Best electric bikes, road-tested by an expert

Anyone wanting a fuss-free but premium electric bike experience will love the universal appeal of the Canyon citylite:on comfort. There’s so much to like about this bike, from the instantly identifiable design through to the quality of the ride. Canyon picks its components with care, too, so everything is designed with rider convenience in mind. There’s a fantastic hub-based Bosch performance line motor along with belt drive, which makes pedalling smooth and provides seamless power delivery.

Being an urban-style electric bike also means that the Canyon citylite:on comfort comes with lots of versatility. It’s possible to carry up to 27kg of cargo at the rear and 10kg over the front wheel, subject to being kitted out with the accessories. Even if it’s used in basic guise, it packs in a high level of kit as standard, with front and rear lights plus a kickstand, meaning it’s ready to go, right out of the box.

If your budget is tight, there’s no better way of entering the world of electric biking than popping along to Halfords. Its carrera brand carries a wide range of models, with the electric hybrid actuate 2 being a great, affordable option. The design looks more premium than the price tag suggests, while there are impressive levels of features and functions for the money.

This is a very rider-friendly bike too, with a battery range of up to 50 miles plus nine-speed Shimano gear shifting that offers plenty of opportunity to get involved if you prefer. The aluminium frame keeps it on the manageable side of things, which makes it ideally suited for a variety of cyclists, and comfort levels are solid, too. Dig deeper, and there are some compromises on the components front, but it’s hard to argue with the value delivered by this electric two-wheeler.

The iconic Brompton bike has been given a whole new lease of life thanks to the addition of a battery pack and electric motor. This drives the front wheel, which delivers an altogether zestier ride than conventional models that use just pedal power. A four-gear derailleur setup makes the bike ideally suited to a variety of riding scenarios, too, plus there’s a 12-speed option if more are needed. The ingenuity of the Brompton folding system also makes this model hugely practical for commutes, or for storing in the boot of the car for weekends away.

Considering the svelte one-size-fits-all styling, the humble Brompton is surprisingly comfortable even for longer jaunts. The P-Line is slightly lighter than Brompton’s C-Line edition, too, which makes life easier when the two-wheeler needs to be carried. Better still, the battery pack is detachable and can be carried over your shoulder.

Specialized’s turbo vado has been tweaked and fine-tuned over the last few years, making the SL 2 edition the one to go for currently. The electric hybrid bike excels in the comfort department, making it ideally suited to arduous commutes or evening and weekend expeditions. Lots of aluminium components, including a lean and mean frame construction, make the bike wonderfully agile.

Meanwhile, large wheels and generous tyres deliver a ride that’s great on less than ideal surfaces. Smart thinking in the design department makes the bike practical, with options for load carrying both over the front and back wheels. Specialized doesn’t skimp when it comes to quality components either, so expect quick and easy gear changes when it comes to using pedal power alone.

Spanish brand Orbea offers serious electric bike enthusiasts lots of tempting features and functions within the delicious styling of the diem 20. Aimed at taking on the urban environment, it features a striking design that is also easily capable of delivering longer rides thanks to the potent battery and motor combination. Indeed, the choice of components used on this model is second to none, with the Shimano crank-mounted motor being one of the standout features. It also contributes to the hefty price tag.

Nevertheless, this specification makes the Orbea diem 20 an easy bike to ride but with enough rider involvement to make it a serious cycling proposition. There’s a nod to practicality too, with a front-mounted luggage platform offering enough space for day trip essentials. The bike loves being ridden too, with a seemingly insatiable desire to keep on going. There’s even a range extender battery option that’ll make it do just that.

If you love to stand out from the crowd, the all-electric GoCycle G4i is the pick of the crop. This is a bike that makes a style statement, but it also features lots of clever design and uses innovative materials to deliver a much more enjoyable cycling experience. Materials include aluminium, carbon-fibre and magnesium, which reduces weight but increases the wow factor.

There’s an enclosed drivetrain, so no oily chain to worry about, sympathetic suspension and electric drive that is delivered via the front hub. The intelligent three-speed gear shifting makes riding the GoCycle G4i a doddle, while comfort levels are high thanks to the chunky tyres on those striking 20-inch five-spoke wheels. Adding to the appeal is the way the GoCycle G4i folds for storing in the boot of a car or for taking on the train. It’s not as svelte or foldable as a Brompton, although it is just as pricey, but the GoCycle G4i is still a magnificent bit of kit.

Similar to the Orbea diem 20, the Giant explore E+ pro 1 GTS features a formidable range, up to 155 miles if used carefully, which makes it a perfect trekking bike for weekends and extended routes. The styling is definitely in the urban arena, and while the bike is quite hefty to lug around when it’s not under power, the comfort levels are very high indeed. Giant bikes are made up of quality components, too, which means they command a higher price. That, combined with the range on offer, means this is an electric bike that will appeal to someone who’s keen to move on up from something a little less capable.

However, while it falls into the trekking category, the Giant explore E+ pro 1 GTS works best on mixed surfaces that are mostly easy to get over, bearing in mind the quite chunky feel of the bike. It’s therefore brilliant for commuters with unusual or lengthy routes and weekenders who love to take on hilly country lanes or trundle along woodland paths.

The Volt burlington is perfect for anyone who simply wants a no-fuss step-through bike, much like those frequently found on streets across the Netherlands. British bike maker Volt has taken the classic style and turned it into an easy-to-ride but quietly sophisticated machine that’s ideally suited to streets in towns and cities.

The saddle is comfy, and the handlebars enhance the stress-free riding position. This is endorsed by front forks that boast proper suspension, while the sensibly sized wheels and tyres make the Burlington more than capable on a host of different road surfaces.

Better still, Volt designs its bikes with durability in mind, and the materials choice and quality components make the electric two-wheeler feel like a premium choice. The other bonus is that the standard specification still includes front and rear lights, a rear-mounted luggage rack, along with full mudguards and a built-in Abus bike lock.

Less confident electric bike converts might find the super-stable Jorvik tricycle a great option. Purchased in electric mountain bike guise, the step-through JMT6 model offers fabulous go-anywhere appeal thanks to fat tyres and wheels, along with plenty of power.

Engineered with meticulous precision, the three-wheeler boasts an innovative differential, which gets the power down while offering lots of control along with seven twist-shift gears to suit all kinds of terrain. At a whopping 48kg, the JMT6 is quite bulky, though this only seems to make the trike feel even more stable, especially when it’s on the soft stuff.

Cargo storage options, both front and rear, make this electric bike perfect for folks with lots to carry, and a range of enticing frame colours ensures it’ll really stand out from the crowd.

Halfords is the place to go if you’re looking for an electric bike that’s firmly focused on value. The new boardman MTX-E 8.6 is a perfect example of that, with men’s and ladies’ variants of the same model available. For the price, there’s a very respectable specification, with a 250W rear hub motor, which boasts generous levels of torque via four levels of assist.

The battery should be good for up to 40 miles of range and the nine-speed Shimano gearing and fairly light weight of the bike means it can still be easily ridden if power levels get low. Add on a comfortable saddle, sensible flat handlebars plus a computer to control those assist levels and it’s a solid package. Stopping power comes from hydraulic discs, while spongy front suspension and chunky Goodyear tyres means it’s good at handling a wide variety of terrain, too.