The best 2024 speedbikes: our selection

The speedbikealso known as speedelec or speed pedelec, is still relatively unknown in Belgium. However, this fast bike is becoming increasingly common in many European countries. Halfway between a moped and an electric bike, the speedbike is capable of providing electric assistance at speeds of up to 45 km/h ! This makes the speedbike an ideal alternative to traffic jams and public transport when you live in the city or inner suburbs. And you stay active by being able to pedal the whole way.

How do you recognize a speed bike? What legislation governs its use? What are the best 2024 speedbikes? In this article, we present the essentials of what you need to know about these fast electric bikes.

It's hard to tell a speedbike from a simple electrically-assisted bike at first glance! A crankset and transmission that must be activated to move forward, handlebars and a slim frame... Nothing that differs from an EAB in appearance. However, certain details are unmistakable.

Equipped with high-performance electrical components, this means of transport puts a premium on comfort, as weight is not an issue. So you'll find padded saddles, as well as tires wide enough to absorb shocks and gain in maneuverability. Most of these bikes also feature large shock absorbers for even greater comfort.

Classed as mopeds, speedbikes are fully equipped to guarantee maximum safety for the rider. In fact, they are subject to the regulations of the highway code concerning mopeds, specifically in the so-called L1e category.

For example, a speed bike must have a rear-view mirror, a horn (if you prefer), a low beam at the front and a brake light at the rear.

Unlike a scooter, however, there's no need for turn signals. This is where the bike comes into its own: it's up to the rider to use his or her arm to indicate a change of direction.

A small but important detail (even if not obvious): the brakes are reversed, as on a scooter or motorcycle. You brake on the left for the rear, and on the right for the front. But don't worry, you'll soon get the hang of it.

Electric speedbikes can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h, primarily because their motors are more powerful than those of an EAB.

In fact, conventional electrically-assisted bicycles are limited to 250 W by the regulations governing them. However, as we've just seen, speedbikes are considered mopeds, so this limit doesn't apply. That's why this type of bike can boast an electric motor of 350, 500 or even 1000 W, delivering superior torque that can exceed 100 Nm!

Of course, to supply power to such a motor, you need a battery with more capacity. Above all, a speedbike includes a throttle with a trigger, so it can be used without pedaling. However, without pedaling, using this function requires more energy, and puts more strain on the battery.

Capacity is expressed in watt-hours (Wh). Manufacturers choose to equip their speed bikes with batteries of between 500 Wh and 800 Wh. In some cases, speedbikes come with a second battery, enabling them to top the 1,000 Wh mark and double their range. In this case, a speedbike can cover up to 200 km per charge in eco mode, compared with 100 km with a single battery.

The result? These much more powerful components (when compared to those of a conventional electric bike) quadruple or even quintuple the rider's natural power! And that's just the beginning!

Before you take to the streets with your hair blowing in the wind on the fastest electric bikes on the market, there are a few rules to follow.

The first is that you don't ride with your hair blowing in the wind! A properly fastened helmet approved for mopeds is mandatory. Another obligation: protective gloves. It may not seem like much in a car, but on two wheels 45 km/h is a high speed. A fall at that speed without gloves... hurts like hell!

To qualify as a speedbike, it must have all the equipment we've already mentioned (low beam, brake light, horn, approved rearview mirror), but also... a license plate! That's right, your speed pedelec must be registered in order to drive it legally. But don't worry: since it's an electric bike after all, you'll only have to pay the cost of issuing the registration certificate (around 11 euros).

• you have a B licence (for cars...) AND you were born before 1988: no problem;
• you don't have a license or you have a B license but were born after 1988: you must hold an AM license (previously known as a BSR) to drive a moped, or an A license (motorcycle license);
• you're under 14: you'll have to wait a while before riding a speedbike.

New since 2024, the speedbike category, dependent on motorized two-wheelers, must now undergo a technical inspection every 3 years.

Last but not least: your speed bike needs to be insured! Moped insurance costs an average of 10 to 15 euros a month.

We know you're anxious to get started, but it's important to know the rules before you ride your speedelec. For your safety, of course... but also for your wallet, as you can be inspected and fined when riding a speedbike.

This will probably happen to you if you ride on a bike path, which is forbidden for speedbikes. A speedbike is not a conventional bicycle. You'll be going much faster than any cyclist (with the exception of professional racers, but we don't come across many of those...), so it would be dangerous to share bike lanes.

With an electric speed bike, you have to ride on the road, like a scooter. This particularity can cause a lot of misunderstanding among motorists, since it's not easy to distinguish a speed bike from an EAB.

Now that you've got the various material and administrative constraints in mind, let's move on to the criteria to consider when choosing your speedbike.

As we've said, the speedbike is particularly well-suited to city-dwellers, because it's fast and maneuverable. But it's also very practical when you work less than 20 or 30 km from home, as it can get you to work in less than an hour. And it's all done ecologically and economically, while avoiding traffic jams.

Depending on your profile and your needs, you need to define in advance what you want: a speed bike similar to a VAE for city riding, or a more robust, almost moped-like model for longer trips. In the first case, a single 600 Wh battery and a 350 or 500 W motor will be more than enough for urban trips of around 10 km. If you want to travel 20 or 30 km, you'll need a dual-battery system and a motor close to 1000 W.

It's true, we've said that weight isn't a problem on speedbikes because they're so powerful. But that doesn't mean it has no influence! A lightweight bike will be easier to handle and more responsive. So it's a criterion to take into account, especially in town where you need to be able to avoid obstacles quickly.

More powerful, more comfortable and better equipped, a speed pedelec will necessarily be more expensive than an ordinary electric-assist bike. However, depending on your requirements and needs, the price can vary enormously. From around 5,000 to 10,000 euros at new, a speedbike refurbished is available for between 2,000 and 7,000 euros.

All speedbikes sold on Upway are equipped with the essentials for road use. But when you compare them, you'll find that some have a few useful extras: mudguards, an integrated wheel lock, a rear rack, high beam lights, etc. It's up to you to decide, based on your budget, which model is right for you.

The German brand has a real range of speed electric bikes. With its open frame, the Riese & Müller Nevo4 HS speedbike is practical for all sizes, and its styling is close to that of a conventional VTC.

Like the Trek, the Gazelle Ultimate Speed C380 perfectly conceals its speedbike status. The Dutch brand has succeeded in offering an excellent VAE-style speedbike, recognizable only by its license plate slot.

Robust. That's the word that comes to mind when we explain why we've selected this speedbike from the famous German brand Kalkhoff.

And how can we suggest a top 5 without mentioning the Friday 27 FS Speed? Yes, as usual when it comes to VAEs, the Moustache brand always comes up trumps!

Unlike all the electric bikes mentioned above, this model is a speedbike. The Swiss brand Stromer has made it its specialty, and has become one of the most renowned in the field.

By now, you've learned all you need to know about these atypical electric speedbikes. Even if the models we've suggested are the best speed bikes in 2024, you'll find in our stock reconditioned bikes that have been top sellers in recent years. Inspected by our team, they're just waiting for you to take to the roads at over 45 km/h.

Finally, we urge you to be very careful with these powerful VAEs. Always obey the rules of road safety.