The past year has seen an abundance of bike manufacturers entering into the electric bike arena with slick, lightweight and powerful bikes. Despite misconceptions, electric bikes allow commuters to increase their range safely and arrive to the office smelling fresh, while still getting exercise (yes, you still have to pedal an electric bike) and reducing their carbon footprint. They also continually beat cars in commuter races. An efficient electric bike may be just the push one needs to make the decision to give up the car and commute by bike. Electric bikes are also efficient for running errands, towing things (like kids), and for the elderly or for those with physical ailments. It can be difficult to navigate your way through all the options and styles available in an electric bike so we’ve done it for you. By studying forums and sites such as NYCeWheels, A to B Magazine, BikeForums.net, and Electric Bike Report, we’ve come up with a list of the best electric bikes for 2011.

What To Look For In An Electric Bike

The choice of an electric bike is quite personal, depending upon budget and the intended use. In it’s simplest definition an electric bike is a basic traditional bike with 3 things added to it: a motor, a battery, and a controller that administers the power. There are 2 different types of controllers: throttle and pedal-assist. The throttle-based system will give you the option to ride without pedaling. The pedal-assist is activated by pedaling, but you can control the level of assistance you get through a control panel on the handlebar. Some people find the pedal-assist more simple to use and more true to being a bicycle, while others prefer the throttle and like the idea of having moments where you don’t have to pedal. The best advice is to try each one out at your local bike shop to see which type you prefer.

When it comes to price the thing to keep in perspective is what you’ll be using it for. If you’re looking for an efficient commuter, then in comparison to a car, an electric bike is a bargain, not to mention all you’ll save in gas. If you’re looking for something strictly for recreation, then cost may be more of a consideration. It is also suggested that you purchase a high quality lock or three if you’ll be leaving it out and about and if the battery is removable bring it with you though some come with their own battery locks.

Kalkhoff Electric Bikes

Kalkhoff Pro Connect Sport 300

Made in Germany, Kalkhoff Bikes are perhaps the Mercedes of electric bikes. Kalkhoff has been providing European cyclists with high quality bikes for years and now they are available in the U.S.  NYCeWheels says the Pro Connect is “one of the most efficient electric bikes on the market”. Kalkhoff uses the Panasonic Pedelec brushless motor, the highest rated electric motor currently available. A to B gives the Kalkhoff 5 out of 5 stars. The integrated maintenance-free motor offers 3 levels of pedal-activated assistance using 300 watts with a top speed of 25 mph. At the moderate setting, you can expect to get 50 miles from a full charge. Bicycle purists like that the Kalkhoff looks like a regular bike. With a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano components, and Continental puncture-resistant tires, the motor isn’t the only thing that’s top notch about this bike. Other features include a hydraulic braking system, on-board computer with speedometer, and front and rear integrated lighting.

So what’s not to like about the Kalkhoff? How about the price. A true case of if you want the best, you’re going to pay for it, the Pro Connect Sport 300 is listed at $3,899.00. However, this is their most expensive model. Other e-bikes in the Kalkhoff fleet go for around the $3,000 mark and the Pro Connect Sport 250 2009 model is currently on sale for $2,899.00. Kalhoff does offer free shipping and a 2 year warranty.

Check out the Kalkhoff line of electric bikes here or for information on trying one out click here.

eZee LiV Electric Bike

eZee LiV Electric Bike

The eZee LiV offers an affordable, yet reliable option for a lightweight, simple to operate electric bike. It has a range of 15-30 miles and a top speed of 20 mph. With a 200 watt brushed motor, it may not be the most powerful machine on the electric bike block, but it beats the others at a price of $1,199.00. NYCeWheels recommends this bike as best value for commuting or recreational riding if you have moderate hills and don’t plan on pulling anything or carrying a large load. eZee has a full line of throttle activated electric bikes priced under $2,000. The eZee LiV uses more basic components than the other bikes in the eZee line. It features a 3 speed drivetrain, front and rear lights, and mudguards.

Check out eZee bikes here.

2011 Kona Electric Ute Cargo Bike

2011 Kona Electric Ute Cargo Bike

Kona has added a 250 watt Pedelec motor with a 24 volt Samsung Lihium-Ion battery to it’s popular Ute cargo bike offering up one of the first electric-assisted bikes for utilitarian use. This would make a great bike for long distance touring, those who want to ditch the car to run errands, or family bike rides. In full power mode the Kona Electric Ute supplies an 18 mile range, 35 miles in normal mode, and 62 miles in economy mode.  It offers quality Shimano components, an acacia wood deck, Kona pannier bag, fenders, and a lifetime warranty on the aluminum butted frame. For a detailed review see MyCargoBike.net where criticisms include the use of a front v-brake as opposed to a disc brake and a small, but continuous electric whine of the motor. Pros included a well-proportioned, lightweight design and a conveniently integrated battery that can be removed for charging. At $2599.00, the Kona Electric Ute is considered to be competitively priced for an electric cargo bike.

For a Kona dealer near you, click here.

Schwinn Electric Bike: Tailwind

Schwinn Electric Bike: Tailwind

The Schwinn Tailwind flaunts a feature that the other electric bikes don’t have: the Toshiba battery designed specifically for this bike can recharge in an astounding 30 minutes as opposed to the usual 4 hour recharging time. The 6 pound battery can be removed easily from the rear fender rack and features the latest in lithium polymer technology. According to NYCeWheels, the lithium polymer Schwinn battery pack has about 1.4 times the power to weight ratio than lithium ion, discharges at a more consistent voltage, and has a longer life expectancy. It offers a range of 25-30 miles, depending on riding style and conditions.

The sophisticated brushless motor is designed to assist the rider, not take over. The motor kicks in after pedaling begins and shuts off when the brake is applied. Schwinn designed the Tailwind to offer a longer range for the traditional bike rider, yet still remaining true to the classic bike design. It does not offer regenerative braking, but it may be the perfect transition for those who prefer the old school look as opposed to the futuristic appearance of some of the other electric bikes. The Schwinn Tailwind MSRP is $2,679.00.

For a Schwinn dealer near you, click here.

Sanyo Eneloop Electric Bike

Sanyo Eneloop Electric Bike

An entry from last year’s list, the Sanyo Eneloop continues to be a solid entry for a high-tech electric bike. Eneloop means that the regenerative brake system recharges the battery, so pressing on the rear brake lever actually generates energy. The 250 watt brushless motor supports 2 modes of pedal-assist plus an auto mode. Standard mode output matches the energy output of the rider. Power-Up mode doubles the energy output (for hills), while the auto mode automatically switches between these 2 modes depending upon riding conditions. The Sanyo Eneloop may appeal more to the female commuter because it’s, well… pretty. Similar to the styling of a Dutch city bike, the step-through frame makes it easy to get on and off. Range is 17-35 miles depending on the mode. Customer reviews on the Sanyo Eneloop are glowing, raving that the bike is quiet, smooth, and doesn’t feel like you’re riding an electric bike. Check out NYCeWheel’s review here.

The Sanyo Eneloop currently sells on Amazon for $1,499.99.

Dahon Boost Folding Electric Bike

Dahon Boost Folding Electric Bike

For commuters who need to lug their bikes up stairs or maneuver it onto public transportation, a folding electric bike such as the Dahon Boost would be a good choice. It offers all of the advantages of an electric-assisted bike at a weight of only 43 pounds. Dahon is a leader in high quality folding bikes. The Boost folds down to the same size as their 20″ folding bike in 15 seconds. The 250 watt brushless motor offers up 3 pedal-assist modes. Features an integrated rear rack, front and rear lighting, and a control panel on the handlebar. It can go about 30 miles on a charge. With a step-through frame and adjustable seat and handlebars, this bike serves as a versatile commuter bike.

The Dahon Boost sells for $2,499.00 on Amazon or at NYCeWheels.

Trek Valencia

Trek Valencia

Trek has thrown it’s hat into the electric bike ring and maybe just the catalyst to bring the lycra set and the commuters together. They’ve turned their standard Valencia commuter bike into a electric assist hybrid with a 350 watt brushless BionX rear hub motor and regenerative braking. Trek has added electric motors to some of their other bikes as well, such as the FX and the Transport- you’ll notice a plus sign next to these to indicate the hybrid model.  Four different pedal-assist modes vary from 25% assistance to 200% assistance. In regenerative mode, you can add on average a 10% increase in battery capacity. There aren’t many reviews out yet on the Trek e-bikes, but you can read specs about them here and some first impressions by users at bike forums here.

A2B Electric Bikes by Ultra Motor

A2B Metro

Don’t be fooled by it’s size. The A2B electric bikes by Ultra Motor pack a powerful punch with a 500 watt motor, 7 speeds, and high torque for hill climbing. Treehugger says it has “the heart of a bicycle and the soul of a scooter”. You can read their full review here. The lithium-ion battery is fully integrated into the downtube. The range is 20 miles on a single charge, but that can be extended to 40 miles with the purchase of an optional second battery. Top speed is 20 mph. The throttle is on the handlebar, meaning you can pedal or not. It does weigh in at a hefty 72 pounds so it may be better for short commutes, recreational fun or a cool option for college students to get around campus. The A2B Metro sells for around $2,700.00.

NYCeWheels is an authorized dealer or you can find a dealer near you here.

IZip Metro

2011 IZip Metro Electric Bike

Now wouldn’t this be fun to zip down to the grocery store? It features a 500 watt brushless hub motor and lithium-ion battery with a top speed of 20 mph and a range of 20-35 miles. It uses both pedal-assist and throttle power and weighs in at 55 pounds. The IZip Metro retails for $2,299.00.

Other Electric Bike Manufacturers We Like:

Ohm Cycles- pictured at the beginning of this article, Ohm Cycles is a Canadian company that makes high end electric bikes.

Giant- Giant made the ever classic Lafree electric bike, which has since been discontinued, but they continue to make the Twist Freedom and Twist Express.

EcoBike- Using both a pedal-assist and manual throttle, the EcoBike is one of the easiest electric bikes to operate. They offer 3 models around the $1,500 range.

You can also purchase electric conversion kits, which is especially helpful if you already have a bike that you’re comfortable with. The BionX conversion kit is considered to be the highest in quality and can be purchased at NYCeWheels. We also like AmpedBikes, which you can read about in this post.

The Best Electric Bikes For Commuters: Giant Twist

Electric bikes are ideal for commuting because they allow you travel up to 30 miles in a stretch, and you are less likely to drenched in sweat when you arrive at your destination. Some models have motors that assist as you pedal, making your ride easier, especially when going up hills. Some models allow you to power the bike via a throttle mounted on the handle. Electric bikes can be plugged into any regular outlet, and usually take a couple of hours to charge. Electric bikes are difficult to find in local stores, but they are available from specialty stores online. We review some of the better e-bikes below:

Giant Twist Freedom Electric Commuter Bike

The new Giant Twist commuter bike from Giant features their “hybrid technology”. Basically, the bike intelligently adjusts to your pedaling power, making for a very smooth ride (you can read about all the details in this PDF).

The Giant Twist has two lithium-ion battery EnergyPaks for extended range. Giant says the charge lasts up to 70 miles in Economy mode, and the bike take four hours to recharge.

The entire range of Giant Electric Bikes are available from Bob’s Bicycles. They range in price from $1624 to $2,249.

The Sanyo Eneloop Electric Commuter Bike

The Sanyo Eneloop is an electric bike for commuters with two different modes of pedal assistance as well as auto mode regenerative braking. It has three speeds overall, and the 250 watt motor included is designed to be unobtrusive. The pedal assist mode is designed to contribute a 1:1 ratio of electric to human power, allowing users to scale hills easily. For those San Francisco-sized hills, the power up mode gives users a 2:1 ratio, and the bike can automatically decide which mode to use based on the degree of the hill. And when using the rear brake lever while riding down a hill, you can recharge the battery.

Owners seem to really like this bike, noting that there’s no rough transition when the motor takes over. Most claim that it maintains the feel of a regular bike and doesn’t ride like a scooter. Other users said that this electric bike for commuters is so simple to ride because the bike does all the work for you.

The Sanyo Eneloop is available at Amazon for $2,299.

The Graphite e-Moto Velocity 2.0 Electric Bike

Best Electric Bike for Commuters: e-Moto Velocity 2.0

The e-Moto Velocity 2.0 electric bike for commuters has a graphite frame, and it uses a 36V 9Ah Panasonic lithium ion battery for its 250-watt motor. The battery is said to be able to handle 35 miles before being completely drained, which is why it features a recharging plug that takes around 3 hours to fill. It also has a battery life indicator on the handlebars to let users keep track. This best electric bike for commuters also has an LED backlight and a front light that are powered by the wheel movements.

Users really like this bike and they find it to be a lifesaver in many situations. While it’s somewhat of a hassle to have to charge the bike because there’s no energy loop included, the bike is still very smooth to ride and doesn’t take over harshly when in mid-pedal. This best electric bike for commuters is a good value overall.

The e-Moto Velocity 2.0 is available at REI for $1999.

The 2010 Aleron 36v Electric Bike

Aleron Electric Bike

The Aleron 36v has a battery range of around 20 miles of assistance, and has front and rear disc brakes. Shimmano 6 speed gears are included and there are also front and rear lights for night riding. It has a larger 350-watt motor than other electric bikes and comes with a one-year warranty. There are three ways to ride this electric bike for commuters, one just lets the motor do the job, another is the pedal assistance mode that allows users to pedal with the motor to extend the battery life a bit, and the last mode is standard bike mode.

Owners, calling it so easy to ride that you forget you’re on a bike, laud the Aleron. The green aspects of this best electric bike for commuters has piqued the interest of many owners, which they claim has pushed them into investing in the bike. Most users claim it’s sometimes a bit heavy when pedaling normally, but overall it’s a lightweight bike.

The Aleron 36v is available at Amazon for $1499.

The Folding Dex 36v Ebike

Folding Dex 36v Bike

Unlike other best electric bikes for commuters, the Dex 36v is a folding bike as well, providing users with the convenience of having more trunk space. It uses a 36v battery and features front disc brakes. It also has a suspension seat post and a one-year warranty. It’s said that it can reach a top of speed of around 20 miles per hour. There is also a pedal assist mode that allows the user to pedal with the motor to extend the battery life.

Users really like the Dex, calling it simple and fun to ride. Other users call it extremely efficient and because of the zero emissions from using it, it’s carbon neutral. One user notes that it costs less than four cents to charge the battery fully. Overall it’s a solid value for the efficiency and feature set.

The Dex 36v is available at Amazon for $1399.

Now that the e-bike market is maturing in the U.S., I think we’ll be seeing some sophisticated electric bikes released this year. Here are three intriguing e-bikes that have become available so far:

The Eneloop E-Bike by Sanyo

Eneloop E-Bike

Sanyo has introduced an electric bike called the Eneloop. This pedal-assist bike has a barely noticeable 250 watt motor that is designed to help the rider pedal without effort. It has a step-through frame and large tires — recalling classic three-speed Dutch bikes.

The bike also has regenerative braking that charges the battery. When you use the rear brake lever while riding downhill (over 5 mph) and you’ll start to recharge the battery.

This bike sells for $2300, which is a nice price for a bike of this type. The electric motor integration looks to be first-rate.

Available from Amazon.

Kalkhoff Electric Bikes

Kalkhoff E-Bike

A company called Greenlight Bikes has started importing Kalkhoff e-bikes into the U.S. from Germany. Kalkhoff bikes are well known in Europe as great commuter bikes. They use a center-mounted motor that applies power directly to the drive train. They also come with features commuters need on a daily basis including a powerful lighting system, great fenders, chain guards and solid racks.

The bikes are priced from $2500 to $3400, depending on sizes and configurations.

OHM Electric Bikes

Ohm 2010 Electric Bike

Based in British Columbia, OHM Cycles specializes in high-end electric bicycles. They’ve updated their bikes for 2010. The bikes feature 37V 10Ah lithium-magnesium batteries, regenerative braking and 350W BionX motors. Another nice feature is an LCD command console that displays speed, remaining battery charge, and level of assistance or regeneration.

Price ranges from $3300 to $3800.

Available from OHM Cycles.

Sales of electric bikes have spun into high gear this year — some merchants like Amazon are reporting a 6000% increase this summer from last year. This is good news, because, for short trips, the efficiency and convenience of electric bikes is hard to beat.

Here are some statistics that still amaze me: 40% of all trips are made within two miles of the home, and 50% of workers commute five miles or less to work.

I recently heard about an inexpensive electric bike conversion kit that appears to be of good quality. It’s offered by a family-run company called AmpedBikes.

The founder, Danny L. Ray, was unhappy with the quality of the kits he was getting from China, so he visited China and found a company that were willing to build a kit to his specifications, using the parts he chose. The result is a $360 kit that he sells from his website. By comparison, other conversion kits such as the Crystalyte, the Wilderness and the Bionx cost between $500 and $1800.

The AmpedBikes kits incorporate a brushless 36V 500W electric hub, and can be installed on almost any bike with 26″ wheels. Ray says the kits can be installed in about 20 minutes, and he an installation video on his website to show how it’s done.

You will have to provide your own batteries — here’s a FAQ page with some suggestions for finding them (scroll to the bottom).

A company called Ultra Motor has released a new electric bike called the A2B. This bike looks great – I like the functional, minimalist style. The A2B is designed for urban or suburban commutes. According to Ultra Motors, the A2B offers unassisted power on demand for up to 20 miles at a cruising speed of 20mph. At that speed it’s still categorized as a bicycle as opposed to a scooter, moped or motorcycle. No special license is required.

You can double the range by carrying an optional (and more visible) $399 secondary battery pack. You can increase its carrying capacity with the addition of baskets and rear carrier bags.

The 73-pound bike is constructed with aluminum, and it features full suspension, and a 500-watt motor. The lithium-ion battery is well-concealed under the down tube. It will retail for $2500.

The CEO of Ultra Motors, Chris Deyo, says this about the A2B’s price:

If you compare the one-time price of the A2B to the ongoing costs of commuting by car, moped or motorcycle–given the cost of gas, insurance, maintenance, parking, and parking tickets–it’s not so steep. “We found, in talking to folks, that (at) $2,500, it’s a considered purchase, but it’s of value to them,” Deyo said.

Ultra Motor’s design team is in Germany, and manufacturing is in Taiwan. The company’s global headquarters are in London, with the US operation is based in San Francisco, California. Ultra Motor offers two other electric bikes, the Europa and the Portia.

The A2B is expected to be available in September, most likely from bicycle, scooter, and motorcycle dealerships.

Home Page: Ultra Motor

Link: Press Release

The Street Enlightened electric bike from IZip is a good example of a “stealth” electric bike –the batteries are concealed inside the bike’s frame (in the down tube), and the DC motor is integrated into the rear wheel. You don’t have to mention this fact to your fellow cyclists! The bike has a three hour charge time and an electric-assisted range of 23 to 30 miles (38 – 48 Km) with normal pedaling. The battery pack contains twenty 1.2V NiHM (Nickle Metal Hydride) cells, delivering 24V total.

The iZip Street available from Walmart.Com (select “Electric Bikes”) and Amazon.

See also our review of other IZIP bikes here.

^{eZee’s Torq II electric bike.}

A to B Magazine is a comprehensive electric bike review magazine published in the U.K. Here’s their electric bike review page, where bikes are rated on a five star scale. Unfortunately, all of their 5 star bikes are only available in Europe. One brand that got a 4 star rating is the eZee electric bike range from South Africa, and these bikes are available in the U.S. from NYCEWheels.

According to the 50Cycles and A To B, eZee produces reliable bikes with great performance and price. Here are some of their current offerings:

The most affordable eZee bike is the Liv (seen above).  This lightweight bike lacks the power and top speed of some of its eZee siblings, but makes up for it with its superb range and affordability. This bike costs around $1,150 and is suited to the commuter or recreational rider who wants help with hills, but with no desire to cruise at 18mph or race up steep hills. It’s available from NYCEWheels for $1400.

The eZee Torq II was just released, and while it looks very similar to a conventional bike, it is one of the fastest and best hill-climbing electric bikes available. Richard Peace made the eZee Torq his Pick of the Year in the January 2007 issue of Cycling Plus magazine. You can read an in-depth review of this bike here and here. It’s available from NYCEWheels for $1,750.

The Forza is a high-end bike from eZee. Like the Torq, the Forza is one of the fastest and best performing bikes in mainstream production. Lightweight Lithium batteries give it a range of 20 to 30 miles. With suspension forks, puncture resistant tires and disc/hydraulic brakes, this is an all-surface bike that’s great for everything from commuting to touring. It’s available from NYCEWheels for $2200.

Schwinn’s new range of electric bikes are finally available. These innovative bikes have electric motors and batteries integrated seamlessly into their design. Schwinn claims that the four pound Protanium® lithium polymer battery included with these bikes is the lightest and most durable on the market. One charge will last 40-60 miles. The battery also charges faster than those found on most electric bikes — they become fully charged in less than four hours. You detach the batteries to charge them, so there are no wires on the bike itself. The bikes use a 250 watts max electric hub motor in the front wheel, controlled by a throttle on the handlebar which can propel the bike up to 18 mph.

At MetaEfficient, we like electric bikes because they extend your travel range, thus make it more feasible to ride a bike across town, in place of a car.

The bikes come in men’s and women’s versions, and they range in price from $1500 to $2000. They are available from: Bike Source US (NJ), Harbor County Bike and Hobby (IL) and Electric Cyclery.

There are only a few electric mountain bikes on the market, but electric motors can certainly assist with  off-road riding. You can also build you own electric mountain bike by installing an electric motor kit onto an existing mountain bike. There’s also the Biontague, which is a mountain bike that has a electric kit pre-installed.

The best value for an electric mountain bike is the E-Zip Mountain Trailz Electric Bicycle, made by Currie Technologies. I’ve found that the range of a fully-charged battery is about 20 miles — that’s if you make liberal use of the electric assist. If you just use it to go up hills, the charge will last for about 30 miles. You can also add a second battery for $120 from Currie Technologies, that will double your range (but it will also increase the bike’s weight).

It’s available from Amazon for $368.

The Liberty Stealth Climber Mountain Bike is sold by Liberty Bikes in Pennslyvania. This bike has a 450 watt 36V motor and it’s powered by a lithium-ion battery. Electric-assist is engaged with a throttle, and motor will get you up to 18 mph. If you want to go faster than this, you can provide further pedal power using the 6 speed gears.

Weighing only 68 pounds, this mountain bike comes with our front and rear disk break systems. It also has built-in shock absorbers, and front and rear lights. Charging time is 4-6 hours, and the range is 20-27 miles. The bike is priced at $1275, but it looks like its being sold on eBay for $900.

Link: Liberty Electric Bikes

A group at MIT has unveiled a scooter that folds in half, and collapses to the size of a suitcase. The low-cost bike could be carried on a bus or stored under your desk at work. A prototype of the new design was recently unveiled at the Milan Auto Show. According to William J. Mitchell of MIT’s Smart Cities Group, “the design is all about providing a clean, green, silent electronic scooter that would provide the same kind of urban mobility as motor scooters.”

“By putting motors directly inside each of the two wheels, it’s possible to design the scooter so that it could be folded up to about half its size. When folded, it can also be easily wheeled along like a trolley suitcase, making it easy to take along on trains or even indoors,” Mitchell added.

Mitchell and his team envision the scooters being provided in racks at convenience stores, train stations and other convenient city locations as one-way rentals. Users would swipe a credit card to remove a scooter from the rack (in which its batteries would be kept fully charged up), unfold it for the trip and then fold it up again to deposit at another rack at the destination.

“The simplified design could bring down production costs significantly. A typical gas scooter has about 1,000 parts, but ours only has 150,” said Mitchell. A one-way-rental business model has been demonstrated in Paris, where a company has recently begun a similar service with 1,000 bicycles. 

Via: Infosync