Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · By EbikePost editors
Short answer
A true step-through frame, a low minimum rider height and a throttle for easy starts make the simplest e-bike to get on and off. Four verified bikes qualify. Our pick: Aventon Pace 5 REC.
We compare makers' published specs, warranties and return policies; we don't ride the bikes. How we score →
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Relaxed riding on paved streets and bike paths
Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Maker price $1,799 checked Oct 23, 2026 · source
Carrying one passenger or a load on the rear rack (143 lb rack limit)
Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Maker price $1,899 checked Oct 23, 2026 · source
Small spaces: the frame folds to 29 x 25 x 41 in
Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Maker price $1,899 checked Oct 23, 2026 · source
Swipe sideways to see every spec →
| Bike | Class | Rider height | UL 2849 | Service | Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aventon Pace 5 REC | Class 2 | Rear hub, 80 Nm | 733 Wh | ?–75 mi / 26–38 mi | 60.48 lb | 330 lb | 5'0"–6'3" | UL 2849 certified | Frame 2 yr · battery 2 yr | 14 days | TBD | $1,799 | Check price at Aventon (opens in a new tab) |
| Aventon Abound SR | Class 2 | Rear hub, 80 Nm | 733 Wh | ?–60 mi / 26–38 mi | 80 lb | 440 lb | 4'11"–6'3" | UL 2849 certified | Frame 2 yr · battery 2 yr | 14 days | TBD | $1,899 | Check price at Aventon (opens in a new tab) |
| Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus | Class 2 | Rear hub, 64 Nm | 720 Wh | ?–60 mi / 26–37 mi | 72.5 lb | 225 lb | 4'10"–5'10" | UL 2849 certified | Frame 2 yr · battery 2 yr | 30 days | TBD | $1,899 | Check price at Rad Power (opens in a new tab) |
| Velotric Nomad 2 | Class 1/2/3 (switchable) | Rear hub, 90 Nm | 705.6 Wh | ?–65 mi / 25–37 mi | 75 lb | 505 lb | 4'11"–6'5" | UL 2849 certified | Frame 5 yr · battery 2 yr | 14 days | TBD | $1,999 | Check price at Velotric (opens in a new tab) |
How we chose
Bikes are ranked by our Easy on and off Spec score, built only from published specs. Weights for this use case:
Only from cited sources (maker FAQ, a named forum thread, recall or service notices). None added yet.
Warranty & returns: frame 2 yr, motor 2 yr, battery 2 yr · 14-day returns, restocking: None for new, unused bikes (1 mile or less on the odometer); 50% for used bikes (under 20 miles) · TBD · Aventon service details
Check price at Aventon (opens in a new tab)Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Estimate, not a test. Real range varies.
About 27–39 miles
Maker's claimed range: ?–75 mi
Only from cited sources (maker FAQ, a named forum thread, recall or service notices). None added yet.
Warranty & returns: frame 2 yr, motor 2 yr, battery 2 yr · 14-day returns, restocking: None for new, unused bikes (1 mile or less on the odometer); 50% for used bikes (under 20 miles) · TBD · Aventon service details
Check price at Aventon (opens in a new tab)Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Estimate, not a test. Real range varies.
About 27–39 miles
Maker's claimed range: ?–60 mi
Only from cited sources (maker FAQ, a named forum thread, recall or service notices). None added yet.
Warranty & returns: frame 2 yr, motor TBD, battery 2 yr · 30-day returns, restocking: 30% plus at-cost return shipping, both deducted from the refund · TBD · Rad Power Bikes service details
Check price at Rad Power (opens in a new tab)Based on 4 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Estimate, not a test. Real range varies.
About 27–38 miles
Maker's claimed range: ?–60 mi
Only from cited sources (maker FAQ, a named forum thread, recall or service notices). None added yet.
Warranty & returns: frame 5 yr, motor 2 yr, battery 2 yr · 14-day returns, restocking: $200 per bike · TBD · Velotric service details
Check price at Velotric (opens in a new tab)Based on 3 of 4 specs. Our score of published specs, not a road test. How we score
Estimate, not a test. Real range varies.
About 26–37 miles
Maker's claimed range: ?–65 mi
Is it legal where you live?
This is general information, not legal advice. Rebates near you →
A step-through frame has a low or missing top tube, so you walk the bike forward rather than swing a leg over a high bar. If you want the best step through ebike for easy mounting, short stops or a lower seat, these are the points that count. They match the factors in our easy-on-off Spec score (how we score).
Aventon Pace 5 REC (maker price on Oct 23, 2026: $1,799). A step-through with swept-back bars, a 750 W motor (1,188 W peak), 80 Nm of torque and a 733 Wh removable battery. Claimed range up to 75 miles, top assisted speed 28 mph. Total weight limit 330 lb. The fork is rigid. Riders 5'0" to 6'3".
Aventon Abound SR (maker price on Oct 23, 2026: $1,899). A compact cargo-style step-through on 20 x 3 in wheels, with 80 Nm of torque and a 733 Wh battery. It carries one passenger. Weight is 80 lb, and the top speed is 20 mph (adjustable to 25). Riders 4'11" to 6'3".
Rad RadExpand 5 Plus (maker price on Oct 23, 2026: $1,899). A folding step-thru with 20 x 4 in tires, a 750 W motor, 64 Nm of torque and a 720 Wh battery. It lists riders 4'10" to 5'10" and a maximum rider weight of 225 lb. It weighs 72.5 lb with the battery. See the ownership note in the FAQ.
Velotric Nomad 2 (maker price on Oct 23, 2026: $1,999). Velotric sells the Nomad 2 in step-thru and high-step frames; choose the step-thru when ordering. It has 26 x 4 in fat tires, a 100 mm suspension fork, 90 Nm of torque and a 705.6 Wh battery, at 75 lb. Riders 4'11" to 6'5".
Look for UL 2849 certification of the whole e-bike system, use only the maker's charger and follow the manual. Our records list all four bikes as UL 2849 certified. For recalls and official guidance see the CPSC Micromobility Information Center.
Class rules, minimum age, helmet laws and throttle rules vary by state and sometimes by city. Use our state e-bike law checker. It is general information, not legal advice.
Aventon has a help desk, a phone line (Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm PST) and a bike-shop locator; bikes bought from shops are not covered by its online return policy. Velotric promotes nearby support and a dealer locator. Rad uses mobile service and velofix mechanics (zip code dependent), retail stores and shop partners.
About Rad: Rad Power Bikes, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 15 Dec 2025 and sold substantially all assets. The brand has been under new ownership (Rad Life Mobility, part of Life EV) since 27 Feb 2026. Rad's warranty page says the current owner has no obligation to provide warranty or other service for products bought before 15 Dec 2025, and that claims on those bikes go through the bankruptcy process. The warranty above applies to products bought after 15 May 2026. Source: Rad's warranty page, checked Oct 23, 2026.
Claimed maximums: up to 75 miles (Pace 5 REC), 60 miles (Abound SR, RadExpand 5 Plus) and 65 miles (Nomad 2). Real range depends on rider weight, hills, assist level and temperature. Use our range estimator.
Torque: 90 Nm (Nomad 2), 80 Nm (Pace 5 REC, Abound SR), 64 Nm (RadExpand 5 Plus). All are rear hub motors. See best e-bikes for hills for steeper terrain.
Lock the frame to a fixed object, and take the battery in with you if it is removable. The folding RadExpand 5 Plus is easier to bring indoors.
Rider heights run from 4'10" at the lowest to 6'5" at the tallest across these bikes. All weigh between about 60 and 80 lb, so plan on a ground-level spot. Compare your height with the maker's range before buying.
Aventon: 14 days, no restocking fee for new, unused bikes (1 mile or less), buyer pays $125 return shipping. Rad: 30 days; return shipping at cost plus a 30% restocking fee are deducted. Velotric: 14 days, $200 restocking fee per bike, prepaid label. See the policy pages linked in the sources below.
Last checked Oct 23, 2026
