Origami bikes and electric tanks: The best E-bikes of 2023
Whether it’s shamelessly riding a shopping trolley across the supermarket car park or taking your feet off the pedals and going headfirst into a bush– everyone loves a bit of peddle-free momentum.
E-bikes are exactly that, helping you commute to work, cycle through the countryside or put your gran in the basket and electrically fire yourself up a mountain.
Over the last few years, E-bikes have rocketed in popularity, becoming more accessible and affordable for riders of all types and budgets.
With summer fast approaching it’s probably occurred to you that flying through the lush green countryside without even lifting a finger (or a foot) might not be such a bad idea.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best wheels and the best deals for your hard-earned pocket change in 2023.
How it works
E-Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. There’s no point ordering one with tires the size of a tank if you’re only going to be commuting to the office.
For our guide, we’ve tried to hit all the bases. Below you’ll find five different E-Bikes each selected for a completely different market.
Top Pick
Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus
After walking down the streets of Amsterdam and trying on a pair of wooden clogs you would be forgiven for assuming the Dutch don’t do comfort. But, in the case of the Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus you’d be very much mistaken. This Ebike is our top pick for most riders.
It features a powerful 750W brushless geared hub motor and a removable 48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) battery that provides an estimated range of up to 45 miles. That means up to 20 mph using the throttle or pedal assist with plenty of hill-taming power on tap.
The RadCity 5 Plus also has a 7-speed Shimano Altus gearing system and comes equipped with useful accessories such as fenders, a rear rack, and integrated lights.
At just over £1600 (£1,649) we think it’s the perfect mid-range option, keeping your bank balance and your butt nice and comfy.
Budget-friendly
Aventon Soltera
“A coin-clutching connoisseur” - conducting symphonies of fiscal responsibility, turning financial notes into sweet saving melodies! Or more simply put – you want to hold on to your hard-earned dollar but buy something that makes the opposite sex think you have no problem spending it.
For you fashion-conscious scrimpers the Aventon Soltera is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t hold back on features. It has a 500W rear hub motor and a removable 48V, 14 Ah (672 Wh) battery that provides an estimated range of up to 45 miles. The Shimano Acera 8-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes provide a ride that’s as smooth as a cucumber wrapped in velvet.
Aventon has traditionally aimed its bikes at college-age kids which means all the features but with that cool look and feel and a small budget to match. Pricing up at around £1,100 it provides a decent amount of bang for your buck.
So no matter whether you’re navigating the hairy terrain of early adolescence or locking your ageing birth certificate away where no one can find it– the Soltera could be the Ebike for you.
Off-road
Aventon Aventure.2
If you’re looking for a slightly more scenic route without being tossed around like a human pinata, the Aventon Aventure might be more up your street. This versatile, fat-tire off-road specialist is like a Teflon-coated pineapple.
While the Aventure ships as a class II E-bike, it can be configured into a class III. Rocking a svelte, hydroformed aluminium frame and porky 4-inch tires it makes light work of most terrains.
A powerful 750W rear hub motor and a removable 48V, 15 Ah (720 Wh) battery provides an estimated range of up to 45 miles.
It comes in three colours to match your mood (or your lycra) and even flaunts a colour readout, revealing battery levels, speed, pedal-assist level, and other ride data that syncs with a fancy app for you number munchers.
Expectedly, buying a tank these days ain’t cheap, what with the cost of living and all that and the Aventure will set you back around £1600.
Commuter
Gocycle G4 Folding Electric Bike
For many of us the morning commute means that delightful experience of squeezing onto the metro, where you'll find yourself in a packed sardine can of questionable odours and unexpected elbows.
Not for you? Then maybe it’s time to look at an E-bike that’s designed for the commute. The Gocycle G4 is a compact Ebike that can be folded up like an Indian sage at a yogic retreat.
It has a lightweight magnesium frame and folds down in just 10 seconds for easy transport and storage. The G4 also has a powerful motor and a removable 36v battery that provides an estimated range of up to 40 miles.
On the G4 you have a mechanical twist grip to shift through the 3 gears and an LED display showing you your 'fuel gauge'.
But at £3,399 this carbon-fibre origami bike ain’t so lightweight on your pocketbook so make sure it’s exactly what you’re looking for.
Distance
Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0
If you’re someone who treats long drives like a counselling session to process your daddy issues then the Specialized Turbo Vada 4.0 might just help you get over that repressed trauma.
The Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 is an all-around performer that’s great for commuting or leisure riding. It has a custom-tuned motor and a removable battery that provides a colossal range of up to 80 miles.
We were just joking about putting your gran in the basket but should it become necessary, the Vada 4.0 comes with a rear rack, which can carry up to 27kg.
The SRAM NX 11-speed gears also use a single-gear lever to keep things simple for riders.
Specialized isn’t a word generally associated with low budgets and unfortunately, that’s the case here too, but if you’re looking for an e-bike that can do it all then it’s going to set you back around £4,300. Who knows, perhaps if you ask nicely your gran might go halves on the price.
Lightweight
The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike
A remarkable gem that combines sleek design and cutting-edge technology at an enviable price point. While other carbon fiber e-bikes with fewer bells and whistles easily soar past the £2500 mark, the Urtopia E-Bike manages to deliver exceptional value without breaking the bank.
Sporting a 250W brushless gear hub motor, this single-speed electric bicycle offers three levels of pedal assistance for an exhilarating ride. Buckle up, as acceleration solely relies on your pedaling prowess—no throttle here. Crafted entirely from carbon fiber, including the handlebar, this lightweight beauty shines on the road.
Its curved and aerodynamic frame design guarantees both optimal performance and a head-turning presence. Equipped with a removable 360 Wh battery, the Urtopia E-Bike provides ample power to conquer distances ranging from a respectable 30 miles to an impressive 80 miles, depending on your chosen ride assist mode.
Speaking of modes, there are three to choose from, with the highest offering an adrenaline-fueled burst of speed up to 20 miles-per-hour. So whether you're commuting through the city or embarking on a countryside adventure, this versatile and spirited two-wheeler has got you covered.
This one comes in at £1,700
Newcomer
Tenways C-GO 600
This mighty machine packs an impressive punch, thanks to its arsenal of high-quality branded components. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight, like a feather in the world of e-bikes—our scales barely quivered as it settled in at just under 16kg.
Drawing similarities to the Cowboy 3, the C-GO 600 boasts a single-speed belt drive, courtesy of the Gates Carbon Drive CDX system. With a 60-tooth chainring and a 22-tooth rear sprocket, this bike ensures a smooth and efficient ride. But wait, there's more! Instead of a mundane cadence sensor that simply detects pedal movement, Tenways includes a torque sensor, offering a velvety power delivery experience that feels as satisfying as biting into a perfectly ripe avocado.
Nestled within the rear hub lies a 250W Mivice M070 motor, a true workhorse capable of producing 40Nm of torque and a peak power of 500W. While the aluminium frame may resemble your everyday bicycle, Tenways entices us with its diverse range of two-tone colorways.
Also light on the wallet, this one comes in at around £1300.
Conclusion
So whether it’s avoiding the rat race or off-roading without giving yourself a concussion then hopefully our guide gives you a few options. Here at Heyup, we've got some exciting news.
We've partnered up with Tenways, E-bike maker extraordinaire. If you're already salivating over these thrilling E-Wheelie Wonders, hop over to our community page and let us know which of Tenways' products you're itching to try.
You might just get the chance to test and keep a world-class E-bike absolutely free! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to ride in style and join the electric revolution.
