From Zephyr to Big Bear maybe?

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?

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.

makes me smile.

 

But not the roadies she overtakes.

a rear driving Big Bear LS is the Santana2.

 

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

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2016/santana2/santana2-850.jpg

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.

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?

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....

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???

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.

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2014/zephyr-b/zephyr-b17-800.jpg

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

a rear driving Big Bear LS is the Santana2.

 

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

 

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2016/santana2/santana2-850.jpg

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?

it's the same Bafang BPM, same 20A Lishui controller.

The rear motor wheel is suspended, no broken spoke as far as I know.

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.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does anyone know what this is? It came in the Big Bear charger box. Thankshttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160415/824d11841daaab6ffd8cfe6aee71c114.jpg

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

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.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by 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!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

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.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 17, 201610 yr by Marwood Hill

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

Five days now. Love the bike. Love the style. Love the build. But, nothing is any good if it don't work. I can jump on my Zephyr CDN, twist and go forward no problem. With the Big Bear, no matter how low the power setting or throttle movement, the front wheel will just not grip the road, it just spins and sends me sideways. It will eventually find traction and take me up any hill, hit and miss all the way up. It's obvious to me what the problem is. I am too light at under 9 stone. It's like putting a Mini engine in the back of the car and using front wheel drive. The bike description needs to be revised and described as suitable only for the heavier person. I have emailed Woosh and asked their opinion on my idea of me fitting a front Dutch cargo rack to my bike and adding 10-15kg of weight over the front wheel. My mail has been forwarded to their tech team and i await their response.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 21, 20169 yr by Marwood Hill

I've ridden bikes with double that power in the front wheel. It's not really a problem if you lean forward when you take off or go up steep hills.

It's obvious to me what the problem is. I am too light at under 9 stone.

 

What I remember it did say for the overweight unfit rider. So start eating to much, have lots of sugar, stop exercising, give up sex.

one solution is to ask Woosh to swap your wheel set for a Santana2 wheel set which is rear driving.

I've ridden bikes with double that power in the front wheel. It's not really a problem if you lean forward when you take off or go up steep hills.

In my case, leaning forward does not help one bit.. If i was 16 stone plus and had a good back for leaning forward then it probably would helo. As it is, i am now the local subject of ridicule. The street corner youths can be heard jeering " Look at that old grandad burning rubber!"

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited April 21, 20169 yr by Marwood Hill