I have access to a 2007 model, but the 2008 model is somewhat different from the pictures so you'll have to wait for owners of the 2008 model to respond.

I'm just wondering why you'd bother switching it all over from one cheap bike (the Currie bike it comes on) to another cheap bike (Walmart). The Currie (ezip) bike does have a front suspension. I believe my bike is the 2008 model, and it does look like it's fairly "take-apartable" but I'm no expert. It just doesn't seem worth the effort unless you are trying to put it onto some great, fantastic bike.

Cathy

understood. My current bike is a Mongoose I got from Wal-Mart, at least it has front disc brakes and rear "suspension"

Looks like Ill be getting it regardless and cross that bridge when I get there.

My 5 week old KMart eZip has 628 miles on the odometer. I ride it 30 or 40 miles every day (work? days) depending. My rides are probably nearly as hilly as Vermont, Finger Lakes NY, riding East and West, my needs, are not what the glacier made easy.

I have put on a three wheel crank and front derailleur on it so I can pedal at 30+ mph to keep up the momentum for the following uphill.

My next project, parts in the mail to me (yes, Nashbar, they are a supporter, right) is a chain to drive from the motor mounted behind the back wheel up to a stokers crank on the left side, so the motor power goes through the bottom bracket and sees 21 gears. I'm thinkin' this will help with battery life. Hills take torque = current = spent battery.

The eZip is everything I thought it would be: heavy, noisy ) the internal gear reduction and a good value for the dollar.

Everyting I buy should meet expectations so well, please.

Just a note on chargers. Most chargers switch to green on 80% charge and the charger switches to a lower charge rate. So leave it on the charger after it changes green for at least another hour or longer to get that 20%.

I'd be very interested to read about this project and how it works out.
I kinda of like the noise of the motor. On bike paths it warns pedestrians I'm approaching. When a couple is walking hand in hand, they always free up the left side of the path.

Toyfountain, I'll keep you informed, concerns
I'm just getting the chain for now and using a crank I already have. Ideally the crank would have only 20 teeth to be consistent with the 20 teeth on the rear wheel, to keep overall gear ratio constant.
Before I search for a 20T Stokers crank, I want to find out if it's workable having the pedals and motor locked together. There wont be a freewheel so pedaling will turn the motor and the motor will move the pedals. Is that a concern? Don't know.

Also about the idea of taking parts of

Also about the idea of taking parts of... I'm not sure what happened my partially finished note got posted. Anyway, I don't think stripping an eZip and adding stuff to a Mongoose would gain much. You'd have to move the rear wheel, with motor mount (and find a way to attach the mount to the mongoose). And you'd have to move the rack and the battery or batteries. The batteries packs are what makes the eZip heavy. They weigh 16 lbs a piece. I carry one pack on each side so that adds 32 lbs to the not too terrible 58 lbs the eZip, by itself, weighs. It's that 90 number that makes me say HEAVY. If I were Cathy, 127 lbs even that 16 lbs single pack is a pretty significant % increase.
I weigh about 225 but am in pretty good shape, I regularly get 25 miles from the two batt packs on HILLY roads with considerable exercise. That 225 is 10 lbs less than when I got the bike. It does allow more exercise because you can use it for transport.

I mounted two battery packs too. I posted pics in the ebikes pictures thread. I weight 240 lbs and it gets me to work and back with pedalling for 30 km (20 miles), sometimes with head winds both ways along the St-Lawrence river. I haven't tried it yet with the batteries connected in parallel yet. I just switched the connector to the second battery before.

I was wondering if a 20 teeth crank would make the pedals turn too fast if the throttle was at maximum.
I wonder if a larger crank should indeed be used to limit the rotations of the pedals to a safe level in case the throttle is too fast at maximum. You'll be able to see this with your testing.

I don't expect freewheeling would be a problem. If the throttle is at off, the motor should not move if the pedals aren't used. Pedalling will turn the motor, but again if the throttle is at off, there should be no force exerted on the pedals. It shouldn't be worse then when the motor turns with the wheel when the motor is off as it is now.

toyfountain: maybe more info than you want

Writing helps me think things thru. After writing, I realized I don't want to match the ratio of motor to first chain wheel. What I really probably should do is arrange things so that the midpoint of my 21 gears puts the motor in the same relationship to the wheel that it has as designed. That way I could shift for more speed from the motor (if the controller doesn't object) or more torque to the wheel.
The chain wheel to do that would have 55 teeth if I did the arithmatic right. That makes sense somehow so I think I did my devision close to right. Anyhow the crank I have has 44 teeth, probably the most I'd find reasonably is 48. So my 44 teeth chain wheel will say my range of gears is biased a bit toward more speed, less torque.
The proof is in the puddin. No chain in the mail box, yet.

Oh, I don't have the batt packs in parallel. I use the eZip's double pole, double pole switch. I find there is gain to be had (more useful charge) by resting a battery pack by switching to the other after a big climb . Battery cools, internal resistance goes down, more torque for your $.

take care

toyfountain
A followup, just for clarity, as designed the wheel doesn't turn the motor. There is a freewheel in the sprocket on the wheel. Motors often don't like being driven, especially those with an internal hear reduction.

Darn it.

Wal mart is out of stock online.

haha, I noticed they went out of stock shortly after I placed my order. It's supposed to arive this Tuesday... can't wait.

how long ago did you place your order?

I am hoping there will be more soon. Also noticed they don't offer the Mountain Trail anymore**********

damn.

Amazon has the women's bike, $399, no tax, free shipping. They say 2 in stock. They have the Mountain Trailz - it says available June 11. I wonder why these bikes are not available in more places? Did Currie decide to just sell them at Walmart and Amazon (Currie's website links to Amazon when you click on the "store" link)

I placed the order on 5/29/08, it's giving delivery estimate to local store between 6/10 and 6/13. You're right about the mountain version not appearing anymore... interesting. I ended up going for the non mountain version.

Looks like I am part of that last group of people who've ordered. I've ordered on 6/5 and it says it will be delivered to the store on 6/20.

Question, where did everyone get their 2nd battery. I'm want to get one before the bike comes, but I haven't found one. Let me know. Thanks

Hello, I ordered the Women's Ezip from Amazon last week and it is on it's way. Should be here Friday. Purchased the bike for small trips to karate class, library, local grocery store, just to get out a bit. I have a non-e bike that we taking camping. Husband will get the heavier tubes in the wheels and get them slimed for me.

Just a note: Bought an electric Schwinn Stingray bike for my 10-year-old son on ebay for 130 plus 70 shipping. So he can keep up with me! He goes to karate class, library, grocery with me as he is homeschooled.

Neat bike with good reviews. You can see them on ebay.

CK

You need to call Currie directly.

www.currietech.com

1 800 377 4532

*Goes to Amazon.com*

Thanks!

I ordered mine on 6/1 and just picked it up today.
I have the battery charging as I write this.
My second battery should arrive from Currie on Thursday.
Just realized that I will need a second charger too.

I figured I would buy a 24v 1.8 amp from these guys for 25 bux, but they are out of stock.
Should I get the 2 amp version or has someone another reccomendation?
https://www.electricscooterparts.com/...rs.html#24volt

Stupid Ezip. Just picked it up today but it looks like charger is DOA. I plug the battery and see the green going to red and seconds later, it turns green. I'll have to visit radioshack in the morning.

Also, called Currie to get the 2nd battery and they are back-ordered until mid-July.

It appears the battery is already charged. Check the voltage of the battery. My charger works exactly as you have described when a fully charged battery is plugged in.

You're right, it was charged. I used the multi-meter and it does show juice.

I've played with some of the cables and it looks like one that goes into the control box was loose. I'd pushed in and it worked. Gotta love these precision machine!

Weaksauce. I am always 5 minutes too late.

I guess Ill have to tackle the hill with just one and see where that leaves me.

Looks like Ill be getting more exercise alot sooner than I planned!