Electric Bike Deals

Class 2 (throttle, 20 mph) and Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph) dominate the deals here. Class 3 keeps pace with traffic but is banned from some bike paths, while Class 1 and 2 are accepted almost everywhere. Check your local rules before you buy, because a great price on a class you cannot legally ride where you live is not a deal.

Plan on roughly 20 to 30 watt hours per real mile. A 500 Wh pack comfortably covers everyday commuting, while 700 Wh and up earns its keep on long rides, heavy loads or heavy throttle use. Ignore claimed range and filter by watt hours in our electric bike finder to compare fairly.

Mostly the motor and the parts hanging off the frame. Budget deals are usually hub-motor bikes with entry-level components, which is fine for flat commutes. The expensive end buys a mid-drive motor that climbs far better, plus stronger brakes, suspension and drivetrain. Line two up in our e-bike comparison tool and the spec gap behind the price gap becomes obvious.

On anything fast or heavy, yes. Hydraulic brakes stop a 60 lb bike from 28 mph with far less hand effort and stay consistent in rain, while mechanical discs need more force and more frequent adjustment. On a slower, lighter commuter they are a nice-to-have rather than a must.

Check the listed rider height range and standover height against your own measurements before you order, and favor step-through frames if flexibility is a concern. E-bikes are expensive to ship back, and some retailers charge hefty return fees on them. A bike that fits poorly never gets ridden, which makes it the worst deal of all.