Electric bikes can have hub motors that drive the rear or front wheel, or the motor can reside within the crank, meaning it helps you turn the pedals directly, rather than turning one of the wheels. A good-quality build with these features, and more, doesn’t have to cost more than about $600 to $900, and you can find quite good e-bikes starting in the $1,200 to $1,300 range.Īn e-bike, or electric bike, has a battery and a motor. And unless you want to ride only very flat terrain and not travel very far, the bike should have multiple gears: They make it easier to go up hills and help you get up to speed, and let you go farther without spinning your legs like a hamster on a wheel. We believe that a good-quality basic bike should have disc brakes, which perform better than rim brakes-especially in the rain. The price of a good bike will come down to your priorities, the kind of terrain you want to ride, and how you plan to use it: fitness, commuting, with electric assist or not, or just riding with the kids. Speaking of safety, we break down the key components of current bikes in the “Consider the Extras” section, with facets you’ll want to think about, from brakes to tires. Consumer Reports recommends replacing a bike helmet every three to five years, and immediately after any crash, especially if you hit your head. Why bin the old one? Exposure to ultraviolet light and sweat erode the material (usually polystyrene) that’s made to absorb the energy of a bike crash. (We’ll tackle how to buy a bicycle, electrified or not, below, but we’re planting a flag right here to caution that you should carefully read that section before jumping directly to a bike you’d order online.)Īlso, if you haven’t ridden a bike in a while but still have your ossified helmet, please put that in the trash and check our bike helmet buying guide, where we’ve tested 125 lids for all types of riders, from children to commuters to fitness-focused cyclists. That, and a desire to pollute less, especially if you’re lucky enough to work from home, has led to a proliferation of many direct-to-consumer bicycle brands. Why? One effect of the pandemic was a resurgent interest in outdoor fitness (to avoid COVID-19), and once people rediscovered fresh air and mood-lifting daylight, lots of us realized we never wanted to head back inside for cardiovascular exercise. The e-bike category in particular has seen astonishing growth lately. Since the start of 2020 all bike sales have risen by more than 50 percent, and even if you’re reading this guide in 2023, and perhaps sales have finally flattened, that will be at a new, higher bar. You're probably not winning any major cycling competitions with these, but they'll get you where to need to go safely, comfortably, and with money left in the bank.If you’re in the market for a new bicycle, you’re in very good company. That said, most of the bicycles here are commonly employed as commuter bikes and will stand their ground in major cities or on packed dirt. You will NEVER need that upgrade."īoyajianl also noted that many of the bikes here share a ton of commonalities, meaning a lot will come down to personal preference, and that you should always test a bike before buying. There will be a disc brake option for a slightly higher price. It will be a hybrid with large diameter wheels and mid/low width tires. The options range from single speeds, geared bikes, hybrids, folding options, and even a BMX (for a grown-ass person).īoyajian begins my telling me, "Basically every big bicycle brand has an 'entry level' bike. But is it for everybody? Yeah, probably!Īnd to help you pedal through the shiesty peddlers of busted bikes, we've enlisted the help of Samvel Boyajian, a veteran NYC bike mechanic, enthusiast, and decades-long bike boss to compare 10 great bikes under $500. In my opinion, it's the best hybrid of transportation and exercise. I've been an avid cyclist in NYC for ten years now, commuting to work, riding on weekends, and going for morning exercise rides while the streets are vacant - save for runners callously destroying their own knees. With most gyms remaining closed in larger cities, people need to find a responsible way to exercise, explore, and have copious amounts of fun that doesn't wreak immeasurable havoc on their knees (looking at you, running).
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