What's the wording for an electric assist bicycle?

[JTsyo]

I'm currently looking for a bike for my son. We live in a hilly area so going up hill can be tiring. I was looking for a bike that could help with the uphill portions. When looking up "electric assist bikes" the ones that come up are ones that hit 20mph. What should I be searching for that would just assist with the pedaling as opposed to full power?

 

[IronWing]

My understanding is that the assist bikes are described as not having a throttle while the full power bikes have a throttle.

 

[lxskllr]

I only know what I've read about them, but I think the 20mph bikes are what you want. You set the amount of power provided with the controls. Here's a bunch of reviews from ars...

Ars Search | Ars Technica

Serving the Technologist for more than a decade. IT news, reviews, and analysis.

arstechnica.com

 

[BoomerD]

Just don't ask Quebert...he'll hook you up with some monster that will go 70 mph.

 

[MrSquished]

Pedal assist is the word.

You gotta pedal a little for the electric motor to kick in.

A lot of the bike share bikes around here are pedal assist. Phenomenal.

One of the best ways to get around. Don't need to rely on a car, even with good mass transit options, it's a great choice.

And the pedal assist works really well. You don't have to pedal much to go at a nice clip

 

[NutBucket]

Just don't ask Quebert...he'll hook you up with some monster that will go 70 mph.

Correction, death trap.

Anyway for the OP, he's a kid. Let him sweat.