I’ve been working within the e-bike business for over 15 years now, and so I’ve seen a factor or two. I additionally get a couple of dozen emails a day from individuals asking what sort of e-bike can be finest for them, so it’d most likely be extra environment friendly to easily inform everybody the right reply .
In the event you ask me, there’s one e-bike fashion that may work for extra individuals than absolutely anything else in the marketplace. I’m not saying it’s the proper alternative for everybody – there’s no such factor – however when you’re gazing a dozen browser tabs of e-bike specs and feeling determination fatigue, that is the fashion I’d level you towards.
The proper reply, for the most important variety of individuals, is the 20″ folder e-bike.
By that, I imply a folding e-bike with 20-inch diameter tires. That’s the best-selling e-bike class within the US, and it does the widest variety of issues for the most important variety of individuals.
And if we’re narrowing it down even additional, you’d most likely be finest served by a entrance suspension folder with 20×3″ tires. I’ll present you many, and if you wish to get fancy with rear suspension too, there are additionally choices there. However as an all-around, jack-of-all-trades electrical bike? This format checks extra bins for extra riders than nearly anything on two wheels.
Initially, they’re all fairly comparable
I do know that we are likely to dissect small variations and stress over spec sheets, however when you take a step again for a second, attempt to see that many of the e-bikes on this class are literally fairly comparable. I do know the businesses will hate me for saying that, and there are distinctive benefits to every, however within the grand scheme of issues, they’re principally all 500W/750W folders that go the identical pace and provide the identical fundamental characteristic set and roughly the identical battery ranges per cost.
These are the perfect 4 choices under, and as somebody who has ridden a whole bunch of e-bikes, I can let you know all of them principally do the identical factor for you, although some have extra elegant options or barely bigger batteries.
These are principally the perfect choices in the marketplace, each when it comes to the bikes themselves and the truth that they arrive from actual corporations with actual customer support departments – not fly-by-night startups. And simply because an e-bike isn’t within the record above doesn’t imply you shouldn’t think about it. It might be a nice bike, however these above are the principle gamers on this class.
The Goldilocks of wheel and body sizes
First, these 20×3” tires.
They’re large enough to really feel secure, roll over potholes with out rattling your tooth, and add a pleasant cushion of air quantity for consolation. However they’re sufficiently small to maintain the bike compact when folded and nimble in tight areas. A real fats tire bike (assume 4-inch vast rubber) may be enjoyable off-road, nevertheless it’s overkill for lots of metropolis riders and provides pointless weight.
The 20-inch diameter additionally makes the body geometry extra accessible to riders of various heights. Most of those bikes have low step-through choices that work for somebody who’s 5’1” or 6’3” – no particular sizing chart required. That’s big if the bike may get shared between members of the family.
After all, for folk on the taller finish of the spectrum, you may not get essentially the most excellent pedaling ergonomics you’ll be able to think about. For that, you’d be higher served by a full-size e-bike with 26″ to 29″ tires. They will accommodate larger frames (I’m speaking about each the bike and the rider). However except you’re the kind of bike owner who takes out a tape measure to set your seat peak every time you strive a brand new bike, you’ll most likely be nice with “snug however not 100% preferrred” pedaling geometry… when you even plan to pedal in any respect.
Let’s simply say my 6’2″ brother-in-law, who crushes me in a bear hug, suits simply nice on his Lectric XP and he commutes on it each day. I imply each. Single. Day. And that’s a motorbike that I additionally usually see petite women driving, too.
The folding issue: not only for flats
A folding body is the key weapon right here. Sure, it’s a lifesaver when you stay in a small condominium and wish to stash the bike in a closet or behind the sofa. However folding isn’t only for space-starved metropolis dwellers.
It means you’ll be able to throw the bike into the trunk of a hatchback or the again seat of a sedan and not using a bike rack on the again of the car. You possibly can load two or three into an SUV for a weekend journey with no need a pickup truck. Whereas full-size e-bikes could be a ache to suit inside something however a big SUV, a 20″ folding e-bike will slot in nearly any car offered within the US, although it could must go within the backseat if the automotive has a smaller trunk. Although contemplating the sorry state of the present US automotive market, I don’t assume there are any sedans with small trunks left on the market.
I really like that with most massive SUVs or minivans, I can merely fold the handlebars down and go away the center of the body prolonged, with the bike merely rolling down the center tunnel of the car.
And it’s not simply automotive journey. You possibly can even simply examine a folding bike as outsized baggage for air journey (simply put together for some battery delivery complications). Positive, you are able to do it with bigger e-bikes, however packing them is extra of a ache and the journey luggage are dearer. Folders simply fold to extra conveniently match life.
For RVers, boat house owners, or anybody with a trip residence, the foldable body turns an e-bike into a conveyable journey buddy.
Now, there’s a caveat right here that I also needs to point out: regardless of folding e-bikes being the best-selling fashion within the US, I’ve a suspicion that lower than half of homeowners ever fold them. In the event you park in a storage and don’t have to convey it wherever in a car, you’ll most likely by no means fold it. That’s nice, because it’s onerous to search out many non-folding 20″ wheel e-bikes on the market (although there are some), so that you’re principally simply carrying round a pound or two additional in folding {hardware} you don’t use.
Adaptable to absolutely anything
Out of the field, a folding 20×3” e-bike is a strong leisure experience. Take it to the park, cruise the boardwalk, or commute to work. You possibly can experience nature trails for enjoyable. You possibly can experience tough and pot-holed metropolis streets in your commute. You possibly can put it in decrease energy mode and get actual, honest-to-goodness train on it.
However right here’s the place it will get much more enjoyable: equipment. In the event you get an e-bike from one of many main US-based manufacturers, you’re going to have a ton of accent choices. It’s partly as a result of that’s how they make numerous their revenue, nevertheless it’s additionally as a result of it provides severe worth in customizing an e-bike to suit your precise wants.
For cargo responsibility, you’ll be able to add a entrance and/or rear rack, and even pannier luggage. Instantly, you’ve acquired a succesful grocery-getter. Some manufacturers even promote bolt-on baskets that flip your bike right into a rolling procuring cart.
Have to take the youngsters to high school? With a sturdy rear rack and a top quality youngster seat, you’ll be able to take a child to daycare or faculty. A few of these bikes may even carry two small passengers with the best setup of a seat within the entrance and rear.
In the event you usually experience nature trails, strive swapping to a suspension seatpost, or simply go all-in on one thing just like the Heybike Ranger 3.0 Professional with full suspension, and out of the blue that compact little folder is tackling gravel roads and lightweight trails.
As a winter commuter, throw on studded tires and also you’ve acquired a winter-ready experience that’s ice/snow prepared and that also received’t take up your complete mudroom. Be aware: it’s so much simpler to search out studded winter tires in 4″ width than 3″ width, so if that’s a priority for you, a 20×4″ tire folding bike could be a greater possibility.
This modular persona is likely one of the predominant causes the 20″ folding e-bike fashion is so standard – the identical bike can put on half a dozen totally different hats and carry out so many various ‘jobs’ with out taking on the house of bigger (or a number of) e-bikes.
Consolation with out complication
Most folding 20×3” tire e-bikes have upright handlebars, soft saddles, and relaxed geometry. They’re not attempting to place you in an aggressive race-bike crouch, they usually don’t punish you for carrying regular garments. They’re like an American tackle Dutch bikes – upright and cozy, however for individuals who don’t actually wish to pedal all day (i.e., the highly effective motor and throttle).
The gear vary and pedal help ranges on these e-bikes are normally tuned for informal, pleasurable driving reasonably than intense exercises. You possibly can nonetheless get train, however the bike will fortunately do the heavy lifting on hills or right into a headwind.
That’s why they work simply as nicely for older riders returning to biking as they do for faculty college students zipping round campus. They’re extra transportation machines than they’re ‘bicycles’ within the conventional sense. Sure, you may get a exercise, however they’re designed at the beginning for getting individuals round and doing so comfortably.
Transporting youngsters, pets, and kit
That is the place the flexibility actually shines.
For teenagers, so long as the bike’s rack is rated for the load, you’ll be able to mount a preferred mannequin seat like a Thule Yepp, Hamax, or different youngster seat and switch faculty drop-off right into a breezy experience as an alternative of a visitors jam. Some riders even match two small youngsters on an extended rear deck with prolonged racks or bench seats, although you’re trying extra at a cargo bike just like the XPedition 2.0 or Xtracycle Hopper at that time.
My brother-in-law takes each of my nephews to high school on his Lectric XP. He has the older child in a baby seat on the rear rack for elementary faculty drop-off after which cruises to daycare with the smaller one in a entrance youngster seat. That’s three individuals on one folding e-bike. Each day.
For pets, entrance baskets or cargo trailers make it simple to convey alongside your canine (or perhaps a cat when you’ve got a courageous one). Some corporations even have dog-specific trailers. And talking of trailers, these bikes can tow small cargo trailers for all the things from tenting gear to every week’s value of groceries.
They simply match into extra individuals’s lives
Once you take a look at the large image, the explanation folding 20×3” e-bikes match so many riders’ wants is easy: they steadiness comfort, functionality, and value.
A full-size cargo bike could be higher for somebody hauling a number of youngsters daily, nevertheless it’s tougher to retailer and transport, and normally prices extra. A light-weight road-style e-bike could be nice for pace and effectivity, nevertheless it’s much less snug, much less adaptable, and may’t carry a lot.
The 20×3” folder lands in that candy spot the place it does sufficient of all the things with out being nice at only one factor.
Price and worth
One other huge plus: these bikes are sometimes extra inexpensive than you’d anticipate. The Lectric XP 4.0 begins at $999, and even the extra premium folding fashions just like the Aventon Sinch 2.5 hover within the $1,500–$1,800 vary, relying on gross sales. That’s nonetheless nicely under what many mid-tier commuter or cargo e-bikes value, and also you’re getting a whole package deal with fenders, racks, and lights included in lots of circumstances.
Once you think about that you simply don’t want a automotive rack, storage unit, or storage house to personal one, the worth proposition will get even stronger.
The exceptions to the rule
After all, nobody bike suits everybody.
In the event you’re over 6’4”, you may want one thing with bigger wheels and an extended wheelbase for consolation. In the event you’re racing mountain trails each weekend, a devoted full-suspension MTB can be higher suited. And when you’re hauling 400 lbs of cargo, a longtail or front-loader cargo bike might be a greater buddy, even when folders are typically rated for that stage of load.
So sure, please don’t fill my remark part with “However this wouldn’t work for me as a result of XYZ…” I get it, they aren’t for everybody. However for the 80% of riders who simply need one thing to get round, carry some stuff, and have enjoyable? This format nails it.
How can I be so assured?
I’ve examined actually a whole bunch of e-bikes. I’ve constructed e-bikes. I’ve toured dozens of e-bike factories. I eat, breathe, and sleep these items. There are some years once I throw a leg over 100 fashions simply that yr. I’ve been on this business longer than simply about anybody on the web. And I maintain coming again to this class as the best advice for the widest vary of riders. A folding 20×3” e-bike is just like the Swiss Military knife of micromobility – compact, versatile, inexpensive, and simply plain enjoyable.
And it’s not simply me saying this. 20″ folders are the best-selling class of e-bikes within the US. I’m not making these items up; these are the info on the bottom. Extra individuals easy migrate in the direction of a mannequin that matches the commonest kinds of driving.
Whether or not you’re commuting, working errands, exploring trails, or packing it within the automotive for a street journey, it’s the bike that doesn’t want a particular cause to personal. It simply works for all the things. And when associates or household ask me what e-bike they need to get, particularly once they “don’t actually know what they need but,” that is the fashion I nearly at all times counsel first.
And it nearly at all times sticks the touchdown.
