Eight affordable e-bikes put to the test: Which one is the best bike under €3,000?

Conclusion by Adrian Kaether, BIKE magazine

​​Shabby, rickety, uncomfortable? Not at all! We’re really impressed by just how good budget e-bikes have become. The bikes simply work. If you just want to cycle, you’ll face hardly any limitations. It’s only if you have higher expectations or plan to use them off-road that it’s worth investing a bit more. Alongside the value-for-money wonder that is Cube, the exceptionally comfortable touring bikes from Pegasus and Victoria really won us over in our test. Tenways shows just what a cool city bike you can build for as little as 2000 euros.

It can also be simple...

For me, this has long since become a standard question in everyday life: “Could you give me some advice on which e-bike I should buy?” You can make the answer very complicated. Researching intended use, budget and requirements, suggesting models and test rides. I’ll explain in a moment why this often makes sense in detail. But it can also be simple. Because, in our experience, with a classic touring e-bike costing around 3000 euros (such as the Cubes Touring Hybrid Pro – reviewed here, or Victoria's Tresalo 4 – reviewed here) is more than enough for most people.

Why 3,000 euros?

As reliable as our recommendation is, it is, of course, somewhat simplified. Due to the additional costs of the motor and battery, an e-bike remains a costly purchase, even at the relatively affordable end of the market. It’s worth looking into the subject a bit more, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy.

The first question is always: what do I want to use the bike for? And how much can I afford to spend? The more varied the requirements and the higher the standards, the more expensive the bike becomes. Minimalist city bikes such as the Canyon Citylite:On or the Tenways CGO Compact (reviewed here) may be slightly lighter and cheaper.

Affordable, but not the absolute minimum

However, because the motor and battery in an e-bike are expensive in themselves, you have to factor in a price that is enough to make the average cyclist break out in a cold sweat. Even at value-for-money specialist Cube, the cheapest classic e-bike in the range costs €2,499. The only cheaper options are minimalist urban bikes like those from Tenways, or second-hand or discount bikes. If you want to be happy with this choice, you’ll need a bit more specialist knowledge. For beginners, we therefore recommend classic models like those in our selection, which are just above the very lowest price point.

Fully developed, yet affordable

The good news is that, although the cheapest e-bikes from most manufacturers cost around €3,000, which is still a lot of money by any measure, However, even in this price range, there are already some truly versatile and technically mature models available. This is partly down to the technology, which has been continuously refined over decades. Much of this high-tech has long since trickled down into the mid-range and lower price segments.

This applies to many key components on an e-bike, such as brakes, gear systems and tyres. We still cannot recommend cheap suspension forks such as the Suntour NCX due to their poor responsiveness and mediocre durability. Rigid forks are often lighter and require no maintenance. However, they require more explanation when selling and are therefore harder to sell.

Cues circuitry and MT-200 brakes: classics on a budget

Shimano’s widely available MT-200 hydraulic disc brake, on the other hand, costs barely 20 euros online, yet it always offers precise modulation and reliable performance. When properly adjusted, gear changes are smooth too featuring the particularly cost-effective Essa circuit, which is still positioned below Shimano’s entry-level Cues 4000 model. And Schwalbe’s touring tyres all perform to such a high standard that only for ambitious riders are the subtle differences in their focus on lightweight construction, comfort or puncture protection a deciding factor.

The role played by the engine

Another prime example of where even tried-and-tested entry-level products are more than adequate is the motor. Bosch’s Performance Line in particular, as the most affordable drive in the range with 75 Newton metres and up to 600 watts, has long provided more than enough power, even for heavily laden cycle tourists or families with child trailers. The ride feel and controllability are excellent.

The question of the right battery size is far more relevant here. Especially as bikes costing under €3,000 often come fitted with smaller batteries to save a bit more on the budget. Our recommendation: for city riding, even a capacity of around 400 Wh is more than enough. However, if you’re planning long rides or are particularly heavy, you’ll definitely be doing yourself a favour by opting for larger batteries.

High-end for enthusiasts

Does that mean you wouldn’t notice the difference with higher-quality components at all? Of course not. In a direct comparison, more expensive brakes and gear systems deliver greater braking power with less lever force, more precise gear changes and finer gradation, whilst offering a wider range. Better motors score points with even less riding noise, better displays and so on. Enthusiasts can find the right components here.

But if you’re new to e-bikes or don’t have particularly high expectations, you can still enjoy a great cycling experience with affordable accessories. And that’s what really matters in the end. Which approach best suits your needs? Our eight test bikes, ranging from touring to everyday use, provide the answer.

All bikes in the test

Click the link to view the individual review:

>> Canyon Citylite:On review: a practical and stylish city bike
>> Best value for money: Cube Hybrid Touring Pro review
>> Sleek and versatile: Giant Talon E+ EX
>> A handling expert: Kalkhoff Entice L Season
>> Pegasus Solero Evo 10: Stable and comfortable
>> Comfort tip: Review of the Victoria Tresalo 4
>> Retro & Urban: Clayton O2 Comfort
>> Everyday tip for the compact bike: the Tenways CGO Compact put to the test