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Trek FX+ 1S Review | Legacy Meets Affordable Lifestyle

This mid-weight city commuter has a fun and easy ride, lots of useful integrated tech for those who want to use it, and a simplified experience for those who don’t.

Trek FX+ 1S Review

The Trek FX+ 1S is a weird bike.

Not because of funny looks or strange behaviors; as lightweight city e-bikes go, the FX+ 1 looks and feels the part. Instead, the bike is unusual due to a single feature that may not immediately stand out when comparing it to similarly equipped models from other brands.

Unlike previous e-bikes from Trek, which were limited to pedal-assist only, the FX+1S (like its somewhat slower sibling, the FX+ 1) comes equipped with a throttle.

Here at Electric Bike Report, we’ve long espoused the virtues of throttles. Whether of the half-twist or thumb variety, they allow riders an easy way to get moving. They also offer the opportunity to take a break from pedaling—or simply relax and enjoy the ride while the motor does all the hard work.

Like similar global bike companies, Trek built its foundation on decades of analog bike production. While it embraced adding batteries and electric motors to its bikes, the company encouraged the traditional experience of active pedaling by previously producing only Class 1 and 3 e-bikes, despite the increasing popularity of throttle-equipped Class 2s.

Thus, the FX+ 1S marks a turning point—but the throttle wasn’t the only uncommon feature we found and appreciated on the bike. It’s decked out with a powerful 500W motor, an uncommonly large battery, and even a tail light with brake lights and integrated turn signals.

Based on our previous experiences with other Trek e-bikes in the FX+, Allant+, Marlin+, and Verve+ lines, we anticipated that the FX+ 1S would be well-constructed. We also expected it would be engineered for comfort, user-friendliness, and responsiveness. We were not disappointed.

We put the bike through our series of standardized Speed, Range, Brake, and Hill Tests to measure its performance against similar city and urban e-bikes we’ve tested. See our full review below to discover how it compares!

[Read more…] about Trek FX+ 1S Review | Legacy Meets Affordable Lifestyle

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Gen 4 Review | Full Power, Full Control

The more economical options in the Levo line still deliver serious power, a massive battery, and Specialized’s second-to-none frame design for all-mountain riding.

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Gen 4 Review

Specialized’s Turbo Levo Gen 4 is the kind of sequel that doesn’t just continue a legacy, it reasserts it.

The previous model was already a fan favorite, renowned for its balanced geometry, smooth power delivery, and a ride feel that struck the sweet spot for nearly everyone, making it an all-around excellent choice for an all-mountain bike. After a few weeks reviewing the Specialized Turbo Levo Gen 4, I can confidently say it raises the ceiling yet again, building on what worked, while adding impressive tech and capability in the process.

At the heart of the update is the new Specialized 3.1 motor which packs 666W of peak power and 101Nm of torque. That’s elite-tier power, but what makes it shine is how seamlessly that power blends into the ride. The brand’s “where super meets natural” slogan doesn’t feel like a stretch; it’s a rather fitting summary.

The bike moves well on its mullet setup, the frame’s geo is meaningfully adjustable, and it’s equipped for long, hard days with an 840Wh battery tucked into the chunky downtube (which also houses SWAT internal storage for tools, snacks, and gear). The suspension setup retains the familiar 150/160mm travel but adds a twist with the new GENIE shock system, which further refines rear shock performance with improved progression and less bottom-out.

There’s a lot going on here, but it all ties together. The Turbo Levo Gen 4 feels like Specialized’s answer to the question: Can one eMTB truly do a bit of everything for riders of any skill level? Its versatility, power, and dialed-in ride will be able to satiate a lot of different appetites.

Of course, there are tradeoffs. The alloy version has some heft, and the oversized downtube won’t win any minimalist design awards, but for what it offers, those are pretty easy to live with.

So, whether you’re brand new to eMTBs or a seasoned trail rider chasing a top-tier experience without jumping to a carbon frame price point, the Turbo Levo Gen 4 makes a compelling case. It’s confident, capable, and surprisingly accessible for a bike that feels this close to supernatural.

[Read more…] about Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Gen 4 Review | Full Power, Full Control

Best Commuter Electric Bikes | Top 14 Picks From Our Testing

Best Commuter Electric Bikes

The daily commute for an average person can be many different things. It can be dozens of miles spent in a car each morning and evening, an hour or two on public transit per day, a couple of three-block walks, etc. So, why can’t a daily trip from A to B be spent on one of the top commuter electric bikes?

From powerful speedsters and sporty, long-haul pedalers to elegant and comfortable cruisers, our team of reviewers has tested the best commuter e-bikes money can buy. We’ve compiled our favorites to help you pick the bike that fits your needs.

The commuter e-bikes included on this list will not just get you to your destination without sweating through your clothes; they’ll get you there quickly and have the battery capacity to cover long distances with ease.

Because commuting can mean so many different things depending on where you live and work (especially here in the U.S.), we’ve tried our best to stick to bikes designed for commuting as their best-intended use.

These bikes are primarily built for pavement, and their motor and battery systems were chosen with speed, efficiency, and longevity in mind. If you’re looking for a lighter-duty commuter more at home in a bustling urban environment, check out our list of the best city and urban e-bikes; otherwise, keep reading below!

Our picks for the Best Commuter Electric Bikes of 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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Our Favorite E-Bike Finds At Electrify LA

Favorite E-Bike Finds At Electrify LA
If it had wheels and an electric motor, chances are it was on display in San Pedro, California, at Electrify LA. The EV industry—both big and small—came together to showcase the latest innovations, from pre-production concepts to established best-sellers. More than a few brands used the opportunity to debut new models, keeping the 2025 catalog fresh and exciting.

But it wasn’t just about e-bikes and electrified rides. Several companies brought supporting gear as well—from helmets to flat protection and even a slick, electric lift-assist hitch rack that turned heads.

After two days at the show, some trends in the small EV world stood out. Here’s a look at some of the coolest, quirkiest, and most compelling finds.

[Read more…] about Our Favorite E-Bike Finds At Electrify LA

New Bikes at Electrify, Public Lands for Sale, and 2025 City Ratings | TWR Ep 37

Plus Apple Find My vs ACU, Our Top 3 Commuters, and Can the XP4 Go Tubeless?

One of the most fun stories in this week’s e-bike news is Griffin’s visit to the Electrify Expo in California! He saw new e-bikes and e-bike-related products from a variety of brands, including Mokwheel, P-51, JackRabbit, LeMond, and more!

On a more somber note, the Trump administration’s “Big, Beautiful” budget bill includes legislation that threatens millions of acres of public lands, including many areas with e-bike-friendly trails. We encourage you to contact your legislators and tell them to reject the proposal.

In happier news, People for Bikes released their 2025 City Rankings, which use a variety of metrics to determine each location’s bike-friendliness. Many cities improved their rankings, making it easier for folks to commute and otherwise get around on two wheels instead of four!

See the video above or the full stories below to learn more.

[Read more…] about New Bikes at Electrify, Public Lands for Sale, and 2025 City Ratings | TWR Ep 37

Best Electric Tricycles, 2025 | Top 5 Picks From Our Testing

Best Electric Trikes | 2025

Electric tricycles, also known as e-trikes, are three-wheeled mobility devices that offer riders a high degree of stability at low speeds. Their stability makes them ideal for seniors or other adults with special mobility needs who are unable to balance on a bicycle or e-bike.

Electric trikes typically have high payload capacities, giving them a remarkable amount of utility! If they don’t outright include cargo racks or baskets, they can usually be outfitted with a range of compatible accessories to help riders carry a load of groceries or other cargo. E-trikes are also well-suited for carrying heavier riders.

The following list is comprised of a handful of our go-to recommendations for e-trikes. Each differs from the others in at least one main area; some are best for shoppers on a budget, others prioritize portability, and still others aim to maximize their overall stability and accessibility.

Each trike’s section below covers a few of its highlights, but we’ve included links to our full written and video reviews in case you have unanswered questions. Keep reading to learn more about our top choices for the best electric tricycles!

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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Velotric Fold 1 Plus Review | A Great Bike Just Got Better!

A bright, flashy folding e-bike with cool tech, a responsive ride, and heaps of customization options!

Velotric Fold 1 Plus Review

It’s not uncommon for e-bike brands to make updates to their bikes between new model releases. In most cases, these changes are small quality-of-life improvements, such as minor gearing changes, new color options, or tiny tweaks to the geometry.

Case in point: Velotric’s Nomad 1 Plus and Discover 1 Plus models—a fat tire e-bike and a hybrid commuter/cruiser, respectively—added adjustable stems, brighter headlights, and a basic speed adjustment feature.

The brand’s updated folding e-bike, the Fold 1 Plus, took a different approach.

Instead of a light refresh, the Fold 1 received a boatload of upgrades, bringing all the features of Velotric’s full-size models to its most portable bike. The Fold 1 Plus has a color display and a new control panel, updated programming, integrated turn signals, and a slightly more powerful motor.

It can also pair with the Velotric app, allowing users to customize nearly all aspects of the ride. Riders can adjust throttle and pedal assist speeds separately, select from three riding modes with varying power and sensitivity ranges, and even customize the brake light behavior. The bike also features Apple Find My™ technology to track its location.

Perhaps the most impactful upgrade from the original model is the addition of the SensorSwap feature, which offers riders the option between a classic, relaxed cadence-sensing mode and a new, more active torque-sensing mode. We tested the bike’s torque-sensing mode for this review; see below to learn how it performed!

[Read more…] about Velotric Fold 1 Plus Review | A Great Bike Just Got Better!

Best Electric Bikes Under $1,000 | Nine Bargains to Jump On

Best Electric Bikes Under $1,000 2025

When you’re on a budget, it can be tough to find the right balance between an affordable electric bike and a quality electric bike — but it’s not impossible. To help you sort out the affordable gems from the cheap lemons, the Electric Bike Report team has compiled our list of the best electric bikes under $1,000.

To be fair, it’s not easy to make a quality e-bike under $1,000 (even before inflation), so we’ve resigned ourselves to raising that price cap a little here and there to include some great deals. These bikes are priced near enough to that mark – or we’ve seen them on sale often enough – that we consider them worth a mention.

With a majority of budget e-bikes being sold online, it can be difficult to judge whether the bike you’re looking at is worth your money. Lucky for you, the experts here at Electric Bike Report have ridden hundreds of e-bikes. We are extremely familiar with all the bikes on this list, and we’re confident they’ll serve you well.

Please note that over the past 12+ months, the e-bike industry has been affected by numerous tariffs. The prices noted here were under (or around) $1,000 at the time of writing, but they may change at any point.

Our Best Electric Bikes Under $1,000:

*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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Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Max Review | Maxed Out

This feature-packed utility bike delivers power, handling, and style in spades. It’s great for riders who want more than just a jack-of-all-trades.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Max Review

The RadRunner Max is what happens when you take a versatile utility platform and supercharge it—with a beefed-up motor and a slew of upgrades you’d expect from the premium option over its more affordable siblings, the RadRunner and RadRunner Plus.

Whether you’re cruising for fun, hauling cargo, or commuting daily, the RadRunner Max fits the bill. As one of the original “everyperson” e-bikes, it’s an ideal choice for newcomers still figuring out how they’ll use an e-bike long term, or somebody who’s just big on versatility.

The bike packs a punch with its powerful motor and refined control, thanks to a torque sensor that delivers smooth, natural power. It’s also loaded with advanced safety features, including rear radar that alerts you to approaching vehicles and their speed, as well as password protection, a key fob, and Apple Find My integration.

It’s the most robust in the Runner lineup, capable of carrying heavy loads with its reinforced frame. And with an extensive range of accessories—including the rare option to run a dual battery setup—it’s as versatile as it is burly.

Comfort hasn’t taken a back seat either. With wide tires, relaxed geometry, and a suspension fork to absorb road chatter, the RadRunner Max is easy to settle into for long or short rides.

While the feature set justifies the price, it’s not without tradeoffs. There’s only one color and frame size available, and limited adjustability may leave taller riders wanting more.

Still, when judged by what it delivers, rather than what it omits, the RadRunner Max stands out as the best version of an already well-regarded utility e-bike. Check out our full review below to see how it performed in real-world testing.

[Read more…] about Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Max Review | Maxed Out

GoCycle Gets New Funding, MAHLE Debuts eMTB Mid-Drive, New Bill Eliminates Tariffs | TWR Ep 36

Plus Canyon opens an Experience Center, Vorsa vs Stellar Falcon Comparison, E-Bikes for Women & More!

This was an exciting week in the world of e-bikes, with a variety of news stories and interactions with our audience to highlight.

Perhaps most notably, the premium folding e-bike company GoCycle, which recently sought an injection of capital through a crowdfunding campaign, has received new funding after a buy-in from the owner of a prominent North American e-bike manufacturer.

MAHLE, a Spanish producer of e-bike drive systems, has entered the eMTB space with a powerful mid-drive clearly intended to compete with some of the biggest-hitting motors already found on bikes. Additionally, the DTC company Canyon has established its first brick-and-mortar “Experience Center” in California.

Finally, a new bill introduced to Congress seeks to eliminate tariffs on bicycle components to encourage domestic assembly. Continue reading below or see the video above (heck, why not both?) to find out more!

[Read more…] about GoCycle Gets New Funding, MAHLE Debuts eMTB Mid-Drive, New Bill Eliminates Tariffs | TWR Ep 36

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