Most e-bike shopping comes down to a spec sheet and a price tag, but the specs that actually matter for day-to-day riding rarely make the headline. This checklist walks through the seven things worth checking on any e-bike — not just ours — so you know what questions to ask before you buy.
In this guide
- Frame material & weight
- Battery capacity & real-world range
- Motor power & sensor type
- Brakes
- Chargers & included extras
- Warranty & who backs it
- Shipping & return policy
- Distributor vs. drop-shipper
- Frequently asked questions
Frame material & weight
Weight matters more than it looks on a spec sheet, especially if you'll ever carry the bike up stairs, lift it onto a rack, or maneuver it in a small apartment or elevator. A named carbon fiber (for example, Toray T800 — the grade used in the Mihogo Air Max's 7.7 lb frame) is a more specific and verifiable claim than a seller just saying "carbon" or "lightweight." Ask for the bare frame weight and the full ride-ready weight with battery installed — they can differ by 50 lbs or more between models.
Battery capacity & real-world range
Watt-hours (Wh), not just "miles," is the number that lets you compare batteries across brands honestly — advertised range depends heavily on rider weight, terrain, wind and how much throttle is used. A dual-battery setup (like the Air Max's two 460.8 Wh packs, 921.6 Wh combined, rated up to 121 miles under ideal pedal-assist conditions) also means you're not stranded if one pack runs low. For the full math on how "up to" range numbers translate to real riding, see our e-bike range guide.
Motor power & sensor type
More watts isn't automatically better — it depends on gearing and tuning, and a motor tuned for smooth commuting (like the Air Max's 750W, 900W peak) can feel better in daily use than a higher-wattage motor tuned purely for hill torque. The bigger difference is sensor type: a torque sensor measures how hard you're pedaling and matches assist to your effort in real time, so power delivery feels natural. A cadence sensor just detects whether the pedals are turning and switches assist on or off at a fixed level — cheaper to build, but less refined to ride. Ask specifically which one a bike uses; it's not always in the headline spec list.
Brakes
For any e-bike capable of 20+ mph, hydraulic disc brakes are worth insisting on over mechanical (cable) discs or rim brakes — they give stronger, more consistent stopping power in wet weather and over repeated use. The Air Max's top assisted speed is 28 mph, which is exactly the kind of speed where brake quality stops being a minor spec and starts being a safety one.
Chargers & included extras
Check what's actually in the box versus what's an upsell: lights, a rack, fenders and — if the bike has two batteries — a second charger. Charging two packs on one charger means one battery sits waiting its turn every time; every Mihogo USA order ships with two chargers standard specifically to avoid that. It's a small line item that's easy to miss when comparing prices.
Warranty & who backs it
"It has a warranty" isn't enough — ask which components are covered, for how long, and who actually handles a claim. Mihogo USA's warranty covers manufacturing defects on six core components — frame, motor, battery, controller, LCD display and charger — for 1 year, handled in the U.S. by Snapcycle Inc., the brand's authorized U.S. distributor, not an overseas factory you'd have to ship a bike back to.
Shipping & return policy
Read the actual return window and who pays for return shipping — both vary a lot between sellers. Mihogo USA offers a 14-day return window, with the buyer responsible for return shipping (a prepaid label is available for a fee, or you can arrange your own carrier). On the outbound side, shipping is free within the continental United States, with typical 1–2 day handling plus 2–7 day transit; note that some sellers, including Mihogo USA, don't currently ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, P.O. boxes or APO/FPO/DPO addresses — worth checking if that applies to you.
Distributor vs. drop-shipper
The riskiest part of buying an e-bike online often isn't the bike itself — it's whether the seller is still reachable if something goes wrong. A seller who owns the warranty, shipping and returns domestically (an authorized distributor) gives you someone to call; an overseas drop-shipper can be harder to reach once you've paid. For a fuller breakdown of what a distributor actually does for you — plus a vetting checklist for any seller — read Why Buy From a U.S. Distributor?
The Air Max, at a glance
Frequently asked questions
What's the single most important spec to check before buying an e-bike?
There isn't just one — frame weight, battery capacity and motor/sensor type all trade off against each other. Check the combination against how you'll actually use the bike, not a single headline number.
Does torque sensor vs. cadence sensor actually matter?
Yes. A torque sensor matches assist to your pedaling effort in real time and feels natural; a cadence sensor just switches assist on or off and can feel jerky. Ask which type a bike uses — it's not always advertised.
Should I buy from a U.S. distributor or an overseas seller?
A U.S. distributor who handles your order, shipping, warranty and returns domestically gives you someone to reach if a part fails. Ask who fulfills the order and who honors the warranty before you check out.
What should I check about warranty and return policy?
Which components are covered, for how long, and who pays return shipping. Mihogo USA covers frame, motor, battery, controller, display and charger for 1 year, with a 14-day return window (buyer pays return shipping).