Choosing a bike for a tall guy (over 6')

[Wisper Bikes]

Regarding reliability. We understand that an electric bike is often essential transport. So, if your new Wisper or Riese and Muller develops a fault covered under warranty during it's warranty period, as long as it has been correctly serviced and maintained, we will send you a loan bike for use whilst your bike is off the road and arrange collection when your bike is fixed. Loan bikes will sent out if we are unable to get your bike back on the road after it has been in our or a dealer's workshop for three days.

Fortunately both Wisper and RM bikes are very reliable. We started this initiative over a year ago. So far we have not had to send a loan bike to anyone.

All the best, David

(We now have 5 test ride centres in Kent)

 

[RobF]

Buying from a nearby dealer has its advantages.

The manager of my local bike shop prioritises work for customers who need their bike to get to work, and can always put his hand on a second hand bike to use as loaner.

All provided the customer passes the attitude test, which happily most do.

He calls it 'friends and family' service, which also extends to discounts.

I've been going there on and off for more than 20 years, so qualify for that status.

Last time I left a bike for some work they lent me the Brompton demo to ride home on.

 

[fairyhedgehog]

If you are considering budget Chinese, Kudos is also worth a look.
http://kudoscycles.com/

Thanks! I have a feeling that's not what we're looking for, though.

 

[RobF]

Thanks! I have a feeling that's not what we're looking for, though.

Fair enough, so that also rules out woosh and many other direct sellers because quality wise they are all similar.

Wisper is worth a look, still Chinese, but arguably a bit better quality and the bikes are available from dealers.

I tried a Wisper Torque recently and was quite impressed, nice quiet motor, although the bike did rattle a little bit over bumps which a £2,500 ebike wouldn't.

The rattling wasn't that bad and wouldn't bother many riders.

To be fair to Wisper's manager, he agreed with my observation and said Wisper are working on making the bikes feel a bit tighter.

https://amps.bike/product/wisper-905-torque/

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Fair enough, so that also rules out woosh and many other direct sellers because quality wise they are all similar.

Wisper is worth a look, still Chinese, but arguably a bit better quality and the bikes are available from dealers.

I tried a Wisper Torque recently and was quite impressed, nice quiet motor, although the bike did rattle a little bit over bumps which a £2,500 ebike wouldn't.

The rattling wasn't that bad and wouldn't bother many riders.

To be fair to Wisper's manager, he agreed with my observation and said Wisper are working on making the bikes feel a bit tighter.

https://amps.bike/product/wisper-905-torque/

Thanks Rob,

The rattle came from the rack, as Claud mentioned, we have now cured the rattle by using bigger bolts and moving the location points.

All the best, David

 

[RobF]

Thanks Rob,

The rattle came from the rack, as Claud mentioned, we have now cured the rattle by using bigger bolts and moving the location points.

All the best, David

Fair to point out most bikes - even those costing several thousand - will creak and rattle a bit now and again.

I'm not overly keen on the motor noise from my Bosch bikes, so I can see the attraction of the er, whisper quiet motor on Wisper bikes.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Fair to point out most bikes - even those costing several thousand - will creak and rattle a bit now and again.

I'm not overly keen on the motor noise from my Bosch bikes, so I can see the attraction of the er, whisper quiet motor on Wisper bikes.

Its really does make a difference Rob and is one of the main reasons why I normally choose to ride a Wisper rather than a Bosch bike to and from work.

All the best, David

 

[Woosh]

Fair enough, so that also rules out woosh and many other direct sellers because quality wise they are all similar.

Not.

Woosh have a relatively large range to suit all pockets. Evidently, there are differences in the components depending on the chosen bikes. By and large, rain water is the enemy of all electrics, so as long as you keep your bike dry, faults are quite rare now.

 

[RobF]

Not.

Woosh have a relatively large range to suit all pockets. Evidently, there are differences in the components depending on the chosen bikes. By and large, rain water is the enemy of all electrics, so as long as you keep your bike dry, faults are quite rare now.

Recommending a bike that needs to be kept dry to a commuter doesn't sound like good advice to me.

The lad's going to be cycling to work in Epsom, not Ethiopia.

Bosch describe their system as 'splash proof', which I take to mean it can be ridden in heavy rain, at least for short periods.

I've ridden my Bosch bikes in light rain quite a lot ,and a few times in heavy rain.

No problems so far.

I once pushed the bike through a ford which was deep enough in parts to fully submerge the motor.

No problem afterwards, although if there was it would have been my fault.

 

[flecc]

The lad's going to be cycling to work in Epsom.

Blimey! I'd heard talk of boundary changes, but Epsom shifted into Oxfordshire seems a bit extreme.
.

 

[Woosh]

Recommending a bike that needs to be kept dry to a commuter doesn't sound like good advice to me.

The lad's going to be cycling to work in Epsom, not Ethiopia.

Bosch describe their system as 'splash proof', which I take to mean it can be ridden in heavy rain, at least for short periods.

I've ridden my Bosch bikes in light rain quite a lot ,and a few times in heavy rain.

No problems so far.

I once pushed the bike through a ford which was deep enough in parts to fully submerge the motor.

No problem afterwards, although if there was it would have been my fault.

I did not say you can't ride your bike in heavy rain but please wipe it dry when you get home.
Waterproofing has improved a great deal over the last few years. All the plugs have double water ring barriers, controllers and cell-packs are now completely filled with silicone etc. far better than in the past.
However, it is worth repeating that you should keep your bike dry as a precaution.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

The most important point to remember when buying an electric bicycle or any vehicle that needs to be relied upon for a daily commute is to purchase from a local source. Then if you do have any difficulties they can be sorted out almost immediately.

All the best, David

 

[redcup1999]

The most important point to remember when buying an electric bicycle or any vehicle that needs to be relied upon for a daily commute is to purchase from a local source. Then if you do have any difficulties they can be sorted out almost immediately.

All the best, David

And also bear in mind that buying locally is of no benefit at all if the local store simply boxes the bike up to send it off somewhere else for diagnosis. I'm talking about my experience with a "large chain retailer" here, not one of the specialists on the forum.

I will be without my Crossfire-E for 2-3 weeks whilst "they" investigate the mysterious cutout. No courtesy bike supplied, even though I told them I use it to commute to work every day. (Fortunately I have another ebike I can use for those few weeks but I would be seriously hacked off if I relied on that bike 100%). I paid my money and took my choice and was aware that service was not as likely to be as good if anything went wrong with the electrical side as it would with a specialist.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

There are so many really good electric bike specialists now, there is bound to be a good one near by. Most of them now know how to fix a bike. You may have to pay a little more but for peace of mind and excellent local service and advice it must be worth it.

All the best, David

 

[D8ve]

Not.

Woosh have a relatively large range to suit all pockets. Evidently, there are differences in the components depending on the chosen bikes. By and large, rain water is the enemy of all electrics, so as long as you keep your bike dry, faults are quite rare now.

I don't think he was saying woosh is bad more they are all similar in quality.
Let's face it shimano gears all work, some cost a lot more for a small weight difference. Ditto getting a carbon fibre frame. Lots more money to lose a kilo or two.

 

[Woosh]

I am extrapolating RobF's posts here, and apologize in advance if I have barked up the wrong tree. I think RobF infers that Chinese bikes are not as good as 'Bosch' bikes for the OP's objective: commuting to work 7 miles away. I think the opposite is true. Bosch bikes are great bikes, but how do they stack up against Chinese bikes like the Woosh Bermuda or Woosh Karoo for commuting? Beyond the look, please consider other aspects such as motor and battery performance, theft, vandal, depreciation and running cost, I am sure the comparison will surprise some of you.

 

[D8ve]

I am extrapolating RobF's posts here, and apologize in advance if I have barked up the wrong tree. I think RobF infers that Chinese bikes are not as good as 'Bosch' bikes for the OP's objective: commuting to work 7 miles away. I think the opposite is true. Bosch bikes are great bikes, but how do they stack up against Chinese bikes like the Woosh Bermuda or Woosh Karoo for commuting? Beyond the look, please consider other aspects such as motor and battery performance, theft, vandal, depreciation and running cost, I am sure the comparison will surprise some of you.

The only thing that surprises me is that you charge similar to some fly by night people. But provide a great customer service, trex was a great face too. The bikes were excellent value and long lasting. Perhaps not the refinement of some but not the +£ thousands either.
Whisper is pushing down prices towards yours but there is no comparison for the money with KTM etc.

 

[Woosh]

Thank you D8ve for your kind words of encouragement.
What happens is that we have chosen right at the beginning to invest into making better bikes, slowly. Baby steps like. We can only do that by having frequent revisions. We keep everything in the same place, within the same team, in Southend, and have a one to one relationship with our customers.
Doing this way allows us to hand over the dealers margin to our customers, hence the lower prices.
We work with our customers, from their feedback, we revise each and every bike we sell as soon as practicable.
Had we sold our bikes through dealerships, we would have had our hands tied down by the very distribution system, for example, we would risk upsetting our dealers with frequent mid season revisions.

 

[flecc]

The only thing that surprises me is that you charge similar to some fly by night people. But provide a great customer service, trex was a great face too. The bikes were excellent value and long lasting. Perhaps not the refinement of some but not the +£ thousands either.
Whisper is pushing down prices towards yours but there is no comparison for the money with KTM etc.

Wisper and KTM sell through dealers and they have to have a margin to stock and service the bikes. That's why online sales of almost all products are overtaking local retailers' sales.

P.S. Post crossed with Woosh reply.
.

 

[D8ve]

Wisper and KTM sell through dealers and they have to have a margin to stock and service the bikes. That's why online sales of almost all products are overtaking local retailers' sales.

P.S. Post crossed with Woosh reply.
.

But whisper costs from £1-2k KTM costs £2-5k .
Whisper is pushing down the price close to woosh.
KTM is upping the brand and price to boot.