Frequently asked questions

About E-Bikes

Are ebikes just motorcycles?

No, ebikes are pedal-assist, so riders must be pedalling themselves in order to reap the rewards of the electric motor. Riding an electric bike with pedal-assist is incredibly intuitive, and anyone who can ride a bike will immediately feel comfortable on one.



How fast can I go?

In Canada, the motor output on an ebike must not exceed 500 watts and bikes cannot travel faster than 32 km/h. Our MJM ebikes are built with a governor that will not allow the motor to exceed this limit, but 500W is more than enough power to help you up the steepest hills.



Why ebikes?

Electric bikes add power to your pedalling, enabling you to do more with a bicycle and have more fun! Ride faster than a conventional bike! You'll be surprised how quickly you can get around, even compared to a car. With an ebike you can avoid traffic using bike routes, maintain a much higher average speed than a conventional bike, and then park (for free) extremely close to your destination. Bike with ease and comfort! Enjoy riding uphill and into headwinds because the pedal assist helps push you along. Don’t sweat it! Ride with high pedal assist to get to work quickly and with no sweat. Then ride home with less pedal assist to get a workout if you want. Stay Safe! Safely get through intersections by being able to accelerate quickly from a stop. Save the joints! ebikes can make bike riding fun again by putting less pressure on knees, hips, and other joints. Ride together! You may have a riding partner that rides at a different speed than you. An ebike can even out the pace for both of you. Keep up with the kids! For further reading and more great information on ebikes, please check out ebikeforfun.com/blog/



How far can I go?

At MJM, we've designed our ebikes to fit Canada. We've doubled the battery power that you find in other brands of ebike to keep you on the road longer. With MJM, you can get upwards of 60km on a single charge, and that's accounting for all the hills, wind, and whatever other conditions mother nature can throw at you.



Why are there different PAS levels?

Riders don’t always need the same amount of assist. Using less assist increases battery life, while the option to use more is always there for acceleration or climbing hills. Choose the level that suits how hard you want to work or how fast you want to go!



What accessories are compatible with my ebike?

All of the most common bike accessories like fenders and racks will fit the majority of our ebikes. In fact, most already come equipped with all the extra features you need!



Are ebikes road legal?

In Canada, ebikes are classified as Motor-assisted Cycles as long as the motors are less than 500W and they travel at no more than 32km/h. This means that they are perfectly legal to be ridden on the roads, just like bicycles. They require no special liscence, but do require a bicycle helmet for safety.



Are ebikes loud?

Ebikes are, for the most part, not much louder than regular bicycles. You may even have trouble telling if your ebike is on... until you start pedalling and you feel the PAS kick in.



Can I still get exercise on an ebike?

Absolutely! You decide how much exercise you want to get by adjusting the power assist level on the bike. One common strategy is to commute to work with higher assist so you arrive with minimal to no sweat and then use a lower assist when riding home to get more of a work out and unwind from a long day.



Can ebikes get wet?

Yes! ebikes are water-resistant, so riding an ebike in the rain is absolutely okay, and you should continue to feel comfortable doing so. While raindrops falling won’t typically impact your bike, it’s a completely different story when you submerge your ebike. Just like it wouldn’t be ideal to drive a car through a river, you don’t want to take your ebike through a stream. You’ll want to take the time to wipe your bike down with a clean towel to get the moistures off of it as soon as possible when you complete your ride. This simple act will keep your bike in better condition and increase its longevity. Just like with the bike itself, drying the battery is a crucial step once you’re done riding. Even if you were just in light rain, you never want to risk your ebike’s battery becoming wet. Once you’re done, take the bike’s battery out of the bike and dry it off with a towel. Making sure that the battery’s cabin is clear of water or moisture as well.



Which is the best ebike for me?

That depends on you! Where you'll be riding, what conditions you'll be riding in, what feels most comfortable, and which style you prefer. Come on in for a test ride and ask us any questions you may have. Let us help you feel comfortable on your new ebike! For further reading and more great information on ebikes, check out ebikeforfun.com/blog/



What is PAS?

PAS stands for Pedal Assist. This exclusive ebike feature yields the best range and rider experience. When you pedal in this mode, the ebike system senses your cadence and/or torque, and adjusts its motor speed to match. You also have multiple power modes, from eco to turbo. Turbo mode will use more battery power than eco-mode, but you’ll get more of a boost!



About Motors and Batteries

What is a Watt Hour?

A Watt-hour is the voltage (V) that the battery provides multiplied by how much current (Amps) the battery can provide for some amount of time (generally in hours). Voltage x Amp hours = Wh In simple terms, this number can be used to gauge how far your ebike will take you before you need to recharge. All of our MJM ebikes have the largest battery in their class to ensure you can get where you're going.. and back!



Does the battery charge while you pedal?

Unfortunatey, no. Or perhaps a better answer is at least not yet.



Doesn't the motor and battery make the bike heavy?

Generally electric bikes range from 40 to 80 pounds. Though, with its low centre of gravity and motor ushing you forward, it is difficult to tell while riding the ebike.



Can I lock the battery?

Yes, the battery is locked to the bike and a key must be used to remove it.



Why use lithium ion batteries?

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries represent the very best in current battery technology. They are long lasting, light weight, and provide more power. The Electric Vehicle Industry as a whole has embraced Li-Ion batteries as the best power source for eco-friendly transportation!



Do I need to "break-in" my batteries?

Yes, the batteries used in our e-bikes will need to have a “break-in” cycle consisting of ~ three discharge/charge cycles before they will reach optimum performance. This involves three complete discharges and three complete recharges. After this initial “break-in” cycle the batteries will have maximum possible performance and less line voltage fluctuations under load.



How long will my battery last before needing replacing?

Average battery life depends on use and conditions. Even with proper care, rechargeable batteries do not last forever. Li-Ion batteries will last about 700+ cycles before losing significant capacity. A partial charge/discharge counts fractionally against those numbers; running the battery down halfway then recharging it completely uses up one half of a charge cycle.



How do I understand battery and motor options?

While motors come in all different sizes, the largest allowed on an ebike in Canada is 500 watts. That's exactly what we've put on all of our ebikes, to ensure that you have the torque to get up the steepest hills. Anything less would feel inadequate. Batteries also come in different sizes, and, much like the motors, we've outfitted our bikes with the largest batteries we could find to ensure you have the support to go on day-long rides and make your way home again.



How does temperature affect the battery?

The battery is the most sensitive component of the ebike. It can lose capacity at low temperatures, which in turn can limit the bike's range. During winter use with temperatures below zero you are advised to remove the battery, store it at room temperature and replace it on the bike shortly before your next journey. When you return, you should ideally store the battery indoors at temperatures between 15° and 20°C. The same applies to charging the battery: the lithium-ion cells should be charged at room temperature.



How long does it take to charge the battery?

Most electric bike batteries will fully charge from empty in 3 to 6 hours depending on the battery size.



About Service

What service is needed?

Just like any regular bicycle, your electric bike is going to need routine maintenance. However, don’t be put off by the bike’s electrical components as they actually require very little upkeep – it’s the tires, the brakes, and the wheels that need to be maintained by an experience bike or ebike mechanic.
We will ensure that before you buy, your bike is in tip-top shape from the moment you take it out of our store. This is especially important for ebikes as they need to be set up correctly to function properly.



Where can I get my ebike serviced?

Right here with us! MJM will be more than happy to take care of the service for your ebike. Alternatively you can also take your ebike to any bike mechanic and they should be able to give your bike the TLC it requires to perform at its best.



What basic care can I perform for my ebike?

Keep Your Ebike Clean: If possible clean your ebike after each ride, especially after riding it through mud or dirt. You should use a sponge with bike specific cleaners to gently wipe the parts down. Do not use a hose or any kind of pressure washing as this can wash out grease lubricating the bearings. It will also force water into the internal components which in turn will corrode and destroy the electric parts.
If you want your ebike to look as good as new, you should use polish which can leave a layer of protection over the paint and frame. However, be careful not to get the polish close to any braking surfaces or inside the battery components as it will corrode. Lubrication: In order to keep the mechanical parts of the bike in good working order, you should apply lubrication on the moving parts such as the chain and brake. However, before you do so, you should use a special cleaning solution to clean off any dirt or mud on the chain before applying the lubricant. This should ideally be done at least once a week if you use your electric bike regularly. Keep the Tires Properly Inflated: It’s important to check your tire pressure at least once a week. You can use a tire pressure gauge or the manual method of pushing down on the tire with your thumb. If the tire is underinflated it can lead to uneven tire wear and burn the battery too quickly. It will also make your life easier as the bike will be easier and more fun to handle with less resistance. Of course, you want to ensure that you don’t over inflate your tires as they will pop. Be sure to check the correct pressure which is usually printed on the side of the tire. Check the Brake Pads: Keep an eye on the brake pads about once a month to see how wore they are. If you notice there is a lot of wear and tear then it is probably time to replace them. When you start to ride, you always want to test out e-bike brakes to make sure they are in good working order, especially if you haven’t ridden for a while. It’s essential that you have effective brakes or else you could end up in a serious accident. Brake pads can be easy and cheap to replace whenever necessary so you don’t need to worry about spending money. Battery Care: The most important electrical piece on the bike is, of course, the battery. It is what powers your electric bike, giving you that pedal assist when you need it. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly maintain your battery or ask your dealer for instructions. If you don’t charge your battery properly it can end up damaging the battery and wearing out quicker. Battery replacements can be expensive, so take care of it to ensure it lasts a long time. With most modern Lithium cells it is better to keep the battery topped up rather than deplete it all together. So even if you only go for a relatively short cycle down the road, it is better for the battery to be charged after that ride