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In the market for a bike with an added boost when you turn the pedals? electricbikereport.com’s Class 1 electric bike reviews aim to help you choose the right pedal-assist ride for you.
Less of a category and more of an entire genre, class 1 electric bikes are a type of e-bike where the motor only delivers power when the rider is turning the pedals. That means there is no throttle that can apply power while a rider is coasting, like a class 2 e-bike, and the maximum motor-assisted speed is limited to 20 mph, unlike class 3 e-bikes which max out at 28 mph.
Class 1 e-bikes are versatile and often closely resemble the power delivery and feel of a non-motorized bicycle. They’re also the class of e-bike least likely to be restricted by local laws. A total of 26 states in the U.S. have instituted some sort of law governing e-bikes based on their class, which typically includes regulations dictating where you can and can’t ride your e-bike. A Class 1 e-bike is the class most likely to be welcomed onto federal and state-regulated singletrack mountain bike trails and mixed-use bike paths.
While lacking a throttle and speed-limited, Class 1 e-bikes pack more than enough punch to tackle the steepest hills and most ambitious terrain. This class encompasses nearly every category of e-bike, from nimble and light eMTB’s designed for aggressive riding to sleek commuter e-bikes made to get you to work without breaking a sweat.
Below you’ll find electricbikereport.com’s latest reviews of some of the best Class 1 e-bikes on the market. Some reviews are first-looks at bikes we haven’t gotten to ride yet. Others are thorough, where our staff puts each bike through its paces — testing battery life, stopping power and overall ride feel, among other things — so you can be confident you’re picking the best Class 1 e-bike for your needs.
