E-bike buying guides
Plain-language explainers on the numbers that decide your e-bike - range, motors and the mistakes to avoid.
GuideThe E-Bikes Whose Claimed Range Holds Up
Most e-bikes overstate range. These models come closest to their claims. See what they have in common and how to estimate real range.
GuideWhich E-Bike Brands Overstate Range the Most?
We compared the claimed range and our estimated range for every e-bike in our catalogue. The median overclaim is 50 percent. Some brands are wider. That gap is test conditions, not dishonesty.
Data studyWe Checked 505 E-Bike Range Claims. Half Overstate by 50% or More
Every e-bike in our catalogue that publishes a range claim, measured against the same formula under the same reference ride. The median claim overstates by 50%.
GuideE-Bikes That Carry Two: Payload Ratings Compared
Payload is rider plus luggage plus passenger. What the ratings allow and what they mean in practice.
GuideThe Cheapest E-Bike Per Kilometre of Real Range
The cheapest e-bike per kilometre of real range is rarely the cheapest on the price tag. We divide price by our estimated range, not the claimed one.
GuideThe Lightest E-Bikes You Can Actually Buy
Weight decides whether a bike goes up stairs and how far the battery takes it. Here are the lightest real e-bikes, from 13.6 kg to the median 29.5 kg, and what they cost.
GuidePremium E-Bikes Over $2,200: What the 53 Have in Common
The 53 e-bikes above $2,200 share bigger batteries, higher torque, and more optimistic range claims. Here's what the specs reveal.
GuideFat Tyre E-Bikes and the Range You Give Up For Them
Fat tyres look tough, but they cost you range. Our formula says knobby tyres multiply consumption by 1.25 against road tyres. Here is what that means for your rides.
GuideThe $2,000 Question: Where Extra Money Stops Buying Range
Range tracks battery size, and battery size stops scaling with price at some point. Find that point in the catalogue figures.
GuideIs a $1,500 E-Bike Twice the Bike a $750 One Is?
Doubling the price does not double any single figure. Here is what actually changes between the bands and what does not.
GuideWhat $1,000 Actually Buys You in an E-Bike
At $1,000, you're in the heart of the market. Here's what that money typically buys: battery, weight, range, and what you give up.
GuideThe Best E-Bikes Under $800: What 72 Models Tell Us
The cheapest 72 e-bikes in our catalogue reveal a clear trade-off: you get a basic e-bike, but battery life and range suffer. Here's what to expect.
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