Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing

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Michael Clark

Co-Owner, E-Bike Writer & Reviewer

Michael has been involved with many of the aspects of operating Electricbikereport.com. Figuring out how to test products and help consumers decide which e-bike is best for their personal needs is a passion. E-bike’s have the opportunity to completely change the way people move around, get outside, and get from one place to the next. Riding bikes is a daily thing around here, and man do we get to ride a lot of bikes!

Get to Know Michael Clark

Certifications

  • B.S. Accounting

Favorite Style of E-Bike

Commuters, Utility Bikes, and E-MTB’s

Favorite E-Bikes Reviewed

RadRunner 2, Globe Haul

Current Bikes You Ride/Own

Orbea Rallon, RadRunner 2, Lectric X-Pedition, Lectric XP Lite, DYU, Euphree City Robin X

Hobbies

Traveling around the world, Hanging out with my wife and kids, and growing our business.

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

Michael Clark

Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 Review 2024

Monterey, CALIF. (Sea Otter Classic) — At this year’s Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, Specialized had on show its newest addition to its e-bike lineup — the all-new Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0.

The Turbo Tero was released side-by-side with updated versions of the full-power Turbo Como and Turbo Vado commuter bikes, two staples of the brand’s electric commuter bike lineup. But the Tero is slightly different from the others; built on an eMTB chassis with knobby tires and a dropper post, the Tero is part eMTB part do-it-all utilitarian adventure bike.

We got a chance to visit with Emily Oppliger and Ash Puzey of the Specialized Turbo Tech team at Sea Otter for the low down on the new Tero 5.0, as well as a few other new things from the California-based bike brand.

*You might also be interested in our in-depth Specialized Turbo Tero X 5.0 review.

Specialized Tero - MasterMind display

The new MasterMind display was front and center on the Tero 5.0.

[Read more…] about Specialized Turbo Tero 5.0 Review 2024

TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review 2024

Turboant Thunder T1 Electric Bike Review

TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review: Overview

The TurboAnt Thunder T1 is a Class 3 electric fat bike that’s built for multiple terrains and rider heights. The T1 comes with a powerful 750W motor, 48V, 14Ah battery and five levels of pedal assist. The T1 also has wide handlebars and an adjustable stem that allows you to adjust the positioning how you prefer.

Between the fat tires and adjustable ride positioning, the Thunder T1 will meet the fun factor and comfort requirements people often look for in electric fat bikes. The T1’s design makes gravel roads seem not so gravelly and on road riding feel like a magic carpet.

During the Thunder T1 review we discovered a couple things the Thunder T1 does different from other fat tire e-bikes. By the end of the review you should have a good idea if the T1 is the right electric fat bike for you,

[Read more…] about TurboAnt Thunder T1 Review 2024

Espin Nesta Review 2024

Espin Nesta Review

Espin Nesta Review: Overview

The Espin Nesta is a foldable all-terrain Class 3 electric bike from Espin that feels very stable and well put together, especially for having the ability to fold. I couldn’t tell this was a foldable bike with how sturdy and stable it felt below me and it left me without question Espin did a good job designing the Nesta.

The Espin Nesta review reminded us how not all foldable bikes are created equally. While we kind of knew that, being the electric bike experts we are, it was good to be reassured by its high speeds, comfortable positioning and hydraulic disc brakes. With its unique frame shape and ample rack space, the Espin Nesta is a member of the utility category of e-bikes — a class that’s growing in popularity among those who want a solid do-it-all electric bike.

We found a lot of things we liked about the Nesta right away — out of the box it comes 95% assembled and once we were riding we couldn’t help but notice the motor’s quick acceleration and 100mm of front suspension doing its thing.

By the end of this e-bike review you should have a good understanding of how the Espin Nesta performs out in the real world. From its battery range to its hill climbing ability we put “the Nesta to the test…a”. Let’s dive in.

[Read more…] about Espin Nesta Review 2024

Tower Beach Bum 2 Review 2024

Tower Beach Bum Electric Bike Review

Tower Beach Bum 2 Review: Overview

The Beach Bum 2 is a Class 2 cruiser style electric bike from Tower. The Beach Bum comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a 500W motor and a comfortable riding position. This bike has enough power to make hills seem not so steep and enough comfort for longer leisure based rides.

When we reviewed the Tower Beach Bum 2 we noticed it was lighter weight than a lot of other bikes with 500W motors that we have tested recently. Its lightweight design allows it to handle and feel similar to a standard beach cruiser.

If you’re looking for a budget friendly cruise-specific electric bike then the Tower Beach Bum 2 is one to look into. Its 7-gear range will allow you to sit back and relax while the motor and battery ensure the ride stays easy and fun.

By the end of our Tower Beach Bum 2 review you should have a good idea of the bike’s performance, who it’s for and what our overall opinion of the bike is. Let’s dive in.

[Read more…] about Tower Beach Bum 2 Review 2024

How ElectricBikeReport.com Generates Revenue and Pays Its Team Members

We get a lot of questions from our readers, like:

  • Are your reviews paid for?
  • How do you make money?
  • Do you just recommend bikes from brands who pay you the most?

These questions are not only fair, but we would hope every one of our readers asks them. Media outlets need to be open and transparent.

Sadly, there are many outlets who simply ask brands to pay for good reviews of their e-bikes. In those cases, it is not just pay-to-play (which in reality everything is pay to play in some form). These situations are more like “pay to get a positive review.”

At Electric Bike Report we DO NOT give a positive review to any e-bike in exchange for payment.

*Note to e-bike manufacturers: if that is what you are looking for, then please don’t ask us to review your bikes

When you read or watch an e-bike review at Electric Bike Report or on our YouTube channel you can be assured that our reviews are:

1. Honest. What we say in our reviews is what we tell our best friends and family members when they come to us asking which e-bike to purchase.

2. Helpful. Our reviews help consumers make purchase decisions, and provide real-world feedback from industry experts to manufactures so they can continue to improve their products.

3. Constructive. We recognize that the majority of manufacturers are trying to make great e-bikes. We are not going to review a bike and try to find a way to rip apart their hopes, dreams, and hard work. We are not ‘got you’ journalists. However, we do always look for ways that brands can improve their products and provide them that feedback in positive, constructive ways. We believe this helps e-bike brands more easily accept our feedback and make changes that our readers want.

4. Thorough. No one in the industry puts more time and effort into their reviews. Our reviews are not spec reviews. Our reviews are based on real-world testing. We strive to ensure our testing is consistent and accurate so consumers can make purchase decisions based on our results.

5. Unbiased and Balanced. As we review bikes we recognize that the ‘best’ bike will be different for each individual. We set aside our personal preferences and evaluate/test bikes from consumers’ points of view and needs.

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How Electric Bike Report (EBR) Makes Money

At ElectricBikeReport.com, our primary goal is to provide quality reviews, news, and informational content to our readers. We believe firmly that if we provide top-notch quality, then the financial rewards for that hard work will follow.

We also strive to make sure our content is 100% free to our readers. There are no subscriptions fees or paywalls for any of our content. We are able to spend the time and resources to provide our content for free by earning money through the following channels:

  • Direct advertising on ElectricBikeReport.com and within our newsletter (via banner ads)

    All of the banner ads on our website and within our newsletter are from brands we approve of, have vetted, and would feel comfortable with our readers purchasing a bike from. We do not allow just anyone to advertise on ElectricBikeReport.com, we are very picky, and we have a long line of brands asking us for ad spots that we turn away every year.

  • Affiliate Commissions on product referrals.

    Most (but not all) brands that we review have affiliate programs. If we recommend a reader purchase a certain bike, and that reader makes that purchase, then in most cases we earn a small referral fee from the brand (at no increased cost to the consumer).

    However, we do not make recommendations based on how much commission we make. Our staff writers are not paid commissions, they are salaried and are not incentivized to ‘sell’ specific products. They are tasked with helping our readers find the best e-bike for their specific needs.

    In addition, because most brands have some form of affiliate program, it really doesn’t matter to us which bike we recommend. If we recommend a Trek, Rad Power Bike, Aventon, etc., we can still earn a commission without raising costs to the consumer.

    We also greatly appreciate brands who support us through affiliate programs.

  • Product Reviews.
    We do charge brands a small fee to cover our expenses for our testing and reviews.

    We put around 100 miles on each bike that we test, have multiple riders test each bike, and do our very best to really put each e-bike we review through a gauntlet. This takes a lot of time, which in turn costs us quite a bit of money. Most brands we work with are happy to cover these costs; however, we NEVER guarantee a positive/good review and we always try to find something that a brand can improve on with each of their models.

    Brands do not get to review the video or written review before they are published and we will never recommend a bike that we would not feel comfortable recommending to our friends and family. Essentially, there is a fee to cover our time and production costs. We do not charge to ‘promote’ a bike and reviews are not promotions or commercials. They are reviews, and we take great pride in being able to claim that we spend more time testing e-bikes than any other media outlet currently. Most outlets will put 5-10 miles on a bike and call it good. As mentioned above, we put around 100 miles on each bike we test, keep most of those bikes for a year, and continually test them throughout the year vs newer models.

  • Paid Newsletter Sponsorship | Sponsored Educational Posts
    We offer brands the opportunity to create educational content on ElectricBikeReport.com and have those posts sent to our newsletter subscribers.

    These posts are educational in nature and provide value to our readers. We never want our subscribers to feel like they are simply being marketed to from our brand sponsors. Our readers don’t like that, and brands don’t gain much from that type of advertising.

    We do allow a ‘sales pitch’ at the end of the article from the brand, which may include promotion of the brand, a specific product, or current sale.

We hope this transparency is helpful to both our readers and brands we work with. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

And, thank you to all our readers for your continued support!

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Aventon Aventure Step-Through Review 2024

Aventon Aventure Step-Through Review 2024 - full bike frame profile

Aventon Aventure Step Through Review: Overview

Looking for the latest Aventure review? Click here for our Aventon Aventure 2 review.

During the Aventon Aventure Step-Through review process I quickly learned why this bike is held in high regard by many, including my Electric Bike Report counterpart, Sam Gross, who reviewed the standard Aventon Aventure earlier this year.

The Aventure is a rugged, refined jack-of-all-trades that comes alive thanks to its 750W motor, 4-inch wide tires, and a long lasting 48V, 15Ah battery.

I really enjoyed the freedom that the Aventure provided me with, I never felt confined to one riding style or terrain because of the fat tires, high rolling speeds, and powerful hub motor. I was able to go where I pleased without the worry that I was potentially pushing the bike out of its element.

I tested the Aventure Step-Through’s hill climbing ability, battery range, stopping power, handling and more throughout the review process. All of our tests reaffirmed that the Aventure is a well-designed, high-performance electric bike that will suit your needs whether you’re on a paved path joy ride, or on a rocky expedition.

By the end of this written review, you should have a good idea of if the Aventon Aventure Step-Through is the right bike for you and how it stacks up against the other Aventon e-bikes we’ve reviewed.

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

Lectric XP 2.0 Review 2022

Lectric XP 2.0 Electric Folding Bike Review

Lectric XP 2.0 Review: Overview

*Looking for the latest? Check out the Lectric XP 3.0 review here

The Lectric XP 2.0 is a folding fat tire electric bike that was created based on Lectric’s original bike, the XP. The XP took the e-bike industry by storm in the summer of 2019 with its friendly price point and fun-based riding characteristics. We reviewed both the Lectric XP Lite and Lectric XP Step-Thru this year as well.

Similar to its predecessors, the XP 2.0 is based around fun and versatility — With a 500W rear hub motor, 20” x 3.0” inch tires and a suspension fork, the XP 2.0 is a fun and vibrant feeling bike that has enough power for steep hills and a tight enough turn radius to bob and weave through town. When we started this Lectric XP 2.0 review, we wondered how much had changed from the prior model. So we conducted a brake test, hill climb test, battery range test and more to get a good idea how the XP 2.0 compares.

If you’re looking for an electric bike that has a very prevalent fun factor, is easy on the wallet and is easy to stow-away then the Lectric XP 2.0 is a good option. E-bikes like this that The XP 2.0 is a good example of an electric bike that only exists because its electric — folding 20-inch standard bikes aren’t really a thing, and with good reason. It’s the motor and battery that really allow this design to come alive. By the end of this write up you should be able to decide if the Lectric XP 2.0 is the right folding fat tire e-bike for you. Let’s get started.

[Read more…] about Lectric XP 2.0 Review 2022

GEN3 The Flex Review 2022

Gen3 Flex Hybrid Electric Bike Review

GEN3 The Flex Review: Overview

The Flex from GEN3 is a Class 2 hybrid electric bike that’s designed to span multiple styles of riding. The Flex’s sporty design mixed with a 21-gear range and 500W rear hub motor make The Flex a good casual commuter or a nice option for the exercise-oriented cyclist.

This GEN3 The Flex review revealed there is more to this hybrid than we were initially expecting, between its lively handling characteristics and fast rolling speeds The Flex is a hard bike to ignore when looking into budget-friendly hybrid e-bikes.

GEN3’s sporty hybrid e-bike combines the benefits of having an electric bike with a gear range that still allows the rider to get a good workout if they so please. The Flex also has puncture resistant tires with a versatile tread pattern and a suspension fork with 100mm of travel. This makes for good on-road and off-road riding.

Throughout our time with The Flex, we conducted numerous tests to get a better understanding of how the bike performs on steep hill climbs, how it stops, how comfortable it is and how long the battery lasts. Between all of our tests and sections in this write up you should have a good understanding of if The Flex is the right Class 2 hybrid e-bike for you.

[Read more…] about GEN3 The Flex Review 2022

Fiido D11 Review 2024

Fiido D11 Electric Bike Review

Summary Review: Fiido D11 Electric Bike

The Fiido D11 review process gave me a new appreciation for foldable electric bikes and e-bikes with less wattage and power. Typically, I’ve thought about e-bikes having lots of power for flattening hills and lugging cargo but that’s not the only way they’re designed.

E-bikes like the Fiido D11 show how less is more when executed properly. The D11’s foldable design and unique battery placement provided me with a unique experience that didn’t feel much like some other e-bikes. It feels like a gentlemen’s dapper bicycle designed for efficiency and aesthetics as opposed to power and torque.

Not only does the Fiido D11 fold down compactly, it also allows you to ride a bike first and have assistance second; you’re never going to be in awe of the D11’s power, but that’s not the point. With lower top speeds than your average e-bike comes a different experience that’s based more around smelling the roses, convenient commuting and enjoying your bike ride. Whether you’re commuting a couple of miles or riding around the neighborhood, the Fiido D11 will be ready.

Sponsor
Bike Category: City & Urban/Folding eBikeThe Fiido D11 is a lightweight foldable city bike capable of 15 mph
Bike Class: Class 1 Pedal and throttle assist, up to 15 mph

[Read more…] about Fiido D11 Review 2024

Aventon Level Step-Through Review 2022

Aventon Level Step-Through Review 2022

Aventon Level Step-Through Review: Overview

*For a look at a review of the Aventon Level.2 Step-Through (ST), click here.

The Aventon Level Step-Through is a Class 3 commuter electric bike that combines sleek looks with a powerful motor and battery. The end result? A smooth riding commuter e-bike with fast acceleration and high average speeds, making for an efficient and exciting ride experience.

Our team has been familiar with Aventon for quite some time. Earlier this year we reviewed several other Aventon e-bikes – The high-step Level, Aventure, and Pace 500 – all of which proved themselves to be quality electric bikes.

I was eager to review the Aventon Level step-through to see how it’s different from the standard Level we reviewed in March.

Nearly identical to its standard counterpart, the obvious change made to the step-through Level is the absence of a top tube on the frame. This can change a bike’s handling characteristics, so that, combined with a handful of small changes Aventon made to the bike since we last reviewed it, left me wondering how the step-through would ride.

In short, despite their similarities, I quickly realized during testing that the step-through version of the Level has its own personality and characteristics that are notably different from the version we reviewed earlier this year.


[Read more…] about Aventon Level Step-Through Review 2022