Ezee Torq Performance???

[Bradwell]

Can anyone tell me if the new Ezee Torq Trekking has better performance than the previous model? I'm thinking of buying one, but wonder if it is an improvment, or should I be looking for a 2nd hand model without the upgrades?
Any advice welcome?
Also wonder if the Wisper 905SE might be a better buy than an Ezee Torq?

Thanks,

John

 

[frank9755]

John,
I'd suggest you try both, as its a lot of money to spend and you want to make the right decision!
Possibly the biggest difference between Wisper and Ezee is the rear/front motor, which makes the bike have a different feel. Personally I prefer rear wheel motors, but others think differently.
I've not seen any reports on the new Torq, but I understand from published specs that it is broadly similar to the old one with the main difference being the front suspension to alleviate the hard ride from the front wheel motor. The suspension has some negative impact on performance but they've tweaked the motor to compensate.
Try before you buy would be my advice!
Frank

 

[flecc]

The Trekking has had the motor torque increased a bit to give siome improvement to hill climbing, but there will be a small offset as it will be a bit heavier with the front suspension. I'd guess at a small net gain in power in climbing.

The 905se is an unknown quantity as it is only just becoming available.

As Frank advises, there's no substitute for trying them both out if you can get to wherever they are available for trial.
.

 

[Bradwell]

Thanks for the advice, makes alot of sense to try before I buy.

John

 

[frank9755]

Another difference is the frame size. The Torq is a bigger frame than the Wisper. If you are 6'+ the Torq might be a better bet. If you're a good bit shorter than that, you may find the Wisper more suitable.

 

[Steveu]

trying out ebikes

Hi I'm new here - trying to decide which avenue to pursue (aplologies if I'm covering old ground). Initially, I was interested in fitting a kit to my existing mountain bike (used on farm tracks and on roads in Oxfordshire) having read about the BionX or the Nano 9 (and not liking the weird look of most ebikes onthe market). Then I came across descriptions of the Ezee Torq and thought Wow!

Where can one try out a range of ebikes? One shop near oxford sells powacycle but says its policy is not to let customers try it out (in case they don't come back!). I have briefly tried a couple at the shop on Camden Road in London but would love to try out an Ezee Torq. Does anyone else deal with them besides 50cycles or have I got to bite the bullet and travel up to Loughborough to try one out? The cost is a bit frightening but as it will be a 50th birthday present for myself I think I'll be allowed to splash out!

steve

 

[flecc]

Hi Steve

50cycles are the sole suppliers from Loughborough, but one director is based at London and may have a Torq available for you to try.

Ring 50cycles in the first instance to ask, here's the Contact Page.

If you are going to use it on farm tracks as you mentioned, it might be best to buy the trekking version with front suspension if the tracks are rough, as these hub motor bikes aren't design approved for "off road" use, although having an off road speed mode for private roads.

There are the odd suppliers of a number of different makes, but I know of nowhere where they are all available for trial rides. The overall sales are still too small to justify the costs involved in turning a range of them into second hand ex demonstration machines.
.

 

[davidro]

Does anyone actually know the frame size of the Torq vs the Wisper 905SE? I can't seem to find this out.

Are you saying that the Torq is not really suitable as an off road track bike, i.e. are the electrics so vulnerable that it will fail if used regularly off tarmac?

 

[flecc]

I don't know the exact Torq frame size, but it's best for taller riders, I could only just manage it at 5' 6". The Wisper frame is the opposite, well suited to smaller riders but I don't think for over 6' as others have also said.

Almost none of the hub motor bikes is fully suitable for rough off road conditions, and many including the Torq warn of this in the manuals or elsewhere. Hub motors have hollow spindles to carry the cables in, strong enough for road shocks, but possibly not for off road, although front suspension will allow the wheel to rise away from a bump and ease the shock.

The other consideration is the battery weight, near the rear usually and taking shocks direct from the rear wheel. I've in fact suffered a smashed battery carrier platform on an e-bike, caused by a near vertical edged speed calming platform.

Rear suspension could ease this of course, but the only e-bikes fully suitable for off road are odd ones that have central motor and battery and dual suspension. Lot's of people use e-bikes, including the Torq, on sustran tracks and the like, and when not too rough that's ok of course, seeing that some of our roads can be worse.
.