The ride quality is superb – not jerky but not slow, not perfectly balanced but enjoyable to pedal and easy to maneuver. The IZIP E3 Path+ isn’t a perfect bike but it’s easy to fall in love with. As I cycled through 1, 2, 3, 4 and T (for throttle) the estimated distance dynamically updated. My favorite part is the range approximator that shows how far you can expect to travel in each mode. Compared with the original Path that just had three LED’s to approximate battery level this system is a real upgrade. It’s all easy to use and designed to be dust and water resistant. When you are in throttle mode there’s also a cruise setting that allows you to lock in the speed and rest your hand. You can choose from four levels of pedal assist as well as a throttle mode. Even though the display is mounted at the center of the handlebars and is not easily removable, it’s easy to interact with because there’s also a control pad mounted near the left grip. The control console has also been updated and now includes a full multi-function LCD readout with speed, battery capacity, distance and estimated range. It’s also nice that they pre-wired the system for lights so you can add your own. While I’d prefer a centrally mounted design that’s low versus high, given the price point of this bike and the functionality of the rack, it isn’t too disappointing. This also makes it easier to transport the bike because the pack weighs around seven pounds and is mounted in the rear, along with the motor. The pack uses high end Lithium Manganese Oxide cells from Samsung with a one year warranty and is still removable for easy charging on or off the bike. What I discovered is that the higher voltage pack is more efficient at delivering electricity and of course provides increased strength for climbing and accelerating. This is large by any standard and really surprised me when I first read the specs. The battery pack on the IZIP E3 Path+ is nearly double the size of the old one, offering 48 volts of power and 8.8 amp hours of capacity. It’s really a blast to pedal with and makes pedaling fun because it’s so fluid and responsive. The new system leverages the additional sensors and updated firmware to detect both motion and speed so it almost feels like a torque sensor. This abrupt feeling was exacerbated by the geared motor that was strong at low speeds but less powerful overall. With the old Path, you got fewer markers and more of an off/on feel that some described as jerky. These little magnets are mounted to a plastic disc that resides at the bottom bracket (where the pedal cranks attach to the frame) and as they pass a sensor, the bike’s computer determines whether to activate the motor or not. The only real drawback here is that the larger gearless design is a bit heavier.įurther enhancing the feel of the new motor is an updated pedelec system that uses 12 magnetic cadence markers instead of just six. So ultimately this means it will be less obtrusive when riding (people won’t hear it) and it will last through many more years of use since there aren’t gears rubbing around inside. Compared with the smaller 250 watt geared motor on the original Path this thing is quieter, smoother and more durable. The motor on the Path+ is a direct drive (gearless) design offering 500 watts of power in a rear mounted hub. And, since it’s available in medium and large high-step as well as medium low-step you can dial in the fit which makes it more enjoyable to pedal and actually ride for extended periods. In my opinion this updated version is one of the most enjoyable ebikes in the entire IZIP line and perhaps the most beautiful. The original E3 Path looked similar and offered the same mechanical benefits as the Path+ (disc brakes, fenders, chain guard) but it’s just not the same bike. With the Plus, you get a smoother and quieter direct drive motor, improved cadence sensing technology that significantly enhances ride quality and an updated control console with cruise and four levels of assist. The IZIP E3 Path+ is the second iteration in the series.
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