Factual evaluation of Ezip bike

[Tanstaafl]

I know little to nothing about ebikes, (almost same for IC engine driven bikes) but am considering a gift purchase of the Ezip bike for someone. Low price is an incentive, but need more information. Knowing that we all have our pro and con prejudices, would appreciate opinions aside and get an honest fact based evaluation of the bike for just light casual use.

 

[DrkAngel]

Price - great
Quality - good
Weight - heavy
Battery - fair - starter battery
Support - very good
Range - exaggerated - based on constant pedaling in PAS mode
Upgradeability - excellent

**** - four stars
Great starter eBike

 

[Tanstaafl]

Thanks, valid points all.

 

[slickdude]

An Ezip prices vary, but I did an actual review of them in the past. My best recommendation is simply this. Go to Target, buy a mountain bike with strong steel forks. Get a 29" inch wheel base. Cost about 250.00 dollars. Goto Papamotors website and order their Ebike kit. I recommend the 1000 watt though be aware probably not legal on us streets but off road it is killer. Takes you right up hills. Order their rear wheel Magpi setup and prepare to mount the battery midway on the frame. This would be a safer setup as a cracked dropin on a front fork at high speeds can kill. If you def want to be legal for a few bucks less get their 500watt direct drive no gear, brushless motor. The rear wheel setup is safest but takes longer to do than a front wheel setup. Make sure btw to get puncture proof tubes in both tires.

The reason I say this are a few. The currie motors have brushes and wear out. Their SLA batts wear in about a year give or take and weigh a lot. The above will cost a little more than double what you lay out for a currie, but the ride and usage is lightyears ahead of what you will be purchasing. If you want to see what I did you can read my posting here

http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?39626-Ezip-Papamotors-Kit-Conversion

I am so sorry I didn't have the above advice for myself when I first purchased a cheap ezip. One last note is that Currie runs hot and cold on their support. Nice girl on the phone, fat mean lady at their corporate headquarters, my experience in dealing with them. Hope it helps and good luck.

 

[DrkAngel]

2008 eZip Trailz

Probably my best bargain.
Got this new bike in late 2008 with free shipping for $239.
Sold the SLA "starter battery" and charger for $135.
So I took my $104 bike and built a 25.9V 31.2Ah battery pack out of recycled laptop packs (about $20 for the cells). 25.9V Li-ion - Recycled!
Got a dedicated 25.9V Li-ion charger for $22 more.
Did my 16T freewheel mod for less than $20.
So ... for about $166 I got me a 22mph capable eBike with a 40+mile, motor only, range@16mph.
5500 miles, so far.
My fair weather hauler.

Only problem it ever had was some broken spokes ... somewhere near 3000 miles ago.
Oem spoke lacing didn't meet my standards anyhow.

Maintenance consists of typical lubrication plus annual reduction gear re-greasing.

Also run a eZip Mountain Trailz over-volted to 37V. 20T motor freewheel and studded tires during the Winter, 16T freewheel and cruising tires for my 30ish mph jaunts - 3500 miles @ 37V so far, with never any problems. About $400 including 36V controller 10Ah 36V pack, 16T freewheel and 30-11T 7spd freewheel.

Picked up a 2009 Trailz LS in 2010 and rebuilt (smaller freewheel, comfort tires, suspension post with comfy seat etc) and have been enjoying "comfort cruising" for 3000 miles +. (About $300 total) (Never any problems)

Except for poor lacing on rear wheels I have never had any complaints - I regard the oem SLA battery as a "starter battery" - to be replaced with better!

Tip:
Precise throttle use moves bike up stairs easier than even the lightest bike.

 

[Richard H.]

.So ... for about $166 I got me a 22mph capable eBike with a 40+mile, motor only, range@16mph.
5500 miles, so far.

Wow, that's impressive. I wish I had your skills. I'm still mulling ebike systems and frankly a little lost with the choices. Unfortunately, understanding electrical systems does not come easy for me. It's always been the part of auto maintenance and repair I've dreaded. Have looked at a lot of hub drives but decided against it, don't like all that weight on one wheel. I've been looking over mid-drives and do not want a pedelec but the GNG freewheel system is interesting.