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?
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?
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
What basic care can I perform for my ebike?
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.