Best Affordable Ebike
Propella 7-Speed (V3.4)
Unless you’re already an e-bike enthusiast, you probably want one that’s not too expensive, and that means as close to $1,000 as possible. This is a tough proposition if you want a reliable motor and a frame that won’t buckle at 15 mph.
Propella’s 7-speed (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our best cheap bike. Reviewer Parker Hall notes that it has trustworthy components like a Samsung battery and Shimano disc brakes, plus nifty accessories like a cool suspension seat. It ships directly to you, which is handy if you’d like to avoid a bike shop. Propella updates its bikes every few months. Since it is a direct-to-consumer bike, we’re just warning you that your local shop might have issues repairing it.
★ Alternative: I recently tried the Aventon Soltera ($1,199), which hides the battery in the frame and has a nice backlit display. However, I just like Propella’s utilitarian looks better.