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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

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review
Mokwheel burst onto the scene and quickly developed a cult following, earning a reputation for fast and fun rides. The Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 we’ve been reviewing over the past few weeks (and nearly 200 miles) shows that the brand’s legacy is alive and well in the latest version of its ever-popular fat-tire e-bike.

There’s a lot to like about this bike. The power is evident but ramps up nicely. With its 750W motor (peaking at 1100W) and 90 Nm of torque, it’s the kind of bike that easily accelerates to higher speeds. The torque sensor isn’t the most natural feeling we’ve tested, but it does reward effort—you get more power the harder you pedal. You can be off to the races with a mild effort, and tension kept to the chain.

The Basalt ST 2.0’s 19.6Ah battery is on the larger side for this category, delivering impressive range for such a heavy bike. It’s great for multi-day rides without needing a recharge, and we are happy to see that it comes with UL certification for added peace of mind.

This bike also includes features not typically found in its price range. The removable color display, for instance, looks sharp but also acts as a theft deterrent—once removed, it disables the motor. Additionally, Mokwheel offers an optional power inverter and solar panels, allowing you to turn your bike into a mobile power station—perfect for weekend camping trips.

In our standardized tests (detailed below), the Basalt ST 2.0 performed admirably. Beyond the numbers, it impressed us with its comfort, solid handling, and motor power that made every ride an enjoyable experience. Its sizing has limitations for longer legs, and we think the speed profile could be improved a bit, but overall, it only takes a single ride to figure out why it’s such a fan-favorite fat tire e-bike.

[Read more…] about Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

Retrospec Boca Rev Review

For years, it seemed like the electric trike market had too few options, and not enough affordable ones. That trend has changed in recent years, and Retrospec’s Boca Rev trike we’ve been reviewing for several weeks is a highly compelling option for trike riders not looking to break the bank. Why? Simple, it executes the basics well, and includes nice touches that are often overlooked.

Arguably it’s standout trait we discovered across our miles of testing was how stable and comfortable the ride felt. It has a wide rear axle, appropriately sized tires, and a good balance to the weight displacement throughout the ride. Trikes have different handling in general vs their two-wheeled counterparts, but assuming you know how to ride, you’ll quickly see how stable this feels when moving even when taking that bend in a road.

Comfort is another standout element to the ride. There is a generously paddled saddle with a back rest, a low 17.5” standover height, and a large seatpost that adjust for optimal leg extension. Sizing can be constrained for the tallest of riders with a shorter rise to the handlebar, but assuming you fit the ride, it’s quite comfortable and easy to navigate the roads on it.

This is an e-trike afterall, and Retrospec did a good job with the motor and battery. The trike has a nice spread of speedsa cross the six different PAS levels, and the whole system is certified to UL standards.

For a competitively priced e-trike, the Boa Rev doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses. Most of the factors we consider in our review processes yielded good to great results as you’ll see in our testing sections down below.

[Read more…] about Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes 2025 | 14 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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Best Electric Tricycles, 2025 | Top 5 Picks From Our Testing

Best Electric Trikes | 2025
Electric tricycles, better known as e-trikes, are gaining in popularity and availability. The following are our picks for the best electric tricycles that we have personally tested for 2025.

Just like their two-wheel siblings, e-trikes feature a host of nifty components that can really customize your ride. However, unlike two-wheel e-bikes, e-trikes have three wheels that offer riders greater stability at lower speeds, making e-trikes the top choice for seniors or other adults who have special mobility needs.

E-trikes have specific capabilities and limitations related to speed, handling, and range. Keep this in mind as you compare the different trike models and consider how each might meet your needs. For example, an electric trike that’s lighter and sits lower may be more important to you than one with longer range or greater cargo-carrying capacity.

If your primary need isn’t riding-related, you might prioritize having a trike that’s easy to transport in a vehicle and/or easy to store at your house. Depending on where you live, you may prefer a trike with a narrow enough width to fit through your doorway.

As you read our selections for 2025’s best electric tricycles, you might get more ideas and have more questions. We’ve included links on our best electric trikes page that will take you to our in-depth reviews and provide more information on each model.

Our Best Electric Trikes 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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[Read more…] about Best Electric Tricycles, 2025 | Top 5 Picks From Our Testing

Velotric T1 High Step Review | Cool Tech, Sleek Ride

Light, techy, and simple to ride.

Velotric T1 Review
The T1 from Velotric is a lightweight city e-bike that can be ridden as either a Class 1 or Class 3 e-bike and offers a very sporty ride. Thanks to built-in GPS and smartphone integration, you can track your e-bike’s location as well as unlock it with your fingerprint. In our Velotric T1 HS review we will look at how this city e-bike differs from many and the particular strengths that make it an exciting ride.

Most city e-bikes lean toward practicality. They offer a nice, upright riding position, fenders, lights and a rear rack to make commuting convenient and safe in low-light conditions. But not everyone is going to commute to work. Not everyone will ride when it’s raining or even when the streets are wet and some of us make sure we’re off the road before the sun goes down. Eliminate those needs and what we have is a different sort of e-bike. Enter the Velotric T1 HS.

What makes the Velotric T1 HS different is, well, everything. Let’s start with the basics. This is e-bike begins with a 6061 aircraft aluminum frame and fork—no suspension. It’s powered by a 350W brushless, geared hub motor and 353Wh battery. It features an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes paired with 160mm rotors.

In a market where most manufacturers are touting the big wattage numbers for their hub, Velotric went in the opposite direction. The question is: Why? The answer is simple enough: With a smaller motor, smaller battery, fewer accessories that add weight and no suspension, Velotric was able to produce an e-bike that weighs just 37 lbs. We rarely see e-bikes that weigh less than 50 lbs., so this is an impressive achievement.

A lightweight e-bike changes the ride experience and because it’s so light, a 350W motor is far more effective than it would be on an e-bike that weighs twice as much. Velotric gave this e-bike another feature that makes it all the more appealing: a torque sensor. The torque sensor sends far more information to the controller than a cadence sensor does, and helps the motor to respond more quickly and in proportion to the rider’s effort, resulting in a sportier experience.

There’s a lot to consider with this exciting e-bike. Let’s dig into the details.

[Read more…] about Velotric T1 High Step Review | Cool Tech, Sleek Ride

Trek Marlin+ 8 Review | Electrifying A Popular MTB

A Bosch motor, air-spring suspension fork and 12-speed drivetrain make this no ordinary entry-level eMTB.

Trek Marlin+ 8 E-Bike Review
Part of Trek’s mission statement reads, “We…change the world by getting more people on bikes.” Electrifying an affordable hardtail mountain bike is undoubtedly a step toward achieving that goal.

If the name Marlin sounds familiar, it’s because it’s one of Trek’s most popular hardtail mountain bike lines. The “+” designation signifies Trek’s electrified models, and with the Marlin+ 8, Trek combines its well-loved aluminum frame with a Bosch Active Line Plus motor powered by a CompactTube 400 battery. The bike also features a full RockShox Recon Silver RL fork, a Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, and 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes—all carefully chosen to balance affordability with performance.

While many e-bikes we review come in just one size or offer step-over and step-thru options with similar reach dimensions, Trek has taken a different approach. The Marlin+ 8 is available in five sizes, a welcome detail for riders outside the average height range. Whether you’re a more petite rider or on the taller side, there’s likely a Marlin+ 8 that fits you perfectly. Our large frame test bike felt like it was made for me.

Trek clearly understands what riders want in an eMTB. Despite aiming to keep this bike more affordable, they didn’t skimp on features. Tubeless-ready tires and rims, along with a dropper post, and solid suspension fork show that this bike isn’t just about appearances—it delivers where it counts.

At the core of the Trek Marlin+ 8 is its Bosch motor, which shines in both subtle and high-demand scenarios. Whether you need a noticeable boost or seamless integration with your pedaling, the motor excels. Its intuitive “set it and forget it” functionality is a standout feature.

There’s a lot to unpack with this e-bike. Let’s dive into how the Marlin+ 8 performed in our battery of tests.

[Read more…] about Trek Marlin+ 8 Review | Electrifying A Popular MTB

Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Review | If The Road Ends, The Ride Won’t

The looks are killer, but the bike isn’t just style; off-road fun abounds on this speedy dirt bike-inspired ride.

Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Review
The Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT was everything I didn’t know I wanted from the brand’s moto-styled speedster.

My previous experiences reviewing the HT and helping test the FS models already convinced me the Revv 1 was a great bike. Both were fun, fast, comfortable and just looked badass!

Now, enter the DRT with the best specs of any Revv1 model. Its enhanced suspension and duo-sport tires sent me further off the beaten path than I’d attempted on any previous Revv1. I immediately found myself enjoying the ride in a whole new light. If you want fun times on paved surfaces or in the dirt, the Revv 1 DRT is an excellent place to look.

I’ll state the (hopefully) obvious: It’s not a dirt bike. But if you want a versatile e-bike that allows you to commute on bike paths, enjoy some double-track, and even hit a smaller dirt jump or two, then the DRT can deliver.

The DRT packs all the hallmarks of a moped-style e-bike. It has a powerful motor, sufficient counterbalance with 4-piston hydraulic brakes, and a large battery for longer ride times.

But all of that is just the tip of the iceberg, and there is plenty more worth discussing. See how it did in our testing down below for all the details.

[Read more…] about Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Review | If The Road Ends, The Ride Won’t

Rad Power Bikes RadTrike Review | Stable; Affordable

A stable, affordable e-trike for those who are in need of three wheels instead of two

Rad Power Bikes RadTrike Review
Rad Power Bikes is well-established as a leading e-bike brand having made and refined a large stable of affordable e-bike models over the past several years. But with our Rad Power Bikes RadTrike review, we have something entirely fresh to evaluate from the e-bike giant; creating an electric trike means Rad will be forging ahead on a new frontier for them on the greater e-mobility landscape.

So the question has to be asked, why make the RadTrike? Sure, electric bikes and trikes share handlebars, pedals, tires, motors, batteries, and more, but they have as many differences as they do similarities. There is a pretty large contrast in the way you ride and operate either one which requires experienced e-bike engineers to start from square one when going to develop a trike. So again, why did Rad Power Bikes do it?

“[The RadTrike] is something that the world hasn’t had but really needs. A low, stable, comfortable, and accessibly-priced micromobility product that can be pedaled,” chairman and founder Mike Radenbaugh told us during a review Q&A phone call.

If done right, an e-trike such as the RadTrike has the potential to make e-micromobility more available to all – especially those who aren’t comfortable on two wheels by providing the stability of three.

The RadTrike was built with people who have mobility or balance limitations in mind. Trikes have long been a favorite of seniors thanks to the platform being simpler to mount, and by their nature, they favor slower speeds that are easier to manage.

E-trikes are also highly useful as an alternative means of getting around thanks to higher payload capacities, basket attachments for storing all sorts of gear, and the stability three wheels provide to load and haul it all. E-trikes can be small but mighty, sort of like a “small pickup truck” as Radenbaugh went on to say.

In the world of e-bikes consumers have no shortage of options, but it’s fair to say that the models offered in e-trikes are fewer and further between, and oftentimes finding a quality one means higher prices. The RadTrike is aiming to be one of a small number of less expensive, quality electric trike options that could truly be relied upon in a daily capacity.

Clearly, the RadTrike is a worthwhile endeavor on many levels, but was the brand able to deliver a quality trike that would feel safe, useful, fun, and perform well? We spent the last three weeks riding and reviewing the Rad Power Bikes RadTrike to find out.

[Read more…] about Rad Power Bikes RadTrike Review | Stable; Affordable

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review | High-Bar for Hub Motors?

Specialized’s first hub motor e-bike is a homerun on performance, with enough ways to use it that anybody can enjoy it.

Specialized Globe Haul ST Review
Specialized is one of the biggest bike brands in the world, known for spearheading more innovations than most other brands combined. They were also the first of the major legacy brands to introduce an e-bike, showing their willingness to embrace the future. Watching the rise of direct-to-consumer e-bike brands, Specialized has proven its competitive edge once again by creating one of the best-performing e-bikes we’ve ever tested. To say our time reviewing Specialized’s Globe Haul ST left us impressed would be an understatement.

In our standardized series of e-bike tests, the Globe Haul ST excelled across the board. It wowed us with its hill-climbing ability, range, speed, and safety (braking)—all earning high marks. Beyond measurable metrics, the Globe Haul ST delivered a polished and refined experience that’s rare for a first-generation product. But then again, few gen-one models have access to the kind of R&D expertise that Specialized brings to the table.

As a Class 3 utility e-bike powered by a lively 700W hub motor (more on that later), the Globe Haul ST is built for versatility. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands at Costco, or simply riding for fun, this bike adapts seamlessly to your needs, making every ride is enjoyable.

You could really tell that Specialized drew on its deep understanding of geometry and frame design to create a one-size-fits-all e-bike that truly lives up to the promise. The bike fits riders from 4’5″ to 6’4″, the Globe Haul ST provides an impressive fit for nearly everyone. The 20×3.5” Carless Whisper tires add to its appeal by offering a low center of gravity and easy balance, making it a comfortable ride even for those who haven’t been on a bike in years.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how much the Globe Haul ST impressed our Electric Bike Report team. Continue reading for the full breakdown of what makes this e-bike so special.

[Read more…] about Specialized Globe Haul ST Review | High-Bar for Hub Motors?

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 Review | Impressive Safety Tech

The fifth generation of this cargo e-bike continues refinement and usability. It may not be perfect, but at this price, it’s as appealing as any cargo e-bike like it.

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 Review
Rad Power Bikes struck gold with the RadWagon 4, one of the most popular cargo e-bikes on the market. However, the design was due for an update—and the new RadWagon 5 delivers as a worthy successor. In this Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 review, we’ll examine the changes and updates that make this model stand out.

The RadWagon 5 is a longtail cargo e-bike designed to handle big loads with ease. Its hub motor powers a long rear deck that can carry everything from a couple of kids to a week’s worth of groceries—or whatever your imagination allows. The bike features a 7-speed drivetrain and an easy-to-mount step-thru frame, making it accessible to a wide range of riders.

The RadWagon 5 offers excellent handling, thanks to a switch to a more common tire size, a slightly more compact wheelbase, and a BMX-style handlebar. These updates make it easier to balance, with a low center of gravity that inspires confidence even when loaded down with gear or passengers. The bike’s maneuverability holds up well, even at Class 3 speeds, making it a solid performer for urban rides and beyond.

Safety is clearly a priority with the RadWagon 5. Integrated head and taillights with turn signal functionality, hydraulic disc brakes, and new battery safety technology provide riders with confidence during daily commutes and peace of mind for long-term use. Rad’s innovative Safe Shield tech (explained in more detail below) is a standout feature, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see other brands adopt similar safety measures in the future.

While Rad has made impressive strides with the RadWagon 5, a couple of minor issues persist. The cable management could be tidier, and the 2-amp charger feels a bit slow compared to competitors. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are areas where improvements could elevate the experience even further.

Despite a few small drawbacks, the good far outweighs the bad. Rad Power Bikes has made significant progress in affordable cargo e-bike design, and the RadWagon 5 is a testament to that. As you’ll see in our test results and data below, Rad has done an excellent job with this model—and it’s poised to continue its legacy as a favorite among cargo e-bike enthusiasts.


[Read more…] about Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 Review | Impressive Safety Tech