Everything You Need to Know About 500 W Electric Bikes

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are becoming more and more popular these days and buying one gets more tempting each day. in a bike shop, you should go for an average motor that keeps the delicate balance between size, weight, safety, and power. We are talking about 500w electric bikes. Let’s learn everything there is to learn about these bikes.

What is a 500 watt motor?

A 500w e bike is a mid-range option for people who want to experience the outdoor and fresh air that comes with cycling but don’t want to get sweaty and out of breath cycling up a hill. The assistance that a 500w motor gives you is perfect for daily urban commutes and leisurely weekend rides.

What are the main features of 500w electric motor?

Speed

If you want to know how fast will a 500w ebike go, you won’t be disappointed. A 500 watt e bike can reach a high speed of about 32 Km/h. The actual pace might be a bit lower depending on factors such as your weight and the terrain on which you are riding. What’s more, if you are using the pedal-assisted or human mode, your speed will be reduced considerably.  

Battery

The battery of an electric bike 500w is of the Li-ion type which can be charged on or off the bike. If you use the e-bike without assistance, it can run for about an hour. However, on assist level 1 settings, you can use the battery for up to 100 kilometers per charge. 

Weight

A typical ebike 500w weighs about 23 kilograms. In comparison, you should know that a bicycle usually weighs somewhere between 8 and 13 kilograms. On the other hand, you should keep in mind that 500w electric bikes are lighter than the higher wattage versions.

What’s the difference between 500w, 350w, 750w, and a 1000w e-bike?

Most experts believe that investing in a 500w e-bike is the best choice since it has a reasonable electric motor, but at the same time, it’s not too heavy and it complies with the speed limit rules. Let’s see how electric bikes 500w compare to the 250w, 3503, 750w, and 1000w models.

250w vs 500w ebike

One of the main differences between a 250w e-bike and the 500w version is its hill-climbing power. A 500w can take up to 130 kilograms of weight, while the 250w motor is better for lightweight riders. And finally, 500w ebike top speed can reach up to 32 km/h, while the 250 watts model can go as fast as 24 km/h.

350w vs 500w ebike

A 350w e-bike has 60Nm rotational force or torque which is 10% more in a 500w ebike. On the other hand, the battery on a 500w e-bike drains more quickly. When asking about a 500w electric bike top speed vs. the 350W version, there isn’t much to talk about. 

500w vs 750w ebike

Let’s talk about 500 watt vs 750 watt electric bike: First, it’s the speed. When asked how fast is 500w in mph? The answer usually is about 32 kilometres per hour. However, a 750-watts e bike reaches 40kmph (28 mph). 

500w vs 1000w ebike

The major difference between these two bikes is motor power and torque. However, as mentioned before, the terrain and weight of the rider play essential roles in determining how fast is a 500w ebike or a 1000W ebike. Therefore, if you are an average-weight person using  your e-bike on the flat ground of city roads, 500w is enough for you.

How fast does a 500w electric bike go compared to other bikes?

Seeing how fast does a 500w electric bike go, how it fulfills all your daily needs, and how it does not break any federal or state rules, you can say that a 500W bike is the perfect choice for you. You should also consider the fact that this bike’s wattage does not determine the speed you can go with. The 32 km/h speed mentioned before is what you can do without any human assistance. The rest is up to your prowess as a biker. 

What’s the difference between mechanical power output vs electrical power output?

When bike producers talk about a 500W motor, they refer to the electric power produced, not the power delivered to the rear wheel of the bike. Mechanical power, on the other hand, is the amount of force given to the bike’s wheels to propel them forward. A casual biker usually produces about 100W of mechanical power during the ride, while the amount can reach 400W for a professional biker.

What does Canadian law say about e-bikes? 

Before making a decision about which e-bike to buy, you need to think about how fast can a 500w ebike go. Why is this question crucial in Canada? Because according to the e-bike regulations, an electric bike cannot go faster than 32kmph (20 mph) in motor power only.

What is the three-class bike system?

In 2014, the PeopleForBikes group defined the three-class system. According to this system, there are three classes of e-bikes:

Class 1: e-bikes that are pedal assist only and have a maximum speed of about 20 m/h.

Class 2: e-bikes with a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, but in contrast to class 1, they are throttle-assisted.

Class 3: e-bikes with a maximum speed of 28 m/h, but they are pedal-assisted only and do not have a throttle.

In all these classes, the ebike motors should be limited to 500W, equal to 1 horsepower. The rules regarding the classes of e-bikes in Canada vary from province to province. In most cases, all three classes of e-bike are allowed as long as they are 500W or less.

What do we mean by the 500W limit?

When Canadian law says e-bikes should have a power of 500w or less, they mean electrical power produced by the bikes motor only. However, this is by no means the actual power produced by the bike. 

Final thoughts 

A 500-watt motor is one of the best options for people who want to use their bikes for their daily commute or the occasional trek in the steep hill tracks and uneven grounds. When asked the question is 500w enough for ebike, most experts and e-bike users believe that the answer is yes.