Mid-drive motors are still the performance benchmark, and 2025 is already stacked. Brands are rolling out more torque, smarter control, and better range at prices we didn’t see a year ago. From fat-tire explorers to foldable commuters, these launches have us rethinking our Top 5.
Below are five new mid-drive entries on our radar, what stands out, and whether they’re Top-5 material.
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- Aventon Aventure M- Jump to review
- Ride1Up TrailRush eMTB – Jump to review
- Tenways Ago X – Jump to review
- Heybike X-Series – Jump to review
- Vvolt Centauri II – Jump to review
1. Aventon Aventure M
Why it’s interesting: Aventure finally goes mid-drive. Same go-anywhere attitude, far better control.
The quick read: A 250 W nominal, 750 W peak mid-drive with about 100 Nm makes this fat-tire build feel planted on dirt and smooth on pavement. Aventon adds a suspension seatpost, integrated lighting, and Shimano CUES with electronic assist. With up to 85 miles of claimed range and Class 3 capability, this is the most grown-up Aventure yet.
Specs:
- Price: $2,899
- Motor: 250W nominal / 750W peak mid-drive, ~100Nm torque
- Battery: 36V 20Ah (733Wh)
- Range: Up to 85 miles
- Top Speed: 28 mph (convertible Class 1/2/3)
- Weight: 73 lbs
- Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 10-speed w/ auto shift
- Suspension: 80mm fork + suspension seatpost
- Tires: 26×4”
- Brakes: SRAM DB4 4-piston hydraulic
- Water Resistance: IPX6 (bike) / IP67 (motor)
Top-5 odds: High. Mid-drive control, fat-tire comfort, and a premium drivetrain at a fair price.
2. Ride1Up TrailRush eMTB
Why it’s interesting: Full-suspension trail bike with Brose power for just over two grand.
The quick read: Ride1Up steps off the commute path and onto singletrack. The Brose TF Sprinter is quiet, responsive, and plenty strong. RockShox Judy up front, quad-piston brakes, Deore 10-speed, and 29 in Maxxis Minions make this a legit value trail rig.
Specs:
- Price: $2,095
- Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive (~90Nm)
- Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh)
- Range: 30–50 miles
- Top Speed: 28 mph (Class 3)
- Weight: ~58 lbs
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 10-speed
- Suspension: RockShox Judy 120mm
- Tires: 29″x2.6″ Maxxis Minion (tubeless-ready)
- Brakes: Tektro quad-piston hydraulic
Top-5 odds: Strong. If the tune is right, this is a category disrupter on value alone.
3. Tenways Ago X
Why it’s interesting: A versatile SUV-style mid-drive ebike for commuting and light off-road.
The quick read: TENWAYS positions the AGO X as a mid-drive SUV-style ebike with an 80 Nm motor, integrated torque sensor, and a 504 Wh battery allowing up to ~62 miles of range. It sports a Shimano 10-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and is built from 6061 aluminum with tidy integration.
Specs:
- Price: $1,899 (US model)
- Bafang M410 Mid-drive Motor (250W Power, 80 Nm Torque)
- Battery: 36V 14 Ah (504 Wh)
- Range: Up to ~62 miles (claimed)
- Drivetrain: Shimano 10-speed
- Claimed weight: 64 lbs
- Tires: CST Puncture-proof 29″ x 2.25” Tires
- Brakes: Tektro HD-275n Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Why it makes the cut: It ticks the “value + performance” box for a Top 5 candidate.
4. Heybike X Series (Mars 3.0 Pro / Ranger 3.0 Pro
Why it’s interesting: Mid-drive torque in a folding fat-tire format with smart features under two grand.
The quick read: Heybike is stepping up in a big way with the new X Series. Torque sensors, NFC unlock, app-based ride tuning, and a folding frame make these bikes stand out in a crowded category. Peak power ranges from 1,200 W on the Ranger 3.0 Pro to 1,400 W on the Mars 3.0 Pro, paired with up to 90 miles of claimed range. It’s commuter practicality with trail attitude, something we don’t usually see at this price point.
Specs (varies by model):
- Price: Under $2,000
- Motor: 750W nominal, up to 1,400W peak
- Torque: 80–95Nm
- Battery: 624–720Wh
- Range: Mars – 65 miles; Ranger – 90 miles
- Top Speed: 28 mph (Class 2/3)
- Gearing: Shimano Altus 8-speed
- Tires: 20″ or 24″x4″
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- Features: Folding frame, torque sensor, NFC unlock, ride app
Top-5 odds: Dark horse. If the mid-drive tuning is dialed, this could jump tiers on value.
5. Vvolt Centauri II
Why it’s interesting: Commuter ebike that’s low-maintenance with a mid-drive motor /belt drive combo and internal hub gearing.
The quick read: Vvolt’s Centauri II builds around a mid-drive motor (Ananda) with up to ~120 Nm of torque, a carbon belt drive, internal gear hub, and commuter-friendly features.
Quick specs:
- Price: $2,599
- Motor: 350W/650W Mid-drive, ~120 Nm torque
- Battery: 490 Wh
- Range: Up to 60 miles
- Top Speed: 28 mph (Class 3)
- Claimed weight: 50 lbs
- Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, 2-piston calipers, 180mm rotors
- Tires: Puncture-resistant 27.5×2.25” tires
- Drivetrain:Gates CDX, 46T chainring, 22T cog, Gates 120T belt, Autoshift3 Automatic three-speed rear hub transmission
Why it makes the cut: It’s mid-drive ebike built for everyday urban use. Featuring a low-maintenance belt drive, internal gearing, and premium components.
2025 Mid-Drive Ebike Comparison Table
|
Model |
Price |
Peak Power |
Torque |
Battery |
Max Range |
Class |
Top Speed |
Weight |
|
Aventon Aventure M |
$2,899 |
250 W nominal / 750 W peak |
100 Nm |
733 Wh |
Up to ~85 miles |
Class 3 |
28 mph |
~73 lbs |
|
Ride1Up TrailRush |
$2,095 |
750 W |
90 Nm |
504 Wh |
30–50 miles |
Class 3 |
28 mph |
~58 lbs |
|
TENWAYS AGO X |
$1,899 |
Mid-drive 250W nominal |
80 Nm |
504 Wh |
~62 miles |
1/2/3 |
~28 mph* |
~63–64 lbs |
|
Heybike X Series |
<$2,000 |
Up to 1,200 –1,400 W |
80–95 Nm |
624–720 Wh |
Up to ~90 miles |
Class 2/3 |
28 mph |
~70–75 lbs |
|
Vvolt Centauri |
$2,599 |
350 W nominal /650 W peak |
120 Nm |
490 Wh |
~60 miles+ |
Class 3 |
28 mph |
~50–55 lbs |
So… do they make the Top 5?
Early read:
- Aventon Aventure M: Likely in. Best Aventure yet, and a legit mid-drive fat-tire option at a fair number.
- Ride1Up TrailRush: Strong shot. Brose power and real trail parts at this price is tough to ignore.
- Heybike X Series: Watchlist. Folding mid-drive with smart features under $2K could upset the category if execution is solid.
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Tenways Ago X: Serious value contender. A well-specced SUV-style mid-drive that punches above its price.
Vvolt Centauri II: A refined, low-maintenance commuter mid-drive with belt drive + internal gearing—quiet, clean, and built for daily use.
We will finalize our Top 5 after more seat time, but if you are shopping mid-drives now, these are the ones to keep on your short list.