Best Ebikes Under $1200: 5 Affordable Electric Bikes for You

Are you looking for the best ebikes under $1200? Most brands try to keep their ebikes affordable, preferably under $1k. But some good options are available on the market for an extra $200. So, we have compiled a list of the best Ebikes under $1200 available in the US market in 2024.

We expect an electric bike under $1200 to have at least hydraulic disc brakes, a 500W motor, a Shimano Tourney drivetrain, a 720Wh integrated battery, and a reliable front suspension fork. With these expectations in mind, let’s explore the best electric bikes under $1200.

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Best Ebikes Under $1200: An Overview

Now, let’s look at some pros and cons offered by these electric bikes under $1200:

1. Heybike Cityrun

Pros:

• 55 Miles Maximum Range
• RSX Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Hydraulic Suspension Fork
• Adaptive Headlight
• App Support
• Turn Signals

Cons:

• Top Speed limited to 21 mph
• Shimano Tourney Drivetrain

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2. Ride1Up Portola

Pros:

• 750W Motor
• 8-speed Shimano Altus
• Foldable Frame
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Front Suspension Fork

Cons:

• No App Support
• Very Basic Display

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3. Lectric XP 3.0

Pros:

• 65 Miles Maximum Range
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Front Suspension Fork
• 150 lbs Rear Rack Capacity
• Available in both Step-over & Step-thru Folding Frames

Cons:

• Shimano Tourney Drivetrain
• Relatively difficult to detach the battery

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4. Aventon Pace 500.2

Pros:

• 8-speed Shimano Altus
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• App Support

Cons:

• No Suspension
• Fenders & Rear Rack are not included

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5. Ride1Up Roadster

Pros:

• Ultralight at just 33lbs
• Single-speed Belt Drive
• Minimalist, Elegant Design

Cons:

• No Suspension
• 350W Motor
• No Throttle
• Just 30 Miles Max Range
• Dual Pivot Brakes
• Non-removable Battery

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Let’s dive into the detailed specs and review of each ebike under $1200 on our list.

1. Heybike Cityrun: Overall Best Electric Bike Under $1200

Specifications:

One-minute Review:

Heybike Cityrun is our pick for the best ebike under $1200. We are impressed with the overall package this ebike has to offer.

The Heybike Cityrun features a 500W rear hub motor with 800W of peak power on offer. Then there is an integrated 48V 15Ah battery that you can conveniently detach from the bike with the help of a key. The bike offers a maximum range of 55 miles on the pedal assist.

The RSX hydraulic disc brakes are exactly what we expect from an ebike in this price range. For extra comfort, the Cityrun features a hydraulic suspension fork as well. The 26” x 2.5” tires are perfect for a commuter ebike like Cityrun. A 7-speed Shimano drivetrain offers a smooth transmission on this $1200 electric bike.

But the best feature here is the app support that you get with the Heybike Cityrun. With a dedicated app, you can customize your riding experience by tweaking important settings like PAS level and top speed. You can even turn the ebike on and off with the app.

Adaptive headlights, turn signals, and 4Ah fast charging are some other features worth highlighting here. All the essential accessories like fenders and rear rack come with the ebike so you don’t need to pay anything extra!

Let’s talk about the cons now. The top speed on this cruiser ebike is limited to 21 mph even though the bike features a 500W motor. We also don’t like the seat on this ebike and we highly recommend that you get a comfortable saddle if you decide to go with this ebike.

Overall, the Heybike Cityrun is the best full-size electric bike under $1200 and is perfect for your regular commute. The RSX hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic front suspension, app support, turn signals, durable step-through frame, and a big battery pack make it worth your investment.

2. Ride1Up Portola: Best Folding Ebike Under $1200

Specifications:

One-minute Review:

If you need a folding ebike, Ride1Up Portola is the best electric bike under $1200 on the market in 2024. The Portola features a massive 750W rear hub motor with 65nm of torque on offer. The torque is enough to accelerate you to a top speed of 28 mph on the pedal-assist mode.

Ride1Up offers the Portola with 2 different battery options but we are considering the long-range model here. The 48V 13.4Ah battery pack has enough juice to power you for up to 45 miles. Hydraulic disc brakes and front fork suspension are also present on this folding ebike making your rides comfortable.

You’ll be surprised to know that Ride1Up is offering an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur with a trigger shifter on this affordable folding ebike. This drivetrain offers a smoother riding experience than Shimano Tourney and is generally seen in more expensive ebikes.

The integrated rear rack is quite durable as well and you can get a passenger kit from Ride1Up in case you need to carry a child. The rear rack can support a maximum load of 130 lbs.

The frame is completely foldable as the handlebars and paddles also fold along with the main frame. The 20”x3” tires make it an all-terrain ebike and the step-thru frame is ideal for short riders as well.

Although Ride1Up Portola is a great ebike under $1200, there are some downsides we want to highlight here. In comparison to our first recommendation, you are missing out on the app support that Heybike Cityrun has to offer. The display is very basic and the range doesn’t impress us either. Finally, 59 lbs is still a little too heavy for a folding ebike.

But if you are looking for a folding ebike under $1200, you won’t get anything better than the Ride1Up Portola.

3. Lectric XP 3.0: Best Ebike Under $1200 for 2 Adults

Specifications:

One-minute Review:

If you need an ebike under $1200 that can carry a passenger as well, the Lectric XP 3.0 is the best option you have.

With a 500W sustained (1000W peak) rear hub motor, the Lectric XP 3.0 offers 55Nm of torque with a top speed of 28mph on the pedal assist. The rear rack is sturdy enough to support 150 lbs of weight and an optional passenger kit makes the experience even more comfortable.

Unlike the Ride1Up Portola, Lectric offers both step-over and step-through frames for the XP 3.0. The frame, however, is not very lightweight as the ebike weighs 64 lbs with the battery. Moreover, you need to fold the ebike before you can detach the battery in XP 3.0. This process is a lot easier in the case of Ride1Up Portola.

But the Lectric XP 3.0 offers a better range than the Ride1Up Portola as you are looking at solid 65 miles in the pedal-assist mode. Lectric is very upfront about the range of its ebike and you can see the expected range of each pedal-assist setting.

Although Lectric XP 3.0 has hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors, the drivetrain is not as appealing if you compare it with the Ride1Up Portola. The backlit LCD on XP 3.0, however, is better than the basic display you get with the Portola. You can also read our full comparison if you are confused between these two folding ebikes.

Relevant Read: Ride1Up Portola vs Lectric XP 3.0

Overall, Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the best electric bikes under $1200 and is your only option if you also need to carry a kid or adult with you.

4. Aventon Pace 500.2: Best Cruiser Ebike Under $1200

Specifications:

One-minute Review:

The next option on our list of the best ebikes under $1200 is a cruiser from Aventon, one of the most well-known ebike brands in the US.

The Aventon Pace 500.2 is currently on sale and offers some decent features with an affordable price tag. Unlike the Heybike Cityrun, this class-3 ebike can accelerate you to a top speed of 28mph. It also features the 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain which is better than the Tourney derailleur.

Hydraulic disc brakes and app support are some other features we like in this cruiser ebike. The Aventon Pace 500.2 is also pretty lightweight at just 52 lbs.

But there are some downsides to this ebike as well. There is no suspension on this ebike so the rides won’t be comfortable on bumpy terrain. Moreover, you need to purchase fenders and a rear rack separately if you go with the Pace 500.2.

5. Ride1Up Roadster v2: Best Lightweight Electric Bike Under $1200

Specifications:

One-minute Review:

Our final option is for people who need a lightweight ebike under $1200 with a minimalist and elegant design.

The Ride1Up Roadster v2 weighs just 33 lbs and comes with a beautiful aluminum alloy frame with a concealed battery. This ebike needs very little maintenance since it features a single-speed belt drive.

The 350W rear hub motor is powerful enough to offer a top speed of 24 mph on this class-3 ebike. The 36V 7 Ah battery offers a 30-mile maximum range on pedal assist.

But there are some key features you’ll be missing in this lightweight cruiser ebike. This ebike comes with Tektro dual pivot brakes instead of hydraulic disc brakes which our top four recommendations have. Moreover, there is no suspension on this ebike as well.

There is no throttle option either and the battery is not detachable. If there is an issue with the battery, you can remove the battery after a bit of a hassle.

Even after considering these downsides, Ride1Up Roadster v2 is the best lightweight electric bike under $1200 on the market. Can you think of any other 33 lbs ebike in this price range? We already know the answer.

So if you need a lightweight ebike that comes with all the basic features, Ride1Up Roadster v2 is the best option you have. If you cannot miss out on throttle, the Gravel Roadster v2 may be the option you are looking for.