First e-bike under $600–650 for work commute (hills + night riding)

Posted by No-Language1007@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 25 comments

I’m looking to get my first e-bike for commuting to work every day, with a budget around $600 to $650 max. I’ll be riding to and from work, including at night, and there are hills both ways, so I need something that can handle climbing without struggling too much.

Some of the roads I take don’t have sidewalks, so I need something that feels stable and safe riding in the street. I’m also looking for something that can go at least 20 mph.

Since I’ll be riding at night a lot, I really want bright front and rear lights—it doesn’t need turn signals, but I at least want something that makes me very visible so cars can clearly see me.

From what I’ve seen, a 500W motor or higher seems best for hills, and I’d prefer something reliable for daily commuting.

If anyone has recommendations or experience with a good e-bike in this price range, I’d really appreciate it.

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ronniearnold@reddit

Save more money. You’re gonna spend more and have a less safe bike otherwise.

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No-Language1007@reddit (OP)

How much more should I save? I don’t plan on going all out I just want something to get me to point A to point B I don’t need anything flashy almost like a dirt bike look just a decent one.

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BodSmith54321@reddit

$1000 for a 500w Lectric Xpress

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DacaAskingForDaca@reddit

“Flashy” I think you misspelled safe.

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stranger_trails@reddit

With all things you get what you pay for. If a decent pedal bike is $500 new then an e-bike for $650 has cut corners somewhere… battery cell quality, frame weight/material, brake and other components, serviceability, etc.

I’m not saying this as a mechanic to sell bike shop bikes because I know a lot of shops that do that but working somewhere where our shop actually tries to fix budget e-bikes the issues you are likely to run into - again luck of the draw - are: - battery only lasts a season before cells degraded. - brakes fail under 50mikes, no replacement brake systems compatible with the wiring plugs available for under $150+ labour assuming you aren’t injured with the failure - we’ve seen this a half dozen times now and have been filing regular federal safety reports for the first time in my ~18 years in shops. - geometry issues that impact handing from a safety perspective. Potholes cause steering feedback that can be hard to control.

Even something like the Electra Townie Go! 7D is at least from a reputable dealer with warranty, has diagnostic support for the motor system with parts and is under $2k USD I believe. I believe the Marin Stinson E comes in even lower and runs Bafang.

Otherwise as another commenter has mentioned a quality used mtb + conversion kit is the next best option IMO you at least will know what the parts are and where to find replacements or service parts if needed.

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Relative-Display-676@reddit

About $1200-1500 for a decent used middl rive emtb.

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badhabitfml@reddit

That's really it. A regular bike worth riding is gonna cost 500+. Add in all the ebike parts worth riding and you see why a decent bike is $1000+.

RichGuarantee7482@reddit

These recommendations are awful. People in this sub can get so snobby. TST meets your budget: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPHKa6B8UmJdY-yfgQ8/

thephotoman@reddit

Your budget is high enough to buy a non-electric bike.

The price of a usable battery doubles the kit price. That’s your actual limiting factor that keeps the price up.

BlakeMW@reddit

If you want something at least moderately quality, then barring amazing clearance deals, you need to look for something 2nd hand, and $600 is still not very much for a 2nd hand ebike so unless you're lucky to get someone clueless about what they should sell their ebike for, it'll probably be old and/or in subpar condition. However an old quality ebike might still be a better deal than a new piece of crap built exclusively from lowest bidder parts.

For climbing hills a mid drive tends to work a lot better than a hub drive, and you don't need as much power with a mid drive, a 250 W mid drive is definitely worth considering.

Outrageous-Spot-4014@reddit

Got the Actbest Core 27.5 a few months ago and have no problems. Seems solid and well put together. Put Flat Out in the tires too. Paid about $600. Got it off their website.

SkankBeard@reddit

You'll have to get lucky. Some brands have huge sales on last year models. My bike was originally $2500.00 (u.s.) after shipping, but I managed to get it for 500 due to it being on sale from the company AND on sale from the independent website. However, I hunted for a year before I found the deal. Bikes going strong at 4500 miles, 3 years old. So it's possible to get a good one at that price, just less likely.

my-paradise@reddit

We have a very decent range of ebikes which will fit your needs perfectly. We even have mountain ebikes, folding ebikes and fat tire ebikes. Please let me know if you want me to provide further details to check the range of ebikes.

funcentric@reddit

Lucidlie@reddit

Begode mten5

Necessary-Break5978@reddit

Go on AliExpress if you want a ebike that price you will find one there

southendrunner@reddit

bad idea probably unsafe you’ll get what you pay for disposable junk

That's right I agree, with little money to spend that's why I suggested go on AliExpress, I own a NCM I paid $1,800 it's still running good after tree years

How's the shipping? I saw one I liked, but the shipping was 2x the bike cost.

It’s kinda crazy how people have such a low budget for something that will save them so much money. Even crazier how people can cheap out on something with lithium moderate size battery inside of it which is going to likely be charged in their home. I got a scooter and it’s replaced my car. At this point it paid for itself, and it not was not a cheap scooter. You know what, come to think of it, if you want to cheap out on your commuting tool, get a scooter. You can get a much better quality scooter for your budget than an ebike by a long shot. And it won’t burn your house down.

miknob@reddit

There aren’t even non-ebikes at that price that are any good.

scifigirl1979@reddit

I have a eskute v100 total after tax was 630. I have had to replace that battery for a bigger one abd the brakes to hydrolics. But I use for commute 39+ miles a day I would not recommend it for a bigger that isn't mechanically inclined. It requires a lot of weekly maintenance to keep it in really good shape. It's my 3rd bike.