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Tom's Guide's pick for range: two batteries, a Gates belt drive, a very low step-through frame, lights, fenders and a rack. It weighs 70.5 lb, has one gear that makes hill starts hard, and WIRED lists it among bikes it dislikes for its riding position and brakes.
Real-world range: NIU claims up to 90 miles with both batteries (60 miles for more typical use). On Tom's Guide's first 9-mile ride both batteries dropped only from 100% to 90%, so it thinks the 90-mile claim is close in some conditions.
Weight: 70.5 lb; each battery about 12 lb (Tom's Guide)
Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for NIU e-bikes (checked 2026-10-11).
E-bike class: 20 mph maximum assisted speed, with a throttle (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Heavy
70.5 lb, one of the heaviest non-cargo ebikes Tom's Guide has tested.
- Single speed: spins out, struggles on hill starts
Tom's Guide says you quickly spin out and rely on the throttle, and the hub motor struggled to start from a stop on a steep hill even with the throttle.
- Fit and brake complaints
WIRED's tester found the riding position too aggressive, the frame wouldn't take a water bottle or his pannier, and the disc brakes weren't up to stopping it from 28 mph. The brakes are mechanical discs (Tom's Guide).
What owners love
- Very long range
Two removable batteries; Tom's Guide found the 90-mile claim close in some conditions.
- Easy to get on and off
A deep step-through frame fit both a 5'11" and a 5'3" rider (Tom's Guide).
- Equipped for commuting
Gates carbon belt drive, integrated lights, fenders and a rear rack (Tom's Guide).
- You carry your bike up stairs
- You start from stops on steep hills
- You want strong hydraulic brakes
- Long commutes without daily charging
- Riders of different heights sharing one bike
- A low-maintenance belt drive
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide (best electric bikes): Best for range (updated 2026-09-17): dual batteries; could use more gears and is heavy.
- Tom's Guide (best budget electric bikes): Best budget for commuting (updated 2026-07-16): regular price $2,199, often on sale as low as $1,299; wait for a discount.
- WIRED (best electric bikes): Listed under 'Bikes We Dislike' (updated April 2026, $2,499): aggressive riding position, poor fit for bottles and panniers, and brakes not suited to 28 mph.