What is a class 2 ebike

Class 2 e-bikes are very similar to class 1 e-bikes; they share the same maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour. As soon as you touch the speed limit, the power motor automatically cuts off, which is responsible for providing power to the throttle & pedal assist.

Although, I was riding the Tenways CGO800S belt drive powered with a 350-watt rear hub motor which was a class 1 e-bike for more than a year and I was pretty satisfied with its great features such as a portable battery which always helped me carry it around anywhere and charge it without any hesitation especially when I traveled for a longer distance with my friends.

It was packed with a carbon belt drive rather than a chain drive, which helped me to drive smoother with low maintenance. The Tenway app connect feature interacts with the LCD screen pretty well. It puts GPS information right on the screen. You can set the location where you want to go; it will show you the path on the screen. It’s a very cool feature that I liked the most.

The major disadvantage of my Tenon E-Bike was that the rear carrier only allowed me to carry items weighing less than 6 pounds, which is approximately 4.98 Kg. I was likely to switch it over to the class 2 category. Let me tell you where I got the inspiration to do this. My friends, usually from the e-bike community, were to travel with me, especially for longer distances, adventure drives, etc., and I noticed some had class 2 e-bikes. The significant difference I observed was the unique throttle system on their handlebars. That was a pretty cool feature they were using, and of course, I also wanted to use that.

One disadvantage I saw was that the more you depend on the throttle system, the less range you get.

Let’s understand how the Class 2 e-bike is different from the Class 1 e-bike:

In the below points, I am sharing all the major points and differences I faced after purchasing class 2 e-bikes & whether you should buy them.

• The only significant difference is that they have a throttle on the handlebars. It can either be a thumb throttle or a quarter-turn throttle. That means that in class 2 e-bikes, the motor will function based on the throttle.
• You get pedals, but pedaling is optional. If you want to pedal, it requires less effort than class 1 e-bikes.
• The throttle will supply power to get your speed to 20 miles per hour without pedaling, which differs from a class 1 e-bike, where you only have the option to pedal if you want to travel.
• Those interested in these class 2 e-bikes must use a throttle for a sustained amount of time, which will dramatically decrease their battery life or battery range.
• This is just because you are using the throttle, and as a result, it will use more energy compared to a class 1 e-bike, where you are just pedaling and using the pedal assist feature along with pedaling.
• When you use the throttle to go full-on speed, the battery pays off quickly, and it dies a little bit sooner, which wears down the battery life.

PLEASE NOTE:

• • Please follow the posted speed limit signs on the bike paths. They are designed for the safety of both riders and pedestrians.

Rules that you must know when purchasing class 2 e-bikes:

Class 2 E-Bikes start to get dicey where you are allowed or not allowed to ride it. In my experience, People do not use class 2 e-bikes because they lack information about their area’s rules and regulations and don’t want to risk breaking them.

When I discussed this topic with my e-bike community groups, they told me that the laws are emphasized to ensure public safety. The government created non-motorized trails to protect pedestrians and cyclists from motorized vehicles. Throttles and high-speed capability add too much danger for other trail users.

Rules that you must follow on the road:

• All bicycle riders, as well as e-bike riders 17 and under, must wear properly fitted helmets. However, Connecticut is one US state that requires all riders to wear a helmet, while a few states allow you to ride without it. You must inquire with the local transportation department for more information.
• Driver’s License and License plate are not required for any class e-bikes.
• Due to government regulation, these class 2 e-bikes cannot assist you when you reach 20 miles per hour, the same as class 1 e-bikes do.

Best Class 2 E-Bikes that I liked:

1. RadRover 6 Plus:

• I think it is one of North America’s top-selling class 2 e-bikes. It is versatile because it fits riders from 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches.

• It has two models: Step-Thru, which costs $2089, and High-Step, which costs $1399. What I liked about the Step-Thru model was that we could lower the head tube and reposition the battery location according to our comfort.

•  It has received everything one needs to take on any terrain with ease. It is the most popular fat tire electric bike in the market.

• It is geared with a 750-watt rear hub motor with a max speed of 20 miles per hour.

• I like a high-wattage battery because it gives me the confidence to ride a long distance without worrying about charging. And yeah, this e-bike is equipped with a 672-watt portable removable battery. So you can easily pop it in and out, take it anywhere, and charge it anywhere.
• One safety feature I always look for is a good braking system, and yeah, it has hydraulic brakes, which gives you excellent control in stopping your e-bike anywhere.

2. Ariel Rider Rideal E-Bike: 

• This e-bike costs around $1799. It has a 6-speed pedal assist and a throttle twist system.

• The rear gear hub motor is packed with 672 watts, which makes it feel energetic when you twist the throttle or apply the pedals.

• The company claims it will provide you with a range of 60 miles, but you know it’s a marketing gimmick. You can expect up to 45 miles of range on pedal assist and 30 miles on throttle.

•  It is powered by a 20 amp hour 52v battery, which doesn’t look big.

• It is a class 2 e-bike, so its speed limit is 20 miles per hour. The display is just a regular black and white, nothing fancy.

• You get mounting points if you wish to add fenders and front-rear racks.

• A special note you have to keep in mind before purchasing is that because it is designed for urban riding, it lacks suspension—there are not even front suspension forks. It has a simple steel rigid fork paired with a hard aluminum frame.

3. Schwinn Ridgewood 29 E-bike:

• It also features both throttle acceleration and pedal assist. The motor of this e-bike amplifies the energy when you are pedaling with the power source coming from the battery and provides you with a good range compared to throttle acceleration.

• A full speed company claims to give a range of 45 miles but it’s a complete marketing gimmick and I will say you can get up to 30 miles of range.

• This is a class 2 mountain e-bike, so it is a good choice for commuting on the trails as well as if you want to do off-road.

• It provides you with three levels of pedal assist, so you can choose how much power you want.

• It is a full-suspension e-bike, which means that the front and rear suspension forks are equipped with shock absorbers to provide a comfortable ride.

4. Aventon Level.2:

•  Pricing at $1949, This e-bike gives you a natural feeling of motor assistance for each pedal stroke.

• This e-bike gives you a natural feeling of motor assist for each pedal stroke that the rider applies. You have got pedal assist up to 5 to fly a range of 60 miles.

• It is powered by a 500-watt continuous-rated motor that’s probably putting out closer to 750 watts or a bit more in terms of peak power.

• Honestly, the throttle range is probably 20 to 30 miles, depending on how hard you are riding.

• And, of course, you get 48v, a removable battery integrated battery that is lockable, too.
• Due to government regulations, it also has a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

5. Himiway C5: 

• This e-bike is priced at $2299 and is from the company Himway.

• It also has a feature that allows pedal assist, throttle acceleration, and a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

• It has a Moto-style aluminum frame with a triple clamp fork and a rear air shock suspension.

• The good thing is that it is powered by a 750-watt rear hub motor and is equipped with a 960-watt-hour battery, which provides 60 to 80 miles of range.

I hope this article helped & I was able to provide enough information regarding Class 2 e-bikes if not, then leave me a comment below & I will try to provide more information. Thank you so much for your trust and time; please remember, ebikeleague, and feel free to visit if you have any difficulty with your electric bike.

WITH LOVE & AFFECTION,

Keep Exploring & Keep Riding