Electric Bike Test: 63 Pedelec Reviews & Ratings

The most important season for bicycles and e-bikes is actually summer. In the warmer half of the year, there is significantly more cycling and most bikes are bought. So that you are informed in good time and can make the choice of a new e-bike with an expert assessment, we test it beforehand – in the e-bike test 2026.

Ie in the middle of winter. We will receive the test bikes from the end of November until January. So we’re testing just before Christmas, immediately after the holidays and then right in the first days of the new year. Part of it is that the weather can sometimes be difficult for us. This year, especially at the beginning of January, we had to deal with blowing snow, black ice and freezing cold – but it doesn’t help. So we bundle up warmly and head out into the winter weather. Admittedly it’s fun, we love outdoor office time on the e-bikes.

The test doesn’t just include the journey, although this is of course a central part. For example, we work intensively on the increasingly extensive apps and see what data the displays show. We compare manufacturers’ guarantees and weight restrictions, weigh each bike, measure the step-through height and test the portability of the bikes, check the performance of the lighting systems in the dark and take a close look at how easy it is to use the luggage rack or the adjustability of the stem. These are just examples.

Our test scheme includes more than 120 parameters, i.e. h. We take the appropriate amount of time for each e-bike. In order not to completely overwhelm you, we summarize our findings in a compact manner, and in the test letter we only present general points behind which various detailed criteria are hidden.

E-bike test 2026: 63 bikes in the test

Media reports often indicate that the bicycle industry is not doing particularly well. Some bankruptcies were announced in 2025, including from well-known manufacturers. Discounts are being used to try to clear out full warehouses. But the impression is deceptive: most manufacturers are not only getting through the crisis, but are already overcoming it. A lot of new models for 2026 were presented at the Eurobike and Cyclingworld bicycle trade fairs and we received 63 (!) new e-bikes for our test.

To explain: We do not buy the wheels from the dealer, but are provided by the manufacturers for testing purposes. We also get a pretty good idea of how the industry is currently ticking and what is going on. If the manufacturers are noticeably cautious about new models and therefore also about test bikes, this is not a good sign overall. However, the opposite is the case; we perceive a spirit of optimism.

To simplify matters, we divide the test bikes into three worlds in which they are “at home”. Starting with trekking/tour, followed by the city/cargo segment and finally the sports section.

E-Bike-Test 2026: Trekking und Tour

Our trekking world is always particularly comprehensive; this year there are 30 e-bikes included. 13 of these bikes belong to the trekking standard subcategory and mark the beginning of the test letter route. The classic trekking bike is particularly popular in Germany and rightly so – the all-rounders are available for a lot of things. They are characterized by versatile everyday equipment, a suspension fork, a powerful drive and a large battery, and can be used on commutes as well as on holiday trips.

Trekking bikes in the e-bike test 2026

Trekking light

The following are three trekking bikes that we have assigned to the trekking light segment. These slightly lighter e-trekkers are equipped with smaller batteries and motors that have less power. They score points with a riding style that is similar to that of a trekking bike without a motor. An exciting concept for touring riders and commuters who like to rely on their own muscle power.

We tested these bikes in the Trekking light category

SUV-Bikes

Would you like a little more of everything? Then please jump straight to the SUV bikes. Ten off-road touring bikes in the SUV class are being tested. They impress with powerful engines, extra range, thick tires and suspension at the front and rear. They are often designed for a high permissible total weight, making them the right choice for heavy drivers or those with high luggage requirements.

The equipment also means that we are dealing with heavier e-bikes of around 30 kg. If you rarely have to carry your bike, you can ignore this point. The SUV bikes surprise him with a lot of fun off-road driving.

We tested these SUV bikes in the 2026 e-bike test

Exotics

Four exotic vehicles with three wheels make up the end of the trekking segment.

Recumbent bikes / trikes in the e-bike test 2026

City and cargo

The city bikes follow with 26 test bikes in five subcategories. The city world is full of bikes that primarily fit into urban spaces and prove themselves in everyday life and on asphalt. That’s it for the commonality, because this class is incredibly versatile.

We start with the city standard segment, i.e. classic city bikes for everyday life. The nine test bikes are versatile, offer a lot of comfort and are comparatively inexpensive.

City Standard beim E-Bike-Test 2026

Urbanbikes

The five test letters that follow focus on urban bikes. So-called urban bikes are often particularly light and sporty and have a somewhat more minimalist design.

Urbies E-Bike-Test 2026

Folding bikes and compact bikes

The six folding bikes and the compact bike that follow impress with their reduced dimensions and are still surprisingly suitable for touring. However, the focus is on their handling in everyday life and their usability on public transport.

Cargobikes beim E-Bike-Test 2026

The end of our city world is the cargo bikes, where you can find longtails with an extended rear as well as long johns with a tub at the front. All five cargo bikes are designed primarily to carry children.

Sports: MTB and Gravel

The right bikes for an adrenaline rush can be found in the sports segment. This year we are dealing with both mountain bikes and gravel bikes. We start with two hardtails that only have suspension at the front, followed by three fullys that go all out, including when it comes to suspension.

E-MTB Hardtail

E-MTB Fullsuspension

E-Gravelbikes beim E-Bike-Test 2026

The route is rounded off by the E-Gravelers – the gravel heroes are simply on trend, both with and without a motor.

That’s where the journey goes

Every year, the big electric bike test shows us where the cycling industry is heading. We see that trekking bikes continue to be extremely important, and SUVs are playing an increasingly important role. When it comes to city bikes, classic models dominate; they are also the best introduction to e-biking. It is also not surprising that mountain bikes in particular find space in the sports sector: MTBs are increasingly rarely sold without a motor, as current statistics from the bicycle industry show.

Overall, it is noticeable that there are fewer extremely expensive e-bikes included. And the proportion of bikes under 3,000 euros has never been as large as this year; you can find them in all categories. By the way, the cheapest Pedelec is 899 euros (Foldx folding bike from Crivit), the most expensive is 12,565 euros (Scorpion FX 26 recumbent bike from HP Velotechnik).

Important things at the end

Before you delve into the test letters: Be aware of your own requirements. Because there is no one right e-bike that suits everyone. Our test does not show a ranking from particularly bad to particularly good bike. Instead, the big electric bike test 2026 tells you which bike is right for whom. That’s why our test letters don’t just show a final grade, but also show in detail the purpose and requirements for which they are suitable. Last but not least, which bike you choose is also a question of budget.

Finally, we would like to thank all of our helpers in the background: Manuela Hiendleder and Marina Wolf (logistics), Erwin Schieber (workshop) and photographer Gideon Heede. Without them nothing would work. I would like to thank these hard-working helpers as well as the entire test team, who once again gave their all. You are the best!

First published: February 2, 2026