Motor watts: rated versus peak
A motor's rated (or nominal) power is what it can sustain. Peak power is what it can produce in short bursts, such as climbing a steep start. Brands choose which to advertise, and a bike sold as 1,200 W peak may be a 750 W rated motor. When two bikes list different kinds of watts, they are not directly comparable. That is why motor watts are shown but not scored on this site.
Battery: watt-hours, volts and amp-hours
Watt-hours (Wh) measure how much energy the battery holds. If a listing gives only volts and amp-hours, multiply them: a 48 V, 15 Ah battery is 720 Wh. We mark any capacity we worked out this way on the bike page. More watt-hours means more potential range, and more weight and cost.
Torque
Torque, measured in newton-meters (Nm), is the motor's twisting force and helps with climbing and starting. Not every brand lists it, so we do not score it. If you ride steep hills or carry heavy loads, ask the brand for the figure.
Tire size
Tire size is written as wheel diameter by width, such as 26 x 4.0 inches. Width of 4 inches or more is called fat tire. Wider tires grip better on sand, snow and rough ground and ride softer, but add weight and rolling resistance. Smaller 20 inch wheels suit folding bikes.
Brakes
Hydraulic disc brakes use fluid and generally give stronger stopping with less hand effort. Mechanical disc brakes use a cable and are cheaper but need more adjustment. Rotor size, such as 160 mm or 180 mm, affects heat handling; larger rotors help on heavy bikes. Some listings do not state the brake type, which we show as not listed.