[1]Walmart in-store ezip trailz, $298 [2], parts list?

[coplate]

So, this was cheap enough for me to go ahead and impulse buy it.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/eZip-Trailz-Electric-Bicycle/11988713

It looks in the forums that there are a few people who don't hate this, and a few that enjoy it for what it is.

My Particular question is, assume I ride it for a while and don't hate it, would anyone recommend against buying the second battery, to even out the weight.

Does anyone have any experience with bad turns with all that weight on one side?

Thanks.


So, I posted in another thread about the much more expensive Trek bikes, and I decided for the kind of money trex wants, I can get set up with my own control systems and battery and all that.

What I'm after, if I start enjoying this is one of two things:
Parts list for a Lithium battery that I can replace the Currie battery with, so,
Battery Cells - Duh
Mounting method to the rack?
Open the enclose the SLA battery is in?
[ Some have said that certain models can take a 36V Li battery without too much issue, but assuming mine wont [
New Controller [[ Will I be able to find a controller that doesn't have any problems working with the Currie motor? ]]


Parts list for a full setup on my good road bike, that will have warranties on the major components.
(I'm trying to do this from memory to see if I missed any esoteric component that I don't have a good grasp on )
Rear Wheel with motor
or Motor that hooks to the chain?

Wires to take the motor to a controller.

Controller

Battery

Charger - This is the real reason I probably don't want to build my own battery, is that there seems to be a switch in my head that shuts off when I try to think about charging all the cells .

Mounting method ( I have a rack with a bag on it right now, I could put the battery in the bag if it fits, and overheating isn't a huge worry. )

[ Does it look like I missed anything specific? ]

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[SamTexas]

It looks in the forums that there are a few people who don't hate this, ...

:lol: That's very diplomatic!

Anyway, at least one member here loves this Currie brushed, side mounted ebike: DrkAngel. He appears to be a very experienced user and tinkerer. Search for his threads and you shall find a gold mine in upgrades including lithium battery replacement. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[ddk]

I liked both my curries ok,except the battery situation and I disliked their version of a PAS. But the bikes are strong enough and traveling @15-18mph was fine by me. I regularly rode 'off-road' on my trailz

If you don't mind a slightly more elaborate charging situation I would change the SLA's for a couple of R/C LiPo batteries (much lighter)
IMHO-Having the weight of the SLA battery on one side of the bike is easier to live with than having two SLA batteries on the bike.
All that weight on the rear of the bike from the two SLA batteries made for some squirrelly handling problems for me.
I reverted to using just one battery unless I absolutely needed the range extension

I'm currently using a MY1018 motor on my trike as a 'hill assist' to my front hub motor-works great for that. The MY1018 motor is the same as what's used on the ezip trailz.

 

[dogman dan]

I agree, at some point lose the lead and get some lithium. Pingbattery lifepo4 is one good choice, and just carry it on top of the rack.

 

[anarce]

I've been riding my eZip Trailz for a short while and it really makes me want to convert my mountain bike instead. I like the overall idea, but I want more power, more speed, more range, less weight, and better weight distribution. Of course all of that costs more $$$.

I put the single battery on the right side to offset the weight of the motor on the left. It's at least reasonably balanced side to side that way. All the weight on the back is killer though. Watch out for sharp turns - I slid sideways a little this morning, and if it had been wet I probably would have dumped the bike. The handling takes some getting used to.

Definitely read DrkAngel's posts. I just added to his 20 mph mod thread today with pictures I took as I did mine. It's well worth the money.

 

[bluegoatwoods]

I'll vouch for the e-zip. It's a good 'starter' bike. I think, though, that that's all it is.

I use a double battery set-up. Mine is not in the original Currie case. I pulled the stock SLAs out and bought two more identical ones locally. They ride in soft cases exactly where the stock case mounted.

I don't have any trouble with handling. On the other hand, I'm not a gonzo rider. On smooth, straight patches I'll go at top speed (slightly under 20 mph) But if the pavement has any holes in seams and stuff like that, then I keep it down to around 10 mph. With all that weight on the rear axle I just don't think I can get away with beating this bike up.

I weigh 175 lbs and ride pretty gently. In those circumstances I'll call the e-zip a perfectly capable machine even with a double battery set-up.

$298 is a good price. I got mine for only $1 more in the summer of 2009. At that price I feel that it was definitely worth it. Though I'll admit that I've spent some time wondering. There's been a few times I've walked away from this bike for 4 or 6 months out of disappointment at how much time and effort I was spending on maintenance. But it was my fault, really. I just hadn't learned how much rough usage the bike could stand.
Now that I've got a feel for that issue (I think), I'm much more optimistic.

 

[anarce]

Bah, I'm even more annoyed with the handling on my ezip. I set off Friday morning planning to ride all the way to and from work (18 miles each way). Tried a new route, went down a hill, around a turn, and ended up crashing while trying to avoid a jogger. 25 mph and then hit the concrete. Nasty road rash. This ezip is terrible in turns compared to my mountain bike. I've really got to start riding it like a grandma, and I hate riding slow. If I'm going to do the full commute to work and back, I need to convert my mountain bike instead. I can't stand all the weight on the back of the ezip. :x

 

[SamTexas]

This ezip is terrible in turns... I can't stand all the weight on the back of the ezip. :x

I felt the same way. The weight in the back felt wrong. Even worse is the imbalance caused by the side mounted motor. To that, add the below average components' quality of the entire bike, and the noisy motor/chain. Altogether it was a chore for me to ride it. I tried it 5 years ago for about 1 week. I promised myself to never come near it again. I've kept my words.

 

[ecowheelz]

My Particular question is, assume I ride it for a while and don't hate it, would anyone recommend against buying the second battery, to even out the weight.

Does anyone have any experience with bad turns with all that weight on one side?

The problem with carrying two heavy SLA batteries on the rear rack is that the weight really tears apart the components over time. Although it's designed to carry two batteries, we've seen a lot of issues when customers carry dual SLA batteries. Keep an eye on the screws holding the rack in place -- they tend to loosen, fall out or break. The battery terminals themselves can start to bend, which can cause the batteries to loose contact. But the most common issue with two batteries is -- bent rear wheels. If you take a large bump or curb too fast with 35lbs+ of battery weight, it can easily brake spokes and bend the rim.

Others have made recommendations for upgrade batteries. Just so you're aware, Currie (EZIP) offers two upgrade packs for this bike: 6.4AH LiFePo4 Battery and 9.6AH LiFePo4 Battery

You can definitely build a LiFePo4 battery for cheaper, but you're unlikely to get it to fit inside the current battery case. You also won't get a 3-year warranty

 

[SamTexas]

..., Currie (EZIP) offers two upgrade packs for this bike: 6.4AH LiFePo4 Battery and 9.6AH LiFePo4 Battery

At over $2 per Wh, those two are the most expensive battery I've seen.

 

[ecowheelz]

At over $2 per Wh, those two are the most expensive battery I've seen.

These batteries obviously aren't for do-it-yourself Endless Sphere guys. We actually sell a ton of these in our shop. Lightweight, long-lasting and fit seemlessly into the bike. Most people can't build their own batteries

 

[dumbass]

I think we will all agree that the EZip Trailz is a heavy bike. However, if you strip off all the extras related to making it an ebike you will find it's not that much heavier then most steel bikes. Between the motor, motor mount, extra freewheel, drive chain, battery rack, controller, throttle and of course battery that adds a lot of extra weight. Try taking a common steel bike and duplicating the EZip. I think you will find it's within a few pounds of the EZip weight. I'm not saying that's a good thing just a fact. Personally, a little heavier frame is not all bad.

I am not a fan of the rear battery because it causes me to pop wheelies a lot. And it does tend to squirrel the bike around on muddy ground. I've done all kind of EZip mods including relacating the motor and adding twin motors. I've changed from right hand drive to left hand drive and driving through a Nuvinci hub. All conversions were fun to do and play with but did little to improve the bike performance.

I would never recommend the purchase of a second lead pack. I have 3 lead packs because they came with my bikes. And I have ridden with twin lead packs and I can live with it but it's heavy. What I recommend is a lifepo4 split pack. A 20ah lifepo4 pack weighs pretty much exactly the same as the lead pack. But as a split pack it will ride lower on the bike. And it will give 3 to 4 times the range with stronger torque, higher speeds and improved handling.

Bob