Can you imagine your bike hitting speeds of up to 80mph? Would it be adrenaline-inducing fun or sheer madness?
For an electric bike to be legally roadworthy it won’t go any faster than 28mph using the motor-assist function in the United States. In Europe, it is even lower with a 20mph maximum, and even 15mph in some countries.
If you have ever ridden an electric bike, you will know that this feels pretty fast as it is. Real care is needed when riding at these speeds. You don’t want to be heading out without a helmet and, ideally, some other protective gear.
Mega adrenalin junkies, organized racers, collectors of high-speed vehicles, and those with access to private land might consider something that goes beyond road-legal options. There are a few models that push the limits of the speeds that can be achieved on a humble bike frame.
Fastest Street-Legal eBikes Comparison
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What are Speed Pedelecs?
If you want a fast e-bike for legal use on roads in the United States, then you want to opt for a Class 3 Speed Pedelec. Bikes are classified from 1 to 3, depending on their motor size and achievable speeds.
Class 3 means that the engine size can go up to 750w. For Class 1 and 2, the maximum motor size is usually 250w.
S-pedelecs can reach up to 28mph using pedal-assist mode. For Class 1 and 2, they can only go up to a maximum of 20mph using pedal assist, or in the case of Class 2, also using throttle power.
You should always check the local laws regarding e-bike classification. Some states don’t follow the above guidelines, and in Europe, the laws are even stricter.
The People for Bikes website is an excellent and up to date resource for local State rules and variations.
Our focus will be on providing you with some guidance on some of the best road legal Speed Pedelecs available on the market at the moment…but we’ve snuck in the absolute fastest in the world as well, just in case you feel like going crazy.
How Fast Can an E-Bike Actually Go?
We know you will be curious about how far electric bikes can be pushed in terms of speed. The top 3 on our list will be some of the fastest electric bike in the world out there right now. Don’t forget that these are not off-the-shelf models that you can take straight out on the road.
These have been developed to impress, push the boundaries of technology and design, break records and hit the headlines. They come with a pretty hefty price tag too.
One of the bikes featured could potentially hit the heady heights of 80mph, but this would be a pretty hairy ride.
If you already have a good quality standard bike, it is even possible to make your own super-fast electric version. This involves buying a motor conversion kit.
We wouldn’t recommend this, though, unless you understand and abide by the classification regulations and you take appropriate safety precautions. Converting your bike takes time, and it can be technically complex. A lot of people opt to get help from an expert when fitting it.
What Else to Look For in a Fast Electric Bike
If you are purchasing a road-legal speed pedelec, you shouldn’t just look for the fastest models. There are lots of other factors that should influence your decision, including what you plan to use the bike for and what your budget is.
For reviews 4 – 10 below, which are the road-legal speed pedelecs, we have also looked at some other criteria when making our decision about which ones to feature. These include:
- Value for money – E-bikes vary significantly in their pricing. Speed pedelecs with their bigger motor are often at the higher end of the price scale. We look at a range of budgets and want to make sure that they are offering the best value for their price bracket
- Motor efficiency – We compare the power, efficiency and level of smoothness of the motors. They are often more powerful than those on a Class 1 or 2 model.
- Battery efficiency – We compare the batteries in terms of their efficiency, power and charging speeds
- Overall performance – How do the bikes cope on the ascents and descents? How do they handle, what is their suspension like? What is their weight capacity?
- Reputation – How does the brand stack up against its competitors. Are they known for producing robust, high performing bikes?
The Three Fastest eBikes in the World
If you have ever wondered what it feels like to travel faster than a cheetah on a pedal-assisted bike, the Swind EB-01, which launched in 2018, could help you achieve this.
Manufactured by an advanced tech team involved in developing products for Supercar and Formula One participants, you know you can geek out over the specification.
With a whopping 15kw of near-silent motor power, it is no surprise that its official top speed is 60 mph. By way of comparison, most top speed pedelecs have a maximum motor size of 750w. The developer has even claimed that, with a little modification, it could potentially reach the dizzying heights of 80mph. This has, however, yet to be put to the test.
The battery is a doozy too. It can go for up to 80 miles and charges in a super fast 90 minutes, whereas most standard e-bikes take at least four hours for a full charge.
These bikes are, unsurprisingly, made to order and will set you back a mere $20,000 plus taxes. It’s a steal!
High Power Cycles have a stellar reputation as one of the best, and most advanced, high power e-bike developers in the United States, and further afield.
Their 2019 Revolution model tops the speedometer at an eye-watering 55mph. It has an impressive pedal assist range of 50 miles, on its 5,000w motor, and a seriously fast acceleration speed.
Again, you will have a three-month wait for this baby, and it will cost you almost $10,000 for the privilege.
Australian company Stealth has been at the forefront of high powered e-bikes for several years now. There are now several companies that have e-bikes that can reach the dizzying heights of 50mph, but Stealth was one of the first.
The Stealth B-52 has a 6,200w motor and a 2,000wh battery and has a range of up to 60 miles. It is pretty heavy, weighing in at 51kg but, let’s face it – the bike will be doing all the work for you anyway!
For such a speed monster, it even has a more attainable price point of under $7,000.