Enjoy the Summer with an Electric Bike, Scooter, or Skateboard This Year
Welcome to "Summer of a Lifetime," your handbooks to enjoying the sunniest months at the utmost. Whether your summer dream is a thrilling expedition or a laid-back time with minimal chores (and somewhere comfortable indoors), this guide has you sorted as you need to create the perfect summer.
As everyone anticipates electric cars on the roads, the thrilling things happening are on your local bike paths: 18% of non-motor bikes sold in 2023 were electric, while electric cars accounted for only 7.6% of auto sales in the same year—excluding all electric scooters, skateboards and other modes of transport. Experience the best summer by hopping onto an e-bicycle, e-scooter or an electric unicycle and hit the road.
E-Bike Buyer's Guide
The e-bicycles' top-selling personal electric vehicles have been reaching new heights due to their popularity. They make getting out there as simple as riding a bike and fit almost everyone regardless of their fitness level. With the e-bike market expanding, it could get confusing selecting from the growing options, so let's break it down.
Price points of e-bikes vary tremendously. Amazon has a model selling for less than $300. In sharp contrast, you could invest over $10,000 on a premium electric road bicycle. However, the promising middle ground lies between $1,500 to $2,500 for quality e-bikes.
While I'm usually for trying a cheap product, the reduced costs of e-bikes that go for less than $300 usually stem from subpar components that break easily and cannot be repaired. Most bike maintenance stores too won't check a nameless Amazon e-bike—so they may pose danger. Therefore, they disappoint after a while. Only a few no-name brands make reliable e-bikes, but most high-brand e-bikes are directly sold to customers.
The type of e-bike fitting your needs relies on your type and destination. So, here's how it breaks down for newcomers:
Cruiser E-Bikes
Let us start with the iconic summer-style bike: the cruiser. Created for relaxed, slow-paced rides, they prove made for comfort not speed. For these rides, these two models fare well.
- Aventon Pace 500.3: Offering an ideal value for money and multifunctionality, the Aventon Pace 500.3 is an excellent purchase, especially if it's your first time on an e-bike. ($1,599) (Full review here).
- MOD Easy SideCar 3: Wish not just to roll to the beach but also carry a passenger? The Mod Easy is a perfect choice with a sleek look in addition to its sidecar. ($4,190) (Upcoming full review).
Commuter E-Bikes
These bikes are designed for daily cycling around cities. They strive for comfort handling and can carry light goods. Perfect if on a short-distance commute to work or the store.
- Tenways CGO60-Pro: Equipped with a single-speed, this Euro-styled city bike has an unburdened belt-drive instead of a chain, making maintenance a rare task. ($1,499.00) (In-progress full review).
- Propella 7S: Despite the coold and plain appearance, I've tested pricier e-bikes, yet keep returning to the hassle-free Propella's unpretentiousness. The no-fuss Propella is budget-friendly yet amusingly fashionable. ($799) (Full review here).
Folding E-Bikes
Specifically made for easy storage, these bikes suit commuters in compact environments. They're the e-bikes for city dwellers with limited space.
- Ride1up Portola: If you want an affordable, compact & powerful e-bike that you could fit into a closet, this option is the pick. ($995) (Full review here).
Cargo E-Bikes
Heavy-duty e-bikes are built for comprehensive transportation. They're designed to carry big loads, often featuring robust tires for handling tough roads.
- Radrunner 3: This durable bike rolls through dirt tracks, city roads, and bike paths relentlessly, displaying a track record as a tiny SUV. ($2,099) (Full review here).
Electric Mountain Bikes (E-MTBs)
These bikes are designed for extraordinarily challenging landscapes, primarily off-roads. If you're an enthusiast of mountain biking, a motor considerably heightens the experience.
Considering these choices should make your installation memorable.
- Canyon Spectral CF 7: This lightweight, high-performance e-mountain bike has captured my heart! ($5,099) (Read the complete review here.)
- Jasion EB5 Electric Bike: If you're set on going against my advice and sensible reason, you can grab this Jasion bike for just $289 on Amazon, boasting a 4.4 out of 5 average rating with over a thousand reviews. However, I wouldn't trust it for anything more than a short ride down a driveway. ($289) (Comprehensive review will never surface)
Exploring Electric Scooters, One-Wheels, and Skateboards
While I've dabbled with these alternatives to traditional bikes, I still lack substantial experience in using them. In my opinion, they're more suited to younger enthusiasts. Still, if you're keen on giving them a try, here are some highly-acclaimed electric scooters, skateboards, and unicycles.
Electric Scooter
Scooters are simpler to operate than electric skateboards and lighter than e-bikes. They lean more toward fun summer activities rather than serious commuting.
- Segway Ninebot: Setting aside the Segway's previous efforts to change the game in general transportation, they've now become well-known for their popular, affordable electric scooters appreciated by experts and average consumers alike.
$629.99at Amazon
Segway Ninebot E22 – Lightweight, Foldable Electric Scooter$629.99at Amazon$629.99at Amazon
Electric Skateboards
I'd suggest staying away from these unless you have prior experience with traditional skateboarding. However, if you're an analog skating veteran, an electric skateboard is your ticket to an unforgettable, exhilarating experience.
- Wowgo 3E: This electric longboard integrates a belt-driven motor meant for under $500 and boasts outstanding consumer ratings. ($483.90)
- Tynee Mini 3 Pro Electric Skateboard: In direct contrast to the previous longboard, this compact skateboard stands at 30" in length and can reach up to 31 mph. ($749.00)
Electric Unicycles and One-Wheels
These Hoverboard-esque devices terrify me due to their self-balancing nature. While it makes them easy to ride, the thought of a one-wheel engine failing at 20 mph scares me. But if I could push past my fears, I'd likely have a far more exciting existence.
- One Wheel Pint X: One Wheel has been in the business for over a decade, so I trust they know what they're doing. (I won't be riding one.) ($1,100)
- INMOTION Adventure Electric Unicycle: This all-terrain electric unicycle is no joke. Its suspension, large tires, and 4,000W high-torque motor make it capable of tackling a 50-degree hill. I'm petrified, yet intrigued. ($2,999)
Electric Hydrofoil
Unfortunately, their practicality is limited, but the first time I saw someone gliding effortlessly over the ocean on an electric hydro-foil, I knew I had to give it a shot. My personal objective for the summer is to at least try either a jet board or an electric hydrofoil. They're said to be easy to learn, so wish me luck.
- Waydoo Flyer ONE Plus eFoil: Capable of hitting speeds above 25 mph and running for two hours on their battery, these are sure to provide you with a ton of fun. (I don't think I can handle that much fun.)
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In the 2023 market, electric bikes gained significant popularity, with 18% of non-motor bikes sold being electric, compared to only 7.6% of auto sales for electric cars. This trend has led to an array of e-bike options, making it crucial to choose wisely.
For those seeking a high-quality electric bicycle without breaking the bank, prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 offer reliable options. While it might be tempting to opt for a cheap model, subpar components often lead to quick breakdowns, and fewer bike maintenance stores inspect Amazon's no-name brands, posing potential dangers.
