Advice please...

[joanna]

Hi

I am considering getting an electric bike for my comute to work. However I travel 18 miles each way through the Chilterns so quite a few hills, and a fair distance. I also am not that fit, but figured this would sort that out!

I have looked at quite a lot of bikes/info on line, and have done a fair amount of research, I like the wisper 905se - comfortable and I am told up to the job, am tempted by a kalkaroff, but have been told the motors will become obsolete soon, and hated a powabyke shopper - very very heavy!

However before I commite I thought I would ask you good people who obviously have loads of experience what you would recommend for a commute like that.

All views/comments welcome!

Joanna

 

[Blew it]

Hi Joanna, Welcome aboard!

Two machines I can personally recommend are the Wisper 905se, this machine would just about do the trip on one charge, provided you put a little pedalling effort in.

The second machine is the Synergie Mistral, but you would need to take the charger with you and top up the battery when at work.

Both machines are good value for the money, and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed which ever one you chose to own.

All the best

Bob

 

[flecc]

The Wisper would probably be able to do the round trip normally, although as the battery aged that might become marginal.

I don't know where you got the information from of the Kalkhoff, but I know nothing of the motors being made obsolete, the version fitted being the latest type from Panasonic. Whether the Kalkhoff models would cover the round trip would depend in your input, but it's likely that you would need to recharge at work, this being true of most e-bikes on that round trip.

Much depends on the steepness of the hills en route. If any are extremely steep the Kalkhoffs would perform a bit better on those, though overall they demand more effort from you and pedalling is always necessary. With moderate to average hills the Wisper 905se will be less work and you don't always need to pedal on the flat, but the steepest hills can be harder work.

These two types, hub motor on the Wisper and chain drive motor on the Kalkhoff are very different in use, and it's important to try both types if at all possible before committing yourself, if you want to be sure of having the right bike. This is especially true for such a long daily journey, between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half each way.
.

 

[fishingpaul]

Hi

I am considering getting an electric bike for my comute to work. However I travel 18 miles each way through the Chilterns so quite a few hills, and a fair distance. I also am not that fit, but figured this would sort that out!

I have looked at quite a lot of bikes/info on line, and have done a fair amount of research, I like the wisper 905se - comfortable and I am told up to the job, am tempted by a kalkaroff, but have been told the motors will become obsolete soon, and hated a powabyke shopper - very very heavy!

However before I commite I thought I would ask you good people who obviously have loads of experience what you would recommend for a commute like that.

All views/comments welcome!

Joanna

A wisper or kalkhoff should be ok,the panasonic motors as used by kalkhoff are being used by about five different electric bike manufacturers,and must be one of the most popular motors of all,so i would be very surprised if they became obsolete,the main choice is if you want to pedal all the time, and want the feeling of riding a normal bike and get fitter go for a kalkhoff,if you want a bike capable of going along on its own on the flat when you feel tired,go for the wisper,however i would advise trying both bikes out before buying,as they are very different and it is really down to which you feel most comfortable riding.

 

[Blew it]

Hi Joanna,

In addition to Flecc's reply, perhaps I should mention, even though the Wisper has the largest capacity battery on a production bike, It would still be a good idea to take the charger with you and top up the battery before the return trip. There will always be days when you could have a very strong headwind and need the extra power of the Wispers boost button. In such a situation the range would be shortened considerably.

Even if you managed the whole trip on one charge, the battery would be almost completely exhausted by the time you reached home. Constantly running the battery down to such a low level will ultimately shorten it's life. So, even if you chose the Wisper, I would still recommend taking the charger with you and topping up at work.

All the best.

Bob

 

[the_killjoy]

I really must restrict my wisper, I did derestrict it but the range has definitely dropped as it has made me lazy.

 

[musicbooks]

Hi Joanna,
Do a search on Flecc's comprehensive and expert technical review of the Kalkhoff Agattu, my own more modest reviews and comments on the Agattu, and others views on both the Agattu and Pro-Connect. I've been commuting in Bath (very hilly) on my Agattu for over 9 months and it has changed my working life. I don't have to do anything like the mileage you will have to do but the Agattu copes extremely well with about 3 miles of super-steep hills. The bike is very well-built, thoroughly reliable (so far) and the motor is very powerful and effective. You will need to put in a little effort to get up the hills, but the great thing about the Agattu is that you can put in as much or as little work as you like and you'll still get up the hill. The Agattu is a little heavier than the Pro Connect but going on owners experiences on the forum, I would recommend the Agattu as it seems to have had fewer teething problems.. a proper work horse, fit for the job.

I haven't heard anything about the motor soon becoming obsolete. I hope not as I have invested quite a bit of dosh.

Don't forget too that if you work you can buy the bike through the cycle to work scheme. I did this and I saved about 40% on the purchase.

Finally though, I would recommend that you try diffferent bikes if you can. Check out where your nearest dealers are and try different types from pedelecs to throttle types.

Hope that helps.
BW
musicbooks

 

[dazzie]

Something maybe to bear in mind is the huge size of the recharger that the kalkhoffs use. Definitely not portable unless you have a spare panier to dedicate to it. The Mistral's charger is quite small - just a power pack, cable and plug.

Do a search for 'Mistral Longranger' for a modded Mistral that would definitely cover your distance

 

[PED-AL]

Kalkhoff Motor

Hello - I have been told by 50 cycles that the 2009 kalkhoff Agattu will have a front wheel hub motor and the current panasonic crank motor will be used for the next model up which has hydraulic brakes and 8 speed rear hub if that helps answer your question. - I am new here and have just bought a powabike salisbury because I wanted to dip my toes in to the electric bike option and see how it all works out without spending a fortune. I was seriously considering an agattu but was unsure about needing to pedal all the time as I am disabled with severe back problems, I would however like a better quality machine when I have decided which type of drive is best for me.

 

[musicbooks]

Something maybe to bear in mind is the huge size of the recharger that the kalkhoffs use. Definitely not portable unless you have a spare panier to dedicate to it. The Mistral's charger is quite small - just a power pack, cable and plug.

Do a search for 'Mistral Longranger' for a modded Mistral that would definitely cover your distance

Not that huge.. It's very light and relatively flat.

bw
musicbooks

 

[Mussels]

Hi

I am considering getting an electric bike for my comute to work. However I travel 18 miles each way through the Chilterns so quite a few hills, and a fair distance. I also am not that fit, but figured this would sort that out!

I have looked at quite a lot of bikes/info on line, and have done a fair amount of research, I like the wisper 905se - comfortable and I am told up to the job, am tempted by a kalkaroff, but have been told the motors will become obsolete soon, and hated a powabyke shopper - very very heavy!

However before I commite I thought I would ask you good people who obviously have loads of experience what you would recommend for a commute like that.

All views/comments welcome!

Joanna

I have the Wisper and commute 20 miles each way over some quite steep and big hills, the steep hills take a fair bit of effort and I have reduced the gearing on my bike to suit them better. I find the Wisper rewards extra effort and enjoy my ride and in the four months I've been doing it I've dropped an inch from my waist size without any dieting. If you are in good health but a bit unfit then I think you'd like it, if you prefer something a bit more relaxed that will get you up hills with less effort then the Kalkhoff may be a better choice.
Neither bike is fast compared to a light road bike but will offer you a better average speed and in the case of the Wisper will get me to work with almost no effort if I'm feeling a bit off. It's also nice to carry some weight without worrying about it so I can get the shopping on the way home and let the battery take the strain.
A few people have had trouble with Wispers and Kalkhoffs but both have good after sales support, I would very much recommend test rides before buying just to make sure expectations are met.

 

[flecc]

Hello - I have been told by 50 cycles that the 2009 kalkhoff Agattu will have a front wheel hub motor and the current panasonic crank motor will be used for the next model up which has hydraulic brakes and 8 speed rear hub if that helps answer your question. -

Yes, this is already on Kalkhoff's website, but it's really just playing with names in order to introduce a hub motor model as well since some direct competitors have already done that, Gazelle for example. The hydraulic brake version of the Agattu already exists as the Tasman, so they now appear to be making that the basic Panasonic motor version with the Agattu name on it. However, the 2009 range I saw on the website included the Panasonic version Agattu as well, so it may just be that 50cycles won't import that alternative.

The point is as I said though, the Panasonic motor is not being discontinued or superceded and it's just juggling with name transfers that's going on. That's modern marketing for you.
.

 

[bogmonster]

Hi

I am considering getting an electric bike for my comute to work. However I travel 18 miles each way through the Chilterns so quite a few hills, and a fair distance. I also am not that fit, but figured this would sort that out!

I have looked at quite a lot of bikes/info on line, and have done a fair amount of research, I like the wisper 905se - comfortable and I am told up to the job, am tempted by a kalkaroff, but have been told the motors will become obsolete soon, and hated a powabyke shopper - very very heavy!

However before I commite I thought I would ask you good people who obviously have loads of experience what you would recommend for a commute like that.

All views/comments welcome!

Joanna

Hi, I am in a similar situation with a hilly 21 mile each way commute. At the moment I am struggling under pedal power 2 days a week and finding it quite tough, especially when there is a strong headwind. An option it you are prepared to put in a fair degree of effort is a Cytronex and I know I will probably get flammed for this recommendation. You will still need to charge at work and may even need a second battery but it does ride like a normal bike so if you have the fitness you can use the power on the hills only.

Before going down this route I would see if you can manage your route by pedal power alone. If you can, this might be a good way to speed up the journey and take some of the strain out of the hills. If cycling that distance without any assistance is a total non-starter then you may want more assitance than a Cytonex can give.

I have tried the Wisper and it was great, just not for me - the Wisper guys are fantastic as well. I want something that is more like a regular bike to ride that just helps out when the going gets tough. The other tihng that put me off the Wisper is 905se is that it is slightly highly geared and will struggle on steeper hills. If the battery does go flat it will be a pig to cycle back wheras the Cytonex would not be nearly so bad due to much lower motor drag.

My advice would be to test some bikes, including pedal power only, try and guage how much effort you feel able to put in, how long you can spend travelling etc and go from there.

As for me, I should be picking up a motor and controller tomorrow so I can build a bike using the same motor as the Cytronex.

Cheers, BM.

 

[Jimblob]

Just a thought, the powacycle salisbury is a truely superb machine for the money. It has a third less power than the wisper but it does do its job well, and the Salisbury is much under-rated for its low weight and very low motor drag. Give it (and other contenders) a spin at one of the shops.

 

[tenderbehind]

Hi joanna, I'm going to recommend the Wisper to you, like Blew it I think it could well handle your round trip of 36 miles albeit with a bit of pedalling, and, when you want a rest, it really will wisper along on it's own very hapilly.
I haven't tried the Agutta though, so I admit I can't say anything about this bike, though I know a lot of members like it. I do also have the ''old'' Powarbyke Commuter, and find the Wisper much faster, longer range, quieter and lighter, I really do look forward to riding it. It's not gone wrong at all, but I am sure the guys at Wisper will give very good after sales if necessary. Hope this helps, Tony.

 

[joanna]

Thanks

Thanks for all the advice guys. Although I have read around the subject I knew there would be nothing like asking the experts (thats you lot!), really helped, as I know I will be pushing the bike to quite a limit, though I am planning to recharge at work.

Think I will check out the Kalkahoffs, then make a final decision. It is just so far to travel to find one to test ride! If any one lives near bedfordshire and would be willing to let me try theirs... well got to try and ask!

Will also look the synergie up as well, as I have read less on that.

Thank you

 

[flecc]

Will also look the synergie up as well, as I have read less on that.

Thank you

We have a number of enthusiastic Synergie Mistral owners as these reviews show:

Synergie Mistral Owners Reviews
.

 

[rooel]

Remember you could buy two Mistrals for the price of one of the other more expensive models you are considering! If you upgrade a Mistral to puncture resistant tyres (£45), front wheel hub dynamo (£105), and add a bar mirror
(£15), all essential for commuting, you would have to add £165 to the current pre-Xmas sale price of £549 including delivery (SYNERGIE MISTRAL LITHIUM E-Bike Electric Bike Bicycle on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 07-Dec-08 18:18:27 GMT), a total of over £700, but that would still leave a few hundred saved to buy a spare charger to keep in the office, or even a couple of batteries.

 

[Mussels]

front wheel hub dynamo (£105)

Remember hub dynamos only give enough power for a medium level light, if you are travelling fast on unlit roads I doubt it will be enough.

 

[rooel]

I would always recommend a second set of battery back-up lights, cheap flashers in our case as we never travel outwith built-up areas at night, but more powerful searchlight types for those who do.