Best Electric Bikes From Consumer Reports' Tests
A little bit of help from an electric motor is attracting more people to e-bikes and bicycling
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Electric bikes are more popular than ever, and chances are good that youāve seen a few gliding around where you live. Retail sales were $770 million in 2021, compared with $550 million in 2020āa 38 percent increase, according to NPD Group, a market research company.Ā Sales increased an additional 20 percent in 2022.
The ever-increasing popularity of e-bikes isnāt surprising. They make riding easier, and arguably more fun for many people, serving as a healthy recreational outlet and frugal means of transportation. With many people looking for the best electric bike for their needs and budget, Consumer Reports continues to test new models. Shoppers now have our expert guidance on a range of models, including our picks for the best electric bikes. CRās e-bike ratings are based on each modelās range, comfort, and overall usability.
Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports
Types of Electric Bikes
Class 1 includes pedal-assist bikes, which power the electric motor as your foot applies pressure to the pedal. Thereās no throttle control on the handlebar to get the bike going; the electric part works only when the rider is pedaling, and the e-assist cuts off at speeds above 20 mph.
Class 2 bikes also have an electric motor that works up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone, via a throttle control.Ā
Class 3 limits an e-bikeās top speed to 28 mph. These faster, powered models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths.
The e-bike models CR has tested all fall within the Class 1 and Class 2 categories. We did not test any Class 3 bikes. We have also tested a range of e-bike styles, including commuter bikes and cruisers, folding bikes, and mountain bikes. Prices ranged from $480 to $4,000. The highest-rated e-bikes among those we tested tended to be the most expensive models, although none was anywhere near the $6,000 to $7,000 high end of the price range consumers are likely to encounter at bike shops.
More selectable gears made for a better riding experience once the battery was drained and pedaling provided the only motive power. Single-speed bikes arenāt as versatile, especially not with the added weight of a battery and an electric powertrain. Depending on the model, electric assist was applied either at the hub of the rear wheel or in whatās called a middrive, in which power is applied at the bottom bracket, where the pedals are located.
āElectric bikes tend to be more expensive than conventional bicycles, so most people will probably want a good all-arounder,ā says Bernie Deitrick, the engineer who leads CRās e-bike testing program. āWe especially liked the middrive models that apply electric power where there would normally only be pedals. That setup, plus a bunch of gears to choose from, made for a bike that was almost as good without electric assist as with it. But for pure fun, itās hard to beat a Class 2 electric bike. Without needing to shift gears, their throttle controls and acceleration ability make them exciting to ride.ā
The full ratings from our latest e-bike evaluations are available to Consumer Reports members.Ā Below, we have listed the highest-rated models in four categories from our testing program.
