Best electric bikes 2024 — from e-road bikes to commuters, e-cargo bikes and beyond

The Specialized Como was given a revamp this year, placing more emphasis on comfort and convenience with a new frame design that has a lower stepover height to make it even easier to get on and off. And it really is low, with the stepover height down to 355mm on a large frame compared to 526mm on the previous model

The Como now comes with smaller 27.5” wheels and large volume 2.3” wide Pathfinder tyres to further enhance comfort, plus a Suntour Mobie A32 steel-sprung suspension fork with 80mm travel and a sturdy looking thru-axle. It uses a Brose-based mid-drive but with Specialized’s own software, and this full power 3.0 version is rated at 50Nm of torque – relatively modest for a mid-drive – with the 4.0 and 5.0 full power versions offering 70Nm and 90Nm respectively. This version comes with 9-speed Shimano Alivio gearing, and the MasterMind display allows you to find out plenty of info about your ride on the move such as real-time tuning of support levels and the enabling of over-the-air updates. 

The frame is very strong, which means the bike weighs well over 20kg, so it's probably not suitable for a rider who needs to haul their bike up and down stairs. If you're after a very practical and easy to ride yet high-tech city e-bike and have somewhere safe to store it, the new Como should certainly be on your radar.

The Endurance AL e Enthusiast enjoys the immaculate handling and ride quality of the acoustic version but has an impressive power boost to boot for very long days in the saddle.

Firstly, it’s more relaxed than a full-on race machine, meaning it’s nimble through bends and traffic if you’re looking to use it as a commuter.

The Mahle Ebikemotion X35+ motor system offers decent range with the iWoc One control button that’s integrated into the top tube giving you three power modes. The LED ring that surrounds the button tells you about battery life and we easily completed 100 miles of lumpy riding with still battery left in the tank. Delivery is smooth as silk. Yes, it’s not as punchy as some crank-based motors, but that’s not really needed on the road where the X35+’s easy assistance comes into its own.

The frame’s 6061 aluminium that’s durable though clearly not as light as carbon. Still, even with the battery and motor, an overall weight of 13.35kg isn’t bad. When that weight might become an issue – hills – you’ll enjoy that smooth assistance.

Ribble’s BikeBuilder means that you can, within reason, build your AL e up to however you see fit. However, we tested the off-the-shelf Enthusiast that’s based around Shimano’s tried-and-trusted 105 groupset including hydraulic brakes with 160mm rotors.

All in all, this is one fun, versatile and easy-to-live with bike.

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The VanMoof S3 is as close to a fully integrated e-bike as we’ve come across. One of the key standouts is security, enhanced by what VanMoof call a ‘kick lock’, which prevents the bike being moved and also arms the alarm. When the bike is moved, a skull appears on the top tube’s LED screen and the bike emits a loud siren. Nifty.

Unlike most e-bikes, the majority of the bike’s features are accessed via the VanMoof app. This is both a blessing and a curse as you don’t have the same instant access to change elements of your ride, but you do have a much more expanded and user-friendly experience when you do.

From the app screen, you can choose from settings 0 to 4 for assist and also for gear shifting. When it comes to gear ratios, you have three choices: flat, hilly or custom. Away from the app, there are three points of interaction while riding: that LED, which generally shows speed and battery level; a right-grip ‘boost’ button; and, on the left, a bell button.

The 21kg S3 boasts a 504Wh battery that powers a 250W front motor hub. At the top setting, this gives you a claimed 39 miles on a single charge. The battery’s entirely integrated into the frame, meaning that charging must be done in situ, rather than removing the battery and charging it by itself. This is a little frustrating but, again, something done with integration and security in mind.

It's comfortable to ride and, with the great security features, is perfect for urban riding.

We’d class the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 as a leisure e-mountain bike. Yes, the geometry sends you into a fairly aggressive riding position, but that’s balanced by a modest 100mm-travel coil-sprung fork and nine-speed derailleur gearing.

Bosch’s Performance Line motor is impressive, delivering power through four modes. The EMTB mode is particularly useful, varying power assistance to match the conditions. It achieves this AI trickery via a series of sensors within the motor that feeds back information such as wheel speed and pedal speed. As for range, in you’re looking at between 40 and 100 miles depending on what mode you’re in.

Other specs are bang in line with the solid price: sharp and effective hydraulic disc brakes, nine-speed Shimano Alivio gearing and general-purpose all-rounder Schwalbe Smart Sam knobblies on decent-quality Alex rims.                

If you’re looking for a high-quality, off-road capable e-bike for trails and general use, with a powerfully effective and efficient mid-drive that won’t break the bank, this model is one of a select few to fit the bill. 

One of the standouts of British brand MiRider’s One GB3 is the three-speed Efneo GTRO gear unit that’s housed within the chainwheel body and manages to fit a planetary gear set-up into a space of around 15mmm deep, and with a diameter the same as a medium-sized chainring – in short, a miraculous piece of engineering. A twist grip activates the gears, while dispensing with the derailleur means MiRider can use a Kevlar belt drive that avoids oily grime.

You’re given three power levels of assist from the 225Wh battery. Range is, of course, dictated by terrain and power level, but as a snapshot, it returned in excess of 35 miles over moderately hilly terrain, albeit without using the throttle on the steeper sections. When full throttle was used, this reduced range slightly but it really helped tame the gradients.

The LCD display is crisp, clear and legible even in sunlight, and features the usual metrics like average speed, distance ridden… Plus the power the motor produces at the different levels. This is a nifty feature to gauge how the different topography and speeds affects wattage.

Folding’s not quite as smooth as the Brompton but it’s pretty good, though its 19.1kg weight’s quite high. Still, that’s a minor grumble in what’s an impressive electric folder.