Best Electric Bikes Under $500

Best Electric Bikes Under $500 (March 2024)

Electric bikes are great for making journeys when you can’t be bothered to provide all the momentum yourself. Specifically the best electric bikes under $500 are what we'll focus on in this article. Commuting without sweating, carrying loads of shopping, or just giving your legs a break, they’re a fantastic alternative to a car or public transport and an ideal accessory for those with busy lives. But what’s the minimum you can get away with spending? Considering all the extra electrics involved, $500 doesn’t leave much budget for a bike's regular mechanical parts.

What Is An Electric Bike?

Electric bikes (often known as e-bikes) are pretty much traditional bikes with a motor and battery added on to take the edge off pedalling, or power you along if you’re feeling really keen. Available in many configurations but fundamentally they are the same dimensions as ordinary bikes and target a similar market.

Why Choose An Electric Bike Under $500?

Buying an electric bike is a great way to cycle longer distances as they have an integrated electric motor. Helping you when you're pedalling. If you've got a large load to carry then the motor will assist you in doing most of the hard work. An electric bike is an affordable alternative to cars and motorcycles. They are battery powered and do not need re-fuelling. They just need to be plugged in to recharge after use. The best electric bikes under $500 are eco friendly and green. By purchasing and using one, instead of your car, you're helping the environment. If you are looking for a simpler way to get to work, ride the hills and flats for leisure. Or just to get fit, then an Electric Bike is what you need. They still require pedalling, but the motor helps you move quicker than just pedal power.

The Best Electric Bikes Under $500 Can Help With Your Fitness

They improve your fitness. We’ll look at this benefit in more detail later but despite being partially motor-powered, e-bikes are great at helping you get that beach bod ready. By removing the hassle of hills, people on electric bikes tend to cycle for longer. There are lots of designs. As electric bikes become more mainstream, more options are available. Allowing you to find the perfect bike to suit your needs and taste.

Although e-bikes are not as effective a form of exercise as normal cycling. Using an e-bike turned out to be more strenuous than walking in a range of studies so they are effective at increasing heart rate and building cardiorespiratory endurance. Since they can be used with different assistance levels, you can change how much help the bike gives you. Therefore building your stamina gradually over time.

Common Components & Materials On An Electric Bicycle

The best electric bikes under $500 will normally feature a strong aluminium alloy frame or steel frame to reduce the overall cost of the bike. Some brands tend to use a rigid fork as opposed to a front suspension.

Another consideration worth thinking about is electric bike lithium battery. Of course, no battery will last for ever, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some serious mileage out of whichever comes on your bike.

Most bikes come with v-brakes. These are a tried and tested technology which are usually fine but due to the increased speed/weight of e-bikes, disc brakes are preferable because of their improved stopping power. These are common on more expensive models. Our options will be determined by our budget. As we have $500 we'll do our best to find bikes with the best combination of components and ride quality.

The type of tire electric bikes are given differs substantially depending on the type of bike. However it's fair to say that an electric bicycle should feature a good quality tire. As an electric bike can reach a high top speed due to their powerful motor and pedal assist features. The rear hub can house a brushless motor which adds to the weight of the road bike. having front and rear disc brakes is useless if the bikes tires are unable to stop the bike quickly and safely.

The Best Bicycle Electric Motor

The motor and usually lithium battery of electric bikes mean they are often heavier than their purely mechanical counterparts. Riding (or lifting!) a heavy bike is never fun so the lighter the bike you can find, the better.

It's quite common for electric bikes to have a high top speed and long battery range. Some battery models boast ranges of 30 miles or more. If your electric bike comes with a light aluminum alloy frame and front fork then the load on the motor is lower due to the bike weighing less.

Carbon steel and aluminum are traditional frame materials

The only thing that has kept e-bikes from completely eclipsing the traditional bike in the current market is their price. With it being quite common for electric bikes to cost around $500 we've tried our best to fill this list with recommended electric bikes that match your price range.

Best Bike Guide

Affiliate Disclosure

bestbikeguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.

© BESTBIKEGUIDE.COM | THE BEST BIKE GUIDE IN TOWN | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED​