Buying guide
Best electric bikes under £1,000
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Carpat GB1: EN 15194, Shimano hydraulic discs
The listing states EN 15194 certification, plus REACH, RoHS and UN 38.3 compliance.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
LOOKRUN G11: 14 in folder, 2-year warranty
The listing states a 250 W, 45 Nm motor with a 25 km/h top speed.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
SAMEBIKE XD26-II: 672 Wh, 180 mm hydraulics
672 Wh battery with up to 100 km claimed in pedal-assist mode.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
This is the busiest part of the UK e-bike market, and the listings vary wildly. Some bikes sold here have bigger motors or throttles that make them illegal on public roads, so every bike in this guide has a listing that states a 250 W motor and pedal assistance up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph), with no throttle or electric-only mode. Within that, the things that separate a good buy are battery size, brakes (hydraulic discs need less adjustment than cable discs), a gear range for hills, weight, and how long the warranty runs on the motor and battery. Spare parts and support matter too, since budget brands rarely have shops on the high street. We compare seven bikes on those points, using only what each maker lists, and flag where a listing leaves something out.
All products compared
- Carpat GB1: EN 15194, Shimano hydraulic discs
- Battery
- 374.4 Wh
- Brakes
- Shimano hydraulic disc
- Gears
- Shimano Altus 7-speed
- Weight
- 28.6 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - SAMEBIKE XD26-II: 672 Wh, 180 mm hydraulics
- Battery
- 672 Wh
- Brakes
- 180 mm hydraulic disc
- Gears
- 7-speed
- Weight
- 29 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - SAMEBIKE RS-A01MEN: 540 Wh, 50 Nm
- Battery
- 540 Wh
- Brakes
- 160 mm mechanical disc
- Gears
- 7-speed
- Weight
- 29 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - SAMEBIKE LO26-II: folding 26 in, 21 gears
- Battery
- 48 V 14 Ah
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc
- Gears
- 21-speed
- Weight
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - COLORWAY BK15M: 720 Wh fat tyre pedelec
- Battery
- 720 Wh
- Brakes
- Front and rear disc
- Gears
- 7-speed
- Weight
- 30 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - FabricBike Volt: 16.5 kg folder, 2 years
- Battery
- 250 Wh
- Brakes
- Disc
- Gears
- Single speed
- Weight
- 16.5 kg
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - LOOKRUN G11: 14 in folder, 2-year warranty
- Battery
- 48 V 13 Ah
- Brakes
- Mechanical disc
- Gears
- Not stated
- Weight
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Battery | Brakes | Gears | Weight | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpat GB1: EN 15194, Shimano hydraulic discs | 374.4 Wh | Shimano hydraulic disc | Shimano Altus 7-speed | 28.6 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| SAMEBIKE XD26-II: 672 Wh, 180 mm hydraulics | 672 Wh | 180 mm hydraulic disc | 7-speed | 29 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| SAMEBIKE RS-A01MEN: 540 Wh, 50 Nm | 540 Wh | 160 mm mechanical disc | 7-speed | 29 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| SAMEBIKE LO26-II: folding 26 in, 21 gears | 48 V 14 Ah | Hydraulic disc | 21-speed | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| COLORWAY BK15M: 720 Wh fat tyre pedelec | 720 Wh | Front and rear disc | 7-speed | 30 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| FabricBike Volt: 16.5 kg folder, 2 years | 250 Wh | Disc | Single speed | 16.5 kg | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| LOOKRUN G11: 14 in folder, 2-year warranty | 48 V 13 Ah | Mechanical disc | Not stated | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Carpat
Carpat GB1: EN 15194, Shimano hydraulic discs
A 27.5 inch e-bike certified to EN 15194 with branded Shimano brakes and gears. The clearest choice on compliance and parts in this price band.
In its favour
- The listing states EN 15194 certification, plus REACH, RoHS and UN 38.3 compliance.
- Named Shimano hydraulic brakes and Altus derailleur are widely stocked parts in UK bike shops.
- Five assist levels up to 25 km/h and walk assist up to 6 km/h from a 250 W hub motor.
Good to know
- The 374.4 Wh battery is modest and no range figure is given.
- 28.6 kg with a high tensile steel frame makes it heavy to carry.
Listing title: GB1 27.5" Road-Legal Electric Mountain Bike
No. 2 · SAMEBIKE
SAMEBIKE XD26-II: 672 Wh, 180 mm hydraulics
A dual-suspension fat tyre e-bike with a 672 Wh battery and 180 mm hydraulic brakes. Big battery and strong brakes for the money.
In its favour
- 672 Wh battery with up to 100 km claimed in pedal-assist mode.
- 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes are the largest rotors in this group.
- One-year warranty covering motor, battery and controller, with UK after-sales support stated.
Good to know
- At 29 kg it is heavy to lift up steps or onto a rack.
- Fat tyres add rolling resistance on smooth commutes.
Listing title: SAMEBIKE Electric Bike for Adults Men Women, 250W Pedal Assist E-Bike,...
No. 3 · SAMEBIKE
SAMEBIKE RS-A01MEN: 540 Wh, 50 Nm
A 27.5 inch hardtail with a 540 Wh battery and 50 Nm motor that the maker says sticks to the 15.5 mph UK limit. A big battery for the money.
In its favour
- A 540 Wh battery with a claimed 90 to 120 km range, among the largest in this group.
- The listing states 250 W, 50 Nm and the 15.5 mph UK legal limit.
- Brake-activated rear light, 3 W front light and a USB port are included.
Good to know
- Brakes are mechanical rather than hydraulic, so expect more cable adjustment.
- At 29 kg it is heavy, and the listing says the rear is a hardtail despite a dual-suspension title.
Listing title: SAMEBIKE Electric Mountain Bike for Adults 24"/27.5" - 90km Range 540W...
No. 4 · SAMEBIKE
SAMEBIKE LO26-II: folding 26 in, 21 gears
A full-size 26 inch folding bike with full suspension, hydraulic brakes and 21 gears. Folds to 102 cm for a car boot or train.
In its favour
- The listing states a 250 W rear hub motor reaching 25 km/h and calls it UK road legal.
- 21 gears and hydraulic disc brakes are unusual on a folding bike, per the listing.
- A step-through frame and adjustable saddle suit riders from 1.6 m to 2.1 m.
Good to know
- Weight is not stated, and full-size folders tend to be heavy.
- The rider plus cargo limit is quoted as 120 kg in one place and 150 kg in another.
Listing title: SAMEBIKE Electric Bike for Adults 48V, 26” Folding Electric Bike with ...
No. 5 · COLORWAY
COLORWAY BK15M: 720 Wh fat tyre pedelec
A 26 x 4.0 inch fat tyre pedelec with a 720 Wh removable battery. The listing stresses that you must pedal for the motor to help.
In its favour
- The listing states 250 W with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, activated only by pedalling.
- 720 Wh is the largest battery in this guide.
- Integrated front light and an LCD showing speed, battery and assist level.
Good to know
- At 30 kg it is the heaviest bike in this guide.
- Warranty length is not stated, and brake type is given only as disc.
Listing title: COLORWAY 26" 4.0 Fat Tyre Electric Mountain Bike 250W Pedelec for Adul...
No. 6 · FabricBike
FabricBike Volt: 16.5 kg folder, 2 years
A 16.5 kg 20 inch folder with a 250 W motor and 25 km/h limit. The lightest and the only one here with a two-year warranty.
In its favour
- Two-year manufacturer warranty, longer than every other bike in this guide.
- At 16.5 kg and folding to 86 x 50 x 71 cm it is easy to carry and store.
- The listing states 250 W and assistance up to 25 km/h.
Good to know
- Single-speed with a small 250 Wh battery, so it suits short flat trips.
- Rigid frame with no suspension on 20 inch wheels.
Listing title: FabricBike Volt - Folding Electric Bike, 20 inch Adult Electric Bike, ...
No. 7 · LOOKRUN
LOOKRUN G11: 14 in folder, 2-year warranty
A low-cost 14 inch folding e-bike with a 250 W, 45 Nm motor, a 25 km/h top speed and an IP65 rating. For short flat urban trips.
In its favour
- The listing states a 250 W, 45 Nm motor with a 25 km/h top speed.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty and a claimed IP65 water resistance rating.
- Folds for storage, with front and rear mechanical disc brakes.
Good to know
- Neither weight nor folded size is stated in the listing.
- Small 14 inch wheels and no listed gears suit flat riding only.
Listing title: Folding e-bike, 48V 13AH Battery, 14'*2.1' Tire, Max 25km/h Speed, 45-...
Read before you buy
- What is an electric hybrid bike?An electric hybrid bike is a hybrid frame with a pedal-assist motor. Here is what that means and how it differs from city, trekking and road e-bikes.
- What e-bike should I buy?What e-bike should you buy? A short decision path by journey, storage and terrain that points you to the right type of e-bike and the guide to read next.
- UK e-bike law explainedThe EAPC rules for e-bikes in Great Britain: 250 W motor, assistance to 15.5 mph, pedal assist only, a rider age of 14 and what happens if a bike goes beyond them.
- UK e-bike law changes: what has changed and what is proposedHow UK e-bike rules changed in 2015 and 2016, why proposals and enforcement news come up, and how to check gov.uk for the rules in force before you buy or ride.
- Torque sensor vs cadence sensorHow torque and cadence sensors decide when an e-bike motor helps, why it changes the feel at junctions and on climbs, and which suits commuting, hills and range.
More buying guides: City and hybrid e-bikes
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