Posts tagged E Bike

I wrote a glowing review for my first Currie e-Bike that I purchased back in 2007 (an HG-1000) and I stand by it, even though I have since sold that bike and moved on.

And what did I move to? Why, this Currie EZip Coastline, that’s what! And do you know why I chose to go with a Currie Technologies bike again? Because they’re doing it right. They get the perfect balance of function, quality, and price.

So first off, I would like to stage my little protest against them calling this a “Women’s” bike. The step-through design is indeed traditionally called a “girl’s bike” but there are a lot of men who prefer it as well. There’s nothing inherently feminine about the design (the bike is sort of a brownish/rose color) and to me, the step-through design is easier to deal with. I have an e-bike because I have frequent problems with my knees. By opting for the step-through version, I have eliminated the need to throw my leg over the back of the bike to mount it. I can get on by stepping through and just sitting. I’ll also add that for unexpected stops or accidents, the step-through design is a lot easier on the male “equipment” than having a bar a few inches from your crotch.

I opted for the Coastline over the other EZip products because it has a nice, comfortable saddle, and a design that is closer to the crank-forward design of some popular bikes out there, like Electra Townie. The crank-forward design is easier on the knees, and lets me mount the bike and pedal while still being able to put my feet flat on the ground when stopped… Something the mountain/street designs won’t allow.

I also happen to like the design of the rear rack and battery pack on the Coastline. It’s not very heavy, and it’s easy to maintain. Battery packs do need to be switched out annually (ideally) but when you put the price of a battery pack against the price of gasoline on a per-ride basis, it’s easily justified.

The HG-1000 was a very quiet hub motor design instead of the chain-and-gears version on the Coastline, the Currie Electro-Drive, so when I first rode my Coastline, I was surprised by the motor noise. It’s not loud, but it’s noticeable. You won’t be sneaking up on anyone with the motor running, but then, you could always just pedal the bike like any other and make your silent approach.

I will leave a strong warning to potential buyers, though: Have a local bike shop give it a tune-up and check before you ride it. The shipping process can untrue the wheels, screw up the brake cables, and make it unsafe. Spend the money at your local mom & pop bicycle shop to have them adjust the brakes, true the wheels, check the shifting mechanism, and otherwise guarantee your safety. Even if you buy it from a big box store, I’d suggest not trusting their bike assembly team! Take it to a real bike shop and let them do it. It’s worth the money.

Why do I say that? Because I didn’t do it, and I ended up with a broken arm and busted gears (on the bike, not me) because the wheels weren’t true. The bike ended up wobbling when I removed my hands from the handlebars for a second, and I took a hard pavement-dive. I’d much rather have spent the money to have the bike checked over before riding it than needing to spend my summer in a cast and paying a doctor an outrageous sum to treat my injury. Learn from my mistake: ALWAYS have a new bike checked out and tuned up by a bicycle mechanic before riding it, and never believe that the guys who work in the department stores assembling bikes are trained mechanics; They’re probably just teenagers earning minimum wage to assemble bikes!

The benefits of an electric bike are obvious to me now, and I won’t go over them again here. If you’re interested, please seek my review for the IZip HG-1000 here; It covers the benefits of e-bikes versus standard bikes and even compares commuting by e-bike to commuting by automobile. To summarize the review for those who don’t wish to seek it: E-Bikes pay for themselves over time, get you some exercise, are fun and easy to use, and make riding in hilly areas a breeze.

The Coastline is a great entry from Currie. If you want the deluxe model, which includes spring shocks, a better saddle, and other little tweaks to the bike’s quality, you can check out the Via Lento for a few hundred more. If you’re looking for a good price, and are willing to go without the spring shocks, then the Coastline is a nice choice.

One thing that’s nice about the Coastline (and many of Currie’s newer bikes) is that they have both Pedal Assist and Twist-And-Go (TAG) controls. Pedal Assist mode is when the motor only kicks in when you’re pedaling, and it doesn’t overpower your pedal-power; It merely helps you pedal easier. Twist-And-Go is more like a moped. You turn the throttle, and the bike goes whether or not you’re pedaling. Personally, I like to use TAG mode while I pedal, because then I can regulate how much power I use. If I hit a hill, I can go full-throttle. If I’m on a flat surface, I can go at half-throttle and rely on my legs *just enough* to get a good workout.

The battery charges easily. Just plug the adapter into the battery pack, and then into the wall, and you’re good. Initial charge might take six to eight hours, but most people will find that they don’t run the battery down all the way on a trip, and therefore the charging time can be shorter. Technically, you should let it charge the whole six hours, but if the light’s green after half an hour and you only rode it for a few miles, you’re probably fine riding it again, just as long as you eventually park it for the night and give it a full charge. The battery pack slides out easily, and can be brought inside your office, school, etc. to charge without having to bring the whole bike with it. It’s relatively lightweight as sealed lead-acid battery packs go.

The Coastline uses standard bike parts, 26″ wheels, tubes, tires, chains, cables, etc. You can find most replacement parts in your local bike shop or sporting good store. The battery’s fuse will only blow if the motor has too much of a load. For example, if you’re braking and twisting the throttle at the same time, the fuse will blow to protect the motor. Sometimes things happen though, and fuses do wear out. It’s a good idea to carry around extra fuses for the battery; These can be found in most auto parts stores. Take the fuse with you to compare or ask for others like it. If your fuse blows while riding, then you’re stuck with just pedal-power the rest of the way, and if you’re not conditioned for a long trip under your power alone, you’ll really appreciate having a spare fuse.

Other after-market add-ons I’d suggest would be a new pair of pedals. Currie’s pedals are OK, but a little on the cheap side. A nice set of pedals can make the bike safer and more pleasant to ride.

And of course, I’d suggest investing in a very nice lock for a bike like this: These bikes are so nice that you’re tempting fate if you leave it parked without good security.

Now that my Coastline is tuned up, my arm is healed, and I’ve sorted out the accessories and minor aftermarket modifications, I have to say I love this bike. It’s a great ride that lets me get out and exercise, commute for pennies, and get across town at approximately 16 miles per hour without ever setting foot in a gas station.

One more thing: If you get this bike, check your local laws. Many states allow bikes on the sidewalk, and that’s an added bonus as far as I’m concerned. Keeping out of traffic and getting to my destination safely is always a good thing. Also, be aware that according to the federal government, an electric bicycle MUST be treated exactly the same as a standard bicycle in terms of state and local laws. Know your rights!

I have no complaints about this bike, save for the suggestion that the shipping process might be a little rough (more the shipping company’s fault than Currie/Amazon’s) and can cause minor damage to the product that can lead to problems later (thus my suggestion to see your local bike shop for a tune-up). Since that’s not a flaw with the bike itself, I can see no reason why it doesn’t deserve five well-earned stars.

I didn’t even know what an electric bike was when I found this. All I knew when I went to do a Google search was that I wanted a bike to help me up the hills around my home. Cannot even remember the search term I put in. But eventually, I ended up on a site with an abundance of information on electric bikes ([...]). Once I knew what I wanted, it was time to shop.

The comfort/retro styling, twist and go option, and the price of the Currie Ezip coastline are what sold me on this bike. I bought it to run errands around my neighborhood and to bike to and from work on occasion. I absolutely love this bike! It was money well spent. It’s such a joy to ride that I find myself using the bike friendly paths and trails near my home much more. Ironically, I am shaping up as a result of this purchase because I bike so much more than I use to.

I would strongly recommend changing the seat. The stock seat that comes with the bike is hard and uncomfortable in my opinion. I also bought a Nirve Vintage Bike Light with retro styling that looks great on the bike (not very bright though). Finally, I already had some Delta Expedition Bicycle Panniers. They come with lousy clamps which works out great for the Ezip Coastline. The original clamps are not set far enough apart to fit to the rack around the battery. I had new clamps put on at a luggage repair shop and I love the extra cargo for my ebike excursions. If you loved biking as a kid, and want to love it again, get a Currie Ezip Coastline.

Click here to find out more about Currie EZip Women’s Coastline Electric Bike.