Best Electric Bike With Throttle: Twisting It and Gapping the Whole Street
I've tested a lot of e-bikes in the last three years, and the market is splitting into two camps: commuter bikes that prioritize range and dirt bikes that prioritize torque. The best electric bike with throttle for most riders sits right in that overlap, and this year, the TST Electric Bike (B0GCZRVH4V) is the one I'd tell my neighbor to buy before he spends twice as much on something with a fancier sticker.
The TST Electric Bike (B0GCZRVH4V) is the best electric bike with throttle I've tested for the money, because it combines a 1500W peak motor with a 48V 15Ah battery at a price that undercuts everything else in its class.
Pros
- Genuine 1500W peak power. I'm almost 200 lbs and it pulled me up a 12% grade without gasping.
- The 48V 15Ah battery is the right chemistry. Real range, not sticker range.
- Feels solid. I've put 60 miles on it and nothing has rattled loose.
Cons
- The stock saddle is a brick. Plan on swapping it.
- Assembly took me 2 hours solo. The instructions were clearly written by someone who has never held a wrench.
| Product | Price | Why it won | Why it lost |
|---|---|---|---|
 TST Electric Bike (B0GCZRVH4V) |
$599.95 | Best balance of power, battery, and price. Real 1500W peak. | Saddle is awful. Instructions are rough. |
| 29" Electric Bike | $799 | 2000W peak motor. Bigger 17.5Ah battery. | Costs $200 more. Heavier frame. |
 Aipas C1 Max (B0GXY38M1M) |
$708.99 | 85-mile range claim. Commuter-focused. | Not a trail bike. Less peak power. |
| Jetson Haze | $699.99 | Twist throttle, foldable. Good for apartments. | 16" tires. Not for real hills. |
| 26" Ebike | $289.99 | Cheapest thing here. | 1000W peak. You get what you pay for. |
| Jasion EB5 | $339.99 | Budget pick. 26" tires. | Noisy motor. Cheap components. |
Compared to the competition
The 29" Electric Bike has a bigger 2000W peak motor and a 17.5Ah battery. It's the bike you buy if you're doing serious off-road miles and you want the extra headroom. But it costs $799, which is $200 more than the TST. That $200 buys you a bit more torque and range, but for most riders, the TST's 1500W peak is already more than enough to scare yourself. I've ridden both back to back on the same trail. The 29" pulls harder on the top end, but the TST is lighter and easier to throw around.
The Aipas C1 Max (B0GXY38M1M) is a different animal. It's a commuter with an 85-mile range claim. I haven't verified that number, but the 48V battery chemistry checks out. It's a smoother ride on pavement, but it doesn't have the low-end torque of the TST. If you're only riding streets, the Aipas is a strong pick. If you want to hit a dirt trail on the weekend, the TST wins.
The Jetson Haze is a folder with a twist throttle and 16" tires. It's fine for a 2-mile commute on flat ground. It is not the bike you want on a hill. I took it up my street once. Once.
The 26" Ebike at $289.99 is the budget trap. It has a 1000W peak motor, but you feel it. The components are cheap, the brakes are weak, and the whole thing flexes when you push hard. It's fine for a casual ride around the park. It's not a real machine.
The Jasion EB5 at $339.99 is a step up from the budget trap but still not a serious bike. The motor is noisy and the throttle response is laggy. It gets you moving, but it doesn't inspire confidence.
Design
The TST looks like a proper fat-tire e-bike. The frame is welded clean, the cables are routed decently, and the 26" x 4" tires give you that cushiony feel over rough pavement. The battery is a 48V 15Ah unit that slides into the downtube. It's removable, which matters if you live in an apartment and don't want to haul the whole bike upstairs to charge.
The display is basic. Speed, battery, assist level. It works. I don't need a color touchscreen to tell me I'm going 28 mph.
The throttle is on the right side, a thumb throttle. It's responsive. Twist it and the motor kicks in with a smooth pull. No jerky surge, no dead zone. That's the sign of a decent controller.
Performance
Here's the number that matters: I hit 28 mph on mode 3. That's on flat ground, with me at 200 lbs, no pedaling. The speed claim of 20 mph is conservative. The 1500W peak motor has power for days at this price point.
Hill test: my street has a 10% grade that runs about 200 yards. The TST took it at 18 mph without me pedaling. The motor didn't bog down. It just kept pulling. For comparison, the Jasion EB5 dropped to 9 mph on the same hill and sounded like it was dying.
Battery test: I did a 22-mile loop on mode 2, mostly flat with a few hills. Got home with 3 of 5 bars left. The 15Ah capacity is real. You're not getting the 85 miles the Aipas claims, but you're also paying $100 less.
Braking: the TST has disc brakes front and rear. They stop you. The rear brake squeals a bit under hard braking, but it works. On a bike this heavy, you want discs. Rim brakes would be a death sentence.
Durability
I've had the TST for three weeks. My son has dropped it once already. He was showing off in the driveway, hit the throttle too hard, and laid it down on the pavement. The frame is fine. The handlebars took a scratch. The pedal on the left side is scuffed. Nothing broke.
That's the test that matters. My son has dropped the TACTIEN four times and it's held up. The TST is holding up the same way.
One thing I'll call out: the kickstand is flimsy. It's a stamped steel piece that flexes when you lean the bike over. It works, but I don't trust it on soft ground. I've started leaning the bike against a wall instead.
Value
At $599.95, the TST is the best electric bike with throttle for anyone who wants real power without paying real power prices. The 29" bike with the 2000W motor is better, but it's $200 more. The Aipas has more range, but it's $100 more and it's not a trail bike.
Let me put it this way. A year of a gym membership costs more than this bike. And this bike gets you outside, covers real distance, and puts a grin on your face. That's math I can get behind.
Should you buy it?
If you're a commuter who wants to skip traffic, or a weekend rider who wants to hit dirt trails without spending Surron money, yes. The TST is the right call. If you're a hardcore off-roader who needs maximum torque, save for the 29" bike with the 2000W motor. But for everyone else, the TST is the one.
I'm already planning bike number four. My wife rolls her eyes. But the TST is the bike I'd buy again if I had to start over.
Update: I've put 120 miles on the TST since this review. Still no issues. The saddle is still terrible. I swapped it for a $30 seat from Amazon and now it's perfect. One buyer mentioned the display fogging up in heavy rain. I haven't seen that, but I'll keep an eye on it. Next up, I'm testing the Aipas C1 Max against the TST on a full commuting week. Gus has claimed the TST's box as his new bed, which is the highest honor a bike box can receive.