I've narrowed it down to two! Kalkhoff & Wisper.

[rustic]

Hi all,

Thanks to everyone involved in putting this site together & taking the time to reply to other people's threads. Through just spending a few hours reading this site I've gone from knowing next to nothing about electric bikes to having a basic grasp of what I want.

I've narrowed it down to two, the Wisper 905se City or the Kalkhoff pro connect. I'd really appreciate the input from people with more experience in this area to help me make a final decision. I've spent much time reading the forums & both bikes have generally positive remarks made about them.

Key points to consider are:

I'm 6'4" tall & weigh 16 stone. I'm aware Kalkhoff provide a variety of frame sizes, but think the Wisper is one standard size. Will I be too big for it?

I intend to sell my car & use this as my main form of transport. My commute to work is about 12 miles each way with a couple of mild to moderate hills.

I get the impression that availability may be an issue with both bikes.

Ideally I would like to test ride both bikes to get a comparison. Are there stockists that sell both bikes?

I would prefer to arrive at work in a relatively decent / quicker state more than an emphasis on getting fit (I will be keeping my old hybrid bike for that purpose).

Any input / suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Rus.

 

[the_killjoy]

As someone who has the same dilema I agree it is a difficult choice, Unfortunately I haven't ridden either ~ the choice seems to be down to the more expensive and better looking Kalkhoff with the larger frame option or the Wisper with the power option.

The general consensus is that niether is a bad bike ~ if they were the choice would be easier. The main problem would seem to be getting a firm delivery date.

 

[rustic]

Thanks Killjoy,

At least that reassures me that I am somewhere on the right track! It's a big investment for me & I really can't afford to get it wrong.

I'm really prepared to get rid of my car & go down the electric bike route, but know It'll have a much better chance of succeeding if I manage to get the right bike for me.

 

[flecc]

In character they are very different of course. The Kalkhoff is primarily a bicycle which assists your pedalling effort stroke by stroke but which therefore must always be pedalled. It's also very easy to pedal without power on, much like an ordinary bike.

The Wisper has a motor which can be throttle controlled to run all the time and take you along the flat without pedalling if you wish, handy if you want to take it easy. Although I understand it's very free running by hub motor standards, it's unlikely to be quite as easy to pedal without power as the Kalkhoff, though this is probably not an important point for you.

If very steep hills were in the equation, the Kalhoff with it's drive through the gears would come out on top. but with seemingly only moderate hills, the Wisper 905se would do the trip in less time due to a rather higher average speed in moderate territory.

Both have more than adequate range for the job.

The Kalkhoff wins on tailoring the frame size exactly, but it seems from members comments that the 905se is larger than previous 905 models and some over 6' are riding it happily. For your 6' 4" it might be a wise precaution to try one first though, and it's worth contacting Wisper to find the nearest dealer with one or the nearest show or location where one will appear.
.

 

[burncycle]

It depend what you want Rus.
Moped type style help or pedal help?

 

[frank9755]

Wisper and Kalkhoff are very different bikes, but they are not as different as, say, an Ezee and a Kalkhoff, because the Wisper does operate as a pedelec. In some ways the Wisper might be thought of as a cross between Ezee and Kalkhoff type-bikes but one which does a closer imitation of the Ezee than Kalkhoff.

I have never seen or ridden a Kalkhoff so am not the expert, but I believe that it would basically be better quality than the Wisper and have better cycling qualities. As has been mentioned, the Wisper has the throttle, which gives it an extra dimension, and it also has a much bigger battery which could translate to either higher range or much better performance for a weaker cyclist (or a stronger one wanting to avoid exertion!)

For someone of average height (for a man), I would say the single-sized Wisper frame would be likely to fit. If you are shorter than average or very tall - better to try it first.

I would advise anyone to try before buying, and to think long and hard before ordering anything not in stock - bearing in mind that both bikes have had significant delays due to factors such as component shortage, and that delays have proved longer than original estimates!

 

[rustic]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm going to do some phoning around early this week & will travel to wherever I can find examples of each bike that I could test drive. I'm just not at all sure that the Wisper frame will accommodate my bulk!

If the fit / feel is right, then I think I would favour the more moped like Wisper, but could still easily be swayed otherwise. I notice that the retail price stated for the Wisper 905se City on their webpage is a fair bit higher than what people have previously paid for Wisper bikes - Is this simply because it is a newer / better model, or might there be some flexibility with the stated prices?

Do any current owners have a suggestion of what the ongoing maintennance costs might be? I would imagine the batteries would need replacing every so often, but am unsure of other maintennance costs. Are obtaining replacement parts for these bikes ever problematic?

Any further advice / information is greatly appreciated. I think ultimately a test drive of each bike will prove the deciding factor, but it's better to do this whilst being aware of the potential issues & having sensible questions to be answered.

I live in a village called Earls Colne (North Essex) if anyone reading this lives around this area and owns one of these bikes, or any other potentially suitable model - I would be extremely grateful to share a bit of your time & have a look at the bike.

Thanks again for your advice, Rus.

 

[baboon]

I had exactly the same dilemma a few weeks back. What swung it for me in favour of the Kalhkoff was the apparent better quality of the components used. I also liked the neat idea of routing the cables through the frame on the Kalhkoff; though I do wonder what happens if a cable inside the frame breaks! The hub gears on the Kalhkoff were also a plus in my view.

However, the Wisper does have a lot going for it. The "moped-like" ability has already been pointed out. Also worth noting is the excellent support from Wisper Bikes on this forum; it's a simple fact that the same cannot be said for Kalhkoff and 50cycles. Also, the Wisper is a couple of hundred cheaper.

Peter

 

[the_killjoy]

Rustic, you may be interested in some figures I had from 50 cycles on frame size:

53cm frame : Minimum saddle to ground height 98 cm (38.5 in)
57cm frame : Minimum saddle to ground height 104 cm (40.2in)

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Hi

I have the wisper 905 and I am 6ft 3 and 17stone. Although the saddle is at its limit mark I am very comfortable on it and it pushes me a long at a rate of knots which has surprised me considering my size.

I have a moderate commute route ( long inclines rather than hills ) and my daily commute time for the 19 miles round trip has dropped from 95 mins to 66minutes ( to be precise )

As others have said though best you try it out

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

Rustic, you may be interested in some figures I had from 50 cycles on frame size:

53cm frame : Minimum saddle to ground height 98 cm (38.5 in)
57cm frame : Minimum saddle to ground height 104 cm (40.2in)

Interesting - My 57cm frame Agattu has a minimum saddle to ground height of 99cm (suspension post). The geometry of the pro connect must be different. I am slightly confused as I understood no 53's had arrived in the country yet. Make sure these numbers are for the pro!

 

[the_killjoy]

Although from the photos it looks to me as though both models use the same frame I did ask for the sizes of both models and they gave the single set of figures.

 

[rustic]

Thanks again guys for the comments. Really helpful & much appreciated.

Having done a bit more research, I have decided to rule out the pro-connect. I think I am after a moped style bike, but sadly that doesn't solve my problems!!

I test rode a Wisper at the Electric bike shop in Cambridege yesterday. They were very helpful & went out of their way to set the bike up for me. I have to say I was pretty impressed by the bike, a very smooth ride & a real contender. As I've said before, I'm 6' 4" & the Wisper is a fairly small frame. I would say that I found it manageable, but have a slight reservaton how I might find this day in day out on longer journeys.

On this basis, I wonder how the Ezee Forza & the Ezee Torq might compare to the Wispa, both in terms of performance & how compatible they would be to someone of my bulk?

I found the Wisper to be quite nippy, I'm not sure if the Ezee bikes have the same off road derestriction option? If they don't, is it a possibility to obtain a faster speed by making adjustments (for off road requirements of course) & how easy would it be to do this?

Has production stopped, for these bikes? I've seen on another thread that they may be in stock in Brighton, is anyone aware of a potential supplier closer to my home on the Essex / Suffolk border?

Thanks again everyone, Best wishes, Rus

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Hi

As mentioned before I am 6ft 3ins and the wisper is a very good fit for me on my 19 miles daily commute. That proves that you should always try these things out (squeeze the lemons, one mans drink is another mans poision etc etc ). Good luck in your search.

 

[flecc]

Hi Rustic

To answer an earlier question of yours, the higher Wisper price results in part from them now having a new larger capacity battery giving 40% more range, and probably a bit from the various movements in exchange rates which have increased many e-bike prices.

The eZee bikes went through a very bad period due largely to the battery manufacturer supplying batteries that were inadequate, and that led to their departure from the original importer, 50cycles. Now with a new importer, they have one of the highest quality batteries available anywhere, but of necessity expensive and still only the standard range size. Therefore the Forza and Torq will largely meet your requirements, but the range may just be a touch short of your two way distance, depending on your input and any hills on the route.

There was an intention to supply them only in restricted form with no derestriction possible and that greatly improves the range, but it's best to check the latest on this by telephoning as it may have changed. Although both are restricted to 15.5 mph normally, their motors are very powerful, so they will probably be a touch faster up any hills encountered, but only slightly making up for the speed difference of the derestricted Wisper.

Cyclepoint at Brighton are the only southern outlet I know of, but they are appointing some dealers so it's worth checking when phoning.
.

 

[rustic]

Thanks again for all your responses, really very much appreciated.

Brizzleboy - Yep, I did see your earlier entry, I'm 6'4" edging 6'5" & have just had an operation to remove a tumour on my spine, so comfort is paramount for me. I test rode a Wisper from the Electric bike shop & it was just about ok - Believe me, if the frame size was a mere 2 inches bigger I would be buying one as soon as possible. I just need to make sure there is nothing more suitable before I finally decide.

Flecc - Thanks for that info. I emailed Cyclepoint in Brighton earlier today & will wait for their reply, I basically just wanted a bit more info about the Forza & the torq in terms of their frame size & derestriction options etc..,

I'm finding it a tough decision. I work part time & have had a bit of a rough time with my health of late, so simply can't afford to spend money on the wrong bike.

I was impressed with the Wisper, but worry that I may not find it quite so comfortable day in / day out having sold my car.

Any further suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[BrizzleBoy]

Rustic
You are doing the right thing in being patient especially as you intend to replace the car which is a big step and to be applauded. If you are going on 6ft 5 I can see your caution.

Best wishes

 

[fishingpaul]

Hi rustic i see you are 6`4" tall, i always find inside leg measurement more accurate than height, some people have long legs and some have short,for example i am about 5`11"but my inside leg is only 29".

 

[moon]

Tonight I took my wisper on a ride up and down hills for about 30mins, it rode like a dream and ate up the hills in no time. I didnt even break a sweat
Am now planning some cycle routes into deepest kent that I haven't attempted for years.

I am very pleased with my bike...


gwaaan get a wisper...

 

[redbites]

heinzmann sport...

i was wondering what you thought about this?

i've been absent after i cancelled my wisper 905se last year, still commuting by motorbike... still looking for the ultimate bike? surely this is it??