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This FAQ last updated on Tue Jul 6 16:24:46 CDT 2010.
general ebike
What is an electric assist bike?
Isn't an electric bike beside the point?
Is an electric assist bike for me?
What is Twist and Go?
What is Pedal Assist?
Currie eZip
Why should I consider a Currie eZip?
What is the difference between eZip and iZip?
What ezips are discounted to $300?
Assembly
What should I do immediately after opening the box?
How do I loosen the brakes to get the wheels mounted?
Riding
How can I get the greatest range?
What pressure should I run in my tires?
SLA Batteries
Does the green LED mean my eZip charge is complete?
Can you rebuild your RMB pack?
What is a BatteryMINDer?
What is a Battery Tender?
What kind of connector is that three-prong charger plug?
Can I just leave the Currie charger on the battery forever?
Is there a way to automate removal of the Currie charger?
Other maintenance
Can I grease the motor?
Troubleshooting
My eZip won't turn on! I get no lights!
What is an electric assist bike?
An electric assist bike provides a boost when you want it. It is explicitly not not an electric scooter or motorcycle designed to haul you around with no effort.
The best explanation I have heard of electric assist is that it's like walking on the moving sidewalk at the airport. You can walk normally and go faster than usual, you can walk slowly and still be moving along briskly, or you can stand there and let it carry you at walking speed.
You don't have to use the assist but it's a lot of fun to do so. And since electric bikes have drive motors, batteries and other hardware they are heavier than normal bikes so they are harder to pedal without the assist. Assist bikes have different power-handling profiles like torque-sensing, pedal assist, and twist-and-go.
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Isn't an electric bike beside the point?
No. An electric bike gives you the choice of how long, how fast, and how hard to pedal. If you don't want the help then don't twist the throttle. No one has a gun to your head. You can get as much exercise as you want or need.
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Is an electric assist bike for me?
Depends. If you already have a road bike and love it, then you don't need one. If you have a bike and don't ride it because you are out of shape, it's too hot, you have too far to go, then consider an ebike. In areas that are very hot having assist makes the difference between miserable and enjoyable.
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What is Twist and Go?
TAG is a mode that allows the bike to provide power from a dead stop or any other time. Downsides: it does not encourage pedaling, powered starts use a great deal of power. If you are walking the bike and accidentally twist the throttle you can wheelie or drop the bike.
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What is Pedal Assist?
PAS is a mode that allows the bike to provide power given that the pedals are already going a specific speed. Basically, you have to be pedaling and keep pedaling to get the boost. You don't have to pedal hard but the pedals do have to be turning. In either case the throttle must be opened in order for power to be applied. The bike never decides to apply power on its own. On eZip models the PAS setting is what's being toggled with the right-hand grip button. When PAS is on you're in Pedal Assist. When PAS is off you're in TAG mode.
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Why should I consider a Currie eZip?
The eZip line is the least expensive "real" electric bicycle. They are not toys, and they are not junk. The bikes themselves are not made with $1000 road bike components but you knew that going in.
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What is the difference between eZip and iZip?
The eZip is the entry level ebike. The iZip is the higher tier from Currie. The iZips tend to cost 2x as much, weigh much less, have greater range and have better battery technology (NiMH or Lithium-based). Pays your money and takes your choice.
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What ezips are discounted to $300?
The 2008 models. I do not know the exact changes between the 2008-9 models, but the SLA will definitely be older in the leftover 2008 models.
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What should I do immediately after opening the box?
Get the battery out and put it on the charger. It will take 30-45mins to assemble the bike, but several hours to charge it the first time. Get it on the charger NOW then start the build. Then after you finish assembly you can read the manual, adjust the seat/bars/derailleur/whatever or take the bike for an unpowered ride.
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How do I loosen the brakes to get the wheels mounted?
It's quick-disconnect. Engage the brake lever and use your other hand to hold the brakes in their closed position. Release the brake lever. This will give you slack and you will see how the cable end quick-disconnects from the brake lever. Put it back on the same way after the wheel is mounted.
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How can I get the greatest range?
Keep your batteries in good shape, use the PAS mode, pedal as much as you feel comfortable, don't brake unless necessary, and avoid full throttle. Darkangel tested with a volt/amp meter and says this:
"Most noticable was the severe voltage drop caused by throttle only, from dead stop, very poor acceleration from massive power usage! From now on, I will allways "pedal assist" to get started. Also, very noticable was that acceleration was the energy hog, once at speed, power usage decreases sharply!
Always pedal assist to get started!
Pedal to get up to speed!"
What pressure should I run in my tires?
The front can be run at 40-65psi. The back should probably be run at 60-65psi since most of your weight, the battery[s], and the motor all ride back there. You do NOT want to get a blowout or (god forbid) broken spokes on the rear wheel. The back end is crowded so changing a rear tire on the road is not a pleasant thought.
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Does the green LED mean my eZip charge is complete?
No. The charger will turn green at somewhere between 80-90% of the full charge, based on anecdotal reports from the forums and Currie tech support. Leave the charger on overnight.
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Can you rebuild your RMB pack?
Yes. The case opens with 5 Phillips screws. Inside there are two 12V SLA batts in series. You will notice they are in there quite snugly; be sure your replacement batts are roughly the same as the originals: 5.88" x 2.63" x 4.63". Sometimes the terminals are soldered on so you will likely need a soldering gun to remove them. It really is easy, even for the mechanically uninclined (like me).
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What is a BatteryMINDer?
A BatteryMINDer is a type of aftermarket charger that charges, floats/maintains, and theoretically desulfates 24v SLA battery packs. This may be able to save dying batteries or extend the life of new ones. The Currie bikes (including eZip) use the BatteryMINDer 24041 charger. The Currie batts will use the 2A power setting and AGM battery type selections on the MINDer. You can may your life easier by making a permanent charging connector. I own the MINDer and think it was a good investment.
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What is a Battery Tender?
A Battery Tender is an aftermarket 24v charger that charges, and floats/maintains 24v SLA battery packs. The Tender tends to be less expensive than the MINDer, but lacks the desulfation logic. Of course, if you are agnostic about the desulfation magic then you wouldn't want to pay extra for that anyhow. If you go the Tender route you will likely use the 24v Battery Tender Plus, although the 5A current seems a bit high to me. Plus, btw, refers to the additional logic for AGM batteries added after the original BT charger was released. I do not own a 24v Tender, though I do have a 12v Tender for my motorcycle which works fine.
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What kind of connector is that three-prong charger plug?
It's a male XLR connector, commonly used for microphone and audio applications. A couple of bucks at Radio Shack. I got mine online at Sweetwater (Unsolicited testemonial: great transaction and service. Recommended, though they tend to call you a lot to verify your happiness.)
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Can I just leave the Currie charger on the battery forever?
No. Although it appears that the green light comes on when the batt is 80-90% charged, leaving it on indefinitely will damage the battery. The stock charger just isn't that smart. The simplest method is to charge overnight and unplug in the morning. I am experimenting with the stock Currie charger on a light timer.
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Is there a way to automate removal of the Currie charger?
Maybe, though this is just a quick and dirty experiment I'm running. I am using an old 1970s Radio Shack timer that has a manual override; picked it up at a garage sale for 25c or something. I have the single programmable event to turn on at 4:00am and off at 4:15am. Here's how it plays out:
If bike was used that night
Can I grease the motor?
Not the motor itself, but the planetary drive inside the motor housing. DarkAngel reports that it cuts motor whine down by 30%.
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My eZip won't turn on! I get no lights!
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