The electric bike is a great solution to this sweaty problem, giving you just enough additional pedal power to keep the heart rate down and the speed up. But what are the best electric bikes available right now, and what are the rules on them in Australia? 

Here, we’ll take a look at a range of the best electric bikes, from cargo and mountain electric bikes to road and commuter electric bikes, so we’ve got you covered no matter what you’re looking for. Without further ado, let’s get into it. 

Best Electric Bikes — Commuter

DUST Urban

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 200km
• Motor: 48V 500W brushless rear hub motor
• Battery: 35Ah dual battery
• Groupset: Shimano 7-speed
• Weight: 33kg

There aren’t too many e-bike manufacturers that are Australian-owned, but DUST is a rare home-grown player in what is only becoming a more and more competitive market. DUST was founded to solve the common pain point of e-bike owners around the range of their vehicles, with most e-bikes not having enough battery capacity to make an extended journey or for very regular use.

After extensive product research and prototyping, DUST launched two electric bikes in the form of the off-road Ranger and the more commuter-friendly Urban, both of which have been meticulously engineered for both ride comfort and range. The Urban features the legally required maximum speed of 25km/h and a remarkably long-lasting battery that allows for up to 200 km travelled between charges.

If you’re hunting for a commuter bike that doesn’t need daily charging, is able to conveniently fold for space-saving storage and public transport commuting, and rolls on thick road-specific tires, DUST should be on your shortlist.

Cannondale Adventure Neo 4

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 105km
• Motor: Bosch Active Line 250W drive-unit
• Battery: 400Wh battery
• Groupset: microSHIFT 9-speed
• Weight: 21kg-25kg

If you’re after an e-bike to pop down to the shops, commute to the office, or just get around town, there’s a lot to like about the Cannondale Adventure Neo 4. It’s got a sleek-looking set-up, hitting the sweet spot that won’t make feel like you’re a professional racer, or riding the bike got to school on. It’s also available in either an attractive electric blue or a stealthier grey paint job, depending on what takes your fancy. 

RELATED: The 22 Best Mountain Bikes Money Can Buy In 2024

It’s powered by a hardy 250w Bosch Active Line motor, which will easily zip you around town. The range is decent too, with up to 105kms in the tank between charges thanks to its 400Wh battery. 

Gazelle Ultimate C380 HMB

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: Up to 104k in “eco” mode
• Motor: Bosch Performance Line (75Nm)
• Battery: Bosch Integrated Li-ion (625Wh)
• Groupset: Enviolo 380 Trekking Manual stepless gear system
• Weight: 25.5kg

Another city bike worth a look at is the Gazelle Ultimate C380 HMB, which boasts a compelling blend of low-maintenance geartrain and high-spec parts across the rest of the bike. With a lightweight aluminium frame that has a robustly designed geometry, it’ll get you to your destination drama-free and looking fresh. 

The power unit behind what makes this electric bike roll is Bosch’s Performance Line electric motor, which has an impressive 75 Nm of torque, combined with the cutting-edge Enviolo trekking hub that makes steep hills a dream to climb. It’s also made possible thanks to the 625 Wh integrated battery, which has a maximum range of 104km. It also features safe and secure hydraulic disc brakes, a tail light that is integrated into the rear rack and an adjustable dynamo-powered headlight up the front.

With wide tires and front suspension to make for a smooth ride, it’s a more up-market offering than some other electric bicycle options with the commute in mind, but Gazelle have gotten the details right with the Ultimate C380 HMB.

Aventon Pace 350.2 Step-Thru

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 64km
• Motor: 350W brushless hub motor
• Battery: Removable Internal Lithium-ion 36V
• Groupset: Unspecified 7-speed
• Weight: 22kg

If budget is an important factor in the decision of which the best electric bike is for you, the Aventon Pace 350.2 Step-Thru is an attractive proposition. Despite being a more affordable option within the world of electric bicycles, Aventon hasn’t skimped on the design of the Pace 350.2 Step-Through, with a relaxed frame geometry that ensures you’re in a comfortable position when you’re pedalling.

With a maximum speed that exceeds the legal limits in Australia, you’ll be zipping around town with the 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain and five levels of pedal assist built-in. It’s powered by an integrated rear hub motor, with a decent-sized battery that will hit full charge in around 4 hours of charging.

With chunky and stable 2.2-inch Kenda Kwick Seven Sport tires, and brakes via a set of robust Tektro mechanical disc brakes, it’s a safe, stable ride that you don’t need to be a professional to handle smoothly. On top of that, you’re also getting some very decent value with the Aventon Pace 350.2 Step-Thru.

Lekker Amsterdam GT eBike

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 120km
• Motor: 80Nm Bafang M420 motor
• Battery: 630Wh removable battery
• Groupset: Stepless Enviolo gearing with Gates CDX Carbon belt drive
• Weight: 26kg

If there is anywhere on the planet that you should take suggestions on electric bicycle commuting from, it’s the city of Amsterdam. Not only is it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, but this local knowledge has been put to good use by the folks at Lekker bikes, who have more than a couple of excellent electric bikes in their catalogue.

The latest generation electric bicycle the brand has released is the Lekker Amsterdam GT eBike, which is a thoughtful, but no-fuss approach to the daily commute. It boasts a step-less Enviolo shifting hub and bicycle transmission, as well as a Bafang M420 motor and aluminium 6061 smooth welded diamond frame that will have you zipping around town.

Featuring a removable 630Wh capacity battery, the Lekker Amsterdam GT eBike boasts a maximum range of 120kms which will likely only see you needing to charge it a couple of times a week. Good battery life isn’t all, however, with a practical cargo rack on the front of the bike, for anything you might need to carry.

Giant Explore E+ 1 STA

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 190km
• Motor: 75Nm SyncDrive Sport 2
• Battery: EnergyPak Smart 625
• Groupset: Shimano
• Weight: 25kg

Another very solid offering in the world of e-bike commuting is via Giant, in their Explore E+ 1 STA. With a relatively relaxed frame geometry that is optimised for a comfortable riding position, you should expect exceptional performance from a brand with such a strong reputation for ensuring a quality commute.

Powered by one of the more impressive hub motors on the market, the SyncDrive Sport 2 motor with 75Nm, comes complete with an integrated EnergyPak that will make the most of your pedalling power. Containing 625Wh of power, the EnergyPak will serve up more power to your rear wheel than most, with a range of up to 175kms on a single charge.

With integrated front and rear lights, a rear-mounted cargo rack and versatile Giant CrossCut Gravel 2 tires, there’s great value to be found in the Explore E+ 1 STA.

Best Electric Bikes — Road

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 130km
• Motor: Specialized SL 1.1, custom lightweight motor
• Battery: Specialized SL1-320, fully integrated, 320Wh
• Groupset: SRAM
• Weight: 12kg

With a reputation for making some of the world’s top-tier road bikes, it should come as no surprise that Specialized has also made a very impressive electric bike for the road. One of the best e-bikes from the Specialized factory is the Turbo Creo SL Expert carbon e-road bike, which is lightweight, zippy and fast enough to get the blood pumping.

It’s so light in fact, that Specialized is confident enough to state that it’s, “the lightest e-bike in its class,” meaning you’d be hard-pressed to find a bunch ride that can drop you when the pace lifts. Not only is it a remarkably lightweight electric bike, but it is also powered by the 240-watt, SL 1.1 motor that can silently offer as much pedal assist as you need for a little more speed. The SL 1.1 is paired with an amply sized battery that offers up to 128kms of range, making it the perfect e-bike to do some big days in the saddle.

The Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert certainly isn’t the most affordable electric bike on the market, but if budget is less of a concern than power output and responsiveness, it’s definitely worth considering.

Trek Domane+ SLR 6

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 145km (with 160Wh Range Extender in eco mode)
• Motor: 50 Nm TQ harmonic pin ring motor
• Battery: 360 Wh integrated battery,
• Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2
• Weight: 12.4kg

Trek is another manufacturer with more than its fair share of race-winning road bike expertise, which has been translated into an electric bike via the Trek Domane+ SLR 6. Using the endurance-road geometry of the Domane carbon frame and fork, as well as the rest of the trimmings you’d expect from a top-of-the-line road bike, the Domane+ SLR 6 can easily hold tempo at around 25kph.

The bike is powered by a 50 Nm TQ harmonic pin ring motor, driven by a 360 Wh battery, which integrates seamlessly with the Shimano 105 2×12 Di2 wireless electronic drivetrain. The benefit of the motor system is that when you pass the maximum assist speed or just want to turn the motor off, you won’t feel much resistance thanks to its lightweight construction.

If you don’t need the extra power for your next ride, or you just forgot to charge the battery, you can also remove the motor and battery to save nearly 3kgs in total weight. If you’re after an electric road bike that can double as a normal road bike, without sacrificing any aesthetic elements, the Domane+ SLR 6 is worth considering.

Giant Revolt E+ 2022

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: 160km
• Motor: SyncDrive Pro motor
• Battery: EnergyPak Smart Compact 500 battery
• Groupset: Shimano GRX Di2
• Weight: 18kg

While not a pure road bike, the Giant Revolt E+ 2022 is a pretty compelling gravel bike that you could easily spend countless hours on the road with. With a lightweight ALUXX aluminium frame that offers a relatively relaxed geometry and a fully integrated motor and battery pack, there’s a whole lot to love even before you get into the details.

Powered by the Giant SyncDrive Pro motor, the Giant Revolt E+ 2022 features an EnergyPak Smart Compact 500 battery that offers up to 160kms of range. The pedal-assist motor is easy to use via the RideControl Switch on/off button on the top tube, while the gearing is as simple as it comes with Shimano GRX Di2 set up, ready to go.

Equipped with tubeless Maxxis Receptor tires, the Giant Revolt E+ 2022 is as at home on the tarmac as it is on gravel paths, making it a properly quick and versatile ride. If you’re after a roadie that can handle a little more, make sure you check it out.

Best Electric Bikes — Cargo And Family

Urban Arrow Family Performance Plus

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: Up to 100km
• Motor: 65Nm Bosch Performance Line Gen 3 250W
• Battery: Bosch 500Wh
• Groupset: Enviolo and Tektro
• Weight: 51kg

Sometimes an electric bike isn’t about getting you over rocky trails or open roads as quickly as possible, but actually about navigating the city streets smoothly and safely. If you’re just trying to get the kids safely off to daycare before you launch into another day at the office, the Urban Arrow Family offers everything you could want and more.

Its instantly recognisable shape is longer than most electric bikes, built to house a large section at the front of the bike that can carry anything from your children to your groceries. Featuring a lightweight aluminium frame, the Urban Arrow Family is still light and manoeuvrable enough to navigate traffic without becoming unstable or losing balance.

Kitted out with a 250W Bosch Performance Line Gen 3 motor, powered by a 500Wh battery from the same manufacturer, you’ll have more than enough power in your pedals to get to wherever you’re going. If your family comes first, this could be the e-bike for you.

Momentum PakYak E+

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Range: Up to 97km
• Motor: SyncDrive Pro mid-drive motor
• Battery: 500Wh battery
• Groupset: Shimano
• Weight: 36kg

Another rock-solid option within the world of cargo electric bikes comes from Momentum, in their recently released PakYak E+. With its block colour scheme and low-slung, step-through aluminium frame, it’s a relatively compact bike that still makes a bit of a statement.

Featuring a SyncDrive Pro mid-drive motor, that comes with a 500Wh battery, you’ll be able to get around with any precious cargo on the front or rear racks, with a maximum weight load of 164kgs. If you need more power though, it even comes with the option of a second battery, just in case you run out of time to get a full charge into the main battery. In terms of a quality cargo electric bicycle, the Momentum PakYak E+ should deliver everything you might be looking for and more.

What You Need To Know Before Buying An Electric Bike

In Australia, the electric bike boom is here to stay, with sales up 800% in the last half-decade. This is thanks to the improvement of battery technology over the same period which has seen electric bikes evolve from being expensive and heavy with low battery range to lightweight and increasingly affordable alternatives to traditional bikes. Even as recently as 2016, there were just 9,000 e-bikes sold in Australia, compared to around 100,000 in 2022.

What’s the difference between an electric bike and a low-powered scooter or motorbike?

In Australia, the distinction is made that an e-bike must be, “propelled primarily by the rider,” rather than solely by the motor. Basically, you still need to pedal, but the motor offers pedal assistance to get you up to speed and keep you there, which is particularly helpful when riding up a hill or into a headwind. The rules state an e-bike can have a motor with up to 250w (500w for NSW) of power, but that it cuts out when you hit 25kph or stop pedalling, in order to keep them as safe as possible. 

Typically, most electric bikes are set up with lithium-ion battery packs that have more than enough power to meet the maximum Australian requirements. The battery range of an e-bike is a tricky thing to calculate, depending on the type of bike (eg. mountain bike vs. road bike), rider weight, speed, frequency of stops and the number of hills.

In spite of that, nearly all bikes will have a range of between 30kms and 200kms depending on the specific conditions. Specialized has a handy range calculator that you can use to get a decent estimate of how far you’re likely to get depending on your specific circumstances.

Because of how much variability there can be in range, bike brands have wasted no time in building highly specific types of electric bikes, from mountain bikes and road bikes, to heavy-duty cargo bikes and bikes that can carry child passengers.

It’s definitely worth considering what you want the e-bike for and how you’re likely to use it, be it commuting to work, taking the kids to school or hitting the trails on the weekend. Happy hunting!



Article By: Nick Kenyon - Boss Hunting Magazine "Australia's leading Men's Lifestyle publisher"
Link To Article: https://www.bosshunting.com.au