trek 10 bike

Trek Bikes Brand Review: A Close Look at the Iconic USA Bike Brand

woman riding a red road bike made by the trek bikes brand

T rek Bikes is one of the most popular and the most respected USA-based bike brands right now, and for a good reason. They offer models in all categories and all price points, for all types of cyclists. Let’s learn more in our in-depth overview!

No matter if you are an absolute beginner who can’t even ride, or you’re a pro cyclist with years of experience in the legs, Trek Bikes has a bike for you.

With more than 40 unique models, it’s both very easy and very challenging to find exactly what you’re looking for. Our in-depth overview teaches you all you need to know about each model series and many other things related to Trek.

Technologies

Trek’s range of models, trek mountain bikes, trek bikes – road, trek hybrid & city bikes, trek gravel & cyclocross bikes, trek adventure & touring bikes, trek tt/triathlon bikes, trek electric bikes, electra bikes, trek women’s bikes, kids’ trek bikes, new or used trek bikes.

History

The first bikes Trek made were touring steel frames , but as the business evolved, so did the selection of models. Soon enough, Trek began producing road racing bikes, and then mountain bikes from both aluminum and carbon.

The first Trek-branded all-aluminum bike left the production lines in 1985 and the first full-carbon model came out in 1989.

Today, Trek offers high-profile road bikes such as Domane, Madone, and Emonda; hardtail and full-suspension models like Marlin , X-Caliber, or Slash; Checkpoint and Boone gravel and CX bikes; and dozens of other popular model names in a wide range of categories.

Related:  Trek vs. Giant Bikes Comparison: Which Brand Is Better?

Over the years, Trek has pioneered or perfected many of the best technological solutions used in the top-level cycling sport.

Over the years, many of these advanced technologies have been passed down from best Trek bikes to mid-range and entry-level classes, improving the cycling experience for beginner and intermediate cyclists as well.

Technologies Trek use

Here are some of the most ground-breaking technologies developed by Trek so far:

  • OCLV Carbon:  Optimum Compaction Low Void carbon frames developed in 1991 — some of the lightest and stiffest in the world.
  • Alpha Aluminum: Trek’s refined aluminum frames that rival carbon frames in terms of strength and overall weight.
  • Active Braking Pivot: A revolutionary patented system developed to keep the rear suspension working while braking.
  • RE:aktiv: Advanced suspension system that provides dynamic flow that automatically adapts its performance to the rider and the type of the terrain.
  • Full Floater: Trek’s rear suspension system that allows for extremely supple and responsive rear suspension action, giving you the impression of bottomless travel.
  • IsoSpeed Suspension: Road bike suspension that decouples the seat tube from the top tube, diminishing the fatiguing impacts of the road.

One of the secrets to Trek Bikes’ long-lasting success is that they make bicycles for EVERYONE. No matter what kind of riding you wish to do or how much you can stretch your budget, you can find a suitable model in Trek’s lineup.

Their beginner bikes such as FX, 820, or Marlin start at around $400; whereas their elite road models such as Domane or Madone cost upward of $12,000.

Below is a full list of ALL Trek model lines available at the moment of writing this article, organized into logical categories.

This is intended as an informative resource for people looking into Trek bikes , trying to decide which one suits their needs the best.

Trek 820

820 is the most affordable mountain bike in the Trek line. It consists of one men’s and one women’s model, both of which cost around $500. They are equipped with rim brakes, Shimano Tourney components, and 26″ tires, which makes them perfect for beginners.

Best for: 820 bikes are good for short daily recreational and fitness rides, as well as short commutes.

See On Trek Bikes

Trek Marlin 7

Marlin is one of Trek’s most popular entry-level MTB lines. It consists of several aluminum hardtail models that cost between $620 and $1,400, so they’re ideal for first-timers and experienced hobby cyclists. Marlin bikes feature front suspension, disc brakes, 2x or 3x drivetrains, and wide 27.5″ or 29″ tires.

Best for: Marlin series can be used for on and off-road riding, commuting, and all-around daily cycling.

Our review s of Marlin 4 –  5 –  6 –  7

Trek Roscoe 8

Mountain biking enthusiasts who don’t have thousands of dollars but want quality trail bikes can choose the Roscoe line. These are fun aluminum hardtail bicycles with massive 27.5+ tires and specs that are ready to party. These models cost between $1,200 and $2,800 , so they are quite affordable as well.

Best for: If you want to ride trails more seriously with RockShox suspensions and SRAM or Shimano components, check out Trek Roscoe.

Trek X-Caliber 9

X-Caliber is Trek’s lineup of quality, yet affordable aluminum 29ers ideal for beginners and riders with some experience on the trails. They’re characterized by 120 mm of travel in the fork, light and efficient 1x drivetrains, and prices that remain between $1,500 and $2,000 . All models also feature powerful hydraulic disc brakes and size-specific tires.

Best for: Aspiring trail riders who aim to challenge themselves more, explore more technical trails, and do it all on a tight budget.

Farley 7 orange

Farley is a collection of Trek’s super-capable fat bikes built around aluminum or carbon frames, depending on the model. They’re characterized by awe-inspiring 27.5″ x 4.5″ tires and mud-ready 1x drivetrains. Most models have rigid forks, but there are options with a suspension fork as well.

Best for:  Trek Farley showcases its abilities best when put against snow, mud, rocks, roots, and other extreme conditions.

Trek Procaliber 9.6

Trek Procaliber is a group of race-ready aluminum and carbon cross-country hardtail bikes. They feature 100 mm of front suspension as well as IsoSpeed rear decouplers that improve control and comfort further. All Procaliber models also come with 29″ wheels, modern 1x drivetrains, and strong hydraulic disc brakes.

Best for: Cyclists interested in doing cross country racing or simply having fun and improving their skills on high-quality, yet reasonably-priced XC machines.

Trek Fuel EX 9.9

If you have more money than you know what to do with, why not spend it on the mouth-wateringly good Trek’s full-suspension Fuel EX line? These bikes are built with 140mm/130mm front and rear suspension, 29″ wheels, and efficient 1x drivetrains. The prices start at around $2,500 and cap at around $10,600  for the flagship Fuel EX 9.9.

Best for:  Expert trail riders (or those who practice becoming so) with money to spare, who want to ride a wide range of terrains, climb, descent, and race.

Trek Top Fuel 9.9

Top Fuel is a line of high-end , full-suspension bikes that are suitable for elite XC racing competitions. Every model features 120 mm of travel in the fork and 115 mm in the rear shock. All models are also equipped with super-capable 29″ wheels and tires that go up to 2.4″. If you want to own a Top Fuel bike, you’ll need to pay between $2,700  and $11,500.

Best for:  All-around fun on challenging and technical singletracks and top-level XC racing events. 

Trek Stache 7

Stache offers a high level of performance in a simple and easy to maintain hardtail package. These are mid-range trail bikes built around carbon or aluminum frames, with prices between $2,500 and $4,000. They feature 120 mm of front suspension travel coupled with 29+ wheels and tires that are 3.0″ wide. They’re capable of some serious damage.

Best for:  Stache bikes are best for trail enthusiasts who want to have maximum fun on the most challenging terrain available in their area, but not worry much about upkeep costs. 

Trek Remedy 8

Remedy is one of Trek’s best-selling full-suspension bikes because of phenomenal money to value ratio and well-balanced components. It comes with 160/150 mm of front and rear travel, zippy 27.5″ wheels, wide-range 1×12 drivetrains, and dropper posts. The frames are aluminum or carbon, depending on the price. It’s the most trail aficionados can ask for!

Best for:  Remedy models are best suited for riders who enjoy fast and dynamic descents, jumps, drops, and other challenging on-trail stuff.

Slash 8 reddark_pinkdark

Slash is a capable long-travel enduro bike built to… well, slash the trails. Right now, this series numbers around seven models valued between $3,500 and $12,500. Therefore, these bikes are great for pro riders and those who feel that way. They have premium carbon frames, 160/150mm of front and rear travel, and huge 29″ wheels.

Best for:  Professionals and enduro enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of fast-paced downhill sections and challenging rocky trails. 

Trek Session 8

If you want the best of the best in the DH world, Session is the type of bike you should be looking at. Session models boast premium carbon frames, 190 mm of deluxe RockShox travel, 29″ wheels, and high-end SRAM and Shimano components. They’re ready to win races.

Best for:  Making the best results and winning World Cup Championships on the most brutal downhill courses.

Supercaliber

Trek Supercaliber 9.9

Supercaliber is a series of unique cross-country racing bikes with Trek’s premium IsoStrut rear suspension. The rear shock is integrated into the frame with unique pivotless seatstays. In addition, it also features 100 mm of front travel, 29″ wheels, 1×12 drivetrains, and progressive racing geometry. Supercaliberline consists of some of the most expensive Trek bikes that cost up to $12,000.

Best for:  Cross-country races that require maximum speed and technical terrain that requires the best possible components and geometry. 

Trek Domane SL 5

The Domane series is Trek’s selection of fast, versatile, and technologically advanced endurance road bikes. It’s one of Trek’s best-known lineups, featuring IsoSpeed frame suspension, aluminum or carbon frames, and different levels of SRAM and Shimano components. Domane models cost anywhere between $1,100 and $12,600, so they’re suitable for everyone.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and professional road cyclists looking for all-around good performance on a quality road bike that can do it all. 

Our review s on Domane  2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 .

Émonda ALR 5

The Émonda line consists of some of the lightest and best-performing road bikes in the world. It’s built around three frame options – 700 OCLV Carbon, 500 OCLV Carbon, and lightweight aluminum. The most expensive Émonda bike costs $13,000, whereas the cheapest can be bought for just $2,300. They’re race-ready, good-looking, and suitable for all rider profiles.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and elite cyclists who want the lightest available road setup suitable for racing, fitness, and leisure riding.

Madone SLR 7 Disc eTap

Trek Madone is a top-of-the-line aero road bike developed in the wind tunnel. These bikes are super-light, super-fast, but super-expensive as well. If you want to own one, you’ll have to spend between $4.8K and $13K. For that money, you’ll get a carbon aero frame, aero wheels, high-end components, and supreme integration.

Best for:  Seasoned road riders in search of capital and marginal gains that would make them as fast and as efficient as possible. 

Related: Best Road Bike Brands

Trek FX 1 Disc

If you want an aluminum bike that costs between $600 and $2,000 and that can truly do it all, Trek FX is one of the best choices around. These are efficient and affordable hybrid bikes with entry-level or mid-range components, skinny 700c wheels, and comfortable upright geometries. Around 15 models are available, which includes men’s and women’s bikes.

Best for:  Recreational or fitness riders wanting to commute, run errands, get fit, or train on a daily basis without spending too much money.

Trek Verve 2 Disc

Trek Verve is a lineup of comfortable, high-quality, yet accessible hybrid and fitness bikes that can serve as all-around workhorses to urban riders. They cost between around $700 and $1,000, which makes them very cost-efficient. Verve bikes are made from aluminum, roll on 700c wheels, and feature disc brakes coupled with entry-level components.

Best for:  Trek Verve is best for entry-level riders who need a dependable two-wheeler to use and abuse every day or just enjoy riding on the weekends. 

Trek Dual Sport 3

As its name tells you, Trek Dual Sport is a versatile series that can be used for on and off-road rides. These bikes are built around affordable aluminum frames, generally cost around $1,000 , and roll on wide 700c wheels. All models have disc brakes and 63 mm of front suspension. Riders can choose between step-over and step-though frame designs.

Best for:  Versatile riders who want one affordable bicycle that can be used for urban commutes and weekend out-of-town excursions on dirt and forest roads. 

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4

Trek jumped on the gravel bandwagon with the Checkpoint series. These are versatile and efficient gravel and adventure bikes built around aluminum frames. Therefore, they don’t cost much — as little as $2,400 . The prices can get up to $12,000 for high-spec models. Checkpoint bikes feature wide 700c tires, 1x or 2x drivetrains, and disc brakes on all models. They look pretty cool as well!

Best for:  Trek Checkpoint can be used by beginner or seasoned cyclists for gravel races, bike touring adventures, daily commutes, or anything else that comes to mind. 

Trek Crockett 7 Disc

Trek Crockett is a capable aluminum cyclocross bike that can navigate the urban jungle or take you through a real jungle. These models ride on lightweight aluminum frames, knobby 700c tires, and dependable and efficient 1x drivetrains. At the moment, Crockett numbers three affordable models with price tags between $1,500 and $3,000.

Best for:  Trek Crockett works equally well as a fast CX racing machine and a rugged daily commuter. Use it to commute on workdays and go crazy on the weekends.

Trek Boone 7 Disc

Trek Boone is the lightest, fastest, and best-looking cyclocross bike around. Boone frames are built with lightweight carbon fiber material and feature IsoSpeed front and rear decouplers that improve comfort and off-road riding efficiency. Boone also has performance-oriented racing geometry, race-ready components, and 1x drivetrains.

Best for:  Cyclocross racing for beginner riders and amateur or experienced athletes. 

Trek 520

The well-known 520 is one of Trek’s bikes with the longest tradition. Its classic touring steel frame was developed back in the 1970s when the company was established. Today, it’s equipped with front and rear racks, disc brakes, 700c tires, 27 speeds , and comfort-based geometry. It’s the best expedition tourer for the money.

Best for:  Trek 520 is a dependable touring bike that you can take around the world, ride over mountain passes, or use it as a day-to-day bike and commute on a regular basis.

Trek 1120

If there is one bike that almost every bikepacker dreams about, it has to be Trek 1120. This is the ultimate bikepacking setup thanks to a lightweight aluminum frame, stiff carbon fork , well-designed front and rear racks, and fearless 29×3.0″ tires. Its 1×11 Shimano SLX drivetrain can get you up any hill and over any off-road section.

Best for:  Bikepacking and off-road touring that requires dependable components that can take daily abuse for months, years, and thousands of dusty miles.

Speed Concept

Trek Speed Concept

Speed Concept is the only TT bike Trek makes, if we don’t count in the Madone aero road bikes. This speed machine is made around a super-lightweight carbon frame developed after years of testing in wind tunnels. It offers total aerodynamic integration, minimal drag, and a 2×11 Shimano Ultegra drivetrain.

Best for:  Trek Speed Concept is most suitable for Time Trial events or Triathlon races where speed, aerodynamics, and power efficiency is all that matters. 

Trek Verve+ 2

Trek Verve+ series is an electric version of the regular verve series. These are versatile electric hybrid and city bikes with step-over and step-through frames, making them suitable for men and women. They can assist your pedaling up to 20 mph thanks to Bosch electronics. They also feature lights, fenders, and a rear rack for easier commutes.

Best for:  Daily urban commuters and fitness riders who want to maintain an upright riding position and enjoy the comfort and extra boost Verve+ offers.

Trek Allant+ 9.9S

Trek Allant+ is series of mid-range and high-end electric hybrids with flat bars and premium Shimano components. They are capable of replacing your car thanks to powerful and reliable Bosch electronics that will support your pedaling up to 28 mph. Allant+ bikes are made with aluminum and carbon frames and feature fenders, racks, and lights.

Best for:  Urban riders who want to ditch their cars and do long daily commutes through busy city traffic that require utmost speed, reliability, and comfort. 

Trek Powerfly 5 Women's

Trek Powerfly is a range of high-performing electric hardtail mountain bikes. The series numbers just two bikes at the moment — one men’s and one women’s. They’re built around lightweight aluminum frames and come equipped with high-end Bosch electronics that assist up to 20 mph. You also get 120 mm of travel and 1×12 SRAM drivetrain for around $4,200.

Best for:  Trail mountain biking enthusiasts who want to conquer hills more easily and focus more on descents and speedy flat sections. 

Trek Rail 9.9 XTR

The Trek Rail series presents the best of the best one can get in the e-MTB world . Rail bikes cost between $5K and $12.5K, but they are worth the money. They have extremely long 160mm travel, 29″ wheels and tires, Bosch electronics (20 mph max speed), and high-end Shimano and SRAM components.

Best for:  Mountain bikers with high expectations and deep pockets who want to stay fresh when climbing and preserve the energy for aggressive descents. 

Domane+ HP/LT

Trek Domane+ HP 7

One thing cannot be argued — Domane+ LT and HP are the best electric road bikes in the world. The HP series (28 mph max speed) provides maximum power, whereas the LT series (20 mph max) offers a good balance between power and weight. These bikes cost up to $12,500 , but they have the best groupsets you can find, the lightest and stiffest carbon, and the highest-end Bosch electronic parts.

Best for: Road riders with money to spare, who want the speed, weight, and performance of a standard road bike, coupled with electronics that will assist them along hilly sections.

Trek Electra Bikes

In 2014, Trek acquired the Electra Bicycle Company , which is now part of Trek’s brand. That is why you can see many Electra bikes on Trek’s official website.

The Electra brand offers a wide range of city, cruiser, and hybrid bikes built around aluminum or steel frames and intended for daily recreational and fitness riding.

Electra’s lineup also includes electric models (“Go!” in the model name) and numerous kids’ bikes with a wide range of wheel sizes. These are quality and affordable bicycles, even though they don’t have “Trek” written all over them.

Below is a full list of Electra model series available on Trek’s website:

  • Cafe Moto Go!

Trek's Women bikes

Trek advertises all of their bikes as unisex, although the smaller models are more suitable for women.

In previous years, Trek came out with two kinds of models, but pretty much all of the 2024 range is unisex.

The trick is, smaller models come with a curved top tube to make mounting the bike easier, but for bigger models, the top tube is straight.

See All Women's Bikes

Electra Kids Bikes 16″, 20″, 24″

Electra Kids Bikes

At the moment, Trek offers a wide range of kids’ bikes under the Electra brand. These bikes are available with 16″, 20″, and 24″ wheels, so they are suitable for different ages. Electra does not have any balance bikes, but there are many 16″ and 20′ models with training wheels. There are also single-speed and multi-gear models for younger and older kids. The best thing about them is fun and colorful designs!

Best for:  Kids and teenagers of all ages, for riding around the block, commutes to school, or family weekend rides on bike paths.

Kickster by Trek

Kickster is the only balance bike Trek offers. It costs around $160 and it comes with 12″ wheels, so it’s suitable for kids who are roughly 34″-40″ tall. It’s the best bike for very young riders to learn how to ride, practice balance, and progress on their own terms.

Best for:  Toddlers who need to learn how to maintain balance on two wheels. 

Precaliber, Wahoo & Roscoe

Precaliber, Wahoo, Roscoe

Precaliber, Wahoo, and Roscoe are Kids’ MTB series with wider tires, rim or disc brakes, and rigid or suspended forks. Trek Roscoe is available only with 24″ wheels, whereas Precaliber and Wahoo can be bought with 16″, 20″, 24″, and even 26″ wheels. These kids’ bikes are excellent for both on and off-road riding , trips to school, family rides, and any other fun cycling activities.

Best for: Children of all ages who need versatile bikes that they can ride on paved and unpaved roads, as well as on bike paths.

Trek MT-201

The MT-201 pedal trailer can be attached to the parent’s bike in front and allows the child to tag along and practice balancing while pedaling. The saddle is fully adjustable and the trailer comes with a 20″ wheel that makes it suitable for children between 45″-52″ tall.

Best for:  Toddlers and preschoolers who still need to perfect their balancing skills but want to follow their parents anywhere they go.

See All Kids Bikes on Trek

new or used bike

That means that you can probably easily sell them when you decide to upgrade and get a decent part of your investment back. Of course, assuming the bike is still in good condition.

If you have the money to spare, we recommend going for a new Trek bike that you will be able to sell for a decent chunk of the original price in the future, if you decide to do so.

Whenever possible, new is always better. It’s true that you can buy a bike with better specs for the same amount of money if you look for used, but you should only do it if you have enough experience to determine whether the bike is in good shape.

Trek bikes sizing charts

One of the benefits of buying a Trek bicycle is that you can usually choose from a large number of sizes. Most Trek bikes are usually available in 6 to 7 sizes , but some series come in up to 8 sizes (Domane).

Trek also offers size-specific wheels on many of their MTB models, such as the Marlin series. That means that the smallest frame sizes come with 27.5″ wheels, whereas larger frame sizes are 29ers. This ensures the best possible fit for riders of all heights.

One big plus is that Trek also offers height and inseam-based bike size charts , which is something that many other brands avoid. Therefore, to find the right size, just compare your height and inseam to the chart provided for every single bike.

Check out our favorite TREK bikes

What is a Trek bike?

These are bicycles made by Trek Bikes, one of the most popular USA-based cycling companies. Electra bikes can also be considered as Trek bikes because they are part of the same enterprise.

Are Trek Bikes Any Good?

Yes, Trek bikes are very good. Trek has a long history of making quality bikes that are used by beginner, hobby, and elite cyclists around the world. Trek bikes last for a long time and have excellent reselling value years after purchase.

Why are Trek Bikes so expensive?

Trek bikes are not expensive if you compare the price to the components. The price might be steeper compared to some other low-profile brands; however, the value you get is much higher as well.

Is Trek owned by Giant?

No, Trek is not owned by Giant. Giant makes some of Trek’s bikes in Taiwan, but they also do it as a paid service to for other major brands such as Scott or Colnago.

Is Cannondale owned by Trek?

No, Cannondale is not owned by Trek. Cannondale is owned by Dorel Industries.

What is the most expensive Trek bike?

Some of Trek’s most expensive bikes include Supercaliber, Domane, Madone, Emonda, Domane+, and Rail series. The highest-priced models cost around $12,500.

Is Trek worth the money?

Yes, Trek bikes are worth the money. Trek packs high-end technologies into their bikes, build their bikes around high-quality aluminum and carbon frames, and use only reliable Shimano and SRAM components.

Where are Trek bikes made?

Most Trek Bikes are made in the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, and China. Trek also has two manufacturing facilities in USA, Wisconsin – one in Waterloo and one in Whitewater.

Why are Trek bikes so popular?

Trek bikes are very popular because they offer excellent value for the money, they look good, they’re jam-packed with modern technologies, and they retain value for a long time. Their bikes are also ridden by many elite cycling athletes, which makes them even more desirable.

How much is a used Trek bike worth?

It depends on the model, age, and condition, but used Trek bikes have one of the best re-selling values of all bike brands.

See All Models On Trek Bikes

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5 thoughts on “ trek bikes brand review: a close look at the iconic usa bike brand ”.

The Trek Powerfly 5 Review may be an extremely advanced electrical off-roader that comes with spectacular specs to deliver unmatched skillfulness.

It offers the sort of power you’ll have to be compelled to tackle difficult cross-country terrains, however still feels natural on a leisurely weekend cruise round the neighborhood!

I was interested in buying a used xcalibur 7 and it’s a woman’s model. I can’t find any differences in the mens and woman’s besides the seat and coil spring. Is the frame and everything else the same? Thanks

Hi Jack, Good question. Unlike other mountain bikes with the top tube curving down for women’s bikes, there is not much difference except the frame size and the things you mentioned perhaps?

What’s the difference sl series. I’m confused, can you please explain.

Hi Antonio, It’s just an acronym: AL: Aluminium. CF: Carbon Fibre. CF SL: Carbon Fibre Super Light. CF SLX: Carbon Fibre Super Light Extreme etc 😉

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trek 10 bike

trek 10 bike

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Trek Liquid 10 All Mountain Full Suspension

trek 10 bike

  • USER REVIEWS

i love the bike, its really a jack of all trades, the fox talas is awesome and the components are quite good, the frame is already 16 years old now but still doing great, the wheels are also the same age and i never had to replace them, and i kind of ride a lot of enduro so i can pretty much say the bike is really good, i should definetly buy it.

there is a little sound it makes when the frame sags in, but i think i can get it fixed, also the front shock, that is a rockshox psylo c is a bit of a problem, i really like the 125 mm travel, but the topout is terrible, it makes a very loud 'clanck´ noise and i really hate it, and also the rebount is not ajustable, still a very nice bike, i am going to buy the marzocchi dropout freeride fork for it

Great on climbs, descents, technical spots

It's kind of heavy, can't hike a bike with it, needs better wheels

I am not a bike expert. I have owned five mountain bikes since I started riding in 1991. I would never have bought this bike except the salesman talked me into testing it out in the parking lot. My original intention was to get something light and cheaper like a Specialized Stumpjumper or Rockhopper. But now, seven years later, I think I like the Liquid overall for its good climbing, excellent suspension setup (replaced blown out Psylo with new Fox). I still miss not being able to hike a bike it. Oh, well, can't have everything.

Similar Products Used:

overall great bike and i have had the bike for two years and never had to replace any major parts

none because when i crash which is my fault and when i break components

i love this bike and i would reccommend it to anyone whether a beginner or expert

COMFORTABLE, Disc brakes, Lifetime warranty

Bontrager Saddle, does not fit my bike rack and must be put in via the hatchback.

OK, this bike is a great jack-of-all trades bike. I always find it odd that people will buy an XC bike and then complain when it sucks on downhills or vice versa. I bought this to replace my Cannondale SuperV and it's been a perfect replacement. I don't race or do 5+ foot drops, I do mostly singletrack, hard pack, fun recreational riding. I think most of the components are fine, except the pedals/seat. I have not been able to reproduce the earlier poster's problems with the chain constantly rubbing the chainstay(or anything else). I think this bike is a great value. I think Trek really hit the nail on the head with this bike. I LIKE the less aggressive riding position. Bike manufacturers have building FS bikes to be function specific for too long. I'm guessing there are a lot of folks that can appreciate a general purpose, all-round full suspension setup. We may not be hardcore, but we still enjoy riding and this bike seems to fit that niche very well. 5 Chilis for recognizing a need and responding with a solid offering.

Sugar 3+, Cannondale Jekyll, Giant AC2

Solid very well built and pretty good parts specs. The Psylo up front and the rear suspension

If anything the tires and the wheel set. My rear wheel is slightly loose on the axle already.

I am a 6'2" 225 lbs rider who beats the crap out of everything. This bike was built to be beat on. I have smashed the outer chainring into seven or eight logs and haven't damaged it. The most difficult part so far has been adjusting the rebound but that is to be expected. I normally don't like the rapid fires but they have worked perfect so far. I am a very technical rider and can now go places where I usually have not been able to go with this bike. The criticisms of this bike so far seem ludricous. How do you review a bike you haven't even ridden for any length of time? Maybe the bike shop doesn't know what they are doing? Or, they could talk to Trek?

Gary Fisher Supercalibre

I think it's awesome. I have no complaints. This is the first time in my life I have actually researched and taken time before a bicycle purchase. My last fs bike was a Proflex 454, aka chromoly pogo-stick, thus I was wary of the full suspension thing. It climbs great, handles great, stops great. I am entirely satisfied with it. A lot of these reviews seem to think that the LX derailuer is bunk, but it works just fine for me. I highly recommend this bike.

Heavy...The geometry takes a little getting used to...The stock pedals clog up severely if you look at mud...The back brake rubs and I can't seem to correct it...The only way to adjust the fork preload is to change the spring, which is somewhat of a project...Heavy...(It's worth the weaknesses)

Bang for the buck I don't think this bike can be beat. I have a lot of fun on it. I wish it was lighter, but I think as I break parts I can replace them with lighter stuff. I was shocked the first time I used it to climb, as I expected my old Proflex, and found that it was more anchored to the ground than my hardtail. The trailbear tires are great on the back, but I think as a front tire they're only okay. The adjustable travel is neat, but I don't bother with it except to get it in my van and for really long climbs. The seat is a piece of crap and I hate it. The rest of the bike is super. Don't buy it if you think weight is a major issue. If you want a sweet low-priced bike, then do buy it...

I checked out these: GT I-Drive, Bianchi Denali, Santa Cruz Superlight, Cannondale Jekyl My last bike was a Trek 7000 (Which I loved)

Fox TALUS, Hayes disc brakes, 125 mm travel on front fork

LX rear derailleur

This is my first full-suspension bike, and I shopped around for several months. I am very happy with this bike because ofers an excellent design with 5 inch rear travel, and 125mm of front travel. I usually keep both front and rear full out. Occasionally, I adjust the TALUS shock to the 1/2 or 1/4 position on long flat stretches, but don't always feel it necessary to do so. Disc brakes are awesome, esp. on muddy trails. Would have liked a XT rear derailleur, but will upgrade it eventually. Very little to complain about this bike though. I am a beginner to intermediate rider who likes to ride technical single track, and believe that this bike will last me for many years to come. I was on a budget of approx. $1500, and had to stretch it a bit to get this bike, but glad that I did.

Specialized Enduro, Specialized Stumpjumper, Cannondale Jekyll 600

The most impressive feature of this bike is the smoothness of the overall suspension design. The "Liquid" name is the most fitting name Trek could have come up with for this great bike. It is as smooth as liquid, no joke! Also, there is no power robbing, rear suspension bob during climbing.

When I purchased this bike (Trek liquid 10), I was aware the components were sub-standard to my old bike's complete XT setup and fully intend to upgrade the SRAM cassette, Deore rear derailer, and chainrings very soon (they generally suck and shift hard). I know I'm spoiled by the nicer components on my old bike but the additional $$ for XT components, rebound adjustable Psylo fork, and disc specific wheels were a little more than I could convince my wife to accept all at once... The only problem I have encountered thus far is with the rear Hayes, disc rotor / caliper housing alignment. It has a problem with center rotor alignment and tends to rub (and squeal) when I turn (left). I am currently waiting on a reply from Hayes regarding the fix to this problem. Also, the brakes stink like an old semi with a bad clutch after a long, hard downhill accent. (Thats Ok, it makes me feel like I've really done something).

The frame and rear shock are the exactly the same throughout the Trek 10, 20, & 30 models. If you are interested in entering into the 'next stage' of your mountain biking obsession and have been looking for the perfect full suspension, 'all mountain' bike, check this thing out. I am a 6'3", 220lb, hard riding, XC mountain biker that was looking to bring my sport to the next level and this bike fills the bill perfectly. I rip through many of the technical trails along the Northern foothills of the Rocky Mountains about twice a week. My average trip entails 75% of intense climbing and 25% of insane down-hill (time wise that is), therefore I was concerned about the weight and strength of the bike. My Liquid 10 - 19.5” bike weighs in at about 31~lbs. The difference between the Liquid and my lightweight hard tail was only noticeable when climbing through the technical stuff as the rear wheel stays anchored to the dirt and rocks! So far the frame will take everything I can dish out. I have much more climbing control and down-hill confidence than ever before.

Great beginner all mountain bike. Got me going for what I could pay at the time.

Snapped the frame (SWING ARM)....BUT Trek replaced Swinarm with Trek Remedy SA and it kicked ass. The Psylo Is not great at all, but I rode almost everything with it with no problem. DON'T BLAME THE BIKE, BLAME THE RIDER!!!! although I have since upgraded big time

Look, this bike may have been bottom of the line, but I loved it. Then it got stolen and I was forced to get a new bike (remedy 66) which I love, but the liquid had the exact same soul. I've ridden Everything...but I LOve the TREK all mountain Feel. Get em and up grade em if you need, but the feel is like no other.

You name it, I've tried it (kinda)

Sweet design. There's huge travel, and it still rides nicely. The adjustable suspension is almost unnecessary, but it's still a nice comodity. Relatively cheap/

The bike is a little heavier than my last bike, about 3 pounds heavier. I got this one down to about 28.7 pounds, which is still pretty light for a full suspension bike with this much travel.

This bike is awsome. The K2 counterpart is nothing compared to this bike. The adjustable travel is sweet, and even without it, the bike still has an easy ride. I've hit quite a few bumps/drops/jumps, and I still havent bottomed out. This bike has given me enough confidence to do just about everything. It's not a cheap bike, but if you have a little time to find the right deal, you'll be getting an amazing bike. If you can find it for under $1200, you'll be getting a great deal.

Trek Fuel 80, KHS Rage, K2 Attack 3.0

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Trek unveils the Émonda a 10-pound road bike

690g frame revealed ahead of the Tour de France

This article first appeared on BikeRadar .

New Trek road bike spotted at Critérium du Dauphiné

Although the bike had been seen at the Critérium du Dauphiné , Trek finally pulled back the curtain on the new Émonda just days before the Tour de France . At a claimed 690g for a painted 56cm frame, the hyperlight road machine builds up to a 10.25-pound complete bicycle thanks in part to new Bontrager integrated components like an XXX bar/stem combination and Speed Stop direct-mount brakes.

There are three models of the new Émonda, from the SLR 10 that is made in Waterloo, Wisconsin, down through the SL and S models, plus women's WSD builds. Pricing ranges from US$1,429 / £1,200 up to US$15,749 / £11,000 for the Émonda SLR 10. Each base model uses a different level of carbon, with the SL and S getting progressively heavier while retaining the same design and shape.

Trek's goal from the outset of the project, 30 months ago, was to build the lightest production road bike on the market. Besides being hyperlight, the bike also had to be an elite-level race machine. After years of testing, using pro-rider feedback, strain gauges, accelerometers, and countless iterations of geometry and lay-up prototypes, Trek engineers believe they have succeeded in that goal.

Trek road bike manager Ben Coates said that Trek was targeting Cannondale's SuperSix Evo Black, with its claimed 725g frame weight — "We weighed one at 710g," he said — but pointed out that a Specialized S-Works SL4 is 897g — "and their new Tarmac is even heavier," he noted.

To achieve the astonishing 4.65kg / 10.25lb complete weight, Trek built up the SLR 10 with Tune Skyline tubular rims, MIG45/MAG150 hubs and Komm-Vor Plus saddle, a SRAM Red 22 group with ceramic bearings, a Cane Creek AER headset, Jagwire's new sectioned housing, Vittoria Crono CS 22c tubulars, and Bontrager XXX integrated bar/stem and Speed Stop direct-mount brakes.

For the shape of the XXX bar/stem, which has a 129mm drop and 93mm reach, Trek consulted a variety of riders from pros to everyday Joes, Coates said.

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"We found that for the vast majority of riders, the variation in bar rotation is very small," he said. "A few guys, like Jens Voigt, have their bars really rotated. But for the most part, it is the lever position that dictates how the bar feels."

Eliminating the traditional mechanical junction between bar and stem reduced the weight by about 75g over a comparable system, Coates said.

Now Trek has three road bikes: the Domane endurance bike, the Madone race bike and this new Émonda climbing machine. When BikeRadar asked for an apples-to-apples comparison on how the latter two compare, Coates declined to give specific numbers, but said they are quite similar in stiffness and compliance.

"In bench tests they are essentially the same," Coates said. "The Madone has a stiffer head tube, but it is not as stiff in the chain- and seatstays. The compliance numbers are virtually the same."

BikeRadar will be testing an Émonda on part of the Tour de France stage 1 route Wednesday, so check back soon for a First ride review.

In terms of geometry, the Émonda is a little shorter in the front center, and a little longer in the chainstays than the Madone.

With the exception of the Shimano 105 bikes, the Émonda bikes are available in shops now.

For more details on specific Émonda models, visit trekbikes.com.

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Trek Session 10(SG) review

Trek's R&D rider Andrew Shandro played a large part in developing this rig, and it shows. There's 254mm (10in) of rear wheel travel on this puppy - it's designed to make easy work of big drops

Andrew Dodd

Trek's R&D rider Andrew Shandro played a large part in developing this rig, and it shows. There's 254mm (10in) of rear wheel travel on this puppy - it's designed to make easy work of big drops and gaps and make serious descents major fun. It's a big mountain bike, designed to ride big mountains...

Made from Trek's own ZR 9000 aluminium, the Session 10 frame has a hydroformed monocoque front end, combined with a beefy 150mm spaced rear. The 17in chainstays are short enough to keep acceleration zippy and help you pop the front end up, but are long enough, when combined with the lengthy 118cm (46.5in) wheelbase, to keep the bike stable at speed and through rough stuff.

Unusually, Trek have opted for a high-pivot position, which offers a better suspension action than a low pivot but is generally avoided because chain tension affects the suspension massively. Trek have got around this by using their Chain Torque Eliminator (CTE), a device that routes the chain over the pivot point, effectively making the bike pedal like a low-pivot rig. The huge 90mm (3.5in) stroke Manitou Revox shock is designed with this frame in mind and is driven via a linkage to control the progression.

light, long, low and slack, but it's ideal for riders who want to do it all

The Session 10 is ready for thrashing straight out of the bike shop door. A Manitou Travis Intrinsic fork offering 203mm (8in) travel spins in a Cane Creek headset, Hayes brakes do the stopping and the bar, pedals, saddle, seatpost, tyres and cranks are all Bontrager King Earl parts. The cassette and chain are from SRAM, as is the X.0 mech/shifter combo, and an e.13 chainguide keeps everything in line.

We spent a fair bit of time onboard the Session 10 riding around the amazing freeride and downhill trails of Whistler, Canada. The bike is clearly born for day-long thrashing.

The large sized bike we tested had a long 558mm (22in) top tube that, combined with the long wheelbase, meant it loved going fast. You can adjust the bottom bracket height and this also tweaks the head angle. We settled on the lowest setting for a more DH-feeling rig.

The short 165mm cranks ensure minimal ground strikes from the pedals but we'd rather run 170s, or even 175s, to provide greater pedalling efficiency.

The suspension action is super slick - the Revox shock performs well and is a good fit for the frame. The high pivot makes the bike feel very supple, even with plenty of low-speed compression damping wound in. Pedalling isn't a chore either, thanks to the chain-line running over the pivot. We did have reservations about the CTE coming loose, but after nearly four days of riding at Whistler, with no maintenance, it was still as solid as new.

The Session 10 is fantastic - maybe not so much for dedicated downhill racers who want things light, long, low and slack, but it's ideal for riders who want to do it all - bikeparks, drops, gaps Alpine terrain and DH racing.

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The 10 Best Electric Bikes, Tested by Our Editors

We’ve ridden dozens of electric bikes in every category—commuter, cargo, cruiser, folding, mountain, and city. Here are the ones worth considering in a range of styles and prices.

a person riding an aventon electric bike

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

To make these reviews as helpful as possible, we focus on lower and mid-price options from brands you can purchase directly online—though we did include some recommendations for e-bikes available through bike shops and more expensive models that our bike testers loved.

Brands like Aventon , Ride1Up , and Lectric offer affordable models you can buy online that perform well in our ride testing. If you want to purchase an electric bike in person or test ride before you buy, established players like Specialized and Trek offer many types of e-bikes and have hundreds of dealers nationwide. Additionally, REI has many locations across the U.S. offering its Co-op e-bikes and models from other popular brands.

Check out Bicycling ’s 2023 Bike Awards for 12 exceptional, high-performing e-bikes rigorously vetted by our editorial team.

The Best E-Bikes

  • Best Overall : Aventon Level.2
  • Best Utility: Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1
  • Best Fat Tire : Aventon Aventure.2
  • Best Fat Tire Commuter : Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus
  • Best E-MTB: Aventon Ramblas eMTB

How We Test E-Bikes

Our full electric bike reviews, things to consider when buying an e-bike, how to buy a used e-bike.

Our experienced bike test team evaluates each model included here on its overall quality, safety features, handling, motor, and battery life. We also assess whether the components and features added to the overall quality of the ride. Bicycling editors tested these bikes on our local roads, commuting to and from work, using them to stock up on groceries and beer, and running their batteries down to see how long they last on one charge. Deputy editor Tara Seplavy , the author of this article, also worked in bicycle product development for two decades and led product management for major bike brands. Plus, she commutes to Bicycling HQ daily on an e-bike.

While we rode most of the e-bikes in this story, sometimes we can’t get our hands on a great electric bike. In those cases, we rely on the expertise of our test team, interviews with product managers, and rigorous research to compare the bikes’ value and performance against similar models we’ve tested.

Aventon Level.2 Electric Bike

Level.2 Electric Bike

Although we dug the original Level , its update is outstanding in practically every way. A much smoother ride than its predecessor, it sports a new torque sensor that evenly distributes power, resulting in a more natural ride feel that’s easier to control and manage. Its update also adds visibility, not just with integrated lights, but also a full color, easy-to-read display. The Level.2 isn’t just one our favorite e-bikes—at its price, comfort level, and premium features, we think it just might be the best.

Our only gripe is with its Zoom Aria suspension fork, which can’t handle bigger bumps, though the lockout feature works well. Still, if you need an e-bike for doing just about anything, from commuting to work to zipping around pavement on the weekend, the Aventon Level.2 is our top nomination.

Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1 Electric Bike

Generation e1.1 Electric Bike

The Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1 is a reliable workhorse for around-town use, from short grocery trips to quick coffee runs. It has a rack, integrated lights, Schwalbe Super-Moto-X tires with puncture protection, hydraulic disc brakes for improved stopping power, and a suspension fork to smooth out bumpy rides. Oh, and it’s affordable, too.

Through testing, Bicycling contributor Aithne Faey found the Generation e1.1 lacked city-appropriate gearing, but REI’s product team has since resolved this issue after hearing feedback. As for the bike itself: “The aluminum frame may not be light, but it feels stiff and reliable. The Shimano Altus drivetrain is tried-and-true and shifts smoothly, and the Tektro hydraulic brakes inspire safety and confidence with their short stopping distance. The Gen e1.1 even includes a suspension fork from SR Suntour. The only parts of the bike manufactured solely for REI are the frame, wheels, seatpost, and saddle.”

Because Co-op Cycles is an REI in-house brand, its stores offer one year of free adjustments or two years for REI Co-op members (with free flat repair!), including derailleur and brake adjustments, lateral wheel truing, hub and headset bearing adjustments, tire inflation, chain lubrication, and e-bike firmware updates. Its in-store service also makes it great for anyone intimidated by at-home e-bike assembly, too—just buy it online, deliver it to your nearest REI store, and have them do it for you.

The Co-op Cycles Generation e1.2 Electric Bike is also available for more power.

Read Full Review

Another utility e-bike we like: Electra Ponto Go!

Aventon Aventure.2 Electric Bike

Aventure.2 Electric Bike

Aventon has been on a roll, with new models and continuous revisions to existing platforms. The brand’s update to its Aventure fat-tire e-bike is no exception. At first glance, there are few significant visual differences between the original Aventure and this second-generation model. However, once outside, the small changes feel huge.

Compared to the original Aventure, this second gen rides much more smoothly. The new torque sensor allows more control over the acceleration of Aventure’s 750W rear hub motor; previous lighter-weight testers found the previous model to have too much torque, but the latest Aventure remedied this fault. Additional updates include a new head unit interface, integrated turn signals, a front light, a rear rack, and fenders for keeping clean.

The Aventure.2 is an excellent fat-tire e-bike for commutes, especially on snowy days and gravel pathways. Off-roading, it excels on doubletrack trails, but with this burly bike’s weight and components, it has limited functionality on singletrack and more aggressive mountain trails.

More of the Best Fat-Tire E-Bikes

More fat-tire e-bikes we like: Denago Hunting 1 , Velotric Nomad 1

Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Electric Bike

RadRover 6 Plus Electric Bike

Brawny, big, and bold, the RadRover 6 Plus is powerful at its best and sluggish at its worst. With its 750W rear hub, 4-inch-wide tires, and RST spring suspension fork (with 60mm of travel), it’s cushy and stable enough to eat potholes as much as dirt, rocks, and snow. Compared to its predecessor, an updated display and solid hydraulic disc brakes make the RadRover 6 Plus a substantially comfortable and casual ride.

But with its extreme weight of 74 pounds (without a rack!), we wouldn’t dare to roll this thing upstairs. If you need a do-it-all bike to help get you to and from work or the grocery store and frequently battle the elements while doing it, or if you have a lot of land you’d like to tear up, the RadRover 6 is your beast. But anyone living in a small space might have trouble handling this steed.

Aventon Ramblas eMTB

Ramblas eMTB

The recently launched Aventon Ramblas is a category-defining hardtail e-MTB that impressed us during trail testing. Its trail-forward components—1x12 SRAM Eagle drivetrain that can handle most climbs, powerful 4-piston SRAM brakes, a solidly stiff 35mm RockShox fork, a comfy dropper seatpost, cushy 2.4-inch wide tires—are unmatched by any other hardtail e-MTB, especially given its price.

"The Ramblas has no true competitors for comparatively priced, trail-ready e-MTBs," says Seplavy in her rave review. "Every so often a bike comes along that entirely shifts the bicycle market—the Ramblas might do that for mountain biking. And once more bike brands see and ride the Ramblas, I expect several will soon follow Aventon’s lead with sharp-priced, trail-capable hardtail e-MTBs."

More electric mountain bikes we like: Trek Fuel EXe 5 , Santa Cruz Heckler 29 Carbon S , Specialized Turbo Tero 3.0

Ride1Up Portola Electric Bike

Portola Electric Bike

Ride1Up’s new Portola folding bike packs a lot of punch for how small it is. Folding down to a compact 19 x 29.5 x 33-inch footprint, this bike features a 750W rear hub motor with 65Nm torque, hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano 8-speed drivetrain, and an integrated rear rack with 130-pound carrying capacity.

For less than $1,000, this is a great deal for bimodal commuters, RVers, vanlifers, or folks living in a small apartment. The standard 10.4Ah battery has a claimed range of 20-40 miles. Or bump the range up to 45 miles with an optional 13.4Ah battery for an additional $100.

More folding e-bikes we like: Denago Folding 1 , Brompton Electric P-Line , GoCycle G4

Specialized Globe Haul ST Electric Bike

Globe Haul ST Electric Bike

If you need to haul it all, go with our 2023 Bike of the Year : Specialized’s Globe Haul ST. With a carrying capacity of a whopping 419 pounds, it’s good for a range of riding tasks, from grabbing groceries at your local farmer’s market to dropping Fido off at doggy daycare. Specialized designed this bike with the average commuter in mind, motivating riders to swap those short- and medium-distance car trips with a bicycle instead. The result is a well-designed short-tail cargo bike with wide 20 x 3.5-inch tires that can eat bumps while keeping you stable and low to the ground. It’s also a blast to ride.

Our test editor Dan Chabanov says it feels much more like a traditional bike than a souped-up e-cargo, which is to say, it’s actually fun. “If you haven’t ridden an e-cargo bike, you might take this for granted,” he says. “But the reality is that even some of the more compact e-cargo bike options out there often don’t ride like a typical bike, or worse, they simply ride poorly. As a cyclist, one of the Haul ST’s most enamoring traits is how much it rides like a ‘normal’ bike. Well, that and the ability to carry a week’s worth of groceries on it.”

More electric cargo bikes we like: Aventon Abound , Tern HSD P-10 , Lectric Xpedition

Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 Electric Bike

Treadwell Neo 2 Electric Bike

We’re fans of the unpowered Treadwell for its clean looks and upright rider position. It’s not quite a hybrid but also not a foot-forward-style cruiser. The line is comprised of unique, practical bikes for city commuting or riding around town.

The Treadwell Neo 2 improves on this by offering electric assistance without a big weight penalty. This makes for a lighter and zippier riding bike at a lower price. A Class 1 rear hub motor moves the Treadwell along smoothly at up to 20 mph with pedal-assisted power. The 7-speed drivetrain and a wide-range cassette help you get up longer hills, and the Maxxis 650b tires roll fast on pavement.

More commuter e-bikes we like: Aventon Soltera , Co-op CTY e1.1 , Trek Dual Sport+ 2

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Step-Through Electric Bike

Turbo Vado 4.0 Step-Through Electric Bike

Specialized’s Turbo Vado 4.0 is smart and comfortable, with solid brakes, a terrific fork, a sleek design, and a clean iPhone companion app. We’ve ridden a lot of e-bikes over the years, and the Specialized Turbo models consistently test amongst the best in all categories. The brand puts a ton of development time into its Turbo series e-bikes by refining the motor tune and carefully selecting parts. This work pays off with best-in-class ride quality. If you have hesitated to try an e-bike because you think it won’t feel like your favorite non-assist bike, try a Specialized Turbo. You’ll quickly become a convert.

Specialized offers the bike at several price levels between $3,250 and $5,500. You can purchase Turbo Vados with traditional or step-through frame styles, derailleur or internal hub drivetrain configurations, and several color offerings.

More premium e-bikes we like: Ride1Up Prodigy V2 CVT , Gazelle Ultimate C8

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser Electric Bike

Cafe Cruiser Electric Bike

Sometimes, you just want a classic cruiser to take out on the weekends. And if that casualness is your desired style, the Ride1Up’s Cafe Cruiser is your best bet. Strapped with a built-in rack, front and rear lights, a 750W motor, hydraulic disc brakes, a decent suspension fork, and 3-inch-wide tires, this upright bike is stable enough for newer e-riders and, with an added passenger kit , the little one, too.

Our testing found that the bike had plenty of oomph to climb short hills despite its weight and laidback geometry. But, like several wide-tire bikes, it has some handling issues. It’s capable of speeds up to 28 mph (and 20 mph using the throttle), which is more than enough power to get you where you need to be.

Other cruiser e-bikes we like: Electric Bike Co. Model R , Electra Kakua Cruiser Go! , Sixthreezero Around The Block

A Few E-Bike Terms to Know

.css-1f6aja5{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:0.0625rem solid #e8e8e8;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1f6aja5{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6f6f6f;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} torque.

Measured in Newton meters (or Nm), torque is a rotational measurement of force—and the number to pay attention to when you want an idea of an e-bike motor’s output. More torque means more power off the line and more boost to your pedaling. The heavier the bike, the more torque it needs. Lighter road bikes typically have 30 to 40 Nm of torque, and trail and cargo models (generally) have at least 80 Nm. Most commuter bikes fall somewhere in between.

The size of an e-bike’s battery is measured in watt-hours (or Wh). This measurement represents the energy stored in the battery and how many watts it can deliver each hour. The higher the number, the longer the range, but the faster you go, the less range you get. So, if a 504Wh battery paired with a 500W motor gives you one hour of ride time at the highest assist, riding at about half that power will double your range.

Locking Battery

a removable battery helps for charging off the bike

Many e-bike brands seamlessly integrate batteries to make the bike look sleeker (and more like a traditional non-assist bike). Most batteries lock to the bike and come with a key that lets you unlock and remove it, which serves multiple purposes: You can remove the battery and charge it off the bike, a locked battery deters (and hopefully prevents) a thief from stealing it. And an e-bike with the battery removed is safer for hauling on a bike rack and lighter for carrying up steps.

Wider Tires

front tire of coop cycles generation ebike

Since e-bikes can maintain higher speeds for longer than standard bikes, you want extra control when riding. Wider tires provide better traction and the freedom to leave the pavement with little penalty, and a suspension fork will help tame some of the rougher roads you might explore. Good disc brakes are a must, too, for slowing a heavy bike at high speed. This is not a place to skimp.

Integrated Lights

integrated lights on handlebar

Some e-bikes have an integrated lighting system that turns on when you power up the bike. While this is a great feature, it’s not a deal-breaker if your bike doesn’t come equipped this way. It’s just as easy to attach your own since so many great bike lights available.

Warranty and Service

a person working on an ebike

E-bikes need regular maintenance and repair to stay in good working condition. Because they’re heavier and go faster than non-assist bicycles, e-bikes often require more regular service on parts like brakes, tires, and drivetrain components. We recommend having a good relationship with a local bike shop experienced in e-bike repair to keep your equipment running smoothly.

E-bikes use electronics for their motors, batteries, and displays. These parts are often proprietary to bike brands or even specific e-bike models, making replacement more difficult than parts on non-electric bicycles. Make sure to use the correct electronic replacement parts to avoid damaging your e-bike (or it catching fire). Established brands usually (but not always) have a good supply of these parts for replacement, even for years after a bike goes out of production. Bosch and Shimano are two e-bike motor manufacturers with some of the most compatibility between bikes and stock parts for previous generations of systems.

Look for e-bikes from brands that offer at least a one-year warranty on electronic components (many brands’ warranties are longer) and make items like replacement batteries for your bike. These parts are usually not cheap (sometimes up to half the cost of a new bike), but it’s the difference between having an e-bike that can be repaired or becomes a bicycle-shaped paperweight if something goes wrong.

Certification

ul certification sticker

Following a dramatic increase in fires caused by the lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes, there is a push from local officials, regulatory agencies , and advocacy groups across the U.S. for improved safety certification of e-bikes, batteries, and motor units. On September 16, 2023, a New York City law went into effect requiring that any e-bike sold in the city “has been certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2849”. And in November 2023, Amazon announced it ceased sales of illegal batteries to New Yorkers.

However, just because something is marketed as UL 2849 compliant, tested to UL 2849, or even “certified to UL 2849” does not mean it is UL Safety Certified. Ibrahim Jilani, UL’s Global Director of Consumer Technology, notes: “Certification is always earned by a manufacturer and not a given when they undergo a product submittal. The UL Mark, or any authorized certification mark, can only be issued upon successful demonstration of meeting the requirements of the safety standard.” You can find UL’s updated list of products Certified to UL 2849 here .

We contacted many e-bike brands on this topic. Most companies informed us they are working toward the certification process. So, expect the list of certified e-bikes to grow in the coming months. If owning a UL 2849-certified bike is important to you, ask the brand from which you plan to purchase it for proof of certification. You can cross-reference OSHA ’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories if you want to dive deeper into the topic.

Conversion Kits

Several manufacturers offer kits to add pedal assistance to a non-electric bike. We purchased a few popular conversion kits, fitted them to bikes, and rode them. We do not currently recommend these kits for use. While converting an old bike to an electric assist sounds good in theory, it rarely makes practical sense. Plus, it can lead to rider injury or failure of the bike.

Manufacturers do not design non-electric bikes to accommodate the extra weight and forces incurred when adding an e-bike motor, battery, and control equipment. This puts more stress on the bicycle frame and other components and can lead to breakage or failure of the bike.

conversion kit ebike

Selecting most conversion kits requires knowing fitment details about your bike and might require specialized tools for installation. Many do not have a straightforward installation process, and it can be a challenging project for novice mechanics. If you want a shop to install a conversion kit, check with the shop before purchasing it. Since most non-electric bikes are not engineered to accommodate electric conversions, many shops will not install these kits.

Many economical e-bikes do not cost much more than the total price of a conversion kit plus the installation price. We recommend buying a purpose-built e-bike for the best and safest experience.

The Three Classes of E-Bikes

After determining which style of bike is right for you, the next consideration is which class of e-bike best fits your needs. In the U.S., there are three e-bike classifications. These are defined by the type of assist and how fast the motor will propel you. Most electric bikes are defined as class 1 or 3. Class 1 bikes have a motor (max 750W) that assists while pedaling up to 20 mph. Class 3 (sometimes known as “speed pedelec”) can have up to a 750W (aka 1-horsepower) motor but can assist you up to 28 mph. Both are allowed in most states and cities without needing a license.

gocycle folding bike ridden by aithne feay in brooklyn

Class 2 models have become more popular with riders, especially at lower prices. These models have a throttle that can propel a bike up to 20 mph without needing continuous pedaling.

Some bikes blur the lines. Aventon’s popular Pace 500 , for example, is technically a Class 3 e-bike in that it reaches speeds up to 28 mph, but it also has a throttle that tops out at 20 mph (the maximum legal speed for a throttle).

Good quality e-bikes can cost a lot of money; purchasing a pre-owned bike is one way to save some cash and get a better model. If you want to shop for a used e-bike in person, some bicycle stores offer refurbished units. Shopping in person allows you to check the integrity and condition of the bike before you buy it. When purchasing from a shop, make sure that the retailer is experienced with e-bike service and that the bike includes the proper charger and battery.

If purchasing a used e-bike directly from another owner on a third-party site, it’s wise to have the bike inspected by an experienced e-bike shop or mechanic before handing over your money. E-bikes experience higher wear-and-tear than non-assist bicycles, and many e-bikes use proprietary parts or require special tools to service or update software.

With the boom in e-bike sales, a few websites have recently sprung up selling reconditioned and certified e-bikes. Often, these e-bikes have low mileage or were sales floor samples at shops—some are even brand new or are new old stock of a previous model year. While it costs more than purchasing from an individual seller, buying a used bike from these sites usually means you have some sort of warranty on your e-bike and ensures that it was inspected properly.

Two sites offering high-quality, certified pre-owned e-bikes include Upway and TPC.

Upway The Pro’s Closet

preview for How to Safely Charge an E-Bike

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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Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

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Bill Strickland is the Rider-in-Chief of Bicycling . His equal passions for cycling and writing have led to the books Ten Points: A Memoir ; Tour de Lance: The Extraordinary Story of Cycling’s Most Controversial Champion ; Mountain Biking: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Ride ; and The Quotable Cyclist . His Bicycling story, “100 Pedal Strokes” won a National Magazine Award for Interactive Feature in 2008. In 2009, he assigned and edited the story “Broken,” which won the National Magazine Award for Public Interest. “The Escape,” the December, 2011, edition of his Bicycling magazine column The Pursuit, was named a Notable story by  The Best American Sports Writing . Various editions of his books have been translated into Dutch, German, Hebrew, and Japanese. He uses commas by rhythm and sound, which is a terrible way to do it but makes him happy.

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Trek has been building bikes since 1976 — and in that time, we’ve collected a whole lot of hard-earned knowledge about what makes a quality bike that’ll stand the test of time. We’ve applied those same lessons to the electric bikes we’ve made in the past two decades. Experience matters when it comes to design and innovation. But whether or not your e-bike journey ends with a Trek, there are some key things you should know to look for when you’re making your choice. Here’s what we’ve learned separates quality electric bikes from the mass-produced e-bikes that can be less dependable, less durable, and less convenient. 

Parts that are locally serviceable

Want to spend more time riding and less time waiting? Choose an e-bike that can be serviced locally at your shop, and not one you need to ship away to a service center for repair.

Robust hubs, wheels, and tires made for e-bike power and speed

Electric bikes have more mass and are ridden faster. So, it makes sense that they’re equipped with strong parts built to stand up to these additional forces — not just cheap parts that happen to fit the frame.

Hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather stopping power

With the additional speed and mass of an electric bike, you want high-quality disc brakes designed for stopping power in varying weather conditions. Rim brakes are generally not as powerful as disc brakes, so we recommend avoiding them.

A higher torque if you’re riding in hilly areas or carrying cargo

In an e-bike drive system, a higher torque gives you quicker acceleration. If you’re climbing or carrying extra weight, opt for a system with more torque.

A range that matches the distance you’ll ride

Stopping to charge mid-ride isn’t always awesome, so choose an e-bike with a range that’ll at least get you where you’re going and back on a single charge.

A battery that’s replaceable and recyclable

Electric bikes use lithium-ion batteries. Make sure the e-bike company you choose has a solution both for replacing your end-of-life battery and recycling it responsibly.

A drive system with software that’s easy to update with new features

Just like your computer or phone, a quality e-bike will have software that’s easy to update when new features are released. Choose an e-bike with software that can be updated easily when the time comes.

A warranty that covers both the electronics and the frame

Check your warranty carefully and be sure to understand what’s covered and for how long. Reputable e-bike companies won’t be afraid to stand behind both the electronics and the frame.

Curious how Trek stacks up?

Seven ways Trek is a smarter e-bike investment

  • Why choose Trek e-bikes

Take me to the e-bikes already!

Wherever you roam, there’s an e-bike that’ll bring more power and possibility to your rides.

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Want to talk it out? We love talking bikes — electric bikes especially. Because we know there’s a lot that goes into your decision to purchase one. We’re standing by to talk through your questions and help you find your perfect ride. Here’s how you can reach us fast.

Take a test ride locally

Drop by your local Trek retailer to check out Trek and Electra e-bikes, ask questions, and even go for a test ride. It’s the best way to see how much fun an e-bike will bring to your life.

Get in touch

Have questions now? Don't wait! We have a ton of ways for you to reach out and get connected with us. We'll help you answer your questions, guide you to your perfect model, and help you find your local Trek retailer.

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Best road bikes 2024: top reviewed bikes from our testing

We choose the best road bikes we've ridden, from budget models to grand tour-proven race machines

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  • ENTRY LEVEL
  • 1. Best overall
  • 2. Best for speed
  • 3. Best value
  • 4. Best for versatility
  • 2. Best value
  • 3. Best aero superbike
  • 4. Best lightweight superbike
  • HOW TO CHOOSE

Meet the testers

How we test.

Paul Norman

Best road bikes 2024: Jump Menu

Male cyclist riding one of the best road bikes

The list in brief ↴ 1. Best entry-level overall 2. Best entry-level for racing 3. Best entry-level for value 4. Best for versatility 5. Best superbike overall 6. Best superbike for value 7. Best aero superbike 8. Best climbing superbike How to choose How we test

Buying a new road bike isn't a simple task. The category today is full to the brim, with plenty of options for most budgets. The sheer number of bikes in your price bracket might leave you feeling spoilt for choice, if not a little confused. But we're here to help.

We've tested hundreds of road bikes, from entry level options ideally suited to road-riding newbies to superbikes, ridden on the pro tour and often coming with a five-figure price tag. By riding across such a range, we're well placed to understand the many nuances that dominate this sector of the market. And more importantly, we can guide you through the many elements that help define a bike's ride quality, from frame material to tube shapes to components.

If your budget sits at either end end of the scale, you can also check out our guide to best cheap road bikes as well as our Race Bike of the Year (RBOTY) 2023 awards, some of which feature here. Likewise if you're after more of an all-road machine, you can read our guide to the best gravel bikes . Otherwise read on for our picks of the best road bikes for 2024.

The quick list

Specialized Allez 2023 road bike

Best entry-level overall

The Allez is now into it's fifth decade, with the latest model right on trend with disc brakes and bags of tire clearance. Sensible geometry makes for a comfy ride, too.

Read more below

Cannondale CAAD13 Disc road bike

Best entry-level for racing

Yes you can race alloy! In this CAAD13 guise it's light and stiff but not harsh, delivering a ride that easily matches lower price carbon options.

Giant Contend SL 1 road bike

Best entry-level for value

If you're drawn to long rides that place an emphasis on comfort, the Contend SL1 is good match with plenty of rear end compliance and a great spec to match.

Cervelo S5 race bike

Best superbike overall 

A grand tour winner, the S5 is racing thoroughbred. Aerodynamic with sublime handling yet still comfortable for longer distances, aided by wider tire clearance. 

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 road bike

Best value superbike

Giant typically delivers lots of bike for your money, and the latest Propel is no different, especially on the lower priced models.  

Trek Madone SLR 7 aero road bike

Best aero superbike

A radical frameset with IsoFlow tech and a freshly designed aero cockpit makes the new Madone distinctive. It also makes it very fast.

Best road bikes we’ve tested at Cycling Weekly

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The entry level

The best entry-level road bike overall.

Specialized Allez Disc on a yellow background

The Specialized Allez now has disc brakes and extra tire clearance

1. Specialized Allez

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Specialized's 2023 update of the Allez has added disc brakes in place of the rim brakes on the older model. That has allowed it to increase tire clearance to a more substantial 35mm or 32mm with mudguards. That in turn has provided an extra dose of comfort to the ride and means that the new Allez can handle light gravel duties and isn't confined to smoother tarmac. 

We enjoyed this new found versatility when testing - and it even has rack mounts should you fancy throwing in some touring or commuting as well. Vitally though the Allez has still manage to retain its sporty profile, and with a slammed stem in place, we found it to be fast and playful companion.

The base model bike has Shimano Claris 8-speed shifting and mechanical disc brakes. Claris has big jumps between gear ratios on the 11-32t cassette, while we found that , as expected, the mechanical disc brakes just don't have the stopping power of hydraulics.

The Allez line-up now consists of just two models (plus the Allez Sprint ). The higher spec Allez Sport has ten speeds and hydraulic disc brakes, but there's a big jump in price for what's otherwise the same spec as the base model.

A wheelset upgrade would significantly improve performance, but all in all it's a decent package for the price, making the Allez reasonably competitive against the other best cheap road bikes we've reviewed.

Read more: Specialized Allez first ride review

The best entry-level road bike for racing

Caad 13 Disc

Cannondale is a master of alloy bike frame fabrication

2. Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105

Cannondale has long been a master of performance alloy frames and the CAAD13 follows in that vein. It's fairly long and low geometry is based on that of the pro-level carbon SuperSix EVO - in fact it shares the same stack height and reach numbers, with a 54 size equating to a stack height of 55.5cm and a reach of 38.4cm. 

The aero tube profiles are also borrowed from the WorldTour bike and we found that the combination resulted in superb handling as well as a smooth ride - one that we felt closely resembled that of a carbon frameset. Granted we tested a high-spec model with decent wheels and tires that certainly didn't hinder the experience as some entry level components somehow can.

However, at the lower price points the CAAD13 is affordable enough to be a first bike but with a frame that you won't outgrow - and one that we believe warrants any significant upgrades you make, whether it be wheels or groupset.

That said, even if you opt for a 'cheaper' model you can get a Shimano 105 hydraulic groupset with a RS510 crank set, while the wheels match DT Swiss R470 rims with the Formula hubs - all perfectly good kit. Below this in the pecking order is a Tiagra equipped offering, while rim brake fans will pleased to know that you can get the CAAD13 with calipers!

As per usual, the size range starts at 44 and goes all the way up to 62, with six sizes inbetween. We see this as another big plus point for the CAAD13, making it available not only to a range of budgets thanks to the build options but also wide range of rider builds.

The only thing that we found fault with was the rather high front end stack. It's easy to rectify but means you'll have to have your head tube cut down to avoid an ugly stack of spacers above the stem. 

Read more: Cannondale CAAD13 Disc full review

The best entry-level road bike for value

Giant Contend SL1

The Giant Contend SL1 is a quality entry-level option

3. Giant Contend SL1

Sharing features of Giant’s more expensive bikes, the Contend has a compact alloy frame with a sloping top tube. The D-Fuse seatpost and carbon fork are designed to add compliance at the rear and the front end respectively. Along with the endurance frame geometry this gives great comfort and handling, letting you ride for longer and inspiring confidence. 

We were particularly impressed with the bike's ability to eat up the road chatter, which isn't always the case with aluminium frames. Combine this with the sensible geometry (a longer wheelbase for stability and higher stack) and wide tire clearance (room for 34mm) and you get a set-up that sits squarely in the endurance category, ready to eat up the miles in comfort. For an entry level bike we feel it's the right recipe, one that's better suited to a wider range of riders than a more aggressive riding position.

The Contend SL hasn't been updated for a little while but you can still get both a rim and disc brake option. Both use's Shimano's impeccable 105 groupset with a Shimano RS510 chainset, with the rim brakes using Tektro calipers and the disc brake option fitted with 105 hydraulic.

Again befitting both the entry-level and endurance tags, there's bags of low gearing, down to 1:1, to tackle uphills and Shimano 105 gives you quality shifting as always. Naturally at this price point it's not the lightest bike by any means, which we found didn't always make for sprightly performance. That said, It's a good value proposition for its price and a genuine 'contender' for any entry-level road bike prize out there.

Read more: Giant Contend full review

The best road bike for versatility

Vitus Venon Evo 105 Di2 road bike on a pink background

The Vitus Venon Evo is available in road or gravel specs

4. Vitus Venon Evo-RS

While versatility has always been desirable for some of us when shopping for a new road bike, the evolution of the category has seen more and more sub-sections emerge. The result is a slew of bikes designed with specifics in mind, whether it be aero race machines or featherweight climbers. 

But Vitus has decided to buck the trend somewhat. And the Venon Evo has a trick up its sleeve to make it a bike for more than one purpose. With its wide tire clearance of 45mm it's not glued to the road and you can buy the same frame specced out for gravel duties, with a series of models with a GR suffix; we've also reviewed the Vitus Venon Evo-GR gravel spec bike.

The carbon frame weighs under 1kg and we found that it had plenty of compliance built in. The road-going specs are fitted with Michelin Power Cup 28mm tubeless tires on Prime Attaquer alloy wheels. We tested the 105 Di2 model of the Vitus Venon Evo, but there's a whole range of electronic and mechanical groupset options from Shimano and SRAM. 

When reviewing the bike on the road, we found the  ride to be well balanced and firm but still really comfortable. Continuing the versatile theme, there's plenty of room to fit mudguards on the hidden mounts, making the Venon Evo a good option for year-round use.

Read more: Vitus Venon Evo-RS full review

Superbikes: Overall winner

Cervélo S5 on a yellow background

The Cervélo S5 mixes a fast, aero ride with comfort and handling

1. Cervélo S5

The Cervélo S5 garnered top spot in our Race Bike of the Year awards in 2023. We rated its straight line speed, but also its cornering ability and superb ride quality. It's the handling that sets it apart from other aero bikes though: fast to respond to a change of line but never twitchy.

Likewise, we were impressed with the Reserve wheels, which are 52mm deep at the front and 63mm deep at the rear. Their internal width of 24.4mm really helped to add comfort to the tires (they plumped up our 28mm Vittoiria Corsa to over 31mm)  as well as progression when cornering and additional grip.

If there is any downside to the S5 then it the weight: it's not the lightest bike, tipping the scales at over 8kg. This makes it around 1kg heavier than the Scott Foil for example. But again the sheer ride quality of the S5 manages to negate any additional grams on even moderately steep gradients.

Naturally superbikes are primarily designed with the pros in minds and if you want some validation of the bike's qualities then how about 2022 and 2023 Tour de France yellow jersey wins, the TdF green jersey in 2022 and a slew of one day race triumphs? While these wins are testament to the talent of Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and others, they also point to the S5s ability to be ridden across a range of stages and races. For us, this only confirms what we felt when riding the bike - that it's as well-rounded a race bike as you'll find.

Read more: Cervélo S5 full review

Superbikes: Best value

Giant Propel on a orange background.

The Giant Propel offers a lot of bike for its price

2. Giant Propel

The latest Giant Propel has slimmed down from its previous chunky frameset, to reduce weight and increase comfort, but according to the brand has still improved aerodynamics over the outgoing model - to the tune of some 6 .2 watts at 40kph.

Adjustability has improved too thanks to a newly designed two-piece bar and stem, without impacting those aero number.The cables are neatly routed through the bars and under the channelled-out stem before entering the frame. It makes for a slick looking bike indeed.

Giant has also adjusted the Propel's geometry, so that it's much closer to its TCR climbing bike, for a more responsive ride. Maximum tyre clearance sits at 32mm. We found that it all added up to a fast yet stable ride, with the thinner tubes performing better in crosswinds than aero bikes with deeper sections. We were impressed with the comfort levels too, with the plumper tires and well-designed front end helping to negate road chatter.

Although we tested the Rival AXS build, best value can be found in the entry level bike which easily beats the other bikes in our Race Bike of the Year awards.

Read more: Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 full review

Superbikes: Best aero bike

Trek Madone SL7 Gen 7 on a pink background

The Trek Madone SL7 is very aero

3. Trek Madone SL7 Gen 7

Another bike that's shed weight, in its case 300g. The Gen 7 does this in large part by andoning the IsoSpeed system of its predecessor, and replacing it with IsoFlow technology. It makes for a striking looking frame, with its hole under the saddle, which sits on a seatpost cantilevered over the rear of the frame.

But that's only half of the 20 watts saving over the older Madone. The other half comes from the bars, which position the hands 30mm closer together on the tops, for a more aero tuck -  for example a 42cm bar actually measures 39cm at the hoods and 42cm at the drops. Trek offers 14 different cockpit combinations to allow you to dial in your position.

We found that it makes for an incredibly assured bike, with great handling and plenty of comfort as well as being a fast ride in a straight line. It's a light by aero bike standards too, with our review model tipping the scales at 7.5kg. Like many superbikes, the downside for most is likely to be the price, and the Madone is certainly firmly in the expensive category - five figures with a second-tier Ultegra groupset.

Read more : Trek Madone SL7 Gen 7 full review

Superbikes: Best climbing bike

Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod 2 on a pink background

The Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod is a great bike for climbers

4. Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod 2

This fourth generation of the Cannondale SuperSix has received some subtle updates from its predecessor, which nevertheless make it more aero and lighter. You'll likely notice the more steeply sloped top tube and the lower seat stays. 

Tire clearance has been increased too, and there's now room for up to 34mm in width. Last but not least, the press fit bottom bracket has been replaced by a BSA 68mm threaded number - something we're big fans of not least because it allows you to fit a new BB home with relative ease.  It adds up to a claimed 770g frame weight , which was the lightest in our Race Bike of the Year awards from last year.

We found the latest SuperSix to be better than ever. It's lightening fast and it holds speed well thanks to the 50mm deep aero wheelset. Equally it's a great climber's bike as well, with low weight and great geometry for out-of-saddle efforts. Descending is equally magical.

We did find that comfort was comprised a little over longer distances - it's not as comfy at the Cervélo S5 for example - but this isn't uncommon for stiff, light race bikes.

Cannondal typically do a good job of offering a sensible range of models and prices on offer, and its no exception with SuperSix Evo.

Read more: Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi Mod 2 full review

How to choose the best road bike for you

What's the difference between race and endurance geometry.

A key decision when choosing the best road bike for you is what you plan to do with it. Are you looking to go fast or race, or are you after a more comfortable bike for leisurely rides or long days in the saddle?

Geometry is the key factor here. A full-on race bike will put you in a more bent-over riding position, with your head and shoulders lower down over the handlebar. That’s great when you have a need for speed, reducing your frontal profile to lower your wind resistance but can be uncomfortable, particularly for a beginner.

On the other hand, bikes labelled 'endurance' or 'sportive' will be designed for a more upright riding position, with the bars higher and closer to the saddle. That delivers greater comfort on longer rides, but may make you a bit slower.

If you’re riding on hilly roads , or planning a trip abroad to the Alps for example, you’ll certainly appreciate a lightweight bike . However, if you're going to spend your time riding fast on flatter terrain then aerodynamics are probably more important to you. And If you’re looking to race, the stiffer, more edgy handling of a race bike will work better than the more stable handling of an endurance machine .

An increasing number of bikes are designed to take you off the tarmac as well as letting you ride efficiently on road. A gravel bike will give you wide tires and lower gears. But many endurance or 'all-road' bikes now offer plenty of tire clearance as well as an expansive gear range, letting you take in a wider variety of routes.

How much do I need to spend on a road bike?

You also need to look at how much you want to spend on a bike. That’s not just the initial outlay, but the cost of replacing worn or damaged parts, the cost of servicing your bike and the cost of any upgrades. There’s a big difference in price between lower spec mechanical parts and top of the range electronic gearing.

A bike's specs will vary a lot between manufacturers. In particular, prices will often be lower at direct only brands (such as Canyon and Ribble) and in-house brands (Vitus at Wiggle or Boardman at Halfords). But to give you an idea, here's a look at common specifications at various investment levels. In the interest of brevity, some bandings are wide and therefore you would expect variation within them.

£750 - £999 / $1000 - $1500

An aluminium frame and carbon fork, aluminium seatpost and handlebar/stem, shifting at Shimano Sora or Claris level, aluminium wheels. Rim brakes. 

£1000 - £2000 / $1500 - $2500

Either an aluminium frame and carbon fork at around Shimano 105 level, or a carbon frame and fork with shifting at Shimano Tiagra level. Aluminium wheels, seatpost and handlebar/stem. Disc or rim brakes. 

£2000 - £3500 / $2500 - $4000

Carbon frame and fork with Shimano 105 (lower end of budget) or Ultegra (higher end), aluminium or carbon rims, carbon seatpost, aluminium handlebars and stem. Disc brakes should be hydraulic from this price point. Titanium frames are an option.

£3500 - £5000/ $4000 - $6000

Carbon or titanium frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra or SRAM AXS eTap groupset, carbon seatpost, aluminium bar/stem, carbon rims 

£5000 - £10,000 / $6,000 - $12,000

Carbon frame and fork, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red AXS eTap, carbon wheels of 50mm+, carbon bars and stem.

£10,000+ / $12,000+

Accept nothing but the best of everything. Top of the range carbon frame and fork - usually utilising stiffer carbon and therefore fewer layers resulting in lower weight, carbon wheels of 50mm+, one piece carbon bar/stem Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Red AXS or Campagnolo Super Record Wireless, power meter as standard.

What are the best frame materials for road bikes?

A major difference between cheaper and more expensive bikes is their frame material . Bikes costing under $/£1000 are typically made of aluminium alloy , with the tubes welded together. It’s a material used in more expensive bikes too and can result in a strong, lightweight machine.

But pricier bikes are usually made of carbon fibre . The fibres give the bike strength and are embedded in a synthetic resin to hold them together. The mix of fibres used and their lay-up determine the bike’s ride feel. More expensive bikes will use more high modulus carbon fibre, which lowers the weight without reducing the bike’s strength.

Titanium is another material used in some more expensive bikes. It’s lightweight, strong and doesn’t rust or fatigue. And you can still find bikes made of steel tubing, which was the traditional framebuilding material. It’s not quite as light as other choices, but robust and gives a distinctive ride feel.

You should also look at what the bike’s fork is made of. Many bikes will have an all-carbon fork or one with carbon fork blades and an alloy steerer. This tends to absorb road bumps well for a more comfortable ride, but you can find alloy or steel forks on some lower priced bikes .

How do I choose the right size road bike for me?

It’s important to get the right size bike . Most bikes come in a range of sizes to fit your stature and bike makers will usually publish a rider’s height range which a bike of a specific size will fit. 

You should feel comfortable seated on your bike and be able to put both feet flat on the ground when standing over the crossbar, without it touching you.

You’ll usually find more detailed frame dimensions listed too, which give you more details of how your bike will fit you. The most important are reach and stack, although they’re a bit complex to interpret. 

In general, the higher the stack number (usually shown in cm or mm) the more upright your riding position will be. If you enjoy a 'taller' riding position then look for a more generous stack height. Equally, a shorter reach will put you closer to the bars, thus in a more upright position. For the most part, race bikes will feature a lower stack height than endurance models. 

To make sure that your bike is set up correctly and to avoid the risk of injury from incorrect fit, it’s well worth getting a professional bike fit . A bike fit will cost some money, although sometimes a bike shop will offer one at a discount or free when you buy a bike. A bike fit will ensure that your saddle and bars are optimally placed for efficient riding. Consider a good fit an investment.

Best road bikes

What is an 'aero' road bike and do I need one?

Bike makers push their bikes’ aero credentials, especially on more expensive machines, with claims of wind tunnel testing and time saved. Time was, an aero frameset was significantly heavier than one with the traditional round tubes, but the best aero bikes can now be as light as a non-aero one.

On the other hand, around 80% of the wind resistance comes from the rider , not the bike and those time savings are typically when riding at around 45kph/28mph. Since wind resistance increases as the cube of speed, if you’re riding at half that, you’ll have an eighth of the drag, so all those aero features won’t make a lot of difference.

How many gears should a road bike have?

After the frame, gears are the most important thing to consider when choosing a road bike. Today many top end road bikes will come fitted with 12-speed cassettes. When paired with a double chainring this means you'll have 24 gears. Remember however that some of these gear ratios will be duplicated in certain chainring/cassette combinations.

More affordable road bikes tend to come with fewer gears. These cassette options should range from 8-speed to 10-speed, again most often paired with a double chainset.

As for groupset brands, Shimano gearing is the most common, but the other major options are SRAM and Campagnolo. Shimano’s top end groupsets, Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 105 have a 12-speed cassette, while less expensive bikes may come with 10-speed Tiagra, 9-speed Sora or 8-speed Claris.

SRAM and Campagnolo also offer 12 speeds on their top end road bike groupsets and all three brands offer electronic shifting rather than the mechanical cables used on lower priced ranges.

Best road bikes

What are the best gear options for a road bike?

When choosing a new road bike it's important that you think about the gears it comes equipped with. Fortunately if you've already matched your potential bike to the kind of riding you plan on doing, there's a good chance that the gear choice will also be well-suited. 

An out-and-out race bike may come with a more traditional gearing set-up, for example 53/39 tooth chainset paired with an 11-30 tooth cassette. 

However road bikes that fall into the endurance or sportive categories are likely to have a compact chainset, most likely a 50/34, and a cassette that will have 30, 32, 34 or even 36 teeth as the largest option. The lower gears will help you to both tackle steep hills with more ease and generally pedal with a higher cadence . However, this can mean larger gaps between gear ratios.

There are other options out there too. SRAM, for example, now offers its eTap AXS groupsets with 48/35, 46/33 and 43/30t chainsets. Paired with its cassettes starting at 10 teeth, these give similar highest gear ratios to traditional gearing starting at 11 teeth, but greater low-end gear range for easier climbing and less need to shift between chainrings on undulating roads.

Best road bikes

Electronic shifting is now a mainstream option on higher spec bikes

Is electronic shifting really better?

While the major groupset brands - Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo - still offer mechanical groupsets, there has been a significant shift towards electronic shifting in recent years. Here a motor shifts the derailleurs between ratios, rather than the traditional cable.

The main electronic systems are Shimano Di2, Campagnolo Wireless and SRAM eTap AXS, which all offer 12 speeds.

There are benefits and drawbacks of both mechanical and electronic options. 

Mechanical components, such as mechs and levers, are generally cheaper and lighter than their electronic counterparts. They are also, for the most part, easier to fix when something goes wrong. 

Electronic gears benefit from reliable shifting. There's no cable tension at play here. If you've suffered a hand injury, the ease of changing gear with the press of a button could be appealing. 

Electronic gearing can be personalised through an app, allowing you, for example, to shift multiple gears seamlessly. However, all this tech doesn't come cheap and complete road bikes fitted with electronic gears will be more expensive. Plus, you've got to remember to charge the batteries.

Are rim or disc brakes best for a road bike?

Disc brakes have largely taken over on road bikes and all but the lowest priced bikes are now in general disc brake only. That said, you can still find rim brake bikes, usually at either end of the price spectrum.

Typically disc brakes give you more consistent braking, whatever the weather conditions, better modulation and greater overall stopping power. On the flip side, they’re heavier than rim brakes, although bike makers have been able to make frames lighter, largely mitigating the extra weight.

Most disc brake bikes use hydraulic calipers, although you can find mechanical disc brakes, usually on cheaper machines. Discs have been creeping down the price range for the last few years, which means it's still likely an option even if your budget is limited.

Best road bikes

Disc brakes are a feature of the majority of new road bikes

What is the difference between carbon and alloy wheels?

Road bike wheels are typically 700c size, although the smaller 650b size can be found on some smaller frames. Regardless of size, both are available as carbon or alloy options.

Carbon fibre rims are used on most of the best road bike wheelsets . These rims lower weight and are often deeper, to improve aerodynamics over a shallow wheel. In fact carbon can be produced in a far greater range of shapes, allowing manufacturers to create wheels optimised for a varied range of riding styles. 

Alloy rims are generally cheaper and will feature on many complete road bikes. They are usually heavier than their carbon counterparts although lightweight alloy options are available. 

Wheels are a component where bike makers often look to economise, so a budget wheelset may feature even on an expensive bike. It’s worth considering whether you’ll need to upgrade them to get the best out of your new bike. If you decide to do so, you can always keep the original set for winter riding.

Best road bikes

Wider tyres let you reduce tyre pressure, increasing comfort and grip

What is the best tire width for a road bike?

There was a time when tire options for road bikes were limited by the frames they were fitted to. A 23mm tire was commonplace. If you were lucky you might be able to squeeze a 25mm into your frame.

However, today road bikes now come with increasingly wide tires due largely to the advent of disc brakes; even race bikes will typically have clearance for 28mm to 32mm tires, while endurance machines will likely allow for wider still. It's worth noting that even if your new bike has come specced with 25mm or 28mm tires, there's a good chance it will have the clearance for something wider.

With wider tires it's possible to run a lower tire pressure for more comfort and added grip. Wider tires can be as fast as or faster than narrower widths as well.

Wheels and tires are increasingly tubeless-ready too. This means that you can add sealant and dispense with the inner tubes, reducing the risk of punctures and upping grip and ride comfort even more. Tubeless tires are in general faster as well.

Simon is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. However, as writer and reviewer he's ridden more road bikes than he cares to remember, from eye-wateringly expensive aero race bikes to far more wallet friendly offerings and plenty in between.

After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third, completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12.

How we tested these road bikes

We have a dedicated team of testers here at  Cycling Weekly , whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.

With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

When it comes to testing road bikes we log hundreds of miles, looking at a number of factors as we assess their overall performance. Of course we consider what the bike is primarily designed for, whether it's an aero race bike, a lightweight climber or an endurance model but also look at more general considerations such as build and spec quality, durability and value for money. 

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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.

Wout van Aert celebrates after winning the 2024 E3 Saxo Classic

The Belgian has taken to using them himself – at least for now

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Trek Accessories 4+

Use with trek carback radar, trek bicycle.

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The Trek Accessory App adds additional functionality to the Trek CarBack Radar Rear Bike Light by giving cyclists advanced alerts and a real-time visual depiction of rear approaching detected vehicles. Helps you see cars. Use the Trek Accessory App to receive visual and audible alerts of detected rear approaching vehicles. The Trek Accessory App and Trek CarBack Radar can detect rear approaching vehicles from up to 240M, with vehicles first appearing with an audible beep and a visual indicator at the bottom of the App screen. Once the detected vehicle approaches to within 150M, the vehicle is shown on screen in real time. Once within 75M the Vehicles location is depicted in both distance behind and distance to either side, indicating preparation for a potential pass. Once the vehicle completes a pass, an audible alert indicates the pass and the vehicle drops off the screen. Helps cars see you. The Trek Accessory App also gives the ability to turn on a connected Trek CarBack Rear bike Light, all from the App screen. The CarBack Radar offers Daytime Running Light Performance that can be seen from up to 2km during the day to help a cyclist be more visible on the road. Audible and Visual Alerts You can choose the best way to receive alerts – Alerts will be shown visually on screen as well as an audio alert when a detected rear approaching vehicle is first detected, and again when it passes. You can choose to turn audible alerts on and off. This allows you to use the app the way you ride – either with a phone mounted on your bike’s handlebars, or stowed in a jersey pocket. *Please note that the Trek Accessory App currently only works with Trek CarBack Radar Rear Bike Lighs. Learn more about Trek CarBack Radar Rear Bike light here - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/carback/ Find Trek Accessory App FAQs here - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/FAQ/trek-carback-radar-rear-bike-light/ Having trouble? Contact our support team for assistance at [email protected]

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The best electric bikes of 2024

Our picks for the best electric bikes for riders of all types and budgets, based on dozens of reviews and tests.

  • The best for most people
  • Best budget ebike

Best fat tire ebike

  • Best for commuters

Best electric dirt bike

Best under $1,000

Best cargo ebike, best folding ebike, best front-storage cargo bike, best for long distances, ebike specs compared.

  • What to look for
  • Ebike rules and regulations

Meet our testers

  • How we test electric bikes

The best electric bike for most people

RadPower RadCity 5 Plus

The best ebike for most people

It's not the flashiest, but we think the RadCity 5 Plus will more than fit the needs of most riders. It's comfortable, offers plenty of power, and comes with lights, fenders, and a rear rack for your gear. Plus, RadPower makes a lot of accessories that let you easily customize the bike.

In our tests, we found the RadCity 5 Plus to be responsive and powerful enough to get us up and down hills easily, and do so in comfort. It is a bit heavy at 64 pounds, but that should only be an issue if you try to go farther than it's 55-mile range.

Read more below .

Ride1Up Turris

The best affordable electric bike

For those who don't want to spend too much on an ebike, the Ride1Up Turris offers just about everything you could want, with few compromises. 

Aventon Aventure.2

If you're looking for an ebike that can go anywhere, look no further. This bike is responsive, stable in all conditions, including snow, has both lights and turn signals, and even comes with fenders.

Read more below

Charge Bikes City

The best for commuters

This affordable ebike has a neat feature: Its handlebars can turn sideways, so it'll take up less room when you have to store it in a hallway or some other cramped space. It's also fairly light, has a great range, and has a built-in rear rack.

Juiced Ripracer

This BMX-style fat tire bike delivers some great thrills on trails and dirt paths. It has a powerful motor to get you around, but no suspension.

Ride1Up Roadster v2

This lightweight ebike lacks some niceties you'll find on more expensive rides — you'll have to provide your own lights and fenders — but it delivers a zippy ride around town at a great price.

RadPower RadRunner 3 Plus

The best cargo ebike

A truly versatile ebike that can be configured with dozens of accessories. It's also compact, powerful, very comfortable to ride, and one of the most affordable cargo bikes around.

Read more below 

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GoCycle G4i+

This futuristic-looking ebike is made from carbon fiber, which keeps its weight to just 36 pounds. It has a speedy electronic shifter, responsive and powerful motor, and a great range for something this small. It ain't cheap, though.

Read more below.

Yuba Supercargo CL

When you need to haul really big loads, the Supercargo CL is your best bet. It has a ton of space, yet is very stable and even fun to ride.

NIU BQi-C3 Pro

Longest range

With dual batteries, this bike has the endurance to get you wherever you need to go. And, it's often on sale for a very reasonable price.

Radpower RadRunner 3 Plus e-bike in backyard

1. The best for most people 2. Best affordable ebike 3. Best fat tire ebike 4. Best for commuters 5. Best electric dirt bike 6. Best under $1,000 7. Best cargo ebike 8. Best folding ebike 9. Best front-storage cargo bike 10. Longest-range e-bike 11. What to look for 12. Electric bike FAQ 13. Ebike rules and regulations 14. How we test ebikes  

What makes for the best electric bike? With so many models out there, it's hard to know at a glance which model will get you where you need to go and which features you can and can't live without. That's why we've tested a number of the top models across all types of electric bikes to give you the best recommendations for your needs. 

We test the bikes by riding them around, to see how responsive their electric motors are when going up hills and getting started from a dead stop. We also gauge the comfort of the bikes over long miles, and note the ease with which we can use their various features, such as an accompanying smartphone app. And, we also test the bikes' battery life; while endurance is affected by many factors, such as terrain and temperature, we try to the best of our ability to see how the bikes live up to the company's estimates.

While many of the best electric bikes are expensive — upwards of $2,000 — they're coming down in price; in fact, we also have a list of the best budget electric bikes under $1,500. And before you do any riding, be sure to pick up one of the best bike helmets to keep your head safe, and one of the best bike locks to keep your ride secure. 

Read on for all our best electric bike picks. 

The best electric bikes you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

best electric bike

Rad Power RadCity5 Plus

1. Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

For the vast majority of riders, the Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus will be the best electric bike. It has a comfortable design, plenty of power, and a multitude of mounting points for things such as baskets and child seats. Plus, it comes with a rear rack and mudguards. Its 7-speed shifter, combined with three levels of pedal assistance and a twist throttle is more than enough to get you up even the steepest of hills.

Rad Power says that the RadCity5 should get upwards of 50+ miles on a charge; in our testing, it came fairly close — about 40 miles. 

We really enjoyed pedaling around on this bike, which is offered in both step-through and step-over models. Its battery, while not fully integrated into the downtube, provides plenty of range, and can also be used to charge your phone (with the right adapter). The one caveat is that this bike weighs a hefty 64 pounds, so you're not going to want to lug it up stairs.

At a starting price of $1,999, it's reasonably affordable, but you should check out our Rad Power Bikes promo codes for the latest discounts. 

Read our full Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus review .

Best affordable ebike

Ride1Up Turris parked outside against wall

2. Ride1Up Turris

While there are plenty of great electric bikes that cost more than $2,000, the Ride1Up Turris shows that you can get a lot of value from an ebike that costs much less. During our testing, we found the Turris' 750W motor to be more than powerful enough for most situations. We were equally impressed with how quickly it responded when we started pedaling, as many budget ebikes exhibit a slight delay in these situations. (There was a slight lag when using just the throttle, though).

Other standout features include its mechanical disc brakes, easy-to-read digital display, and bright 60 Lux headlight. Included front and rear fenders helped keep our clothes clean on wet days, and its wide, 27.5 x 2.4-inch tires made for a comfortable ride — so much so that we thought that the front suspension felt a bit extraneous. 

There's no taillight, so you'll want to check out our picks for the best bike lights , and unlike some pricier ebikes, you'll have to assemble a few pieces of the bike yourself, including the handlebars, front wheel, and pedals. We also had to make a few adjustments to the fenders, which might mean a trip to your local bike shop. 

But for those who want an affordable electric bike to get around town, the Turris should be at the top of your list. 

Read our full Ride1Up Turris review .

Aventon Aventure.2 sitting outside at park

3. Aventon Aventure.2

If you're looking for a fat-tire electric bike that's less than $2,000, the Aventon Aventure.2 is hard to beat. It's as good off-road as it is on pavement, has a beefy battery and a clear color display, as well as fenders that'll save your clothes from getting too muddy. Other niceties include a brake-activated rear light and turn signals.

The Aventure.2 has both pedal-assist and throttle modes, and the battery and wires are neatly integrated into the frame. What's more, the battery can be removed for charging. The battery lasted nearly the advertised 60 miles on a charge, but, as with other ebikes, we drained it much faster when we relied on the throttle.

While not as capable as a dedicated mountain bike, the Aventure.2 was able to get us up and over hilly terrain, and its torque sensor was quick to translate our pedaling into power. 

Our only real critiques were the bike's 77-pound weight and its front suspension fork, which felt unnecessary. Otherwise, it's an excellent bike for the price.

Read our full Aventon Aventure.2 review .

best for commuters

Charge Bikes City review

4. Charge Bikes City

If you plan on commuting to work, Charge Bikes City may well be the best ebike for you. Not only does it come with features like full-fenders to keep the mud off and a rear rack for a pack or bag, but it does everything well for a very reasonable price. The Charge City has a five level power assist, as well as a full-power throttle button, should the need or hill arise. 

The biggest reason why we think this bike is best for commuters is that its handle bars fold flat, so you can more easily store it in an apartment or a cubicle at work. It comes with all the necessary bells and whistles a commuter is going to want, including the bell (actually a superior and very loud electronic horn). The bike is available in both step-over and step through, and in a few color options, too.

The City's electric assist is so smooth you'll think you're doing all the work yourself. At night, the bike's lights sufficiently lit up the road and the throttle helped us zip around potential trouble when we felt out of gas. Its advertised range of 50 miles held up, too; we found we only had to recharge the bike every three days using it on our regular commute.

Founded by folks from biking icon Cannondale, Charge's sui generis feature is that even newbies can assemble the bike right out of the box in 10 minutes or less. All you basically have to do is put the front wheel on. 

Read our full Charge Bikes City review

Best BMX-style bike

Juiced RipRacer parked on mountain trail

5. Juiced Ripracer

The Juiced Ripracer is a lot of fun, and costs a lot less than you might think. It's one of the more affordable offroad ebikes we've tested, and it can go just about anywhere. This fat-tire bike has 20-inch wheels and a 40.3-inch wheelbase that's meant for trails and other unpaved surfaces. However, its lack of shock absorbers, like most e-mountain bikes, means you're in for a rougher ride. 

Its 750W motor delivered some real get-up-and-go, and, thanks to its low-end torque, was great for charging up hills. In one concession to its price, the Ripracer has a cadence, rather than a torque sensor, so you have to rotate the pedals a couple of time before the assist kicks in. As it's a BMX-style bike, the Ripracer is a lot smaller than other mountain e-bikes, which also makes it easier to maneuver around tight spaces. 

Read our full Juiced Ripracer review .

Ride1Up Roadster V2 parked outside

6. Ride1Up Roadster V2

At first glance, the Ride1Up Roadster V2 It looks like a regular, non-motorized commuter bike — the better to blend in with traditional rides — but concealed inside is a battery capable of up to 30 miles of range. 

The Roadster V2 is also one of the lightest ebikes we tested — it weighs just 33 pounds, so carrying it around shouldn't be a problem — and although there's no step-through model, Ride1Up offers it in two sizes to accommodate riders of nearly all heights. 

The Roadster V2 was fast and fun on flat and rolling terrain, and its belt drive made for a very quiet ride. However, this is a single-speed model, so it's a bit hard to get moving on hills. 

There are a few concessions to get to this price: The Roadster V2 doesn't have lights of any kind, nor does it have fenders, and it uses rim, rather than disc brakes. We also found its display to be on the small side. Still, if you can live with those compromises, you'll enjoy the Roadster V2.

Read our full Ride1Up Roadster V2 review .

7. RadPower RadRunner 3 Plus

How's this for an endorsement? Our reviewer loved this bike so much that he decided to buy one for himself. 

While it can't haul as heavy loads as some other larger (and much more expensive) cargo bikes, the RadPower RadRunner 3 Plus is more than capable of carrying you, your kids, and plenty of groceries wherever you need to go. We loved its responsive 750W motor, its comfortable ride, and its low center of gravity, thanks to its 3.3-inch thick, 20-inch tires.

However, we found it to be fairly heavy, tipping the scales at 75 pounds, so you're not going to want to try pedal it without any power assist. But we found its advertised 45-mile range to be pretty accurate, so long as we didn't go too heavy on the throttle.

Aside from its performance, what made the RadRunner 3 Plus stand out so much to us was its versatility: You can outfit the bike with any number of combinations of racks, seats, bags, and other accessories to truly customize it for your needs. And, its relatively low price for a cargo bike makes it a real bargain for those looking to replace their car with an electric bike.

Read our full RadPower RadRunner 3 Plus review .

GoCycle G4i+ parked at Moynihan Train Hall

8. Gocycle G4i+

The Gocycle G4i+ looks like something a supercar designer would build, which isn't surprising given that it was conceived by former McLaren sports car engineer Richard Thorpe. Not only is this bike's unique wheels-on-one-side and tapered body eye-catching, but we were able to fold it up in less than a minute into a size small enough to get us on and off a train, and past our security and into our office elevator. At 36 pounds, it's one of the lightest folding electric bikes out there, too. 

Despite that, this bike was a real pleasure to ride. Its electric shifter responded near instantly, as did the pedal assist and throttle. However, while the G4i+ has daytime running lights, you'll have to pay extra for a legit headlight, as well as mudguards. Also, the G4i+ has a great smartphone app, but one of the flimsiest methods of holding your phone on the bike itself — a cheap solution for a bike that costs $7,000. 

If you're looking for something slightly more affordable, GoCycle also sells the G4i ($5,999) and the G4 ($4,799). A 2022 version of the G4 has an injection molded composite mid-frame. Still too much for your wallet? Then you should check out the Brompton Electric C-Line Explore , which starts around $3,000. 

Read our full GoCycle G4i+ review .

Yuba Supercargo CL at park

9. Yuba Supercargo CL

The Yuba Supercargo CL can haul an astounding 500 pounds, making it one of the heftiest electric cargo bikes in its class. Yet, it offers a surprisingly stable ride, thanks to its low center of gravity. Its cargo area is very customizable, letting you convert it from a place to carry groceries to a space to tote your tots to soccer practice.  

Magna hydraulic brakes and a Bosch mid-drive motor were very responsive, though the relatively small 20-inch tires and lack of suspension did make bumps feel a bit jarring. The Supercargo CL starts at around $6,000, but is incredibly customizable; you can select from a range of accessories to adapt the cargo area to suit your needs. 

If you're looking for a cargo bike that can haul more than the Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus, this is the model to consider.

Read our full Yuba Supercargo CL review .

NIU BQi-C3 Pro E-bike

10. NIU BQi-C3 Pro

There's nothing worse when running out of power when riding your electric bike, especially if you're miles from home — and at the bottom of a hill. With its dual batteries, the NIU BQi-C3 Pro is the best electric bike for those who have range anxiety, as it can give you up to 90 miles of range before you need to recharge. And, that's no boast — based on our testing, we found that 90-mile estimate to be pretty accurate, too. 

But range isn't the only thing we liked about the BQi-C3 Pro: It has mechanical disc brakes, front and rear lights, and a rear rack so you can carry things wherever you plan to go. A carbon belt drive is another nice-to-have feature, as it's quiet and easier to maintain than a traditional metal chain. Its step-through design also makes the bike easy to use for riders of all sizes; we tried it with both a 5' 11" rider and a 5' 3" rider, and both found it comfortable. 

Our only real complaint with the BQi-C3 Pro is that at 70.5 pounds, it's one of the heaviest electric bikes we've tested that's not a cargo bike, so this is not a model to buy if you have to go up any stairs. Still, the bike's 500W motor was more than powerful enough to get its bulk moving with ease. 

The bike's regular price is $2,199, but we've seen it on sale during the holidays for as low as $1,299, so wait for a sale to pick it up.

Read our full NIU BQi-C3 Pro review .

What to look for when buying an electric bike

Pedal-assist or throttle? All electric bikes have what's called pedal-assist; you start pedaling, and the bike's motor kicks in to make your ride a little easier. But you need to put in at least some work: you won't go anywhere unless you pedal. Most electric bikes will also let you set the level of assistance, so you can decide how hard you want to pedal.

However, some electric bikes will also have a throttle. Press a button or push a lever, and the bike will do all the work for you — no pedaling needed! Using a throttle will quickly eat up the battery life on the bike, so you'll get far less of a range if you don't want to pedal at all.

Motor type Less expensive electric bikes traditionally use a rear hub motor. Mid-drive motors located in the center pedal crank shaft tend to be more expensive but offer better overall balance and smoother shifting. 

Motors are also rated based on their power, measured in Watts. Typically, the least powerful motor will be 250 Watts, but unless you're a very large person or planning to go up really steep hills, the motor size shouldn’t be a major determining factor for your purchase. More important,  there is no industry standard for measuring Watts (is it continuous or peak and if peak, for how long?). So in general, a motor’s Watt rating isn’t a reliable indication of power.

Battery size Consider where you live. If you're in San Francisco you're going to want more help than if you're cruising around Austin. Watt hours (Wh) is the most important figure for comparison—it takes into account battery output and battery life to give you a better sense of available power. Higher Wh translates into more range. 

Many electric bike makers will also include an estimated range (usually about 40 miles) that you can get off a single charge. You should take this figure with a large grain of salt, as that number is usually determined under ideal circumstances: A fairly lightweight person riding on flat terrain with no wind, and at the perfect ambient temperature for the battery. Range is also dependent on the level of power assist being used, whether full-throttle has been applied and for how long, and your average speed. As they say, your mileage may vary.

Removable or built-in battery? Most bike batteries will handle rides of about 40 miles and need to be plugged in for at least a couple of hours to get to 80 percent of capacity. So if you have a more demanding commute, consider a model that lets you swap out the battery rather than a bike with an integrated battery. 

Also, if you live in a place where you can't bring your bike inside or get close to a wall outlet (such as if you live in a walk-up apartment), definitely look for a bike with a removable battery. It will make your life a lot easier.

Step-over or Step-through? Many electric bike makers will offer their bikes in two configurations: Step-over (which has a top bar that runs parallel to the ground) and Step-through (the bar is angled downwards). Once upon a time, step-through models were traditionally thought of as women's bikes, but that perception is changing. It's generally easier to get on and off a step-through bike, as you don't have to lift your leg over a bar. 

Safety features If you're planning to ride your electric bike in traffic or in low-light conditions (such as dawn and dusk), it's worth looking for an electric bike with built-in head and taillights. While increasingly common, it's not a standard feature on all models. 

Electric bike FAQ

What are the different types of electric bike.

Generally speaking, electric bikes fall into the same categories as non-electric bikes. Here's a quick summary of some of the kinds of electric bikes you'll find.

Road bike: These are meant solely for riding on roads, and are designed for speed. They will have thinner tires and curved handlebars, so that the rider will be crouched forward. Higher-end models may also be made out of carbon fiber, so as to make the bike as light as possible.

Mountain bike : Designed for off-road use, mountain bikes will have thick, knobby tires, full suspension, and a burlier frame to better absorb bumps and jumps. 

Fat tire bikes : Similar to mountain bikes, fat tire bikes are meant to be ridden off-road, usually on very soft ground, such as mud, sand, and snow. As their name suggests, these bikes have very wide tires — as much as four inches — which helps keep a grip on unsteadier terrain.

City/Commuter bike: Made for urban dwellers who need to get around town, a commuter bike will have tires that are somewhere in between a road and a mountain bike. Generally, the bikes will be configured so that the rider's back is vertical when seated, which gives them a better view of their surroundings.

Cargo bike: These bikes are made for carrying heavy loads, and will have a cargo area either in the front or rear of the bike. Because of the payload area, these bikes often tend to me much longer and heavier — and more expensive — than a typical bike.  

What is a good speed for an electric bike?

In the U.S., electric bikes are limited to 20 miles per hour; that is, they can only provide you with power — either through pedal-assist or with a throttle — until the bike hits 20 MPH. While you can easily go faster than 20 MPH on an electric bike, the rest of that power will have to be provided by you — or gravity. 

How much does an electric bike cost?

Electric bikes range widely in price. Some of the best cheap electric bikes start at around $1,000; you can certainly find models for less, but quality will be less. 

The bulk of electric bikes cost anywhere from $1,500 to around $2,500, and there are hundreds of models in this price range.  

Higher-end and specialized electric bikes — such as cargo bikes — will cost upwards of $3,000, and can easily reach $6,000 to $8,000, which is a sizable investment. 

rules and regulations

There has been a lot of confusion about ebikes (pedal assist versus throttle bikes) and where you can legally ride them. Some municipalities have banned ebikes from bicycle paths, for example. Many places classify ebikes depending on whether they can go full throttle and have a maximum speed of 20 or 28 mph. There are three official classifications:

Class 1: Ebikes that only assist while you pedal, with a top speed of 20 mph.

Class 2: Ebikes with a throttle that don't require you to pedal but have a top speed of 20 mph.

Class 3: Ebikes that only assist while you pedal, with a top speed of 28 mph.

So check your local regulations before you buy. And always wear a helmet.

Dan Cavallari

Dan Cavallari is the former technical editor for VeloNews Magazine, who currently reviews electric bikes, the best bike lights , best bike locks , and other bike accessories for Tom's Guide. In addition to VeloNews, his work has appeared in Triathlete Magazine, Rouleur Magazine, CyclingTips.com, Road Bike Action, Mountain Bike Action, CycleVolta.com, Tomsguide.com, and much more. 

Dan also hosts two podcasts on his site, Slow Guy on the Fast Ride: One is about cycling and other outdoor activities, while the other looks at mental health issues. Most recently, Dan also covered the 2022 Tour de France. Dan lives outside of Denver, Colorado with his family. 

John Quain

John R. Quain has been reviewing and testing video and audio equipment for more than 20 years. For Tom's Guide, he has reviewed televisions, HDTV antennas, electric bikes, electric cars, as well as other outdoor equipment. He is currently a contributor to The New York Times and the CBS News television program. John has also written our guide to the best bike helmets . 

how we test

All the bicycles in this feature were road (and in some cases, off-road) tested by Tom’s Guide reviewers and staff. 

The testing process begins when we first receive the bike; as most come only partly assembled, we assess the difficulty with which we have to put the final pieces together. Typically, this involves attaching the front wheel, handlebars, and pedals, but some bikes are easier to put together than others. 

Next, we take the bikes for a ride, evaluating their comfort, handling, responsiveness of their motors — some will be faster to apply power than others — as well as how they perform over a variety of terrain and conditions. For example, if we're testing a fat-tire bike, we'll take it off-roading; if we're testing a cargo bike, we'll load it with kids and grocery bags. 

If a bike has headlights and/or taillights, we'll also check to see how bright they are in dimmer conditions. After all, you're not going to only ride it during the day. We'll also try out any other safety features, such as bells and horns. 

We also evaluate the advertised battery range of an electric bike. Many companies will offer, shall we say, optimistic range estimates based on ideal riding conditions: A light rider using the lowest level of power assist, and traveling on a level road in 70-degree conditions. 

But, that's not reflective of real-world use. While it's impossible to replicate the exact same conditions from one bike review to the next, we do our best to provide as much detail in our reviews as to how we rode the bike (terrain, pedal assist levels) to determine how close to accurate the companies' claims are.

Finally, if an electric bike comes with an app — as is becoming increasingly common— we'll test it out too, to see how easy it is to use, and how well it works with the bike itself. 

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Mike Prospero

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.

  • John R. Quain

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  • Marc-G Hello, I noticed a couple of errors in the article around pricing on a couple of the bikes. Regarding the Gazelle Medeo T9 classic, your article list a starting price of $1999 but clicking the link takes you to their site where the least expensive model is $2499 and no model called Medeo T9 Classic is available nor can such a model be found with search. The second model is the VanMoof S3 which is listed in the article with a starting price of $1999 but going to the site shows a price of $2299. As someone trying to persuade his wife that an ebike would be a worthwhile purchase for me, I’d be grateful if you would clarify these discrepancies. One last thing. On the article itself, it says it was published 21 hours ago when it was actually published on July 21. I’m going to assume some aspect of it was updated but I can’t spot any changes to it and would appreciate it if whatever was updated could be noted somewhere. Many thanks for the article. Pricing confusion aside, it’s been quite helpful for me. Reply
  • Marc-G Thanks for the reply. Just went back to the top of this page and realized that it said 2020. However, if that’s the case, why is it made to look like a recent article? Does that mean all the authors did was change the title from best of 2020 to best of 2021? That seems kind of disingenuous to me. Reply
  • mprospero Hi Marc - We've recently updated the pricing for all the models. We've also added new ones to this list as we've reviewed them. Reply
  • GFujioka You do your readers a disservice and reveal your partiality by not listing the 64,5 lb weight of your number one bike. Cheers. Reply
  • gtilford One factor that seems to be missing from virtually every review-support. I have some friends who could not get parts for their ebikes for 6+months, and they were only 1 year old. I've had problems getting parts with a highly recommended brand. The bike is well made, it performs well, but parts are nearly unobtainable. If I knew then when I know now about parts availability I wouild not have purchased the brand. Reply
  • View All 5 Comments

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trek 10 bike

Wheel-E Podcast

Wheel-e podcast: 2 kw juiced jetcurrent e-bike, lectric xpress, & more.

Avatar for Micah Toll

This week on  Electrek ’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new electric bike launches such as the Juiced JetCurrent Pro and Lectric XPress, Vinfast bringing its electric bike to the US market, the new Yadea Artist full-suspension lightweight electric scooter, waterproof e-bike batteries, and more.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on  Electrek ’s YouTube channel , Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the  YouTube channel  to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends, the video will be archived on  YouTube  and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

  • Apple Podcasts
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We also have  a Patreon  if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

  • Juiced unveils new folding e-bike that may be the fastest and most powerful ever
  • Lectric XPress e-bike launched as $999 torque sensor commuter electric bike
  • VinFast launches fast new e-bike in the US to combine American and Vietnamese culture
  • Yadea Artist launched as impressive $499 full-suspension electric scooter
  • I yeeted an electric bicycle battery into a tub of water to see what happens
  • SixThreeZero Electric Rickshaw review: This fun e-bike can carry an entire family!

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 11:00 a.m. ET):

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Podcast

Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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Screen Rant

10 awesome star trek things lower decks brought back that we love.

Lower Decks is crammed full of callbacks to Star Trek's rich past and here's a selection of awesome things that the show has brought back.

  • Star Trek: Lower Decks celebrates the TNG era with beloved characters and fun interactions like Riker on the USS Titan.
  • The show brings back legacy elements like Voyager, Cetacean Ops, and Holodeck episodes with nostalgic flair.
  • Lower Decks enhances the Trek universe by reviving characters from DS9, showcasing new storyline updates with humor.

Every episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks is packed full of callbacks and references that have brought back many beloved elements of the Star Trek franchise. Inspired by the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Lower Decks", Mike McMahan's animated comedy is a love letter to the TNG era . Following the adventures of the USS Cerritos and focusing on the starship's lower decks characters like Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) and Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), it provided a fresh perspective on the wider Star Trek universe.

With Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 set to be the show's finale, it's a good time to reflect upon the many additions it made to the Star Trek canon. If it weren't for Lower Decks , fans wouldn't have received updates on beloved characters from Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . Lower Decks has also brought back some classic Star Trek aliens like the Ferengi and the Orions, and has expanded Starfleet's understanding of their culture, and updated their standing in relation to the Federation.

Every Star Trek Legacy Character Guest Star On Lower Decks

10 star trek: lower decks brought back tng’s 24th century era, lower decks bridges the gap between nemesis and star trek: picard..

The 24th century era of Star Trek: The Next Generation and beyond is a golden age for the franchise . However, with nearly 20 years between the end of Star Trek: Nemesis and the modern era, live action Trek could never hope to dive back into the TNG era. However, animated shows like Star Trek: Lower Decks could bring back the TNG era and have its characters interact with some big names and deep-cut characters like Captain Sonya Gomez (Lycia Naff) . Despite this, Lower Decks never felt like it was indulging in empty nostalgia or fan service.

These nods to legacy characters gave a sense of a sprawling fictional universe, with bigger players in the Star Trek universe inspiring the Lower Deckers on their own smaller-scale missions.

Instead, Star Trek: Lower Decks continued the story of Starfleet and the Federation in the years after the final Star Trek: The Next Generation movie . It updated viewers on Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his secret financial support for the Archaeologist's Guild, and even briefly revealed what Captain Morgan Bateson (Kelsey Grammer) was up to after he and his crew ended up in the 24th century. These nods to legacy characters gave a sense of a sprawling fictional universe, with bigger players in the Star Trek universe inspiring the Lower Deckers on their own smaller-scale missions.

9 Star Trek: Lower Decks Brought Back Captain Riker, Counselor Troi & USS TItan

"let's see how these pakleds do with their aft hanging out".

While Star Trek: Picard brought back Captain William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) first, audiences got to see the USS Titan's commanding officer in his pomp during Star Trek: Lower Decks . The Lower Decks season 1 finale brought back Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi-Riker (Marina Sirtis) to help the USS Cerritos battle the Pakleds. Boimler then got a temporary posting to the Titan, serving under Riker as they got into repeated skirmishes with the Pakleds in Lower Decks season 2, episode 2, "Kayshon, His Eyes Open" .

Captain Riker's ship was succeeded by the USS Titan-A in Star Trek: Picard season 3, which was eventually refitted and renamed the USS Enterprise-G.

Hilariously, Riker's doppelgänger in Star Trek: The Next Generation gave the Titan captain the experience needed to handle the two Boimlers created by the transporter accident on Karzill IV. Riker also reflected on missing the day-to-day science and exploration of his time aboard the USS Enterprise-D, and encouraged Boimler to " enjoy it while you have it ". Star Trek: Lower Decks ' Riker episodes were great fun, and finally gave fans a chance to see how TNG 's perennial Number One handled the center seat .

Riker Is A Great Star Trek Captain, But Not In This TNG Episode

8 star trek: lower decks brought back uss voyager, "it's voyager, **** got freaky".

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 brought back the USS Voyager for one final flight, this time as a museum which exhibited many of the stranger things encountered by Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her crew. In typical Lower Decks fashion, the Voyager mission went wildly out of control, as members of the Cerritos crew got "Tuvixed". Aboard the USS Voyager, Boimler and Mariner faced off against Star Trek: Voyager 's multiple holodeck villains after they accidentally resurrected the macroviruses .

Robert Duncan McNeill reprised the role of Star Trek: Voyager 's Lt. Tom Paris in the season 2 episode "We'll Always Have Tom Paris".

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 1, "Twovix" was an irreverent celebration of Voyager's Delta Quadrant mission . Full of nods to some of Star Trek: Voyager 's wilder episodes, "Twovix" repositioned the USS Voyager as a starship of historical importance, regardless of how " freaky " things may have got . The final scene in which Voyager is visited by Federation citizens was a great way to communicate how important Janeway's mission was to enhancing the 24th century's knowledge of the Delta Quadrant.

7 Star Trek: Lower Decks Brought Back Cetacean Ops

"they like you very much, but they are not the hell your whales.".

Cetacean ops had only ever been briefly mentioned in Star Trek: The Next Generation , but it took on a life of its own following the publication of the 1996 reference book Star Trek: The Next Generation USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D Blueprints . That book revealed that on Deck 13 and 14, the Enterprise had cetacean ops facilities, including a navigation lab and lifeboats. Cetacean ops was staffed by dolphins and whales that helped with the starship Enterprise's navigation . Dolphins have a natural ability to navigate in three dimensions, which is what made them such an important addition to the crew of the Enterprise.

Cetacean ops was first mentioned in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3, episode 15, "Yesterday's Enterprise".

After living in the imagination of Star Trek: The Next Generation fans for years, cetacean ops appeared in multiple episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks , staffed by Lieutenants Kimolou and Matt, two beluga whales . Cetacean ops is something that felt naturally suited to animated Star Trek , not least because the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual referenced the Japanese OVA anime Gunbuster in its description of the facility. It also continues Star Trek 's important connection with whales , first established in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home .

Star Trek: TNG's Enterprise Had Dolphin & Whale Crewmembers

6 star trek: lower decks brought back tng movies’ argo & captain’s yacht, "i will always be puzzled by the human predilection for piloting vehicles at unsafe velocities.".

The Star Trek: The Next Generation movies featured two brand-new Starfleet vehicles; the Argo ground vehicle from Star Trek: Nemesis , and the Captain's yacht from Star Trek: Insurrection . The Argo was deployed to desert expanses like the surface of Kolarus III, where Captain Picard, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), and Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) discovered the head of B-12. Mariner used the Argo in Star Trek: Lower Decks ' season 1 premiere, "Second Contact", to deliver supplies to the Galadornian farmers . Although the Argo in Nemesis felt like an indulgence for car enthusiast Patrick Stewart, Lower Decks used it as a useful vehicle in Starfleet's inventory.

Patrick Stewart revealed on The Late Late Show With James Corden that he has a collection of classic cars including a McLaren 650S, Porsche Panamera and Porsche 911.

The Captain's yacht from Star Trek: Insurrection , named the Cousteau, was larger than a shuttle craft, and was classed as a large support vehicle. The crew of the USS Enterprise-E used the Cousteau to travel to Ba'ku during their insurrection against Starfleet. Star Trek: Lower Decks ' own insurrection used the USS Cerritos' captain's yacht to take on Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) and his crew of renegade officers in the season 4 finale. Lower Decks gets a lot of use out of its captain's yacht, as it has appeared in multiple episodes between seasons 1 to 4 .

5 Star Trek: Lower Decks Brought Back Jeffrey Combs

"does co-conspirating mean nothing anymore".

Prolific Star Trek villain actor Jeffrey Combs added a tenth character to his resume by playing AGIMUS in Star Trek: Lower Decks . AGIMUS was a megalomaniacal computer that had subjugated a planet in the 2280s. A century later, AGIMUS was disconnected and bound for the Daystrom Institute, in the custody of Boimler and Mariner. It was a great role in the history of great Jeffrey Combs' Star Trek roles , and he brilliantly bouced off Jack Quaid's Boimler. After being imprisoned at the Daystrom Institute, AGIMUS formed an alliance with the wayward Exocomp, Peanut Hamper (Kether Donohue).

The Exocomps were service robots that gained sentience, first introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 9, "The Quality of Life".

As with many of Jeffrey Combs' Star Trek villains, AGIMUS had a redemptive arc in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. Seemingly betrayed by Peanut Hamper, AGIMUS learned the value of friendship over planetary domination, and gave up on his pursuit of conquest, freeing Boimler and Lt. D'Vana Tendi (Noël Wells) from his clutches. AGIMUS also gave Boimler vital intelligence on Nick Locarno's mystery ship, setting up the Lower Decks season 4 finale .

Every Star Trek Species Played By Jeffrey Combs

4 star trek: lower decks brought back the holodeck episode, "i was in the holodeck trying to find meaning in the randomness of death...".

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1, episode 9, "Crisis Point" instantly went down in history as one of Star Trek 's greatest holodeck episodes . An extended riff on the first three Star Trek: The Original Series movies, "Crisis Point" was a deeply meta story about Mariner writing an epic holodeck "movie" for her and the Lower Deckers to participate in. The sequel, "Crisis Point II: Paradoxicus" upped the stakes further, with multiple nods to the derided Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , and a guest appearance by George Takei as Captain Hikaru Sulu.

Modern Star Trek hasn't explored the holodeck too much, aside from Star Trek: Picard season 3's rather unimaginative Ten Forward simulation...

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Star Trek: Lower Decks gravitated to the weirdness of the holodeck as a concept. From the ludicrous Mark Twain subplot to the violent and outright filthy holodeck simulations enjoyed by Dr. T'Ana (Gillian Vigman) and Lt. Shaxs (Fred Tatasciore), Lower Decks really grasps the infinite possibilities for weird wish fulfillment . Modern Star Trek hasn't explored the holodeck too much, aside from Star Trek: Picard season 3's rather unimaginative Ten Forward simulation, but at least there's one starship that continues to demonstrate the holodeck's full potential.

3 Star Trek: Lower Decks Brought Back Zefram Cochrane

"alright, buckos, prepare for your trek amongst the stars".

Star Trek: Lower Decks brought back Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) by revealing the monument first hinted at by Star Trek: First Contact . The inventor of Star Trek 's warp travel is a historic figure who is celebrated with a sprawling theme park based in Bozeman, Montana, where the first warp flight took place. In Lower Decks ' season 3 opener, "Grounded", Boimler, Mariner, Tendi and Rutherford visited Historical Bozeman to commander the replica Phoenix for a trip into space, accidentally bringing along a tourist for the ride.

Among its attractions, Historical Bozeman featured the First Contact Fun Zone, where kids could play on a replica of the Vulcan ship, T'Plana-Hath complete with swings and a slide.

1996's Star Trek: First Contact marked the franchise's 30th anniversary by presenting its origin story, and emphasizing the vital importance of Zefram Cochrane's first warp flight. By depicting Historical Bozeman in Star Trek: Lower Decks , Chris Klua, the writer of "Grounded" gave a tangible sense of Cochrane's impact on 24th century tourism . It's just one of many ways that Lower Decks has greatly expanded the franchise by focusing on banal and minute details that make the Star Trek universe richer.

Star Trek’s Origin Movie Could Be The Second To Break Tradition

2 star trek: lower decks brought back ds9, kira, quark, grand nagus rom & leeta, "tacky cardassian fascist eyesore.".

While Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fans still wait patiently for a comeback series or movie, Star Trek: Lower Decks has been on hand to make that wait less painful. In Lower Decks season 3, episode 6, "Hear All, Trust Nothing", the USS Cerritos docked at Deep Space Nine for trade negotiations with the Karemma, aided by Colonel Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor). It was a joyous episode that updated DS9 fans on what had happened to the station after the finale. Quark (Armin Shimerman) had cashed in on DS9's vital importance during Star Trek 's Dominion War , turning the station into a bustling tourist attraction.

Star Trek: Lower Decks also revealed that there are Sisko "truthers" who believe that Deep Space Nine's captain didn't ascend to the Celestial Temple, but is in hiding to avoid prosecution for war crimes.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 6, "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place" brought back Grand Nagus Rom (Max Grodenchik) and his wife Leeta (Chase Masterson). While ostensibly a Ferengi comedy episode, "Parth Ferengi's Heart Place" was a hugely important moment in Star Trek canon, as it depicted the Ferengi negotiating to become Federation members. In lieu of a proper Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revival, Lower Decks ' carefully considered updates on these beloved DS9 characters prove that they've not been forgotten by the wider franchise.

1 Star Trek: Lower Decks Brought Back Animated Star Trek

"why does everything feel… two-dimensional".

As Star Trek: Lower Decks ends with season 5 , it's worth reflecting on how it brought back Star Trek in a huge way. While Gene Roddenberry disowned Star Trek: The Animated Series , there's no denying that it capitalized on the bigger creative possibilites offered by animation. Lower Decks is the natural successor to Star Trek: TAS , and it was a massive improvement that pushed the franchise into brand-new territory . Not only was Lower Decks the most overtly comic of Star Trek shows, it could create some truly alien creations that live-action Trek would struggle to realize.

Multiple species from Star Trek: The Animated Series have featured in Star Trek: Lower Decks including the Caitians, Edosians, and Kukulkans.

It's thanks to Star Trek: Lower Decks that the reputation of animated Trek has been greatly improved following Roddenberry's disdain for Star Trek: TAS . Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ' crossover episode proved once and for all that animation is just a different format for storytelling. Animation also allows Star Trek to bring back characters like Captain Riker or Lt. Tom Paris as if only a year or two had passed since their last appearance, rather than decades. All of these characters, be they from Star Trek: Lower Decks or Strange New Worlds or Star Trek: Prodigy can co-exist, making the franchise a far richer experience for everyone.

All episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks are available to stream on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Lower Decks

*Availability in US

Not available

"Star Trek: Lower Decks" focuses on the support crew serving on one of Starfleet's least important ships, the USS Cerritos, in 2380. Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford and Tendi must keep up with their duties and their social lives, often while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies. The ship's bridge crew includes Captain Carol Freeman, Commander Jack Ransom, Lieutenant Shaxs and Doctor T'Ana. This is the second animated spin-off in the franchise after 1973-74's "Star Trek: The Animated Series," but has a decidedly more adult tone and humor.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

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The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

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Buying Tickets

  • Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
  • You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
  • There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
  • Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
  • If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
  • You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
  • You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

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Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

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Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

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Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

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One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

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Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

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Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

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Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

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Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

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Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

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Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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