Whether you’re one of the 6.5 million Brits who called themselves a cyclist in 2021 or not, upgrading your wheels for an electric bike (a.k.a. an e-bike), is a no-brainer. Boasting power-assisted pedalling, they’ll make your ride speedier and less sweaty (a big pro if you cycle into an office), but, contrary to popular opinion, the best electric bikes will still give you a good workout if you primarily cycle for fitness. Its electric motor and battery simply take enough of the graft off your legs to allow you to travel further, faster. The assistance can easily be tweaked to suit your training goals – also particularly handy if you’re returning to cycling after injury.
How much do the best electric bikes cost?
In terms of cost, e-bikes aren’t exactly cheap. The priciest models will set you back over £4,000, but there are some more affordable options available from £500 (or £1,299 on our list, for a fantastic hybrid from Halfords). This edit includes only the best of the best e-bikes, so while they’re not necessarily the cheapest, trust us when we say they’ll last a lifetime.
What to know before buying an e-bike
Styles vary but include step-through, folding and racing designs, so there’s an e-bike for everybody out there. Have a quick read of our expert guide before you buy:
Battery
Just like your phone, your e-bike will need recharging from time to time, so make sure you can remove the battery to top it up indoors if you have nowhere to plug it in outside.
For the best performance and longevity, make sure you cycle regularly – batteries don’t take kindly to being left to run flat for months. Battery size can dictate the range of the e-bike, so if you only need it for local trips, there’s little point in buying one capable of covering 100 miles.
Weight
An e-bike will always be heavier than the equivalent non-electric model, even when equipped with the latest motors and batteries. Some can be almost three times the weight of an ordinary hybrid cycle, so look for a lighter folding model if you’ll need to haul it up steps or into the back of a car.
Some (usually very expensive) racer-style e-bikes weigh close to12kg, while a ‘Dutch-style’ step-through design can come in at a hefty 25kg or more. As a rough guide, the average e-bike will tip the scales to around the 20kg mark.
Range
A range of 30 to 50 miles should be plenty for most riders. Just bear in mind that if you tear around on the highest power settings, you can burn through even a bigger, fully-charged battery in as little as 20 miles.
Costs
It costs mere pennies to charge the battery – less than it does to boil a kettle – but don’t forget to budget for a yearly service, as a heavy e-bike will go through brake pads and tyres faster than a standard cycle.
Electric bike laws in the UK
- The motor can only legally kick in while you are pedalling and must cut out once you hit 15.5mph.
- You don’t have to wear a helmet, but e-bike riders must be aged over 14.
- Lights and reflectors are a must if riding in the dark, as they are with ordinary bikes.
- Third-party insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but it can be a good idea to join an organisation such as Cycling UK to take advantage of their cover, just in case you are ever involved in an accident.
How we test electric bikes
Our expert testers rode a selection of e-bikes over a range of terrains including tarmac, potholed lanes, gravel paths and up and down hills.
They looked at battery-charging time and range, gear changing, manoeuvrability and braking performance.
They also considered the range and distribution of the gears, plus the comfort of the saddle and handlebars across different surfaces and distances.
Ready to show Laura Kenny who’s boss? These are our top five e-bikes:
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