2019 IZip Simi Review

Video Review

Written Review

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike is a high-quality cruiser style bike with a beautiful custom-built frame, semi-integrated removable battery and modest power and range.

IZip has a wide range of electric bikes to choose from, including commuters, MTBs and everything in-between. This one, the Simi, is a step-thru cruiser style electric bike that comes decked out with pretty much everything you need to start your adventure. The Simi comes with front and rear fenders, an integrated headlight and taillight, disc brakes and a rear rack. For the price, this electric bike is hard to beat, and for those that want a traditional step-over frame, the Simi comes in that version too.

Power — 250 nominal watts, 400 peak watts

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike has an efficient 250 nominal watt hub geared hub motor that can boost up to 400 peak watts, with an output of 60 Newton meters of torque, leaving this bike feeling pretty peppy for a motor with of this size.

Speed  — 20 mph

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the pedal assist, making this a class 1 electric bike. Class 1 electric bikes can be legally ridden just about anywhere, making this an especially good choice for those that live in an area with strict electric bike laws.

Battery and Range — 36 volt 11.6 ah, 60 miles

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike runs on a 36 volt system and has an 11.6 ah battery for an estimated max range of 60 miles with pedal assist. The estimated max range is quite a bit higher than other electric bikes with similar specs simply because the Simi has no throttle, which can quickly eat through the battery when used alone without human pedal power. The battery is located on the downtube and is a locking removable battery. One of the cool things about this frame is its custom made, and so has a recess to house the battery, minimizing its footprint. The battery has an LED indicator built in so the juice can be quickly checked at a glance without turning on the bike itself. Another great thing about this battery is the charger and charging port. The charger cable is threaded and screws into the battery port to keep it from accidentally disconnecting when charging, and also keep it from getting damaged if the cord is snagged while plugged into the battery. 

Pedal assist sensor — Advanced sensor

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike is equipped with an advanced sensor that measures both the rotation of the cranks and the torque placed on them, resulting in a highly accurate and responsive sensor that almost instantly administers and cuts off power when starting and stopping pedaling. The advanced sensor also serves this bike well since there is no throttle, and it allows the rider to determine how much power they get from the motor by how hard they pedal. It’s rare to see this type of sensor on an electric bike at this price point.

Display — LED/LCD

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike has an LED display with a small LCD window for numerical feedback like speed. The display is attached to the left side of the handlebars and can’t be removed without a screwdriver. The display here is simple but effective, and has a three bar battery level indicator, mode selector and light toggle.

Frame and weight — Aluminum alloy, 52 pounds

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike comes in one frame size and two different colors — grey and Salmon — and weights in at nearly 52 pounds, which feels relatively light given this bike has a rear rack and fenders. The color we received was grey, but it looks more like olive drab, which is a good thing in our opinion. The step-thru design makes it incredibly easy for riders to place their feet flat on the ground when at a stop and makes mounting and dismounting the Simi incredibly easy as well.

Suspension —  Solid forks

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike has solid steel forks which have some vibration dampening qualities to them — this helps to soak up some of the vibration from the road. The Simi is also a hardtail, and we would recommend gettin an aftermarket seat post suspension to help smooth out the ride even more.

Gearing — 7 speed, Shimano Tourney

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike uses a Shimano Tourney derailleur and has seven speeds which can be selected through the Shimano Acera trigger shifter on the right side of the handlebars. The Acera trigger shifters are another feature we don’t often see on electric bikes at this price point — usually they have Shimano SIS Index thumb shifters which aren’t as easy to operate.

Brakes — Tektro, mechanical disc

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike uses Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 180 mm rotors, providing plenty of stopping power. The brake levers also have motor inhibitors built in, which instantly cut power to the motor whenever the brake levers are depressed. 

Warranty — 2 year comprehensive, lifetime frame

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike has a 2 year comprehensive warranty and a lifetime warranty on the frame — again, an incredible offering at this price point.

Price — Starting at $1,499

Starting at $1,499, the iZip Simi step-thru electric bike is a seriously good deal given not just the upgraded features and components it includes, but also because of the warranty. It’s uncommon to find upgraded trigger shifters, custom frame designs, included rear rack and fenders, integrated headlight AND taillight and an advanced pedal sensor on electric bikes at this price point, so the Simi definitely gets an A+ rating in this regard.

Who’s it for — Cruisers who want quality on a budget

The iZip Simi step-thru electric bike feels like a good choice for riders who want a commuter electric bike that’s comfortable to ride, easy to operate, high quality and with an affordable price point. The step-thru frame on the Simi makes it an incredibly approachable electric bike that’s easy to mount and dismount, and also easy to keep your feet flat on the ground when at a stop. The integrated lighting system is an excellent safety feature that helps improve visibility in low light conditions, and the rear rack means this would be a good electric bike for those who plan to make trips to the grocery store or for those who simply need to store some gear while riding. The features on the Simi are surprising, in a good way, making this one of the best electric bikes under $1,500.