Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing

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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

PASELEC GS9 Review 2024

PASelec GS9 Ebike Review

From the moment we received the PASELEC GS9 for review I knew what the hook for prospective buyers would be: It’s a full suspension e-bike with mountain bike styling for well under $2K.

While that may be the hook, the rest of the spec sheet seemed to offer plenty worth sticking around for: A 500W motor capable of class 3 speeds, 624 Wh battery and Zoom hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors.

But could a fully-loaded e-bike on everybody’s favorite end of the affordability spectrum deliver the goods? That’s the question we set out to answer.

But first, expectations need to be set accordingly. That much bike on that little of a budget won’t be without compromise, but compromise doesn’t have to be a bad thing necessarily. And having your expectations set to the proper level can make all the difference in determining whether or not you’ll be happy with it in the end.

In this review of the PASELEC GS9 we put the bike through its paces via a series of tests designed to better understand its motor, braking, handling capabilities and so much more. Keep reading down below for greater insight on what the bike is all about.

[Read more…] about PASELEC GS9 Review 2024

Evelo Atlas Electric Bike Review 2024

Evelo Atlas Review 2024
The bulk of the e-bike market sits between $1000 and $2000. Buyers can stretch their dollars like taffy and find a good bike that suits their needs. But some folks want Lexus, not Toyota. Even though the market isn’t as robust and the offerings are fewer, there is definitely a market for premium commuter e-bikes like the Evelo Atlas in this review.

So what makes for a premium commuter that’s fit for touring? The first, most obvious difference is swapping the hub motor for a mid-drive motor mounted in the frame. This is where most of the additional expense goes. Once a manufacturer makes an upgrade of that sort, we often see other upgrades—better brakes, a wider-range drivetrain with more gears (or better yet, a more sophisticated drivetrain altogether), a better quality suspension fork and other little touches, like better lights.

In our Evelo Atlas review we will look at what makes this e-bike so different from its more affordable competitors and why those differences make it worth considering for anyone with a longer commute or interested in possible e-bike tours.

Note: are you looking for similar e-bikes to compare to? The Specialized Turbo Vado is a good option from a well-known name. Another good commuter with touring potential is the Ride1Up Prodigy V2.

[Read more…] about Evelo Atlas Electric Bike Review 2024

Nutcase Baby Nutty Helmet Review

Bike rides make for classic family fun, but having quality safety gear is essential before the good times can be had. So for this Nutcase Baby Nutty helmet review, myself and the Electric Bike Report team really wanted to make sure it was safe and had all the essential features for taking the little ones out for a joyride.

Our EBR team includes several parents. So while reviewing the Baby Nutty helmet we had each team member with kids weigh in and give their feedback around 3 main questions: Is it safe? Are the features worthwhile? Do we like the overall value?

By the end of this review hopefully you’ll have satisfactory answers to those three questions, and any others you might have regarding the Nutcase Baby Nutty.

[Read more…] about Nutcase Baby Nutty Helmet Review

Burley Honey Bee Review 2022

Burley Honeybee Bike Trailer Review

Burley Honey Bee Review: Overview

Whether you have a deep passion for cycling or just enjoy a casual weekend cruise, sharing that experience with your kids compounds the joy you get from riding a bike. That’s why I looked forward to this Burley Honey Bee review as it gave me opportunities for quality time with my own child — as this trailer would for any parent who uses it.

Boasting a mixture of versatility, portability, and construction quality, the Burley Honey Bee competes in the ultra-competitive “budget” class of bike trailers (although on the high-end of that spectrum). Translation: Haul it behind your bike, detach it for walks in the park and feel at ease knowing it’s safe for your kids and should be able to withstand the harshest of punishments bike trailers typically experience – the kids themselves.

Overall the Burley Honey Bee trailer Electric Bike Report reviewed taught us one thing in particular: This trailer is a great option to look at for those wanting a simple, yet versatile bike trailer that performs as expected on each ride.

So is this the bike trailer for you? Head further below and we’ll dive into all the details you need to know.

[Read more…] about Burley Honey Bee Review 2022

Ebike News: Belgian Cowboy to the US, New RadCity 5 +, Cube Tilting Trike and Harley Davidson Limited Edition – and Much More!

rad power bikes radcity 5 plus step thru electric bike review

Plenty of innovation and interesting light electric vehicles this week, from Cube’s partially tilting trike to Eli’s 25mph mini electric car – OK the Eli is not an e-bike but the kind of small, light electric vehicle that e-bikes are much happier co-existing with on city streets with than full size cars and trucks and e-bikes arguably have more in common with small EVs like this than small EVs do with full size cars.

Also notable is the fact that Eli is based in the US but has chosen the EU to launch – for reasons we go into below. At the same time the sleek and hi-tech looking Cowboy 4 is heading from it’s Belgian roots to the US, proving that the e-bike market appears to be expanding just about everywhere just at the moment.

In this week’s news:

  • Cowboy 4 urban e-bike should be on sale in the US from Jan 2022
  • Cube’s innovative tilting trike
  • Rad City commuter line gets makeover
  • Serial 1 Limited Edition S1 Tribute
  • E-mtbs dominate German e-bike market
  • Eli EV takes a trip from the US to Europe
  • Juiced bigger mid-range battery

[Read more…] about Ebike News: Belgian Cowboy to the US, New RadCity 5 +, Cube Tilting Trike and Harley Davidson Limited Edition – and Much More!

The Aventon Aventure: The Next Great Fat Tire E-Bike?

Launch Details

Are you ready to go on an ‘Aventure?’ Today the Californian e-bike company Aventon announced its newest addition to its lineup with the Aventure. This fat tire-styled electric bike comes equipped with massive 4” Kenda Krusade tires which are propelled by the bike’s 750W hub motor capable of a whopping 1130W peak. This combination has a lot of promise for those looking to head off-road on occasion.

On top of the new bike itself, Aventon is debuting what they call an industry first color display screen that integrates with an all new app. The app powers the bike and its integrated lights on and off, while also tracking your mileage and trips, and provides a community feature to meet up with other Aventon riders. The app even displays how many trees you’ve saved riding on your bike instead of a car.

Aventon sees the bike and app as a collective step forward for e-bike communities.

[Read more…] about The Aventon Aventure: The Next Great Fat Tire E-Bike?

Electric Bike Company Radical Scooter Review, 2021

Summary Review: Radical Scooter

We’ve had pretty positive experiences with the electric bikes we’ve reviewed from the Electric Bike Company. So we were pretty excited to review their Radical Scooter.

The Electric Bike Company is known for making comfortable, powerful electric cruiser bikes, and they managed to bring this look and feel to the electric scooter market with the Radical Scooter. Thanks to its generous suspension, tires, and moped-style seat, you can explore almost anywhere with comfort and ease.

The fast 350W motor on this e-scooter lives up to its promised expectations of 20 mph on straights, and it performs admirably on hills as well. You’ll be able to zip around town with little trouble, and thanks to the safety of lights on the front, back, and sides, you’ll be riding with a highly visible profile.

Taller and larger riders will appreciate the wide deck pad, adjustable stem, robust suspension, strong hydraulic braking power, and 250-pound weight limit. Three assist levels–eco, mid and high–allow you to ride at a leisurely pace through a park or at max speed for your workday commute.

For long commutes, the comfortable moped-style seat ensures you’ll be fresh and energetic when you arrive at your destination. And the wide handlebars and cushy grips mean your shoulders and hands will be too.

There is plenty to love about this feature-heavy, powerful, value-driven scooter. Read on to learn more in our full performance review of the Radial Scooter by the Electric Bike Company!

[Read more…] about Electric Bike Company Radical Scooter Review, 2021

Proposed E-BIKE Act Would Save Consumers 30% On eBike Purchases Via Federal Tax Credit

Last Updated: Feb 12, 2021

On February 9th, 2021, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Congressional Bike Caucus Chairman Earl Blumenaur introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstarter for the Environment Act to the United States House of Representatives. The proposed E-BIKE act has been submitted in order to kickstart and encourage increased demand for electric bikes by way of a tax credit for all United States citizens.

Speaking on his proposed bill, Congressman Panetta had this to say:

“E-bikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help reduce our carbon emissions. My legislation will make it easier for more people from all socio-economic levels to own e-bikes and contribute to cutting our carbon output. By incentivizing the use of electric bicycles to replace car trips through a consumer tax credit, we can not only encourage more Americans to transition to greener modes of transportation, but also help fight the climate crisis.”

What is the E-BIKE act?

The proposed bill, if passed and signed into law, would result in a full refundable tax credit for those who take advantage of the proposed legislation. While the full rules and regulations surrounding the bill are currently being debated by congress, the following restrictions are part of the current bill:

  • The proposed bill would cover 30% of the purchase price of a single eBike once every three years, or twice for joint-return couples who are buying two electric bikes.
  • The new electric bike must cost less than $8,000 dollars.
  • A $1,500 dollar refundable tax credit is the maxed amount that can be awarded per bike. As such, you would receive the same credit for a $5,000 dollar eBike as you would for a $8,000 dollar eBike.
  • This is a fully refundable tax credit. Up to $1,500 dollars can be subtracted from what you owe to the government the year you purchase your eBike. If the total tax credit awarded is more than the taxes you owe, the government will pay you the excess amount.
  • The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will be mandated to deliver a report regarding the financial results of the proposed bill after two years. Additional adjustments may be made to the legislation based upon the findings, income tax bracket distribution, and equity of the proposed bill.

[Read more…] about Proposed E-BIKE Act Would Save Consumers 30% On eBike Purchases Via Federal Tax Credit

Rad Power Bikes Announces $150 Million Dollar Investment, Major Expansion Plans

On February 4th, 2021, Rad Power Bikes (one of the largest eBike brands in the world) announced a minority investment totaling $150 million dollars. The new round of investment was led by Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley), Fidelity Management & Research Company, The Rise Fund, and other accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates. Durable Capital Partners LP and Vulcan Capital, who have invested in Rad Power Bikes previously, also contributed to this historic new round of investment.

rad-power-bikes-radmission

With the new funding and pledge of support from major experienced investor companies like Morgan Stanley, Rad Power Bikes hopes to rely on their expertise to accelerate its bike development plans. In a statement made by Mike Radenbaugh, founder and CEO of Rad Power Bikes:

“We are thrilled to be working with this group of prestigious investors who are known for successful, long-term investments, and share our vision for the future of mobility. Demand for our products has outpaced our wildest projections every year and this partnership is helping us accelerate in-house innovation while creating more of what our customers tell us they love. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we will deliver in 2021 and beyond.”

Continued Growth For One of the World’s Most Recognizable eBike Brands:

Founded in 2015, Rad Power Bikes first made a name for themselves with their flagship electric bike, the RadRover Electric Fat Tire bike. Since their initial release, Rad Power Bikes has grown to be the most popular eBike brand in North America, with 11 unique models to choose from for a wide range of cyclists. It is estimated that more than 200,000 unique riders ride Rad Power Bikes equipment every day, with Rad Power Bikes a major eBike brand in over 30 different countries around the world.

With this new funding, Rad Power Bikes hopes to accelerate its expansion plans and further increase the popularity of Rad Power Bikes around the world. With 325 employees currently working for Rad Power Bikes, one of the major goals now set by the company is to more than double the size of their company team by the end of 2021. Rad Power Bikes has now begun to interview new applicants living in North America, Europe, and Asian territories.
[Read more…] about Rad Power Bikes Announces $150 Million Dollar Investment, Major Expansion Plans

eBike Industry Interviews: Bimotal Elevate With CEO Toby Ricco

We are always excited about new innovations in the ebike market and the new Elevate from Bimotal is a premium removable powertrain that is lightweight and powerful. We have been keeping an eye on this product and recently we were able to have a conversation with Toby Ricco, CEO and founder of Bimotal. Toby provides an overview of the Elevate system – and explains how this removable motor can add 50-100Nm of torque to the back wheel of your regular mountain bike. Elevate solves the issue of multiple bikes because you can use your existing bike with the option to add power when needed. The mount weighs less than 200 grams, the drive unit is two pounds and the whole system is under six pounds. A battery pack fits in your bottle cage with a throttle attached to the front handlebar to control the system. We found Elevate to be an intriguing solution to several problems and were excited to discuss this system with Toby.

Thanks for joining us here on Electric Bike Report, Toby! We’re excited to discuss Bimotal and Elevate with you today. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your company? How did you get started? What spawned the idea for the Elevate system?

Thanks! I’m happy to be here. Yeah, so I’ve always been an avid mountain biker, but a skiing accident left me with a knee injury that made it so I could no longer power up the hills like I once did. I considered buying an ebike, but at the time I had a custom Cannondale Lefty that was fully spec’d, only weighed 25lb, and had 160mm of travel. Most ebikes are close to 50lb and didn’t have the same level of specs so I just didn’t feel I’d be able to get the same experience. Plus, I had customized my bike quite a bit and I wanted to keep riding it! So I started to analyze retrofit systems and how I could design something that would allow me to use my current bike, but which added torque when I needed it. I focused on the drivetrain and then zeroed in on the rear rotor as a means for adding power to the rear wheel.
[Read more…] about eBike Industry Interviews: Bimotal Elevate With CEO Toby Ricco

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