Current Plus

The Current Plus targets the commuter who plans to keep a bike for years and never wants to service a drivetrain. A Bafang M510 mid-drive, Gates belt, and Enviolo CVT make it ideal for daily riders on varied terrain who'll pay a premium for a grease-free, no-derailleur life. Budget shoppers and anyone chasing the cheapest miles-per-dollar should look at value hubs instead; this is a considered, long-haul purchase at $3,799.

The 8.9 is earned across nearly every criterion. Motor-and-power-delivery is a highlight — 90 Nm with a torque sensor climbs confidently — and build-and-serviceability is exceptional thanks to the belt/CVT combo, a UL-certified battery, and a best-in-class five-year frame warranty for a direct brand. Four-piston hydraulics anchor brakes-and-safety. The only real knock is value in the strictest sense and a slight efficiency loss from the CVT versus a derailleur.

The compromise here is a small efficiency and cost penalty for radically lower maintenance. For riders who value reliability over squeezing every watt-hour, that's an easy trade. If you'd rather bank the money and don't mind chain upkeep, the Ride1Up 700-Series delivers Class 3 commuting for less than half the price — but you give up the CVT, the mid-drive torque, and Priority's warranty.