2016 IZIP E3 ProTour Review

The E3 ProTour is one of the coolest looking ebikes in the entire 2016 lineup from IZIP because the battery is integrated, the circular motor hides behind the chainring and you get every sort of accessory you could ever want to make it the perfect commuting platform. From integrated LED lights that run off the main battery pack to a cafe style frame lock, full length plastic fenders with mud flaps, a seat post suspension, upgraded Wellgo platform pedals and a standard gauge rear rack it will get the job done rain or shine, night or day and it’s extremely fast… As a Class 3 speed pedelec it’s capable of hitting 28 mph in the highest level of assist when pedaling with the higher gears. But it’s not especially loud, the larger chainring has a limited RPM output but offers lots of power so you really feel a boost when shifting gears up. The motor used here is a new one from TranzX called the M25GTS that measures speed, cadence and pedal torque to adjust power output dynamically. I found that it operated quite well but did suffer from some mashing of the chain, sprockets and derailleur when shifting while pedaling due to the lack of shift detection and standard brake levers without motor inhibitors. This motor still isn’t as responsive or refined as Bosch but it’s much improved over earlier generations from TranzX and this keeps the price of the bike lower at $2999.

The ProTour delivers a nimble commuter style suspension fork that’s narrower and offers modest 63 mm travel but includes lockout adjust. Complimenting this are larger 700 x 45c (1 5/8″ diameter) tires, comfortable ergonomic grips and a basic seat post suspension. Both rims and hubs are upgraded with brass nipples, larger 13 mm spokes and thru axles (15 mm front and 12 mm rear) which should handle the increased forces of higher speed riding and the large 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes. I love that the frame, fork, spokes and other accessories are dark or black because it creates a cohesive mean look that also helps the cables and wires blend in (though most are internally routed). Both wheels also offer quick release for easy transport or tuneups and I love the Shimano SLX drivetrain components. Ten speeds is just enough to hit the 28 mph top speed where the motor cuts out and SLX is one of the highest groupsets I’ve seen on any of the IZIP electric bikes. By not including a second or third front sprocket they reduced the need for tuneups, kept the price lower and focused weight-addition on the utilitarian extras… the medium sized ProTour weighed ~54 lbs which isn’t bad considering all of the included accessories. The chainring features an aluminum alloy guide that should keep the chain on track if you encounter bumpy terrain and protect the sprocket teeth if you hop a steep curb and bash the middle of the bike.

The IZIP E3 Pro Tour would make a solid commuter or potentially even touring / trekking electric bike. The range will be more limited if you ride at high speed but you could always grab an extra battery pack (at just 5.6 lbs it would be easy to stash in a trunk bag) or bring the light 1.8 pound charger along for top offs every ~35 miles or so. The pack should charge 50%+ in the first couple of hours because the cells don’t have to be balanced (which slows charging). You could replace the hybrid slick tires with knobby ones for trail and off-road riding but it might be too much for the fork and the accessories would get rattly. If you want to go this route I suggest the IZIP E3 Peak or Peak DS. One extra bonus with the TranzX system is that you can purchase a $50 boost button to add throttle on demand and the motor is so strong it will literally carry you up hills (when using the lower or mid level gears). This is a very unique, feature rich electric bike and I’m thoroughly impressed with the component choices, custom frame and warranty… though I wish they had included bottle cage bosses, two sets would have been nice in fact! I’m glad they produced multiple size options (small, medium, large) for better fit amongst a range of rider body types, at high speed and longer distance it’s especially important to get a good fit.

Pros:

• Feature complete with quality SKS plastic fenders, a standard gauge rear carry rack, an ABUS frame lock and integrated LED lights! It’s ready to commute in any conditions
• Stealthy frame… the battery pack is completely integrated into the downtube and paint matched, the TranzX M25GTS motor is round so it hides behind the chainring and is smaller, lighter and quieter than some of the earlier TranzX / Currie Electrodrive designs like the M07
• The motor is smooth and responsive, even though it doesn’t offer shift sensing the combination of cadence and torque sensing feels like a higher quality product
• High speed pedal-assist performance (up to 28 miles per hour with active rider input) means you’ll arrive quicker but also drain the battery faster above 20 mph due to air resistance
• The suspension fork, larger diameter wheels and thicker tires provide comfort when traveling over longer distances, bumpy terrain and at higher speeds… the ergonomic grips and suspension post add comfort, the fork does feature lockout to reduce bobbing on flat smooth surfaces
• Since the IZIP E3 ProTour is a speed pedelec, the wheels and frame will endure more stress and strain so both axles have been upgraded (12 mm rear and 15 mm front) for improved stiffness and better alignment of the disc brake rotors with the calipers and pads
• Even though this model only comes in a high-step “diamond” frame design, it has been engineered with an angled top tube to lower stand over height which makes holding the bike at rest or walking over it easier, I measured ~32 inches on the Medium 17″ frame
• Because the motor is mounted at the center of the frame along with the battery pack, weight is kept lower which improves stability and leaves the rear rack completely open for gear
• The center-drive system leverages your chain and 10 speed cassette to operate more efficiently for climbing or reaching higher speeds, it offers better range than a similarly rated hub motor if you manage your gears properly and the SLX drivetrain is solid mid-level (better components)
• Higher-end parts all around including Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with a larger 180 mm rotors, Shimano SLX derailleur for precision shifting and stiff, large alloy platform pedals for stability and traction
• If you want even more control, a boost button can be added which offers two drive modes: a 6 mph starting speed (almost like walk mode) and a 20 mph throttle button which has to be held down to operate, most IZIP dealers can add this for ~$50
• Nice wire management, all of the cables and electronics are run through the frame and there are even some extra support points to keep them from getting in the way, they blend in with the gray / black paint scheme

Cons:

• When unlocking and removing the battery pack it sort of pops out of the side so be extra careful not to drop it, the pack looks great but the cover is plastic and can get scratched easily… thankfully the plastic underneath is also black ;)
• Given the beautifully integrated downtube battery design, the seat tube and downtube are wide open… I wish they had put bottle cage bosses here given the city/commuter use and the fact that there are rear rack and fender braze-ons
• The display panel can be a bit confusing at first, holding the power button icon for a couple seconds when you’re in assist level 1 will take you down to zero (so you can the display without the motor), it would be nicer if you could just arrow down to zero, this also becomes confusing for people who want to turn the bike off by holding power… you have to hold it down again or push the button on the battery itself to completely shut down
• The display unit is not removable so it could take more damage when the bike is parked outside or in a public location, thankfully the battery is
• The battery pack must be activated before the display unit can be powered on, it’s a two step process that takes extra time and can create confusion when going straight for the display on/off, the system automatically powers down after ~5 minutes
• There’s no shift sensing with the M25GTS TranzX motor so the chain, sprockets and derailleur may take more wear if you don’t make an effort to shift when the motor is not adding force to the drivetrain, there are also no brake lever motor inhibitors which could otherwise help with shifting gears smoothly