FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Be careful what you ask for... every bike has it's place on Electrek. 
How good can one of the cheapest electric bicycles on Amazon be? That’s exactly the question I set out to answer when I bought a Spadger folding electric bike for the cool sum of $420 earlier this year. It may not have much in the way of extra features, but it sure does lower the barrier to entry for anyone looking to get their first e-bike on a budget. Budget e-bikes have always been a bit controversial. Whenever we cover expensive e-bikes (I’m talking in the $4k all the way up to $10k range), there’s always a handful of comments to the tune of, “Any e-bike that costs more than $500 is a rip-off.”
Now this is of course not true, and displays some serious ignorance about what goes into high-end e-bikes to create a vehicle worth thousands of dollars. But it also demonstrates that there are a large number of people who aren’t prepared to drop four figures on an e-bike, even if there are some great e-bikes that can be had for under $1,000.
So today we’re going to find out what goes into a truly bottom-of-the-barrel e-bike that can drop the price down to a ridiculous $420.
electrek.co
Spadger e-bike tech specs
How good can one of the cheapest electric bicycles on Amazon be? That’s exactly the question I set out to answer when I bought a Spadger folding electric bike for the cool sum of $420 earlier this year. It may not have much in the way of extra features, but it sure does lower the barrier to entry for anyone looking to get their first e-bike on a budget. Budget e-bikes have always been a bit controversial. Whenever we cover expensive e-bikes (I’m talking in the $4k all the way up to $10k range), there’s always a handful of comments to the tune of, “Any e-bike that costs more than $500 is a rip-off.”
Now this is of course not true, and displays some serious ignorance about what goes into high-end e-bikes to create a vehicle worth thousands of dollars. But it also demonstrates that there are a large number of people who aren’t prepared to drop four figures on an e-bike, even if there are some great e-bikes that can be had for under $1,000.
So today we’re going to find out what goes into a truly bottom-of-the-barrel e-bike that can drop the price down to a ridiculous $420.
E-bike on the cheap? We review a $420 electric bicycle from Amazon
Looking for the cheapest electric bicycle ever? The Spadger might not be it, but it sure is close. We test out this inexpensive e-bike.
electrek.co
Spadger e-bike tech specs
- Motor: 250W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: claimed 25 km/h (15 mph) — I got just under it
- Range: 17-25 km (10-15 mi), but expect the lower end of that range
- Battery: 36V 4Ah (144 Wh) non-removable
- Charge time: 2-3 hours
- Weight: 14.5 kg (32 lb)
- Max load: 120 kg (265 lb)
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 12 1/2″ x 2 1/4″
- Brake: Exists (single rear disk brake)
- Suspension: Haha! Oh wait — you’re serious?
- Extras: LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, LED headlight, PAS speed settings, thumb throttle, bell, fenders
