There are thousands of e-bike models on the market and hundreds of niche players. Still, few high-quality brands stand out that meet safety standards, have an extensive dealer or service network, are environmentally conscious, and trustworthy with reliable products.
E-bike Quality and Safety
When purchasing an e-bike, choosing a reputable retailer and manufacturer that meets specific criteria is essential. Here are a few reasons why you should buy an e-bike from a reputable manufacturer and retailer.
Safety
E-bikes should be subject to safety standards and regulations, and reputable manufacturers and retailers take these regulations seriously and voluntarily follow standards. They design and sell e-bikes with safety in mind, ensuring that their products meet or exceed industry standards. This includes quality brakes, suspension systems, batteries, and lighting systems.
Quality
Reputable manufacturers use high-quality components and materials to build their e-bikes. They invest in research and development to create innovative designs and technology. They also disclose what type of motor, battery, brake, and other components they use. This ensures their e-bikes are reliable and durable and perform well in various conditions.
Warranty and Support
Reputable manufacturers and retailers stand behind their products with comprehensive warranties and customer support. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you can rely on your e-bike and that any issues you encounter will be addressed promptly and professionally.
Environmental Consciousness
Reputable manufacturers and retailers are committed to protecting the environment, using sustainable materials and production and sales methods to reduce their carbon footprint. They also design and sell their e-bikes with energy efficiency in mind and participate in battery recycling programs, ensuring their products are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Dealer and Service Networks
Reputable manufacturers have an extensive dealer and service network, making finding and purchasing their products accessible. This also ensures you can access support and repairs, as dealers are trained to service their products.
The Retailers
We researched the Internet for large e-bike retailers and regional chains that carry brands such as Riese & Muller, Tern, Gazelle, Specialized, Brompton, Trek, Cannondale, and other quality manufacturers. We visited the websites of twenty-one retailers throughout the United States and compiled a sample list of all e-bike brands from their inventories.
This list, of course, is just a representation, as numerous other smaller chains and individual shops prioritize service, safety, and quality.
List of e-bike retailers included in our sample
Propel | Trek | Conte's Bike Shops | REI | Bike Doctor | Pedego | Erik's |
Landry's | Mike's | Richardson Bike Mart | Scheels | Wheel & Sprocket | Sun & Ski Sports | E-bike Central |
Competitive Cyclist | Jenson USA | Back Country | E-bike of Colorado | Global bikes | New Wheel | Electro Bike Georgia |
It can be assumed that these retailers have limited their brand offerings to quality e-bike brands, given their dedication to reviewing, testing, and selecting the best options. If you visit a retailer such as Propel, a Riese & Muller dealer in New York, and see another brand like Tern in their showroom, you can be assured that it satisfies minimum quality requirements.
Below is a video explaining why Propel exclusively offers e-bikes equipped with a Bosch motor, controller, and battery.
Top 70 E-bike Brands in the United States Sold Through Retailers
Here are the 70 e-bike brands sold collectively by the retailers in our sample in the United States, representing hundreds of e-bike models with prices ranging from $1,500 to $10,000+. The e-bikes include cargo, urban, mountain, folding, touring, trikes, and other specialty bicycles.
Aventon | Bakcou | Batch Bicycles | Benno | Bianchi | Blaupunkt |
Bmc | Brompton | Bulls | Cannondale | Catrike | Charge Bikes |
Civi | Co-op Cycles | Dahon | Devinci | Diamond Back | Electra |
ET. Cycle | Fuji | Gazelle | Giant | Gocycle | Greyp |
Haibike | Haro | Huntington Beach Bicycle Company | Ibis | iGO | Izip |
James | Liv | Look | Magnum | Marin | Momentum |
NCM | Niner | Norco | Orbea | Pedego | Pinarello |
Pivot | Raleigh | Revi Bikes | Riese & Muller | Rocky Mountain | Santa Cruz |
Scor | Scott | Serfas E-Bikes | Serial 1 | Specialized | Stacyc |
Stromer | Sun Bicycles | Sun Seeker | Super 73 | Surface 604 | Surly |
S-works | Tern | Terra Trike | Trek | Trident Trikes | Unified Bike Co. |
Urban Arrow | Yamaha | Yeti | Yuba |
This list is not inclusive of all quality brands sold through retailers in the US. For example, VAAST and Co-Motion produce premium e-bikes using superior Bosch and Rohloff technology and are sold through a dealer network. The brands are not included in the list as the retailers in our sample don't sell VAAST and Co-Motion e-bikes. Likewise, quality manufacturers like Juiced Bikes or E-Cells are also not included in the list as their e-bikes are sold online.
Although the list of e-bike brands and retailers is a great starting point in your quest for the perfect e-bike, it's essential to conduct your research and evaluation to ensure that you choose the best one for your needs and preferences.
One way to do this is by visiting local dealers and taking e-bikes for a test ride. This allows you to experience each model's ride quality, performance, and comfort firsthand.
Conclusions
When testing e-bikes, pay close attention to the quality of components, such as brakes, suspension, and lighting systems. These are essential safety features that can significantly affect your riding experience. Additionally, consider the weight, battery life, and range of each e-bike, as these factors can substantially impact your ability to use the bike in different scenarios.
It's also important to shop around and compare prices, features, and warranty terms among different e-bike brands and retailers. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek advice from experts at retailers or talk to fellow e-bikers at E-bike Lovers' weekly rides in and around Washington DC to ensure that you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, choosing the right e-bike comes down to finding the right balance of performance, quality, and affordability that fits your unique needs and preferences. By conducting your research and evaluation, you can ensure that you find an e-bike that meets your standards and provides a safe and enjoyable riding experience.