The full ratings from our latest e-bike evaluations are available to Consumer Reports members. Below, we have listed the three highest-rated models from our testing program. Without needing to shift gears, their throttle controls and acceleration ability make them exciting to ride.” But for pure fun, it’s hard to beat a Class 2 electric bike.
That setup, plus a bunch of gears to choose from, made for a bike that was almost as good without electric assist as with it.
“We especially liked the mid-drive models that apply electric power where there would normally only be pedals. Wheels with 32 to 36 spokes and thin, high-pressure tires, generally 700C. Your trail should include corners, rocks, bumps, and a variety of patterns without being too smooth. Look for these features in a good-quality road bike: A longer top tube and. Take a gauge and pump and make a short testing loop for changing the pressure repeatedly. “Electric bikes tend to be more expensive than conventional bicycles, so most people will probably want a good all-arounder,” says Bernie Deitrick, the engineer who leads CR’s e-bike testing program. To find your perfect mountain bike tire pressure, you have to hit the trails and find it practically. Depending on the model, electric assist was applied either at the hub of the rear wheel, or in what’s called a mid-drive, in which power is applied at the bottom bracket, where the pedals are located. More selectable gears made for a better riding experience once the battery was drained and pedaling provided the only motive power. The highest-rated e-bikes were also the most expensive we tested, although none was anywhere near the $6,000 to $7,000 high end of the price range consumers are likely to encounter at bike shops. Of the 16 e-bike models CR tested, seven were in the Class 1 category, and nine were in Class 2. These faster, powered models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths. I have a plus bike myself but am 6 ft 3, 110 kg. She is 4 ft 11 and weighs 53 kg, 118 pounds. There’s no throttle control on the handlebar to get the bike going the electric part works only when the rider is pedaling, and the e-assist cuts off at speeds above 20 mph.Ĭlass 2 bikes also have an electric motor that works up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone, via a throttle control.Ĭlass 3 limits an e-bike’s top speed to 28 mph. Bought my wife a Trek Roscoe in size 13.5.
Maybe only 8 months but Ive logged in 2.4k miles between these bikes (3rd one was my 2019 Marin San Quentin 2 that I sold and built a steel HT instead of that nervous aluminum frame). Class 1 includes pedal-assist bikes, which power the electric motor as your foot applies pressure to the pedal. On my Full suspension (Stumpy 2019), I run 14 psi rear and 12 psi front.