It feels like there’s a bike out there for any occasion, some have very small wheels and are designed to be easy to pick up and carry onto trains and busses (or even airplanes if the battery is under 300-watt-hours) while other models are almost like mopeds or motorcycles with 100+ mile range capability and regenerative braking.
As a general rule, the more difficult the trail, the more rear suspension you’ll need on your vehicle. If you’re mountain biking, it’s also a good idea to have some extra gear, such as a helmet and gloves.
Types of MTBs
- Hardtail: Suspension forks on a rigid frame are popular, as the name implies. They are usually the least expensive, but there are also high-end racing models.
- XC Full-Suspension: The rear suspension has a shorter travel (110mm or less) to prioritise low bike weight and efficiency under control, particularly on climbs.
- Trail Full-Suspension: Suspension with a medium travel (120-150mm) that combines climbing efficiency and descending skills.
- Enduro/Gravity Full-Suspension: These bikes are designed for maximum control when descending, particularly on steep, technical terrain, with 160mm or more of rear wheel travel, powerful brakes, and aggressive tyre treads.
Pros and Cons of Mountain Bikes
To help you settle, take a look at some of the advantages of mountain bikes
- Extremely tough frames can withstand a lot of pressure.
- Provide plenty of traction, making climbing a breeze – even on steep uphill climbs.
- Potholes and rocks are no match for wheels.
- The extra suspension makes it easier to control.
- Riding is far more pleasant.
Some of its drawbacks are:
- They are much heavier than road bikes, making uphill climbing challenging at times.
- They have much more rolling resistance.
- They work on pavement like snow tyres, maximizing the amount of work they must do to travel at speed.
- They are less effective due to the suspension stealing pedal stroke strength.
- They can’t move as fast.
- Riding on paved roads takes a lot more time.
Should I Buy an Electric Bicycle?
Well, electric bicycles offer the same great benefits as traditional bicycles including cost savings (no licensing or insurance required), improved health and connection with community.
The real advantage to ebikes in my view is efficiency in climbing hills or fighting the wind combined with better range. If you experience knee pain or exercise induced asthma for example, electric bikes can breathe new life into the sport of cycling. They might convince your friend or significant other to join you on the trails more often or they might enable you to commute to work in extreme heat without perspiring so much. I’ve owned cars and mopeds before and neither felt as safe or refreshing as cycling along community paths, away from traffic.
Electric bikes remove many of the roadblocks and challenges that people face with traditional pedal-powered cycles but they aren’t perfect. They can be expensive, complex and heavy which is a real pain if the battery runs out half way.
You might not be well-informed on this topic but truth be told hardly anyone is, there are so many models, with progress being made all the time in battery tech and power electronics and if an electric bicycle was suitable for you, what were the pros and cons, and if it did make sense, where to begin and which models to have a look at first. All these are valid questions that need to be answered.
Which E-Bike Conversion Kits Are Best?
Since the early days of electric bikes in the United States (starting in 1999 with the EV Global Motors Ebike from Lee Iacocca) frame styles and drive characteristics have really proliferated.
In addition to simple DIY kits there are also systems like the Ride kick Power Trailer now which add ebike performance in addition to storage utility! This system in particular is even easier than installing a kit and can be easily shared between family members and friends using regular bikes or recumbents as a platform.
What E-Bikes Are Good for New Riders?
Today it is possible to dive head first into electric bikes or dip your toe in for a little taste. In some towns you can even rent electric bike to get a better feel for them…
For the purest experience, purpose built ebikes are the way to go (bikes that were designed and sold as being electric, not converted later). They are lighter, tougher and more capable than ever. Whether you need a folding bike to stow in your loft or take on a plane, a tandem to rent and ride with your friend on vacation or a downhill bomber for free riding on mountain trails (no need for a chairlift!) there is definitely an ebike out there that’s fully capable.
What Are the Price Ranges?
As far as traditional ebikes, prices really vary and can be shocking at first… so brace for impact! The low end starts around £700 but a recent crowd funding campaign generated a lot of attention by offering a bare bones £500 model (it was sold as £350 + ~£150 shipping).
My feeling is that £1000 is the lowest level worth exploring right now. I’ve seen too many unhappy customers who purchased online and are now struggling to fix a throttle mechanism or find a replacement battery pack because the cells they got were of very low quality. There have even been some fires when cheap batteries were damaged and didn’t have an electronic management system in place to prevent overload. At the upper echelons of the ebike world there are products selling for £35k+ but those are almost like art.
For ~£2000 you can get a high quality, Euro-proven, German engineered product with two years of comprehensive warranty support. Bikes like this offer intuitive controls, integrated dynamo lights, fenders and racks and an overall beautiful aesthetic.
I regularly see people on the internet who are upset by the perceived high price of electric bikes, claiming that a used car would be cheaper… I think they often fail to recognize the high price of car repairs, preventative maintenance like oil changes, insurance, licensing and parking. Cars and ebikes are not investments, they are tools or toys that depreciate with use, their true value is highly dependent on the environment and task at hand or entertainment preferences of the owner.
So, for example, if you live on a highway and commute 30 km to work each day an ebike might not be a great tool. To that I say, consider renting an apartment near your job and buying an ebike!
It’s interesting to note that electric bikes are about three times less expensive to operate than cars from a current fuel cost perspective. Beyond user operating expense they also cost less in terms of negative externalities because they don’t create localized pollution which contributes to health issues and spoiled views of the mountains. Ebikes are awesome but so are cars and even when self-driving electric cars replace the costs of ownership and reduce pollution, there will still be enormous health and social value to cycling and why not have an assisted cycle?
It’s like comparing a mechanical typewriter where you forcefully push the keys down to modern laptop that can be operated much easier, faster, in more environments and it will save your work digitally! Maybe some people would claim that the sheer muscular joy of old-fashioned typewriting and the ever-present danger of a misspelling will always hold a place in their hearts… and good for them, it’s not really an issue and with ebikes or traditional bikes we can still ride together and have fun!
Are E-Bikes Faster Than Regular Bikes?
Not really, most low-speed electric bikes won’t go over 20 miles per hour under motor power alone. You can always pedal faster than that or drop a steep hill but federal regulation limits this top speed in exchange for classification as a “bicycle”. Some recent compromises have been made whereby pedal-assist electric bikes may reach ~28 miles per hour assisted but only if the rider is pedalling rigorously. A similar class of electric bikes called “speed ped-Elec” exists in Europe and have become popular for commuters
Take note however that efficiency drops off significantly as riders gain speed as a result of drag. That is “forces acting opposite to the relative motion of any object moving with respect to a surrounding fluid” or in this case air. The power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of its velocity while “air drag” is approximately proportional to the square of velocity.
In short, as you go beyond 15 mph on an ebike, drag really starts to cut into the range you can achieve so speed comes at a high price!
Our Best Electric Bikes For Under £2,000 Picks
Now that you know what you should be looking for in an MTB here is the actual buying guide so as to begin.
The Folding Electric Bike Ebike for Adults by Homeric is first on our list. Given its 250w high-power motor, adjustable electrical speed of 3 gears, adjustable mechanical speed of 6 gears, sufficient power to handle everyday commuting, short-distance travel, or mountain cruising, and a max speed of up to 25km/h, this electric mountain bike is quite possibly the full package.
The 20-inch electric bike has a foldable aluminium alloy frame, weighs only 27.7 kg, and folds to 69 cm x 43 cm x 43 cm. It requires the least amount of storage space and may be simply stored in any vehicle. It is perfect for vacations.
This beast can travel up to 45 miles per charge and up to 80 kilometres in assist mode. It has a powerful 7.5Ah removable replaceable lithium battery that charges in 3-4 hours. You can position the battery in any location where it could be easily charged.
The smart LCD display panel displays fundamental information to riders such as remaining battery life, total driving distance, mileage, current speed, and so on.
The back seat has a shock absorption design that makes driving more stable, and the rear brake dual-disc handbrake protects your driving safety; the adjustable seat allows teenagers and adults to ride comfortably.
Technical Details
Type: Folding electric bicycle
Material: High quality magnesium alloy
Size: 20 inches
Motor: 250w 36V
Gear positions: 6 adjustable speeds
Folded size: 69 cm x 43 cm x 43 cm
Weight: 27.7 kg
Frame material Mg Alloy
Batteries included? Yes
Brand/Mfg. HOMERIC
This superb adult ebike by MARTES comes in at second on our list of no particular order. The Martes Folding Bike is a versatile, powerful electric bike constructed with high-quality mainstream components. The bike is powerful, inexpensive, robust, quiet, attractive, simple to operate, and can provide you with hours of fun! With an integrated lighting and shock-absorbing suspension, this performs admirably in the city or on light off-road terrain. This bike is designed for everyone, whether you are a commuter, senior, casual rider, or sports enthusiast. With a safety design to avoid overcharging, the 48V 15Ah battery may be uninstalled and charged anyplace on the go. The finest combination is to enjoy the surroundings without breaking a sweat while conserving money.
This eMTB seamlessly blends rugged capabilities and exceptional comfort. With 4” fat tires and a reputation for stability, which makes it perfect for off-road adventures, weekend spins around the cul de sac, and everything in between. Seats and handles are adjustable, and anyone 5’2 “-6’3” tall can ride comfortably. However, the maximum load is 150KG. So, neither height nor weight is a problem. If weight is a problem, then I’m sure you’ll find our “Most Comfortable Bike Seats for Overweight Persons” buying guide quite useful.
As for riding comfort, the tyres are CST 20” x 4” and are rated for 5psi-30psi, with a knobby tread that provides some bump absorption. At lower pressures, such as 5psi, it performs admirably on a variety of terrains such as sand or snow; however, if you intend to take it on excursions, we highly recommend lowering the tyre pressure because it makes a world of difference.
The Lvdong brushless B2 500W/Y2 motor, with 750W and 80Nm of torque, will assist power you up steep inclines and get you up to top speed rapidly from a stop, all while remaining quiet and inconspicuous. The 15Ah 48V battery provides long-term endurance and allows you to bike further. The built-in double fuse protects the battery better. A detachable, lockable battery adds security and peace of mind.
The effective-shock-absorbing front fork, front and rear dual disc brakes, LCD cycling computer with 5 gears, 7-speed Shimano professional transmission, throttle, LED energy-saving headlights, bike phone holder, horn, appropriate for long-distance riding shock seat, and other features There are at least two impulses in one’s life. One is for love without regard for consequences, and the other is for a quick trip. Take it with you whenever you want to go on a trip.
Technical Details
Bike type Mountain Bike
Brake type Disc
Colour Y2-750W
Display type LCD
Packed size 95x46x76
Frame material Aluminium
Light source LED
Material type Aluminium-alloy
Number of speeds 7
Power source Rechargeable-battery
Seasons All season
Skill level Beginner
Features Portable
Sport Cycling
Wheel size 20 Inches
Wattage 750 watts
Included components Installation tools, charger, battery, main body of electric bicycle, USB mobile phone holder, taillight, foot pedal
Brand / Mfg. MARTES
Item model number Y20
ASIN B08CXL2VG1
Motor: Lvdong brushless B2 500W/Y2 750W motor
Battery: Sanyang lithium 48V 15Ah dismountable with key lock
Brakes: Front and rear disc brakes
Suspension: Mozo fork, preload adjustment and lockout
User Control: Travel computer LCD
Tires: Kenda All-purpose 20″x 4″
Rims: Heavy duty alloy rims 20″ (50.8 cm)
Seat: Extra comfortable cushion saddle
Racks: Rear cargo racks included
Rear Cassette: Shimano 7 Gears
Weight: 57 lb. (26 kg)
Power Assisted Speed: Pure electric drive is maximum 45 km/h
The BLKEER B20 is another great option if you prefer foldables. This Lightweight Electric Bicycle has a 36V 6AH lithium-ion front battery and a 250W steady motor, with a top speed of 25km/h and a range of 30km, making it excellent for urban travel and short distance travel.
The vehicle is outfitted with a one-of-a-kind cruise control system. Maintain a solid grip on the steering wheel and drive at a constant speed for 8 seconds. You can move at a constant speed if you let go of the handle. If you brake or accelerate again, the cruise feature will be disabled.
Being a foldable bike, the B20 electric bike can be assembled in 1 minute. It is an inexpensive and convenient way to minimize carbon emissions and get around the city. Free yourself from the traffic jam. Suitable for adults, youth, to go to work or for a casual walk.
To begin, after turning on the bike, you are advised to slide your feet a short distance before you may ride regularly.
Technical Details
Age range Adult
Frame material Carbon Fibre
Number of speeds 1
Brand BLKEER
Manufacturer BLKEER
ASIN B08XK8H6RL
The Extrbici 26incher is powered through a lithium-ion battery with a voltage of 48 volts and a capacity of 13-amp hours. With pedal assistance, one power can support a 40-80km trip. This gives you over 500 recharge cycles, with a charging period of 6-8 hours from empty to full. The bike supports both the UK and EU standard plugs.
As for the frame and suspension, the bike features a rigid full-suspension on a 26-inch Aluminium Alloy Frame. 4.0 fat tyre, suitable for snow, beach, and mountain riding. This allows for a recommend rider height of 5’6″-6’5″ (165cm-190cm), and a maximum weight support of up to 360LBS.
Fitted with dual Shimano ASL TX50 7 Speeds Shift System and an oil hydraulic power off disc brake, smooth and accurate shifting and braking becomes the norm in this kind of bike. All the components are set for your comfortable and safe cycling.
Not to mention 1 Year Warranty on Motor and Frame, 6 Months on Battery. And it comes 90% pre-assembled.
Technical Details
Brake type Disc
Colour White
Hand orientation Right
Display size 2.6 Inches
Frame material Aluminium
Frame size 17 inches
Weight 30 Kilograms
Material type Aluminium-alloy
Maximum height recommendation 190 Centimetres
Number of items 1
Number of speeds 7
Seasons Continuity
Features 1000W fat tyre for snow beach mountain
Speed rating 0-50KM/H
Sport Cycling
Suspension Dual
Wheel size 26 Inches
Wattage 1000 watts
Batteries included? Yes, Rechargeable
Brand Extrbici
Department Men’s
Manufacturer Extrbici
Manufacturer reference XF800
Product Dimensions 193 x 63 x 111 cm; 28 Kilograms
This killer is one of the higher end models CEXTT has to offer. A foldable eMTB fitted with a 48V 17AH lithium battery with full power booster pedal 50-100 km, an industrial grade brushless M Series motor used on some of the most stable electric bicycles which due to its compact design, can be neatly mounted on many models.
The MX02 eMTB supports up to over 500 times the charge cycle at only 6-8 hours of charging time.
As for the tires, the bike has 26 x 4.0 inches EBIKE grease tires which make it easy to deal with sand, snow or road. The chassis is made from a durable 6061 aluminium alloy, with full suspension fork, to provide a smooth and shock absorption cushioning effect when riding.
The onboard computer offers 3 loop computer control modes and the torque sensor provide three modes: an electric throttle, pedal assist, and pedal only.
Technical Details
Brake type Disc
Colour Grey
Hand orientation Right
Frame material Aluminium
Frame size 17 inches
Material type 6061 Aluminium-alloy
Maximum height recommendation 190 Centimetres
Number of items 1
Number of speeds 7
Seasons Continuity
Features 1000W fat tyre for snow beach mountain
Speed rating 0-50KM/H
Sport Cycling
Suspension Full
Wheel size 26 Inches
Wattage 1000 watts
Batteries included? Yes, Rechargeable
Brand CEXTT
Next on our list is this quality e-bike which utilises a lightweight aluminium alloy frame which is quite light and strong, the front fork is made of high-strength carbon steel and packed with premium comfort shock absorption. The front and rear wheels are double layer aluminium alloy wheels and brilliant disc brakes to make all those stops you need.
THREE RIDING MODES ARE AVAILABLE: a pure electric bike, an assisted bicycle, and a normal bike. To go for an extended period of time without pedalling, select the Pure Electric Bike option. You can also select the PAS mode. Combining three modes is a superior option since you can tailor the electric assist power to your needs, providing a more personalised riding experience.
Change your commuter route, and you’ll be able to leave the problem of traffic jams behind. With this bicycle, you may also go on an outing, a tour, across the city, or wherever.
Change your riding style, E-Bike, Auxiliary Wheel, or Regular Bike, and let the ride be anything you desire; every instant of your journey brings you freedom and satisfaction.
Change your sports routine, and get some exercise on your commute to work/the supermarket/school. There’s no need to be concerned about not having enough time to work out. Along with that, you’ll have fun exercising and keeping your body and mind healthy.
Lightweight bicycle with high-quality aluminium frame and oversized wheels. Easy to fold up and transport with the folding system on the train or on the bus
It is also fitted with a boastful motor & a removable Li-ion battery. At 250W, the high-speed brushless gear motors may easily achieve max speeds of 15-17mph and rides up to 22-28km on a single charge in optimal conditions. Fast charging takes only 4-6 hours because it is equipped with a smart lithium battery charger. Adapting to the requirements of your long-distance riding.
The bike comes with front and rear disc brakes, as well as a 21-speed transmission system, provide dependable all-weather stopping capability. The 26-inch bead spoke wheels are made of aluminium alloy, and the tyres are anti-slip and wear resistant. You can upgrade your original riding comfort with a high-performance, shock-absorbing front suspension fork. LED headlights and a horn make it possible to travel more safely at night.
There’s no need to be concerned about using it because it comes with a one-year warranty on the electric motor, battery, and all other parts except the frame. This bicycle comes with 85 percent of the parts needed to complete it. It is not difficult to complete assembly on your own.
Technical Details
Brake type Disc
Colour Black-red
Frame material Aluminium, Carbon steel
Number of speeds 21
Suspension Front
Brand Eloklem
There are three modes of operation: electric bikes, auxiliary wheels, and regular bikes. You can select the best power source for your needs by pressing the 3-speed Smart Meter LED button. The optimal option will be a mixture of the three modes. High driving comfort and manoeuvrability, even on soft sandy terrain
Change of speed and braking system – Mechanical front and rear disc brakes provide dependable braking in all-weather situations. Shimano’s 21-speed transmission boosts climb performance, range, and terrain. For night-time driving, bright LED speakers and headlights are offered.
The 26-inch strong steel ergonomic frame of the electric bike chassis is made of aluminium. It is entirely built of aluminium, which makes it extremely stable while being lightweight. While walking, the 36 V * 250 W brushless motor easily achieves speeds of 25 to 30 km/h (or accelerating the handlebars)
Long battery life – City bikes with a 36V 8AH lithium-ion battery and a reliable 250-watt front motor have a range of 30 km/h at 25 km/h. It’s perfect for a day of adventure or most round-trip trips, and it can be charged anyplace with a rapid charger (4-6 hours)
Technical Details
Brake type Disc
Colour Black
Size 26 inches
Frame material Aluminium
Number of speeds 21
Suspension Front
Wheel size 26 Inches
Brand Oppikle
Manufacturer Oppikle