The following review is for the 2014 IZIP E3 Zuma, the latest version can be found here which includes a higher voltage battery (for improved climbing and power) as well as a refined frame that’s easier to service and add lighting to (also an updated control panel with a lights on/off switch) as well as upgraded mechanical disc brakes from Promax with tool-free adjustment.
The IZIP Zuma underwent a massive update for 2014 with improved battery integration and a new control display panel. It still offers the strength of a 500 watt geared rear hub motor and both pedal assist and throttle mode but is more balanced and agile than ever. This is a comfortable bike that feels great cruising around town thanks to its large ballon tires, soft oversized seat and extended handlebars. The chain guard keeps you clean when peddling and optional matching fenders and rear rack make commuting with gear and dealing with wet streets a cinch. Before the E3 Dash came out this was my favorite IZIP bike. It offer great value, and with eight colors and three frame sizes to choose from it would make an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys the comfortable cruiser ride.
Powering the new Zuma is a 500 watt geared rear hub motor. Being geared, it’s smaller and lighter weight than a gearless equivalent. And even though the gears are apt to wear out a bit more quickly than a gearless design it comes with a two year motor warranty which is great. It’s smooth, quiet and fairly powerful, operating in both throttle and pedal assist mode. Sitting right next to the hub motor is a seven speed Shimano cassette that provides decent range for pedaling at a comfortable cadence. This bike isn’t meant for off road riding but it does climb on pavement fairly well and the gears really help (especially the extra large low gear in the rear).
The battery pack orientation has been updated since the older ZUMA design and now resides directly behind the seat post tube. Not only does it look great here, it keeps the center of gravity low and brings more weight forward helping to balance the frame out. I love this design and am impressed that the battery can still easily be removed for charging. Basically, the battery housing acts as the downtube for the seat post so you essentially mount the seat to the battery pack! This is a wonderful feature for commuting (charging the battery in the office) or if you’ve got to lift the bike and mount it to a car rack because removing the battery helps to reduce the overall weight of the bike. The battery offers 36 volts of power and 10.4 amp hours of capacity using 18650 Lithium-ion cells that include a one year warranty.
I love that the bike comes stock with water bottle boses and braze ons for adding fenders or a rear rack. The mechanical disc brakes are very capable for stopping and tend to work well even in wet conditions (though they will squeak a bit more). The control switch panel has been updated since the last iteration and now includes three levels of assist to choose from as well as a five LED battery indicator. It’s easy to reach and use but doesn’t show your speed or distance like some fancier LCD computer models but that probably helps to keep the price low ;)
Overall, this bike is easy to learn and operate. It would make a solid rental ebike because it comes in both high step and low step configurations with three frame sizes to choose from. I also love the bright fun color choices they offer and am a fan of the optional matching fenders. Even the chain guard matches and underneath there’s an bash guard/guide that keeps the chain from falling off if the riding gets bumpy. I’m not super impressed with the plastic/rubber pedals they’ve used here but they’re much better than some I’ve seen on other electric bikes. These ones are much wider and the rubber is fairly grippy. It’s the perfect ride for cruising around in a relaxed upright position and is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation.
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Steve
11 years agoLove your reviews! On this bike the way the battery is connected to the seat seems a little, ummm, frightening. what is keeping the seat post from breaking the battery if you hit a large bump?
ReplySteve
11 years agoI see a great future for you as an iZip rep, LOL! 5 out of 5 stars? Are they really that good?
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoThis bike was improved vastly over the 2013 design (specifically the weight distribution). Given what’s available in the category, the price point and the reputation for quality (and warranty) I rated it 5. The scale I’m using is fairly basic, that’s why I put the stars last, the real detailed feedback on this bike is in the video and written portion :)
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoI’m not a mechanical engineer but the ride quality for this version was great, it felt even more solid than the 2013 version (keeping weight low and centered). Comparing this battery design to a rear rack like those used by Pedego or ProdecoTech seems way more solid because it’s directly connected to primary tubing structure of the bike. None of these companies want to be sued and many include maximum weight ratings. Also, IZIP offers a solid warranty that would cover physical damage to the battery in the event that it was caused by structural issues.
ReplyEllen Andersen
11 years agoI’m riding a 2012 Zuma right now and I wanted to warn people about the battery problems I’ve been having. My first battery died over the first winter I owned the bike. The battery was replaced under the warranty, but the second battery died in less than a year–once again, while it was in winter storage. Both times, the batteries were maintained as per the instructions. Currie may have fixed the battery problems with the new design, but the rep at Currie just told me that they expect the batteries to die after two years. This may be a standard among all electric bikes, but I was pretty shocked to find out that I was going to have to pony up over $600 every two years. There’s nothing in any of their sales materials that indicates such a short battery life.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Ellen, batteries made with Lithium tend to last ~1,000 charge cycles and eventually do die just from sitting around (the electrons escape) but you can help to extend their life by keeping them away from extreme hot or cold and also keeping them charged. If they sit for too long and the energy drains out the battery will wear out sooner. This is the case with all electric bikes, not just the Zuma. If you think about 1,000 charge cycles though that’s like riding your ebike every day for two and a half years which could save a lot of gas. They only cost ~$0.10 to charge so if you add in the cost of a new battery ~$600/1,000=.6 so that’s about $0.70 for each ride you take and that can go ~20 miles! A gallon of gas to go 20 miles would probably cost ~$4 depending on your car and there’s also insurance, licensing and repairs to think about there. All in all, ebikes are way cheaper :)
ReplyEllen Andersen
11 years agoHi Court Rye,
I would have been DELIGHTED if my battery had lasted ~1,000 charge cycles. Heck, I would have accepted ~500. What I find deeply troubling is that this battery died after fewer than 50 charge cycles, even though I maintained the battery according to the instructions. (I had an injury that prevented me from riding much of last summer. I also don’t ride on wet or snow-covered roads, or when the temperature is less than 30 degrees, which, given that I live in northern Vermont basically means that the battery sits around for ~5 months in my heated basement, getting charged according to the instruction manual.) THAT’s the problem I have with the battery. To add insult to injury, my first battery died after about ~100 charge cycles. My local iZip dealer has discontinued selling them because of the battery complaints from customers. That’s why I’m taking the unusual step of warning possible iZip customers. And again, Currie might have fixed the battery problem with the new design, but I do think caveat emptor is in order here.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoAppreciate the feedback, the nonstop charging in a warm basement for five months doesn’t sound ideal but as you said, if that’s what the instructions led you to believe then it’s frustrating to have the battery die soon. I thought they had a pretty good warranty and I’ve heard about good support. One other thing is that batteries can sometimes just get old or have issues when they are sitting in a shop for a long time or being shipped from asia before reaching the customer. Anyway, that’s why it’s nice to buy local and from a good brand that will offer support, I hope your future battery experiences are better :)
ReplyMaribeth
10 years agowould like your recommendation on the iZip Zuma step thru or the Pedego Interceptor step thru. price does not matter, want a solid beach style bike that will last and is good fun!
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Maribeth, I prefer the Zuma step-thru because the battery pack is mounted low and center. You can still add a rear rack but unlike the Pedego, it won’t be weighed down by the battery pack inside. Currie Technologies makes the IZIP electric bikes and has a solid warranty (just like Pedego) as well as a great network of dealers around the US. The Zuma is comfortable to ride and has both pedal assist and twist throttle like the Interceptor but you’ll have to get lights and fenders separately if you want those. I like that it comes in several different colors and at least includes the chain guard, water bottle cage braze ons and disc brakes. Other thoughts… the Zuma will be more upright when riding (see how the seat post and head tube are at less of an angle compared to the Interceptor?) and the frame may be a bit smaller overall than the Pedego (which tend to have larger frames in general). I hope this helps, both are wonderful bike, I just like the low and center balance thing a lot :)
ReplyMaribeth
10 years agoThank you for the quick reply. I was leaning towards the Zuma, looks like a great bike. I was also considering the Pedego City Commuter in white, but I think I would prefer a cruiser type bike now.
One more question. Not sure if I want the Zuma Step thru or the smaller version of the straight bar. I am 5’4”, weigh approx. 120lbs, and will use it mostly on the eastern shore at the beach or around city docks in Annapolis, MD.
Thoughts on either? Thank you again, great work on your reviews!
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Maribeth, funny you should mention the City Commuter in white! I actually owned that bike for a while (since Pedego only has their bikes in one size and the high step was too large for me). I’m 5’9″ ~135 pounds and the low-step Pedego fit well so considering your shorter stature I’d go with the Zuma Step-thru. For either bike I really like the lower step because it’s easier to get on and I like to have a bag or panniers on the back. Sometimes when I try to swing my leg around the back of bikes with this setup I bump my knee or shin and that’s no fun.
ReplyTerry
10 years agoLooking at e bikes for my husband, who has heart issues. Cannot pedal up any kind of slope. Want a cruiser, something that is easy to pedal, but gives boost when he needs it. He is 6’1″ 225 lbs. narrowing our choices to IZip Zuma and Pedego Comfort Cruiser or Interceptor. Want pedal assist and throttle. Need plenty of power. Would his size rule out medium frame low step Zuma? Nice to have something I can ride too, but he is primary. What would be your recommendation.? We did today look at IZip Vibe, that can handle two battery packs, and has low and high step versions. Is this an option. Will be mostly cruising flat land, but occasionally rolling hills.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHello Terry, my initial thought was to recommend the Pedego Interceptor because it’s large and powerful but given your interest in sharing the bike (and the easier mounting of a low-step) I’d say the IZIP Zuma could be a great choice. Even if the frame feels a little small for him it will still be comfortable with a raised seat. this is an excellent bike in terms of quality and it offers great power with a balanced design (battery low and center vs. rear rack). It has cadence sensing pedal assist which will be even easier to pedal with than torque sensing and it also has a throttle. Currie Technologies makes this bike and offers a solid warranty and great customer support. I hope this helps you out! Again, the Interceptor is a great bike and Pedego also makes a low step City Commuter but it’s not quite as comfortable or balanced as the Zuma in my opinion.
Replytpoto
10 years agoWife and I rented the new Zumas in Newport, RI for the day. Overall, very comfortable and powerful. I am 6’3″ and did ride the step-thru model and found it to be just fine. In PAS #2, depending on the gear you were in, we found a bit of “lurching”. Maybe this was due to it being a cadence PAS and not a torque PAS system. Even though it had 7 gears, I thought that it needed a few more especially at the high end on flat roads. After a few hours riding it and going up and down various hills, we were able to find the best PAS level and gear positions. Being able to use the TAG while in PAS mode was nice for short bursts or to use just TAG when in congested traffic. Will compare this to Currie’s IPath +, though, before I make my buy decision. Most concerned though of what car bike rack will best handle two step thrus (w. a Jeep Grand Cherokee) due to the frame’s geometry. Also, be careful when not on the bike and using the TAG for assistance- we used that when walking next to the bike to get the bike over a curb (since the bike weighs so much)- it will really jump and get away from you if not careful. The display was okay for showing battery power remaining and level of PAS. But the position and the lights of telling you if you were in PAS or TAG was not the best (too small and not set off enough from the other indicators). Maybe different colors (from the other PAS level and Battery level indicators would help). Probably not a problem if you own the bike and become familiar with everything.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoCool, it sounds like your wife and you had a good ride. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Zuma and also that you used the step-thru even though you’re relatively tall and it still worked out. Bike racks that work well for electric bikes can be hard to find (especially for low-step frames). I recently bought the Kuat rack that works with a hitch and did a full video review of it if you’re interested.
ReplyRonald Boykin
10 years agoI think Currietech ebikes are a bit too expensive! This 2014 zuma should at least come with lights and fenders! You can buy some easy motion ebikes with the racks, fenders and lights for cheaper!
ReplyAvrim Topel
10 years agoYour reviews are so helpful. I am 63 yo, 5’7′, 175 lbs, and looking to purchase my first e bike. I will be doing most of my riding on paved or hard surface trails here in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but I’ll also ride on some of the Brandywine Valley trails sticking to the more easy hard dirt with fairly gentle hills. I have my choices down to the iZip Zuma and the Motiv Spark, though I have not tried either yet. FYI, I really like to be flat-footed the way one would be fit for a crank-forward bike when I am at a stop. Do you remember if one of these bikes have a seat that felt lower to the ground ? And, was one noticeably easier to handle weight-wise ? I tried an Evelo Aieres (loved it, but…) and it was just too much weight and bulk for me, and too high off the ground. Please advise; if you were me, which would you pick ?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoYeah, there are several Easy Motion ebikes that are setup for city or urban riding with fenders and lights like the new EVO Eco Lite but it’s not the same cruiser style with big tires. It’s very similar though so that might be a good choice for you if you want the accessories :)
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Avrim, both the Zuma and Spark are great relaxed cruiser style ebikes and both are available in low-step configurations (the Motiv Sleek is basically the same as the Spark only smaller) if you want to have an easier time mounting and standing over the bike at stops. I completely hear you regarding the flat-foot design, Pedego used to do this up until 2013 when they chose to honor Electra’s patents. This may have coincided with Electra being purchased by Trek… Anyway, now that’s the only electric bike that can do the feet-forward setup that lets you lower the seat but still get good extension. The Electra Townie Go is a decent electric bike but a little bit louder than the Zuma or Spark and also less balanced with the rear rack battery vs. seat tube design. I personally like the IZIP Zuma out of all of these but the Spark and Sleek are also great and a bit less expensive. I hope this helps you out!
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