A performance bike for a performance rider, that’s what Orbea set out to do and that’s what they delievered. Now if you’re an ethusiast+ rider, chances are you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet ride, but like us, you probably don’t want to billy goat around town on it and lock it up at bike racks. That’s where the Diem comes in for us.

With a double diamond frame design, Shimano EP8, belt drive and internal shifting, the Diem is smooth, powerful and ready to tackle the streets with urgency. From light blips around town, to bringing our gear down to the river for some summer fun, the Diem was a true companion this year.

The unique frame design with carbon fork and the 50c tires made for one of the most comfortable rides of just about any bike we’ve tested specifically without suspension. Quite frankly it wasn’t needed, we did try out a PNW Components Coast suspension dropper and it only made it that much more comfortable.

Beyond the comfort, the Shimano platform and internal shifting was truly the icing on the cake. With a 630Wh battery that let you ride for days on end before needing a charge, or not to be intimidated by a 40+ mile adventure, the Shimano EP801 is powerful, letting you charge up steep grades and hold maximum speeds across town with a rewardingly quiet drive unit. The Shimano paired with a belt drive and internal shifting hub aids to that quiet nature while providing smooth solid gears to grab hold of. Another perk of the internal shifting is to be able to change gears at a dead stop. This is so convenient in that stop and go traffic and a feature often neglected on many urban bikes.

We could go on and on about the Diem, but it comes as no surprise that Orbea delivered another fantastic bike for us to think fondly of this year.

Orbea Diem

Available Colors: Spaceship Green, Ivory White, Glitter Anthracite

Class: 1 or 3

Sizes: S-XL

MSRP: $3799 – 5699

ORBEA.COM

It just keeps getting beter, the Roadster V3 for $1295 has to make our list. As the third version of the Roadster, we’ve seen this bike continue to evolve in capability while impressing us with a friendly value. While the Diem to us is the pinnacle of what an urban commuter could be, the Roadster V3 holds it’s own and really made an impression.

On the heels of our cargo bike group review, getting back onto a lightweight and nimble bike for getting around town was a nice treat to transition into the cooler months.

What we like about the new Roadster V3 is the clearance for larger volume tires and fenders. Larger tires on a commuter help make a much more comfortable ride around town. At $1300 it comes with a really solid component spec, all of which can be upgraded at any time down the road. But in our eyes there isn’t much to consider upgrading outside of the contact points to personalize the fit and feel.

Ride1Up Roadster V3

Available Colors: Onyx Black, Mint

Drivetrain: 9 Speed, Single Speed Belt Drive

Sizes: Low-Step, Medium, Large

MSRP: $1295

RIDE1UP.COM

Lectric is a familiar name to the electric bike world. Most notably their ability to offer some of the best valued bikes in the US. The ONE is no different, although next to the rest of their bikes does come with a more premium price.

However, in the grand spectrum of bikes on the market this is by far the most affordable electric bike globally with a Pinion drive.

We couldn’t help ourselves but to include the ONE in our collection of favorite bikes for 2024 due to Lectric’s ability to bring some of the highest tech and components to an incredibly priced commuter. With a Pinion C1.6i and 750w rear hub, this sleek commuter is a perfect image of what a belt driven commuter should look like.

When it comes to ride performance it has abundant power and a massive battery to keep your riding for days on end around town. If you’re looking for a compact commuter that embodies the having top competing tech, the Lectric ONE is the ticket.

Lectric ONE

Frame Color: Black

Drivetrain: Pinion C1.6i, 750W – 85Nm rear hub

Weight: 48-lbs

Class: 1-3

MSRP: $2666 $2199

LECTRICEBIKES.COM

The Cargowagen NEO is our top pick for long tail cargo bikes in 2024. With a Bosch Performance Speed mid drive, Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and dependable Tektro hydraulic disc brakes the Cargowagen NEO is the perfect package for transforming your urban living.

Now a lot of these components can be found on many electric cargo bikes, but it’s how Cannondale packaged it all together that really changed our thoughts on how a cargo bike can be a true vehicle replacement. While we have a very in-depth review here on the site and a few videos on YouTube to flood you with our thoughts we will keep this tight.

The Cargowagen NEO is smooth, powerful and most importantly comfortable. The Bosch system leads the path with a sleek display sharing information about your bike and displaying turn by turn navigation keeping your phone at bay. One of the things we like most about the Cargowagen NEO is how shielded and low profile it is, with a solid rear wheel cover and a very neat guard surrounding the drive unit, at first glance you likely wouldn’t suspect it to be an electric bike.

When it comes to hauling the kids around or going for a grocery run, there is plenty of space out back that sits nice and low for a smooth and predictable center of gravity. It even has a center console to hold your mug and phone while you’re on a ride which we all know can prove to be a challenging task to find the right place for those things on most bikes.

Of all the bikes we’ve ridden in 2024, the Cargowagen NEO is one of a few that we can’t keep talking about.

Cannondale Cargowagen NEO

Color: Sage

Specifications: Bosch Performance Speed, Shimano Deore 10-speed, Tektro HD-T5040 203/180mm 

Load Capacity: 440-lbs

Class: 3

MSRP: $4300

CANNONDALE.COM

Taking a different approach to what a electric cargo bike can be, the Globe Haul LT is more of the utilitarian approach. With a robust tubular chassis and big beefy tires, the Globe Haul looks like its designed out of the future in a world with floating cars.

All of the racks and mounting points have endless adaptability to configure your gear in many different ways.

The Haul LT is another longtail cargo bike that really changed our perspective on cargo bikes this year. Parking the truck and committing to riding for a solid month this year trying to find out if it is functional to use a bike for all of your day to day needs, the Haul made it all possible. While we found ourselves enjoying the comfort and power of almost every cargo bike we road this year, the Haul took it a step further. Perhaps it’s that utilitarian vibe it puts forth that lets you be a little rougher and less concerned with the day to day wear and tear. It’s built strong and ready to tackle what life throws at it.

Globe Haul LT

Color: Gloss White, Satin Green

Specifications: Globe 700w – 90Nm, 772Wh, Class 2/3, microSHIFT Advent. 9-speed, Tektro HD-T535 203mm

Load Capacity: 441-lbs

Class: 2,3

MSRP: $3500

SPECIALIZED.COM

The Aventon Abound SR showed up late in the seen for 2024, but better late then never.

The Abound SR is packed full of tech that is much more on par with the world of connectivity that we are used to with our phones and computers.

The Abound SR is a super compact cargo bike perfect for shuttling a kiddo to school or getting a midweek grocery run in. Living in more of a suburb getting around the neighborhood and running to the local market is what this bike lives for. Those close quarters errands and blips are way better on two wheels and the Abound SR has become quite the partner for those tasks.

Aventon Abound SR

Color: Cobalt, Haze, Stealth

Specifications: 750w – 80Nm, 708Wh, Shimano Altus 8-speed, Tektro HD-E3520, 180mm rotors

Load Capacity: 441-lbs

Class: 2,3

MSRP: $2199

AVENTON.COM

With ample full suspension electric mountain bikes out there coming from all the major players in the bike world, a capable hardtail electric mountain bike is fewer and further between.

Aventon jumps into the eMTB space with one of the best riding and best valued hardtail eMTB’s out there. It has the most powerful mid drive out of the mix of options and has a solid component spec to put the miles in.

While a hardtail isn’t for everyone, we find them to be much more capable and enjoyable for a wide array of riding then just charging downhill in the woods. The Ramblas is a great option for a mountain bike, but beyond that it can be a solid commuter, and an even better bikepacking bike.

We have a pretty thorough review that shares all of our thoughts on the tech and capabilities of the Ramblas that could convert you into considering a hardtail eMTB as your next electric bike.

Aventon Abound SR

Color: Cobalt, Haze, Stealth

Specifications: 750w – 80Nm, 708Wh, Shimano Altus 8-speed, Tektro HD-E3520, 180mm rotors

Load Capacity: 441-lbs

Class: 2,3

MSRP: $2199

AVENTON.COM

A wolf a sheeps clothing… the Synapse NEO is peak performance road bike stealthily hosting a Bosch Performance Line Sprint under foot.

With months aboard this machine, our long term review will only confirm our existing thoughts. Agile, smooth, and fast.

The Synapse NEO is more than a lightweight electric road bike. Proving to be built for the task from distance rides on backcountry roads, to all out sprints. From our time aboard this is what peak performance can and should look like when it comes to full power electric road bikes.

Cannondales $8500 Synapse NEO has a Bosch drive unit, 400wh battery (range extender compatible), Shimano Ultegra Di2, HollowGram R45 wheels with Vittoria tires and more. Stopping at nothing we have found the Synapse NEO to be just the ticket for building strength and going the distance.

Cannondale Synapse NEO

Color: Black

Specifications: Bosch Performance Sprint, 400Wh, Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed, Hollowgram R45 wheels

Weight: 31-lbs

Class: 3

MSRP: $8500

CANNONDALE.COM

At $2295, the CF Racer 1 is a mere fraction of most performance carbon electric road bikes. It uses a Bafang rear hub motor unlike it’s competitors with Mahle or FSA.

It is not to be looked over too swiftly. We stand by the fact that this is without a doubt the best deal for an electric road bike. Complete with a SRAM Rival 1 11-speed drivetrain with Hydraulic disc brakes, the CF 1 is not only ready for the road, but also for gravel.

Ride1Up offers two builds of this lightweight ebike. With changes to the wheels and handlebars, two builds for two different applications.

While aboard the road build, we sized up the tires and loaded up a frame bag this summer to log some miles. Our takeaway is a smooth and comfortable carbon road bike that is quite lightweight with enough battery to stretch out up to 40 miles, or enough power to hammer out your rides around 16 miles.

Over the summer I found the CF1 to be the ideal commuter road bike. Loading it up for a day in the city by way of Amtrak, I was time and time again impressed at the ample power and range it was able to provide logging miles all over the city. We like what Ride1Up brings to the table with the CF1. Compared to it’s counterparts you’re getting an impressive value of quality components and a fantastic ride experience. For most interested we think either build is great and with a much lower entry price point there is plenty of room to upgrade and customize any component to get exactly what you want over time. bikes

Ride1Up CF Racer1

Color: Rainbow Black, Clouded Gray

Specifications: 250w – 42Nm, SRAM Rival 1 11-speed, SRAM Rival 1 Hydraulic Disc Brakes 160mm

Options: Road or Gravel

Class: 3

MSRP: $2295

RIDE1UP.COM

While some of these products have been sent to us for testing purposes, some items we have purchased ourselves and continue to purchase.