2015 IZIP E3 Peak DS Review

This reivew is outdated but might be useful if you’re finding a used model or considering a deal on prior-year equipment. The latest version of the bike has been upgraded to a Bosch centerdrive and is available in two frame sizes. You can read more in the full review here and feel free to compare the two side by side with the “compare” option above.

The 2016 IZIP E3 Peak DS remained largely unchanged from 2015 and I was not able to get a sample unit for review. The website lists 20 mph as the top speed vs. 28 mph in 2015 and if this is correct the bike would shift from Class 3 to Class 2. It still appears to have a half-grip throttle and the paint job is largely the same but the iconography on the side may have been enlarged and less red is used along the top tube. Feel free to chime in with updates in the comments below if you have seen the new version of this electric bike in the wild recently. The primary feedback for this and the hardtail E3 Peak for 2016 is that they use a high torque motor that operates quietly but is not super responsive (and lacks shift sensing). It’s a great climber but is probably best suited to large sweeping trails and fire roads vs. highly technical trails.

The 2015 IZIP E3 Peak DS (Dual Suspension) is a full suspension electric mountain bike that offers a unique combination of twist throttle and speed pedelec performance capable of 28 mph top speeds that’s hard to find anywhere else. With 120 mm travel front and rear, this thing is comfortable on or off-road but lacks the utility of rear rack and fender mounts that its more affordable cousin the hardtail IZIP E3 Peak offers. Comparing the two models, the $1,400 price differential goes towards an upgraded SRAM X9 vs. X7 derailleur, X-Fusion vs. RockShox suspension, larger hydraulic disc brakes and Maxxis vs. CST tires along with the custom full suspension frame. In my opinion, there are better mid-drive systems out there (namely from Bosch), but they currently don’t offer throttle mode or high speed performance. The closest comparable ebike that I’ve reviewed would be the Haibike XDURO FS 27.5″ and at just $400 more, it’s well worth considering in my mind – depending on your ride needs. With two frame sizes, excellent distribution and a solid warranty, there’s a lot to like about the E3 Peak DS and frankly, I think it looks very cool.

The centerdrive motor driving the IZIP E3 Peak DS in electric mode is a 350 watt geared design from TranzX. The first time I tested this motor was in late 2014 on a hardtail E3 Peak and since then I feel like it has become more responsive and refined. It’s not super loud but definitely not your quietest motor either (mid-drives tend to produce more noise when operating at high RPMs in lower gears). I like how small the motor casing is and that it keeps weight low and center on the frame. The chain ring that it pulls has a built in aluminum alloy bash guard and guide designed to protect the sprocket teeth and probably the motor to some extent. This front ring is a standard sized 38 tooth design and looks relatively normal from the side. With a 10 speed SRAM X9 cassette in the rear, I found that there were enough gears to climb and reach the higher 28 mph top speeds without limiting pedal cadence or over complicating shifting. There are actually a lot of mid-drive off-road ebikes that limit gears to 10 and I think this makes the system more durable overall, reducing the need for tuneups. The big difference between the higher end centerdrive motor system and the E3 Peak DS is that they (Bosch and Impulse) can sense when you shift gears ease off for a second to reduce mashing which causes chain and sprocket wear. On the Peak DS, if you lightly squeeze the brake levers the motor will stop and this imitates shift sensing. During my tests, there actually wasn’t too much mashing going on even without braking so it might not be a huge issue depending on how you ride.

The battery pack on the E3 Peak DS offers a strong 48 volts of power (which is also more efficient than 36 volts) and a decent 8.7 amp hours of capacity. It’s a locking pack that secures directly to the frame for security but is also removable for easier transport or convenient charging inside your home or office. The battery cells used here are Lithium-ion which is valued for being relatively light weight, durable and long lasting. Built into the pack is a small LED charge level indicator so you can tell how full it is without connecting to the bike and powering up. One drawback to the design in my opinion is that the battery pack has to be turned on before the display panel can be turned on… You end up pressing two power buttons which is not so common on other ebikes and can lead to some confusion (I thought the battery was out of juice when first trying to activate this bike during my review). Still, overall the battery is fine and once you remember the extra step for activating the bike it works just fine.

One of the most refined areas of the 2015 IZIP line of electric bikes is the new display panel and associated button pad. The display is backlit, easy to see (mounted front and center) and now connected at two points to the handle bar for improved strength which could come in handy on the trails. I love that it can swivel forward and back to reduce any glare you might be experiencing and I love the range estimator readout that approximates how far the bike can go at each level of assist given the remaining battery charge. The buttons that operate the display are pretty simple to use and very easy to reach. The pad is completely rubberized to keep out dust and water but still provides a tactile “click” to let you know you’ve activated each button. You can navigate through four levels of assist with up and down buttons (which offer increasingly greater power output from the motor) and ultimately allow you to reach 28 mph assisted (with active pedaling) all without looking down at the display. Most electric bikes cut motor power at 20 mph and that is still the case for the throttle mode on the DS one but note that the throttle will really only reach ~6 mph without pedaling. As long as your cranks are moving, it can reach 20 mph and it’s designed that way to act as a sort of “override” for lower levels of assist, helping you for a short burst to overcome hills.

For ~$4.5K the E3 Peak feels expensive to me but does offer good quality and a unique set of features. The higher top speed means you can get around faster and the mid-drive motor system means you’ll get there efficiently but still be able to overcome large hills. You will have to shift more frequently than if you were using a hub motor driven bike to truly benefit from the mid-drive but I think the lower center of gravity and easier access to wheels with quick release front and rear can be worth it. It’s great that the E3 Peak DS comes in two sizes for improved fit. I do wish the bike was able to hit 20 mph in throttle only mode, without pedaling, but that’s just not the case and at least it has a throttle (though this could compromise the right grip a bit in rough terrain if it twisted). The full suspension E3 Peak does a lot right and the latest TranzX motor pairs nicely with the refined frame and stopping power of the hydraulic disc brakes and it should be easier to find at local ebike shops so you can take a test ride.

Pros:

• Excellent weight distribution with the mid-frame battery pack and centerdrive motor, this improves balance and handling, especially off-road
• Mid-drive motor leverages the 10 speed cassette for improved efficiency and range, great for climbing with lower gears
• Throttle adds power dynamically (up to 20 mph) when pedaling, great for overcoming small hills when using a lower level of assist
• Adjustable X-Fusion suspension fork and rear shock improves pedaling efficiency on smooth and hard packed surfaces
• New 2015 display panel can swivel to reduce glare and is attached at two points for improved strength, also backlit for use in dark environments
• Front and rear wheels offer quick release for easy trail maintenance – changing tires, fixing spokes etc. and makes the bike less threatening to traditional bicycle shops who may have never serviced an ebike
• Available in two sizes for improved fit, both are high-step which provides stiffness and come in the black/orange color scheme
• Removable battery reduces overall weight of the bike when transporting on cars racks and makes charging easier if you store the frame in your garage (keep the battery at neutral temperatures and charged after each ride)
• Solid warranty from Currie Technologies, available to see and test ride at many shops across the United States and get serviced ongoing
• The 650b (27.5″) wheel size strikes a balance between nimble handling and efficient rolling momentum and obstacle handling, tires and tubes may be more expensive to replace since it’s a newer standard
• Nice component upgrades including the SRAM X9 10 speed cassette, locking grips, aluminum alloy pedals and X-Fusion Velvet 120 mm suspension fork – frame, saddle and fork all match nicely
• Hydraulic disc brakes operate without requiring much effort, they are smooth and provide quick stopping power while also cutting power to the motor, upgraded 203 mm and 180 mm rotors are large for added strength
• Remote button pad on left bar is well sealed against water, blends in with the bar and is easy to reach while riding – intuitive menus make operating the bike while riding easy

Cons:

• The throttle can only reach ~6 mph if you’re not pedaling along, it cuts out abruptly and leaves me wishing it could hit 20 mph on its own without pedaling along
• No water bottle cage mounting points, you’ll have to use a Camelbak or get a seat post adapter to add a a cage separately, no rear rack mounts due to rear suspension arm
• Display panel is not removable, when using the bike to commute to work or park in town this exposes it to more wear through weather and possible tampering
• Value drive system with larger front ring and simpler control sensors than higher end systems like Bosch or Impulse, the motor doesn’t kick in or stop as quickly and it also can’t sense when you’re shifting gears
• The battery pack has to be turned on independently and then you can turn the bike on with the button pad, this confused me in the video review and just takes extra time each time you want to ride the bike

Resources:

• Official Site: https://izipelectric.com/electric-bikes/trail#desc-bottom
• More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/vGPBZ4cjHUBH1GHc8