Popular Mechanics list of "best" electric bikes

[Dewey]

What do the peanut gallery think?
https://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoors/g19747012/best-electric-bikes/

There are 7 ebikes on the list, 6 of them with Bosch mid-drives, 1 folder, 1 cargo, 1 single speed, and 4 city ebikes including 1 speed pedelec. No eMTB's, no fat-tire, no budget US spec hub-drives, no full suspension models, no trikes or recumbents, no DIY kit motors, no throttles! Granted this is one journalists selection so will be subjective but from what was left out this seems a poorly researched article for a national magazine.

 

[mrgold35]

How did they evaluate each ebike with others in its class? I'm always weighing the best ebike compared to the best ebike for me. I wouldn't want to spend 2X-4X more thinking I have the best ebike just to end up in the same place if I just went with $1500-$2000 hub drive that is also the 99% solution for my riding situation and conditions.

Popular Mechanics ain't got nothin' compared to EBR reviews!

 

[JRA]

I find any heading starting with "Best" is subjective.

 

[JoePah]

This seems like a review of European Ebikes.. I expect more from Popular mechanics, but who knows how much they pay for these spec articles?

Wonder if Court wrote a spec article if PM or PS or some hobby magazine would pick it.. He is much more fluent in all the styles and models than this PM author.

 

[JRA]

This seems like a review of European Ebikes.. I expect more from Popular mechanics, but who knows how much they pay for these spec articles?

I think I have seen this guy, hair helmet and all, in other Bosch related advertisements. I didn't get any further than this picture btw as it smelled of canned news.

Not saying that Bosch was the author of the article but publications like PM use submitted content they deem appropriate. If the manufacturers pulls out a full page ad (not that I am aware of in this situation but have noted many times in the past) then that's just bizness. Maybe Court could become their e bike expert via submitting his reviews to them for publication.

 

[rich c]

I always go to Popular Mechanics for all my eBike info, LOL!!!!!

 

[J.R.]

Granted this is one journalists selection so will be subjective but from what was left out this seems a poorly researched article for a national magazine.

I enjoy most ebike articles, even ones where I disagree. Thanks for posting it. I think a lot of the 'best of' articles like this one, writers take the easy way out. Little research, little to no experience and just choosing bikes from the big names in the industry. It's all fun for us enthusiasts, us in the know, but there's innovation coming from some little guys that needs to be showcased. That would help to educate buyers. People see Bosch in the laundry room, on the work bench and at the auto parts store, they must be the best ebike. That was easy.

Bosch makes great drive systems and I'm seriously considering a Bosch powered Trek for my number 3. They aren't the only gàme in town though. I enjoy the one sided articles, now I'll Google the other side.

 

[jazz]

Popular Mechanics hasn't been relevant since the 80s

 

[MisterM]

Popular Mechanics ain't got nothin' compared to EBR reviews!

Anyone been watching the YouTube reviews from Citrus Cycles? The guy is putting out some good reviews with long rides to really show what the bikes are capable of. Court does perfunctory rides and often in less than ideal terrain.

 

[Fitzy]

Methinks George Michael forgot his helmet...

 

[JRA]

I think that he is using the new NTA 8776 approved hair product perhaps?

 

[Fitzy]

I think that he is using the new NTA 8776 approved hair product perhaps?

 

[JRA]

View attachment 21328View attachment 21329

I approve at least!

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Headline writers are the bane of a good author's existence. "7 Interesting Ebikes" would have been a better headline but headline writers love using words like Best and Worst to grab attention. Often headlines are only marginally related to the content -- in general, not in ebike articles specifically.

YouTube is full of "fastest" and "best" and what not. Geez.

If they ever said how they picked them out and what criteria were used to evaluate and which bikes were evaluated but didn't make the cut, I'd be a lot more interested.

There are all kinds of clickbait.