How We Test Electric Bikes

Range Test

The goal of our Range Test is to determine how far an e-bike can travel on a single charge of its battery in real-world conditions. This test consists of two separate evaluations which we perform on the local paved trail system in our home city of St. George, Utah. For each test, we pedal a fully-charged e-bike until its battery expires.

We perform one test in the bike’s highest PAS setting, which drains the battery relatively quickly while allowing the rider to achieve high speeds easily. We conduct the second test in the lowest PAS setting that provides useful power, which typically expends battery charge slowly over many miles. Our end result is a realistic minimum and maximum range.

Once again, our testing method varies slightly depending on the type of sensor an e-bike is equipped with, but our goal is to keep the motor engaged throughout the test.

On bikes with cadence sensors, we use relaxed pedaling to ensure that the motor’s power is not overtaken by our test rider’s effort. When dealing with torque sensors, we adapt our effort to the sensor and motor. In low assist levels, we pedal consistently but casually, while in high assist levels, our pedaling may range from relaxed to active, depending on how the motor behaves and how we expect an average consumer to pedal the bike.

In each test, we measure the distance the bike travels on a single charge. We also record its average speed, the amount of elevation it gained, and the time that elapsed throughout the process. Most of that data is gathered for purposes of internal reference and consistency, but we always report the bike’s mileage in our reviews.

There are many factors that influence the distance an e-bike can travel, and since we cannot account for all variables in our testing, our results should be considered a rough estimate. We can, however, use this data to compare to the range advertised by the manufacturer of the e-bike in question, and either reinforce or refute their validity.

Hill Test

To test how their motors perform when climbing steep hills, we bring every e-bike to a location we call The Devil’s Backbone. This test course consists of a paved path with an 8% average grade, resulting in 217 feet of elevation gain over a 0.5-mile climb. We selected this test location to be challenging while also reflecting common conditions that many e-bikers will encounter.

For the sake of consistency, each test is performed by the same rider, Justin Taylor, who is 6’ tall and weighs approximately 180 lbs. Where applicable, Justin first employs throttle-only power to see if the bike can reach the top of our test hill, then he pedals up the path using its highest PAS setting on a second trip. During these evaluations, we measure the bike’s average speed and the time it takes to make the climb.

Not every e-bike is able to reach the top of the Devil’s Backbone on throttle power alone. In these cases, we record the distance the bike travels before the slope becomes too much.

As with previous tests explained above, Justin adapts his pedal effort to the style of the bike. Wherever possible, he uses consistent and relatively relaxed pedaling, but on some e-bikes with relatively low-power motors, he applies more strenuous effort as needed. In all cases, he remains seated on the saddle throughout the test unless there is no other way to reach the top.

If a bike is unable to reach the top of the hill during our pedal test, we consider it to have failed. After all, one of the purposes of an e-bike is to reduce strain and make pedaling easier; a bike that is unable to sufficiently aid its rider in climbing would likely benefit from increased power.

In addition to stating the hard data of our test results, we also do our best to share how a bike feels on hills. For example, while e-bikes with mid-drive motors often land in the middle of the pack when strictly comparing numbers, they typically feel exceptionally natural and capable when climbing.

In contrast, some e-bikes with remarkably fast times and speeds might be a blast to ride, but their motors might make some slightly alarming noises on the way. These additional bits of insight help to paint a more complete picture of an e-bike’s hill climbing capability since they cannot be discerned by numbers alone.

Brake Test

For our final trial, we evaluate each bike’s brake system to ensure that it is safe and effective. In this test, we do our best to replicate a near-emergency situation that the average rider might encounter, such as a car suddenly backing out of a driveway a short distance ahead. Our goal is to come to a stop as quickly as possible while maintaining control of the bike.

We conduct this test in a nearby parking lot, where we set up a grid of traffic cones measured out in 5-foot increments to a distance of 30 feet. Once again, the same rider performs each test to achieve consistent results. In this case, our tester is Griffin, who is 6’ 1” and 230 lbs.

Griffin pedals each e-bike up to 20 mph, then applies the brakes upon reaching the first set of cones. After the test bike comes to a complete stop, we measure the distance from the center of its front wheel back to the center of the starting cones. We repeat this process three times, and then use the three measurements to calculate an average.

This average stopping distance allows us to compare the brake performance of different e-bikes with different types of brake systems. We keep a running average of the results from every e-bike and category we have tested. This allows us to see how much a specific model deviates from the average and enables us to observe changing trends over time.

The fact that we keep our maximum speed to 20 miles per hour also allows us to compare e-bikes regardless of their class. We’re happy to report that nearly every model we’ve tested has performed safely in this test – and we have been sure to point out those few that did not.

Reviewer & Team Testing and the EBR Philosophy

The previously mentioned tests are a standard part of our review process. As such, they allow us to measure all e-bikes across an even playing field, but they are not the only tests we perform.

Our reviewers spend time with each model they write about—through some of our formal testing, during our filming/photography sessions, and independently. This provides the time they need to understand the bike’s basic feel and functions and perform any additional, unique tests which may change depending on the features of the bike they are riding.

Additionally, we take our jobs as reviewers quite seriously! We know how fortunate we are to ride and review e-bikes for a living, and we do our best to approach each bike fairly and objectively. That means eliminating any personal bias, both positive and negative.

We love sharing our excitement if a bike proves to be something special, but in cases where we might personally be less thrilled, we realize that A) not everyone shares our opinions; and B) each e-bike we test has positive features and is likely to appeal to someone. It is our job to highlight and focus on these aspects while fairly critiquing any areas with room for improvement.

In the spirit of objectivity, we make sure that each bike is ridden by several members of the EBR team with various experience levels, ages, heights, weights, etc. This happens through both the various “official” tests, and also in the previously mentioned personal time.

While each e-bike has a lead reviewer, our published written and video reviews incorporate the thoughts and opinions of many diverse individual riders. This approach helps us to realize our goal of providing a broad but detailed perspective on each bike, so we can help each member of our audience find the right model for them.