The Cheap eBike - $300 ...Again (eZip)

Doesn't it figure? From $226 to $300 in no time flat!

...And it's still the 2008 eZip model. So much for the "model year end clearance event"

I'm not saying that $300 (delivered) isn't a fair price ... it's just $75 more than yesterday's unbelieveably low price. Must be that whole supply and demand thing. DANG IT!

Percentage-wise, that's a pretty significant increase ... one that won't be lost on my girlfriend. I really hope she likes her xmas present or my acquasition of my precious eZip will, once again, be delayed.

The silver lining? Um, well, maybe there will be one under your tree and you can YouTube it for me to drool over.

Happy Holidays!

EZip eBike Low Pricing - How long will it Last?

OK, so I have been scouring the blogs & reviews and it appears that the $226 is a clearance price for the 2008 models - so they can clear them out of the way, and charge more for the 2009 eZip, just like a car dealership.

Unless the 2009 goes 40 mph with a 60 mile range (both pipedreams) I don't plan on being very impressed.

(click to get one here) 2008 eZip Mountain Trails 225.57 Delivered

Now I am nervous. With my budget not opening up until after the Holidays I am definately worried that all the 2008s will be gone, and the 2009 price being back up to $300 or $400 and my dreams of a pedal assisted future delayed once more.

Then I will start rummaging through the couch for spare change and being more prepared for next year's model-year-end-blow-out sale.

If you are one of the lucky ones that score the low price, please consider making a good youTube video for the rest of us.

Fingers crossed.

Ezip - Latest Prices are now Within Reach!

Great News!
The 26 inch eZip Mountain yadda yadda yadda is now only $225.57!

EZIP MTN TRAILS at Ebikes.JBGrady.com

If this price holds out until Jan 1st, I have been greenlit to purchase my very own! I have read all the reviews and watched all of the videos and decided the reviews were a great help, but the videos either consisted of a joyride shot by the rider, or his buddy shot it while the guy drove up and down the street. While cool, they weren't what I would call helpful. I want to see this puppy climb a hill. I wanna see how far she will go. I wanna see if the rider broke a sweat.

So, now my plan is to take the ebike, once I get it, and head to Red Rock Canyon (I believe it's a National Park. It has a BEAUTIFUL scenic drive (or bikeride) full of long uphills and downhills, with some serious grades in either direction - and the beauty - the drive is on, get this 13 Mile Rd. - which is just about what I hope to expect from the eZip bike.

I feel that this is probably an unfair test due to the conditions, but should really allow me to put the bike through its paces. In my book, travelling even a couple of miles without breaking a sweat is a winner - so I; plan to be excited either way - It's a beautiful ride in a car, and I am excited to get up close and personal with it on a bike - while my current fitness level wouln never allow this on an ordinary bicycle.

Stay Tuned!

Electric Bike Prices Dropping as Gasoline Cheapens

While I continue to click, drool, dream, click, browse and sometimes wipe a tiny teardrop from the corner of my eye I noticed that the prices on eBikes are dropping across the board.

I can't help but think that gasoline prices dropping at a record pace has something to do with it. Latest I've seen at the pumps was down to $2.20 - a massive drop from the $3.60 per gallon not so long ago. Seems this has scared the ebike folks a little into lowering their prices.

Well, the good news is - if you are in the market for an electric bike - the prices are dropping on them too! Just in time for Christmas!

I have now seen folding electric bikes for as little as $575 - and my oh-so-coveted eZip is now only $345 delivered! (source: eBikes.JBGrady.com)

I don't know about you, but I fully intend to be prepared for the next gas price hike, as soon as I score the funds for my eBike.

Folding Electric Bike - Why Not?

As I continue to cruise the internet and drool over the ebikes I keep bumping into the folding electric bikes .... and I think they are really cool.

I really can't think of anyone who couldn't benefit from one. I would think a folding electric bike would be a no brainer for say, for example, anyone living in Manhattan (or any other condensed city location)- simply for the short trips, small apartment sizes and the ability to fold it up and carry it onto the subway, train or bus.

Everyone else should have one in the trunk of their Hummmer for emergencies & fun. The ability to cruise 20 miles or so after a flat or a breakdown could come in handy in the middle of the night or on the way to that important meeting.

So, as a secondary means of transportation I really like the folding electic bikes. They are a tad more expensive, but there's something sort of James Bond about them that kind of makes it worth it.

Coming in at under $650 the the iZip EZgo seems to be the entry level folding ebike. This little sucker boasts 25 miles on a charge and 15 mph max speed - similar to the entry level Mountain Bike mentioned previously, but the portability is a big plus - for trips to the shore, or, just in case your girlfriend or wife wont let you go anywhere near the street in anything smaller than a car - you can pack it up for your city/town bike trails.

For those of us (you) who aren't on such a tight budget, take your "greeness" to higher levels - or are just toy junkies, there is another end to the folding electric bike spectrum.

This bad boy is the Urban Mover Terrain Folding Electric Bike. With its full size 26 inch wheels (as opposed the 16 inchers on the Izip EZgo) this puppy should ride and feel more like a "regular" bike and less like a novelty - with all the convenience of smaller folding electric bicycles.

At $1700, it's gonna run you a pretty penny ... but DANG that a pretty ebike!

eZip Price Drop Electric Bike for $360!

Electric Bike for just $360 - Including Shipping!

These guys are KILLING ME! Teasing me even!

As I deperately scrimp, scrounge & save every nickle so I can score my first entry level (eZip) electric bike, they drop the price! At this price the spare battery becomes a reality - almost doubling the distance.

My fear now is that the impending Christmas rush will put a huge dent in the available supply, forcing the price back up just as I raise the funds.

Even with gas prices working their way back down, I fully expect a huge rush on the eZip Electric bike. Trust me, I would LOVE to get one for Christmas (hint hint) - Especially in Southern areas of the US where there weather is doable for biking most of the year.

So, do me a favor - don't buy one. It will break my heart to see everyone but me riding electric bikes on Xmas morning.

Click the photo above or here: eZip $360 to buy one.
I guess I forgive you.

Electric Bike - eZip Mountain Bike?

OK,

So, it doesn't look like my electric car dream is going to pan out any time soon. My lack of knowledge and expendable cash have pretty much made sure of that.

So, I still want a gasoline free vehicle. Honestly I work from home. I live in Las Vegas where it hardly ever rains or gets anywhere near unbearably cold. Vegas is also a very well planned out little city, so I honestly don't even really need to travel more than a few miles to get anything - food, clothing, really - anything. So far, an elecric bike makes a whole lot of sense.

My longest journey each week is about a 16 mile round trip on a realatively flat path - errands, at locations chosen for their convenience to my boss, not me. This might be a stretch for your entry level electric bike.

Keep in mind that $ is a serious consideration. (and, well, I still have a car so NEED isn't necesarily a motivator). That said, I am seriously considering the eZip Electric Mountain Bike for just shy of $400 online, including free shipping. (looks like you can get it at some Walmart stores too for about the same price + tax.

The majority of the reviews I have read have been favorable. From what I gather, it should drag my 187 lb bod around 14 miles or so with little effort - especially if I add a second battery for about 100 bucks. The biggest downside for me is the overall weight of the thing. at about 80lbs, it may be a little awkward to try to heave it up to my second floor apartment. Maybe I can "drive" it up the steps ???

Most electic bike kits in this price range don't appear to offer much more in the way of range and/or speed, don't include the bike itself, and most likely require a little more mechanical/electrical apptitude than I can personally apply to such a project.

I'm really hoping that the eZip will get me going. I also looking forward to possibly pillaging it and putting the important parts on a lighter bike. Li-on batteries also look like a possibility down the road and weigh in at about 1/2 of the stock batteries. All in an effort to maximize the potential of the electric motor from the bike.

Who knows. We will see if I can make the electric bike materialize.