IZIP E3 ProTour Review

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2017 Izip E3 Protour Electric Bike Review
2017 Izip E3 Protour
2017 Izip E3 Protour Tranzx M25gts High Speed Mid Motor
2017 Izip E3 Protour 48 Volt Lithium Ion Battery
2017 Izip E3 Protour Cobi Phone Mount Control Pad Ergonomic Grips
2017 Izip E3 Protour Integrated Cobi Headlight
2017 Izip E3 Protour Rigid Alloy Fork Option 15 Mm Thru Axle
2017 Izip E3 Protour 10 Speed Sram X7 Drivetrain
2017 Izip E3 Protour Alloy Fenders With Matching Rack
2017 Izip E3 Protour Shimano M396 Hydraulic Disc Brakes 180 Mm
2017 Izip E3 Protour Alloy Chainring Guide Motor Bottom View
2017 Izip E3 Protour 2 Amp Electric Bike Charger
2017 Izip E3 Protour Electric Bike Review
2017 Izip E3 Protour
2017 Izip E3 Protour Tranzx M25gts High Speed Mid Motor
2017 Izip E3 Protour 48 Volt Lithium Ion Battery
2017 Izip E3 Protour Cobi Phone Mount Control Pad Ergonomic Grips
2017 Izip E3 Protour Integrated Cobi Headlight
2017 Izip E3 Protour Rigid Alloy Fork Option 15 Mm Thru Axle
2017 Izip E3 Protour 10 Speed Sram X7 Drivetrain
2017 Izip E3 Protour Alloy Fenders With Matching Rack
2017 Izip E3 Protour Shimano M396 Hydraulic Disc Brakes 180 Mm
2017 Izip E3 Protour Alloy Chainring Guide Motor Bottom View
2017 Izip E3 Protour 2 Amp Electric Bike Charger

Summary

  • An efficient, feature-complete, speed pedelec capable of ~28 mph top speed with excellent frame balance but limited suspension and comfort options
  • Alloy fenders and minimalist rear rack stay quiet on bumpy terrain, an alloy chain guide and overbuilt chain won't drop as easily easily and stand up to the powerful mid-motor
  • Available in three frame sizes for improved fit, sturdy thru-axles with quick release wheels and an included cafe lock (though it uses a different key), reflective tires with wide PSI range for comfort
  • The motor is slow to spin down as you ease off and shifting can be loud and chunky at times, walk mode seems a bit fast and inconsistent, setting up the Cobi system took longer than expected

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

IZIP

Model:

E3 Protour

Price:

$3,299

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Speed Pedelec (Class 3), Throttle on Demand (Class 2)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

2 Year Comprehensive, Lifetime Frame

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

2017

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

53.3 lbs (24.17 kg)

Battery Weight:

5.7 lbs (2.58 kg)

Motor Weight:

8.5 lbs (3.85 kg)

Frame Material:

6061 Aluminum Alloy

Frame Sizes:

15 in (38.1 cm)17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Medium: 18" Seat Tube, 23" Reach, 31" Stand Over Height, 72.5" Length, 25.5" Width

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Metallic Dark Grey with Black Accents

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid Alloy, 100/15 mm Thru Axle with Quick Release

Frame Rear Details:

142 / 12 mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses

Gearing Details:

10 Speed 1x10 SRAM X7 Derailleur, 11-32T Cassette

Shifter Details:

SRAM X7 Triggers on Right

Cranks:

Lasco Alloy Crank Arms, 175 mm Length, 42T Chainring with Alloy Guide

Pedals:

Wellgo K79 Aluminum Alloy Platform, Black

Headset:

FSA Semi-Integrated Ahead, Five 10 mm Risers, 1-1/8"

Stem:

Tranz-X 3D Forged Alloy, 31.8 mm Diameter, Lengths: 70 mm, 80 mm, 90mm

Handlebar:

Tranz-X DB Alloy 31.8 mm Diameter, 650 mm x 25 mm Rise

Brake Details:

Shimano M396 Hydraulic Disc with 180 mm Rotors, Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Velo Dual Density Rubber, Ergonomic Locking

Saddle:

IZIP Branded, Velo Street

Seat Post:

Aluminum Alloy, Quick Release Collar

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Seat Post Diameter:

31.6 mm

Rims:

Alloy, Weinmann, Double Wall, 622x24, Reinforcement Eyelets, 32 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 13 Gauge, Black

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Big Ben, 28" x 2"

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

35 to 70 PSI, Performance Line RaceGuard, LiteSkin Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Presta Valve

Accessories:

Single Side Adjustable Length Kickstand, ABUS Pro Tectic 4960 Frame Lock, Alloy Rack with Standard Gauge Tubing (18 kg Max Weight, 40 lbs), Alloy Fenders, Integrated KOBI Headlight, Independent KOBI Backlight

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, 2 Amp 1.8 Pound Charger, KMC X10eRB High Torque Rust Proof Chain, CAN Bus Communication (Diagnostic and Firmware Updates)

Electronic Details

Motor Brand:

TranzX, Model M25GTS

Motor Type:

Mid-Mounted Geared Motor
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Motor Peak Output:

550 watts

Motor Torque:

70 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung or LG

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

8.7 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

417.6 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

15 miles (24 km)

Estimated Max Range:

40 miles (64 km)

Display Type:

COBI Smart Phone Interface with Bluetooth (iOS or Android)

Readouts:

Speed, Odometer, Trip Meter, Max Speed, Avg Speed, Battery Capacity (5 Bars), Assist Level (0-4), Turn by Turn Directions, Fitness Tracker, Access to Contacts and Music, Motion Sensing Alarm

Display Accessories:

Independent Button Pad (Up, Right, Down, Left, Select, Signal Chime), Ambisense Light (Turn Signals, Lights), Optional Boost Button

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Measures Speed, Cadence, and Torque)

Top Speed:

28 mph (45 kph)(Optional 20 mph Button Throttle)

Written Review

The ProTour is one of IZIP’s most exciting electric bikes, at least to me. It offers high-speed 28 mph pedal assisted rides, feature-complete accessories like fenders, a rear rack, and integrated lights, and now it runs off of your Android or iOS smartphone device because it comes stock with the Cobi system. If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to use one, you can still operate this bike through the remote button pad (mounted with reach of the left grip) but the benefits of using their app are many. You get all of the traditional ride stats such as speed, assist level, and battery capacity, along with GPS maps, fitness tracker, music integration, and phone call support. If you allow the Cobi system to access your contacts, music, etc. it can do many things… and possibly even more in the future as they update the software. And this is both a pro and a con, because it took me over one hour to configure the Cobi system on the brand new 2017 IZIP E3 ProTour demo model I was given access to. You might think, oh, it’s just the software on my phone! But there is also some software and firmware built into the battery-powered interface where your phone mounts, and that had to be updated through my phone’s connection… after it had charged off of the main bike battery. In short, I charged the bike… the bike charged the mount, my phone updated the mount and then itself… and then I finally got to take a ride! Included with the Cobi system is an aimable two-mode headlight with daytime running lights along the side and a bright center light for illuminating the path. A stand-alone rear LED light is mounted to the seat post and offers basic performance now but supposedly will offer turn signal and braking bright mode based on an accelerometer with future software updates. On the one hand, having to power the bike on by pressing the battery power button and then plugging in your phone and booting up the app and then pressing the rear light power button seems like a lot of steps, but having the ability to move the rear light to different areas of the bike (like clipping it onto a trunk bag or backpack) is very cool and you really don’t need to mount your phone if you don’t want to. So that’s just one step :)

Driving this electric bike is a powerful, relatively quiet, impressively compact mid-motor from a Taiwanese company called TranzX. This company usually produces mid-level value motors but the M25GTS is one of their premium products with a multi-sensor controller. It offers 500 watts of nominal output and up to 70 Newton meters of torque putting it on par with Bosch and Yamaha systems. Instead of just measuring pedal cadence as most of the other TranzX motors do, it listens for rear wheel speed, pedal cadence, and pedal torque… though in my experience it is still primarily cadence driven and less dynamic than Bosch. The standard sized 42 tooth chainring seemed a bit delayed when I stopped pedaling, it’s like the motor wanted to continue or needed to wind down a bit and there was definitely some clunking as I shifted gears, possibly in part because of this steady output style. One benefit is that you don’t have to work as hard to get this bike going fast or maintain a consistent high speed, but this also drains the battery more quickly. All mid-drive motors depend on gears to maximize efficiency and speed, you have to shift actively, and the E3 ProTour comes with a solid 10-speed SRAM X7 drivetrain. I noticed that even when I was pedaling fast in a lower gear (which is my preference) the motor did not cut out and I was able to achieve relatively high speeds. This was a delightful experience considering that some other motors cut out early and seem to force you to shift gears vs. working with you to achieve the desired result. Overall, I really liked how quiet, smooth, and well placed the motor was… it pairs perfectly with the battery to bring weight down and center on the bike frame and they both nearly disappear visually.

The battery pack does many things right but it isn’t especially large so your range may be more limited than competing products (especially if you ride at higher speeds constantly). It’s a custom shaped 48 volt Lithium-ion setup with high quality Samsung or LG cells (it sounds like the source for many ebike battery cells varies depending on availability and pricing throughout the year). The battery can be charged on or off the frame and uses the same metal-tipped charging port design so you don’t need to worry about extra cables or accessories. The charger itself offers a very standard 2-Amps output flow which is fine given the average sized 417 watt hour capacity of the pack. You only get 8.7 Amp hours with this battery while some others offer 10+ for a larger overall capacity. Yes, 48 volt systems send electricity more efficiently than 36 volt and yes the mid-drive motor is going to spend that electricity more judiciously if you shift gears thoughtfully… but high speed riding can really take a toll. I guess the benefits here are a lighter weight pack at ~5.7 lbs and a less expensive bike. Priced at ~3.3k, this is one of the more affordable premium speed pedelecs, especially when you take the Cobi system and all of the accessories into consideration. IZIP estimates 15 to 40 miles of range per charge and that huge range depends on what level of assist you’re using, your body weight and cargo load, as well as the terrain and weather (wind can play a part). when you do take the battery off, perhaps to reduce frame weight for lifting, be careful with how you hold and carry it because there are no handles and dropping it could result in permanent damage and need for an $800+ replacement.

Operating this e-bike can be a bit more tedious because it offers so many features. It all starts with the battery pack which has a circular rubber button on the side. This is your power button and once pressed, boots up the Cobi system (whether your phone is on or not). You can simply press the up and down buttons to get more or less power and ultimately, a lower or higher top assisted speed. Each press results in a chime with multiple tones to communicate which level (1-4) of assist you are in. If you do happen to have the Cobi app installed on your phone and the device is turned on and the app is launched, it will sync with the bike using Bluetooth and show a nice menu. Using Bluetooth and running the screen (and possibly GPS sensors) will drain your phone battery so it’s great that the Cobi mount comes with two cables for Android (Micro-USB) and iOS (Lightening) and I’m guessing that future versions will also have USB-C but I didn’t see that in the box. So you’ve got your phone connected and charging, the bike is ready to assist you, and there are several other menus that can be swiped through by using the left/right keys or touching your phone’s screen. I didn’t experiment with the music player but the GPS map system worked well and uses proprietary offline maps so it saves your battery a bit. You can play music through the Cobi interface and even take calls while still looking at the speed, assist level, trip stats display. In practice, it all works smoothly once it’s setup correctly… and if you take your phone out of the mount and flip it from landscape (horizontal) to portrait (vertical) a lock screen comes up and you can actually “lock” the bike and arm an alarm system. I tried doing this for fun and then shook the bike to see what would happen, but it didn’t work. What did work was the bell (press the bottom button), bright light mode (hold the top button), and walk mode… sort of (hold the bottom button). Were there some kinks in the system? Yes, but they were minor. This is the kind of thing that will get better with time and offers way more to a rider than most fixed systems, certainly more than the 2016 IZIP E3 ProTour.

I don’t feel like I have complained enough about the lack of suspension and higher price on the 2017 IZIP E3 ProTour yet. These two factors really gave me pause because they are very important to me and I sort of expect ebikes to get cheaper and better over time, not the opposite. The electronics and feature set are definitely better on this bike and maybe the Cobi is worth $300 more, but what about the cost savings of the suspension post and fork? These would cost me at least $200 more to add myself and the fork probably wouldn’t match. It’s easy to lock a fork out if you want firm riding but you can’t do anything but adjust the tire pressure and maybe add a seat post suspension on a bike like this to add comfort. Yes, there are also suspension stems available now like the ShockStop from Redshift sports. This isn’t a deal killer, it’s just surprising to me. Many other speed pedelecs forgo suspension (some Turbo Vado models and most Stromer models) so I guess the R&D departments have measured sales and weight savings etc. to make that decision. But, I was also surprised that the weight of this model is only 0.5 lbs less than the 2016 without suspension. I don’t mean to get too hung up in comparisons, overall it’s a great bike with a lot of beauty and value on offer. I like the kickstand setup, the pedals, the locking grips. You do get a solid warranty and some size choices. I appreciate the opportunity to see this new bike and really dig into the Cobi system, it’s great that it comes stock here and that saves you a lot of money over trying to add it yourself later (and it keeps the frame cleaner). For someone looking at urban speed models with all of the fixin’s the ProTour is still a great contender. Big thanks to IZIP for partnering with me on this post and sending their demo model for a review at ELV Motors in Santa Clara. I got to shoot the breeze with shop technicians about the design and features which made the review fun.

Pros:

  • The bike is sleek with integrated wires and smooth frame transitions, very good looking in metallic grey and black, sold in a range of three sizes for improved fit and comfort
  • This electric bike is feature complete with sturdy alloy fenders, a minimalist rack, integrated frame lock,
    and smart LED lights, all of the accessories match and work together seamlessly
  • I love that IZIP included bottle cage bosses on the seat tube! They weren’t included on the 2016 model and can be very useful for bringing fluids, a mini-pump, folding locks, and other accessories if you don’t want to add panniers or a trunk bag on the rear rack
  • The 2017 ProTour is slightly lighter than the 2016 model and because it uses the Cobi system, you can now take the battery pack and display panel off the bike when parking (you use your phone as the main display), this is great for commuters who have to lift the bike up stairs (to reduce weight) or those who park in public places where people could get curious and tamper with the bike
  • Ergonomic grips and wider 2″ Schwalbe Big Ben tires help to reduce hand fatigue and dampen vibration, these tires have reflective sidewall stripes for safety at night and offer a wide range of pressure options, down to 30 PSI, which could improve comfort if you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of efficiency
  • Excellent kickstand placement, it stays clear of the left crank arm which is nice when you have to back the bike up because the cranks will turn slowly and might otherwise collide, I like the rack design they chose because you can use a trunk bag or panniers but it still looks clean and is positioned low (so you don’t hit it with your leg as easier as some larger racks)
  • IZIP offers a solid two-year comprehensive warranty with lifetime on the frame and supports a wide range of products going back 5+ years through their “Electric Bike Competency Center” so I trust them
  • Quick release systems on both wheels make transport and maintenance easier and the cafe lock secures the rear wheel so QR isn’t such a risk there (definitely lock the front wheel and frame… and maybe use a seat leash so your saddle and seat post aren’t swiped)
  • sturdy thru-axles provide the stiffness and control you want for high-speed ~28 mph riding, double wall rims with reinforcement eyelets improve strength for heavier riders, cargo, and high speeds
  • Worthy 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes front and rear offer the kind of stopping power and fine control you’d expect for city riding and high speed applications, the levers have adjustable reach so you can bring them in if you have smaller hands or ride with gloves
  • The compact circular mid-motor design blends into the frame perfectly, it hides behind the chainring and doesn’t stand out the way that many other mid-motors do, this compliments the downtube integrated battery to create a stealthier electric bike that people might not notice as much
  • The Cobi system is fun to explore and to master, I like the electronic bell, alarm system, and rear-light turn signal with accelerometer braking bright mode, it feels like the future
  • The Cobi mount will charge your phone from the main battery pack while riding which is critically important given all of the smartphone features you might be using as you ride, specifically GPS and the wireless Bluetooth connection
  • I love that you do not need to use a smartphone in order to operate the IZIP E3 Protour with the Cobi system, you can simply press the up and down arrows to adjust assist after powering on the bike with the battery power button
  • IZIP included a high-torque chain which should last longer on the powerful mid-drive motor setup here and I like that the chainring has an alloy guide to keep the chain from dropping or snagging your pants
  • Unlike some of the other TranzX motor systems I tested on the more affordable IZIP ebikes, the M25GTS uses a multi-sensor to measure wheel speed, torque, and cadence so you can reduce gear mashing by easing back as you pedal, it does not have a shift detection system like Bosch motors however and wasn’t always as smooth as I’d hoped
  • Lots of times I see narrow cage style pedals included with electric bikes, or even worse, the plastic rubberized pedals which can be slippery, I like that the ProTour comes with large alloy platform pedals with protruding nubs for traction
  • Through the Cobi system, you get access to your music, offline maps for GPS (and maybe Apple maps someday soon), fitness tracker, and phone calls without having to launch multiple apps and get distracted, you can also share the “hub” with multiple users now… basically, you can allow multiple phones to connect and share the bike for family or rental type situations, the system receives software updates so it can get smarter and better over time whereas old systems were fixed and permanent
  • The wider 700c wheelset plus 2″ tires offers great rolling momentum and gap-spanning because of the lower attack angle, you could flip the stem and move the five 5 mm risers above to create an aggressive forward-leaning body position for improved body aerodynamics… it’s a sporty bike
  • Generally speaking, the motor is quiet and smooth, it produces an electronic whirring sound but it just isn’t that loud or high pitched so it fades into the road noise, I like that this TranzX motor offers high RPM pedaling support, it didn’t drop out like some of the older Yamaha systems I have tested which means I could ride in a lower gear but still achieve relatively high speeds
  • I really like the Cobi headlight, it looks cool and has daytime side LEDs as well as a primary bright LED that you activate by holding the top button on the independent control pad, you can aim the light easily for different environments where you need to be seen or actually see where you’re going

Cons:

  • Considering that the 2016 IZIP E3 ProTour, which is also a speed pedelec, offered a suspension fork and suspension seat post to smooth out the ride… I was really surprised that the 2017 model had neither? Small cracks and bumps can feel more jarring at high-speed so I would definitely consider adding my own 31.6 mm high quality suspension post like the Suntour NCX if I was riding this bike in anything but the smoothest environments
  • I wish the rear light was integrated like the headlight… but I understand why it is not (it would require more wires to be strewn across the frame and couldn’t be moved around as easily), it’s just one more thing to keep track of and one extra button press each time you mount the bike for a ride
  • As much as I like the rear rack style, it didn’t have bungee or pannier holes near the bottom and could block the rear light if you put a trunk bag on top of it… in that case it’s really nice that the light is removable because you could clip it to the back of your bag vs. the seat post, note that the seat stays have additional threaded bosses for use with your own aftermarket rack but this might require a different rear fender as well because the stock rack acts as a support for it
  • The included rear rack is only rated up to 44 lbs whereas a lot of aftermarket racks are rated up to 55 lbs so you might not be able to carry as much gear here
  • The charger works fine and uses the same interface whether you are charging the batter on or off the bike so there aren’t additional accessories to keep track of but it fills at a more average 2 Amp speed… and I guess that’s alright given the average 417 watt hour battery capacity, many competing e-bikes offer 500+ watt hour batteries for longer range riding because high speed bike riding tends to drain batteries more quickly due to air resistance
  • I like that the bike comes with a cafe rear-wheel lock but wish that it used the same key as the battery lock because you end up with a cluttered keychain and multiple keys floating around vs. just one that some of the higher end ebikes have, it’s sad because both keys are from Abus on this bike so it seems like maybe they could have made them match?
  • The battery pack looks great, includes a fuse for safety, and is relatively lightweight for its capacity but it does not have an integrated handle, so be careful taking it off the bike and carrying it around, do not drop it ;)
  • As you stop pedaling, it seems like the motor and chainring continue to spin longer or it just takes longer to wind down, this isn’t a huge deal but it’s just not as quick as some electric mountain bikes where motor precision is critical, there is also some clunking when shifting gears vs. a smooth feel on other systems with shift detection
  • If you hold down on the bell button (at the base of the arrow button pad) it becomes a walk mode… but the speed seemed pretty fast to me, I suppose it depends on which gear you’re in (lower gears will go slower), and the power output was very inconsistent… almost like an on and then off vs. a smooth walking speed
  • IZIP offers a boost button which allows you to operate the bike in throttle mode but you have to get the bike moving 2+ mph for it to function and you have to hold the button down constantly which is uncomfortable, so for me, these two trade-offs make it not worth it
  • It took me over one hour to setup the Cobi system, I had to perform a software update but it wouldn’t download until the Cobi mount had charged up off of the main battery pack… it just took a while to get going even when I knew what I was doing and had access to reps from the company, it longer than expected but might be worth the future enhancements with other software updates vs. being static forever

Resources:

Review Updated On

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  • MSRP: $2,299
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016

An efficient, light weight commuter electric bike available in two frame sizes and high-step or step-thru styles, the adjustable stem and swept back bars support a surprisingly comfortable upright body position. Narrower tires, firm saddle and all-Aluminum frame and fork provide great power transfer when pedaling…...

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IZIP E3 Vibe+ Review

  • MSRP: $1,799
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016

An approachable electric bike with deep low-step frame, adjustable stem, swept back handle bars and a large comfortable saddle. Simple linear pull brakes work well and are easy to adjust, quick release skewers on…...

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2016 IZIP E3 Zuma Review

  • MSRP: $2,499
  • MODEL YEAR: 2016

A high powered, cruiser style electric bike with four levels of zippy pedal assist and a twist throttle drive mode. Available in two high-step sizes (18" and 20") and one step-thru (18") for easier mounting,…...

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2015 IZIP E3 Sumo Review

  • MSRP: $3,650
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

One of the only fat tire style electric bikes I've tested to date that is legally capable of 25+ mph top speeds in pedal assist mode. Good value considering the custom fat frame in two sizes, solid warranty and availability, hydraulic…...

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2015 IZIP E3 Peak DS Review

  • MSRP: $4,500
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

Full suspension electric bike with powerful mid-drive motor for effective climbing and balanced weight, higher ~28 mph top speed. Removable battery pack and quick release wheels make charging and servicing convient, reduce weight when…...

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2015 IZIP E3 Peak Review

  • MSRP: $3,100
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

Hardtail trail-ready electric bike with powerful centerdrive motor for effective climbing and balanced weight, ~28 mph top speed. Removable battery pack for convenient charging and reduced transport weight, lockout suspension fork by RockShox…...

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2015 IZIP E3 Zuma Review

  • MSRP: $2,550
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

Cruiser style electric bike with two frame styles, two frame sizes, 11 custom colors and a wonderfully balanced purpose-built frame. Removable battery can be charged on or off the bike, optional matching fenders, rear rack…...

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2015 IZIP E3 Path+ Review

  • MSRP: $2,600
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

Near-silent commuter style electric bike offering pedal assist and throttle mode, fenders and a carry rack. Comfortable ride with upright seating position, swept back handlebars and oversized Velo comfort saddle...

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2015 IZIP E3 Dash Review

  • MSRP: $2,900
  • MODEL YEAR: 2015

High performance city style electric bike that offers throttle mode up to 20mph and pedal assist up to 28mph. Comfortable ride with oversized 700x45c tires, suspension fork with lockout and updated Velo Street saddle...

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IZIP E3 Twn:exp Review

  • MSRP: $2,900
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

A sturdy, highly adjustable city bike that's perfect for rentals or fleets. High torque 400 watt direct drive motor is quiet and extremely durable, encased in rear…...

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2014 IZIP E3 Path+ Review

  • MSRP: $2,200
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

An active urban-style electric bike with near-silent motor operation and clean design helping it blend in. Strong 500 watt motor paired with large 48 volt battery that's removable and uses premium…...

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IZIP E3 Metro Review

  • MSRP: $2,800
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

Sturdy, stiff and capable of hauling cargo with the reinforced front basket and welded rear rack. Oversized tires, adjustable stem and seat post suspension improved comfort when riding...

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2014 IZIP E3 Zuma Review

  • MSRP: $2,400
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

Clean design with integrated battery pack improves balance, eight frame colors to choose from. Delivers smooth pedal assist and twist throttle mode for easy start from rest...

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2014 IZIP E3 Dash Review

  • MSRP: $2,600
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

High quality features and well rounded drive system at an excellent price. Strong but quiet 500 watt gearless rear hub motor offers throttle mode and torque-sensing pedal…...

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2014 IZIP E3 Peak Review

  • MSRP: $3,000
  • MODEL YEAR: 2014

Mid-level off road electric mountain bike with excellent weight distribution. Centerdrive motor offers high-torque, leverages rear cassette and makes servicing wheels and tires much easier...

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2013 IZIP E3 Metro Review

  • MSRP: $2,699
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

Strong 500 watt motor is capable of moving heavier riders and heavier loads in the integrated racks. Weight is spread out from rear and kept low to the ground with battery built…...

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IZIP E3 Compact Review

  • MSRP: $2,150
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

Built on the industry leading Dahon single speed folding bicycle frame. Offers both pedal assist and twist and go throttle mode...

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IZIP E3 Path Review

  • MSRP: $1,699
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

An affordable, classic style electric bike with balanced features. Weaker 250 watt motor offers less torque but also weighs less...

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2013 IZIP E3 Zuma Review

  • MSRP: $2,199
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

Solid frame with oversized cushy tires and seat delivers a fluid enjoyable ride. Powerful 500 watt geared rear hub motor paired with 36 volt Lithium-ion battery offers torque…...

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IZIP Express Review

  • MSRP: $2,799
  • MODEL YEAR: 2012, 2013

Ultra powerful and rugged long-range electric bike, originally designed for use by the Los Angeles police force for urban patrols. Unique mid-drive belt system delivers high torque for climbing and accelerating, speed pedelec design capable…...

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IZIP E3 Ultra Review

  • MSRP: $2,899
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

Powerful 500 Watt motor paired with strong 36 Volt battery for acceleration and climbing ability. Sensitive pedal assist mode becomes jerky when climbing hills but is otherwise very responsive...

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IZIP E3 Vibe Review

  • MSRP: $999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2013

Upright seating with high-rise handlebars, wide sprung saddle and seat post shock for improved comfort. 250 watt brushless rear hub motor works well with pedal assist or throttle mode for…...

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IZIP Trekking Enlightened Review

  • MSRP: $1,999
  • MODEL YEAR: 2009

Discontinued in 2009, replaced with the E3 Path which is sturdier, less expensive and features twist throttle as well as pedal assist. Designed to be pedaled, the Trekking Enlightened lacks throttle mode but features 24 speed, lights,…...

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IZIP Urban Cruiser Enlightened Review

  • MSRP: $1,899
  • MODEL YEAR: 2009

A relaxed, comfortable and stable cruiser style electric bike with integrated downtube-battery that keeps weight low and center. Smooth torque sensing pedal assist is responsive but requires more care when working on the…...

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Comments (4) YouTube Comments

Alex W
7 years ago

Thanks for the in-depth review! Based on your glowing review of last year’s model, I bought this bike.

  Reply
Court Rye
7 years ago

Awesome! So glad I could help you out Alex… and I hope you love the bike! Feel free to post your feedback after some time riding :D

  Reply
Edwin R
6 years ago

Hi Court,

First off, thanks so much for your awesome review. You are the reason I finally decided to invest in an ebike. Sadly however, I purchased my IZip E3 Protour recently, and only less than a month my chain broke today. I was bummed out as I was planning on taking it for the holiday over the memorial day weekend. I emailed IZip and hope to hear from them. Any advice?

Thanks.

  Reply
court
6 years ago

Hi Edwin! I’m so sorry to hear about the chain breaking. This should be an easy and affordable fix at any bicycle shop (electric or regular bike shop). If you kept the original chain, they may even be able to replace the broken link and recycle the rest. I hope you can continue enjoying the bike this weekend with a quick fix, it’s Saturday and bike shops should be open hopefully!!

  Reply

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