Advice on first pedelec

[burnsyslad]

Hi All, going through the process of selecting my first pedelec and have narrowed it down to two which I have test ridden at local dealers. The candidates are Wisper 905se/sel or the Giant Escape Hybrid 1.
Does anyone have any advice or experience with these two that they would be willing to share, especially the Giant.

Cheers

burnsyslad

 

[20ston]

hello mate, dony know if it is of any interest, but i have a kalkhoff pro connect disc for sale.
it is just less than 12 month old, bought from 50cycles
i have just changed all the running gear on it.
looking for half of what it cost me which is £1000

 

[jasono]

Hi, I have owned a Wisper 905, which was my first ebike incidentally and have nothing but praise. The bike is very well made and proved totally reliable. Whatsmore they have a good resale value should you decide on a change in the future

Can I ask what you intend to use the bike for? Ie. Community, leisure, etc

Cheers

 

[JuicyBike]

Definitely the Wisper over the Giant!

 

[flecc]

I'd vote for the Wisper as well, especially if hill climbing is important to you, since it will be a better climber than that direct drive motored Giant. In addition Wisper's support has consistently been one of the best there is. I think that Giant model has been designed with Netherlands flat area market in mind as a competitor for the Dutch Sparta and Koga e-bikes.

 

[eddieo]

I would stretch to the SEL.....it has a very nice specification!

 

[Tim]

Worth considering the Oxygen Emate City too, the 2012 version is very good. Similar to the Wisper in some ways, but I think less expensive.
The Agattu C8 HS Impulse is a personal favourite at the moment, strong pedal assist and enormous range on that one. It conquered a couple of ramps on the seafront near Brighton last weekend that defeated the Oxygen on a similar test.

Where are you? There might be a dealer/demonstrator nearby.

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Burnsylad,

Welcome to the forum.

You have clearly done a bit of research and it is good to see you have had acopule of test rides.

I would suggest that you migt consider an eZee bike or conversion kit.
In a few weeks we will have wide range of the latest eZee bikes available, but at the moment we have the eZee Sprint Primo which is excellent value for money at only £750, more info on that one here Bikes & Conversion Kits - Cyclezee Ltd

Whatever you decide on good luck

 

[burnsyslad]

Hi, I have owned a Wisper 905, which was my first ebike incidentally and have nothing but praise. The bike is very well made and proved totally reliable. Whatsmore they have a good resale value should you decide on a change in the future

Can I ask what you intend to use the bike for? Ie. Community, leisure, etc

Cheers

Hello and thanks for the responses.
I intend to use the bike for commuting, this will be a 18-20 mile round trip on a daily basis on a mix of tarmac and cinder track. I already do this on a standard bike and find the trip to work a bind as it is pretty much a 9 mile climb, not a steep hill but pretty much solid all the way - it is actually part of the coast to coast route (7) between Birtley and Stanley (not far from Newcastle Upon Tyne) as I live practically on the route and commute to work which is about 200 yards from it.
I was looking at the two bikes as they can be bought from local dealers and this gives me some come back at least if things go wrong.

Any further pointers welcome.

Burnsyslad

 

[Eaglerider]

Of the two I'd go for the Wisper as i have ridden one, but then I've not ridden a Giant so can't really say. Of course, a Freego Eagle would be ideal.

EBikes Direct have a Freego Hawk with a 17.5 amp battery on offer at £1075 I think. Cracking deal, although if you want disc brakes front and back you'll need the Eagle, which is about £1350. I believe it has the same motor as the Wisper and I can personally vouch for the long range of the Freego 17.5 amp battery.

 

[burnsyslad]

Hello All,

thanks for the input. I decided to go for the Wisper 705 not the 905 as after trying out both it seems a better fit for me. Only snag now is the two week wait !! Will report back after my touring holiday and let you know how it fared ...if it gets here in time if not its back to leg power only.

Burnsyslad

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks Burnsyslad for investing in a Wisper! I hope you have years of enjoyment from it! I was interested to read that you went for the 705se/sel, it is a superb machine and due to the oversized down tube, the frame very rigid and feels very much like a cross bar bike. Sorry about the wait, we are very busy at the moment and as the containers come in they seem to be emptied!

Thanks as well to everyone who recommended a Wisper, especially Juicy Bike Bob who could have tried to sell one of his great machines! Very classy Mr Wales!!

Best regards

David

 

[Willin']

Hello and thanks for the responses.
I intend to use the bike for commuting, this will be a 18-20 mile round trip on a daily basis on a mix of tarmac and cinder track. I already do this on a standard bike and find the trip to work a bind as it is pretty much a 9 mile climb, not a steep hill but pretty much solid all the way - it is actually part of the coast to coast route (7) between Birtley and Stanley (not far from Newcastle Upon Tyne) as I live practically on the route and commute to work which is about 200 yards from it.
I was looking at the two bikes as they can be bought from local dealers and this gives me some come back at least if things go wrong.

Any further pointers welcome.

Burnsyslad

At last someone buying an ebike and riding up and down a cycle track I know well - you may even see me travelling along on my Tonaro. I am often riding along parts of the C2C between Swalwell and Consett and occasionally between Pelton, Consett and then Rowlands Gill.

Good choice with the Wisper BTW judging by the esteem it is held in in this forum. It will be just the ticket for you and I am sure you will be more than satisfied with your purchase.

I'd recommend getting puncture proof tyres fitted as well.

 

[JuicyBike]

Thanks Burnsyslad for investing in a Wisper! I hope you have years of enjoyment from it! I was interested to read that you went for the 705se/sel, it is a superb machine and due to the oversized down tube, the frame very rigid and feels very much like a cross bar bike. Sorry about the wait, we are very busy at the moment and as the containers come in they seem to be emptied!

Thanks as well to everyone who recommended a Wisper, especially Juicy Bike Bob who could have tried to sell one of his great machines! Very classy Mr Wales!!

Best regards

David

Ha! I recommended a Wisper over a Giant, not a Juicy!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Ha! I recommended a Wisper over a Giant, not a Juicy!

I know Bob, of course I would never expect that level of classiness!

All the best, David

 

[JuicyBike]

I know Bob, of course I would never expect that level of classiness!

All the best, David

A Giant? Classy? I don't think so! But a Juicy or Wisper, now that IS class!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Very classy, as with their suppliers Bob!

 

[Scatty]

Just a bit of spec on the giant Hybrid 1 motor. Maximum Torque 30Nm Efficiency 82% which is higher than most bikes. I would of diffently tried before buying. Even just to know the difference.

 

[flecc]

Just a bit of spec on the giant Hybrid 1 motor. Maximum Torque 30Nm Efficiency 82% which is higher than most bikes. I would of diffently tried before buying. Even just to know the difference.

Claimed figures, treat with caution! Believe me, you have not missed out out on anything with your choice. The Giant models are certainly good quality but they are designed with the Netherlands market in mind, noted for it's flatness.