Keep an eye out for these hot new picks in the e-bike industry
By Claire Barber
This year at (e)revolution, attendees will find a huge variety of e-bikes out on the floor. From class 1 road bikes to heftier commuter models with trailers and full-blown shade cages, there’s something here for every type of rider.
E-mountain bikes are all the rage, while e-road bikes are seeing a slower uptick in adoption. Utility bikes and commuter/city bikes out on the floor are abundant and all-the rage in small mountain towns and cities. Dig in to our roundup of what caught our eyes and turned our cranks on the Show floor.
Yamaha YDX Moro
The Yamaha YDX Moro line is on full display. These class 1 e-mountain bikes offer a full, pedal assist experience. The YDX Moro (MSRP $4,799) is a great beginner e-mountain bike, while the Yox Moro 07 (MSRP $6,399) and 05 (MSRP $5,799) have higher price points and new features, like an MTB mode for pedal assistance through technical lines and tight corners.
The 07, which, along with the 05, is 20% lighter in its new iteration, will also be available in a new anniversary model in beautiful silver chrome.
Giant Pakyak and Momentum Line
While the YDX Moro models will get you ripping off road, the Giant Momentum line is built for lifestyle and urban mobility. At 1,000 watt hours, the Giant Pakyak (MSRP $4,500) is built to carry plenty of cargo, with attachments for children’s car seats in the back. The mid-drive motor system makes the whole bike sleek and quiet too.
And keep an eye out—while the Pakyak has been out on the market for several years, “The brainstorming is going on right now for Pakyak 2,” says Lance Ummel, Giant Bicycle product and service support in North America.
Fission Cycle XP 1000
Fission Cycle, born in 2020 out of West Virginia, is unique for its hunting-oriented e-bike models. The XP 1000 (MSRP $3,800), which the brand plans to launch in late 2024, is an all-mountain e-bike inspired and built using fork systems more traditional to dirt bikes. These components not only bring the price of the XP1000 down, but make it burlier and equipped to handle tough hunting conditions and a lot of cargo. The XP 1000 is equipped to switch between class 2 and 3, for when a user might be hunting on private property and able to increase their speed.
Golden Cycles
The Golden Cycle Spark (MSRP $1,600) is an affordable, folding e-bike perfect for city commuting. Golden Cycles, based in Los Angeles sells to a lot of “beachy” areas — think California, Texas, and Florida — but the company claims a strong consumer base in Denver as well.
The bike is a class 2 model, with a 40-mile range and bafang motor. At 69 pounds with a three-step folding system, the bike is easy enough to handle if you’re keen on keeping it in the trunk of your car or tucked away in your office.
Trivel E-Azteca
We love the Trivel E-Azteca (MSRP $3,799.99–$4,199.99) for its accessibility. If a traditional e-bike isn’t your speed, a trike is a perfect in-between. The E-Azteca line provides 10.5AH to 14 AH of battery power depending on what model you select. The company also plans to release a step-through model to make getting your feet to the pedals even easier.
Based in Montreal, the bikes are online-order only for US residents, but available in big box stores across Canada. One of the coolest things? The bikes come in fat and thin tire selections and riders can add shade covers, baskets, and trailers to trick their rides out.
BTS Butter from ehearts
Melding pop culture with the e-bike rage, the BTS butter (yes, the bright yellow design is in partnership with the K-Pop group “BTS”) launches this June (MSRP $2,999). The bike is manufactured in Korea and built to navigate cities with ease.
Like the Golden Cycle Spark, the BTS Butter is foldable and lightweight for the durability you get from it. Its batteries slide in and out with ease and come with a fivee-level pedal assist.
Totem
Totem e-bikes were brought to the US market in 2017. They’re sold manufacturer direct, which keeps prices low without skimping on the details (you can even unlock and lock the bikes remotely).
The totem S1 Road and S1 Gravel have light carbon frames and integrated center drives which make riding them feel like you’re flying. Sleek and nimble, these bikes perform great on the road or gravel depending on your tire choice, but the market has yet to catch onto the trend—for now.
Photos by Claire Barber
