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MauritiusToday.com - Shopping Mall - 2007 IZIP Street Enlightened Hybrid Electric Bicycle
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List Price: N/A
Our Price: $1,299.00
Availability: N/A
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Misc.
Model: IZ-STE7-GR
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Pretty Sweet E-bike, but advertised range is misleading
Comment: I've had this bike for about 1 month. I currently use it to ride to and from school in an east coast, dense urban, city. My commute is about 4 miles each way. While this bike is advertised as having a range of 20+ miles, I doubt it can really get 12+ miles. After my commute of roughly 8 miles, the bike battery gauge indicates that the battery is near empty (i.e., when the battery is full, 5 L.E.D's are lit, and when the battery is near empty, only 1 L.E.D. remains lit and it starts to flash). I don't think this lack of range is due to my weight; I'm 160lbs - also, I pedal normally throughout the bike ride. There is of course the chance that my factory installed battery is sub-par, but I'm not really sure how to test that.
Otherwise, I really don't have any regrets for purchasing this e-bike. It has made my commute significantly more pleasurable.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Nice Bike
Comment: Had this bike for over a month. It's really nice and makes a 20 mile bike ride seem easy! I haven't pushed the battery over 20 miles yet so not sure how far it will go.
You still have to peddle, but it's almost like you're peddling downhill or on a flat surface.
Max speed with the battery assist is 15-18 mph. Anything after that is all via leg power.
Bike is nice but only has 7 gears. It would be nice to have more gears for the downhills.
Charger is nice and just plugs into a standard 110 outlet.
I'll update in a few months but so far A+
Customer Rating:
Summary: Detailed Review - Stylish and Capable Electric Bicycle
Comment: I shopped for an electric bike for about six months and considering many brands. I finally decided on the 2007 iZip Street Enlightened Hybrid Electric Bicycle. I chose the bike because it looks very sleek (compared to other electric bikes) with NiMH batteries concealed inside the frame. I have received positive comments on the styling and color of the bike from people who don't even realize it's electric. The maker of the bicycle, Currie Technologies, has been making (and improving on) electric scooters and bicycles for many years, so this lent confidence to my decision from a warranty standpoint.
The bike weighs in at a hefty 48 pounds, which is not as heavy as you might think for having batteries, an inverter and an electric motor. Despite the 48 pound weight, the balance and weight distribution are excellent for an electric bike. I have to remind myself to be careful because the bike feels much lighter when it is being ridden.
Range is excellent - last time I rode the bike for 2+ hours, thinking I might drain the battery, but it was still going strong at the end of the ride. This included a good bit of riding up and down hills, including a monster hill going from 500 feet above sea level to 1100 feet above sea level. Of course the ride was much more enjoyable than that of a non-electric bicycle because you don't have to suffer going up hills. Using the assistance will give you the option of having a longer workout while being able to keep your heart rate in a reasonable range for healthy exercise.
The electric motor is not the most powerful one available on the market, maxing out on assistance at 18 mph. Keep in mind most electric bikes are top speed-limited to 20 MPH to keep them from being considered a moped (licensing, registration insurance, etc). With this in mind, the iZip motor is excellent for hybrid assistance, with a user-selected level of electric motor assistance. Between being a healthy person and using the assistance, I can typically keep the bike in the highest gear except for the most obnoxious hills, when a downshift is sensible.
This bicycle has no electric-only mode. Some electric bikes have an electric-only mode, but generally they have much larger battery packs attached to the bicycle frames. If you are expecting a motorcycle-type throttle and blazing electric power, this is not the bike for you. Fortunately, this bike has a safe and steady stream of electric assistance with an amazing level of stamina.
The torque-sensing power delivery system is not bad, but I have a feeling it could be a bit more seamless. A power lag is noticeable when changing gears, which I think is necessary to prevent the gears from jamming. This is no different from jamming the gears on a non-electric bike when applying lots of power (for example, if you are downshifting on a very steep hill).
One positive point is that the bike charges relatively quickly, in my experience usually no more than a couple of hours. The user's manual offers the following advice regarding the batteries (keep in mind this model uses NiMH batteries, #2 below):
1. SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries will last up to 300 charges or 6 months
2. NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries will last about 400-500 charges
3. Li-ion (Lithium Ion) batteries will last about 1500 charges
Now for the nitpicky points:
Neutral: Although the bike is designed in California, the frame is made in China (of course what isn't made in China these days).
Cons: No bolts for attaching a water bottle. The appearance of the seat and pedals was a bit lacking given the price range of the bike. My bike was missing a rear-reflector, but I intended to buy a flashing red LED light, so this was not a big deal.
I am not sure if the handlebar height can be adjusted. If it can, it is not obvious how to. The owner's manual is written to cover a variety of models with myriad features, so it was not entirely clear what features are and are not on the bike.
I never could get a frame size for this bike prior to purchasing it. The marketing materials show Darryl Hannah, who is 5'10'', riding comfortably, so I decided it would be okay for me. Now that I have the bike, I measure it being 21 inches from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. 21 inches is considered a typical medium size for a road bicycle. I'm 5'11'' and don't feel cramped on the cycle.
The bike only has eight gears - even with more gears, I'm not sure it would have a higher top gear.
The bike does not recharge the batteries when you brake/coast downhill. This technology is in hybrid cars, but I'm not sure it is practical for a bike.
Overall I am quite smitten with the bike. I am excited about electric bikes in general because they are both fun and environmentally friendly. As an emerging technology, they should improve markedly from model year to model year. I think it is only a matter of time more people knew how fun and practical an electric bike like this can be.
*Long Term Update*
I have been riding this bike several times per week for about six months and I have one pro and one con to add:
Con: The pedal crank/torque sensor apparatus is a little squeaky (although it still seems mechanically sound).
Pro: I take back what I said about the seat's shortcomings on looks - what it may lack in looks it more than makes up for in comfort and durability.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very nice electric Bicycle.......
Comment: I bought this IZIP E-Bike because it looks cool and the battery is hidden in the frame. You can ride it like any other bicycle without useing the power assist. I use the power assinst only if i ran out of muscle power or if i have to go uphill. Even if you use the electric motor you still have to move the pedals a little. I like that, because you still get a workout even with power assist turned on.
I'm a healthy 42 years old man. Now you may wonder why i bought a power assist bike. The reason is i take the bike now for longer distances than before. I start of by muscle power only and i always know if i run out of muscle energy i can have the e-motor support me to some degree.
What i like is that the battery recharges in just 2 hours with the smart charger. You can visit a friend 30 miles away with the IZIP bike and take the charger with you to recharge it at your friends house for the ride back.
This bike is fun to ride. Every one who tried my IZIP came back with a smile on his/her face.
I gave it just 4 stars because the battery electric system doesn't recharge if you go downhill or if you brake. The Bionix system does that and regenerates power that way to extent the range of their bikes. Well...the IZIP does not regernerate any power. Anyway it is not hard to plug it in and recharge it.
I like the bike and i have fun using it. I paid $ 1300 shipping included.
Assembling the bike wasn't to easy. I'm lucky that i'm a mechanic, because adjusting the brakes and the shifting system takes some skills.
Even $ 1300 for the bike was $ 200 of retail, it is still not inexpensive.
Some of the bikes parts (seat, pedals, tires) make a cheap impression.
Brakes and shifting gears is fine.
That bike brought the fun of bicycling back to me. Thanks IZIP guys !!!
Andreas Meyer
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