Electric bikes have taken metropolitan cities by storm in the last five years.
A mode of transport once limited to those with hefty disposable income, sleek and stylish bikes with e-assist cost an average of £2,000-£4,000.
Brilliant companies such as Lime, Human Forest, Dott and Tier have been on a mission to democratise the use of e-bikes across cities. However, at 19p per minute, hopping on an e-bike to get you from A to B in a flash still isn’t the most sustainable option for city dwellers who end up paying £3 for a 10-minute ride. Considering the level of maintenance required to make these e-bike projects function, and the sheer amount of vandalism we see on the average Lime bike, we’d struggle to keep the cost-per-minute prices low, too.
Nevertheless, despite what luxurious e-bike producers such as Van Moof, Cowboy and Volt want you to think – there are plenty of more affordable options on the market that make sense as a long-term investment. Not only will you save plenty of money on public transport and bike rentals in the future, but you won’t have to empty your pockets entirely to do so.
Likewise, the second-hand market for electric bikes is huge. If you simply can’t resist the pull of undoubtedly attractive e-bikes such as the Cowboy 4 ST or a brand-new electric Carrera – we recommend having a gander at the second-hand shop at Tredz, eBay or Auto Trader.
What to look for in an electric bike:
- Motor power: a strong motor power for a value-for-money electric bike 250V. Anything above 250V will likely have less range and require frequent charging, which runs the risk of unnecessarily accelerating the overall life of the battery cell.
- Ease of charging: you’ll want to make sure the battery is removable so that charging your bike indoors is of relative ease.
- Built-in lights and other accessories: cycling with lights at night and in low-light conditions is a legal requirement for all cyclists in the UK. Save yourself from spending extra money on accessories by ensuring that decent lights are included or built-in.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best electric bikes to buy in the UK which are under £1,000. Keep scrolling for more.
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BTWIN 20 Inch Electric
The BTWIN range at Decathlon offers a series of fantastic and practical regular and e-assist bikes at a value-for-money price. With the 20-inch electric, you’ll be able to cycle up to 35km in one go.
A brilliant commuter bike, the BTWIN electric can be folded up in under a minute and is small enough to fit in the average car boot for use on weekends away. The electric assist has up to six speeds to choose from, is powered by a 250V brushless motor, and comes with a lifetime guarantee for the frame. For our full, in-depth review of the non-electric BTWIN fold light, click here.
Buy now £699.99, Decathlon
Fafrees F28 Pro 27.5'' Step-through City E-Bike
Compact yet powerful, the Fafrees City E-Bike is certainly faff-free, if you’ll pardon the pun. With an elegant and removable battery, not only does this bike look sleek and sophisticated, but it can be recharged with the utmost ease.
It has a maximum speed of 25km/h and provides brilliant shock absorption when changing terrains thanks to the 7.5-inch front suspension fork. With a built-in headline which illuminates the road ahead for up to 10 metres, a back-lit LCD display for ride stats and an incredible range of 110km – you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £979.99, Geekbuying
Pendleton Somerby E - Midnight Blue 2023 - Electric Hybrid Bike
We know. We couldn’t believe that this beautiful, vintage-inspired classic bike was equipped with e-assist either. If you look really closely, you’ll notice the Samsung battery which has been mounted onto the rear luggage rack.
With an 80km range, the Pendleton Somerby E is more than likely to last a fair few commutes to and from work. Likewise, if you’re in the mood for a bit of a workout, you can easily switch off the e-assist without any qualms. Available fully built and ready to ride, you can also purchase the Somerby E with your Cycle to Work scheme.
Buy now £1099.00, Tredz
Rockrider 27.5 Inch Electric Mountain Bike E-ST 100 - White
Designed for all-terrain rides, the Rockrider E-ST is equipped with smart electric assistance which kicks into gear when you need it most. If, however, you’d like to manually adjust the level of e-assist – you can do so with ease thanks to the LCD display and button controls which sit unobtrusively on the bike’s handlebars.
Perhaps our favourite aspect of this e-bike is that it can be placed on “walk mode”. This means that when – for whatever reason – you find that you have to dismount, you can keep the e-assist subtly running to make walking your bike easy as you push it along.
Buy now £949.99, Decathlon
Apollo Metis Electric Hybrid Bike 2021 - S, M Frames
Realised in a classic step-through style, the Apollo Metis has an average range of 15-20km. While this isn’t a huge amount in comparison to the other models on offer, it is certainly in keeping with the value-for-money price.
Plus, 15-20km is more than enough to provide assistance when you need it most – on the way to and from work. With a lightweight aluminium frame, 6-speed gearing and powerful V-breaks, cycling without e-assist will be just as breezy.
Buy now £599.00, Halfords
Apollo Phaze Electric Mountain Bike - M Frame
Not too dissimilar in terms of specs to the Apollo Metis, the main difference between the two pocket-friendly e-bikes is the fact that the Apollo Phaze has a step-over frame and has been designed with mountain bikers in mind.
It has the same range as the Apollo Metis (15-20km), but the battery is located in the frame’s centre as opposed to on the luggage rack - which the Metis does not have.
Buy now £599.00, Halfords
Second Hand Grade B - Carrera Subway E Mens Electric Hybrid Bike - L Frame
The Carrera is one of Halford’s most popular e-bikes, but they are usually priced at over £1,000. Shopping second-hand will not only prevent you from spending a small fortune, but it’s also a more eco-conscious means of purchasing an e-bike.
With a 9-speed Shimano Altus SL M-2000 gear system, Tektro Hydraulic Disc brakes with 180mm Rotors and an incredibly lightweight Alloy Hybrid frame, the Carrera is a brilliant bike even without e-assist. The powerful motor nevertheless has an average range of up to 40km.
Buy now £890.00, Halfords
