What’s The Best Electric Bikes in 2023 According to Reddit?

TLDR: If you’re in a hurry the Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike is the Best Electric Bike according to reddit!

Elby Bike 9 Speed Electric Bike, Blue, 16.5"/One Size

• Top power output in its pedal-assist class
• Industry-leading range, up to 90 miles
• Near-infinite adjustability for true one-size-fits-almost-anyone comfort

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We’ve reviewed enough of rideable technology to tell you one thing for sure: battery-powered rideables are the way forward. We expect to see a massive surge in the sales of electric skateboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, hoverboards and e-unicycles in the coming years. The reason for this being, of course, our terribly clogged cities with their space constraints and the dwindling global resources. Quite simply, rideable tech is the future of transportation. It doesn’t take an environmentalist to realize that much.

That said, electric bikes have other benefits that set them apart from more radical e-rides such as e-scooters or hoverboards. They aren’t a passing trend or a niche cult; they are a highly utilitarian mode of transport that will save you on astronomical fuel costs as well as precious hours wasted in traffic jams. (Fun fact: Research tells us that Boston commuters lose a good 149 hours a year to traffic congestion! Chicago, Philly and New York City commuters are close behind with similar statistics.)

Unlike other bike-friendly countries such as Netherlands, Sweden or China, e-bikes took a while to establish a market in the US. But rest assured that they will be sticking around. They appeal not only to the elderly and people with disabilities, but also to a significant number of cyclists who are choosing to convert to electric rides that can take them longer distances. So how does this eco-friendly vehicle work? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is An Electric Bike?

Essentially, an electric bike works on the same principles as a regular bicycle, except that it comes with a battery-powered ‘assist’ activated when you pedal, thus giving you an additional boost to traverse longer and rougher distances without too much effort. Certain e-bikes are also powered with a throttle which gives the same boost but without even the need to pedal.

The above two features, along with the e-bike’s speed limit and battery configurations, work as the main guiding factors that define the three classes of e-bikes in the US. Depending on which class your chosen bike is regulated by, you will know whether it requires registration, insurance and if it can be ridden on bike paths.

E-bikes are not new at all. Efforts have been on since the late 19th century to empower the standard bicycle with a battery, but it wasn’t until recently that they finally cracked it. How it works is with either of two kinds of motors: hub motors that are usually mounted in the middle of the rear wheel; and mid-motors, which are located between the pedals. Generally speaking, hub-drive motor bikes are better suited for flat terrains, whereas mid-drives offer greater torque and hence are totally at ease in hilly regions.

Do You Even Need An Electric Bike?

If you’ve been a healthy cyclist all your life, you are right in wondering if you even need an electric bike. Being a biker myself (an avid one I swear, I’ve even sacrificed two teeth to a cycle fall and never looked back!), and having given the electric wheels a go, I have a few things to tell you before you make your decision.

As you can imagine, most bikers’ prime concern is that an electric bike curbs the physical exercise you’d otherwise get from pedaling hard. Well, that’s quite easy to fix – just turn the motor off!

Right, now that we have the body bit out of the way, lets consider the distance. What do you use your bike for when not exercising? Commuting, most likely. And as far as commuting goes, an electric bike is guaranteed to take you to your destination faster. This matters especially if you are having a tiring day and have many miles to go. An electric bike is just the solution – it gives you the boost you need, and if it’s a good one it will last you a long while and help you be a more environmentally-conscious citizen while you pedal healthy.

There are, of course, other electric rideables you could consider, but an electric scooter or an electric skateboard wouldn’t be suitable for larger needs. Thinking of picking up grocery on your way back from work? Trust me, an electric bike will make it a real ride in the park. What’s more, it won’t make you sweaty for a quick coffee with your sweetheart or an official meeting afterwards either; freedom from Lycra – now who can complain to that?

How Should You Choose An Electric Bike?

If you haven’t already done a preliminary search on e-bikes online, prepare to be bamboozled by brands with more specs than you could conjure in your wildest biking dreams. This might sound exciting to some, but watch out for companies that pop up and go poof (such as some of those hundreds of brands asking for money on crowdfunding platforms).

When it comes to e-bikes, some of the criteria to be used during selection is similar to what you’d look for in a standard bicycle. You’d want it to be of sturdy build, with durable wheels and preferably some racks for storage. But there’s a lot more that is specific to electric bikes. We’ve left out design features like an LCD Display or an in-built bottle rack for instance; below are the basics you’d want to check for in a bike before you get to its prettiness:

• Power: Similar to a horsepower rating, in an e-bike’s case power is the force that a motor can generate over a certain period of time. It will go a long way in determining the performance of your bike.
• Bike Range: This refers to the total distance that a bike can travel on a single charge. Also known as Miles Range.
• Battery: Battery range is crucial. Watt Hours (‘Wh’) is the more specific term for the duration of your battery life, and the higher this number is the better. It helps to have some idea of your potential usage to decide on how powerful a battery you need. Some bikes even offer double batteries. Also, remember to check how long it takes to charge.
• Speed: Speed shouldn’t really be your top reason for investing in an e-bike, because the whole point here is the longevity and stability of the ride. The maximum you can hope for from any electric bike is 28 mph, which would be a Class 3 bike.
• Comfort: Size, height and material of the seat, the positioning and grip of handlebars, and where the battery is mounted – all these factors are super important for your ride comfort.
• Portability: A little warning for longtime users of standard bicycles – e-bikes tend to be much heavier than your regular bicycle. They take a while getting used to, though when it comes to portability, you can easily opt for a folding bike and solve all your public transport issues at once.
• Durability: The bike’s overall build as well as the battery’s durability are important considering that most solid bikes cost up to $1,000. You don’t want to shell out that kind of money for something about to fall apart within the first year of riding!
• Safety: By safety, we mean powerful and reliable brakes (preferably motorized), suspension fork, integrated lighting for safer night rides and wider tires for better traction.

Best Electric Bikes 2023

There are bikes out there in many styles – cargo bikes, foldable bikes, cruiser bikes, commuter bikes and mountain bikes to name a few. As usual, we have compiled the following list keeping different kinds of bikers and their unique requirements in mind. Read on, and I’m sure you’d find the right fit in here:

1. Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike – Best Overall Electric Bike

Elby is pure elegance. It’s got a style of its own, and power to back it up. All in all, an expensive but risk-free ride.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

At first glance the Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike discourages with its heavy price tag, but then there aren’t many e-bikes around that give you great power in a lightweight packaging. It is fitted with a 500W rear hub motor with ‘internal rider input sensor’ that makes for a real smooth ride. With 9 speed options, throttle assist and 4 levels of pedal assist, you can be sure of maximum control.

Elby S1 9-Speed Electric Bike can achieve speeds up to 20 mph, and has an impressive range of 80 miles per charge for you to plan longer rides with ease. For safety, Elby has a number of very useful features such as Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and Supernova LED lighting. It also offers comfort at many levels – ergonomic grips, a wide saddle, all fitted into a lightweight aluminum molded frame that scores high on portability.

For your hard-earned money, you also get Bluetooth connectivity and 2.5” color display. And the best part – the option to book a free test ride!

Who is this for?

Those of you who appreciate the good old standard bicycle and want the best possible upgrade on it without losing its elegance, well, the Elby Bike 9-Speed Electric Bike is it.

2. SwagCycle EB-5 Folding Bike – Best Value-For-Money Electric Bike

Swagtron is a reputed name in the world of electric rides, and they deserve it for the amazing quality they deliver at throwaway prices. Value for money and a bit of swag, you say? SwagCycle wouldn’t disappoint.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

The SwagCycle EB-5 Folding Bike is possibly the best folding bike you can get at such an affordable price. What makes it special is portability. With a space-efficient triple-fold design and weighing all of 37 lbs, this one’s great for urban commute. It also scored well on our comfort tests with highly adjustable seat and handlebar that respect your height preference. So that it is equally rideable for a father and a daughter alike.

With the SwagCycle EB-5 you can power assist your pedaling, twist the throttle for acceleration or alternate between the two depending on your mood for exercise. It has a 250W hub motor, which might not sound like much against some of the premium bikes’ specs, but it goes uphill without a fuss and has a decent 15.5 miles range per charge to power your commute. We also like the Autoguard technology that disengages the motor as soon as you brake and makes it a safer ride. It’s somewhat painful to pedal uphill if the battery dies on you, but you can avoid that from becoming an issue with some careful planning beforehand.

Who is this for?

The SwagCycle EB-5 Folding Bike is an absolute steal for anyone looking to experiment with electric bikes without breaking the bank. The ideal first bike, you could say.

3. Addmotor MOTAN Folding Electric Bike – Best All-Terrain Electric Bike

Addmotor has been around since 2011, focusing exclusively on one form of e-ride – the electric bike. It sure shows in their wide range of models. Our pick from their stable is the MOTAN M-140 R7 Fat Tire Step-Thru Electric Folding Bike. Phew! That’s a long name, but their dazzling feature list is even longer.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

Power in a compact size, that is what makes the Addmotor Motan M-140 R7 the perfect choice. Collapse the top tube, fold the frame and it’s ready to be stored under your work desk or in your car boot until needed again.

The M-140 R7’s 750W high-speed rear hub brushless motor will take on snowy terrains, uphill climbs and urban pavements with equal ease. This kind of power would be pointless without sturdy tires to support it, and thankfully Addmotor has taken good care in this aspect. This model is supported by 4-inch fat tires – aluminum alloy integrated wheels which can tackle higher speeds and torque much better than bikes that come with spokes wheels.

During our rides we were impressed to see their miles range claims hold up, with the first level of pedal assist affording us 55-65 miles per single charge. The Shimano 7-speed system makes the e-bike faster still, so that you can leave straight from office for a weekend riding trip to the beach without a second thought. Integrated lights, 5-inch LCD display with night mode technology, a USB port to charge your phone (extremely useful!), adjustable handlebar, head tube and saddle and a detachable rear rack for storage – need we say more?

Who is this for?

Bikers looking for a portable ride that can tackle all terrains should seriously consider the Addmotor MOTAN M-140 R7 Folding e-bike for its sturdy tires and powerful motor.

4. Tower Beach Bum Electric Cruiser Bike – Best Electric Cruiser Bike

I’ll be honest – it was the Tower Beach Bum’s design that first caught my eye. Once we had the actual bike for review though, I was pleasantly surprised by this somewhat underrated neighborhood cruiser’s full specs. Because this vehicle is a real beauty.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

So what makes the rather stylish Tower Beach Bum Electric Cruiser Bike special? A number of things actually, and its elegant design is only the least of them.

For starters, it is powered by a high torque 500W brushless geared rear hub motor. By ‘high torque’ they mean 65 NM (Newton meter), which might take the edge off your speed but ensures higher climb capacity. The Shimano system of 7 speed gears will take you on top speeds up to 20 mph, though the bike comes pre-configured with the speed capped at 18 mph (easily unlocked if you wish to travel faster). To support this kind of power, it also has excellent quality Schwalbe Fat Frank balloon style tires with good enough tread and cushioning to provide puncture resistance.

As in the case of any other electric personal mobility vehicle, battery is at the core of an electric bike too. The Tower Beach Bum Electric Cruiser Bike did not disappoint here either; it comes equipped with a Samsung 48V/14Ah lithium ion battery for longevity and your full money’s worth, offering a decent range of 30-60 miles per charge. The battery also has a USB charging port on the side, so you’re good to go on long rides.

Speaking of long rides, what sets the Tower Beach Bum Cruiser apart is its attention to detail with regards to the cruising part of it. It really is a cruiser with its laidback riding position, long handlebars and grip tape platform pedals so cushy you could ride them barefoot. The frame is rust-resistant aluminum, and unlike most other beach cruisers in the market, this one’s lightweight at 49 lbs.

Who is this for?

The fact that the Tower Beach Bum Electric Cruiser Bike doesn’t even look like an electric bike says something about its emphasis on design. Go for it if you’d like some class on the move and a durable build to make it worth the money.

5. Cyrusher XF800 Electric Mountain Bike – Best Electric Mountain Bike

Although priced at the higher end, the Cyrusher XF800 Fat Tire Electric Mountain Bike has nearly everything you could ask for from a bike built to climb mountains. With this bike you can rough it out off-roading, without a creaky component to bum your ride.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

We’ve already spoken of our favorite all-terrain bike in this article, but the Cyrusher XF800 Electric Mountain Bike makes it to our list specifically for its tough build (‘bombproof build’ as the manufacturer claims) and the power it brings to your feet for climbing uphill terrains. Its 4-inch fat tires glide with ease on snow, ice, mud, gravel, sand or concrete pavement, and the powerful 750W-1500W Bafang motor with noise reduction can provide a torque of 80 Nm. In layman’s terms, this means a smooth ride across rugged regions. To make it safer, the XF800 has strong, hydraulic grip levers brake with the option to cut off motor whenever you feel the need for more control.

The 7-speed crank by Shimano gearing system can rustle up a top speed of up to 35 mph, and the battery held up during our test rides with the promised range of 25-37 miles per single charge. All it takes is about 4-6 hours for the battery to go from dead to full. And although an e-bike – and hence weightier than your standard bike – it is fairly easy to pedal even without power, which earns it good points in our fitness books.

The Cyrusher XF800 Electric Mountain Bike is perhaps the only bike on this list to have IP65 certification for waterproofing, which reinforces its mountain-bike status. Whether you ride on pedal assist mode, e-bike or normal pedal, rest assured that it will be a noise-free and safe ride.

Who is this for?

Outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers would be best able to enjoy the grip, control and power offered by the Cyrusher XF800 Electric Mountain Bike.

6. NAKTO 26” City Electric Bike – Best Electric Bike For Women

Not that I wish to bring in feminism here, but it’s always nice to see a bike designed keeping women’s preferences in mind. The camel-white NAKTO City Electric Bike is a very affordable e-bike that would appeal to the ladies for a number of reasons.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

Nakto is a Chinese manufacturer that has gained a steady following amongst budget bikers over recent years. It is known for its affordable bikes, especially city bikes that focus on functionality over frills and double up as cargo bikes with ease.

The Nakto City Electric Bike is possibly amongst the best you can buy without crossing the 1000-dollar mark. It is light yet sturdy, comprising a streamlined carbon steel frame with rust-proof coating and a 250W rear hub motor that is about as much as you’d need for cruising around crowded urban centers. It is fitted with a 6-speed Shimano transmission system which will give you a top speed of 20 mph and three modes to shuffle between – throttle only, throttle with pedal assist and pedal only. At 18-20 miles per single charge, the battery range isn’t bad either as it meets standard requirements.

Nakto City Electric Bike’s saddle height is adjustable, which is a boon for some of us who aren’t blessed with being as tall as some manufacturers imagine. The rear rack and front basket are another lovely add-on for storage during city commute, and there’s LED display to keep you updated on battery usage and your speed limits. Lastly, the two-week free trial at home might be just what you need before you decide to part with your money.

Who is this for?

Nakto City Electric Bike holds up to its name. It is great for city commuting, and although marketed for women, there is nothing stopping men from buying it if it appeals to their taste! The price tag sure tempts us.

7. Jetson Metro Folding Electric Bike – Best Electric Bike For Urban Commute

Another budget buy that would appeal to most beginners is the Jetson Metro Folding Electric Bike. It sticks to its mentioned purpose – making your commute around urban areas easier and saving you from sweaty tees on the way.

What does Reddit have to say about it:

What makes it the perfect choice?

Jetson isn’t a new entrant on the e-bike scene; it has been around making personal mobility vehicles since 2012 and is still going strong. As far as Jetson Metro Folding Electric Bike goes, they are right in branding it as ‘your weekend warrior’. It’s an affordable ride you’d totally want to consider for city commute.

The Jetson Metro Folding Electric Bike functions on an easy folding system with an in-built magnet that doesn’t let it break or pop open while you are using public transport. The 250W hub gives you enough power for navigating urban roads using 3 levels of pedal assist (including a twist throttle feature for higher speed). The top speed was a bit disappointing for us at 15.5 mph, but whether it is the same for you depends on your intended usage.

The battery is strategically concealed in the crossbar and offers a good range of 25 miles per charge. A front LED light helps during night rides, and a horn to honk reckless pedestrians out of your way. And if you are still wondering if this is a good buy, make use of Jetson’s 30-day return policy to take it for a long test ride.

Who is this for?

The Jetson Metro Folding Electric bike is great for bikers eager to try out their first electric ride. In general, it’s a good fit for any city commuter looking for an affordable bike, but our research tells us that teenagers in particular take a liking to it.

Which Is The Best Electric Bike in 2023?

Having gone through our detailed reviews above – based on so many test rides that if I didn’t love biking as much I do I’d probably be bored by now – you must have a clearer idea of what you need. The sheer variety in the world of electric bikes, and their functionality as personal mobility vehicles, make e-bikes an intelligent investment no matter which model you choose. But it certainly helps to know whether you require it for daily commute, outdoor excursions or both. Provided it has a long-lasting battery, a durable build and the right kind of tires, an electric bike will completely change the way you move around your familiar neighborhood. You don’t even need a special cargo bike; just invest in a sturdy cargo trailer (plenty great ones available on Amazon) and you are set for a sweat-free, pollution-free and bump-free transportation. Ride well you guys!

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Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API