Sprint 7 review
I was so pleased with this bike that I wrote the following review, then looked for a forum to place it in. Sorry it doesn't strictly conform to the forum's review template, but I'll paste it in here anyway, and I trust folks will find it covers the main points well enough. I'm picky and demanding when I spend money on something, so it may seem I don't like it, but I'm really quite happy with it for my purposes.
The remarks below pertain to the US version of the bicycle: throttle only (no pedal-assist mode), 350 watts.
I purchased my Ezee Sprint 7 bike from Electric Vehicles Northwest, in Seattle. The other major US retailer of these bikes is Nycewheels, in New York City. Prior to the sale I was pleased with the responsiveness of Eric Sundin at the Seattle store.
I bought the bike after as much internet research as I could do. Much of the information available is sales-oriented and consequently must be taken with a grain of salt. Specifications for this type of vehicle are non-uniform and vague; to some extent this is necessary due to differences in rider weight and strength, terrain, etc. At some point you must take a “leap of faith” when you purchase an electric bike, especially if you live in an area (most areas of the US) where you cannot test-ride a variety of these bikes.
I wanted the bike for commuting - due to high gas prices -, the need for a little exercise, the diminished ability to climb steep hills on a bike (owing mostly to advanced age), and persistent guilt over driving a car, alone, to work every day, thus adding my bit to global warming. Also I didn’t want to arrive at work soaked in sweat, as I used to do when I commuted on a lightweight derailleur bike.
Here in the San Francisco Bay area we have about 6 months of dry weather annually, so the bike is practical for at least half the year. I believe that hard rain can be an issue with the electricals in these bikes. I live in an area that is poorly-served by public transit, so that the 5-mile route to work can take an hour transferring on busses, while it takes 25 minutes on a bicycle. I chose the Sprint 7 due mainly to its relative popularity, in the hope that parts and support will be available in years to come. The sturdiness, road-worthiness, motor power and comfort were other factors in my decision.
I have been commuting the 10 total daily miles for some time now, and can attest that there is no problem with that range with my 140 lbs; the round trip seems to use less than half of the battery capacity in spite of hilly terrain. Where hills are involved you must pedal; the motor merely makes the pedaling easier, but significantly so on slight-to-moderate rises. Very steep hills are beyond its scope, with a rider like myself, because the bike is very heavy compared with conventional modern lightweight bikes, and lacks a true “granny gear”. The motor assist is inadequate for these “monster” hills, and you are warned not to tax it in this way. That warning is made available to you after the sale. Prior to the sale the literature implies that you “climb hills with ease”, “charge up hills at 17 mph”, or words to that effect. “Hills”, yes, HILLS, no.
I expect the bike will hold up well; the construction is very robust. But only time will tell. How long will the battery last (replacement is expensive), and will batteries made to fit these bikes still be made five or ten years down the road? The bike is usable without the motor, but really only on fairly flat ground with a strong young rider.
But it does about what they say it will do, and provisionally I am very pleased with it. Here is a summary:
Good for:
Commuting over flat or varied terrain. Very nice on short, moderately-steep hills. Very comfortable and roadworthy with nice upright riding position that is much safer in traffic than “bend-over” bikes. Does almost exactly what I ask of it in this regard. Same praise would apply to local shopping trips, etc. Pedaling with motor assist provides moderate exercise without overtaxing older bodies. One can arrive at work or appointments without being sweaty. I plan adjustments to gearing for some improvement on hills.
Bad for:
Touring, mountainous terrain, taking up stairs (and getting onto subway platforms - 65 pounds!), disassembling for transport (major undertaking if you ask me). Unsuitable for children. Pedals that came with the bike were awful and were replaced by the MKS Grip King pedals, which are a revelation IMO.
