E-Bikes 101

E-Bikes 101

Want to learn some basic fundamentals about electric bikes? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. Also be sure to check out our social media for FAQ videos.

Class 1, 2 or 3
E-Bikes have 3 main types that they are classified into. Each country, state and city have their own specifications for what class is permitted for riding in specific areas. Below is the federally defined requirements for each class in the USA.

Class 1: These bikes provide pedal-assist (PAS) without a throttle and have a maximum speed of 20 mph.
 2: Similar to Class 1, but these bikes include a throttle, also capped at 20 mph.
3: These e-bikes can feature both a throttle and pedal assist, with a speed limit of 28 mph. All classes require the motor to be 750 watts or less.

Throttle vs. Pedal Assist
A throttle on an e-bike activates the motor without pedaling. Pedal assist, on the other hand, is triggered by either a cadence or torque sensor when you start to pedal.

Cadence vs. Torque Sensor PAS
A cadence sensor activates the motor when you pedal. The torque sensor gauges the pressure on the pedals, adjusting assist accordingly. The harder you pedal, the more assistance you receive. Torque sensor e-bikes deliver a more natural riding feel.

Motor Wattage

E-bikes come with motor sizes ranging from 250W to over 1000W, depending on the manufacturer and model. It’s important to note that in most states and regions, e-bikes with a nominal wattage above 750W are classified as motor vehicles or mopeds.
*The only exceptions in our inventory are Bakcou and Hardcore hunting e-bikes, which exceed the 750W limit.

Battery Terminology

Volts (V): Measure the speed of electron movement in your battery.
Amps: Indicate the battery’s capacity to transport energy. Higher amperage allows more energy to flow simultaneously.
Watts (W): Calculated by multiplying Volts by Amps.
Amp Hours (Ah): Measure how many Amps a battery can sustain for one hour.
Watt Hours (Wh): This is the most accurate way to gauge usable energy in an e-bike battery. Multiply Volts by Amp Hours to find Watt Hours. For example, a 500Wh battery can deliver 500 watts for one hour, or 1000 watts for 30 minutes, or 250 watts for 2 hours.

Winter Battery Storage
Store the battery somewhere out of freezing temperatures. If a battery is completely empty this will cause more wear. Also, if a battery sits for an extended period of time it can go into a sleep mode. But, If this happens simply plug in the charger and the battery should “wake itself up”. This is why it is important to not store a battery fully charged. If the battery is fully charged there is no way to get it out of the sleep mode. Store your battery between 40-80% over winter.

Holmesville Location
306 South Millersburg Street
Holmesville, Ohio 44633
(330)601-3365