Electric Bikes 2024

E-Bikes: What’s Actually Worth Buying

E-bike options have gotten complicated with all the brands and motor types flying around. As someone whose dad got an e-bike last year after decades of not riding — and now does 30-mile rides with us — I learned everything there is to know about what works and what doesn’t. Today, I’ll break down the market.

How E-Bikes Work

A motor assists your pedaling, typically up to 20mph (Class 1 and 2) or 28mph (Class 3). You still pedal — the motor multiplies your effort rather than replacing it. Most have different assist levels: eco mode for range, turbo mode for hills.

The battery determines range. Bigger batteries go farther but add weight. Typical range: 30-70 miles depending on assist level, terrain, rider weight, and temperature.

Motor Types

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Mid-drive motors sit at the bottom bracket and power through the drivetrain. They feel more natural because the motor responds to your pedaling cadence and shifts gears with you. Bosch, Shimano, and Brose make the best ones. These are standard on quality bikes.

Hub motors sit in the front or rear wheel. Simpler and cheaper, but the power delivery feels less refined. Fine for flat commuting, but mid-drive is better for varied terrain and hills.

Commuter E-Bikes

The bread and butter of the category. These replace car trips.

The Rad Power RadCity remains the value king around $1,800-2,000. Powerful hub motor, decent range, comes ready to commute with lights and rack. Not refined, but functional.

Step up to $3,000-4,000 for brands like Specialized Turbo Vado or Trek Verve+. Mid-drive motors, better integration, smoother ride quality. The premium is noticeable in how the bike handles and how the motor engages.

E-Mountain Bikes

These let you ride more trail per day. Climb faster, ride longer, explore farther. Or they make trails accessible if your fitness isn’t there yet.

That’s what makes quality e-MTBs endearing to us mountain bikers — they extend what’s possible in a day. The Specialized Turbo Levo is the standard-bearer. Full suspension, powerful motor, feels like a real mountain bike with assistance. Starts around $5,000 and goes way up from there.

Budget options exist — Giant, Trek, and YT all have capable options in the $4,000-6,000 range. Below that, you’re usually sacrificing suspension quality or motor refinement.

Cargo and Utility E-Bikes

These can genuinely replace a car for family errands.

The Tern GSD is compact but carries serious loads — kids, groceries, gear. The Bosch motor handles weight without straining. Folds partially for storage. Around $5,000 with accessories.

RadWagon from Rad Power offers similar utility at $2,000. Less refined but totally functional for hauling kids to school and groceries home.

What to Look For

Motor brand matters. Bosch, Shimano Steps, and Brose are reliable with good dealer support. Generic motors can be fine but servicing them later may be difficult.

Battery capacity — measured in watt-hours (Wh). 400Wh gets maybe 30-40 miles. 500-625Wh is common on mid-range bikes. Bigger batteries add range but also weight.

Removable battery — easier to charge indoors and potentially replace when it degrades.

Integration — well-designed bikes hide the battery in the downtube. The bike looks normal and handles better. External batteries work but affect aesthetics and balance.

The Weight Issue

E-bikes are heavy. 45-70 pounds depending on type. This matters if you need to carry them up stairs, load them on car racks, or if the battery dies mid-ride.

Lighter e-bikes exist (30-40 pounds) with smaller motors and batteries. They sacrifice power and range for portability. Good for mixed commutes where you sometimes carry the bike.

Maintenance Reality

E-bikes need regular bike maintenance plus occasional motor/battery service. The drivetrain wears faster because you’re putting more power through it. Brakes work harder because the bike is heavier.

Buy from a shop that can service what they sell. E-bikes from brands without local support can become expensive paperweights when something electronic fails.

Who Should Get One

Anyone who’d bike more if it were easier. Commuters with hills. Couples with different fitness levels. People returning to cycling after time off. Anyone who wants to extend their range without extending their effort.

They’re not cheating — they’re a different tool. You’re still exercising, just with assistance.