Top 10 E-Bike Questions (And Answers!)

With Summer in full swing, many riders are getting out to experience epic warm-weather adventures! Whether you’re a seasoned e-biker or an e-bike newbie, electric bikes offer a thrilling and eco-friendly way to explore the world. It’s normal to have questions about these fun machines no matter if you’re just starting to look for a new ride or if you’ve ridden 1,000 miles. With almost 15 years in the e-bike industry, we’ve heard every question imaginable. Let’s dive into the top 10 most-asked e-bike questions we get and we’ll share all of our answers!

Are e-bikes waterproof?

This is one of the most common questions we get asked by new e-bike riders. E-bikes are water-resistant but not waterproof. But what does that mean exactly and how much water and rain can your e-bike be exposed to before it’s damaged? There are components on your e-bike that have IP ratings, which denote the level of protection that electronics and electrical enclosures have against the ingress of water and solid objects. For example, all Juiced Bike batteries and advanced LCD screens have an IP65 rating, which protects against low-pressure water jets from any direction, condensation, and water spray. With that in mind, riding your bike in light rain is perfectly safe! But, if heavy rain is on the horizon, it’s best to postpone your ride for another day.

Are Juiced Bikes fire-safety certified?

All Juiced Bikes with G2 batteries have the highest safety rating for fire protection: SGS certification to UL2271. UL is the most trusted nationally recognized testing laboratory and the only testing lab recognized worldwide. For our batteries to conform to a UL safety standard, they undergo extensive durability, resistance, and longevity testing. To give our riders the ultimate peace of mind and to comply with e-bike safety legislation in a growing number of states, Juiced Bikes is also in the final stages of obtaining certification to UL 2849, which provides fire safety certification for all e-bike electrical systems. 

How fast do electric bikes go?

E-bike speeds are determined by the power of the motor AND the power of the rider! Almost all Juiced models go up to 20mph on throttle only and 28mph with pedal assist. The harder you pedal, the faster you will go! The HyperScorpion and HyperScrambler 2 ride even faster, reaching 30mph on throttle alone and 30+ mph on pedal assist. With great speed comes great responsibility, so only ride in these high-speed modes where you're legally allowed.

Can kids ride e-bikes?

The answer is yes but it depends on where you live and the age of the child. The age limit varies state-to-state and even city-to-city, for example, in California, riders must be 16 years old to ride a Class 3 e-bike and be wearing a helmet. If the child is younger than 16, they can ride a Class 2 or Class 1 bike only. But in Texas, riders can be 15 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike. Parents, it’s your responsibility to understand the legal riding age and teach young riders how to safely ride in traffic, no matter where they live. And always be sure they are wearing a helmet!

Are e-bikes street-legal?

E-bikes are legal to own and ride in many parts of the United States. However, some states have restrictions on the type of e-bike you can ride and where you can use it. 38 states use the 3 Class System to define e-bikes. Classes 1 and 2 both max out their speed at 20 mph when the motor kicks in. The only difference between these classes is whether the rider must pedal for the motor to turn on. Class 1 requires pedaling, while class 2 bikes can run without the rider pedaling. Class 3 e-bikes reach 28 mph with help from the motor. These classifications make it easier for states to distinguish which e-bikes have legal use and which models have restrictions. Other locations classify e-bikes as motorized vehicles in the same class as mopeds. It’s always best to look up your state and local regulations to determine if it’s legal to ride in your area.

Are e-bikes worth the money?

E-bikes are 100% worth the money! Sure, there is an initial investment in purchasing a new electric bicycle, but the savings that follow are considerable if you switch your car miles for e-bike miles! Let’s start with a few hundred dollars worth of savings just on gas per month. Parking costs are instantly eliminated by riding an e-bike. And, regular upkeep on an e-bike is a tiny fraction of what’s spent on maintaining and servicing a car. Then comes the health benefits of riding an electric bike. Riding an electric bike is a great way to keep in shape and get an effective low-impact workout. You can still pedal with vigorous intensity even when you’re using pedal assist. Research even found that e-bike riders get MORE exercise each week than standard cyclists because they end up riding longer distances! Plus electric bikes allow you to spend more time outdoors discovering new hidden gems in your neighborhood AND adventuring even farther to the road less traveled. So don’t wait to discover all the amazing benefits of riding an electric bike!

What's the real-world range of an e-bike?

Finding an e-bike's exact range is complicated and difficult to distill down to one single number. It can be difficult to compare bike models, but you can absolutely expect a longer, farther riding range from a battery with higher volts and amp hours. All Juiced Bikes are equipped with an industry-leading 52V battery which gets 55-100+ miles on a single charge depending on the model and the riding environment. Check out this real-world range test to see how much range you can get!

How can I avoid e-bike fires?

An e-bike fire doesn’t just happen. It's almost always caused by a cheap battery or gross negligence in battery care by the owner. The most important way to avoid e-bike battery fires is to purchase an e-bike with a battery that is UL safety-complaint. All Juiced Bikes with G2 batteries are SGS certified to UL 2271 meaning they have the highest safety rating for fire protection. Once you’ve purchased an e-bike, never purchase an off-brand or after-market battery or charger. Buy directly from the brand your electric bike is from. When charging, storing and maintaining your battery be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s important to store your battery in a clean, dry and temperature-controlled location. If you’re ever having trouble with your battery, contact the company directly and never try to work on the battery yourself. And finally, never open your battery. Let the trained technicians at your e-bike company do the work for you if something isn’t working properly. For even more information on e-bike fires, check out this article.

How can I get a discount on a Juiced Bike?

There are many ways to save on a new Juiced Bike! 

• Sign up for our newsletter to get notified about sales right away and get a 20% off any accessory automatically when you sign up.
• If you’re in the military, a healthcare worker, a teacher or first responder you could be eligible for $100 off any e-bike. See if you qualify here!
• What’s better than one e-bike? Two e-bikes! If you and a friend are looking to buy two bikes use code 2BIKEOFFER at checkout for an extra $200 off your order.
• Not eligible for a discount? You can finance your new electric bike and pay in low monthly installments over the next few years when you qualify with Klarna.

How long does assembling a Juiced Bike take?

Assembling your new Juiced Bikes is fairly easy and can take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the model. All Juiced Bikes come about 90% assembled in the box and come with all the tools you need to get your bike ready for its first ride. New riders should check out our bike setup page to access video assembly guides and more!

More questions about e-bikes?