Revised May 10, 2013 Having big money is a nice thing, especially if your an electric bike fanatic. There is nothing cheap that matches the fine finish and performance of these 10 electric bikes. Unfortunately the demand for these ultra expensive beasts is not that great, because most of the electric bikes on this list have not made it to market yet and exist in a state of vapor wear with a few prototypes. However all the bikes on this list, the manufacturer claims to be taking pre-orders and have working prototypes.Part of the reason these bikes are so expensive is most are hand made one at a time items. As a Ferrari is hand built as opposed to a mass produced Fiat.
#10 Prodego Titanio $5000
The most affordable bike on this list is also the lightest weight (32 pounds) and has the smallest battery pack (205 watt hours) and the smallest motor (250 watts). Building a lightweight ebike is full of performance compromises and to build one light is not cheap. The Prodego Titanio is a titanium beauty, made in China and assembled in the Prodeco factory in Florida.
Semi-affordable the Specialized Turbo is a quality mass produced bike which can reach a respectable 28mph with pedaling. Specialized hired a team of engineers in Switzerland who spent 3 years designing this bike. It has proprietary hub motor, battery, frame, dashboard, etc. so it costs big bucks. One of the more solid and practical bikes on this list. Specialized designed it with the commuter in mind, but good luck locking this expensive baby to a post.
Hanebrink is the original fat bike builder, and in the last 5 years brought to market a fat bike mid drive. (read our article about mid drives) A fat bike mid drive is a brutal combination because it can climb steep terrain even when off road. Because this ebike is hand made in the USA with many expensive and custom made components it is expensive….
This is one of the more unique bikes on this list, which is the SUV of the Ebike world. Hand built in Portland Oregon the Trike Truck has 2 hub motor in the rear and a unique front wheel pedal drive. It is designed for carrying heavy cargo and rider up steep hills.
#6 Outrider 422 Alpha $12,000
The Outrider USA trike is one of the faster ebikes on this list…or would you call it an E-trike? This is a non suspension trike with a powerful Astro rc motor running to the back wheel, giving you 6 horse power in a light package. Where most of the bikes on this list are lucky to burn 1500 watts, this baby will burn up to 9,000 watts, and jet this trike to 50mph in less than 6 seconds.
The Stealth Bomber has proven to be a reliable and robust speedster capable of speeds up to 50mph and is equipped with a heavy duty full suspension. It weighs in at a hefty 125 pounds but has over a 50 mile range.
The Optibike 1100r uses some of the latest ebike technologies including a mid drive. a Rohloff as the motors transmission, and a Fox full suspension. It is capable of speeds of 35mph and has a very descent range of 40 miles and only weighs 65 pounds. It has proven to be a reliable and durable machine by scaling Pikes Peak a number of times. Optibikes range in price from $6000 to $16,000.
The Hanebrink Hustler was built for speed with no expense spared. Depending on the configuration, it is capable of speeds up to 80 mph. It is a mid drive using bicycle derailleurs as its transmission. It has enough lithium battery to get 50-100 miles on a charge depending on how fast you are riding. It has operational pedals hidden behind the fairing so that you can argue it is an electric bike after you get pulled over. The Hanebrink Hustler can cost from $17,000 to $30,000 depending on configuration (how fast and how far).
The M55 seems like it was designed for Arab sheikhs or internet billionaires. This bike features no expense spared detailed cnc work and carbon fiber panels. The bike utilizes a rc motor, with a gear reduction system and an RC motor. Power is transferred to the ground via a German Rohloff speed hub in the back wheel. This bike is designed and made by hand in Budapest Hungary.
The Suspensionless blacktrail was designed for street riding. It’s all carbon fiber construction makes it extremely light weight for an electric bike. 50lbs, half of which is battery. The Blacktrail uses an expensive Clean Mobile gear reduction system. This bike is one of 3 German bikes on this list. The bike comes in different configurations. It is claimed it can hit speeds of 60mph in its fastest configuration. Beware if you are thinking about throwing down the big cash for this one…. this bike might be vaporware.
Eric has been involved in the electric bike industry since 2002 when he started a 6000 square foot brick and mortar Electric Bike store in downtown San Francisco. He is a true believer that small electric vehicles can change the way we operate and the way we think.
It’s not the best thing that people prefer cars and not the electric bikes. Not just the TWIKE is interesting, the Hanebrink All-Terrain is also interesting. The Hanebrink is more environmental friendly than a Hummer and they also got good tires for driving in terrains. If everyone would choose a car to buy and everyone would buy TWIKE for themselves, then the cars would get cheaper to buy. People also ride motorbikes, if they chose those electric bikes that are so expensive, those bikes would also get cheaper. The electric bikes are environmental friendly. People should never think like they do sometimes: “I’d better buy a gasoline powered car for the comfort in form of long range and fast refueling.”, the environment is more important than this kind of comforts! Of course, even people like me would like to have this comfort but it’s not just making pollutions, it’s also excessively expensive.
Sometimes people complain about the buses and that it’s very expensive to go by a bus. I have to go by bus very often when I go to and from the school. In Sweden the schools give their students bus cards so they can go by bus regularly. The cards can be used only in a time of a day in school days or sometimes when it’s vacations (not in summer or winter), they can also be used in whole municipalities where you live, pass through and where the school is. My parents complained about that the buses are more expensive than their cars and the bus company is writing comments that show that their buses are very cheap compared to the “cheap” cars that actually are not cheap. Electric cars are the only cheap cars and they’re cheaper than buses and trains. They’re also more environmental friendly than the buses that often are powered by diesel.
Sometimes people prefer cars because they free them from being dependent of the bus stops, times and sometimes even changing vehicle. The bikes give the same freedom that comes from the cars. The only differences are that the car can carry more cargo, people and is faster than a bike but the bike is the most environmetal friendly vehicle. The electric bikes are the best vehicles. My dad was riding his usual bike (not electric) from Överlida to Svenljunga, Swedish villages. It took him 4 hours to finish all 31 kilometres. The same range took me 2 hours with the electric bike to finish. Sometimes I even got lucky to get an average speed of 22 km/h when I was going from Överlida to Svenljunga through the forest with many hills, sand-terrain way and dangerous curves, 31 kilometres to ride and you get tired after holding an average speed that is that high.
Imagine in ten years, what will be out there and the radical technology available. I see 100 mph plus on the Stealth Bomber and a battery that can last weeks between charging, boggles my melon!
There are cells not released to the public due to energy companies if you shut down all the nuclear reactors and started using the fusion cells or whatever self renewable power source that needs no bull crap to keep it running 0 toxic emissions and on and on. I believe Nikolai tesla created something like this Elon Musk has even been pushing to a better alternative power source for all things.
Just imagine no more fracking drilling for oil specially in the ocean no more refineries the domino effect alone would be incredible.
I’m no mr. Green by any means I just see the way we’re killing and raping the earth maybe that oil needs to be where it is so the tectonic plates can groove against each other. What’s that it might explain the amount of earthquakes and how strong they are the fact we are having g three seasons instead of 4. Lmfao
I really got off track. But I’m sure anyone with common sense understands what I’m rambling about!
If the lines between e-bikes and motorcycles get too blurred in terms of manufacturing, what is the point of going electric? I spend about $20 dollars in Gas to dirt bike for hours on end.
Vet ni hur många E-bikes det finns i svedala, hur många säljs årligen? Jag följer läget i Österrike, Tyskland och Holland där man nu närmar 2,5- 3 miljoner ex totalt.
Min första käpte jag 1999 en Pwer Cycle Merida , blygelebatteri.
Vi i finland har bara gra futtiga tusen, kanske 4-5000 och Danmark tycks ha 40.000
enligt gårdagens uppgifter. Så er Blogg just nu, har borjat min finska version i mars 2013. Den heter eelläkävijä.blogspot.com
It’s a real All-American list: all European bikes are not present, and I understand: if they were present, America sees the best bikes come frome Europe: Trefecta as example: 24k dollar, 90 pounds weight, +65 m/h and 55 degrees climb:starting from 0 m/h wit max load of 200 kg (420 pounds) And: less than 5 pounds not-suspended weight.
Nick Rothman
( May 30, 2012 )
I can’t believe the most expensive bike has no suspension not even front shocks!
ElectricBIke
( May 30, 2012 )
Yeah the blacktrail bike is a little over the top ridiculous…the guys at PG bikes are known for overcharging for whatever they sale.
Moe
( June 25, 2012 )
Stealth bomber is the best fast soooooo smood at h speed
MauiOrigin
( August 18, 2013 )
Ya but bikes like that are more motorcycle than bike, may as well buy a real gas-engine dirt bike.
joeaverage21
( July 10, 2017 )
Or several for those prices…
Gary Luders
( September 4, 2012 )
I have three Hanebrink all terrain for sale. email me at frisbeelud@cox.net
Bike sporter
( April 21, 2013 )
It’s not the best thing that people prefer cars and not the electric bikes. Not just the TWIKE is interesting, the Hanebrink All-Terrain is also interesting. The Hanebrink is more environmental friendly than a Hummer and they also got good tires for driving in terrains. If everyone would choose a car to buy and everyone would buy TWIKE for themselves, then the cars would get cheaper to buy. People also ride motorbikes, if they chose those electric bikes that are so expensive, those bikes would also get cheaper. The electric bikes are environmental friendly. People should never think like they do sometimes: “I’d better buy a gasoline powered car for the comfort in form of long range and fast refueling.”, the environment is more important than this kind of comforts! Of course, even people like me would like to have this comfort but it’s not just making pollutions, it’s also excessively expensive.
Sometimes people complain about the buses and that it’s very expensive to go by a bus. I have to go by bus very often when I go to and from the school. In Sweden the schools give their students bus cards so they can go by bus regularly. The cards can be used only in a time of a day in school days or sometimes when it’s vacations (not in summer or winter), they can also be used in whole municipalities where you live, pass through and where the school is. My parents complained about that the buses are more expensive than their cars and the bus company is writing comments that show that their buses are very cheap compared to the “cheap” cars that actually are not cheap. Electric cars are the only cheap cars and they’re cheaper than buses and trains. They’re also more environmental friendly than the buses that often are powered by diesel.
Sometimes people prefer cars because they free them from being dependent of the bus stops, times and sometimes even changing vehicle. The bikes give the same freedom that comes from the cars. The only differences are that the car can carry more cargo, people and is faster than a bike but the bike is the most environmetal friendly vehicle. The electric bikes are the best vehicles. My dad was riding his usual bike (not electric) from Överlida to Svenljunga, Swedish villages. It took him 4 hours to finish all 31 kilometres. The same range took me 2 hours with the electric bike to finish. Sometimes I even got lucky to get an average speed of 22 km/h when I was going from Överlida to Svenljunga through the forest with many hills, sand-terrain way and dangerous curves, 31 kilometres to ride and you get tired after holding an average speed that is that high.
Paulo
( July 2, 2013 )
and the battery can be recharged with solar energy?
joeaverage21
( July 10, 2017 )
Can’t any battery be recharged by solar?
JB
( July 11, 2013 )
The name should be Prodeco Titanio, not ‘Prodego’!
Bodinky100
( July 26, 2013 )
Imagine in ten years, what will be out there and the radical technology available. I see 100 mph plus on the Stealth Bomber and a battery that can last weeks between charging, boggles my melon!
Danny
( June 11, 2016 )
There are cells not released to the public due to energy companies if you shut down all the nuclear reactors and started using the fusion cells or whatever self renewable power source that needs no bull crap to keep it running 0 toxic emissions and on and on. I believe Nikolai tesla created something like this Elon Musk has even been pushing to a better alternative power source for all things.
Just imagine no more fracking drilling for oil specially in the ocean no more refineries the domino effect alone would be incredible.
I’m no mr. Green by any means I just see the way we’re killing and raping the earth maybe that oil needs to be where it is so the tectonic plates can groove against each other. What’s that it might explain the amount of earthquakes and how strong they are the fact we are having g three seasons instead of 4. Lmfao
I really got off track. But I’m sure anyone with common sense understands what I’m rambling about!
MauiOrigin
( August 18, 2013 )
If the lines between e-bikes and motorcycles get too blurred in terms of manufacturing, what is the point of going electric? I spend about $20 dollars in Gas to dirt bike for hours on end.
Pauli Ahvonen
( August 22, 2013 )
Vet ni hur många E-bikes det finns i svedala, hur många säljs årligen? Jag följer läget i Österrike, Tyskland och Holland där man nu närmar 2,5- 3 miljoner ex totalt.
Min första käpte jag 1999 en Pwer Cycle Merida , blygelebatteri.
Vi i finland har bara gra futtiga tusen, kanske 4-5000 och Danmark tycks ha 40.000
enligt gårdagens uppgifter. Så er Blogg just nu, har borjat min finska version i mars 2013. Den heter eelläkävijä.blogspot.com
Electrical repairs rochester n
( January 18, 2014 )
Sharing this useful and attractive information….Thanks
Leon
( September 6, 2016 )
It’s a real All-American list: all European bikes are not present, and I understand: if they were present, America sees the best bikes come frome Europe: Trefecta as example: 24k dollar, 90 pounds weight, +65 m/h and 55 degrees climb:starting from 0 m/h wit max load of 200 kg (420 pounds) And: less than 5 pounds not-suspended weight.
Alexandru Amoq
( January 23, 2017 )
Splendid.
Jack Aiken
( June 3, 2019 )
What about the “Charger” by Airoinviroment? Not just an electric bike, but multiplies the force you use on the pedals.
Sefulu
( June 4, 2019 )
What kind the charger for this bike
Sefulu
( June 4, 2019 )
I’m looking for the charger 750W electric bike or 48volt