Should I "upgrade"?

[Joey1231]

I have a 2014 Izip E3 Dash. I love the bike and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
The bike still rides as new as the day I bought it.

That said, has any of the tech/hardware gotten any better in the past 4-5 years?
Should I keep my bike or should I get a 2019 model ebike and sell my current bike?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

I have a 2014 Izip E3 Dash. I love the bike and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
The bike still rides as new as the day I bought it.

That said, has any of the tech/hardware gotten any better in the past 4-5 years?
Should I keep my bike or should I get a 2019 model ebike and sell my current bike?

Every year, there will be "better" bikes with higher capacity battery and stronger motors.
The best bike is the one you like and use it a lot!

If your current bike is limiting your range or usage, then it makes total sense to upgrade.
Having said that, E-bike are a great investment and will bring you tremendous happiness and health. So, indulge yourself if you can afford it.

 

[Ian Moone]

Every year, there will be "better" bikes with higher capacity battery and stronger motors.
The best bike is the one you like and use it a lot!

If your current bike is limiting your range or usage, then it makes total sense to upgrade.
Having said that, E-bike are a great investment and will bring you tremendous happiness and health. So, indulge yourself if you can afford it.

My Bali 350 is 10 years Old ... Still rides fine, except the battery is getting old, So you have to think of your Priorities. ?

 

[6zfshdb]

Wait until the ashtray is full.

Seriously, if the bike still meets your needs, keep it until it doesn't.

 

[AHicks]

Wait until the ashtray is full.

Seriously, if the bike still meets your needs, keep it until it doesn't.

Exactly. Wait until you've got good reason to update. A cool new feature you can't live without, looking at an expensive repair, whatever.

 

[mako]

Why not have multiple ash trays?

Keep your current bike and add to your stable if something new catches your fancy.

 

[Joey1231]

..... except the battery is getting old, So you have to think of your Priorities. ?

That is basically what I'm getting at. I completely understand to upgrade if I want, say hydraulic brakes.
I do know that batteries can last for a very long time.
After reading all the responses, the question I should have asked is how well are the motors built in 2014 vs today? Do the new ones last longer?

Only considering this because the bike is currently perfect and considering selling it to avoid diminishing returns. If there is such a thing on ebikes.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

I love my CrossCurrent S. That being said, I'd get the CrossCurrent X in a heartbeat if I didn't have different financial priorities at the moment. Three reasons: higher capacity/higher voltage battery; 25 amp vs. 20 amp controller; new firmware with some new features I've always wanted (like a Zero mode -- headlight still works but no power to the motor.)

 

[Joey1231]

I love my CrossCurrent S. That being said, I'd get the CrossCurrent X in a heartbeat if I didn't have different financial priorities at the moment. Three reasons: higher capacity/higher voltage battery; 25 amp vs. 20 amp controller; new firmware with some new features I've always wanted (like a Zero mode -- headlight still works but no power to the motor.)

My question isn't about features. Getting "bigger and better" I understand. My question is about longevity.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

longevity

The bike you have is a izip Dash 2014 which comes with a direct drive hub motor.
Most likely, the electrical system will go wrong (torque sensor or something else). The initial runs had poor magnet adhesive but they resolved it for 2015.
If you ride only 350 miles a year, any half-decent ebike will last a long time. Things start needing replacement and maintenance when you start riding 5000 miles/year.

If you ask the question about longevity, it brings up the point how many miles have you ridden your bike?

 

[Joey1231]

If you ride only 350 miles a year, any half-decent ebike will last a long time. Things start needing replacement and maintenance when you start riding 5000 miles/year.

Thank you. Now I have a baseline to figure out what to do with the bike.

 

[AHicks]

Re: diminishing returns, you could always advertise it to see if it will bring what it's worth to you. I think buyers of a 5 year old bike are going to be looking at your asking price closely with battery age in mind, adding the price of a new battery to your asking price. If they aren't, they should be.

The fact it's still OK at the moment would make the bike worth more than if the battery takes a dump on you. At that point the bike turns to scrap value, unless you dump the price of a battery into it. Not sure what a 5 year old bike with a brand new battery might be worth when compared with something one of the Rad's brand new, with warranty.

Bottom line, selling it while it's still working OK might not be a bad idea if you're concerned about the price of a battery. Unless you're riding a LOT, I wouldn't be too concerned about the motor.

 

[Alex M]

After reading all the responses, the question I should have asked is how well are the motors built in 2014 vs today? Do the new ones last longer?

Only considering this because the bike is currently perfect and considering selling it to avoid diminishing returns. If there is such a thing on ebikes.

No, there is no such thing as "return on investment" with ebike. You might want to check its current market value - if there is this exact model on the used market. I would think that the amount that you will lose after selling your 4-years old bike will negate any possible improvements in longevity. Keep your current bike until it doesn't fit your needs anymore.

 

[Off road all day]

I have a 2014 Izip E3 Dash. I love the bike and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
The bike still rides as new as the day I bought it.

That said, has any of the tech/hardware gotten any better in the past 4-5 years?
Should I keep my bike or should I get a 2019 model ebike and sell my current bike?

If it works don't fix it! your throwing money away for the look at me factor.

 

[Longhaulcruiser]

I don't think I'd sell it. At this point, it is a low cost bike for someone. That person deserves to be you. Even if you have to throw a battery at it, do it. And I might add, that is one good looking bike!

 

[Joey1231]

Thank you all for the input. I ended up selling the bike for $1100. I had took the money fast. Shopping for a 2019.

 

[Joey1231]

$1100? That's not a bad resale value at all!!

Got really lucky. Grabbed it and ran. But as I said, there was nothing wrong with it. It's kept pristine.