Assuming Americans will receive some amount of stimulus money, possibly before we all die of old age, here are some bikes, both electric and non-electric that can be bought for around $600. Also added are very good electric bikes for under $1500 because that’s probably about how much you really need to spend to get a good quality electric bike. There are good quality non-electric bikes well under $1500 though. So, here we go.
Electric Bikes for Around $600
It’s hard to find an electric bike worth buying at around the $600 price point but there are a few that might suite your needs. The brands Ecotric and Ancheer come to mind as budget friendly options that generally have a good track record.
These are all found on Amazon, though you may be able to find them elsewhere. Things to keep in mind when choosing an electric bike at any price is the availability of replacement parts, especially the battery.
E-bike batteries typically last 2-4 years before needing rebuilt or replaced. So, you’ll want to choose a company that will be around in the years to come. If you’re not certain on that, at least get a bike with a non-proprietary battery.
Luckily, many budget friendly ebikes use standard components that can be purchased online from a wide variety of outlets. Batteries that are attached to the frame and not inside the frame are usually easier to find replacements for.
I’d also recommend choosing a bike that comes mostly assembled since you’ll likely be doing the assembly yourself. Most ebikes come at least 85% assembled. You’ll probably have to put on the handlebars, front wheel and pedals which isn’t difficult but the bike might need some fine-tuning such as brake and derailleur adjustments. Spokes may also need adjusting if the wheels are a little out of balance which is common with a bike that’s been shipped halfway across the planet.
Below are some decent options I found on Amazon. I tried to find ones with good legit reviews and/or good specs for the money. If you have an ad blocker on you might not see their pictures.
Ecotric Electric City Bike
-36 V 9 Ah Battery
-350 Watt Motor
-7-speed
-26″ Wheels
-Max Speed: 20 MPH
-Pedal Assist and Throttle
-Max Load Capacity: 220 lbs
-Rider Height: Doesn’t list but with a min seat height of 34.25″ and a standover height of 28.15″ this isn’t a bike for petite riders.
-Range: 20 Miles
View Price and Availability on Amazon
ANCHEER Electric Mountain Bike
-36 V 10 Ah Battery
-350 Watt Motor
-21-Speed
-26″ Wheels
-Max Speed: 20 MPH
-Pedal Assist and Throttle
-Max Load Capacity: 300 lbs
-Range: Up to 40 miles
View Price and Availability on Amazon
ANCHEER Folding Electric Bike
-36 V 8 Ah Battery
-250 Watt Motor
-20″ Wheels
-Max Speed: 17 MPH
-Pedal Assist and Throttle
-Max Rider Weight: 300 lbs
-Rider Height: 5’1″-6’3″
-Range: Up to 30 Miles
View Price and Availability on Amazon
Nakto Trek Power 16″ Folding Electric Bike
-36 V 10 Ah Battery
-250 Watt Motor
-16″ Wheels
-Max Speed: 18 MPH
-Pedal Assist and Throttle
-Max Rider Weight: 200 lbs
-Rider Height: Not listed but good for shorter riders
-Range: Up to 15 Miles
View Price and Availability on Amazon
With 16″ wheels this a bike that is best suited for shorter and lighter riders but should be peppy and fun to ride. It will also fit in smaller spaces than 20″ folding bikes.
Nakto Trek Power 20″ Electric Bike
-36 V 10 Ah Battery
-250 Watt Motor
-20″ Wheels
-Max Speed: 20 MPH
-Pedal Assist and Throttle
-Max Load Capacity: 300 lbs
-Rider Height: 4’9″-6’6″
View Price and Availability on Amazon
If none of these options float your boat, and you’re willing to spend more you can get the very popular Lectric XP which has an almost cult-like following consisting of retired folks, RV’ers, and even younger folks who like the speed the bike offers.
You can catch the Lectric XP on sale for $899 at times, otherwise it goes for $999. This will give you a bike capable of speeds of up to 28 mph, fat tires for greater stability and shock absorption, a 500 watt motor, and a 48 volt battery.
If you’re willing to spend over $1000 there are better options that you’ll likely be happier with long term. Rad Power Bikes has several models priced below $1500 including the very popular RadCity, RadRunner and RadMini Step-Thru. Rad is known for very good customer service, and they have a very large customer base to seek advice from.
I enjoyed my RadRunner 1 very much and I have missed it but I can only keep so many bikes and have to sell many that I review… since I’m not made out of money. If you can spend a little over $1500 I’d recommend the RadRunner Plus since it has front suspension and more than one gear but even the base RadRunner is a fun versatile bike that is also capable of carrying a passenger.
My personal favorite affordable ebike is the 700 ST from Ride1Up. It goes for about $1500, but it offers a lot for the money. Ride1Up is also very popular amongst ebikers. This has really become my favorite go-to ebike.
Himiway has many bikes very similar to Rad Power Bikes but often times for a little better price. My husband enjoys his Himiway Step-Thru Cruiser. The bike is a beast! The 26″x4″ tires can go through about anything. This is also a very good option for heavier riders as it supports up to 350 lbs. It also has a large capacity 48 V 17.5 Ah Samsung battery for good range.
Good Quality Non-Electric Bikes for Around $600
If you’re wanting a non-electric bike but better quality than what you’ll find normally at Walmart, there are some very good options for around $600.
Once you get up into the $600+ range with non-electric bikes you can expect quality name brand components from Shimano and/or Tektro. You might even find a bike offering hydraulic disc brakes at this price point. The three big bike makers Trek, Giant and Specialized have options in this price range.
A chose the options below based on similar price and because they have very similar components. These are also multipurpose bikes which will be ideal for most riders who want a better quality bike that should last for several years.
Advantages of going with one of the three big makers is that they all have local dealers that you’ll likely be able to find close to where you live. These are bikes that you should be able to test ride and see in person before buying. You can also be measured for the right size frame. They’ll also assemble and fine tune the bike for you which is a very important thing to consider. It’s not always easy for a novice to get the brakes and gears operating smoothly.
Probably the best thing about going with one of the three big bike makers is that they offer several sizes for their various models. That’s usually not an option with a cheaper online only bike brand. After all what good is a bike if it’s too big or small for the rider?
Of course, buying from a local dealer means ongoing customer service plus you’ll be supporting a local business which is great.
A good entry level for Trek is the Marlin models for both men and women. With a Shimano drivetrain and front suspension this is a very good entry level name brand bike that you’ll likely be able to find a good local dealer to offer ongoing support and parts.
If you plan to go with Giant, the Roam is a comparable option to the Trek Marlin. Giant also has their Liv sister company which specializes in women’s bikes and these aren’t just men’s bikes painted pink. Instead, the geometry of the bikes are designed specifically for women’s bodies. For example, the reach to the handlebars is designed to be more ideal for most women. A great affordable option in the Liv lineup is the Rove.
For Specialized, the various models in their Rockhopper series offer good quality components and a bike that is capable on pavement and can handle some light off-roading. It’s also available with different wheel and frame sizes, so you can get a more custom bike that will be ideal for both your height and riding style.
Outside of the three big bike brands are other options. Things to look for on any bike are the type of components used for the derailleur, shifters, and brakes. Shimano and Tektro are both very reliable brands found on nearly all quality bikes. You’ll be able to find replacement parts for Shimano and Tektro very easily.
So what did I get for my $600 stimulus check that I might get eventually? I chose Polygon, a company I admittedly knew nothing about before deciding to take a chance on. Their Cleo 2, a women’s mountain bike appealed to me because I loved the frame style. It’s also offered in an extra-small frame which I need for my 5’1″ height and has the components I’d want from a bike at this price point including hydraulic brakes. I’ll be writing a full review of this bike soon.
The options above from Trek, Giant, or Specialized would have also been a good choice.
For an electric bike, you’re taking more of a chance on durability and quality when spending around $600. You’ll likely be buying from a strictly online company but for a budget friendly ebike Ecotric, Ancheer, and Nakto are fairly safe bets. They can be found on Amazon which offers some buyer protection of their own, especially for Prime members. Of the three, Ecotric seems to use standard components that are easy to find. I’ve also found several positive customer reviews for Ecotric.
For non-electric bikes there are very good options at this price point that also come with local service.
Now if Congress decided to be more generous and ups our stimulus checks, I’ll recommend some bikes at a little higher price point.
