2019 IZip E3 Brio Review

Video Review

Written Review

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike is an excellent example of affordable quality. This bike comes stock with a custom frame, suspension and a rack so it’s ready for a quick trip to the grocery store or even some light trail use.

IZip has a wide range of electric bikes to choose from. This one, the E3 Brio, is a cross between a MTB and a road bike, but realistically is more geared towards city use. It has front suspension and a rear rack, an integrated headlight, a custom designed frame with a semi-integrated locking removable battery, disc brakes, fenders and even an adjustable angle handlebars. It’s pretty much set to go wherever you want to take it.

Power — 250 nominal watts, 400 peak watts

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike has an efficient 250 nominal watt, 400 peak watt geared hub motor with 60 Newton meters of torque. 

Speed  — 20 mph

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike has a top speed of 20 mph, which can be reached using the pedal assist, making the Brio a class 1 electric bike. This is a great choice for those who live in an area with strict electric bike laws as class 1 electric bikes are legal to ride in most areas.

Battery and Range — 36 volt 11.6 ah, 60 miles

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike runs on a 36 volt system and has an 11.6 ah battery for an estimated max range of about 60 miles on a charge. This estimated range is going to be higher than class 2 and above electric bikes simply because the Brio has no throttle, so riders must pedal while riding. The battery itself is located on the downtube and sits in a recessed spot on the frame. The frame on the Brio, and on all iZip electric bikes, is custom made, and we very much appreciate the attention to detail on the battery cutout. This helps minimize the footprint of the battery and also makes for a cleaner overall appearance. The battery is locking and removable so it can be charged and stored separate from the bike.The battery also has an LED indicator so riders can quickly check how much juice is left in the battery without turning on the electrical system. Handy. 

Pedal assist sensor — Advanced sensor

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike is equipped with a Suntour SR advanced sensor that measure both the rotation of the cranks and also the physical torque placed on the cranks. This results in a higher resolution sensor that more accurately detects when the rider wants power. The motor activation and shutoff is very quick on this bike, which is to be expected with a sensor of this caliber. 

Display — LED/LCD

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike has an LED display with a small LCD window for numerical feedback like speed. The display is attached on the left side of the handlebars and is not able to be removed or adjusted without tools. Thankfully this isn’t an issue as far as glare is concerned — it’s very easy to see the display in full sunlight. The display is simple but effective, and has a three bar battery level indicator, a mode selector and a button to activate and deactivate the integrated headlight.

Frame and weight — Aluminum alloy, 55 pounds

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike comes in two different frame styles, two different frame sizes and one color — step over, medium and large and black, respectively. The Brio has a curb weight of about 55 pounds, which is pretty average for an electric bike, and maybe even a bit light for an electric bike with front suspension. The small, efficient motor helps to keep the weight down. 

Suspension —  Suntour NEX

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike has Suntour NEX suspension with 60 mm of travel. These suspension forks also have preload adjust and lockout and do a decent job of mitigating some small bumps. This suspension is well suited for an urban environment, but can also be used for some light off-road trails. 

Gearing — 7 speed, Shimano Tourney

The iZip E3 Brio electric bike uses a Shimano Tourney derailleur and has seven speeds which can be selected through the Shimano Altus trigger shifter on the right side of the handlebars. The Altus 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 E3 Brio 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 E3 Brio 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 $1,599

Starting at $1,599, the iZip E3 Brio 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 an advanced pedal sensor on electric bikes at this price point, so the Brio definitely gets an A+ rating in this regard.

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

The iZip E3 Brio 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 option to have a step thru or step over frame, and the option to have two different frame sizes is a nice touch from iZip, and again not something we normally see for electric bikes at this price point. The added options of frame style and sizes means this electric bike will fit a wider variety of riders — it also has that adjustable angle handlebar which is great. This is one of the best electric bikes at this price point, from a reputable company with an above average warranty. It’s hard to go wrong with the Brio.