Guide: Which electric bike to buy for over €2,000?

Over €2,000, there are good electric bikes to buy. However, brands and models flood the market. Here is a selection of 4 models to guide you.

Trek FX 2+ : the Comfort City Bike – €2,499

New for Fall 2022, the Trek 2+ demonstrates that the brand’s reputation is well-deserved and that it can meet expectations. This bike isn’t suitable for off-road adventures, but it proves quite comfortable on trails and cobblestones in the city, despite the lack of suspension and narrow tires. Chain transmission emphasizes its urban-oriented (VTC) aspect, along with the active stance (lower handlebar) and very impressive braking.

Little downside, the Trek FX 2+ features a non-removable battery, which is rare on modern bikes. You must store the bike at home to charge it, but thankfully, it weighs relatively light (17 kg). The autonomy is also disappointing, barely 35 km in high mode (3 out of 3) during our week of testing. A small plus, the bike is connected to the Hyena app, without theft insurance coupled with GPS tracking, but it allows you to see battery info, range possible, and can also serve as a display, since this bike has none.

The €2,499 price remains very reasonable considering the quality of this bike and despite some minor shortcomings.

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0: the Versatile American – €4,100

This American brand has proven itself both in leisure bikes and competition models, as evidenced by their presence in the Tour de France. Responding to the popularity of city bikes, Specialized invested in this sector with its new range. We tested this Turbo Vado 4.0, a heavy-duty model with all-road capabilities and a large battery.

This VTC includes front suspension and a suspended saddle, along with a 9-speed Shimano derailleur. Great for leisure riding, with excellent grip, the wide, thick tires do not offer optimal comfort, and the saddle is also minimally padded for daily urban use. Good points include multiple models, with belt drive on the IGH version and various frame heights/mid-length/low options. Performance-wise, the 70 Nm torque provides strong acceleration and versatility, as the built-in motor responds very quickly to pedal pressure. Plus, the assistance can be fine-tuned in 10% steps! This responsiveness is stopped very effectively by SRAM brakes, which provide excellent stopping power.

The 710 Wh battery easily covers 80 km even in maximum mode, with a 4 A charger fully recharging it in about 5 hours. This bike is also in tune with modern times, featuring a beautiful central display showing many details from the VTTAE (distance, altitude, power delivered, etc.). All data is accessible via a dedicated app, with options to modify from the screen.

Flyer Upstreet5: the Swiss Power Bike, €4,549

Among high-end brands, Flyer immediately comes to mind. Founded in 1995, this manufacturer has specialized in electric bikes. The Flyer Classic gave rise to the Series C in 2003 with lithium-ion batteries. Since then, the range has diversified with MTB and urban models, but it hasn’t forgotten its roots, with the Upstreet line we tested one version of.

Quick in all conditions, with large range and made in Switzerland, the Flyer Upstreet5 is expensive. Starting at €3,649, our 7.10 model costs €4,549. It’s costly but reasonable given its performance and endurance. Some may criticize its lack of comfort, flexible belt, and connectivity, but overall, it’s very impressive.

What about competitors? The O2feel iSwan CityBoost 8.1, which uses Shimano components, has a maximum battery capacity of 540 Wh but costs less than €4,000. The Riese & Müller Nevo Touring is nearly the same price as Flyer, but with lower autonomy (500 Wh capacity). Finally, the French Moustache Saturday 28.7, at €4,199, with Bosch’s renowned motor and a 625 Wh battery.

Riese & Müller Charger 4 GT: the Rugged German Sports SUV – €5,799

Placed next to a fragile traditional bike, this e-bike is a real tank. Riese & Müller is known for creating imposing electric bikes, but this Charger 4 GT is a giant. Its very thick frame pairs with huge tires and weighs around 30 kg. It’s the heaviest in this comparison, nearly twice as heavy as the Trek! You’ll want to think twice before lifting it into an elevator, as significant strength is needed.

On the performance side, it’s incredible. As soon as you press the button, and even before the screen lights up, the motor starts with slight pedal pressure thanks to a torque sensor. The 90 Nm Bosch motor in “Sport” mode rapidly accelerates the bike to the legal 25 km/h, but it can also be used in intermediate Tour or Eco modes. The comfort provided by the tires and double suspension (front fork and saddle) is excellent, and its off-road capabilities are good outside the city. The Magura disc brakes stop the vehicle in just a few meters.

Price, however, is steep—€5,799 for our Vario model with a flexible belt drive. This is mainly due to the 750 Wh battery providing up to 100 km of assistance. In Sport mode, range drops to about 40 km. The Bosch color screen is high-resolution despite its simple display. The connected RX Connect system transmits data to the app, including GPS location, routes, and theft alerts.

Comparison Table of Electric Bikes Over €2,000

Also read: Which electric bike to buy for less than €2,000?