Best Electric Bikes In New Zealand Starting At NZD1,100
- What Should I look for in an E-Bike?
- Motor
- Brakes
- Auto Speed Assist
- Front and Rear Suspension
- Saddle
- Wheels
- Milazo Electric Bike 27.5 inches MTB Bike-in-a-Box 600
- Highlights
- Aventon Pace 500 E-Bike
- Highlights
- Customer Reviews
- MOUSTACHE XROAD 3 OPEN | 2020 EBIKE
- Highlights
- Tuesday August Live 16” LS E-Bike
- Highlights
- Trek Powerfly 4 E-Bike
- Highlights
- Electra Townie Go 8D Men's E-Bike
- Highlights
- Giant Explore E+4 GTS E-bike
- Highlights
- Cube Town Sport Hybrid One 400
- Highlights
With a good electric bike, you can easily get around the city or even outside of it. It’s a plus to have one… and that’s why we’ve rounded up the best electric bikes in New Zealand for you!
E-bikes have a motor that works with your pedalling to help you sustain speed with low effort. However, you still need to shift gears to adjust to the road.
The latest trends have seen a rising number of people using them. If you want to join their ranks, we’ll show you the best electric bikes in New Zealand right now.
But first, it pays to know what you should be looking for when you make your choice. We’ll go over those factors before we show you our list of the best electric bikes in New Zealand for this year.
What Should I look for in an E-Bike?
In the main, the things you’re looking for will depend on your circumstances. But let’s take them one by one so you have a better idea of how to choose a model.
Motor
When it comes to the bike’s motor, you should choose between a mid-drive and a rear hub.
A mid-drive motor is built and attached to the lower centre of the e-bike. That makes it stable and balanced for riding.
It’s also more capable of taking on inclines such as hills. Torque-powered, you have to step on it for it to get it going and move.
On the other hand, the rear hub motor is set on the back of the wheel, which makes the bike heavier in the back. But it is cheaper and quieter to operate.
Brakes
Hydraulic disc brakes are the best you can get, as they stop gently and seamlessly on the road. They also work well in wet road conditions without needing frequent maintenance.
Rim brakes are good enough to use for most situations, but they don’t work as well under the rain, by comparison.
Lastly, cable disc brakes are good-to-have brakes but have to be maintained frequently.
Auto Speed Assist
Electric bikes come with a pedal assist. They are like programs that let you choose a particular speed and make the motor and bike adhere to that speed.
As you pedal to a certain speed, the auto speed assist of the e-bike will take over and maintain that speed throughout your ride. But when you slow down on the pedals, the motor will slow down as well.
Compared to regular bicycles, it helps you tackle longer distances and higher inclines without putting in as much effort as on an ordinary bike.
Front and Rear Suspension
These mainly act as shock absorbers that keep your bicycle in tip-top shape for years to come. They’re very important because they not only keep your e-bike durable but also keep you safe and stable when riding it.
Saddle
Choosing the right saddle is necessary because there are some that become uncomfortably painful in longer rides. It’s up to you to pick which one feels the best for you.
In case the e-bike that you fancy doesn’t have a comfortable saddle, you can let a bike specialist customise it for you.
Wheels
Smaller and smoother tires are only good for cycling on roads. They won’t give you enough torque to climb hills or fare well in off-road conditions.
On the other hand, large and treaded wheels give better traction and speed on rough ground while dragging on smooth roads.
Again, choose based on where you plan to take the bike. If you traverse smooth roads more often, go with a bike that has smooth tires — otherwise, treaded wheels are preferable.
In any case, now you know what to think about when choosing an electric bike. Now we’re all set for our lineup of the best electric bikes in New Zealand.
1. Milazo Electric Bike 27.5 inches MTB Bike-in-a-Box 600
Max Speed: 15.53 mph (25 kph) | Max Range: 43.50 mi (70 km) | Tyres: 27.5”
Price: $1,499
Are you going mountain biking or cycling on hilly areas? Check out the Milazo Electric Bike Bike-in-a-Box 600!
With this bike, you’ll be cruising easily and without much effort! You can pedal to the metal with a max assist speed reaching up to 25 kph for a total distance of 70km.
Well worth the price, this bike is made to withstand the rugged and muddy terrain. Its handling is quite obedient and will go wherever you like!
What’s more, the display is clear and bright, indicating the battery remaining and the speed you’re currently going. These are all weatherproof so you can use the bike rain or shine!
Of course, it also sports a rad and awesome look that you’ll be proud of. Also, it only takes 3 hours for the battery to be charged to full capacity!
Highlights
- Excellent for trails and dirt roads
- Max range of 70km
- Rad and awesome look
- Bright, clear and weatherproof display
- Takes only 3 hours to fully charge the bike
- Reasonable price
2. Aventon Pace 500 E-Bike
Price: NZ$1100
You have a sweet bicycle at your disposal when you have the Aventon Pace 500 EBike. It uses a 500 Watts brushless motor that will have you streaming down any city track.
Full control of the bike is given to you with 5 pedal assist levels — great whether you are climbing inclines, going for a casual ride, or training your body. Along with that, it comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes.
You also have a sleek LCD screen that tracks the remaining battery as well as speed and distance travelled. Change up your settings with the thumb accessible buttons too as you ride.
Long-distance biking will be easier for you with its comfy saddle and rugged 27.5” tyres. And charging will only take a short 4 hours, which means you can take it back out for another spin in no time!
Highlights
- 500W brushless motor
- 5” stable tyres
- Max speed at 28 mph
- 5 pedal-assist levels
- Cool LCD screen
Customer Reviews
Buyers gave the Aventon Pace 500 an overall 4.5-star rating from 214 reviews. They cite the shorter commutes, easy assembly, and sand paint as features they liked.
However, the lower ratings stemmed from the brakes not working well, problems in the back hub motor to smaller concerns like, shorter kickstand, loose water holder, and LCD screen not working.
From the Aventon site, Austin Clough writes:
“. . . The tires, even after ~350 miles, show minimal signs of wear and have ample traction for any terrain that I have encountered such as wet pavement, gravel, sand, and dirt. For an E-bike, the Aventon Pace 500 is relatively light. My last E-bike had a 250W motor and weighed in at 56 lbs. I was pretty worried about the lack of suspension on the frame of this E-bike. As it turns out, the saddle that they put on this bike makes moderately rough terrain basically irrelevant to the comfort of the ride. It is AMAZING!!! Riding on grass and bumps and cracks in the road brings no discomfort due to the suspension built into the seat itself. There are only two issues that I have with this bike. 1) You have to pedal about half a turn for the throttle to engage ( I am a rather impatient person) and 2) The throttle will only go unassisted up to 20 mph, w…”
3. MOUSTACHE XROAD 3 OPEN | 2020 EBIKE
Max Speed: 25 kph| Max Range: 30-60 mi | Tyres: 27.5”
Price: NZ$5995
Revolution Bikes offers a groundbreaking discovery for cyclists. Their 2020 release is by far one of the best electric bikes in the world. The Moustache Xroad 3 Open is both versatile as it is comfortable. It’s powered by Bosch’s Performance Line motor for the optimal energy use.
It has a triple cavity frame that allows you to use it anywhere you’d like. Its 80mm of trail-smoothing suspension is definitely a plus on its amazing qualities.
To top it all of, it has integrated parts like the luggage rack behind the seat which you can turn into almost anything you’d like. Its wide platform offers compatibility with baby seats, bags, and baskets of all kind. You can use it as extra storage or an additional place for a friend.
With the perfect handling, comfortable seat, and its lightweight, the Moustache Xroad 3 Open is definitely the ideal choice for riding, no matter if its for mountaineering or a casual cycle in the park.
Highlights
- Multiple sizes are available
- Lightweight
- Smooth cycling
- High-power battery
4. Tuesday August Live 16” LS E-Bike
Max Speed: 20 mph (32 kph) | Tyres: 26”
Price: $1,382.17
Get ready to cycle across the streets in a partying mood with the comely Tuesday August Live! You’ll never lose your balance as you can plant your feet on the ground anytime you’d like to stop this bike.
Its confident design makes this a popular bike that will receive admiration from those around you. The handlebars are comfortable to grip and the wide padded seat is suited for long rides.
You can enjoy it with 8 different speeds. If you want to go slow, just change it to Walk-Assist mode for a nice and sedate cruise.
Plus, it is powered by the Bafang 250W rear hub motor, which gets it to speeds up to 20 mph. It’s probably best for shorter rides, though, as the battery life is usually just worth an hour of speedy biking.
Highlights
- Max speed reaches 20 mph
- This 16” is designed for women
- Comes with 8 speed settings
- Attractive design
5. Trek Powerfly 4 E-Bike
Max Speed: 20 mph (32 kph) | Tyres: 29”
Price: NZ$3,975
This is electric mountain biking at its best. Trek Powerfly 4 has all the stuff you would expect from one of the best electric bikes in New Zealand.
With its detachable battery, topnotch components, finesse, and durable frame, it’s hard to argue against it. It provides a great way to ride faster and safer in various terrains.
Its frame is made out of aluminium for lightness and durability. This particular model is painted attractively too, in classy black and gold that you’ll never tire of.
The Bosch 500W mid-drive motor gets you cruising at a max speed of 20mph. eMTB mode determines just the exact amount of torque needed to extend the battery life.
Indeed, its XR3 tyres run with lower friction over the ground and ride stably on slippery trails. Finally, you have responsive hydraulic brakes to decrease your speed and stick to the ground.
Highlights
- Fantastic e-mountain bike
- Fitted with Bosch 500W motor
- Portable removable battery
- XR3 tyres for stability and speed
6. Electra Townie Go 8D Men’s E-Bike
Max Speed: 20 mph (32 kph) | Max Range: 20-100 mi | Tyres: 26”
Price: NZ$1,999
Though it uses a mechanical disc brake, the Electra Townie Go e-bike lets you ride easily with its 3 pedal assist feature. It is perfect for commutes to work or for hanging out with your cycling friends.
Shimano Tourney 8 gear settings let you climb steep hills or glide across winding roads smoothly. The 250W motor enables you to ride up to speeds of 20mph.
Meanwhile, the Bosch battery keeps you going for a lot of miles. If that happens, just dock it in and it only takes 6.5 hours to hit full charge again.
What’s more, you can track your speed, battery, and distance with the Bosch Purion display. Plus, the aluminium frame gives it a trim and lightweight design along with the 26” x 2.35” tyres.
Highlights
- Up to 20mph speed assist
- Can shift to 8 gear settings
- Distance runner bike
7. Giant Explore E+4 GTS E-bike
Max Speed: 20 mph (32 kph) | Tyres: 28”
Price: NZ$3144.15
This Giant Explore E+4 GTS lives in off-road paths with lots of turns and uneven ground. It’s also a great cargo bike if you add pannier mounts and water bottle holders.
Powered by the Smart EnergyPak 400, it can hit a top speed of 20mph. With a lot of bumps, drops, and air twists, you’ll be helped by a Shimano Altus groupset offering 9 shifting speeds.
It also boasts abrasion-resistant 28” tyres. As a result, it’s easy to ride even through mud, gravel, hills — across any type of ground!
The frame is an ALUXX aluminium frame that gives it a streamlined shape and light to steer and cycle on. The saddle is a little higher than others, specifically designed to mount over it when its cargo rack is full.
If you like an electric bike that is versatile and can pedal on the trail, road, or help you with errands or cargo, we recommend the Giant Explore E+4!
Highlights
- Versatile e-biking
- Has Smart EnergyPak battery
- 9 gear options to choose from
- Top speed of 20 mph
8. Cube Town Sport Hybrid One 400
Max Speed: 32 kmph | Max Range: 100 km | Tyres: Schwalbe Range Cruiser, Active, K-Guard, 47-622
Price: $4,199
Travel anywhere you want in style and comfort, with the Cube Town Sport Hybrid One. It is complete with all the features you may need in a bike, such as a rear carrier/pannier rack, mudguards, a kickstand, and most importantly, a lighting system.
Its Shimano 9 speed gear set is powerful enough to handle any kind of terrain, while its hydraulic disc brakes ensure that you’re always in control. With the Cube Town Sport Hybrid One, your daily commute or occasional adventures will be a breeze.
Highlights
- Bosch Active Line Plus drive unit
- 9-speed Shimano gears
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Fully-equipped (guards, carrier etc)
- Front suspension
That’s it for the best electric bikes in New Zealand! The products we listed here are the absolute best we can find on the island right now, whether in terms of tyres, brakes, motors, or design.
We didn’t include the folding bikes or cargo bikes because those belong to a different category, by the way. That said, at least one of our picks (the Giant Explore E+4) is designed so that you can set up a pannier rack for it.
If you have any questions, criticisms, or suggestions, please let us know. We’ll be happy to learn and, of course, happy to help you!
If you enjoyed this article, you might like to know about the best hoverboards in New Zealand too, by the way. They’re safe, fun, and a great gift for your kiddos this holiday season!