Electric Bike Reviews, News, & Testing

Electric Bike Report

x
Menu
Sponsor

Blog

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

E-Cells Goes Bust, Rad Refreshes The Runner, A Procumbent Bike? | TWR Ep 29

Plus California’s E-Bike Voucher Delayed, Cargo Bike For Hauling Twins, Regen Braking & More!

In this week’s e-bike news roundup: industry icon Rad Power Bikes has refreshed and renamed its RadRunner lineup, adding new features and tech across all models. Meanwhile, E-Cells—a brand known for pushing limits—announced it is shutting down due to tariff hikes and market challenges. Martoni also unveiled a new micromobility concept with a unique standing, forward-leaning “procumbent” riding position. And California’s e-bike voucher program hit a snag, with its launch delayed due to website issues.

In our weekly Rider Q&A, we tackle two family-focused questions: which longtail cargo bikes are best for riding with two kids, and which bikes are good for towing a child trailer? We also explore why many brands list size ranges by rider height instead of inseam, what’s holding back regenerative braking on e-bikes, and whether there’s an affordable step-thru fat tire model with a mid-drive motor.

Our Trail Highlight takes us to neighboring Nevada for a closer look at the River Mountains Loop Trail—a 35-mile paved path southeast of Las Vegas, connecting riders to Henderson, Lake Mead, and even the Hoover Dam.

[Read more…] about E-Cells Goes Bust, Rad Refreshes The Runner, A Procumbent Bike? | TWR Ep 29

Trek FX+ 7S Review | Lightweight, Yet Feature-Loaded

Quiet, light, and packed with premium features—this stealthy city bike feels more like a regular bike than just about anything we’ve ridden.

Trek FX+ 7S Review

City commuter e-bikes are prized for being lighter, quieter, and more agile than other e-bike styles. They also tend to fly under the radar, with a more stealthy look that doesn’t immediately scream “e-bike” thanks to fewer obvious giveaways.

Trek’s FX+ 7S isn’t just trying to fit that mold—it’s aiming to elevate it, delivering a more premium and polished experience that nails those attributes and then some.

It starts with the motor. The TQ HPR50 uses a fundamentally different construction than most e-bike drive systems, giving the FX+ 7S an ultra-natural feel and keeping it whisper-quiet. It’s a motor that complements active riders by helping you go faster and climb better without replacing the personal satisfaction of putting in the effort.

Handling is another highlight. With four sizes available—or eight if you count the mid-step frames—the FX+ 7S offers well-balanced geometry that strikes a nice blend between active and comfortable riding. A carbon fork further improves the experience by keeping weight low and soaking up road vibrations better than standard aluminum would.

The design is clean and thoughtful, from the internally routed cables to the carefully constructed frame. The bike weighs close to 40 pounds and even includes a built-in grab section that makes carrying it upstairs much easier.

There are several standout features you don’t often see at this level, like a Quadlock mount integrated into the stem that can charge your phone (with a compatible case), and an app that pulls in some bike computer functions. It’s a great setup for riders who aren’t just commuting (though it’s great for that) but also serious about tracking fitness goals.

All in all, the FX+ 7S is a seriously impressive package that should appeal to a wide range of riders who want an active experience and are willing to pay a little extra for higher-end performance and features. Check out the testing sections below for all the details.

[Read more…] about Trek FX+ 7S Review | Lightweight, Yet Feature-Loaded

Bimotal Elevate Review | Adding the “e” to MTB

The Bimotal Elevate finds a clever way to introduce a motor to acoustic bikes. It’s power-packed and removes in mere seconds to return your bike to its original handling.

Bimotal Elevate Review

“I like my bike now; I just wish it was electric” is a sentiment I’ve heard a thousand times from riders on standard mountain bikes who haven’t made the electric leap. One of the biggest problems in mountain biking that eMTBs solve is taking the sting out of climbs so you can stay fresh for the fun stuff.

But eMTBs come with their own tradeoffs: extra weight, different handling, and buying into a second bike isn’t cheap, or you’d have to consider saying sayonara to the ride you like now for the cash/garage space to make the switch.

The Bimotal Elevate we’ve been reviewing is a clever conversion kit that aims to address all of those problems with a unique brake-integrated mounting system that allows for quick motor and battery attachment and detachment to your current acoustic bike. Strap on the motor for an easier climb, then stow the motor and battery in a pack to restore your bike’s handling to exactly how it was before. In other words, it’s a “have your cake and eat it too” solution — at least in theory. But how does it do in practice?

Overall, the execution is impressive. The motor feels punchy (which our testing data more than backed up), and it has a solid power-to-weight ratio. It’s a Class 2 throttle-based system, so while it’s not ideal for highly technical climbs, it is a super useful shuttle service that helps you breeze through the more tiring parts of the ride so you can extend your time ripping through XC trails, berms, and downhill.

This isn’t a true eMTB replacement — at least not yet. But if you’re already enjoying riding your acoustic bike, the Elevate will unlock even more for you. It’ll help you squeeze in more laps or longer rides. It’s essentially adding new features to what you already have, making it an additive upgrade to your experience.

Even though you can stow the motor and battery, it isn’t a necessity. The total added weight is closer to that of SL eMTBs, so if you’re not too concerned about a few extra pounds of unsprung mass on a full-sus, it’s fully capable of hitting the downhill with you — where it sits surprisingly solid on its mount.

What it can do today in electrifying a beloved bike is highly impressive, and the future applications are even more tantalizing if they’re fully realized. For more on what it can do today and what’s coming next, check out how it performed in our testing below.

[Read more…] about Bimotal Elevate Review | Adding the “e” to MTB

E-Bike Prices Continue to Rise, Tenways Goes Front-Load Cargo, Canyon’s Unique Bike | TWR Ep 28

Plus, Moped Options for Short Riders, Aventon Lineup Similarities, Is 250W Enough Power & More!

This week’s e-bike news brings a mix of exciting developments and some unfortunate updates. Tenways is set to introduce an unconventional bike style to the American market at a more accessible price point, while Canyon has unveiled an out-of-the-box concept and is seeking public feedback. Meanwhile, further tariff impacts were announced by major industry players, and Revel is planning to shut down operations unless a buyer steps in.

We’re also tackling a range of reader questions this week, including the differences between the Ride1Up Vorsa and the LMT’D V2, good moped-style e-bike options for shorter riders, whether a 250W motor provides enough power, and much more.

Finally, we head north to British Columbia, Canada, for a look at an epic rail trail system offering 400 miles of rideable terrain, complete with stunning trestle bridges that wind through the beautiful Canadian countryside.

[Read more…] about E-Bike Prices Continue to Rise, Tenways Goes Front-Load Cargo, Canyon’s Unique Bike | TWR Ep 28

Fiido Air Carbon E-Bike Review | Fetching & Featherlight

A sporty, crazy lightweight city e-bike packed with tech and value, the Air brings affordable carbon fiber with great handling to the masses.

Fiido Air Carbon E-Bike Review

There’s a good reason why many high-end, performance-oriented bikes are made from carbon fiber. This reinforced polymer material is lightweight and strong but not completely rigid. When used correctly, carbon fiber bikes typically have quick acceleration, a high degree of agility, and a comfortable ride.

When used incorrectly, they sound cool and look nice, but that’s about it.

The term “carbon fiber” has been an increasingly popular buzzphrase in the e-bike industry in recent years, with some brands going out of their way to use the material simply to draw attention. In contrast with these cases, I’m happy to report that the Fiido Air is carbon fiber done right.

Case in point: not only did the Air impress us with its overall design and ride feel, it’s the most affordable carbon fiber e-bike we’ve tested (at the time of writing) with a price point under $2k.

Fiido upped the value factor even more with a handful of uncommon tech elements, including a fingerprint reader and an interface reminiscent of those we’ve seen on bikes 3x its price. The brand even includes a smartwatch that pairs with the bike, giving riders a novel way of operating its functions and monitoring their speed and battery charge level.

On paper, all of that might sound too good to be true. We tested the Air’s performance in our series of standardized Speed, Range, Hill, and Brake Tests to find out if that was the case—read all about our findings in the full review below!

[Read more…] about Fiido Air Carbon E-Bike Review | Fetching & Featherlight

Heybike Alpha Review | A Rare Mid-Drive Fat Tire

A great feel on the roads highlights the Alpha experience, while a few quirks leave room for improvement.

Heybike Alpha Review

I’ve been testing and reviewing e-bikes for a long time, and since many products overlap, it can sometimes feel like there aren’t many surprises left. In all that time, though, I can’t say I’ve encountered a description like “lightweight, affordable, mid-drive, fat tire electric bike” very often.

But that’s exactly what HeyBike’s Alpha is, making it stand out from the norm. So, how does that unique mix of features and adjectives actually feel?

In many ways, the Alpha is one of the better HeyBike products I’ve tested to date. Both the floor and ceiling of any e-bike experience are determined by the quality of the motor, and the Alpha’s mid-drive is terrific, which makes for a nice starting point. It’s got great torque (105Nm, in fact!), an intuitive feel, and it can fly on the flats while making hills feel far easier than I first expected.

I’d grown so accustomed to fat bikes tipping the scales near or above 80 lbs that riding one that was “only” 70 lbs felt refreshing. The bike is easy to control, with a good handlebar and tire combo that offers mellow steering and solid control if you want to test the fat tires on varied terrain.

The riding sensation was positive, but the testing was oddly mixed. The range testing set high and low marks, as did the hill tests. It can climb hills exceptionally, but at the expense of battery when using a lot of high power, while those who are looking for a comfortable cruiser ride will love the range it produces at practical cruising speeds.

There are a few rough edges that need smoothing out. The throttle experience was underwhelming, and the display and app interface have some issues that were common years ago — issues I had hoped would be laid to rest by now.

Still, with enough positives across the board, the Alpha is a viable option for riders wanting the stability fat tire e-bikes bring, with a little versatility to tackle mild sand, dirt, and snow — all in a manageable weight that can confidently fit on most hitch racks. For all the details, check out how testing went down below.

[Read more…] about Heybike Alpha Review | A Rare Mid-Drive Fat Tire

Trump Administration Sued Over Tariffs, What E-Bikes For A College Student, What’s The Deal With Frame Flex? | TWR Ep 27

Plus California E-Bike Vouchers, Sur Ron Legislation, More Details On Morelle’s Fast-Charging E-Bike & More!

Leading off this week’s e-bike news is a recap of some of the coolest finds from this year’s Sea Otter Classic. Aventon’s back with not one, but two new Aventure models—plus a prototype full-suspension Ramblas! We also spotted Velotric’s dual-suspension fat tire Nomad X, the folding gravel-ready Brompton Electric G Line, the Tern GSD 3, and plenty more.

In this week’s headlines: California is offering 1,000 e-bike vouchers—selected applicants can get up to $2,000 toward a new ride. Meanwhile, new legislation aims to clarify whether high-powered bikes like the Sur Ron qualify as e-bikes. Several businesses are also suing the Trump administration over tariff-related costs, and we got a few more details on Morelle’s super-fast-charging bike.

We also spotlight a top-10 rail trail in Idaho and answer your questions about the Ride1Up Vorsa, Nomad 2, affordable belt-drive options, and more!

[Read more…] about Trump Administration Sued Over Tariffs, What E-Bikes For A College Student, What’s The Deal With Frame Flex? | TWR Ep 27

Aventon Pace 4 Review | Cruise Swiftly with Security & Style

Aventon’s latest take on a city cruiser feels fresh and youthful while hosting an impressive suite of 4G-enabled security and ride customization features.

Aventon Pace 4 Review

Historically, the Pace city cruiser has been one of Aventon’s most iconic rides; it’s the original model that many other brands imitated but never quite matched. Now, having received the same treatment as many of the brand’s latest releases, the Pace 4 widens the gap even more with a refreshed look and feel—and some big upgrades in technology.

The Pace 4 features a largely weld-free gravity cast frame, giving it a smooth and streamlined appearance. It also traded the model’s previously curved Dutch cruiser handlebars for straighter BMX-style bars, resulting in a sporty-yet-comfortable style.

The bike is equipped with Aventon’s 4G-enabled ACU module (short for Aventon Control Unit). Through the brand’s mobile app, the ACU allows users to monitor the bike’s location, set up security features such as a wheel lock and motion detection/alarm system, activate geofencing boundaries, and even remotely disable the bike in the event of theft.

While Aventon dropped the “500” portion of the Pace’s moniker (a change that makes it much easier to number each bike’s generation), the new-and-improved model still hosts a 500W rear hub motor paired with a torque sensor. We noticed quickly that the bike’s updated programming, however, made it feel more responsive and natural than ever.

Having thoroughly tested each previous version of the Pace, we were faced with one question: Is this the best version of the Pace to date? Continue to our full review below to find out how it fared in our series of standardized performance tests!

[Read more…] about Aventon Pace 4 Review | Cruise Swiftly with Security & Style

Best Moped-Styled E-Bikes | 6 Speedy & Super Fun Rides

Best Moped Electric Bikes 2025

If you’re a speed demon, an adrenaline junkie, or simpy a fun-seeking rider searching for an e-bike with heaps of power and punch, you’re in the right place!

Whether used for cruising, commuting, or playing in off-road environments, moped-style e-bikes are as versatile as they are iconic. They borrow visual elements from motorcycles and dirt bikes, giving them an aggressive look that often matches their speed capabilities. In most cases, they’re also remarkably comfortable!

Also known as moto-style e-bikes, those in this category typically have thickly padded, nonadjustable bench seats. Some offer the ability to carry a passenger, commonly with the addition of a saddle extension, and many include motorcycle-grade suspension systems, durable tires, and lighting features such as full-on headlamps and turn signals.

Of course, moped-style e-bikes also include operable pedals, though we anticipate most riders will rely primarily on throttle power to motor around.

Our team of professional reviewers has tested hundreds of e-bikes of various styles, including moto- and moped-style e-bikes for on-road, off-road, and mixed use. If you’re seeking recommendations for a super speedy commuter or an off-road monster, see below for a list of our favorites!

Our picks for the Best Moped 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.

Sponsor

[Read more…] about Best Moped-Styled E-Bikes | 6 Speedy & Super Fun Rides

Best Electric Bikes for Women | Top 13 Options We’ve Tested

Best Electric Bikes for Women 2024

Many products in this world don’t need to be gender-specific: TVs. Computers. Baseball caps. However, many other items need to be made to fit the specific proportions of one gender or the other: Clothes. Multivitamins. And, yes, bikes and e-bikes. Human anatomy is a fascinating thing.

Within each gender, there is a wild variation in sizes and even proportions, but themes and trends do emerge. As a (very) general rule, for a given height, women have longer legs than men, as well as shorter torsos and arms. Also, on average, women are shorter than men.

Most bikes and e-bikes are bought by men (what’s up with that?), so the majority of all one-size e-bikes are made for a man’s proportions. This means that, while women can adjust saddle height appropriately, they will likely be left with a long reach from the saddle to the handlebar, resulting in a potentially uncomfortable forward lean.

We’ve selected a collection of e-bikes that cover a variety of uses, ranging from cruisers and commuters to special-use e-bikes such as eMTBs and even a road/gravel e-bike. Almost all of these e-bikes feature step-thru frames to make them easy to mount and dismount, while a few fit with more traditional expectations of woman-centric design.

To be clear, none of the e-bikes on this list were specifically made for women, but we have selected e-bikes with geometry that is suitable for both genders. This is more a reflection of our decision to focus on e-bikes priced in the $1,000-$3,000 range than what is available.

The fact is, the higher your budget range, the more options that exist. That’s sadly sexist, but our job is to point out the best opportunities we see. The options highlighted below will likely satisfy the budget, comfort, and functionality preferences of most women looking for an e-bike. Let’s dig in!

Our Best E-Bikes For Women 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.

Sponsor

[Read more…] about Best Electric Bikes for Women | Top 13 Options We’ve Tested

Sponsor