cytronex v wisper 905 se ?

[big jus]

hi all - ive been trying to decide between these two bikes for a while now having read the reviews on this forum - ive just looked at the new cytronex website and im sure which im going for now and its the wisper ! i dont understand the logic of the cytronex not powering from a standing / hill start - surely thats where the power is needed to escape traffic ? i will admit i havent cycled for about 20 years so i dont know how powerful i am on a bike but im sure i would need instant power at traffic lights etc. im also impressed by the wisper's boost button which im certain i will use all the time...

all comments and comparisons welcome !

 

[the_killjoy]

Like most people I haven't ridden a cytronex but get the impression that it is intended for the more fit amongst us who want a lightweight bike with a little assistance, whilst the wisper is for the more unfit who could do with more assistance. I have just ordered a wisper so I am biased.

One of the other reasons for ordering the wisper was that dave and doug seem to be regular, helpfull posters who don't just appear when someone praises their bikes.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Power from standing

Hi Big Jus

You won't realise how topical your point is re whether or not to power from stand still. We have been arguing the pros and cons all week whether or not to change and set up a speed delay so the power will not operate from the throttle until the bike reaches 5km/h.

The upside is the range of the bike is increased quite dramatically as huge quantities of power are required to get the bike rolling.

However the down side is just as you say a safety issue, extra power away from the lights can be very useful.

After MUCH deliberation we have decided to leave things as they are and give our customers the choice. So if you pull off in pedelec mode, there is a delay, however if you use the throttle whilst you pedal (or not) you will get instant power. We finally decided to go this way as we have a massive 36v 14a power source, so even though the range will be reduced it will still be superior to other bikes.

Thanks for choosing the Wisper, you will not be disappointed.

And thanks Killjoy for your kind comments, much appreciated!

All the best David

 

[big jus]

personally the range debate isnt a problem for me as my commute is only a 11 mile round trip so i would happily sacrifice range for speed - i have a lot of traffic light stops on my route and need the push to get me up to speed to avoid those damn cars !

 

[flecc]

They are very different e-bikes. The Cytronex seems to be for the cyclist who wants a degree of help primarily for hills, headwinds and the like on a very light efficient bike that makes the best use of the pedalling power. However, the small battery capacity won't deliver moped like power all the time for very long and the bike limits when power is available to between 5 to 15 mph at best .

The Wisper makes it optional, use of power freely whenever wanted over a much wider band of speeds, the battery having 3.5 times the capacity so able to keep up high power for that much longer.

I think the Wisper will be faster for Mr Average since it powers from a standstill which combined with pedalling gives very fast acceleration, but the Cytronex could be faster overall for the very strong cyclist who could make the best use of it's lighter weight and full sports bike characteristics to ride well above the motor assist speeds. I've seen no evidence for that yet though, the reported average speeds from early adopters no better and usually below what the Wisper 905se can commonly achieve.

However, the feel of a bike is very important, especially for regular daily riding where it's best to be completely happy with it, and as ever, there is no substitute for riding them both. If it's at all possible to take the time to go for trial rides, that's definitely the best course when choosing any e-bike.
.

 

[john]

i dont understand the logic of the cytronex not powering from a standing / hill start

I think that is mainly down to the sesorless controller which is used, not too effective at standing starts, the upside of this is less wires to the motor and (in theory) more reliability.

 

[rustic]

I think having the assistance to pull away is a feature that many people will appreciate from an electric bike. I have rode unassisted cycles for many years over long distances, if I could have clicked my fingers on some of those journeys to suddenly get extra assistance it would have been when I was pulling away at junctions / traffic lights etc...,

I agree with Flecc that a test ride is the only way to get a proper feel for how suitable a bike is for each individual. I test rode the Wisper 905se & knew one day it would be mine!! All I need to do now is just harass David / Doug into designing a larger frame size - look forward to those emails in the coming months guys!!!

 

[Chris_Bike]

i dont understand the logic of the cytronex not powering from a standing / hill start - surely thats where the power is needed to escape traffic ?

Just a note on standing starts. It's true that, having a sensorless motor, the hub really needs to be moving for the motor to know what to do. But I have to say that I don't slavishly look at the computer to know when to cut in the power. If I am pulling away at a roundabout for instance, I start of and cut the motor in within a couple ot turns of the pedals. I will get to be cruising at 12 (low power) of 15 (high power) incredibly quickly. Car drivers are often visinly surprised how quickly you get away!

 

[Cyclezee]

Once again, I find myself in agreement with Chris with regard to the performance of the Cytronex. Sorry if this is becoming a boring habit.
It is very different to the Wisper, of which I have considerable experience. The Wisper is as good as any standard e-bike with a throttle, including the Ezee models which I have also owned and ridden.
But the Cytronex is lighter and with 24 gears to choose from, much easier to pedal unassisted should you be forced or choose to.

J hn

 

[flecc]

And I also agree with Chris and John, there's no doubt whatsoever that the Cytronex is a better bicycle. Nothing I've posted above conflicts with that and I'd be happy to ride it without power, something I would avoid with any geared hub motor bike.

However, it clearly does not meet the stated requirements from big jus:

"im sure i would need instant power at traffic lights etc. im also impressed by the wisper's boost button which im certain i will use all the time..."

Since that indicates a more moped like usage, which the Cytronex designer says is not it's purpose, and use of boost that could power to quite a lot faster than the Cytronex, I doubt it's the bike for big jus, but I've advised him to try both out.
.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Absolutely Flecc, if the requirement is help at standing starts and a high average speed, then the Wisper or the Ezee's are the bikes to look at no doubt.

John

 

[HarryB]

I think that is mainly down to the sesorless controller which is used, not too effective at standing starts, the upside of this is less wires to the motor and (in theory) more reliability.

The Tongxin's roller drive really doesn't like standing starts - it squeals like hell with full power at (oddly enough) any speed below 5 mph I guess (or below 6-7mph with the 190 rpm version). I have always thought that is on of the reasons why the cytonex has the clever low/high powering system.