tinleyiltom

Hello all--I think im having an unusual time, I purchased the eZIP from wal-mart..I think its pretty cool. The claimed mileage is not close to 25 miles, Id like another batt pack. When I google, I find this cloth like looking item. Does anyone know where the official battery in the rack mount case is located? I suppose my first call should be to Currie tech but the web leads to an Amazon store..If the battery is indeed the battery, then where do you get the silver batt case to mount on the rack.?
While the bike is unusually heavy, I think its rather well built. Ive had it for a few months and have around 100 miles on it. Looks great,rides great and a good price. Just need another battery and rack case..Tom

mike-on-da-bike

yep they are two 12 volt 10 amp hours batteries wired in series and replacements are easy to find.just make sure you get deep cycle lead acid 12 volt batteries panasonic make good ones and fullriver are the cheapest and they are good too,just measure the overall dimensoins of the ones you buy as not all of them will fit into these packs,check width height and length,the batteries come out very easy you just undo philips head screws on the inside of the packs.i also got my self two extra packs cheap and replacement batteries no probs yes they are heaVY BUT THAT the trade off for a good steel bike i just ride mine with one pack and use the others for spares

mike-on-da-bike

ps,i am looking down the track abit here thats why i mainly got the extra packs so when either lithium or nickel drops in price in the packs will go the new types then this currie will be flying reall good and i will get much better range,atleast 3 times more i think

mike-on-da-bike

did you buy your in australia if so there is a phone number on the battery pack which goes to currie tech in victoria they have all parts and the packs but notthe batteries,the batteries go inside those gray packs,forget amazon they got sweet f-all

tinleyiltom

mike, No I didnt buy in AU..Im here in Chicago,IL..USA...Im still web searching...I did interestingly find that this model is now avail online at target and dicks sporting goods..decent price
Target sku--10503764
Dicks sku---2657716
Tom

mike-on-da-bike

currie has there own website on here as well and you can also buy the bikes in aussie at kmart and over your way they got em also at walmart in big numbers

tinleyiltom

hatesnow--its not too bad. I wish there was another all-in-one option to get into e-bikes besides this eZip. It isnt all that bad, I like it so far. Look up the post a bit, I did find it now at Dicks sporting goods and target websites as well.
UPDATE...I did call Currie direct and asked for the 2nd battery and rack-case mount . The cs rep said that "calling them" was the only way to get it. It is on order so as soon as the midwest USA snow stops and melts, Ill charger it up and get a true milage for both batteries going. thanks much Tom

mike-on-da-bike

nope he was asking about the battery packs not the rack,and just who are you yo tell me how to reply to someone?

mike-on-da-bike

these currie bikes not bad for the price much cheaper and more profesional than any kits,i think those kits are out of most folks reach from what they are telling me which is why they are going for the curries and anyways its the bike shops big loss for not fixing any as these bikes are replacing the others lol.these curries are gunna eat up them bike shops fast

mike-on-da-bike

and currie has authorised dealers to work on them

tinleyiltom

Well- After a wait, I did receive the battery as described from Currie . The picture above is how the bike is now. It slid right in the rack mount and looks great. Like I said before, Ill get it charged up and test ride when the snow melts. I am really excited. While anyone can debate back and forth, My goal was to start as economical as possible and so far I have. The second battery was around 100 shipped so Im invested just over 400. The giant suede E and other mongoose were more expensive and not readily available and the next leap up will be a 2007/2008 schwinn electric(which are $1600-$2000 usd). Ill say that this bike is heavy, each battery weighs around 18lbs. I just didnt want to buy a moped that pedals, I bought a bike with an electric motor. ! I am satisfied so far with my purchase and will re-post in the spring with my experiences. Despite other opinions, I would recommend this item from walmart, dicks sporting goods, target and give it a try. Thanks !! Tom

mike-on-da-bike

yes tom they are not bad for the money quiet cheap and with some simple mods you can have a nice bike,they are taking off here in sydney they are filling a big need where our public transport is failing badly,waiting times for a bus or train around here is wasting too much of folks time,i find taking my bike down the shop actually more fun than the car and i see lots more and get to chat to some folk along the way,i am not seeing any other types of bikes around only the curries so far.i have had no trouble with spares and i work on my own bike.

donob08

TinyTim
I've ordered a Currie E-Zip for the same reasons you suggested. It's a jumping off point. It hasn't arrived yet. But I would like to order a second battery. Is it true that the charger is integral? Could it be removed from a second battery.
Would you mind publishing the number, or sending it to me by email, please.

thanks
donob08

tinleyiltom

donob--call currie usa with the number from the website and place an order for a 2nd rack-mount battery for the e-Zip mt.trails. they'll send you one for abt 100 shipped (I forget the exact amt). Have a credit card ready. It does slide right in the rack. You already will have the charger when you get your bike. 6-8 hrs is the charge time mentioned. It uses the same charger so no worries there. I replied on another link started, it appears to have a 8-10 mile range if you DONT pedal, so with 2 batteries, im estimating a nice ride for about 30 miles as I assist. For now, its a total head-turner when Im zooming around......The 2008 one on the walmart site looks cool also.....Congrats on your purchase !!!

tinleyiltom

donob--My bike looks just like the posted link from hatesnow above......Also currietech.com is the website and their phone number is 1-800-377-4532........Good luck....Tom

hatesnow

Ok, my local Wal-Mart had an Ezip Trailz for well over a year sitting in the rack for $299.00 and no one bought it. They reduced it to clearance to $200, no takers. When they reduced it to $150.00, I bought it. I've been using it now since Feb. 15, 2008 for almost daily rides to the grocery store and other points around my very small town. If you think an electric bike is silent, think again. The motor is very loud and gets a lot of attention from people and dogs. Not good if you don't like attracting attention. My range is only about 5 miles. I'm sure this is due to the bike and battery sitting in the store for over a year with no charging or anything. I've called Currie 3 times so far, but after long periods of hold time, have still not talked to a human about possibly getting a new battery from the warranty. Aside from the low range and the motor noise, it has been a good strong bike. Very rear-heavy with one battery. I can imagine how heavy it would be with two batteries. The charger is separate and is not built-in. You can leave the battery on the bike and plug the charger into it with the 3 prong plug. The battery I have is fully charged in 2 hours or less after a ride that almost drains it. I also wish there was rear suspension.
And karma, regarding your statement about your bike "proshop" refusing to work on Curries or any other Walmart bike is a common tactic of bike shops, which are mostly mom and pop stores who can't compete with the giants. It in no way means the quality of a Currie or any other bike is inferior. It's just their way of trying to brainwash the public into thinking only their high-price bikes will do. I've checked out all those $1000+ bikes that are available and find them to be a big ripoff since their projected range is no better than even the cheapest bikes. I know looks is what some of you are after but not me. Range is at the top of my list. If you think buying a $1600 bike makes your ride better than the others, you're sadly mistaken. The biggest problem I see with Currie is their very poor service. You have to work your arse off to get any service from them. But it's that way almost everywhere these days. They get your mass-merchandise money and wait for the next sucker, which they know will come along.

karma

ill admit when i worked at a italian pro shop for 15 years, i allso turned away a lot of service. most of it was
quality issues. its hard to put a warranty on my work when the parts are cheap and go out of Adjustment.

most wallmart and canadian tire bikes are great the first year you own it. after that its all down hill. main problem is how thay pack the Bearings, one idea is to take it home strip it down pick up some quality lithium
grease and repack everything. that will add a few years on the bike.
the included Deraulers will also need a light oil where the pins hold it together there soft steel if not aluminum
and where out fast.

even most pro shops have changed, there bikes come in boxs ready to assemble. im old school only thing
that came in boxs was parts and rims. my frames and wheels where hand made not factory. heh $1600
that price would have got you one of my wheels.

but for a ebike theres no problem with a all steel frame and parts, for safety, i can reach speeds of 43mph
and i feel safer knowing my frames all steel.

cheers

donob08

Tinyiltim, thanks for the info on buying from Currie (phone number). By the time I got your reply, I had ordered one from scootonthis, on the web. Their service, shipping, was good.
I've had the bike a few days now. Each day has involved between 25 and 30 miles of biking w/ a recharge at about the midpoint.
I am pleased. Everything works as advertised. It is a heavy bike. And yes the motor does make some noise, but BIG hills don't bring on heavy breathing anymore and I don't arrive sweaty. It's also nice to start after a "red light" and get through the intersection without worrying about what gear the bike is in.

tinleyiltom

Hey donob--thanks for the scootonthis website...I searched currie and low+behold..thats the slide-in battery pack. I think the price is fair from them. I just did an approx 26 mile with both batteries. I still say this is a great alternative..walmart eZip

hatesnow

mike-on-da-bike, I can't agree with you on the quiet part. My currie makes so much noise, it scares dogs and goats when I pass by. And all these years I thought electric bikes were silent.

karma

brushless motors are silent well almost.

hatesnow

Not even "almost". I ride my bike every day and I notice everything. I can see people turning around to see what the loud "whir" sound is from almost a block away. Silent would be great, but we're still not there.

donob08

I think everbody is right here. Brushless motors ARE silent. BUT the gear reduction hooked to the motor whines. Dogs do like my eZip Trailz.

donob08

Hey
My fuse holder works fine. I checked it at reception of delivery. You can get 40 Amp fuses at:www.monsterscooterparts.com. Being OLD, you check these things before you need them. I have 6 0r 8. I could send you one if monsterscoot is slow.

leamcorp

Hi all, I've just order one and it should be here in couple of weeks (deliver to store).

Since everyone think this is a good starting Ebike, I would like to know if this bike can be upgraded in the future. Here's couple of ideas,

1) can the motor be upgraded to Brush-less? I assume that its a brush motor at this point. What would be needed - new controller?

2) Can battery be upgraded - to lithium? or something else.

3) And, since this bike is quite heavy - can Ebike parts be removed to another bike? I have few bikes and they are much lighter.

Thanks for the info