2008 eZip Trailz Men's Electric Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Manufacturer : Currie Technologies In Stock : 0 List Price: $499.99 Quantity :

Features

• Men's electric comfort bike with 450-watt DC earth magnet motor
• Range of 15 to 22 miles per charge; top speed of 15 miles per hour
• Easy-to-use twist throttle and Shimano 7-speed gearing
• Currie E-Ride 26-by-2-inch street comfort tires; easy-access charging port
• Designed for young adults and adults; 240-pound weight capacity

Product Description

The Ezip Trailz Hybrid Electric bike has easy comfort design. PAS/TAG technology. Use with motor only or with motor assist power. 7-speed geared system with Shimano Acera rear derailleurl. Rack mounted SLA battery for easy swapping. Carry groceries, other goods on the rear rack, or add a 2nd battery (sold separately) for added range. Top speed up to 18 mph/ 29km/h and 15 range.

Amazon.com Product Description

Bicycles are a terrific mode of transportation, but sometimes you just need a little extra push while getting around town. Enter the iZip Trailz men's electric comfort bike, which is equipped with a 450-watt DC earth magnet motor and a 24-volt rechargeable battery. Far cleaner than gas-powered scooters but zippier than a traditional bike, the Trailz will get you from point A to B in no time at all, but won't guzzle gas or belch pollutants in the process. The battery offers a range of 15 to 22 miles per charge, so you can make it back and forth to the grocery store several times without running low on power. And once you're on the road, the Trailz boasts a top speed of 15 miles per hour (contingent on the rider weight)--plenty fast enough for most bike-friendly city streets. Is your work commute too far to walk but close enough that a car seems wasteful? Turn to the Trailz, which comes with a rear rack to carry groceries and other gear.

The Trailz is powered by both the electric motor and good old-fashioned foot power, with an easy-to-use twist throttle helping propel you forward. The bike is also extremely comfortable thanks to the comfort saddle. Other features include Shimano seven-speed gearing, a high-rise handlebar and adjustable rise stem with Kraton grips, Currie E-Ride 26-by-2-inch street comfort tires, an easy-access charging port, and resin/rubber nonslip pedals. Designed for both young adults and fully grown adults, the Trailz weighs 76 pounds and offers a weight capacity of 240 pounds.

Specifications:

The Trailz includes a rear-mounted rechargeable battery pack with an easy-access charging port.

• Motor: 450-watts of power from DC earth magnet motor
• Battery: EV-rated, SLA type, rear-rack mounted 24-volt/10 Ah pack, (2) 12-volt/10 Ah, valve regulated, rechargeable
• Charge system: UL-listed Currie Smart Charger with LED status display
• Controller: Exclusive Currie Electro-Drive 24-volt, fully potted
• Top speed: Up to 15 miles per hour (contingent on rider weight)
• Range: 15 to 22 miles (contingent on rider weight); can be doubled with second optional battery pack
• Drive: Patented Currie Electro-Drive direct-drive system
• Brakes: Alloy linear pull brakes with alloy inhibit lever
• Wheels: Alloy 26 x 2.0 inch rims
• Tires: Currie E-Ride street comfort tires, 26 x 2 inches
• Handlebars: High-rise bar and adjustable rise stem with Kraton grips
• Fork: Suspension
• User controls: Power on/off switch, easy-access charger port in removable battery pack, twist throttle, Shimano 7-speed gearing
• Saddle: Comfort design, Q/R alloy post
• Frame: Exclusive comfort design, unisex LSH (low stand-over height), high-tensile steel
• Cranks and pedals: Alloy 44T crankset with PAS+TAG function, double chain guard, resin/rubber nonslip pedals
• Net weight: 76 pounds
• Rider age: Young adult to adult
• Weight limit: 240 pounds

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 4.00 out of 29 reviews

Rating :
four times out - E. Mahoney, Nov 10, 2009

after 1 week- purchased at meijer for $270.00. the only way i can see getting 15 miles on 1 charge is to be peddling most of the time. a better estimate of distance is 3-5 miles. 1-2 hours of time. some tips to go along with what everyone else has written-1.if you are going to lift up the bike, carefully remove the battery and save 15 lbs.-2.without the battery it is an ok bike to ride.-3.the sla battery should be charged for the full 8 hr. after a good use of the bike.-4.i never change the gear from the 7 spot is working so far.


Rating :
a good bike but heavy - Aaron Baker, Aug 11, 2009

This works fine and goes pretty much 4 to 8 miles depending how much you pedal but please remember that these are heavy lead batteries and the frame is made of steel. Do not pick it up by the seat or you will break the seat very quickly because the bike is so heavy. Good temporary e bike until you can spend more money on a montague with a bionx system.


Rating :
Had this for a week or so now. - Edward B. Heath, Jul 10, 2009

This is my second go around with an EZip bike. I had a Mountain Trailz last year. I sort of tried to treat it like a motorcycle, and also sort of tried to use computer battery rules for the Sealed Lead Acid battery. Maybe the battery was bad, maybe the charger was, or maybe I drained it too low, but the battery stopped holding any decent charge after my first ride. I did the exchange of the battery thing with Currie, but the second one also never held a charge (which sort of lets me off the hook). So I returned the bike (to Walmart).

This time I am babying the battery, and so far (one test ride, one and a half commutes four miles one way) it is working. I am letting the charger charge it for a minimum of six hours, no latter what the charger says. I read that somewhere, although one of my problems with Currie is their documentation, which is contradictory in places. But it looks like if you charge the battery for the eight hours before the first ride, and at least six hours right after every subsequent ride (plus six to eight hours every thirty days you don't ride it), you might get maximum use out of the battery. I wonder, though, if I had a six mile hilly commute, particularly if one way was (up) hillier than the other (which would be the case with me), if the battery would not have problems. It doesn't help that I am out of shape and heavy (220).

The economics of an electric bike are interesting. I have the four mile hilly commute here in Pittsburgh. Particularly on the way home I have a three quarter mile relatively steep hill, that is real difficult on a regular bike (there is an alternative without the hill that involves carrying a bike up a long flight of city stairs). So if I don't commute by car or bus, I kind of want an electric bike. But, my car is fairly fuel efficient (32 mpg overall) and the commute is only four miles. So even though this is the cheapest electric bike (at $368 July of '09), it will take a long time to pay off.

A lot will depend on how long the battery lasts, since even though the SLA's are the cheapest batteries ($129 for a replacement), I want the original to last into the fall. But since I probably spend no more than $2 a day driving, the main things I get out of it now are the exercise and the satisfaction that I am polluting less (probably).

I see this as basically having to be a commuter bike. Since you are supposed to charge it after each ride for six to eight hours, it would not be convenient to take to the store or to a friends. Without the battery, the bike is fifty pounds, not so heavy you can not put it on a bike carrier on a car, but heavy enough that you don't want anything else there (and I am still nervous with it on the back of my car). By the way, with the battery, 75 pounds, so make sure those brakes are tuned and not worn.

I will update in a few weeks or if something changes.

Update 7/14/09 I discovered the Pedal Assist System somewhat by accident. You tap on the TAG/PAS button, and while pedaling, twist the throttle. You will get juice with half the taps (where you don't get juice TAG/PAS is off). Then stop pedaling and try the twist again. If you are in TAG mode you will go. If you are in PAS mode you won't. It might be nice to have an indicator, but whatever.

After eight rides (seven commutes) the seat is starting not to hurt.


Rating :
Great bike for the price - R. D. Byrne, Jul 03, 2009

I've owned my eZip Bike for a week now. I really like it. I don't get more than 5 miles on battery alone but with pedal assist I'm exercising an hour 2 times per day. But that is because I'm 335# and 6'2". The eZip has allowed me to get outside and get exercise without fear of being stranded. I am middle aged and have bad knees. The motor gets me going and I can pedal once up to speed. The maximum weight is supposed to be 240# so I am probably straining the motor and battery. Still, I'm doing it! I'm riding and getting a workout. What price can you put on that?

My complaint would be the seat. It is hard. I replaced it with a large comfort seat. Also, the frame is steel and heavy. Other than that the eZip has been a good entry bike.

UPDATE: After using my Ezip for about a month the battery stopped taking a charge. I was meticulous in following the directions and insured all connections were good. Still no luck. Very disappointing.


Rating :
A nice alternative for short commute - Guanpeng Xu, Jun 23, 2009

I am a new owner of this bike. I will update my experience with this bike while I use it.

My office is about 4 miles away from my home. I live in the south, the town is hilly, the temperature is well above 90F in summer. I used to peddle my beach bike, which is very light though, to and from my work. Since I have to dress in shirt and suit pants, riding the beach bike in summer always makes me sweat a lot and ruin my cloth.

I have ridden this new electric bike for two days. Now it's like cheating to peddle it up the hill. With it I can keep my cloth in good shape even in summer. One charge of battery last for two days, that's about 15-16 miles totally.

My first tip is buy a comfortable seat and throw away the one that comes with the bike. I will list some pros and cons in the future.

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