11 rules for buying an ebike, and the 11 ebikes to buy now
So what are you waiting for?
Ebikes are about to change the world, and they are already the best selling electric vehicles in the US.
They will be a big driver of shifting more car trips to other modes. And shifting more families to owning fewer, or even no cars. When we need fewer cars, that means we can build less parking, which lowers prices at grocery stores, restaurants, and other places. It lets us build things closer together, allowing us to build what consumers want — walkable neighborhoods like Culdesac Tempe.
I own over 70 ebikes, so some have called me the Jay Leno of ebikes. I’m still working on the jokes.
Ebikes are a big reason I've been able to go 14 years car-free. Owning so many bikes has also allowed me to understand the differences between them, and I've advised hundreds on their own ebike purchase.
My fleet has also allowed me to go on many group rides and lend them to many people. If you want to try some, just dm me and we’ll set you up to come to the Culdesac office in downtown Tempe.
Note: I’ve been keeping this guide updated since 2021. Between this and my work with Culdesac, I’ve met many leaders in the ebike space. In 2023, Culdesac announced a partnership with Lectric, including naming one of our streets Lectric Avenue.
Here are 11 rules for buying an ebike
Just buy one. You will be happy with what you bought. Ebikes are a gateway drug to…more ebikes. Most people will spend $1-3k on their first ebike. Just get started and you’ll learn more in time for buying your second. It’s a lot of money for a bike, but you should be comparing it to a car instead.
Gone are the days when the bicycle world was dominated by road and mountainbikers that looked down on ebikes as cheating. a) nobody cares. b) you don’t get as much exercise per mile, but you travel farther and c) this is about commuting and cargo. Even if you want to full throttle your trips like I often do, great. We’re here to shift trips from cars to bikes, not fight about one type of bike versus another.
Don’t buy one on Amazon. They don’t have the best bikes. And many of the bikes on there I wouldn’t recommend. See below for my lowest priced recommendation.
There are two good ways to buy an ebike. Online or from your local bike shop. The local bike store, if it’s a good one (such as Archer’s Bikes at Culdesac Tempe), offers a range of options and does repairs on site. They don’t offer many (any) of the direct to consumer brands, but again, see rule 1. Online, which usually means a direct to consumer brand, gives you the most options across companies. Servicing can be more painful, but the gap is smaller than you might think. The direct to consumer companies have even been developing servicing networks for a van to come to you. Some companies will even bring a test vehicle to you before you buy.
Bike fit matters but fitting it to your needs matters more. Spend more time matching a functional bike to your lifestyle and follow the manufacture’s suggested size chart to find the proper fit.
Safety first. I only recommend bikes that come with integrated headlights and disc brakes (mechanical or hydraulic).
One of the first decisions to make is mid-drive vs. hub-drive (where the motor is located). Mid-drive is more expensive, but feels the most natural. One advertising campaign calls their mid-drive “you, but stronger” and that sums it up. When I want to get more of a workout, I grab one of my mid-drives. But usually I grab one of my hub-drives. Why? A THROTTLE1Throttles are magic and give you the option of pedaling as little as zero. Particularly for cargo bikes, a throttle is a major feature. You’ll appreciate it when you’re taking off from a standing stop with groceries or children on the back.
Anti-theft will be THE killer feature for ebikes. Retailers that provide safe bike parking before anti-theft is widespread will be rewarded with customers. Customers that don’t need a 350 sqft parking spot for one vehicle.
You might be surprised how much help you can get for free on Reddit or Facebook groups. Seriously, just post a video of what is wrong with your bike to the right group and people will line up to help you. But ignore them about doing complex modifications unless that is your thing.
Tech can be overrated. For one, it’s more things to go wrong. One example is the VanMoof phone unlock feature. In most cases, it’s great that the bike unlocks as you walk up. But I’ve also heard instances of someone at a restaurant sitting near their bike and it unlocked the bike.
I’m not the best person for scooters (being 6'5" means that many of them aren’t really tall enough for me), but consider them too. People love scooters. Scooters get a bad rap because most people’s experience is with cheaper shared scooters. The shared scooters suffer from limitations imposed by local governments. Individual scooters do not. Scooters can be an excellent option for people in dense urban environments- they are foldable and light and perfect for multi modal trips.
Note: the below recommendations are for the US market. Check your local laws and regulations.
Here are the 11 ebikes by category I most highly recommend
1. Commuter bike: Lectric ONE
This is the sort of e-bike that has the potential to coax even more people out of their cars thanks to its combination of power, ease of use and maintenance-free operation.
The Lectric ONE, launched at Culdesac, is the biggest e-bike launch of the decade. At $2000, it has features that you couldn’t get under $13k before its launch.
Its Pinion transmission is the gold standard, giving both a customizable automatic mode and a push-button semi-automatic mode.
Price: Lectric ONE: $2000 on 3/12/24 on Lectric’s website.
2. Lowest price I recommend: Lectric XP & Lectric XP Lite
Price matters, a lot. Especially for first time buyers, a low price brings new riders. And that is why most people that try my bikes get either a Lectric XP 3.0 or a Lectric XP Lite.
Lectric has grown rapidly over the past three years by focusing on low price points. Their flagship XP has remained at $1000 even despite inflation. That gives you a class 3 bike (up to 28mph), seven gears, and a front suspension.
Then last year they introduced the Lectric XP Lite, at $800. They removed non-essential features such as gears and a suspension, and a smaller motor means it is only a class 2 bike (20 mph).
The immediate sacrifice of the XP and XP Lite is that the battery range is lower than other bikes. But there’s a reason this bike is selling so well. You can also buy these with extended batteries. And for the XP, you can get a comfortable passenger seat.
This Phoenix-based company also has a great reputation for service.
You can go even lower on price, but again I wouldn’t buy the budget bikes on Amazon. There is also a whole category of mini bikes, including some sold at Costco, that are compelling.
Price: Lectric XP 3.0: $1000 on 3/12/24 on Lectric’s website. Lectric XP Lite: $800 on 3/12/24 on Lectric’s website.
3. The classic: Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2
When I think of what an ebike is, I think of the RadRunner. It’s one of the most influential bikes in the history of the space, and is still a stalwart. It looks nothing like a traditional bicycle, and it smashed the notion that an ebike should.
Some call the RadRunner a utility bike, and people use it for a wide variety of uses, aided by Rad’s extensive accessory options.
The RadRunner has a number of features that make it great. The 20 x 3.3" tires are wide enough for a range of scenarios and short enough to make turning easy and fun. It has a step-through design. Thirty years ago, a step-through might have been called a “girls bike” in the US. But now even the tall men that try my bikes usually want a step-through. This bike also has a quite good set of upgrades available, showing its flexibility.
Rad Power Bikes was the early gorilla in the ebikes space. I often tell people to look at their full line and that shows them a range of different bikes and they can choose what they want. Rad’s bikes are basically all good. When I started this guide they also were all affordable and toward the lowest priced in the market. These days, that’s not always the case. For example, they released the RadRunner 3 Plus this year, and it is priced at $2300. That’s 2.3x the Lectric XP 3.0. It wasn’t long ago the most common choice for people testing my bikes was a $1000 Lectric XP vs a $1200 RadRunner. And most people picked the RadRunner. But at $1000 vs. $1450, or $1000 vs $2300, it’s a whole different comparison.
Price: $1399 on 3/12/24 on Rad’s website. $2200 for Plus Version with front suspension, a passenger seat, hydraulic brakes and some other upgrades.
4. Bakfiets: Urban Arrow Family, Riese & Muller Load
Perhaps the most important categories of all, bakfiets and cargo bikes (next category) are car replacement at its finest. People are always surprised how much you can carry #carryshitolympics. There are many options.
Bakfiets, which is Dutch for box bike, are a force of nature in the Netherlands, which is the world’s best example of how bikes can transform a city into something much more pleasant. The box is in front, giving the bike a large carrying capacity, plus a bench for children, or a Belgian Malinois if you’re a certain someone on my team.
Two excellent examples are the Riese & Muller Load, and the Urban Arrow Family. Both are easier to drive than they look, and they are frequently the favorites of all bikes anyone tries once they get used to how they drive.
There are other good options in this category. the Butchers & Bicycles MK-1 is a cargo tricycle that leans as you turn, countering the balance concerns that usually come with a trike. And the unique steering style of my Bunch Bikes Coupe is polarizing but might be for you.
These bikes are pricey, partly because they’re so rare in the US. As more are built, prices will come down. And a bakfiets with a throttle is going to be the next great American ebike.
Prices: Urban Arrow Family Performance Line: $7000-$8000 from Urban Arrow’s website on 3/12/24. Riese & Muller Load 75: $9,659 from Propel’s website on 3/12/24.
5. Cargo Bikes: Lectric XPedition, Aventon Abound, Tern GSD/HSD
I call this category the most important category because these bikes can fulfill duties as both a regular bike and a cargo bike, and can carry up to 2 child seats.
That makes the Lectric XPedition the most important bike in America, because it comes in at a staggeringly affordable price of $1,400, vs over $2k for the others.
The Aventon Abound is a 2023 entry to the space and quickly established itself as a strong option.
Similar in shape to those two but much upgraded (if you can get over losing the throttle of the prior two), the Tern GSD (pictured) or HSD are higher end cargo bikes. Above is the R14 which has a Rohloff hub that lets you push a button to shift gears, and downshifts automatically.
Prices: Lectric XPedition $1475 on Lectric’s website, 3/12/24. Aventon Abound $1799 on Aventon’s website, 3/12/24. Tern GSD starting at $4,999, HSD $4,299 on Tern’s website, 3/12/24.
6. The speed demon: Super 73 RX
The definition of what an ebike is is getting blurred. And that’s before we even start talking about electric motorcycles.
One bike right on the line of what an ebike is the Super 73 RX. It has a powerful motor and counts as a class 3 ebikes, but it also has an off-road setting that allows full throttle up to around 30mph.
That flexibility and power is quite compelling. For example, people that have used motorcycles in the past gravitate to this one.
Price: $4000 for Super 73 RX on Juiced and Super 73 websites, 3/12/2024.
7. Comfort champ: RadRover & RadRover Step-Thru
Regular bike tires are nice when the roads are smooth, but when the sidewalks turn rough and the roads become cracked, look to the RadRover. This bike has huge 26 x 4" tires. And that’s a 26" wheel, with the tire 4" tall on top of it. Large tires act as a natural suspension (on top of the actual front suspension), absorbing bumps in the road. Tire pressure can be set anywhere from 5 to 30PSI to tune the comfort to your liking.
The tires are not easy to turn (but not as hard as, say, the very fun Phat Scooter). Also, you’re not carrying it up the stairs.
But there’s a reason this bike is Rad’s second most popular bike after the RadRunner. You’ll love the comfort of this ride.
Another option is the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser. It has swept back handlebars, a comfy seat, and a built in rear rack.
Price: Starting at $1600 for the RadRover Plus or RadRover Plus Step-Thru (pictured) on 3/12/24. The older generation RadRover and RadRover Step-Thru are $1600. On Rad’s website. Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser, $1500 on their website on 3/12/24.
8. Portability champ: LeMond Dutch
A frequent ask is for a lighter bike. The ask usually comes from someone that lives in a place like New York. But it also comes from someone in a second floor walkup in other cities. In addition to stairs, a common use case is to take it onto a train/bus.
Weight is the most important for this, and there are a proliferating number of options in the sub 30 lbs space.
The LeMond Dutch is a newer bike from the famous Tour de France winner. You have to lift it with your own eyes to believe it’s only 27lbs.
Folding also matters, and the GoCycle excels at both weight and folding. It’s not cheap, but this is a bike I recommend when it matters.
And when you really need to fold, like say to put a bike in an overhead bin on an airplane, a Brompton is your best bet. Their ebike doesn’t feel like it was engineered to be an ebike, but it gets a mention here until something else fits in an overhead bin.
Price: $3499 for the GoCycle G4 on Gocycle’s website. $5,495 for the LeMond Dutch on LeMond’s website. On 3/12/24. Brompton Electric P, $4700 on Brompton’s website on 3/12/24.
9. The personality: Electric Bike Company
While all bikes are customizable, some bikes give more personality out of the box. Nobody does this better than Electric Bike Company. While buying one of their base models in all white is an excellent value, I challenge you to actually buy it as such. Instead, they have the ability to customize the color of almost every component of the bike.
I’d probably color mine differently in hindsight after hearing people say it looks like it belongs on the Google campus. But either way, picking the colors is the most exciting part.
They can do this because they build their bikes in the US. You can even visit one of their design centers if you’re lucky enough to live near one.
Of course, there are also other bikes that each individually have lots of style, even if they don’t allow full custom paint. The Blix Aveny is a notable example. Bikes by Super73 are another.
Price: Various models. Mine is the Model Y at $1950 before the $400 optional (and outstanding) paint upgrade. From Electric Bike Company’s website. 3/12/24.
10. High end: Specialized bikes
One of our investors once asked which bike he should get for his wife. I said, your wife is one of the greatest athletes of all time. You should get Serena a Specialized.
If budget is no obstacle and you’re looking to transition from a traditional bike to an electric bike, the bike snobs will be happiest with a bike like a Specialized. You can spend up to $16k.
They also have lower priced models aimed at a wider audience. I bought a Vado and it gets heavy use from the Culdesac team.
But this section is here mostly to say these aren’t what ebikes are about. Ebikes that are used for commuting and cargo are going to change the world, so the rest of the list focuses on those.
Price: Sold out on Specialized’s website on 11/24/21, but you can go there to check local dealers. List is $5000 for Turbo Vado 5.0 Step-Through.
Whichever one suits your fancy. Going back to rule 1, just buy one. As long as you get one that fits you, and you don’t go too low on price point, you’re going to be happy with your bike.
Bonus: A retro on VanMoof, which is no longer on this list, and what I’d love to replace it with
Amid a trying time for electric bike and electric car companies alike (some, but not all), it appears the industry has lost an innovator. Here’s my take what we learned.
Other considerations
Subsidies
The government doesn’t subsidize bikes nearly as much as it subsidizes cars, but there are still some subsidies nonetheless. The infrastructure bill had a provision to subsidize ebikes nationwide. The IRA tragically didn’t include any ebike subsidy even though it subsidized electric cars to the tune of $7,500/ea. So I’m monitoring if there is something included in future legislation. Here is a tracker for ebike incentives
Accessories
The Loud Bicycle horn gives bikes a horn as loud as a car horn.
Helmets, obviously, but put a camera on it such as a GoPro or the Insta360. Drivers will respect you more knowing you’re filming, and it is particularly invaluable if there is a road safety incident. People used to say “were you wearing a helmet?”, but soon they’ll ask “were you wearing a camera?”
Get a rear view mirror, so you can see behind you with less effort than turning. Also consider a Garmin safety radar such as a Garmin Varia.
Especially if you live in a state with goathead thorns like Arizona, get tire slime or a similar product/solution.
Insurance
Bike theft is a reality, but there are ways to combat it. No lock can defeat an angle grinder. But you can prioritize retailers that have convenient and secure bike parking.
You can check with your home/renters insurance for if ebikes are covered. Kudos to Lemonade for making strides recently. A tailor made option for cyclists is Velosurance.
Get an AirTag or Tile and hide it in your bike.
Legal
I hope to find a list of attorneys that specialize in bicycle safety in each state. If you have one, let me know!
Other Links
Electric Bike Review has in depth reviews of many bikes.
Check out Lava’s suggestions for accessories.
Bike Shop Girl is a longtime mechanic who focuses on cargo bikes.
Black Friday deals from Micromobility Industries Micromobility Industries.
I’m always looking to learn more, so send me your thoughts. Or if you want more specific thoughts on your purchase, send me a dm/tweet. Ebikes are more than a hobby for me. They are a big reason we’re able to build walkable neighborhoods at Culdesac. Check out Culdesac Tempe! Our first residents moved in May 2023, and we’re leasing out another 30 buildings now! Even if moving to Culdesac Tempe isn’t in the cards for you, come do a tour and grab dinner at Cocina Chiwas! Or check out our weekly market, Little Cholla.
And if our mission calls to you, check out our jobs page or send me a dm. If you’re a bike mechanic, I especially want to hear from you.
While it’s possible to have a mid-drive with a throttle, it is rare. I bought my Ariel Rider M-Class to have one such bike, and then they discontinued it later. Similarly, Lectric briefly had a mid-drive with a throttle called the XPremium, which it has since discontinued.
Good article, thanks for the shout out to EBR
In any of that, did you say how far each bike will go on a charge? Or are you only concerned with the five to ten miles around your house?