They include both pedal assist and throttle functions, with a top speed of 20 MPH. Class 2 e-bikes are approved for use on bike trails in most cities and states. That means the motor is located on the rear hub and works by spinning the back wheel.
This motor provides power for up to 65 miles on a single charge. A handlebar LCD showcases the battery life, range, and pedal assist level. All that, plus the six-pound Toshiba battery housed behind the seat, makes the bike quite heavy, and, in some ways, a bit clunky feeling to move around when you’re not riding it. Where an average bike weighs about 35 pounds, the Tailwind, as we mentioned, weighs 58 pounds. Of course — this bike does a lot more than your average bike, and its weight is actually fairly low for electric bikes (plus, we’re huge wimps).
Overall, I think Schwinn needs to better balance its approach when it comes to the motor and how hard it pushes, especially when it has a full charge. Once I rigged up my kids’ old trailer into a cargo trailer, I could transport even more from the grocery store. Suddenly I was spending hours if not days less time in my car, and more on a bike.
Many states have minimum age requirements to operate an ebike. The best electric bikes in 2023 came from a mix of name brand companies like Cannondale and Urban Arrow as well as newer brands like Aventon and Velotric. Overall, given the fundamental shift I have seen in my personal bike riding mongoose bmx habits this past summer, I very much enjoy having an e-bike. The Coston e-bike is a good example of that in a much more approachable price range than some others. The LED controls are nice, but also missing some functionality. This bike comes equipped with front, rear, and bottom lights.
Cycling is one of the best activities you can do if you like being outside. It’s environmentally friendly, you don’t have to pay for any gas, and it gets you a breath of fresh air that driving in a car just doesn’t provide. Back in the day you’d have to work your butt off to pedal a bike around the city, but these days you can get some assistance thanks to electric bikes. The Tailwind’s frame is meant for flat city or suburban riding, and, at the end of the day, Schwinn’s entire package here hits dead-on a really specific and growing demographic.
I like how the Marshall is a bit more upright than a standard mountain bike but in a better position for standing than a cruiser. By default, the console shows the battery left, speed, total distance and pedal assist level. The up and down are mostly for adjusting the pedal assist levels up and down. The Marshall looks like a mountain bike with a comfy cruiser feel to it.
There are five different levels of pedal-assist for you to choose from, which offer e-assistance up to 20 miles per hour. Simple and efficient pavement riding awaits you on this sleek urban e-bike. Most of their models are made for casual cyclists with a single-speed drivetrain, so if you’re looking for electric mountain bikes or racing options, you might be disappointed. Some options come close to being hybrid bike models, but we recommend looking elsewhere if you need intense outdoor performance. In fact, our Trek Verve review demonstrates an interesting take on the hybrid bike concept, and has found success with casual riders.
And it’s only $1200, very affordable for the features on offer. At this point, a company called Pacific Cycle purchased Schwinn. Pacific Cycle was then purchased in 2004 by Dorel Industries, a leading investor in the bicycle industry. Dorel Industries houses all of its production schwinn electric bike plants in Taiwan or China to lower costs. The Schwinn brand was re-ignited, and it started producing a wide number of new bike models, including electric bikes. If you want to see models by this brand, you can begin with our review of the Schwinn Meridian electric cargo tricycle.