Today, we venture into the stratosphere of high-end retail e-bikes. If budget were no constraint, and your criteria were high-grade engineering, flagship components, and peak performance, where would that leave you?
We have curated a list of the most expensive, masterfully built e-bikes worldwide.
The High Speed Commuter
The Stromer ST7 is a Swiss masterclass in hyper-efficient commuting. Make no mistake, this elegant vehicle does not fall into the sleek commuter category. It is on the bulkier side and built for unyielding stability. Priced at a lavish £112,000, this pedelec must be registered, taxed, and insured in the UK for road use. However, it is legal out of the box in the US and EU. For an additional £1750, you can add front and rear suspension before you buy it.
All models run on a standard rear-hub bespoke Stromer SYNO Sport 2, which can seamlessly deliver 940 W of power in the EU and 750 W in the US. It tops out at 45 kph, and runs on a 1440 Wh battery that will keep you going for 260 km.
It utilizes a 12-speed electric gear system controlled by a single piston and sealed for comfort and security. Moreover, it runs on a carbon-belt drive for silence. The bike features a fully integrated anti-lock braking system (ABS), mimicking the system found in cars. Moreover, its digital suite is unparalleled, as it can digitally lock, unlock, update firmware, and geo-locate your bike.
Front-Loaded Cargo Specialist
Germany’s Riese & Müller has hit it out of the park with the Load4 75 Rohloff Edition. This flagship cargo carrier will set you back £8000, but even fully loaded, you will never feel the weight of what you carry. You can configure it for a dedicated phone holder, a dual-battery pack, and most importantly, a giant cargo bed. You can configure the bed to hold up to 3 child seats, 2 seats with room for luggage, or serve as a cargo bed with a luggage rack. Additionally, you can add ABS, cargo-hold walls, and an RX chip for app connectivity.
The behemoth of a bike runs on a Bosch PowerPack motor that can easily deliver 725 Wh of battery capacity, and it powers a Cargo Line smart system motor. The bike can travel 50 to 80 km, depending on the range and pedal-assist mode you choose. The bike’s standard pedal assist mode is road-legal in the UK and tops out at 25 kph. However, with special paperwork and documentation, you may be able to buy the pedelec version in the UK, which is road-legal as a baseline in the UK and the EU.
The bike’s claim to fame is the Rohloff 14-speed e-gearbox, paired with a carbon-belt drive for maximum comfort, regardless of the cargo. It also has front and rear shock absorbers to ensure a smooth ride, regardless of the terrain.
The All-Terrain Specialist
While you may know Tern for their premier cargo bikes, their recent foray into all-terrain bikes has had a notable offering. Priced at £8100, the Tern Orox R14 is heavily customizable. In fact, you can choose between 27.5” and 29” wheels. However, they both feature the virtually maintenance-free Rohloff SpeedHub with a Gates Carbon belt.
An 800 Wh Bosch dual-battery pack powers the Bosch Performance CX motor, which delivers up to 120 Nm of torque. The bike tops out at 25 mph in the EU and US, and 25 kph in the UK. As a baseline, the bike can travel 93 to 161 km on a single battery, or double that when you draw power from both.
The R14 comes fitted with custom-made 29” Schwalbe Johnny Watts all-terrain tires, with deep grooves to give you the best grip across all terrains. The Bosch alarm system connects to your phone, notifies you of tampering, and lets you track it.
The SUV Adventurer
Moustache’s SUV offering, the aptly named SUV 150.7 EQ, does everything you may want, regardless of its use case. Priced at £7399, this bike comes with a Pinion motor that can generate between 85 and 160 Nm of torque, depending on the setting. The motor has a fully integrated 12-speed electronic gear system. A 780 Wh battery powers the entire rig. The bike has a front fork with 150 mm of travel and a rear shock with 150 mm of travel.
The gear system features a carbon-belt drive for maximum smoothness and minimum noise. The bike comes fitted with front and rear 4-piston hydraulic brakes and 20 cm-wide rotors on both, for efficient, slick stopping power. The bike also features front and rear lights, a removable carrier, mudguards, and tubeless tires.
The Ultimate Daily Driver
Another entry from the name synonymous with luxurious e-bikes, the Riese & Müller Superdelite5 Rohloff can navigate potholes, carry groceries, and handle weekend trekking, all while feeling incredibly luxurious. The bike also features dual batteries and full suspension. This bike will set you back £9380, but you can upgrade to ABS and get a front carrier with a bag.
As its name suggests, the bike’s core feature is a Rohloff Speedhub E14 electronic hub, complemented by a Gates CDX carbon belt, making gear changes effortless and silent. A high-power Bosch Performance Line CX can generate up to 120 Nm of torque and is backed by two fully integrated Bosch PowerTube batteries that store up to 145 Wh of charge.
The Takeaway
When you venture into the five-figure tier of the world of micromobility, you’re paying for more than a battery and motor. You are investing in automotive-grade engineering, unparalleled safety features, and essentially no maintenance beyond charging your batteries. But think twice before you break the bank on an e-bike if you don't plan to use it as often as a high 4-figure bill would suggest. If you’re in the market for a cheap or affordable e-bike, take a look at our guides to finds under 1000 and under 2000.
Do you love e-bikes, e-scooters & all the other things about sustainable urban mobility? Join us on the 11th and 12th of November in San Francisco for the Micromobility America Conference. We'll have launches, announcements, industry leaders, and city officials gathered to talk, and a test track where you can try bikes out for yourself!
Happy Riding!
