E-Bike Specs Explained: Deconstructing the 750W Motor, 48V Battery, and Real-World Range

You’ve seen the ads. A sleek, foldable electric bike promises “750W of Power!” and an incredible “50-Mile Range!” all for a price that seems too good to be true. You’re stuck in traffic, imagining yourself gliding past cars, and you’re tempted.

But what do those numbers actually mean?

Welcome to the class. Today, we’re not just reviewing a product; we’re deconstructing it. We’re going to use a popular, budget-friendly folding bike—the Varun M26-3—as our classroom case study. By the end of this guide, you won’t just understand this one bike; you’ll understand the spec sheet of any e-bike, empowering you to make a smart decision.

Let’s pull back the curtain on the marketing and look at the machine.

Part 1: Decoding the “Power” (750W Peak vs. 500W Rated)

The most common spec you’ll see is “750W Motor.” This is exciting, but it’s often misleading. This number refers to peak power, which is the absolute maximum output the motor can provide for a few seconds. Think of it as a sprinter’s all-out dash.

The number you really need to care about is rated power (or nominal power). This is the continuous power the motor can sustain without overheating. It’s the “jogging pace” your bike can hold comfortably.

For our case study, the Varun M26-3 has a 500W rated brushless hub motor that can peak at 750W.

• 500W Rated Power: This is your workhorse. It’s what gets you up a steady incline, maintains your speed on flats, and provides reliable assistance. For most urban commuting and light trails, 500W is more than enough.
• 750W Peak Power: This is your “boost.” It kicks in when you accelerate from a dead stop at a traffic light or hit a very steep, short hill.

This bike, like most in its price range, uses a rear hub motor. This means the motor is built directly into the center of the back wheel.

• Pro: It’s a simple, reliable, and cost-effective system. It provides a strong “pushing” sensation, which feels powerful and intuitive.
• Con: It’s not as efficient on extreme hills as a more expensive mid-drive motor (which applies power at the pedals).

Mentor Takeaway: Don’t be fooled by peak power alone. A 500W rated hub motor is a powerful and proven choice for a versatile budget e-bike. It’s the sweet spot for power without unnecessary cost.

Part 2: The “Range” Reality (Volts, Amp-Hours, and Watt-Hours)

This is the most confusing—and most important—part of buying an e-bike. You see “48V Battery” and “Up to 50-Mile Range.” One of these numbers is technical, and the other is pure marketing.

Let’s break down the battery. A battery has three key metrics:

1. Volts (V): Think of this as the “muscle” or “pressure” of the electrical system. A 48V system (like the M26-3’s) delivers power more efficiently and with more “punch” (torque) than older 36V systems. It’s a solid, modern standard.
2. Amp-Hours (Ah): This is the “gas tank.” It measures the battery’s capacity—how much energy it can store.
3. Watt-Hours (Wh): This is the total energy. It’s the most accurate way to compare batteries. You get it by multiplying Volts by Amp-Hours (V x Ah = Wh).

The “50-mile range” claim is based on ideal conditions: a 150-pound rider on flat ground, with no wind, using the lowest pedal-assist level. It’s not a real-world number.

The real number is in the fine print. The Varun M26-3’s 48V battery is specified at 374.4Wh.

Let’s do the math:

374.4 Watt-Hours (Wh) / 48 Volts (V) = 7.8 Amp-Hours (Ah)

This 7.8Ah is the “gas tank” size. A typical, real-world estimate for e-bike consumption is 15-25 Wh per mile.

• Conservative Estimate (Hills, high-assist): 374.4 Wh / 25 Wh-per-mile = 15 miles
• Average Estimate (Mixed use): 374.4 Wh / 20 Wh-per-mile = ~18.7 miles
• Thrifty Estimate (Low-assist, flat): 374.4 Wh / 15 Wh-per-mile = ~25 miles

This aligns perfectly with real user reports for this bike, which cluster around 23-35 miles per charge. This is still a very practical range for commuting, but it’s not 50 miles.

A huge advantage here is that the battery is removable. You can unlock it, take it inside your apartment or office to charge, and keep it safe from theft or extreme temperatures.

Mentor Takeaway: Ignore the “mile” claim. Look for Watt-Hours (Wh). For a budget 48V bike, a 374.4Wh (or 7.8Ah) battery is standard. It provides a realistic 20-30 mile range, which is excellent for most daily commutes.

Part 3: The Comfort vs. Cost Trade-Off (Suspension & Brakes)

This is where budget e-bike engineering gets clever. The M26-3 is advertised with “Dual Suspension” and “Dual Disc Brakes.” But the type of suspension and brakes reveals everything about its design philosophy.

Suspension: Comfort-Focused

The M26-3 features a dual hydraulic suspension system. This means it has a suspension fork on the front wheel and another shock absorber under the seat.

• What it does: The hydraulic part means it uses oil to dampen impacts. When you hit a pothole, the spring absorbs the shock, and the oil controls the rebound, preventing a “pogo-stick” feeling.
• Why it matters: This is a premium feature for comfort. It smooths out rough city streets and gravel paths, saving your back and wrists from fatigue.

Brakes: The Practical Trade-Off

Search queries often ask, “What brake type does the Varun M26-3 use?” The answer is dual mechanical disc brakes.

This is a critical distinction.

• Mechanical Disc Brakes: Use a steel cable (like a traditional bike brake) to pull a lever that squeezes the brake pads against the disc.
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Use brake fluid in a sealed line to push a piston that squeezes the pads.

Mechanical brakes are good. They offer solid stopping power in all weather conditions, far superior to old-fashioned rim brakes. They are also simple and cheap to maintain; you can adjust them with basic tools.

Hydraulic brakes are better. They offer more stopping power with less hand effort and self-adjust as the pads wear down. They are also more expensive and complex to service (requiring “bleeding”).

Mentor Takeaway: The M26-3 made a smart trade-off. It prioritized comfort (hydraulic suspension) over braking performance (hydraulic brakes). It uses reliable mechanical disc brakes that provide safe stopping power while keeping the bike affordable and easy to maintain for a beginner.

Part 4: The Practicalities (Gears, Folding, and Maintenance)

An e-bike isn’t just a motor and battery; it’s still a bicycle.

The 21-Speed Drivetrain

The M26-3 comes with a 21-speed Shimano gear system. This is often surprising to new e-bike riders. Why do you need so many gears if you have a motor?

• Flexibility: The motor assists you, it doesn’t do all the work (unless you use throttle-only). The gears let you find the perfect pedaling cadence.
• Efficiency: Using a low gear on a steep hill lets both you and the motor work less hard, saving battery life.
• Redundancy: If your battery ever dies, you’ll be very grateful for that 21-speed system to pedal this 63-pound bike home.

!(https://storage.maomihezi.com/file/2024-10-28/81W8qWuoAwL._AC_SL1500_.jpg?x-oss-process=style/mini_auto)

The Foldable Frame

This is the M26-3’s key feature for commuters and apartment dwellers. The high-carbon steel frame (which contributes to its hefty 63-lb weight) has a hinge in the middle. This allows it to fold down, making it compact enough to fit in a car trunk, an elevator, or a closet. This practicality is often the deciding factor, as it solves the “where do I store it?” problem.

Your Long-Term Maintenance Plan

A common search is “maintenance for Varun M26.” Any e-bike requires more maintenance than a standard bike. Here are your non-negotiable tasks.

• Check Tire Pressure Weekly: This is the #1 way to get your best range. Underinflated tires create drag and drain your battery. Inflate them to the PSI rating listed on the tire sidewall.
• Keep the Drivetrain Clean and Lubricated: That 21-speed system has a chain, gears (cassette), and derailleur. A dirty, gritty chain is inefficient and will wear out fast. Clean and lube it every 100-150 miles.
• Inspect Your Brakes Monthly: Because this is a heavy bike with mechanical brakes, you must check the pad wear. You will also need to adjust the cable tension as the pads wear down to ensure you have strong stopping power.
• Manage Your Battery Health:
  • Do not store the battery fully charged or fully empty for long periods. Aim for 40-80% for storage.
  • Do not charge it in extreme heat or cold (bring it inside).
  • Avoid letting it run to 0% regularly.

Conclusion: You’re an Informed Rider Now

The Varun M26-3 is a perfect example of a budget e-bike: it’s a machine of smart trade-offs. It offers impressive power (500W rated motor) and comfort (hydraulic suspension) by saving costs on other components (mechanical brakes, a modest 7.8Ah battery, a heavy steel frame).

You started this article wondering if “750W” was good. You’re finishing it understanding the difference between peak and rated power, why Watt-Hours (374.4Wh) matters more than “miles,” and the practical realities of mechanical brakes vs. hydraulic suspension.

You are no longer a target for marketing hype. You are an informed rider.