Halfords Electric Bikes

Halfords is where a huge number of UK riders buy their first electric bike, and for good reason: it is on almost every high street, it builds the bike for you, and it can service it when something goes wrong. Most of its e-bikes come from its own labels, chiefly Carrera for commuting and off-road, Pendleton for relaxed step-through riding, and Apollo at the budget end, alongside a smaller selection of third-party brands. Prices run roughly from £600 to £1,400, which puts Halfords firmly in the entry-to-mid market rather than the premium end.

This guide reviews the Halfords electric bike range as it stands in 2026, model by model, and explains where it shines and where pricier rivals pull ahead. We base our assessment on manufacturer specifications, retail pricing, owner feedback and the brands’ reputation, not on a single staged test ride. Prices shift often, so use the “Check price” links for the live figure.

Which brands does Halfords sell?

Halfords leans heavily on its own brands, which keeps prices down and means parts, batteries and servicing are easy to source in store.

• Carrera is the headline e-bike brand, covering electric mountain bikes (Vengeance E, Vulcan E) and hybrid commuters (Crossfire E, Subway E). It is the range most people mean by “Halfords electric bikes”.
• Pendleton, the Victoria Pendleton label, focuses on stylish step-through town bikes, led by the Somerby. It is popular with riders who want an easy, upright position.
• Apollo sits at the budget end for casual, occasional riders on a tight budget.
• Third-party stock appears from time to time, including names such as Brompton and other established makers, though availability varies by season and store.

For a deeper look at the Carrera line specifically, see our Carrera electric bikes guide, and for the step-through range our Pendleton electric bikes guide.

Best Halfords electric bikes in 2026

Below are the models we rate most highly across the current Halfords range, scored on motor and sensor type, battery and realistic range, build, value and how well the bike suits its intended rider. Ratings are our editorial scores, not lab measurements.

1. Carrera Vengeance E - best Halfords e-MTB

#1

Carrera (Halfords)

Carrera Vengeance E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.1 around £899

Best for: Best Halfords e-MTB for trails

Motor

250W Suntour rear hub

Battery

317Wh integrated

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

around 23kg

+ What we like

• Suntour suspension fork soaks up rough ground
• Shimano 8-speed gearing and disc brakes
• Built and serviced in store

- Watch-outs

• Real range is nearer 20 to 25 miles

Our verdict: A capable, affordable entry e-mountain bike for towpaths and light trails, best for shorter rides.

Check price

The Carrera Vengeance E is the bike most people picture when they think of a Halfords electric bike. It pairs a 250W Suntour rear-hub motor with a 317Wh battery, a Suntour suspension fork and Shimano 8-speed gearing, which is a sensible kit list for towpaths, forest tracks and light trails. The claimed 40-mile range is optimistic; most owners report nearer 20 to 25 miles once you factor in hills, rider weight and the assistance level. For the money it is hard to beat as a first e-MTB, and the option to buy it built and serviced in store removes a lot of the worry for newcomers. If you want the full breakdown, read our dedicated Carrera Vengeance E review.

2. Carrera Crossfire E - best commuter all-rounder

#2

Carrera (Halfords)

Carrera Crossfire E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.2 around £1,399

Best for: Best Halfords commuter all-rounder

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

417Wh integrated

Range

Up to 60 miles (claimed)

Weight

around 24kg

+ What we like

• Larger 417Wh battery for longer commutes
• Upright hybrid position suits towns and tracks
• Suspension fork and disc brakes

- Watch-outs

• Heavier than premium rivals

Our verdict: The most versatile Carrera e-bike, equally happy on roads, cycle paths and gravel.

Check price

If your riding mixes commuting with weekend exploring, the Crossfire E is the pick of the Carrera range. Its larger 417Wh battery gives a claimed 60 miles, or a realistic 25 to 35 in mixed use, which is a meaningful step up from the smaller-battery models. The upright hybrid geometry, suspension fork and disc brakes make it comfortable on cracked city tarmac and gravel paths alike. At around £1,399 it is the most expensive bike here, but it is also the most capable, and it remains good value against similarly specced rivals once you factor in Halfords servicing.

Compare Carrera e-bike prices

3. Carrera Subway E - best city commuter

#3

Carrera (Halfords)

Carrera Subway E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.0 around £1,099

Best for: Best Halfords city commuter

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

317Wh integrated

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

around 22kg

+ What we like

• Rigid fork keeps it light and efficient on tarmac
• Clean, low-maintenance commuter setup
• Easy to buy and service on the high street

- Watch-outs

• Smaller battery than the Crossfire E

Our verdict: A tidy, road-focused commuter for shorter urban journeys at a sensible price.

Check price

The Subway E is the road-biased sibling of the Crossfire. It swaps the suspension fork for a rigid one, which keeps it lighter and more efficient on smooth tarmac, making it a clean, no-fuss city commuter. The 317Wh battery and claimed 40-mile range suit shorter daily journeys rather than long-distance trips, so think of it as a bike for the office run and errands. At around £1,099 it undercuts the Crossfire E while keeping the same easy in-store buying and servicing.

4. Pendleton Somerby Electric - best step-through

#4

Pendleton (Halfords)

Pendleton Somerby Electric

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.0 around £1,099

Best for: Best Halfords step-through

Motor

250W Bafang rear hub

Battery

317Wh

Range

Up to 50 miles (claimed)

Weight

around 22kg

+ What we like

• Low step-through frame is easy to mount
• Comfortable, upright town riding position
• Classic looks with mudguards and rack

- Watch-outs

• Cadence sensor feels less natural than a torque sensor

Our verdict: The go-to relaxed step-through for shoppers and gentle commutes, especially popular with women riders.

Check price

The Pendleton Somerby is Halfords’ most popular step-through e-bike, and it is easy to see why. The low frame makes mounting and dismounting effortless, the riding position is upright and relaxed, and the classic styling with mudguards and a rear rack suits shopping and gentle commuting. A 250W Bafang rear-hub motor and 317Wh battery give a claimed 50 miles, with 25 to 30 more realistic in everyday use. The cadence sensor delivers assistance in steps rather than the smooth response of a torque sensor, but for relaxed town riding most owners do not mind.

What you give up versus premium e-bikes

Halfords e-bikes are built to a price, and it shows in a few predictable places. Almost all use rear-hub motors with cadence sensors, which apply power based on whether you are pedalling rather than how hard, so the ride feels less natural than a torque-sensor mid-drive from brands like Cube or Specialized. Batteries are modest, typically 317Wh to 417Wh, so real-world range trails the claimed figures. The bikes are also on the heavy side at 22 to 24kg. None of this rules them out as a first e-bike, but if smoothness, weight or long range matter most, it is worth comparing the wider field in our best electric bikes guide.

Finance, servicing and the high-street advantage

The strongest argument for buying from Halfords is everything that happens around the bike. You can test ride in store, have the bike built for free, and book it in for servicing at branches across the UK, which is reassuring if you have never owned an e-bike. Halfords also offers finance on larger orders and runs its own cycle to work scheme, letting employed buyers spread the cost through salary sacrifice. Refurbished and graded ex-display models appear regularly too, so it is worth checking those if you want a Carrera or Pendleton for less.

Every bike Halfords sells is a fully road-legal EAPC, meaning a 250W motor that cuts assistance at 15.5mph and a minimum rider age of 14, so you need no licence, tax or insurance. If you are unsure how the rules apply to you, our electric bike law guide covers everything in plain English.

Who should buy a Halfords electric bike?

A Halfords e-bike is the right call if you value local support over outright spec: first-time buyers, less confident riders, and anyone who wants a shop to fall back on. Choose the Vengeance E for trails, the Crossfire E for longer mixed commutes, the Subway E for city roads, and the Pendleton Somerby for relaxed step-through riding. If you would rather chase the best spec for the money and are comfortable buying online, our best Halfords electric bikes shortlist ranks the standout picks, and the wider market is covered across our buying guides.