While there is a passenger kit, the rear rack is only rated for 150 pounds, so you will be restricted to carrying only your daintier loved ones. Any bike at this price point is not going to feel as nice or natural as a slightly more expensive one-the Cruiser's Bafang motor is louder and the assistance a little less smooth and predictable. That'd be Ride1Up and its Cafe Cruiser with the passenger kit ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends). Rad Power has a new CEO, but if you're thinking about a new ebike, consider a company with a better track record. However, recent lawsuits concerning safety and reliability have given me pause. It also comes in a version with a high-top tube, but we appreciate the ease of a step-through.įor many years, I recommended Seattle's Rad Power Bikes as a reliable, heavier, great direct-to-consumer (DTC) bike for people who wanted the option to carry more gear or another passenger. The 4 ST is optimized for riders who are 5'6" and taller, which makes it just slightly too big for me at 5'2". Also, you can only unlock it with the app. On the minus side, the rear hub motor has a power output of only 250 watts, which might not be enough if you live in a hilly area. It's somewhat rare to see features like a carbon belt drive at this price, as well as lights that turn on automatically when it gets dark.
You can also use your phone to check the battery level and easily pop it in and out of the frame for charging indoors. Just buy a compatible phone case (a negligible, if slightly annoying, extra expense), and using Google Maps to get around town is easy and painless. However, the stem has a built-in quad lock system and wireless charging. Like the VanMoof, the 4 ST is beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to assemble out of the box. VanMoof's ebikes are often touted as the best for beginners, but we picked the Cowboy 4 ST ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends) for the simple reason that, if an electric bike relies heavily on an app on your phone, it should come with a charger. But its smart shift system may be a little confusing to those new to electric biking, and the base price doesn't include all the commuter extras. Momentum is owned by Giant, and the Voya E+ 3 ($2,000) is equally light and absolutely stunning in person. Specialized makes one that's pricier but with a nicer low-maintenance internal gear hub and belt drive, and we like Cannondale's version as well. ★ Alternatives: We have tried almost all the entry-level cruisers.
All in all, it's a shockingly affordable package for everything you need to start your 6-mile city commute. It has Trek's proprietary 250-watt hub motor, a 250-watt-hour battery, standard 9-speed Shimano shifters, fast road bike wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes, as well as a few fun extra built-ins, like integrated lights, a bell, a rear rack, fenders, and a kickstand. (I'm currently riding the step-through.) At 40 pounds, it's pretty light! It rides a lot like the light, versatile hybrid I rode all through college. It comes in two versions: a step-over and a step-through.
Right now, the most reasonably priced one is the Trek FX+ 2 ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends). I also suggest looking for an all-in-one package-lights and a bell are non-negotiable purchases if you want to ride at night or in the rain.Īlmost every major bike manufacturer now makes an entry-level commuter electric bicycle. If this is your first bike, I strongly suggest going with an established manufacturer that has a large support network of affiliated retailers and shops, so you can test a few and not have to assemble or fix it yourself. The prices on direct-to-consumer bikes are very appealing, but if you wouldn't send your kid down a hill on a skateboard with wobbly wheels, I wouldn't recommend doing the same yourself. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated April 2023: We added the Specialized Turbo Tero and the Lectric XP 3. Not into pedaling? Read our Best Escooters guide for other transport options. Once you buy an ebike, check out our Best Bike Accessories, Best Bike Locks, and Best Gear for a Bikepacking Adventure guides. We're always testing new ones, so if you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). Over the past few years, my fellow Gear writers and I have tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. They get you outside, reduce traffic congestion, and shrink your carbon footprint. You don't need to be physically fit to ride one. Ebikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. For years, electric bicycles were bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines with limited battery life.
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