Best Class 3 Electric Bikes – Are Class 3 E-bikes The Best Choice For You? Let’s Find Out!

Immediately after I first saw this model, I thought I was dealing with a futuristic scooter - one that can only be seen in sci-fi movies! 

Before the positives, the only thing I need to address is that I took one look at this e-bike’s cost before buying it and thought it was on the pricier side. But, once I dove into the features, as you will in a moment, I realized that additional spending was relatively justified.

Hardcore electric road bike enthusiasts are well aware of why this model bears the name CityScrambler - being one of the best long-range e-bikes currently available on the market, it offers low-maintenance urban explorations that will last approximately 45 miles.

The same can't be said for many bikes bearing the Class 3 title, as their maximum range depends on several factors, most notably the rider's weight, level of assist, type of terrain, and incline. By combining the street tires and mag wheels - CityScrambler can effortlessly provide you with 45 miles of range, as long as you don't overstep the maximum weight of 275 pounds.

However, during my live tests - the battery couldn’t push above the 40-mile range mark, which shouldn’t be an issue even for those that enjoy long rides. Of course, none of this wouldn't be possible without a 750W rear hub motor that's custom-made specifically for the CityScrambler. Those ambitious riding routes you have dreamt of for so long can finally be realized!

Remember that this e-bike is a powerful machine and that beginners might have difficulties riding it for extended periods if they have little to no experience.

I was particularly intrigued by the fact that all the steep hills I encountered while riding this electric bicycle were steadily conquered without hindering the max speed of 28 mph.

We can thank the ingenuity behind the 52V/13.0Ah removable battery that supplies the previously mentioned motor with the necessary power to bring forth superb hill-climbing torque. Just like the motor - the Star Union hydraulic disc brakes are custom-made specifically for the CityScrambler so that you can enjoy a more sophisticated braking experience.

Regardless of their e-biking experience, most people didn’t hear about the Star-Union manufacturer - I can assure you that their disc brakes have proven themselves over and over during all of my test runs.

Most of the competition doesn't pay attention to these minor details, which have proven themselves as major deal makers or breakers when considering the riding experience as a whole. Because of that, regular mechanical disc brakes can't come even close to the hydraulic ones found on all CityScrambler units.

More stuff that I found most pleasing about this e-bike:

A backlit LCD display has proven itself marvelously during day and night, as I could see every single bit of information presented on display, regardless of how bright the day or dark the night was.

Alongside the standard real-time metrics and customizable parameters, you can delve into several excellent modes, such as the five riding ones, battery-saving ECO mode, easy-pedaling mode, Sport and Race modes, and many more. The LCD display is controlled by two buttons, each carrying the designated sign of “+” or “-.”

Of course, the LCD display presents the e-bike's battery life at all times, providing the necessary information regarding how long you can continue cycling before the battery runs out.

Lastly, the convenient and intuitive twist throttle available on the CityScrabler was a joy to deal with, as I could effortlessly mix regular pedaling and accelerating with the throttle whenever I desired more motor assistance.

In its folded state, I measured the following: 18 X 37 X 27 inches - an entire cut in half from its original size, which marks this e-bike as one of the most impressive Class 3 units currently available on the market.

Many enthusiasts are skeptical about the low price tag, as most believe that several key aspects need to be brought down severely in terms of quality so that sales can be made efficiently.

However, once I began my first test run with the Lectric XP 2, I immediately noticed the perfect balance between the engine and the battery.

Climbing all steep hills with minimal resistance was made possible with the 500W - 1000W peak rear hub motor that offers 55nm of torque. It's an amazing feeling having control over such a powerful machine, especially considering that 500 Watts is often more than enough.

With five assist levels, you can safely manage how far and how fast you are trying to go - the maximum range will leave you somewhere around 45 miles, whereas the minimum of 20-25 miles is to be expected once you use the highest pedal-assist (level 5) and heavy throttle.

Don't worry; 20-25 miles of range during the highest pedal assist is still a phenomenal feat made possible by combining the motor with a 48V 9.6 Ah battery hidden from eyesight within the frame.

After several tests, I concluded that there was no need to charge the battery for longer than 5 hours - once the 5-hour mark was reached, the battery was full and ready to go. The battery usually runs out of power immediately after cycling for 40 miles, so keep track of that if you decide to purchase this model!

Unfortunately, brakes aren't particularly amazing, as they are just mechanical disc brakes - however, they will always perform a full stop in a matter of seconds, regardless of how fast you might travel once you decide to slow down or stop the e-bike.

As far as other accessories are concerned - I found that the suspension seat post works phenomenally in all situations, not to mention the large built-in LCD display, which shows all of the necessary info like your current speed, battery level, and pedal assist levels.

Both kids and fully grown people that exceed 6 feet in length can enjoy riding on this e-bike, as long as you pay close attention to the exact size of the bike, as the Aventon Pace 500 comes in three different sizes.

The comfort level remains even in the fastest accelerations, which is capped at 28mph by the powerful 500W geared hub motor.

It didn't take me too long to notice that the cadence sensors were performing flawlessly, as they provided assistance momentarily after I issued the command. However, the lack of torque sensors was a bummer, as it can drastically affect the battery life.

Speaking of the battery - the 48V 12.8Ah Lithium-Ion battery is packed with Samsung cells, which proves their quality tenfold. To bring the battery capacity to the fullest, you'll need to charge it for at least 4 hours, which is an exceptional feat on its own.

Of course, with a superb battery, there needs to be a robust and reliable brake system that will ensure your safety whenever you decide to slow down - with hydraulic brakes, you won't need to worry about such things!

The manufacturer stayed true to their self-proclaimed 40 miles of range - after several test runs, I concur that it’s possible to reach the 40-mile mark.

From casual city riding all the way to intense country roads, the Shimano 8-speed drivetrain will provide a seamless and smooth transition between all gears.

As a last side note, I noticed that engaging the throttle was only possible if you turned on the pedals first, which left me surprised, more on the negative side than on the positive.