Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing
Electric Bike Report
Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.
*Promoted post by Edinburgh Bike Coop, edited by Electric Bike Report.
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world boasting the historic “Old Town,” including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile sitting above the stunning “New Town,” with gorgeous Georgian architecture. Throughout the city are vast green spaces and miles of cycle paths to explore, making Edinburgh a great city to explore by bicycle, particularly, due to all the hills, an electric bike.
Hollywood Racks has long been one of the go-to options for a quality bang-for-your-buck hitch rack. The products are true workhorses; they aren’t the fanciest options on the market, but they’re routinely a few hundred dollars less than comparable models while going toe-to-toe on most features and occasionally going beyond.
Spending less for similar features sounds great, but there is usually a caveat or two to consider. Competitors were typically a little more sleek, and while it could carry bikes of similar sizes, the adjustments when fitting bikes were often clunky. Consider those problems addressed with their latest model, the Crosstrack, all while keeping the ethos of producing a product that undercuts others on the market.
The Crosstrack is a platform-style bike hitch rack that uses two arms to establish contact with the tires. The rack handles bikes up to 66 lbs and fits most tires from 20-29” in diameter and up to 4” wide with a 52” long wheelbase.
With no frame contact and an easy-to-fit tray system, the Crosstrack can be loaded up in seconds, and it works nicely for different styles of e-bikes, from road and gravel to eMTB and city. The front-handle pull system quickly snaps the rack into one of four positions, and once I figured out the best practice for unloading bikes, it was a simple start-to-finish experience getting bikes from the garage to the the trailhead and back again.
This has been an intensive year for me in hitch rack product testing and as is often the case, the drawbacks I could find on the Crosstrack for hyper-specific to the life of a bike tester or somebody who is swapping between bikes with different tire-sizes frequently, but overall, I was highly impressed with the Hollywood Racks Crosstrack after weeks of testing and reviewing it. For all the details, read on!
[Read more…] about Hollywood Racks Crosstrack Hitch Rack Review | VALUE!
Rarely do I get too caught up in the naming conventions of the e-bikes I test. Most aim to sound EPIC or come with a backstory that’s either cool or sentimental. But calling something an “Underdog” immediately caught my attention. After all, don’t we all like rooting for the underdog? After several weeks of reviewing the Canyon Strive: ON CFR Underdog, I can confidently say it’s a name well-earned. This bike is scrappy and plucky enough to hang with the big boys.
This bike packs plenty of desirable features, like the carbon frame and the renowned Bosch CX motor, but its spec sheet is geared toward a budget-conscious rider. It’s a bike that punches above its weight, holding its own against top-tier enduro rigs without demanding a sky-high price tag. Canyon also offers the LTD version of this bike, loaded with everything you might want, but the Strive: ON Underdog provides everything you need for a fun and aggressive enduro experience.
The Strive: ON CFR Underdog is both stable and responsive. It has a slacked-out headtube, a steep seat tube, and a long wheelbase for getting rowdy even on speedier downhills. Using a 160/170 Fox suspension and Horst linkage, the bike was very controlled on even technical descents.
Of course, the Bosch motor lives up to its stellar reputation. It delivers punchy, responsive engagement, giving just the right amount of assistance when you need it most. The overrun feature adds a helpful boost even after you stop pedaling, making sure finish strong over steep climbs.
The bottom line: this bike can keep up with any enduro eMTB in your friend group. It’s built on a solid foundation that appeals to everyone, from newcomers to seasoned vets, offering a beefy, capable ride without breaking the bank.
[Read more…] about Canyon Strive: ON CFR Underdog Review | Bet on the Underdog?
Saris’ Modular Hitch System (MHS) is a well-thought-out concept. It’ll grab e-bikers’ attention as one of the few hitch racks out there that can haul up to two 100-lb e-bikes, but that is only the beginning. It’s a hitch rack system that can address today’s needs and adapt to needs that will arise later in life, with just a little forethought required.
There are three different base options to choose from. You buy the receiver with the bike-carrying capacity you need, with room to add more later.
We tested the Saris Modular Hitch System 3+1. We were impressed with how quickly and easily you can load up and carry heavier e-bikes in the first two tray spots and loved the flexibility of taking up to four bikes. Saris has several additional accessories that make life even simpler, like a portable bike ramp, lights that integrate with a vehicle’s brake lights, and a hitch tightener to ensure the heavy-duty system is tightly in place.
Bikes secure easily with no frame contact (your bike’s paint job will thank you), and since they’re modular, you can choose the tray option that secures one or two wheels. The modularity extends to a cargo basket that can replace or line up next to your bike trays. It makes it easier to lug a cooler when camping and still bring your bike along.
Overall, this system was heavy-duty. It was one of the beefier racks we’ve tested, which gives it such a good weight rating, but it also makes it one of the heavier racks to fold up and down.
Overall, we really enjoyed this system. There are just a few caveats to it that you need to know about to determine whether it’ll best suit your needs. All the details are found below in the full Saris Modualr Hitch System review.
[Read more…] about Saris Modular Hitch System Review | The Future-Proofed Rack?
The all-mountain eMTB category has many impressive options to sort through, but Pivot went swinging for the fences with the design of the Shuttle AM. One quick look at the spec sheet of the Pro X0 Eagle Transmission that Pivot sent us for testing was enough to get my mouth watering: Bosch’s CX race motor with a big ol’ 750Wh battery, a full Fox 148/160mm suspension setup, SRAM’s wireless 12-speed drivetrain, and Shimano XT brakes on a carbon frame with 29″ Maxxis tires.
Those ingredients sounded like a recipe for success, but the final product still exceeded my lofty expectations.
The power was terrific – the Bosch motor is punchy in the climbs and can help you get to speed in a blink. It was built for racing, after all. It doesn’t take a racer mentality to appreciate it, though. It multiplies the fun of the ride and enables you to get through climbs that I would otherwise “NOPE!” away from.
The geometry feels spot-on. It’s what you want for a variety of mountain biking applications, and thanks to the flip chip, you can tailor the build to your liking. It can be made into a mulleted-wheel setup while keeping the geometry inline, or you can pick the high or low option if you can appreciate the subtle shift that change makes on the 29ers it comes with.
There’s no such thing as the perfect suspension setup, but the DW-link paired with Fox’s Float system had an impressive feel. The rear triangle feels supportive and efficient when pedaling uphill, but it feels compliant and plush when pointed downhill. No, it’s not the same bomber as the Shuttle LT, but it still does well in point-and-go scenarios over some chop.
Perhaps the most surprising thing was how light and poppy the bike felt. It weighs 50 lbs, which is common for a full-power build. However, the front end felt incredibly light and maneuverable. It was fun to jump with and easy to pull up over technical obstacles on a climb.
There are a couple of nits to pick at, but for the purpose of being designed for an all-mountain ride, it’s one of the more impressive eMTBs our team has ridden all year. The Pivot Shuttle AM is worth recommending to those seeking a jack-of-all-trades mountain bike that rides like a top-tier machine.
[Read more…] about Pivot Shuttle AM Review | The All-Mountain Gold Standard?
Velotric’s Black Friday sales are underway, so now is the perfect time to buy one of their models.
Why consider getting one in the first place? Velotric may not be the most established brand, but it entered the e-bike market quickly and made a strong impression. Their first major success was the Discover 1, a city-cruiser e-bike.
Since then, they’ve launched around eight models, with several already in their second generation. In just a few short years, they’ve achieved impressive success. Choosing a Velotric bike means more features, a smoother ride, and exceptional comfort—all at prices that range from fair to fantastic!
Below, we’ve listed each discount currently available as part of their Black Friday savings. Remember, these deals are limited by inventory and only last so long; once they’re gone, they’re gone, and prices are likely to return to full MSRP.
For more information on any of the bikes, be sure to check out our detailed Velotric e-bike reviews!
*Note: This is a sponsored post. Thank you to Velotric for supporting us here at Electric Bike Report!
NOTE: This page was recently updated to include Velotric’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for 2024! We will try to keep this page current, but deas are going fast and might not last!
America has a love affair with the portability that comes with folding e-bikes, and the Fold 1 is one of the top options on the market. Comfort, range, and a high weight capacity are the main highlights of the Fold 1, but it’s also a solid all-around ride.
This was the bike that kickstarted the Velotric brand’s rise to success, and it recently received a few quality-of-life improvements. It’s very affordable, simple & straightforward to ride, and it has several color options that really pop.
This city e-bike is praised for its natural ride feel that helps you zip around urban environments and is very comfortable for the bike’s styling. It’s a nice lightweight option that apartment dwellers appreciate.
Velotric’s fat bike is a great all-arounder. It has solid motor power and battery life, is quite comfortable (are you starting to sense the theme yet?), and, like the Discover 1, it has a plethora of colorful options to select from, which is still pretty rare to see on affordably-priced bikes.
Check Best Price | Read Review
The only bike in the lineup from Velotric we haven’t reviewed yet. Utility bikes are compact cargo carriers that are loved for their easy step-through design, and they are great for carrying a child or a handful of gear. .
Check Best Price | Full Review Coming Soon!
The Packer 1 is one of the few affordable cargo bikes that use a mixed-wheel setup. It makes it really nice as far as handling goes and keeps the ride stable and predictable. This one tested well in our standardized tests, and is the largest discount of Velotric’s sale, making the value proposition stellar.
Is it a commuter, a city bike, or a Dutch-style cruiser? Yes. Whatever you call it, the Discover 2 is insanely customizable and has a ton of tech not often seen on an e-bike in its price range. Features include connection to an app, the ability to toggle torque or cadence sensors, turn signals, cruise control, MIK-HD rear rack, and the common Velotric theme of being extremely comfortable.
The Summit isn’t a pure-blood eMTB, but it’s a wicked, fun adventure bike that will have fun romping around OHV areas and campsites. Commute during the day and have a blast on the weekend thanks to the robust capabilities of the rear hub motor.
Looking to snag a Tenways bike this Black Friday? You’re in the right place!
Each e-bike brand has its own strengths—whether it’s flashy design, cutting-edge models, or exceptional customer service. Tenways has carved out a niche by focusing on city e-bikes that are simple, stylish, and highly functional.
Below, you’ll find a list of current Tenways promotions with sale prices and links to our reviews of various models. In each review, we break down details like range, hill-climbing ability, braking, and more.
Just a reminder: Black Friday deals are first come, first served, so grab your Tenways bike while stocks last!
If you need any additional info on the brand or its models, make sure to check out our overview of Tenways.
NOTE: This page was recently updated to include Tenways Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for 2024! We will try to keep this page current, but once the deals are gone, they’re gone!
A simplified, lightweight city commuter. Riders will love the belt drive that keeps things clean, and maintenance minimal. The torque sensor and subtle boost of the motor adds to the ride experience without taking it away from the rider
Everything good about the bike listed above, but with a few more gears to play with! Riders that have to frequent a lot of hills will appreciate the 8-speed gearing.
A more relaxed and casual ride. This step-thru, dutch-style cruiser keeps the rider comfortable. It may look minimal, but the stem-integrated display adds a dash of sleekness.
For the commuter who likes to adventure. The AGO X is an “SUV” of the e-bike world. The 10-speed gearing and Bafang middrive will give you active pedal adventures, and you can even do some light touring with the full setup. . .
Tenways’ most high-tech model. This comfortable cruiser features an Enviolo CVT gear hub. No cassette and gears to work through, just a smooth-as-butter shifting experience that pairs wonderfully with the mid-drive motor.
The ever-growing hitch rack market includes a number of new racks designed specifically for e-bikes. With models that include features such as ramps and special arms that can accommodate fenders or step-thru frames and even lights, there are some pretty fancy racks out there.
Unfortunately, as the features grow more elaborate, the prices go up. We love the Hollywood Racks Sportrider rack for a number of reasons, but our favorite reason is that it can carry almost any e-bike on the market, plus it is one of the most affordable racks out there. It’s a potent combination. At $499, there aren’t many hitch racks that can compete with it.
When we say the Hollywood Racks Sportrider hitch rack can carry almost any e-bike on the market, we really mean it. It can carry two e-bikes each weighing up to 80 lbs. Yes, we’ve reviewed some e-bikes that weigh more than 80 lbs. but of the hundreds of e-bikes we’ve reviewed, they comprise maybe one percent of our reviews. It’s next winning feature is that it can carry e-bikes with a wheelbase of up to 60 in.—long enough to carry longtail cargo e-bikes.
[Read more…] about Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Review | Fits Nearly Any E-Bike!
Our time testing and reviewing the Giant Reign E+ Pro 2 was eye-opening. There was a lot we already knew going into it: Giant knows what its doing with MTBs and produces sound products, Yamaha makes good motors, and a lot of the components listed on the Reign’s spec sheet are tried and tested and generally good quality.
Surprisingly, even though those are all positive known statements, they short-change a greater experience that we had to ride to know for ourselves. It sounds cliche, but the whole really was greater than the sum of its parts. The Reign E+ Pro is well equipped for a fun enduro experience.
Giant gave the Reign E+ Pro a slack geo, a slightly longer than most chainstay, and then gave it a burly 160/170 setup with the Fox Float X and RockShox Zeb. Although we already knew the suspension components were nice, they felt better than ever when paired with Giant’s Maestro linkage tech. If you want to have fun, try barreling downhill or hitting jumps – the bike can more than handle it.
It wasn’t all about the downhill though. The PW-X3 motor more than holds it’s own against some of the great e-bike motors out there today. It’s arguably one of the better performers in low cadence settings like going slow into a hill. Enduro bikes up hill is usually a chore, but the motor makes it just another good part of the ride.
Our expectations were exceeded and then some with the Reign E+ Pro. See how it did in all of our testing down below.
[Read more…] about Giant Reign E+ 2 Pro Review | Enduro Lovers NEED To See This
The CYKE Falcon X lives in the exciting, somewhat hard-to-define all-terrain e-bike class.
What is clear is that it’s built to roam off-road. Its powerful motor, slack geometry, long wheelbase, and 4.8″-wide fat tires make it conducive to riding across nearly any stretch of path in front of you. The unique properties helped it feel capable in sandy or loose conditions with some clear potential for mud and snow. It’s a bike where the term “riding season” doesn’t apply.
I had a lot of fun with it on local fire roads and double track, and it has mild to intermediate singletrack abilities. I can see the bike’s capabilities translating well as a camping/overlanding/hunting machine—there are simply a lot of places it can go.
The motor was one of the bike’s defining elements; the Bafang M620 is one of the market’s most powerful mid-drive motors. It gives the Falcon X 1000W of power (1100W peak) and 160Nm of torque to play with, which helps it fly to fast speeds and easily climb hills once you get a hang of the shifting.
Thanks to its full-suspension design, the bike was really comfortable. It’s very plush and handles well on straightaways over gravely terrain or when romping around rocky and rooty areas. It’s one of the few bikes I can confidently take over sand, too.
Some areas for improvement are noted below in the full CYKE Falcon X review, but for one of the most affordable all-terrain e-bikes I’ve ridden, the bike exceeded my expectations.
[Read more…] about CYKE Falcon X Review | Serious Exploring Potential
