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Burley Dash MIK HD Review | Kid-Tested, Dad-Approved

This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

Cycling is a fantastic family activity, especially when you have the right accessories. The Burley Dash lineup of child seats offers a convenient way to bring your kids along for the ride. With multiple variations to suit different bike setups—whether that’s racks, frames, or, as in our case, the MIK HD (Heavy Duty) rack. This MIK-compatible design shines with its tool-free on/off functionality, making it incredibly user-friendly.

In our review of the Burley Dash MIK HD, we found it checks virtually all the boxes for a great child’s bike seat. It’s lightweight and nearly effortless to attach or remove from your bike, it’s also a breeze to clean—a must when the oft-sticky hands and dirt-stained pants of kids inevitably transfer over. Most importantly, the seat is safe and reliable, offering a snug, secure fit with adjustable features that accommodate little riders as they grow.

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

Mokwheel burst onto the scene and quickly developed a cult following, earning a reputation for fast and fun rides. The Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 we’ve been reviewing over the past few weeks (and nearly 200 miles) shows that the brand’s legacy is alive and well in the latest version of its ever-popular fat-tire e-bike.

There’s a lot to like about this bike. The power is evident but ramps up nicely. With its 750W motor (peaking at 1100W) and 90 Nm of torque, it’s the kind of bike that easily accelerates to higher speeds. The torque sensor isn’t the most natural feeling we’ve tested, but it does reward effort—you get more power the harder you pedal. You can be off to the races with a mild effort, and tension kept to the chain.

The Basalt ST 2.0’s 19.6Ah battery is on the larger side for this category, delivering impressive range for such a heavy bike. It’s great for multi-day rides without needing a recharge, and we are happy to see that it comes with UL certification for added peace of mind.

This bike also includes features not typically found in its price range. The removable color display, for instance, looks sharp but also acts as a theft deterrent—once removed, it disables the motor. Additionally, Mokwheel offers an optional power inverter and solar panels, allowing you to turn your bike into a mobile power station—perfect for weekend camping trips.

In our standardized tests (detailed below), the Basalt ST 2.0 performed admirably. Beyond the numbers, it impressed us with its comfort, solid handling, and motor power that made every ride an enjoyable experience. Its sizing has limitations for longer legs, and we think the speed profile could be improved a bit, but overall, it only takes a single ride to figure out why it’s such a fan-favorite fat tire e-bike.

How to Become an Electric Bike Technician

Sixthreezero Announces ANYterrain Stabilized 4-Wheel E-Bike

LEVA has trained close to 2000 technicians in our various courses. These courses range from one-hour safety-focused, online events to two days of in-person training and semester-long training at vocational-technical schools.

Experience with these programs has taught me that a “complete” e-bike tech needs to thoroughly understand and be comfortable working on the mechanical parts of an e-bike. That takes longer and requires more tools than being able to service the electronic parts.

There is a different mindset between bike mechanics who are used to being able to see, feel, and hear issues with the mechanical parts of the bike and the mindset that relies on measuring instruments and error codes to service the propulsion system of an electric bike. Mechanical stuff is harder.

Most e-bike problems are mechanical problems. Flat tires, out-of-true wheels, broken spokes, brakes that need adjusting, all the normal bike problems. So, the first step is to learn how to work on the bike.

Aventon Abound SR Review | Utility & Security at its Finest

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

Aventon Abound SR Review | Stable & Secure

Full-size cargo e-bikes are known for their ability to carry tons of weight—often with 400+ lb payload capacities and room for up to two child passengers—but they’re also famously long and heavy. Many are also made to feel overpowered when riding without cargo so that they can effectively manage a full load.

These characteristics can make longtail cargo bikes feel impractical when you simply want to ride to work, blow off some steam with an exercise routine, or take an evening leisure trip around the park.

As a short-rack utility e-bike, the Aventon Abound SR is a natural solution to many of these concerns, as it boasts a shorter wheelbase and a lower weight than a full-size cargo hauler. Aventon didn’t stop there, however, as this bike largely sets a new standard for integrated tech and security features at its price point, slightly below the $2k threshold.

The Abound SR features a smart module (the ACU or Aventon Control Unit) that governs its motor tuning and a host of security features. It incorporates a 4G chip that allows for GPS tracking, geofencing, and remote deactivation in the event of theft. It also has the ability to lock the bike’s kickstand and eject its battery from its sealed dock in the down tube.

It also differs from the norm in terms of its extremely natural ride feel, as the bike includes a 36V, 750W rear hub motor paired with a highly responsive torque sensor. We found that this lower-voltage electrical system (most similar bikes use 48V systems) allowed us to feel more of an active participant in the ride instead of the motor dominating our own effort.

We were extremely curious to find out how this combination of elements would affect the Abound SR’s performance in our series of standardized tests. See our full review below to learn what happened!

Brompton Electric C-Line Explore Review | Cool & Compact

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

At least here in the US, folding e-bikes are somewhat of an enigma. Sure, they can become more compact to save on space and increase portability, but even when folded, they’re often bulky and cumbersome—some weigh over 70 lbs!

Of course, many of these bikes feature robust motors, large batteries, and all-terrain tires to satisfy American appetites for speed and power. But what options exist for city dwellers who rely partially on public transit or those in cramped third-story apartments?

The Brompton Electric C Line Explore (the 12-Speed model) may present the ideal blend of ease, portability, functionality—and, most importantly, fun.

This e-bike, one of three electric models in the British brand’s lineup of analog and battery-powered bikes, features a proprietary folding design, making it one of the most compact models we’ve tested. Additionally, it weighs just 38 lbs, including its removable battery pack (32 lbs without), so it’s also one of the lightest.

The bike lightens its rider’s effort level with a custom 250W front-hub motor paired with a 36V, 300-Wh battery that is built into an easily removable carry bag. It feels much like a non-electric bike thanks to its responsive torque sensor, making the ride engaging, natural, and active—but not strenuous.

For those unfamiliar, Brompton is a well-established company that began making folding analog bikes in 1975 and e-bikes in 2017. With 50 years of experience under its belt, the brand has become known as the gold standard for compact cycles.

Prior to this review, we’d been itching to get our hands on a bike from Brompton! Now that we have, our goal was to discover if it was everything it was cracked up to be. Read our full review below to find out how the bike felt, folded, and performed in our series of standardized performance tests!

Vvolt Centauri II Review | It Doesn’t Get Much Easier!

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

As “bike people,” sometimes it’s easy for us to forget how complex and intimidating e-bikes can be for those who are new to them. First, there’s all the esoteric terminology—things like derailleurs, watt-hours, and Newton-meters. Then, there are practices while riding, like trail etiquette, hand signals, and shifting discipline.

Some of those things should be learned before buying an e-bike, and others may be non-essential for many riders depending on where and how they ride. Good shifting practices are important for all riders—unless you find yourself riding the Vvolt Centauri II, that is.

Why, you may ask?

The Centauri II features an exceptionally user-friendly drivetrain that pairs a 350W mid-drive motor with a 3-speed automatic internal gear hub (IGH). This system requires no action from the rider, as it changes gears at pre-set intervals: roughly 12 and 20 miles per hour. We found it to be effective, easy, and functional for the bike’s Class 3 speeds.

With a Gates CDX belt connecting its mid-drive and IGH, the Centauri II is also remarkably low-maintenance. The internal gears of the IGH are protected from damage and wear, while the durable belt is rated to last twice the mileage of a chain. As a bonus, the system uses no grease, so riders need not worry about getting a messy pant leg.

We liked the Centauri II’s easy-to-use-and-own nature, but we also found its ride to be seriously fun and natural. The bike’s mid-drive responded quickly to deliver smooth power. With a peak of 650W and a surprisingly powerful 120 Nm of torque, it also felt highly capable of climbing hills.

Uphill capability is one of many aspects of the Centauri II we tested. See our full review below to see how the bike performed!

Blix Sol X Review | The Cruiser/Commuter of the Future?

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

Cruiser-style e-bikes are known far and wide for their comfort, with upright riding positions and a relaxed, leisurely feel. They’re often simple, feature-light, and uncomplicated, which makes them easy to operate—but this also means they may lack some functional elements.

Additionally, beach cruisers don’t usually have a reputation for being high-tech or high-performance, but the Blix Sol X isn’t your average cruiser.

Like the Vika X we reviewed a short time prior to the Sol X, this bike is loaded with cool technology features that are uncommon for its style and price point. The Sol has an electronic shifting system. It also pairs with the Blix Connect app for ride data and customization, and it offers an Auto pedal assist setting with optional automatic shifting.

The Sol X also offers a comfortable ride with better-than-expected handling and a responsive feel. It pedals similarly to an analog bike thanks to its torque sensor, and its relatively light construction keeps it feeling lively and highly maneuverable on the road or path.

On top of that, it includes a variety of commuter-friendly features to enhance safety and functionality. The bike has integrated turn signals and lights (including a high- and low-beam LED headlight), a cargo rack, and fenders.

The Sol X even breaks from the norm in its appearance; where many electric cruisers look like they’re fresh out of the 1950s, Blix opted for a much more contemporary vibe with black trim and a selection of cool, trendy colors.

Intrigued yet? Keep reading our full review of the Sol X below to find out how it fared in our series of standardized Speed, Brake, Range, and Hill tests!

Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

For years, it seemed like the electric trike market had too few options, and not enough affordable ones. That trend has changed in recent years, and Retrospec’s Boca Rev trike we’ve been reviewing for several weeks is a highly compelling option for trike riders not looking to break the bank. Why? Simple, it executes the basics well, and includes nice touches that are often overlooked.

Arguably it’s standout trait we discovered across our miles of testing was how stable and comfortable the ride felt. It has a wide rear axle, appropriately sized tires, and a good balance to the weight displacement throughout the ride. Trikes have different handling in general vs their two-wheeled counterparts, but assuming you know how to ride, you’ll quickly see how stable this feels when moving even when taking that bend in a road.

Comfort is another standout element to the ride. There is a generously paddled saddle with a back rest, a low 17.5” standover height, and a large seatpost that adjust for optimal leg extension. Sizing can be constrained for the tallest of riders with a shorter rise to the handlebar, but assuming you fit the ride, it’s quite comfortable and easy to navigate the roads on it.

This is an e-trike afterall, and Retrospec did a good job with the motor and battery. The trike has a nice spread of speedsa cross the six different PAS levels, and the whole system is certified to UL standards.

For a competitively priced e-trike, the Boa Rev doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses. Most of the factors we consider in our review processes yielded good to great results as you’ll see in our testing sections down below.

Specialized Globe Haul LT Review | Tested & Proven

This powerful, highly practical cargo e-bike embodies and evolves Specialized’s tradition of building top-tier rides.

Prior to the resurrection of the Globe brand, Specialized offered a variety of moderately powered e-bikes intended to ride as naturally as an analog bike. These “Turbo” models, ranging from commuters and city cruisers to high-performance electric mountain bikes, all adhered to the European philosophy of providing pedal assist with no option for a throttle.

The Haul line of electric cargo bikes, including the full-size Specialized Globe Haul LT, changed things.

When designing this bike, the development team focused on appeasing famously voracious American appetites for speed, power, and rugged construction. To achieve this aim, the defunct Globe brand was revived and assigned as the home for this new line of bikes built with a completely different philosophy.

Instead of relatively reserved mid-drive motors, the Haul lineup features robust, highly capable rear-hub motors, previously the antithesis of Specialized’s ethos. The bikes do not include throttles, but aftermarket modules can be purchased affordably and added to propel riders and heavy loads without the need for pedaling.

We previously tested the Haul ST—Globe’s debut short-tail utility/cargo bike—and were floored by its extremely high weight capacity, powerful and responsive motor, shockingly accommodating geometry, quick handling, and some of the best results we have ever recorded in our series of standardized performance tests.

As such, we had extremely high hopes for the extended Globe Haul LT (long-tail). Continue to our full review below to find out if the bike lived up to our expectations!

Velotric Summit 1 Review | THE New Multi-Use Trail Bike?

Velotric’s debut multi-use trail bike, the Summit 1 combines light singletrack capability, a sleek design, and advanced technology, all with easy upgrade potential.

Velotric’s foray into the electric mountain bike sector with the Velotric Summit 1 introduces a versatile, entry-level eMTB that blends solid features with an appealing price point. This bike features genuine MTB geometry, albeit more aligned with XC (cross-country) designs, and is equipped with a 750W rear hub motor with a torque sensor all powered by its 705 Wh frame-integrated battery.

In some respects, “multi-use trail bike” might be the most fitting definition.

The Summit 1 has front suspension with 120mm of travel, suitable for light MTB singletrack and urban commuting. It offers significant value, particularly for beginners in the e-MTB realm. Additionally, the Velotric App provides over-the-air updates and allows for customization of pedal assist settings across three modes: Eco, Trail, and Boost, with options to tune the five pedal assist levels to tailor the ride according to personal preferences and trail demands. The app even saw to the bike over the course of our testing.

However, this bike lives a bit of a tale of two identities. On one hand, it’s capable as an entry-level off road explorer, but, on the other hand, the add-ons like LED lighting, a kickstand and available accessories like rear racks and fenders give a nod to the trekking bike aspects as well.

Also, to comply with most trail regulations, the throttle feature needs to be disabled (we just removed it), and the speed limit must be capped at 20 mph which can easily be done within the Velotric App. As riders’ skills progress, component upgrades may also become necessary to optimize performance and durability.

So, with that said, let’s see how the Velotric Summit 1 performed in our testing. In this Velotric Summit review, we’ve tested its capabilities both on and off-road, focusing on speed, range, braking, and overall ride quality to determine its real-world performance as an entry-level e-MTB.

Burley Dash MIK HD Review | Kid-Tested, Dad-Approved

This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

Mokwheel Basalt ST 2.0 Review | Great Power, Fast Speeds

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

How to Become an Electric Bike Technician

Aventon Abound SR Review | Utility & Security at its Finest

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

Brompton Electric C-Line Explore Review | Cool & Compact

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

Vvolt Centauri II Review | It Doesn’t Get Much Easier!

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

Blix Sol X Review | The Cruiser/Commuter of the Future?

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

Retrospec Boca Rev Review | Check Out The Test Scores!

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

Specialized Globe Haul LT Review | Tested & Proven

This powerful, highly practical cargo e-bike embodies and evolves Specialized’s tradition of building top-tier rides.

Velotric Summit 1 Review | THE New Multi-Use Trail Bike?

Velotric’s debut multi-use trail bike, the Summit 1 combines light singletrack capability, a sleek design, and advanced technology, all with easy upgrade potential.

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This solid and reliable child seat attaches better than ever

The Basalt helped put Mokwheel on the map, and now the Basalt ST 2.0 makes strides by adding some improvements to a fun and powerful bike.

With a remarkably analog-like feel, integrated GPS features, a locking kickstand, and plenty more, the Abound SR is high-tech, practical, and simply cool.

This lightweight English electric city bike performs solidly while quickly folding down to an ultra-portable size.

A lightweight commuter e-bike with a powerful and natural motor, automatic shifting, and a fun and responsive ride.

This relaxed beach cruiser boasts a powerful 750W motor, a responsive and natural ride, electronic shifting, and a cool, contemporary design.

This e-trike has great performance, handling and comfort all for a great price.

This powerful, highly practical cargo e-bike embodies and evolves Specialized’s tradition of building top-tier rides.

Velotric’s debut multi-use trail bike, the Summit 1 combines light singletrack capability, a sleek design, and advanced technology, all with easy upgrade potential.

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