MMR X-BOLT 120 00
Review: MMR X-Bolt 120 00 | electric bike reviews, buying advice and news – ebiketips
The MMR X-Bolt range offer superb performance off-road and a chance to grab a carbon framed e-mtb with a top of the line mid-drive and decent sized battery at a bargain price if you are happy with a 2023 bike that doesn’t have the Bosch Smart System.
2023 models also have Purion and Kiox displays whilst the 2024 models have the newer Intuvia 100 display. However, if these features aren’t critical for you then the fact that the 2023 models feature the same frame and motor/battery setup makes them a massive bargain.
Note both model years have Bosch Performance Line CX Motors with 340% pedal assist, 85Nm maximum torque and 600W peak power. Whilst 2025 and 2026 Bosch Performance Line CX models may feature peak power of 750 watts, as I found during my time with the X-Bolt even older models offer superb off-road performance with what will be enough power for the majority of riders.
Price: £3999 but note lower spec models but still with a carbon frame available from £2549Motor and battery: Bosch Performance Line Weight: 23kg
Availability: Several UK retailers are offering heavy discounts on these models including Pauls Cycles
The competition: Other Bosch powered e-mtb brands that offer value for money in this generally very highly priced field are Canyon, Cube and Mondraker and Decathlon offer a cut price own brand Bosch-powered model.
Why buy? A combination of superb off-road riding and a bargain price will make the MMR X-Bolt irresistible to many looking for all terrain fun
TENWAYS CGO RANGE
Tenways CGO600 review | Cycling Electric
Review: Tenways CGO600 Pro | electric bike reviews, buying advice and news – ebiketips
I was lucky enough to be one of the first UK test riders to try out the original Tenways CGO600 and loved the quality if offered, the great value price and the light (16kg) weight – indeed it is still available as a direct from Tenways only special for £999.
It offers belt drive simplicity and only one gear – about as simply as cycling gets and as long you don’t need to tackle ultra steep hills it could make a perfect and affordable around town e-bike.
My original reviews are a few years old but the CGO 600 has now been joined by a more sophisticated Pro version and the multi-geared Plus version based on the same frame design and both get enthusiastic reviews.
Price: £999 – £1699Motor and battery: MiVice or Tenways rear hub motor with in-frame batteries of various typesWeight: 16 – 20kg
Availability: Direct from Tenways UK or one of their growing dealer network
Why buy? Tenways have established an enviable reputation for quality and value and their CGO600 range are the pick of their models in my opinion, offering easy and practical city and leisure riding. Look out for a wider variety of Tenways models arriving in the UK in 2026.
ENGWE N1 AIR
Unusual in that this is a pretty light bike thanks to a carbon frame but it comes with a relatively lowly price tag when carbon has traditionally been seen as a pricey and premium product.
Another upside is the light and efficient MiVice rear hub motor – probably my favourite rear hub motor because of it’s quiet and silky smooth operation and the impressive range it usually delivers.
My review questioned the one year warranty on the frame and the lack of low gears for very steep hill climbs. Note there is also quite a bit of assembly for the end user to do themselves on delivery.
Still, overall great value for a lightweight e-bike with a carbon frame and wonderful motor system.
Price: £1299
Motor and battery: MiVice rear hub motor and Weight: 18.2kg
Availability: Direct from Engwe UK
Why buy? Tenways have established an enviable reputation for quality and value and their CGO600 range are the pick of their models in my opinion, offering easy and practical city and leisure riding. Look out for a wider variety of Tenways models arriving in the UK in 2026.
CIKADA TOURING
Cikada Touring review | Cycling Electric
Although the Touring isn’t specifically touted as a cargo bike I think it does a pretty good job as one.
I loaded the bike up with 30kg on its huge rear rack and let the powerful mid-drive motor take the strain up some pretty steep Pennine hills.
In the crowded sub £2000 e-bike market it offers something a bit different in the form of its awesome power and carrying capacity.
It’s a hefty e-bike but that’s the price you pay for being able to load up the rear rack with a huge weekly shop – I used the excellent Decathlon 50 litre longtail pannier to transport all manner of things.
The only slight negative is that if you want to transport kids a cargobike with smaller wheels or even a bakfiets design is preferable to keep their weight lower down.
Price: £1799Motor and battery: Bafang M410 mid-drive and Wh battery with 720Wh UL safety certified batteryWeight: 28.9kg
Availability: Currently directly from Cikada but they are working to set up a dealer network in the UK
Why buy? Want a functional and powerful load carrier at a great price? Look no further.
PEDIBAL MAXIMA
Review: Pedibal Maxima with throttle | electric bike reviews, buying advice and news – ebiketips
This is one of the few e-bikes out there that has an entirely legal throttle that will propel you all the way up to 15.5mph without the need to pedal.
It does so by taking advantage of a little used category of electric vehicles called 250W LPMs – with LPM standing for low powered moped.
Okay, legally speaking the Maxima is now a moped not an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC), but throttle aside, it is much the same in all other respects.
It is restricted to a maximum speed of 15.5mph with a 250W motor and can be ridden anywhere a bike or e-bike can, including on bike lanes and bridleways (where other classes of moped are not permitted).
The Maxima is a good design to utilise throttle only power on; you get all the benefits of an electric fat bike such as comfort, load carrying and off-road ability without the awkward handling that can come with electric pedal only power on such designs.
Of course, with a massive battery and very sizeable fat bike motor the Maxima is very heavy. If you can live with the weight it’s a great way to enjoy the fun, practicality and manoeuvrability of throttle only power.
Price: £2320 as reviewedMotor and battery: Bafang 55Nm 250W rear fat bike hub motor and LG 48V 20Ah (960Wh)Weight: 39.5kg
Availability: Direct from Pedibal
Why buy? If you feel the need for pure throttle power and a super plush ride and can live with fat bike heft
JORVIK ELITE JET E-16
Jorvik Elite JET E-16 trike review | Cycling Electric
Electric trikes are great for older riders along with others who may be less mobile – in fact anyone who struggles with the balance and other skills required to use a two wheeler.
I generally ride two wheelers but if you regularly load big heavy loads then a three wheeler with a big and more stable load platform is also worth thinking about.
Just note that trikes ride very differently to a two wheeler so you may have a learning curve before you are able to ride in confidence, but once you have the knack it really is as easy as falling off a bike (except that it’s much harder to fall off a trike).
What sets the Elite Jet E16 is its small size, meaning it is more maneuverable than many trikes (it has reverse gear which helps) and its foldability – I managed to fit it into a medium sized hatchback car.
At just over 31kg it’s not overly heavy for a trike – there are two wheeled e-bikes heavier than this.
Price: £3,149.00Motor and battery: Bafang 250W rear axle motor and 36V 576Wh batteryWeight: 31.3kg
Availability: Direct from Jorvik
Why buy? If you struggle with balance or want to carry big loads then think about an e-trike
Richard Peace - cycling journalist and author 