Between $2,500 and $3,000 hits the sweet spot for entry- to mid-tier electric mountain bikes. That price range opens up the range of e-MTBs from top brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, and others with innovative designs and quality parts. Models that fall into that price range are typically hardtail mountain e-bikes or pre-owned full-suspension models.
Spending less than $2,000 means the e-bike will likely come with a rear hub motor, less premium mid-drive unit, or an external battery. Riders can browse the best mountain bikes for under $2,000 designed for recreational riding and lighter mountain biking.
Top 10 Used E-Bike Brands Available on Upway US
Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 3, 2025 | Time to read 7 min
From Dutch craftsmanship to California innovation, Upway’s top used e-bike brands prove there’s no single path to the perfect ride.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Part of Upway’s secret sauce is the huge diversity of brands to choose from— dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of distinct models. Buying directly from a brand or a bike shop that stocks a select few brands can limit your options, but Upway’s catalog means your search for that dream electric bike is wide open. Browse brands from A to Z, or rather Aventon to Velotric, with top names like Specialized, Trek, and more. For example, Specialized e-Bikes make up around 10% of Upway US’s certified listings. Continue reading to learn about the best e-Bike brands available on Upway.
Top 10 Used E-Bike Brands on Upway
Competition is intense, and the major players genuinely deliver many of the best models on the market. That’s likely because they’ve got the R&D muscle to engineer top-tier e-Bikes and the scale to keep prices in check. Unless you’re after something ultra-specific or planning to splurge on a custom build, the big brands tend to hit the sweet spot: great selection, outstanding quality, and solid value.
The top five brands in terms of Upway inventory quantity, by quite a significant margin, are:
The top five brands in terms of Upway inventory quantity, by quite a significant margin, are:
- Aventon
- Rad Power Bikes
- Specialized
- Gazelle
- Lectric
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Specialized
Specialized is one of the most recognizable cycling brands in the world, from its roots in the 1980s mountain biking to its presence in the Tour de France peloton. Specialized was founded by Mike Sinyard in 1974 in Morgan Hill, California. The brand made a splash in 1981 with the Stumpjumper— one of the first mass-produced mountain bikes. Since then, Specialized has grown into a global powerhouse, supporting professional teams and riders across nearly every cycling discipline.
The brand developed its first e-Bikes in 2012 with the launch of the Specialized Turbo, followed by additional models such as the Levo, Kenevo, Vado, Creo, and Como. Aimed at performance-driven riders, most of its models sit in the mid- to high-end range.
Favorite models: Specialized Turbo Vado SL and Specialized Turbo Levo
🤝 Why you can trust us for buying an e-Bike?
- Great prices: Get your next e-Bike for up to 60% off retail prices, in new or like-new conditions.
- Quality Guaranteed: Every e-Bike is rigorously certified by a team of professional mechanics, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Delivered to Your Door: Delivered to your home within a week. Change your mind? Return it thanks to our 14-day return policy.
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Aventon
Aventon has quickly pedaled its way to the front of the e-Bike pack. Founded in California in 2012, the company first made its mark with fixed-gear bikes. But after launching its first electric bike, the Pace 500, in 2018, Aventon shifted gears entirely— now focusing exclusively on electric models. Most models are entry-level and an excellent value, with a few higher-end additions in recent years, such as the Aventon Ramblas e-MTB and Aventon Aventure mid-drive. Aventon stands out for its clean, modern designs and forward-thinking touches, including built-in turn signals and a companion app.
Headquarters: Brea, California
Favorite models: Aventon Aventure and Aventon Ramblas
Headquarters: Brea, California
Favorite models: Aventon Aventure and Aventon Ramblas
Gazelle
Gazelle brings over a century of Dutch cycling heritage and craftsmanship to the table. Known for its premium quality and urban bike expertise, the brand designs electric models that blend elegant style with everyday practicality. Each model is powered by a Bosch mid-drive motor and equipped with high-end components that ensure lasting comfort and reliability. There are also city-focused details— like rear racks, fenders, integrated lights, and a café wheel lock— that make Gazelle e-Bikes an excellent choice for city riders.
Headquarters: Dieren, Netherlands
Favorite models: Gazelle Medeo and Gazelle Ultimate
Trek
Founded in Wisconsin in the mid-1970s, Trek has grown from a small, traditional bike company into one of the biggest names in the cycling world. Today, its expansive lineup spans more than 30 models across urban, commuter, road, and mountain categories. Riders value Trek for its rock-solid build quality, large dealer network, and lifetime frame warranty. Its e-Bikes feature top-tier pedal-assist systems powered by trusted partners like Bosch and the cutting-edge TQ lightweight drive unit for lightweight e-MTBs. Tons of choices, plenty of styles, and reliable performance.
Headquarters: Waterloo, Wisconsin
Favorite models: Trek Rail and Trek Verve+
Rad Power Bikes
Rad Power Bikes is another significant player in the US recreational e-Bike market, and by some accounts is the largest e-Bike brand in North America. The brand was founded in Seattle, Washington, by Mike Radenbaugh in 2007, and embraced a direct-to-consumer business model. That approach and its entry-level models focused on value for a wide range of riders. Since then, the brand has opened brick-and-mortar Rad Retail locations where you can take advantage of the Upway x Rad Power Trade-In Program. Most models have a rear hub motor, and all batteries meet UL Certification.
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Favorite models: RadRunner, RadWagon, Roadster Trail
Cannondale
Cannondale also got its start back in the 1970s, making cycling accessories and apparel before shifting gears into full-scale bike production. It didn’t take long for Cannondale to shake up the industry, becoming the first to mass-produce aluminum frames and introducing pioneering technology and design techniques. Over the decades, the brand has supported Tour de France teams, produced bikes for nearly every riding style, and built a reputation for cutting-edge tech.
Headquarters: Wilton, Connecticut
Favorite models: Cannondale Topstone and Cannondale Moterra Neo
Riese & Müller
Every Riese & Müller electric bike is an impressive feat of German engineering. Firmly placed at the high-end of e-Bike brands, Riese & Müller designs premium models for practical riding, whether you’re commuting solo or hauling the whole family. Some of the most popular models are the Packster and Multitinker electric cargo bikes that are miles ahead of other cargo bikes. With such high performance, the price tags are among the highest in the e-Bike market, but Upway’s certified pre-owned Riese & Müller bikes provide excellent value.
Headquarters: Mühltal, Germany
Favorite models: Riese & Müller Packster, Multitinker, & Nevo
Orbea
Often cited as the world’s oldest bicycle manufacturer, Orbea traces its roots back to 1840 in Spain’s Basque Country, where it began as an arms maker before pivoting to bicycles in 1930. Maybe it’s my time in Spain talking, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Orbea; its modern bikes and e-Bikes consistently stand out for their distinctive design and character. With a storied history in professional racing, including decades of Tour de France sponsorships, Orbea has earned serious credibility across all disciplines— especially mountain biking— with an expanding line-up of electric models.
Headquarters: Mallabia, Basque Country
Favorite models: Orbea Vibe and Orbea Kemen
Tern
Based out of Taiwan, Tern specializes in folding bicycles and electric bikes, including cargo models for everyday riding. Most of the brand’s models feature a Bosch drive unit and other premium-level components for practical city use and cargo hauling. Tern’s utility and cargo range is feature-rich and delivers big on functionality. Look for things like extended cargo racks, folding hinges, seatpost suspension, Bosch batteries and motors, and sturdy design.
Headquarters: Taipei, Taiwan
Favorite models: Tern GSD
Giant/Liv/Momentum
Giant was founded in Taiwan in 1972. With a focus on precision engineering and accessible pricing, it quickly rose to become one of the world’s most dominant names in cycling. Today, Giant remains a global leader in both traditional and electric bikes, offering a lineup that spans every type of rider and terrain. Standout e-bike models include the versatile Explore E+ for trekking, the Talon E+, Trance X E+, and Stance E+ for trail adventures, the FastRoad E+ for fitness-focused riders, and the Reign E+ for enduro enthusiasts. Liv is Giant’s sister brand, focusing on women’s bicycles, while the Momentum subsidiary brand focuses on city and lifestyle models.
Headquarters: Taichung City, Taiwan
Favorite models: Momentum PakYak+ and Giant Trance E+
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you spend on an electric mountain bike?
Are helmets required when riding an e-Bike?
Helmets are always a good idea when riding any type of bike, and some states require them. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Oregon are some of the states that require wearing a helmet when riding an e-Bike, though most states don’t have a legal requirement.
Is there an age limit for e-Bikes?
Some states specify a minimum age for riding an e-Bike. States like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Oregon require that riders be 16 or older, for example. Other states permit e-Bike use at 14 or 15 years old, while others don’t have an age limit.
Key Takeaways
- Industry heavyweights like Specialized, Trek, and Santa Cruz lead the e-MTB pack with proven performance and wide model ranges.
- Premium innovators like Pivot and Orbea offer unique designs, high-end components, and standout ride experiences.
- Modern e-MTBs blend advanced motors, refined geometry, and suspension tech to handle everything from mellow trails to downhill runs.
