The Most Affordable Mid-Drive eBikes

What Are Mid-Drive eBikes

A mid-drive eBike has a motor positioned at the bottom bracket and crankset, providing different levels of pedal assistance to the rider. The assistance levels are a magnification of the rider’s pedaling effort. Mid-drive motors are often found on more expensive bikes as they cost more to manufacture. 

Pros of Mid-Drive eBikes

1. Mid-drive motors are more efficient and provide a more extended range than their hub-motor counterparts.
2. Mid-drive motors provide more natural pedal assistance for the rider. 
3. Low and centered positioning of the motor on the bike provides a balanced feel for the rider. This is especially beneficial for eMTBs or performance riders.
4. A mid-drive motor allows the rider to remove the rear wheel for maintenance without disconnecting electrical and drive connections.

Cons of Mid-Drive eBikes

1. More costly than comparable hub-drive eBikes
2. Aside from rare exceptions, mid-drive motors lack a throttle option.

Who Should Buy a Mid-Drive eBike?

Mid-drive eBikes deliver a great riding experience for riders who desire a more natural pedal feel. So if you ride on crowded bike paths and tight city streets, you get a more predictable ride. 

Similarly, if you are looking for an eBike to explore singletrack trails in the mountains, an eMTB with a mid-drive motor will give you a more balanced feel as you navigate over rocks and through creeks. 

Typically, mid-drive motors are featured on more premium eBikes, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable mid-drive options available. We’ve compiled a list of affordable mid-drive eBikes that fit your budget.

If you’re looking for a mid-drive eBike to ride all over town and explore the trails beyond, the Cube Acid hybrid is a very economical solution. 

Reasons to Buy

• You want an eBike for varied terrain that can do a little of everything
• 100mm front suspension and 2.35” tires provide a comfortable and stable ride
• It has an agile feel thanks to the frame-integrated battery and the mid-drive motor are both positioned low on the frame

Reason Not To Buy

• You want a dedicated utility bike. The Cube Acid Hybrid doesn’t come equipped with racks, fenders, and lights.
• Componentry is little light for hardcore mountain biking

Specs

• Motor: Bosch Performance Gen 3
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: Up to 45 mi (72 km)
• Drive: 4 modes of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: Bosch 400Wh
• Frame: Aluminum 6061
• Weight: 48.8 lbs (22 kg)
• Suspension: 100mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotor
• Wheels: 29” x 2.35” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - 6 years, Components - subject to manufacturer’s terms
• Color: Blue, Black

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The mid-drive Lectric XPremium is a feature-packed eBike at an attractive price.

Reasons to Buy

• The folding frame design makes it easy to store the XPremium in small spaces and transport it in your car. 
• Come equipped with everything you need for utilitarian riding in the city
• It has pedal assist or throttle power
• Dual battery option for longer range

Reasons Not To Buy

• It’s heavy at 75 lbs

Specs

• Motor: 800W peak mid-drive motor
• Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) 
• Range: 60 mi (97 km)
• Drive: 5 modes of pedal assist and throttle power
• Speeds: 7-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: 48V Dual battery options
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 75 lbs (34 kg)
• Suspension: 80mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotor
• Wheels: 20” x 4” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - 1 year
• Color: White, Black

If you are looking for a traditional eBike with European heritage, look no further than the Gazelle Medeo T9. 

Reasons to Buy

• A low step-through frame lets you ride comfortably in any attire. 
• Enjoy smooth pedal assistance with the Bosch Active Line motor and feel secure in all conditions with hydraulic disc brakes. 
• The Medeo T9 is equipped with a rack, fenders, lights, and a wheel lock, so you’ll have everything you need to ride in the city.

Reasons Not To Buy

• Tires are only 1.75” wide and don’t provide much cushion from bumps
• Battery is positioned high on rear rack which may affect bike handling

Specs

• Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus (50Nm)
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: 60 mi (97 km)
• Drive: 4 modes of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: 400Wh, 11A
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 48 lbs (22 kg)
• Suspension: 50mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotor
• Wheels: 28” x 1.75” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - 10 year
• Color: anthracite grey, champion red, iced blue

Dislike bike maintenance? The Evelo Galaxy 500 may be the bike for you. Carbon belt drive and automatic shifting make add a lot to the value of this eBike.

Reasons to Buy

• Gates carbon belt drive that lasts up to 4X longer than a conventional chain drivetrain. 
• Enviolo CVT internally geared hub has the option for automatic shifting
• The Dapu 500W motor has 90Nm of torque to make climbing hills easy
• Brown leather Selle Royale spring saddle and grips complement the metallic silver frame for an attractive aesthetic.

Reasons Not To Buy

• Not the fastest bike. Tops out at 20mph
• Can’t use panniers due to rear rack design
• Display is limited and doesn’t offer a USB charging option

Specs

• Motor: 500W Dapu mid-drive
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: 50 mi (80.5 km)
• Drive: 4 modes of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: 36V, 13Ah
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 46.8 lbs (21.2 kg)
• Suspension: Ridgid
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotor
• Wheels: 24” x 2.4” front/rear
• Warranty: 4 year
• Color: Metallic silver

Discover more of your city with the Giant Explore E+ 2 GTS. This commuter-focused eBike has a performance fit for the more active rider. 

Reasons to Buy

• Equipped with everything you need for utility riding in the city
• Powerful 500W battery
• Navigation feature built into display unit

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Reasons Not To Buy

• The 1.5” tires are limited to street riding
• Price is on the higher end for a hybrid eBike
• Heavy at nearly 60 lbs

Specs

• Motor: 250W Yamaha mid-drive with 60Nm of torque
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: 30-70 mi (48-112 km)
• Drive: Multiple modes of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: 500Wh, 36V, 13Ah
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 58.7 lbs (26.6 kg)
• Suspension: 63mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotor
• Wheels: 28” x 1.5” front/rear
• Warranty: 2 year
• Color: Satin Metallic Navy Blue

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The Electra Townie Go is a beach cruiser eBike with sophistication. Extra features like the wheel lock and internally geared hub add extra value to this townie cruiser.

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Reasons to Buy

• Quiet Bosch Active Line motor
• Hydraulic Brakes
• Flat Foot Technology lets you ride comfortably and fully put your feet down at stops without needing to get off the saddle. 
• Wheel lock for added security
• Internally geared hub for easy shifting and low maintenance

Reasons Not To Buy

• Limited range of 45 miles
• Pedal assist only, no throttle power

Specs

• Motor: 250W mid-drive 
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: Up to 45 mi (72 km)
• Drive: Multiple levels of pedal assist
• Speeds: 5-speed internal gear hub
• Battery: 36V 11Ah
• Frame: Aluminum 6061
• Weight: 55 lbs (25 kg)
• Max Weight Capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Suspension: Ridgid
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotor
• Wheels: 26” x 2.35” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - Lifetime, Components - 2 years
• Color: Jade, Cloud Grey, Green Tea, Glacier Blue, Ebony

Explore your favorite trails with the Orbea Keram 30 hybrid eBike. 

Reasons to Buy

• The 500 WH frame-integrated battery can be easily swapped out with a fresh battery for a longer range. 
• 100mm of front suspension gives you plenty of cushion for trails, cobblestones, and potholes. 

‍Reasons Not To Buy

• Doesn’t come equipped with lights, fenders or rack
• Limited to light trails, can be overwhelmed on rougher trails

Specs

• Motor: Bosch Active Line
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: Up to 44 mi (71 km)
• Drive: 4 levels of pedal assist
• Speeds: 10-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: 400Wh
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 53 lbs (24 kg)
• Suspension: 100mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotor
• Wheels: 29” x 2.35” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - Limited Lifetime
• Color: Black

Raleigh’s Motus Grand Tour mid-drive city eBike has creature comforts that deliver a more civilized ride. 

Reasons to Buy

• You’ll ride in silence with the ultra-quiet Bosch Active Line motor powered with a powerful 500Wh frame-integrated battery. 
• A suspension fork and seatpost combine to give you a smoother ride on bumpy urban terrain. 
• Enjoy an extra layer of security with the integrated wheel lock.
• Adjustable stem to perfect the fit

Reasons Not To Buy

• Narrow tires have a bumpy ride on rough streets
• On the expensive side for a city bike

‍Specs

• Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: Up to 100 mi (160 km)
• Drive: 4 levels of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: Bosch Power Tube 500Wh
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 54 lbs (24.5 kg)
• Suspension: 50mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 160 mm rotor
• Wheels: 28” x 1.75” front/rear
• Warranty: Frame - 5 year on the frame
• Color: Blue, Cream, Pine Green

Similar to the Cube Acid Hybrid and Orbea Karem 30, the Cube Reaction Performance Hybrid is a more premium and versatile hybrid eBike designed to tackle a variety of terrain. 

Reasons to Buy

• the 500Wh frame-integrated battery provides more power for the Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor
• When the conditions get wet, the full fenders will keep you dry and the hydraulic disc brakes will stop you securely. 
• If you’re looking for a performance-minded eBike that can do a little of everything, the Cube Reaction Performance Hybrid is a good option.

Reasons Not To Buy

• Expensive for a hybrid eBike
• Coil front suspension doesn’t provide as plush of feel as other forks
• Purion display is very basic

Specs

• Motor: Bosch Performance Line, 250W, 65Nm
• Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) 
• Range: 30-80 mi (48-129 km)
• Drive: 4 levels of pedal assist
• Speeds: 9-speed derailleur shifting
• Battery: Bosch PowerTube 400, 36V, 11Ah, 396Wh
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 53.8 lbs (24.4 kg)
• Suspension: 100mm front suspension
• Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotor
• Wheels: 29” x 2.35” front/rear
• Warranty: 2 Year Motor and Battery, 5 Year Frame
• Color: Matte Black with Gloss Black and Neon Green Accents