Best Commuter Bikes

The Swagtron EB12 has more swag than most commuters. To begin with, its "no-frill" profile is somewhat misleading because behind the simple design is the outline that's been streamlined to promote maximum efficiency.

Incorporating a flat handlebar, the bike facilitates comfortable upright riding. Riding in an upright position, you're reducing stress on the hands, wrists, and shoulders. Meanwhile, the rigid frame allows you to push the bike as hard as you can, feeling the road and putting everything that you have against the pavement, making the ride that much more satisfying.

Commuters seldom face considerable obstacles. That being said, when you're paying ~$1,000, you want something strong, something tough, something long-lasting. Here, you're receiving that something from the premium-grade 6061-series aluminum that is behind the frame and rims. Making them strong and resistant against rust, the e-bike remains lightweight yet tough as nails and twice as durable. To add more, the fork has been reinforced, featuring high-strength steel to add resilience and enable a compliant ride. Strong as it is, the frame can support riders up to 265 pounds, so the bike does not discriminate.

Reaching an IPX4 rating, the bike's components are protected from the elements, including splashes. Also, the battery mount will be pulling double-duty as a cargo rack too, offering increased utility.

The Kespor Venture Folding Bike is a nimble one. Measuring (when folded) 29 x 29 x 19 inches and weighing around 30 pounds, this is the bike that you can shove inside elevators and down the subway. Despite weighing only 30 pounds, the bike can support as much as 230 pounds, which's pretty incredible, even though some people around that weight range might find the bike's dolphin-style frame and reduced size uncomfortable to ride.

Having said that, the adjustable saddle height might convince the doubters otherwise, accommodating riders ranging from 5 feet to above 6 feet. Now, the seat is quite stiff, so we are not going to make any claims that the entire ride will always remain enjoyable because bumpy and jerky grounds will not prove conducive towards that.

Still, even with these questionable moments, the bike is easy to prescribe. First things first, the patented folding lock mechanism makes the frame stiff and secure, ensuring that the bike will not be folding mid-ride. Also, made from heavy-duty aluminum alloy, the foldable frame can not only support the weights that we have outlined above but also survive consistent drops and falls without bending and warping.

The Ancheer Electric Folding Bike is not the most hardworking e-bike we have reviewed. The bicycle lands somewhere in the middle, keeping the price reasonable and the performance respectable. Range-wise, the battery will let you reach at least 15 miles using the throttle-only mode and double the mileage when you add some pedaling to the mix. The bike's maximum speed caps at 15.5 mph, what you would expect from an e-bike around $500. Since the battery takes somewhere between 4 and 6 hours to recharge, even when the distance between you and the workplace is considerable (>15 miles), you can arrive at work, recharge the bike, and go back home without worrying about running out before reaching the desired destination.

Needless to say, when you're reaching certain speeds, the brakes become the most important article. With that in mind, the bike's adopting mechanical front and rear disc brakes, offering reliable all-weather stopping power. Besides, the brakes are sensitive and responsive, so you will not be forced to squeeze them to produce immediate results.

We would not recommend playing with them though because the tire protectors here are quite fragile and will start wearing out pretty early, which means that scratching them without any reason would be ill-considered.

The Ancheer Collapsible Electric Bike has been engineered and designed with lofty ambitions to prove that an e-bike can be affordable, efficient, and stylish at the same time, which is no small feat considering how awkward, clunky, and downright hideous budget e-bikes usually are. From where we're standing, the goal has been accomplished, at least to some extent. Looking at the bike's elegant white frame and the battery hidden from sight, you're thinking anything but awkward and clunky. Quite the opposite, the e-bike appears sleek, stylish, and charming. That being said, the flip side is that the white frame is easily soiled, an unavoidable drawback when you're ditching dark paintworks and choosing light washes.

Setting aside the paintwork, this two-wheeled vehicle is indistinguishable from the bike we have reviewed before this one, so we will keep things brief, without overlooking anything that is worth mentioning. The driving force behind the bike is its 250-watt brushless motor, offering maximum single-charge mileage between 15 and 30 miles depending on the pedaling. Also, the brushless part means that the motor's basically silent, something that cheap electric bicycles are seldom able to ensure.

When you choose the electric-assisted mode and add some pedaling, the bicycle will even be able to climb 15-degree hills. Its 15.5-mph maximum speed is not different from most e-bikes within this price bracket (~$500) and the battery's charging time, fluctuating between 4 and 6 hours, is also something that most model's peers are offering.

The Royce Union RMX is elegant and dignified, with its twin-tube frame, polished gray paintwork, and glossy overcoat separating the bike from most commuters. Sure, you will not fold this bike. This is not something that you can bring down the subway without inconveniencing the people around you. This is the bike that projects class and style, something that commuters used to do before manufacturers started chasing ergonomics and compromising aesthetics.

Supporting the stylish appearance is the 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum frame that makes the bike lightweight (45 pounds, which is more lightweight than it sounds considering the size measures 58.3 x 9.4 x 31.5 inches), easily maneuverable, especially when tackling tight corners, yet tough. You will not have to worry about the frame forming rust patches and showing corrosion signs. Meanwhile, the Zoom suspension fork will ensure solid performance atop most roads, absorb the shock coming from small potholes and uneven pavement.

Some find the pedals shoddy and awkward, which is unfortunate considering that everything else here is top-notch. That "everything else" list includes the Shimano drivetrain and Shimano twist. The drivetrain is smooth, shifting with but the faintest twist, making hills easy to climb and enjoyable to glide down. What's more, the internal hub will be protecting the drivetrain from dirt, rain, and mud, reducing cleaning and maintenance needs.