Electric bicycles offer the same great benefits as traditional bicycles and remove many of the roadblocks and challenges that people face with traditional pedal-powered bikes. With help of an electric motor you can get where you need to be faster, climb hills effortlessly and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Also e-bikes don’t require registration, license plates, or insurance. So how come the electric bikes are have not taken over the world by now? The real problem—even now that e-bikes have been available for years—is cost.
Electric Bike Pricing
But are e-bikes really that expensive? Well, even though the initial cost of an e-bike can seem high, it pays off in the long run. Purchase cost is a little more than a conventional bike, but mechanical wear and tear is about the same so the price of maintenance is low, and electricity is so cheap as to be largely irrelevant. If you use e-bike to commute instead of a car, the bike will practically pay itself with the savings on fuel. Besides, electric bikes have a high conversion value; they are technology that people want and can’t always afford new, so people are always on the lookout for a second hand electric bike. And if you want to buy a new one, here are our picks of best electric bikes under $1000:
So you should really think off buying electric as an investment. But if you are still not ready to spend couple thousands of dollars to electrify your commute, don’t worry. We have made a list of affordable and the best electric bikes under $1000.
Top 7 Budget Electric Bikes
While many high-end electric bikes cost over $5.000 you can still enjoy benefit of electric motor bike ride for far less. Here is what we suggest:
Nakto City Electric Bike
What we liked
- Convenient step-through frame
- Comfortable, adjustable saddle
- Removable battery
What we didn’t like
- Assembly required
- Changing rear tire is a real hassle
Nakto City Electric Bike is designed for urban commuting, it is fast, comfortable and convenient. This is a perfect utility bike; you can use it to run errands, go to the grocery store, go to work, or just a leisure ride. It is equipped with all the features you would want for riding around town, such as LED headlight, a rear cargo rack, a cargo basket and a kickstand.
The 250W brushless motor has enough power to get this bike to the top speed of 15.5 mph on its own and 36V 10Ah lithium battery will give you a 17-23 miles range with pedal assist. The improved hydraulic brakes offer extra stopping power, and the new air suspension fork provides added comfort.
Nakto electric bike comes with two styles of frame, both for man and a step-though frame for women. Equipped with Shimano 6 speed derailleur, the 6-speed gear system allows you to reach up to a 25mph top speed. Nakto City E-Bike is affordable, but it’s got a lot of features that are found on more expensive models. You can switch between pedal assist and twist-and-go settings and engage the motor with just a flip of a switch when you need an extra push.
Ride1Up Roadster V2
What we liked
- Lightweight and sleek
- Easy to handle and feels like a bike
What we didn’t like
- No disc brakes
- Handlebar is a bit narrow
Replacing the previous version of Ride1Up Roadster, dubbed Ghost, here is the stealthiest, most lightweight electric bike in company’s lineup. With its concealed battery and a quiet motor, you’d have to carefully take a look to see that this is an e-bike.
The appeal of this bike, apart from the affordable price, lies in its simplicity. Everything part is incorporated with a purpose, making the whole setup very unladen, but efficient. The Roadster V2 features a 350W motor, with 500W peak power that combined with the pedal assist drives this bike to the top speed of 24 mph. The 36V, 7Ah battery has a capacity of 252Wh, and is completely integrated in the frame.
There is no hand throttle either, so the only thing on the minimalist cockpit is the small LCD display that shows current speed, battery life, and distance. Going along with the whole lightweight feel is the belt drive instead of the classic chain drive, as well as good old classic dual-pivot V-brakes, instead of disc brakes that most of the electric bikes have. All of this contributes to the incredibly low weight of the bike of only 32 lbs.
Ride1Up Core-5
What we liked
- Stealthy design, with integrated battery
- Maximum speed of 28 mph
What we didn’t like
- The battery cannot be easily charged off the bike, and a key is required to remove it.
For start, here is a quick disclaimer: this bike is a little over the $1000 mark, but we’ve still decided to include it in this list, because it is on par with the bikes that cost twice as much. So in terms of value, you get a lot for the money. This is actually what all electric bikes by Ride1Up have in common.
Core-5 is the clean, simple commuter bike with fantastic performance. The 48V 500W rear motor packs a serious punch with peak power of 750W and 52Nm torque. This means that this bike is capable of easily reaching 28mph with pedal assist, which is the maximum allowed speed for a Class 3 bike. The 500Wh battery pack is LG battery cells and it is conveniently concealed in the downtube, but also removable for charging off of the bike. The distance you will be able to go is 20-40 miles depending on rider weight, terrain, incline, level of assist and more. The 7-speed drivetrain features a Shimano Altus derailleur, which is a step up from the entry-level Shimano setup found on e-bikes in this price range.
There are two frame options: one is the classic upright city frame, and the other one is a step-through, but it is a mixte type. There are no additional features like lights, fenders, rack, even suspension. But less is more in this case, as everything that is on this bike is high quality, and the customer service is unmatched. So if you like the idea of simple but effective commuter bike that will not let you down, take look at Ride1Up website.
Ecotric 20″ Folding Electric Bike
What we liked
- Affordable
- Grippy fat tires
- Foldable frame
- Great for off-road
What we didn’t like
- No lights
- Not suitable for taller riders
If you need a cheap entry level e-bike for casual weekend rides, this is the one for you. The bike is compact, which is great if you need to fit it in the trunk of your car. The frame folds via a 2 part locking mechanism which ensures the catch safely remains locked when the bike is in use.
The top speed is 20 mph, and the range anywhere from 18 – 23 miles depending on your weight, the terrain etc. There is no option to turn off the pedal assist, so the motor will help you go faster even when you need to slow. The motor is 500W, which is good amount of power for this little bike.
The bike is not ideally balanced, all the weight is towards the rear, which might cause you to skid on wet surface or gravel. This is certainly not the greatest electric bike in the world, but all things considered, you get what you paid for.
Ancheer Power Plus E-Bike
What we liked
- Inexpensive
- Good quality for the money
- Decent suspension
- Solid build quality
What we didn’t like
- No headlights
- Useless battery gauge
Ancheer Power Plus electric bike is definitely one of the most economical e-bikes. What that mean is that this is not a premier quality bike, but what you’re getting for the price is pretty good. The Ancheer Power Plus is powered by 250W high-speed brushless motor, which is more than enough power for any terrain. Depending on your weight, you will probably need to pedal if you go uphill, but with the electric assistance it will be very easy. If you need to use motor only, just twist the throttle and go.
The bike looks a no different than a regular trek bike. The 36 V, 8Ah Li-Ion battery is very cleverly designed and disguised as a thermos, so you will not be able to tell whether this is an e-bicycle or a regular one unless you get really close. It is very nicely build, and pretty sturdy; the frame is 100% alloy and the front fork is made with high-grade carbon steel. The bike itself weighs about 45 lbs.
The bike has three speed modes: low, medium and high. The top speed is about 18 miles with motor only and 25 mph with pedaling. The range you can get out of the motor is about 30 miles, but since you can pedal it just like the traditional bike after the battery dies, there is really no limit to how far you can go. 21-speed gear shift system allows you to be in full control of your ride, and front and rear disc brakes protect your safety. The Ancheer electric mountain bike is also equipped with LED headlight and horn.
Cyclamatic Power Plus CX1 eBike
What we liked
- Quick release battery
- Comfortable and easy to ride
- Sealed against water
What we didn’t like
- Requires assembly
- Cheap components
The new and improved version of the very popular Cyclamatic Power Plus series, the CX1, stands out with its elegant design. Glossy silver finish and sleek lines of the frame make this e-bike look much more expensive than it actually costs. But besides its look, the designers of this electric bike have also focused on the convenience. Everything, from ergonomic design to easily removable battery, is created to give the rider an awesome experience. Improvements are made in motor and the battery as well, and the bike is now equipped with the 21-speed gear system.
Riding CX1 is easy as, well… riding a bike! As soon as you start to pedal the powerful the 250W motor kicks in, making travel faster, easier and much more fun than a standard bike. With the 26” tires this e-bike is suitable for most terrains. And you can also ride it in all weather, rain or shine, because the battery is fully sealed.
This electric bike has an autonomy of 28 miles before having to recharge the battery, and a top speed of 15 mph. Just enough for your daily commute. But just have in mind that this bike does not have a throttle mode only, which means you have to pedal.
NCM Prague Electric MTB
What we liked
- Good geometry
- Long range on eco mode
What we didn’t like
- Not enough power on inclines
NCM Prague is one of the cheapest MTB e-bikes, but don’t let the price fool you – this electric powered bike runs on a 350W rear hub motor that has enough power to get this bike to the top speed of 19 mph. Moreover, you get the accessibility of 2 different modes where you can choose to cruise on electric mode or do some exercise on the assisted mode.
The Merax bike is a sturdy, basic bike for those who want nothing more than a couple of wheels capable to roll over rough ground for a budget price. 36V 13Ah Li-ion battery is conveniently placed for easy access and charging, but it is also removable and securely locked by key. Convenient placement. It takes 6-8 hours to charge the battery from 0%-100%, and you can expect to travel up to 40 miles on a full charge.
NCM e-bike features a 7 speed Shimano gear system, aluminum alloy frame, front fork suspension and Kenda tires. This bike is absolute great value for the price, although it does not come fully assembled and it does take some time to get the disc brakes sorted and the shifting tuned. But directions provided were accurate, tools are provided, and you will be able to take it out on trails or around town in no time.
Conclusion
So I think that we can agree that e-bikes are definitely not cheap. Why not just go for an electric scooter then? Well electric bikes do have a lot of advantages. First, most of the people have been familiar with the concept of riding a bicycle since they were kids. So there is basically no learning curve with best electric bikes. And you don’t have to worry about looking stupid, or getting pulled over just so the policeman could see what the heck you are riding. Second, you can ride electric bike just like a regular bike, just turn off the electric motor/assistance. Third, unlike many electric scooters that are designed for flat surfaces, quality electric bicycles are often created with tires that can withstand a higher amount of roughness, for example electric dirt bikes.