Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing

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Sam Gross

Product Reviewer, Content Writer

Sam likes bikes a lot. Probably too much. After a childhood spent racing bikes and learning to work on them in his hometown bike shop, Sam spent his college years skipping classes to chase his dream as an elite mountain bike racer. Injury and a lack of talent sent him back to school and into a career as a journalist, where he covered wildfires, public safety and environmental policy for a major U.S. newspaper chain before working at electricbikereport.com. Sam likes to get lost on his mountain bike in the deserts of the southwest and harass his two cats. He’s a new convert to the e-bike family but firmly believes they will change the world for the better.

Get to Know Sam Gross

Certifications

  • B.A. Communication and Media Studies

Favorite Style of E-Bike

eMTB, Gravel, Road

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

Specialized Turbo Vado, BULLS Alpine Hawk EVO

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

VENON EVO-GR FORCE AXS

Hobbies

MTB Races, cat videos

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

Sam Gross

Aventon Pace 500.2 Step-Through Review 2024

Aventon Pace 500 Step-Through Review 2024
*Are you looking for a review of the latest Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Through? Click Here.

An old favorite with a new look: Aventon’s Pace 500, their original and best selling electric bike, just got a face lift and a few new parts.

In this Aventon Pace 500 review, we take a first-hand look at the newest generation of Aventon’s tried and trued electric cruiser bike.

The Pace 500 has long been one of our most highly recommended affordable e-bikes for its looks, for its power and for its really, really nice handling. This new version of the Pace seems to have capitalized on those qualities by making very small (but impactful) changes. In addition to its redesigned look, the Pace 500 also got a larger battery and several other cool features like a color LCD display and inset tail lights.

Launched in March 2022 alongside its sister bike, the Pace 350, we got an early release version of the bike to put through our gauntlet of testing.

So, how’s it stack up against the old bike? Very well, actually.


[Read more…] about Aventon Pace 500.2 Step-Through Review 2024

Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer Review 2024

Wahoo Kickr Bike Written Review

Like the U.S. Postal Service, neither rain, snow, sleet or a demanding 9-to-5 work schedule can stand between you and your training with the Wahoo KICKR smart trainer.

In this Wahoo KICKR smart trainer review, we dive into the specs and features of this top-of-the-line home trainer and talk a little about my real world experience integrating this training tool into my regimine ahead of the 2022 mountain bike season.

Wahoo’s KICKR has long dominated the direct drive home trainer market and has been heralded as the gold standard tool for those who wish to make their outside bike an inside bike. Controlled by a smart device via bluetooth, the Wahoo KICKR pairs with the virtual cycling app of your choice — among the most popular are Wahoo’s SYSTM app, Zwift, TrainerRoad and many others — and automatically adjusts resistance based on whether your going uphill, downhill or are partaking in a structured workout. This makes for an incredibly realistic indoor riding experience that’s engaging, fun and incredibly effective for those looking to gain fitness in a short amount of time.

I used the KICKR to fit structured interval training around my 9-5 duties at Electric Bike Report and saw considerable results. It’s now my favorite training tool, and one I’d recommend to anyone who wants to ride well but doesn’t have a ton of time.


[Read more…] about Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer Review 2024

Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through Review

RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through E-Bike Review

The RadRover model from Rad Power Bikes has long been the benchmark with which all other affordable electric fat bikes are compared. It’s a high bar to clear for other brands, with the RadRover 6 Plus boasting quality, performance and an economical price point that is difficult to compete with — to put it short, it’s a lot of e-bike for the money.

It seems only fitting that one of the only companies that can best Rad is Rad itself. They seemingly have done this with their newest version of the RadRover, the RadRover 6 Plus.

In this Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through review, we take a close look at the more accessible frame option of the new RadRover. Unlike its high-step sibling this bike is missing the top tube, making it easier for riders to get on and off of.

As the name suggests, this is the sixth iteration of the RadRover and this one seems to boast the biggest jump in refinement. Rad gave the bike a total facelift, making the frame far more angular and aggressive looking. They also redesigned the motor and battery to be more torquey and energy efficient. And finally they gave the bike a set of hydraulic disc brakes, greatly improving the braking performance. It may just be the newest version of an e-bike that’s been around for a while, but in many ways the RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through feels like an entirely new e-bike.

We put this bike through a gauntlet of tests to get a better picture of how it performs in the real world. From braking performance to hill climbing capability, our testing should help you understand if the RadRover 6 Plus is the right fit for you.

[Read more…] about Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Step-Through Review

Bakcou Storm Review

An e-bike designed to go where few others can, the Bakcou Storm is a full-suspension electric fat bike with the soul of a 4×4 and the guts of an ultra-powerful eMTB.

Founded by hunters and outdoorsmen who needed a quiet but capable mode of transportation in the backcountry that wouldn’t disturb wildlife, Utah-based Bakcou specializes in all-terrain electric fat bikes that’ll do just about anything you ask. The full-suspension storm is their flagship model.

Bakcou loaned Electric Bike Report a Storm during the Big Gear Show in Park City, Utah so we could put it through its paces for a morning. To put it short, this isn’t your average electric fat bike. We typically are quick to voice a disclaimer when we review fat e-bikes that not all of them are built with heavy off-road use in mind; most are best used on bike paths and light gravel roads. Bakcou builds e-bikes that are the exception to this rule.

Backou Storm Electric Bike Review front angle

The Bakcou Storm is a burly full suspension electric fat bike with a mid-drive motor.

Bakcou is a member of a growing cohort of e-bike companies that cater to the hunting and outdoors crowd, a quick growing niche in the e-bike world. And while they may look like a more capable electric fat bike or a burly eMTB, they really are pioneering a new category of e-bike. I think of it as the 4×4 category, but I’m not sure if that accurately captures it. Whatever we decide to call it, the Storm is an ultra-powerful and ultra-capable full suspension fat bike that’ll get you into the sticks and back without batting an eye.

[Read more…] about Bakcou Storm Review

DYU D3F Review, 2024

DYU D3F E-Bike Review

Electric bikes are getting cheaper and cheaper, but fewer are cheaper than the electric minibikes made by DYU.

In this DYU D3F review, we dive into the specs and real-world performance of one of the most inexpensive e-bikes money can buy. Powered by a 240W rear hub motor and a surprisingly large 360Wh battery, the D3F has fast become a popular option for those on a budget or who just dig the bike’s quirky looks.

Though this e-bike has a weight capacity that can accommodate a full-grown adult, the tiny frame and 14-inch wheels have made it an easy choice for kids. We test this, too, by breaking our normal review mold and incorporating the feedback of a 10-year-old junior test rider.

Whether you’re looking for a cheap ride, a ride for your kid or you just really appreciate this bike’s quirky looks, the DYU D3F is a solid choice for few dollars. Our impression is that it’s mostly a toy — best used for having fun over function — but it may also be a good option for those looking for affordable transportation.

[Read more…] about DYU D3F Review, 2024

Tern HSD S11 Review 2024

Tern HSD S11 Electric Bike Review

The bicycle version of a mid-size SUV, the Tern HSD S11 is a cross between a small(ish) cargo bike and a high-speed commuter.

The HSD has the stature of a larger folding bike but doesn’t fold (though Tern has devised a creative way to store the bike in a compact space), a rear rack that can carry up to 132 lbs and, most importantly, extremely well balanced handling that makes this compact bike handle like a much larger machine. Tern built the bike around the Bosch Performance Sport motor that throws down 65Nm of torque and has a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph, placing it in the Class 3 super commuter category.

Electric Bike Report got to spend some time with the Tern HSD S11 during the Big Gear Show in Park City, Utah. We didn’t have the time to put the bike through our typical in-depth review process, but we were impressed with the HSD’s incredibly stable handling and the performance of the Bosch motor. The S11 is one model below the highest-end version of the HSD and retails for just shy of $5,000.

Tern HSD S11 Electric Bike Review frame

The HSD’s looks take a little getting used to. Tern is a company that prioritizes function over form (though the quirky style has quickly grown on us).

The HSD has one foot in the commuting category and the other in the cargo category. It’s the mid-size SUV of e-bikes; sporty enough to race traffic during the morning commute and roomy enough to take you kid to soccer practice in the evening. But, like all of Tern’s e-bikes, the HSD is so much more than just a simple commuter/cargo crossover — it’s built to meet the daily challenges of carless commuting.

[Read more…] about Tern HSD S11 Review 2024

Gazelle Medeo T9 City Review 2024

Monterey, CALIF. (Sea Otter Classic) — Who said mid-drive electric bikes had to be expensive?

At this year’s Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California — the first edition of the event after a year-long COVID-19 hiatus — Dutch e-bike maker Gazelle quietly touted their all-new Medeo T9 City, the cheapest e-bike they’ve ever built.

This new member of the Medeo lineup isn’t yet available for purchase — part of the reason its presence at Sea Otter was slightly less advertised than some of the other new bikes shown off at the event — but at just $2,299, it’s priced to compete with some of the most affordable Bosch powered mid-drive e-bikes on the market. That’s a lot of motor for not a lot of bucks. Electric Bike Report got a chance to take the new T9 City out for a quick test ride during the show.

Gazelle Medeo T9 City glamor shot

Mid-drive but cheaper — The new Gazelle Medeo T9 City is an affordable electric commuter with a Bosch drive system, quality components and good looks to boot.

[Read more…] about Gazelle Medeo T9 City Review 2024

Vvolt Proxima Electric Bike Review 2023

Vvolt Proxima E-Bike Review 2023

Since most modern internet users have the attention span of a Petsmart goldfish, I’ll cut right to the chase with this Vvolt Proxima review: Buy this e-bike.

It’s fast, has a mid-drive, handles superbly and boasts a component package that’s not only functional and high-performing, but is nicer quality than almost any other e-bike I’ve ridden in the sub-$3,000 price bracket.

It’s also designed by people that get it: They get that good e-bikes — especially good commuter e-bikes are made in the small details — they get that mid-drive motors can and should be affordable, that durability matters and, perhaps most importantly, that you shouldn’t need to take out a second mortgage to get all of the above.

For those still with me (analytics data tells us the average Electric Bike Report reader does, in fact, have a much better attention span than the nine seconds we’d get with a goldfish), our real-world testing has shown that the Vvolt Proxima is a nicely rounded e-bike that’s billed as a versatile model, but will serve those looking for a light and fast commuter very well. We put it through a gauntlet of tests to help paint a picture of how this bike performs in the real world, the results of which are detailed in the sections below.

It’s not a perfect e-bike, as there are a few things (mainly the battery range) that left our review staff wanting a little more, but as a complete package, the Proxima has quickly become one of our favorites.

*Vvolt has discountinued the Proxima line, but make sure to check out the Alpha II.

[Read more…] about Vvolt Proxima Electric Bike Review 2023

Surface604 Shred Review – 2024

Surface604 Shred E-Bike Review
Electric mountain bikes are not known for being inexpensive, and there’s a lot of reason for this: Building an eMTB that isn’t just fun on trail, but is durable enough to withstand the repeated impact and rigor off-road riding entails is difficult. It requires lots of engineering and careful parts choices; which requires a lot of investment from the brand; which, in turn, means consumers should expect a larger price tag for a capable eMTB.

But as technology and eMTBs have aged and advanced, the price tag for quality appears to be slowly inching down. Brands have become more innovative and cost effective in how they design eMTBs, which is good for those of us who don’t want to shell out $4,000 or more just to get on a trail.

In this Surface604 Shred review, we take a deep dive into one such eMTB that’s pushing the envelope of low cost and off-road performance.

With a MSRP starting several hundred less than $3,000, the Shred is a (compared to mainstream eMTBs) very affordable option that takes the frugal rider’s approach to a trail-capable eMTB. In this review, we dive into the bike’s spec sheet and parse out how Surface604 made some careful component selections and utilized a torque-activated hub motor to keep costs down while still keeping an eye on performance.

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Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus Review, 2024

RadCity 5 PLus Review - full bike frame profile

A sensible electric bike for sensible riders, the freshly redesigned Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus is a Dutch-inspired e-bike that’s thoughtfully designed to cart you and the things you need for the day safely and efficiently.

In this Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus review, we take a look at how well this bike functions in the real world, putting it through a gauntlet of tests including a range test, hill test, braking test and more.

Rad re-released the RadCity in September 2021, giving the bike a new look, new motor and a refreshed battery design that looks slimmer and claims to stretch the battery range. The bike is modeled after the wildly popular (in Europe) Dutch-style commuter bike that boasts an upright riding position, relaxed styling and wonderfully balanced handling. They started with that design, added a nicely tuned 750W rear hub motor and decked the bike with affordable but good componentry.

The result is one remarkably nice electric commuter bike that won’t break the bank but will do just about anything you ask of it.

*Rad now just sells the Step-Through model of the RadCity 5. Check out that review here.
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