1GreenProduct

The powerful, rugged E+ Elite Mountain Bike (photo via Electric Motion Systems website)

Like a little raw speed with your electric bike?

I clocked my tester E+ Elite Mountain Bike from Electric Motion Systems at around 25 miles per hour on a flat straightaway with no pedaling.

The Elite version of the E+ bikes (designed for ‘off road use only’) comes with a 1000 watt in-wheel motor, but you can get 750 watt motor versions of the E+ bike in Cruiser or Mountain Bike styles that don’t have the ‘off-road only’ stipulation.

The power of the in-wheel NiMH battery and motor system is definitely one of the major selling points for an E+ bike. Mounting the battery and motor low on the bike is also supposed to help keep the bike stable by creating a low center of gravity. The logic is flawless, but in practice it didn’t make the bike feel appreciably more stable than any other e-bike that I’ve ridden.

So here’s what I liked about the E+ Elite bike that I tested -

The in-wheel battery and motor design gives E+ bikes a distinctive silhouette (photo via Electric Motion Systems website)

1. Speed and Power - Press down on the throttle lever and the bike takes off. It’s like a stealth moped.

2. Rugged design – The bike felt fully capable of handling some light off-road action. The bike’s manual indicates that the E+ Elite Mountain Bike can handle paved roads, gravel surfaces and even rough trails with small obstacles, but it does emphasize that the bike should not be used in a jumping scenario. Although it would have been nice if the E+ Mountain Bike came with some splash/mud guards – especially since the bike is designed to allow light off-road use where there’s usually a lot of dirt, mud, gravel and other earthy stuff.

3. Made in the U.S.A. – Electric Motion Systems is based in Virginia, and that’s where it makes its E+ bikes. I like the idea of supporting domestic production, both in the interests of reducing environmental shipping costs and supporting American workers (particularly in a recession).

4. Style – The E+ Elite Mountain Bike got admiring looks and comments from bike messengers, European tourists and others. It’s not flashy, but it will get noticed.

5. Cruise Control – I don’t think I’ve seen this feature on any other e-bike. Press a button on the E+QUE Display/Controller unit on the handlebar and the bike will attempt to maintain a set speed. It’s pretty nifty.

6. Regenerative Mode - Like the OHM bike, the E+ bikes can be set into regenerative mode to recharge the battery while going down a hill (or perhaps when the bike is mounted into a stationary rack). Unfortunately, it seemed harder to use the E+ regenerative system than the OHM system. Even on a downhill slope, I had a hard time pedaling the E+ bike in regenerative mode.

Now here are the things that irked me about the E+ Elite Mountain Bike:

1. Price – Even though I didn’t pay to test the bike thanks to the generosity of Electric Motion Systems and Scott Gibson of EcoPioneer, I can’t test a product without considering its price (and therefore its value). After all, Tesla Motors may make a beautiful electric sports car, but the price puts it out of reach for most consumers.

The E+ Elite Mountain Bike carries a MSRP of approximately $4,000. For perspective, consider that a new Vespa LX50 scooter for MSRP $3,299. True, the Vespa uses gasoline and is therefore less eco friendly, but it does get 95-100 mpg and goes 39 mph (according to the Vespa site).

I’m just saying that I think it will be hard for most people who aren’t rolling in dough to spend $4,000 on an electric bike when they could get a gas scooter for hundreds of dollars less (actually thousands of dollars less if they are willing to get a Yamah C3 or Honda Ruckus scooter).

Now Electric Motion Systems is running a limited time offer to give customers a free Elite upgrade plus a rebate. These deals bring the price of the bike down to a more palatable $3,095 with free shipping.

That’s better, but it’s still a lot of dough and a few hundred dollars more than some other e-bikes we tested like the OHM Urban XU500 or the A2B Electric Two Wheeler (both of which retail for around $2800).

In addition to consumer e-bikes, Electric Motion Systems also makes a Tactical Bike for police departments (photo via Electric Motion Systems website)

Push-Lever Throttle – The E+ Elite Mountain Bike uses a push-lever thumb throttle on the right handlebar. When you want the motor to kick in, you have to push down on the throttle. It sounds simple enough, but in practice I much preferred the twist throttle used on the A2B bike. As one of my commenters pointed out on the A2B review, it’s actually quite safe to have a throttle that needs to be twisted toward you in order to generate power because it makes it much harder to accidentally gun the motor when reaching for the brake. But with a push-lever thumb throttle, I did just that and nearly accelerated into trouble a couple of times when I was trying to execute a sudden braking maneuver.

Weight – Like the A2B, the E+ Elite Mountain Bike tipped the scales around 70 lbs. Since mountain bikes already have more resistance than road bikes due to their thick tires, I found it nearly impossible to pedal the E+ Elite Mountain Bike without constantly using at least a little bit of battery power. I would urge Electric Motion Systems to prioritize weight reduction in their R&D effort, since a 10 or 20 pound lighter bike (like the OHM XU500 or the iZip Via Rapido) is much easier to pedal with pure human power – extending the range and providing the possibility of some exercise. (The combination of mountain bike seating and the need to constantly push the throttle with my thumb ended up putting a lot of pressure on the outside fingers of my right hand. In fact, after one long ride, my little finger and ring finger on the right hand were partially numb and tingly for hours. Not a good feeling.)

Maybe you would prefer your E+ electric bike in a Beach Cruiser style? (photo via Electric Motion Systems website)

Range – Electric Motion Systems says that the E+ Elite Mountain Bike should be able to go 25-28 miles on a full battery at 15 mph with a 185 lb. rider on flat ground and no pedaling. I weigh a good 25 lbs less than that theoretical rider and managed only around 15 miles of range with occasional pedaling on mostly flat terrain. For some of this time, I was experimenting with the Cruise Control feature of the bike (which I later found out might reduce range according to some online forums), but I still have to say that I was disappointed that the battery didn’t last a longer distance.

Recharging Process – Not only did the recharging process take many hours, but the process of connecting the charger to the bike itself is a bit cumbersome. (In fact, I ever cut my hand a little bit trying to disconnect some wires in order to get access to the charging plug the first time I tried to recharge the bike. After that, I wore gloves when taking the charger on and off the bike.

Also, because the battery is built into the wheel, it’s impossible to take the battery off the bike for recharging without removing the whole front wheel. In my opinion, that’s a significant drawback to the E+ design. One of the nice things about the designs of many e-bikes – even much less expensive bikes like the iZip Via Rapido – is that it’s easy to park the bike at a rack and remove the battery to take it into an apartment or office for charging. To be fair, taking the wheel off the E+ Elite Mountain Bike isn’t that hard, but it is a heavier, more time-consuming, dirtier process than just sliding a battery pack out of the bike and literally putting it into a shoulder bag or bookbag.

Bottom Line – If you have deep pockets and are looking for a fast, rugged, made-in-the USA electric bike that can deliver some serious off-road fun, the E+ Elite Mountain Bike could be just the ticket. For urban commuters, I think there are some less expensive and more versatile options like the A2B (for twist-throttle fans) or the iZip Via Rapido (for those who prefer pedal-assist).

Where to Buy:

The Ellsworth Commute Ride, just one of the sweet custom designs offered by E+ (photo via Electric Motion Systems website)

You can order an E+ Elite Mountain Bike – or any of the other electric bikes that Electric Motion Systems makes – directly through the company’s website.

Be sure to check out the sweet array of custom designed e-bikes that E+ can build on request.

Since every e-bike feels different, I’d highly encourage you to test ride an E+ bike at a local dealer in the U.S. or Canada before making a purchase decision.

Be sure to ride safely, wear a helmet and check the local regulations covering the use of e-bikes in your community.

Disclosure – E+ loaned me an Elite Mountain Bike to test and review for approximately one week. I returned the bike to an E+ representative at the end of the test period.

Izip Via Rapido E-Bike - Low Step / Women's Version (photo via Izip website)

Do you like the idea of riding an electric bike, but balk at the price tag of around $2,699 each for bikes like the A2B  by Ultra Motor or theUrban XU500 from OHM?

If so, let us introduce the more wallet-friendly selection of Izip bikes from Currie Technologies. Currie sells a range of e-bikes that could match almost anyone’s budget, from the $649 Via Mezza to the top-of-the-line $2,999 (pre-orders only) Express bike with a 750w motor, speeds of 20+ mph and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Seeking to test a mid-range bike with mass-market appeal, I asked to test the Via Rapido. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery and a 250w motor, the Via Rapido reaches a top-speed of around 15 mph and sports a $1,399 price tag – approximately half the price of the A2B or OHM XU500. Update – The Via Rapido has recently gone on sale for $1,199, making it an even better deal…

So how does the Via Rapido perform versus its pricier rivals?

Well, don’t expect the rockin’ style, cushy ride and head-turning twist-and-go acceleration of the A2B.

And forget the regenerative braking and speedy battery charging times of the OHM XU500.

Izip Via Rapido Electric Bike - Diamond Frame/Men's Version (photo via Izip website)

The Izip Via Rapido looks like a nice regular bike. Some casual observers probably won’t even notice the slim lithium-ion power pack tucked under the rear cargo rack or the motor sticking out on the side of the rear wheel.

With 4-6 hour recharging times, you’ll need to plan in advance when taking the Via Rapido on a trip past the bike’s 15-22 mile range.

All that being said, Via Rapido still offers good bang for your buck and gives you all the essential benefits of an electric bike at a reasonable price. In some ways, I’d say it even outperforms its pricier A2B and XU500 competitors.

For example, the Via Rapido weighs about 20 pounds less than the A2B, making it much easier to turn off the battery from time to time and propel the bike with pure leg power.

The Via Rapido's battery sits unobtrusively beneath the rear rack (photo by Aaron Dalton)

The somewhat stealthy aspect of this e-bike may appeal to those who are more concerned with getting from one place to another than with making a style statement in the process.

In terms of peppiness, I still think the twist-and-go A2B takes the cake, but the Via Rapido can certainly hold its own against the XU500.

This is actually a little strange, since the XU500 has the more powerful motor (450w), but the 250w Via Rapido somehow seems to give a more powerful and reliable boost in real-world pedaling conditions.

I will say that the OHM XU500 gives a smoother assist with its fancy Bionx system. In contrast, the Via Rapido starts out with pure pedal power then gives you a sudden electrical push. It sounds a little haphazard, but in real world riding, I found it to be lots of fun. After a while, I found that I could usually pump the pedals a few times, let the motor kick in and let the bike basically propel itself half a block while I stopped pedaling. When the bike motor cut off and the bike slowed down, I could start pedaling again to restart the motor, get another push and begin the cycle again.

On uphill segments of the ride, I would just keep pedaling the whole time, but moving the bike at a good pace never felt difficult even when climbing a long incline thanks to the electric-assist.

The warning label on the Izip Via Rapido throttle (photo by Aaron Dalton)

I was not impressed, however, with the Via Rapido’s throttle that was supposed to deliver an extra power boost. In practice, the throttle didn’t seem to do much and sported a big warning sticker warning said: “Riding at full throttle dramatically decreases your range!” So I basically just ignored the throttle.

The Via Rapido’s battery slides easily into and out a slot under the rear carry rack. I left the battery locked into place most of the time, but you could definitely carry it into your office or home for charging and leave the bike parked outside or in a garage.

Close-up of clever lock and integrated rear reflector on Via Rapido battery (photo by Aaron Dalton)

Unfortunately, I did have some issues with the battery’s gauge and the charger. One ride began with the battery gauge reading “Full” only to have the battery die on me after around 5 miles. Since the battery handled much longer rides at other times without dying, I can only assume that the gauge gave an incorrect reading on that particular ride. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it did make me a little bit anxious on other rides — like having a car and not knowing whether the gas gauge was accurate.

Also, the charger itself is a little finnicky. The very complicated manual gives a specific order for plugging in the charger to the wall, switching it on, plugging it into the battery. It says that an orange light on the charger should blink, but it never did. Actually, I found that if I followed the manual’s instructions, the charger’s light would turn green (which is supposed to signify a full battery) before I even plugged the charger into the battery! I ended up plugging in the charger, leaving it off, plugging the charger into the battery and then switching it on. That seemed to have the desired effect.

Remember, the Via Rapido’s battery needs 4-6 hours for a full charge (according to the iZip manual). That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you can’t charge up at a coffee shop. If you’re commuting, you’ll most likely need to leave the battery plugged in for a good chunk of the day at your office before heading home.

Front tire proximity to pedal - I originally had some concerns here, but now it appears that the issue may have been due to an assembly error on my part…

Accessories (or lack thereof) – This is a bare bones design. You get a rear carry rack with reflector and a couple of reflectors in the wheels, but no fenders and no headlight. Both the A2B and XU500 are better equipped — but of course the $1,300 comparative discount on the Via Rapido could buy you some sweet accessories with a lot of change left over.

The motor positioned on the left side of the Via Rapido's rear wheel (photo by Aaron Dalton)

Mr. Obvious – I’ll look more closely on future reviews, but I don’t remember the motor on the A2B or XU500 sticking out quite so obviously as on the Via Rapido. It not very pretty – but it gets the job done and might give you some street cred in an I’m-all-about-functionality sort of way.

Manual – The Izip manual is filled with so many warnings that it may scare some riders away from even climbing onto their bike. I understand manufacturers need to protect themselves against litigation, but it’s still a frightening manual.

(Maybe the user’s manual needs its own warning label? “Reading this manual can cause mental anguish and ennui…”)

Generally, the Chinese-manufactured Via Rapido seemed solidly built, but I did wonder whether these wires had enough protection (photo by Aaron Dalton)

Durability – Nothing broke on the Via Rapido while I was testing it, so that’s a step up from my experience with the XU500. The Via Rapido felt solid, which gave me confidence biking through Brooklyn’s nabes.

Bottom Line - On features, style, power and comfort, the A2B is still my favorite of the bikes I’ve tested.

But the Via Rapido delivers better bang for the buck and its lighter weight makes it more practical than the A2B from a pedaling standpoint.

If you’re looking for a relatively affordable, fun, practical commuting option, the Izip Via Rapido seems like a very good choice.

By the way, I do think it would be fantastic if an e-bike maker could split the difference between the simplicity of the Via Rapido and the informative, but complex/distracting Bionx console on the OHM XU500.

For example, would it be great to have detailed percentage info on remaining battery charge (like on a laptop), plus some information about speed and distance traveled. Would it be that hard to equip all e-bikes with pre-installed trip computers like the one that Amazon sells for $9.99?

Where to buy:

You can buy the men’s or women’s versions of the Izip Via Rapido directly through the Izip website for $1,199 with free shipping.

Both bikes are also available through Amazon.com and a network of dealers.

FYI, Currie Technologies also sells a conversion kit with (SLA) battery for $299 if you want to upcycle your existing bike by adding some e-bike juice.

For the balance-challenged or those who just want to relax and take in the scenery without worrying about toppling over while they ride, Currie Technologies does make an electric-assist tricycle called the Izip Tricruiser sold through the Izip website for $999.

For those who commute a lot or don’t have much storage space, Izip offers a folding e-bike called the Mezza for just $699.