Tuesday Trends: Top Three E-Bike Brands Among Californians
Written by: Rémy Rossi | February 25, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
Californians prefer Specialized, Cannondale, and Aventon e-Bikes to provide a boost along the boardwalk, Pacific Coast Highway, and wherever else they love to 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.
Wondering what is the best electric bike for California cyclists? Find out who takes gold, silver, and bronze on the pedal-assist podium!
Upway e-Bike trends in California
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Most Popular E-Bike Brands In California
Specialized
The brand has expanded to all cycling disciplines and entered the e-Bike scene in 2012 with the launch of the Specialized Turbo, followed by other models like the Levo, Vado, Creo, and Como. Positioned in the mid- to high-end market, Specialized electric bikes cater to performance-driven cyclists and dedicated recreational riders seeking top quality and reliability.
Standout e-Bike: If you’ve been hanging around my blogs for a while, you’re probably sick of me praising the Specialized Turbo Vado SL city electric bike. The ultra-sleek and lightweight build has an integrated battery for optimized frame design and range. Enjoy all the advantages of an e-Bike while maintaining all of the benefits of a slimmer, lightweight standard bike.
Cannondale
Cannondale is one of the top three brands among Calfiornians because of its commitment to innovation and well-rounded fleet of e-Bikes. That may sound too gushy of a compliment but it’s true— Cannondale has always been especially focused on new tech. The brand originally made waves by pioneering the mass production of aluminum frames and pushing the boundaries of frame design, including their renowned CAAD range.
Cannondale’s lineup of electric bikes stretches from city and cargo models or full-suspension e-MTBs and road bikes, almost all of them with premium Bosch drive units. I appreciate the sleek and understanded aesthetics and color options that let the top-tier performance do most of the talking, but there are still several bold choices like the Moterra LT Carbon, for example.
Standout e-Bike: The Cannondale Moterra Neo LT is an excellent enduro electric mountain bike with longer travel for those harder-hitting routes. Shuttle yourself up the mountain and enjoy more laps at the bike park due to the premium Bosch drive unit, including a RockShox full-squish setup, bold frame design, and confident handling.
Aventon
As a California native, I remember when Aventon first came onto the scene with its stylish fixed-gear bicycles, capitalizing on the fixie trend of the early 2010s. But after its founding in 2012 and initial success in the fixie market, Aventon pivoted to electric bikes. The brand has since rapidly risen to prominence in the e-Bike industry after launching its first electric model, the Pace 500, back in 2018.
Aventon focuses solely on electric bikes, offering budget-friendly options designed for entry-level riders who prioritize practicality and affordability. Aventon stands out with its modern, stylish designs and innovative features like integrated turn signals and a companion e-Bike app. I think it is this matrix of chic aesthetics and approachable prices that strike a chord with so many Californians— you gotta look good while speeding along the boardwalk, of course.
Standout e-Bike: The Soltera may not get the most press, but it’s my all-time favorite from Aventon (and an Upway best-seller!). The lightweight and sleek setup feels just like a normal hybrid bike but includes a natural boost when you need it, including integrated turn signals and fun color choices, a sure bet for recreational riders or commuters.
Key Takeaways
- California’s Top Picks: Specialized, Cannondale, and Aventon lead Upway’s e-Bike sales in the state, with regional ties and strong brand loyalty.
- City E-Bikes Rule: Over half of Upway’s California e-Bike sales are city models, while e-MTBs make up a third, with cargo, road, and folding bikes filling smaller niches.
- Something for Everyone: Specialized offers high-end performance, Cannondale focuses on innovation, and Aventon provides stylish, budget-friendly options, catering to all rider types.
