Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing

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John S. Bozick

E-Bike Writer & Reviewer

Originally from a small town in northeastern Ohio, John was eventually drawn elsewhere in the pursuit of self-actualization. What began as a creative background slowly shifted into the technical; John’s early interest in art led him to learn design, fabrication, and manufacturing techniques while attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He applied his creative, mechanical, and critical thinking skills in various industries including fine art, orthotics, furniture and interior design, construction, etc. before arriving in his current position at Electric Bike Report. Bikes have been present to varying degrees throughout John’s life; as a teenager, he spent much of his free time on a Diamondback BMX, and during/following the pandemic, a secondhand Specialized trail bike offered a way to blow off steam. Writing has been similarly ubiquitous; a natural skill with the written word developed through formal education into a source of pride and passion. At Electric Bike Report, John uses his analytical mind, technical writing skills, and dry sense of humor to share the best e-bikes with the world!

Get to Know John S. Bozick

Certifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Entertainment Design

Favorite Style of E-Bike

City, All-Terrain, Hybrid Path

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Ride1UP Revv 1

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

Juiced Bikes RipCurrent S

Favorite New E-bike Tested

Magnum Vertex

Hobbies

Cooking, Hiking, Camping, Gaming, and Traveling

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

John S. Bozick

Blix Ultra E-Bike Review, 2024

Blix Ultra Review 2024
Fat tire bikes aim to offer multipurpose functionality for a wide range of riders, with their tendency to feature high-powered motors, off-road capability, respectable range, and a comfortable ride. In our review of the Blix Ultra, we found that this aggressive-looking e-bike fills such a role in the company’s lineup, and is a bit of a departure from their usual style – or at least a merging of the features spread across their other models.

With a wide range of accessories to adapt its functionality, Bluetooth connectivity that allows its user to switch between Class 2 and Class 3 speed limits, an optional dual-battery configuration, and the bike’s 750W, 90Nm motor, the Blix Ultra is highly customizable and built for function. Its bold styling is a nice touch that suits its capabilities, and with quality construction and components, it should prove a reliable ride.

We cover all of the bike’s features, specs, and performance in our detailed review of the Blix Ultra below. Keep reading to see how this bike measures up!

*Blix no longer sells the Ultra. Take a look at one of their latest e-bikes with awesome tech: the Blix Vika X review

[Read more…] about Blix Ultra E-Bike Review, 2024

E-Bike Batteries: Volts, Amps, & Watt Hours Explained

What Are These Volts, Amps, and Watt-Hours? How Battery Specifications and Capacity Equate to Capability and Cost

Electric Bike Battery Basics

Understanding e-bike batteries can be challenging, even for those of us in the know; the nitty-gritty details are figured out by electrical engineers with years of education and experience under their collective belts – and for good reason, it’s all chemistry and math over there!

You’ll encounter a host of terms when reading about e-bikes or looking at electric bike battery specifications: things like battery size, capacity, voltage, amp hours and watt hours. Some of these words are more-or-less interchangeable, others are related but distinct. All of them can be confusing, but they are also hugely important in understanding electric bikes and their capabilities – most notably when trying to interpret how far they can take you before needing to be recharged. Range is a big deal for most of our readers, and if an e-bike is going to perform well on our range tests and have a shot a being listed among the top e-bikes, then a quality battery is a must.

In this guide to e-bike batteries, the helpful writers at Electric Bike Report will help you to understand the meaning of common battery terms and their relation to the performance of the electric bikes they power.
[Read more…] about E-Bike Batteries: Volts, Amps, & Watt Hours Explained

6 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying E-Bikes

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying E-Bikes

With a gazillion different brands, categories, price ranges, and levels of quality among e-bikes (trust us, we checked), it can seem difficult to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff. For many folks, the number of variables can be overwhelming, so they may feel inclined to make a purchase based only on a price tag or the repetition of an advertisement. Doing so can result in disappointment when an e-bike does not meet their expectations – whether in comfort, functionality, or longevity. To help prevent unfortunate results and unhappy customers, the friendly folks at Electric Bike Report have assembled this list of the 6 mistakes to avoid when buying e-bikes.

The most important thing we can recommend is doing a healthy amount of research; we’ll provide a brief overview of topics in this article, and link to sources you can explore for more in-depth information (for starters, you might also consider reading our buyer’s guide for electric bikes). There are many factors that go into finding an e-bike that is right for you, and fortunately there is a wealth of information available on the internet (we strive to be one of the most reliable and comprehensive) to help make that search easier. A thorough understanding of both the parts of a bike and your own needs in relation to those will help you find a model that you’ll be happy with for years to come.

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Mistake #1: Being Unaware of E-Bike Basics

Motor, Battery, and Other Important Features & Terms

To put it bluntly, e-bikes are complicated machines. For many newcomers, looking over a spec sheet for an e-bike can be like trying to do your own taxes; there is usually a ton of potentially confusing yet relevant information crammed into a small space on a page, and much of it can seem esoteric when compared to just glancing at a price tag.

But the importance of learning what components make up an e-bike, what their various sizes/ratings/capacities mean, and how that translates into a bike’s performance and feel when you’re actually ON one cannot be understated.

For example, a 250-watt (250W) mid-drive motor (one that is mounted centrally with the bike’s crank arms) is likely going to feel and perform much differently than a 750W rear-hub motor (one that is mounted in the center of the back wheel). Conversely, while a 36-volt (36V), 14 amp-hour (Ah) battery may look much differently than a 48V, 10 Ah battery on paper, they should, in theory, provide similar range in the real world.

Learning the basics of e-bike anatomy is a great first step in understanding the big picture. Then, it’s a good idea to focus on expanding your knowledge of e-bike motors and batteries and how their types and ratings relate to things like speed, hill-climbing ability, and maximum range.

Finally, research the various types of e-bikes, what they are designed for, and how their design affects rider position, comfort levels, and handling. We’ll touch on some of these things further down on this list, but by no means will this be a comprehensive guide.

Establishing a working knowledge base should help you to differentiate e-bikes both visually and on paper, and it will aid in deciphering all of the technical jargon that really does matter when finding a great e-bike for you.
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Hub Motor Brands: The Complete Guide

Hub Motor Types, Brands, and the E-Bikes That Use Them

Hub Motor Guide

All consumer-ready e-bikes provide assistance to their riders through either a mid-drive motor or a hub motor. While mid-drive motors are placed centrally at the bottom bracket and tie into their e-bike’s cranks, hub motors – as their name suggests – are mounted at the center of either the front or rear wheel. We’ll focus on the latter type in this complete guide to e-bike hub motors; read on to learn the differences between types of motors, and keep scrolling to examine some of the best hub motors on the market!

At the present time, electric hub motors are much more affordable than mid-drives, and are subsequently much more prevalent. Additionally, hub motors are often much lighter than their cousins, and make practical additions to urban e-bikes or folding frames that need to be carried often. They also function well in conjunction with belt drives and internal gear systems that are nearly maintenance-free. In fact, you’ll find hub motors on some of our favorite electric bikes we have had the pleasure of reviewing.

Mid-drive motors, on the other hand, have a reputation for being more efficient and responsive than hub motors – though hub motor technology is improving constantly and coming ever closer to bridging the gap. Mid-drives are also known for their ability to replicate or approach the feel of non-electric bikes. They are, however, much more expensive, and as such are most commonly found on higher-end models.

The topic of e-bike motors is complex enough that we have a separate guide to mid-drive motors. In this article, focused exclusively on e-bike hub motors, we will dive into the most common manufacturers, discuss some of the best e-bike brands who use their products, and also cover some unique one-offs.

Rev your engines and get ready to read!

[Read more…] about Hub Motor Brands: The Complete Guide