Koga Miyata Very Pretty, Very Expensive!

[simonbarnett]

Izip confusion

Stuart- I agree the spec reads oddly in places- and there are confusung earlier and cheaper and american ones- but it could be a great bike if the battery is in the tube (why else would it have a charger point there?) and the 20kg includes them. Doesn't overcome cold outdoor charge but maybe worth asking?

 

[coops]

Yes, it certainly does look neat if the battery is in the tubing, but I would be astonished if even half the combined 24V 22.2 Ah battery would fit in that frame; even more so if the 20kg weight included it: as I said I feel fairly sure both the bike as seen & the weight as given (direct link) do not include that battery capacity, & neither does it appear to have an external frame mounting to hold the battery, so rear rack would appear the only place it could go... I'd not noticed the 'Easy Access charger port in down tube' stated in the specs and I don't understand why it should say that, unless the specs have got mixed up with their other bikes which visibly do have smaller battery in downtube... or worse still the (removable) batteries can only be charged on the bike (as standard) due to charger connections being hardwired into the frame...

If anyone does know otherwise, or makes enquiries, I'd be interested to hear what the full story is . It is an american bike though, isn't it?

PS It wouldn't be the first bike here to have a mix-up re the weight being inclusive of battery or not!

Stuart.

 

[Ian]

The picture on the izip usa site shows the bike having a larger uglier downtube that could conceivably contain the battery. I suspect the two quoted batteries are different options, I doubt they'd be available together. It is all very unclear though and does make me wonder if the bike really exists yet outside of a computer.

There is also this izip hybrid, again with an oversized downtube.

The pictures in the 07 catalogue (pdf) show the Trekking Li and others to have an even fatter downtube, and the specs do state that is where the 24V 10Ah battery is mounted. Other models mention optional rack mounted batteries, I'd guess that is probably the 12.2 Ah one. Also quoted 20Kg is net weight so may not include batteries.

 

[coops]

Thanks Ian,

Those are the types of Izip bikes I referred to with battery visibly fitted in downtube. I considered that the 10Ah & 12.2Ah might be separate options, except could see little point in offering two such closely specified batteries as alternatives, and also it would seem both batteries would be required to achieve the 30-40mile range specified, even at speeds of around 15mph, and certainly at its top speed 18mph .

Rather worrying if the bike doesn't exist outside a computer, since its apparently last years model! Wouldn't surprise me though - aren't Currie, Izip & Schwinn all brands of one company now...

Stuart.

 

[simonbarnett]

maybe someone should ask? mailordercycles have them too with more spec confusion. I don't really know a lithium from a duracell but you guys do.

 

[Ian]

Rather worrying if the bike doesn't exist outside a computer, since its apparently last years model! Wouldn't surprise me though - aren't Currie, Izip & Schwinn all brands of one company now...

Stuart.

Perhaps the bike in the original link with the thin downtube is the computer simulation, order one and you get the real one with the ugly downtube.

I'm not sure of the Currie/iZip parentage but I believe Schwinn are owned by the Canadian owned Pacific Cycle.

 

[Ian]

I don't really know a lithium from a duracell but you guys do.

I think the main differences are that the Duracell is less expensive and lasts longer.

 

[coops]

deja vu?

I just downloaded the 07 catalogue, thanks for the link Ian, and it looks to be identical to the 08 catalogue?!

If you take a look at it Simon, you can see the Izip Trekking Li from the 07 range looks very different to the image on those two sites: in fact the spec on the mailordercycles refers to the 06 Trekking with NiMH battery, yet another different bike, so they actually have both image and spec incorrect! I think the confusion is just that - a misleading mixup over images and specs on those sites, and there is no bike fitting both that spec & image at all, the image either a mock-up shown by mistake or the actual bike but with rear battery conveniently absent from image, like when mains devices are illustrated 'without' ugly cables and plugs!

Stuart.

 

[coops]

On weight, range & speed of the Izip Trekking Li 2007 from the catalogue, I could believe that 20kg might include the 24V 10Ah battery, but I would question the realism of a 25-33mile range, even on the flat and especially if used at its given top speed of 18mph. A maximum (on the flat) 20-25 miles or so at 15mph would be more like it, and 15-18 miles or so tops at 18mph, with average pedalling, but a bit more range if you can pedal harder .

The panasonic bikes do better for range with similar battery capacity because of their better power control, economy & probably efficiency too (though they necessitate a higher proportion of rider input than hub motor & throttle do) but also they can be slower on gradients, especially for less energetic cyclists .

Battery lifetime for the izip & ease of replacement are other issues.

Stuart.

 

[simonbarnett]

Let alone cold charging, but we'll never know on the other issues until someone buys or tests one. Shame because it seemed the answer to my initial pushbike looking requirement.

But head has overruled heart so i've followed the advice (and Flecc's review)and yet another Agutta (crossbar) is on order tonight. Was tempted by ProConnect but swayed by London potholes and wallet.

For anyone who followed it and is interested, I emailed 50Cycles about frame size and they recommended the 49cm with sprung seat for my 30" inside leg- very prompt clear answer from Tim.

Thanks to all for the advice and opinions- will report once I'm a real ebiker.

 

[coops]

I'm sorry to have burst the bubble on that one Simon (I'm quite sure its a website error, as I said) but to be honest if I had to choose between the Izip Trekking Li 07 and the Agattu I can't see there'd be much contest: similar top speeds & battery capacities, but the Agattu will ride more like a bike (especially with the power off), climb better & give longer range for anyone willing to pedal a bit - also the battery is removeable & guaranteed for 2 years & parts are known to be good quality - while the izip might be slightly faster on some gradients and can be ridden with less rider input, but both of those will reduce its range, and the battery life is an unknown quantity, though it maybe phylion.

Anything I missed out?

If that sounds like what your after, then hopefully your heart will be glad you listened to your head & I'll be envious of another agattu owner .

Not been keeping up with the frame sizing for agattus, but has been mentioned elsewhere - though make sure to search under every spelling variation - agattu, agutta, aggutta...! (you get the idea!)

Stuart.