What to check on a cheap moped-style e-bike
The card shows the price; the spec sheet shows what that price buys. On a cheap moped-style e-bike, read it for the battery, the brakes and suspension, the tires, and the weight and max load.
Battery: size, and whether it comes out
Range starts with battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh), and each range below is the brand's own figure. The Riding'times Z8 carries a removable 48V 15.6Ah battery (750 Wh), listed at 80–97 km with pedal assist and 40–80 km on throttle alone. The Z8's two-battery Pro version (2 × 48V 15.6Ah) is listed at 161–193 km with pedal assist and 80–121 km on the throttle.
A battery that comes off can charge indoors while the bike stays parked, and the Smartravel Explorer DK400's battery is removable too. In winter, bring a removable battery in after every ride and wait until it reaches room temperature before you plug it in, as our guide to fat tire e-bikes in Canadian winters advises.
Brakes and suspension
Check the brake type on each spec sheet: hydraulic disc or mechanical disc. The Z8 has mechanical discs at both wheels and an electronic brake. Its suspension combines a double-spring rear with an aluminum hydraulic front fork (170 mm of travel); the Pro version uses a rear hydraulic shock. The Explorer DK400 pairs a hydraulic front fork with a rear shock absorber. For more bikes with front and rear suspension, browse our full-suspension e-bikes.
Tires, weight and load
The Z8 and the Explorer DK400 both roll on 20 x 4.0 in fat tires; the Explorer DK400's tires add puncture protection. Smartravel lists the Explorer DK400 at 31.0 kg, with a Shimano 7-speed. If a spec sheet lists no weight, ask the brand or us before you plan on stairs or a car rack.
The Z8's compact moped-style frame comes with an extended seat, and Riding'times puts its max load at 150 kg, passenger included. Count rider, passenger and cargo as one total and stay within it.
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Questions
What is the cheapest moped-style e-bike?
Sort this page by price, low to high: the first card is then the cheapest moped-style e-bike here today. Prices can change, so the card always shows the current price in Canadian dollars, and shipping is free Canada-wide.
What should I check before buying a cheap moped-style e-bike?
Start with the battery: its capacity in Wh and whether it comes off. Then check the brake type, hydraulic or mechanical disc, the brand's max load and the bike's weight. The Riding'times Z8, for example, lists a removable 48V 15.6Ah battery and mechanical disc brakes on both wheels, plus an electronic brake.
Can you ride a cheap moped-style e-bike without pedalling?
Yes. The bikes on this page list a throttle, so you can ride on motor power alone and pedal only when you want to. Range is shorter that way: Riding'times lists the Z8 at 40–80 km using the throttle only, against 80–97 km with pedal assist. Both are the brand's figures.
How far can I ride on one charge?
Look at battery capacity in Wh first; the more the motor does, the sooner the battery runs down. Riding'times lists the Z8, with 750 Wh, at 80–97 km and the Z8's two-battery Pro version at 161–193 km, both with pedal assist. Those are brand figures. Plan on less in the cold: a cold lithium-ion battery delivers less of its stored energy until it warms up.
How much weight can a cheap moped-style e-bike carry?
Go by the brand's max load. Riding'times lists 150 kg for the Z8, passenger included, so the rider, any passenger and cargo all count toward it. The bike's own weight matters for stairs and car racks: Smartravel lists the Explorer DK400 at 31.0 kg. Not every spec sheet lists a weight or max load, so check each one before you buy.
