IZIP is taking a cue from Bosch and Optibike, delivering its first mid-drive system with the E3 Peak. The middrive or “centerdrive” motor offers excellent performance in technical off road settings and really compliments the sophisticated pedal assist features at work here. It allows the motor to leverage the rear cassett and compliment rider input while balancing the frame from front to rear and keeping weight low all while keeping the ride smooth. The bike only offers nine gears to choose from in a rear cassette and the motor is noisier than a direct drive or even geared hub design but it delivers great power and comes at an excellent price.
Very few mid-drive systems can deliver both power and speed effectively. The E3 Peak does this well and features an upgraded chain that’s designed to stay stiff and tight over time where others may become loose. For this and other mid-drive bikes with cassettes, I suggest shifting while coasting or applying minimal pressure when you do shift (both you and the motor) to take care of the chain and teeth on the chain rings but it’s nice that they’ve actually upgraded the metal in use to extend its life.
I’ve test ridden this bike several times now and am really impressed with all of the sensors at work to make the motor go. First of all, it’s a 350 watt motor which offers plenty of power in a configuration like this. Where many low end bikes only take your cadence or pedal force into account, this system uses both and also measures the speed of the rear wheel. All things considered, this system is way better than what I’ve tried on iGo and EVELO… It’s in a completely different league but still keeps the price relatively low which is great. The real competitors in my mind are Haibike and Felt which offer mountain bike designs that leverage the Bosch system… and tend to cost a lot more.
The E3 Peak can hit 6mph in throttle mode or up to 28mph with pedal assist. That’s awesome! This is the mountain version of IZIP’s line and it’s very similar to the E3 Dash which is meant more for street riding. That bike has hybrid tires, a 500 watt rear hub motor and also features a shock with lockout but is a bit more rear heavy given the motor placement. You might consider it for a smoother, quieter rides on streets with moderate hills. For off road conditions and steep hills however, the E3 Peak rules. And considering it’s just $400 more than the Dash, you get an upgrade on the front fork and hydraulic disc brakes!
The battery powering this system offers 48 volts of power and 8.7 amp hours of capacity. That’s pretty solid; 48 volts delivers good torque for climbing and accelerating. The cells are light weight Lithium-ion design providing lots of charge cycles and the pack comes with a 12 month warranty. The pack itself is mounted where a water bottle might otherwise sit and the downside is there are no other mounting points. You have to get creative with a seat mount or pick up a CamelBak. The upside is that the battery locks to the bike, is removable and can be charged separate from the bike. You can also get a second pack or replacement for ~$500 which could be handy for longer rides.
Unlike many other mid-drive electric mountain bikes, the E3 Peak offers both pedal assist and a start-throttle mode. The twist throttle is designed to get you up to speed without pedaling so you don’t have to put your foot down and it goes up to 6 miles per hour on its own or 20 if you’re pedaling along. It’s a unique design that provides a bit more finesse when riding. Still, I wouldn’t mind if it behaved more like the E3 Dash and other IZIP bikes, allowing you to throttle up to 20mph without cutting out. I understand the intended use as a “starter” but could see myself relying on the throttle alone over smooth sections or through mud and water where I don’t want to pedal and get my feet dirty.
There’s a lot to say about this bike so I’m going to list a few more highlights. The front fork has a lockout and offers 100mm of travel. The pedals are a stiff metal design with great traction (though a little narrow). The wheels and seat come with quick release systems which makes it easier to change a flat or swap tires for city riding. Wheel management is made easier due to the lack of hub motors on this bike, just about any shop can service it with no problem. The wheels themselves are 27.5″ or “s/b 650b” diameter which is right between the old 26″ design and the newer 29er type. In my opinion they’re the perfect size. 29″ feels too large for tactical riding (and can clip your toe) and 26″ doesn’t offer the same momentum and smoothing over bumps.
You get a pretty solid package with the E3 Peak and it’s great to see a proprietary mid-drive system that actually works and feels smooth. The hydraulic disc brakes, LCD computer with breakout controls that are easy to reach and an overall weight of 48.6lbs is not bad at all. IZIP is even offering a “City Kit” for the Peak and Dash that adds lights, fenders and racks for those who want to use this thing for commuting in addition to off road. The Peak frame comes in two sizes, M and L but only offers high-step designs and one color (shiny gray). IZIP offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and two years on the motor which is great and this bike will be easier to see and test ride in person than some others because they have a vast network of dealers.
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uandb
11 years agoIt seems that as of today March 1, 2014 I haven’t seen any of the new Currie Bikes on their web page. I’m talking about the Izip e3 Peak and the the Izip e3 Dash. Also tried to email them. They don’t seem to be in the habit of answering their mail. Do you know when they will go into production?
Thanks,
ReplyUandb
Court Rye
11 years agoHello uandb, the CEO of Currie Technologies (Larry Pizzi) has been chatting in the forums regularly at https://electricbikereview.website/community/ and they have listed the new IZIP bikes including the Peak and Dash on their website at http://www.currietech.com/izip-electric-bikes/ and mentioned that they have been arriving at dealers (that started at the end of February 14′) hope this helps you out!
ReplyPred
11 years agoI would like to discuss the freewheeling ease of a hub motor vs. crank mounted motor. While my hub motor (Prodeco Storm) does exhibit a small drag on the wheel while off power, I wonder if a centrally mounted motor has a similar drag on the pedals. Obviously, center mounted motor has a 0 drag when just coasting, because that is just like a regular bicycle. But when pedaling, there could be a drag. Court, you have ridden both Dash and Peak, and could offer a comparison. Did you try spinning Peak pedals w/o power with the wheel lifted off the ground perhaps?
This info would be useful to people who are looking for an e-bike which does well without the motor too, to extend the range, or when the battery goes empty.
Many thanks!
ReplyPred
Court Rye
11 years agoYou make a good point. The only drag that I’m aware of for bikes when coasting happens on direct drive (gearless) hub motors that occurs based on magnets inside repelling when riding unassisted. I think that some of these motors do not have freewheels like the mid-drive and the geared hub motors do so they can drag. I didn’t notice this when testing the Dash and the Peak uses a geared centerdrive so I thin they are both good coasters. I hope this helps, I am not completely up to speed with the mechanical designs or complexities of these two bikes vs. others but my ride tests when pretty well.
Replyscram
11 years agoCourt, I am trying to pick between this iZip Peak (b/c I like its center drive) and the easy motion neo 650B or 29er. I love the neo line designs, but that center drive of the Peak (not the other izips) means alot easier wheel changing and we know flats happen… With $3000 for either, can you help choose? In a perfect world, Id choose bosch mid-drive, but that’s aint on the above…
ReplyI ride primarily on city mean streets with very light (i.e., packed dirt) trails. I’m a tall woman at 5’11” and 165lbs.
Thx!
scram
11 years agoThanks for replying – and your suggestion, Court. I’m learning something new with every post! For example, from your IZIP E3 Peak review, I thought the center drive motor had more ‘pep’ b/c it can use the multiplying factor of the gears, whereas a hub motor cannot. I seem to be prone to flats, so the ease of reapir is of interest to me. In a perfect world, I’d rent each model I’m interested in for a few days to see how they are in my hot little hands! Cheers, Court!
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHmm… These are all great bikes and I am becoming a fan of the mid-drive system (which works great for off-road and changing flats as you mentioned). The Rear wheels on the Easy Motion Neo bikes aren’t all that tough to take off but they are heavier and since there’s a torque sensor at the rear drop out it’s important to be careful when tightening the rear wheel. Given the terrain and intended use I think any of these bikes could be great and I actually prefer the hub motor feel when riding in town and on light paths (it’s just zippier). Have you considered the IZIP Dash at all? It’s super smooth and has larger diameter wheels like the Neo’s and uses torque and cadence sensing at the bottom bracket so the rear wheel attachment is less complex. I realize this isn’t a direct answer… the centerdrive will be easier for changing flats and the Peak is a good bike :)
ReplyRob
11 years agoHey Court:
I’m a little confused by the throttle. On the video it seems like the throttle will take you only to 7mph without peddling. But then in the post there’s two references to this: “The E3 Peak can hit 20mph in throttle mode or up to 28mph with pedal assist.” Can you help me understand these throttle distinctions? Thank you!
Replybrian
11 years agoIs this e-bike compatible with either 26″ or 29″ wheels? There is a very limited rim/tire choices with the 650mm.
ReplyRob
11 years agoWhat is the weight of the battery? You mentioned carrying a second battery for longer trips, and I was curious about the additional weight.
ReplyRick
11 years agoCourt, thanks for all the excellent reviews! I am 6’3″ with a 36″ step over height. I am interested in the Peak, the Dash, the Neo Cross and the Prodeco Outlaw.
Do any of the above fit a tall person better? I am thinking maybe I should just build my own up with a 22″ frame, but if one of these would fit well, I would rather just get it all assembled. Unfortunately I live in an area 6 hours from the closest shop that carries electric bikes, so I can’t just try them out.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Rick, depending on the type of riding you’re doing I’d recommend getting a size Large in the E3 Dash or Neo Cross (for road and city riding) or the E3 Peak for more trail riding and climbing. One advantage of the E3 Peak is the mid-drive motor that makes changing flats a lot easier. There are more high end electric bikes through Haibike that also have a mid-drive that I prefer because it’s very responsive https://electricbikereview.website/category/haibike/
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Rob, I believe that spare batteries for the IZIP E3 Peak (and the dash) weigh about 5.5 pounds.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Brian, I believe you could swap the wheels out for 26″ but probably not 29″. They would need to be disc brake compatible. I can’t see anything else standing in your way but I haven’t actually tested this and can’t say for sure ;)
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Rob, the throttle can be used at any time but will only power the bike up to 7 miles per hour before cutting out. It’s meant to get you started but won’t go any faster than 7mph and will also stop once you’ve reached that speed. Hope this helps!
ReplyFred Bellows
10 years agoso why don’t you just edit the mistake on the article where you said it goes 20 throttle only?
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoThanks for the feedback Fred, I’ve gone through and edited bits of the review to make it easier to understand how the throttle works. In short… if you don’t pedal the throttle will hit 6mph but if you do pedal it can hit 20mph before cutting out. Beyond that, you can even reach ~28 mph in pedal assist mode but the throttle won’t help at all for speeds over 20mph.
jim
10 years agoHi, will you be reviewing the 2015 izip peak or is there no real difference from the 2014. Thank you
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Jim! I’ll definitely be reviewing the IZIP E3 Peak for 2015 very soon. I think for the most part it’s similar but there might be a full suspension version coming which is exciting! Keep an eye out here and on YouTube :)
ReplyMichael
10 years agoCourt, I really value your reviews, and I have come a long way in terms of understanding the array of products out there. How does the Izip Peak stand up against Evelo Aries or the Haibike Xdury Rx29 or Haibike Xdury Trecking Rx. Your preference for Bosch mid-drives is clear, but is the Peak closer to the Evelo line or the Haibike. It seams the peak is priced between them.
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Michael! Good question, I do really appreciate how responsive and smooth the Bosch system is. I think that makes it feel more powerful even though the IZIP Peak with TranzX drive is technically “stronger” in terms of wattage and speed. The new E3 Peak feels better than the first generation to me, I had a couple of issues with it just not working quite right (this might have been due to riding a demo bike that had issues). It has been hard to shake that first experience and even on the best day, I can just tell that the Peak starts and stops slower. Also, the front sprocket ring is larger on the TranzX and I think that may impact the feeling of responsiveness, it also can’t sense when you’re shifting so it may mash gears more frequently. Anyway, both of these systems are better than the Evelo mid-drive in my opinion, though to be fair, I think one of my biggest complaints with their ebikes is the soft flexy frames. One big difference between the Evelo and TranzX on the E3 Peak is that it uses a magnetic cadence sensor to activate the motor vs. a torque and speed sensor combination. At the very highest end, Bosch senses speed, torque and cadence and measures 1,000 per second. Depending on your intended use I’d go with the RX 29er or E3 Peak and for me, the Bosch system is worth more because I ride all the time and like to run on trails and stuff as well. I just feel like it’s built tougher and since I always lock my bike up and have bicycle insurance I’m less concerned about theft and stuff and intend to keep it going for many years. Feel free to also ask around in the IZIP forums and get second and third opinions. There are a lot of really happy E3 Peak owners out there :)
Reply