INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Electric bikes, or e-bikes, can make riding a breeze. But finding the right one for your budget isn’t always so easy, with some models costing more than $10,000.

Consumer Reports is breaking down the options and sharing its top picks from recent tests.

From horns and whistles to turn signals and extra cargo space, e-bikes offer plenty of features for every lifestyle. “There are generally two reasons people buy an e-bike: either they’re getting back into biking and it’s helpful getting over those hills or flattening the hills, or they’re using it to commute and it’s replacing a vehicle,” said Consumer Reports’ Rich Handel.

There are two main types of e-bikes: pedal-assist models, which have an electric motor that kicks in when you pedal, and those that include a throttle to get the bike moving without pedaling.

While some e-bikes can be found for a few hundred dollars, the best-performing models in Consumer Reports’ testing typically run between $2,000 and $3,000.

“We look at how far you can get with them before the battery dies, acceleration, hill-climbing, speed control, braking, of course and then we take a look at how well the bike performs when the battery dies,” Handel said.

For commuters, Consumer Reports highlights the Heybike Cityrun for $1,600, which has an electric throttle and a battery with a 29-mile range. The Lectric XPedition, priced at $1,750, offers more cargo space and features similar to a car, including a headlight, brake-activated taillight and turn signals. For recreational riders, the Raleigh Retroglide Royale 2.0 is another top pick.

Consumer Reports also notes that e-bikes have a learning curve. Experts recommend reading the manual and practicing in a safe area before hitting the road. And no matter what kind of bike you ride, always wear a helmet.

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