20 years of bike enthusiasts,
using data and experience to teach you
how to choose the best bikes. This bike is the best alternative to each other, and when I saw the Huffy Trail Runner, I wondered if they had picked up the design of the Hyper 26″ Shocker Mountain Bike. Because the Schwinn High Timber is available in a variety of colors and has a sturdy aluminum frame, it can be used for an extended period of time with little maintenance.
The Cafe Cruiser has a burlier rear rack with an optional kit to carry a kid (up to 130 lbs) and comes with more stylish and comfortable handlebars. As with traditional road bikes (and gravel bikes too), their motorized counterparts have sporty forward-leaning geometry, narrow tires, and lightweight frames, all with performance and efficiency in mind. Keeping that huffy trail runner in mind, many analog road bikes can exceed the 20mph power cutoff of e-bike motors when on flats and downhills. E-road bikes are inevitably heavier due to the battery and motor, so you may end up hauling dead weight through these sections of your ride. However, if you ride in an area with many hills, you’ll probably appreciate a little pedal assist occasionally.
While a MAX frame might be overkill for a smaller rider like Andy, it is well suited for the heavier build of someone like myself—we can’t all be grand tour climbers! The robust tubes are shaped to allow for a modicum of flex over rough surfaces, which makes it a comfortable-yet-strong choice for riders huffy cruiser wanting a durable frame for gravel or cobbled rides. It is easy to store, but the battery is smaller, giving it predictably less range. The shorter wheelbase and taller handlebar give it a nervous feeling at speed. The tight turning radius allows for good maneuverability, and the bike never felt unsafe.
These typically have a very user-friendly interface and have the option for a step-through frame design to make mounting and dismounting easier for most people. They may not be as powerful or speedy as some other models, but they provide a boost to your pedaling efforts and are fun and comfortable to ride. While almost always available as aftermarket accessories, included perks like a headlight, tail light, fenders, and cargo racks are always nice.
We recommend pricing out the exact accessory package you want for each bike and comparing which offers the better value. Whatever your preferred riding style, there is probably an e-bike version to fit; if you can’t find one, it’s probably in the making. As electric bikes become more popular, many people are adopting the term “analog” bike to differentiate between motorized and traditional bicycles. While many of the features found on particular styles of e-bikes are the same in the analog world, a few motor or battery-specific details are different. We have been testing different styles of bikes since 2017, but our team of bike experts has been riding for much longer. Kyle Smaine is a South Lake Tahoe native and has had access to some of the area’s best bike trails from a young age.