The 10 best electric bikes in 2021

Does the idea of stepping into a crowded subway right now make you shudder? You aren’t alone: Many Americans are ditching public transportation in favor of other ways to commute. And for many, that means using two wheels as opposed to four. Electric bikes sales are skyrocketing, said Nate Nielsen, REI’s general manager for cycling, as consumers look for more environmentally-friendly, healthy ways of getting around.To get more news about DC100, you can visit davincimotor.com official website.

“In some areas, our sales have just quadrupled in the past few months,” Nielsen said. “It’s growing faster than any other category. It’s inspiring to see how people are embracing them.”Electric bikes, known as e-bikes, are regular bikes with an electric motor and battery attached to the back of the bike. The motor assists in pedaling the bike, but it’s not like a motorized scooter or motorcycle: You’ll still have to pedal, and you can’t go as fast. In fact, you don’t even need to use the motor if you don’t want to — "most models allow you to easily turn it on and off," said Nielsen.

“E-bikes really only provide an extra boost to your own pedal power, allowing you to ride longer distances, tackle tougher climbs, and maintain a faster pace,” explained Andy Levine, founder and CEO and Duvine Cycling and Adventure Company, a bicycle tour company. While electric bikes are faster and more powerful than traditional bicycles, they’re also heavier.Maybe you’re an avid cyclist who wants to go on longer rides. Or maybe you’re a bit older or are rehabbing an injury and want to keep up with your friends and family. Or maybe you’re a commuter that wants to avoid public transportation but not show up to work sweaty, added Levine. For a company like Duvine, electric bikes have proven much easier for travelers to enjoy destinations otherwise might be too challenging to bike.

“Electric assist gives you a fallback: more gain for less pain,” Levine said. “I feel the stigma surrounding e-bikes is swiftly disappearing and they’re beginning to be rebranded as the cool new tech in the cycling world. We’re calling them ‘The Great Equalizer.’”To get it out of the way: Electric bikes are more expensive than non-electric bikes, said Nielsen. It will be difficult to find a solid bike under $1,000 — the average cost is typically between $2,000 and $3,000, added Dax Downey, owner of Greenline Cycles, a bike shop in Chico, California. Spending a little more to get a durable bike will pay off in the long run, he explained. These classes determine the type of motor the bike uses, and if it’s able to be used in certain areas. All three classes’ motors are limited to 750 watts.

When shopping for an electric bike, consider what you want to use it for. If you live somewhere flat or plan to ride mostly for short stretches on city streets, a commuter e-bike would work best for you — that’s typically a class 1 electric bike. Avid bikers looking for a road bike should pay attention to battery life and max bike speed. Like with electric cars, you’ll need to charge your electric bike regularly (though not for as long as a car), and you’ll want to consider where to charge your bike. Most electric bike models allow you to remove the battery, but it’s not necessary in order to charge the bike.

Beyond the general guidance above, the cycling experts we consulted noted other and more specific features to consider before buying an electric bike.Bike parts are important. Downey recommends looking for a bike with Shimano or Bosch bike parts (most of the listed bikes below adhere to these specifications). He believes these companies produce high-quality parts that are more durable than other brands. .
E-bikes typically require more maintenance. Consider those extra costs when determining how much you’re willing to spend the electric bike, itself an already substantial investment.
Buy from a company that makes non-electric bikes. “The experience needed on how to spec a bike properly and design the bike to ride properly is very important in the end,” explained Downey. “Companies who only make electric bikes tend to be poorly designed.”
Some states have specific laws and regulations regarding e-bikes. Some local governments are banning certain classes of electric bikes, Downey noted. Make sure you understand your region’s rules before buying a bike — the National Conference of State Legislatures offers a helpful guide.
Get comfortable with riding before going electric. Even the lowest class bike can go up to 20 mph, reminded Downey. For context, professional bikers can only hold 20 mph for about 20 minutes at a time on non-electric bikes. Riders need to be careful and comfortable navigating city streets or crowded roads at such a high speed.