From Zephyr to Big Bear maybe?

[Marwood Hill]

I have had two years experience riding an electric bicycle. I own a Woosh Zephyr CDN. I am now wanting to change to a full size (below £1000) bike and have been looking at the Big Bear. My Zephyr CDN is great, it copes with all hills brilliantly and is reasonably comfortable. My new bike would have to pull even better and have improved comfort. I am guessing the Big Bear will do so? One thing which i have been giving thought to, the front wheel motor, will i be able to hear it, being as it's in front of me? My CDN is silent, i don't hear a thing. I would also like an upright seating position so i would like to change the handlebars for ones similar to the ones on the Big Bear LS. Will the front wheel lose traction if i do so, as there will be less weight over the wheel?

 

[Benjahmin]

My wife has a Big Bear LS and we live in west Wales. It can certainly handle the hills with ease. However the riding position is very upright, so there is not much weight over the front wheel. Therefore it can lose traction on steeper sections that are either wet or loose surface. Also you will hear it on those steeper sections. It is louder and a bit harsher than my Ezee.
Otherwise it seems a robust bike and seeing my wife (not a lifelong cyclist) trundling around the narrow lanes of Wales, overtaking roadies on the hills, whilst bolt upright, makes me smile.

 

[RobF]

makes me smile.

But not the roadies she overtakes.

 

[trex]

a rear driving Big Bear LS is the Santana2.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana2

 

[Marwood Hill]

A rear driving Big Bear LS is the Santana2. I wasn't aware of this model. Really like the idea of the rear motor. Pity it hasn't got the Big Bear crossbar frame. I am looking to get a retro looking bike that looks like a Pashley Roadster but with great hill climbing power. Still looking at the Big Bear and fitting Roadster type handlebars, saddle etc.

 

[Marwood Hill]

Although my CDN gets me up the steepest of hills with a bit of pedal power, i often think about how i would get home if the chain should break. These things can happen. Now, if i had a Big Bear with a hub motor and this should happen, i would be able to continue my journey uphill using motor power. Right or wrong?

 

[anotherkiwi]

It can be done, without a throttle even.

But IMO it is much easier to carry a chain tool and a spare link or two. Oh and don't forget the gloves! And the only chains I have ever seen being repaired were always MTB chains up on the mountain and there you need to be able to fix otherwise you are carrying the bike back down....

 

[Marwood Hill]

I was just about ready to order a Big Bear then found that it will not fit in my bike shed. I could make my shed bigger or go for a Zephyr-B. But, ARE there any cables running through the INSIDE of the frame in the folding area on the Zephyr-B? There are on my CDN and i hate it! Also, will a B pull up hills as good as a Big Bear? Don't like the shorter range of the Zephyr-B though, looks like i will have to make my shed longer???

 

[trex]

I But, ARE there any cables running through the INSIDE of the frame in the folding area on the Zephyr-B?

LCD cable and rear hydraulic brake hose and derailleur cable: outside.

 

[anotherkiwi]

You don't park your bikes vertically? Your shed isn't tall enough

 

[Marwood Hill]

a rear driving Big Bear LS is the Santana2.

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?santana2

Just read somewhere that hIgh power motors are ok on the front because, if something has to give it's just a wheel spin. On the back, if something has to give it's likely to be broken spokes. So, i think? this model motor is less powerful than the Big Bear?

 

[trex]

it's the same Bafang BPM, same 20A Lishui controller.
The rear motor wheel is suspended, no broken spoke as far as I know.

 

[Marwood Hill]

Woosh Big Bear arrived today as arranged. Great packaging. The bike was in beautiful condition with no marks whatsoever. I was pleasantly surprised to find it has got a disc brake on the rear, rather than the rim brake that is shown on their website. A quick ride around the block, love it, great on the hills. This is my second Woosh bike purchase in two years.


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[Marwood Hill]

Does anyone know what this is? It came in the Big Bear charger box. Thanks

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[Deleted member 4366]

It's a spoke key. Check that the spokes are tight after you've done about 100 miles..

 

[Marwood Hill]

It's a spoke key. Check that the spokes are tight after you've done about 100 miles..

Ah, i would never have worked that out. I've now got to figure out how to use it, thanks.
Just found the info about adjusting spokes in the maintenance book.


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[Marwood Hill]

Any tips on how to stop wheel spins on the Big Bear. Because of my low weight i have been doing nothing but burning rubber on my first proper ride today!


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[trex]

keep assist level low, 1 or 2 and use the throttle when more power is needed.

 

[Marwood Hill]

keep assist level low, 1 or 2 and use the throttle when more power is needed.

Thanks Trex, but it's the throttle that's the problem. I always use it on our steep hills to get the bike moving then carry on with the pedals. This has always worked great with my Zephyr CDN but with Big Bear, just a tiny movement on throttle sends the wheel spinning on hyper speed.


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[trex]

the BPM motor is big and very powerful. It will take a little time.