Here in the Pacific Northwest, spring has arrived. Yes, it’s just a false spring and by the end of the week we’ll be sullen in the cold, rainy weather again. But for now, with the sun beating down on our gleaming white vampire limbs, we’re frantically preparing for summer picnics, hanging by the lake, and of course, lots of biking.
This makes this year’s TrekFest perfectly timed. Trek is having its biggest sale of the year from March 15 to April 30, and we noticed that the Trek FX+ 2, our top e-bike that most people recommend, is $500 off. One of our favorite electric mountain bikes, the Trek Fuel EXe, is also $1,000 off. You can also shop the rest of the sale here – there are discounts on helmets and lights too.
As always, if you don’t see anything you like or need here, don’t forget to check out our guides to the best electric bikes , best bike accessories , and best bike locks .
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Best electric bike deals
If you came to me and said, “I want an electric bike, but I’ve never ridden one before,” there are a few items I would consider. You probably don’t want a direct-to-consumer 65-pound behemoth that will crush you when stationary or require you to learn how to adjust the hydraulic brakes yourself. At just 40 pounds, the Trek FX+ 2 (8/10, recommended by WIRED) is a relatively light aluminum urban commuter built by a company with an extensive network of retailers who can help you if something goes wrong. To help you. I’ve been testing e-bikes for years, and this was the first and only bike my 60-something dad grabbed me to ride around after my kids.
Before you murder me, I have to say that if you’re into mountain biking, $5,500 is not a crazy price for a full-suspension ultralight bike—even without an electric motor. Trek is selling several different models. This is the most affordable version; as the price increases, so does the quality of the components. However, the bike still has a carbon fiber frame, a quiet motor, and the same specs as the model I tested. The modest 250-watt motor is enough to keep up with your friends on the uphill climbs so you can enjoy the downhill ride together.
If you dig your helmet out of the garage and find that the foam has quietly rotted away over the winter, you need a new one. This is an affordable helmet produced by Bontrager, a subsidiary of Trek. It features MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which allows the helmet to slide relative to the brain and deflect impact forces.