E-bike kits - availability

[Hugh]

Any official comment from Wisper would be much appreciated.

I got an email yesterday from David of Wisper;

We have recently finalised the DaaHub for production, however in my opinion after tests the product will not be available in UK until 2013


Maybe he'll follow up on here?

Hugh

 

[vectra]

I got an email yesterday from David of Wisper;

We have recently finalised the DaaHub for production, however in my opinion after tests the product will not be available in UK until 2013




Maybe he'll follow up on here?

Hugh

Sadly. The whole DaaHub saga has been the textbook example of how not to launch a product. A couple more "kits" about to copy them I suspect judging by the lack of information from certain suppliers/developers.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

OK guys, to stop any further speculation.

The DaaHub kit was trialed in the UK last year and although it there were some issues that needed to be sorted out before the system could be launched.

Anthony, from NZ is the designer of the system and is continuing trials in NZ only, Anthony is certain that he has ironed out any glitches, however we will not even consider launching a product in the UK before we are 100% happy with it's quality.

There are other reasons that electric bike kits in general may be problematic, especially those sold for fitting by the general public. Although there are many people that read Pedelecs that may be qualified to fit a kit, the prospect of someone who's engineering skills are limited to using a tin opener fitting any electric bike system needs to be seriously considered in terms of both warranty and product/public liability insurance.

In light of this thread I feel the safest statement for me to make at this time is the same as Douglas's comment that DaaHub is not available in the UK.

If this situation changes I will be the first to shout it from the hill tops!

Regards,

David

 

[Hugh]

Thanks to David for his comprehensive statement.

It's a shame though, as the current situation is now Cytronex (unavailable), DaaHub (unavailable) and Oxygen (at least 2 month wait).

Looks like a DIY solution from BMS Battery or similar in that case.

I'll get out the tin opener

 

[funkylyn]

Errrr.......EZEE kits are currently available......as I am sure they will be along to confirm shortly

Lynda

 

[vectra]

Thanks to David for his comprehensive statement.

It's a shame though, as the current situation is now Cytronex (unavailable), DaaHub (unavailable) and Oxygen (at least 2 month wait).

Looks like a DIY solution from BMS Battery or similar in that case.

I'll get out the tin opener

Hi.
I concur. David's statement is welcome. I read it as saying that the kit will never be available in the U.K. Those with any interest in the kit can now dismiss it and move on. Shame.

 

[flecc]

come up with a more enlightened in frame battery solution and Ezee kits would be flying off the shelves I would think....

One problem is the ever increasing number of dual suspension bikes with miniscule centre triangle including a suspension unit, not enough room even for a bike pump, let alone a decent size battery.

These sort of things for example:

 

[funkylyn]

You know....what I dont understand is..... if Wisper are so unhappy with this kit just HOW eddie loves it so much ?
It certainly cant be for its looks

Lynda

 

[vectra]

Hi.
Looking at a website from NZ. The site talks about the kit being "professionally installed at one of our 40 dealers". The key here appears to be in that statement. It might be deduced that the kit becomes completely unaffordable when this requirement is bolted on?

 

[eddieo]

You know....what I dont understand is..... if Wisper are so unhappy with this kit just HOW eddie loves it so much ?
It certainly cant be for its looks

Lynda

It is simply a great kit and goes so well....have said it enough times. As for looks, those in glass houses and stone throwing springs to mind. Its certainly in a different league to that abomination that you ride and cant even lift.....

 

[funkylyn]

Hmmmm......so why would that be a requirement I wonder.

Perhaps Wisper are getting too concerned with Public Liability, possibly the perceived threat of legal action if the installation went wrong ???

I dont remember Eddie commenting that it was unusually difficult to install, it all seems very strange to me and obviously disappointing to all (?) the people who have been waiting patiently to get their hands on one.

Lynda

 

[eddieo]

BECAUSE, It is simply a great kit and goes so well....have said it enough times. As for looks, those in glass houses and stone throwing springs to mind. Its certainly in a different league to that abomination that you ride and cant even lift.....

12 months use this month, a few problems with controller early on but fine now.....18 stone and I fly on it! Very disappointed in this announcement and feel for those who have been waiting patiently.

I think this shows that a kit that will fit all bikes painlessly is not as easy as we may think....wheras a whole bike can be tested and EN approived a kit is looking a bit of a difficult proposition

edit: I did not fit it...service dept of cyclemec in Woking did it.....

Spain: wife turned up Friday for long weekend and it was grey and cloudy with light showers yesterday...today lovely again going on bike ride later and lunch out somewhere. then monday a mad day shopping and dropping her of at airport in evening..I will be back monday week and dreading it

 

[funkylyn]

It is simply a great kit and goes so well....have said it enough times. As for looks, those in glass houses and stone throwing springs to mind. Its certainly in a different league to that abomination that you ride and cant even lift.....

Oh.......come on Eddie.....chill for gods sake..... still a bit hot in Spain ?

Lynda

 

[Cyclezee]

Yes you are quite right Lynda, eZee kits are available from stock in the UK for £750 including delivery and a 2 year warranty.


If I may just make a few comparisons with say Bafang/8Fun.

1. There is a big difference in performance and torque.
2. There is a big difference in the controller. eZee use a high grade MOSFET IRFB 4110 which costs many times more. In layman's, terms the eZee controller runs much much cooler with lower resistance.
3. There is a big difference in the quality of cable and connectors, this really very important.
4. There is a big difference in the battery. This is a high cost item. eZee batteries have better cells, Samsung 22P.
5. Beside the above eZee use higher quality wheels, Weinmann Rigida, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, Schwalbe inner tubes, high pressure PU rims tapes and superior stainless steel spokes from Sankvik steel.
6. eZee use a HiPower 4 amps charger, with cooling fans and Aluminium casing.
7. The controller has a direct connection for a Cycle Analyst and front 1000 lumen light with Aspherical lens.
8. The motor hub material is high cost aluminium alloy to Japanese standard ADC 5.
   
   I'm sorry if some of that is either too technical or not technical enough for some, but I am assuming the majority of forum readers are can actually use a tin opener

 

[Cyclezee]

One problem is the ever increasing number of dual suspension bikes with miniscule centre triangle including a suspension unit, not enough room even for a bike pump, let alone a decent size battery.

These sort of things for example:

An eZee solution Tony

 

[flecc]

Hi.
Looking at a website from NZ. The site talks about the kit being "professionally installed at one of our 40 dealers". The key here appears to be in that statement. It might be deduced that the kit becomes completely unaffordable when this requirement is bolted on?

I'm sure this is a factor. Wisper only sell through cycle dealers who will be expected by customers to fit the kit. Not being a bulk selling item, dealers will not be especially skilled at this and will need to realistically think in terms of perhaps £100 labour costs for that service, in addition to their sales margin. Add on the high cost of a specialised and unique battery and mounting system and it's difficult to have a competitive kit price in the face of the low cost SB kits available from some.

 

[Hugh]

Yes you are quite right Lynda, eZee kits are available from stock in the UK for £750 including delivery and a 2 year warranty.


If I may just make a few comparisons with say Bafang/8Fun.

1. There is a big difference in performance and torque.
2. There is a big difference in the controller. eZee use a high grade MOSFET IRFB 4110 which costs many times more. In layman's, terms the eZee controller runs much much cooler with lower resistance.
3. There is a big difference in the quality of cable and connectors, this really very important.
4. There is a big difference in the battery. This is a high cost item. eZee batteries have better cells, Samsung 22P.
5. Beside the above eZee use higher quality wheels, Weinmann Rigida, Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, Schwalbe inner tubes, high pressure PU rims tapes and superior stainless steel spokes from Sankvik steel.
6. eZee use a HiPower 4 amps charger, with cooling fans and Aluminium casing.
7. The controller has a direct connection for a Cycle Analyst and front 1000 lumen light with Aspherical lens.
8. The motor hub material is high cost aluminium alloy to Japanese standard ADC 5.
   
   I'm sorry if some of that is either too technical or not technical enough for some, but I am assuming the majority of forum readers are can actually use a tin opener

and from earlier,

"Unfortunately, an eZee kit does not meet with your criteria with regard to battery location.

We would however be happy to supply you with a kit minus battery if you can source one that is compatible and meets your requirements."

What would be an acceptable spec for a bottle-type battery to power the EZee kit? I do have frame space for it, and as I don't have any carrier mounting points, the rack option is out, even if I were interested in it, which I'm not, for assorted aesthetic and practical reasons - I still can't fancy the idea of that much weight that high up and hanging off the back of the bike.

 

[flecc]

An eZee solution Tony

View attachment 3594

Yes, but my response was to Eddie's call with these words for an eZee in-frame battery:

"come up with a more enlightened in frame battery solution"

 

[Cyclezee]

What would be an acceptable spec for a bottle-type battery to power the EZee kit? I do have frame space for it, and as I don't have any carrier mounting points, the rack option is out, even if I were interested in it, which I'm not, for assorted aesthetic and practical reasons - I still can't fancy the idea of that much weight that high up and hanging off the back of the bike.

Hi Hugh,

I appreciate your comments.

eZee would like to be able to offer an in frame battery solution that allows a higher capacity than 10Ah and a more aesthetic appearance.

In the meantime the MTB rack weighing 875gm + a 37v 10Ah FP battery weighing 3.35Kg over comes the issue of lack of space within the triangle of full suspension bikes and the total weight is not excessive.

The photo above does not show that the rack can adjusted and the battery can be moved forward right up to the seat post. The rack can also be moved further down the post until it reaches the maximum upward movement of a suspended rear wheel or just clears a non suspended rear wheel.

 

[eddieo]

One problem is the ever increasing number of dual suspension bikes with miniscule centre triangle including a suspension unit, not enough room even for a bike pump, let alone a decent size battery.

These sort of things for example:

But the DaaHub will fit any of these bikes facing backwards over rear wheel. Davids Thorn demo bike that I tried was set up like this and pictures on Google images......Anyway for serious off road stuff just buy a Haibike