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15 Best Electric Bikes 2026: Commuting & Mountain Biking Reviews

by Lisa Park - Tech Editor

Other Ebikes ⁢We Like

Bike Friday All-Day

Photograph: Adrienne So

Bike Friday All-Day for⁤ $5,600: Bike Friday bills the i“`html

GoTrax⁢ Mustang for $1,799: ⁣ We liked the Mustang, which is a surprisingly punchy little bike for just the right price. However, it only comes in one ‌size so⁢ you should try it if you can before you buy it.

Tenways CGO800S for $1,799: This is a budget step-through city ebike. It boasts up to 50 miles of battery life, and I got more than 30. The torque sensor is smooth and responsive to pedaling ⁤at various speeds.However, there’s ⁢no⁣ throttle, and because this bike is meant to⁢ fit ​riders of a huge ‌range of sizes (they say 5’1” to 6’3”), the frame was not as agreeable to pedal for me (5’11”) ‍as some large-size bikes.​ -martin Cizmar

Aventon Ramblas for $2,899: Aventon⁢ made a mountain bike! Its a lot of bike for an affordable price, but just a ‍little too heavy to⁣ take out for its intended use case. It makes a nice,rugged commuter,however.

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Electra Loft Go!

Photograph: Electra

Radster Road for $1,499: This ‌is ⁢the e-bike I’d recommend to most people. It’s comfortable, reliable, and has a good motor.​

gazelle Eclipse for $6,399: If you want to know ⁤just how great the ​Bosch system can ‍be,⁤ the Eclipse (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the more expensive version of the Radster⁤ Road above. It has a nicer shifter,a smarter motor-even the paint job is nicer. it’s just much more expensive.

Gocycle G4i Plus for $4,799: This is a folding e-bike, and it’s a really good one. It’s ⁤lightweight, compact, and ​fun to ride.

The Bunch Original Electric Cargo⁤ Bike for $6,499: I didn’t care for the Bunch (5/10, WIRED‌ Review), but my family​ did. It’s a standard, if‌ slightly ‍expensive, box bike as⁣ you might see in Europe. It’ll work well if you live in a flat area and don’t have to go very fast.

Bikes ⁣We Dislike

Pass on the left.

Retrospec ebike
Niu Electric Bike BQi-C3 Pro for $999: Commerce director ‍Martin Cizmar tested this bike⁣ and had a litany of complaints. The riding position is too aggressive,and the bike frame doesn’t fit common components ‍like a water bottle​ and his pannier. The disc brakes ​weren’t suited to stopping it from 28⁣ mph.

FAQs

How Does WIRED​ Procure Ebikes?

Bike companies reach out to me, ‍and I request testers in my size. Once I have finished testing, I either return the bikes to the manufacturer, the ⁢shop that assembled them, or donate them‍ to nonprofit organizations.

How Do You Secure an Ebike?

Many ebikes have removable batteries, displays, or built-in wheel⁢ locks that‍ make securing your bike much easier.Other bikes, like the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2, are also compatible with Apple Find My. ⁤Check out our Best ebike Locks guide for more options.

Should I⁣ Build my Own Bike?

Many ⁢affordable bikes now come direct-to-consumer-meaning that they are pre-tuned or partially assembled in a box. As Peter Flax

Over the past few years,⁢ WIRED’s Reviews team‍ has tried almost every kind‌ of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We review upward of 50 new ebikes a year by riding them on a variety of terrain for at least 40 miles over the course of at least two weeks. we test cargo bikes by hauling kids and groceries, we ‍ride mountain and gravel bikes on trails, and we test commuter bikes while running errands on regular city ‌streets (including up and down s

E-bikes Gain Popularity as Transportation Costs‌ Rise

Americans purchased over 600,000 e-bikes in ​2023, ⁢a 30%‌ increase from 2022, according to data from the Light Electric vehicle ⁣Association. This surge in demand comes as gasoline prices averaged $3.51 per gallon nationally in december 2023, according​ to​ the U.S.Energy Information Administration, and as consumers seek alternatives to conventional commuting.

Cost of Ownership

The average⁤ cost of an e-bike ranges from $1,500 to ‌$8,000,​ depending on the class, features, and brand. Rad Power bikes ‌reported their average bike sale price was $1,699 in 2023. However, ‍several financial assistance programs are available to offset these costs.

  • Federal Tax Credit: The Inflation Reduction act of 2022 includes a tax credit of up to $7,500 for new clean vehicle purchases, which can‍ apply to e-bikes meeting certain ⁢criteria.
  • State and Local Rebates: As of January 19, 2026, 24 states and the District of columbia offer e-bike incentive ⁣programs, providing ⁣rebates or tax credits. ‍ California’s program, launched in May 2023, offers up to‌ a $1,000 rebate for eligible residents.
  • Financing Options: Companies like Affirm and PayPal offer financing for ⁣e-bike purchases. Some banks also include e-bikes under vehicle loan ‍programs.
  • Used Market: Exploring options on eBay, ‍Craigslist, and local Facebook groups can provide more affordable⁢ choices.

E-bike Classifications and Regulations

E-bikes are categorized into three classes, each with different regulations:

  • Class 1: ⁤ Pedal-assist only, with a motor that stops assisting at ⁤20 mph.
  • Class 2: Throttle-assisted, with a ‍motor that can propel the bike up to 20 mph⁤ without​ pedaling.
  • Class 3: Pedal-assist only,with a motor⁢ that stops assisting at 28 mph.

Regulations ‍vary by state and​ locality. The National Conference of State Legislatures reported that 34 states have laws addressing e-bikes as of November 2023. ​ Many jurisdictions restrict Class 3 e-bikes‍ from bike paths and trails.

Consumers should check local laws before purchasing and operating an e-bike. Resources ​include PeopleForBikes and⁢ state department of​ transportation ‍websites.

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