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Plain-English referenceElectric bike glossary
A searchable plain-English dictionary of e-bike technology, safety, class and ownership terms.
- Amp-hour (Ah)
- A battery charge-capacity unit; not the same as watt-hours.
- Battery management system (BMS)
- Electronics that monitor and help manage battery operation.
- Cadence sensor
- A system that detects pedaling rotation to trigger assistance.
- Class 1
- Common U.S. class for pedal-assist up to 20 mph; local law controls.
- Class 2
- Common U.S. class allowing throttle assistance up to 20 mph; local law controls.
- Class 3
- Common U.S. class for pedal assistance up to 28 mph; local law controls.
- Controller
- Electronics that regulate electrical drive response.
- Derailleur
- Gear-shifting mechanism on many bicycle drivetrains.
- Direct-to-consumer
- A model where the manufacturer sells directly to buyers.
- Fat-tire bicycle
- A bicycle with substantially wider tires, often used for comfort or loose terrain.
- Fenders
- Guards that reduce water and road spray.
- Gross vehicle weight rating
- A manufacturer-defined loaded vehicle rating; check exact wording and included mass.
- Hub drive
- An electric motor incorporated into a wheel hub.
- Mid-drive
- An electric motor applying force through the crank/drivetrain area.
- Nominal watts
- A stated motor power level under specified conditions; not a range guarantee.
- Payload
- Rated permissible load; may or may not include accessories depending on maker wording.
- Rack rating
- Separate permissible load for a rack or platform.
- Regenerative braking
- Energy recovery while braking on certain electrical systems; not universal.
- Step-through frame
- A frame with a low or open area for easier mounting.
- Throttle
- A control that can request motor power without pedaling on some systems.
- Torque sensor
- A sensor reacting to rider pedaling force.
- UL 2271
- A standard for batteries used in light electric vehicle applications.
- UL 2849
- A standard addressing complete electrical systems for e-bikes.
- Watt-hour (Wh)
- An energy quantity; volts multiplied by amp-hours for a nominal battery estimate.
- Wh per mile
- Energy used divided by distance traveled, when measured reliably.