Advice please - ezee liv?

[Winz]

Hi all,
First post, so excuse me if I get things wrong. However, I'm looking for a pedelec. I work 2 days a week, as a teacher - I'm a semi-retired head teacher but actually like kids!
My commute is about 12 miles each way, all relatively flat in the West Midlands conurbation. At the moment I'm driving, but I want to get some air in my lungs, and a normal bike ride would be just too energetic for me. I'm planning to use cycle paths and a canal towpath, which will cover all but one mile of the journey. I'm relatively fit, as I walk frequently and have completed the Coast to Coast Walk.
Now, what about a bike? I have done some research, and it appears that the Ezee Liv would represent good value for money (i.e. I don't want to shell out loads, then find it's not for me!). There don't seem to be owner reviews of the bike on this site, although I have seen some on the 50 Cycles site.
Is there anyone out there who can help?
Cheers, Dave

 

[Ian]

Hello and welcome Dave. Although it's not in the review section there is an owners recent review here which may be of help to you.

The Liv sounds like a good choice, although I don't own a Liv I do have two other Ezee bikes and can vouch for the build quality. it only has 3 gears but that shouldn't be a problem on a reasonably flat commute. A 24 mile round trip is a bit much for a single charge so it would be advisable to top the battery up at your workplace as well as home, apart from removing the risk of a flat battery this would be beneficial to the long term health of the battery.

If you can get to Loughborough I'm sure 50cycles will be happy to give you a test ride, their premises are quite close to the station and Loughborough has terrain very similar to much of the West Midlands.

 

[flecc]

I second what Ian has said. I've briefly tried the Liv and found it a pleasant bike to ride. Because of the 3 speed hub, the gearing is a touch on the low side so it's not a speed machine, but for much of your ride you'll be able to bowl along at 15 to 17 mph with hardly any effort. It has enough power to enable you to stop pedalling and rest for a while to enjoy the countryside without cycling effort.
.

 

[subevo]

hi, ive just bought an ezee liv and posted a review a few days ago .but its still not appeared .same as my lafree review still not shown.anyway here is my opinion.
done 200 miles so far.its far quicker than my lafree.19mph on the flat with gentle pedaling is so easy.it can fly up moderate hills at an unbelievable 16-17mph with a bit of pedaling effort but still easy.very steep hills at 13mph with a lot of input.due to my hilly area i find that after 8 miles the amber light comes on.my commute is 9 miles.( does the amber light mean half full?)lights are fitted as standard but front is not very bright on dark cycle tracks at night.good brakes.dont like the pedalec mode whereby you still have to twist the throttle.on that note my hand gets tired keeping the throttle twisted.the battery can be charged whilst still on the bike.i like this as with my lafree you had to remove it which is a pain.the battery charger plug is a very tight fit when inserting it in the battery.it makes it a pain to remove as well.its hard to grip.the 3 gears are easy to use same type as my lafree.you can change gear at a stand still which is useful.bike looks better in real life.i like the fact that you can pedal normally without motor assistance and when the going starts to get tough just twist the throttle for some much needed boost.excellant.i can get home a full 10 minutes faster with the liv compared to my lafree.i like it and its grown on me.dont be fooled like i was in thinking these bikes can power up hills unassisted they need some effort which is still easy.overall im happy. i bought it as i was fed up having to pedal constantly with my lafree without restbite.with the liv i can get a rest now and again which makes a world of difference.the only thing missing is a turbo boost button to fly past buckfast swilling neds(chavs)

 

[flecc]

To Subevo

If you go to the reviews section and click on the first Giant Lafree Twist review words "full story", you'll see there are two reviews there now since I communicated with Russ. Scroll down, and I believe the second one is yours.

Let me know if it isn't. As for your new Liv review, I believe they go in via Admin, so there's a slight delay before appearing.
.

 

[Winz]

Thanks to contributors

Just a few words of thanks to those who have posted advice for me. It's appreciated. Hopefully I'll get across to 50 Cycles over the next few weeks and sort out a test.
Cheers,
Dave

 

[flecc]

A pleasure Winz. Member Chris has just been up there this morning and was impressed with the bikes and the help from James of the 50cycles team.

Chris took his wife with him and it seems she so liked the look of the Quando she saw, she's having a bike as well.
.

 

[Ian]

the only thing missing is a turbo boost button to fly past buckfast swilling neds(chavs)

Joking apart, I've used my Torq de-restricted on a number of occasions for that very reason.

 

[Bikerbob]

Hi Subevo,

Thanks for your report on the Liv. I've been waiting for what seems forever for a new battery for my Giant Suede and am thinking of abandoning it in favour of a Liv or the lighter Wisper. The only adverse comment I picked up in the AtoB magazine report on the Liv was that it has a very noisy motor. Do you (or anyone else) find that bad enough to be a concern?

 

[flecc]

I didn't find it bad Bob, almost the same as the F series bikes and the Sprint. David at A to B usually rides a Torq fast, and the Torq is exceptionally quiet at higher speeds. That could influence the impression. As a Torq/Quando rider, I also notice the extra noise on the Liv/Sprint/F series, but the Liv is quieter than quite a few others on the market.
.

 

[Bikerbob]

Thanks flecc. I think it makes sense to get a Liv, if only to get rid of the non-disengaging motor drag on the Suede when using it unassisted, as I do a lot. The hub gears would be a big improvement on the clunky items on the Suede as well. Just hurts my frugal nature to throw a £600 bike in the skip, and it's no use to anybody without a battery!

 

[flecc]

I understand Bob, but I'm sure you'd get some ebay bids for it, if only for spares for someone else's Suede.

It's also worth an ad in this forum's classified section, since we have some Suede owners like andrewelectricbike1 who like the bike and happily continue with it. They could be interested since, having a battery already, it makes a second working bike for them.
.

 

[langtry]

Comment from a Newbie

Hi,

Just seen your question about noisy motor,Well.I am proud owner of an Ezee Liv,with lots of experience on this bike,a whole four days,Fact is,Just love it,motor not at all noisy,and as for cruising with throttle only(no peddling) yesterday riding on flat road clocked 19 miles per hour,the wind behind me could have something to do with that,because on return against wind,managed a steady 15 mph,a great sturdy little E-Bike,and quite poweful.
OK, I know it is early days for me yet,but so far,could not be more pleased.
Regards,to all EZEE LIV ERS.


langtry

 

[Bikerbob]

Thanks Langtry. I'll forget any concerns about the noise. It seems that most buyers are very happy with the Liv. I just need to make my mind up now. Its a case of "I think I used to be indecisive but now I'm not sure" I'm afraid!