E-bikes tested in 2021: bestsellers and test winners

Electric bicycles have arrived in the mainstream: The design is now appealing and the price-performance ratio is interesting. But which e-bike should you buy in 2021? GIGA shows models that are recommended.

The best e-bikes in 2021: all recommendations at a glance

The bestseller at FahrradXXL: Winora Yucatan 8 (2020)

Benefits:

• Comprehensively equipped
• Good driving behavior

Disadvantage:

Anyone looking for an e-bike will sooner or later come across the dealer FahrradXXL from Frankfurt am Main. According to its own statements, the company offers “Germany’s largest selection”. It is therefore interesting to take a look at the e-bike bestsellers that can be seen in the online shop.

That is represented in the front ranks Winora Yucatan 8 (2020) – A fully equipped pedelec with low step-through, which is currently being offered at a discount: Instead of € 1,999, you only pay € 1,799. The customer ratings at FahrradXXL are consistently good. Among other things, the driving behavior and the easy operation are praised. A customer mentions the somewhat heavy weight of 23.3 kg. The torque of the Winora Yucatan 8 (2020) is given by the dealer as 70 Nm, the engine comes from Yamaha. The equipment (including hydraulic disc brakes, suspension fork, 8-speed derailleur, lighting) is neat.

The folding e-bike bestseller: NCM Paris +

Benefits:

Disadvantage:

• Limited driving comfort
• Not suitable for tall people

A look at the e-bike bestsellers on Amazon, this time with a focus on the category of foldable e-bikes (folding bikes), which can be transported in a particularly space-saving manner in the trunk of a car or on the train. This is where it falls NCM Paris + from Leon Cycle from Hanover in the eye, which is affordable at less than 1,700 euros and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. According to the manufacturer, the range is 70 to 130 kilometers per charge.

The aluminum frame has a folding mechanism, the folded dimensions are compact 90 cm x 70 cm x 50 cm. However, the 23 kg weight restricts mobility a little – especially older users shouldn’t push the pedelec too vigorously into the trunk. That could go into the intervertebral discs.

Short trips on good paths and in combination with local public transport – that is the typical purpose of a foldable e-bike. The 20-inch tires require a willingness to compromise in terms of driving comfort and driving stability – you have to be clear about that. For occasional assignments in the city, the NCM Paris + is just the thing. However, if you want to go on long tours, you should rather take a normal-sized model and do without the folding mechanism.

The e-bike test winner of the Stiftung Warentest 2020: KTM Macina Tour 510

Benefits :

• Driving behavior very good
• Responsiveness and motor support are very good
• Can be driven comparatively well even without the engine switched on

Disadvantage:

The last major e-bike test by Stiftung Warentest took place in mid-2020 (issue 06/2020). Twelve mid-engined pedelecs were compared, and it was the winner KTM Macina Tour 510. The Pedelec, classified as a “clear favorite” according to Stiftung Warentest, was tested in the 2020 model version and with low entry (“Wave”).

The KTM Macina Tour 510 is also available as a classic men’s (“Gents”) or ladies’ bike (“Ladies”). It received an overall rating of 1.7 (“good”) and was praised for its very good driving characteristics and the well-graded and powerful engine, among other things. The measured range of 55 kilometers is on par with the competitors in the test field – by the way, the test was carried out under “demanding conditions”, i.e. hills and poor asphalt.

The e-bike with the best design: Cowboy 3

All information about e-bikes in our video. Here we also take a closer look at the Cowboy 3:

Benefits :

• Great design
• Good response and fully automatic engine support
• Mobile phone app with useful additional functions (e.g. prediction of the battery level at the destination)

Disadvantage:

Even if a lot has happened in terms of design in recent years – only very few e-bikes are really sexy. The e-bike is a shining example here Cowboy 3 from Belgian startup Cowboy. A minimalist and futuristic look that draws attention. Thanks to its sleek design, however, it is not immediately recognizable as an electric bike. Is it from a science fiction movie or straight from the future?

I tried the Cowboy 3 for several days in the Berlin urban jungle. No gear shift, no motor control, but dynamic e-support and lots of software features – this e-bike shows where pedelecs could develop. An exciting concept with 2,290 euros (RRP, model Cowboy 3) Fairly priced, quite light at 16.9 kg and apart from that also very nice nice to look at. You can read the detailed report here:

E-Bike Test 2021: This is how we selected the recommendations

GIGA editor Stefan has incorporated his own experience with pedelecs and research in specialist magazines into this summary. Current e-bike models will be presented that have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for purchase. The test procedure for e-bikes used by Stiftung Warentest is presented on the corresponding website explained. Sources used: Stiftung Warentest (Edition 06/2020)

E-bike test winner and best seller 2021: you should know that before buying

E-bikes and pedelecs: what is it and what is the difference?

Are meant Bicycles assisted by an electric motor. However, the terms “e-bike” and “pedelec” are not always clearly separated in trade and in general usage. We are guided by that ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V.), which names three types of electric bikes that can be distinguished:

• Pedelecs: The term stands for “Pedal Electric C.ycle ”and means the most popular type of electric bike in Germany. An electric motor up to a maximum of 250 watts switches on when the user himself steps on the pedals. This gives you support and saves muscle power – but only up to a speed of 25 km / h. The contribution made by the auxiliary electromotive drive depends on the rider’s cadence. For Germany regulated in Road Traffic Act (StVG) § 1.
• Fast pedelecs (“Swiss Class”): Also known as “S-Class” or “S-Pedelecs”. Motor support for higher speeds (up to 45 km / h). Legally no longer count as bicycles, but as mopeds. Need a driver’s license Class AM, an insurance license plate and an operating license. When using it, helmets are compulsory, and cycle paths are not allowed.
• E-bikes in the narrower sense: In the narrower sense, an e-bike is a bicycle with an electric drive and a twist grip or switch button that can be driven (max. 20 km / h) without physical effort (pedaling) on ​​the part of the user. It is therefore related to an “electric moped” and is classified as a moped by German lawmakers. In order to be allowed to drive it, you need a “moped driver’s license” (test certificate) and an insurance license plate.

The test winners and bestsellers presented here in the GIGA comparison are all Pedelecs as defined above. The price range is wide: there are simple models for around 500 euros to full-suspension mountain bikes with electric motors for several thousand euros. At the moment, you should reckon with 1,100 euros or more for a pedelec that is to be used every day. The more you spend, the better the built-in components such as gears, brakes, motor and battery.

E-bike from the discounter: Offers at Aldi and Lidl

E-bikes are much more expensive than comparable conventional bicycles – that’s no wonder, because the electric motor, battery and electronics cause additional costs in production. In order to still get an e-bike cheaply, it is worth going to the discounter. The two supermarket giants Lidl and Aldi (Hofer in Austria), but also the car service provider ATU, always have affordable (branded) pedelecs on offer – GIGA reports regularly on them. Not only normal e-bikes are sold, but also models with three wheels and a loading area (cargo e-bike / cargo bike) or foldable pedelecs.

E-bike helmets are compulsory and suitable helmets

According to current legislation, there is no obligation to wear a helmet for pedelec riders in Germany. Nevertheless, as with conventional bicycles, wearing a helmet is recommended, as this can save the rider’s life in the worst-case scenario. A look at the Amazon bestsellers in the categories of trekking, city and racing bike helmets shows that you can find good models for as little as 35 euros.

A somewhat unusual “helmet” is the Hövding airbag (approx. 300 euros) that you wear around your neck. The head remains free while driving – only in the event of a fall does a protective cushion inflate at lightning speed, which safely absorbs possible impacts.

E-bike batteries: wear and tear and disposal

The energy supply of the e-bike motor while driving is provided by a battery (usually lithium-ion battery). Depending on the capacity, one charge lasts for a range of 40 to 100 kilometers. Of the The battery is a consumable part and must be replaced after a few years as it loses performance over time. Tip: Extreme temperatures are to be avoided in the long term, e-bike batteries fare best at room temperature. By the way, old e-bike batteries are not disposed of with household waste! It must be disposed of properly in Germany via the “common battery take-back system” of the specialist trade and via communal collection points.

Environmental situation: how environmentally friendly are e-bikes?

Using an e-bike is kind to the environment – at least compared to a car. Here are a few points where e-bikes do better than cars when it comes to environmental protection:

• less CO₂Emissions
• less nitrogen oxides (NOX)
• less fine dust

However, e-bikes are not completely emission-free or environmentally friendly, just think of the production (removal of lithium for the batteries) and the energy required for the journey. If the latter does not come from a renewable source, then this has a negative impact on the environmental balance of every single pedelec ride. An e-bike is usually only one more environmentally friendly alternativeif you leave the car instead. The most environmentally friendly modes of transport are still walking or conventional bicycles without an electric motor.