Bicycles

Handy li'l iZip E3 Town:exp has a long name and a small frame

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The iZip E3 Town:exp on display at the Charged Up electric bike media event in New Jersey
The iZip E3 Town:exp on display at the Charged Up electric bike media event in New Jersey
Although the Town's compact frame and 20-inch alloy wheels make it look fairly ... snug, its cockpit is actually big enough even for relatively tall riders
The battery is located directly behind the seat post, keeping the weight nicely centered
An ambient light sensor automatically turns the lights on as it gets dark outside
Riders can alternately turn the lights on and off manually, if they like to be in control
The bike has a 400-watt rear hub motor, taking the one we rode up to a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h)
Other features include headset and seat post shocks, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
The iZip E3 Town:exp weighs 61 lb (28 kg)
It's available via North American distributor Currie Tech for $2,900
It has a maximum motor-assisted range of about 35 miles (56 km) under normal use
View gallery - 10 images

In order for an electric bike to stand out from the pack, it helps if it offers unique features such as light weight or the ability to fold. Of the e-bikes that we saw at last week's Charged Up event, however, one of our faves is a little number that isn't particularly remarkable in any one way. It's the iZip E3 Town:exp, and it simply manages to pack several good things into a small package.

Although the Town's compact frame and 20-inch alloy wheels make it look fairly ... snug, its cockpit is actually big enough even for relatively tall riders. It's also deceptively powerful, with a 400-watt rear hub motor taking the one we rode up to a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h). That figure is limited to 20 mph (32 km/h) for markets with lower motor-assisted speed limits.

It has a removable 48-volt lithium-ion battery, which provides a maximum range of about 35 miles (56 km) under normal use. That battery is located directly behind the seat post, keeping the weight nicely centered.

Although the Town's compact frame and 20-inch alloy wheels make it look fairly ... snug, its cockpit is actually big enough even for relatively tall riders

Riders use a handlebar-mounted LCD console to choose between varying levels of electric assistance when pedaling, or they can choose to go with a straight-out scooter-like throttle setting. If they do get lazy and use the throttle, they can additionally "lock in" a speed using its cruise control feature.

The console also has an integrated ambient light sensor, that automatically turns the head- and tail lights on as it gets dark outside. Riders can alternately turn the lights on and off manually, if they like to be in control.

Other features include headset and seat post shocks, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

The iZip E3 Town:exp weighs 61 lb (28 kg), and is available via North American distributor Currie Tech for US$2,900.

Product page: iZip E3 Town:exp

View gallery - 10 images
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3 comments
The Skud
Not too bad a version for the price. Styling is OK as well.
DavidB
The name, according to photo 3 and the company (http://www.currietech.com/izip-ebikes-twn4/), may actually be "iZip E3 Twn:exp", making it not only long but hard to pronounce.
unklmurray
I think it is a cute little bike, but I wish Ebike builders would take a lesson from car builders and make the bike go up to 60-to-75mph and let me decide how fast I ride it......Just because the speed limit in most US states is 55-65mph doesn't mean the motorcycle manufacturers only make their bikes to run at a top speed of 55mph......as an ebike rider it should be up to me how fast I choose to ride it!! Yes, the laws in most western states state not more than 72v @ 1000watts,before licensing is required, Butt how fast I ride should be up to me,I know the law says I'm supposed to not ride faster than 20mph ,but that is only because most people couldn't handle a bike at a faster speed.....but I'm not most people.......It should be MY CHOICE!!!!!........LOL :-)