Beyond the bicycles themselves, shoppers need to consider how they will use them and to know about local laws. Regardless of whether you plan to ride an electric bike on off-road trails or local streets, check local regulationsāor the rules posted by the landowner that administers the trailsāto make sure you can legally ride the bike you want to buy.
Some localities use the electric-bike class system as a guideline. Each class has its advantages and disadvantages. Consumer Reports does not test Class 3 bikes, which include more electric assist than the other two classes.
Class 1 includes pedal-assist bikes, which power the electric motor as your feet apply pressure to the pedals. Thereās no throttle control on the handlebar to get the bike going; the electric part works only when the rider is pedaling, and the e-assist cuts off at speeds above 20 mph.
Class 2 bikes also have an electric motor that works up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone, via a throttle control.
Class 3 provides electric assist up to 28 mph. These faster, more powerful models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths.
Itās also important to consider battery safety. Most electric bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can present distinct safety risks. CR recommends familiarizing yourself with proper battery care and using techniques that can help minimize those risks.
Below are the models CR tested from Giant, Schwinn, Specialized, Trek, and others, listed in order of their Overall Score, which incorporates results from our tests of range, ease of use on the trail, and braking, among other parameters. Each of these electric mountain bikes has particular strengths and weaknesses, and some are much better on technical trails than others. But they were all pretty decent on unpaved roads, provided they werenāt too steep.
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