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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

90 Day Tariff Relief Not Enough For The Bike Industry, Ananda Wins China Cycle Innovation Award | TWR Ep 31

Plus Radster Trail Vs Aventure 3, Is A Wal-Mart E-Bike A Worthwhile Buy, Handlebar Mirror Recommendations, and More!

In a fairly slow week of e-bike news, the biggest headline was a national announcement that the U.S. has entered a 90-day agreement with China to reduce tariffs. The cuts are significant on both sides, offering some relief to an industry that’s seen near-weekly brand closures. Still, many companies remain under pressure, as several key tariffs that impact the cycling sector are still in effect, and meaningful relief can’t come soon enough.

Elsewhere, China Cycle wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, and Ananda took home an award for its integrated motor and gearing system. Unlike popular mid-drive gearboxes like the MGU, Ananda’s setup uses a hub motor, making the accomplishment notably different.

This week’s questions include a head-to-head look at the Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail vs. the Aventon Aventure 3, whether a cheap Walmart e-bike is worth considering, and a closer look at cycling mirrors to help keep you safe on the road.

[Read more…] about 90 Day Tariff Relief Not Enough For The Bike Industry, Ananda Wins China Cycle Innovation Award | TWR Ep 31

Ride1Up Roadster V3 Review | Light, Nimble, and Surprising

This Light And Sleek City E-Bike Exceeds Expectations At Nearly Every Turn.

Ride1Up Roadster V3 Review

Ride1Up made its name by delivering e-bikes with parts and performance a step or two above the average of bikes with similar price tags. Now, with the Roadster V3, Ride1Up has expanded the versatility of its city bike model while still equipping the ride with more premium parts than you’d expect, given its cost.

The Roadster V3 is a dream for active cyclists. It’s subtle and lightweight, tipping the scales at just 44 lbs. This e-bike’s main appeal is how it enhances your pedaling power without overshadowing your effort or taking over the ride entirely. It’s the ideal partner for riders who want a natural-feeling boost, not a complete takeover.

It’s also extremely nimble on the roads and moves with a purpose. The handling is crisp, from the fully rigid frame that gives it a stiff build to the narrow handlebar that helps you dart quickly from side to side. Our test model also included a rangey 9-speed cassette that helps you find ideal gearing for moving swiftly on flats or up a climb.

In the past, one of my few criticisms of Ride1Up e-bikes was their limited sizing options. With the Roadster V3, that’s no longer an issue. This model comes in three frame sizes (including a mid-step option), two drivetrain configurations, and two color choices. For a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand, this increased customization is a welcome change, making it easier for riders to find a comfortable fit without driving up costs.

Compared to the previous version, the Roadster V2, the upgrades are clear and meaningful. The motor is more powerful, the battery is now removable, and riders can opt for a single-speed belt drive if they prefer. The 10-speed drivetrain, however, offers incredible value for a Class 3-capable bike. The gravel-friendly tires add versatility, and with a simple Schrader valve swap, they can run tubeless.

While it’s not a flawless e-bike, the few minor issues I encountered were easy to address in minutes. For an affordably priced city e-bike, the Roadster V3 is another standout addition to Ride1Up’s lineup—a versatile, high-quality ride that’s hard to beat.

[Read more…] about Ride1Up Roadster V3 Review | Light, Nimble, and Surprising

Best Electric Bikes For Heavier Riders 2025 (Tested & Approved)

Best E-Bikes for Heavier Riders 2025

Take it from a guy who weighs 235 pounds: I’ve heard people talk about electric bikes as being “super fast,” or they say, “This flew up hills!” and…. I had no such experience on those bikes. What a bike does for a person weighing a buck sixty and what it does for somebody weighing eighty or a hundred more pounds will be different experiences.

People come in all sizes, and larger riders need to know which e-bikes in today’s market are worth their time and money. We’re excited to bring you our top picks for electric bikes that cater specifically to heavier riders.

Rest assured, each selection was meticulously chosen with the needs of heavier riders in mind. The motors are robust, ensuring a powerful ride, and the range is sufficient to accommodate heavier users without compromising performance. Also, we understand that style matters too, so we’ve included a variety of frame styles to suit different preferences.

Our recommendations are not just based on personal opinions, but on a comprehensive dataset and insights gathered from testing over 300 e-bikes. This wealth of information equips us to guide you toward the most suitable e-bikes for heavier riders, ensuring you make an informed choice.

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

Our Picks Best E-Bikes For Heavy and Tall Riders of 2025

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Best Electric Bikes 2025 – Don’t Buy Until You Read This!

Best Electric Bikes 2025
If you want to purchase an electric bike this year, you likely have questions:

  • Which is the best e-bike for 2025?
  • Which is the best e-bike brand?
  • How do I know that the brand will support me if I have problems with my bike?

We receive these questions daily from our readers, which is why we have written this post. We want to make it easy for you to find the best electric bike for your riding style, interests, and needs.

At Electric Bike Report, we have been reviewing e-bikes for over ten years now. In fact, as far as we can tell, we are the oldest website dedicated to testing and reviewing electric bikes.

In the past 12 months, we have tested over 130 e-bikes from almost every major manufacturer. Keep in mind that this number does not include the hundreds of bikes we’ve test-ridden at cycling trade shows like EuroBike, the Sea Otter Classic, and the Electrify Expos.

Our goal with the following list of recommended electric bikes is to help you find a good bike that will last a long time. As you go through this list, you will notice that we have hill-tested, brake-tested, range-tested, and ride-quality-tested each of these bikes at our team’s headquarters.

As such, if you have any questions about the recommendations below, please ask us. We have extensive knowledge and experience with each electric bike here, and we will respond to your questions.

Our picks for the Best Electric Bikes of 2025

Best High-End

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

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Lectric XPedition 2.0 Review | Can Budget Beat the Rest?

Lectric’s new-and-improved cargo bike has better looks, more features, and the same great performance for a ridiculously low price.

Lectric XPedition 2.0 Review

Cargo e-bikes offer a healthy, active method of running errands and spending more time with the family, but their cost can be prohibitive. In an era when the cost of everything is high and seemingly always rising, purchasing an e-bike—plus all the accessories needed to haul kids and cargo—may simply not be an option for many families.

Lectric, a brand known for its affordable and highly portable folding e-bikes, set out to make owning an electric cargo bike attainable for the average family with the first-generation XPedition a couple of years ago. The bike had a high weight capacity and a low price that made it appealing, but it was otherwise relatively spartan.

Now, the redesigned XPedition 2.0 boasts an even more reinforced frame, a more refined aesthetic, new programming, and a boatload of additional features—all starting at the same entry-level price below $1,500.

The base model is well-equipped with a capable 750W rear hub motor, an 8-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and integrated lights and turn signals. It also includes a 624-watt-hour (Wh) battery with an estimated range of 60 miles and basic passenger accessories such as seat pads and footboards.

Lectric also offers two upgrade levels: a mid-tier option with two 624-Wh batteries and a high-end long-range model with two 840-Wh batteries. These options include even more accessories and are advertised to achieve up to 120 and 170 miles of range, respectively—and all three options share a total payload capacity of 450 lbs!

Range is just one aspect of the XPedition 2.0’s performance we tested while reviewing the bike. See below to see how this cranked-up cargo hauler compares to the competition!

[Read more…] about Lectric XPedition 2.0 Review | Can Budget Beat the Rest?

Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes 2025 | 13 Expert-Tested Options

Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes 2025

Fat-tire electric bikes are a dime a dozen nowadays, but which are the best?

From stable and user-friendly bike path cruisers to high-powered bruisers built for hunting and heavy off-road use, e-bikes with fat tires are enjoying some time in the limelight. Whatever your reason for wanting a fat tire e-bike, the Electric Bike Report staff of experts & bike geeks have tested some of the best fat tire electric bikes money can buy.

Birthed from Alaskan snow and New Mexican sand, the ancestors of modern fat bikes first emerged in the 1990s as a means to explore (and race) in terrain unkind to a typical bicycle tire.

Fat tire bikes have had high points of popularity in recent years, but it wasn’t until the rise of the electric bike that they were used by the masses. Motors made the heavy, relatively inefficient bikes more friendly to ride.

Riders like the big tires because they add a feeling of confidence and stability. That’s not to mention that many think they just look cool. As their popularity has exploded, fat tires have been adopted into nearly every category of e-bike.

So, which fat tire e-bike is best for you? That’s a tough question with an answer that differs from person to person. We’ve compiled this list of our picks for the best fat tire electric bikes to help you find the best option based on your specific needs.

Our Best Fat-tire Electric Bikes for 2025

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

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Bosch Unveils CX-R Race Motor, Adds OTA Power Boost to Gen 5 CX Motors

Bosch is rolling out major upgrades: a new Performance Line CX-R motor with Race-specific tuning and hardware, and a free over-the-air update for existing Gen 5 CX motor users that boosts power output.

Bosch Unveils CX-R Race Motor, Adds OTA Power Boost to Gen 5 CX Motors

Bosch eBike Systems made a plethora of announcements including new products headlined by the Performance Line CX-R race motor with premium construction materials, and new riding modes that will take advantage of a 400% boost to rider’s efforts with 750W of power and 100Nm of torque.

Bosch also showed off the Kiox 400C top tube display (which is an upgrade option available for many existing CX Gen 5 owners), and announced a forthcoming OTA update in July for current Perfomance Line CX riders that will increase the current 600W and 85Nm of torque to the same top levels of the Race motor, but will not have the new riding modes.

[Read more…] about Bosch Unveils CX-R Race Motor, Adds OTA Power Boost to Gen 5 CX Motors

Lectric XP 4 (750 Watt) Review | The Bar Has Been Raised

The Lectric XP 4 is versatile, fun, and delivers performance and quality well above what you’d expect for its price point. The upgraded motor and battery model offer a performance boost for those seeking additional power.

Lectric XP 4 (750 Watt) Review

Redefining expectations is no small accomplishment, but that’s exactly what Lectric’s original XP did—showing just how much $999 could get you in the world of e-bikes. The XP series built its reputation by packing in more features, versatility, and value than expected for a grand, and Lectric has been building on that formula ever since (while keeping the same starting price).

Now in its fourth iteration, the XP raises the bar yet again with smart upgrades, sharper looks, better ride quality, and—for the first time—the option to upgrade the motor and battery, like with the Lectric XP 4 750W model I’ve been riding for the past several weeks.

This XP 4 750W’s Stealth M24 motor packs a serious punch and feels intuitive to ride thanks to its easy-to-use torque sensor. For only a few hundred dollars more, you get 50% more nominal power and a 67% larger battery compared to the standard model, along with a premium headlight and a suspension seatpost. The battery capacity upgrade alone could easily justify the extra cost, making the total value exceptional.

The XP 4 750W dominated many of our testing categories and was simply a blast to ride. Power is readily available, handling feels easy, and the overall experience is far from “budget” when you’re out on the road.

The bike has a relaxed, accommodating ride that suits a wide range of rider sizes, and it packs enough utility for everything from joyrides to exploration to daily commuting. Visually, the XP series has never looked better: the XP 4 offers color options, a sleeker design, and more visible safety features, including built-in lighting and turn signals. It even debuts its own signature line of brakes made by Star Union, which—spoiler alert—delivered some all-time performance in our testing.

It’s a bit heavy, so moving it around while folded takes some effort. But given how much the XP 4 can do—and how small it folds down—it remains a highly impressive package overall.

The XP 4 is positioned as one of the best bang-for-your-buck e-bikes on the market. But is the 750W upgrade worth the extra investment? Read our full review to find out

[Read more…] about Lectric XP 4 (750 Watt) Review | The Bar Has Been Raised

Best Electric Cargo Bikes 2025 | Twelve Top Cargo Haulers

Best Cargo E-Bikes of 2025

Cargo bikes have been in use since the 19th century when tradesmen used them to deliver and transport their goods around Holland. These tradesmen must have been on to something because the idea stuck!

Electric cargo bikes may look a bit different from those early models, but their motors make them even more practical. These days, cargo e-bikes are great for carrying loads of groceries, taking the kids to school, delivering food or packages, and generally serving as a versatile alternative to a car when running errands around town.

As the cargo e-bike category has grown in popularity, our team of reviewers has tested a myriad of makes and models. In our experience, not all of them are up to snuff! Rest assured that we’ve sorted the good from the bad—and we’ve assembled this list to make your search simple and straightforward.

While there are quite a few proven designs for cargo e-bikes, our list will focus on the short-tail/utility and long-tail (ST and LT, respectively) styles. Both types of bike share similar functionality—the only major differences are length and carrying capacity (usually volume, but also sometimes weight).

Whether you’re looking to live a healthier lifestyle while spending more time with the kids or seeking a dependable ride for gig work (think Doordash or Instacart), check out our top electric cargo bike picks below!

Our Best Cargo Electric Bikes for 2025

Long-Tail (LT) Cargo E-Bikes

Short-Tail (ST) Cargo/Utility E-Bikes

*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.

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E-Cells Goes Bust, Rad Refreshes The Runner, A Procumbent Bike? | TWR Ep 29

Plus California’s E-Bike Voucher Delayed, Cargo Bike For Hauling Twins, Regen Braking & More!

In this week’s e-bike news roundup: industry icon Rad Power Bikes has refreshed and renamed its RadRunner lineup, adding new features and tech across all models. Meanwhile, E-Cells—a brand known for pushing limits—announced it is shutting down due to tariff hikes and market challenges. Martoni also unveiled a new micromobility concept with a unique standing, forward-leaning “procumbent” riding position. And California’s e-bike voucher program hit a snag, with its launch delayed due to website issues.

In our weekly Rider Q&A, we tackle two family-focused questions: which longtail cargo bikes are best for riding with two kids, and which bikes are good for towing a child trailer? We also explore why many brands list size ranges by rider height instead of inseam, what’s holding back regenerative braking on e-bikes, and whether there’s an affordable step-thru fat tire model with a mid-drive motor.

Our Trail Highlight takes us to neighboring Nevada for a closer look at the River Mountains Loop Trail—a 35-mile paved path southeast of Las Vegas, connecting riders to Henderson, Lake Mead, and even the Hoover Dam.

[Read more…] about E-Cells Goes Bust, Rad Refreshes The Runner, A Procumbent Bike? | TWR Ep 29