Electric Bike Buying Guide

E-bikes come in a range of styles to suit different uses, everything from riding steep mountain trails to getting to and from work. But there are three general “classes” (or classifications) related to their electric propulsion systems. 

Each type powers the bike’s driven wheel in a distinct way, whether using input from the rider’s pedals or a hand control, like a twist grip or a thumb switch. Deciding which one is best for you depends on how you plan to use the bike and how far you want to go.

1. Class 1 bikes can reach up to 20 mph using pedal-assist, a feature that powers the electric motor as you pedal. There’s no throttle control on the handlebars to get the bike going; the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling.
   
2. Class 2 bikes can reach up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone via a throttle.
   
3. Class 3 bikes can reach up to 28 mph. These faster, more powerful models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths.

Take your time finding a model that fits you physically and meets your long-term needs. If you’re in a hilly area, you may want one with a wider gear range to save energy—both yours and the battery’s. Consult local regulations so that you know what, if anything, is required to ride an e-bike in your area, and where you’re allowed to ride one.

There are several newer brands specializing in e-bike manufacturing, such as Rad Power and Blix. You may be unfamiliar with them, but some of these are strong companies with innovative products and good customer support. Be wary of internet bike brands that might not be there tomorrow to offer customer service. Diligence is warranted if you stray from the longstanding name brands, including Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek.

We’re also not bullish on any type of bike sold through big-box stores. The salespeople are seldom bicycle experts. This can affect assembly and repairs, and you might wind up spending any money you saved trying to get a budget bike to work properly. Many bike retailers won’t even service models sold from big-box outlets because the quality is so poor.

Another option is to buy a bike from a direct-to-consumer manufacturer. But it will need final assembly, including fitting the handlebars, seatpost, and pedals. You’ll need some mechanical aptitude, and you might need specific tools such as a hex or Allen key and a torque wrench. You may find it challenging to set up a disc-brake model without the pads rubbing on the rotor. You can take the bike to a local shop for assembly, but it will cost you.

That said, most bike shops sell e-bikes, and the sales and service staff are typically quite knowledgeable about them. Plus, they can help you make a solid choice if you decide you want to buy one.

We always recommend test-riding any bike before buying it. You should get a sense of how it feels and how the brakes and shifts work. (A dealer can customize the fit for you.) Some dealers will also allow you to rent an e-bike, giving you a chance for an extended ride on the road or trail you plan to frequent. Even if it’s not identical to the model you want to purchase, renting lets you gain additional seat time to settle on the e-bike style that works best for you.

Once you’ve selected the model you want, keep in mind that it can—and should—be further customized. The handlebar tape or grips, the pedals, and especially the saddle are your points of contact and control. Your hands, feet, and butt have to perch comfortably, and all of the bike’s parts should be adjusted to fit you. For instance, a new stem can lift the handlebars closer to your torso. A dealer can also add features to your bike that might not come with it, such as a bell, head and taillights, fenders, water bottle holders, a phone mount, and even a luggage rack. But the key is getting the fit right.

If you haven’t purchased a new bicycle in a while, you might be in for some sticker shock. Bicycles—especially electric ones—can be a relatively big-ticket item. In addition, tariffs on imported bicycles and parts have also increased prices.

Some bicycle shops offer layaway plans, where you make a down payment and pay the bike off in installments. The store will hold on to the bike until it’s fully paid.

There are buy now, pay later options, and these vary in how they’re set up. But it’s important to consider the possibility of high interest rates before signing up for anything. A large finance company, Affirm, offers some 0 percent options, but it can also charge interest rates between 10 and 30 percent. Klarna is a competitor, and it’s more likely to offer a “pay in four” plan with 0 percent interest on a 4-month loan. How do these banks make a cent on zero-interest loans? Simple: Merchants or exercise bike brands like Peloton, which has zero-interest loans through Affirm, are fronting the finance charges because moving inventory is more valuable to them than making a few extra bucks off the financing.

Although e-bike batteries and their electronics are generally very safe, a faulty battery or charging equipment can cause a major fire that could lead to injury or death. In New York City, where e-mobility devices have been in use for a while, lithium-ion battery fires associated with e-bikes and e-scooters are a growing problem, mostly due to the availability of batteries and related parts that aren’t properly tested. An investigation by CR found that these inadequately tested products were a major contributor to fire danger.

In choosing an e-bike, we strongly recommend considering only bikes (and replacement batteries) that have been tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or another nationally recognized laboratory. (Otherwise, there can be serious safety risks.)

The New York City Fire Department has a number of safety tips related to e-mobility devices:

• Buy an e-bike certified by a recognized testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The same applies to other devices powered by a lithium-ion battery.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
• Don’t leave an e-bike unattended while it’s charging, and don’t block your primary way into your home with an e-bike or other device.
• If you notice an odor, a change in shape or color, leaking, or odd noises from the battery, stop using it immediately.
• If the battery reacts in an alarming way, and it’s safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
• Keep batteries and devices at room temperature and store them away from any flammable materials.
• Don’t use aftermarket batteries.

We can’t stress enough that you should always wear a bike helmet. It’s the single most important measure you can take to prevent serious injury or death while riding an e-bike (or any bicycle, for that matter). Gloves can help absorb vibrations and protect your hands if you take a spill. Polycarbonate glasses can shield your eyes from bugs and errant pebbles. A water bottle is handy on long, hot-weather rides, too, so consider installing a water bottle holder on your e-bike. High-visibility clothing can help others see you. Our guide to bike riding safety also covers how to ride safely and comfortably.

There are many options for customizing an e-bike. A bike shop may swap certain components at little or no cost, but it’s important to factor this into your overall budget so you have funds left over for upgrades after purchasing the bike. Adding a bell, a headlight or taillight, a phone mount, or water bottle holders is quick and easy, and the shop may install it at no extra charge. But the cost of getting a new seat or stem can range from $30 to well over $200, even before you add the shop’s installation cost.

Read in detail about some of the important characteristics of e-bikes and how we assess them.

• Weight: In our testing, we found that Class 1 e-bikes are the lightest overall, from 34 pounds to 65 pounds; Class 2 e-bikes are generally heavier, weighing from 47 pounds to 83 pounds; folding e-bikes range from 37 pounds to 73 pounds; and mountain e-bikes are 51 through 56 pounds (we’ve only tested a few of them, so our pool is more limited than the other e-bikes we tested).
  
  Before buying, it’s important to understand how heavy an e-bike is to evaluate whether you can handle it. You should also make sure the bike’s weight is compatible with standard bike racks to avoid problems when buying a rack.
  
• Speed: E-bike classifications define the top speed an e-bike can reach, and in testing, we determine how much pedaling effort is required to reach or maintain that speed. (Additionally, speed can change across different assist or throttle settings; we evaluate how easy it is to shift between speed levels and modes.)
  
• Maintenance: When buying an e-bike, consider the typical maintenance costs over time and identify whether you have local shops willing and able to service e-bikes. It’s important to understand how often common parts like chains and brake pads need to be replaced, and be aware of how quickly components like batteries or motors may degrade.
  
  You should also plan for what you can accomplish at home. Evaluate the ease of performing routine maintenance and ensure you have access to clear guidance for long-term upkeep.
  
• Comfort: An improper fit on an e-bike (such as the seat) can cause discomfort or pain; at the very least, it will make bike rides less enjoyable. Keep in mind that a bicycle retailer will help fit you to the bike so that you can safely operate it, something you won’t find when buying from a big-box retailer. But it may charge extra for a more comprehensive bike-fitting session. This is a wise investment, particularly if you plan to ride extensively. The money spent on a 30- or 60-minute session will be well worth it down the road.
  
• Brakes: Hydraulic brakes are preferred over mechanical disc brakes for many reasons—from increased control to a better feel. We found that hydraulic brakes are generally more powerful, and they automatically adjust for wear. That said, if your brakes experience any hydraulic bleeding, they’ll require more work to fix than mechanical brakes.
  
• Controls: When evaluating an e-bike’s controls, we assess whether the display is visible while wearing polarized sunglasses, how easy the controls and interface are to use, and the usability of the dashboard or computer system.