The Best Electric Bikes: Staff Picks

Electra is celebrated for its dependable cruisers and townie bikes for a reason. The Trek subsidiary knows how to make bikes that are fun and well-thought-out, and they've turned that attention to this sleek, sporty bike that will make getting around urban streets an absolute blast. You get your choice of two frame styles, step-over or step-through, both of which boast the same important bits.

A smooth 250W Hyena motor at the rear hub proves plenty of power to sail right past traffic—and comfortably through it. When riding in the city, it's a big confidence boost to know you can keep up with the flow, and that's not a problem with the Loft Go! 7D EQ. The torque-sensing motor responds to the pedal effort you put in to match power delivery seamlessly. The down tube-integrated battery gives the bike a clean, modern look and boosts your ride from 16 to 40 miles; an optional range extender is available from Electra, too.

The bike comes with lights and alloy fenders, plus a sweet, retro-inspired leatherette saddle. Lookin' good, feelin' good. Buy here and here.

If you're in the market for an e-bike that's fun to ride and easy to handle both on and off the bike, might we suggest the Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1? This feature-rich e-bike is not only zippy to ride, but also the least expensive option in our lineup. For the price, the bike comes loaded: hydraulic disc brakes, integrated rear rack that accommodates a kid seat or panniers, front and rear lights that run off the battery and solid components. The seat can be raised or lowered to fit different riders, letting you share with your whole household. (The handlebars are adjustable too, though one staffer noted that it "takes some work with tools.")

Out on the bike path, the Generation e1.1 holds its own. You can thank the agile geometry and smaller, 20-inch wheels (that lower the riding mass) for that nimble feeling. And while smaller wheels can seem less secure over bumps, you have no reason to worry: The Generation e1.1's front suspension fork cushions rough roadway without flattening out the bike's overall playfulness. "This bike is a great introduction to e-biking," says one customer-reviewer. "It is simple and fun. It is easy to handle and I plan on using it to replace a number of car trips."

Five pedal-assist modes make it simple to fine-tune the boost you want. But you'll also dig the walk mode, which is like having luggage that rolls itself. Buy here.

If you're tired of sitting in your car, on a bus or train and watching cyclists whiz past, weaving through city gridlock with a smile on their face, this is the e-bike for you. With a Class 3 designation, the Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 can whir along with pedal assist up to 28 mph, propelling you across urban areas (and off-pavement adventures) in a very fun blink of an eye. It has nine speeds (furnished by Shimano Alivio drivetrain), so it's up to you whether you want to huff and puff, or cruise along without breaking a sweat.

It can also get you across town comfortably and with whatever you need for work. The Tesoro Neo X 3 comes equipped with an air-sprung Suntour suspension fork with 100mm of travel and big 29-inch wheels to soak up potholes. "This bike is comfortable, easy to use and road ready. It is also great on dirt trails," says one customer-reviewer. It's equipped with fender and rack mounts so you can keep road mud on the road where it belongs, while carrying, well, whatever you need for your next commute or bikepacking trip. Lights (even brake lights), a horn and a kickstand are standard. And it's also available in the Remixte frame with a lowered top tube so you can more easily get on and off.

This bike is fast, maneuverable and up to the challenge of getting you anywhere a car can go—and doing it just as fast, if not faster. The 500 Wh battery is capable of up to 85 miles between charges too, so, depending on your commute, you don't need to plug it in every day. Buy here.

Remember when you were a kid and you had one bike that was expected to handle everything you could throw at it? The Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad is the grown-up version. Quick spin to the store? No problem. A 25-mile pavement cruise through rolling hills? Absolutely. Gravel-grinding adventure? Check. This is the multi-tool of e-bikes, and it's so fun you'll stay out until someone yells "dinner!"

That fun comes courtesy of a 45Nm rear hub Bafang motor mated to a smooth-shifting 7-gear microSHIFT drivetrain and throttle assist. The Adventure Neo Allroad is the only Class 2 e-bike in our lineup, which means you can get a boost while pedaling or use throttle power without. "It is fast and zippy without being unstable, and fully capable of handling a variety of duties, whether it's trudging up a gravel climb or carrying 50 bananas from the store to feed my daughter's track team," says one of our writers who tested and reviewed the EQ (equipped) version for us.

A removable 418W battery provides 47 miles of bliss-inducing juice to power your rides. Knobby 27.5-inch tires mean lots of grip when things get dirty, too, so long rides on mellow trails or fire roads will be calling. You get a bit of mountain bike frame design, but without fancy suspension to complicate things. It's simple, fun and versatile, with the push to get you out there even on days when you otherwise might not have the energy. Buy here.

With its low center of gravity, wide tires that aid stability and an overbuilt frame designed to carry up to 440 pounds, the Tern GSD S10 is a pedaling pack mule. The GSD S10 fits up to two child bike seats without needing specialty hardware and can take a variety of panniers and rack systems (neither is included) to handle groceries and other loads. But all that load doesn't mean you sacrifice the ride, either. The "smaller 20" wheels keep the weight of the bike close to the ground and easy to handle—"no small feat for a bike with a long, folding stem unit," says one REI-certified bike tech. The lower height and telescoping seatpost also make the GSD S10 more versatile, so riders of varying heights (from 4'11" to 6'5") could share one bike for errands and carrying kids.

The GSD S10 is also loaded many cool features that encourage riders to use it in their day-to-day outings. For example, the integrated front wheel lock adds security. Front and rear fenders keep you and your cargo or kiddos free from road spray if it's raining. And the dual-battery port allows you to double your range when you add a second battery.

The GSD S10 also inspires confidence because it comes shod with excellent Magura hydraulic disc brakes. And its Bosch mid-drive motor, which one staffer praised as being very smooth with power delivery, is among the best systems in the e-bike realm. Lastly, this e-bike is the same length as a standard bike, making the bike easy to handle and store. When you're not riding it, a folding handlebar and the ability to put the entire bike in a vertical position on its rear rack allows for less obtrusive home or apartment storage. Buy here.

If you're looking for an electric mountain bike (eMTB) that can handle the gnarliest climbs and steepest descents, the Moterra 4 from Cannondale delivers. This Class 1 e-bike uses Shimano's top-of-the-line motor, the EP8, which delivers a zippy 85nm of torque and pedal-boosting power to 20mph. That oomph helps riders clean rock slabs and tackle every uphill obstacle that the mountain throws at them.

"The Cannondale Moterra Neo 4 is a confidence-inspiring ride for all skill levels," says Tyler Roberts, a bike/ski mechanic in the Bend, Oregon, REI store. "Rock Shox suspension front and rear provides a plush ride that still pedals efficiently. This bike is a wonderful choice for riders looking to set off on longer rides with less fatigue and more smiles!"

Despite the bike's weight (like all electric models, the Moterra Neo 4 is heavier than motor-free versions) its handling is agile enough for tricky trails. "I found the extra weight contributed to greater tire grip and stability at speed," says Roberts. Four-piston TRP brakes and big, 200mm rotors facilitate effective stopping power for reliable control in steep, rowdy terrain. Maxxis Rekon tires in 2.6-inch width provide outstanding grip in corners.

The battery can be removed for convenient charging in your home—or you can plug it in while it's attached to the bike. Its 630 watt hours lets one rider log two to three 10 to 12-mile rides before the battery life dips. Just allow plenty of time to recharge: Riders report a slow charge time. Buy here

E-bikes are terrific for urban areas when biking is the only leg of your journey. Add in a train or a bus and things get way more complicated. And if you live in an apartment without bike parking, well, good luck lugging a full-sized e-bike into your home. That's where the pretzel-like Brompton Electric C Line Explore shines. It weighs only 38 pounds and easily folds up into the size of a piece of carry-on luggage. Brilliant.

This isn't a gimmick bike though. It means business on your urban commute. The 250W brushless motor, integrated into the front wheel hub, provides plenty of pep to get this little workhorse up to its top assisted speed of 15.5 mph. That's helped by its diminutive 16-inch wheels that get going quickly. Those small wheels also provide plenty of maneuverability. Bumps are soaked up by the Brompton's quality hand-brazed steel frame, easing the jarring you normally get with tiny wheels. "Good, sharp handling and fairly light weight," says one customer-reviewer. Everything you need for a ride to work is included. The bike comes with an oil guard to keep your pants from getting chain grease on them, integrated mud flaps for splash protection and a set of lights (powered by the bike's battery) at the front and rear. The battery provides 20 to 45 miles of pedal assist on a single charge.

Even though it folds, it's remarkably comfortable with a generous step-through frame design and comfy saddle position that makes stepping on and off a breeze, even in meeting-appropriate attire. It even comes with a USB port to charge devices no matter where you go. Buy here.