6 min read
Summer is winding down, but Labor Day is right around the corner. This means e-bike companies and retailers are rolling out deals, savings, and special promotions on electric bikes. Now’s the time to score a great deal on an e-bike for your Labor Day weekend trip, back-to-school, or enjoying the last days of summer weather.
This year, more people than ever before are choosing electric bikes for all sorts of rides. These zippy, pedal-assist bikes are perfect for enjoying your local bike paths, riding rail trails with your family, or tackling singletrack adventures. E-bikes are also great for your daily commute, basic transportation, and running errands. And with big savings from brands, now is a great time to score a deal on one for yourself.
What to Know
- Lectric’s 2026 Labor Day Sale lasts until September 8, or while supplies last.
- Save up to $694 in FREE accessories across the Lectric range.
- Aventon’s 2026 Labor Day Sale is $200 off select models through September 8.
- Receive a free Aventon chain lock with select Aventon models.
- Save 20% on REI’s Co-op CTY e2.1 e-bike
No matter your budget or riding needs—from commuters to mountain bikers, experienced cyclists to those brand-new to riding—there is an e-bike for every sort of rider. Our test team rides dozens of electric bikes each year, and these are some of our favorites and the best deals out there right now.
Aventon
The Aventon Level is our benchmark electric bike. It’s a great e-bike for commuting, running errands, or leisure riding. Over several years, the Level platform has proven to be reliable and low-maintenance. Plus, its price doesn’t break the bank.
The REC features a 750W hub motor with 80 Nm torque. The model also has regenerative braking, which increases the bike’s range up to 75 miles. For commutes and running errands, the Level comes standard with fenders, a rear rack, lights, and suspension.
Another feature users will find quite useful is the Level’s connected features. The Level 4’s ACU (Aventon Control Unit) adds several smart features to the already well-equipped platform. The wheel lock and motion sensor alarm are passive theft deterrents when you stop for a mid-ride coffee or run into the post office. A 4G chip in the ACU enables GPS tracking in Aventon’s mobile app, so you can locate your bike if you forget where you locked it. 4G connectivity also allows you to set geofence restrictions on the bike for teens or housemates.
This relatively affordable seven-speed model from Aventon delivers simplicity and style that is tough to beat. And it’s even better than the original version, thanks to hydraulic disc brakes. Push the throttle to get started, and the brushless hub motor kicks in, assisting you gently as you begin pedaling.
Along with disc brakes, the Soltera features integrated lights and turn signals. The battery is hidden in the bike’s frame, a surprising feature compared to the bolt-on vibe of many bikes in this price range. Best for smoother roads and bike paths, the Soltera delivers the essential features a city rider needs in a strikingly light 46-pound package.
Compared to earlier iterations of the Aventure, the third-generation model rides smoother and feels more like a premium bike (without the high price tag). Aventon’s new torque sensor allows more control over the acceleration of Aventure’s 750W rear hub motor. Lighter-weight testers found earlier models had too much torque, but this Aventure remedied that fault. Additional features include a new head-unit interface, integrated turn signals, a front light, a rear rack, and fenders.
The Aventure 3 is an excellent fat-tire e-bike for commuters—especially on snowy days and gravel paths. Off-roading, it excels on doubletrack trails and cinder paths, but with this burly bike’s weight and components, it has limited functionality on singletrack and more aggressive mountain trails.
Aventon also offers a mid-drive version of the Aventure. It keeps the same big, burly character but adds a more premium feel, a smoother and more powerful motor, and an upgraded drivetrain—along with a higher price.
Aventon’s latest model, the Pace 5 REC, is a zippy e-bike that’s perfect for weekend cruises around town, the bike path, or even occasional commutes. The brand refined the Pace with a slew of updates that make it one of the best bang-for-your-buck step-throughs on the market. These include connected features (such as GPS tracking and theft deterrence), a powerful 750 Watt motor, regenerative braking, and an impressive 75-mile range. It’s offered in five colors (grey, mint, pink, orange, and teal) and two frame sizes.
The Pace 5 does not come with a rack, fenders, or a suspension fork. If you frequently commute by bike or use your e-bike for running errands, consider paying $200 more for the Level 4.
Lectric
Up to $694 in FREE accessories: Fast Charger, Running Boards, Cushions, Headlight, Seatpost, and Orbitor.
Many riders are attracted to the XPedition’s very appealing price. Currently priced at $1,799, the dual-battery model (with up to 120 miles of range) has a top speed of 28 mph. A single-battery version is also available for $1,399; it boasts an impressive 60-mile range. And if you need even more battery power, the $1,999 Long Range model goes up to 170 miles from a single charge.
These prices make the XPedition one of the most affordable electric cargo bikes on the market. And they’re a solid option for riders seeking an excellent deal on an e-cargo bike. “The XPedition’s capability surprised me”, said Test Editor Dan Chabanov. “Combined with the Lectric XL panniers and the Essentials package, I comfortably carried several days of groceries for a family of three or one adult passenger.”
Up to $438 in FREE accessories: Full Bundle including Rack, Lock, Headlight, Seatpost, Phone Mount, Mirrors, and Bottle holder.
The XP4 is a great folding e-bike, but if you want a little more power and range, the XP4 750 is right for you. It’s the same fast, zippy Class 3 e-bike (with pedal assist up to 28 mph) and a 330-pound payload capacity, but it ups the ante with a range of up to 85 miles and a peak motor output of 1,310 watts–220 watts more than the standard model.
Whether you’re riding city streets to get to work or out for a fun ride on the weekends, this bike is fast, easy to ride, and a blast to pedal.
Up to $469 in FREE accessories: Rear Rack, Fenders, Headlight, Seatpost, Water-Resistant Pannier Bags, and Comfort Seat.
The XP Lite 2.0 scales back the top speed and power of the XP4 750, with pedal assist topping out at 20 mph, a peak motor output of 819 watts, and a reduced payload capacity of 275 pounds. It also drops the suspension fork found on the XP4, but still delivers an impressive range of up to 80 miles.
But this isn’t only a stripped-down version of the XP4; it has some major advantages. At 49 pounds (without accessories and options), it’s 26 pounds lighter than the higher-powered model. This makes the Lite much easier to lift and transport. Plus, instead of an 8-speed drivetrain, the XP Lite features a low-maintenance Gates belt drive. That means no greasy chain, no finicky gear adjustments, and a quieter, cleaner ride. Yes, it’s a singlespeed, but the pedal-assist motor easily compensates for all but the steepest hills or heaviest loads.
Up to $554 in FREE accessories: Support Seat, Headlight, Suspension Seatpost, Cargo Package, and Large Roll Top.
Electric trikes are a great choice for many riders, including seniors, people with mobility limitations, and those who need to carry heavy payloads. At $1,799, the Lectric XP Trike2 is an easy-to-ride and stable three-wheeler.
A 750-watt motor with 1,310 peak watts powers the XP Trike up to 17 mph. Plus, it has up to 70 miles of range on a charge. The Trike is equipped with a wide, soft seat with back support. Plus, it has a suspension seatpost and suspension fork for added comfort.
REI
Many “step-through” e-bikes lack a truly low-step design, making them difficult for some riders to mount or dismount. However, the CTY e2.1, from REI’s Co-op house brand, has a fully step-through front triangle. This makes the CTY a great choice for older riders, those with mobility limitations, or others who seek an easy-to-ride e-bike.
Equipped with a 250-watt hub-drive motor, the CTY e2.1 provides smooth pedal assistance up to 20 mph. It also features a suspension fork to smooth out bumps and potholes, an adjustable stem to achieve a comfortable riding position, and hydraulic disc brakes for improved stopping power. For less than the cost of some unknown e-bikes online, you can get a quality electric bike backed up by REI’s warranty and service.
Salsa’s Moraine 145 costs less than many hardtail E-MTBs, but don’t let the price fool you—It’s packed with value. This dual 29-inch-wheeled trail bike comes equipped with Fazua’s Ride 60 motor (60 Newton-meters of torque) and a 430-Watt-hour battery. While it has less torque and a smaller-capacity battery than higher-priced competitors, it has more than enough power for some serious fun in the woods and on singletrack.
The frame uses a Split Pivot suspension system designed by Dave Weagle (the mastermind behind the dw-link suspension system used by Pivot), for a balance of performance and pedalability. A 10-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain with four-piston Shimano brakes, a dropper post, and Terravail tubeless tires round out the component selection on this feature-packed full suspension E-MTB.
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As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.











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