Description
We’re excited to introduce you to our Civilized Cycles, which has taken the e-bike to a whole new level! Not only is it very stylish (super elegant, and very classy), but it has several components designed to make your riding experience a big WOW!
What struck us the most was the suspension system. On our custom-built ZIZE Bikes, we’ve avoided suspension parts because the high weight capacity of our bikes makes them extraordinarily unreliable. The Civilized Cycle’s e-bike changes all that with a self-leveling pneumatic rear suspension. To activate, you sit on the bike saddle and press a button that deflates the suspension. Then you push another button, and it starts inflating. The amount it inflates will depend on the size of the rider/load. What a trip! When Joan gets on and does the magic with the buttons, it takes a while to inflate the rear suspension (by a while, we’re talking about a minute). For lighter riders, it happens faster.
Once you’re inflated to the right level, pedal off for a wonderful ride! The suspension is truly faultless, and the tires provide great cushioning. There is a 5-speed internal hub made by Sturmy Archer (so great to have internal gears back!), and four-piston hydraulic disc brakes on both the front and rear. It has a built-in headlamp, as well as turn signals and tail light.
Part of the stylishness of this bike is the panniers (which, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, means large baskets). They were designed by a NASA engineer. There are two of them, on each side of the rear wheel, and each has a 20-liter capacity closed and 80 liters open (that’s 21 to 84 quarts!). You can use them open (and carry even more) or close them for water-resistance. And they lock. Of course, they do!
Let’s talk about the e-bike component, which is powerful (when desired), simple to use, and acts with throttle, pedal assist, and power-on-demand modes. There’s a 750 w high torque mid-drive motor, with a 30 mile range. You can also have a second battery added to the bike to double that range. The battery is a 48 V lithium Ion with integrated USB ports for charging your phone and other essentials.
The battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in about 2 hours when plugged into a 45 watt DC adapter connected to 120 volt wall outlet. Plenty to get you home after a stint at the office or a meal out with friends.
The weight capacity of this bike is 400 pounds. It’s not our maximum, but we’ll take it! One thing to note is that the 400 pounds include what’s in your panniers, so keep that in mind as you load them up.
There is a cushioned seat over the rear wheel, which you can use to take on a passenger. If they’re a child, they can actually put their feet in the panniers. An adult can use the built-in footrests.
ZIZE Bikes recommends upgrading the seat/saddle for maximum comfort for a heavy rider. See Additional Information for recommended seats.
As we’re increasingly building bikes like the Civilized Cycles, we’ll surely be making them in more sizes. Right now the suggested height is 5’6” to 6’4”. A colleague who is 5’5 1/2” rode it once, and found it just a tad too big, so please pay attention to the height measurement.
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