product has come to eliminating the major pain points of rack ownership.

All racks serve the same purpose: they help get your bike from point A to point B. Most hitch racks from reputable makers will get the job done as long as the weight rating and wheelbase work for your bike(s).

But many of them have limitations or require extra payment for essential features like security or lighting. Many racks are a pain to adjust. Some transport bikes well enough, but their construction requires me to triple-check that everything is secure each time I use it.

The Küat Piston Pro X was the cure for my past issues. It fits the majority of bikes and has locking features and lights integrated into the frame itself. I swapped out bikes of all sizes and secured them in a few seconds, and once they were there, thanks to the rack’s heavy-duty materials, I knew they weren’t going anywhere.

The Küat Piston Pro X may not be the most budget-friendly option, but its price is justified by its premium features and performance. For those who want to avoid the frustrations of rack ownership, this product is a game-changer. It effectively resolves major issues, leaving only a few minor inconveniences to deal with.

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Pros
  • It’s one of the easiest-to-use hitch racks on the market. It is highly adaptable to all kinds of e-bikes.
  • The integrated lights are great for safety and aesthetics.
  • It has premium materials all over: Kashima coat, Tiger Drylac powder coating, and 99% metal construction throughout.
  • The included cable lock is great for safety.
  • No frame contact ensures your bike’s paint job stays nice.
  • There are helpful accessories like the bike ramp, Pivot 2 (swingarm attachment), and a rack dock for garage storage.
  • It can be expanded to either a three or four-bike carrier (it will lower the weight rating, though).
Cons
  • You can add either one tray or two trays. You can’t add one and then one later. Know how many bikes you need to carry upfront.
  • A rubber stopper for keeping dirt out of the keyhole would have been nice.
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Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Review

Küat makes a ramp to help roll e-bikes onto the rack to simplify loading.

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Review

The Piston Pro X folds up flat against the back of the vehicle.

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Review

The wheel blocks can be adjusted up or down to suit the wheel size of the bike or e-bike being carried.

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Review

The Piston Pro X includes an integrated cable lock to secure your e-bikes while making stops. The keyhole housed some dirt when no lock was used though.

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The Küat Piston Pro X Hitch Rack features a design similar to the 1Up USA racks in that the e-bike is secured by two arms that swing up to clamp the wheels.

This means that each e-bike can be adjusted slightly left or right within its carrier, which is handy when loading the rack with two e-bikes. This helps avoid conflicts between pedals, handlebars, and saddles that can make it difficult to fit two e-bikes.

The pneumatic piston sliders on the swingarms receive a Kashima coating, and that gold color might as well be a gold standard. That coating ensures smooth, friction-free operation, which is why it is used on the best suspension systems in the world. One frequent complaint from riders is that those swingarms on other hitch racks can get sticky from sitting out in the elements year-round. That likely won’t be the case here.

Küat uses very little plastic in the Piston Pro X. With 99% of its materials being metal, the rack cleans up easily, and there are few opportunities for it to show age or weathering, thanks, in part, due to a powder coat—not paint—finish.

Among hitch racks, one common problem is that many struggle to accommodate more than a couple of wheel sizes. With the Küat Piston Pro X, the FastFit Wheel Chock System can be adjusted to accept wheels as large as 29 in. and as small as 18 in. It’ll even fit tires as wide as 5 in.

The Küat Piston Pro X ships with two trays but can be expanded to carry three or four e-bikes. The rack comes in two different versions, one for 1.125-in. hitch mounts and one for 2-in. hitch mounts.

With just two trays, the Küat Piston Pro X can hold up to 67 lbs. per tray. With three trays, that capacity drops to 50 lbs. per tray, and with four, the capacity shrinks to 40 lbs.

The Küat Piston Pro X is a premium hitch rack and it is price as such, coming in a bit less than $1400. For those who appreciate the flexibility offered by the tire arms, the Piston Pro shaves off $300 as well as a few of the more premium features, such as the LED lights and the Kashima coating.

One detail some potential buyers need to be aware of is that the Piston Pro X has a weight capacity of 67 lbs. per tray; we routinely review e-bikes that weigh 70 lbs. or more, which puts it right on the bubble. Add a third or fourth tray, and that capacity shrinks to a point where the carrier can only handle the very lightest eMTBs and road e-bikes. Many potential buyers may simply need to remove the battery before loading their e-bike.

Also, you need to have a good idea of how many e-bikes you will transport before making an order. While you can expand the rack with either or two more trays, you cannot add a second single tray after adding a first.

Küat makes several accessories for the Piston Pro X and Piston Pro that make it notably more user-friendly. They make an expanding e-bike ramp to allow you to roll your e-bike onto the tray. They also offer a way to adjust the wheel arms and add accessory straps that enable the carrier to accommodate e-bikes with fenders, something most hitch racks struggle to accept.

Because the police will sometimes pull over drivers if they can’t see their vehicle’s license plate, they make a license plate holder for the carrier to make sure it isn’t obscured.

If you already have a premium bike, this rack is a befitting mate. Or even if you don’t drop top dollar on your bikes, but you just want something that is highly adaptable and makes transporting your bike as easy as can be, the Piston Pro X fits the bill.

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Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Review | A Great E-Bike UNDER $1K?

In an era of getting less for more the new Lectric XP Lite 2.0 offers better specs at the same crazy low price of the original, but does the ride still hold up?

Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Review 2024
You don’t get more when you pay less; that’s the reality of 2025, right?

Almost every purchase I made this year, from groceries to streaming services, has me paying more and seemingly getting less. Prices keep rising in the name of inflation, yet wages struggle to keep pace. It’s a frustrating reality for anyone who remembers when you felt you got some value for money.

Thankfully, Lectric has decided to buck that trend with their latest release, the Lectric XP Lite 2.0. We previously gave high marks to the original XP Lite for its solid performance and affordable $799 price tag. So, when I received the newer XP Lite 2.0 this week, I did a double-take at the spec sheet. They somehow managed to add hydraulic brakes and larger rotors, a more efficient and quiet motor. So, how could the price still be $799?

To me, the math didn’t add up. So, I set out to put this bike through its paces, ready to see if the enticingly small price tag would suddenly come with a much larger asterisk of performance or capability tradeoffs.

Could this be the ultimate budget-friendly e-bike that delivers both quality and value? I began this week’s testing with an open yet critical mind, prepared for the good, the bad, and the potentially ugly. In a time of soaring prices and plummeting value, my mission was clear: Could the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 truly be a bargain?

[Read more…] about Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Review | A Great E-Bike UNDER $1K?

Lectric XPeak Review | Big, Burly, Surprisingly Quiet

The eMTB standard of durability adds peace of mind, while the quiet motor is a peaceful ride.

Lectric XPeak E-Bike Review
Choosing just one e-bike is hard. There are different styles for a reason. Some are great for commutes, some are great for trails, and some are great and carrying a lot of items. Affording one in each category will run up quite the tab, and fill up your garage quickly too.

That’s why versatile e-bikes like the Lectric XPeak are pretty handy. The bike’s fat tires and powerful motor make for fun and stable rides. The included lights and fenders keep you seen and clean, on commutes while you can throw on a rack for bringing gear.

But the fun begins when heading off the paved roads. I see tons of fat tire e-bikes touted as all-terrain capable, and many are, but they have limits to my trust since a lot of them use no-name parts. The XPeak was impressive since it went with a stout RST Renegade fork, and even tested the whole bike to eMTB standards of durability. Frankly, it did feel pretty capable on the fire roads I roamed.

[Read more…] about Lectric XPeak Review | Big, Burly, Surprisingly Quiet

Himiway C1 Kids E-Bike Review

A pint-sized e-moped for pint-sized riders.

Himiway C1 Review
Teaching a kid how to ride a bike isn’t easy (says a dad). We, as adults, have likely forgotten the many skills we needed to learn in order to roll down the road on a multi-geared bicycle. Balancing, pedaling, braking, shifting gears—there’s a lot to keep track of. As to flattening the learning curve with training wheels, just no. Kids need to learn how to countersteer—not steer—in order to ride a bike, which is part of why we have chosen to review the Himiway C1. Well, that and it’s awesome.

So for a kid to learn how to balance on something with two wheels, they need to be moving fast enough for the wheels to generate enough gyroscopic effect to hold the bike upright. The Himiway C1 simplifies learning how to ride by making it easier for kids to achieve enough speed to balance, without turning them into pint-sized Evel Knievels.

Himiway dispensed with learning how to pedal and how to shift gears, eliminating as much from the learning curve as they could. They couldn’t ditch the brakes, of course, because stopping isn’t optional.

With a 350W motor and 360Wh battery, the Himiway C1 has the power to give kids a very fun ride and even keep up with mom or dad if they aren’t moving too quickly. The C1 is styled like a kid’s motorcycle, complete with handlebar pad and long bench seat. It’s not a bad match for their new C5 model.

Let’s hit those details.

[Read more…] about Himiway C1 Kids E-Bike Review

Electric Bike Company Model R Review

Made In The USA – Made Your Way! Limitless Customization And An Appealing Large Frame Highlight EBC’s Model R

Electric Bike Company Model R Review 2025
Before we get to the nitty gritty in this Electric Bike Company Model R review, take a closer look at the picture above. You probably will notice our branding on this bike. No, that isn’t an aftermarket sticker we slapped on, and we didn’t seek out a local detailer to help us get it there. That is one of the highlights of purchasing an Electric Bike Company bike: you can tailor this thing to yourself. In our case (and for other businesses), that means including our logo, while anybody can pick out a color scheme to compliment their personal style; frame colors, fork colors, basket colors, grips, wheels, tires, drivetrain and more are all options you can pick out when assembling your Electric Bike Company e-bike. That’s only scratching the surface of the available customization. There’s plenty of ride quality elements and performance highlights here too.

The Model R comes with a 750W motor that’s a workhorse. It helps support and move the bike and its 420 lbs rated weight limit. It’s powerful in the sense that it’ll reliably get you up to the 20 mph class 2 speeds (or beyond if you change to class 3), and get you to the top of most any hill in a controlled manner. Not only that, it’ll get you where you’re going in great comfort riding atop the brand’s famously thick and plush saddles, and letting the 80mm front fork absorb rougher roads for you.

The Model R is part of a larger family of cruiser e-bikes made by the Electric Bike Company. This model gets its “R” for being known as the rugged model among the other Electric Bike Company (EBC) models. It’s one of the larger frames EBC makes and it has a commanding presence on the standard 26″ X 3″ EBC-custom Rhinoceros tires, but it’s still easy for a lot of riders to hop on thanks to the step-through frame. In other words, it’ll appeal to larger riders, or smaller riders who want a larger ride they can still control and manage.

The ride and look are great, but EBC also has a few unique elements as a company that set it apart.

Buying an Electric Bike Company bike means you get a bike that’s largely made in America. Frames are made and shipped from overseas, and plenty of the componentry hails from various countries too, but the bike assembly itself and all the minutiae that it encompasses will pass through the hands of the California-based company’s employees. Battery packs, wiring, brake cables, etc. all go through their team’s assembly, installation, and inspection. That results in them feeling confident in extending one of the (maybe THE best) warranties in the industry. You get ten years on the motor, ten on the frame, five on the battery. That level of stateside involvement and backing is both rare and pretty cool.

On top of all that, this bike is shipped fully assembled. A few bits need straightening and tightening, but you’re ride-ready within five minutes of unboxing, since it received a builders stamp of approval before shipping out. No tuning should be needed.

There’s a lot that EBC and the Model R do differently. With plenty more worth unpacking, let’s dive deeper into our Electric Bike Company Model R review.

[Read more…] about Electric Bike Company Model R Review

Varla Eagle One V2.0 Electric Scooter Review, 2024 | The Fastest Hill Test EVER

This powerful e-scooter features front and rear suspension for off-road riding, and is our fastest hill climber EVER!

Varla Eagle One V2 Review
Before I ever wanted a bike, I wanted a razor scooter. All the kids in my neighborhood had them and when my birthday came, that was the only item on my list. Fortunately, my parents saved me from FOMO by giving me one. All was right with the world, that is, until my friend added a wheelie bar. That was the first time I experienced feature envy. He could wheelie with ease—me, not so much.

As an adult—and an e-bike reviewer—I’ve come to appreciate all the features, and I still love scooters, so I can say that for the person who wants as much banging buck as possible, let me introduce you to the Varla Eagle One 2.0. This thing has more features than a smartphone (okay, maybe not quite), but allow me to start with my top three, the ones that matter most. And I promise that in my review of the Varla Eagle One 2.0 we will explore all of its many features.

Okay, first, the single most obvious feature to call out with the Varla Eagle One 2.0 is its immense power. With two 1000W hub motors that peak at 3200W total (and produce 36Nm of torque), this thing has power like the sun has light. This scooter is so powerful that it reset my expectations on our Hell Hole hill test.

If that sounds like a lot of muscle right out of the gate, the Eagle One 2.0 can be toggled into a single motor mode so new users can enjoy an adjustment period.

Next, I want to point out that this scooter sits on suspension front and rear. Anyone who has rented a Lime or Bird scooter that rolls on solid wheels and a stiff frame knows the experience of feeling every road bump, pavement seam and sidewalk crack. The Varla Eagle One 2.0 floats over all this and while it can’t make every bump disappear, they become non-issues. Plus, thanks to tubeless tires with a grippy tread, this can even handle off-road riding.

The third feature to mention up front is the NFC key; that is, Near Field Communication key fob that unlocks the Varla Eagle One 2.0 to be ridden, and helps keep it secure when the owner isn’t riding it.

Those are the leading features of the Varla Eagle One 2.0, but we have a ton more to look at, so let’s jump in.

[Read more…] about Varla Eagle One V2.0 Electric Scooter Review, 2024 | The Fastest Hill Test EVER

QuietKat Lynx Review, 2024

An E-bike You Might Take For a Motorcycle at First Glance, The “Cool” Factor is High With The Lynx.

QuietKat Lynx Review 2024
If 2023 was the year of the cargo e-bike, then 2024 may be the year of the e-moped. We’re seeing a number of new models enter the market and while some of the early designs were a bit clunky, with each new model, the designs get better and better. In our review of the new QuietKat Lynx we will look at what makes this e-moped different from many of the other models we’ve already reviewed and what makes it an exciting option for people who want a design that emphasizes the throttle, rather than the pedals.

QuietKat is best known as a brand that produces e-bikes for hunting, angling and overlanding. So while their product line has emphasized off-road use up until now, the Lynx is meant to blend on-road manners with off-road ability.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: We’ll forgive you if you did a double-take and thought you were looking at an e-motorcycle at first and wondered if you’d gone to the wrong website. Nope, you’re in the right place and this isn’t an e-motorcycle, but it sure does look like one.

While most e-mopeds we’ve seen have looked like something out of the Sears Roebuck catalog circa 1974, the QuietKat Lynx is drawn with lines that look much more current. From the curve of the seat to the swoop of the top tube and even the position of the front fender, the Lynx looks more like a motocross motorcycle … plus pedals.

The Lynx backs up its look with its performance. This is a full-suspension design with a long-travel fork for real off-road riding. Setting the pace is a 1000W, two-speed, direct-drive motor powered by a 960Wh battery. It can be ridden as a Class 2 (20 mph max assist), Class 3 (28 mph max assist) or an unlimited e-bike that can tear around OHV areas.

The Lynx hews to the QuietKat DNA for off-road use thanks to a full-suspension design, fenders, and a rear rack. The tires feature a moderate tread to balance on-road use with off-road fun.

Let’s take a deeper look at what makes this an exciting option for riders.

[Read more…] about QuietKat Lynx Review, 2024

QuietKat Apex Pro Review 2024

As Tough & Rugged As The Terrain You’ll Explore, The Apex Pro Is A True Hunting Companion.

QuietKat Apex Pro E-Bike Review 2024
Quietkat has long been a friend to the outdoor crowd, and in our QuietKat Apex Pro review we discovered a bike with serious appeal for anybody with all-terrain needs for hunting, camping, or just exploring the backwoods on something more robust than your typical mountain bike.

The QuietKat Apex Pro is an all-terrain e-bike of a different sort. Not only is it capable of traversing more technical terrain than most all-terrain e-bikes (we will get to why in a bit), but it can do something most all-terrain models aren’t equipped to offer: supporting hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts with it’s solid build quality, nice performance, and a whole lotta accessories to choose from.

Highlights that support the use case include the 1000W mid-drive motor and a rear rack with a 100-lb. carrying capacity. The QuietKat Apex Pro can access places that e-bikes with more modest motors would have trouble reaching. There are a few reasons why. First, the 1000W mid-drive motor is four-times as powerful as most mid-drive motors, and a 250W mi-drive motor generally performs at least as well as a 750W hub motor in regards to certain applications. Second, it sports a 140mm-travel suspension fork, and the more extreme the terrain, the better the suspension needs to be; most all-terrain e-bikes come with a suspension fork with 100mm or less of travel. Third, thanks to a 9-speed SRAM drivetrain, it features lower gears than we see on e-bikes with a 7-speed drivetrain. Lastly, the large 4.5″-wide tires make it capable of riding over all sorts of terrain.

While it might seem like the QuietKat Apex Pro is just a nicer all-terrain e-bike than we typically see, QuietKat has made a name for itself in catering to outdoors enthusiasts. They offer accessory packages aimed at hunting (such as game trailers), fishing (such as cargo baskets) and camping (solar panels). That 100-lb. carrying capacity will come in handy when it is time to bring game home.

Even if you’re not interested in bagging game or sleeping under the stars, there are a number of features that make the QuietKat Apex Pro worth considering if striking out from civilization sounds like fun. Let’s take a deeper look at this e-bike.

[Read more…] about QuietKat Apex Pro Review 2024

Burley D’Lite X Review 2024

Best of All Worlds: Can Carry Up to 2 Passengers on the Bike or as a Stroller, Also Converts as a Cargo Trailer

Burley D’Lite X Review 2024

Do you need a trailer that can carry cargo and your little ones? Burley’s D’Lite X bike trailer can do that and more. We had the chance to test and review the accessory; we share our thoughts in this Burley D’Lite X review.

This trailer comes in two versions: the single is the narrower, lighter version that carries one child, and the double can carry two children, up to 40 lbs per child. Total capacity for the single is 75 lbs, and 100 lbs for the double.

Providing more versatility of use, the seats on both can be lowered so you can carry cargo, including bulky items that won’t fit on a bike’s rear rack. With the Double you’ll need to load at the front because the passenger seat recline bar is mounted in the center near the rear opening.

[Read more…] about Burley D’Lite X Review 2024