E-bikes that pedal-assist to 28 mph, compared on motor, battery, certification and how they switch between classes.
Affiliate disclosure: Pele Power Rides is reader-supported. Links to Himiway (via Awin) and NIU (via GoAffPro) are affiliate links, marked “Affiliate link”, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Links to other brands are plain links that pay us nothing. Commissions never decide which models we include or how we rank them. Full disclosure.
Class 3 e-bikes give pedal assist up to 28 mph instead of the 20 mph limit on Class 1 and 2 bikes. For a road commuter that difference is big: 28 mph keeps you closer to the flow of city traffic and cuts a 10-mile commute by several minutes each way. It also brings more rules. Many states that use the three-class system limit Class 3 bikes on multi-use paths, set a minimum rider age and require a speedometer.
Many of the bikes we track aren’t pure Class 3; they switch. They ship at 20 mph, or let you choose Class 1, 2 or 3 in the display or app. That flexibility is genuinely useful: ride Class 1 on a path that requires it, Class 3 on the road.
We compared every bike we track that states Class 3 capability or a 28 mph assisted top speed. Figures are from official product pages, checked Oct 15, 2026. These are spec comparisons, not hands-on tests.
| Model | Price* | Battery | $/Wh | Motor (nom / peak) | Claimed range | Top speed | Weight | Payload | UL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velotric Discover 3 | $1,999 | 730Wh | $2.74 | 750W / 1,100W | Up to 80 mi | 28 mph (20 mph default) | 61 lb | 440 lb | UL 2849 & UL 2271 |
| Lectric XPress2 | $1,399 | 672Wh | $2.08 | 750W / 1,310W | Up to 60 mi | 28 mph | 55 lb without battery (battery 8 lb) | 330 lb | UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery) |
| Lectric XP4 750 (long-range) | $1,299 | ≈ 840Wh | ≈ $1.55 | 750W / 1,310W | Up to 85 mi | 28 mph | 61 lb without battery (battery 7.5 lb) | 330 lb | UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery) |
| Heybike Ranger S 2.0 | $999 | 692Wh | $1.44 | 750W / 1,400W | Up to 55 mi | 28 mph | — | — | UL 2849 |
| Velotric Nomad 2 | $1,999 | 705.6Wh | $2.83 | 750W / 1,300W | Up to 65 mi | 28 mph (20 mph default) | 75 lb | 505 lb | UL 2849 & UL 2271 |
| Velotric Fold 1 | $1,299 | 608Wh | $2.14 | 750W / 1,050W | Up to 55 mi | 28 mph (20 mph default) | 63 lb | 440 lb | UL 2849 & UL 2271 |
| Lectric XPedition2 | $1,399 | 624Wh | $2.24 | 750W / 1,310W | Up to 60 mi | 28 mph | 65 lb without battery (battery 9 lb) | 450 lb (330 lb rider) | UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery) |
| Rad Power Bikes Radster Road | $1,999 | 720Wh | $2.78 | 750W / — | Est. 25–65 mi | 28 mph | 74.5 lb | 320 lb (290 lb rider) | UL 2849 and UL 2271 |
| Aventon Pace 5 REC Step-Through | $1,799 | 733Wh | $2.45 | 750W / 1,188W | Up to 75 mi | 28 mph | 60.48 lb | 330 lb | UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery) |
| Himiway D5 2.0 | $2,199 | ≈ 720Wh | ≈ $3.05 | 750W / 1,300W | Up to 70 mi (pedal assist) | 28 mph (20 mph default) | 92 lb | 400 lb | — |
*Prices as listed on each brand’s official US site on Oct 15, 2026. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy. “≈” means we multiplied the stated volts and amp-hours.
Class 1, 2 or 3, 28 mph (20 mph default), 730Wh, 440 lb payload and UL 2849 & UL 2271.
Class 1, 2 or 3 at $1,399 on sale, with a 750W motor, 672Wh and UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery).
Class 1, 2 or 3 with the biggest folding battery we track (≈ 840Wh) and UL 2849 (bike), UL 2271 (battery).
Class 3, 28 mph, a 750W motor and UL 2849, at $999.
Class 1, 2 or 3 (ships Class 2), 28 mph (20 mph default), 505 lb payload and UL 2849 & UL 2271.
Under the three-class system most U.S. states use: Class 1 is pedal assist only, up to 20 mph. Class 2 adds a throttle, also limited to 20 mph. Class 3 is pedal assist up to 28 mph, and in most states the throttle (if any) is limited to 20 mph or not allowed. All three classes are typically capped at 750W of motor power. Our classes guide covers the rules in more depth.
Where you can ride. Class 3 bikes are often allowed in bike lanes and on roads but may be barred from multi-use paths and trails. Check state and local rules for your route.
Age and helmet rules. Many states set a minimum age (often 16) for Class 3 and require helmets for Class 3 riders.
Brakes matter more. Kinetic energy rises with the square of speed, so stopping from 28 mph takes nearly twice the energy of stopping from 20 mph. Hydraulic disc brakes are strongly preferred.
Range drops at speed. Wind resistance climbs steeply above 20 mph. Riding at 28 mph can use far more energy per mile than cruising at 18–20 mph, so expect less range than the claim.
Insurance and theft. Faster, pricier bikes attract thieves. Check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s policy covers e-bikes, and budget for a strong lock.
Several bikes here have a throttle as well as Class 3 pedal assist. In class-switching bikes, the throttle is typically limited to 20 mph, keeping the bike within Class 2 rules when using it. Check each product page and your local laws for how throttles are treated.
On published specs, the Velotric Discover 3: Class 1, 2 or 3, 730Wh, 440 lb and UL 2849 & UL 2271.
If you commute on roads with traffic moving 25–35 mph, the extra assisted speed is useful. If you ride mostly on paths, a Class 1 or 2 bike may be all you need and allowed in more places.
Many bikes we track can, including the Velotric Discover 3, Lectric XPress2 and Lectric XP4 750 (long-range). Changing classes is done in the display or app per the brand’s instructions. Modifying a bike beyond its intended class may void the warranty and break local laws.
How we work: every number on this page comes from the manufacturer’s official product page, checked Oct 15, 2026, and each model links to its source. Range and top speed are the brands’ own claims. We haven’t ridden or bench-tested these models, and prices change often, so check the current price on the brand’s site.