All posts tagged: Bikes

Best Electric Mountain Bikes (2026): Specialized, Cannondale, Salsa

Best Electric Mountain Bikes (2026): Specialized, Cannondale, Salsa

Published by skeptic

Electric mountain bikes are both a godsend and a curse if you like riding on trails. There’s an old saying that you have to “earn your turns”—that the dopamine-boosting swerves and leaps down a pump track just don’t feel as good if you aren’t shaky-legged and sweating from pedaling all the way up to the top. That is a lie. It feels wonderful either way. (Just follow the cries of rapidly descending “whoo-hoo!” downhill.) Sneering at e-MTBs keeps a lot of people from the sport who aren’t in the best physical shape, including former MTBers who may have gotten older or injured. Gatekeeping is never a good look. On the other hand, getting buzzed by a ton of e-mopeds in the shape of bikes on a backwoods trail is enough to make anyone murderous. Testing electric mountain bikes is one of my favorite things to do. That’s why I’ve collected some of our favorite rides to help get you outside and moving. Every electric mountain bike here has been personally tested on over 50 miles …

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Mar 2026

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Mar 2026

Published by skeptic

I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget. Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of March 2026. Spring is just threatening to show itself, and that means it’s time to get ready for riding weather! Check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike. This list is divided into several price ranges. We’ll start with the best e-bikes under $1,000, then move on to the under-$2,000 category, under-$3,000 category, etc. The goal is to highlight some of my favorite models in various budget ranges to help you make the right decision based on your needs and budget. The sub-$1,000 electric bike category is critical for …

Life EV officially owns Rad Power Bikes now

Life EV officially owns Rad Power Bikes now

Published by skeptic

Life Electric Vehicles Holdings, also known as Life EV, officially owns the intellectual property, inventory, and certain operating assets of Rad Power Bikes. Life EV acquired Rad Power for $13.2 million. Rad Power Bikes, a buzzy electric bike company that raised nearly $330 million in venture capital, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. The company had struggled for months prior to its bankruptcy filing, and had warned employees it might have to shut down without new capital. Life EV intends to keep the company intact and said it will continue retail operations under the Rad Power Bikes brand in the United States. It also plans to expand the retail footprint in select key markets. Life EV also pledged to support existing customers who might be wondering what would become of their bike warranties or even gift cards. The Florida-based Life EV has built its business by acquiring, developing, and scaling electric bicycle and micro-mobility brands. While Rad Power is perhaps its highest profile purchase, the company also holds an equity interest in LEV …

Rad Power Bikes sale completed, new owner to build e-bikes in the US

Rad Power Bikes sale completed, new owner to build e-bikes in the US

Published by skeptic

Rad Power Bikes, once the dominant force in North America’s direct-to-consumer e-bike boom, has officially found a new home. Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV) announced this week that it has completed a court-approved acquisition of Rad Power Bikes’ brand, intellectual property, inventory, and certain operating assets. The move positions Life EV as the new owner of one of the most recognizable names in the e-bike industry. The company says it plans to continue operating under the Rad Power Bikes brand in the United States while expanding retail operations in select markets. For longtime Rad riders, one immediate question will be what happens to existing customer commitments. Life EV says it intends to support Rad customers by honoring certain warranties and gift cards in accordance with the terms of the asset purchase agreement, though details are not clear at this time regarding which prior commitments will be honored. Rad Power Bikes played a major role in shaping the modern North American e-bike market in the pre-pandemic years, quickly becoming the largest e-bike company in the …

New California bill to require license plates for electric bikes

New California bill to require license plates for electric bikes

Published by skeptic

A newly introduced bill in California could dramatically change how electric bikes are treated under state law – and it may put license plates on most e-bikes. Assembly Bill 1942, introduced by Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, would require all Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and to display a special license plate issued by the DMV. Under current California law, e-bikes are divided into three classes: Class 1 (pedal assist up to 20 mph or 32 km/h), Class 2 (throttle-equipped up to 20 mph or 32 km/h), and Class 3 (pedal assist up to 28 mph or 45 km/h). These classifications, established nearly a decade ago, were specifically designed to treat e-bikes more like bicycles than motor vehicles. That means no registration, no insurance, and no license plates – one of the key reasons e-bikes have become such an accessible alternative to driving. They’re as hassle-free as a bicycle while being easier to ride. AB 1942 would change that for Class 2 and Class 3 …

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Mar 2026

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Feb 2026

Published by skeptic

I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget. Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of February 2026. While some of us are buried in snow, others are starting to see the first glimpse of riding season on the horizon! Check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike. This list is divided into several price ranges. We’ll start with the best e-bikes under $1,000, then move on to the under-$2,000 category, under-$3,000 category, etc. The goal is to highlight some of my favorite models in various budget ranges to help you make the right decision based on your needs and budget. The sub-$1,000 electric bike …

This major city just banned fat tire electric bikes

This major city just banned fat tire electric bikes

Published by skeptic

Amsterdam is often held up as the gold standard for bicycle-friendly cities, but even in one of the most bike-centric places on Earth, not all e-bikes are being treated equally. The Dutch capital has announced plans to ban electric fat tire bikes from its most famous park, and city officials are openly discussing whether wider restrictions could follow. The initial ban targets fat tire e-bikes in Vondelpark, one of the busiest and most crowded cycling and walking areas in the city. Officials say the move comes after a rise in crashes, near-misses, and complaints from pedestrians who feel unsafe sharing narrow paths with large, fast-moving e-bikes, according to Reuters. At the center of the debate is the growing popularity of fat tire e-bikes that look and ride very differently from traditional European electric bicycles. While most Dutch e-bikes follow the long-established formula – pedal assist capped at 25 km/h (15.5 mph) with a nominal 250W motor and relatively narrow tires city – many fat tire models are visually and functionally closer to mopeds, with oversized …

Fire reported at building containing Rad Power Bikes store location

Fire reported at building containing Rad Power Bikes store location

Published by skeptic

In yet another unfortunate setback for Rad Power Bikes, a structure fire has been reported at the company’s Huntington Beach retail store. Rad Power Bikes once held the position as the top-selling electric bike retailer in the US, but has been struggling for some time and recently declared bankruptcy while it works to keep the company afloat. Various reports have pointed to a fire in a complex that houses multiple businesses along the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, California, including a Rad Power Bikes retail store and an Equinox gym. A Huntington Beach Fire Department log entry indicates a 2-alarm structure fire was called in shortly after 7:00 PM local time at an address matching that of the complex containing Rad’s store and warehouse. Photos and video from the scene shot by citizen journalists show a large number of fire engines responding to the scene. Multiple e-bikes can be seen being rolled out of the warehouse behind the retail store, and other e-bikes can be seen laying on the ground in front of the …

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Mar 2026

The best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in Jan 2026

Published by skeptic

I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget. Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of January 2026. It’s a brand new year and many retailers are trying to start it off strong, snagging customers who might regret not getting an e-bike during the holiday season. So you just might find a better deal than you were expecting on a new e-bike. Check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike. This list is divided into several price ranges. We’ll start with the best e-bikes under $1,000, then move on to the under-$2,000 category, under-$3,000 category, etc. The goal is to highlight some of my favorite …

15 Best Electric Bikes (2026), Tested and Reviewed: Commuting, Mountain Biking

15 Best Electric Bikes (2026), Tested and Reviewed: Commuting, Mountain Biking

Published by skeptic

Other Ebikes We Like Bike Friday All-Day Photograph: Adrienne So Bike Friday All-Day for $5,600: Bike Friday bills the irresistibly tiny All-Day (7/10, WIRED Review) as the world’s lightest Bosch-powered ebike, and it’s true. You can customize all the colors and components of this folding electric bike, and it has a surprisingly powerful motor for its size. The Brompton above is more widely available and easier to use, but I love this little bike a lot. Radio Flyer Via Pro for $2,900: Editor Julian Chokkattu could not have had a better experience than this easy-to-use and easy-to-assemble class 2 electric cargo bike. For more info, check out our guide to the Best Electric Cargo Bikes. GoTrax Mustang for $1,799: We liked the Mustang, which is a surprisingly punchy little bike for just the right price. However, it only comes in one size so you should try it if you can before you buy it. Aventon Level 3 for $1,899: The Aventon Level 3 is an easy-to-ride ebike that features a clean, step-through design and every …