Why choose an electric bike? | Technical Guide | UK: Buyer's Guide | Price Guide | Legislation |Worldwide: Electric Bike Manufacturers
Why choose an electric bike? | Technical Guide | UK: Buyer's Guide | Price Guide | Legislation |Worldwide: Electric Bike Manufacturers
Our Giant Lafree Electric Motor Drive Sprockets are now in stock. Much stronger than the Giant part, which sells for £30+. Our sprockets are £15. Buy Now.
This page aims to list every electric bike on the UK market that meet our criteria listed in the notes at the bottom of the page. If you don't know which electric bike to buy this page and our Electric Bike Buyer's Guide is the best place to find independent electric bike advice.
Please note:
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The only bikes we would definitely recommend are those that we have tested and are happy with the performance and UK back-up, these have "
Recommended" in the final column.
A second pointer can be found in our list of Manufacturers and Distributors section below. If we have not had meaningful contact with the distributor, they're either very new or avoiding an independent test! We will not list distributors unable or unwilling to provide a UK phone number and address.
Electrically-assisted bicycles can be ridden by anyone aged 14 or over, provided the bicycle weighs 40kg or less (60kg for a tandem or tricycle), has pedals, a motor of less than 200 watts continuous output (250 watts for a tandem or tricycle), and a top speed of less than 15mph. However, the situation is currently a bit confused - see Legislation Update
Those marked Pedelec in the tables are definitely legal. Those marked Hybrid are almost certainly fully legal. Those marked E-Bike remain slightly in doubt, but no one has yet been prosecuted for riding one. Our advice is to buy any machine you wish, but check that the retailer is willing to make any necessary changes to the specification should these be required by law within a reasonable period.
| Key | |
|---|---|
| La | Lead-acid battery |
| NiCd | Nickel-cadmium battery |
| NiMH | Nickel-metal Hydride battery |
| Li-ion | Lithium-ion battery |
| Friction | Direct drive to tyre |
| Front/Rear Hub | Hub motor |
| Front/Rear Chain | Separate chain drive |
| Crank | Crank-mounted motor |
| Pedelec | Power only available when you pedal |
| E-Bike | Power independent of pedals - usually a twistgrip throttle |
| Hybrid | Pedelec/E-Bike switchable |
| Make / Model1 | Last A-to-B Test |
Control / Drive | Battery Size3 | Battery | UK Price4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Wheel KB24SLAPFPS | - | - | - | La | £299 | Other derivatives are available. Despite much promise and an exciting website, this company has yet to come up with any hardware as far as we know. |
| Cambridge 250W | - | - | 108Wh | Li-ion | £325 | - |
| Oriental | - | - | 270Wh | La | £350 | - |
| Zap SX | June 99, June 04 | E-Bike / friction | 216Wh | La | £350 | - |
| Electro-Drive (also known as Currie Drive or ElectroPed) | April 01 | E-Bike / Rear Chain | 288Wh | La | £365 |
Recommended |
| Bikit | June 01 | E-Bike / Friction | 173Wh | La | £399 | - |
| Cambridge 400W | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 108Wh | Li-ion | £400 | - |
| Gemini | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 252Wh | La | £415 | - |
| Juicy Bikes | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 380Wh | Li-ion | £415 | - |
| E-Go 250W | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 288Wh | La | £425 | Lead-acid battery version of the Heinzmann. Other derivatives are available |
| Brompton Freedom Ebike | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 91Wh | Li-ion | £470 | - |
| Alien 24-volt kit | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | 260Wh | Li-ion | £479 | - |
| Schachner S-Drive | June 01 | E-Bike / Front Hub | 162Wh | NiCd | £530 | - |
| E-Go 500W | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 432Wh | La | £550 | Lead-acid battery version of the Heinzmann. Other derivatives are available |
| Alien 36-volt kit | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | 370Wh | Li-ion | £599 | - |
| Team Hybrid (Ezee Quando motor) | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 324Wh | NiMH | £599 |
Recommended |
| SRAM Sparc | April 02 | E-Bike / Rear Hub | 83Wh | La | £600 | - |
| Nano | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 380Wh | li-ion | £649 | - |
| Sunstar I-Bike | May 08 | Pedelec / Crank | 80Wh | Li-ion | £715 | - |
| Nano-Brompton | June 07 | E-Bike / Front Hub | 380Wh | Li-ion | £749 | - |
| Brompton Sparticle | Nov 08 | - | - | Li-ion | £750 | - |
| Schachner S-Drive (long range option) | June 01 | E-Bike / Front Hub | 288Wh | Ni-Cd | POA | - |
| Heinzmann E-Bike PowerHub 200W | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 180Wh | NiCd | £775 |
Recommended |
| Heinzmann Pedelec PowerHub 200W | Dec 98, June 02 | Pedelec / Front Hub | 168Wh | NiCd | £845 |
Recommended |
| Heinzmann E-Bike PowerHub 200W | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | 288Wh | NiMH | £890 |
Recommended |
| Heinzmann Pedelec PowerHub 200W | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | 288Wh | NiMH | £960 |
Recommended |
| BionX PL250 Light | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | 142Wh | Li-ion | £1,080 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| BionX PL250 | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,280 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| BionX PL250 HT (high torque) |
- | Pedelec / Rear Hub | 370Wh | Li-ion | £1,580 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| BionX PL250 HT RR (high torque, battery in rear rack) |
- | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | Li-ion | £1,680 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| Make / Model1 | Last A-to-B Test |
Control / Drive | Running Costs2 | Battery Size3 | Battery | UK Price4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powablade | - | - | - | 240Wh | La | £199 | - |
| Thompson Euro-Classic 2 |
Oct 03 | Hybrid / Rear Hub | 5.0p* | 432Wh | La | £400 | * Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost |
| E-Bike Retro | Oct 03 | - | 5.2p* | - | La | £399 | * Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost |
| Sustain Edison FOLDER |
- | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £399 | - |
| Easy Ride Medium | - | Rear Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £399 | - |
| Powacycle Milan 2 | - | Rear Hub | - | 288Wh | La | £399 | - |
| Thompson Euro-Classic 2 |
Oct 03 | Hybrid / Rear Hub | 5.0p* | 432Wh | La | £400 | * Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost |
| Thompson Euro-City | - | - | - | - | - | £400 | - |
| Little Rascal | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | - | La | £425 | - |
| Easy Ride Folder FOLDER |
- | Rear Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £449 | - |
| Easy Ride Unisex or Ladies | - | Rear Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £449 | - |
| Byocycles Folder FOLDER |
- | - | - | 270Wh | Li-ion | £450 | - |
| E-Pegasus Z1 | - | Rear Hub | - | 432Wh | La | £450 | - |
| Meerkat Metro (similar to the Izip Trailz) | - | E-Bike / Rear Chain Drive | - | 288Wh | La | £450 | - |
| Thompson Euro-Tourer | Oct 03 | Hybrid / Rear Hub | 5.4p* | 432Wh | La | £450 | * Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost |
| Byocycles MTB | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £489 | - |
| A S Bikes Electrobike Mark 2 FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £495 | - |
| E-Bike Cruiser | Oct 03 | - | 5.6p* | - | La | £499 | * Estimated cost based on assumed range and battery replacement cost |
| Izip Ezgo FOLDER |
- | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 288Wh | La | £499 | - |
| Izip Mountain Trailz Ladies & Gents frames | - | E-Bike / Rear Chain Drive | - | 288Wh | La | £499 | - |
| Cyclamatic Power Plus | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £499 | - |
| Izip MTB Trailz | - | - | - | 240Wh | La | £499 | - |
| Oxygen Snake | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 208Wh | Li-ion | £525 | Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Powabyke 6-spd City Byke | Oct 99 | Hybrid / Front Hub | 5.6p | 504Wh | La | £549 | Test of a similar model |
| Izip Via Mezza |
- |
Hybrid |
- |
288Wh |
La |
£575 |
- |
| A S Bikes Electrobike Mark 3 FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £595 | - |
| Batribike Micro FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Front Gear-Drive | - | 160Wh | Li-ion | £599 | - |
| Synergie Mistral | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 360Wh | Li-ion | £599 | - |
| Sustain Edison | - | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 250Wh | Li-ion | £599 | - |
| Powabyke Euro 6-spd (24-inch Wheel) | Feb 03 | Hybrid / Front Hub | 5.6p | 504Wh | La | £599 |
Recommended |
| Powabyke City Bike 5-spd | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | - | La | £645 | - |
| Sustain Newton | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £645 | - |
| Cambridge Pack-a-Bike 6-spd FOLDER |
- | - | - | 192Wh | NiMH | £649 | - |
| Oxygen Fero | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 208Wh | Li-ion | £649 | Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Juicy Bikes Urban | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | - | Li-ion | £685 | - |
| A S Bikes Electrobike Plus 26" FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £695 | - |
| Juicy Bikes Classic or Sport | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £695 | - |
| Alien Pulsar | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Alien Neutron Star Chopper (not road legal in the UK) |
- | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 493Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Bronx Folder FOLDER |
- | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | - | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Oxygen City FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £699 | Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Powacycle Salisbury & Windsor LPX | Oct 06(battery in April 07) | hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 273Wh | Li-ion | £699 |
Recommended |
| Powacycle Lynx & Puma FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Sustain Halley | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 250Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Synergie Avanti | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| Synergie Mistral | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £699 | - |
| City Galileo | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 240Wh | Li-ion | £700 | - |
| Batribike Quartz | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £749 | - |
| Euro Ebike Enviro | - | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 200Wh | La | £749 | The Euro Ebikes are export versions of the USA EV Global range |
| Make / Model1 | Last A-to-B Test |
Control / Drive | Running Costs2 | Battery Size3 | Battery | UK Price4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byocycles Byocommuter 7-spd | - | Hybrid / Rear hub | 7.1p | 380Wh | Li-ion | £750 |
Recommended. - |
| Halfords Carrera Sparc | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 134Wh | NiMH | £750 | - |
| Bronx Sunrunner 26 & 700C Ladies or Gents frames | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 127Wh | Li-ion | £765 | - |
| Urban UM55 U Cruiser | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 234Wh | Li-ion | £769 | - |
| Wisper 805 fe16 FOLDER | - | - | - | - | - | £774 | - |
| Batribike Diamond and Granite | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| FreeGo Folder | - | Rear hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Greenedgebikes Silverado FOLDER | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 288Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Synergie Breeze | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Urban UM44 and UM44L U-Sprite | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 234Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Smarta Bike 3-spd hub | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £800 | - |
| Thompson K2 | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 180Wh | NiMH | £800 | - |
| City Pioneer, Mantra or Thunder | - | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £800 | - |
| City Free Spirit | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £800 | - |
| Urban UM24 U Terrain FOLDER |
- | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 234Wh | Li-ion | £849 | - |
| Oxygen E-mate XC | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £849 | Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Oxygen E-mate City | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £849 | Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Ezee Liv 3-spd | Apr 07 | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £850 | - |
| Wisper 705 Eco | - | - | - | - | - | £870 | - |
| Wisper 805 se20 FOLDER | - | - | - | - | - | £874 | - |
| Powabyke X-6 and X-6 LS 6-spd | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 150Wh | Li-ion | £895 | - |
| Urban UM36X U Glider | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 333Wh | Li-ion | £899 | - |
| FreeGo Kingfisher | - | Hybrid / Front hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £899 | - |
| Urban UM26S U Terrain FOLDER |
- | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 234Wh | Li-ion | £899 | - |
| SLB-2000MB-D | Rear hub | - | - | 43vWh | La | £925 | - |
| Wisper 905 Eco 6-spd | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 304Wh | Li-ion | £934 | - |
| Cytronex Trek 7.3FX 24-spd | Aug 08 | E-bike / Front Hub | 7.7p | 148Wh | NiMH | £995 |
Recommended |
| Powabyke X-24 24-spd | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 150Wh | Li-ion | £895 | - - |
| Alien Aurora | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Atala E-Life | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Claude Butler Urban Electric | Nov 07 | FrontHub | - | 280Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Ezee Sprint Eco | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 360Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| FreeGo Eagle | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | 7.9p | 592Wh | Li-ion | £999* | - - *Special Offer Price. |
| Oxygen E-mate Explorer or Race | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - Recommended retail prices are much higher, but this is the typical retail price! |
| Urban UM36XS Glider hi-torque | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 333Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Urban UM44S or SL U Sprite hi-torque | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 333Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Synergie Typhoon | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £999 | - |
| Dahon Ciao P5 FOLDER |
- | E-bike / Front Hub | - | 204Wh | Li-ion | £1,029 | - |
| Wisper 806fe FOLDER | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 233Wh | Li-ion | £1,039 | |
| Euro Mini Ebike FOLDER |
- | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 200Wh | NiMH | £1,049 | Export version of the USA EV Global range |
| Izip Trailz Enlightened | - | - | - | 204Wh | NiMH | £1,050 | - |
| Wisper 705se | - | - | - | 296Wh | Li-ion | £1,125 | - |
| Dahon Impulse P24 FOLDER |
- | E-bike / Front Hub | - | 204Wh | Li-ion | £1,129 | - |
| Euro Ebike LE | - | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 200Wh | La | £1,149 | Export version of the USA EV Global range |
| Brompton M3E Freedom Ebike 3-spd FOLDER |
Dec 09 | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 91Wh | Li-ion | £1,150 | - |
| Infineum Extreme | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 247Wh* | Li-ion | £1,169 | * The bike has stackable batteries, This is the capacity per battery |
| Cytronex GT Traffic 4.0 | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | - | £1,195 | - - Available from late March |
| Giant Twist Express RS2 7-spd derailleur | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,200 | - |
| Wisper 905se City 7-spd | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,215 | - |
| Ezee Quando 2 FOLDER |
Jun 04 | E-Bike / Rear Hub | 11.9p | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,250 | - |
| Trekking Li |
259Wh |
Li-ion |
£1,250 | List price can be substantially discounted |
|||
| Euro Ebike SX | - | E-Bike / Rear Hub | - | 200Wh | La | £1,299 | Export version of the USA EV Global range |
| Giant Twist Express RS1 24spd derailleur | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | Li-ion | £1,300 | - |
| Monark Eco 3-spd | Sept 08 | Pedelec / Crank motor | 9.4p | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,300 |
Recommended |
| Wisper 705se | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,339 | - |
| Ezee Cadence | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,350 | - | |
| Sparta Ion Classic | Feb 07 | Pedelec / Crank motor | 9.6p | 240Wh | NiMH | £1,350 | Other derivatives are available |
| Cytronex Genesis Day One or Claude Butler Urban 500 | Aug 08* | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 148Wh | NiMH | £1,395 |
Recommended. * Test of similar model. |
| Izip Treckiing LI (formerly known as Currie) | - | - | - | - | Li-ion | £1,399 | - |
| Dahon Roo EL SRAM 5-spd FOLDER |
- | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 134Wh | NiMH | £1,399 | - |
| Cytronex Cannondale Quick CX | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | - | £1,425 | - |
| Technium Privilege Nexus 8-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,436 | - |
| E-motion Cross | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 208Wh | Li-ion | £1,450 | - |
| E-motion City 650 | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 208Wh | Li-ion | £1,450 | - |
| Ezee Torq 8-spd | Dec 05 | E-Bike / Front Hub | 12.7p | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,450 | - |
| Ezee Chopper | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,450 | - |
| Ezee Forza 8-spd | - | E-Bike / Front Hub | 12.7 - 13.2p | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,450 | - |
| Gocycle FOLDER |
- | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 216Wh | NiMH | £1,495 | |
| Kalkhoff Agattu F Nexus 8-spd | Jan 08 | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,495 | - |
| Kalkhoff Agattu Wave Nexus 8-spd | Jan 08 | Pedelec / Crank motor | 9.2-10.7p | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,495 |
Recommended |
| Heinzmann Estelle Tour | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | 8.6p* | 187Wh | Li-ion | £1,495 | Other derivatives are available. * Test of similar model. |
| Wisper 905se Sport 7-spd | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,499 | - |
| Lifecycle Mountain Sport | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 592Wh | Li-ion | £1,499 | New! 11 Aug 10 |
| Giant Twist Freedom CS Lite 8-spd Nexus | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | Li-ion | £1,500 | - |
| Flyder (custom-made range, including a folder) | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | Wh | Li-ionMg | from £1,500 | - |
| Nano-Brompton M3L 3-Spd FOLDER |
- | E-Bike / Front Hub | - | 370Wh | Li-ion | £1,529 | New! 4 Aug 10
Recommended |
| Kalkhoff Agattu C | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,595 | - |
| Cytronex Cannondale Quick 8 | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | - | £1,595 | - |
| Wisper 905se City S | - | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,599 | - |
| Gepida Reptila 1000 Nexus 8-spd | June 09 | Pedelec / Crank motor | 11.1p-11.7p | 212Wh | Li-ion | £1,599 |
Recommended |
| Schwinn Tailwind Nexus 8-spd | - | - | - | 120Wh | Li-ion | £1,599 | - |
| E-motion City 700 Deluxe or Cross Deluxe | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,600 | - |
| Sparta Ion M-Gear | Feb 07 | Pedelec / Crank motor | 9.6p | 240Wh | NiMH | £1,600 | Other derivatives are available |
| Trek Valencia+ | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 142Wh | Li-ion | £1,600 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| Heinzmann Estelle Comfort | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 187Wh | Li-ion | £1,650 | Other derivatives are available |
| Cytronex Cannondale Capo | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 148Wh | NiMH | £1,650 |
Recommended - |
| Kalkhoff Pro-Connect LX | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,695 | - |
| Kettler Hybritech Twin City Nexus 8spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,695 | - |
| E-motion Sport | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,700 | Basic price - more expensive variants available |
| Trek FX+ | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 142Wh | Li-ion | £1,700 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| Cytronex Cannondale Quick CX 700 | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | - | £1,750 | - |
| Heinzmann Estelle Sport | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 288Wh | Li-ion | £1,795 | - |
| Kalkhoff Pro-Connect | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,795 | - |
| Raleigh Dover Premium Nexus 8spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,799 |
Recommended - |
| Wisper 706 Alpino | - | Pedelec | - | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,799 | - |
| E-motion Sport Max+ | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,800 | - |
| Trek T80+ | - | Pedelec / Rear Hub | - | 142Wh | Li-ion | £1,800 | New! 3 Aug 10 |
| E-motion Sport Deluxe | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,850 | - |
| Kalkhoff Pro-Connect Nexus 8-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | 10.2-10.9p | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,895 |
Recommended |
| Kalkhoff Sahel | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,895 | - |
| Kalkhoff Tasman Nexus 8-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,895 | - |
| Swiss Flyer C and T-series | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,899 | Basic price - more expensive variants available |
| Heinzmann Estelle Elegance | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 187Wh | Li-ion | £1,945 | - |
| Giant Twist Freedom CS 8-spd Nexus | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | Li-ion | £1,950 | - |
| Cytronex Cannondale Synapse | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 148Wh | NiMH | £1,950 |
Recommended. - |
| Daum Comfort/Trekking Classic | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 351Wh | Li-ion | £1,950 |
Recommended - |
| Heinzmann Estelle Speed | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 346Wh | Li-ion | £1,985 | - |
| Kettler Layana Hybritech Nexus 8spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,995 |
Recommended |
| Lifecycle Mountain Sport 500 NOT ROAD LEGAL |
- | Hybrid / Rear Hub | - | 592Wh | Li-ion | £1,999 | New! 11 Aug 10 |
| Swiss Flyer FOLDER |
- | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £2,099 | Basic price - more expensive variants available |
| Kalkhoff Pro-Connect S (2009 model) Shimano Deore 9-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £2,195* |
Recommended. * Special Price |
| Gazelle Chamonix Innergy 7-spd Nexus | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 266Wh | Li-ion | £2,200 | - |
| Heinzmann Estelle Elegance Speed | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 346Wh | Li-ion | £2,225 | - |
| Swizzbee | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | - | NiMH or Li-ion | £2,300 | - |
| Gazelle Easy Glider 8-spd Shimano | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £2,300 | - |
| Cytronex Cannondale Caad 9 105 Compact | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | - | - | £2,350 | - |
| Daum Comfort/Trekking Premium | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 351Wh | Li-ion | £2,350 | - |
| Gazelle Orange Innergy 7-spd Nexus | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 266Wh | Li-ion | £2,380 | - |
| Gazelle Medeo Innergy 7-spd Nexus | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 266Wh | Li-ion | £2,500 | - |
| Velorbis Victoria Classic, Churchill Classic | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 333Wh | Li-ion | £2,525 | - |
| Kalkhoff Pro-Connect S (2010 model) Shimano Deore 9-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £2,595 |
Recommended. |
| Velorbis Dannebrog, Scrap Deluxe (ladies or gents), Churchill Balloon | - | Pedelec / Front Hub | - | 333Wh | Li-ion | £2,645 | - |
| Swiss Flyer S-series | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £3,199 | Basic price - more expensive variants available |
| Swiss Flyer K-series | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £3,999 | Basic price - more expensive variants available |
| Swiss Flyer TANDEM | - | Pedelec / Crank motor | - | 260Wh | - | £3,999 | - |
| Optibike 800Li | - | E-Bike / Crank motor | - | 720Wh | Li-ion | £6,456 | - |
Electric tricycles are rare. It's worth mentioning that Parker products produce a tricycle kit that will convert any bicycle (electric or otherwise) into a tricycle. Please note that electric donor bicycles must have a front hub or crank-mounted motor. The cost of the conversion kit is £399 - full contact details below:
| Make / Model1 | Last A-to-B Test |
Control / Drive | Running Costs2 | Battery Capacity | Battery | UK Price4 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Izip Tricruiser 20" wheel | - | Rear Chain Drive | - | 432Wh | La | £795 | Some discounts available on this price |
| Izip Tricruiser 24" wheel | - | Hybrid / Rear Chain Drive | 13.3p | 432Wh | La | £795 | Some discounts available on this price |
| FreeGo Tricycle | - | - | Hybrid / Front hub | 370Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Byocycles Tricycle | - | - | - | 380Wh | Li-ion | £799 | - |
| Powatryke 20" wheel | - | Front Hub | 8.1p | 504Wh | La | £839 | - |
| Alien Vectra | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | 370Wh | - | Li-ion | £849 | - |
| Batritrike | - | Front Hub | 370Wh | - | Li-ion | £849 | - |
| Mission Transmission | - | Ebike / Chain | - | 480Wh | La | £860 | - |
| Pashley Picador | - | - | - | - | - | £930 | - |
| Powatryke 24" wheel | - | Front Hub | - | 504Wh | La | £939 | - |
| Euro Etrike (3) | - | Ebike / Chain | - | 380Wh | La | £999 | - |
| Justwin | - | Ebike / Chain | - | 936Wh | La | £1,200 | - |
| Just Win Single Seat | - | - | - | - | La | £1,690 | - |
| Ezee Carro 20" wheel | - | Ebike / Front hub | 11.5p | 518Wh | Li-ion | £1,700 | - |
| Bronx SunRunner 24" wheel 3-spd (also from £1,020 in single-speed, 20" and 130Wh battery variants) | - | Hybrid / Front Hub | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £1,700 | - |
| Just Win Twin | - | - | - | - | La | £1,755 | - |
| Di Blasi r34 20" wheel Folder | - | Hybrid / Rear Chain Drive | - | 288Wh | NiMH | £1,795 | - |
| Kalkhoff Agattu Trike Nexus 7-spd | - | Pedelec / Crank | - | 260Wh | Li-ion | £3,195 | - |
| Cycles Maximus Pedicab/Cargo - Heinzmann Motor | Dec 03 | Ebike / Front Hub | - | 984Wh | La | £4,118 | - |
| Maxpro EcoTaxi - Heinzmann Motor | - | Ebike / Front Hub | - | 1,056Wh | La | £4,460 | - |
| Maxpro Street Flyer (Coming in December 2009) - Heinzmann Motor | - | Ebike / Front Hub | - | 432Wh | La | £5,511 | - |
| Cycles Maximus Pedicab/Cargo - Lynch Motor | Dec 03 | Ebike / Crank | - | 828Wh | La | £5,869 | - |
New subscribers can order a 'get-started' six-pack of magazine back numbers covering key electric cycles at HALF the usual price! See the subscription page for details.
All back numbers can be ordered by credit card - call 01305 259998 (+44 1305 259998 outside UK)
The comments relate to our own experience with manufacturers or distributors. As a general rule, a company that supplies a good product can afford to be open and helpful with the press, and will give good service and back-up. The others are something of an unknown quantity, but if you think we've been unfair, do let us know. For a global list go to Electric Bike Manufacturers Worldwide
Alien Ocean, Synergie
Newcomer but also selling long-established Synergie brand
AlienOcean European Hub, 1 - 9 Plantation Street, Lochgelly, KY5 9LP
tel: 01592 780528
email: jim@alienocean.co.uk
A S Bikes
New to the electric bike world
Coppice Close, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, COVENTRY CV8 3FL
tel: 024 7630 3228
email: contact@asbikes.co.uk
Avocet Sports Ltd.
New to the electric bike world
Unit 7-9 Shield Drive, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, MANCHESTER M28 2QB
tel: 0161 727 8508
email: sales@avocetsports.com
Batribike
Now well established
Fallowgate Limited, Kellaway House, Marton Road, Sturton-by-Stow. LINCOLN LN1 2AH
tel: 01427 787774
email: info@batribike.com
Byocycles
New to the electric bike world
Unit 4, Downley Business Park, 12 Downley Park, HAVANT PO9 2JN
tel: 023 92 488300
email: sales@byocycles.com
BionX
NO IMPORTER AT PRESENT
Bronx
A growing company
Bronx (UK) Ltd, Unit 4, Crusader Inustrial Estate, Stirling Road, HIGH WYCOMBE. HP12 3ST
tel: 01494 529980
email: sales@bronxcycles.com
Cambridge, Smarta, Sparticle (Brompton)
Quite established and a pleasure to deal with
Electric Transport Shop, Hope Street Yard, Hope Street, CAMBRIDGE CB1 3NA (also in LONDON & OXFORD)
tel/fax: 01223 247410
email: sales@electricbikesales.co.uk
City
Helpful and friendly
Powered Bicycles, 50-52 Main Street, Long Eaton, NOTTINGHAM NG10 1GN
tel: 01159 727201 or 728251
email: sales@poweredbicycles.co.uk
Claude Butler
New to the electric bike world
Falcon Cycles Ltd, PO Box 3, Bridge Street, BRIGG DN20 8PB
tel: 01652 656000
Cyclamatic
New to the electric bike world
Sports PLC, Units 3 & 4 Lower Park Farm, Storrage Lane, ALVECHURCH, Worcestershire B48 7ER
tel: 01527 598388
email: help@sportsplc.com
Cytronex
Helpful, pleasant and knowledgeable
Modern Times Ltd, 5 Red Deer Court, Elm Road, WINCHESTER, SO22 5LX
tel: 01962 866122
email: sales@cytronex.com
Cycles Maximus
Long-established, helpful and friendly. Lovely people.
6-10 Rear of Kensington Place, London Road, BATH BA1 6AW
tel: 01225 319414
email: info@cyclesmaximus.com
Dahon
Long established, reliable business, but new to electric bikes
C H White, 51 High Street, MALMESBURY, Wiltshire SN16 9AG
tel: 01666 822330
email: chwhite@btinternet.com
Daum
Velospeed, The Old School House, Aldworth, Berks RG8 9TJ
tel: 01635 579304
email: info@velospeed.co.uk
Easy Ride
New and enthusiastic
Easy Ride Bikes, Silver Business Park, Airfield Way, CHRISTCHURCH, Dorset
tel: 01202 490404
email: info@easyridebikes.co.uk
Di Blasi, Justwin, Transmission
Long-established, helpful and friendly
Mission Cycles & Components, Unit 3, The Alders, Seven Mile Lane, Mereworth, MAIDSTONE, Kent M18 5JG
tel: 01622 815615
email: info@missioncycles.co.uk
Electro-Drive
Not always easy to contact
E-go Personal Transport, 52 High Street, MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire SN8 1HQ
tel: 07974 723996 or 01672 861186 / 512404
email: sales@electro-drive.co.uk
Ezee, E-motion, Monark
New, but experienced with electric bikes
Onbike Ltd, Unit 330, Hartlebury Trading Estate, The Enterprise Centre, KIDDERMINSTER, Worcestershire DY10 4JB
(also in Presteigne, Powys, shop by appointment on 07944 636080)
tel: 01299 251514
email: info@onbike.co.uk
E-Pegasus
Probably never heard of A to B
KCUK, 62 Kenway Road, Earl's Court, LONDON, SW5 0RD
tel: 020 7341 3888
EV-Solutions
Probably never heard of A to B
Thorrington Cross, COLCHESTER, Essex CO7 8JD
tel: 01206 308054
Freedom Ebike
Very nice people, quite new to electric bikes
10/3 HaMelitz Street, JERUSALEM, Israel
tel: (UK) 0871 284 5225
tel: (Israel) +052 500 1309
tel: (Australia) +02 8004 5039
email: andrew@freedomebikes.com
FreeGo
2 Wheel Electric, Haskins Garden Centre, Mansbridge Road, Gaters Hill, West End, SOUTHAMPTON, SO18 3HW
tel: 02380 476929 - 07809 620437
email: Web Form
Gazelle
Always helpful and friendly
Electric Cycle Company, 3 North Leith Sands, EDINBURGH EH6 4ER
tel: 0131 5534900
mail: sales@electriccyclecompany.co.uk
Gemini
Probably never heard of A to B
Velden Engineering (UK) Ltd, Columbia Mill, Bedford Street, BOLTON, Lancashire BL1 4BA
tel: 01204 520620
email: sales@velden.co.uk
Gepida
New to the UK
MTF Enterprises Ltd, Unit 6 Midicy Oast, Bodiam Business Park, BODIAM, East Sussex TN32 5UP
tel: 01580 830959
email: info@e-bikesdirect.co.uk
Giant
Helpful in the past, but currently playing the 'remote multinational'
Giant, Unit 1, Wheatcroft Business Park, Landmere Lane, Edwalton, NOTTINGHAM NG12 4DG
tel: 0115 9775900
Gocycle
Very, very new
KarbonKinetics Ltd, New Bridge Street House, 30-34 New Bridge Street, LONDON EC4V 6BJ
tel: 01268 288208
email: customerservices@gocycle.com
Greenedgebikes
Completely unknown to us - new player
Greenedgebikes, 14 Ingate Place, LONDON SW8 3NS
tel: 0207 720 7973
email: info@greenedgebikes.com
Heinzmann
New distributor
TWIKE.UK, c/o Dr Andreas Schroeer, 63 Church Green Rd, Bletchley, MILTON KEYNES, Bucks, MK3 6BY
tel: 07707 237070
email: info@twike.co.uk
Izip
Large bicycle distributor
Moore Large & Co Ltd, Sinfin Industrial Estate, DERBY DE24 9GL
tel: 01332 274200
email: sales@moorelarge.co.uk
Juicy Bikes
New, but seem helpful and knowledgeable
Busy All Year, 83 Park Road, BUXTON, Derbyshire SK17 6SM
tel: 01298 214040
email: uksales@JuicyBike.com
Kalkhoff
Long-established, helpful and friendly
50cycles Ltd, Unit 9, Prince William Road, LOUGHBOROUGH, Leicestershire LE11 5GU
tel: 0844 800 5979
email: 50cycles@50cycles.com
Kettler
The new British direct sales arm is a bit distant - perhaps they will come round
Kettler (GB) Ltd, Merse Road, North Moons Moat, REDDITCH, Worcestershire B98 9HL
tel: 0845 026 5995
email: sales@kettlerdirect.co.uk
Lifecycle
-
Electric Bike World, 54 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DT
tel: 02380 236 540
email: Info@electricbikeworld.co.uk
Monark - (see E-Motion)
Meerkat
Probably never heard of A to B
Tesco Direct
tel: 0845 6004411
Nano & Nano-Brompton
Well established and consumer-friendly
The Electric Wheel Co, Unit 18, Manningford Bohune Estate, PEWSEY, Wiltshire SN9 6NL
tel: 0845 094 2735
email: info@electricwheel.co.uk
Oxygen, Maxpro
Very new indeed. Oxygen is similar to Wisper
Eco Transport Solutions Ltd, 4 Howmic Court, Arlington Road, EAST TWICKENHAM, TW1 2BD
tel: 0208 4040 782
email: sales@oxygenbicycles.co.uk
Parker Tricycle Converter
Reasonably helpful and friendly
Parker Product Developments, Laburnum Cottage, Bramwith Lane, South Bramwith, DONCASTER DN7 5SJ
tel: 01302 841 671
mail: 01302 844 070sales@parkerproducts.org.uk
Pashley
Only replies VERY grudgingly
Pashley Cycles, 6a Union Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6QT
tel: 01789 292263 fax: 01789 414201
email: Comments@pashleycycles.co.uk
Powabyke, Powatryke
Industry stalwart - back on form lately
Powabyke Ltd, 3 Wood Street, Queens Square, BATH BA1 2JQ
tel: 0845 6011475
email: sales@powabyke.com
Powacycle, Powablade, Infineum
Always helpful until key staff change - never heard another word
Powacycle, Akhter House, Perry Road, HARLOW, Essex CM18 7PN
tel: 01279 821243
email: info@powacycle.co.uk
Powerscoots, Diavelo, Euro-Ebike, Zap
More serious player of late, but hard to pin down
PowerScoots, Unit 5F, Wilmer Business Park, Wilmer Place, Stoke Newington, LONDON, N16 OLW
tel: 020 7254 9225
email: sales@powerscoots.co.uk
Raleigh
Raleigh UK Ltd, Church Street, Eastwood, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG 16 3HT
tel: 01773 532680
email: ebike@raleigh.co.uk
Sakura
No longer replys to any communication
3 The Courtyard, Park Royal Road, LONDON W3 6XA
tel: 020 8896 1133
email: sakurab@btconnect.com
Schachner S-Drive, Eco-Ped
Fairly helpful and friendly
March Motorcycle Spares Ltd, 3 Nene Parade, MARCH PE15 8TD
tel: 01354 656150
email: spies@talk21.com
Schwinn
New to electric bikes
Reece Cycles, 100 Alcester Road, BIRMINGHAM B12 0QB
tel: 0121 622 0192
SLB
Never replied to any communication
Solartrack Plc, 42 New Road, DAGENHAM, Essex RM9 6YS
tel: 0141 636 1720 fax: 020 85957133
Sparticle (see Cambridge)
Sunstar I-Bike
French distributor covering Europe
tel: +33 (0)478 375044
Sustain
Apparently new, but address looks strangely familiar
Sustain Cycles, Unit 121, State House, 176 Station Road, HARROW, Middlesex HA1 2AE
tel: 0800 0432453
email: info@sustainproducts.co.uk
Swiss Flyer
New distributor for premium brand
Amazing Wheels UK, 104 Moorland Road, STOCKPORT SK2 7DP
tel: 0161 4840579
email: Alan@amazingwheels.co.uk
Swizzbee
Not very communicative
ViTA Electric, 6 Heath Street, LONDON NW3 6TE
tel: 020 7794 3373
email: mckeownace@aol.com
Optibike, Team Hybrid
Early days, but helpful and enthusiastic
Team Hybrid, 'Silverstone', Chapel Road, SOBERTON HEATH, Hampshire SO32 3PP
tel: 01329 830117
email: silverstone@ntlworld.com
Technium
Large cycle mail-order business now moving into electrics
Wiggle Ltd, 3 Optima, Northarbour Spur, PORTSMOUTH PO6 3TU
tel:
email: sales@wiggle.co.uk
Trek
Unit B, Maidstone Road, Milton Keynes, MK10 0BE
tel: 01908 282626
Tricruiser
New player
MTF Enterprises, PO Box 335, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 9DS
tel: 01892 515110
email:
Commuter, Power Cruiser, City Cruiser
Seems to have gone out of business
The Electric Bike Co, 1-3 Farman Street, HOVE, East Sussex BN3 1AL
tel: 0845 6028848
Thompson
Reasonably helpful and friendly
Thompson Electrical (Wholesalers) Ltd, Perrywood Trading Park, Wylds Lane, WORCESTER WR5 1DZ
tel: 01905 763376
Urban
Neglecting the UK for a while, but back on form
UrbanMover Limited, Unit 1F, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Gloucester Road, CHELTENHAM GL51 8PL
tel: 01242 254 540
email: info@urbanmover.com
Velorbis
Velorbis Concept Store, Peter Bangs Vej 53, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen 2000
tel: +45 31 11 00 30
email: sales@velorbis.com
Wisper
Always helpful, but they've never ONCE loaned us a test bike
Wisper Ltd, 10 Oakenbrow, Sway, LYMINGTON, Hampshire
tel: 01590 681553
email: doug.gosling@wisperbikes.com
Yamaha
(No longer made, but spares and repair are as below)
Andrew Fudge, Action Bikes, 21-23 Upper High Street, EPSOM KT18 8AH
tel: 01372 744116
A few specialists exist, but not many that know electric bikes. We're looking for one to list here!
Bikes recently removed from the list (usually out-of-production). If we have made a mistake, please let us know:
Aug 2007
Bliss City, Touring, Extreme & Townrider
Classic Elebike
City Cruiser 6-spd
Commuter
Diavelo Oja velo
Jun 2007
Ecobike Tornado and varients
Aug 2007
ElectroPed Number One
Europed ED-1
Europed THD-3
Infineon Stingray ll
Oxygen Atala Avenue
Oxygen Atala Distance
Panther
Power Cruiser 6-spd
Nov 2007
ElectroPed Roadstar
Eco-Bike Mistral
Jul 2008
Schwinn (all models)
Aug 2008
Sakura (all models)
Nov 2008
Bright Bikes (all models)
Jan 2009
C V Leisure Bikes (all models)
Apr 2009
Nano Brompton
Giant Suede
March 2010
Ridgeback Cyclone
April 2010
Quiet Bikes
Strongman
July 2010
Batribike Buzz & Lite
Izip X-cell & Trailz Enlightened
Powabyke Shopper 1-spd, Euro 6-spd, Folder, Commuter 24-spd
Velospeed
1) We have decided not to test machines that fail ANY of the following criteria, except in special circumstances:
2) Running costs are an approximate guide per mile, and are based on a number of assumptions (please note that extras such as insurance are not included). Note also that the actual energy costs are very much lower - typically 0.05p per mile! Most of the cost of running an electric bike is depreciation:
NOTES: Annual mileage of 2,500 miles. Mileage per full charge is based on the A to B test performance. All bikes are ridden at maximum speed. Economy will benefit from more gentle use!
3) This is the capacity of the battery measured in watt/hours. Please note that the three main types of battery are graded in slightly different ways, so capacities are not directly comparable. For example, a lead-acid battery of 400watt/hours would give similar performance to a nickel-metal hydride battery of 250watt/hours, or nickel-cadmium battery of 225 watt/hours.
4) Prices and specifications relate only to the British market and may change at short notice. Prices are either the recommended retail price or a discounted price if regularly available.
5) Table sort mechanism from kryogenix.org/code/browser/sorttable/ courtesy of Stuart Langridge. If it doesn't work at all it may be because you do not have Javascript enabled in your browser (or have enabled the NoScript extension in Firefox). If you use Internet Explorer 7 or 8, you may receive a message when this webpage loads, and have to Allow Blocked Content to be able to sort the table.