TEST: Spring’s best electric bikes – find the bike for you!

2021-04-28: Article updated with test of Wässla Pedal.

More electric bikes tested: Best electric bike for women

Now that the weather has (hopefully) warmed up, it’s time to dust off the bike and start pedaling. Up for a fight up that hill on the way to work on Monday morning? No problem, an electric bike sizzles the beef and gives you extra power on the ride.

Tested electric bikes

The mentioned electric bicycle premium is now abolished, but since electric bicycles are now sold in completely different volumes than before, it is possible to get hold of really nice bicycles for around SEK 20,000, which is also the price range that the electric bicycles we have tested are in.

Read also: Electric bike kit – this is how you build your own electric bike step by step

Electric bikes in Sweden count as a regular bike, which means you can drive on the same roads as all other cyclists and without a driver’s license, just like an electric scooter.

Which bike is right for you?

Of course, just like with regular bikes, there are different electric bike models for different users. New models are launched all the time and there are options in all price ranges and for different purposes. Here we have listed some different types of cyclists and what we think you should look out for:

The city commuter
For those of you who will primarily be cycling to and from work on the city’s cycle paths, flexibility and the ability to take luggage with you is a must. With thin tires, the bike becomes significantly easier to maneuver through gates and into storage, but keep in mind that it also makes the bike less stable and significantly less comfortable on uneven ground. Basket, parcel holder, frame lock and lighting are of course also important functions!

Most city bikes have a low step-in, as this gives you a more maintained riding position and thus full control of the traffic situation in front of you. It also makes it very smooth and easy to jump on and off at red lights. Other things that often come with inner-city bikes are hub gear and foot brake, but of course this depends on your preference. Some of the most well-known manufacturers in this segment are Crescent, Batavus and Lifebike.

The forest crumb
For those of you who want to go out into the forest instead, a mountain bike, or mtb, applies. Here we are looking for damped front forks, maybe even fully damped e-bikes with suspension, external derailleur, high step-in and wide tires. These bikes are usually equipped with simpler, slimmer displays and often without conveniences such as bike racks. They also have nicer engines and therefore cost more. Among the biggest manufacturers in this segment are Merida and Haibike.

The all round cyclist
Of course, there are also bikes for you who are looking for a combination of these two bikes, a fine balance between city bike and MTB. These hybrids often have front damping and slightly thicker tires to provide a comfortable ride over logs and rocks. At the same time, they have all the comforts of a city bike in the form of a lamp, bicycle support and luggage rack. Keep in mind that the public right is not the same for electric bikes as for “regular” bikes, if you ride in nature.

Read also: Solid bicycle lock that keeps the thief away

I want to take in as little as possible
Are you especially looking forward to getting help with the pedaling? Maybe it’s been a while since you last cycled and want to give your thigh muscles a chance to get going? For maximum assistance, look for an electric bike with high torque, that can take you up hills, and with a high number of watt hours (Wh). This costs extra, but is absolutely worth it when you can slide past struggling fellow cyclists.

For a more comfortable price range, you can choose a bike with a speed sensor. Here you can get the feeling that you are almost pedaling air on an electric moped rather than cycling yourself, which is not so natural but very pleasant.

Some concepts to keep track of:

Watt: The power of the engine! All electric bicycle motors in Sweden have a limited power of 250 watts.
Wattimme: Abbreviated Wh, and is what the battery’s capacity is measured in. Most of the batteries on the electric bikes we tested are 400 Wh, which should be enough for most people, but there are also bigger batteries on the market.
Newton meter: Abbreviated Nm and is a measure of the engine’s torque. Most have around 40Nm, which is a reasonable level to get up to for most slopes. Stronger, more expensive electric bikes have upwards of 70 Nm.
Sensor: There are two different types of sensors on electric bikes today: Speed ​​and pressure sensor. The former is a cheaper technology that detects how fast you pedal and then assists with the motor. Pressure sensor senses how much pressure you put on the pedals and assists accordingly, which usually results in a smoother, more natural feel.
Maximum speed: All electric bicycles in Sweden are limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h with assistance. However, you can pedal as fast as you want for your own machine. E-bikes handle what happens when you reach top speed differently, some add some resistance while others simply shut down the motor.
Engine location: The engine can be placed on three different: The front hub is the cheapest and oldest technology. The rear hub is a newer and better technology. The absolute most exclusive are electric bikes with a mid-mounted motor, which sits next to the pedals.
Scope: How far you get on a charge is of course one of the most important aspects when choosing an electric bike. Most of the models we test have a range of up to seven miles with maximum assistance, in good conditions, which is probably significantly longer than your regular bike ride.

do not forget: Don’t stare blindly at numbers and specifications, many times, for example, the electric bike with high torque and powerful battery still doesn’t feel the most energetic. Also keep in mind that battery specifications and estimated range should be taken with a grain of salt, as this varies greatly depending on driving style, load, temperature and other prevailing conditions. If you can, ask for a test ride before deciding which bike to take home.

Then we did the test

We regularly test the most popular electric bikes on the market in different price ranges and models. We compare how they perform on different types of road conditions in terms of comfort, power distribution, quality of components such as gears and brakes, range and affordability. In this article, we have collected the latest tests we have done.

The Batavus Torino E-Go+ is the urban cyclist’s dream

A lot of electric bike for the money

Tested: Maj 2020
Scope: 4-7 miles according to manufacturer. When we test up to 8 miles with maximum assistance.
Weight: 22 kg
Taken: SEK 17,790 via Batbike

Read the full test of the Batavus Torino

Lifebike Classic Plus G8 – pulls you forward in traffic

Long range and really nice comfort.

Tested: Mars 2022
Scope: 5-8 miles according to the manufacturer
Weight: 25 kg including battery
Taken: SEK 16,995 SEK at Elcykelvarhuset

Read the full review of the Lifebike Classic Plus G8

Merida Espresso – sporty, heavy and stable

A quality build with a couple of small misses.

Tested: Mars 2022
Scope: 55-8 miles according to the manufacturer.
Weight: 24.9 kg including battery
Taken: SEK 29,995 SEK at Elcykelvarhuset

Read the full review of Merida Espresso

Merida Eone-Sixty 500

Powerful electric mountain bike

Tested: July 2020
Scope according to. manufacturer: 50-130 km acc. manufacturer.
Range when tested: About 6 miles with maximum assistance.
Weight: 23,54 kg
Taken: SEK 42,600 at Cykelkraft

Read the full Eone-Sixty 500 review

Tripper HS M-10: Sporty option for the bicycle commuter

Do you have more than a mile to work? Then this is the bike for you.

Tested: April 2022
Weight: 23 kg including battery
Scope: 8-10 miles according to the manufacturer
Taken: Costs SEK 29,995 at Ecoride

Read our full review of the Tripper HS M-10

Winora Tria 8: Electric bike with the best of both worlds

Winora Tria 8 fits just as well in town as on forest trails.

Tested: April 2021
Weight: 23,6kg
Scope: 4-7 miles according to the manufacturer, which matches our measurements.
Taken: SEK 22,500 at Cykelkraft

Read our full test of the Winora Tria 8

Vässla Pedal: Strong and robust electric bike that stands out

Vässla expands the product portfolio with Pedal, a stylish and comfortable electric bicycle that stands out from the crowd.

Manufacturer: Weasel
Tested: april 2023
Weight: 22 kg including battery
Driving distance on one charge: Up to 10 miles according to the manufacturer
Bacteria: Lockable, 360 Wh
Breaks: hydraulic disc brakes
Taken: SEK 32,990 at Vässla
…
Read the entire test of Vässla Pedal