These days, more people are leaning into sustainability and smarter ways to get around, and Macfox has carved out a solid spot in the electric bike world. Born from a love of nature and a desire to roam freely, this Orange County-based brand has gone from a small name to a favourite among students, commuters, and weekend adventurers. With a lineup that caters to different needs, the bikes hit the sweet spot between comfort, performance, and personal style.

This brand isn’t just about selling electric bikes; they’re all about giving riders the freedom to explore. Their ebikes live at the intersection of tech, lifestyle, and affordability. It’s about helping people ditch the car and ride into something new, all while enjoying the outdoors. Backed by Esportlet, a company focused on outdoor electric rides, Macfox is part of a larger mission to keep people active and connected to nature.

A Look at the Macfox Line-up

Macfox has something for just about every kind of rider. If you’re weaving through traffic on your daily commute, hitting the trails over the weekend, or looking for something safe and fun for the kids, they’ve got you covered. Their bikes are designed to be smooth, sturdy, and fun to ride. Some brands lean too hard into either looks or tech, but this one strikes the perfect balance.

Macfox X1S x Bs.zay Limited Edition Wheelie Machine - $1,189.00

Add serious flair to your ride. The X1S x Bs.zay collab is Macfox’s first-ever custom drop, and it’s all about personality. This limited edition blends style, performance, and street cred into one slick package. Powered by a 500W motor (peaking at 750W) with 65Nm of torque, it launches you off the line with ease. The dual battery setup extends your range to 76 miles, and the rugged 20x4” tires, backlit LCD screen, and aggressive shield-style headlight make sure you look as good as you ride. No matter if you’re popping wheelies or cruising with the squad, this bike is built to turn heads.

Macfox X1S – The Everyday Beast - $1,189.00

Looking for an all-rounder that’s ready for anything? The X1S is built to tackle everything from morning commutes to weekend adventures. With the same 500W motor and 65Nm of torque, you’ll enjoy smooth acceleration every time. It also comes with the option of adding a second battery for a range of over 76 miles. The durable steel frame, 20x4" tires, and front suspension ensure you can handle various terrains without sacrificing comfort, while the long, padded seat keeps you comfortable on longer rides.

Macfox X2 – Built to Go Big - $1,899.00

For those who want speed, power, comfort, and distance, the Macfox X2 is your perfect match. With a 750W motor (peaking at 1000W), this full-suspension bike hits speeds of up to 28mph. It’s built to crush commutes, city streets, or even rough trails. The Shimano 7-speed gear system and 80Nm of torque give you smooth shifting and powerful takeoff. You can extend your range up to 90 miles with an additional battery, so you can ride all day without worrying about running out of juice.

Macfox M19 – The Teen Trailblazer - $799.00

The M19 is Macfox’s first ebike designed specifically for teens. It’s all about freedom, fun, and getting outside. With a 250W motor and a top speed of 16mph, this lightweight, responsive ride is perfect for cruising the neighbourhood or hitting the trails. The removable battery makes charging simple, and the 16-inch tires strike the perfect balance between agility and stability. Equipped with reliable disc brakes and a comfy ergonomic seat, it’s the ideal bike for young riders ready to take on their next adventure.

Macfox M20X – Power Meets Urban Style - $999.00

The M20X is built for the city and for urban adventures. Powered by a 500W motor with a 6-speed gear system, you can cruise through streets and hills with ease. With the added comfort of a memory foam seat and durable 20x4” CST tires, the M20X is designed for maximum control and comfort. It’s perfect for commuting, spontaneous detours, or weekend adventures, with a range of 40+ miles on a single charge.

Your bike, your rules

From bold upgrades to everyday essentials, Macfox gives you the freedom to tailor your ride. Whether you're adding style, comfort, or utility, we’ve got the accessories to match your vibe. Choose from options like the SE Panda Outfit, iridescent handlebars, surfboard rack, cargo crate, rear rack, or even a battery explosion-proof box for added safety. Want to ride longer? Grab an extra battery or a standard charger. Going full commuter mode? Add fenders, a cup holder, mobile phone holder, or a storage bag.

Who’s Riding Macfox?

While Macfox bikes are made for everyone, they’ve found a sweet spot with students and young adults. The bikes are easy to use, perfect for getting around campus, heading out for the weekend, or just cruising with mates. Families appreciate the kids’ models, and adults love the reliable rides that can handle both errands and adventures.

Why Riders Rate Macfox Bikes

Here’s what makes these ebikes stand out:

• Zippy Motors: Great for getting up hills or just making your ride more fun.
• Solid Battery Life: Enough charge to get you through a full day’s riding. Some Macfox models come with a dual-battery setup, which means you can go twice as far on one charge.
• Comfortable Ride: Wide tyres and soft grips mean fewer aches on longer trips. The cruiser-style seat helps ease pressure on your back and hips, while the fat tyres smooth out bumps, potholes, and gravel.
• Custom Options: Add your own flair with a range of accessories.
• User-Friendly: Easy to hop on and go, even if you’re new to eBikes.
• Safety: Many of their models have UL certification, which means they meet top safety standards. Especially important if you’re buying a bike for a child or teen.

Changing Student Life and the Planet, One Ride at a Time

Macfox bikes don’t just help students get from A to B; they’re a game-changer for personal convenience and the environment. By swapping petrol stops, parking permits, and crowded buses for a bike, students save time and money, while making it easier and more enjoyable to explore campus and beyond. Plus, these eco-friendly bikes are designed with sustainability in mind. By choosing to ride instead of drive, you’re making a positive impact on the planet. Built to last, charge efficiently, and reduce your carbon footprint, these bikes make it easy to live greener without compromising on performance.

“Our son absolutely loves his bike. The battery life is great and he takes it all over (including some trails.)” - Lindsey M.

Riding Together is Better

Riding solo is great, but there’s something special about riding with friends. Macfox bikes bring people together with a growing community of riders sharing tips, stories, and setups online, so it’s easy to connect with others who share your passion.

From powering through coursework to tackling the trails, these ebikes help you ride wild and free.

Overall rating ★★★★☆

A beast on two wheels

From the moment you lay eyes on the Lankeleisi X3000 MAX, it’s clear that this e-bike means business. The aggressive, angular design not only looks mean, but is also designed to be rugged and durable. With its striking orange and black, or gray and black color schemes, the X3000 MAX is as eye-catching as it is loud and proud.

The X3000 MAX is equipped with dual 1000W brushless motors, delivering a combined peak power of 2000W. This setup provides exceptional torque and acceleration, making uphill climbs and rapid sprints feel completely effortless. During test rides, the bike handled steep inclines and off-road trails with remarkable ease, never once feeling underpowered.

The Lankeleisi X3000 MAX is a bit of a powerhouse, and is for a specific audience that will feel comfortable with the quick acceleration and high speed. It’s perhaps not for first-time riders, let's say. This dual motor, full suspension electric mountain bike is designed to conquer any terrain, and in our testing - it handled well on difficult trails, in both dry and wet conditions.

Good for

• Adventure seekers
• Off-road enthusiasts
• Long-distance riders

Pros

• Powerful dual 2000W motors
• Durable aluminum frame
• Versatility thanks to its foldable design
• Smooth full suspension
• Long 130 km battery range
• Removable battery for easy charging
• Colour LCD display
• Grippy 20*4.0 fat tyres
• Precise 7-speed gears
• Reliable disc brakes

Cons

• Heavy due to dual motors
• Higher price
• Overkill for casual use

Expert Verdict

Taking all aspects into account, the LANKELEISI X3000 MAX is a high-quality, powerful, and versatile mountain ebike. It impresses with its powerful dual motors, durable build, and excellent handling. The dual 1000W motors provide exceptional power and torque, making it one of the top performers in its class. The bike handles various terrains with ease, offering excellent acceleration and climbing ability.

Riding the LANKELEISI X3000 MAX is a joy, thanks in large part to its full suspension system. The front and rear suspension work in tandem to absorb shocks and bumps, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride over any terrain.

The intelligent LCD display offers real-time information on speed, battery life, and distance traveled.

This ebike offers great performance and comfort. Its safety features and comfort level make it a great choice for a variety of riders, though its weight and price point may be drawbacks for certain riders. Overall, it's a top contender in the mountain ebike market.

Specifications

Components and Build Quality

The LANKELEISI X3000 MAX boasts a high-strength aluminum alloy frame that ensures durability while keeping the bike relatively lightweight. The full suspension system, including front and rear shocks, offers excellent shock absorption for a smoother ride. The 20-inch fat tyres provide great traction and stability on various terrains, and the Shimano 7-speed transmission creates reliable and smooth gear shifts.

Safety and Security

Safety is a top priority with the X3000 MAX. The bike features robust front and rear disc brakes that deliver consistent stopping power, even in wet or muddy conditions. The large, grippy tires enhance stability, reducing the risk of slipping. Additionally, the bike's frame is designed to be both durable and sturdy, providing a safe ride even on challenging trails. However, we did not give it a perfect score as it lacks advanced safety features like integrated lights or anti-theft systems.

Performance and Handling

Performance is where the X3000 MAX truly shines. The dual 1000W motors provide outstanding power and acceleration, making steep climbs and rough terrains manageable with ease. The bike handles exceptionally well, with the full suspension system smoothing out bumps and rough patches.

Comfort and Practicality

Comfort is well addressed with the X3000 MAX’s full suspension system, which absorbs shocks and vibrations from rough trails. The adjustable saddle and handlebars allow riders to find their ideal riding position. The bike's battery is easily removable for convenient charging, and the intelligent LCD display keeps riders informed with real-time data. The overall design makes it practical for both off-road adventures and daily commuting.

Other Highlights

• Half Twist Throttle
• Comfort Saddle
• Rear Rack
• Foldable Design

The LANKELEISI X3000 MAX stands out not just for its powerful performance but also for its thoughtful design features that enhance the overall riding experience. The half twist throttle allows for effortless speed control, making acceleration smooth and enjoyable.

Coupled with the comfort saddle, riders can expect an exceptionally pleasant journey, whether tackling long distances or navigating city streets. The convenient rear rack adds practicality, allowing you to carry essentials or bring along a companion.

Plus, the foldable design makes it easy to store and transport, making the X3000 MAX a versatile choice for any adventure. With these features combined, it’s clear that the X3000 MAX is designed to meet the needs of modern riders, offering both performance and convenience.

Buy direct from Lankeleisi

The Beameo Ray, £1,429.99, is a hybrid electric bike with an old-school cruiser vibe, unashamedly simple in its aim and execution, but in a lot of ways all the better for it. It’s got bags of retro charm, a solid choice of components and is easy and comfortable to ride.

With practicalities like mudguards, light, kickstand and rear rack all included, and a big battery with up to 75 miles of power assistance, it SHOULD be as at home on an urban commute as on a scenic countryside cycle path. We put it through its paces to find out if it’s as good in the real world as it is on paper.

Good for

• Old-school cool
• City commuting
• Cyclepath cruises

Pros

• Retro looks
• Comfortable ride
• Included lights, mudguard, rack and kickstand
• Strong battery range

Cons

• Heavy
• Battery integration isn’t exactly subtle
• Only one colour choice
• Not particularly nimble

Buy the Beameo Ray

Expert Verdict

The Beameo Ray is a charming, retro and straightforward e-bike that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel (or any other component), and that approach made it a joy to ride.

It uses solid, proven tech and I found it to be comfortable and practical, with plenty of battery power and a strong motor. At around £1,400 it represents decent value for money, and should be straightforward and affordable to maintain, repair and upgrade over time.

It’s no lightweight, and I wish there were a few more colour options (blue is your only choice), but overall this is an e-bike I can thoroughly recommend.

Ratings

Overall
Components and build quality
Safety and security
Performance and handling
Comfort and practicality

Components and build quality

The Beameo Ray is at the lower end of the e-bike market, so the components used in its build are nothing special, but they’ve been well chosen to fit the budget without overly compromising comfort or performance.

The Ray’s main selling point is its quirky frame design, reminiscent of the Schwinn cruiser bikes of the 1970s and ‘80s, which at the time of riding you can order in any colour so long as it’s aquamariney blue. Onto its aluminium is mounted a hulking great 614Wh battery, powering a 250W motor on the rear hub.

The swept-back handlebars have leather grips and a Shimano seven-speed thumb shifter mounted on the right bar, operating a Shimano Tourney derailleur at the back. In an age of integrated batteries, belt drives and all manner of modern innovations, I found it refreshingly old-fashioned, even though the Beameo brand only launched in 2023. The Tektro mechanical brakes are operated by Promax levers and there’s an LCD display on the left handlebar.

The Ray uses a cadence sensor, which monitors how fast you’re spinning the pedals and deploys power assistance accordingly. As with most cadence sensors, I found it takes a second or so to register the fact that I was spinning the pedals. But after that I had plenty of oomph behind me, and the amount of electric grunt and the spread of gears meant I found it easy to get moving, even when pushing away from standstill on hills.

The crank is made by Prowheel and the pedals are VP mountain-bike units that felt nicely wide and grippy under my feet.

A squishy but supportive Selle Royal saddle was fitted to our test bike, and mounted to the 700c wheels are 45c Kenda tyres. Beameo has also thrown in front and rear mudguards and a front light LED light (but only a reflector on the rear). A rack’s included too, as is a kickstand. There are far more expensive bikes that don’t feature these accessories as standard, so it’s great to see them included here.

Build quality feels excellent – even after many hours of riding put into our test unit, I didn’t notice any creaks, squeaks or rattles.

Safety and security

Eschewing the trend for integrating batteries into the frame or seatpost, the Beameo Ray’s battery is conspicuously bolted straight on the downtube, and secured with a key to on the left-hand side. That means it’s tricky to whip off for opportunists, but you can easily remove it for security or for charging in a flat or office. Unlike some e-bikes, however, ne’er-do-wells could ride the Ray as a normal bike, sans battery, so we’d strongly recommend investing in at least a stout D-lock to keep the bike secure when it’s parked up.

The Tektro mechanical disc brakes work well. Sure, I didn’t get the feel and degree of modulation that you’d get from hydraulic brakes, but such units would drive up the price. However, they’d be a relatively easy upgrade if you wanted them.

I found that the mechanical setup, with comfortable Promax brake levers, gave me much better stopping power than calliper brakes would, and despite the Ray’s considerable weight I had no problem shaving off speed for traffic lights or slamming on the anchors for van drivers pulling out without looking.

An LED powered front light is included, attached to the steerer tube just above the front wheel, and turned on and off by holding the + button on the LCD display. There’s no rear light however, just a reflector, so you may want to add your own.

Performance and handling

The Beameo Ray’s approach to power is simple, but it’s very effective. The big battery gives you a big range, and the motor deploys all the power you need up to 15.5mph, which is the maximum assisted speed allowed under UK law.

I had five levels of assist to choose from, and when combined with the well-proven Shimano gears, I found it had all the flexibility I needed and more on my test route. While I didn’t get the chance to try it on properly steep hills, I strongly suspect it would need a fairly serious wall to cause any major issues – with the lowest gear and maximum assist, the Ray should tackle some pretty substantial slopes.

The size of the battery means you should get a fairly long ride out of a single charge, especially if you’re canny about how often you deploy max power. I found that on our predominantly flat test route that I never really needed more than level three, with the top levels reserved for hills (or fun). Beameo quotes a slightly vague range of between 18 and 74 miles on a full battery charge, but that suggests it’ll easily soak up even lengthy commutes. 

Using the thumb gear-shifter on the right handlebar is quick and satisfying, and I could control the power assistance using buttons on the simple but easy-to-read LCD display on the left handlebar. That same display also shows speed, battery life and a trip meter.

Power assistance, then, is well taken care of, and the handling is decent too. I found it a very easy bike to spend a long time on, and while it’s not the nimblest of machines, due in part to its substantial 28kg weight, it’s composed and predictable enough to be able to weave through traffic or ride down tight alleyways. At higher speeds I was stable and confident, and the spread of gears meant it was easy to sit at a comfortable pedal cadence at the max assisted speed.

Comfort and practicality

As a cruiser bike, the Ray favours comfort over speed and agility, and I found the upright, relaxed position and swept-back handlebars brilliant for swanning along London’s cycleways. Saddles are always a personal choice but the Selle Royal unit on our test bike provided lots of cushioning even when the roads get bumpy, aided by the chunky, wide Kenda tyres.

Practicality levels are good, too. Front and rear mudguards are included, as is a rack for carrying bags or attaching panniers. A chain guard will help prevent oil getting on your clothes.

What’s more, because the Ray uses so many “traditional” parts, rather than fancy, custom components, maintenance and repair should be very easy – just about every component is easily replaceable from your local bike shop or online.

It’s worth mentioning again that, at 28kg, the Ray is a heavy bike, and bulkier than a lot of other e-bikes. If you need to take your ride upstairs at the end of the day, it might not be the best option. But if that’s not a worry then it doesn’t negatively affect the riding experience.

Buy the Beameo Ray

See our review of the Beameo Unbound and our Beameo Classic review. 

Bio

Phill Tromans has been a journalist and reviewer since 2001. As both a keen road cyclist and car aficionado, he’s fully embraced the concept of e-mobility, and while he still loves pure pedal power, he also likes not being a sweaty mess at the end of every bike ride.

The Mirider One, £1,599, is a feature-packed folding electric bike that boasts a lot of desirable assets for an urban commuter. It may be one of our most expensive compact folders, but does it warrant the price tag? Let’s find out...

Buy the MiRider One

Good for

• Commuters
• Anyone needing range, comfort or portability

Pros

• Comfortable ride
• Accomodates smaller riders (5ft and up)
• Made in UK, built by one technician
• Range up to 45 miles
• Folds to an impressively small size
• Lots of power
• Clear and bright display
• Ergo handle grips
• Rear suspension for added comfort
• Thumb throttle for instant assist

Cons

• No gears 
• Not cheap
• Weighty for a folding bike
• Not much handlebar space for phone mount
• Motor a touch noisy

Buy the MiRider One

Expert verdict

The Mirider One is a powerful, compact folder that feels much better than such a small frame should. Despite its size, the One caters to an impressive rider height (5’0 to 6’4), feels strong when faced with rickety roads and is notably comfortable.

It’s also easy to fold and comes with secure magnets on the hubs so you can hop off, fold up and stash as quickly as you turn on and go. The motor does hum louder than other electric bikes on the market, however I personally don’t find this to be an issue. Its performance will leave you forgetting about any background noise.

To top it off, it comes with a strong choice of looks with the available colourways, so you can make your commute an expression of your preferred colour.

If a Brompton doesn’t quite cut it for you, but you’re still in need of a 16 inch ride, the Mirider is a stellar commuter alternative choice - built to be robust but also offers portability, performs well and designed with comfort in mind for longer rides. If you want to go off-road, however, I’d recommend going for a bigger wheeled folder that can help keep you stable - like the ADO Air 20.

Rating

Overall rating
Components and build quality
Safety and security
Performance and handling
Comfort and practicality

Specs

Components and build quality

Overall, the Mirider feels solid and well built. The magnesium frame can withstand up to 120kg in rider weight and is weather-proofed to keep all the inner components dry.

The release levers that fold and unfold all feel robustly in place, the joiners respond smoothly, yet with not too much resistance for an easy fold. The pedals fold and give a satisfying click to indicate you’ve completed your move. And I found the kickstand, despite its small stature, supports the 17.3kg weight of the bike very well. It’s solidly connected to the bike and well sized so it doesn’t leave it standing at a wonky angle.

The screen is more basic than on other ebikes at this price point, but if you like a plain and simple design for a display then this tells you everything you need to know. 

Mirider prides themselves on the quality of their build. All MiRider bikes are made in their Wigan factory and have a quality check sticker, signed by the very person in the factory who built the bike so you can hold then accountable (great job on this build, John!!!) From my experience with the bike I’ve had no issues.

Safety and security

Folding electric bikes need to have secure and easy to use magnets so that the bike can stay folded when you’re lifting and storing.

This becomes particularly crucial if you want to store it in a moving motorhome or canal boat. MiRider has done an excellent job in using secure magnets that you can feel confident about. If anything I found the magnet is a touch too strong!!

The British assembly of this bike keeps British weather in mind with weather proofing to protect the battery and electrical components. The battery itself is Samsung 18650 Lithium-Ion Cells and comes with a battery management system to protect the battery from operating outside its safe operating area, monitoring its state, and balancing it.

The Mirider’s assist is fairly rapid in response, but an added feature that I found improved my safety whilst out on the roads is the thumb throttle. This provides a powerful boost that pits me into first position when the traffic light goes green.

Not only is this really fun, but it also means I could easily get into a safe position and away from impatient drivers that like to drive as close as possible to you if you’re not accelerating at their pace. If you’re wondering if this throttle is legal in the UK, jump down to the ‘Performance and Handling’ section to hear more.

Built in reflectors, an integrated front light and lock for the removable battery all come included. If you want to feel extra visible (and also look dope) then the orange colourway really pops on the grey roads and green fields you could be traversing.

Buy the MiRider One

Performance and handling

The MiRider may be small, but it also delivers a mighty boost of assistance when in a higher level of assist.

The 250w rear hub motor can deliver up to 40nm of torque which was ample in all my times out on the roads. MiRider claims this ebike can climb up to a 25 degree angle. I’ve tested it on 8 degrees and it has powered me up, wonderfully. Bearing in mind I weigh about 64kg, the heavier rider you are, the less power the bike will have at steeper inclines. Max rider weight for the One is 120kg.

I already mentioned the handy thumb throttle that comes with this tiny ebike and rest assured the thumb throttle IS legal and only works when you’re pedalling. It's a great idea as it gives an added boost that quickly gets you up to the max speed of 15.5mph, in line with UK regulations. The thumb throttle will not work if you are not pedalling. This is the difference between a legal throttle and an illegal throttle.

I found this throttle feature to be particularly handy when climbing a hill to release the amount of resistance and make the climb an all over more pleasant (and fun) experience. It also works wonders if you want to be the first off at the traffic lights to move into a safe position on the road when faster vehicles want to get through.

Handling can be twitchy, which is to be expected from a 16 inch wheeled ebike. If you’re used to a smaller wheel then this won’t concern you. I, however, am much more comfortable and confident with a bigger wheel size. 16 Inch wheels are generally the smallest size of bike wheel you get on adult bikes. Whilst they deliver a compact folded size, this does sacrifice the ride quality as a result. The handling is different and you need to be well versed with how to manage a smaller wheel with potholes and debris that can create more of a challenge with stability.

The turning radius and wheelbase is small, so it does mean overly sensitive steering. The Mirider’s 1.75inch wide tyres help to keep connection with the road. Compared to a brompton tyre which is usually about 1inch wide, this delivers nearly double the width. The tyres performed well on grass and towpaths, but for the latter you will need to keep an eye on loose rocks and rubble. 

Comfort and practicality

Although the MiRider may be compact and a little twitchy in its handling, the delivery of electric assist is smooth and consistent. The motor works with the sensor to make sure it boosts you as you start to pedal, making it a very comfortable experience to kickstart the assist. There’s no pushing down with brute force, an issue with some other bikes, just to wake the motor up - it feels very responsive.  And as I said earlier, I’ve been able to completely diminish any resistance for a standing start by using the thumb throttle.

The Mirider boasts a combo of rear suspension, soft touch handlebar grips with anti-fatigue hand rests and a comfortable saddle that gives a plusher feel ride. This combination means that even on rough British roads, I didn't feel hard knocks and vibrations. 

The Mirider also has a well designed geometry making the bike not feel as small as it actually is. As a 5ft10 woman I have struggled to be comfortable on 16 inch wheel bikes as the frame is usually too small for me. However, the mirider allows more room to make a larger stride of the leg without too much bend in the knee. This allows me to pedal harder and manage to push through the 15.5mph limit. 

It’s also very easy to adjust the seat post and handlebar height with a telescopic adjustment design. It’s simple to release and close and stays put. 

With it being a folding bike, the mechanisms are easy to use. No need for studying a ‘how to fold’ video, it simply folds the body, handlebars and pedals. The joints respond with little resistance to make it quick and simple, but feels solidly in place. I can easily fold the MirRider in 10 seconds flat. 

In terms of practicality it’s easy to fold, lift and store thanks to its tiny dimensions. It can be used as either a full blown commuter to get you from door to door, or can be fashioned for the multi-modal life. It can be taken onto a train or bus and once folded not impact other passengers on what can be a very compact carriage.

One nitpick of the Mirider is that the LCD display doesn't tell you the exact battery percentage, instead it uses bars. This leaves you guesstimating how much range you really have. The more expensive three geared version (GB3) shows you the exact voltage so you can see how full or depleted the battery is. I personally prefer this, but it is not the end of the world. The more you ride the bike the more you have an idea of how far you can push it.

In terms of real world range I found I was getting about 25 miles using level 5 assist and the thumb throttle for extra clout when the traffic lights went green. This isn’t the biggest range delivery you’ll find, but, but for a compact ebike it is pretty good.

Buy the MiRider One

Women rider’s verdict

My review, above, is for all riders - as are all bikes. But women riders often ask me specific questions about size, weight and frame. 

The MiRider One is definitely a bike I’d recommend to women. At 17.3kg, it’s easy to pick up and fold, it’s got a really simple set up so you can jump on and go. I also think it looks cool and stands out from most other folders.

The upside of the MiRider being smaller is that it is great for storing and caters to a smaller rider height (5ft+) and the frame is easy to get your leg over in a dress or skirt. The only downsize is there's no basket for handbags. 

The Engwe Engine Pro is a monster of a fat-tyre bike that purports to do just about everything. It’s got huge power, great spec, full suspension, chunky off-road tyres and a load of practical features too. It even folds. The only downside? It’s not road legal. But if you’ve got somewhere to ride it, could this be the bike that does it all?

Buy the Engwe Engine Pro

Good for

• Serious off-road terrain
• High-speed fun
• People with large country estates

Pros

• Amazing amount of features for the price
• Brilliantly fun
• Comfortable ride
• Powerful and fast
• Genuine off-road capability
• Hydraulic brakes
• Practicality features like mudguards, lights and rack all included
• Foldability means portability
• Battery regen feature can extend range on hilly rides

Cons

• Heavy and bulky
• Not road legal in the UK
• Sometimes too powerful to pedal comfortably
• Some low-quality components
• Slow to recharge

Buy the Engwe Engine Pro

Expert verdict

The Engwe Engine Pro is a bike so packed with features, it seems scarcely believable for the price. For just a shade over £1100, you get a huge battery, full suspension, hydraulic brakes and even an energy recovery system. It’s powerful, fast and great fun to ride, and as if that wasn’t enough, it folds up for easy storage, too.

There are a couple of “buts”, however. With its 750W motor, the Engine Pro is not road legal in the UK, which means unless you want to risk a run in with the law, you can only use it on private land. It’s also very heavy at 38kg, and while it folds down to a convenient size, try hoiking it in and out of a car a few times and you’ll feel like your arms are about to drop off. While I found the ride to be supremely comfortable, thanks to its big tyres and full suspension, it does feel a bit like overkill – ditching the suspension would drastically reduce the weight and still maintain a high level of cushioning.

All that said, this remains a great value bike for the number of features, and it’s very upgradeable too. If I had a large area of private land to hoon about on, I’d absolutely get one of these.

Specs

Overall rating
Components and build quality
Safety and security
Performance and handling
Comfort and practicality

Components and build quality

I’ve been umming and aahing between giving three or four stars for the components of the Engwe Engine Pro. On the one hand, you get a LOT of features for the money. When the spec sheet lists full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes and an energy reduction system and yet the price is only a shade over £1,100, it seems churlish to criticise too much.

On the other hand, some of those components are on the cheap side, and there’s a wider question about whether you actually need some of them. So let’s look at what you get.

Mounted to the folding aluminium frame is an eight-speed Shimano Altus gearset, which is solid and well-proven. The gears are changed using a handlebar-mounted thumbshifter and they work in tandem with a 750W rear motor, which is integrated into the back wheel. Said wheels, by the way, are metal alloy, like a motorbike. This is great for strength and durability, and they’ll need no maintenance in terms of tightening spokes, although if a wheel gets damaged it’ll be trickier to remedy than just popping into a local bike shop.

Mounted to the 20-inch wheels are fat 20 x 4 off-road tyres that provide plenty of cushioning. That comfort is complemented by the full suspension setup, consisting of an adjustable magnesium alloy front fork and a rear shock.

On the one hand, that’s a lot of bump-reducing componentry that can, in theory, stand up to a lot of punishment. On the other hand, this is a folding e-bike, not a downhill mountain bike, and the suspension components are firmly at the budget end of the market. There may be some niche customers for whom this setup is perfect – perhaps you have a large open space with some bumpy trails and farm tracks – but for many others, it seems like overkill. So cushioned are the tyres that I suspect you could ditch the suspension, still be very comfortable and save a (figurative) tonne of weight, which would aid portability and extend battery range.

All that weight – a whopping 38kg – needs some serious stopping power, and the Engwe Engine Pro comes fitted with Logan hydraulic disc brakes – a budget brand without the proven reliability of some other manufacturers, but they felt good on my test rides. At this price it’s impressive to have a hydraulic rather than mechanical system as standard.

There’s also a regenerative braking system called I-ERS, which is intended to harvest kinetic energy when you’re freewheeling and send it back to the battery, extending your range. We’ve heard from those riding on hillier terrain that it’s worth having – freewheeling down longer hills can recoup a decent amount of energy.

The battery is a big 48V, 16Ah unit that’s integrated into the frame and removable for charging. Engwe claims that will give you up to 62 miles of assist, but if you’re leaning heavily on the battery (and because of the weight, you will be) then that figure is very optimistic. Based on my test riding, and those of my colleagues, around 20-40 miles is more realistic.

The Engwe Engine Pro uses a cadence sensor that I found responded quickly, and I also liked the thumb throttle on the left handlebar for a quick burst of power. Hold it down and you’ll get a cruise control function for effortless zipping along.

For all the above misgivings about component quality and longevity, the Engwe Engine Pro is a great canvas if you want to customise and upgrade an off-road-capable, folding e-bike. Aside from the motor and the I-ERS unit, just about everything else is easily upgradable, from the fork and rear suspension to the drivetrain, handlebars, brakes and tyres. So affordable is the base bike that you could drop a few hundred pounds on upgrades and still not have overspent compared to some of the Engine Pro’s rivals.

General build quality seems decent – despite the folding hinges on the frame and steerer tube I didn’t notice any major creaks or rattles during my reviewing, and although some of the frame welds don’t look the tidiest, I do think everything feels solid enough.

Safety and security

The Engwe Engine Pro’s stopping power comes from the Logan hydraulic disc brakes. They may not have the brand awareness of Shimano, Tektro and the like, and we can’t really comment on long-term reliability, but based on our test rides, they work very well. The Engine Pro is very heavy and can move at a serious pace, but when I jammed on the brakes at top speed (just to see what would happen), I had no issues bringing the bike to a controlled stop. I also found it easy to modulate the brakes while weaving through slow-moving traffic.

The big, heavy battery is integrated into the frame, but by opening the folding mechanism you can easily remove it and take it inside to charge. It’s a chunky boy, but it’s a darn sight lighter than the rest of the bike to take up to a flat or office.

A front and rear light are both included and integrated into the bike – a quick press of the dedicated button on the left handlebar turns them on and off, and they’re nice and bright for night-time street riding. There’s also a horn button under the thumb throttle, whichto be honest makes a frankly horrendous, high-pitched electronic squeak, but did at least make wayward pedestrians aware of my impending presence.

Performance and handling

As you’d expect from a 750W motor integrated into the back wheel, performance in the Engwe Engine Pro is seriously punchy, even considering its weight. I popped in level 5 of 5 for maximum fun, but level 3 is fine for everyday cruising. The included thumb throttle gives you a good blast of power to get going, which I found useful considering both the weight and the fact that the cadence sensor takes a small turn of the pedal to register before it provides assistance. A flick of the throttle from standstill negated any delay and got me up to speed quickly.

The combination of the plentiful assistance, thumb throttle and excellent Shimano gears (with eight speeds to choose from) meant I never felt like I needed extra power. Almost the opposite, in fact – such is the amount of juice available that at speed in top gear I felt like I was spinning the pedals out with maximum assist, so dialled it back again to feel some resistance on the pedals.

Engwe optimistically promises up to 62 miles of range from the large battery. During one of my relatively stop-start rides, where I was working the power assist and thumb throttle hard, I could almost see the battery level drop in real time as the motor strained to heave the bike forward. Luckily, it’s easy to monitor such information on the crisp and clear display, so you can tell early on if you’ll need to lay off the juice to save battery power.

The handling feels composed and stable even in tight manoeuvres, and it’s only really under braking that I started to feel the weight. But again, the hydraulic brakes work very well.

Comfort and practicality

I’ve already highlighted my concerns about the suspension system and whether the bike needs it, but putting that aside, it works very well to keep things supremely comfortable. Transitioning from tarmac to bumpy, muddy grass barely felt any different as all the lumpy terrain was soaking up by the shocks and tyres, as well as the squishy but supportive saddle. My colleague Moja did some more adventurous off-road riding and found it was very capable on relatively savage terrain.

He did highlight a concern about how narrow the handlebars are, which could be frustrating when riding off-road. However, I didn’t find it a concern on tarmac, and it makes the overall package slightly more compact when you fold it up.

Pleasingly, the Engine Pro comes with a stout rack for strapping your worldly goods to, as well as excellent mudguards that should keep the worst of the British weather away from your back as you glide over mud and rain.

While the Shimano gear set will need lubrication and regular maintenance, it’s all proven componentry that should last well if it’s looked after. The rear derailleur is surrounded by a cage to protect it from accidental knocks, which is a nice touch.

Folding the Engine Pro is relatively straightforward, with a catch in the centre of the frame and another on the steerer tube. Be prepared for a work out when you need to load it into a car or drag it up stairs, however. My arms were aching for a good hour after lifting it.

Buy the Engwe Engine Pro

Bio

Phill Tromans has been a journalist and reviewer since 2001. As both a keen road cyclist and car aficionado, he’s fully embraced the concept of e-mobility, and while he still loves pure pedal power, he also likes not being a sweaty mess at the end of every bike ride.

The MiRider GB3, £2,499, is a feature-packed, premium folding e-bike with some high-tech specifications. Could this be the ultimate electric commuter bike? It’s got a funky design, it’s quick to charge, it’s made from lightweight magnesium and it even features rear suspension for a more comfortable ride. On paper at least it’s a great-looking bike, but let’s see how well it actually rides.

Buy the MiRider One GB3

Good for

• Commuters with hills to tackle
• Rougher terrain

Pros

• Comfortable ride
• Faff-free belt-drive system
• Plush ergo grips
• Lots of power
• Effective hydraulic disc brakes
• Clear and bright display
• Folds to an impressively small size

Cons

• Not cheap
• Saddle position might not suit everyone
• Can feel overpowered on the flat
• Heavy for a folding bike
• Not much handlebar space for phone mount

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall rating

Buy the MiRider One GB3

Expert Verdict

Many folding e-bikes are great on flatter terrain but struggle when things get hilly. We did NOT find this a problem with the GB3 - it's ideal for commuters with this type of journey to tackle. We found it had bags of power to back up its three-speed drivetrain, it’s exceedingly comfortable to ride and it comes loaded with premium features which help justify its relatively high price. 

The GB3 is not without its problems, however. On flat land it can feel like you’re spinning your legs out, such is the high level of assistance. The forward saddle position might not suit everyone, either. And it’s quite pricey, even if some of its rivals – the electric Brompton and the GoCycle – are pricier still. All that said, if you fit into the ideal demographic for the GB3, it could be just what you’ve been waiting for. 

Specs

Components and build quality

The MiRider GB3 is priced at the upper end of the folding e-bike market, so you’d expect a pretty decent spec sheet. And you get one – a distinctive magnesium frame, a maintenance-free belt drive system with a clever three-speed gearbox and hydraulic disc brakes, as well as a large, bright and clear colour LCD screen. Then there’s the rear suspension to take the sting out of bumpy surfaces, comfortable ergo grips on the handlebars and some premium Schwalbe tyres. Overall, riding this feels like you're sitting on a high-end product. 

A bit more about that drivetrain. MiRider has tried to combine the faff-free, maintenance-free ease-of-use of a belt drive system, but with added versatility. Normally belt drives are single speed, but the GB3 uses a three-speed Efneo GTRO gearbox integrated into the chain ring. It’s a clever bit of engineering that lets you shift between three planetary gears using a twist shifter on the left handlebar. In theory - and our test rides all lived up to this - this is the best of both worlds as there's no derailleur at the back to index or risk getting knocked in the commute, no chain to oil, but with the flexibility of different ratios to tackle different types of terrain.

Power comes from a 250W motor in the rear hub, with five levels of assist and a thumb throttle to give you a quick extra boost when you need it. The 7Ah Samsung battery is integrated into the magnesium frame and is removable to charge. Incidentally, there are cheaper folding e-bikes that offer a larger battery, but the smaller size does at least help to keep the weight down, as does the lightweight frame. At 19.4kg it’s not particularly light, but there are heavier rivals and it’s a decent figure considering its size.

Any gripes? Well, mudguards are included, as is an integrated front light, but there’s no rear light – only a reflector – and if you want a rack you’ll need to pay extra. The GB3 also comes with a cadence sensor rather than a torque sensor. It’s admittedly a fairly good cadence sensor (labelled as a “torque simulation controller” by MiRider), and we found it responds quickly especially when we used the thumb throttle at the same time. But when something like the ADO Air 20 has a proper torque sensor at half the price of the GB3, it’s a shame to see it missing here.

Safety and security

The GB3’s battery is integrated into the frame of the bike, but you can remove it quickly and easily to charge up or replace it with another.

From a rider safety point of view, we found the hydraulic brakes to be excellent and very useful if you need to slam on the anchors. The integrated front light is welcome, but the lack of a rear light as standard is another minor drawback. A rear reflector just isn’t the same.

We found the GB3 quick and easy to fold and it's compact when you do so and light enough to hoik upstairs and keep under your desk, which is a major plus if you’re worried about someone swiping it.

Performance and handling

My standout impression from riding the MiRider GB3 is how powerful it feels. Although it has a 250W motor, which is the most you can legally spec in the UK, it’s really punchy in its delivery and you never feel like it’s running out of puff. If you face myriad hills on your commute then this will be tremendous news. Combine the five levels of power assist with the three twist-shifting gears and you’ve got flexibility that many rival folding e-bikes can only dream of.

While the GB3 doesn’t come with a torque sensor, the cadence sensor it uses is pretty quick to add power once your feet are moving, and getting away from traffic lights can be enhanced by the use of the thumb throttle on the right handlebar. This gives you a boost of extra power as you move away, and while it actually never really feels like you’re lacking oomph, it is rather addictive to add even more juice when you want to get moving quickly.

There’s a ‘but’, however. Riding on fast, flat surfaces, it can often feel like there’s no resistance at all when pedalling. If anything, it feels overpowered; I felt like I was spinning my legs out in any power assist mode above 2, even in top gear. It might be the kind of thing that doesn’t particularly bother you, but having come to e-bikes from regular road bikes, I never quite got used to it.

The handling takes a bit of getting used to, too, thanks to the combination of small 16-inch wheels and wide handlebars. You will get used to it pretty quickly, but it does feel unusual to start with. The saddle is also set quite far forward – too far forward for this reviewer’s personal taste, but none of my colleagues have complained. Once you’re used to the slightly unusual way it feels, the GB3 feels easy to thread through traffic and stable at higher speeds.

The Clarks hydraulic brakes are a welcome upgrade on the mechanical discs found on some more affordable folding e-bikes. You feel much more connected to the wheels when using them, and they mix serious stopping power with an ease of modulation that should avoid unwanted skids.

MiRider claims a range of 45 miles’ riding per battery charge and that doesn’t feel too far off the real-world possibility, although it’ll depend how heavy you are and how much you rely on the power assist.

Comfort and practicality

In theory, the small 16-inch wheels could make for an uncomfortable ride over Britain’s often-poorly maintained roads. But through using quality Schwalbe tyres, a rear suspension unit, a squishy Selle Royal saddle and some comfortable ergo grips on the handlebars, MiRider has worked wonders. The ride is impressively supple even over cobblestones, and not once did I fear for my fillings of spine would be jiggled out. 

As mentioned, the saddle does sit quite far forward, so it’s worth testing the GB3 to make sure you can find a riding position that works for you.

One of the key attractions of the belt-drive/gearbox combo is that there’s next to no maintenance needed – no chain to oil and risk getting on your commuting clothes, and no need to index a derailleur. MiRider recommends changing the oil in the gearbox every 500 miles or so, however. It’s not a big job, and you can do it yourself with a supplier oil dropper, but that does seem fairly often compared to single-speed belt-drive bikes that’ll go for some 18,000 miles before they need looking at.

The large LCD colour display is really good – bright, clear and easy to use with mileage, power and battery information. It is really quite big though, and takes up quite a bit of handlebar real estate. If you want to add a mobile phone holder you might struggle for space.

Folding is straightforward and results in a very compact package, despite the seemingly chunky frame. Magnets keep the two halves of the fold together and while it’s not the lightest folding e-bike, it’s easy to pick up for short periods to get it onto a bus, train or up some steps. You can also walk it along when folded if you need to transport it for longer periods.

Buy the MiRider One GB3

Women rider's verdict

Eilis Barrett: "Technically there is no such thing as a woman’s ebike. All of the bikes on our store are suitable for men and women, however, as a female rider there are certain features that I look for in a bike.

"There will be days when my wardrobe beckons the call of a skirt or a dress, but the need to cycle doesn’t diminish. Having an ebike, like the Mirider GB3, with a low to the ground top tube means it's easy to get your leg over and very convenient for wardrobe choices.

"Despite the GB3 being a fing electric bike, the geometry of the bike makes for a very comfortable ride whatever height you may be. The plush ergo grips and rear suspension keeps you cushioned throughout the duration of your ride. This combination has meant even for a taller lady like myself (5ft10) i’ve had no qualms.

"Safety is also a big factor and knowing that you can whizz off INSTANTLY at the traffic lights thanks to the thumb throttle that activates when you begin to pedal means you can get ahead when the lights go green and move into a safe position on the road before the cars catch up.

"It is a heavier folder at 19.4kg, so this is something to consider if you need to do lots of carrying up stairs or are looking for a multi-modal commuter bike. This bike is a touch dense if you want to be throwing it on and off buses and trains."

Find out more

• All the electric bikes we sell 
• All the electric folding bikes we sell
• The Mirider GB3 is featured in our best electric bike buying guide and our best folding electric bike list.
• it's also in our best lightweight electric bike guide.  

Bio

Phill Tromans has been a journalist and reviewer since 2001. As both a keen road cyclist and car aficionado, he’s fully embraced the concept of e-mobility, and while he still loves pure pedal power, he also likes not being a sweaty mess at the end of every bike ride.

The ADO Air 20 is a folding e-bike designed to give you lots of spec for a relatively low price. Its features include a single-speed belt-drive for low maintenance and five levels of electric assistance from its 250 motor. Impressively at this price point it also features a torque sensor and hydraulic brakes, and folds down to very compact dimensions. With its battery cleverly concealed in its seat tube, it’s designed to be a stylish and very practical urban commuter bike. Read on to find out whether it succeeds in its ambitious aims.

Buy the ADO Air 20

Good for

• City commuters
• General faff-free urban riding

Pros

• Single-speed belt drive means zero maintenance
• Hydraulic brakes feel brilliant
• Removable seat-post battery is very convenient
• Torque sensor makes for easy riding Plenty of electric assistance

Cons

• Ride is a bit firm
• Need to pay extra for rack and mudguards
• Not really suitable for hilly terrain
• Expert Verdict

Expert verdict

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall rating

Buy the ADO Air 20

We loved reviewing this bike - in fact, the ADO Air 20 is one of our favourite folding e-bikes because it ticks just about every box.

It’s great to ride (the torque sensor is a brilliant feature at this price point), impressively affordable and can be specced in different ways to maximise practicality. A minor point but for commuters in busy cities, we found it easy to squeeze through stopped traffic due to its smaller width handlebars.

It folds down quickly to a compact size, and its single-speed belt drive means there’s just about no maintenance needed. This is a folding e-bike that we can heartily recommend.

Specs

Components and build quality

Look at the spec sheet of the ADO Air 20 and you could easily believe it’s at least £500 more expensive than it actually is. Included as standard are hydraulic disc brakes, a bright and clear IPS display and a good-sized battery that gives an impressively long range; ADO claims 100km/62 miles from a single charge, although we’d take that with a pinch of salt in the real world. Still, there’s no doubt that there are rivals that offer a smaller battery at a higher purchase price.

One of the Air 20’s key selling points is its maintenance-free single speed drivetrain. While there are other folding e-bikes that are single-speed, most use a chain, which still needs to be cleaned and lubricated regularly for the best performance. ADO has used a belt drive instead, which doesn’t need lubricating at all – just give it a quick wipe if it gets dirty. The manufacturers claim it’ll do up to 30,000km (around 18,500 miles) before it needs any kind of maintenance.

The downside to single-speed setups is that no gears mean no adjustment if you hit hilly terrain. To try and save your legs in this situation, the Air 20 has a 250W rear-hub motor with up to five levels of assistance and a torque sensor, which isn’t often seen at this price point. The advantage of a torque sensor over a cadence sensor is that it detects foot pressure and gives power assistance immediately, rather than waiting for the pedals to start turning. 

The only obvious omissions from the Air 20, in its role as a commuting bike, are decent mudguards and a rack, but you can specify them when ordering for a relatively small amount – just £99. 

On the move, everything feels rock solid, and there are commendably few creaks when riding, which isn’t true of some of the Air 20’s rivals.

Safety and security

The design of the Air 20’s battery, which is integrated into the seatpost, means it’s easy to remove either to charge or to act as a deterrent if you have to leave the bike parked up. Just unplug it at the back, undo a clasp and remove it, saddle and all.

Of course, being able to fold it up to a small size quickly and easily means it’s easy to just take the whole bike indoors, away from low-life attention.

When it comes to visibility on the road, integrated front and rear lights are included, controlled via the display panel on the handlebars, and there are reflectors on each wheel.

Performance and handling

Much of the literature about the ADO Air 20 says its 250W, rear-hub motor has three levels of assistance, but it can actually give you up to five – you can fiddle with the settings in the ADO ebike app and set it up as you’d like. This gives you a good level of flexibility to counter the downside of a single-speed drivetrain, which is that you can’t drop down a gear to make pedalling easier. Luckily during our testing we’ve found it’s really not much of a problem, at least around our London stomping ground.

The motor is built by ADO itself and it packs plenty of punch. Combined with the torque sensor activating assistance almost immediately, it means there’s no issue at all getting away from the lights even on level one. Level three takes the sting out of gentle-to-middling hills – in London we didn’t find anywhere that gave us problems, although if you live somewhere with serious terrain, a geared e-bike may be a better option as it’ll give you more flexibility. Impressively at this price point, the Air 20 comes with a torque sensor rather than the more common cadence sensor. This means the bike will detect as soon as you put pressure on the pedal and deliver near-immediate assistance, rather than having to wait for the pedals to turn. This really makes a difference when moving away from standstill, especially on a slope.

Some folding bikes can feel a bit creaky on the move, as stiffness can be lost through the various joins that make up the folding mechanism. But the ADO is brilliant in this respect, feeling rock solid on the move. It’s nimble when threading through tight spaces in the city and stable when cruising at higher speeds. The hydraulic disc brakes – another welcome feature at this price point – are great, and make it easy to modulate your braking if you have to scrub off speed quickly.

ADO claims that the ADO will manage up to 62 miles on a single charge. Our tests have found that to be rather optimistic, however. My colleague Eilis, who tested the bike over a long period of time, managed to get around 37 miles out of a single charge. More should be achievable if you’re light and keep the assistance levels low, but heavier riders or those that use extra assistance more often will find the range lower still. Nevertheless, that’s still not a bad range, and better than a lot of more expensive folding e-bikes.

Comfort and practicality

The ADO Air 20 rides on 20-inch wheels, which in theory gives a more comfortable ride than some rivals that sport little 16-inch wheels. However, the ride can be a touch firm; the fat Chao Yang tyres and a squishy saddle take the worst sting out of it, but you’ll certainly know if you ride over a bad section of tarmac or cobbles.

However, ADO does make a version of this bike with a front suspension fork, called the Air A20S. If your rides are likely to be on the bumpier side, this upgrade seems like a no-brainer, particularly as it’s only around £65 more expensive.

Folding the ADO Air 20 is quick and easy. Unclip the middle of the frame, swing it round, collapse the steering tube and you’re done. If you want to remove the battery/seatpost, just disconnect it at the back and pull it out. Incidentally, having the connection between battery and bike under the saddle rather than at the base of the seat tube is a great move. The swinging cable might not be so discreet as on some rivals, but not having to get your fingers mucky when fiddling under the frame is a godsend on a wet day.

The folded size is compact enough to fit in the boot of a car or under a desk at work. As standard, you don’t get a rack or mudguards with the ADO Air 20, but you can add them on for an extra £99. Some might moan that they should be included, but not everyone includes them, and such is the low price of the Air 20 anyway, it’s still a bargain.

Buy the ADO Air 20

A woman rider's view

Eilis Barrettt: "We are well aware that bikes are not gender specific, but there’s been a common theme of priorities that women have shared and what I personally like to see when picking an ebike. Key themes are being lightweight, easy to carry and easily foldable for storage.

"The ADO Air 20 ticks pretty much ALL of these boxes. Weighing in at 18kg, I personally don’t find it too heavy and is in fact on the lighter end of folding electric bikes I've reviewed.

"It is very easy to carry thanks to the in-built handle in the frame, centre of the bike so the weight is evenly distributed as you lift, making it feel much lighter than 18kg.

"The folding mechanism is quick, simple and folds the 20 down to a compact size which makes it a great multi-modal commuter to throw onto buses and trains. And once you arrive at your destination its small dimensions when folded make it a great bike to store wherever you end up.

"All in all, it’s one of my favourite folders in the office. It’s quick, responsive and adaptable for all your urban commuting needs."

Want more?

The Ado AIr 20 is featured in our best electric buide guide and our best folding electric bike guide. It's also in our best lightweight ebike guide. 

Learn more:

• All the Ado electric bikes we sell
• All the electric bikes we sell 
• All electric folding bikes we sell

Bio

Phill Tromans has been a journalist and reviewer since 2001. As both a keen road cyclist and car aficionado, he’s fully embraced the concept of e-mobility, and while he still loves pure pedal power, he also likes not being a sweaty mess at the end of every bike ride.

Axon Rides makes a range of folding electric bikes around the same frame, and this one – the standard Pro – sits fairly squarely in the middle. This means it neatly straddles the balance of features versus price, with everything you want and a few things more, but at a price that’s got increasingly attractive, especially with the discounts available on it at the time of writing. Review by Phill Tromans and Richard Beech.

Good for

• City commuters
• Carrying when needed

Pros

• Single-speed drivetrain means less to go wrong
• Hydraulic brakes feel brilliant
• Removable seat-post battery is convenient and looks great
• Fairly light for a folding e-bike

Cons

• Lack of gears makes steeper hills hard work
• Only three levels of electric assist
• Won’t suit taller, larger riders

Expert Verdict

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall rating

The Axon Rides Pro is a well-specced, well-priced folding e-bike that has plenty to recommend about it, although it has a few quirks that mean it might not suit everyone.

Its light weight makes it attractive to commuters, as it’s easy to lug up steps and into train carriages, and it’s comfortable and nimble on all manner of roads. The lack of gears is a double-edged sword – it means less maintenance and less to go wrong, but means less flexibility if your commute involves lots of hills, despite the power assistance.

Overall, though, it’s a solid choice for getting to and from work in a busy town or city.

Learn more: full details of the Axon Pro

Specifications

Axon Rides Pro in detail

Components and build quality

The Axon Rides Pro is based around an unusual lightweight magnesium alloy frame that’s common across all the firm’s folding bikes, but the components vary depending on the exact model. This frame helps a great deal with weight, with the whole bike tipping the scales at just 15.5kg despite its chunky appearance.

The wheels are also unusual, with six double spokes, mounted on just one side on both the frame and the fork, so you can change tyres without taking them off. The brakes on this model are discs with Nutt hydraulic callipers and the tyres are 16-inch Chao Yang numbers, which are common on e-bikes and perform reasonably well while keeping costs down.

The drivetrain is a single-speed chain attached to a 250W motor in the rear hub, and it’s designed to be relatively maintenance-free – just a regular clean and lube of the chain should do it.

Three levels of power assistance are available, controlled via an LCD display unit on the right handlebar.

Front and rear lights are integrated into the bike and are controlled by buttons on the left handlebar, as is a handy horn – it’s not particularly loud, but it should at least alert wandering pedestrians to your presence when needed.

Small mudguards are included on both the front and rear wheel, but there’s no rack available. A kickstand is also included.

The folding process is well thought-out, simple and fairly standard to folding bikes, with a release clip in the centre of the frame and on the steering tube.

All the components feel solidly made and put together, although on the move the bike flexes at its joints slightly more than some of its rivals. It’s not off-putting, but you can definitely feel it.

Safety and security

The included horn is a great addition to warn pedestrians of your presence while riding – just a quick toot via the handlebar-mounted button and danger is averted. Just make sure you don’t accidentally turn the lights on or off instead, as the buttons are next to each other. If you do need to slam on the anchors, the hydraulic brakes are brilliant with loads of feel and modulation to stop you locking up and skidding.

The ability to easily remove the seatpost battery is an effective deterrent against theft; we suspect not too many opportunists will want to pilot a saddle-less e-bike with no power.

Performance and handling

The Pro model sits in the middle of the Axon Rides range of folding ebikes, and its 187.2Wh battery capacity means a range of up to 25 miles. That should be enough to cover the majority of urban commutes, but if yours is particularly lengthy then the Pro 7 and Pro Max models have a larger battery promising 30 miles.

The electric motor sits in the hub of the rear wheel and gives you up to 250W of power, with three levels of assistance available – you can choose maximum assistance for hills or when moving away, and then dial down the assistance when cruising. Being able to switch between these modes is vital because the Pro is single-speed – there are no gears. This is great for ease of maintenance, with no need to make sure the gears are indexed, but does mean that, especially on hills, pulling away can be a challenge. The included thumb throttle on the right handlebar can give you a short blast of extra power to help.

At this point we need to mention the cadence sensor, which is used to detect when you’re pedalling and want power assistance. Unlike higher end bikes – like the Axon Rides Pro Max – which use torque sensors to detect pressure on the pedals, the Pro’s cadence sensor detects movement, which means you need to have the pedals moving before the assistance kicks in. Out of the box, the cadence sensor is set to wait two full rotations of the pedals before it provides assistance, which is way too long (it’s a safety feature to stop the power kicking in accidentally if you’re walking the bike along). Thankfully, you can change it to a quarter turn, and we’d recommend you do – otherwise your legs will get a heck of a workout as you strain to get moving before the motor helps you out.

This is perhaps the Pro’s main shortcoming. Other rival bikes have more levels of assistance (usually five) and many have gears to make undulating terrain easier to ride. Once you’re up and running on the Pro, the power is perfectly sufficient to make for easy cruising, but this is a bike we’d suggest you test ride before purchasing, to make sure it fits the profile of your usual journeys.

In terms of handling, the Axon Rides Pro feels impressively nimble when negotiating tight turns through traffic, but it’s also more than stable enough to cruise on faster cycle lanes. The hydraulic brakes make for dependable, feelsome braking; there’s little danger of locking up during an emergency stop because modulating them is really intuitive.

Comfort and practicality

Considering that the Axon Rides Pro has little 16-inch wheels – which aid in portability but can be detrimental to ride comfort – it’s remarkably comfortable to ride, and the cushioning from the Chao Yang tyres is enough to take the sting out of cobbles and uneven road surfaces.

A note for taller riders – although Axon Rides claims that the Pro is suitable for riders up to 6’2, on my test ride I had the seat as high as it would go and it still felt a little low. For reference, I’m 6’0 but I have fairly short legs.

Speaking of the seat, the seatpost is home to the battery, which is both a neat solution for aesthetics and handy for recharging – just unplug it at the bottom of the seat tube, take the whole seat post out and take it just about anywhere to plug in using the included charger. That said, because the lowered seat post acts as a stand when the bike is folded, removing it takes away that feature.

The bike comes fitted with discreet mudguards for both front and rear wheels, but no rack, and there’s no official accessory to fill that gap. If you want to carry things on the bike, you’ll have to look for a third party steerer tube-mounted affair.

Learn more: full details of the Axon Pro

Women rider's verdict

Eilis Barrett: "It must be noted that all bikes are gender neutral, unless specified by the manufacturer. But women often look for smaller frame sizes and shorter reach with a handlebar width more suited to a smaller person. The Axon Pro is a great option for the smaller sized riders, recommended for a starting height of 4 ft 9.

"In fact - a note for taller riders! The frame is small and if you have longer legs you will notice it. Despite having the seat as high as it would go, being 5ft10 I couldn’t extend my leg out as I would with a larger sized ride.

"It is also one of the most lightweight folders I've ridden, weighing in at 15.5kg. I’ve personally taken it on the tube, held it whilst going down a steep descent on the escalators and used it as a last mile solution from the station to my house. It’s super convenient for local riding and multi-modal commutes!"

Other Axon models

• Axon Pro Lite, £1,300 
• Axon Pro S7, £1,600 (model with higher capacity battery)

The Axon Pro features in our best folding electric bike guide and our best lightweight ebike guide. 

Author bio

Phill Tromans has been a journalist and reviewer since 2001. As both a keen road cyclist and car aficionado, he’s fully embraced the concept of e-mobility, and while he still loves pure pedal power, he also likes not being a sweaty mess at the end of every bike ride.

Review by Eilis Barrett

Introduction

Estarli is a British bike brand and its e28.8 has a lean frame that packs a punch. It’s the bigger-wheeled hybrid model compared to Estarli’s two folding models the e20 and e16 (the number is obviously the wheel size in inches.)

Buy the Estarli E28.8

Good for:

• People with hilly commutes or leisure rides
• Tall people
• People who want a covert electric bike
• Carrying up flights of stairs

Pros

• 8 gears
• 5 power assist modes
• Big, well-hidden battery
• Mudguards and rear rack on pro version
• Lightweight (16.5kg) for its class
• One of the best electric bikes we've ridden

Cons

• Battery not removable
• Only one frame size
• Mechanical disc brakes

Expert verdict

This is a beautifully designed e-bike in a slender, classic road-bike style frame. The team at Estarli have made a very capable, very sleek and smart looking e-ride.

The brand is founded by two bike-fanatic brothers and everyone who works there is a bike nerd - and I think it shows. There’s a lot of passion that’s gone behind this. It passes the vibe check. And it packs a punch - when riding it, the five power levels helped me conquer all kinds of inclines and terrain, especially with the eight gears to adjust as needed. I also found the wider handlebars made for incredibly agile manoeuvring on turns.

Check out our video review of the Estarli e28 Electric Bike:

Specs

Buy the Estarli E28.8

The Estarli E28.8 in detail

Performance and handling

Estarli has nice long, straight and wide handlebars so I found easy to manoeuvre. That’s good for a slow road rider like me, as the wide bars give control. The Shimano chainset also works well.

It’s a great hill driving bike. On steep hills you have to add person power as it definitely assists rather than replaces pedalling but the assistance and the gears mean I made it up the steepest hills in the area without often having to step out of my saddle.

I also thought it cornered nicely due to how low to the ground you’re positioned. It felt more streamlined as a result.

One nice feature is the torque sensor system which works out how much assistance to give and this works well - it feels like a bionic extension. When you stop pedalling it carries on pushing for a few seconds - whether you like this is a matter of taste. I found it a bit tricky in stop/start traffic but amazing for a quick rest on hills.

Comfort and practicality

This has excellent geometry for my 177cm height (5 foot 10 inches) so great to sit on. The front suspension plus the big twenty-eight inch wheels handled most of the potholes and irregular tarmacking the city threw at me. (See all ebikes with suspension.)

Components and build quality

The Estarli e28.8’s frame is made from high strength 6061 aluminium to make it corrosion resistant and lightweight. In total this ebike weighs in at an impressive 16.5kg so not too heavy.

Inside the sleek frame is a Samsung battery with a range claim between 37-56 miles, but thanks to the 8 gears you can technically ride this thing unlimited without any power assist.

You can even spec up the tires to a schwalbe puncture resistant option. Disc brakes and integrated lights also come included. And the frame itself is marked as a M/L for riders 5’6-6’4 with a max weight of 110kg.

Choose from a selection of colours including bolt blue, night black and burnt burgundy. There’s a big tick for how well concealed the battery is. Frame encases it completely keeping it low key but that does mean the battery is not removable.

Safety and security

The Estarli has mechanical disc brakes and so doesn't stop as quickly as models I've ridden with hydraulic brakes. 

Value for money

There are two options - the £1,625 standard price and a £1,680 upgrade with mudguards and Schwalbe puncture protection. The smaller wheeled e20.X is £1,850. There are cheaper bikes but the quality of the e28.8 shines through. If your budget can stretch this far, I think either is totally worth the money.

Riding as a woman

Eilis Barett’s verdict for female riders: “None of the bikes on our store are specific for men or women, however as a female rider, there are particular features that I look for which resonate with other women.

“Weight is a big dealbreaker, particularly because I live three floors up without a lift in my building. The Estarli e28.8 only weighs 16.5kg so, if you’re like me and need to hike up a few climbs of stairs with your bike in tow, the Estarli e28.8 makes that possible.

"In terms of height, the e28.8 has a 20 inch/54cm frame suitable for adults 5'6-6'4 in height. If that doesn't fit, there is also a trapeze version with a lower cross frame.

“Overall, the Estarli e28.8 is a lightweight electric road bike, with gearing so it doesn’t feel cumbersome to ride. It's still one of my absolute favourites to date.”

Buy the Estarli E28

Buy the Estarli E28 Trapeze Version

Review By Eilis Barrett

Introduction

The Estarli e20.7 is a PERFECT entry-level folding ebike. It’s a little over £1,000 but has a lot to offer for the price bracket it’s in. I’ve been talking to Estarli and they’re a bunch of great people with a mission to make e-rides accessible to people on a smaller budget. And after test riding this bike for a few weeks, I think they’ve delivered. This is one of our recommended best folding electric bikes. 

Buy the Estarli e20.7

Good for

• Commuters
• First time ebike buyers
• Leisure off road riders

Pros

• Comfy ride
• Off-road performance
• Larger tyres than most folding bikes (20inch vs 16)
• Battery cleverly hidden
• One of the best ebikes of 2023

Cons

• 31mph range from slightly small battery
• Not the most compact folded 

Expert verdict

Cheap(ish), foldable, light and comfy. It’s got the power, it’s got the gears, and it’s got larger tyres for better handling and more comfortable riding.

Get an e-bike like this and not only will you ride more, but you’ll ride further. You’ll find ways to integrate this into your life as it’s so much fun to ride and also so usable - it’s easy to take anywhere. I think the e20.7 is going to make quite a stir. (See all our commuter ebikes).

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

Buy the Estarli e20.7

Specs

The Estarli e20.7 in detail

Build

Estarli has kept accessibility at the heart of their design. The frame is made from high strength aluminium so’s both sturdy and rust resistant - with a one size fits all frame catering to a large array of rider heights (five foot to six foot five). The maximum rider weight is 110kg - which is pretty decent for a folder.

If you look at the bike, it’s pretty hard to spot the battery. It’s just not obvious that it’s an ebike as the battery has been cleverly hidden inside the seatpost. You can easily remove it to charge the battery.

Performance

Overall the motor feels punchy and responsive. 

The seatpost battery does mean a bit of a compromise on battery life though - the 7.2ah 36v battery offers around 31 miles. The motor is in line with British regulations - 250w with a max output of 40nm of torque.

Looks

It’s smart and simple. I rode the PRO - for £50 you get a rear rack and mudguards. I didn’t think the mudgards looked too bad - they can often ruin the look but blends in really nicely on this bike.

It comes in a variety of distinct colours. The blue model I rode is very blue. You can also get orange, grey and metallic pink (my favourite).

Buy the Estarli e20.7

Folding

On my very first fold, bringing the handlebar stem down was easy. I liked the latches to control the fold, and stop it coming loose when riding. And the pedals fold as well - so it folds well although it's not as compact as some. Folding dimensions: 45cm x 66cm x 84cm

However, I didn’t think the magnet holding it folded was the strongest so I recommend wheeling it on back wheel only in folder state.

A key thing for a foldable bike is weight. At 17.3kg, it’s not light weight, but it’s not heavy either. I could pick it up pretty easily.

Ride

I’m a big fan of the rider position - I had a lovely straight back and there was no weight on your hands so you can indicate easily.

It’s very manouverable, I feel you really lean into it and it response beautifully. The stem is right over the wheel so the weight distribution lets you flick it around, with turns quick and comfy.

The wheels are 20 inch not the 16 you normally get on folders - and they stop the bike twitching about. The tyres soak up bumps on the road, which I wasn’t expecting looking at the frame, especially as there’s no suspension. The tyre grip made me feel confident on the wet. I found the disc brakes to be very responsive.

Features

You get 7 gears to aid you on all kinds of gradients and terrain plus cable disc brakes. You can tackle hills, have a bit more contact with the motor going down hill so you don’t fee the pedals are running awy from you. These gears plus 5 levels of assist really open up what terrain you can tackle.

And you’ll never be caught out riding back in the dark as the e20.7 comes equipped with integrated front lights. The rear red light, though, is run off a separate battery.

Estarli

Estarli build their bikes right here in the UK. with warranty lasting for 2 years, which covers parts AND labour if it’s returned to one of Estarli’s depots. For us Brits that’s much better than having to ship it abroad like other cheaper e-rides can require. And what’s really encouraging is how positive the feedback and reviews have been on trustpilot.

Estarli's £1,510 e20.7 model has now been upgraded to the e20.X version, priced at £1,850.

Best electric bikes for women

Eilis Barrett's verdict for women riders: "The e20.7 is one of the bikes we recommend for women riders. Bikes aren't gender specific but weight is a factor women often mention to us and one I notice.

"The estarli e20.7 is by no means cumbersome, particularly with the in-built handle in the centre of the frame which not only makes it easy to pick up, but also distributes the weight nicely.

"At 17.3kg it's heavier than a pedal bike but I found neither the size, nor the weight too much of a problem when carry it up stairs or making use of its versatility to fold it down for a train journey or easy storage in the pub(!).

"Good news for the less tall - the e20.7 caters for anyone from five-foot upwards."

Buy the Estarli e20.7

Beameo is pretty new to the scene, and say their aim is to make electric bikes a little less complicated and get more people to experience the joy of two wheels - a mission statement that we couldn’t help but notice is rather similar to our own.

Aside from our philosophical similarities we’re also quite excited by its first range of bikes, which includes the Unbound hardtail as the brand’s entry-level eMTB (even if it’s not the cheapest electric mountain bike out there). The Unbound is one of the more handsome e-bikes we’ve welcomed into our London HQ, but it’s more than just good looks, as you’ll find out in this review (it's one of our best electric mountain bikes).

Good for

• First time eMTB buyers
• Fashion fans

Pros

• Mid-drive motor at the £2k mark
• Great looks
• Good suspension
• Powerful motor
• Removable battery

Cons 

• Heavier than some rivals 
• Battery compartment underneath the bike
• More entry-level than serious mountain bike

Expert verdict

Components
Performance
Comfort
Overall rating

I loved the overall aesthetic of the Beameo Unbound as soon as I saw it, so I was hopeful that the riding experience was going to be a positive one. Luckily, it didn’t disappoint.

I’ll always opt for a mid-drive motor if given the choice, as the bike’s electric assistance just feels more natural when it’s coming from near my feet, and this bike delivers that for just over £2k, which is a win in my books.

A mid-drive motor also makes more sense on a mountain bike as you really need to feel in control when you’re climbing muddy hills and taking corners on tight trails. 

The battery being removable wins the Unbound convenience points, and while at 24kg it’s definitely not the lightest bike in its category, it's not a total monster either. For off-roading, Beameo’s MTB copes well thanks to decent Suntour front suspension, big Kenda tyres and Tektro hydraulic brakes that are sharp, even if I thought the levers felt a little bit on the flimsy side. 

Buy the Beameo Unbound

Specifications

Components and build quality

The Beameo Unbound feels every bit like a premium e-bike, even if it’s only just pushing into the premium price bracket. It’s not a mountain bike for the most dedicated riders, but with its 27.5” wheels, front shocks and well-balanced mid-drive motor underneath me, I felt confident about leaving the pavement for less even terrain. 

It feels really well made; solid without being overly heavy, although I should probably say that the plate covering the battery came loose and fell off during my testing (loudly enough to alarm a gang of schoolchildren), which was hopefully just because it wasn’t tight enough in the first place. The battery being on the underside of the frame rather than on top might be a cause for concern, but luckily it didn’t fall out too. Otherwise, it was pretty much smooth sailing all the way (even when the ground wasn’t). 

Power is supplied by Beameo’s 250W motor paired with a 14.5Ah battery. You get 10-speed Shimano gears and five levels of pedal assist. As with any eMTB, good brakes are crucial, and the Tektro’s hydraulic offering felt very responsive in all scenarios. 

Performance and handling

Beameo advertises the Unbound as a mountain bike, but they also make clear that it isn’t a mountain bike for the really gnarly riders. For one, a hardtail bike (no rear suspension) is obviously never going to compete with the full-sus alternative on the toughest trails, but for canal paths, gravel tracks, woodland riding and easier trails the Unbound was more than up to the job in my testing. 

I thought it especially excelled at taking on hills, where a combination of the motor and grippy tyres got me up much more easily than I’ve found climbing on some rear-hub bikes.

It’s always tempting to just crank the assist up to its highest level and leave it there, but the battery won’t thank you for it, and fortunately the Unbound still feels nice and powerful at anything from level three upwards. It uses a torque sensor too, which means the motor responds more precisely and quickly to your input, which is especially helpful on an eMTB. 

As the off-road-ready one, Beameo’s hardtail is probably the most versatile bike in its range, and I can imagine myself relying on it for both my commute and some more adventurous weekend rides. 

Comfort and practicality 

Key to enjoying a bike like the Beameo Unbound is understanding its limitations. The 27.5” Schwalbe wheels and Rockshox front suspension allow you to hit the gravel with confidence, while the 250W motor being located underneath you means you’re less likely to experience rear wheel kick-outs on the mud.

But push it too far and you’ll know about it. I felt good whipping around my local park on a less than dry day, but something about the bike’s weight and design suggests that it will come up short on technically demanding trails. 

Still, the versatility of the Unbound makes it a great pick for people who want to dip their toe into the world of eMTBs while still having a bike that is suitable for their Monday to Friday A-to-B. The saddle is nice and comfy, and I found the electric assistance to be a major benefit when it came to hills. Plus the 10-speed Shimano gear offering allows you to introduce a decent amount of resistance if you want to make sure you’re still doing some of the work. 

Safety and security 

Having a removable battery means you don’t have to plug Beameo’s hardtail in to charge it, a benefit I would take on every ebike if I could. It might have been better to put the battery on the top of the downtube for peace of mind. Just ensure that it’s tightened and correctly in place before you set off. 

I’ve already said that the Tektro hydraulic brakes are nice and sharp, but I wasn’t a big fan of the brake levers, which didn’t feel sturdy enough for my liking.

Buy the Beameo Unbound

Read our Beameo Classic review and our review of the Beameo Ray. 

At Electroheads we always take a keen interest in UK companies making quality e-bikes, and that’s certainly the case with Wisper (from the company that bought you the Wayfarer M9, which can be upgraded to a trail version).

The tech under the hood is broadly the same across the line, but the Tailwind Trail adds RockShox forks and some pleasingly knobbly Goodyear tyres. It certainly looks the part - and you'll soon see why it's rated one of the best mountain bikes we've ridden.

Good for

• Off-roading
• People who appreciate a lighter mountain bike

Pros 

• Smooth and powerful ride
• Feels very light at 20kg
• Bespoke parts 
• Nice and grippy 
• Great looks

Cons 

• Only four assist levels

Expert verdict

Components
Performance
Comfort
Overall rating

I always appreciate a bike I can carry down a flight of stairs without worrying about the sheer heft of the thing taking me instead. What I immediately noticed about the Tailwind is that it’s a lot easier to handle than some of the other eMTBs I’ve tested. It’s also a remarkably handsome machine too. Wisper manufactures a lot of its own parts, and you feel that attention to detail as soon as you plonk yourself on the saddle.

You only get four assist levels, but while not as many as some bikes offer, it’s more than enough to work with, and once the motor kicks in the electric assistance is naturally applied, so you hardly even notice that it’s driving you along. And because the downtube housing the battery is so thin, I’m not sure I’d even guess this was an e-bike if I saw it in the park.

Buy the Wisper Tailwind Trail Crossbar

Specifications

Components and build quality

You’re going to hear about this a lot in this review, but when you’re talking about the Tailwind you have to talk about its weight. Wisper has managed to engineer its e-bike to weigh in at no more than 20kg, and compared to a lot of the other bikes in this category, it feels both wonderfully light and - just as importantly - built from strong stuff, despite the relatively slender frame. I’m not saying I’m carrying this bike on my shoulder without breaking a sweat, but getting it up and down stairs, or into the boot at the weekend, isn’t too taxing at all.

I’m also a big fan of the 27.5 x 2.25 Goodyear tyres, which take to rough terrain effortlessly and look great in what I’d probably call a black and sand colourway. The Rockshox Judy fork does a good job of absorbing shocks once you take the bike off-road, and I was grateful for the remote lockout, which means you can quickly transition to a more rigid ride on smoother flats without having to get off. 

You choose between a 360Wh and 540Wh battery for longer range, which pairs with Wisper’s 250W hi torque brushless motor and gives plenty of electric power wherever you’re riding. It might be light, but I was still glad for the pedal assistance once I started taking on grassy hills on the Tailwind. 

Performance and range

At first I thought four assist levels didn’t seem like a lot, but Wisper has found a good balance between each one, and I was even pretty happy riding along in third or fourth gear on level two during a lot of my testing. Of course, to really charge up towards that 15.5mph limit in quick time you’ll want it higher, but on a lot of e-bikes I only want to utilise maximum assist, so it says a lot for Wisper’s bike that the lower options still feel worthwhile. It’s also a bit less noticeable when the motor cuts out on the lower assist levels, which you might prefer. There is a thumb throttle for getting you going too, but I rarely used it myself. You’ve also got nine gears to play with. 

The hydraulic brakes have good stopping power which is as important on the trail as it is on the road, while the handlebar grips have the kind of grip I’m looking for on an MTB.

Wisper reckons you’ll get about 50 miles out of the 360Wh battery and 70 if you take the 550Wh option. Where you land on that scale has a lot to do with how liberally you make use of the pedal assist, which is another reason to get acquainted with levels one and two. 

Comfort and practicality 

The Wisper Tailwind is the kind of bike you want to ride all the time. It’s light (did I mention that?), springy and powerful. I like the padding on the saddle (not always a given), the brakes earned my trust pretty quickly and tyres feel like they’re going to withstand a fair amount of abuse. 

The battery is removable which is always preferable to the alternative, and you’ve got a fairly sizeable colour display in the middle of the handlebars which shows you information like your speed, selected assist level, trip time and distance travelled. 

Buy the Wisper Tailwind Trail Crossbar

If you’re after a proudly fat-tyred all-terrain e-bike that can handle just about anything you throw at it (as long as you can handle the bike, that is) then it’s hard to imagine anything fitting the bill more than one of our top recommended MTBs, the Cyrusher Trax. 

Part electric mountain bike, part dirt bike and - if you hadn’t already noticed - painted in such a way to really turn heads (we say this from experience), the Trax is one of Cyrusher’s top of the line e-bikes, and we reckon rather unique with its step-through design. Off-road weekend adventures that are easily accessible to everyone is something to shout about, while a step-through frame also means you can hop off the bike at the top of a muddy hill without worrying about losing your balance and toppling right back down it. Double win.

Buy the Cyrusher Trax

Good for

• Off-road thrill-seekers
• Not-so-tall riders

Pros

• Step-through frame
• Lots of power
• Fat tyres
• Full suspension
• Eye-catching paintwork

Cons

• Big and heavy
• No rear light
• Expensive

Expert Verdict

Components and build
Safety
Performance
Comfort and practicality
Overall rating

It might be slightly intimidating to look at, but I found the Cyrusher Trax to be a dream to ride, even on bumpy terrain, thanks to those 26x4” fat tyres and suspension that help soak up all the impact and made me feel like I was riding on a cloud, rather than a muddy field in autumnal England. It’s definitely not the kind of bike you’d get away quickly on without a motor, but as Cyrusher’s first bike with a torque sensor, I didn’t need to pedal much at all for the assist to kick in. 

The 250W motor ensures the bike remains road-legal in the UK, but that feels plenty fast enough and on the highest of five assist levels it won’t take you long to get there. Downsides, naturally, concern the sheer weight and size of the thing. This is definitely not the kind of bike you can chuck into the boot or over your shoulder on your commute to work (I didn’t even attempt to do either), so you’ll want to make sure you’re going to make the most of those tyres before you pick one up. 

Buy the Cyrusher Trax

Specifications

Components and build quality

The obvious place to start is with those tyres. At 24x4” inches they’re not huge, but they’re certainly fat, easily soaking up the ground beneath you no matter the terrain. Hand over your cash for the Trax and you’re also getting full suspension, which is crucial to keeping your ride smooth when you transition from the tarmac to the mud, and I could really feel the additional comfort when I hit holes and bumps. This feels like a bike that has your back.

Getting you around is a 250W Bafang motor and a 52V 20Ah LG battery (removable and lockable) which should return around 56 miles between charges. Nines-speed Shimano gears dovetail nicely with the five adjustable levels of pedal assist to give you lots of control when you start taking on hills. There’s no throttle included with the default configuration, but you can fit one and unlock the motor should you choose to ride on private tracks.  

The Trax uses a torque sensor which not only makes it feel like a more premium ride, but also really helps counteract the bike’s weight on hilly surfaces, as the motor engages more quickly. And while we’re on the subject of weight, at 40kg Cyrusher’s step-through is easily double the weight of a lot of bikes we review here. That’s not a criticism; it’s pretty obvious that a bike of this style is going to be heavier than your average commuter e-bike, but you do feel it, especially if you’re unfortunate enough to have to cycle it across South London with a flat battery, as one Electrohead did.

A fairly large 3.7in LCD display is centrally mounted on the handlebars, which shows your speed, range, pedal assist level and remaining battery level, all of which are easily visible at a glance.

Safety and security

The Cyrusher Trax’s battery is integrated into the frame and is removable and lockable, but as this isn’t really a commuter bike it’s unlikely you’ll be needing to charge it in the office, which is when being able to slip a battery out of a bike’s frame is particularly useful. Still, something to bear in mind. 

I encountered no real problems with the 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, which stop the bike nice and quickly, while the integrated front light offers decent visibility. 

The obvious thing to consider here in terms of security is where the bike is going to live. Given its size and weight, it’s not something you can easily carry up stairs or store in a hallway, and it’s definitely too attention-grabbing to leave locked up outside for long (something I can attest to based on the number of curious teenagers who asked me if they could “have a go” during testing). Probably more of a garage job, if possible.

Performance and handling

Cyrusher bills the Trax as an all-terrain e-bike and I’m not going to argue with that. 

The step-through design feels pretty unique for a bike of this type, and it means that while not everyone will be able to comfortably handle the weight, smaller riders aren’t left out. I’m over average height for a man of my age, but my legs aren’t the longest so I always appreciate the ease of a step-through, as do my jeans.

Even with a motor limited by the law, the bike has a real kick on the highest pedal assist level, and thanks to the full suspension and fat tyres you don’t feel unsteady when picking up the pace on the grass or uneven terrain. 

You’ve got nine gears to play with and five assist levels. I found that in order to best combat the bike’s heft it was easiest to leave the bike on the highest of the five, although whether you’re able to do that will depend on how long you plan to ride and whether you’re confident in the battery holding out. 

Climbing hills still requires a fair amount of pedal power on higher gears, even with maximum pedal assist, so make sure you remember to drop them down on approach and give yourself a bit of speed. The last thing you want is to have to do all the (very) heavy lifting yourself because you’ve misjudged it. I speak from experience. 

As I’ve already touched on, the Trax employs a torque sensor, which means the motor engages pretty much as soon as you start to pedal, and I never felt like I wasn’t fully in control as I accelerated up to the 15.5mph speed limit. Torque just makes for a more natural ride. 

Comfort and practicality

The Cyrusher Trax might not have the biggest tyres, but you won’t find much fatter, making it the kind of bike you never worry about approaching bumps on. Full-sus peace of mind goes a long way too, and while this is a bike designed for more extreme adventures, you won’t necessarily feel the consequences of those in your backside the following day. The saddle is fairly well cushioned too. It’s a big bike to handle, but an easy one too, and the step-through frame makes it even more accessible. 

One thing you can’t call the Trax, though, is practical. Not for every day A-to-B purposes anyway. You feel every one of those 40 kilograms when you try to lift the bike and if you do happen to have battery failure mid-ride, it’s not much fun. The Trax is a luxury e-bike, but if it’s your only one, you might struggle to make it work. 

Buy the Cyrusher Trax

Overall rating: 

Wisper (confusingly not spelled like the soft tone of voice or the chocolate bar) is an e-bike brand we’ve had our eye on for a while, and not just because saying the name gives us a bit of a sugar craving. Based in the UK, with its manufacturing taken care of in Portugal, Wisper has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and believes strongly in offering a range that has something for everyone. Here we’re looking at Wisper’s Wayfarer M9 Crossbar (rated one of our best electric MTBs), an already great bike that can be taken off-road when you add the Mountain Upgrade pack.

Let’s get into it.

Good for 

• Off-roading in style
• Those who favour minimalism

Pros

• Stylish build
• Hardy MTB tyres
• Upgradeable battery
• Bespoke parts

Cons

• Quite heavy
• No lights

Components
Performance
Comfort
Overall rating

Expert verdict

It says a lot about the versatility of the Wisper M9 that I could imagine using it to get to and from work without worrying about its suitability for some more adrenaline-fuelled weekend adventures, although anyone taking the bike in the stripped-back Mountain configuration won’t get lights, rack or mudguards fitted, so bear that in mind.

I didn’t think it was the easiest bike to get on and off, even with the saddle down, but once I was away it was a smooth ride with a well-balanced torque mid-drive motor and a good bit of kick on the maximum “Turbo” pedal assist level. It’s not a full-sus bike so rough terrain wasn’t dealt with as smoothly as on a more dedicated off-road e-bike, but I was in enough control on a muddy field that I managed to just about dodge an oncoming football.

I also really liked the dark navy paintwork on the model we have in our showroom, which I think looks great with the Schwalbe tyres.

Buy the Wisper Wayfarer M9 Crossbar

Specifications

As alluded to, the Wayfarer M9 is available in different configurations. The Mountain (£2,259.00, as reviewed here) is completely stripped back with no lights, rack or mudguards and mountain tyres fitted. The Adventure (same price) has lights, rack and mudguards with the mountain tyres. And with the slightly cheaper £2,125.99 City you get all of the above with standard tyres.

Components and build quality

Given that the Wisper M9 is typically advertised as a city bike, I wondered if the off-road version would actually feel like a mountain bike, or a workhorse masquerading as one. Luckily it was the latter, as those Schwalbe MTB tyres make a big difference to both the look and feel of the bike. They sport double defence puncture protection to give you peace of mind when you switch to some less smooth terrain.

It’s not incredibly heavy but everything feels premium, to the extent that I initially wasn’t too keen on splattering the frame with mud for the sake of this review. Powering the bike is a 250W mid-drive motor which Wisper itself developed, and that’s paired with either a 450Wh battery or a long range 700Wh option, which ups the max range to 90 miles from 60 with the standard cell.

Nine-speed Shimano gears, Suntour shocks and Wisper’s own Apex hydraulic disc brakes complete the setup. You also get a centrally mounted backlit LCD display which shows a lot of information about your current trip, with the remote controls letting you cycle through different data.

I’m always a fan of a removable battery like the one offered here, and I like the little illuminated ring around the power button that shows you the bike is on. Overall it’s hard to find too much to fault about the build of the M9.

Performance and range

Taken in any configuration the Wisper M9 is a beast of an e-bike, but that 100Nm torque motor gets the best workout when you take it to the dirt. At first I couldn’t decide whether I preferred the “Sport” or “Turbo” pedal assists modes - Wisper prefers to name them rather than assign numbers - but tended towards the latter for off-road riding just because it gives you a bit more drive as you pedal.

As with all torque sensors, the bike is much more responsive to your movements which makes the electric assistance feel more natural, rather than coming in sudden bursts of acceleration. You’ve got a rapid fire shifter to take you through the nine available gears, which together with the pedal assist gives you a lot of control over your pace. I was easily able to keep a good lead on other non-electric cyclists on the way to the park for testing with minimal effort on my part, while pulling away at red lights is obviously just much easier with a motor beneath you.

I admittedly wasn’t able to test the longer range of the bigger battery on offer, but 140km does make the M9 more than capable of long weekend rides in the woods. Certainly, I reckon I’d be knackered by the climbs before the bike was. It’s worth bearing in mind that the M9 weighs 27kg with the 450Wh battery, which isn’t exactly light. Jump up to the 7000Wh version and you can add a few kilos to that. I was just about OK carrying the bike down a small flight of stairs without assistance, but it's not a machine you can throw over your shoulder, that’s for sure.

Wisper’s hydraulic brakes felt sharp and responsive to me, even on wet grass.

Comfort and practicality

If there’s one thing I wasn’t totally sold on with the M9, it was the Wisper-designed saddle. Something about its shape or position didn’t feel quite right, but that’s likely just a subjective observation rather than something everyone will notice.

There’s a thumb throttle fitted to the bars which will get you up to 4mph and is handy when you need to walk the bike somewhere. I don’t often use these but I’d rather have them available than not.

Viewed as a mountain bike, the Wisper M9 is always going to compare unfavourably to full-sus bikes as far as comfort is concerned, but I thought the Suntour front suspension did a pretty decent job of absorbing shocks when I was zipping around a field. It’s worth repeating that the M9’s Mountain build doesn’t include lights, which rules out night rides until you have some fitted.

Buy the Wisper Wayfarer M9 Crossbar

The Uni4's electric motor delivered impressive torque, driving me forward without breaking a sweat. With its adjustable power modes, I could easily find the perfect balance between speed and battery life, ensuring a smooth and efficient ride. So smooth in fact you actually forget it doesn’t have suspension.

The Honbike Uni4 is everything you need from a modern-day electric commuter bike, nothing more and nothing less.

Overall rating: 

Good for:

Pros 

Cons 

Performance 

The Uni4 comes equipped with a 250w rear motor powered by a 432Wh battery, giving the bike up to 100KM per charge! This should be more than enough for those weekly commutes to work. It also boasts a long-lasting and faff-free belt drive with up to 10,000km of use before needing replacing. This makes it such an excellent choice for someone looking for a simple-to-use and low maintenance option for their day-to-day commute.

The integrated lights are excellent and easy to use, so no matter what time of day you are cycling, you can feel safe. The Honbike combines efficiency, power and comfort into a bike that performs. Leaving you with a reliable ride, that's not going to let you down. The bike is also rated up to IPX6 on the water safety scale, so it is highly water resistant even in stormy conditions. 

If anything is to go wrong with the bike you are covered by a two-year warranty. 

Comfort and Handling 

The Uni4 is just so comfortable it really does not need suspension. Thanks to the super plush 27.5-inch by 2-inch tyres, soft seat and ergonomic grips, the bumps in the roads just seemed to disappear. At the same time, the Uni4 is very agile. While I was cycling on the roads near Electroheads HQ, the bike instilled confidence in me. I could happily navigate traffic knowing how the bike would turn, accelerate and react, it’s a very intuitive bike. Thanks to the SmartHon system (which detects when you are going uphill and gives you more power) and riding modes, Eco, City and Sport to choose from to fit my needs. There is a clear difference in how the bike reacts in these different settings, I found the city mode the perfect mix of speed and comfort. 

Brakes

The Honbike is not a slow bike, and quickly picks up speed, which is great. With a bike as powerful as the Uni4 it is also important to have brakes that quickly bring you to a stop, furthermore, this is designed for city living, where how you react to the decision someone else has made on the road, keeps you safe. The hydraulic brakes on the Uni4 are brilliant and quickly bring you to a stop, and the brake levers are in a good position.  

The Last Word

Overall, the Honbike Uni4 is a fantastic choice for those who want a comfortable, relaxed, ergonomic bike to ride. It's easy to ride and light enough even to carry up the stairs. 

(Words by Joshua Lyons)

The Synch Long Tail Monkey is a two-seater cruiser electric bike built with style, comfort and practicality in mind. Not to mention quality, hand-built to perfection in the South West of the UK, this isn’t white-labelled goods, this is gold-star e-bike brilliance.

The Long Tail Monkey achieves the fun of riding an electric bike in a stunning retro-cruiser frame with fat tyres to boot – not to mention it’s a ride so good you’ll want to, and can, take a friend with you thanks to the extended saddle bench. Every ride needs a DJ or someone to help with directions.

With prices starting at £1,999 before any additions, the Long Tail Monkey is the competitor Super73 didn’t need, it can do it all.

Good for:

• City, off-road, and beach riding
• Everyday use, leisure rides or taking on holiday
• Carrying shopping, or other cargo trips
• Those looking for a 'second car'

Pros:

• INSANELY comfortable
• Two seats, take a pal!
• Different colour options and customisability
• Free shipping in the UK

Cons:

• You won’t be able to stop riding and therefore will need to clear your diary for the foreseeable.

Expert verdict:

The Synch Long Tail Monkey is easily the most comfortable and enjoyable electric cruiser bike you’ll find on the market, this thing is a joy to ride. I couldn’t think of a e-bike that provides a more secure and satisfying ride experience, for both rider and passenger.

What really stood out to me was the attention to detail, this bike is designed to make everything as easy, straightforward and stress-free as possible – whether that was the tapered saddle design, the easy-to-read screen, or the synthetic leather handlebars, everything about the Long Tail Monkey is geared towards maximising the joy of riding an electric bike.

I think that every time a member of the Ride and Review team at Electroheads took this out for a ride, be it with or without a passenger, they spent the whole time smiling and came back laughing – I know I did.

The Synch Long Tail Monkey is fully deserving of our perfect five star rating, it seems this bike is literally fabricated from dreams.

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

Specs:

In detail:

Performance

The Synch Long Tail Monkey has a 250W motor as standard, matching the legal limit in the UK, and delivers smooth but punchy power delivery to help you shift all 25kg of bike (plus rider and passenger). It’s very predictable, and I found it didn’t require too much pedal rotation to engage the cadence sensor system and provide that electric assistance – particularly handy if you’re trying to get you and your pal off the line from a red light.

Pedal assistance can be controlled through five different speed modes, which is really handy depending on the terrain and also what you’re carrying – I found that I could happily cruise along in mode three, and Eilis used modes three and four when she used the Long Tail for her morning commute with friend Holly.

The Long Tail Monkey also features a 7-speed Shimano gear set, allowing you to find the right gear to cruise along the flats and tackle any ups and downs. To add to the point above, I found it was best to shift down a couple of gears when coming to a stop, just to double the help when pulling away and accessing that electric assistance sooner.

From a single charge it’s estimated you can get between 25-35 miles (40-56km) from a single charge, depending on the power mode you’re using most and the total load weight. I think that’s more than enough to get you to the beach, drop the kids or a friend off, or take you and your cargo to and from work – plus with a charge time of 4-5 hours, you’ll be back on your way in no time.

Worth mentioning that there is a 750W version available, for off-road use or for use in countries that allow larger electric motors on the road – we advise checking the legislation in your region.

Comfort and Handling

This is the part of the review where the Synch Long Tail Monkey really shines, in fact it’s so good I’m not quite sure where to begin.

Ok, how about we start with one of the standout features – the saddle. Often on cruiser e-bikes like this, I’ve found you can get a nasty rub on your inner leg from the oblong-shaped saddle and upper-seam – but I’m pleased to write that the Long Tail Monkey is free of this ride-wrecking symptom.

The saddle has a tapered design, allowing your legs to move up and down freely as you pedal, and the subtle single seam is nowhere near pronounced enough to cause discomfort. In conversation with the Ride and Review team this element of the design was extremely popular.

The same can be said for the passenger seat as well, which is made from the same material and also features subtle seam-work to make sure your rear end is enjoying itself too – it also features two foot pegs for the passenger to rest their feet.

Arguably the most influential spec that makes the Long Tail Monkey an extremely comfortable ride is the front suspension. The lockable fork setup looks at bumps, lumps and imperfections in the road surface and lets out the biggest belly laugh – this thing fears no pothole peril.

I found when riding the Long Tail around that the handlebars remained steady and I didn’t suffer and rattle through my hands. This gave me the confidence to push on riding and I could happily ride longer distances without concern. It’s also at increased importance when considering you may have a passenger with you, helping save both of you from experiencing extensive road-rattle.

Of course one of the biggest features of the Long Tail monkey is the super fat, Kenda Krusade 20”tyres which provide ample grip across all surfaces in addition to providing another layer of suspension to create a super smooth ride. I found these tyres were perfect for tackling rough or off-road terrain, but crucially aren’t so knobbly that they impact the ride experience when on the road or cycle path.

An additional characteristic that really enhances the ride experience is the wide handlebars, which encourage a more relaxed ride. I found I wasn’t tucked it, or bent over with my head down, instead the Long Tail Monkey really promotes an upright and ‘take it as it comes’ ride style which is safer, more comfortable, and significantly more enjoyable – and they’re made from a really nice faux-leather material than makes them super comfortable to hold onto.

Brakes

The Synch Long Tail Monkey has Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear, giving ample stopping power, which you need when you’re potentially riding carrying up to 120kg of people and things, as well as the 25kg of bike.

I found the brakes were really responsive, but also allowed for controlled input, allowing me to slow the bike down as much or as little as I liked to take corners, or as I approached junctions.

Extras

The Synch Long Tail Monkey features a super bright front and rear light, both of which are easy to operate and easy to see at night. The round front light is activated via the control panel on the left handlebar, and its design really adds to the retro cruiser vibe whilst ultimately being a practical and safety-enhancing feature. The rear light sits just under the saddle and is activated via a switch like your typical road bike attachment.

Removable batteries are great for safety and security reasons, and so the Long Tail Monkey scored more points in our rating for its removable 36V 15Ah set up. Easily disconnected from the down tube, the battery can be taken inside and charged safely, or stop pesky thieves from getting their hands on your bike.

The Long Tail Monkey is already a super practical electric bike, but Synch can upgrade your order to make it even more fit-for-work with a luggage rack which could easily carry a shopping bag or your personal belongings inside the centre of the frame.

One of the key points I’d like to point out about the Long Tail is, naturally, it’s a little bit bigger and heavier than other electric bikes. For practical reasons that makes it a little more difficult to move around, carry through doors or in to/out of a shed, so I wouldn’t advise this if you live in a 16th storey flat and need to store the bike in your property.

Whilst it might not be the most practical in that one regard, this is almost an electric moped, and when you’re riding I found it did give me so much confidence when out on the road. That presence out in public, whilst not a tangible feature, is definitely something I wanted to mention.

I really liked the bright display in the middle of the handlebars on the Long Tail Monkey – I found it really easy to read and to navigate using the control panel on the left handlebar, so I could easily cycle through data, view my current pedal assist mode, and see what remaining range I had left.

And last but not least, the looks. Come on, does it get much cooler than this? The Synch range are already a super attractive bunch of electric bikes, but there’s just something about that longer saddle that really enhances the vibe of this bike. Totally rad man.

For £1,999, this could be your next daily rider, holiday cruiser, or weekend run-around. Why bother with a car when you’ve got the Long Tail Monkey? You’d look far cooler riding this than driving that smelly 2006 Vauxhall Corsa you’ve been driving for the last ten years. Come on, do the right thing.

The Ampere Tourer S Hybrid is an affordable, practical, and easy-to-use electric bike that is the perfect first step into the electrified world or for those who are looking for an upgrade.

For the £1,349 price tag, the Tourer S Hybrid is in a similar bracket to well-known names like Tenways CG600 and Estarli E28 – but Ampere’s offering more than holds its own.

Good for:

• City riding
• New riders
• Commuting or daily rides

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Very comfortable
• Semi-dropped frame for easy dismounting
• One of the best electric bikes of 2023

Cons:

• Basic display
• Lack of colour options
• Average range on smaller battery version

Expert verdict:

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The Ampere Tourer S Hybrid is an electric bike built with daily riding in mind, and in its simplicity has the ability to appeal to those taking their first steps into the ebike world, and more experienced riders looking for an upgrade.

I really believe that the beauty of the Tourer S Hybrid is the fact that it’s raw – it’s a bike, first and foremost, enhanced by electric power. Simple.

It’s a “does what it says on the tin” electric bike – and that’s a really good thing. If you’re looking for an ebike and you don’t want the fuss of apps, keys, log ins, and all the other shenanigans, look no further.

The Tourer S Hybrid performs well out on the road, is comfortable to ride, and easy to use – and having ridden the bike for this review, it really made me wonder what more its competitors offer to really justify an extra £200-300 on the price tag.

Specs:

In detail:

The Ampere Tourer S Hybrid is a joy to ride – primarily because there are no frilly bits to worry about, it’s get on and go. I particularly enjoyed the straightforward and predictable power delivery from the pedal assistance, it makes you want to keep on riding and tallying up those miles.

With five power modes to choose from, a 7-speed Shimano gear set and a 250W brushless rear hub motor at your disposal, the Tourer S Hybrid will tackle even the most challenging inclines with ease and keep you whistling along the flat laughing at those stuck in rush hour traffic. It caters for all speeds, abilities, and topographies.

There are two battery options, the 10Ah and 16Ah offering up to 40 and 75 miles respectively, but I feel you’re only ever going to want to pick the 16Ah model which gives you the charge to ride further than you could on a Tenways CG600 and Estarli E28. However that comes at a cost, and unfortunately that’s an extra £200 negating the allure of the cheaper price tag.

Like all things eride it comes down to your personal taste and requirements, and I can’t see why the 10Ah version wouldn’t suffice – you’d just have to remember to charge it more frequently.

Comfort and Handling

I found the Ampere Tourer S Hybrid to be one of the most comfortable ebikes I’ve ridden – and that’s down to two key features.

The first is the Suntour NEX front suspension, which has the ability to lock and offers 63mm of travel – on my test rides I found it extremely capable at soaking up the lumps and bumps of varied hard surfaces. Outside the Electroheads office is some particularly knobbly cobblestone, a great place to test the suspension, and I found it massively reduced the strain through the handlebars – decimating that annoying rattle you can get through your hands and arms.

It’s something massively overlooked, but I think having comfortable arms really enhances your ability to ride further, and also increases your chances of wanting to get out and ride again. The Tourer S Hybrid offers that, and puts it above its rivals.

The second feature that I think makes this bike comfortable to ride is, as I have previously mentioned, its simplicity. There’s no attempts to reinvent the wheel here, it’s first and foremost a bike and it does that very well. The frame is well-sized, and offers a traditional seating position – long and short of it being there’s no surprises here.

Brakes

The Ampere Tourer S Hybrid has hydraulic disc brakes are seriously effective – which I found out during a busy rush hour ride through London. In the stop-start traffic, and with lights always going red just a little too late, the brakes were very good at stopping me quickly and safely.

Good brakes is always confidence inspiring, knowing that wherever you ride and whatever the surroundings, you’ll be able to come to safe stop in a matter of moments.

Extras

The display on the Ampere Tourer S Hybrid is very simple, and I mean very simple. It’s not an LCD screen that you might see on other electric bikes (although that is available as an added extra), instead you get a straightforward control module with small LED lights indicating the assist settings and remaining range. There’s an on button, and two buttons to cycle through power modes. It tells you everything you need to know, so with that I can say it does suffice.

As someone who loves tracking their stats whilst out on a ride, I was a bit disappointed, but in the grand scheme of things this bike is about getting you from A-to-B with more speed, less effort and a lot more fun. If you’re taking this bike out for a leisure ride at the weekend or on you’re next holiday you’ll be far too busy taking in the sights to notice the control panel.

One of my favourite features of the Tourer S Hybrid is the removable battery, I found it makes living with this bike so much more appealing. The battery is unlocked using a key and then removed from its position on the downtube, plug it in at any mains and you’ll be ready to ride. The battery takes six hours to charge from empty, which is competitive for this price bracket.

Weighing in at 21kg the Ampere Tourer S Hybrid is around 5kg heavier than the Tenways CG600 and the Estarli E28, not an overwhelming difference but you would notice it should you need to carry it up stairs.

If I had to be picky about the looks, which is the idea of reviews, I’m not the biggest fan of externally mounted batteries and so I much prefer the look of bikes like the Estarli E28 and Tenways CG600 with the battery hidden away in the drop bar. But does it override the practicality of it being removable? – that’ll be an answer for your taste and how cool you want to look out on a ride.

Sick of carrying a rucksack, got shopping to carry home or want to ensure that priceless vase your Nan has decided to give you gets home safely? Then the Tourer S Hybrid’s rear rack is perfect for transporting additional goods. It comes as standard, so no additional costs to worry about there.

The same can be said for the integrated front light, rear light, and kick stand – features you might expect, but don’t always get for free.

The Ampere Tourer S Hybrid combines the practicality, feel, and riding enjoyment of a normal bike, with the pleasure, ease, and excitement that comes with electrification. If you’re looking for your first ebike or you fancy an upgrade, this might just be your best bet.

The Tiger SHARK is an accessible, fun and easy-to-use electric mountain bike that suits both the beginner and experienced rider. Whether you enjoy taking on trails or just want to get across town, the Tiger has functionality and practicality to match a variety of uses for only £1,650.

But of course, it’s built with tackling off-road in mind – and that’s where the Tiger really comes into its own.

It also offers simplicity and usability – you don’t have to be a professional trail rider to enjoy the Tiger, but likewise if you want to bomb through the countryside then this will appeal to you. And you won’t need to remortgage your life just to get your hands on one.

Good for:

• Off-road
• Daily riding
• Holidays or getaway trips
• Beginners and confident riders

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Good power assist
• 24 speed Shimano gear set, perfect for inclines
• Comfortable to ride on all surfaces
• Removable battery

Cons:

• Weight, 30kg is on the heavier side
• Battery was difficult to remove
• Some sluggish moments with power delivery

Expert verdict:

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The Tiger SHARK is a balanced, and all-rounder electric mountain bike that will serve both the die-hard mountain trailhead and novice off-roader with equal respect.

Offering great versatility across terrains, and its usability, means the Tiger SHARK isn’t confined to just excelling off-road, in fact this could very easily function as a cross-town ebike if the mountain bike style and feel is more to your taste than a road bike, or you just so happen to live in the Shire and your name's Frodo.

That adaptability means you’re basically getting two bikes for the price of one – and who doesn’t love a deal?

It was whilst riding the Tiger SHARK that electric mountain biking clicked in my head – I almost can’t imagine doing trail riding any other way, and this is the bike that convinced me.

Specs:

Tiger Shark in detail

Performance

The Tiger SHARK applies the characteristics that make ebikes so fun to ride, and applies them in a refined off-road package. Six different speed modes allow you to buzz up any steep incline with alarming ease – seriously, I took on some very daunting hills with the Tiger and was genuinely laughing when I got to the top.

I found those six different pedal assist modes could be switched between to match the terrain, but also to give a confidence inspiring boost along the flat or on an urban cycle path. I honestly believe that’s what gives this bike an appeal for everyone for any purpose – yes, you can ride it on some pretty intense topography, but you could also use this as a daily rider.

The 250W rear hub motor provides the maximum power that UK legislation allows, I found the Tiger SHARK was good at deploying that allowance but it did leave me wanting more at times. I noted that it took a longer pedal rotation or at least a little more effort to get that pedal assist initiated and I felt the power taper off when you got up to speed, particularly along flatter terrain, requiring you to keep pedalling to ensure you were getting that assistance. Overall, it was of greater effort to remain at around 20km/h.

Factored with the 30kg weight of the bike, and your legs definitely notice that extra effort on a longer ride – but that’s quickly overwhelmed by the sense of achievement having conquered a trail or off-road route.

One of the strong points of the bike is definitely the range – I completed a number of miles on the bike and never experienced the battery rapidly diminishing. I could use this bike for a week for daily trips with little concern, and wouldn’t be worried about running out of charge halfway home.

Comfort and Handling

The Tiger SHARK is a very comfortable bike to ride across all terrains which enhances its usability for all types of rider.

With two frame sizes to choose from, 27.5 and 29 inch, the Tiger accounts for even the taller adult looking to whizz off through the countryside or make molehills out of mountains.

 I found that the biggest factor in the ride quality was the SR SUNTOUR front fork suspension which was extremely effective in soaking up the big and little bumps with equal ease. Negating that handlebar rattle provides instant confidence to push on without the frankly annoying arm fatigue that comes with riding off-road for extended periods.

The suspension can be locked or opened with the switch on top of the front right fork, this enables you to lock it stiff when on a cycle path and open it up again when you hit the fun stuff. This can be done whilst riding, but I wouldn’t advise the beginner rider to be looking away from where they’re headed for too long – especially if you’re cutting between pines on a forest trail.

I never tire of talking tyres, and the Kenda set on the Tiger SHARK were excellent in providing plenty of grip on looser terrains, but also allowing cycling on city surfaces with ease. Additionally they provide an extra couple inches of natural suspension movement, which just increases the ride comfort.

 The saddle, whilst more on the sporty side, is well sized and comfortable to use even for longer rides – I’m pretty picky when it comes to saddles and had no issue with this.

I do think the 30kg weight does play an overall part in reducing the handling of the bike, and you do notice that there is just that little more mass to move around – but that doesn’t stop you from enjoying the ride or wanting to get out for more.

Brakes

The Tiger SHARK has front and rear Tektro hydraulic disk brakes which are effective a particularly handy if you’ve reached the downhill leg of your ride.

I wouldn’t say they had the out-and-out responsiveness of other electric mountain bikes from higher price brackets that I have ridden, but there’s nothing particularly negative about their stopping abilities. In fact, if this is your first electric mountain bike then you’d find no issues.

Extras

One of my favourite features on the Tiger SHARK is the removable battery. It’s something we talk about a lot at Electroheads primarily for safety reasons, but being able to remove the battery is also really handy for making sure your charged up and ready to take on your next adventure – no one wants to squeeze a muddy mountain bike inside to charge. Watch the sofa, and the carpet etc.

Whilst a great feature I felt this was slightly hampered by the lock and release system for the battery, which did make the battery slightly difficult to remove from the frame.

 I love tracking my rides – be it reading my average speed, remaining range, or simply just how fast I’m going in that moment, I very much enjoy keeping tabs on my stats whilst I ride. The Tiger SHARK has big and well-placed screen that enables you to keep an eye on all your riding stats whilst on the go, and with comparative ease.

I wish all ebikes had a screen like this, however the only slightly upgrade I would like to see would be the addition of bigger buttons, or buttons that at least had a greater haptic feel to let you know when you’ve made an input.

I think one of the biggest selling points of the Tiger SHARK is the fact that, despite being electric, it’s very much still a mountain bike.

With that in mind, I’d have no concerns about servicing this bike myself, or making upgrades or changes to modify it to better fit my tastes. This gives the mountain bike enthusiast every opportunity to really make this bike your own, and for the novice or new ebike rider, it offers a simple package to maintain.

For tackling the forests and hillside trails, to getting around the urban jungle, the Tiger SHARK electric mountain bike has reliability, practicality, and versatility crammed into a £1,650 package.

The Forme Buxton Pro E is a folding electric bike built for anyone, anywhere and with any level of ebike experience. It’s an excellent solution for those looking to revolutionise their commute, keen to experience electric bikes for the first time, or just those who want a great ebike to enjoy on the weekends.

Even better, the Buxton Pro E is exceptionally good value-for-money, offering the same if not better comfort than electric folding bikes double the £1399 price.

Good for:

• Daily city commuting
• Trail riding and weekend adventures (thick tread tyres act as a suspension)
• Portability - fits in a car boot or can be tucked away on the train
• Small form also makes it useful for caravanners, campers, sailing etc
• Carrying luggage/bags on rear pannier rack

Pros:

• Thick profile Kendra tyres are squishy and lead to an incredibly comfortable ride
• Pannier rack and mud guards as standard
• Simple folding mechanism
• 5 speed assist modes and 8 gears make it great for hills
• Adjustable saddle and handlebar height - comfort for all sizes
• High spec components such as Bafang motor and King Meter display
• Features in our best electric bikes list

Cons:

• At 20kg it’s slightly heavier than rivals such as the Estarli e20
• Only available in one colour

Expert verdict:

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The Forme Buxton Pro E is an excellent folding ebike that can definitely be considered a competitor against the more well-known brands like MiRider and GoCycle – but for half the price.

I firmly believe that experienced and novice riders alike will get the same enjoyment and employability of the ebike. Emphasised by its versatility, this bike will help you rewrite your daily commute to the office, or help you escape to the countryside at the weekend – the Buxton Pro E can do it all.

And that’s something that even the more well-known names just don’t offer. Often their bikes are built for one purpose, which they excel at, but this really is the ebike for everyone, everywhere.

It’s exceptionally comfortable, however many times I mention this in this review will simply not do this bike justice. Every ebike takes a couple of minutes on the first ride to get a feel for, but I found the Buxton Pro E verging on cosy when I first took to the saddle.

If you’ve got around £1,500 to spend on an ebike, look no further.

Specs:

In detail:

Performance

The Forme Buxton Pro E has all the exciting and useful capabilities of an ebike, and in this case five power modes (ranging from ECO to SPEED) will have you confidently tackling longer rides, steeper climbs, or simply making every ride that little bit easier.

I really enjoyed switching between modes whilst out on the bike, it really enabled me to happily whoosh around with very little effort – and allowed me to very easily keep up with traffic or not loose speed when faced with an incline.

Factor in that the Pro E also has eight gears to use, I could very easily flick down a couple of gears before stopping at a traffic light to help me get away from a stop, and move up the gear set when whistling along flatter terrain.

The Bafang H400B Rear Hub Motor is extremely confidence inspiring, and its obvious power delivery makes for a really smooth ride once you’re up to speed. I did find that, in comparison to other ebikes like the Estarli E20, that you have to put in more pedal rotation from a standstill for the pedal assist to kick in – so if you’ve forgotten to switch down gears when coming to a stop then the Pro E does need a little more convincing to get going again.

Comfort and Handling

I could make this section of the review long or short. The short version, this is easily the most comfortable folding ebike I have ridden.

In more detail, I shouldn’t be surprised the Forme Buxton Pro E is a cut above the rest in terms of comfort considering the number of features built with ensuring a smile-inducing ride.

The bike has adjustable saddle and handlebar height, which I found allowed me to instantly set up the bike for my personal preferences. That sort of customization means the Pro E will work for riders of almost any height.

Instantly finding a comfortable position, I found, offered immediately more confidence as I started cycling. I prefer a more upright position and the Pro E caters to that, allowing much greater visibility and also more presence. You really feel aware of your surroundings, and crucially that your surroundings are aware of you.

Another big player in just how comfortable I found the Pro E, are the Kendra K1054A 20" tyres – these ‘hybrid’ tyres soak up imperfections in the road, and also provide plenty of grip off-road. I’ve ridden plenty of ebikes in recent months, and really took notice of the difference these tyres made.

That chunkier feel offered so much more stability, something that I believe is a big issue for new riders or those converting to a folding ebike with smaller wheels. If you were coming from a full-sized bike to this, I don’t think you’d notice much difference.

Brakes

The Forme Buxton Pro E has unremarkable brakes, and I say that in the best possible way. There’s no fuss, no difficult action on uncomfortably designed levers on the handlebars. You brake, the hydraulic disc brakes stop you very quickly – what more do you want?

On busy roads I found this particularly useful when trying to deal with stop-start traffic that I was unable to move past. Additionally when on trails or off-road terrain, I had no trouble managing my speed on descents or coming to a stop quickly.

As a safety feature, and as a performance measure, the hydraulic brakes were as good as it gets.

Extras

One of my favourite features on the Forme Buxton Pro E was the large King Meter LCD screen located in the middle of the handlebars. It’s adjustable, so that you don’t get any annoying glare off the screen, and I really enjoyed its readability. Displays on other ebikes can be quite small or tucked away on the handlebars, but I very much approve of Forme’s choice to put it front and centre.

I’m a bit of a stat-tracking addict, I love following things like my average speed, total mileage, and so on, and this allows you to keep up to date with everything at a glance.

The Forme Buxton Pro E also comes with mudguards and lights as standard, which I think deserves note. There’s no alternate version where you have to pay more for things that, ultimately, we all end up needing to add to our bikes.

The addition of a sturdy and easy-to-use paneer rack is definitely worth highlighting for riders who don’t want to wear a rucksack or might be carrying a picnic basket with them on holiday. I think it’s well-sized, and also completes the look of this bike.

Folding the Pro E was straightforward – two hinges on the handlebar stem and centre frame allow you to collapse the bike into a well-packaged unit, perfect for storing at home or in the office, for putting in the boot of a car or for taking away on holiday.

I did, however, find it a little more difficult to fold than bikes like the Estarli E20, although I would put it on a par with the MiRider GB3. The central hinge I found quite stiff, and with the extra bulk of the centre frame due to the battery housing, it was quite weighty to get the action right and fold the bike in half.

Like with every folding ebike, I’m very sure that this would become second nature after repeated folding attempts.

Not sure if this was an intentional design feature, but the mid-frame gap acts as a perfect handle to hold the frame if carrying the bike up any stairs.

Purely cosmetic, but I would like different colour options; a nice black deep green would look really good on this frame – but that’s not to say the standard grey isn’t a very handsome colour.

Mentioned sparingly but again worth highlighting at the end of this review is just how good this package is for the price. The Forme Buxton Pro E offers the same quality, functionality and crucially fun that electric bikes multiples of the £1399 price tag offer. Did I mention it’s comfortable?

By Tim Fullbrook 

The Estarli e16.7 is a lightweight, folding e-bike built with commuting and everyday use in mind. It’s the competitor headache Brompton didn’t want – and with good reason, this bike is excellent. The e16.7 has the same tech, comfort, and ride-ability of bikes twice its £1,250 price tag.

Built to be no-fuss, but lots of fun, the e16.7 is a joy to ride and is perfect for those looking to reinvent their commute or get their first e-ride.

Good for:

• Commuters
• New riders
• All ages
• Urban riding

Pros:

• Compact, and quick folder
• Lightweight, only 14.5kg!
• Agile, and easy to ride
• Quality in a cheaper package
• One of the best electric bikes of 2023

Cons:

• Standard saddle isn’t the most comfortable
• Some riders may need time to adjust to the smaller wheel size

Expert verdict:

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The Estarli e16.7 is designed with commuters, urban riders, or travel riders in mind – and in my opinion it appeals to anyone interested in riding an e-bike on a daily basis.

This really could be the answer to your city-riding prayers – and in riding and spending time using the bike, I found it easy to use, straightforward, and very satisfying to own.

Whilst it might not have the big-name attraction of the GoCycle, MiRider or Brompton, I believe the e16.7 offers the same functionality, accessibility and enjoyment for a fraction of the price.

The only issues I can foresee are that the less-confident rider might need a few trips to get used to the smaller 16 inch wheels – when you first take the saddle it can feel a little more wobbly – and the default saddle isn’t the most comfortable. Both of those issues, however, are not lifelong problems.

Should you ever get the chance to ride the e16.7, you’ll see why I give it five stars on our Electroheads rating system.

Specs: 

The Estarli e16.7 in detail

Performance

The Estarli e16.7 has all the electric bike characteristics that make them so fun to ride. The initial pedal crank activating the brushless rear hub motor in a very smooth fashion. I felt the power delivery was predictable, and therefore comfortable during riding.

I never felt any of the ‘jerky’ power dumps that are often associated with cadence sensor e-bikes, particularly bikes below the 15kg mark. I think the e16.7 does a very good job at enhancing your riding ability, not controlling it.

Having a Shimano seven speed setup and five different power modes at your disposal allowed me to tackle even the steepest of inclines and whistle along the flats as you laugh at all the people stuck in traffic.

I found I could happily switch through modes to suit the part of my journey, all via the control panel on the handlebars. I also found that dropping down a couple gears when arriving at a red light was seriously helpful when getting going again.

Offering up to 31mi/50km range on a single charge, I feel the e16.7 falls into the mid-range for e-bikes as whole – but for commuter focused bikes this is plenty (see our other reviews of folding electric bikes).

Comfort and Handling

My biggest concern about this bike was how comfortable would it feel on 16” wheels? Having ridden the e16.7 I can say that when you’re out on your third or fourth ride, you don’t even realise you’re on a commuter bike – in fact it feels like a ‘normal’ sized bike.

That being said, you can feel the bumps ever so slightly more owing to that smaller wheel size – also I'd suggest opting for the comfort saddle upgrade if you have difficulty finding a comfortable saddle.

For new or less-confident riders, I’d highly recommend taking the bike out for a couple of short journeys just to get accustomed with the smaller wheels, but for advanced or regular riders this change shouldn’t be a major issue.

Overall I would consider the e16.7 a comfortable ride, especially on a daily basis.

If I was to own the bike and be using it every day, I might consider buying a more generous saddle, but others may find the stock saddle to be sufficient.

Brakes

The Estarli e16.7 has front and rear 160mm disc brakes which help you and bike come to a stop very quickly.

They’re also sensitive, but in a good way – I didn’t find myself locking wheels or skidding when attempting to stop in a hurry, and I was able to easily modulate brake inputs depending on the situation.

I also think it’s great to see disc brakes included on a smaller bike like the e16.7, whereas its ultimate competition – the Brompton C Line – only has rim brakes.

Extras

The biggest selling point of the Estarli e16.7 is its folding ability – I had Brompton and other folding bike owners looking at me with a severe case of bike envy on the train.

Simple to fold, the handlebars collapse down to wheel height with a hinge at the front, and the bike folds in half to bring the two wheels together.

As I got more comfortable with folding the e16.7 it would take me less than ten seconds to (un)fold. In comparison to other folding bikes that have numerous clips, buttons and locks, I found the Estarli straightforward and clear.

Additionally at only 14.5kg, it’s easy to carry – I also found that the triangle frame in front of the seat post acts as a perfect handle to lift from.

Unlike some other folding bikes, however, it isn't as easy to roll the Estarli along whilst it's folded. I really wanted to be able to roll it down the train platform on the rear wheel, which is difficult to do and more often than not I just ended up carrying it or unfolding it.

At Electroheads we love a removable battery, so it was great to get my hands on the Estarli’s cleverly designed battery which is hidden in the seatpost. I found this straightforward to remove, detaching the power cord from the base of the bike and lifting the seatpost out of the frame.

This gives the freedom to leave the bike locked up outside whilst being able to take the battery indoors and charge it overnight/whilst at work. The charging port under the saddle itself is easy to connect and is neatly packaged.

The e16.7 also comes with a bright front and rear light, which can be activated through the control panel.

Ok, I know I’ve mentioned this already a handful of times throughout this review, but I really do think it’s worth mentioning again. The Estarli e16.7 has a pricetag of only £1,250 – not only is that a cheap for e-bikes as a whole, it’s half the price of it’s competitors.

And what are you missing out on? In my opinion, nothing. I found the Estarli e16.7 offers similar performance, comfort and features that those more expensive bikes boast about. For the price, I don’t think you’ll find a better package.

Buy directly from Fiido UK

Overall rating: 

By Richard Beech

The Fiido L3 claims a 125 mile range that is quite frankly unbelievable - but we’ve tested it, and you really can go that far.

Not only that, this electric bike is under £1,000. Let’s find out if it’s too good to be true (hint: it’s not).

Good for

• Commuters
• Delivery riders
• People low on storage space
• Adventurers (you could ride from London to Brighton and still have battery)

Pros

• Battery capacity and range
• Value for money
• Comfortable

Cons

• Single geared
• Cadence sensor

Expert verdict

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The Fiido L3 changed my commute for the better. With thicker tyres than some folding bikes (such as Brompton or MiRider) and with mudguards as standard, it’s a good all-weather bike.

Even in cold weather (which can negatively affect the performance of batteries), we managed to get a 90 mile range on a single charge from the Fiido L3 with an average weight male rider.

The fact that this range is coupled with a sub £1k price tag is astonishing - the Fiido L3 has to be one of the best value electric bikes for sale in the UK.

There are some things you don’t get at this price point. The wheels are 14-inch, which is quite small although the ride on this was pretty stable. Initial acceleration isn’t the best due to its cadence sensor. And it only has a single gear for manual cycling. But at this price, it's a bargain.

Buy directly from Fiido UK

The Fiido L3 In detail

Weight and folding

At 24kg including its big battery, it’s not the lightest or the heaviest folding bike out there. It does, however, have a really nice handle as part of the frame that makes it very simple to lift.

And it’s nicely compact - it takes up less room than most ebikes, in both folded and unfolded state.

Folding is fairly simple to do, and only takes a couple of seconds. There’s no latch to keep it folded, though, so you can’t wheel it easily. So like many more expensive models, this is a bike to fold for storage not for carrying on public transport.

Power and ride

My favourite thing about the compact Fiido L3 is the ride position. Its wide handlebars and adjustable front stem allow you to keep a straight back, whilst also maintaining good control of the bike, and keeping good peripheral visibility.

A balanced weight distribution and wide handlebars means the bike handles well, especially suited for the tight turns often required of city riding. Because the riding position offers such good visibility, I actually feel less vulnerable on the Fiido L3 than I do on a standard road bike.

And despite the low price point, there aren’t any comfort compromises. In fact, the opposite. The bike is very comfortable to ride thanks to its cushioned seat, which sits on a spring suspension. It’s not actually a saddle - it’s more like a bar stool. This brings an enormous amount of comfort for a bicycle.

Some foldable bikes with under 20-inch wheels can feel a little unstable, but I felt in good control of the L3. For its price point, I am bowled over by what Fiido have managed to achieve with this bike.

One drawback is that it’s single geared, so if you do want to cycle fast manually you have to pedal at a very fast rate.

Also it has a cadence sensor. This takes a short while to kick in when you set off so there’s a slight delay in terms of the assist when you turn the pedal. This is one of the ways Fiido has kept the price down - you don’t get the more responsive torque sensor that you find on pricier bikes. Once it’s kicked in, it does reach the top speed fairly quickly though.

Finally, the brakes are pretty sharp. Watch out as well - the front is controlled by the left handle and the back brakes by the right.

This is the opposite way round to standard UK bikes so we'd recommend you switch them round (which is a simple DIY job).

Build

You can’t miss the monster 1000wh battery - so it’s a good feature that it is removable through a key ignition.

This means you can lock the bike up outdoors without fear of its most valuable component falling into the hands of would-be thieves.

The rear pannier rack has been a bit of a gamechanger too. The payload capacity on the Fiido L3 is 120kg, so I can chuck a heavy bag on the pannier rack and still have enough power to get around town without any hard pedaling.

Outside the UK, you can use a throttle on this bike. It has a really nice feature whereby if you hold it for more than a few seconds it will switch on cruise control automatically and you can let go.

Buy directly from Fiido UK

By Eilis Barrett

Danish company MATE aims to make electric bikes that look good and are affordable - the City is the lighter, more nimble model compared to the fat-tyred MATE X. Overall it's an excellent bike, and we've recommended it in our list of the best folding electric bikes.

Good for

• Commuters who don’t need to do lots of carrying
• All round riders
• Mixed-terrain riders

Pros

• Really comfortable
• Looks great
• Featured in the best electric bikes of 2023

Cons

• A bit bulky

Expert verdict

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall star ratings

The MATE City is a solid choice - it sets the tone for how an ebike can be more than just a bulky bit of machinery with a huge battery slapped on.

This folding model offers style, comfort and functionality at a reasonable price (the retail price on the City is £2,000, though it can be found much cheaper through certain retailers). And it's a very nippy ride that's easy to ride in the city when you need to react quickly to road obstacles and other vehicles.

The main compromise is that it’s a little on the heavier side at 20kg and not as compact as other folding bikes such as a Brompton. But then again, it's a fraction of the price.

The weight is partly due to the full suspension front and rear - which did mean I enjoyed switching from city streets to off-road trail fluidly and comfortably.

Still, it’s worth knowing it’s foldable more for storage than for prolonged carrying. That aside, this is one of the best foldable ebikes we’ve tested.

I've spoken to the team at Mate, and can get you £100 OFF a Mate City if you use the code EILIS100 at checkout via the button below:

Specs

The MATE City In detail

Power and ride

This bike is nimble and great for nipping around any obstacles. Comparing the City to other ebikes of its calibre like, say a GoCycle, the City more than holds its own. The addition of decent rear and front suspension actually makes this bike feel like a bargain. There's a level of smoothing so you don't clunk over bumps and dips which can get annoying very quickly.

As someone who cycles a lot, the ride on this bike elevates it from being an alright run around to something you can enjoy and take pleasure in riding.

In terms of range, it claims 50 miles and we managed to get 44 consistently, even with some hills and constantly using level 5 pedal assist.

Weight and folding

The MATE city weighs in at 22.5 kilograms- it’s carryable but I wouldn’t want to do so for too long. You could take this on a train but you might end up folding it once you’re on board ,which could be awkward.

Also it doesn't fold down to the most compact size, and there’s no latch to hold it together when folded. Finally, the chain is on the outside of the fold so if you don't want to get grease all over your outfit, be careful.

All in all, I’d say the folding is mostly for storage at work or home but you could definitely use it for occasional travel on public transport.

Build

Thanks to the easily adjustable seat, you can ride this if you’re anywhere from four foot eight and six foot, and with a weight of up to 120 kilograms. The 20-by-1.95-inch tyres are well matched for city roads - I prefer tyres this size to the 16-inch ones you often see on folding ebikes..

You now get hydraulic brakes as standard. The display shows battery and the five pedal assist levels and also has a handy usb charging port for your phone.

If the MATE City isn't for you, try out the fat-tyred, incredibly comfy MATE X.

Made up your mind? You can buy the Mate City here, using discount code EILIS100 for a further £100 off the listed price.

Overall rating: 

By Eilis Barrett

The X is the beefy, fat-tyred model from MATE, the Copenhagen based ebike company whose cheaper City we’ve also reviewed. Both are in our list of the best folding electric bikes.

Buy the MATE X

This model is big, heavy and amazingly comfortable to ride. The 250W version reviewed here is road legal in the UK - the 750W version of the X with a throttle is not.

Good for

• City and off-road riders
• Riders wanting to feel safe and secure

Pros

• So, so comfy
• Visible
• One of the best ebikes of 2023

Cons

• Heavy at 30kg

Expert verdict

Components + build quality
Safety + security
Performance + handling
Comfort + practicality
Overall rating

MATE X is hands down the comfiest bike I've ever ridden. Where I usually shy away from potholes, speed bumps and divots in the road, the X glides over it all.

The mix of cushy handles, front and back suspension and absolutely huge tyres is a glorious combination. I've never had so much fun riding a bike (although there are many other folding electric bikes we're reviewed).

Yes, it is big and heavy - but you just feel like you’re gliding along, whatever the terrain.

Specs

In detail

Power and ride

The upright riding position on the MATE X took a bit of getting used to but gives fantastic visibility - not just your own but for other road users.

With its size and rider height, it’s like the SUV of the electric bike world. It has a presence on the road that in my experience really gives you the upper hand with other road users. Cars give me just that bit more room when they're passing by which makes being on a busy trafficked road way less hair raising.

And it's so comfy. The ride is assisted by the front and back suspension and the 20-inch-by-4-inch all-terrain wheels.

Even the ergonomic padded handles add to the pleasure - they make such a difference that you wouldn’t believe until you try them. There is so much less pressure on wrists over bumps etc. So when I say comfy, I mean in your arms as well as your seat.

You also get fine control over your speed - nine levels of electric assistance and an eight-speed gearbox.

Weight and folding

This is a whopping 30 kilograms and so it’s not practical to carry it around (to be honest I can barely lift it).

It’s foldable for storage, not for carrying around the station in the morning. It has the same drawbacks at the MATE City, including the chain being on the outside when folded, which can make your clothes dirty if you catch it. 

Build

This bike does look large - and in fact it can carry anyone up to 7 feet tall and 150 kg in weight. I think it looks amazing though - I felt safer because you just can’t miss it, compared to, say, a tiny Brompton.

It now comes with hydraulic brakes as standard. You get a smart display that shows battery level and pedal assist as well as a handy usb charging port.

And the high-tread tyres are good for riding in British, rainy weather.

The last thing to call out is the word MATE on the frame - and I found people do in fact call out "mate" when you're riding along!

And if the MATE X isn't for you, try out the MATE City. 

Established in 2014, Temple Cycles is known for their classically styled steel-frame bikes and, for me, they've really managed to hold on to that signature styling with their electric models (two very similar bikes - a classic-framed version and a step through).

I think it's very easy to slap on a battery pack and compromise on styling but I really don't feel like they've done that with this bike. They've really kept the Integrity of their brand. Let’s see how they perform.

Good for

• Commuters
• Leisure cyclists
• Shorter riders (step-through model)

Pros

• Quality
• Comfort
• Handling
• Both models are in our best-electric-bikes list

Cons

• Expensive
• Seat initially

Expert verdict

This electric bike is so responsive and effortlessly powerful. I spent a month with it and it's been such a joy to have as a part of my day-to-day commuting. The way it's been engineered you can tell that they really have thought about every single nut and bolt.

When bike brands who were originally non-electric move to electric they can sometimes flounder but Temple have really mastered what an electric bike of this caliber in this price bracket should be. It’s got great looks, is made to last and a dream to ride.

Buy your own Temple electric bike:

Specs

The Temple ebikes in detail

Performance and handling

The first thing I noticed riding this is the mid-drive motor, which gives this bike fantastic balance. The power just feels like a wonderful extension of your own pedalling and the torque sensor picks up on every little push with the right amount of assistance.

You get a lovely riding feel on this bike and it’s super stable. The large wheels mean that you have a lot of contact with the road, so it’s also great for handling tighter corners.

On top of this, the nine gears make it easy to tackle any kind of hill or slope - and it also handles really well over grass off-road. I've been riding this on flat roads and up hills as part of my commute and you have this beautiful contact with a perfect amount of resistance, whatever the terrain - ably assisted by the motor of course.

Check out our video review of the Temple Classic Electric Bike:

Comfort and practicality

The way that the handlebars have been positioned give you a lovely wide stance which means that you're able to spread your weight out a bit more.

I'm really comfortable and confident when I'm going at speed with this bike. I found it really easy, for instance, to take my hand off and indicate - there are some bikes where I struggle a little bit with this due to their lack of stability.

The riding position is a little bit lower down than I normally like (I prefer that kind of Dutch style upright riding position) but it's not like it’s too low and once used to it, I thought this was a lovely height for me with lovely positioning.

One thing to note (just a slight gripe) is the fact that because this has such a solid frame, and a new Brooks saddle, you do need to keep an eye out for potholes because if you hit one and you're not expecting it, you certainly feel it. (Brook Saddles are often considered the gold standard of seats but the leather does take some breaking in).

Components and build quality

The Classic and step through models have 250 watt Bafang motors that deliver up to 80 newton meters of torque - so they're pretty punchy.

The removable battery is a fantastic feature - you can charge it separately and it’s a great security feature as well. It has has 504 Watt hour capacity which delivers around 34 to 73 miles of range depending on the level of assist, weight and terrain.

Looks-wise, I love the contrasting colours that you get across the bike, with the black contrasting with the blues and browns.

The integrated front and rear lights are automatic, another nice touch. Overall, every component and part on this bike really feels like is it plays a part it feels like it's all been thought through - even the sound. Just listening to how the gears change is so pleasing.

Safety

The hydraulic brakes work well. Out on the roads I have been in a few hairy incidents with cars coming at me sideways not seeing me unfortunately and I've always been able to stop in time.

Value for money

Obviously this is a top-end bike, and the guarantee reflects this. There is a five-year warranty on the frame and forks plus two years on the electrics.

Buy your own Temple electric bike:

Review by Eilis Barrett

NewGen is a British newcomer with its gorgeous 345 electric bike and a beautiful cruiser vibe. It has three models ranging in power and price.

Good for

• Road cycling
• Leisure riding
• Off road (S model)

Pros

• Comfy ride
• Great speed
• Quality build and parts
• All three are in our best ebikes list

Cons

• S model not legal on UK roads
• Might need to adjust your riding style

Expert verdict

I love riding the 345 and its looks are a head turner. It’s got a cafe-racer cruiser vibe with a lovely relaxed upright riding position thanks to the frame’s geometry.

I found it really comfy to ride once I’d adjusted to the seat, especially as the standard and S versions have great suspension.

And touches like the lights and the cargo shelf show great attention to usability as well as design. It comes in three models. The starter 345-E is £1,690 with a 20 mile range. The standard commuter 345 is £2,490 with a 50-mile range. And the off-road 345-S, £2,850 with a 40-mile range.

Bear in mind that the power and speed of the 345 S mean it's not legal on UK roads (and nor's the throttle).  

• Buy the NewGen 345
• Buy the NewGen 345-E
• Buy the NewGen 345-S

Specs

NewGen 345 in detail

Comfort

The 345 gives you a great command on the road, thanks to its acceleration, coil-suspension (not E model) ride plus the chunky 20x4-inch Kenda tyres.

The positioning of the ride is pretty upright - at first I had to sit a lot further back than usual so that I wasn’t too cramped. But when you sit like this, in a kind of cruiser positioning, it's actually a little bit difficult to pedal just because the seat is quite wide. I soon got used to it. NewGen recommend you sit forward and, in any case, once you go up to level four or five assistance, you barely need to pedal anyway.

The suspension is really incredible, another sign of the commitment to a quality ride. I’m not sure I’ve ridden a comfier model.

Build

I’ve mentioned the comfort and that quality feel extends throughout. The hydraulic brakes maybe are to be expected at these price points (although there are plenty of models without) but really gave me confidence at top speed. And these are Magura brakes, the top-of-the-line type you get on a mountain bike.

The cargo space in the middle of the bike is a very clever design, really utilizing that gap. It looks good too - the wood just pops with the matt black frame.

Another handy little feature is a USB port in the (removable) battery so I could plug in my phone while on the move. It has stunning lights front and rear but no mud guards unless you pay extra (they come included on the S model) so I had to make sure I was wearing something I didn't mind getting mucky when it had been raining.

Configurability

You can adjust the configuration of the 345 models, choosing brakes, battery etc.

The S model lets you add on air suspension (£240) or upgrade the leather seat (£290). With the E model, you can upgrade from rigid to coil suspension for £120, from single to eight gears for £220.

Currently, due to limited component availability all 345s are be shipped with Shimano 8 Speed Gears and Magura Hydraulic MT Trail Brakes.

With a step-through design, the Kommoda is easy to hop on and off, and Cyrusher even go as far as to say the bike was designed with the shorter rider in mind.

We recently took the Kommoda for a test ride on country trails, and with three Electroheads staff of various heights all riding the powerful electric bike - we can safely say it suits the taller rider too.

The Kommoda features both a pedal-assist and throttle based power, meaning you can either ride it like a bicycle, or ride it like a motorcycle.

That said - do be aware that in some countries such as the UK, throttle-powered e-bikes are NOT allowed to be ridden in public areas or on roads.

(Scroll down to the bottom of this article for discount code and Kommoda spec).

Pros: 

The bike comes in a range of colours, our favourite is the pearly white (which looks great when splattered with mud from trails)!

With a range of 50 miles (80km) on a single charge, you could go all day on the Cyrusher Kommoda without needing to recharge.

The step-through design makes it accessible for riders off all abilities, and the cargo rail on the back comes in handy for packing a picnic for that day out in the country.

Cons:

At a weight of 34kg, you won't want to carry or pedal this one home if you do run out of power.

While it is a very solid off-road bike, the smaller wheel size means you won't want to be throwing it off jumps. But for trail riding and road riding, it's more than capable.

Watch Electroheads' Cyrusher Kommoda video review:

Here's our Lead Presenter, Eilis Barrett's verdict on the Kommoda:

With a top speed of 26mph, this is a seriously fun and fast electric bike. That said, it's very much friendly to riders of all abilities, and you can run the bike on a lower power mode that ensures the acceleration is gentle.

The big front fork soaks up trails, and makes roads feel smooth and effortless - this is a fantastic leisure bike for riders of all abilities, and particularly for those who want to go out for hours at a time without having to worry about charging.

One thing to bear in mind is that it is weighty. If you are planning on taking it to trails, then you wouldn't be able to get it there on your car's standard bike rack, you might need to chuck it in the back of a truck or van.

But I had a whale of a time on the Cyrusher Kommoda, and we've even kept one for the office so we can do burnouts in the car park (just don't tell my boss)!

Get £50 discount on the Cyrusher Kommoda:

We've negotiated a £50 (or equivalent local currency) Cyrusher Kommoda discount for any Electroheads reader. 

This discount applies to ANY Cyrusher product, all you have to do is click this link, and buy a bike.

Cyrusher Kommoda spec:

• Motor: 750w brushless motor
• Battery: 48volt 14 amp hour
• Range: 50miles/80km
• Max load (max rider weight): 150kg
• Full charge time: 4-7 hours
• Tyres: 20 inch fat tyres, puncture-resistant
• Derailleur: Shimano SL-TX50-7R, 7 speed
• Brakes: Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
• Bike weight: 34kg

Tenways' flagship e-bike the CGO600 set a very high bar for the brand and we didn’t know how they were going to top it.

Update: the Tenways CGO600 Pro is out - see our review. 

But their latest ride is HERE and boy have they delivered. The CGO800S is a step-through frame that combines ridiculous comfort thanks to its conscientiously designed geometry and fantastic electric performance performance.

Here's what you need to know!

What made us fall in love

There's one clear difference between the 800S and 600, and that's the step-through frame. Easier to hop on and off, as well as providing that Dutch-bike posture that really helps you feel confident and in control whilst out on the road. – if you're a slightly less experienced rider, you'll notice a massive difference on this bike. Also it just looks seriously handsome in all three colour options.

When out on a ride, the 800S' power delivery is smooth, easily adjustable through the five power levels, and will have you impatient to get some more miles in the saddle. The 250W rear hub motor powered by a 36V, 10.4Ah battery will keep you riding for up to 100km/62.1mi.

There's no need to fuss with gears and chains here, the carbon belt system requires less maintenance than a regular bike setup, and should give you near enough 30,000km/18,600mi without needing to be changed – but we always recommend looking after your two wheel pal.

Removable batteries – we hark on about them at Electroheads but that's not without good reason. Being able to take the battery out of your ebike and charge it wherever, eradicates the embarrassment of taking the whole bike up stairs, and through doors in front of a crowd or security cameras that will certainly end up in a YouTube Ultimate Fails compilation. Does the 800S have a removable battery? Yes, and it's super easy to remove. Points scored.

It might be something that we're starting to see more and more on ebike, but the Tenways CGO800S in-built security system is really worth shouting about. Requiring a four digit PIN to turn on the electric motor, if someone fancies getting their hands on your bike and they don't know the code, well they'll have a hard time getting it away.

Video Review