Customer Reviews

Currie EZip Eco Ride Electric Bike

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have a Trek Valencia+, a $2,400 ebike so I'm a bit spoiled. I got the Ecoride for my significant other, so we can both have ebikes since no one but me is riding that Trek. I'm 59 and commute to work by bike (25 miles r/t) and have done so for 12 years. The last year I've been using the Trek since my knees are getting old.

I'm impressed by the Ecoride. In PAS mode (pedal assist) it runs at 50% power when you pedal, more if you twist the throttle. The kick-in when you start pedaling is not immediate and is a bit abrupt when it does start. If you're just pulling up a bit in the intersection it can sort of leap ahead which takes a bit of getting used to. In TAG mode (throttle and go) the bike acts as a teeny motorcycle and no pedaling is required. Oddly, this means that you can get more distance out of the battery in TAG mode than in PAS mode because in PAS, the assist is always on at least 50% whether you want it or not as long as you're pedaling. In TAG, you regulate the assist from nothing to 100%. You can easily switch between the two modes by pressing a button on the handlebars.

The battery is a Li Ion, so no matter what other folks have written, it will last a long time (3 years?). Unlike the Trek battery which is quite proprietary, the Currie one is likely to be less so and thus easier to replace cells. I feel confident that by the time I need a new battery I will be able to get it refurbished with little trouble.

Battery life is quite good. The first few times that you ride it, you're supposed to drain the battery before recharging. So, after riding in on 50% power most of the way, I finished my 12.5 mile commute with the battery still in yellow. I rode around for 15 minutes, throttle open and no pedaling, 15 mph, trying to run down the battery. I finally did but was late for work. I guess it would take a 185 lb guy like me at least 20 miles with regular pedaling. And it is fun riding around without pedaling, although I will not normally be doing that. I can't speak for the Significant Other on this issue however.

The bike is heavy of course, but seems well made and is fun to ride without any power at all. The booklet shows that the motor does slide a bit, which will let me remove the chain, and thus the rear wheel, if there is a flat.

Assembly took well less than an hour, with the few things that weren't together, such as the handlebars, easy to install and tighten. I've now ridden it about 80 miles and I like it. We won't put 3700 miles on it in a year, like I did with the Trek, but it will get ridden and will be a good ride. Frankly, if I had bought this first, I might not have gotten the Trek (although I do love the Trek).

Unlike the Trek, the Ecoride actually comes with a bottle of touch-up paint for the nice enamel green finish. Nice touch indeed.

Wow, what a fun bike! This bike provides much more than I expected....it is sturdy, well manufactured and fun to use. The battery charges easily and allows you to travel great distances: roughly 20 miles per charge. The bike was easy to assemble and has been a very reliable mode of transportation since I bought it. It has allowed me to get outdoors on a regular basis, to exercise more and to rely on my car less. I couldn't have asked for anything more! I would definitely buy this for a friend or loved one.

I bought this bike used. The battery was worn down to almost nothing (which is probably why she sold it to me.) The replacement batteries are sort of expensive for me (around $150) but I'm currently looking into having the battery cells replaced at a battery shop, which presumably would cost less. I wish I knew how long she had the bike before she sold it to me so I might have a better idea of how long the battery lasts, but I don't know whether she cared for it properly to begin with.

Even with the battery barely holding a charge, though, it is a really fun bike! When I'm not using the electric motor, it's still not that hard to pedal. A little harder than a regular bike, maybe, and maybe it doesn't coast as far, but over all, it's a sweet ride! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I suspect the battery life is on the short side.

I've awarded one star based on the lack of info that would help me make a more informed decision. My questions include, for example: what is the anticipated life of the battery (how many charges will it take, etc...?); how much is a replacement battery? How long is the battery guaranteed? How long does it take to charge? How much does the charger weigh? You get the picture I'm sure.