I like the lithium polymer battery and the 10 pound drivetrain. Schwinn says the range is up to 40 miles and that the battery will deliver power until it is completely discharged. Also good is that there are no wires to deal with. But the bikes are still too clunky. Pedaling them without electric power would not be pleasant. Suspension is completely superfluous on a bike intended to be ridden on the street. A bike with a light chromoly steel frame and light wheels is a joy to ride.
I realize that hub motors are the easiest way to electrify a bike but it is not the best way. The best way is to power the crank or chain. That way you have pedaling assitance at any speed. The IZIP bikes simply look horrible. How long can they stay in business with junk like this? It looks as though the designers have never ridden a bike. They desperately need someone who knows and loves bikes.

see your comment from last year. Curious to know what you ride now. I'm in the market for an electric bike or power assist system for my existing 2002 Specializd stumpjumper. IZIP just released the 'enlightened' 2007 line, these bikes look sweet , but I havent gotten any response from questions I emailed them. Anyway ,with lith poly showing its head bikes will get lighter and {illegally}faster . What Ebike would you suggest ,and what conversion kit? The Shwinn continental looks like a good package but the retro looks are out.
Hope to read your updated post soon. PEACE
wannabe Bionic Biker

I have a LaFree Sport electric bike. It's what they call a pedalac or pedal plus electric motor. The motor is 400watts/ about 1/4 horsepower. It powers the bike through the chain with a derailleur shifter. It works well but my understanding is that the current chain technology will not take more horsepower than this through the chain without breaking (at least with a derailleur system). So there are limits to horsepower with this type of system. The bike does need to be pedaled to maximize the range (about 20 miles). I really enjoy the bike but think riders need to be in pretty good shape to benefit from this type of bike. This is in response to another posting on this website regarding chain driven electric bikes.

Has anyone heard of the Kysmo Cycleman electric bike? Sells for about $1000 (US). Think it's hub-driven.

"Suspension is completely superfluous on a bike intended to be ridden on the street."

That depends on the quality of the streets and whether you are switching from street to sidewalk (pavement) to street.

Full suspension loses energy in the peddling, so there is a big efficiency hit in using full suspension. However, a hard back (suspension only in front) is very good.

You will go farther and faster with street tires, but mountain bike tires are better on streets in the snow and slush. If you are serious, you cycle even in a cold Minnesota January.

"I realize that hub motors are the easiest way to electrify a bike but it is not the best way. The best way is to power the crank or chain. That way you have pedaling assistance at any speed."

That depends on your priorities. If you enjoy listening to the motor gear smashing into the chain, don't use a hub motor. If you enjoy near silence, taking in the scenery while enjoying golden silence, get a hub motor!