First of all, just what do we mean by the “fastest” e-bike? Are we talking about a bike with the max top speed, the most acceleration, or simply the most versatile and maneuverable while maintaining speed? In this article, we include a little for everyone.
We will start by focusing on the fastest bikes on the market, the true speed racers that have the most speed the industry has to offer. But, let’s be honest, these aren’t the most practical of choices. So, we then shift our focus to the fastest street-legal e-bikes. These are the ones that you can actually look forward to on your daily commute, the ones whose speed will actually be manageable by the average rider.
So, let’s get right into it, and check out the fastest electric bikes in 2020.
Fastest Electric Bikes
First up, we’re checking out the bikes with the fastest raw speed on the market! They might not be practical for your daily commute. But if you’re in the market for the fastest e-bike, or even just curious, then check out these technological feats:
Hi Power Cycles Revolution X
This one tops our list. A true machine when it comes to e-bike technology, Revolution X boasts a top speed of over 60mph! Its acceleration is also massively impressive, as it goes from 0-30mph in 4.57 seconds! When it comes to pure speed, you can’t really beat this one.
This is also a very capable mountain bike. It has a carbon fiber frame, full-suspension, quad piston brakes, and an 86V 2400Wh lithium ion battery with a range up to 100 miles! If you’re looking for the fastest electric bike on the market that handles well and hits the trails with ease, then this might be exactly what you are looking for.
Stealth Electric Bike
Next up is the Stealth Electric Bike. This one is a true beast, and perhaps the most popular of the high-speed electric bikes on the market. The electric hub motor technology allows you to reach speeds you wouldn’t think possible on an electric bike. This thing caps out at about 50mph with a 60-mile range.
They keep improving it, too. The 2020 model had its power upped by 20%, and motor weight was reduced by 20%. This offers not only a fast ride, but a maneuverable and comfortable ride. This is also a full suspension bike with powerful brakes.
When it comes to high-performance electric bikes, this one tops many lists, and it’s not difficult to see why. If you want some speed and some off-roading capabilities, this might be for you.
Swind EB-01
The Swind is another great, high-performance option that can really fly. A top speed of 60mph! The electric motor boasts 15kW of power, which is the reason for this bike’s next-level performance. The battery pack is quick to charge (only 90 minutes) and lasts up to 80 miles.
The bike itself is quite impressive as well. There is full suspension, and hydraulic brakes on both wheels, ensuring that it can adequately handle whatever you throw at it. It even has three motor settings – street, cross, and MTB. This one is a true feat of engineering, but at $20,000, this is not a very affordable electric bike.
Hi Power Cycles Scout Pro
Another one from Hi Power Cycles, the Scout Pro is another marvel. This is a very fast electric bike with a more reasonable price range. This has power up to 3000W, which means it can reach a top speed of up to 45mph! Not quite as fast as the other electric bikes on our list so far, but still much faster than your typical electric bike. It also offers both pedal assist and full throttle options.
This is another solid mountain bike as well, and Made in the USA! A hardtail design, with 150mm front suspension and 27.5-inch wheels.
Fastest Street-Legal Commuters
So far, we’ve covered some of the fastest, most high-performing e-bikes on the market. But let’s face it, those e-bikes aren’t necessarily practical for daily use. They are very specialized bikes. Great for off-roading and for expert riders, but your average e-bike rider will probably want something a regular bike that’s more accessible as a road bike.
Not to mention, there are currently only three classes of street-legal e-bikes (country dependent). In the USA, Class 3 bikes (the fastest ones) can reach a speed of up to 28mph. In this section, we’re focusing on fast, powerful e-bikes that are also street legal.
Trek Allant
First up is the Trek Allant. Made by Trek, one of the most trusted names in biking, the Allant offers pretty much everything you’d want in a speedy electric road bike that can hit the streets. It can hit speeds up to 28mph, which makes it among the fastest street-legal bikes on the market.
This thing is pretty much built to get around. The focus was almost exclusively on durability and functionality. The carbon fiber frame is sleek, lightweight, durable, and very aerodynamic. It has a 625Wh battery, which is among the longest lasting out there. It also has powerful hydraulic disc brakes for stopping power at all speed and in all conditions.
The Allant is built like a cruiser bike that was designed purely for speed. If your primary goal is to get places fast, this is the bike for you.
Propel Gazelle Ultimate
The Gazelle Ultimate is another excellent all-around bike, which also reaches speeds of 28mph. Its speed is thanks to its Bosch Performance Line motor, which offers 75 Nm of torque, and weighs only 2.9 kg.
This bike is designed to go fast, but also for maneuverability and control. It has a strong, aluminum frame, front suspension, and powerful hydraulic disc brakes. It is also designed to be a comfortable ride, with ergonomic grips and a high-quality bike seat.
Fastest Specialty Bikes
We round out our list with a few e-bikes that didn’t fit comfortably into other categories. E-bike technology is pretty exciting, and there are many different types of bikes as a result. Here are a few really cool designs that also go fast!
Best Speed Trike: Outrider Trike
How about a speed trike? This one allows you to achieve big-time speed. If you’ve ridden one of these trikes, this one will probably be the most powerful you’ve experienced. It tops out at 20mph, which is quite the formidable speed for a trike like this!
This is a strong and durable trike and is even suitable for off-road riding. There are front and rear air-shock suspension, and an electronic drive system. The base battery gets about 15-35 miles per charge, but there is the option to upgrade to about 60-140 miles per charge.
Overall, this is a very specific type of bike, but if you’re in the market for a fast, off-road e-trike, then this might be exactly what you are looking for.
Foldable Speed E-Bike: Voltaire Magnum Premium
Foldable bikes are a popular sub-category of bikes, especially for commuters. The benefit of a foldable bike is that it can be folded into a compact size, and brought with you almost anywhere. Gone are the worries of leaving your bike outside all day with the looming potential of bike thieves.
The Voltaire Magnum Premium is a highly capable folding bike. It reaches 28mph, making it among the fastest street-legal bikes on the market. Pretty impressive for a folding bike, with a 48V battery power, 500W motor. The battery is capable but not incredible, at about 25 to 55 miles per charge.
The Magnum Premium is built for portability, but also for comfort and maneuverability. This one doesn’t sacrifice rideability for portability. It weighs in at only 55 pounds, thanks to its aluminum alloy frame. It also boasts front suspension, and adjustable seat and handlebar height.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a foldable bike, this one is tough to beat. One wouldn’t expect a portable e-bike to pack this much power, but this one proves the doubters wrong.
Best Budget Speed Bike: Aventon Pace 500
We cap off our list with the best speed e-bike for riders on a budget. When it comes to getting a budget e-bike, the odds are pretty stacked against you. E-bikes, in general, are pricy, and the cost only goes up when you factor in a powerful motor.
The Aventon Pace 500 reverses this trend and offers you a powerful e-bike for an affordable price. While not as powerful or capable as the higher end bikes on our list, this one still tops out at an impressive 20 mph, thanks to its 750W brushless motor.
The bike itself is no slouch either. Strong and durable, and built as a quality cruiser bike. There are powerful hydraulic brakes, a cushioned saddle, and an LCD display. Pretty impressive package for such an affordable price.