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Joseph Kaminski

In June, Woom launched its first e-bike for kids/teens in the US. The Woom Up e-bike has a unique design meant only for children and is powered by a 250-watt Fazua drive system combined with an SRAM NX 11-gear drivetrain, adjustable air suspension fork and hydraulic disc brakes. Some hills or distances can be intimidating at times and having that electric boost when needed makes getting out and about stress-free. The Woom Up has three levels of pedal-assist up to 12 mph, to make those long rides with our kids painless and with fewer complaints. There is even a non-assist mode for times they want to do it on their own. 

Woom currently offers two models: The Up 5 is $3,599 (£2,645, AU$4,790) with 24-inch wheels designed for 7 to 11-year-olds who are 50-57-inches tall, and the Woom Up 6 at $3,749 ( £3,665, AU$4,985) equipped with 26-inch wheels built for kids 10 to 14 years old who are 55-65-inches tall. The Up 5 weighs just under 36 pounds while the Up 6 is 37 pounds. 

For those not familiar with the Fazua system, it’s a lightweight and compact battery-and-motor combo that can be easily removed, shaving off 7.3 pounds and leaving you with a high-end traditional bicycle. The battery can be charged on or off the bicycle. The Fazua Rider app lets you view bike data such as speed, mileage, battery charge, navigation, motor power and more. Riders can adjust bicycle assistance levels on the fly by using the touch sensor toward the front of the frame, with each level of assistance indicated by illuminating in different colors. 

The frame is made from lightweight, high-quality 6061 T6 aluminum with butted and hydroformed tubes. The fork has a hydraulic air suspension, adjustable compression and rebound damping, plus lock-out. The brakes are Promax hydraulic disc brakes and children’s hand-sized ergonomic brake levers.

I tested, or should I say my daughter tested the Up 5 and it was a simple and quick assembly process with some minor adjusting for my daughter’s comfort, and the tools were included. Instructions for assembly along with instructions for use are included and are also available on the company’s website. 

My daughter really enjoyed the ride, and there was little motor resistance that you might find on some other e-bikes. The tires were great for going on- and off-road along with the front suspension. Both bikes support up to 160 pounds, but I took the Up 5 for a quick spin to confirm her feedback. The bike handled great and didn’t make any creaking noises when I hopped on and off. The seat was comfortable even for my larger frame, but again it’s ergonomically designed to fit children. 

The battery performance will vary depending on the rider’s size, terrain and assistance level, but I only had to charge it once after she used it on and off for a week. The price tag might be intimidating given how fast kids grow. But the resale value is good, along with the quality of the product. 

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

The $3,299 Priority Current is a great e-bike that performs like and resembles a normal bike. It can be used with its 500-watt mid-drive torque-sensing motor on or completely turned off. There are a lot of e-bikes out there that are pretty much useless or unbearable to ride if not providing some level of assistance. That is not the case with the Current: You don’t experience dead weight or motor resistance — a common issue with a lot of other hub-motor e-bikes. 

The Current uses a proprietary mid-drive motor that allows riders to take full advantage of the Envolio NuVinci gearing system and the Gates Carbon Drive CDX to make for a smooth ride, and requires minimum upkeep. With a mid-drive motor and rear gearing, both the rider and the bike’s motor need to do less work when shifting, and changing gears even on an incline is effortless and silent. If you’ve never tried an Envolio system I strongly recommend hitting up a local bike shop and seeing if it has any Envolio-equpped bikes for a test ride. 

When it comes time to stop, the Current has Tektro dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The cables are run internally through the frame for a clean look and where the cables exit the frame there’s a protective wrap around them to prevent any damage to the housing.

The 500wh 48v battery is integrated into the frame and can be charged on or off the bike within 5 or 6 hours. The Current ships as a Class 1 e-bike, which means you get motorized pedal assist up to 20 mph. It can easily be changed to a Class 3 (28-mph pedal assistance) from the bicycle’s console, however. Depending on the pedal assist mode you use, it can travel about 30 to 60 miles on a full charge. The 4-inch display console is a nice size that can be seen in direct sunlight as well as at night. The display shows battery level and current speed along with assist level, and this pedal assist bike also has a USB port to charge mobile devices. 

The 6061 aluminum step-through frame design is ideal regardless of gender, so getting on and off the bike is a hassle-free experience. Its handlebars are wide with ergonomic grips and a height-adjustable stem to get that perfect comfort level. The overall bike weight is approximately 45 pounds. 

Front and rear fenders keep the dirt on the street and off your clothes, and automatic head and taillights are standard to brighten your darkest days. The bike even has a gel-filled seat for added comfort. Priority really thought of everything.

Joseph Kaminski

The Riese & Müller Load 60 Touring HS is a premium ride with premium features and a premium price: $8,669. I made a special trip to e-bike shop Propel in Brooklyn to test this bike, which is an excellent option for living in the city without a car. 

One of the first things I noticed when standing over the bike was how long the front cargo area is. Amazingly though, once I started moving, it handled so smoothly it was like riding a normal bike, even on some of the bumpiest side streets of Brooklyn. The Load 60 comes equipped with both front and rear suspension as well as a comfortable gel seat. 

A small but welcome feature is its rear-slanting seat tube. As you raise it for taller riders, the farther back it goes, providing better leg extension. It has a quick-release adjustable stem tube that can be moved backward, forward, up and down, making it easier to find a handlebar sweet spot if you need to share it with family and friends. It’ll accommodate rider heights from 5 feet even to 6 feet, 5 inches, and its low-profile frame makes maneuvering sharp and responsive. 

The front cargo area can seat two small kids or one larger child and they can be secured in place with its five-point belts over a soft cushion seat. There is also a small storage space underneath the seat. For those not looking to transport kids, there is also a lockbox option great for messengering, carrying tools, groceries — you name it. The cargo area can support up to 200 pounds, and the bike itself can support a total weight of 551 pounds; it weighs approximately 80.7 pounds on its own.

The model I tested had two Bosch PowerPack 500 Performance batteries, but the bike can run on a single battery. The batteries powered the bike’s 250-watt motor to a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. There’s a Shimano SLX 11-speed, 11-46 cassette to help keep you moving, too. Travel distance is all going to depend on the level of assistance you use, along with the terrain and bike load. Charge time is about six to seven hours depending on battery level. I never totally deplete any micromobility battery because it’s not healthy and usually the product’s performance drops. 

There’s a built-in display to show your current assist mode, battery level, speed and other info. There’s also a mobile phone application that can provide you with this information along with some other features. 

The model I tested had a rear rack that can also be used for additional storage. I can not emphasize enough how smooth and comfortable the Load 60 rides. For a full list of specifications and customizations, check out Riese & Müller. If you’re in the New York City area, you can check it out at Propel in Brooklyn.

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

Sarah Tew/CNET

Sarah Tew/CNET

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

The Charge XC is a clean-looking e-bike that’s made to go anywhere — dirt, gravel or on the road — for $2,499. The XC doesn’t have a throttle, but it does have three levels of assist (eco, normal and high) and I found the 250-watt mid-drive Shimano motor was just enough to tackle any hill. Its front shocks were great for getting around the bumpy New York streets. 

The motor was efficient enough with the Shimano E8035 integrated battery that I always had enough juice to get home. The bike has a travel distance of up to 50 miles depending on the assist level you’re using and its charge time is approximately 7 hours. With no throttle and a pedal-assist that gets you up to 20 mph (32 kmh), the Charge XC is a Class 1 e-bicycle. Along with pedal assist, the XC also has eight manual gears and dual 180mm hydraulic brakes that work in any weather and on any slope. And its puncture-resistant Goodyear knobby tires work well on- or off-road. 

The frame is made from aluminum, weighs 55 pounds (25 kilograms) and supports riders of up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms). The pedals fold and the handlebars rotate in line with the bike for easy storage. I have to say that was a standout feature for me, living in a typical small Manhattan apartment. This electric road bike currently comes in one color, charcoal, which I personally think is a great color for a city bike. You don’t need a key to use it but it does have one for removing the integrated battery — a welcome feature I’ve seen more and more on e-bikes. 

The bike’s comfortable seat made the ride more enjoyable, and it also has front and rear fenders that’ll keep you dry on wet roads, as well as a rainproof battery cover. The XC is equipped with both headlights and taillights along with a rack that can support up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms), making it great for a quick run to the market. 

Other nice touches include a display that’s clean, low-key and easy to read with an option of white-on-black or black-on-white characters (the latter was easier to see in sunlight). The tire caps tell you when tire pressure is low so there’s no more guessing, and you get a portable hand pump along with the tools needed to assemble the bike. The box it comes in is cleverly designed to hold the wheel to assist with the installation. 

I would recommend the Charge XC for anyone who enjoys riding and doesn’t want too much assistance but wouldn’t mind an extra boost from time to time.

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

Joseph Kaminski

The $4,999 Bunch Bike Original 2020 Edition can definitely replace a car, especially here in New York City. You’ll just need an adequate parking space if you don’t have a garage. The bike design reminds me of an old ice cream vendor’s tricycle from back in the day, with a cooler at the front of the bike. 

The Bunch Bike, while not huge, will require some storage space. Its size, or at least its storage capacity, is its advantage, though, and was immediately put to use by my entire family. This cargo bike can seat up to four children and has seat belts to keep them safe and secure. Under the benches, there is additional storage space that can be locked. The bicycle has a rear-wheel key lock that prevents anyone from rolling the bike away while you’re running errands. 

We used the bike for Costco runs, trips to our storage locker and to take George, our cat, to the vet in his carrier. For these types of trips with other cargo bikes, we also had to use our backpacks, but not with the Bunch bike; everything fit in the cargo box easily, and it was a cinch riding back and forth. 

The bike is powered by a 500-watt brushless hub motor paired with an eight-speed Shimano cassette. Its battery can be charged on or off the frame and takes about six to seven hours to top off. The bike is easy to ride even with assistance off and doesn’t have the motor drag I’ve experienced with some e-bikes with hub motors. Also, the beauty of three wheels is the ability to have three hydraulic disc brakes that stop the bike on a dime. 

There are five levels of pedal assistance and a thumb throttle that I mostly used for take-offs on inclines. The assistance goes up to 20 mph, which is more than fast enough. Since the bicycle has three wheels, it does require some getting used to, especially when turning. There was also some flexing in the frame while riding that the company says is the company’s anti-tip technology. An outer frame protects the cargo bay along with the wheels. It also has some nicely placed square foot plates used to step in and out of the cargo space. There’s even a rain cover that can be purchased to keep the cargo area dry or block the wind on a chilly day. 

The overall ride of the bike is better when there are passengers in the cargo area or there’s something heavy there to provide some ballast. Surprisingly, the bike itself is lighter than it looks (though it’s still 152 pounds), and it helps to have whatever you’re carting closer to the driver to prevent any possible tipping when dismounting. 

The bike has front and rear lights along with reflectors on the front of the cargo bay. A large display gives you at-a-glance access to important stats but the placement of the pedal-assist controls could be better; I would sometimes accidentally hit both the increase and decrease buttons with my thumb. Other than that, the layout is really nice, and overall it is a bunch of fun to ride. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

Bryan Vangelder/CNET

The TurboAnt Thunder T1 is a fat-tire electric bike with impressive performance for its reasonable $1,699 price, especially with the recent price increases on electric scooters and bicycles.

The T1 is a class 3 electric bike, and ships with all the tools necessary for assembly secured in cardboard and foam packaging. Building it was pretty straightforward and took about 25 minutes. 

A 750-watt Bafang hub motor powers the Thunder T1 and can assist in speeds up to 28 mph. In addition to five levels of pedal-assistance, the Thunder T1 is equipped with a twist throttle. A bonus feature I’ve seldom seen on e-bikes is the ability to toggle the throttle off with a button push. This is great for mounting and dismounting the bike and trail riding down steep slopes. For those who may want to get a workout, the T1 has a Shimano seven-speed derailleur. As with most hub motors, expect some motor drag with assist off. The powerful motor flattened out many steep inclines and, with the addition of the throttle, even starting midslope was painless. 

The bike, with its removable 48-volt, 14Ah battery, weighs in at just under 73 pounds (33 kilograms) and can support a rider up to 264 pounds. Rolling on 26-by-4-inch Kenda fat tires and an RST adjustable alloy front fork, you feel like you can roll over anything: snow, gravel or even bumpy New York streets. TurboAnt claims you can get up to 60 miles on a full charge, depending on how the bike is used, the terrain and rider size.

The removable battery can be charged on or off the bike and takes roughly seven hours to fully charge. In addition, there’s a USB-A port on the battery that can be used to charge portable devices such as a phone or GoPro camera. 

The T1 handles nicely and has a sleek look to it. The bike has both front and rear fenders to keep whatever is on the ground off of the rider and bright rear and front LED lights. Also, while I prefer hydraulic brakes for their reliability and less maintenance, the Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes with 180mm rotors worked fine. 

The seat is comfortable, as are the handgrips, and the Promax MA-593S stem can be adjusted to find the perfect spot. The LCD on the handlebars is easy to read in direct sunlight and provides current speed, battery level, distance traveled and assistance level. 

The TurboAnt Thunder T1 works as a daily commuter or for those weekends off-road and even if you run into a little bad weather, it’s no problem. Well-constructed and fairly priced for what you’re getting, I’d recommend it for those on a budget.

Joseph Kaminski/CNET

Rad Power Bikes is a fierce competitor in the e-bike market, offering 10 different models, all competitively priced. One of the first Rad Power Bikes I reviewed was the Rad Runner that was both versatile and inexpensive. It could be customized for cargo or a single small passenger. But what if you had two little ones? That’s where the $1,899 RadWagon 4 comes in: Riders can seat two children on the back with a bench and running board along the bottom for a footrest, or you can add a rear basket for additional carrying capabilities with a second basket on the front for still more capacity. The rear rack in particular is great for runs to Trader Joe’s and Costco. It can easily carry a case of wine, too. 

Made from 6061 aluminum, the well-constructed RadWagon 4 has a seven-speed Shimano cassette and a 750-watt hub motor with five levels of cadence assistance to get you up to 20 mph via pedaling or throttle alone. The battery fully charges in 5 to 6 hours and travels anywhere between 25 to 45 miles on a full charge depending on bike load, terrain and pedal assistance. The battery can also be charged on or off the bicycle and is removed using the same key that’s also needed to start the RadWagon 4. 

Riders from 5 feet, 1 inch up to 6 feet, 4 inches tall will fit on the bike, and it can support a total weight of 350 pounds. The RadWagon 4 itself weighs 73 pounds and has dual-cable disc brakes that work in all weather conditions. It also has a unique 22-by-3-inch tire that gives riders almost fat-tire stability and a little more height than a 20-inch, improving the overall performance without sizing out smaller riders. 

A durable steel center stand keeps the bike upright while you load it up, and it has a mid-step frame to make taking off or getting started with weight on the bike an easier process. Simply straddle the bike and push forward to take off. No need to try and balance and mount a bicycle with young ones or groceries loaded on. 

The RadWagon has a smooth ride, and the ability to angle the handlebars to maintain an upright position makes long rides a breeze, even with one hand and a full load. The bicycle is equipped with both front and rear lights that also indicate braking; they can be manually toggled on and off or set to activate automatically. The backlit LCD display provides battery level, speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, pedal-assist level and other bits of information. There is also a 5-volt USB port under the display to charge mobile devices. 

Juiced BIkes

The $2,899 Juiced Bikes HyperScorpion Express is a modern e-bike that pays homage to mopeds of the past. It has that classic moped look and feel: From its frame design to comfortably high handlebars, rearview mirrors and a 2,000-lumen headlight (my favorite addition). The bright yellow Express is essentially the company’s HyperScorpion e-bike but with a cargo basket that’s currently not sold separately, front and rear signal lights and rear brake lights. It also has adjustable front and rear suspension that is great for bumpy roads and generally gives you a better, safer hauling experience.

Riders can easily use it to cruise around town or put its 1,000-watt Bafang hub motor to work. Powered by a 52-volt 19.2 Ah battery, riders 275 pounds or less can hit 30 miles per hour and reach an estimated 60 miles on a single charge, depending on your assist level and speed. A full charge takes about seven hours, but you can buy a $139 Turbo charger to double the charging speed.

This bike is excellent for relaxed rides but has a lot of oomph to get up and go when you want. One minute I would find myself cruising in the bike lane, and the next I’d be gunning it in the car lane. There are six levels of assistance — Eco, 1, 2, 3 Sport and Race — and with each level of assistance, riders will hit higher speeds with less effort (at the cost of battery life). You do have the option to pedal or use the throttle: With an eight-speed Shimano cassette, there are many ways to ride and conserve battery. 

Riding with zero assistance is not fun at all, though, and you will notice some motor drag. When trying to save power I found myself using Eco mode, which gives it enough assistance to zero out the bike’s full 102 pounds of weight. 

What makes the Express great for deliveries, in addition to its exclusive cargo basket and vibrant color, is its powerful motor, solid build quality and security features: key ignition to start the bike, a key battery lock and an alarm with a remote that sounds if someone touches or attempts to move the bicycle. 

The street tires on this bike are designed to minimize flats while the custom cast aluminum mag not only adds some style but, due to the build quality, requires little maintenance compared to traditional spoked wheels. However, they do add more weight to the bike. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes stop the bike on a dime, too. 

Juiced Bikes offers a one-year warranty on electrical/mechanical components and frame upon factory default. 

Ride1Up

The Roadster capitalizes on everything I like about my standard bike but now with the benefit of being electric. It’s very light weight, sitting at around 33 pounds, so picking it up and carrying it is easy. The brake cables are nicely integrated inside the tube instead of being fastened along the frame. This is a class 3 e-bike and can reach up to around 24 miles per hour with the assist. It has 700×42 off-road tires and 160mm disc brakes but doesn’t come with any extra accessories like a kickstand, lights or fenders.

The Roadster features a 36-volt battery, which will get you around 20-30 miles on average. Of course, that varies depending on the terrain, how much pedal assist you’re using, and so on. This bike doesn’t have a huge battery, and that’s obvious from its frame size. The battery has been fine during my testing, but if you want even more juice, Ride1Up does offer an additional, external, 7 amp hour battery. It adds another 250 watts, doubling the total supply. It attaches to the water bottle screws and retails for $375 on Ride1Up’s website. 

The Roadster’s battery can’t be removed from the bike for charging. This will make managing the bike more difficult, since you’ll need to be able to set it down near an outlet. Keep this in mind if you store your bike outside or in something like a bike locker. The upside, however, is it means no one can steal your battery when locking up in public, a component bike thieves often go for if they can’t take the entire thing.  

The Roadster V2 Gravel Edition is not only a great entry level e-bike, it’s a great bike for anyone. Its light weight makes it easy to carry and store inside, while the gate belt makes upkeep clean and effortless. The Roadster’s sleek design helps it blend in with a standard bike, and the integrated battery can’t be removed or stolen. Despite its one gear, the five levels of pedal assist should be enough for most people, and if not, the addition of a throttle is extremely welcome. Plus, you get all this at one of the cheapest prices I’ve seen on the market, with options to go even cheaper if need be.

Before we can go into top speeds, we first need to go over e-bike classifications. There are three classes. 

• Class 1 is an e-bike where the motor only supplies pedal assistance while the rider is pedaling and has a max assisted speed of 20 mph.
• Class 2 follows the same pedal-assist top speed as class 1 but also has a throttle enabling the rider to get around without pedaling. 
• Class 3 has a top assist speed of 28 mph and can be either pedal-assist only or pedal-assist along with throttle-assistance.

These classes are limited to 1 horsepower (750 watts). That said, some (air quotes) e-bikes can hit 50 or even 60 mph. But they are more like motorcycles with pedals. They are not optimized as traditional bicycles for pedaling from point A to B and do not legally fit into the class 1-3 category. Typically only class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed where traditional bicycles are. 

The short answer is no; however, riders must meet their state’s minimum age limit (which can vary). In New York, that’s 16. 

It’s frankly pretty fun to have one of each. But if you need a reason to pick one over the other, an e-bike can also be used as a traditional bike so riders benefit from getting a workout along with the fact you can travel further, even on a dead battery. In addition, most people I talk to feel better on bicycles because they’ve had more experience riding them.