We here at WIRED are big fans of bikes, electric bikes, bike accessories, and any vehicles, policies, or infrastructure that advance active transportation. Getting people more active as they go about their daily business provides exercise, builds resilient, close-knit, mixed-income communities, and helps develop safer streets. As Portland, Oregon, school teacher and bike advocate Sam Balto once told me in an interview, active transportation rules. “It’s the shit! It’s the best!”
There are some great deals on electric bikes for Black Friday, meaning this is the perfect time to order your new ebike (or upgrade your existing one) and get started on your new commute plan after the holidays. Don’t see anything you like? Check out our Best Black Friday Deals and Black Friday Outdoor Deals lists, as well as our Black Friday shopping tips for advice.
WIRED tests products year-round and handpicked these deals based on the actual discounts, not just the discounts retailers claim to offer. Products that are sold out or no longer discounted as of publishing will be crossed out. We’ll update this guide through November.
Electric Bike Deals
Photograph: Specialized
We tested the premium version of this bike (8/10, WIRED Recommends) and loved it. The best way to describe it is that it’s one of Specialized’s cushiony, comfy mountain bikes that has been given a motor and some adjustments to make it an all-around quiver killer. This will be the most-used bike you own.
It’s annoying that your expensive electric cargo bike needs more accessories to make it safe and useful. Bunch Bikes’ holiday bundle lessens that sting with included lights, a bell, and additions. This huge-capacity bike was my husband’s and children’s favorite family cargo bike.
This is our best all-around affordable electric bike. Propella’s 7-speed bike (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the lightest, most efficient, and most comfortable in this category.
This is one of our favorite affordable electric cargo bikes. My husband rides this bike, and it’s powerful enough for me to ride on the back behind him without feeling wobbly or struggling up hills. It’s comfortable and astonishingly affordable for the specs. Every model that Lectric makes is on sale; my colleague Julian Chokkattu also likes the XP 3.0 (7/10, WIRED Recommends).
We’ve tried several Aventon models and appreciate the high level of quality for a relatively low price point. (The accessories are better than Lectric’s, too.) This fat-tire ebike (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is affordable, versatile, and has built-in commuter essentials. We also like the Soltera.2 ($999), and the Abound ($1599) is one of our favorite family cargo bikes. Both are also on sale.
Rad Power Bikes is one of the first direct-to-consumer ebike companies, and as such it has been the subject of some painful lawsuits as the market has grown. However, it’s still a very popular bike, very affordable, and very fun and easy to ride. All of their bikes are on sale, but most people I know ride the basic RadRunner, which is insanely powerful for the price, if a little unwieldy for smaller riders.
Photograph: Electra
Electra’s newest comfy cruiser (7/10, WIRED Review) is almost 20 pounds lighter than the last time I tested it, thanks to a new, super-lightweight motor. It’s beautiful, perfect for keeping up with my much faster husband, and now even more affordable.
Photograph: Jackrabbit
There are now two different versions of our favorite micro ebike (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is endlessly useful and fun for puttering around your neighborhood. There is no discount on the bike itself, but an extra battery extends the time between charges.
We’re still sorting out a full review on this bike, but what we can say is that we love REI’s e-mountain bike and that REI bikes generally have quality components, great service, and a more than fair price. I also have several friends who own this bike and are quite happy with it.
This is the affordable, DTC version of the now defunct VanMoof (8/10, WIRED Recommends). You get a stylish aluminum frame with a Bafang motor for not a lot of money. All of Wing’s bikes are currently on sale.
Ride1Up positions the Cafe Cruiser as its light, affordable daily cruiser (7/10, WIRED Recommends) but with a 750W motor and a 65-pound frame, it’s pretty big and powerful for an entry-level bike. Still, at this price (and for these specs!) it’s a pretty amazing value.
We’ve tested a number of GoTrax’s escooters but we like the company’s folding, step-through ebike as well. It has the usual pitfalls of a cheap folding ebike (heavy, awkward) but it has a decent 20-mile range and all the commuter essentials for well under $1,000.
Bike Accessory Deals
Photograph: Peak Design
We love pretty much everything Peak Design makes, which is amazing because almost everything is currently 10 to 15 percent off. The Universal Bar Mount snaps on and off your own bike or a last-minute rental scooter and is one of our Best MagSafe Accessories. It locks your phone in place with the Everyday Case (which is also on sale, unless you want the iPhone 15 or Pixel 8 versions). The bags are on sale today.
I’ve used Thule roof racks for years, but a hitch rack is easier and more versatile for getting you and your bike to that waterfront jaunt or friend’s house in the country. Thule is having a 20 percent off sale and there are many other types of racks available, as well as my favorite convertible multisport trailer.
In his review of the folding ebike Montague M-E1 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) reviews editor Julian Chokkattu referred to the M-E1 as “pretty darn close to perfection.” This is not an amazing deal, but if you have a folding ebike you were probably going to travel with it anyway.
