Pedego Interceptor 2 - Any alternatives?

[Ray A Young]

I'm 6'3" 240 lbs and almost 60 years old. I have a Prodeco Outlaw SS already but am looking for something with more range and comfort. I want a geared brushless motor because of the low resistance while pedaling. I have pretty much settled on a cruiser style bike since anything else will be similar to the Outlaw. I just read the Pedego City Commuter book on Kindle and enjoyed it. I like the Classic Cruiser okay but it has a direct drive motor so it isn't a possibility as well as the new Prodeco Oasis. I want to explore all options before spending $2,800 on another ebike. All suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

These two could be good options for you:

• Currie Izip E3 Zuma
• Motiv Spark

 

[Admin]

Hello Ray! Sounds like you've been doing your homework. I actually wrote that book about the Pedego City Commuter and I'm glad it came in somewhat handy, was my first ebook because I really enjoyed owning the bike and wanted to do something a little bit more comprehensive

Ravi makes some great suggestions there. I like the cruiser style of the Zuma and the Spark which both use geared motors. Those two models also position the battery pack a little bit lower on the frame keeping it balanced which I like. The Motiv Spark is offered with an optional 48 volt battery which could be perfect for you (being a bit taller and heavier). They are a great company and you get to pick your colors which is neat.

Another super powerful, great looking cruiser ebike with geared hub motor is the Ford Supercruiser. This is a collaboration between Pedego and Ford and will be hitting dealers across the US later this month. Note that it only offers twist throttle, no pedal assist, and that the battery is mounted a bit higher... but it's still removable and very solid. Is pedal assist something you care about at all? Also, how large do you want the frame to be or rather, do you ride in a more relaxed sitting position or would that feel cramped. If so, you might want to steer towards the Interceptor or even stick with the City Commuter because it's just got a larger build and still offers that 48 volt battery design.

I hope this helps you out! Thanks for checking out my book and reach out here with any other questions or clarifications. I'll be sure to check back

 

[FitzChivalry]

Ray, I just got my City Commuter yesterday, and will be posting my experience with unboxing and assembling it shortly, and will continue to post my ongoing impression of it as I start to use it. The twenty minutes I got to spend with it yesterday after finishing assembly was a blast!

 

[James]

Way to go FitzChivalry! You must be pumped. Please do keep us up to speed with your new adventure.

 

[Ray A Young]

Ray, I just got my City Commuter yesterday, and will be posting my experience with unboxing and assembling it shortly, and will continue to post my ongoing impression of it as I start to use it. The twenty minutes I got to spend with it yesterday after finishing assembly was a blast!

FitzChivalry, What other bikes did you consider? Did you ride any of them? If you rode an Interceptor 2, please compare the riding position and comfort. Thanks.

 

[Chris Nolte]

Ray, I think you're looking in the right direction with the Interceptor, although the City Commuter is a great option as well. Another option could be the Easy Motion City or the Easy Motion EVO ECO Lite (arriving early next month). I listed a quick breakdown of the bikes below from my personal experience:

• Pedego Interceptor II - Probably the most comfortable in the lineup due to it's balloon tires and upright seating position with swooped back bars. Same motor as the City Commuter, 500w Geared Hub Motor and 48v battery. Very powerful, but a bit heavy. Pedaling without power is smooth, but more difficult than a lighter weight bike.
• Pedego City Commuter - Very similar to Interceptor, I'd recommend the 48v battery if you choose to go with it. Not as comfortable as the Interceptor due to the Aluminum frame as opposed to the Steel frame (steel has more flex absorbing the road, where aluminum is rigid).
• Easy Motion City - Probably the easiest to pedal due to the lighter weight and lower rolling resistance narrow 700c tires, comfort is added by the suspension front fork and if you wanted more comfort you could add a suspension seat post. Utilizes a torque sensor as opposed to the cadence sensor like the Pedego which can provide a smoother transition of power.
• Easy Motion Evo Eco Lite - similar features as the City with wider 26" tires that absorb the road a bit more. It's also a smaller frame though, so the bike might feel a bit small in comparison to the others.

Feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email and I'll be happy to elaborate further if you'd like.

Chris
Long Island Electric Bikes
631-306-4542

 

[Ray A Young]

Chris, I see that you sell the iZip Zuma. If you get the new 2014 model in please give me a comparison between the larger classic style one and the Interceptor 2. I test rode the older model small frame in St. Louis last year and didn't like it. I would be interested in the larger frame one if I can ever find out any info on it.

 

[Chris Nolte]

No problem Ray. I'll be receiving the 2014 Izip's in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know when I get them in and I'll give a more indepth analysis. I tried it out at Interbike and it's very different than the 2013 model. It's just much more refined. The power is much smoother and the pedal assist is much nicer. Having the battery in the seatpost helps balance the bike quite a bit. I'd say it should be on your short list now that I think about it.

 

[Ray A Young]

For my size, I want a bike at least as big as the Interceptor 2. I don't want a step through frame. Thanks again.

 

[Chris Nolte]

Absolutely, that's what I would recommend. I will be able to compare the two side by side soon enough and I'll keep you posted.

 

[Admin]

Quick question Chris, I've not tried the Easy Motion EVO ECO Lite. Does it offer both twist throttle and torque sensing pedal assist like the NEO lineup or is it just pedal assist? Thanks for the excellent suggestions and comparison!

 

[Chris Nolte]

Court,

It does have a twist throttle along with the torque sensing pedal assist. It's the same drive system as the NEO line. We should be getting them in early next month.

Chris

 

[Redsoxgirl7]

No problem Ray. I'll be receiving the 2014 Izip's in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know when I get them in and I'll give a more indepth analysis. I tried it out at Interbike and it's very different than the 2013 model. It's just much more refined. The power is much smoother and the pedal assist is much nicer. Having the battery in the seatpost helps balance the bike quite a bit. I'd say it should be on your short list now that I think about it.

Chris, Thanks for speaking with me today. I've decided on the Zuma3 and will check with you next week on their availability. Thanks, Ginny

 

[Chris Nolte]

Ginny, great speaking with you as well. I look forward to speaking with you next week.

 

[Ray A Young]

Well I pulled the trigger on the Interceptor 2. I'm not a patient man. As soon as the weather improves, I'll upload a video to my YouTube channel. I would like to thank Chris of Long Island Electric Bikes for all the information he provided.

 

[Ray A Young]

If you wonder why I picked lime green, in case it's ever stolen, the police should be able to find the only bike of it's kind and color in town before the thieves get too far.

 

[Larry Pizzi]

Chris, Thanks for speaking with me today. I've decided on the Zuma3 and will check with you next week on their availability. Thanks, Ginny

The all new E3 Zuma's are in and beginning to ship to dealers on Monday and the ride-feel is wonderful.

 

[Dave]

Hey Ray, congratulations! Very cool bike. I think they really made the second generation interceptor top notch. Has all the performance features of the City Commuter, in a cruiser style bike. Has to be one of the top cruisers on the market. That color is wild! You will definately be seen coming ( from afar ). Please keep us posted.

 

[Ray A Young]

Larry, I live in an area where the nearest dealers are two states away. I rode a Zuma in St. Louis last year but they only had the small frame and didn't even know there was a larger frame or more likely, they were trying to get me to buy that one. I ended buying an Outlaw sight unseen because of what I had read about it. This year, I couldn't even get the Nashville iZip dealer to answer any questions at all so I decided to get the Interceptor 2 because I believe it is the best chance of getting a bike big enough for me. These dealers in the Midwest need to improve their customer relations.