9 Best Mid-Drive Electric Bikes for Any Budget 2024
May 23, 2024
Motors matter when it comes to electric bikes (ebikes). Just like cars, ebikes have different motor designs, for example, hub-drive motors and mid-drive motors. Similar to a manual or automatic car, these provide vastly different riding experiences.
Mid-drive motors have torque sensors that assess how much pressure is applied to the pedals. The amount of power the motor puts out is based on how much pressure is being put on the pedals and the level of pedal assist (PAS) you choose. This motor is more similar to a manual transmission car where you have to be in gear and have more control over power and speed.
In general, mid-drive motors have less sustained power but higher peak power and also offer more control for technical riding. They provide the feeling of natural pedaling, and you don’t lose any power since the pedal action goes straight to the motor, which is located in the crankset. Ideal for refined performance and better handling, mid-drive ebikes are a good choice for people who want better efficiency, higher peak power, and control.
Here’s our picks for the best mid-drive ebikes, including:
- 1. Best Mid-Drive Mountain Ebike
- 2. Best Mid-Drive Folding Ebike
- 3. Best Fat Tire Mid-Drive Ebike & Mid-Drive Step-Through Ebike
- 4. Best Mid-Drive Cargo Ebike
- 5. Best Mid-Drive Commuter Ebike
- 6. Best Lightweight Mid-Drive Ebike
- 7. Best Mid-Drive Hunting Ebike
- 8. Best Mid-Drive Cruiser Ebike
- 9. Best Mid-Drive Hybrid Electric Bike
- 10. Best Mid-Drive Ebike Accessories
1. Best Mid-Drive Mountain Ebike (EMTB): Aventon Ramblas
Voted Best Budget EMTB by Bicycling.com, Affordable Mid-Drive Ebike, 250-Watt Mid-Drive Motor, Class 1 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $2,899 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 20 mph
- ✓ Battery range: Up to 80 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 300 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year warranty
- ✓ Throttle: No
The Aventon Ramblas is a mid-drive electric mountain ebike that offers a smooth riding experience and is equipped for off-road adventure. The 250-watt mid-drive motor boasts 750-watts of peak power and 100 Nm of torque. While it’s not a full suspension mid-drive ebike, it features a RockShox 35 front suspension fork with 130mm of travel, so you can mob down technical rock sections and cruise over logs with ease.
The drivetrain on this electric mountain bike includes a 12-speed SRAM MX Eagle derailleur for seamless shifting and gear adjustment as you ascend and descend trails. SRAM four-piston hydraulic disc brakes offer incredible stopping power so you can control speed when you need it most.
This mid-drive torque sensor ebike has three levels of pedal assist and provides power based on how hard you’re pedaling. That means you’ll get an intuitive ride and can decide when you want a little extra boost and when you want to put in more work.
With a top speed of 20 miles per hour and no throttle, this is a class 1 mid-drive ebike. Ergonomic handlebars offer a secure grip as you conquer any terrain. The dropper seat post lets you instantly raise the seat for better positioning when doing grueling inclines or lower the seat for improved maneuvering down windy single tracks.
The Aventon Ramblas costs $2,899 MSRP. This affordable mid-drive ebike is packed with added features so you get the most bang for your buck.
2. Best Mid-Drive Folding Ebike: Bergamont Paul-E EQ Expert
Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ $3,950 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 15.5 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 155 km (96 miles)
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 286 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Five-year warranty
- ✓ Throttle: No
The Bergamont Paul-E EQ Expert is a mid-drive folding ebike with a belt drive that’s ideal for everyday commuting and cruising. This mid-drive belt-drive ebike has a top speed of just over 15 miles per hour so you can ride down paved bike paths to work or explore mellow dirt trails in the park.
Best of all, this bike is foldable, so you can tuck it away to maximize storage and quickly reassemble it when you’re ready to hit the road. Built-in fenders keep you dry, and the rear rack is the perfect spot to strap on your backpack or a basket to carry gear.
This electric bicycle has a two-amp-hour charger for fast recharging. The 504-watt-hour battery gives you a long 170-mile range when you use the Eco pedal assist mode. That means you can take this bike on long adventures without having to worry about running out of battery.
3. Best Fat Tire Mid-Drive Ebike & Mid-Drive Step-Through Ebike: BikTrix Stunner X 5
Mid-Drive Ebike With Throttle, 750-watt Mid-Drive Ebike, Fastest Mid-Drive Ebike (Street Legal), Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $2,799 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 28 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 25-45 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 380 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year limited warranty
- ✓ Throttle: Thumb throttle
The BikTrix Stunner X 5 is a fat tire mid-drive ebike offering five pedal assist levels. The step-through ebike frame makes it easy to get on and off the bike without having to lift your leg as high as on traditional bikes. It’s a class 3 mid-drive ebike with a top speed of 28 miles per hour and an easy-to-use thumb throttle.
This 750-watt mid-drive electric bike offers plenty of power thanks to the Bafang BBS02 Mid-Drive motor. A Moxo front suspension fork offers 80mm of travel to cruise over train tracks and curbs with ease.
4. Best Mid-Drive Cargo Ebike: Benno Bikes RemiDemi 9D
Mid-Drive Step-Through Ebike, Fat Tire Mid-Drive Ebike, Fastest Mid-Drive Ebike (Street Legal), Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike, 250 Watt Mid-Drive Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $4,099 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 28 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 25-70 miles on 400Wh battery or 30-80 on 500Wh battery
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 400 pounds
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year warranty
- ✓ Throttle: No
The Benno Bikes RemiDemi 9D is a mid-drive cargo ebike with a Bosch Performance Line motor with 250-watts of motor power. Among the fastest mid-drive ebikes, this cargo bike has a top cruising speed of 28 miles per hour. That means you can use it as a delivery bike to transport goods faster than ever before.
Easily hop on and off the bike thanks to the step-through frame. With a large 400-pound carrying capacity, you can easily haul gear on racks above both the front and rear wheels. Fat, grippy tires give you traction on all kinds of terrain, and hydraulic disc brakes offer optimal stopping power, even when you’re loaded up.
5. Best Mid-Drive Commuter Ebike: Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ
Fastest Mid-Drive Ebike (Street Legal), Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $5,250 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 28 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 80 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 300 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year or lifetime warranty depending on component
- ✓ Throttle: No
The Turbo Vado SL 5.0 is a mid-drive commuter ebike. At just over 36 pounds, this road bike is designed for speed thanks to a lightweight custom Specialized SL. 1.1 motor. With 240-watts of power and a 320-watt-hour battery, you can go up to 80 miles on one charge and reach maximum speeds of 28 miles per hour. The lightweight design is also easy to carry onto the bus or to store on a wall rack inside your home or apartment.
Designed for an urban environment, the Vado SL features built-in lights for maximum visibility, even when cruising on dark streets. The Turbo Control Unit gives you a quick look at your riding stats using an LCD display so you can monitor battery life and speed.
6. Best Lightweight Mid-Drive Ebike: Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo 2
Fastest Mid-Drive Ebike (Street Legal), Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike, 250-Watt Mid-Drive Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $14,000 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 28 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 120 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 275 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year or lifetime warranty depending on component
- ✓ Throttle: No
The Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo 2 is one of the best lightweight mid-drive ebikes at just 28 pounds. It boasts a 250-watt motor, and it’s whisper-quiet, even when you’re going up steep hills.
The Turbo Creo 2 offers five hours of range and 50 Nm of torque so you can make quick work of hills and explore long, winding mountain passes. The bike has Future Shock 3.0, which offers 20mm of handlebar travel for a smooth and secure ride. Able to cruise on paved paths and gravel, this bike was designed for adventure.
Get ready, this bike is going to make a big dent in your wallet. At an eye-watering $14,000 MSRP, this bike is not landing on affordable bike lists any time soon.
7. Best Mid-Drive Hunting Ebike: Denago Hunting 1 EMTB Mountain Bike
Mid-Drive Ebike With Throttle, Fat Tire Mid-Drive Ebike, Fastest Mid-Drive Ebike (Street Legal), Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike, Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓Price: $2,799 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 28 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 77 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 290 lbs
- ✓ Warranty: Two-year warranty
- ✓ Throttle: Yes
Looking for the best mid-drive hunting ebike? Check out the Denago Hunting 1 eMTB mountain bike, which boasts a mid-drive motor that delivers 750 watts of power.
With 77 miles of range, this mid-drive ebike will power your adventures for days, as you track your prey, hunt it down, and haul it out. Fat 4.5-inch tires let you maneuver effortlessly through all terrain—from grassy fields and muddy meadows to snowy hills and icy paths. Built-in torque sensing offers responsive power, which is especially important when you’re towing a sled loaded up with your hunting trophy.
Just barely missing the list of best mid-drive ebikes under $2,500, the Denago Hunting 1 costs $2,799 MSRP.
8. Best Mid-Drive Cruiser Ebike: Rize City MD
Mid-Drive Ebike With Throttle, Torque Sensor Ebike, Class 3 Mid-Drive Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $2,599 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 20 mph (unlockable to 30 mph)
- ✓ Battery range: Up to 43 miles (86 miles with dual battery)
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: 275 pounds
- ✓ Warranty: One-year warranty
- ✓ Throttle: 100% power on demand
The Rize City MD is our pick for the best mid-drive cruiser ebike. The 750-watt Bafang motor gives you the power you need to charge uphill, and the dual-battery option means you can ride even longer.
A step-through bike, the Rize City MD is ideal for seniors and commuters who are looking for a bike that’s easy to get on and ride. The upright geometry and comfortable saddle keep you sitting straight and high for a comfy ride. A super-bright headlight illuminates and provides visibility up to 3 miles, offering peace of mind and a safe excursion.
This class 2 mid-drive ebike costs $2,599 MSRP. You’ll need to pay extra for the dual battery version if you want to get better range.
9. Best Mid-Drive Hybrid Electric Bike: OHM Quest 2 SUV PRO
Torque Sensor Ebike
Highlighted Specs:
- ✓ Price: $4,008 MSRP
- ✓ Max Speed: 20 mph
- ✓ Battery range: 124 miles
- ✓ Torque sensor: Yes
- ✓ Payload: N/A
- ✓ Warranty: Two- to five-year warranty depending on components
- ✓ Throttle: No
The OHM Quest 2 SUV PRO is a mid-drive hybrid electric bike that offers an athletic riding style whether you want to commute to the office or ride around in the hills. The Shimano Steps Ep801 motor has a maximum output of 600-watts, while the battery offers 124 miles of range and a fast 3.5-hour charging time.
This hardtail bike has a front suspension fork with 100 mm of travel and a manual lock-out system to control compression. The smooth Shimano shifting system lets you cruise through gears as you need to power up hills or speed through flat sections.
Best Mid-Drive Bike Accessories
Picked out the best mid-drive ebike for your lifestyle? Whether you’ve chosen an electric mountain bike, a cruiser, a cargo bike, or something else, outfit it with accessories to make it even more fun and useful. Check out these best mid-drive bike accessories, and be sure to browse accessories made for the Aventon Ramblas.
Aventon Water Bottle Cage
Stay hydrated on the go with the Aventon Water Bottle Cage. Made with carbon fiber, this lightweight water bottle holder is a no-brainer whether you are charging technical trails or cruising through city traffic. With left- and right-handed mounting options, you can use it in the way that’s most comfortable for you.
Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack
Take your bike wherever your adventures take you thanks to the Aventon Foldable Hitch Rack. Designed to fit wheels up to five inches wide, it’s suitable for cruisers, commuters, mountain bikes, and fat tire bikes. With a capacity of 155 pounds, you can bring along two bikes and share the adventures.
Aventon Foldable Lock
Keep your bike safe and secure with the Aventon Foldable Lock. Made with steel that’s 8.5mm thick and a tamper-resistant cylinder lock, you’ll keep your bike safe when you stop to take a break or lock it up outside your home.
