Total Weight:
55 lbs (24.94 kg)
Battery Weight:
7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
Frame Material:
Aluminum Alloy
Frame Sizes:
17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)Geometry Measurements:
17" and 19" Step-Thru (Wheelbase 1075 mm and 1105 mm, Stand Over Height 548 mm and 555 mm), 17" and 19" High-Step (Wheelbase 1075 mm and 1105 mm, Stand Over Height 747 mm and 786 mm)
Frame Types:
Step-Thru, High-Step
Frame Colors:
White (Step-Thru), Grey or Metallic Black (High-Step)
Frame Fork Details:
Chromoly Steel, Rigid
Attachment Points:
Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses
Gearing Details:
8
Speed 1x8 Shimano Altus RD-M280, 11-34TShifter Details:
MicroSHIFT TS70 Trigger on Right Bar
Pedals:
Aluminum Alloy Platform with Rubber Tread
Headset:
VP Semi-Integrated Ahead
Stem:
Promax Alloy, Fixed
Handlebar:
Promax Commuter
Brake Details:
Promax Render Mechanical Disc with 160 mm Rotors, Levers with Motor Cutoff
Grips:
Velo Dual Density
Saddle:
Velo Commuter
Seat Post:
Promax Alloy with Microadjust
Seat Post Length:
350 mm
Seat Post Diameter:
27.2 mm
Rims:
Alex DM18 Doublewall
Spokes:
Stainless Steel
Tire Brand:
CST Center Ridge, 700 x 38c
Wheel Sizes:
28 in (71.12cm)Tube Details:
Pre-Slimed
Accessories:
Bolt On Carry Rack with Bungee Cords, Matching Aluminum Alloy Fenders, Bell, Alloy Chain Guide, Matching Chain Guard, Adjustable Kickstand
Other:
Quick Release Front and Rear Wheels, Removable Battery Pack, Additional Battery Pack ~$579
Charlie
11 years agoRegenerative?
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHey Charlie, no the E3 Path Plus does not offer regenerative braking even though it uses a direct drive motor. I was told it costs extra money to put those systems in place and that it really doesn’t offer much energy back so they decided not to do it in order to keep the bike more affordable.
ReplyBruce Towell
11 years agoHi, I really find your reviews very informative. Would you also be able to do a review of the bikes going up hills? I have a very steep half-mile hill that I need to go thru for shopping errands, ect. The IZIP E3 Path+ Is right around the price I’d be able to afford, but am a bit worried about hill climbing? If you have done a video on a steep hill, maybe I can compare with what the E3 Path+ has, so I can make a determination of how it will respond. I wish a could tell you the incline degree of my hill, but I would not even know how to calculate this, sorry!! Thanks in advance, Bruce Towell.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Bruce! Great request… I’m always working to make videos more intuitive and helpful for people and hill climbing is one area I’ve struggled with. The challenge is that I only weigh ~135 pounds so it’s hard to translate that into performance for someone who weighs a bit more or a bit less (weight really matters for climbing). That said, if you pedal going into a hill and help out on the way up I’m sure the Path Plus would do very well. It has a powerful motor and you’d feel it struggling if the hill was too large and know to starting helping out. I hope this helps you out a bit, I’ll keep working on ways to capture performance on video :)
ReplyTed
11 years agoI am trying to decide between the new IZIP Zuma and Path Plus models. I have weighted the pros and cons of each and am indifferent as to the price difference. I am leaning more towards the Path Plus based on the cruise control.
Could you shed some light on how the Path Plus 48V 500 watt gearless motor compares to the Zuma’s 36V 500 watt geared motor? I am 210 lbs and plan on using the throttle most of the time on regular pavement with no hills. Which one would be more powerful/appropriate?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyTed
Court Rye
11 years agoHi Ted! Great question… I think it boils down to the type of riding you’d like to do. If you’re more active and plan to pedal along then the Path+ is great because the larger wheels and more aggressive body position (including the narrower seat) will be more comfortable.
Alternatively, if you’re ride style is less rigorous and comfort is the focus then the larger seat, upright position and balloon tires on the Zuma would be a better fit.
Both motors are strong and capable but the geared 500 on the Zuma helps to make up for its weaker battery. The direct drive on the Path+ gets a boost from its stronger 48 volt pack. Ultimately, the Path+ is a bit quieter and perhaps more durable since it’s gearless.
You didn’t mention your height but both models come in high and low step which should accommodate you well. Both bikes are awesome and I would enjoy riding either, it might come down to your preference for the fenders on the Path+ or the style and colors of the Zuma. I really thing the biggest trade in terms of ride is the body position and seat design because when you pedal for extended periods of time the wider seat on the Zuma can start to chaff your legs. It’s meant to be a more relaxed cruiser style bike whereas the Path+ is meant for active city and urban riding.
ReplySandeep
11 years agoGreetings, Excellent review. I am deciding between E3 Dash and E3 Path Plus. Assuming the price difference is not a factor which one would you advise. I am 6’1 and weigh 175 pounds. I have a short 5 mile commute to work which I need it for. Would mostly use throttle since don’t want to get sticky by the time I get to work. But I would like to use it for long rides on the weekend where I would mostly use pedal assist mode with minimal assist. I would mostly use on paved roads so not looking to do much of off road use. From your review from looks and utility standpoint i.e. pre wired lights, fenders etc I like the path plus. But it seems to be 5 pounds heavier then E3 Dash. I normally carry my bike to the office. So need to put it in the elevator and get off the same . So need something which would be easy to carry around. With Path Plus being a bit back heavy (both battery and motor in the back) in addition to being 5 pounds heavier is this a concern. I guess the same would apply to folks who want to put this on a bus or train ? Or is the extra weight in path plus not that noticeable ?. E3 dash does not have fenders so if there was slight rain then I would think that would soil my work dress with water lifting off the tires.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoHi Sandeep! Great question and thanks for sharing the details about your height, weight, budget and intended use. I love the E3 Dash because it has the suspension, a more sophisticated drive system (uses three sensors vs. just one with the Path+) and it’s lighter as you say. You can always add fenders and a rack to the Dash and there are some great quick connect ones that I’ve seen people use on hardtail mountain bikes here http://amzn.to/Qka3zi
The Path+ is still a great bike and I love the integrated lights, fenders and rack… The drive system is also super smooth and the price is good. I just like the Dash more :)
ReplySteve
11 years agoYou really seem to like these Currie bikes, much better than the Prodeco. Are they really that much nicer, and why? Prodeco is assembled in the USA, and seems to get rave reviews according to Amazon. I’m thinking of something in the $2k range but I don’t want to throw money away.
It seems that e-bikes should take off but there is no break out bike or company that is putting it all together as of yet, which is puzzling. What the e-bike industry needs is their own “Tesla”. Most people can’t afford a Tesla, but if an e-bike manufacturer could offer the same quality as perceived in a Tesla for a reasonable price it would make a killing, IMO. What is stopping it from coming, when will that e-bike get here?
Your reviews are great, BTW! I wonder if they are unbiased, though.
ReplyCourt Rye
11 years agoGreat points! I’ve posted critical reviews for a lot of Currie electric bikes but the quality and designs have been getting much better (the Path+ is a great example). I just visited ProdecoTech headquarters in South Florida and reviewed a bunch more of their bikes… gave the Titanio 29er a 4.5 star rating.
I try to be as objective as possible when reviewing… Some of what you’re alluding to is marketing. ProdecoTech assembles in the USA, along with Pedego, Motiv and many other brands (even some Currie bikes) but the parts are all made overseas. Be careful with Amazon reviews, check the number posted as well as the rating. The eZip Trailz has a lower rating for example but so many more people have purchased and rated it. I think it gets diluted this way and also because it’s sold in Walmart.
We should see more and more electric bikes in the spotlight going forward. The Haibikes are getting a lot of attention for Currie and the Titanio and others will get a lot of press for ProdecoTech, the space is growing :)
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Dan, good questions here. The Path+ and Dash are two of my favorite IZIP electric bikes and both use a nearly identical 500 watt gearless hub motor that is smooth, quiet and powerful. Both have the same button interface as well but the Dash is actually ~5 pounds lighter even though it has a suspension fork. It also positions the battery low and center for better balance but you miss out on the bottle cage, fenders and rear rack.
As far as I’m concerned they both ride very similarly in terms of how smooth the motor activates but the Dash will get you going faster because it’s a “speed pedelec” capable of reaching 28mph. This might be part of why it felt fast even on the lowest mode for you. If you put the Path+ in low then it might not get you going quite so fast. Both motors are going to take a moment to cut out but the dash might be a bit faster since it uses cadence, torque and speed sensors vs. Path+ which is just cadence.
Given the ~$400 savings between the two and your desire to go slower I’d lean towards the Path+. Besides the extra weight and weight distribution this bike will feel jerkier going over bumps (no suspension, narrower tires) but still rides well and has a nice upright position with those swept back handlebars. I really like the bike and was incredibly impressed with how smooth the motor operates :)
ReplyDan
10 years agoI am trying to decide between the path plus and fash. Mostly for commuting about 8 miles with several steep hills in Seattle. Could you help me answer these 3 questions?
1. In your review you comment that the path plus cadence system feels nearly like a torque system and is smooth and responsive. Is there really a significant advantage to the torque system on the dash for a commuter bike?
Reply2. When I test rode the dash, I noted that in pedal assist mode, the motor kept working for a second after I stopped pedaling. This is a bit unnerving. Is this typical for the Dash or was that just the bike I had?
3. I will be riding in city and want to be able to ride at a bit slower speed than 18-20mph. It seemed as the Dash, even in pedal assist 1 wanted to push me along faster. Is there a way to modulate that aspect of speed (e.g. using lower or higher gears)? Or is that an indication that the path plus is a better choice than the dash for me.
Michael
10 years agoCourt, You have done a phenomenal job of putting these reviews together. Based upon my commuting and recreational needs, your review, the price and test riding a number of ebikes, I purchased the iZip E3 Path+. Because of the powerful motor (500W), I mostly stay at level 1 assist so my range is just under 40 miles.
One question I have is that when I am going down a slight decline, it feels like the motor is actually giving some resistance to peddling to get to a speed over 17 mph. When I go level 3 or 4, this goes away and when I am on a steep enough decline that I am able to coast, the speed does go higher. But at that magic spot described above, I feel that the bike is actually making me work harder than I would on a regular bike. Any thoughts? Thank you, Michael
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Michael! The slight resistance you’re feeling may be due to magnets cogging inside the motor. The E3 Path+ uses a 500 watt gearless motor (just like the E3 Dash) and these designs rely on a stater (piece of metal that is electrified) to repel and push the magnets positioned along the outside of the hub motor. When electricity is flowing in a specific way the motor turns and you get power but if you forcefully turn the motor when it is off or perhaps turn it faster when it is on the magnets no longer propel, they drag a bit. You can see this in some of the other reviews I post where I pick up the bike and spin the wheel with the motor and show it slowing down faster than it should based on the “repelling” inside. The video in this review is a good example.
ReplyPenny
10 years agoI just bought the izip E3 Path+. I have found your website to be very informative and helpful. I am used to a comfort bike with larger tires and suspension, without any motor. On the Path+, I find that I feel every bump, even on pavement. As a senior, it would be nice to have a less jarring ride. Even the paved roads in Montana are quite rough. Would after market tires make much of a difference? Also an after market suspension seat? If so which would you suggest? Also I would like to add saddle bags. Do you have any suggestions for gear storage?
I love the bike and in two days have rode it 40 miles. When I got home after an 18 mile ride, the range on the computer was still showing 80% charge on assist #1. Do you think that is accurate? Does that really mean I could ride it for another 72 miles without a charge? Thank You, Penny
ReplyCourt Rye
10 years agoHi Penny, thanks! I know how you feel with the bumpy ride… While tires might make a small difference (especially larger ones that are filled less full) this will be expensive and decrease your range. It might also be tricky to find the exact right tire size that’s larger but not too large to cause problems with the fork fit and you’ll probably have to replace the tubes as well. If I were in your position I’d look at seat post suspension like the Thudbuster. I’ve bought this one before and it helped a lot (just make sure you get the right diameter of post). I also had to make sure to really tighten the seat post lock and ended up buying a special locker from Salsa like this to keep the post from sliding down as it bounced up and down (again, check the size). Here’s a short video of the short travel Thudbuster I tested earlier this year. I hope this helps! Feel free to ask more questions in the IZIP forum here about sizing and alternative seat post shocks.
Reply