The most common legal definition of a Class 3 electric bike is "pedal assist only with a top speed of 28mph, and power not exceeding one horsepower (750 watts)". That's right, no throttle! However, throttles are becoming more and more popular, especially on e-bikes equipped with a cadence sensor for pedal assistance. Those sensors have a delay when starting and just aren't very responsive, so having a throttle really helps to smooth out the ride experience. Plus... throttles are fun! This is why a lot of manufacturers are including throttles on their Class 3 models, with the caveat that the throttle cuts out at 20mph so you have to use pedal assist only to get up to the top speed of 28mph. These bikes are technically a sort of Class 2/3 hybrid, but it's simpler for everyone involved to just refer to them as Class 3.
A word to the wise: many e-bike manufacturers advertise their products as Class 3, but legally, they are not! Consider these questions about an e-bike you are considering:
- Is the motor power greater than 750 watts nominal?
- Can the e-bike go faster than 28mph?
- Can the throttle be used to go faster than 20mph?
If the answer to any of those questions is "yes", then technically that e-bike is not a Class 3. Unfortunately, it's not really any class, but rather in a legal grey area that's not quite e-bike, not quite moped or scooter. I actually had one of these products, an electric moped with a powerful 2,000 watt motor that could go about 40mph. I tried to register it as a moped or scooter with the Colorado Department of Transportation, and they rejected my registration form with the response "we don't register electric bikes." I wasn't able to find any answers regarding where I could legally ride that EV, and while I never got stopped or hassled by police, I know some areas take enforcement much more seriously.
Note: Many electric bikes are capable of going much faster than Class 3 speeds, but they are locked to 28mph in the display settings. More often than not you can "unlock" these settings to enable faster riding, which is designed for off-road, private property use. Of course, many people just unlock them and use them in their normal riding areas, and honestly I can't blame them. Being able to go 30-35mph can allow you to keep up with traffic and ride in automobile lanes in areas where there is no biking infrastructure... and it obviously means you get where you're going that much faster.
The Turris has a lot of quality components that offer great value for money, especially considering the recent price drop to just $1,095 USD. This Class 3 is dubbed as an "adventure e-bike", making it a great fit for people who do a blend of city riding and off-road adventuring. With a powerful 750-watt rear hub motor and an upgraded Altus pedaling drivetrain, it's easy to reach the max speed of 28mph, and - unlike many similarly priced e-bikes - the Turris feels safe and stable while doing so. It's available in both high-step and step-thru frame styles, but can only be bought online as Ride1Up does not have a dealer network.
Iconic is a new brand in the crowded e-bike space, but you wouldn't know it from the quality of their first model, the Cruiser - this is one amazing ride! It's got style, grace, imposing size, and quality components, and definitely lives up to the "Iconic" name in every way. Don't worry, this head-turner is useful too; Lights, cargo rack, and fenders make it a great utility city e-bike. You can even upgrade to a 1000-watt motor for truly satisfying acceleration!
The AQ177 Pro Max has the biggest battery I've ever seen on an e-bike... was this monster made in Texas?! The downside of all that juice is a Texas-sized curb weight of 116 pounds... no sir, this electrified bicycle is not for the faint of heart. With a full loadout of commuting accessories, hydraulic brakes, and a suspiciously low price tag of just $1,799, this e-bike is tempting indeed... but how will the quality hold up over time? Dive into the full review to get my take.
The Runabout.2 may be a step-through, but it's single downtube is thick enough to feel just as stable as most high-step electric bikes. This provides a great combination of stability and approachability, and it's also loaded out with commuting and utility accessories, making it a great all-purpose electric bike. It's not quite a fat tire ride but these three inch tires are still beefier than most, providing cushion and stability - plus there's a suspension fork! A big win here is that the battery is 52 volts and uses high quality Samsung cells, meaning it will outperform similar capacity batteries from less reputable manufacturers.
It may be a minibike, but as the name suggests, this baby is tanky! With aggressive fat tires and dual suspension, the Tank G60 is ready to handle any terrain. The cast alloy wheels look awesome and are strong as hell, but they do add weight, helping this short-n-stout machine to tip the scales at 75 pounds. Perhaps the only thing not hefty about this e-bike is the price, it offers a lot of value for only $1,299.