What's the Best Electric Bike You Can Get on a Budget?

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No longer a niche product, electric bikes have finally found their way to the masses. Offering an affordable alternative to cars, e-bikes are the go-to method of transportation for city-dwellers seeking an eco-friendly way to quickly navigate their busy streets. They’re also finding their way into most suburbs, thanks to significant power and range improvements over the past few years.
A big sticking point with e-bikes, however, is their price tag. Most new products hitting the market cost well over $1,000 – making them an expensive purchase compared to traditional bikes. We’ve scoured the catalog of available e-bikes and pulled together the products that offer the most value for every budget. Whether you’re looking to spend $4,000 or $700, there’s an e-bike that’ll fit your needs.

What to Look for in an Electric Bike

Credit: Co-op Cycles

Class Types

E-bikes are categorized into three classes:

• Class 1 products are limited to 20mph and only assist you while pedaling.
• Class 2 bikes also come with a 20mph limit, although they come with a throttle that works without you pedaling.
• Class 3 e-bikes are the fastest of the bunch, offering speeds up to 28mph. They are required to have a speedometer and may not be rideable on some bike paths or shared trails.

Motors and Batteries

Dozens of e-bike motors exist on the market, with some offering more power than others. We’d highly recommend reading up on the different types before making your purchase. However, some of the most important aspects to consider are how that motor will receive its power and how it’ll recharge between rides.
If you live in an apartment building or just don’t want to lug your bike up a flight of stairs every day, you’ll want to pay close attention to whether its battery pack is removable. If it’s not, you’ll need to make sure you have dedicated storage space for your bike that’s located near an outlet.

Bike Components

Beyond motors, you’ll still need to consider all the basics parts of your e-bike. Tire size, carrying capacity and derailleur performance are all things to think about before making your purchase. In other words, don’t forget about the bike portion of your e-bike.

Type of Bike

E-bikes are built to tackle a variety of tasks and come in a multitude of styles. From basic cruisers to full-blown mountain bikes, make sure you understand what you want out of your e-bike – otherwise, you might end up overpaying for features you won’t use. For example, if you don’t need the ultra-lightweight frame of a road bike, there’s no need to spend thousands more for that benefit. The same goes for mountain bikes – unless you really need a full-squish suspension, don’t pay over $5,000 for your e-bike.

The Most Economical Electric Bike Worth Your Money

Credit: ANCHEER

• The Verdict: It’s not the most exciting e-bike on the market, but it’s a durable choice for anyone on a budget.
• Pros: Removable battery, multiple color schemes, three different operating modes
• Cons: Limited range, bulky design

Typically, you’ll need to spend over $1,000 to get an electric bike that won’t fail you after a few short trips. Quality bike components aren’t cheap, and after adding in a reliable motor and other bells and whistles expected on an e-bike, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they often carry a hefty price tag.
That’s not the case with the ANCHEER Electric 350W, which somehow manages to pack in most of the features you’d expect on a much more expensive e-bike. Featuring speeds up to 20mph, a removable battery that gets you nearly 40 miles on a single charge and a lightweight aluminum alloy frame, there’s not much lacking on the affordable product.
If you only plan to take your e-bike out a few times a week for a short run to the store, this might be the perfect choice. And if you don’t mind waiting for a sale, we’ve seen its price drop as low as $600 this year.

Best Electric Bike Under $1,500

Credit: Propella

• The Verdict: The current group of orders won’t start shipping until September, but the Propella 7-Speed is a powerful and affordable e-bike.
• Pros: High-end components, gorgeous design, removable battery
• Cons: Limited availability

If you don’t mind waiting a bit for the next group of shipments, the Propella 7-Speed should be near the top of your list. The company is currently taking names for its third shipment that’s set to leave the production plant in early September.
Aside from having to wait for it, there’s little to dislike about Propella’s e-bike. A removable battery, quality Shimano components, a 40-mile range and a weight of less than 40lbs make it a surprisingly well-equipped e-bike at just $1,299. There’s not a whole lot of room for extra carrying capacity, but that’s a small price to pay for such a good-looking product.
Anyone looking for a daily commuter that won’t be bothered by its limited range should look no further than the Propella 7-Speed.

Best Electric Bike Under $2,000

Credit: Co-op Cycles

• The Verdict: It’s one of the heaviest products on this list, but the CTY e2.1 features a powerful motor and is built by a company that’s well known for crafting quality bikes.
• Pros: Built-in cargo rack, shock-absorbing front suspension, durable tires
• Cons: Weighs over 50lbs

There’s not much to dislike about the Co-op Cycles CTY e2.1 Electric Bike. Its design leaves little room for improvement  – in fact, it looks almost identical to a traditional bike without its battery pack – and its powerful Shimano E5000 250W motor gives you enough juice to easily climb the steepest of hills.
It’ll also last you about 50 miles before needing a recharge and lets you carry an additional 59lbs of gear on its included cargo rack. The only downside to the e-bike is its weight – at 50lbs, prepare to break a sweat getting it out of your home and onto the street.

Best E-Bike Under $2,500

Credit: Biktrix

• The Verdict: When it’s on sale, it’s hard to find another bike in this price range that’s as well equipped as the Juggernaut.
• Pros: 330lbs load capacity, massive tires, highly customizable
• Cons: Probably not worth paying full price

Currently discounted by $800, the Biktrix Juggernaut Hub Duo might offer the most bang for your buck. At this price point you’re getting 45 miles of battery life, a max speed of 20mph, premium Biktrix/Tektro hydraulic brakes and 26×4 fat wheels that are great for nearly all types of road conditions.
The Juggernaut is particularly attractive because of its upgrade options – one of which will let you boost its range to nearly 100 miles on a single charge. All the extra bits and bobbles will cost you a wad of cash, however, and you might want to look elsewhere if it’s not on sale.

Best Electric Bike Under $3,000

Credit: Cannondale

• The Verdict: Cannondale cut no corners with this e-bike, offering a bold design and powerful motor that make your daily commute a breeze.
• Pros: Removable 400Wh battery, impressive range, sleek design
• Cons: Expensive, hard to find in stock

Once you’ve climbed over the $2,500 mark, you’ll find e-bikes that offer nearly as much versatility as a car. Powerful motors, impressive range and durable tires make this group of products a viable alternative to cars for city dwellers or folks who keep it local.
Among all e-bikes in this price range, however, the Adventure Neo 3 EQ sits above the competition. Arguably the best-looking bike on this list – and possibly one of the best-looking e-bikes on the market – Cannondale left no stone unturned with its pricey Adventure Neo 3 EQ. Up to 64 miles of range – thanks to a massive 400Wh battery – a top speed of 20mph, luxurious step-through frame, premium Shimano components… the list of features is nearly endless.
Best of all, the battery blends into the design of the bike but remains fully removable for easy recharging once you reach your destination.

Best E-Bike on an Unlimited Budget

Credit: Specialized

• The Verdict: It’s not cheap, but the Turbo Vado 5.0 will make your car obsolete.
• Pros: 80 miles per charge, custom-tuned motor, removable battery
• Cons: Expensive

If you don’t mind blowing your budget, the Turbo Vado 5.0 from Specialized is one of the best e-bikes money can buy. It’s not the most expensive e-bike on the market, but it offers a beautiful mix of performance and design without getting too carried away with its price tag.
With a removable battery that offers around 80 miles on a single charge, a lightweight motor and frame, high-end Shimano components and stunning geometry that puts many traditional bikes to shame, the Turbo Vado 5.0 is much more than a replacement for your car – it’s an exciting mode of transportation that’ll make you wish you had a longer commute.
If you really want to blow your budget, you can step up to the $14,750 S-Works Turbo Creo SL EVO, which takes everything great about the Vado but repackages it as a bonafide road bike. Most buyers won’t need all the extras packed into the ultra-premium package, but it’s hard to deny the appeal.
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